HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Lamar Jackson Talks Extension Timetable

May 26th, 2021 at 10:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the time being, Lamar Jackson is working as his own agent. Although the former MVP did not confirm that will remain the case during extension talks, he currently stands to play the lead role in his negotiations. The fourth-year Ravens passer addressed his status Wednesday.

John Harbaugh said earlier this offseason a Jackson extension would commence either this year or next. Because the Ravens picked up Jackson’s fifth-year option, he is under contract through 2022. His timetable still appears fluid.

“I’m not really worried about if it gets done this year or next year,” Jackson said (video link). “We’re going to see. We don’t know yet.”

Jackson’s rookie deal calls for a $1.77MM base salary this season. The 24-year-old superstar confirmed he and GM Eric DeCosta began to discuss his second contract earlier this year. Dak Prescott‘s four-year, $160MM extension figures to be a key benchmark in Jackson’s talks, just as Deshaun Watson‘s four-year, $156MM pact factored into Prescott’s down-to-the-wire negotiations. Patrick Mahomes‘ $45MM-AAV deal — a 10-year re-up — continues to look like an outlier.

Prescott opted to maximize his value, not agreeing to his extension until the franchise tag deadline ahead of his sixth season. The rest of the recent QB draftees to sign lucrative extensions — Mahomes, Watson, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff — opted to lock in big money earlier. Each agreed to deals ahead of their fourth seasons. Jackson and Josh Allen are on the same timetable; Baker Mayfield factors into this picture as well, though the Browns are not believed to have talked an extension yet. Each 2018 first-rounder has become extension-eligible at an interesting time for the quarterback position.

This offseason has brought tremendous QB movement. Five 2020 starters have been traded thus far this year; Watson and Aaron Rodgers are eager to join the carousel. Jackson, however, is not presently interested in exploring his options beyond Maryland.

“I would love to be here forever,” Jackson said. “I love Baltimore. I love the whole organization. I love everybody in the building. Hopefully, we’ll be making something happen pretty soon whenever.”

Jets To Add Matt Burke To Staff

May 26th, 2021 at 9:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Jets’ Adam Gase era resulted in the franchise tumbling toward the NFL’s basement, the franchise will hire one of Gase’s former top assistants. Robert Saleh will bring aboard Matt Burke, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

A Dolphins staffer during each of Gase’s three Miami seasons, Burke finished that stint with two years as the team’s defensive coordinator. His Jets role will not focus solely on defense, with Garafolo adding Burke will join the Jets to help with game management. This position usually involves situational input.

Burke, 45, joined the Eagles’ staff after the Dolphins pulled the plug on the Gase regime. The Eagles hired Burke as a defensive assistant in 2019, but he shifted to Philadelphia’s defensive line coach and run-game coordinator last year. Burke popped up on the DC radar in February, when he interviewed for the Packers’ vacancy. Green Bay ended up hiring Joe Barry for that post, however.

This will be Burke and Saleh’s first time working together. Both 40-somethings entered the NFL in the mid-2000s and have worked as defensive staffers throughout their respective careers. Burke has been in the league since the 2004 season.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Arnette, Sowers

May 26th, 2021 at 8:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

After missing all of the 2020 season due to a torn ankle tendon, Von Miller has been on the field for the Broncos‘ OTA sessions this week. New Broncos GM George Paton went down to the wire on picking up the All-Pro pass rusher’s 2021 option but ended up doing so. Miller is going into a contract year, having played five seasons on the then-defender-record six-year, $114.1MM deal he inked in 2016. Uncertainty about his future notwithstanding, the 32-year-old linebacker would like to stay in Denver on another contract.

“I always had an internal faith that I would be here. I said a long time ago that I want to be a Bronco for life. I always felt like that even though the business and all of this stuff,” Miller said, via DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla.

This will be a pivotal year for the Broncos’ all-time sack leader, considering a possible free agency bid looms in 2022. Miller has said he plans to play several more seasons. He and Bradley Chubb have not worked together for a lengthy stretch since 2018, but the duo will obviously be counted on to spearhead a talented defense. Here is more from Denver and the latest from the rest of the AFC West:

  • Chubb recently underwent an ankle procedure that is expected to sideline him until training camp. Vic Fangio said the team thought the injury, which shelved Chubb for last season’s final two games, would heal without surgery. The third-year Broncos HC also indicated bone spurs bothered Chubb, leading to the surgery, and that doctors believed Chubb would be sidelined until mid-August. Evidently, he is set to beat that timetable and return by the start of camp. The Broncos recently picked up the outside linebacker’s fifth-year option, locking him down through 2022.
  • Details on the Broncos’ Bobby Massie contract are in; the pact, per usual, is a bit team-friendlier than initially reported. The reported $4MM deal is actually a one-year, $2.5MM accord, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. The Broncos are guaranteeing the longtime Bears right tackle $1.58MM, Klis tweets, and the previously reported $4MM figure includes a $1.5MM incentive package. Massie and fellow May signing Cameron Fleming are set to compete for the right tackle job that became vacant after Ja’Wuan James‘ Achilles tear.
  • The Raiders might be considering shifting 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette from the outside to the slot, Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes (subscription required). Gus Bradley‘s staff watched Ohio State film in order to best position Arnette, who could shift inside if recent addition Casey Hayward commandeers a starting job outside. Injuries and COVID-19 limited Arnette to nine games as a rookie. Pro Football Focus graded him 116th out of 121 qualified corners last season.
  • Katie Sowers made history by coaching in Super Bowl LIV. After her four-year 49ers tenure ended, Sowers will join the other team that participated in that game. The Chiefs are adding Sowers to their staff, via the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. Sowers confirmed the move (Instagram link). Sowers, 34, caught on with the 49ers via this program. Sowers went to college near Kansas City, receiving a master’s degree from Central Missouri.

Packers Considering Veteran ILB Addition

May 26th, 2021 at 8:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not big on drafting inside linebackers high or doling out notable extensions at the position, the Packers are counting on some lower-level investments on their defensive second level. Here is some non-Aaron Rodgers Packers news.

Over the past two offseasons, the team has let Blake Martinez walk in free agency and made Christian Kirksey a cap casualty. Green Bay drafted Isaiah McDuffie in Round 6, but GM Brian Gutekunst said the team is considering signing a veteran to bolster this group, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

The Packers have Day 3 picks Kamal Martin and Ty Summers on their roster, along with recent UDFA Krys Barnes. Despite his undrafted pedigree, Barnes made 10 starts as a rookie last season. Neither he nor Kirksey, however, ranked inside the top 60 at the position, in Pro Football Focus’ view. A six-game starter, Martin fared better. But he played just 208 defensive snaps in an injury-shortened season. The Packers’ highest off-ball linebacker draftee in 15 years, former third-rounder Oren Burks, remains on the team. He is shifting back to inside linebacker after working on the edge more in 2020, Schneidman adds. Burks, however, has not played more than 100 defensive snaps since his 2018 rookie season.

As for available ILBs, a number of notable names are out there. K.J. Wright tops the list. The longtime Seahawks starter may not have a path back to Seattle, with the team having drafted Jordyn Brooks in Round 1 last year and not looking to spend much on additional free agents. PFF slotted Wright as a top-10 linebacker in 2020. Recent Saints cap cut Kwon Alexander remains available, as are ex-Falcon De’Vondre Campbell and longtime starter Avery Williamson. He of a standout rookie season (and considerable off-field baggage and an injury history), former first-rounder Reuben Foster is also unsigned.

The Cardinals have made Jordan Hicks available via trade, following the first-round selection of Zaven Collins. Hicks accepted a $3MM pay cut this offseason and is due just $2MM in base salary this season. The Packers have around $5MM in cap space but have yet to sign their first- and third-round picks (Eric Stokes, Amari Rodgers).

Tua Tagovailoa: Hip Feels ’10 Times Better’ Than In 2020

May 26th, 2021 at 6:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Had Tua Tagovailoa‘s November 2019 hip injury not occurred, the 2020 draft may have played out differently. But the Dolphins still selected the prized Alabama prospect fifth overall. Tagovailoa battled inconsistency as a rookie, however.

The young southpaw quarterback acknowledged Wednesday he dealt with hip pain during his rookie season. Tagovailoa added (via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Safid Deen, on Twitter) his hip feels “10 times better” than it did last season.

Tua is now 18 months removed from the right hip dislocation that ended his Crimson Tide career. The 23-year-old passer said he has been able to go through an extensive full-body strength regimen this offseason, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, whereas his 2020 offseason consisted largely of medical exams and rehab. The Dolphins passed Tua on a physical last February, and he continued to trend in the right direction ahead of the season. Despite owner Stephen Ross being concerned about Tagovailoa’s health, Brian Flores promoted him to the starting role in mid-October — less than 11 months after the hip injury.

Tagovailoa ranked 26th in Total QBR as a rookie — behind No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow and well behind No. 6 choice Justin Herbert — and was benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick on multiple occasions. The second-year QB now admits his playbook comprehension left a bit to be desired.

“Last year, for me, I wasn’t as comfortable just in general. I wasn’t comfortable calling plays,” Tagovailoa said, via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe. “I just didn’t have the comfortability of checking plays, alerting plays. I just rode with the play, even if I knew it wasn’t going to work. I was going to try to make it work.

“I didn’t actually know the playbook, necessarily, really, really good, and that’s no one else’s fault but my fault. Our play calls were simple when I was in. I didn’t have alerts and checks. Where now, I feel comfortable and I can maneuver my way through these things.”

Though they were loosely connected to Deshaun Watson, the Dolphins equipped Tagovailoa with new wideouts Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle. With Fitzpatrick now in Washington, Tagovailoa will have the chance to start 17 games. Though the Dolphins are expected to push for the playoffs, inviting more scrutiny on their quarterback, he will almost certainly be in better position to succeed in 2021.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/26/21

May 26th, 2021 at 5:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed: OL Christian DiLauro

Shanahan Expects Fred Warner Extension

May 26th, 2021 at 5:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Fred Warner has become one of the NFL’s best linebackers. He joins Nick Bosa as a cornerstone front-seven 49ers piece on a rookie contract. Kyle Shanahan expects that status to change in the near future.

One year remains on Warner’s rookie pact. Although the former third-round pick’s salary is set to spike to $3.38MM this season, he will command top-tier off-ball linebacker money on an extension. The 49ers appear prepared to pay him as such.

“I want to get it done personally,” Shanahan said of a Warner extension (via NFL.com). “I kind of feel like I’d say the same about him as I did about [George] Kittle when we were talking about it [last year]. I just see that kind of as a matter of time.

“I know he’s not going into his free agent year or anything like that, so that’s why it’s not always on my mind. But Fred’s a guy that I plan on being here forever and who has earned that. I’d be surprised if that doesn’t start sooner than later.”

Warner earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2020, when he made 125 tackles and graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 off-ball linebacker (by far). The 24-year-old defender said Tuesday he wants to be a “Niner for life.”

The 49ers have exclusive negotiating rights with Warner until the start of the 2022 league year next March. They would have the franchise tag at their disposal, should a deal remain elusive. Kittle signed his top-market extension last August, ahead of his fourth season. Warner may be on a similar timetable. No talks have begun just yet, but they appear imminent.

C.J. Mosley‘s $17MM-per-year contract has yet to benefit the Jets, but the 2019 deal changed the market for traditional linebackers. Bobby Wagner then topped it, via an $18MM-AAV pact, later that year. Both Warner and Darius Leonard are entering contract years; one of them will be in line to surpass Wagner’s deal and perhaps become the league’s first $20MM-per-year non-rush ‘backer.

Lions DL Joel Heath Tears ACL

May 26th, 2021 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Joel Heath opted out of the 2020 season, and the veteran defensive lineman will now be unable to play in 2021. Heath suffered a torn ACL while working out at the Lions’ facility Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Heath went down during an individual period at Lions OTAs, which began Monday. The Lions signed Heath in February, shortly after the Broncos released him. He signed a one-year, $990K contract.

The Broncos claimed the former Texans UDFA off waivers late in the 2019 season and re-signed him in 2020. He did not end up seeing any action with Denver, however. Heath, 27, became a Texans starter early in his career, despite his low-level NFL entrance. Over his first two seasons, Heath started 15 games with Houston. He has become a backup in the years since.

As a result of the opt-out and this injury, Heath will face longer odds in a potential bid to make a roster in 2022.

Trent Brown, Gabe Jackson Declined Raiders Pay Cuts

May 26th, 2021 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders made major changes on their offensive line this offseason, jettisoning two Pro Bowlers and their longest-tenured starter. Two or three first-year starters are expected to block for Derek Carr this season.

Prior to the Raiders separating from Rodney Hudson, Trent Brown and Gabe Jackson, the team offered the latter duo pay cuts in order to stay, Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes (subscription required). It is not known how substantial the proposed cuts were, but both Brown and Jackson declined the Raiders’ offers.

After reports surfaced Jackson would be cut, the Raiders found an 11th-hour trade partner and sent the seven-year guard starter to the Seahawks for a fifth-round pick. That pick (No. 167) became Illinois cornerback Nate Hobbs. The Raiders dealt Brown to the Patriots for a fifth as well; Las Vegas also sent New England a seventh-rounder in that swap. Both players have since reworked their contracts.

The Raiders gave Jackson a five-year, $56MM extension in June 2017; two non-guaranteed years remained on that deal. The Seahawks and Jackson have since agreed to a three-year, $22.58MM extension, which came with $16MM in total guarantees and $10.75MM fully guaranteed.

Given a then-tackle-record four-year, $66MM deal in March 2019, Brown battled injuries and COVID-19 last season. He made the Pro Bowl in 2019, however. Signing up for a second Brown stint, the Pats have the mammoth tackle under contract at $9MM for the 2021 season. He is due for free agency again in 2022. Brown did end up agreeing to a pay cut in New England, though incentives can take the pact up to $11MM.

Las Vegas has since drafted Alex Leatherwood in Round 1; he will be projected to take over for Brown at right tackle. Richie Incognito, who did agree to return at a reduced rate, and Denzelle Good are back in the fold at guard. John Simpson, a 2020 fourth-round pick, is also set to vie for Jackson’s old right guard spot as well. Andre James, who has since signed an extension himself, may well succeed Hudson at center.

Adam Vinatieri To Retire From NFL

May 26th, 2021 at 3:36pm CST by Zachary Links

3:36pm: The NFL’s all-time scoring leader confirmed he will hang up his cleats. Vinatieri acknowledged during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (video link) he will not attempt to play a 25th season. An official announcement should follow soon, and the longtime Patriots and Colts kicker should be expected to land in Canton at some point.

9:28am: Ideally, Adam Vinatieri would like to play through his 49th birthday in December. But, at this stage, the longtime NFL kicker doesn’t see it happening.

“I haven’t officially retired, but I’m probably on that way,” Vinatieri said in a recent interview with Morten Andersen (via the Indy Star). “Like I said, I’m continuing to do stuff to try and get there. It’s just not … there might be a time to officially do that here in the near future.”

Vinatieri’s contract with the Colts expired at the end of the 2019 season, making him an unrestricted free agent. The veteran planned on returning to the field in 2020, but quarantine life hampered the rehabilitation of his surgically-repaired knee. Meanwhile, the Colts moved on to undrafted rookie kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.

On the whole, Vinatieri’s career has been legendary. Over the course of 24 seasons, he captured four Super Bowl rings, three First Team All-Pro nods, and countless clutch kicks. His late-year injury resulted in his first missed game since Super Bowl XLIV. And, with the Colts, he had perfect attendance dating back to 2010.

With that said, Vinatieri did show some signs of slowing down in 2019. He made just 17 of his 25 field goal tries and 22 of his 28 extra points. The Colts had issues beyond the special teams unit, of course, but those misses did not help matters as they dropped out of playoff contention.

“When you get to be our age, and you’ve kicked as many balls as we have, things start to wear out a little bit,” Vinatieri said. “Unfortunately, it was a little bit more than we were hoping. We knew we had some stuff in (the knee) that needed to be fixed. But when our surgeon went in there, he said, ‘I’m not giving you the 40,000-mile overhaul; it looked like we gave you the 80,000-mile overhaul.’”

If Vinatieri returns for another NFL season, it’ll be a historic feat. Currently, quarterback/kicker George Blanda holds the league’s all-time record on that front having played at the age of 48 in the 1975 season.

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