HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Former Jaguars LB Telvin Smith Arrested

April 29th, 2020 at 7:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Former Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith was arrested on a felony charge Wednesday. Authorities booked Smith on a charge of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Smith, 29, has been accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl multiple times, per DiRocco, in August and September of 2019. In Florida, the charge of having sex with certain minors applies to a person who is at least 24 who engages in sexual activity with someone who is 16 or 17 years old. It is a second-degree felony charge.

This is the second time police were called to Smith’s home in five months. He was not arrested in November 2019, but DiRocco reports the police presence at Smith’s home was related to the alleged sexual encounters with the teenage girl.

A Jaguars starter from 2014-18, Smith abruptly left the team in May of last year. The Jags placed him on its reserve/retired list in July.

Bengals Sign 10 UDFAs

April 29th, 2020 at 7:20pm CST by Zachary Links

This week, the Bengals brought 10 undrafted rookies into the fold:

Dishon started 50 games at Kansas State, while Futtrell registered 11 sacks last season despite weighing just 222 pounds. The Bengals revealed they view him as either an edge rusher or an off-ball linebacker. Swann, who hails from owner Mike Brown‘s alma mater, was a Division I-FCS All-American. He intercepted nine passes in 2018.

Washington joins Auden Tate as 6-foot-5 Bengals wide receivers; he is coming off a season marred by a broken ankle. Wilcox totaled 71 receptions for 890 yards between his junior and senior seasons. The Bengals did not draft a tight end and let Tyler Eifert walk in free agency, perhaps opening a path for Wilcox to join C.J. Uzomah and 2019 second-rounder Drew Sample on the regular-season roster.

Chiefs To Pick Up Patrick Mahomes’ Fifth-Year Option

April 29th, 2020 at 6:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

In the least surprising development in the short history of the fifth-year option, the Chiefs will pick up Patrick Mahomes‘ 2021 option. Not that this was ever in doubt, but NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero confirms the team plans to do so as a placeholder while extension talks loom (video link).

Since the Chiefs traded from No. 27 to No. 10 in 2017, Mahomes changed the franchise’s fortunes. The 2018 MVP and Super Bowl LIV MVP led the Chiefs to their first title in 50 years and has them positioned as betting favorites to win Super Bowl LV.

As for a Mahomes extension, the expectation remains talks will ramp up at some point between now and the season. The latest coming out of Kansas City is a Chiefs hope to have Mahomes’ deal done before training camp, Pelissero adds (via Twitter).

Going into his age-25 season, the superstar passer can be expected to approach or surpass the $40MM-per-year barrier. This comes as Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson are discussing extensions, which could further raise Mahomes’ price. Mahomes’ rookie contract calls for an $825K 2020 base salary, a setup that would seemingly drive negotiations.

Despite cost-cutting moves like the Sammy Watkins pay cut and the release of Dustin Colquitt, the Chiefs have barely $5MM in cap space and Chris Jones attached to a $16.1MM franchise tag. Some of the $5MM will be needed for Kansas City to sign its draft picks. The Chiefs continue to work on a Jones deal, which would help create 2020 cap space, even though they already have Frank Clark tied to a $20MM-plus-AAV contract.

Buccaneers Eyeing Chris Godwin Extension

April 29th, 2020 at 5:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chris Godwin put together one of 2019’s top breakout seasons and represented a key selling point for Tom Brady. Now, the Buccaneers would like to extend their third-round receiver find.

Tampa Bay is planning to discuss a long-term contract for Godwin, who is entering the final season of rookie deal.

“First of all, we love Chris. Everybody and anybody in the organization can tell you that Chris is a huge piece of this team and and Chris is an impact player at the position,” Bucs GM Jason Licht said Wednesday (via the Tampa Bay Times). “I’ve personally told Chris we want him to be here long-term and be a Buccaneer for life.

“In terms of when that happens? I can’t tell you right now when those talks will officially begin. But I do know that he is in our plans for the long-term.”

No negotiations have begun, however, Licht added. Prior to the start of this year’s free agency period, a Godwin re-up was not believed to be a front-burner item. But now that the Bucs have taken care of key 2020 UFAs and signed Brady, a Godwin deal likely resides as a higher priority.

Godwin is set to earn $2.33MM in 2020. That is up considerably from his $875K 2019 salary, but Godwin’s 1,333-yard season (in 14 games) elevated his value far beyond that price. Godwin showed considerable promise in 2018, totaling 842 yards on a Bucs team that still employed DeSean Jackson. After the Bucs traded Jackson last offseason, Godwin broke through and made his first Pro Bowl.

The Bucs have Mike Evans attached to a $16.5MM-per-year deal. With Brady in the fold, it certainly would point to the team extending Godwin’s deal beyond this year.

Texans To Decline Gareon Conley’s Fifth-Year Option

April 29th, 2020 at 5:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Months after acquiring Gareon Conley via trade, the Texans plan to make him a contract-year defender. The team is passing on the cornerback’s 2021 option, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 (on Twitter).

While the Texans are still high on Conley, per Berman, this changes his status. The cornerback would have been attached to a $10.24MM salary in 2021 had the Texans exercised the option. Conley will earn $1.89MM in 2020.

This option would have been guaranteed for injury only, with the 2017 class being the last first-round group to not have their fifth-year options fully guaranteed.

The Texans sent the Raiders a third-round pick for Conley before the deadline last season. The former Ohio State defender resides as one of Houston’s key corners, along with Bradley Roby and 2019 second-rounder Lonnie Johnson. Conley, however, played just 38% of Houston’s defensive snaps last season. The Texans, though, let nine-year contributor Johnathan Joseph sign with the Titans, opening up more time in their secondary.

Pro Football Focus graded Conley as the Texans’ top corner last season, though he came in outside the top 50 at the position. Conley missed much of his rookie year with an injury but started 14 games for the 2018 Raiders. He was operating as a 2019 Oakland starter before the trade.

Eagles To Re-Sign RB Corey Clement

April 29th, 2020 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

After not drafting a running back and seeing Jordan Howard defect to the Dolphins last month, the Eagles are bringing back a familiar face. They are re-signing Corey Clement, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal.

The Eagles did not extend Clement an RFA tender in March but have agreed to terms to keep him in the fold. Clement has spent all three of his NFL seasons with the Eagles, arriving in Philadelphia as a 2017 UDFA and making some notable contributions in Super Bowl LII.

Clement went down with a shoulder injury last season, leading the Eagles to place him on IR. He ended the 2018 season on IR as well. While Clement caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl LII and took the snap that ended up being the Eagles’ “Philly Special” play, he should not be considered a lock to make the 2020 team. He did not log a carry in four games last season.

However, the Eagles saw Howard leave in free agency and Darren Sproles retire. Philly has Clement, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Elijah Holyfield and two UDFA rookies in its running back group presently.

Titans To Sign CB Johnathan Joseph

April 29th, 2020 at 4:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Johnathan Joseph has reached an agreement that puts him on track to play a 15th NFL season. The Titans are signing the veteran cornerback, per Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

The 36-year-old corner agreed to a one-year Titans deal Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. This marks the first free agency news involving the longtime Texans defender this offseason. As of now, Joseph is the oldest corner to agree to a 2020 contract.

With Tramon Williams a free agent after spending 2019 back in Green Bay, Joseph is the oldest active NFL corner by three years. He spent the past nine seasons with Houston and his first five in Cincinnati. Joseph will join Malcolm Butler, Adoree’ Jackson and second-round pick Kristian Fulton as Tennessee’s top corners. This points to Logan Ryan signing elsewhere. A three-year Titans contributor, Ryan remains a free agent.

Joseph played his lowest percentage of Houston’s defensive snaps last season, dropping to 58% after being a full-time player during his first eight seasons with the franchise. Joseph has started 186 games and played in 200 since being a 2006 Bengals first-rounder. He has nine playoff starts. Last season, he logged 13 passes defensed, made 52 tackles and intercepted a pass.

Should Joseph play with the Titans this year, he will join only Williams and Terence Newman as corners to see action in age-36 seasons since 2012. Among active players, Joseph’s 31 interceptions sit behind only Richard Sherman‘s 35.

Bucs Pick Up O.J. Howard’s Fifth-Year Option

April 29th, 2020 at 4:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The subject of trade rumors this year and before the 2019 deadline, O.J. Howard‘s future in Tampa Bay is uncertain. But the Bucs will pick up Howard’s fifth-year option, per a team announcement.

This will keep Howard under Bucs control through the 2021 season. While the new CBA mandates fifth-year options become fully guaranteed, the 2017 first-round class will be grandfathered in under the old system. Howard’s 2021 salary will be guaranteed for injury only, giving the Bucs flexibility.

Howard’s option will be worth just more than $6MM. Even though Howard has not been a focal point in Bruce Arians‘ offense, that represents an affordable price. For the time being, Howard is part of one of the highest-profile tight end groups in modern NFL history. He, Cameron Brate and the recently acquired Rob Gronkowski comprise said group. Brate is set to make $4.25MM in 2020; Gronk will count $9.25MM toward Tampa Bay’s cap. Howard will count just $3.5MM in 2020.

Jason Licht said recently the Bucs plan to team up Howard and Gronkowski. This, however, came shortly after a report indicated the team nearly traded Howard for then-Redskins tackle Trent Williams. Considering Gronk retired largely because of health concerns 13 months ago, it would make sense the Bucs keep he and Brate for insurance purposes. But it remains possible either Howard or Brate is shipped out.

The former Alabama tight end caught 34 passes for 565 yards in just 10 games in 2018, looking like a budding standout in Dirk Koetter‘s final season in Tampa. But an injury cut his season short. While Howard matched that catch total last season, it took him 14 games to do so during an up-and-down campaign. He stands to be one of Tom Brady‘s weapons this season.

Chargers, Hunter Henry Were “Close” On Extension

April 29th, 2020 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this month, Hunter Henry signed his one-year franchise tender worth roughly $11MM. At one time this offseason, the tight end says that he was “close” with the Chargers on an extension that would have locked him in for longer (Twitter links via Daniel Popper of The Athletic). 

[RELATED: Chargers Would Have Been Happy With Tua Or Herbert At No. 6]

“We’re gonna try to extend and get something long term,” Henry said, before adding that he never considered a holdout.

Per the terms of the franchise tag, the two sides have until the July 15th deadline to hammer something out. If a deal doesn’t come together by that point, they’ll have to table negotiations until early 2021, after the season is through.

There’s clearly mutual interest in a long-term deal, but it won’t come cheap for the Bolts. This year, the Browns made Austin Hooper the highest-paid tight end in league history with a four-year, $42MM free agent deal. That’ll be a reference point for Henry and his reps, and the asking price will only increase once George Kittle inks his deal with the 49ers.

Henry missed all of 2018 with a ACL tear and also lost a quarter of the 2019 season with a knee injury. Despite that, GM Tom Telesco cuffed Henry with the franchise tag, making him the first tight end to receive the tag since Jimmy Graham way back in 2014.

In his 12-game campaign, Henry still managed career highs in catches (55) and yards (652). Both sides are incentivized to get an extension completed this year, but Henry would have an obscene amount of leverage in talks if he played out the year at 100% health and replicated that production.

Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland Arrested On Multiple Charges

April 29th, 2020 at 2:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland was arrested on Tuesday in South Carolina, as Joshua Needelman of the Post and Courier reports. Breeland’s charges include: resisting arrest, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, marijuana possession, and driving without a license. Meanwhile, Breeland maintains his innocence and his attorneys say the police used excessive force during the arrest (via Twitter).

[RELATED: Chiefs Release Dustin Colquitt]

Breeland recently re-upped with the Chiefs on a one-year, $4.5MM deal, returning him to the defending champs. He’s still only 28, so it’s an excellent platform opportunity for the cornerback if he can build off of last year’s momentum. In 2019, Breeland notched 48 stops, eight passes defended, and a pair of interceptions in the 2019 regular season. He also came away with an interception in KC’s Super Bowl victory to cap his year in style.

Even before the arrest, Breeland was facing a four-game suspension for a separate substance abuse violation, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Breeland is currently in the process of appealing that ban.

Before joining Kansas City in 2019, Breeland had an unusual 2018 in the football world. After signing a three-year, $24MM deal ($11MM guaranteed) with the Panthers, his contract was nixed due to an infected foot. Then, he waited until late September until he finally found a home with the Packers. That didn’t go according to plan either – Breeland was limited by a hamstring injury and played in only seven games.

In other Chiefs news, the team recently restructured Laurent Duvernay-Tardif‘s deal to carve out additional cap room. The guard’s cooperation was sorely needed – the Chiefs had precious little cap room heading into the draft, even after revising Sammy Watkins‘ contract for the 2020 season.

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