2020 February - Pro Football Rumors

Month: September 2024

Chris Harris Doesn’t Expect Broncos Return

February 18th, 2020 at 8:18am CST by Zachary Links

Four-time Pro Bowler Chris Harris is on his way to free agency. Based on the lack of talks between him and the Broncos, he figures that he’s also on his way to a new team.

“I think that’s the direction right now,” Harris said (via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic). “I think everybody deserves to see what they’re worth, and I deserve it at this point. I think I worked my tail off for nine years, I gave the city every ounce of effort that I could give and, shoot, it’s time to see what everybody else thinks about me.”

Harris, 31 in June, has spent all nine of his NFL seasons with the Broncos. The Broncos have made an effort to keep him, though their offer of a $12MM/year deal before last year’s trade deadline fell short. Reportedly, that offer included only one guaranteed season. In terms of real money, Harris can probably do a lot better elsewhere, even though he didn’t play up to his usual standards in 2019.

“I didn’t really do what I’ve done in the past,” Harris said. “I (previously) played everywhere on the field on the defensive side, getting everybody lined up, telling them what’s about to happen and things like that. But when really, when you just have me at corner, I’m just playing corner. I’m not doing everything that I’m doing on the football field.”

In 2014, Harris passed up his chance at the open market by signing a team-friendly extension. He won’t be doing that this time as there should be several clubs ready to discuss deals in the $15MM/year range with him.

Other notable free agent corners this offseason include James Bradberry, Josh Norman, Logan Ryan, Byron Jones, and Mike Hilton. Meanwhile, teams are burning up the phone lines with interest in Lions star Darius Slay.

Latest On CBA Talks, TV Deals

February 17th, 2020 at 9:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

A new collective bargaining agreement hovers as a key piece of the NFL offseason, but the next round of TV contracts represents the more pivotal item on the league’s to-do list. Those contracts are not up after this season, but both the league and the NFLPA want those contracts done soon, the Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Beaton reports.

NFL ratings rose last season, and the owners and players would like to capitalize on that momentum this year — before any potential ratings dips blunt it. A CBA not being finalized in the next few weeks — before the election of a new NFLPA president and the new league year opening March 18 — increases the chances of a 2021 work stoppage. The NFLPA will elect a new president between March 7-10. Russell Okung is running for the post Eric Winston is vacating, and his election may well stall CBA talks. He is against expanding to a 17-game season. The current CBA expires in March 2021.

People familiar with the CBA talks indicate the sides want to have this resolved, because 2020 presidential debates threaten to interfere with perhaps multiple NFL viewing windows, Beaton notes. NFL ratings fell during the 2016 election lead-up. However, that seems like a rather small-scale reason for concern given those debates’ infrequency compared to the many national TV slots the NFL has annually.

The league’s ESPN contract expires after the 2021 season; its deals with the other networks are not up until the end of 2022. But it appears once the new CBA is agreed to, the NFL and NFLPA will look to move into those negotiations. The networks are prepared to negotiate this offseason as well, according to Beaton. A chief players-side concern: the NFL’s TV deals coming at a later date and ending with a less lucrative package for the league. The NFL securing deals before a CBA is finalized would also give owners leverage to reduce their offer to the players. However, Beason notes the NFL is not expected to move forward with serious TV negotiations until the CBA is done.

A CBA vote at Friday’s NFLPA meeting remains unlikely, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. While the 17-game season continues to be a concern, the players are not yet satisfied with the league’s terms for the next CBA’s minimum salaries. The 2020 minimum for rookies would $510K under the current CBA. The highest league minimum, for veterans with 10-plus seasons’ worth of service time, sits at just more than $1MM.

The NFL’s TV talks will also focus on monetizing gambling, according to Breer. A 2018 Supreme Court ruling opened the door to states making inroads on the gambling front, and this component being factored into the next round of TV deals has been viewed as a “billion-dollar game-changer.” Cap spikes that surpass the approximate the recent $10MM-per-year bumps could well be on the table over the life of the 2020s CBA, adding to the stakes of the current negotiations.

Latest On Patriots’ QB Situation

February 17th, 2020 at 8:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not much has transpired on the Patriots side of the Tom Brady free agency rumor cycle, but a negotiation timetable has surfaced. The Pats are not expected to discuss a new deal for Brady for multiple weeks, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston notes, adding that this likely corresponds with the Combine.

The annual scouting showcase/tampering bonanza will give the parties a better indication as to what the future Hall of Famer’s market looks like. The Raiders and Chargers have been the teams most linked to Brady, with the Titans perhaps in play as well. New England, however, is not especially concerned with other teams’ pitches to Brady, per Curran. Their primary objective will be attempting to assemble a better skill-position corps to entice Brady, it appears.

A key part of the Pats’ agenda will be upgrading at tight end after essentially punting on a Rob Gronkowski replacement last year. Acquiring pass-catching help will be a primary Pats goal, Curran notes, adding that Brady is less concerned with other teams’ financial pitches than he is with their roster talent. Austin Hooper, Eric Ebron and Hunter Henry are the top young tight ends available. Though, Henry looms as a possible Chargers tag candidate — which would also factor into the Bolts’ prospective Brady pitch.

As for the scenario where Brady does defect to another team: some around the league view New England as a fit for Andy Dalton, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The Dalton speculation has surfaced at times this offseason, with NBC Sports’ Peter King viewing a post-Brady partnership between the 32-year-old quarterback and the Patriots as one that would potentially be mutually beneficial.

Dalton is entering his contract year (on a $17.5MM salary), and the Bengals are set to work with their nine-year starter on a trade. Should a Brady departure put this scenario into play, the Pats do not have a second-round pick but may hold three third-rounders because of Trey Flowers‘ and Trent Brown‘s departures in free agency. These late-Day 2 picks could also come in handy for potential trades for tight end or wideout upgrades.

Joe Burrow Addresses Bengals Interest

February 17th, 2020 at 7:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Off the radar to be the 2020 No. 1 overall pick at this time last year, Joe Burrow is now widely expected to be Cincinnati-bound when Roger Goodell announces this year’s first selection. Rumors of the LSU superstar being less than thrilled about that destination have circulated.

The reigning Heisman winner addressed a potential Bengals fit and stopped short of saying he would be happy to land with the Bengals.

“They have their process that they have to go through, so I’m just blessed to be in the position that I’m in. If they select me, they select me,” Burrow said, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Drew Davison. “I’m going to do everything in my power to be the best football player that I can be.”

When asked a follow-up question on whether he would be satisfied if the Bengals select him, Burrow did not respond in that fashion, Davison adds. This follows a comment Burrow made earlier this month that helped start the rumors that he may not be ecstatic about going to Cincinnati.

“You want to go No. 1. But you also want to go to a great organization that is committed to winning. Committed to winning Super Bowls,” Burrow said.

Burrow has been training for the draft with ex-Bengal backup Jordan Palmer, the younger brother of Carson Palmer. The latter has not made his feelings about the Bengals’ desire to win hidden. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since a 1990 wild-card win over the Oilers, and Carson Palmer’s frustration with the franchise prompted a trade demand in 2011. While the Bengals recovered quickly without Palmer, their Andy Dalton years produced five straight opening-round playoff losses. Last season, the Bengals started numerous veterans but still finished 2-14. Though, they did lose some key players to injury.

The Dolphins have been linked to Burrow, and while they have the draft capital to move up from No. 5 to No. 1, the Bengals are not believed to be interested in moving down (barring a Ricky Williams-type offer). They are zeroing in on making the Ohio native-turned-national champion their next quarterback.

Giants’ Bret Bielema To Interview For Colorado HC Job

February 17th, 2020 at 5:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bret Bielema‘s Giants stay may not end up lasting long. After expressing interest in the Michigan State job, the Giants assistant is set to interview for the position vacated because of the Spartans’ hire.

Michigan State ended up going with Colorado head coach Mel Tucker, the Buffaloes’ HC for one season. Colorado will now interview Bielema for the job, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, a Colorado alum, also remains in consideration for the post, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.

The Giants hired Bielema to be their outside linebackers coach; he also has “senior defensive assistant” in his current title. He spent the past two seasons with Joe Judge in New England, the second of those slates as the Pats’ defensive line coach. But judging by the connection to two Division I HC jobs thus far this offseason, Bielema’s future may be back at the college level.

Bielema, 50, was the head coach at Wisconsin (2006-12) and Arkansas (2013-17). After the Razorbacks fired him, he surfaced on Bill Belichick‘s staff. After the Patriots lost several assistants last year, Bielema served as one of their most experienced staffers. However, the two years in New England doubled as Bielema’s only two as an NFL coach. Bielema was under consideration to be the Giants’ defensive coordinator, but Judge opted for former Patriots coworker Patrick Graham. Bielema then settled for a lesser role with the Giants.

Latest On Panthers, Cam Newton

February 17th, 2020 at 4:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers hold one of the top assets in this offseason’s layered quarterback market, but Cam Newton‘s place as a trade chip cannot be fully known until a clearer picture of his recovery from Lisfranc surgery emerges. But the Panthers believe that recovery is going well.

The team expects Newton to pass his physical and be cleared for some football activity by March, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports (subscription required). This jibes with what has come out of the organization so far; the Panthers are planning to give the former MVP a chance to display his current form when he returns to football work in the spring.

While the Panthers are optimistic Newton will be ready to throw fairly soon, Newton’s status is murky. None of the David Tepper–Marty Hurney–Matt Rhule trio has confirmed the 30-year-old passer will be a Panther in 2020. Newton believes he will, but the contract-year quarterback would obviously intrigue other teams — ones who are not on a rebuild track the Panthers may well be. Newton has, however, been at the Panthers’ facilities this offseason during his recovery process — one that has thus far pleased team brass, per Rodrigue.

Even if Newton is ready to throw by March, the Panthers may be cautious with him and delay some of his work until April or May, per Rodrigue. However, it is certainly possible Newton will not be a Panther by then. In a complex quarterback landscape, teams may need to determine a course of action on Newton soon or risk losing another potential target on the free agent or trade market. The Panthers may also consider one of this year’s first-round quarterback prospects, adding more intrigue to this situation. Newton could serve as a mid-offseason trade chip, while it’s also possible Carolina unloads him earlier before he’s fully healthy if the right offer is made.

Newton is set to make just $18.6MM this season, which would make him a manageable bridge option for Rhule’s team and drive trade interest. It should be expected Newton’s status as a Panther will be determined by the draft, but considering the former Super Bowl starter’s recent injury history, the nine-year veteran may be one of the last quarterback dominoes to fall this offseason.

Teams Eyeing Teddy Bridgewater As Starter

February 17th, 2020 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent Teddy Bridgewater, in all likelihood, will be leaving the Saints this offseason. When he hits the open market next month, multiple teams expect him to attract interest as a starting quarterback option or, at minimum, a bridge to a younger QB, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com hears (via Twitter).

Assuming Drew Brees returns for another season, the Saints are expected to move forward with Taysom Hill as the future Hall of Famer’s backup. In that scenario, Bridgewater would be priced out of New Orleans. Plenty of other clubs see Bridgewater as a top option and the 27-year-old (28 in November) would likely relish the opportunity to run his own show once again.

The Saints went 5-0 with Bridgewater under center while Brees was out, but they seem more tantalized by the ability of Hill, another athletic quarterback who is on the cusp of his 30th birthday. Hill, who has flashed with his catching ability, has thrown just 13 passes over the course of his career to Bridgewater’s 1,070 throws as a pro.

In his nine total appearances last year, Bridgewater completed 67.9% of his passes with nine touchdowns against just two interceptions. He’s also respected league-wide as a locker room leader and an all-around positive influence. Years removed from his devastating injury in Minnesota, Bridgewater has the shown the ability to do much more than hold the clipboard as a third-string afterthought.

This offseason, he’ll be treated accordingly, even though he doesn’t offer the same kind of star power as others in a deep free agent QB class.

Lions Discussing Darius Slay Trade

February 17th, 2020 at 12:49pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have spoken with multiple teams about trades involving cornerback Darius Slay, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Other clubs believe that the Lions will ultimately wind up moving the Pro Bowler, Schefter hears, but the Lions are insistent on getting fair value in return.

The Lions might not have much in the way of leverage. Slay is entering the final year of his contract and it appears that extension talks have stalled. Any team that acquires the Pro Bowler would have to cough up a significant amount of draft capital and give Slay a new deal that would reflect his place as one of the league’s top cornerbacks.

As it stands, Slay has one more year to go on his deal at $10MM. That’s well-below the going rate for a CB of his caliber – Slay is in position to ask for somewhere around $15MM over the course of a long-term pact.

Slay has expressed a desire to stay put, though he also wants to be appropriately compensated. Over the last year, the Lions have mulled the possibility of moving on from him, including a pre-deadline conversation with the Broncos about a blockbuster that would have sent Chris Harris Jr. to Detroit.

Before the deadline, the Eagles also made a serious push for Slay. Those talks did not result in a deal either, as the Lions held out for a whopper of a haul. It’s not clear exactly what the Lions were asking for, but it was enough to make the ever-aggressive Howie Roseman walk away, even after he lost out on Jalen Ramsey.

Browns Release Carrie, Harris, Kush

February 17th, 2020 at 11:32am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are in the midst of some serious spring cleaning. On Monday, the Browns announced that they’ve cut cornerback T.J. Carrie, tight end Demetrius Harris, and guard Eric Kush, in addition to the previously reported release of linebacker Adarius Taylor.

In total, the moves will open up more than $13MM in cap room for the Browns with less than $4MM in dead money left over. It’s yet another signal that the club is committed to a significant roster haul under the guidance of new head coach Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry. All four released players were brought on board by former GM John Dorsey.

Carrie joined the Browns on a four-year deal in 2018 after turning in a strong contract year as the Raiders’ slot cornerback. Over the past two seasons, he’s appeared in every possible game and started in 14 of those contests. Last year, he notched 52 tackles and one interception, but he was unable to get into a rhythm and his coverage was nowhere near his best work in Oakland.

Harris, too, will see his contract terminated at the midway point. In his lone Browns season, he had 15 grabs for 149 yards and three scores. On the line, Kush had a perfect attendance record and started seven times, but the advanced metrics painted him as one of the worst qualified interior linemen in the NFL.

While those four players will be let go, much of the Browns’ core will remain in tact. At his introductory presser, Berry indicated that Odell Beckham Jr. will probably not be traded, despite all of the speculation. The latest misstep of running back Kareem Hunt, meanwhile, won’t rule him out for 2020.

Steelers’ Tomlin On Big Ben, AB

February 17th, 2020 at 11:27am CST by Zachary Links

In an interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, head coach Mike Tomlin touched on some of the biggest storylines surrounding the Steelers this offseason. A quick rundown of the highlights:

Despite missing the bulk of the 2019 season with detached tendons in his arm, Ben Roethlisberger has vowed to come back stronger than ever in 2019. In the interview, Tomlin expressed unwavering confidence in Big Ben’s road to recovery. “I have no hesitation,” Tomlin said when asked about Roethlisberger’s availability for the 2020 season (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). Recently, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert echoed those sentiments. The Steelers will not be among the many clubs engaged in this year’s QB carousel, though it stands to reason that they’ll consider quality backups and prospects who can be groomed for the future.
Antonio Brown is seeking to restore his reputation and return to the NFL, but he won’t be getting a second chance with the Steelers. “We have no current business interest at this time,” Tomlin said (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor). No surprise here – even before Brown’s personal life went into a tailspin, the wide receiver spent his final Steelers seasons at odds with Tomlin, Big Ben, and other key figures within the organization. It’s hard to see a path for Brown to get back to football, but he says that he’ll be in attendance at the combine later this month in hopes of talking with NFL teams.
After his reinstatement, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett stood by his claim that Steelers QB Mason Rudolph uttered a racial slur to ignite the infamous brawl. Rudolph has rejected those claims and Tomlin stands with him. “I think his reputation needs to be defended and defended aggressively,” Tomlin said (Twitter link via Pryor).

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