2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

Redskins Not Planning To Fire Jay Gruden

December 29th, 2017 at 2:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jay Gruden was a fringe hot-seat candidate, but it looks like the Redskins aren’t going to entertain the idea of jettisoning their head coach after this season.

The team has no plans to make a coaching change, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), adding the injuries Washington’s dealt with and Gruden’s leadership skills factored into the retention decision.

Gruden’s ability to keep his staff on the same page has played into this as well, and Michael Lombardi of The Ringer reports (Twitter link) the Redskins are hoping to extend some members of the coaching staff.

Gruden has new offensive and defensive coordinators in place this season, and the Redskins have dealt with several setbacks. Gruden also has been the face of the organization that’s gone without a GM since Scot McCloughan‘s ouster. The Redskins having signed their HC to an extension earlier this year meant a dismissal at this juncture was unlikely.

The Bengals held Gruden — a former Cincinnati offensive coordinator — as their top choice to replace Marvin Lewis if/when he’s out as their HC, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes (on Twitter).

They will finish short of the playoffs for the third time in four seasons and will again enter an uncertain offseason regarding Kirk Cousins‘ employment. The fourth-year coach is 28-34-1 thus far in his tenure.

Texans Prepared To End “Toxic” Bill O’Brien-Rick Smith Relationship?

December 29th, 2017 at 2:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Much has emerged about the less-than-ideal relationship between Bill O’Brien and Rick Smith in Houston, but the Texans may be ready to make a choice at soon.

Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports the franchise has a troublesome situation on its hands regarding the GM/HC relationship. One source told the Texans reporter it’s become a “toxic” and “dysfunctional” relationship.

O’Brien said recently he would not quit on the Texans, and his contract runs through 2018. However, sources who spoke to Wilson about the Texans’ setup said owner Bob McNair waiting until O’Brien’s contract expires to make a change could create a “difficult work environment.”

The Ringer’s Michael Lombardi took this a step further by indicating (via Twitter) the league perception is Smith will be prioritized over O’Brien. Wilson and Lombardi note McNair and Smith have a close relationship. The GM’s served in this capacity since 2006. One source who spoke to Wilson said the pair could potentially make this work, but that seems to be the dissenting opinion amid this turmoil. Smith is under contract through 2020.

O’Brien was rumored to be possibly on his way out after last season, despite the Texans’ second straight AFC South title, but he was retained. Should O’Brien be shown the door in Houston, he’d likely be a coveted commodity on what could be a wild coaching market given how many vacancies could emerge after Week 17. He led the Texans to two straight playoff brackets despite the franchise continually misfiring at quarterback prior to landing Deshaun Watson — a Smith-preferred acquisition.

Jim Schwartz On Giants’ HC Radar?

December 29th, 2017 at 1:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Having moved rather quickly to replace Jerry Reese with former Reese lieutenant Dave Gettleman, the Giants now are focused on filling their HC vacancy.

Ernie Accorsi will not “officially” be part of this search for their next head coach, John Mara said (via James Kratch of NJ.com, on Twitter). Accorsi won’t sit in on interviews, but the ex-Big Blue GM will be a resource in the process, per Mara. The Gettleman hire occurring — after myriad reports of the former Panthers GM being the favorite — leads some around the league to believe they have a coaching candidate ready to pair with Gettleman, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears.

Florio writes Eagles DC Jim Schwartz is the name that’s been most connected with this vacancy and floated an interesting reason for this buzz. Accorsi is believed to lean heavily on Bill Belichick‘s advice and Florio’s heard the Patriots HC has suggested Accorsi recommend Schwartz’s hire to Gettleman.

This would make for an interesting route, and Florio adds some in the league regard this recommendation as a way for Belichick to keep Josh McDaniels in the fold for another season. However, McDaniels has been connected to an HC avenues alongside New England VP of player personnel Nick Caserio as GM. A previous GM candidate, Caserio looks to be out of the picture for the Giants after Gettleman’s hire.

Mara said he would prefer an experienced head coach to take over, per Kratch (Twitter link). This would match up with Schwartz, who has extensive experience as a defensive coordinator and served as the Lions’ HC for five years. Schwartz has also had supporters within the Giants organization for years, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv notes, adding some sources believe Gettleman is high on the HC candidate as well.

Steve Spagnuolo will interview, but Mara is unsure OC Mike Sullivan will. Mara opened Gettleman’s presser today by saying he sought an exec with GM experience, so it would stand to reason the traditional organization wants a more seasoned HC. Mara’s Ben McAdoo hire — after only two years of coordinator experience — did not work out, so he’s planning to take a different route this time.

The Giants could interview Schwartz next week since the Eagles have booked a bye. The Ringer’s Mike Lombardi tweets the Giants wanted their GM search to conclude before the season ended in order to be ready to “act quickly” on a coaching search by the time interviews could be scheduled.

There’s certainly some unique reasoning associated with it, but Schwartz — who runs a 4-3 defense like the Giants do and has long been regarded as an upper-echelon DC — looks to be firmly on New York’s radar.

Andrew Luck Set To Resume Throwing Soon

December 29th, 2017 at 1:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andrew Luck spent time in the Netherlands recently for additional rehab on his troublesome throwing shoulder, and the Colts quarterback addressed his status Friday.

Luck plans to resume throwing soon and has a considerably lofty recovery goal. Going into his seventh NFL offseason, Luck does not expect to miss any of it — not OTAs, minicamp or training camp — as he prepares for a return for the 2018 season (Twitter link), one he does not feel is in jeopardy despite the murkiness of his 2017.

The 28-year-old passer also does not expect to undergo another surgery. He noted the only rehab he did in Europe featured soft tissue work with a therapist he’d worked with in the past (Twitter link). None of the exercises performed are illegal in the United States; Luck simply traveled to the Netherlands because that’s where this trainer is stationed.

“I feel stronger, more stable, more confident in it. It’s better,” Luck said of his shoulder.

He has not thrown a pass since the Colts shelved him from practice earlier this season prior to placing him on IR, but he’s preparing for another throwing program soon. The quarterback’s strength levels are a self-described issue, and this area will be addressed before said throwing sessions commence.

This remains a drawn-out process that would make it seem like OTAs are an unrealistic conclusion, given what’s transpired over the past year and considering training camp is nearly eight months away.

DeMarco Murray Out For Week 17

December 29th, 2017 at 12:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeMarco Murray is dealing with a badly sprained knee and will not be available in the Titans’ crucial Week 17 contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Tennessee’s starting running back is dealing with the most severe of MCL tears, and while he initially expressed optimism he could play through it against the Jaguars, the Titans are going to rest him Sunday. The Titans, however, will not place Murray on IR, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets.

The Titans will lean on Derrick Henry for ground support in hopes of advancing to their first AFC playoff bracket in nine years. Henry’s been a bigger part of the offense in his second season than he was in 2016, and Murray’s numbers have declined as well. But the team refusing to place its starting back on IR indicates it is at least considering a healthy Murray-Henry setup taking the field in a playoff game.

Murray suffered the knee injury in Week 16. He will finish his second Titans season with more than 600 fewer rushing yards (659) than he amassed last year in a Pro Bowl campaign. The seventh-year runner’s yards-per-carry figure (3.6) is also nearly a yard off his ’16 pace.

Tennessee faces a win-and-in scenario against a Jaguars team that is already locked into the AFC’s No. 3 seed, so prospects are encouraging for the Titans to end that lengthy playoff drought. Henry is averaging 4.7 yards per tote and leads the team with 693 rushing yards.

Jets Extend Todd Bowles, Mike Maccagnan

December 29th, 2017 at 11:31am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets are going forward with their current management structure. The team announced extensions for both Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, and Brian Costello of the New York Post reports (on Twitter) these are two-year agreements.

Both of these re-ups run through 2020, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Both were headed into the final years of their initial Jets contracts.

“We are very happy to have extended both Mike and Todd,” Jets CEO Christopher Johnson said. “During their time here, they have worked together to help the organization build a foundation on which to grow. I believe we are headed in the right direction. This provides us continuity and stability as we continue to move this team towards sustained success. We still have a lot of work to do and I am excited to work closely with both of them as we move forward.”

Bowles had been a fringe hot-seat occupant, but as the season went along, his overachieving team showed promise unexpected of a roster that was purged of many veterans this past offseason.

Although the Jets may finish 5-11 for the second straight season, they were expected to vie for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick. Bowles looks to have shown ownership he deserves more time to attempt to thrust Gang Green back to contention. This season had Jets sources “raving” about Bowles’ performance as recently as a month ago, but no extension appeared imminent at that point.

Since being hired together in 2015, Maccagnan and Bowles have steered the Jets to a 20-27 record. Maccagnan cut numerous vets this offseason, severing ties with many of the franchise’s higher-profile talents brought in prior to his arrival, but observed Bowles lead the team to wins over the playoff-bound Jaguars and Chiefs while having a team that was perhaps favored to land the ’18 No. 1 selection to an over-.500 mark in October.

The Jets narrowly missed the 2015 playoffs and won 10 games before regressing to 5-11 last season. Barring an upset as a two-touchdown-plus underdog Sunday in New England, the Jets are going to repeat that five-win showing. But some recent investments — like Josh McCown, Jamal Adams, Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse and Leonard Williams — have paid dividends for this year’s iteration. And Gang Green will have more cap space than it’s held in years this coming offseason. The Jets are projected to possess more than $80MM in space. That figure expected to approach $100MM only by jettisoning Muhammad Wilkerson, about whom Maccagnan clearly has buyer’s remorse, and will be able to augment their roster in a number of ways.

And Christopher Johnson, making a big decision after Woody Johnson ceded day-to-day control of the team after becoming U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, is confident in the current power structure’s ability to manage this cap space and further place the Jets in position to contend in the near future.

Brandon Marshall Eyeing Multiple Additional Seasons

December 29th, 2017 at 10:34am CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Marshall‘s Giants contract has not produced what the team envisioned. The 12th-year wide receiver barely made it into October before an injury cost him the rest of this season.

Signed to a two-year contract, Marshall wants to play beyond that deal despite this latest setback.

“I’m all-in on football. I’ve rebuilt my body,” Marshall said, via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. “I think I’m two great years away from — and I’ll say it, I want to be a Hall of Famer, and I think I got two great years to go to be mentioned with some of the greats. I’m not just playing this game just to be a guy; I want to be remembered for the product that I put out on the field.”

Marshall will turn 34 in March, and he’s one of the oldest skill-position players in the league. But Marshall has defied norms during his eventful career. One of the most productive nomads in NFL history, having posted 1,000-yard seasons with four teams, Marshall has still yet to appear in a playoff game. His production dropped off for the 2016 Jets, with a 788-yard season following a 1,502-yard 2015 campaign. However, the Giants signed Marshall to a two-year, $12MM deal in March.

He’s set to make $5MM in base salary next season, but the now-Dave Gettleman-managed Giants will have a new head coach in place and are going to be coming off a two- or three-win season. So, Marshall’s spot in New York can’t be considered solid. The Giants could create $5.1MM in cap space by releasing him.

Marshall, who has resumed running after an October ankle surgery, was rather ambiguous when asked if he’d consider accepting a pay cut.

“You know how it is, you get to the plus side of 30, a production slip, you get injured, the business side of it, history says that you’re going to get cut or they are going to ask you to take a pay cut,” Marshall said. “That’s the business side of it; that’s history. So I’m prepared for that. I’ve had a lot of change in my life, but one of the reasons why I came to this organization was for stability and also not to be an environment that we created this year, right? So I was looking for more stability, but I’m built for this and I’ll learn from it.

“… It’s about respect; it’s about finishing strong, and although it’s not about the money, but I’m approaching it as whatever is for me, I want it all. If that’s $100,000, $500,000, $1 million, I want it all. Whatever I’m worth, I want it all.”

Cowboys Place Tyron Smith, Orlando Scandrick On IR

December 29th, 2017 at 10:07am CST by Sam Robinson

Tyron Smith will move into offseason mode one week earlier than otherwise scheduled. The Cowboys placed their All-Pro left tackle on IR on Friday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports, adding cornerback Orlando Scandrick will join him in being moved from the 53-man roster to the injury list.

The Cowboys promoted wide receiver Lance Lenoir and tackle Kadeem Edwards from the practice squad to replace them, Archer reports.

Smith has battled multiple maladies this season, but knee pain will end up ending his season. Smith played in 13 games this year; the seventh-year tackle has never played in fewer than 13 in a season. His absences during a crucial November losing streak proved costly for the Cowboys, who will miss the playoffs after earning the NFC’s top seed last season.

Scandrick has missed the past four games with a back injury. His status in Dallas is far less certain than Smith’s, and the 30-year-old slot corner — a trade candidate this past offseason — could be moving on after 10 seasons with the team. After missing all of the 2015 season due to injury, Scandrick will have missed nine games over the past two campaigns because of ailments.

Bashaud Breeland Likely To Test Market

December 29th, 2017 at 9:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Bashaud Breeland‘s been one of the most consistent presences associated with the Redskins the past four seasons, starting 56 games and ascending to the first unit as a rookie. But he could be set to play his final game with the team on Sunday.

The fourth-year cornerback will be a UFA in 2018, and the expectation is the Redskins will allow him to test the market, J.P. Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com reports. Washington is expected to move on from Breeland at season’s end, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.

Asked if his representation — which he switched in advance of his contract year — and the franchise have engaged in contract talks, Breeland replied “no,” per Finlay. Jay Gruden expects Breeland to “get a nice contract,” and Washington’s invested in other corners since selecting Breeland in the 2014 fourth round. Josh Norman‘s $15MM-AAV deal still represents the NFL’s top cornerback salary, and three Washington corners — Kendall Fuller (Round 3, 2016), Fabian Moreau (Round 3, 2017) and Joshua Holsey (Round 7, 2017) — have rookie-deal years remaining after this season.

“I’m just patiently waiting to see whether that’s still with the Washington Redskins or with a new family,” Breeland said, via Finlay. “I understand the business. There’s no hard feelings. I just want to play ball. … It’s not about the money; it’s about the respect level.”

Pro Football Focus rates Breeland as its No. 70 full-time corner this year — fourth-highest among Redskins, with UDFA Quinton Dunbar coming in ahead of him as well. Breeland’s intercepted eight passes as a pro.

Lions Place C Travis Swanson On IR

December 29th, 2017 at 8:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Travis Swanson will not return for the Lions’ Week 17 game against the Packers, and it’s possible the center has played his last game as a member of the team.

Detroit placed its fourth-year snapper on IR on Friday. Swanson suffered a concussion earlier this month and hasn’t played since Week 14. The Lions signed wide receiver Jace Billingsley to replace Swanson on the 53-man roster.

An unrestricted free agent at season’s end, Swanson has been a full-season starter in each of the past three seasons. However, the former third-round pick will end a third consecutive campaign on IR. He also saw a concussion send him to the injured list to conclude last season. He missed the final four Lions regular-season games in 2016.