2018 August - Pro Football Rumors

Buccaneers Extend GM Jason Licht

August 1st, 2018 at 12:09pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have given Jason Licht an extension, but it’s not a lengthy one. Only one year has been added to Licht’s deal, keeping him in place through 2019, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The news was first reported by Ira Kaufman of JoeBucsFan.com.

The Buccaneers signed Licht to a four-year deal in 2014 which included a fifth-year option. The Bucs picked up Licht’s option last year, leaving him with lame duck status. He has some additional security now, but not much more.

Under Licht, the Bucs have been unable to snap their playoff drought, which dates back to 2007. In four years, the Bucs have gone through two head coaches and have managed only one winning season, so ownership is understandably wary about committing to Licht in the long run.

It may take a playoff berth this year for Licht to keep his job, but that’s a tall task given the level of competition in the NFC South and Jameis Winston’s three-game ban to start the year. Las Vegas oddsmakers indicate that Dirk Koetter‘s seat is among the hottest of any NFL coach and, logically, the same should go for the man staffing the team.

Packers’ Jake Ryan Done For Season

August 1st, 2018 at 9:51am CST by Zachary Links

Jake Ryan‘s season is over. The Packers linebacker has been ruled out for the year with a torn ACL, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The team will place him on injured reserve this week in order to open up a spot on the roster.

The injury is devastating for the Packers, Ryan, and Ryan’s long-term prospects. The Packers were expecting a big season out of Ryan after he excelled in 506 snaps last season. While he didn’t have a gaudy stat line, he finished out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 overall ranked linebacker last year.

Meanwhile, Ryan is entering his walk year. With another big season, Ryan would have positioned himself for a lucrative new multi-year deal from the Packers or a rival team. His next pay day is extremely uncertain at this time, though he has enough time to recover from his setback and cash in, similar to Allen Robinson this offseason.

Ryan has started 27 games for Green Bay since his rookie season. Without Ryan, third-round rookie Oren Burks could be thrust into action alongside Blake Martinez. The Packers may also lean on rookie UDFA Greer Martini, who has looked sharp in practice.

After earning a base salary of $1.9MM this year, the former fourth-round pick will be eligible to hit the open market.

No Progress For Bears, Roquan Smith

August 1st, 2018 at 9:39am CST by Zachary Links

The Bears and Roquan Smith are at a “stalemate,” head coach Matt Nagy says. The lack of progress is likely frustrating for Nagy & Co. as Smith has yet to report to camp.

“It is at a stalemate, but at the same time I’m not going to get into any more of where it’s at publicly. I don’t think it’s fair to him, I don’t think it’s fair to his agent, I don’t think it’s fair to our organization. We’re going to keep it between us and I think that’s the best thing to do right now,” Nagy said (via Mark Potash of the Sun Times).

The main holdup in talks may be related to the forfeiture of guarantees in the event of a suspension. This year, the league has introduced a new rule this offseason that could result in players getting suspended for lowering their helmets on hits. If the league starts handing out suspensions en masse, Smith’s agents do not want him to lose his financial security.

Meanwhile, one report says the real issue is language that allows the team to void guarantees for many different reasons, including team-imposed discipline. Whatever the holdup is, it’s becoming an problem.

Only four first-round picks have held out in the last five years. Under the current CBA, Smith’s holdout is the second-longest behind Joey Bosa’s 31-day holdout with the Chargers in 2016. The good news for the Bears is this – Bosa was stellar despite missing practices and went on to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year trophy.