HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Cardinals To Sign Cole McDonald

February 4th, 2021 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals are signing quarterback Cole McDonald (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). McDonald will provide offseason depth for Arizona as he begins his push to make the fall cut.

The former University of Hawaii standout has yet to see live action in the NFL. The Titans snagged him in the seventh-round of last year’s draft, but dropped him in August to make room for Trevor Siemian. While with the Rainbow Warriors, McDonald finished third in the nation in passing yards. Most evaluators chalked that up to Hawaii’s highly-aggressive offense, but McDonald is out to prove that he deserves a good chunk of that credit.

There’s a path for McDonald to stick on the depth chart. Backup Chris Streveler stumbled in the season finale as he filled in for Kyler Murray. Meanwhile, Brett Hundley is out-of-contract. The Cardinals didn’t sign McDonald immediately after his December audition, but it seems that he made a strong enough impression on Kliff Kingsbury & Co.

Latest On Chiefs’ Demarcus Robinson, Daniel Kilgore

February 4th, 2021 at 11:19am CST by Zachary Links

Good news for the Chiefs. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and center Daniel Kilgore have tested negative every day since their close contact situation last week, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Barring any changes, Robinson will be able to rejoin the team on Friday. Kilgore, who needs an extra day to clear, is on track to reunite with his teammates on Saturday. 

[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Sammy Watkins, Chiefs On New Contract]

Both players received haircuts last weekend from a barber who tested positive, putting their Super Bowl status in jeopardy. Losing Robinson would have been especially tough for the Chiefs. This year, he ranked third in receptions behind only Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. In total, he turned in a 45/466/3 stat line, marking the best season of his career to date. He should be set to share No. 3 WR duties with Mecole Hardman, giving the Bucs’ secondary yet another headache to manage.

Kilgore, 33, suited up in seven games for the Chiefs this year and started only four times. But, with right tackle Mitchell Schwartz on the shelf, the offensive line is being reshuffled, so the Chiefs need him more than ever. By the skin of his teeth, Kilgore is expected to get the green light for Sunday.

Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald: “No Timeline” For Decision

February 4th, 2021 at 9:58am CST by Zachary Links

Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald still isn’t sure about his plans for 2021 and beyond. When asked at a Pro-Am tournament in Arizona, Fitzgerald stressed that he isn’t in any rush to announce his retirement or return. 

“I’m just playing golf right now, that’s all I’m worried about,” Fitzgerald said. “No timeline. I’m just taking it day by day. Honestly I haven’t given it much thought.”

Speculation about Fitzgerald’s future has become something of an offseason staple. In 2017, Fitzgerald was thought to be on his farewell tour. Then, midway through the year, he inked a one-year extension worth $11MM. A few re-ups later, Fitzgerald is still going. In his age-37 season, Fitzgerald was still reasonably productive with 54 catches for 409 yards and one touchdown. The 11-time Pro Bowler has pretty much done it all, save for capturing a Super Bowl ring.

“You wouldn’t see me around here anymore if [we win the Super Bowl],” Fitzgerald said last September. “Another catch, another touchdown, another yard is not going to make more whatever – my legacy is pretty much cemented. I just want to win a championship, I want to compete for a division title. Those are the things that are important to me.”

The chase could lead him to return for his age-38 campaign but, for now, he’s keeping the focus on his family and his short game.

Eagles Discuss Carson Wentz Trades

February 4th, 2021 at 9:42am CST by Zachary Links

Teams have begun calling the Eagles to discuss Carson Wentz, sources tell Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. And, while the Eagles aren’t in a rush to trade the quarterback, they’re not hanging up the phone either.

The Matthew Stafford trade seems to have sparked interest in Wentz, who profiles as an interesting reclamation project for teams in need under center. The Eagles might not be eager to move Wentz — ditto for new head coach Nick Sirianni — but GM Howie Roseman has never been shy about engaging in trade talks.

Of course, Wentz’s contract would be a barrier to any deal. Moving Wentz before the third day of the league year in March would result in a dead cap charge of roughly $34MM. Dropping him isn’t an option either — releasing Wentz would leave a dead cap hit of about $60MM. Even if it’s spread out over two years as a post-June 1 cut, that’s a charge the Eagles don’t want to pay.

Stafford fetched the Lions two first-round picks and a third-rounder, but the Eagles wouldn’t be able to get nearly as much for Wentz. Stafford, at this point, is the more appealing QB, and the Lions also agreed to take on Jared Goff‘s outsized contract to score that haul.

The Colts, who just lost Philip Rivers to retirement, would be a logical fit for Wentz. From Wentz’s perspective, he probably wouldn’t mind reuniting with former mentor Frank Reich. Still, Wentz’s camp has yet to formally request a trade, which means that the two sides could find a way to mend fences and move forward together.

Mutual Interest Between Sammy Watkins, Chiefs On New Contract

February 3rd, 2021 at 6:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sammy Watkins will be a free agent in March, with the former top-five pick’s current Chiefs agreement running through Super Bowl LV. While the veteran has struggled to stay healthy throughout his Kansas City tenure, he has emerged for some big performances in high-stakes spots.

The seventh-year wideout is on track to return for the Super Bowl after missing both prior Chiefs playoff games, but he could well head into free agency alongside receivers who have established more momentum and hit the market in a year in which the salary cap is expected to drop. Watkins agreed to a pay cut to stay with the Chiefs this season; the franchise’s success will impact his choice going forward.

“I would say, let’s win this Super Bowl and see where my head will be at,” Watkins said, via ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. “It would definitely be something to think about. It would definitely be something I would talk to my wife and my kids about, to think about coming back. Would I love a third ring? For sure. I would definitely not say no about it.”

One of Brett Veach‘s first big moves as GM was giving Watkins a surprising $16MM-per-year contract. While the former Bills draftee did not live up to that deal on a statistical basis, failing to top 700 receiving yards in any of his three Chiefs seasons, Watkins delivered in the 2018 and ’19 playoffs. The former Clemson star has surpassed 60 yards in each of his five Chiefs playoff games, going north of 75 in his past four. The 27-year-old No. 2 wideout missed six games this season, however, due to multiple injuries and only caught 37 passes for 421 yards.

The Chiefs reached high-profile extensions with Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones and Travis Kelce last year, which will make big-ticket free agency acquisitions sparser going forward. But Watkins will almost certainly command far less than he did in 2018. If the sides can likely agree on a lower number, Veach is interested in bringing Watkins back.

“Sammy is a big part of this offense. When he’s healthy, we’re better,” Veach said, via Teicher (on Twitter). “If there’s a way we can make it work again, we’ll certainly try to do that. I love having him around.”

Before any roster cuts, extensions or franchise tags commence, Watkins would be off the top tier of free agent receivers. Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, Allen Robinson, Will Fuller, Marvin Jones, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Brown, T.Y. Hilton and A.J. Green are also set for free agency. Not all be available come March, but this depth — and recent drafts producing several quick-study wideouts on rookie deals — stands to create a buyer’s market.

Lions To Hire Todd Wash, Kelvin Sheppard

February 3rd, 2021 at 4:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Todd Wash spent eight seasons with the Jaguars, rising to the role of defensive coordinator in Gus Bradley‘s final season and keeping that job throughout Doug Marrone‘s ensuing tenure. Following the Jags’ decision to reboot around Urban Meyer, Wash has located a landing spot.

The Lions are hiring Wash as their defensive line coach, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Additionally, Detroit will add former linebacker Kelvin Sheppard — whose eight-year career ended with the Lions — as a defensive assistant and Seth Ryan as their assistant wide receivers coach. Seth is Rex Ryan‘s son.

Prior to becoming Jacksonville’s DC in 2016, Wash was an NFL D-line coach for the previous eight seasons. He followed Bradley from Seattle to Jacksonville in 2013, previously serving as the Seahawks’ D-line coach from 2011-12. Wash, 52, will work under first-time coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Wash’s Jacksonville tenure became complicated once the franchise began stripping parts from its dominant defense in 2019. Behind their “Sacksonville” defensive line, Jaguars led the NFL in defensive DVOA in 2017. Wash’s defense had the team on the precipice of Super Bowl LII. Despite the Jags’ 3-13 record in 2016, they ranked sixth in total defense. In 2018, the last season in which Wash’s unit had its host of high-end cogs, the Jaguars boasted a top-five defense.

After the franchise gutted the group over the next two years, its effectiveness predictably worsened. Amid its 15-game losing streak, the 2020 Jags edition allowed a franchise-record 492 points. By Week 17, only Myles Jack was left from Jacksonville’s 2017 defense.

A 2011 third-round Bills pick, Sheppard played for five teams through the 2018 season. He started 63 games, primarily for the Bills and Dolphins, in that span and landed with Detroit for the second half of the ’18 slate. Seth Ryan, just 26, spent the past two years as a quality control staffer with the Chargers.

Jared Goff Addresses Trade To Lions

February 3rd, 2021 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Upon finding out the Rams had included him in their trade package for Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff said he was “extremely disappointed and upset,” according to Sam Farmer and Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. The five-year veteran has come to better terms with the trade in the days since.

The Rams went from parting with considerable draft capital to acquire Goff over Carson Wentz at No. 1 overall in 2016 to giving him a four-year, $134MM extension in 2019 to being noncommittal about his 2021 status. Goff is now bound for Detroit.

“Ultimately, they wanted to go in a different direction,” Goff said, via Farmer. “As the quarterback, as the guy that’s at arguably the most important position on the field, if you’re in a place that you’re not wanted and they want to move on from you, the feeling’s mutual.

“You don’t want to be in the wrong place. It became increasingly clear that was the case. [The trade] is something that I’m hopeful is going to be so good for my career.”

The Lions were able to pry two first-round picks from the Rams because of the lofty guarantees in Goff’s deal. The Super Bowl LIII starter, at least publicly, has not acknowledged a point where his status in Los Angeles went south. Goff finished 22nd in Total QBR in 2019 and 23rd in 2020, dropping from the Pro Bowl perch on which he resided after his first two seasons with Sean McVay.

“That’s the tough part right now is trying to figure that out, when did that happen?” Goff said. “Those are all conversations that I may or may not have, and try to figure it out. That’s the conversation to have.”

 

Discussions with Dan Campbell and other members of the Lions’ new regime have led Goff to the reported conclusion he will be the team’s 2021 starter. The Lions will have a non-Stafford primary starting quarterback for the first time since their 0-16 2008 season.

While Detroit will likely be linked to passers with its No. 7 overall pick, the team has Goff under contract through 2024. No easy out from this deal exists until after the 2022 season. A year after the Rams took on more than $33MM in combined dead money from Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks‘ departures, they will eat $22.2MM — a single-contract record — in 2021 because of Goff’s exit.

“[Discussions with Lions brass are] what made me go, ‘oh my God, this is how it’s supposed to feel. This makes me feel great,’ how excited they were, how fired up they were,” Goff said. “… As time has gone on over the last few days, and even the end of that night, it becomes a positive and you start to feel really good about yourself again. You start to feel, I don’t want to say relief is the word, but you start to feel happy, grateful, ready for a new opportunity.”

Lions Host DL David Irving On Visit

February 3rd, 2021 at 3:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although David Irving only played in two Raiders games this past season, the former Cowboys defensive lineman continues to generate interest during Super Bowl week.

A day after the Colts brought Irving in, the Lions followed suit. Irving was in Detroit for a visit, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Irving, 27, has run into multiple suspensions — for substance abuse and performance-enhancing drugs — and has only played in four games over the past three seasons. But the potential the former UDFA showed prior to that has likely continued to keep him on the radar. In eight games with the 2017 Cowboys, Irving registered seven sacks. In 15 games with the 2016 Dallas squad that earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Irving tallied four sacks and 15 quarterback hits.

Irving has worked as both a defensive end and inside pass rusher in four NFL seasons. The Raiders signed the Iowa State alum quickly after the NFL reinstated him last year but released him from their practice squad, but the veteran D-lineman could have a new home soon.

Eagles Didn’t Request Eric Bieniemy Interview

February 3rd, 2021 at 2:41pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Before they ultimately hired Nick Sirianni, we heard the Eagles had requested an interview with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for their head coaching vacancy. That apparently wasn’t the case.

Speaking at one of his Super Bowl week media availabilities, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that Philly never submitted an interview request for Bieniemy, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com (Twitter link). There has been some buzz that the Eagles didn’t want to pull from the Reid coaching tree again (like they did with Doug Pederson), but Reid said he hasn’t heard anything to suggest that.

This would mean the Eagles were on an island on this one. All six other teams that had head coaching openings submitted a request to interview Bieniemy, who has been a hot name the past couple of cycles but hasn’t been able to secure a top job. It’s especially surprising considering the Eagles seemed determined to cast a wide net in their search, interviewing a slew of candidates who weren’t known to be on the radar elsewhere.

Guys like Josh McDaniels, Jerod Mayo, and Dennis Allen, who didn’t draw much known interest from other teams, all interviewed with the Eagles for the gig. Reid has long lobbied for Bieniemy to get a head coaching job, so he was probably annoyed that his former team never actually put in the effort to submit an interview request.

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