2020 July - Pro Football Rumors

Andrew Whitworth Tested Positive For COVID-19

July 19th, 2020 at 9:57am CST by Rory Parks

Union chief DeMaurice Smith and president J.C. Tretter held a conference call with media members on Friday, and Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth joined the call. Whitworth revealed that he recently tested positive for COVID-19, and his story is a troubling one (h/t Howard Balzer of SI.com).

Whitworth explained that a family member went to lunch with a friend. Several days later, that family member started to feel ill when she was traveling with Whitworth, his wife and children, and his wife’s parents. She subsequently tested positive, and Whitworth and every other person on that trip tested positive shortly thereafter.

Luckily, it appears as if everyone involved has recovered, but it does underscore how dangerous the virus is. And as Tretter pointed out during the call, there are still important unanswered questions concerning the spread of the virus. Although it may be possible to have socially distant huddles, offensive and defensive linemen have to be in contact with each other and players on the opposing line on every play, so if one of them tests positive, how will the league determine how many people to quarantine, and for how long?

For now, the league is forging ahead with its plans to start training camp on July 28, with rookies, QBs, and injured players reporting to their clubs this week. As of July 10, 72 players league-wide had tested positive for COVID-19, and that number will almost certainly increase when testing becomes mandatory. How the league responds to positive tests will be the most important factor in starting and completing the 2020 season.

Whitworth, 38, has contemplated retirement recently, but he signed a new three-year contract this offseason that will theoretically keep him with Los Angeles though his age-40 season. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2017, his first year with the Rams, and though he is unlikely to reach those heights again, he remains a good LT and a key component of the club’s O-line.

This Date In Transactions History: Dolphins Sign Arian Foster

July 18th, 2020 at 1:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Four years ago today, the Dolphins signed running back Arian Foster. Although he was only 29 years old at the time of signing, it would prove to be his last NFL contract ever.

At his peak, Foster was among the very best running backs in the game. In 2010, he led the NFL with 1,616 yards on the ground and 16 rushing touchdowns. He was a constant threat as a pass-catcher as well: he had 66 catches for 604 yards in that season and 53 grabs for 617 in the following campaign. Injuries sidetracked Foster in 2013 and 2015, but he turned in four campaigns with 1,200+ yards rushing while with the Texans.

Unfortunately, the sport tends to be cruel to standout running backs. After suffering a ruptured Achilles in 2015, Foster drew little attention in the initial waves of free agency. With Miami, Foster would merely support second-year pro Jay Ajayi after Miller fled to join his old friends in Houston. Despite his accomplishments, Foster netted just a one-year deal worth $1.5MM. The only guaranteed portion of his pact came in the form of a $400K signing bonus.

After appearing in four games for the Fins, Foster shocked everyone with his abrupt retirement.

“There comes a time in every athlete’s career when their ambition and their body are no longer on the same page. I’ve reached that point,” Foster revealed in a written statement. “My father always said, “You’ll know when it’s time to walk away.” It has never been more clear than right now. I’m walking away with peace. I know it’s not commonplace to do it midseason, but my body just can’t take the punishment this game asks for any longer. I want to thank the Miami Dolphins, with everything in me, for allowing me to bow out with grace and making this process as easy as possible.”

Foster cited the injuries as his primary motivation to move on from the game, but he later explained that he had fallen out of love with the game of football. In a 2017 interview with Joe Rogan, Foster said that he found himself on the sidelines of games thinking about physics and other topics of personal interest.

“I kind of just fell out of love with it,” said Foster, who spent his time on the sidelines pondering physics. “Football is not a place for thinkers. If you are inquisitive it comes off as disruptive.”

Release Candidate: Patriots QB Brian Hoyer

July 18th, 2020 at 1:09pm CST by Zachary Links

When the Patriots signed Brian Hoyer back in March, many expected him to wind up as the Patriots’ new starter to replace Tom Brady. A few months later, things have changed dramatically. Between the addition of Cam Newton and the presence of youngster Jarrett Stidham, Hoyer may wind up back on the curb this summer.

Hoyer started out with the Patriots way back in 2008. Since then, the one-time undrafted free agent out of Michigan State has been a practice field favorite. This year would mark his third go ’round with Bill Belichick, so he knows the schemes and terminology inside and out.

He’s also signed to a very reasonable one-year, $2MM deal, and it’s fully guaranteed. Financially speaking, the Patriots would gain nothing by releasing the 34-year-old (35 in October).

Since 2010, the Patriots have generally rolled with two QBs on the depth chart, a savvy move to increase flexibility in other areas. Of course, they’re in a very different situation without Brady under center. At one point, in Brady’s rookie year, the Patriots housed four passers on the roster. If they don’t feel the need to backstop Newton and Stidham with their proven – and already paid – signal caller, the Patriots could drop him and create an extra spot for an edge rusher like Shilique Calhoun or a tenth offensive lineman.

Latest On NFL’s Opt Out Proposal

July 18th, 2020 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

In an effort to get players on board with the 2020 season, the NFL has proposed a plan that will allow players to opt out of the 2020 season for any COVID-19-related health concerns. The details of the proposal, as outlined by Mike Florio of PFT, seem to fall short of the NFLPA’s demands.

Players would be able to opt out of the 2020 season by providing written notice before August 1 at 5pm ET/4pm CT. Once the letter is in, the decision is final – players cannot reverse course before the (expected) start of the season in September. Those players will also be barred from negotiating with their teams, which safeguards against players using the special provision as a way to hold out for a better deal. Meanwhile, teams would be allowed to trade opt-out players.

Players who opt out would receive a $150K stipend for the year, minus any money already received this year. Effectively, any player who has received a substantial signing bonus or up-front payout would get nothing. The balance would also be subtracted from the player’s 2021 salary, so it would be more of a cash advance than a stipend. It’s not immediately clear whether players who are not under contract for 2021 would be eligible.

Unsurprisingly, opt out players would have their contract toll for a full year. In other words, those players would not earn an accredited year towards free agency. The NFLPA might not be happy about that, but it would have been a shock to see the league cave on that front.

One loophole that remains: The ability for players to use the provision as leverage between now and August 1. In order to keep that avenue open, the NFLPA would have to agree to terms sooner rather than later.

NFL Training Camp To Start On July 28

July 18th, 2020 at 12:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Training camp for all 32 NFL teams will begin on July 28, according to a memo issued by the league office on Saturday. They cut it awfully close, but this is ultimately a good sign for the regular season to go ahead as planned.

Before 7/28, the league’s rookies will report on July 21. Meanwhile, quarterbacks and injured players will be able to report starting on July 23. The Chiefs and Texans stand as exceptions – KC rookies and quarterbacks will show up for work on Monday. Ditto for Houston’s rookies.

Meanwhile, there are still a host of issues to be resolved between the NFL and the NFLPA. The latest comments from union leads DeMaurice Smith and J.C. Tretter expressed disappointment and frustration with the status of talks thus far.

“Players are taking all of the risk by returning to work,” the NFLPA said in a statement on Friday. “We also know there will be a shortfall in revenues next year, but players cannot be asked to bear the full brunt of both the health and safety risk and the financial one. We are bargaining for fair and reasonable ways to soften the short-term economic losses in our business.”

The union had no legal grounds to delay the start of training camp. Instead, Smith says the NFLPA will work to ensure the safest environment possible with the help of team physicians.

Jaguars Sign Rookie Josiah Scott

July 17th, 2020 at 8:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars have signed fourth-round pick Josiah Scott, according to a team announcement. Per the terms of his slot, Scott is slated to earn roughly $3.9MM over the course of his four-year deal.

The Jags are expected to use Scott as a nickel specialist and special teams player. He can’t stick every receiver at 5’9″, but he’s tough and scrappy with an advanced football IQ for his age. Scott, the No. 137 overall pick in the draft, left Michigan State after tallying six picks across three seasons.

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell sees Scott as a solid value pick. Had it not been for a torn meniscus in his sophomore season, Scott could have wound up going much higher. Today, he’s healthy, and still crazy fast – his 4.42 second 40-yard-dash was the fifth-best showing at the combine in February.

Here’s the full rundown of the Jaguars’ draft class, via PFR’s tracker:

1-9: C.J. Henderson, CB (Florida): Signed
1-20: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE (LSU)
2-42: Laviska Shenault, WR (Colorado): Signed
3-73: Davon Hamilton, DT (Ohio State): Signed
4-116: Ben Bartch, OT (St. John’s (MN)): Signed
4-137: Josiah Scott, CB (Michigan State): Signed
4-140: Shaquille Quarterman, ILB (Miami): Signed
5-157: Daniel Thomas, S (Auburn)
5-165: Collin Johnson, WR (Texas): Signed
6-189: Jake Luton, QB (Oregon State)
6-206: Tyler Davis, TE (Georgia Tech): Signed
7-223: Chris Claybrooks, CB (Memphis)

NFL Proposal Allows Teams To Trade Players Who Opt Out

July 17th, 2020 at 8:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL’s latest proposal would allow players to opt out of the 2020 season, with formal notice delivered by Aug. 1. Under that proposal, teams would be permitted to trade those players, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

However, players would not be allowed to engage with their teams in that scenario. That’s a key provision – otherwise, players could theoretically parlay their opt-out into a holdout. Still, it’s not clear whether players would earn a portion of their salaries per the NFL’s pitch. Given the typical nature of negotiations between Roger Goodell and the NFLPA, it’s unlikely that concession has been made.

Earlier this month, the NFL floated the idea of placing 35% of player salaries in escrow, as a safeguard against lowered revenue. When the union rebuffed that monumental ask, the league effectively moved backwards in negotiations. Their latest pitch calls for a $40MM drop in the 2020 salary cap. Obviously, that’s a non-starter for the union at this time.

The NFL agreed to a new COVID-19 IR designation, but that’s not enough to mollify widespread concern and frustration in the union. So far, 72 players have tested positive for the virus, and that number could grow exponentially without careful planning.

NFLPA: Players Taking “All Of The Risk”

July 17th, 2020 at 7:55pm CST by Zachary Links

On Friday, NFL owners met to discuss the best path forward as they look ahead to the 2020 season. Afterwards, the NFLPA issued a statement indicating that little has been resolved between the league office and its players:

“Our union commissioned the best people to come up with the most comprehensive set of recommendations for return-to-work protocols. The health and safety checklist was put together according to an agreement we signed in March with the NFL. That agreement, along with our CBA, is in place to hold the NFL accountable to keeping players as safe as possible and reduce risk.

Our job is to stand firm and push management to agree to these expert recommendations and hold them accountable to implementing the full health and safety checklist.

We know that players are taking all of the risk by returning to work. We also know there will be a shortfall in revenues next year, but players cannot be asked to bear the full brunt of both the health and safety risk and the financial one. We are bargaining for fair and reasonable ways to soften the short-term economic losses in our business.”

In a conference call with reporters, NFLPA president J.C. Tretter said the union has gotten little in the way of answers after consulting with team doctors in hotspot areas. Meanwhile, Smith said that he is not aware of any players who have opted out for the upcoming season, but that could change as Week 1 draws closer.

NFL Suspends LB Kentrell Brothers

July 17th, 2020 at 4:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL has suspended former Vikings linebacker Kentrell Brothers for the first nine weeks of the 2020 season, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This marks the second suspension of his career.

Brothers, who spent the past four seasons with the Vikings, is a free agent. The story behind his latest ban isn’t immediately clear, but it certainly won’t help his case as he looks for work.

Brothers has appeared in 51 games for the Vikings since entering the league as a fifth-round pick. Two years ago, he was hit with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy. Brothers accepted the punishment without appeal, though he said he did not knowingly take a banned substance.

In other Vikings news, safety Anthony Harris is on course for free agency. Now that the franchise tag deadline is in the rear view mirror, Harris will play out the 2020 season on a one-year, $11.4MM deal. The two sides will have to wait until next year before resuming extension talks, at which point he’ll be in line for a sizable raise.

This Date In Transactions History: Tony Boselli Retires

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

On this date in 2003, one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the history of the game called it a career. Tackle Tony Boselli, the first ever draft pick of the Jaguars, retired at the age of 31.

Soon after being drafted with the No. 2 pick in the 1995 draft, Boselli established himself as one of the best players in Jacksonville. He earned five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1996-2000 with three First-Team All-Pro selections coming in 97-99. The Jaguars reached the postseason in four of their first five seasons in existence, and Boselli played a huge role in their success.

Tom Coughlin, who’s managed some of the game’s most legendary talents, says Boselli is the single greatest player he’s ever coached.

“No question, he certainly is,” Coughlin said (via Mike Kaye of First Coast News). “Without a doubt, because he could do so many different things. He is such a great athlete on top anything else that he does. I remember seeing him as a pro athlete. Six-foot-seven, he goes out on the golf course and shoots 85 or 86 or something like that. He just had that kind of ability. The real thing was the competiveness in him. He would go out on the field and the look in his eye and the way he could dominate people at times. No matter what you say. No matter what run you pick. All the All-Pro’s, the All-Pro teams, all of the things – the much deserved honors that he has received. No doubt in my mind.”

Unfortunately, injuries started to chip away at Boselli in 2001 and he appeared in only three games that season. In February 2002, the Jaguars made Boselli one of their five exposed players for the Texans’ expansion draft. With the very first pick, Houston took on Boselli’s $6.883MM cap figure, but they did not get the All-Pro they were expecting.

”I am retiring because of medical reasons, specifically my left shoulder, which did not continue to improve to the point where I could play,” said Boselli as he announced his retirement.

Boselli’s career was relatively short, but highly impactful. In seven seasons with the Jaguars, Boselli allowed only 15.5 sacks and cemented his legacy as one of the Jaguars’ most important players of all-time.

Boselli signed a one-day deal to retire with the Jaguars in 2006 and became the first inductee into the team’s Hall of Fame. Still, the football Hall of Fame eludes him. This year, Boselli was denied entry in his 14th year of eligibility and his fourth straight year as a finalist.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.