HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Latest On LB K.J. Wright

July 20th, 2021 at 8:53pm CST by Ben Levine

K.J. Wright is still looking for his next NFL gig, and the veteran linebacker continues to hint that he could end up back with the Seahawks.

“Yes, there is a chance,” Wright said during an appearance on SiriusXM Radio (via Twitter). “There is a chance, and I’m not closing the door on Seattle. Going into free agency, I thought it’d be a no-brainer, but they’re going to wait until training camp, so we’ll see. No matter what happens, my career in Seattle was just unforgettable”

This isn’t the first time the 10-year veteran has suggested re-signing with the Seahawks, but the organization has continued to keep their distance as they pivot to their youth. The organization wants their top 2020 draft picks, Jordyn Brooks and Darrell Taylor, to become starters next to Bobby Wagner, who’s currently the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball ‘backer. Considering the date, it’s unlikely Wright would command a pricey contract, but there’s no clear role for him on the current squad.

On the flip side, the two camps have agreed to three contracts since Wright joined Seattle as a fourth-round pick in 2011, and he’s earned a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl nod during his decade with the organization. The soon-to-be 32-year-old also continued producing in 2020, finishing with 86 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks in 16 starts. It’s unlikely his career is over.

If Wright doesn’t land back in Seattle, it sounds like he’s ready to contribute to his next team. The veteran cited his versatility as a reason for why he’d fit in with practically any team.

“For me, I believe that it’s what a team wants from me,” Wright said. “I know what I provide to a team, I know that coming off my two best seasons after I suffered a knee injury – had my two best years, played phenomenal, switched positions…I know that I can go into a training camp, pick up the playbook, nice and easy…[and] go out to perform in any position that want me at.”

Jets Sign First-Round OL Alijah Vera-Tucker

July 20th, 2021 at 7:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Jets fans are still waiting for their team to ink second-overall pick Zach Wilson to his rookie contract, but the organization did manage to sign their other first-round pick today. The team announced that they’ve signed first-round guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.

The USC product was selected with the 14th pick during this past year’s draft. The offensive lineman’s rookie contract is worth a fully guaranteed $15.88MM, including an $8.9MM signing bonus.

A darling of scouts across the league, Vera-Tucker was lauded for his versatility and hard-nosed playing style during his time at USC. AVT was already considered a top offensive guard prospect heading into the 2020 season, but he added even more intrigue following a successful transition to tackle. After earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2019, he made a jump to the first team in 2020. He also earned the Morris Trophy this past season, awarded to the best OL/DL in the Pac 12 (as voted by players).

Vera-Tucker lacks elite athleticism, which means his future will probably be on the interior. Indeed, the rookie is currently projected to start at left guard for the Jets.

Following the signing, the Jets have only a pair of rookies who remain unsigned: Wilson and second-round wideout Elijah Moore.

Latest On Saquon Barkley, Giants RBs

July 20th, 2021 at 5:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Saquon Barkley refuses to reveal his availability for the start of next season, and the Pro Bowl running back continued that trend today. Speaking to reporters, Barkley said he’s unsure if he’ll be good to go for Week 1.

“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Barkley said (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan). “Taking it day by day. Just listening to my body. Whenever I’m able to get out there, just make sure I’m 110 percent. Not just for … my well-being, but just so I go out there and compete at a high level and show the world who Saquon is.”

The former second-overall pick has continued to rehab from his ACL injury, and previous reports indicated that he’ll be limited at the start of training camp. Barkley told reporters that he’s yet to talk with head coach Joe Judge about their August game plan, but the team isn’t expected to make him a full participant until at least halfway through the month.

The Giants are set to open the regular season against the Broncos on September 12, which will be nearly a year since Barkley suffered his torn ACL. It makes sense for both sides to be cautious as they manage the injury, but it’s not unrealistic to expect the running back on the field come Week 1.

Meanwhile, the Giants could be looking to add some extra depth as they prepare for a potential Barkley absence. The team worked out running backs Tyler Ervin and Mike Weber earlier today, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). The team also auditioned defensive back Jordyn Peters.

LB Kwon Alexander Visiting Saints

July 20th, 2021 at 5:37pm CST by Ben Levine

Kwon Alexander could end up rejoining the Saints. The free agent linebacker is set to visit with his former team today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The 26-year-old also has a handful of unidentified suitors, according to the report.

Following a half-year stint with the organization, Alexander was released by the Saints back in March. The move was mostly financial, as the transaction helped the team free up $13MM. Now, the Saints could be pushing for an affordable reunion with the linebacker.

Alexander was shipped from San Francisco to New Orleans in November, and he ultimately collected 27 stops, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in seven games with his new squad. A torn Achilles ended his season early, but Schefter notes that the defender has been cleared and is ready to resume football drills.

A torn ACL and a torn pectoral muscle limited Alexander to only 14 games between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and he only appeared in 12 total games last season. It’s been five seasons since Alexander appeared in all 16 games, and it’s been four seasons since he made a Pro Bowl. Still, he’ll only be 27 by the start of next season, and plenty of teams would be willing to take a gamble on his talent. It sounds like the Saints will be first in line for his services.

Chiefs Re-Sign Alex Okafor

July 20th, 2021 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent edge rusher Alex Okafor has agreed to return to the Chiefs (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Financial terms are not yet known, but it’ll be a one-year deal to bring him back for a third KC season.

Okafor joined the Chiefs prior to the 2019 season, suffering a torn pec after just ten games. He re-upped on another one year deal, notching three sacks a tackle for loss, and ten quarterback hits in eleven games. Unfortunately, he also lost time in 2020 — this time, due to a hamstring issue.

All in all, the ninth-year pro has 30 career sacks, 34 tackles for loss, and 67 QB hits to his credit. His best work came in Year Two, when he notched eight sacks. Since then, he’s been productive, but has yet to revisit that mark.

Okafor isn’t quite a sure thing, due to his injury history, but his new deal probably didn’t cost KC all that much. At last check, the Chiefs had about $8MM in cap room for the coming year.

Kawann Short Gets Medical Clearance

July 20th, 2021 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent Kawann Short has been cleared for football activity (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). That’s great news for the defensive tackle, who was sidetracked by shoulder surgery last year. 

Schefter adds that the ex-Panther and two-time Pro Bowler is already is in discussions with a handful of teams. We haven’t heard much about him since he was released in February, but he has heard from clubs with interest in one-year deals. New Panthers GM Scott Fitterer also told Short he’d be open to a reunion, though it’s not clear if that’s still a possibility.

Short, 32, has played in just five games over the past two seasons. He’s torn both of his rotator cuffs in that span, preventing him from doing his usual fine work. Before all of that, Short was a key pillar of the Panthers’ defense. His first nod came in 2015 when he registered eleven sacks. In 2017, he turned in a 7.5-sack season. And, just two years ago, he earned his second Pro Bowl nod.

The veteran won’t match his previous $16MM AAV, but plenty of teams should be willing to put a deal on the table. The Bills, led by old friends Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, could make some sense, though they’re already well set up front.

Rams Won’t Pursue FA RBs

July 20th, 2021 at 2:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams have lost Cam Akers for the season, but they’re not about to go shopping for veteran help. On Tuesday, head coach Sean McVay told reporters that he’ll explore his in-house options before approaching the free agent running back market. 

“We’ve got some young backs on our roster that I’m intrigued about seeing how they handle this opportunity,” McVay told ESPN Los Angeles (Twitter link). “I don’t know that the veteran route is something that we’d rule out, but it’s not something we’re immediately looking to address right now.”

For now, that means drawing from a group headlined by Darrell Henderson and backed by Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais, late-round rookie Jake Funk, and undrafted free agent Otis Anderson. But, if that group doesn’t cut it in camp, the Rams could open things up to bigger names. Devonta Freeman, LeSean McCoy, Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, and Frank Gore are still on the market. And, although it seems unlikely, Todd Gurley is available as well.

Akers, 21, led the Rams with 625 rushing yards last year. Henderson, the de facto starter, came three feet shy of the top spot with 624 yards.

Torn Achilles For Rams’ Cam Akers

July 20th, 2021 at 11:06am CST by Zachary Links

Rams running back Cam Akers has suffered a torn Achilles (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). The injury will likely rule him out for the entire 2021 season.

Akers was the Rams’ leading rusher last year, notching 625 yards and two scores on 145 carries. He also caught eleven passes for 123 yards and one TD. Now, Darrell Henderson stands as the Rams’ top RB with support backs like Xavier Jones, Raymond Calais, Day 3 pick Jake Funk, and UDFA Otis Anderson also in the mix.

For what it’s worth, Akers outrushed Henderson by just a single yard in 2020. Henderson finished with 624 yards on the ground and five TDs off of 138 carries. The veteran also caught 16 passes for 159 yards and a score — a virtually identical stat line to Akers’. Still, the Rams were counting on having both players in the lineup and Henderson has injury history of his own.

It’s a bad blow for the Rams, who may seek veteran support in the backfield. Old friend Todd Gurley is still available, but it’s hard to imagine a return to L.A. under head coach Sean McVay. Other stars still on the market include Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell, Frank Gore, and LeSean McCoy.

Aaron Rodgers Declines Packers’ Offer

July 20th, 2021 at 9:16am CST by Zachary Links

The Packers offered Aaron Rodgers a two-year extension that would have tied him to Green Bay for five more seasons (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The deal would have made him the highest-paid player in the league, Schefter hears, but Rodgers declined. 

Of course, there are a million ways to measure contracts in the NFL — guarantees and cash flow are the things that really matter. That’s especially true when it comes to the Packers, who like to put the bulk of a player’s guarantees in the signing bonus.

For now, Rodgers is signed through 2023, but the Packers could theoretically cut him next offseason and save $22.7MM against the cap. They’d be left with $17.2MM in dead money, but that wouldn’t cripple them cap-wise, especially since the cap is set to increase next year. Jordan Love, with multiple years to go on his original rookie deal, would be significantly cheaper.

With training camp just one week away, it doesn’t sound like the Packers will have their MVP quarterback on the field. Rodgers, 37, continues to insist on a trade and a fresh start elsewhere. The Packers, meanwhile, have refused to budge.

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