January 31st, 2019 at 10:45am CST by Zachary Links
The Jets have interest in Le’Veon Bell, but they won’t take a do-whatever-it-takes approach to sign him, Manish Mehta of the Daily News hears. The Jets will have upwards of $100MM in cap space, but it appears they will prioritize other needs instead of going all-in on one of the game’s most dynamic running backs.
Bell’s ability cannot be questioned and he profiles as someone who would keep defenses honest as quarterback Sam Darnold continues in his development. However, Mehta hears there is a “level of concern in the building” about Bell’s motivation if he lands a big payday.
Bell sat out the entire 2018 season with the Steelers, forgoing a $14.5MM payday in order to preserve his health for free agency. His actions may give NFL executives pause, but on the plus side, Bell should be entering the 2019 season with fresh legs. He may also be extra motivated to prove the doubters wrong.
Last year, Bell turned down a five-year, $70MM offer from Pittsburgh that would have included $33MM in guarantees. There’s no telling what kind of offers Bell will fetch this time around, but it’s safe to assume that he’ll be aiming for a larger guarantee on a deal with an AAV in excess of $14MM.
Bell has expressed interest in joining the Colts, but Mehta guesses that they will not spend big on a running back given the presence of Marlon Mack. He also suggests the Buccaneers, Eagles, Raiders, and Dolphins as potential fits for the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
The Lions have a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell, but they checked in with an interesting name before making the hire. Former Notre Damehead coach and Patriots assistant Charlie Weis “talked” with Matt Patricia about the job, Weis tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“We talked, but it never got to that point,” Weis said. “There was no interview. Matt and I are too close to go through an interview. If it ever would have happened, it would have been, ‘Hey, you want to come?’ And I would have said yes or no. It wouldn’t have been anything other than that.”
Weis put himself on the map as the Patriots’ OC from 2000-2004 and he parlayed that into the head coaching job at Notre Dame. After a spotty run with the Fighting Irish, Weis became the Chiefs’ OC (2010), then took the same job with the University of Florida (2011), and later coached at Kansas (2012-2014).
These days, Weis is working in radio, but it sounds like he’s at least open to a return to coaching.
January 30th, 2019 at 9:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson
Speaking at the Phoenix Open golf tournament on Wednesday, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson apologized for his 2018 trade request and reiterated that he’s in Arizona “to stay,” according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Cardinals were 1-6 when Peterson originally made his request and ultimately finished with a 3-13 record, their worst mark during Peterson’s eight-year run in the desert. Teams like the Saints and Eagles were reportedly interested in acquiring Peterson, but he rescinded his trade demand only two days after making it. Peterson, a three-time first-team All Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, is signed through the 2020 campaign.
Here’s more from the NFC West:
The 49ers already made one option decision last week, declining their 2019 year for defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, and they may be leaning in a similar direction for another veteran player. San Francisco is not expected to exercise its option on wideout Pierre Garcon, reports Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Garcon, 32, would earn $6MM in 2019 if the 49ers change their mind, but if the club follows through on declining the option, it will take on $7.2MM in dead money while saving roughly $1MM. After five years of relative durability in Washington, Garcon hasn’t been able to stay healthy in the Bay Area, playing in just 16 total games over the past two seasons.
Not that it needed to be said, but Rams head coach Sean McVay “guaranteed” Los Angeles will not trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks, tweets Lindsay Jones of The Athletic. Cooks has already been dealt twice in his five-year career, with both acquiring clubs (the Rams and Patriots) surrendering first-round picks in order to acquire the dynamic pass-catcher. The Rams signed Cooks to a five-year extension last summer, and they’d take on more than $22MM in dead money by trading him this year. In his first season in Los Angeles, Cooks posted 80 receptions for 1,204 yards and five touchdowns.
The Seahawks aren’t likely to franchise tag safety Earl Thomas with the intention of trading him, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times indicates in his latest mailbag. Seattle probably wouldn’t be able to generate much trade interest in Thomas at a ~$12MM, fully guaranteed salary, and the Seahawks likely aren’t willing to risk keeping an unhappy veteran on their roster for another season.
January 30th, 2019 at 8:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson
The Ravens and new general manager Eric DeCosta aren’t expected to make a decision on the fate of quarterback Joe Flacco until March, as Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes. The new league year begins in roughly six weeks, and while no trade can be made official until then, Baltimore could agree to deal Flacco to another club before the 2019 league year gets underway. Any pre-June 1 release or trade of Flacco will leave the Ravens with $16MM in dead money; a move after June 1 would put $8MM in dead money on Baltimore’s 2019 books and the same amount on their 2020 cap. In a PFR poll earlier this week, 71% of voters believed the Ravens will be able to find a trade partner for Flacco.
Here’s more from Baltimore:
Linebacker C.J. Mosley is perhaps the Ravens’ most important pending free agent, and DeCosta told reporters he “believe[s] in [his] heart” that Mosley will return in 2019, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Mosley, who has missed only two games during his five-year run in Baltimore, graded as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 22 linebacker in 2019. He’s reportedly begun contract talks with the Ravens, but head coach John Harbaugh admitted there are “limitations with money.”Luke Kuechly currently tops the inside linebacker market with a $12.4MM annual salary, while the second tier of the position sits between $10MM and $10.75MM.
DeCosta didn’t sound as positive when discussing the possibility of re-signing edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. “We don’t know what Za’Darius’ market is going to be,” said DeCosta. “He had a really nice year. Typically, the market is usually out of control for those guys, initially out of the gate.” Smith, 26, played the most defensive snaps of his career in 2019, managing 8.5 sacks in the process.
The Ravens have hired former Bills quarterbacks coach David Culley as assistant head coach/wide receivers/passing game coordinator, Baltimore announced this week. Culley’s addition will complete the Ravens’ offensive staff overhaul, which began when new offensive coordinator Greg Roman was promoted to take the place of Marty Mornhinweg, who rejected another position inside the organization. Culley, 63, overlapped with Ravens head coach Harbaugh on Andy Reid‘s Eagles staff, serving as Philadelphia’s wide receivers coach while Harbaugh led the club’s special teams and defensive backs
Historically, NFL clubs have been reticent to allow their pass rushers to reach free agency. In 2018, both the Cowboys (Lawrence) and Lions (Ezekiel Ansah) deployed franchise tags to keep their best defenders in tow, leaving age-resistant Julius Peppers as the best edge defender still available when free agency began. The year prior, the Chargers, Cardinals, and Giants respectively kept Melvin Ingram, Chandler Jones, and Jason Pierre-Paul off the open market by using franchise tenders. And in 2016, the Broncos went ultra-conservative, utilizing the more expensive exclusive franchise tag — which doesn’t allow the player to negotiate with any other teams — on Von Miller.
Things don’t figure to change in 2019, thanks to the ongoing importance of edge rushers and the NFL’s soaring salary cap. Additionally, the five teams with the most projected 2019 cap space — the Colts, Jets, Browns, Bills, and Raiders — could all use help at defensive end/outside linebacker. Any pass rusher that gets to free agency is going to enter a market full of teams that a) have a clear need along their front four and b) have ample cash to spend.
Let’s take a look at each of the five premier pass rushers bearing down on free agency, with a specific focus on each player’s team’s salary cap situation:
Frank Clark (Seahawks): Seattle shouldn’t have any trouble retaining Clark, as it currently ranks eighth in the NFL with roughly $55MM in projected 2019 cap space. Additionally, the Seahawks don’t have any other first-rate free agents that will require new deals (assuming, as I am, that Earl Thomas has no interest in returning to Seattle next season). Guards J.R. Sweezy and D.J. Fluker each played at least 55% of the Seahawks’ snaps last year, but middling interior offensive linemen aren’t going to break the bank, and neither are defensive tackle Shamar Stephen or running back Mike Davis. Clark, meanwhile, is discussing a new deal with the Seahawks, but he’s also open to the franchise tag.
Jadeveon Clowney(Texans): Like the Seahawks, the Texans have plenty of cap space to go around in 2019, as they rank sixth with $65MM in available funds. However, Houston does several non-Clowney players that will need new contracts. Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is a candidate for extension after inking a one-year, $7MM pact with the Texans last offseason, while cornerback Kareem Jackson could also be back on a short contract. Houston may also need to shell out to improve an offensive line that allowed an NFL-worst 11.5% adjusted sack rate. If the Texans do tag Clowney, the two sides may have a dispute over whether he’s a defensive end ($17.143MM franchise tag) or an outside linebacker ($14.961MM).
Trey Flowers(Patriots): As Rich Hill of Pats Pulpit wrote last May, New England hasn’t used the franchise tag frequently in recent seasons. After deploying the tag in eight times from 2002-12, the Patriots have only used the tender once over the past six years (kicker Stephen Gostkowski in 2015). Instead of signing or retaining high-end players or relying on productive rookie classes, New England leads the NFL in “mid-level veteran” contracts, according to Justis Mosqueda of Optimum Scouting, who defines that term as a veteran with a cap charge between $1MM and $6MM. Flowers may be the perfect Patriot, but it’s unclear if New England is willing to pay him as such, or instead wait for the market to dictate his price.
Dee Ford(Chiefs): His AFC Championship Game blunder aside, the 27-year-old Ford posted the best season of his career in 2019. He earned the NFL’s top pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus, and finished second only to Aaron Donald in total pressures generated. While we’ve seen conflictingreports as to whether the Chiefs are open to using the franchise tag on Ford, he seems like the optimal candidate for the tender. Ford has been up-and-down throughout his career, as he’s managed fewer than four sacks in three of his five professional campaigns, so a one-year deal could protect Kansas City if Ford’s performance dovetails again.
DeMarcus Lawrence(Cowboys): The Cowboys have finally removed themselves from salary cap hell, but don’t let their $55MM in space fool you. Dallas has multiple stars — including Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Byron Jones, and Jaylon Smith — up for extension over the next year-plus, so the club can’t simply run through its cash this offseason. Lawrence, if tagged, would be on his second consecutive franchise tender, meaning his salary would increase by 20% to $20.572MM.
So what do you think? Will any of these pass rushers reach actually reach free agency? Choose as many edge defenders as you like in the multiple choice poll below (link for app users):
January 30th, 2019 at 6:56pm CST by Dallas Robinson
The Redskins interviewed former Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor for their vacant quarterbacks coach position on Tuesday, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link).
Washington made a notable change to its offensive staff earlier this week, promoting Kevin O’Connell from QBs coach to offensive coordinator while demoting former OC Matt Cavanaugh to an offensive assistant role. O’Connell’s promotion was reportedly set in motion after rival clubs expressed interest in bringing him aboard, but the Redskins now need someone to fill his old role.
Lazor, 46, was hired as Cincinnati’s quarterbacks coach in 2016 but ended up taking over as the team’s play-caller three games into the 2017 campaign. In 2018, his first full season as the Bengals’ OC, Lazor led a unit which ranked 17th in points, 19th in DVOA (efficiency), and 26th in yardage. Lazor previously worked for the Redskins from 2004-07 and held the quarterbacks coach title for the final two years of that run.
At present, it’s unclear exactly who Lazor would be coaching if he were hired in Washington. Recent reports have indicated the Redskins expect Alex Smith to miss the entirety of the 2019 season while recovering from a brutal leg injury, while Josh Johnson and Mark Sanchez are pending free agents. Longtime backup Colt McCoy remains on roster, but Washington will likely add multiple additional signal-callers over the coming months.
That strategy would represent a shift under new general manager Chris Grier, who last month was promoted to replace Mike Tannenbaum as Miami’s top personnel decision-maker. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has historically been open to adding expensive free agents, but deals for players such as Ndamukong Suh, Lawrence Timmons, and others didn’t help Miami get any closer to championship contention. With Grier and presumptive head coach Brian Flores now leading the club, the Dolphins seem to be planning for a different approach.
Indeed, Miami intends to “lose enough” to receive a high pick in the 2020 draft, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Adding free agents that would help the Dolphins win in 2019 won’t fit with the club’s long-term outlook, so Miami isn’t likely to be in contention for quarterback Nick Foles or Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, who could be linked to the Dolphins given his relationship with Flores.
Currently, the Dolphins project to have the NFL’s sixth-least amount of 2019 cap space with roughly $13.5MM in available funds. However, Miami could grow that figure to more than $56MM simply by cutting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, wide receiver DeVante Parker, and defensive ends Robert Quinn and Andre Branch. The latter three moves are considered all but certain, while Tannehill could potentially be a trade candidate.
The NFL wanted the Raiders to have their 2019 setup worked out by Super Bowl LIII. With four days remaining until the season’s signature event, the franchise still does not know where it will play next season.
However, a region is now known. The Raiders were loosely connected to places like San Diego, Portland and Reno, Nev., but the team will play the 2019 season in the Bay Area, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports (video link). But it’s still unknown which stadium will be the Raiders’ home in their final lame-duck season.
Roger Goodell said Wednesday he believes Mark Davis‘ preference is to keep his team in the Bay Area next season, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (video link) the Raiders and 49ers have engaged in discussions about sharing Levi’s Stadium next season. This would be the NFL’s preferred option, per La Canfora.
The San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park remains in play, and the Raiders discussed this with the MLB franchise recently. But it sounds like that is the least likely option, with the 49ers still having the right to block this from happening due to possessing territorial rights in San Francisco. The NFL has done site studies on the Raiders’ sharing a stadium with the 49ers and the prospect of them using the San Francisco MLB venue, per JLC.
Option 2 appears to be staying at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders were planning to reopen dialogue with the city of Oakland, but Rapoport adds this has yet to take place. The lawsuit Oakland filed against the Raiders and the NFL brought this uncertainty about the Raiders’ 2019 home, but Davis has been lukewarm about sharing a venue with the 49ers in the past. No 2019 lease agreement was in place between the Raiders and the Coliseum before the lawsuit.
The Raiders are on track to move to Las Vegas in 2020, but their 2019 location should be known soon, considering the “significant” backlash expected to come their way from the league if no solution surfaces by the Super Bowl.
Paul Worrilow‘s ACL tear nixed his debut season with the Eagles, but he will have a chance to make a second impression.
The Eagles and Worrilow agreed to terms on another one-year deal Wednesday. Worrilow signed a one-year pact with Philadelphia last year but suffered the season-nullifying knee injury in May.
This may not lock Worrilow into a surefire role with the 2019 Eagles, but this helps the team keep some experience around for depth purposes. A three-year Falcons starter who saw eight first-string appearances with the 2017 Lions, Worrilow joins Nigel Bradham as an experienced option in Philly. Should Worrilow bounce back and be part of the Eagles’ linebacking corps in 2019, it will be his age-29 season
Jordan Hicks is a free agent, and the Eagles’ cap situation is the NFL’s worst at present. The team is projected to be well over the 2019 salary ceiling, so big-ticket expenditures will be difficult. Young talents Kamu Grugier-Hill (10 2018 starts) and converted safety Nate Gerry are also under contract for 2019.
DeSean Jackson posted two 1,000-yard seasons when working with Sean McVay in Washington, and the veteran wide receiver was candid about seeking a reunion with the wunderkind play-caller.
A potential Buccaneers cap casualty — though, Bruce Arians appears to want the deep threat to stay — Jackson may end up back on the market. He expressed interest in joining the Rams.
“If anything, I would like to kind of end up in L.A., being a Ram,” Jackson said during an appearance on the Simms and Lefkoe podcast (Twitter link). “Sean McVay, you know, we got some connection from when I was in D.C., but we’ll see how it plays out, man. Right now, I got another year in Tampa. So we’ll see how it plays out, man.”
As for the Rams reciprocating said interest, that seems like a stretch. Los Angeles made several splashy moves last year, setting the market at multiple positions and extending Brandin Cooks. Not only does the 25-year-old cover some of the same bases Jackson would, the Rams also have Robert Woods on a veteran contract. Cooper Kupp is due back in 2019 as well. Their repeated big-ticket additions notwithstanding, the Rams are probably not too eager to add another veteran salary to their receiving corps — unless Jackson would be willing to take a big pay cut.
Jackson, 32, is entering the final year of his Bucs contract. Considering Tampa Bay’s financial situation (barely $12MM in cap space), it would not be a stretch to see the team try to lower Jackson’s $10MM salary. Jackson was not too happy being with the Bucs last season, requesting a trade, and did not mesh well with Jameis Winston. Jackson and Dirk Koetter also clashed at a practice this season, with ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine reporting the since-fired coach took issue with Jackson’s effort during one workout, leading to a verbal dispute between the two.
The 11-year veteran said he wants to play for a team with a coach and a quarterback who understand a veteran player’s needs. Arians may fit that mold, but Jackson certainly seems to think McVay does.
“I think like where I’ve been able to come to in my career, as professional athletes having so much success, and early on in our career[s], being Pro Bowlers and being some of the players that have done some things that no other players have done, you kind of create that model and that mold behind that, like, ‘I know what it takes to get the job done,'” Jackson said.
“But then you have some coaches that have the old-school mentality, where, ‘You gotta go to practice. You gotta do it this way.’ But we’re like, ‘As long as when Sunday comes in between the white lines we do what it takes, we know what needs to be done.'”
Jackson also said during the interview he does not have an agent right now. He had been with Joel Segal since 2013.
