HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Giants Want To Re-Sign Dalvin Tomlinson; Latest On Leonard Williams

February 23rd, 2021 at 7:55pm CST by Rory Parks

This won’t come as a big shock, but the Giants want to re-sign defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, as Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv writes. New York, however, has virtually no cap room at the moment, so GM Dave Gettleman will have his work cut out for him in trying to bring back Tomlinson and fellow D-lineman Leonard Williams.

It won’t be overly difficult to clear between $20MM-$30MM of cap space with a few obvious releases and restructures, but it’s not as though Tomlinson and Williams are Big Blue’s only priorities. The team still has major holes at wide receiver, O-line, and cornerback, so it remains to be seen if Gettleman will be able to keep his defensive front intact.

Tomlinson, Pro Football Focus’ 25th-best interior defender out of 126 qualified players in 2020, could pull down a multi-year pact worth $8MM-$10MM per season. But Vacchiano suggests that he might also be one of those players whose earning power will be weakened as a result of the reduced salary cap, so the 2017 second-rounder may opt for a one-year pact with an eye towards a return trip to free agency in 2022, when the cap may increase dramatically.

Of course, a one-year deal means that the Giants would not be able to spread out any of Tomlinson’s cap charges. So while Vacchiano believes that such an arrangement could represent New York’s best chance to bring Tomlinson back, that might only be true if his market does not bear much fruit.

Williams, meanwhile, is still shooting for the $20MM/year contract he has been seeking for some time, and given his 2020 breakout, there’s a good chance he’ll get it. He was finally able to start converting QB hits into sacks last season, finishing the year with 11.5 sacks and grading out as PFF’s 15th-best interior defender. His abilities to get to the quarterback and to stop the run make him a complete player, and even though there is some concern that he could regress to the level of solid-but-not-great play he displayed with the Jets, he is not likely to get anything less than an $18MM AAV with up to $60MM in guarantees.

Vacchiano confirms a report from last March that the Giants were unwilling to offer a long-term deal to Williams that averaged his 2020 franchise tag value of $16.1MM. At the time, that made perfect sense from New York’s perspective, but Williams was unwilling to go that low, so he chose to bet on himself (and won). This year, a franchise or transition tag for either Williams or Tomlinson would seem to be cost-prohibitive, though Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) says the $19.3MM franchise tag for Williams should not be ruled out (which makes sense if Williams is looking at a $20MM/year long-term deal).

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post unsurprisingly says Williams must be retained, but like Vacchiano, he concedes that keeping Tomlinson could be a little tougher. And assuming Williams is brought back, the club will certainly not be able to be as active in free agency as it was last year, even though the Giants do not have any other free agents of their own that qualify as major priorities. As such, New York may need to make savvy, under-the-radar signings to boost its O-line, especially at right tackle. Last year’s 16-game RT starter, Cameron Fleming, will not be re-signed as a starter, Schwartz writes.

WFT Didn’t Want Alex Smith To Return?

February 23rd, 2021 at 6:43pm CST by Rory Parks

Where (and if) Alex Smith will play in 2021 remains an open question. If the 36-year-old QB returns to the Washington Football Team, he will need to do so on a reworked contract. WFT could also release him, thereby clearing nearly $15MM off its books, but the team would need to find a suitable replacement first.

Smith’s return from a horrific injury suffered in November 2018 was one of the best stories of last season, and though he didn’t light the world on fire, Washington did go 5-1 in games that he started. The club finagled a division title thanks to their strong finish with Smith at the helm, and there was no reason to believe that there might be bad blood between WFT and the veteran signal-caller.

But in a recent interview with Clay Skipper of GQ, Smith said the team initially did not want him back. “When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team’s plan,” Smith said. “They didn’t see it, didn’t want me there, didn’t want me to be a part of it, didn’t want me to be on the team, the roster, didn’t want to give me a chance.”

He did not mention anyone by name, but he said the “new regime” — led by head coach Ron Rivera, who was hired last January — viewed him as a liability. He continued, “[T]hey tried to put me on PUP for two weeks, then they tried to IR me. I felt like I still hadn’t had my fair shake at that point. I wanted to see if I could play quarterback and play football, and I feel like I hadn’t been given that opportunity yet to find that out.”

Ultimately, Smith said he and the team “worked through all that stuff,” but one wonders why WFT was opposed to having him return. After all, his 2020 salary of $16MM was fully guaranteed, so it wouldn’t have made any sense to release him, and his career accomplishments dwarf those of Dwayne Haskins — a player the new regime was also unhappy to inherit — and Rivera import Kyle Allen. Rivera’s presence added immediate legitimacy to an organization that badly needed it in the wake of the Bruce Allen years, but Smith’s comments recall the type of dysfunction that has long plagued Dan Snyder‘s outfit.

We recently heard that Smith was unlikely to retire, and while he reiterated in the GQ interview that he has a lot of football left in him, he still needs to “have a very real conversation” with his wife about the matter. So at this point, it seems that retirement remains on the table.

Latest On Buccaneers, Chris Godwin

February 23rd, 2021 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers’ group of free agents may be the highest-profile batch on a single team since full-fledged free agency began in 1993. Chris Godwin hovers at or near the top of this list, joining Shaquil Barrett and Lavonte David in a contingent that also includes Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, Ndamukong Suh and Antonio Brown.

While the Bucs are hopeful they can retain all of these players, that might be unrealistic — especially if most or all of them choose to maximize their value coming off the team’s Super Bowl LV win. Godwin has earned the least amount of money among this group, having been a third-round pick on a rookie contract for the past four years.

The Pro Bowl wide receiver wants a high-end contract but sounds willing to listen to the Bucs on a slight hometown discount, should his other top-tier offers come from teams with far worse situations. Tampa Bay is understandably prioritizing Godwin, who may be the top franchise tag candidate out of this decorated contingent.

“The goal obviously is to get paid, right? But, at the same time, I’m not stupid,” Godwin said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (via NFL.com). “I’m not going to put myself in a situation where I’m going to be miserable for some years to come just for a couple extra dollars. I think my happiness is paramount in all of this and part of that happiness is winning.

“Just having a bunch of different guys on the offensive side that can make your job a little bit easier but also give you the best chance to win is something that I’m strongly considering.”

Mike Evans and Scotty Miller are certain to return for Tampa Bay, but it is not yet known if this collection of skill-position talent will all be back for Tom Brady‘s age-44 season. Gronkowski may have a Bucs-or-retirement stance, and Brown wants to return as well. Fournette may not have as clear of a path back to south Florida.

If Godwin is tagged, Barrett would need to be extended before March 15 for the Bucs to avoid having their top pass rusher negotiate with other teams. With Barrett seeking a monster payday, the Bucs will have a decision to make with their sought-after 20-something free agents. The Super Bowl champs have until March 9 to determine which player they will tag.

A wideout franchise tag is expected to come in around $16MM. With Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay also standing as tag candidates, Godwin reaching free agency would push his price north of this point.

“I think an extension would be ideal, but at the end of the day if the franchise (tag) is what happens, then that’s what I gotta do and then we’ll revisit later,” Godwin said. “I want to be in Tampa, but at the end of the day, I want to get paid too.”

Panthers Extend T Trent Scott

February 23rd, 2021 at 4:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Expected to do what is necessary to retain right tackle Taylor Moton, the Panthers took another offseason step at tackle Tuesday. They reached an agreement on an extension with swing man Trent Scott.

Scott was set to be a restricted free agent in March. This move will bypass the RFA tender process, keeping the former Chargers starter with Carolina. It is a one-year contract that will still have Scott set for unrestricted free agency in 2022, barring another extension.

The Panthers picked up Scott as a waiver claim in September, putting him in a familiar position despite changing teams. Scott worked as one of Russell Okung‘s backups with the Bolts and operated in the same capacity with the Panthers, who traded for Okung last year. A former UDFA, Scott started nine games with the 2019 Chargers and took Okung’s place as the starting left tackle in four Panthers contests last season.

Scott and center Matt Paradis are under contract for next season, but most of Carolina’s O-line is not. The Panthers are prepared to use their franchise tag on Moton; he and Okung head up a lengthy list of Panther blockers who are on track for free agency. Guards Chris Reed, John Miller and Michael Schofield are also unsigned for 2021.

49ers, FB Kyle Juszczyk Exchange Offers

February 23rd, 2021 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

49ers GM John Lynch said last month the 49ers will make a strong effort to retain Kyle Juszczyk. The team has begun its effort to retain its fullback of the past four seasons.

Juszczyk’s camp and the 49ers have exchanged offers ahead of free agency, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets. While these are described as preliminary talks, Anderson adds they have been pleasant and that the veteran blocker/outlet option would be happy with a deal that keeps him in San Francisco (Twitter link).

“He’s a unique person and a unique football player because he does so many things for you,” Lynch said. “He’s important to us and we’re going to make every effort to try to keep him here.”

Free agency went well for Juszczyk four years ago. In Lynch and Kyle Shanahan‘s first offseason running the 49ers, they signed the former Ravens blocker to a whopping (for a fullback) $5.25MM-per-year deal. This 2017 contract still resides on its own tier at this position, with only two other fullbacks — Derek Watt and C.J. Ham — earning more than $2MM in average annual salary.

While Juszczyk has no other contracts to use in his talks with the 49ers, he has been an essential part of Shanahan’s offense. The NFC has deemed him its Pro Bowl fullback in each of the past four seasons. His 472 offensive snaps were second among fullbacks last year. Juszczyk, who has exceeded 200 receiving yards in each of his 49ers seasons, scored a career-high six touchdowns in 2020. He also helped the team’s run game churn out yards despite five running backs seeing extensive time. The eight-year veteran will turn 30 in April.

The franchise tag groups fullbacks and running backs together and is thus not an option for Juszczyk. The 49ers are prepared to let Richard Sherman depart in free agency and have Trent Williams residing a top priority weeks away from the market opening. Slot cornerback K’Waun Williams and boundary corner Jason Verrett profile as key 49er free agents as well.

Texans Release OL Senio Kelemete

February 23rd, 2021 at 3:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Less than a year after extending Senio Kelemete, the Texans will part ways with the veteran offensive lineman. The Texans released Kelemete on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Houston will save $1.73MM by making this move. The franchise is also cutting linebacker Peter Kalambayi, which will create nearly $1MM in cap space.

Kelemete came over from the Saints in 2018. He started 14 games at guard that season, one in which Deshaun Watson was sacked 62 times, but only opened six games in Houston’s lineup over the past two years. Kelemete, 30, suffered a season-ending injury in September 2019 but returned to play in 14 games last season.

The Texans drafted Kalambayi in the 2018 sixth round and used him exclusively as a backup and special-teamer during his three seasons. One season remained on his rookie contract.

Given the state of the Texans, Kelemete certainly will not be alone among cap casualties this offseason. The Texans are set to hold barely $7MM in cap space after making these moves. With Nick Caserio now presiding over the roster, more starters acquired by previous GMs will be in jeopardy of being cut.

Panthers Open To Re-Signing Kawann Short

February 23rd, 2021 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the NFL’s premier defensive tackles for several years, Kawann Short is now a street free agent after the Panthers released him last week. He has received interest from a few places.

Short said during an appearance on Sirius XM Radio (via NFL.com) “a few teams” have reached out about a deal, one he expects to be a one-year contract due to the shoulder injuries that have sidetracked his career over the past two seasons. But the Panthers may be interested in bringing Short back.

New Panthers GM Scott Fitterer told Short he is open to a lower-cost deal, per Short, should the run-stuffer’s market not produce what he hopes. Short, who signed a five-year extension worth $80MM in 2017, was set to count nearly $20MM against Carolina’s 2021 cap.

Considering Short’s release already tagged Carolina with more than $11MM in dead money, a reunion would certainly be interesting. The Panthers have purged their roster of most of their previous cornerstone players. As of now, only Shaq Thompson remains as a starter from Super Bowl 50. Tre Boston joined Short in Super Bowl 50 cogs jettisoned this month.

Short, 32, is a free agent after having played only five games over the past two seasons. He suffered injuries to both rotator cuffs in that span, stalling momentum he had established. Having expressed appreciation for the Panthers releasing him weeks ahead of free agency, Short sounds amenable to returning to the Panthers. The NFL has a few hubs for ex-Panthers, however, with the Giants (Dave Gettleman), Bills (Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane) and Washington (Ron Rivera) each housing staffers who had a hand in drafting or coaching Short. It will be interesting to see if one or more of these teams express interest.

Mutual Interest Between Dolphins, Aaron Jones

February 23rd, 2021 at 2:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Needing help at a few skill-position spots, the Dolphins have identified a high-end target. They are interested in Aaron Jones, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who notes the interest in a potential agreement is mutual.

Jones could certainly help in multiple areas, having excelled in four seasons with the Packers. The Dolphins are on Jones’ list, Jackson notes. As an up-and-coming team in a market that regularly attracts free agents, this should not be especially surprising.

Green Bay has until March 15 to negotiate exclusively with Jones. Given his pedigree as likely the top back available, the standout runner may well have a deal in place before the legal tampering period concludes. The new league year begins March 17.

The Packers and Jones went through extensive negotiations last year but could not hammer out a deal. Jones changed agents during this process. While the Packers are believed to have offered their starting back a deal that paid him north of $12MM annually, that offer was low on fully guaranteed money.

The Dolphins are also interested in bolstering their receiving corps. They are believed to be targeting both slot and boundary wide receivers, with names like Marvin Jones and T.Y. Hilton on their radar. It would be interesting to see Miami devote considerable funding to its running back spot, given the team’s needs at wide receiver. The Dolphins also return Myles Gaskin, who showed promise last season. Matt Breida is on track for free agency. While Miami has avenues to increasing its cap-space figure, the team has just more than $20MM as of Tuesday. That figure sits 10th in the league, per OverTheCap.

Although the Dolphins have been connected to a Deshaun Watson trade — which would cost tremendous draft capital — they could easily acquire a top running back prospect in the draft. The Dolphins hold four picks in the draft’s first two rounds.

In three of his four seasons, Jones has averaged 5.5 yards per carry. While he did not make the Pro Bowl in 2019, when he led the NFL with 19 touchdowns, Jones’ second straight 1,000-yard season did garner him such acclaim last season. Jones (1,104 rushing yards) averaged a career-high 78.4 yards per game in 2020. The Packers have both he and Jamaal Williams on track for free agency, with Williams likely to hit the market. The team also has All-Pro center Corey Linsley weeks away from the open market, making for a pivotal negotiating stretch for the NFC North champions.

OL Nick Easton Has Spoken With 4 Teams, Including Saints

February 23rd, 2021 at 1:38pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Offensive lineman Nick Easton became one of the first veteran cap casualties of the offseason when the Saints released him nine days ago, but the cut could end up working to his advantage as he’s now been able to get a head start on free agency. 

Easton has had discussions with at least four teams already, Josina Anderson of ESPN tweets. Interestingly, one of those teams is New Orleans, who apparently has interest in bringing him back. Anderson writes the team is open to having him return for 2021 “after the club maneuvers through cap gymnastics.” She adds that Easton himself “is not in a huge hurry to sign,” so it sounds like the Saints can take their time figuring out their cap issues.

New Orleans is currently dealing with one of the worst cap situations in the league, and they saved $5.87MM by releasing him. Easton entered the league as an UDFA out of Harvard back in 2015, and after bouncing around a couple teams found a home with the Vikings.

He started 12 games for Minnesota in 2017, and after a neck injury costed him the whole 2018 season he landed a four-year, $24MM deal from the Saints in 2019. This past season he appeared in 12 games and started nine for Sean Payton’s offense. Still only 28, it’s not surprising there’s significant interest from teams looking for guard help, and he should be able to land at least a few million in guaranteed money.

Ben Roethlisberger Meets With Art Rooney II

February 23rd, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Plenty of eyebrows were raised last week when Steelers GM Kevin Colbert sounded unenthused (to put it kindly) about the prospect of Ben Roethlisberger returning in 2021. Colbert gave the classic GM-speak kiss of death of “as we sit here today, Ben Roethlisberger is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” and also said “quite frankly, we need to look at the situation.”

Then adding further fuel to the fire, Aditi Kinkhabwala of ESPN.com tweeted that the team still hadn’t reached out to Big Ben to set up a time to talk about his contract. Either it’s just funny timing, or someone within the building was reading Kinkhabwala’s tweets, because that’s no longer the case. Roethlisberger has met with Steelers owner Art Rooney II, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette tweets.

He doesn’t have many details, but sources told Dulac that the meeting “went well.” Of course, we’ve heard all offseason that Pittsburgh isn’t interested in bringing Roethlisberger back at his $40MM+ cap charge, and that he’ll need to restructure his deal to return for one more ride.

To his credit Roethlisberger has said that’s fine by him, and that he doesn’t care what he ends up making in 2021. Right after the season ended it looked like Big Ben returning was something of a done deal, then recent comments from the organization made everything seem very much up in the air.

Today’s meeting is the first step back in the other direction, and it shows the Steelers actually do have some intention of working something out with their franchise icon. We should know a lot more about this meeting and what comes next soon.

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