HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Chiefs Sign Patrick Mahomes To 10-Year Extension

July 6th, 2020 at 4:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

In an offseason featuring little action on the extension front, the Chiefs broke through Monday with a monster deal. They have agreed to terms with Patrick Mahomes on a 10-year extension that will tie the quarterback to Kansas City through the 2031 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The Chiefs have announced the deal.

This marks the first NFL contract to go beyond the 2020s, and it stands to keep the 2018 MVP and Super Bowl LIV MVP in Kansas City through his age-36 season. Mahomes has only started two seasons, but the 2017 No. 10 overall pick has changed the trajectory of a franchise that for decades opted for veteran stopgaps at quarterback.

Mahomes’ extension will be worth a whopping $450MM, Schefter tweets, adding that $140MM is guaranteed. Both figures shatter NFL records. Mahomes’ $45MM-per-year price tag — a staggering $10MM increase on Russell Wilson‘s $35MM-AAV deal that previously resided as the NFL salary benchmark. As far as guarantees go, Mahomes’ bests the previous leader — Jared Goff‘s 2019 re-up — by $30MM.

This contract came together quickly. Mahomes and the Chiefs only began negotiating in late May. The superstar passer, whose rookie contract runs through 2021, became extension-eligible after the 2019 regular season’s conclusion.

The deal was rumored to contain a game-changing sweetener. Multiple sources believed the contract was set to tie Mahomes’ salaries to a percentage of the salary cap (Twitter links via Schefter and CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora). While that would have made the pact historically player-friendly, Schefter reports that the Chiefs did not include such a provision in the contract. The Chiefs began negotiations against such an arrangement, per Schefter (on Twitter).

Still, star-caliber players have increasingly opted for shorter-term deals in order to maximize earning potential. Mahomes, 24, is zagging in a historic direction. This market-resetting deal will likely play a key role in how Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson proceed in their respective extension negotiations.

The Chiefs traded up 17 spots for Mahomes three years ago and made the rare decision to sit him as a rookie. When Mahomes succeeded Alex Smith in his second season, the NFL landscape shifted. The Texas Tech product torched defenses throughout 2018, joining Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the 50-touchdown pass club. After another strong season, Mahomes is 2-for-2 in AFC championship game appearances. While an offside call led to the Chiefs falling short of Super Bowl LIII, Mahomes orchestrated three come-from-behind playoff victories to give the franchise its first championship in 50 years this past season.

In his two seasons as the Chiefs’ starter, Mahomes has 76 touchdown passes — eight more than any other quarterback through two seasons. Mahomes is also the only player to surpass 9,000 passing yards in his first two seasons as a starter, doing so despite missing two games last season with a knee injury.

Kansas City’s redefining re-up also arrives at a strange time. The NFL and NFLPA are in the process of negotiating a new financial reality. A season without fans in the stands threatens to reduce the 2021 salary cap, and if the league must borrow from projected future revenue to prevent such a scenario, it will have major financial ramifications. For Mahomes to agree to a deal under these circumstances says plenty about his desire to stay in western Missouri and the terms of said agreement. Mahomes is the first NFLer to be under contract for 12 years since fellow Andy Reid pupil Donovan McNabb signed his first Eagles extension in 2002 (h/t ESPN’s Field Yates).

Mahomes’ new deal will change the equation for the Chiefs, who have authorized a few high-priced contracts in recent years to take advantage of their quarterback’s rookie-deal window. The Chiefs have checked off their biggest contract task of the offseason (and in franchise history). They now have nine days to finalize a deal with franchise-tagged defensive tackle Chris Jones. As of last week, the sides are not believed to be close on terms.

NFLPA Proposes 80-Man Training Camp Rosters

July 6th, 2020 at 3:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

After rumors of the 90-man offseason roster limit being lowered because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFLPA may be on board with doing so as well. The union is seeking 80-man rosters for training camp, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes.

The NFL preseason will feature no more than two games, with the NFLPA preferring this historically unusual exhibition slate include no games and the league wanting two. This would lessen the need for the usual 90-man rosters, which can be in place until final cutdown day at the preseason’s conclusion — when the 53-man limit takes effect. Regardless of the new camp max, reduced rosters are likely come camp.

The union would conceivably want as many players to have jobs as possible, but the coronavirus will create drastically different camp environments. League guidelines released to this point recommend virtual or outdoor meetings, social distancing in locker rooms and in weight rooms, and a tiered system regarding which personnel can be where within facilities. Reduced rosters would help along these lines, as the NFLPA aims for a practices-only August.

On that note, the union wants the first camp period — a proposed conditioning stretch — to feature no more than 20 players in the building at once, Florio adds. This period would cover the first three weeks of training camp. The NFLPA hopes for 40-player limits in buildings at certain times in the next phase of camp, per Florio. It is not certain how camp will be structured, but one union proposal seeks a three-week ramp-up period to help condition players after the pandemic nixed onsite offseason workouts.

49ers Sign CB Jamar Taylor

July 6th, 2020 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers are adding some veteran cornerback depth. They announced Monday they have agreed to terms with Jamar Taylor. In a corresponding move, the 49ers waived former second-round corner Teez Tabor with a non-football injury designation.

Also a former second-rounder, Taylor has played seven NFL seasons — two of which with NFC West franchises, the Cardinals and Seahawks — and has bounced around the league. The 49ers will be the ex-Dolphin draftee’s seventh team.

Taylor, 30 in September, played in 12 games in 2019 — nine for the Seahawks and three for the Falcons. His last starts came for the 2018 Cardinals, but he was a regular starter with the 2016-17 Browns. Last season, Taylor played 204 defensive snaps.

The 49ers did not address their cornerback position in the draft but did pick up slot man K’Waun Williams‘ option earlier this offseason. Their top four of Richard Sherman, Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley remains. Taylor now stands to compete for a depth role when the 49ers convene for camp.

A former Lions draftee, Tabor received a second chance with the 49ers last season. San Francisco signed the ex-Florida DB in September 2019 and stashed him on its practice squad. Tabor, however, has been unable to impress as a pro and will venture to the waiver wire.

Jets’ Adam Gase Pushed For Marcus Maye Trade

July 6th, 2020 at 12:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Head coach Adam Gase wanted the Jets to trade Marcus Maye shortly after he was hired in 2019, sources tell Manish Mehta of the Daily News. The Jets talked Gase into keeping Maye, though GM Joe Douglas reportedly fielded trade inquiries on the safety after joining the club. 

[RELATED: Latest On Adam Gase, Jamal Adams]

Maye, selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft after Jamal Adams in Round 1, has started in all 38 of his games for the Jets. He missed ten games in 2018 with a broken thumb, though that was sandwiched by two years of perfect attendance.

Douglas rejected calls about Maye before last year’s trade deadline, but he could be inclined to listen after selecting safety Ashtyn Davis in the third round. Of course, the Jets’ view of Maye could change if they cave to Jamal Adams’ trade demand.

Maye, 27, finished out the year with 65 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defensed. The University of Florida product is set to make just $1.4MM in 2020, but that’s the final year of his contract. If the Jets want to keep him beyond that, it’ll cost ’em a whole lot more on a multi-year commitment.

The shortened offseason means that Davis won’t have much time to ramp up for September, which means that the Jets probably wouldn’t feel comfortable with dealing Maye right now and inserting the rookie into the starting lineup. However, it’s a situation to monitor, especially if the Jets manage to mend fences with Adams.

This Date In Transactions History: Vikings Extend Harrison Smith

July 6th, 2020 at 10:23am CST by Zachary Links

In 2016, Vikings GM Rick Spielman praised Harrison Smith as “better safeties” in the NFL. Actually, Smith proved himself to be one of the best in the league at his position but, as Spielman joked, assigning him that label would have driven up the price. Four years ago today, the two sides met in the middle to tie Smith to Minnesota through the 2021 season. 

[RELATED: Latest On Dalvin Cook, Vikings]

All told, it was a five-year extension worth $51.25MM in new money with $15.278MM fully guaranteed and $28.58MM in total guarantees. At the time, the deal made Smith the highest-paid safety in the league. Smith fell short of Devin McCourty‘s $22MM watermark for full guarantees, but he was the kingpin in terms of average annual value and total value.

The metrics certainly indicated that Smith was one of the best in the league and this contract reflected it. Pro Football Focus positioned the then-27-year-old as the NFL’s No. 1 safety in 2015, despite the fact that he only played 13 games. He ranked in PFF’s top 10 for safeties in pass coverage, run defense, and pass rush grades. And, since 2012, he was the only player to post 300+ tackles (311), 5+ sacks (5.5), 10+ interceptions (12), and a 4+ interception/touchdown ratio.

Sometime after Smith’s big extension, the NFL’s safety market dipped dramatically. In 2018, teams weren’t willing to make major committments to mid-field veterans, leaving notables like Kenny Vaccaro, Eric Reid, and Tre Boston in limbo throughout the offseason. Other ill-fated deals ruined the fun for safeties, but Smith’s deal was different.

Smith has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last five seasons and he’s missed only three regular season games in the last four, under the extension. This year, he’s slated to earn $10.75MM, which puts him eighth among all safeties in 2020 comp. The Smith extension was pricey, no doubt, but it’s now an undeniably team-friendly deal. And, if his performance slips for whatever reason this year, the Vikings have an easy escape hatch – his $9.85MM base salary for 2021 is non-guaranteed. However, history suggests that he’ll continue to deliver, and the Vikings will probably start chatting with him about his next contract soon.

Browns Aren’t Interested In Everson Griffen, Clay Matthews

July 6th, 2020 at 9:44am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are still showing interest in Jadeveon Clowney, but they’re not quite as keen on the market’s other top edge rushers. Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews do not seem to be on their radar, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer.

[RELATED: The NFL’s Top 10 Available Edge Rushers]

Griffen’s market has been slow to develop so far. Earlier this summer, he was linked to the Cardinals, but there hasn’t been any movement on that front, to our knowledge. Griffen, 32, has 74.5 sacks to his credit over ten NFL seasons. And, since Clowney came into the league in 2014, Griffen has registered 55 sacks. Still, Clowney is six years younger and the Browns likely see him as having better upside for 2020.

Matthews, 34, racked up eight sacks in 13 games (all starts) last year, despite missing some time with a broken jaw. In the interest of equal time, the sacks may not tell the whole story – Matthews had just 11 QB hits in 2019, similar to his 12 QB hits in 2018 with the Packers. In his final season with Green Bay, Matthews finished out with just 3.5 sacks.

Ultimately, it sounds like the Browns are open to replacing Olivier Vernon as their No. 2 DE, but only if they can find an edge rusher who represents a clear upgrade. And, from the sound of it, Clowney is the only available pass rusher who fits the bill.

5 Key NFL Stories: 6/28/20 – 7/5/20

July 5th, 2020 at 4:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

Chiefs’ Chris Jones Threatening Holdout?: Chris Jones wants a multi-year deal worth at least $20MM/season. If he doesn’t get it, he says he “won’t play.” The two sides have until July 15th to hammer out an extension. Otherwise, they’ll have to table talks until next year. If Jones follows through on his threat, he’ll give up more than $16MM for the 2020 season and lose out on a year of credit towards free agency. 

NFL To Cut Preseason Schedule In Half: After 86’ing the Hall of Fame Game, the NFL has moved to cut the preseason in half. Instead of the standard four-game slate, teams will now play a two-game exhibition schedule. Rather than cancelling Weeks 1 and 2, the league will drop Weeks 1 and 4, giving players extra time to prepare before the start of the regular season. The revamped preseason schedule is expected to be released in the coming days.

NFL Cancels Supplemental Draft: The NFL held its annual draft remotely in April, so it was a surprise to see the supplemental draft – which is always held remotely – cancelled. Players who would have been eligible for the second-chance draft will have to wait until 2021 to join the pros.

Antonio Brown Interested In Seahawks Deal: Antonio Brown would love to play with the Seahawks and workout partner Russell Wilson. And, for what it’s worth, the Seahawks are considering AB internally. The Buccaneers and Ravens, meanwhile, will pass.

Redskins Expected To Change Name: For years, Redskins owner Dan Snyder has resisted calls for the team to change its name. Now, it sounds like change could be on the way, and it could happen soon. Under pressure from sponsor FedEx, Snyder says he’ll work in concert with head coach Ron Rivera and others to conduct a “thorough review” of the matter. Meanwhile, sources tell the Washington Post that they expect the process to end with a new name and a new mascot.

PFR Originals: 6/29/20 – 7/5/20

July 5th, 2020 at 2:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look back at some of our faves from the past week:

Lions Sign D’Andre Swift

July 5th, 2020 at 1:38pm CST by Zachary Links

D’Andre Swift took to Twitter this weekend to announce the signing of his rookie contract. Per the terms of his slot, the running back out of Georgia will earn $8.5MM over the course of his four-year deal.

Heading into the draft, many praised Swift as the best running back in this year’s class. The Lions weren’t thought to be targeting an RB early, but they seized the opportunity to grab the two-time 1,000-yard rusher at No. 35 overall.

Swift will provide a safety net behind Kerryon Johnson, who suffered injuries in each of his first two seasons. The youngster’s advanced blocking ability may allow him to perform as an every-down back at the next level and there’s reason to believe that he can develop into an adept pass-catcher as well. Swift didn’t post gaudy receiving numbers at UGA, but he’s got a 72-inch wingspan, so the potential is there.

With Swift signed, the Lions now have five of their 2020 rookies officially in the fold. Here’s the full rundown of their class, via PFR’s 2020 NFL Draft Tracker:

1-3: Jeffrey Okudah, CB (Ohio State)
2-35: D’Andre Swift, RB (Georgia): Signed
3-67: Julian Okwara, OLB (Notre Dame): Signed
3-75: Jonah Jackson, G (Ohio State): Signed
4-121: Logan Stenberg, OL (Kentucky): Signed
5-166: Quintez Cephus, WR (Wisconsin)
5-172: Jason Huntley, RB (New Mexico State)
6-197: John Penisini, DT (Utah): Signed
7-235: Jason Cornell, DE (Ohio State)

AFC East Notes: Patriots, Dolphins, Jets, Gase

July 4th, 2020 at 12:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Prior to being selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 draft, quarterback Jacoby Brissett wanted nothing to do with New England.

“I honestly did not want to be there,” Brissett said on the McCourty twins’ podcast (via Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports Boston). “When I took my visit there — my pre-draft visit — I was like, ‘Hell no. If one team drafts me, it better not be them.’

“And I’ll never forget, (offensive coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) called me on the phone on draft night and I didn’t have his number saved. That’s how bad it was. I didn’t even have his number saved in my phone. I was like, ‘Damn, man.'”

You can’t necessarily blame Brissett for feeling that way. Besides having to play behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady, the rookie QB was also behind former second-rounder Jimmy Garoppolo on the depth chart. Due to suspensions and injuries to his teammates, Brissett ended up seeing time in three games (two starts) during his rookie campaign. The following year, the Patriots shipped Brissett to the Colts in exchange for wideout Phillip Dorsett.

“Honestly, that was my wake-up to the NFL, was being traded and then the next week, you’re out there in a game,” Brissett added. “It was like, ‘We don’t care how long you’ve been here. You’d better know how to play.”

Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC East…

  • Speaking of Patriots quarterbacks, Cam Newton is in New England to complete his physical and finalize his one-year deal, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The reporter notes that the Patriots are confident in the quarterback’s “condition” and aren’t anticipating any issues with the physical. Injuries limited Newton to only a pair of games in 2019, forcing him to settle for a one-year, $1.75MM deal with New England.
  • If the Dolphins are forced to trim their training camp roster, then Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald points to a handful of undrafted rookies who could get cut, including offensive linemen Jonathan Hubbard, Nick Kaltmayer, and Donell Stanley. Jackson also opines that a handful of veterans could be sent packing, a group that includes offensive linemen Adam Pankey and Keaton Sutherland, quarterback Jake Rudock, fullback Chandler Cox, and receivers Ricardo Louis and Mack Hollins.
  • Connor Hughes of The Athletic did a somewhat similar exercise with the Jets, as he explored which players could be traded if New York gets off to a sluggish start. The writer points to wideout Breshad Perriman, linebacker Avery Williamson, running back Le’Veon Bell, defensive end Henry Anderson, and safety Marcus Maye as potential trade candidates.
  • While Hughes believes that Adam Gase has received some underserved criticism during his tenure in New York, the writer also can’t envision the Jets head coach keeping his job if the team finishes with seven or fewer wins. Of course, there are plenty of scenarios where the Jets struggle and Gase does keep his job, especially if quarterback Sam Darnold misses more time in 2020.
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