2021 January - Pro Football Rumors

Month: December 2024

Art Rooney II: Ben Roethlisberger Needs To Alter Contract If He Wants To Come Back

January 28th, 2021 at 1:50pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Everything we had heard indicated Ben Roethlisberger wants to come back for one more run in 2021, and that much was confirmed today by Steelers owner Art Rooney II. However, Rooney made clear it’s far from a done deal on Pittsburgh’s end.

Rooney said they can’t do it at Big Ben’s current salary, and that Ben knows that, per Mark Kaboly of The Athletic (Twitter link). Roethlisberger is currently set to have a $41.2MM cap hit for next season, which is obviously out of sync with the state of his play down the stretch this past campaign. “I think we’d like to see Ben back for another year if that can work, but as we’ve said, there’s a lot of work to be done to see if that can happen. There may need to be decision to be made for that to happen,” Rooney said cryptically, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

It sounds like Roethlisberger is going to need to take a significant pay cut, or at least alter his contract to add non-guaranteed years that would reduce his 2021 cap hit, if he wants to play another season in Pittsburgh. As for a potential successor, Rooney said “I think when you look at our room, we’ll have to add somebody to the room this offseason. We’ll look at all the opportunities we have to do that,” Pryor tweets.

Roethlisberger returned from elbow surgery this past year and initially led the team to an 11-0 record, but the offense completely unraveled in the second half as Big Ben was unable, or unwilling, to consistently push the ball down the field.

Roethlisberger isn’t the only key member of the organization who has his future up in the air, as GM Kevin Colbert is on a year to year arrangement and has flirted with retirement. That being said, Rooney did say as of right now he believes Colbert will be running the front office in 2021, Pryor tweets. “I feel like Kevin is going to come back, but who knows,” he said.

Rooney acknowledged the team is in a tough cap situation, especially with the cap expected to fall next year due to COVID-19 related revenue losses. What exactly will happen with Roethlisberger, 39 in March, seems uncertain, but at least we know for sure now that he isn’t retiring.

Rooney made it sound like the team isn’t exactly thrilled to be running it back, but in all likelihood this will end with Roethlisberger and the team agreeing to an altered contract, and we’ll see Big Ben under center come Week 1.

Jim Irsay On Hilton, Luck, QBs

January 28th, 2021 at 12:56pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Jim Irsay is one of the most forthcoming owners in sports, and he was once again an open book when giving an end of year press conference earlier this week. Irsay spoke on a number of topics very relevant to Colts fans, as well as the league as a whole. Let’s start with the question everyone wants answered every few months, Andrew Luck.

Irsay once again reiterated that he’d love to have Luck back, and that the door is wide open on their end. “He knows we would love to have him back,’’ Irsay said, via Mike Chappell of Fox 59. “But only he can answer that question deep in his heart and his soul: ‘Hey, do I really want to come back and be a quarterback for the Colts again in the NFL?’ It’s easy for us. He knows how much we’d love to have him be our quarterback.” It doesn’t sound like he’s banking on it, but he’s clearly at least still holding out hope. “He knows that he can come back anytime he wants, but at the same time we respect he’s made that decision.’’

Luck is still only 31, so he’s got plenty of time if the early retiree ever does change his mind. Irsay also talked about the immediate. quarterback situation with Philip Rivers electing to retire this offseason. Irsay said the team believes they’re another quarterback away from being Super Bowl contenders, and they do have a very talented nucleus and great coaching staff.

He did caution that the team wouldn’t make a move just for the sake of making one, saying “we just have to make sure we go in the right direction without setting ourselves back as we pursue the new quarterback frontier.” When you couple that with GM Chris Ballard recently hinting that he doesn’t want to draft a quarterback in the first-round, it really sounds like the Colts would prefer an established veteran.

Indy has been linked to Matthew Stafford, although Stafford is far from the only experienced quarterback who will be available in what should be an unprecedented offseason for signal-caller movement. Finally, Irsay also talked about impending free agent T.Y. Hilton, saying the team wants him back but acknowledging that money issues could prevent that.

“We’d love to see T.Y. back. There’s no question about it,’’ Irsay said, before immediately adding “look, there’s a business side to it.” He went on to say “you want a guy back, but it has to fit into what you view, what the marketplace dictates. It really comes down to that. The biggest thing I’ve found is you want guys who really want to be here, and so sometimes if they don’t hit their price mark, you don’t want them to be resentful.”

Hilton is 31 now and got off to a slow start in 2020 before developing a rhythm with Rivers and breaking out down the stretch. He’s past his prime physically but showed in the second half he’s still got a good amount left in the tank. It’ll be very interesting to see what kind of contract the Colts legend lands this offseason.

Texans Eyeing Lovie Smith, Josh McCown For Staff

January 28th, 2021 at 11:04am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans’ quarterback situation is in flux, but their staff is coming together, at least. After agreeing to hire David Culley as their new head coach, the Texans are now eyeing former Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith and longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown for assistant coaching roles (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).

Smith seems to be the team’s leading candidate for the defensive coordinator vacancy. McCown, meanwhile, would help out on the other side of the ball, though it doesn’t sound like he’d jump straight to offensive coordinator. That job, barring any changes, will continue to be occupied by offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Kelly has drawn interest from around the league, but the Texans have denied every interview request.

McCown & Co. will have the unenviable task of remaking the offense without Deshaun Watson under center. The Texans were hoping to work things out, but his mind is made up — the QB wants a trade, and he appears to be targeting the Jets or Dolphins as his landing spot. Watson is uniquely positioned to dictate his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause.

On defense, the Texans could do the unthinkable and part ways with edge rusher J.J. Watt. The face of the franchise has one year to go on his deal with a $17.5MM cap hit. If the Texans are truly looking to reboot things, they could trade their two biggest stars to replenish their depleted draft stock.

Texans’ Deshaun Watson Requests Trade

January 28th, 2021 at 9:46am CST by Zachary Links

Deshaun Watson has officially asked the Texans for a trade, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Watson will have significant sway over his destination, thanks to his no-trade clause.

The drama between the Texans and their star quarterback has been brewing for some time. In fact, Schefter hears that the trade request was actually made weeks ago, though it’s been kept under wraps until now. The Texans were hoping to smooth things out, but it seems that their hiring of new head coach David Culley, has not warmed Watson up to Houston.

Watson is reportedly interested in going to the Dolphins or the Jets. The Panthers have also been mentioned as a suitor, though his interest in Carolina is unclear. The Jets and Dolphins have plenty of draft picks to work with in a deal, and it appears that the Jets’ constant state of chaos does not bother him.

The Jets may be Watson’s No. 1 choice, thanks to their hiring of former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Watson pushed the Texans to hire Saleh, but they didn’t even consider him as a part of their widespread search. The Jets would be a natural fit, given their shaky evaluation of Sam Darnold. The Dolphins fit is a little less clear, since Tua Tagovailoa projects as their starter in 2021. In theory, the two teams could engineer a blockbuster for the ages that would send the Alabama star to Houston.

Watson is signed through 2025, thanks to his recent four-year extension. Worth $39MM annually, the contract is worth $177.54MM in total with nearly $111MM in guaranteed money.

Texans To Hire David Culley

January 28th, 2021 at 7:46am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have their new head coach. Former Ravens assistant head coach David Culley has accepted Houston’s offer, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

For Culley, it’s the high point of an incredible run up the coaching ladder. The 65-year-old started his coaching career at FCS school Austin Peay all the way back in 1978. He’s been a respected football mind ever since, though he’s never served as a coordinator at the pro level. He served under Andy Reid for 18 years — following him from the Eagles to the Chiefs — before making his way to Baltimore. He’s been a trusted lieutenant of John Harbaugh, and his endorsement helped him win the job.

Unfortunately, it seems that he will not get the opportunity to patch things up with Deshaun Watson. Watson — who was a big proponent of 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh — wants out. Reportedly, he’s not even interested in chatting about it with the new Texans head coach.

The Texans’ bypassed Saleh, but they considered a number of big names, as shown in PFR’s 2021 Head Coaching Search Tracker:

Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator:
Joe Brady, Panthers offensive coordinator
Jim Caldwell, former Colts and Lions head coach
Matt Eberflus, Colts defensive coordinator
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern head coach: Rumored candidate
Leslie Frazier, Bills defensive coordinator:
Josh McCown, Texans quarterback
Arthur Smith, Titans offensive coordinator, hired by the Falcons
Brandon Staley, Rams defensive coordinator, hired by the Chargers

Ultimately, Culley came away with the job. And, no matter what happens with Watson, it sounds as though he’ll have offensive coordinator Tim Kelly on board. The OC has drawn interest from other teams, but the Texans are still blocking requests for him.

Texans Interview Leslie Frazier, David Culley

January 27th, 2021 at 6:54pm CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY: Frazier’s second interview took place Tuesday, according to veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (on Twitter). Culley met with Texans brass Wednesday morning but was called back to continue his second interview later this afternoon, per Anderson and the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter links). This has become a “neck and neck” race, according to the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain.

While Eric Bieniemy has been in this process for a bit now, the Texans cannot bring him back for an interview until after Super Bowl LV. The Texans were seeking a second Bieniemy meeting but may well have a coach by the time he would be permitted to interview again.

MONDAY: The Texans have arranged second interviews with Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Ravens assistant head coach David Culley as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Both are now eligible to interview for the Texans’ top job in person since their teams are out of the playoffs.

Frazier served as the Vikings’ head coach for three-seasons-and-change, up until his dismissal in 2013. His 2012 team made the playoffs before falling to the Packers, but the rest of his run wasn’t all that successful. All in all, the Vikes went 21-32-1 with Frazier at the helm. Since then, he’s spent the past four seasons as the Bills’ DC, overseeing one of the league’s best defenses.

Culley, 65, got his coaching start at FCS program Austin Peay all the way back in 1978. Culley has never even been a coordinator at the NFL level, so it would be a pretty remarkable story if he’s able to land his first head coaching job in 2021. It’s worth noting that Ravens coach John Harbaugh has been a vocal supporter of Culley, who has a chance to secure the league’s last vacancy.

Whether it’s Culley, Frazier, or another coach, the Texans’ next HC will be tasked with getting the buy-in of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Packers Offered Aaron Jones Top-Five RB Salary?

January 27th, 2021 at 6:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Jones did not end his fourth Packers season on a high note, fumbling twice in the NFC championship game and missing time in Green Bay’s season-ending loss due to injury. The standout running back is now a few weeks away from free agency.

The Packers and their starting back engaged in extension discussions last year, but those did not go especially well. Jones changed agents and is now with Drew Rosenhaus ahead of free agency. The Packers are believed, however, to have offered Jones a deal including a top-five running back salary, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com notes. The issue — as it often does — came down to guarantees. Big guaranteed cash was absent in Green Bay’s proposal, Demovsky adds.

A top-five running back salary would land in the $12MM range. Jones’ draft classmates Dalvin Cook ($12.6MM) and Joe Mixon ($12MM) helped set the second-tier running back market last year, with Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara joining Ezekiel Elliott on $15MM-plus-AAV deals. Derrick Henry also accepted a $12.5MM-AAV pact at the franchise tag deadline.

Everyone in this bracket has a contract including at least $16MM in full guarantees save for Mixon, whose Bengals re-up includes just $10MM guaranteed total. McCaffrey, Elliott and Henry signed for at least $25MM fully guaranteed, while Kamara’s pact includes $34MM in total guarantees.

Green Bay also has Jones change-of-pace back Jamaal Williams unsigned for 2021 but drafted A.J. Dillon in the 2020 second round. The team has not given a notable contract to a running back since extending Ryan Grant 13 years ago. Re-signing Williams and pairing him with Dillon would certainly come cheaper for Green Bay as well.

Jones is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. His second such season was lower on touchdowns (nine), but the former fifth-round pick managed 5.5 yards per carry on 201 carries — up from a 4.6 average in 2019. Jones joins fellow 2017 draftees Chris Carson and Marlon Mack in being unsigned ahead of free agency. Cardinals transition-tagged back Kenyan Drake is also unsigned, and Broncos two-time 1,000-yard rusher Phillip Lindsay is a restricted free agent. The franchise tag for backs may well drop from the 2020 mark, when Henry’s tag cost $10.2MM, but the cap’s expected reduction stands to limit tag usage this year. That could create an interesting marketplace at this position.

The Packers also have All-Pro center Corey Linsley due for free agency and just signed David Bakhtiari to a record extension. Linsley, 29, is seeking his third contract, but no substantial Packers-Linsley discussions are believed to have occurred yet.

Pat Fitzgerald Signs Northwestern Extension

January 27th, 2021 at 5:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the NFL radar for several years, Pat Fitzgerald may stick with the college game for a while. Northwestern and its head coach agreed to a 10-year extension Wednesday, the university announced.

Fitzgerald popped up as a Packers candidate two years ago but soon indicated he would not consider NFL jobs. However, the longtime Wildcats HC resurfaced as a prospective candidate during this cycle. Fitzgerald has received overtures from as many as nine teams in recent years.

The Texans, Falcons and Lions were mentioned as Fitzgerald suitors this offseason, and although the Bears are sticking with Matt Nagy, they were believed to be interested in speaking with the Big Ten coach had they moved to fire their three-year HC. This extension, which runs through 2030, should quiet such noise and shift focus to some of the other college-to-pro candidates. Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley have joined Fitzgerald in being consistently connected to a jump.

Fitzgerald, 46, is a Northwestern alum and the winningest coach in program history. He has guided the Wildcats to more 10-win seasons in his 15-year tenure than the school had its previous 100-plus years of existence.

Lions Add Dave Fipp, Aubrey Pleasant To Staff

January 27th, 2021 at 4:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dan Campbell‘s first Lions staff is taking shape. They hired the third of their 2021 coordinators this week, announcing longtime Eagles special teams coordinator Dave Fipp will take the same position in Detroit.

The Lions are also hiring Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant as secondary coach, according to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche (on Twitter), and ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets new Lions linebackers coach Mark DeLeone will come over from the Bears.

Fipp coached the Eagles’ special teams units throughout Chip Kelly and Doug Pederson‘s tenures, beginning that run in 2013. In that time, Philly’s 12 return touchdowns ranked second in the league. Fipp has been an NFL assistant since the 2008 season. This includes time with Campbell in Miami. The two coached together with the Dolphins from 2011-12.

Pleasant represents an interesting get for the Lions. Washington attempted to promote Pleasant ahead of the 2017 season, but he left for Los Angeles. During that time, he interviewed for the Bengals’ DC job — one Lou Anarumo landed — in 2019 and oversaw the development of Rams corners Troy Hill and Darious Williams. The Jalen Ramsey sidekicks each ranked as top-30 corners, per Pro Football Focus, alongside Ramsey this past season. Pleasant will join ex-Rams staffers Brad Holmes and Ray Agnew — the Lions’ new GM and assistant GM, respectively — in trekking from southern California to Michigan.

DeLeone spent the past two seasons as Chicago’s inside linebackers coach under Chuck Pagano, overseeing the development of Roquan Smith, and was with the Chiefs from 2013-18 under then-Kansas City DC Bob Sutton. Additionally, the Lions are expected to retain tight ends coach Ben Johnson, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter).

Seahawks Cut OL Chad Wheeler After Arrest

January 27th, 2021 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks waived offensive lineman Chad Wheeler on Wednesday, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The move comes days after his arrest on suspicion of felony assault-domestic violence. Wheeler has been charged with first-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest, Condotta adds (on Twitter).

Ugly details from Wheeler’s alleged assault have surfaced, and the 27-year-old lineman announced (on Twitter) he will leave football. Wheeler was due for restricted free agency in March.

Wheeler was booked into the King County (Wash.) Correctional Facility early Saturday morning. The Kent Police Department responded to a call from a woman who said she believed she was “being killed,” according to a police report obtained by the Seattle Times. The woman suffered a dislocated arm and was bleeding when police arrived. Wheeler was standing beside the alleged victim when authorities arrived, according to the report.

This horrifying incident reportedly began when Wheeler asked the woman to “bow to him,” and when she did not, he threw her on a bed. The report indicates Wheeler strangled the woman until she lost consciousness. After regaining consciousness and running into a bathroom, the woman called 911. The report added that Wheeler was on medication for bipolar disorder but that he had not taken the medication recently.

Wheeler started 14 games at right tackle for the Giants in 2018. After the Giants cut the former undrafted free agent in September 2019, Wheeler signed with the Seahawks. He played in five games with Seattle this season.

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