HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Extra Points: Okung, Trubisky, Bucs

January 13th, 2020 at 8:48pm CST by Rory Parks

Chargers left tackle Russell Okung intends to run for NFLPA president, sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. This development is notable because, while CBA negotiations between the owners and the union have been progressing smoothly thus far, Okung is said to be vehemently opposed to a 17-game schedule and is open to a work stoppage in order to get the best possible deal for the league’s players.

The 17-game schedule may be the last major sticking point holding up a new CBA, but if a new agreement is not in place by the time current union president Eric Winston’s term expires in March, and if Okung were to be elected, negotiations could stall. Winston cannot be re-elected because he hasn’t played for the past two seasons.

A recent NFLPA investigation revealed that Okung gathered and disseminated confidential information in violation of the union’s constitutions and by-laws, but Okung denies those allegations.

Now for more news and notes from around the league:

  • On Monday, the Fritz Pollard Alliance issued what Florio calls the strongest statement it has made since the Rooney Rule was promulgated. The statement reads in part, “[w]e were painfully reminded through this past hiring cycle that attaining diverse leadership in the NFL can only happen through the willful actions of the team owners and decision makers. The abysmal record of hiring people of color in high ranking levels of NFL management is a reminder of the dark periods of civil rights history. The League has only one African-American General Manager. There are no African-American club presidents.” The Redskins hired a minority when they tabbed Ron Rivera as their new head coach, but the Fritz Pollard Alliance believes worthy minority candidates like Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy continue to get overlooked.
  • Mike Sando of The Athletic takes a look into the upcoming fifth-year option decisions that teams will have to make on their 2017 first-rounders. The entire piece is worth a read, and it’s notable that most of Sando’s sources believe the Bears will exercise the $25MM option on QB Mitchell Trubisky.
  • The Buccaneers worked out cornerback Tre Roberson, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Roberson, who played quarterback in college and who was last with an NFL team in September 2017, recorded seven interceptions for the CFL’s Calgary Stampeders this year. Recent reports suggested that Roberson would be back in the NFL in 2020 and that over 10 teams were interested in the converted signal-caller.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/13/20

January 13th, 2020 at 8:26pm CST by Rory Parks

Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

Latest On Jadeveon Clowney

January 13th, 2020 at 7:36pm CST by Rory Parks

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will be one of the most sought-after free agents this year, if the Seahawks let him get away. Seattle traded for the former Texans star in August, and the team wants him back. “He’s a terrific football player and he had a big impact on us,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “We would love to have him back.”

Carroll also revealed that Clowney will require core-muscle surgery, which is expected to take place in the next week or so. The core injury limited Clowney down the stretch of the 2019 season, though he was able to suit up for the Seahawks’ regular season finale and their two playoff contests. His injury history, though not insignificant, will likely not stop him from landing a massive deal, whether that’s from Seattle or someone else.

For his part, Clowney wants to play for a contender. The former No. 1 overall pick told reporters, including Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, “I just want to win. I ain’t looking to get on no sorry team for no money. That ain’t going to fly. I ain’t gonna put my body through all of that just to lose no 16 games, go home with my check.”

Clowney posted just three sacks in 2019, though that belies the impact he had on opposing passers and in the running game. One of the most complete defenders in football, the three-time Pro Bowler cannot be slapped with the franchise or transition tag pursuant to the terms of the Texans-Seahawks trade.

If Clowney ends up signing elsewhere, the Seahawks would likely be in line to recoup a third-round compensatory draft choice in 2021. But Seattle is presently projected to have over $60MM of cap space in 2020, so a re-up could be in the cards.

While plenty of teams would love to have Clowney, the clubs that will be prioritizing an edge rusher and also profile as contenders include the Ravens, Titans, and (possibly) Falcons.

Eagles Deny Panthers’ Request To Interview Andrew Berry

January 13th, 2020 at 6:54pm CST by Rory Parks

Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry is a popular man these days. The Browns are interested in Berry for their GM vacancy, and the Panthers also requested an interview with Berry, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (via Twitter). Adam Schefter says Carolina wanted to interview Berry for its executive vice president position (Twitter link), but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the Eagles denied the request (Twitter link).

Because the Panthers wanted to hire Berry for a role that doesn’t include final roster authority, Philadelphia has the right to block the interview. The Panthers already have Marty Hurney in place as GM, and recent reports indicated that Hurney and new head coach Matt Rhule would collaborate in finding an assistant GM. But Panthers owner David Tepper wants to add multiple people to his front office, and Berry’s significant personnel experience intrigued him.

A Harvard graduate, Berry first entered the NFL in 2009 as a scouting assistant in the Colts’ front office. He was eventually promoted through a number of roles, and he ultimately served as Indianapolis’ pro scouting coordinator from 2012-15 before leaving for Cleveland, where he spent the 2016-18 campaigns as vice president of player personnel.

Though his three years in Cleveland did not go particularly well, Berry is currently considered the favorite for the Browns’ GM job, where he would work with new head coach Kevin Stefanski and chief strategist Paul DePodesta.

Redskins Promote Kyle Smith To VP Of Player Personnel

January 13th, 2020 at 6:31pm CST by Rory Parks

The Redskins continue to shake up their front office. Washington has promoted Kyle Smith to vice president of player personnel, per a team announcement.

Smith, who served as the Redskins’ director of college personnel for the past three seasons, will assume the role that Doug Williams held before his recent reassignment to a non-personnel position. When new Washington head coach Ron Rivera spoke to reporters at his introductory press conference, he spoke highly of the club’s last three draft classes, which Smith oversaw.

Smith, 35, has spent 10 seasons with Washington and has long been mentioned as a future GM candidate. In his new role, he will oversee both the college and pro personnel aspects of the front office.

Recent reports have indicated that the Redskins will seek a new GM after the draft, though JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington suggests that, if Smith performs well over the next few months, Washington may forego such a hire and move forward with its present structure.

Smith, the son of former Chargers GM A.J. Smith, has received high praise from Rivera — who worked with the elder Smith during his time with the Bolts — and Redskins owner Dan Snyder.

“Kyle Smith has put in the work over the last 10 seasons and has proven to be a skilled talent evaluator,” Snyder said. Rivera added, “I have been impressed with Kyle’s track record and player evaluation process, and I’m confident in the vision we share for the future of the Washington Redskins.”

Seahawks RB Chris Carson Won’t Require Surgery

January 13th, 2020 at 6:05pm CST by Rory Parks

Seahawks running back Chris Carson will not require surgery on his injured hip, head coach Pete Carroll recently revealed. Carson sustained the injury in the club’s Week 16 loss to Arizona, and his absence was felt in the regular season finale against San Francisco and Sunday’s divisional round loss to the Packers.

Carson finished the 2019 season with 278 carries for 1,230 yards, both career-highs, to go along with seven TDs. He also contributed 37 catches for 266 yards and two scores though the air. The 2017 seventh-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and Seattle could look to extend him this offseason, though that is just speculation at this point.

Any contract talks could be complicated by Carson’s recent injury — and the presence of Rashaad Penny — though Carson believes he will be back in time for training camp. “I’ve been through this before,” Carson said (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). “So I know how to attack it. I know the process and how everything goes, so I’m just ready to get back.” 

Seahawks defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson, however, will require surgery, Carroll announced on Monday. Jefferson broke his foot in the playoff matchup with Green Bay, which is especially unfortunate since he is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March. Still, after serving as a capable anchor on Seattle’s D-line for the past several seasons, Jefferson should command a fairly lucrative multi-year pact.

Browns Eyeing George Edwards, Wade Phillips For DC?

January 13th, 2020 at 5:23pm CST by Rory Parks

The Browns got their new head coach by hiring former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski away from Minnesota, and they may not be finished raiding the Vikings’ staff. There have been rumblings that Gary Kubiak and/or Klint Kubiak could join Stefanski in Cleveland, and Vikings DC George Edwards could do the same.

We heard on Sunday that Edwards is unlikely to return to Minnesota in 2020, and Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune says a Stefanski-Edwards reunion could happen in Ohio (Twitter link). Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com says Edwards wants to go somewhere he can call plays, which he cannot do with the Vikings since head coach Mike Zimmer handles those responsibilities (Twitter link).

Edwards, 52, has been in the NFL in some capacity every season since 1998. He was the Redskins’ defensive coordinator in 2003, the Bills’ from 2010-11, and he has been the Vikings’ DC since 2014. He’s also served as a positional coach with several different clubs, including the Browns in 2004.

In addition to Edwards, the Browns may also be interested in Wade Phillips, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. We recently heard that Phillips, 72, would not be returning to the Rams in 2020, but his vast experience could be appealing to Stefanski, just as it was to Sean McVay when he became a first-time head coach in 2017.

In 2019, the Rams allowed 22.8 points per game and 339.6 yards per contest, putting them in the middle of the pack in both categories. But Phillips, who has plenty of head coaching experience in addition to his years as a defensive coordinator with multiple clubs, remains a respected defensive mind and would command the type of respect that Cleveland’s locker room could use.

Browns Hire Kevin Stefanski As Head Coach

January 13th, 2020 at 5:23pm CST by Rory Parks

Jan. 13: The Browns have formally announced the hire. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that Cleveland has given Stefanski a five-year contract (Twitter link).

Jan. 12: The Browns will hire Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), and Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s a done deal. Stefanski was the runner-up for the Cleveland HC gig last year, and after Freddie Kitchen‘s disastrous 2019 campaign resulted in his dismissal, the Browns have circled back to the man many believe they should have hired in the first place.

Stefanski has served in a variety of roles for the Vikings since joining the organization back in 2006, including stints as the tight ends coach, running backs coach, and quarterbacks coach. The 37-year-old was named interim offensive coordinator following the firing of John DeFilippo during the 2018 season, and he earned the full-time gig prior to the 2019 campaign.

During Stefanski’s first full season at the helm, the Vikings ranked as a top-10 offense in points. The coach led the trio of Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Mike Boone to top-six rankings in rushing yards and touchdowns, and he also helped quarterback Kirk Cousins have one of the best seasons of his career. Although the Vikings laid an egg in Saturday’s divisional round loss to the 49ers, Cleveland was obviously undeterred.

The Browns’ coaching search saw them interview eight candidates, as our 2020 head coaching search tracker shows (former Baylor HC Matt Rhule, who ultimately accepted the Panthers’ head coaching job, turned down the opportunity to interview with Cleveland). Browns chief strategist Paul DePodesta piloted the search, and recent reports indicated that he had narrowed his list to Stefanski and Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, though Cabot tweets that Stefanski and 49ers DC Robert Saleh were the two finalists.

Interestingly, DePodesta’s contract with Cleveland is reportedly set to expire, but given his role in the coaching search, it seems likely that the Browns will retain him. However, the team continues to search for a new GM, and Eagles vice president of football operations Andrew Berry may have just become the leading candidate for that role, as his analytically-driven approach meshes with Stefanski’s.

Meanwhile, Vikings QB coach Klint Kubiak could follow Stefanski to Cleveland to become the Browns’ new OC, as Mike Klis of 9News.com tweets.

With the Stefanski hire, the 2020 head coaching cycle has come to a stop. The Browns were the last of the five teams with a head coaching vacancy this year to hire their HC.

Bears Hire Bill Lazor As OC

January 13th, 2020 at 4:50pm CST by Rory Parks

The Bears fired offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich at the end of the 2019 season, and they have now filled their vacancy. Chicago has hired former Dolphins and Bengals OC Bill Lazor to replace Helfrich, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Lazor, 47, 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. In his first year as Miami’s OC, 2014, the ‘Fins finished 8th in DVOA, but they plummeted to 22nd the following year and Lazor was given the boot.

Part of Lazor’s responsibilities in Chicago will include getting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky back on track — assuming the Bears stick with Trubisky as their starter — and helping fix an offense that finished the 2019 season 29th in total offense, 31st in yards per play, and 29th in scoring. Head coach Matt Nagy, though, will retain play-calling duties.

Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears were interested in Pat Shurmur for their OC job, but Shurmur was recently hired by the Broncos, for whom he will call offensive plays. The presence of Nagy as play-caller and Trubisky under center could be a deterrent for the upper echelon of OC candidates, which may be why the team had to opt for a second-tier choice in Lazor.

Lazor was out of the league in 2019, though he did interview for the Redskins’ quarterbacks coach job last January.

Charges Dropped Against Patriots’ Patrick Chung

January 13th, 2020 at 2:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Patriots safety Patrick Chung has reached agreement with prosecutors to drop charges stemming from his 2019 arrest. The case will not go to trial, provided that Chung stays out of trouble over the next two years, participates in regular drug testing, and performs 40 hours of community service. 

In June, New Hampshire cops were called to Chung’s home in late June on “on a call for service.” While at his residence, police obtained evidence leading to a felony drug charge for cocaine possession. Chung submitted a plea of not guilty and, months later, appears set to put the incident behind him.

The Belknap County Attorney’s office cited Chung’s cooperation and lack of a prior record for their decision to settle. They also noted that police only found a small amount of cocaine at his house. Of course, Chung could still face league discipline in the form of a fine and/or suspension.

Last year, Chung appeared in 13 games and recorded 51 tackles, three passes defended, and one tackle for loss. In the Patriots’ Wild Card game against the Titans, Chung injured his ankle in the first quarter and was unable to return. The Pats went on to lose 20-13, eliminating them from the playoffs.

Load More Posts