2019 February - Pro Football Rumors

Giants Release LB Connor Barwin

February 4th, 2019 at 2:53pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s officially official. On Monday, the Giants released linebacker Connor Barwin, per a team announcement.

The Giants first decided to part ways with Barwin in late January, but the move was not finalized until Monday afternoon. Barwin joined the Giants on July 25 at the start of training camp and, at the time, it seemed as though he’d have a significant role on defense. Eventually, his playing time dwindled. The 32-year-old appeared in 15 games but started in just three and had just one sack to his credit in 2018.

If Barwin wants to continue playing, he should be able to find a market for his services. He may have to settle for something near the veteran’s minimum, but he’s already earned big bucks throughout his career.

Before his release, Barwin’s 51 sacks were the highest of any player on the Giants’ roster.

Adrian Peterson Wants To Continue Playing

February 4th, 2019 at 2:37pm CST by Zachary Links

This is the time of year when NFL veterans tend to ponder retirement. That’s not the case for running back Adrian Peterson, however, who turns 34 in March.

“I’ll be playing next year for sure,” Peterson told TMZ. “Maybe two or three more years.”

Of course, it takes two to tango and there’s no guarantee that the free-agent-to-be will find a home for 2019. Even if he does, few running backs outside Frank Gore have been able to keep it going in the mid-30s.

The Redskins signed Peterson last season after losing rookie Derrius Guice to injury. Peterson silenced the doubters by running for 1,042 yards off of 251 carries, good for a 4.2 yards per carry average. The YPC was his best posting since 2015. He also added seven touchdowns on the ground and 20 catches for 208 yards and one TD over the air.

With nearly 3,000 carries under his belt, and a clear desire for significant playing time, it remains to be seen whether Peterson will find a good fit this offseason. For what it’s worth, there appears to be mutual interest in a new deal in D.C.

Bengals Officially Hire Zac Taylor

February 4th, 2019 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals officially have their new coach. On Monday, the Bengals announced the hiring of Zac Taylor, the former quarterbacks coach of the Rams.

“I am happy and fortunate to join the Cincinnati Bengals as head coach,” Taylor said in a press release. “This is a great organization with good people and a rich history, and I am excited to get started. I am looking to add to that history by setting high standards, and holding everyone here accountable to those standards. There is a lot of work to do, and this is day one. We’re going to attack every day with enthusiasm to get this team ready to go.”

Taylor’s Rams fell flat in the Super Bowl, but he had a major role in overseeing one of the league’s most potent offenses in 2018. The Rams won the NFC West with a 13-3 regular-season record and reached new heights, despite their overall youth.

“Zac is a bright coach with an offensive mind and background, which is important to have in today’s NFL,” said Bengals president Mike Brown. “And he’s young. He embraces new ideas and new ways to do things, which will be a good thing for us. I believe our team will be exciting and fun to watch with him at the helm.”

Taylor is now the tenth coach in Bengals history, replacing the long-tenured Marvin Lewis.

Latest On Kyler Murray

February 4th, 2019 at 12:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Kyler Murray has entered his name in the 2019 NFL Draft and league executives are intrigued by his talent. They’re also concerned about the Oklahoma quarterback’s situation and his true intentions, according to sources who spoke with Matt Miller of Bleacher Report.

On the baseball side, Murray is represented by super agent Scott Boras. However, he has yet to retain an agent for the NFL.

“He’s still going in the first [round], but he needs to get an [expletive] agent and do it the right way,” one person told Miller.

Another source expressed concern that Murray may be making a leverage play to get more money from the Oakland A’s. This jibes with other recent reports – even though Murray says he wants to play football, he is said to be very much undecided about which sport to pick. The A’s are still negotiating to potentially sweeten his deal and Major League Baseball is also working to bring the two-sport star to the diamond.

If Murray can convince NFL execs that he is serious about playing football, it’s possible that he could be a top 10 pick.

Dolphins, Brian Flores Finalize Deal

February 4th, 2019 at 9:54am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have their new head coach. After the Super Bowl, Brian Flores‘ agent finalized terms on a contract to make the Patriots’ defensive guru the new head coach in Miami (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).

Terms of the deal are not yet known, but the industry standard is a four-year deal with a fifth-year team option, so that’s likely the structure of Flores’ pact. At 4pm ET/3pm CT on Monday, the Dolphins will introduce their new coach to the public.

The Dolphins agreed to hire Flores nearly a month ago, but league rules prohibit teams from hiring coaches who are still active with their clubs during the playoffs. Last year, the Colts were burned by a gentleman’s agreement with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but the Dolphins were comfortable enough with Flores to move forward without a signed deal.

Flores did not hold the title of defensive coordinator in New England last year, but he was the de facto DC and got results out of a unit that was undermanned, particularly up front. The D was up and down throughout the year, but things came together later in the year and Flores’ pass rush stepped up on Sunday to stifle the Rams en route to the Pats’ sixth Super Bowl win in franchise history.

The Dolphins’ defense is much more of a fixer-upper, but owner Stephen Ross, GM Chris Grier, and the rest of the Fins front office has confidence in Flores. He’ll take over for offensive guru Adam Gase, who was hired as the Jets’ new head coach in January.

2019 NFL Draft Order

February 4th, 2019 at 9:05am CST by Zachary Links

The Super Bowl is in the books, which means the order for the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft is in the books. The Patriots, of course, will have the final pick in the first round while the Rams will approach the podium at No. 31.

[RELATED: 2019 NFL Draft Rumors]

Here’s the complete rundown of the first round:

Cardinals
49ers
Jets
Raiders
Buccaneers
Giants
Jaguars
Lions
Bills
Broncos
Bengals
Packers
Dolphins
Falcons
Redskins
Panthers
Browns
Vikings
Titans
Steelers
Seahawks
Ravens
Texans
Raiders (via Bears)
Eagles
Colts
Raiders (via Cowboys)
Chargers
Chiefs
Packers (via Saints)
Rams
Patriots

Patriots’ Gronk To Make Decision Soon

February 4th, 2019 at 8:55am CST by Zachary Links

We’re still waiting for Rob Gronkowski‘s decision on his football future, but we won’t have to wait much longer. The tight end says he’ll make the call “in a week or two,” (via Jim Trotter of NFL.com).

When pressed about his plans, Gronk said that Sunday night was dedicated to celebrating the Super Bowl victory with his teammates. He’s been wrestling with retirement for a while now, however, and that’s partially due to his injury history. He emerged from Super Bowl LIII without suffering further injury and Tom Brady swears that he’ll be back in 2019 – both of those factors may push Gronk towards returning for the 2019 season.

In 2018, Gronkowski played through Achilles tendonitis and a bulging disc in his back. He has also been forced to suit up with a Barry Bonds-type arm brace to protect his left elbow.

Gronkowski is due a $9MM base salary next season, the last year of his current deal. It has been rumored that Gronkowski is eyeing a post-football career that includes acting and/or something fitness-related, but those opportunities should still be there for him after the ’19 campaign.

The 29-year-old (30 in May) was limited to just 47 catches for 682 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games season. The Rams did their best to keep a lid on him on Sunday, but he finished out with six catches for 87 yards, including a crucial red zone catch that led to the game’s only TD.

Patriots Win Super Bowl LIII

February 3rd, 2019 at 9:22pm CST by Zachary Links

For the sixth time in team history, the Patriots have won it all. On Sunday night, in one of the slower Super Bowl games in memory, the Patriots topped the Rams 13-3.

The first half was clumsy, awkward, and slow – unlike Super Bowls of recent years. What some expected to be a shootout turned into a punting exhibition with Johnny Hekker actually being edged by Patriots youngster Ryan Allen.

The Pats went into halftime with a 3-0 lead, despite a constant connection between Tom Brady and Julian Edelman in the first two quarters. The Rams, meanwhile, had little to offer on offense. Sean McVay tried to deny it, but it’s now clear clear that Todd Gurley‘s knee injury was of the severe variety, and it was enough to limit him to just ten carries for 35 yards.

The second half played out similarly, though both teams got into a better rhythm. For the Pats, the second half was dotted by big catches from Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. The Rams, too, had their moments thanks as Jared Goff found Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds. Ultimately, however, the Rams’ chances were spoiled by a bad Goff throw that landed in the hands of superstar corner Stephon Gilmore. Meanwhile, Sony Michel‘s touchdown proved to be the only one of the night and the defining score of the game.

Now, it’s time to see whether Rob Gronkowski and other Patriots will opt to leave the game on a high note.

McCourty Brothers Considering Retirement?

February 3rd, 2019 at 6:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Devin McCourty isn’t the only member of the family considering retirement. Devin’s brother, Jason McCourty, is also considering retirement, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com hears.

Devin was the first McCourty family member to go public with his desire to retire, but Jason is actually more likely to call it quits, Rapoport reports. Jason is set to hit free agency and he may walk away if he’s put in a spot where he has to change teams. Devin, meanwhile, is set to earn a $9MM base salary, and he could lean towards walking away if he is asked to take a pay cut.

“I don’t know for sure, man, but I do look at (retirement),” McCourty said recently. “If we can win this game, win it with my brother [Jason McCourty], I don’t know what else I could do that’ll top that. So I’m just trying to make sure I enjoy this season and enjoy these last couple days with these guys.”

Of course, the outcome of tonight’s game could also impact their decision. A Super Bowl win may prompt both brothers to ride off into the sunset.

5 Key NFL Stories: 1/27/19 – 2/3/19

February 3rd, 2019 at 4:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Eagles making Nick Foles preparations. Philadelphia is expected to pick up Foles’ $20MM option, but he”ll have the ability to “buy back” his free agency by giving the Eagles $2MM. Once that happens, the Eagles are expected to deploy the franchise tag and attempt to trade Foles. At that point, Philadelphia will be seeking at least a third-round pick in exchange for Foles. Additionally, they’re hoping to keep him out of the NFC East, meaning the Giants and Redskins are not likely destinations for Foles.

Redskins don’t expect Alex Smith for 2019. Smith suffered a brutal leg injury midway through last season, and Washington isn’t likely to have him back for any point of the 2019 campaign. Scheduled to take up a large chunk of the Redskins’ salary cap over the next four seasons, Smith is not a viable candidate to be released any time soon. As such, Washington will likely be in the market for a signal-caller in the upcoming months, either via the draft or in free agency.

Julius Peppers hangs up his cleats. Peppers, 39, announced his retirement last week following 17 seasons in the NFL. He’ll leave the league fourth all-time in sacks (159.5), and he could have moved into third place by playing in 2019. As recently as 2017, Peppers generated 11 sacks, and he was productive in 2018 despite his reduced sack total. He’ll go down as the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player of all time, and he’s a lock for Hall of Fame enshrinement when his time comes.

Three teams make OC promotions. A number of young offensive minds earned new jobs last week, as the Redskins, Cowboys, and Texans made internal promotions at the offensive coordinator position. Washington moved Matt Cavanaugh to an advisory role and installed former NFL quarterback Kevin O’Connell as OC, while Dallas promoted ex-QBs coach Kellen Moore after firing Scott Linehan. Houston, meanwhile, didn’t have a formal offensive coordinator in place before naming tight ends coach Tim Kelly for the role.

Antonio Brown reiterates trade demand. Although recent reports have indicated a cooling of tensions between Brown and the Steeers, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated this morning that Brown has in fact doubled down on his trade demand. If Brown is cut or traded before June 1, the Steelers will incur more than $21MM in dead money on their salary cap and gain just over $1MM in new space. If he’s designated as a post-June 1 cut or traded after that date, Pittsburgh will take on roughly $7MM in dead money in 2019 and ~$14MM in 2020.