HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Patriots’ Isaiah Wynn Done For Season

August 17th, 2018 at 10:26am CST by Zachary Links

Patriots’ first-round pick Isaiah Wynn tore his Achilles in Thursday’s preseason game against the Eagles, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Patriots will be forced to place the offensive lineman on season-ending IR. 

Wynn was pushing for a starting job on the Patriots’ offensive line and, at worst, he was in line for a pivotal rotational job. Now, without the versatile tackle/guard, it appears that the front five is more or less set. The Pats project to start Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, and Marcus Cannon up front with veterans such as LaAdrian Waddle and Brian Schwenke among those pushing for reserve roles. Meanwhile, the injury will improve the odds of another lineman making the final cut, and that could be good news for Ulrich John, Matt Tobin, and Cole Croston.

The Patriots are fortunate to have depth up front, but this is still a tough blow for the offensive line. The Pats pounced on Wynn at No. 23 overall this year because of his technically-sound blocking, above-average athleticism, and ability to play multiple positions. Now, they’ll have to wait until 2019 to see what the Georgia product can do.

AFC West Notes: Raiders, Mack, Broncos

August 16th, 2018 at 9:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders’ situation with Khalil Mack continues to feature no movement. There is no end in sight, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, adding the 2016 defensive player of the year will not report in time for Oakland’s second preseason game. Reggie McKenzie previously said he does not expect the superstar defensive end to show up without an extension, so this isn’t unexpected. Mack will incur a fine of $814K by not being with the Raiders for their second preseason tilt, bringing his fine total up to $1.628MM, per Schefter.

Jon Gruden, meanwhile, insists the Raiders are trying to bring Mack back as soon as possible and called the fifth-year Raider “the best player coming off the edge in football.”

“We’re going to try to get him here as soon as we can,” Gruden said during a Sirius XM Radio interview (via NBC Sports Bay Area). “In the time being, you got to move on. You’ve got to get up and go to work. That’s one thing I’m very proud of what we’ve done here. This is a negotiation. Joel Segal is Khalil’s agent. They’ve got their plan. General manager Reggie McKenzie and the people negotiating on our end have a plan. I’m coaching the team. At this time, he’s not here, and we have to focus on what we can control, and that’s just working.”

Here’s the latest from the West divisions.

  • John Elway shot down a Colin Kaepernick route to Denver, indicating the former 49ers quarterback turned down an offer in 2016. (Although, Brock Osweiler also turned down a 2016 offer only to return a year later.) But the Broncos GM did not rule out bringing in another veteran backup, Mike Klis of 9News notes. The Broncos demoted Paxton Lynch this week, and new second-stringer Chad Kelly has never thrown a regular-season pass. Matt Moore may be the top non-Kaepernick QB available.
  • The 2016 summit between Kaepernick, Elway, Gary Kubiak and Broncos exec Matt Russell at Elway’s house was a “positive meet and greet,” according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com. The Broncos liked Kaepernick coming out of Nevada in 2011, and after the 2016 meeting, Kaepernick believed he was en route to becoming Denver’s next starter. However, he balked at taking a pay cut (one that would have reduced his salary to $7MM). Citing the double-standard for Osweiler — whom Robinson believes stirred up some hard feelings among Broncos execs by spurning them for the Texans — receiving a second chance in Denver and Kaepernick not being considered, the NFL reporter points to this being another checkmark in the Kaepernick-being-blackballed column.
  • In his first 2019 mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has the Broncos selecting a cornerback in Round 1. Although All-Pro Chris Harris remains well-regarded as a Broncos cornerstone, Miller notes some in Denver’s front office aren’t sold on Bradley Roby as a long-term cog. Roby’s entering his contract year. Harris has two seasons left on his team-friendly deal. The Broncos selected Brendan Langley in the 2017 third round, but 2018 third-rounder Isaac Yiadom was the nickelback in Denver’s first preseason game in place of the injured Tramaine Brock.
  • Whatever the Rams end up paying Aaron Donald, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com feels that gives the Raiders a price point. But he expects a Mack extension to come in slightly below what Donald ends up earning. With edge rushers on average earning more than their inside counterparts, it remains to be seen if Mack would accept a deal that doesn’t make him the NFL’s highest-paid defender.

Packers Progressing On Aaron Rodgers Deal

August 16th, 2018 at 7:19pm CST by Zachary Links

More progress regarding the biggest contract in NFL history is taking place as the regular season nears. The Packers are “creeping along towards a deal,” with Aaron Rodgers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). “Both sides” are motivated to finish this deal, Schefter adds. 

This follows a report earlier this month that indicated the sides were moving closer to a historic agreement, and Schefter confirms it will indeed be the most lucrative contract an NFL player has ever signed.

The type of extension Rodgers would sign has been one of the sticking points in this months-long process, with reports the 34-year-old quarterback wanted a deal that provided him more flexibility. At the same time, the Packers, understandably, were in favor of a more traditional type of re-up – similar to the five-year deal Matt Ryan signed earlier this year.

It’s unclear if the parties are progressing along the lines of a usual mega-extension – Rodgers is tied to a five-year deal presently – or one that affords the future Hall of Famer player options down the road in order to keep up with the escalating quarterback market. But with three weeks to go until the regular season opens, signs are pointing to a Rodgers deal having a strong chance of being completed by the time he suits up for his 14th season.

Seahawks Won’t Negotiate With Earl Thomas

August 16th, 2018 at 6:59pm CST by Zachary Links

An Earl Thomas return to the Seahawks will have to be on his current contract, because the team has no intention of relenting in this standoff. 

The Seahawks have no plans to discuss a new deal with Thomas, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reports. No negotiations are taking place, either, Condotta hears. Pete Carroll said he has not talked to his top safety this week.

Thomas has been away from the team throughout 2018, and the Seahawks don’t intend to allow him to return free of charge, either.

Unlike the NFC West rival Rams’ decision to waive Aaron Donald’s fines after his unsuccessful holdout concluded last year, the Seahawks do plan to collect fines from Thomas if/once he returns. The Seahawks will attempt to collect approximately $1.2MM from Thomas, Condotta reports.

Thomas said he won’t report to the Seahawks without a new deal, wanting either a trade or an extension. This impasse shows no signs of slowing down. Seattle may still want at least as second-round pick for its three-time All-Pro safety, Condotta notes, with Dallas still being the most likely buyer. The sides talked during the draft but could not strike a deal.

Although, the latest Seattle standoff with a safety hasn’t affected the team like the previous holdout did, per Condotta. Kam Chancellor’s 2015 holdout lasted for two games but occurred when the Seahawks resided as the defending NFC champions. They now appear closer to a rebuild than a Super Bowl run, and Condotta notes the Thomas issue has barely come up during Hawks camp.

Tedric Thompson has replaced Thomas with the Seahawks’ first-stringers, joining Bradley McDougald.

Ben Roethlisberger Did Not Suffer Concussion

August 16th, 2018 at 6:57pm CST by Zachary Links

Although Ben Roethlisberger wound up in concussion protocol for the first time in his career, the Steelers quarterback avoided major trouble. 

He did not suffer a concussion, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Mike Tomlin confirmed as much. Roethlisberger is expected to resume action soon. Marcus Gilbert being shoved into Roethlisberger dislodged the quarterback’s helmet, but he did not sustain a concussion as a result.

The Steelers will hold their 15th-year starter out of their second preseason game, which is Thursday night, but Schefter notes the plan is for him to take the field in Pittsburgh’s third exhibition contest.

Mason Rudolph will start for the Steelers tonight, with Joshua Dobbs expected to play throughout the second half. Dobbs may well be auditioning for other teams, with Roethlisberger and Rudolph locks to make the roster and Landry Jones having served as Big Ben’s backup for two years now.

Extra Points: Colts, Seahawks, Marshall, Jets, Vikings

August 16th, 2018 at 6:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Aside from Anthony Castonzo and Ryan Kelly, the Colts will deploy a retooled offensive line this season. They added some new parts by way of draft picks and free agents but are attempting an experiment at right tackle. Second-round guard Braden Smith has worked at right tackle this week, Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star notes.

This may spell trouble for Austin Howard’s chances of making the roster, with Keefer adding Indy brass is “clearly” not high on the veteran signing right now. The Colts are as of now slotting Matt Slauson at right guard, and with Smith previously serving as the free agent addition’s backup there, the team is trying him out on the outside — where less competition appears to exist.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Brandon Marshall’s played with more quarterbacks than most wide receivers of his caliber have, having now been on six teams. He’s not a lock to catch passes from Russell Wilson this season, but the 34-year-old wideout’s chances of making the Seahawks’ 53-man roster may be improving. Marshall and Wilson have developed a solid rapport over the past two weeks, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com writes. Marshall was only given $90K guaranteed and missed minicamp because of a hamstring injury, this coming after extensive rehab from ankle surgery. With Doug Baldwin out for the remainder of the preseason, Marshall’s seen plenty of reps with Seattle’s first-stringers, alongside Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown, per Henderson.
  • The Jets will have to find a new ace contract negotiator. Jets director of football administration Jackie Davidson is leaving the franchise, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports (on Twitter). Davidson negotiated contracts for the Jets. However, the team looks to have a replacement lined up. David Socie is set to replace Davidson, Costello adds. Socie worked under previous Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, per Costello (on Twitter), and also spent time at the league office.
  • One of the Vikings’ backups has encountered some off-the-field trouble. Anthony Barr’s reserve option, Antwione Williams, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor careless-driving charge, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Williams was arrested in May in Edina, Minn., on suspicion of drunken driving. He spent last season on the Vikings’ practice squad and signed a reserve/futures deal in January.

AFC Notes: Steelers, Big Ben, Raiders

August 16th, 2018 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger landed in concussion protocol after absorbing a big hit in practice, but he is doing fine now and is expected to resume football activities soon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes. Remarkably, this was Roethlisberger’s first time in the protocol, and fortunately it was a short stay for the 36-year-old.

Roethlisberger has said that his “long-term brain health” would play a role in the length of his NFL career, so the good news was certainly welcome for the Steelers QB.

Here’s more from the AFC:

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/16/18

August 16th, 2018 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: DT DeQuinton Osborne
  • Waived/injured: DT Paul Boyette

Patriots, Chris Hogan Discussing Extension

August 16th, 2018 at 2:44pm CST by Zachary Links

Chris Hogan and the Patriots have had negotiations regarding a contract extension, but the two sides still have a bridge to gap, a source tells Jeff Howe of The Athletic (on Twitter). Howe also notes that it is early in the process, so it’s possible that a deal can come together in the next few weeks. 

The wide receiver market has exploded for wide receivers, including No. 2 wide receivers, so it’s not surprising to hear that the two sides have some work to do. Hogan’s camp may view $8MM/year as a target for a receiver of his caliber, but the Patriots are probably reluctant to pay him more than their top receiver, Julian Edelman. Howe suggests that the Patriots could push Hogan to prove his worth by playing without the aid of Edelman in September.

For now, Hogan is slated to enter the final year of his three-year $12MM deal with the Patriots. Given his production and his increased importance in the offense after Danny Amendola‘s departure, he should be in line for a big pay bump.

Broncos Won’t Consider Colin Kaepernick

August 16th, 2018 at 1:48pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos may be on the lookout for quarterback help, but they won’t be calling Colin Kaepernick. The polarizing athlete will not be in consideration for Denver, GM John Elway told reporters on Thursday (Twitter link via Lindsay Jones of USA Today). 

“He had a chance to be here, he passed on it,” Elway said.

The Broncos and 49ers discussed a possible Kaepernick trade at length in 2016, but the deal was nixed when the QB refused to trim $5MM from his ’16 cap number and take additional pay cuts in future seasons. Kaepernick lost the camp competition to Blaine Gabbert, but regained his starting job in Week 6. After the Niners went 2-14 with Kaepernick starting for eleven of those games, the two sides parted ways in the offseason.

The Broncos, meanwhile, went 9-7 that year as they failed to land a quarterback who could fill Peyton Manning‘s shoes. It’s debatable as to whether they would have been better off with Kaepernick under center (Kaepernick personally largely played well that year), but what we do know is that he will not be joining the Broncos this year.

Denver is in a better place overall after signing Case Keenum, but there’s still much to be figured out when it comes to the backup quarterback situation. For now, former Mr. Irrelevant Chad Kelly is slated to be the team’s No. 2 QB with Paxton Lynch in line for the No. 3 job.

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