2021 February - Pro Football Rumors

Titans Shopping T Isaiah Wilson

February 25th, 2021 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Isaiah Wilson‘s rookie-year no-show preceded Jon Robinson issuing an ultimatum of sorts. Shortly after the GM’s comments about the 2020 first-round pick, the Titans appear prepared to cut bait.

The Titans are shopping the once-sought-after tackle prospect, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Three years remain on Wilson’s rookie contract. However, nothing went right for Wilson last season. He may already be on thin ice with his initial NFL team.

“He is going to have to make a determination on if he wants to do everything necessary to play pro football,” Robinson said last week, admitting he has not spoken with the team’s would-be Jack Conklin right tackle heir apparent since placing him on the NFI list late last season. Wilson’s trade value certainly has plummeted, to the point the Titans may have to waive him and eat nearly $10MM in dead money. In a since-deleted tweet, the embattled blocker declared he was “done with football.”

One of two Georgia tackles to be chosen in the 2020 first round, along with the Giants’ Andrew Thomas, Wilson saw his NFL career careen off course quickly. He was issued a trespass warning for attending a party at Tennessee State University last summer. That preceded a September DUI arrest. The Titans suspended Wilson in December and ended his season by placing him on the reserve/NFI list days later. The latter move led to Wilson being docked $180K in salary, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (video link). Wilson played four snaps as a rookie, dressing for only one game.

The Titans did not pick up Conklin’s fifth-year option in 2019 and let the high-end right tackle defect to the Browns in free agency last year. They used former swingman Dennis Kelly as their starting right tackle last season. Kelly, 31, is signed through the 2022 season.

Titans To Release WR Adam Humphries

February 25th, 2021 at 2:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

After two seasons, the Titans will move on from Adam Humphries. Tennessee will release its slot receiver, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

The Titans will save $4.75MM by making this move. Signing with the Titans after four seasons with the Buccaneers, Humphries ended up being a non-factor with his new team. The Titans will add some funds during an offseason that features Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith as free agents-to-be.

Coming off an 800-yard season with the 2018 Bucs, Humphries did not top 400 in either of his two Titans seasons. Tennessee leaned on wideouts Davis and A.J. Brown, while keeping its run-oriented offense in place. Humphries battled injuries in both his Titans seasons. His first Tennessee slate involved a late-season ankle injury; his second was capped at seven games.

A concussion ended Humphries’ 2020 season, marking obvious concern about the former UDFA’s NFL future. However, he could receive interest from teams that were in on him in 2019. The Titans outbid the Patriots for the slot target, signing him to a four-year deal worth $36MM. Releasing Humphries will also tag the Titans with $5MM in dead money.

Russell Wilson Not Expecting To Be Traded; QB Clashing With Pete Carroll?

February 25th, 2021 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks have run into a seminal issue with their franchise quarterback, with trade destinations coming out Thursday. At this point, Russell Wilson does not expect the Seahawks to trade him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets, though multiple NFL executives believe the team will make the decorated quarterback available.

This rift between Wilson and the team stems from several factors. A central component in Wilson’s frustration is Pete Carroll‘s insistence on an offense that features the run more than most NFL attacks do, and The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks report Wilson and Carroll have clashed over the past several months on both the Seahawks’ philosophy and personnel (subscription required).

Following a midseason stretch that featured seven Wilson turnovers in two losses, the Seahawks reverted to a more balanced offense. They then finished the regular season with wins in six of their final seven games to post a 12-4 record — the team’s best mark since 2014. Prior to the turnaround, however, Seahawks coaches dismissed Wilson’s ideas for how to repair a suddenly ailing offense, according to The Athletic. This led to Wilson storming out of a meeting.

Wilson fell well off the MVP pace on which he started the season, after he threw 26 touchdown passes in Seattle’s first seven games, and closed the year with an 11-for-27 performance against the Rams in a wild-card loss. After the season, Wilson expressed dissatisfaction with the Seahawks’ offensive line plan publicly. But that came after the nine-year veteran went to Carroll on this matter — one that had bothered him for years. Carroll’s insufficient response to Wilson’s O-line-related concerns, in the 32-year-old passer’s eyes set off the public commentary that has led to trade rumors, per The Athletic.

The Seahawks have not put a tremendous amount of resources into their offensive line in recent years, and Wilson has taken 394 sacks — the most by any quarterback through his first nine seasons. QBs, of course, bear responsibility for sacks alongside offensive linemen.

Past flirtations with trades or other quarterbacks have pushed this situation to this point as well. The Seahawks’ trade talks with the Browns in 2018 — however brief they were — led to Wilson’s 2019 extension containing a no-trade clause. GM John Schneider being on-hand for Josh Allen‘s pro day factored into Wilson’s situation as well, and The Athletic adds that Schneider’s fascination with Patrick Mahomes would have led to the Seahawks taking him had he fallen to them at No. 26 — an unrealistic scenario based on the future MVP’s pre-draft rise — in the 2017 draft. The Cardinals and Saints were prepared to draft Mahomes ahead of the Seahawks.

Beyond the four teams that Wilson’s agent mentioned today as trade destinations his client would approve — the Bears, Cowboys, Saints and Raiders — The Athletic’s report indicated Wilson’s camp discussed trades to the Dolphins and Jets with the Seahawks. Considering both teams’ draft capital and their respective links to Deshaun Watson, it makes sense they would be connected to Wilson as well. It is certainly notable that they were omitted in Mark Rodgers’ Thursday comments, however. The Seahawks have yet to approach Wilson about any potential trades, Fowler notes.

Wilson’s $35MM-per-year contract runs through the 2023 season. It would tag the Seahawks a record $39MM in dead money were they to trade Wilson before June 1, per Spotrac (on Twitter), with a post-June 1 trade defraying $26MM of the hit to 2022. To avoid such a scenario becoming the lead trade in a seismic offseason for quarterback movement, the Seahawks and Wilson may have some fence-mending to do in the coming weeks.

Deshaun Watson Meets With David Culley; Trade Request Remains

February 25th, 2021 at 2:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Deshaun Watson has met with his would-be new head coach. That summit does not look to have changed anything.

In the Friday meeting with David Culley, Watson informed the new Texans HC he does not plan to play for the team again, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This follows a report expressing that Watson is dug in on his desire to leave Houston.

Cal McNair and new Texans GM Nick Caserio have repeatedly insisted they are uninterested in trading Watson. But this situation is approaching the two-month mark, and suitors have emerged. More figure to surface soon, should the Texans make Watson available. The Dolphins, Jets, Broncos, Panthers and 49ers have been connected to the four-year veteran passer, who is not expected to be picky regarding his destination.

The Texans hired Culley after Watson’s discontent became public, creating a tough situation for the first-time head coach. The team has since cut future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt. As of now, the Texans do not have first- or second-round picks in this year’s draft — thanks to the 2019 Laremy Tunsil trade Culley predecessor Bill O’Brien made. The uncertainty surrounding Watson may also create issues for the Texans in free agency, further making Culley’s opening months as the team’s head coach challenging.

Coming to the Texans after a stay with the Ravens, Culley only received one interview during this year’s HC carousel. He did enough to land the Houston job. It seems he will not sway Watson.

Seahawks’ Russell Wilson Open To Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, Bears

February 25th, 2021 at 12:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Russell Wilson has not demanded a trade, agent Mark Rodgers tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). However, the quarterback has told the Seahawks that if a trade were to be considered, he would be willing to join the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, or Bears. Wilson, armed with a no-trade clause, will not consider any team outside of that group.

The Jets, Dolphins, and Panthers have been heavily linked to Deshaun Watson and would surely be interested in Wilson. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t make the cut. Ditto for the Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, and the Washington Football team, who were runners-up for Matthew Stafford. Of course, it’d be difficult to imagine Wilson in San Francisco, anyway.

Given the Bears’ recent struggles, their inclusion on Wilson’s short list is a bit surprising. Ditto for the Raiders, though they could parlay their current top two quarterbacks — Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota — into additional offensive support for Wilson. The Saints would be especially intriguing for Wilson, though Drew Brees has yet to make his retirement official. Meanwhile, Wilson-to-the-Cowboys would spin this year’s quarterback carousel out of orbit and send Dak Prescott elsewhere.

Wilson, 32, has been the face of the Seahawks for years. He’s also been sacked at an alarming rate. Recently, Wilson expressed frustration with the Seahawks’ inability to protect him. As a pro, Wilson has been sacked 394 times with 40+ sacks in each season since his rookie year.

The Seahawks furnished Wilson a brand new deal less than two years ago. Today, his average annual value of $35MM/year makes him the third-highest paid player in the NFL. So far, the Seahawks have rejected all trade inquiries on him, but that hasn’t stopped teams from trying.

Packers’ Corey Linsley Doesn’t Expect To Return

February 25th, 2021 at 12:39pm CST by Zachary Links

Packers center Corey Linsley tells SiriusXM that “all signs are pointing to” a change of teams this offseason. Linsley, a pending free agent, made similar comments after the Packers’ playoff ouster.

“We’re not closing the door for anything,” Linsley said (via PFT). “Obviously we’d never do that for any team, especially the Packers, but yeah it definitely feels weird. It looks like all signs are pointing towards snapping the ball somewhere else next year.”

Linsley, has spent his entire career in Green Bay since being selected in the fourth-round of the 2014 draft. Fresh off of his first All-Pro nod, he’s now positioned for free agent riches. The Packers, meanwhile, have other matters to address and limited resources to work with. Their own free agent list includes running back Aaron Jones, who could be on track for the franchise tag.

Linsley, 30 in July, has a chance to top Ryan Kelly‘s new high-water salary mark for centers with a deal worth more than $12.4MM per year on average.

Texans’ Deshaun Watson: “Loyalty Is Everything. Don’t You Ever Forget It.”

February 25th, 2021 at 11:53am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans want to mend fences with Deshaun Watson. Based on Watson’s latest comments, it doesn’t sound like the situation has gotten much better.

“Loyalty is everything,” Watson tweeted. “Don’t you EVER forget it.”

Watson has been at odds with the Texans for some time now. Tensions boiled over this offseason when Watson was not included in the team’s search for a new GM or head coach. Watson wanted input and, specifically, wanted the Texans to hire Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as the new HC. Ultimately, they went with veteran assistant David Culley and former Patriots exec Nick Caserio. Reportedly, Watson has yet to answer the phone for either one of them. Meanwhile, Watson and his camp have let the world know that there is no chance of salvaging things in Houston.

“What’s the criteria for a quarterback asking to get traded, then actually getting traded?,” Watson’s personal coach Quincy Avery tweeted recently. “Asking for a friend.”

Watson isn’t the only unhappy Texans standout. Wide receiver Will Fuller — who is close with the QB — also wants out. Technically, the Texans are in the driver’s seat on both fronts. Watson is under contract through 2025, thanks to the four-year, $156MM deal he signed less than a year ago. Fuller, meanwhile, is subject to the franchise tag.

Broncos Release Jurrell Casey

February 25th, 2021 at 11:37am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos will release defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The move will clear $11.875MM from the Broncos’ books and put the veteran on the open market.

Casey, 31, made the Pro Bowl every year from 2015-2019. And, from 2013-2019, the USC product had at least five sacks from the interior. His best work earned him a four-year, $60.4MM extension from the Titans. Last offseason, the Broncos agreed to take on that contract. All it cost them (besides cash and cap flexibility) was a seventh-round pick.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, Casey’s first Denver season ended in September. Unable to return after a bicep tear, Casey finished out with just three appearances and a grand total of 14 tackles. It was his first season with less than 14 games played and his first ever sackless campaign.

There was no guaranteed money left on Casey’s deal, so the Broncos get to wipe the entirety of his remaining commitment from the books. Heading into today, the Broncos had roughly $166MM on the cap for 2021. Now, between this and the recent release of cornerback A.J. Bouye, they should have upwards of $35MM to spend, depending on where the final cap number lands. For now, all we know is that the cap will be no lower than $180MM, the agreed upon floor for the coming year.

This Date In Transactions History: Jets Release Nick Mangold

February 25th, 2021 at 10:14am CST by Zachary Links

After eleven seasons, Nick Mangold‘s time with the Jets came to an end. On this date in 2017, Gang Green released the veteran center to save roughly $9MM against the cap.

Mangold played in a career-low eight games the previous year and had no guaranteed dollars to go on his deal. It was supposed to be the final year of Mangold’s seven-year Jets contract. He was a standout, a fan favorite, and he was synonymous with the organization for over a decade. However, the Jets were one of the league’s most cap-strapped teams at the time.

A two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, Mangold started all 164 games in which he played for the Jets. Mangold said he’d continue playing after rehabbing from the ankle injury that hampered his 2016 season. Unfortunately, the issue lingered. Contenders like the Ravens could have used Mangold, but he wasn’t able to answer the cll.

The Jets turned the job over to backup Wesley Johnson, who would find himself with the rival Dolphins one year later. Mangold, meanwhile, inked a one-day contract to retire with the Jets in 2018. Ultimately, the beloved center was unable to bounce back at the age of 34.

“Everything that happened from pee-wee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets,” said Mangold. “In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with.”

“My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I’m sure I will figure something out in the future.”

This Date In Transactions History: Jaguars Extend Blake Bortles

February 24th, 2021 at 10:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Three years ago today, the Jaguars took themselves out of the quarterback market by sticking with Blake Bortles. The move was widely panned and, ultimately, it did not work out for Jacksonville.

The Jaguars were fresh off of an AFC Championship Game appearance and their first playoff appearance in nine years. Bortles, meanwhile, tossed a career-low 13 interceptions. Still, his overall body of work did not inspire a ton of confidence – his 60.2% completion percentage actually marked a new career best.

Despite the question marks, Bortles became the first 2014 first-round pick to receive an extension – stars like Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack were still negotiating for their new deals (Of course, they all eventually secured the bag.)

Reported to be a three-year, $54MM pact, the deal included $26.5MM guaranteed with the potential to reach $66.5MM in total through bonuses. He did not earn those incentives, nor did he get to play out his deal – Bortles was cut loose in 2019, clearing the way for Nick Foles to take over.

Bortles went 3-9 in 12 starts for the Jaguars as head coach Doug Marrone flip-flopped him with Cody Kessler. During his five-year run with the Jaguars, Bortles led the league with 75 interceptions – more than one INT per start.

With his stock at an all-time low, the former No. 3 overall pick hooked on with the Rams in the 2019 offseason. Playing behind Jared Goff, Bortles appeared in only three games and attempted two passes. Without a real opportunity to play in 2019, Bortles did not get a chance to silence his critics. Last year, he found his way to Denver, where he was penalized for breaking the league’s COVID safety protocols. Now, on the verge of his 29th birthday in April, Bortles is a free agent once again. And, much like last year, the former No. 3 overall pick is on the NFL fringes.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.