2020 July - Pro Football Rumors

Antonio Brown Unretires (Again)

July 23rd, 2020 at 2:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

While it should not have been expected Antonio Brown‘s latest abrupt retirement announcement would be final, the headline-generating free agent changed his mind barely two days later. He indeed wants to play again and is calling on the NFL to help him do so.

Earlier this week, Brown re-retired, appearing to cite COVID-19 concerns. But he now wants answers from the NFL regarding its lengthy investigation into his off-field conduct. The 32-year-old wide receiver indicated he has complied with the NFL’s requests — including turning over his phones and seeing a therapist the league, per Brown, requested — and wants the investigation over so he can speak to teams about resuming his career (Twitter link).

Brown’s latest non-retirement retirement came after he backed out of settlement talks with Britney Taylor, with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweeting Brown threatened to retire the last time he and Taylor could not agree on a settlement. Taylor has accused Brown of sexual assault. This is one of three main components of the NFL’s investigation into Brown. He was hit with three charges involving an alleged assault on a delivery driver in January, which came after a report of a separate alleged sexual misconduct incident led to his release from the Patriots last year.

While Brown has been loosely connected to the Seahawks, Ravens and Buccaneers this offseason, the investigation and likely suspension set to emerge from it has stalled his chances of returning to the league. But he has again made clear (sort of) he wants to play again.

Salary Cap Issue May Delay Training Camps?

July 23rd, 2020 at 1:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Most NFL teams are set to report to training camp July 28. Some teams’ rookies already have. Though no practice work can be done until players twice test negative for the coronavirus — in two separate tests over a four-day span — players are returning to cities in which their respective teams are located.

The NFL and NFLPA have largely agreed to safety protocols, but the financial issue the they have grappled over continues to be a sticking point. And if the sides cannot come to an agreement by Sunday night, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports training camps could continue the offseason’s virtual format. One source suggested to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske the league could go further by sending players home again (Twitter link).

While the NFLPA wants to spread the pandemic-induced salary cap hit through 2030, when the current CBA is set to expire, some owners are seeking to not only lower next year’s cap but to reduce the 2020 cap, Pelissero notes. This would be a staggering adjustment for teams and players, and it will be difficult for the NFL to convince the NFLPA to agree to it. Even a $10MM reduction would be too much “at this stage,” one GM said, via Pelissero.

The union balked at the league’s escrow proposal, pointing to a scenario that would feature players losing jobs and money as an unlikely one to come to pass. The NFL already proposed a $40MM slash off the 2020 cap, which sits at $198MM. As expected, that did not gain traction with the union. Players’ 2020 salaries are locked in as soon as one game is played this season.

No deadline is in place regarding these talks, but Pelissero adds that owners want this resolved by the time the Chiefs and Texans rookies begin strength and conditioning work — scheduled for Sunday. Should the NFL and NFLPA fail to agree on a financial solution — one they have been discussing for months — the league could table training camps and return to virtual work. In a year featuring no preseason games, this would deal another blow to teams’ development and player safety while potentially putting Week 1 in peril.

It’s The “Washington Football Team,” For Now

July 23rd, 2020 at 11:37am CST by Zachary Links

Effective immediately, Washington will call itself the “Washington Football Team,” sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This will not be the team’s final nickname, but this will be the team’s temporary solve until they settle on a new name and logo. There’s no set timetable for the rebranding, but they hope to have it solidified before the team’s season opener against the Eagles on Sept. 13.

Although they are no longer the Redskins, the team will continue to use its burgundy and gold color scheme. Meanwhile, the Redskins logo on the helmet will be replaced by the player’s number, in gold.

These last few weeks have been turbulent for the Redskins, to say the least. Earlier this month, 15 former female employees claimed that they were sexually harassed by high-ranking members of the organization. Meanwhile, the calls for the team to change its controversial nickname reached a fever pitch. FedEx, the team’s stadium sponsor, also pressured the club to make a switch.

In 2013, owner Dan Snyder said the team would “never” change its name. For the time being, the Washington Football Team is without any name.

Broncos, First-Rounder Jerry Jeudy Agree To Terms

July 23rd, 2020 at 10:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos and Jerry Jeudy have a deal. The first-round wide receiver will ink his four-year, $15.192MM deal soon, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The deal includes an $8.61MM signing bonus, of which 71% will be paid upfront.

Most of this year’s draft pick signings have come later than usual, in one giant burst. There was little doubt that Jeudy and the rest of this year’s 250+ player crop would eventually sign, but teams have been nervous about the current financial climate and the prospect of laying out millions of dollars early on. The first-round picks, in particular, have dragged, due to their larger signing bonuses.

Teammate Henry Ruggs came off the board before Jeudy, going No. 12 to the Raiders. At No. 15, the Broncos got the Alabama star that many evaluators actually preferred. Jeudy doesn’t have Ruggs’ speed, but he has the size to outstretch cornerbacks on the outside and tremendous route-running ability. The 6’1″ receiver averaged 72 catches for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns over his final two years on campus, and he could also see some time in the slot. In Denver, he’ll team with Courtland Sutton – mostly on the opposite side, while second-round pick KJ Hamler handles the slot.

The Broncos have also agreed to terms with rookies Lloyd Cushenberry, Justin Strnad, Tyrie Cleveland, and Netane Muti, meaning that there’s not much paperwork left for their 2020 class.

Cowboys, CeeDee Lamb Agree To Terms

July 23rd, 2020 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have agreed to terms with No. 17 overall pick CeeDee Lamb (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Per the terms of his slot, Lamb will earn just over $14MM on his four-year deal, fully guaranteed.

Lamb was regarded as one of the three best wide receivers in this year’s class, but he was left waiting longer than expected on draft night. With the Cowboys, Lamb will have to compete with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup for targets, but there should be plenty of opportunities to go around. He’s expected to mostly work from the slot, where his soft hands can shine, and his lack of top-end speed won’t be quite as glaring.

Lamb, a consensus All-American in 2019, finished last season with 62 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns. That was the 6-foot-2, 191-pound wideout second-straight season with at least 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns.

As a refresher, here’s the full rundown of the Cowboys’ 2020 class:

1-17: CeeDee Lamb, WR (Oklahoma)
2-51: Trevon Diggs, CB (Alabama)
3-82: Neville Gallimore, DT (Oklahoma)
4-123: Reggie Robinson, CB (Tulsa)
4-146: Tyler Biadasz, C (Wisconsin)
5-179: Bradlee Anae, DE (Utah)
7-231: Ben DiNucci, QB (James Madison)

Washington Signs Chase Young

July 23rd, 2020 at 8:49am CST by Zachary Links

It’s a done deal. No. 2 overall pick Chase Young has formally signed his rookie deal with Washington, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Young was widely viewed as the top talent in this year’s class. Ron Rivera & Co. tried their best, but they couldn’t hide their affinity for the Ohio State sack machine. In fact, most teams didn’t even bother to reach out to Young – there was little chance that he’d be available after No. 2.

Young dominated in the Big Ten, racking up 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in only 12 games last year. Meanwhile, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus show that Young’s performance was positively off the charts. His 2019 score slotted him ahead of Josh Allen (Kentucky, 2018), Nick Bosa (Ohio State, 2017), Myles Garrett (Texas A&M, 2015), and every other collegiate edge rusher dating back to 2014.

It’s all even more impressive when you consider that Young was the focus of every opposing offensive line, including some of the nation’s most elite units. He was frequently double-teamed, and it rarely worked. He was slowed a bit by the extra attention against Michigan in December, but that only served to open up wider lanes for the rest of the front seven. In the end, Ohio State rolled to a 56-27 blowout.

Young’s four-year deal will pay him $34.56MM in total, including a $22.7MM signing bonus, paid up front.

Buccaneers, Tristan Wirfs Agree To Deal

July 22nd, 2020 at 5:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tampa Bay agreed to terms with its projected right tackle starter Wednesday. Tristan Wirfs is now in the fold for the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The fully guaranteed deal tethers Wirfs to the Bucs through 2023, with the fifth-year option covering 2024.

The Bucs traded up one spot, from No. 14 to No. 13, with the 49ers to nab the Iowa blocker. Wirfs was viewed as one of this draft’s top four tackles. He ended up going fourth out of that group, but he is in position to play a key role for the highest-profile Bucs team in at least 17 years.

Wirfs primarily played right tackle for the Hawkeyes, which will make this an easier transition compared to some of his first-round tackle brethren. He blazed to a 4.85-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, doing so despite weighing 320 pounds. Wirfs also set Combine O-line records for the vertical (36.5 inches) and broad jumps (10 feet, 1 inch).

The Bucs opted not to re-sign longtime right tackle starter Demar Dotson, who remains in free agency. Dotson was the Bucs’ primary right tackle for the past eight seasons, but Wirfs is now on track to join left tackle Donovan Smith in Tampa Bay’s starting lineup.

Here is the Bucs’ 2020 draft class:

1-13: Tristan Wirfs, T (Iowa): Signed
2-45: Antoine Winfield Jr., S (Minnesota)
3-76: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB (Vanderbilt)
5-161: Tyler Johnson, WR (Minnesota): Signed
6-194: Khalil Davis, DT (Nebraska): Signed
7-241: Chapelle Russell, OLB (Temple)
7-245: Raymond Calais, RB (Louisiana): Signed

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/22/20

July 22nd, 2020 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are the latest draft pick signings. With rookies set to report to teams’ training camps this week, teams are busy on this front.

The Vikings were the busiest team in the draft, making 15 picks this year. They have been active signing them Wednesday. Beyond first-rounder Justin Jefferson, Minnesota has agreed to terms with second-round tackle Ezra Cleveland, fourth-round linebacker Troy Dye, fourth-round defensive tackle James Lynch and seventh-round offensive lineman Kyle Hinton. Cleveland, rumored as a possible late-first-round selection, will be groomed to become a near-future starter for the Vikings.
The Broncos began signing some of their picks, most notably getting third-rounders Michael Ojemudia and McTelvin Agim under contract. A cornerback, Ojemudia is set to compete for a starting job opposite A.J. Bouye; Agim profiles as D-line depth behind established starters this season. Denver also signed fourth-round tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, a Mizzou alum set to rejoin his former quarterback (Drew Lock) in the Mile High City. The Broncos also reached an agreement with seventh-round outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka.
Despite having T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree under contract, the Steelers used a third-round pick on outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. The Charlotte alum agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal. Highsmith recorded 15 sacks at the mid-major program last season.
Packers third-round pick Josiah Deguara also agreed on his four-year rookie contract. Green Bay eschewed its wide receiver need throughout the draft, using Day 2 to add a running back (A.J. Dillon) and Deguara, who profiles as a tight end/fullback. The Cincinnati product surpassed 900 yards between his final two college seasons, totaling 12 touchdown grabs in that span.
Tennessee third-round running back Darrynton Evans signed his rookie deal as well. Evans looks set to replace Dion Lewis as the Titans‘ Derrick Henry change-of-pace back. The Appalachian State alum rushed for 1,480 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. He added five receiving TDs.
The Giants used first- and third-round picks on tackles. The latter selection, UConn’s Matt Peart, agreed to the terms of his rookie deal Wednesday. Peart profiles as a developmental lineman, working behind expected starters Nate Solder and Andrew Thomas. He stands to join Cameron Fleming as depth for Big Blue.
Washington has agreed to terms with third-round running back/wideout Antonio Gibson, fourth-round receiver Antonio Gandy-Golden and fifth-round center Keith Ismael. Gibson and Gandy-Golden figure to be key parts of a Washington offense that is limited, beyond Terry McLaurin, in the passing game. Gibson totaled 1,104 yards from scrimmage at Memphis last season, while Gandy-Golden caught 20 touchdown passes in two years at Liberty.
Fourth-round Cowboys pick Reggie Robinson agreed to terms as well. The Tulsa cornerback joins a Cowboys team that lost Byron Jones in free agency. Dallas was active in an effort to replace the Pro Bowler, drafting Trevon Diggs in Round 2 and signing Daryl Worley.
Sixth-round Chargers safety Alohi Gilman, a Notre Dame alum, signed his Chargers contract Wednesday. Gillman joins a deep Bolts safety corps.
The Buccaneers drafted two running backs this year. On Wednesday, they agreed to terms with the second of those picks — seventh-rounder Raymond Calais. In addition to his work as a running back at Louisiana, Calais was a four-year kick returner for the Rajin’ Cajuns.

Latest On Giants, Markus Golden

July 22nd, 2020 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

After months of rumors on the free agent edge market, one domino has moved. The deadline for other teams to submit offers to Markus Golden has passed, tethering the sixth-year edge rusher to the Giants for a second season.

However, Golden does not intend to sign the May 5 UFA tender, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Golden had until Wednesday to sign with another team, with the deadline coming when the first teams reported to training camp. He is now pledged to the Giants on a $4.125MM salary for 2020.

Despite registering 10 sacks in a bounce-back 2019 season, Golden did not receive much interest since the Giants placed the rarely used tender on him. Similar to franchise-tagged Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, Golden not signing his tender would allow him to stay away from New York’s training camp without being subject to fines.

The Giants and Golden were not especially close on terms before the team placed the UFA tender on him, and Dave Gettleman stuck to his guns about not spending much on edge rushers this offseason. But in the months since Golden has been attached to the tender, other teams were not believed to be especially interested in the 29-year-old defender. Golden, Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen and Jabaal Sheard represented the top group of remaining UFA edge defenders. The other three are unattached as training camps near.

Golden’s market underwhelming stands as good news for a Giants team that was oddly not aggressive in pursuing edge rushers in free agency or the draft. Despite housing a quality group of defensive linemen, the Giants ranked 31st in pass-defense DVOA in 2019.

The former Cardinals second-round pick signing his tender would garner him less than he made in 2019 — $4.75MM — so it might take some time for him to rejoin the Giants. The Giants can trade the pass rusher but could obviously use him to help out an edge rush that houses multiple mid-round draft picks and longtime Packers backup Kyler Fackrell, a free agency addition. The Giants did not address the position in this year’s draft until Round 7.

Cardinals Round Out Draft Class Deals

July 22nd, 2020 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to signing first-round pick Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals finished out their draft class’ rookie-contract agreements Wednesday.

Arizona agreed to terms with third-round tackle Josh Jones, fourth-round defensive linemen Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence, sixth-round linebacker Evan Weaver and seventh-round running back Eno Benjamin. These are all four-year deals.

Jones profiles as the most interesting of these selections, having a path to being Arizona’s starting right tackle in the near future. The Houston blocker was considered a potential first-round talent or a player who would go off the board in Round 2.

Kliff Kingsbury admitted he was stunned to see Jones on the board in Round 3. The Cardinals re-signed Marcus Gilbert, but the longtime Steelers right tackle missed all of last season and much of the 2018 campaign due to injuries. Jones was a four-year starter at left tackle for the Cougars, but the Cards just re-signed longtime left tackle D.J. Humphries.

Benjamin, who played at Arizona State, joins a backfield that lost David Johnson this offseason. The Cards kept Kenyan Drake via the transition tag. Backup Chase Edmonds is signed through 2021, however. Both Fotu and Lawrence figure to compete for rotational spots on a Cards D-line that recently added 2019 Bills sack leader Jordan Phillips.

Here is the Cards’ 2020 draft class:

1-8: Isaiah Simmons, LB (Clemson)
3-72: Josh Jones, T (Houston)
4-114: Leki Fotu, DT (Utah)
4-131: Rashard Lawrence, DT (LSU)
6-202: Evan Weaver, LB (Cal)
7-222: Eno Benjamin, RB (Arizona State)