2021 July - Pro Football Rumors

Packers, Davante Adams End Talks

July 23rd, 2021 at 11:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Packers and wide receiver Davante Adams have ended their long-term extension talks (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). There are no current plans to resume them, putting the Packers star on course for free agency after the 2021 season.

The two sides have been talking for months now, but they’ve made little in the way of progress. Rapoport hears that things are “now in a bad place,” so the Packers have now rankled both Adams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Adams has been pushing to be the league’s highest-paid wide receiver, or something close to it. However, the Packers’ latest offer would have left him shy of DeAndre Hopkins, who holds the top spot with $27.25MM per year on average. Titans receiver Julio Jones is (a distant) second to him with a $22MM AAV. Adams, meanwhile, signed his extension before the WR market ballooned in 2018. As it stands, he’s just the NFL’s 18th-highest-paid receiver with $14.5MM on average.

Adams won’t turn 29 until December and he ranks as one of the NFL’s premier wideouts. The Packers, to their credit, did well to lock Adams down before he had compiled a 1,000-yard season. Now, the Fresno State alum has two 1,000-yard campaigns and a 997-yard 2019, a season in which he played just 12 games. Last year, Adams led the NFL with 98.1 receiving yards per game.

Dolphins To Sign Shaquem Griffin

July 23rd, 2021 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

Well, that was fast. Shortly after meeting with the Dolphins on Monday morning, linebacker Shaquem Griffin agreed to terms on a one-year deal. Now, the former Seahawks ‘backer will get ready for training camp in South Beach and push to make the final cut. (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).

The Seahawks mostly deployed Griffin on special teams with occasional work as a traditional linebacker. Earlier this year, Griffin told teams that he was training to play as an edge rusher. The Dolphins’ plans for him aren’t immediately clear. However, if he’s able to offer pass rushing help in addition to his already solid special teams play, he’ll make an intriguing addition to Brian Flores‘ depth chart.

For his career, Griffin has 25 tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed across 46 games. He’ll look to build on that with the Dolphins, where he’ll be driving distance from his twin brother Shaquill Griffin.

NFL: Unvaccinated Players Could Lead Forfeited Games

July 23rd, 2021 at 8:36am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL isn’t forcing players to get vaccinated, but they are finding other ways to encourage it. In a memo to teams, the league explained that teams with outbreaks among unvaccinated players will be required to forfeit if their game cannot be rescheduled inside of the 18-week season (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). The forfeit would impact playoff seeding for the team. And, in that event, players would be paid for the game.

“If a game is cancelled/postponed because a club cannot play due to a Covid spike among or resulting from its non-vaccinated players/staff, then the burden of the cancellation or delay will fall on the club experiencing the Covid infection,” the NFL said in the memo. “We will seek to minimize the burden on the opposing club or clubs. If a club cannot play due to a Covid spike in vaccinated individuals, we will attempt to minimize the competitive and economic burden on both participating teams.”

“We do not anticipate adding a ’19th week’ to accommodate games that cannot be rescheduled within the current 18 weeks of the regular season.”

Furthermore, the team responsible for the cancellation would be responsible for covering costs. There could also be additional discipline from the league office.

Every team has at least 50% of its players vaccinated, Pelissero hears. Presumably, teams will be working harder than ever to get the number towards 100%.

The new guidelines weren’t received well by everyone. Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was among those to speak out on social media in a since-deleted tweet.

“Never thought I would say this, But being in a position to hurt my team because I don’t want to partake in the vaccine is making me question my future in the NFL,” Hopkins wrote.

This Date In Transactions History: Browns Extend OL John Greco

July 23rd, 2021 at 8:15am CST by Zachary Links

The 2013 offseason was a busy one for the Cleveland Browns. The organization replaced general manager Tom Heckert Jr. with Michael Lombardi, and they hired Rob Chudzinski as head coach after canning Pat Shurmur. The team also made significant changes to the roster, ditching former third-round quarterback Colt McCoy and signing veteran Jason Campbell to a two-year deal. The front office also traded former third-overall pick Trent Richardson.

One of the moves that went under the radar was a move made on July 23rd, 2013. On that date, the organization signed offensive lineman John Greco to a five-year, $13MM deal. The contract featured only $3MM in guaranteed money.

Greco originally joined the Browns before the 2011 season, as the Rams traded their former third-round pick to Cleveland for a conditional seventh-rounder. Greco appeared as a backup in 15 games during the 2011 campaign, but he endeared himself to the organization in 2012 when he started 10 games in place of Jason Pinkston.

The Browns proceeded to ink Greco to a surprisingly lengthy extension, but the organization ended up getting plenty out of the offensive guard. The lineman started 56 games for Cleveland between 2013 and 2016, including a stint at center when regular starter Alex Mack was sidelined.

While Greco dealt with a handful of injuries during his tenure in Cleveland, he emerged as a dependable, reliable option for the coaching staff. While he certainly wasn’t a household name, the lineman consistently ranked in the top-20 of Pro Football Focus’ offensive guard rankings.

Cleveland made some changes to their offensive line before the 2017 season, adding Kevin Zeitler and center J.C. Tretter. Greco was ultimately cut by the Browns at the end of the preseason. He didn’t end up seeing the field during his subsequent stint with the Saints, but he appeared in 21 games (with seven starts) for the Giants between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

While Greco’s career ended unceremoniously, he’s getting his time in the (PFR) limelight today.

Shaquem Griffin Visits Dolphins

July 23rd, 2021 at 8:10am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins will host linebacker Shaquem Griffin on a visit today (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Griffin, 26, has spent the last three years with the Seahawks but remains available on the verge of training camp.

Griffin recently spent some time in Denver but left without a deal. For what it’s worth, Broncos coaches were reportedly impressed with his on-field work. The door may still be open there, but the Dolphins could snag him first.

Griffin has mostly played as a special teamer, or an on-ball linebacker when on defense. This year, he’s hoping to transition into a full-time pass-rusher. He’s suited up for a total of 46 games for the Seahawks across three seasons with one start. All in all, he’s notched 25 total tackles, one sack, and one pass defensed.

Both Griffin brothers played their entire pro careers with the Seahawks, up until now with the Seahawks. Earlier this year, twin brother Shaquill landed a big deal from Jacksonville to bolster their cornerback group.

Cowboys Work Out CB Holton Hill

July 22nd, 2021 at 10:38pm CST by Ben Levine

The Cowboys are already sniffing around at replacements for Rashard Robinson. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that cornerback Holton Hill worked out for the Cowboys today. However, Clarence Hill of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram tweets that the defensive back left Dallas without a deal.

Hill, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Texas, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Vikings. The defensive back saw time in 16 games (three starts) as a rookie, finishing with 36 tackles, seven passes defended, and an interception while appearing in 36-percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

Unfortunately, Hill has only seen time in 12 games since that time, collecting 37 tackles, one sack, and four passes defended. His 2019 campaign was limited by a pair of suspensions, while his 2020 campaign was limited thanks to a stint on injured reserve. The 24-year-old was ultimately waived/injured by the Vikings in December.

With Robinson set to miss a pair of games thanks to suspension, the Cowboys moved on from the defensive back last week. The team is currently rostering eight cornerbacks, a relatively modest number heading into camp, so it’s not a surprise that they’re pursuing options at the position.

QB Tommy Stevens Trying Out For Packers As TE

July 22nd, 2021 at 9:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Yet another player is attempting a position change to tight end. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that quarterback Tommy Stevens is auditioning for the Packers next week as a tight end. Defensive back Rashard Robinson and nose tackle Sterling Johnson will also be working out for the team.

Stevens was in and out of the lineup during his time at Penn State and Mississippi State, but he showed promise both with his arm and on the ground. Thanks to that potential, he was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2020 draft…but the team chose the prospect as a tight end. So, while we’ve seen the likes of Tim Tebow and Jordan Matthews attempt their own changes to tight end, Stevens already has a bit of experience at the position.

Stevens didn’t end up making New Orleans’ active roster, but he did stick around their practice squad for most of the campaign. He later caught on with the Panthers (as a quarterback), and he ended up making his NFL debut in Carolina’s Week 17 loss to the Saints. Stevens got four carries in that game for 24 rushing yards.

If the 24-year-old gets a deal, he’ll still have an uphill battle to make the Packers roster. The top of the team’s depth chart features Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, and Jace Sternberger, meaning Stevens would be competing with the likes of Josiah Deguara, Isaac Nauta, Dominique Dafney, and Bronson Kaufusi for a final roster spot.

Robinson, a former fourth-round pick, has seen time in 42 games across five seasons in the NFL. After spending his first two seasons split between the 49ers and Jets, the defensive back ended up sitting out the 2019 season thanks (in part) to a 10-game suspension. The 25-year-old caught on with the Cowboys in 2020, seeing time in four games (three starts) and finishing with 20 tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Johnson went undrafted in 2020. He spent time with the Jets and Steelers over the past year-plus.

Panthers Sign TE Tommy Tremble, Wrap Up Draft Class

July 22nd, 2021 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced the signing of third-round tight end Tommy Tremble this evening.

After not appearing in a game during his freshman season, Tremble saw time in 19 games for Notre Dame between 2019 and 2020. While he was mostly known for his blocking ability in college, he showed some flashes on offense, hauling in 35 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns. That performance led to him being selected in the third round (pick No. 83) of this year’s draft.

Tremble will be joining a depth chart that includes Ian Thomas, Dan Arnold, Colin Thompson, Giovanni Ricci, and Stephen Sullivan. As Darin Gantt of the team website writes, the rookie’s versatility should lead to playing time. Besides tight end, Tremble also has experience playing fullback, H-back, and special teams.

The Panthers have now officially inked each of their 11 rookies, tied for the largest draft class in team history. That grouping includes:

Round 1: No. 8 Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina)
Round 2: No. 59 (from Browns) Terrace Marshall Jr., WR (LSU)
Round 3: No. 70 (from Eagles) Brady Christensen, OT (BYU)
Round 3: No. 83 (from Bears) Tommy Tremble, TE (Notre Dame)
Round 4: No. 113 Chuba Hubbard, RB (Oklahoma State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 158 Daviyon Nixon, DT (Iowa) (signed)
Round 5: No. 166 (from Titans) Keith Taylor, CB (Washington) (signed)
Round 6: No. 204 (from Bears) Shi Smith, WR (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 6: No. 222 Thomas Fletcher, LS (Alabama) (signed)
Round 7: No. 232 (from Titans) Phil Hoskins, DT (Kentucky) (signed)

Latest On Eagles TE Zach Ertz

July 22nd, 2021 at 5:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Zach Ertz may still be pushing for his way out of Philadelphia, but that won’t stop him from attending camp. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports (via Twitter) that the veteran tight end is expected to report to the start of Eagles training camp.

This echos a report from earlier this week by veteran reporter Howard Eskin (on Twitter), who noted that Ertz would indeed be attending training camp. Eskin took it a step further, noting that Ertz was “over the issues” with the organization, and the reporter believes there’s a “great chance Ertz will be on [the Eagles] at start of season.”

However, Garafolo slightly pushed back at that report. Ertz hasn’t “forgotten or forgiven” the various issues he’s had with the organization, per Garafolo, and the reporter believes there’s still a chance the tight end isn’t on Philly’s roster by the start of the season. Garafolo attributes Ertz’s decision to attend training camp to professionalism, noting that the veteran had never threatened to skip camp. Further, Garafolo says we shouldn’t read too much into the fact that Ertz has recently been working out at team facilities.

We previously heard that Ertz wasn’t going to report to the team “until his situation is resolved,” which we assumed meant he wanted a trade or his release. Ertz was given permission to seek a trade months ago, but nothing has materialized. Although there has reportedly been some interest, no one has been willing to meet GM Howie Roseman’s apparent asking price of a third or fourth-round pick.

Ertz, who will turn 31 in November and is coming off a down year, is entering the final year of his contract. 2020 was a big disappointment, but he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2017-19 and has consistently been one of the league’s better tight ends for a while now.

Jets Coach Greg Knapp Passes Away

July 22nd, 2021 at 5:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Jets assistant coach Greg Knapp has passed away. His agent, Jeff Sperbeck, announced the tragic news this evening (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver on Twitter).

We learned earlier this week that Knapp was battling life-threatening injuries after being involved in a bicycle accident. The 58-year-old was riding his bike when he was struck by a motorist in California. Knapp never regained consciousness following the accident. According to an ESPN report, the driver of the vehicle was cooperating with police, and drugs and/or alcohol were not believed to be a factor.

Knapp had served as a coach for more than three decades. After spending nine years at Sacramento State, Knapp made his way to the NFL. He served as offensive coordinator for a number of teams, including the 49ers, Falcons, Raiders, and Seahawks. He spent the past few years serving as a QB coach for the Texans, Raiders, Broncos, and Falcons, and he was hired by the Jets to be the pass-game specialist earlier this offseason. Per Sperbeck, Knapp worked with a long list of quarterbacks throughout his career, including Steve Young, Jeff Garcia, Rick Mirer, Matt Schaub, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, and (most recently) Zach Wilson.

“Greg is such an amazing individual it is hard to imagine the challenge facing him and his family,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said earlier this week (via ESPN). “Greg’s fun nature, kind disposition, and wealth of knowledge has allowed him to make genuine connections with all of our coaches, players and staff since he has been here.”

We here at PFR would like to extend our condolences to Knapp’s family, friends, and colleagues.