HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Packers WR Allen Lazard Signs ERFA Tender

July 27th, 2021 at 5:17pm CST by Ben Levine

While the Packers pursue a trade for one wideout, another Packers receiver inked their deal today. Wide receiver Allen Lazard signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender today, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (via Twitter).

[RELATED: Packers, Texans Discussing Randall Cobb Trade]

The wideout was slapped with the tender earlier this offseason. The ERFA deal ties Lazard up for another year.

After going undrafted out of Iowa State in 2018, Lazard has spent the majority of his three-year career with the Packers. Following a breakout campaign in 2019, the receiver put up similar stats in 2020, albeit in six fewer games. Lazard ultimately finished last season having appeared in 10 games (nine starts) with 33 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He also came up big during the postseason, hauling in seven receptions for 158 yards and a touchdowns in two contests.

With Aaron Rodgers seemingly recommitted to playing next season in Green Bay, it remains to be seen how much they’ll do to add to their receivers corps. For instance, earlier today we learned that the organization was pursuing former Packers wideout Randall Cobb via trade. At the moment, Lazard joins a grouping (includeing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, and Devin Funchess) that’s battling for targets behind Davante Adams.

Packers, Texans Discussing Randall Cobb Trade

July 27th, 2021 at 3:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers and Texans are discussing a trade that would bring Randall Cobb back to the Packers (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). This comes at the request of Aaron Rodgers, who returned to the team on Tuesday morning. 

[RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Returns To Packers]

The Texans signed Cobb to a three-year, $27MM contract in 2020 under the Bill O’Brien administration. So, after picking up slot receiving Anthony Miller over the weekend, they’re probably open to dealing the veteran.

Cobb, 31 in August, is set to carry a $8.25MM cap hit this year. The Packers can probably make it work now that Rodgers has agreed to a reworked deal.

The Packers drafted Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers in the third round, but Rodgers still wants his old pal back. Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, and Devin Funchess are also in the mix for Green Bay.

Cobb played eight seasons with the Packers, totaling 41 receiving touchdowns and more than 5,500 yards.

Packers Cut Blake Bortles

July 27th, 2021 at 3:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have released quarterback Blake Bortles (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). In addition, they’ve also waived fellow QB Jake Dolegala, according to Joe Buscaglia of TheAthletic (Twitter link).

Aaron Rodgers reported to the Packers on Tuesday, but these backups didn’t have long to catch up with him. With the MVP back in action, both players faced long odds of making the final cut. Now, the Packers will move forward with Rodgers, Jordan Love, and Kurt Benkert as their top QBs, though Benkert may find himself battle with a fourth signal caller at some point.

The Packers signed Bortles to a one-year deal with zero guarantees back in May. The former No. 3 overall pick spent last season with the Broncos and Rams but saw zero action. And, in 2019, he threw two passes while serving as Jared Goff‘s backup in Los Angeles. Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett worked as Bortles’ OC for nearly four years in Jacksonville, but the familiarity wasn’t enough for him to keep his job.

Dolegala, meanwhile, was added in June to fill reps during Rodgers’ absence. The 24-year-old will go up for grabs on the waiver wire and hope to see his first live action.

Zach Ertz Reports To Eagles

July 27th, 2021 at 3:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Zach Ertz has clocked in. The Eagles tight end reported to training camp on Tuesday, avoiding fines and further friction with team management. 

Ertz and the Eagles have been at odds throughout the offseason. However, he still wants a trade to take him out of Philadelphia, according recent word from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Ertz, he says, hasn’t “forgotten or forgiven” the Birds for all the disagreements they’ve had. So, just because Ertz is in the building, that doesn’t mean that he’ll be on the roster come September.

The Eagles have gotten some bites, but no one has been willing to meet GM Howie Roseman’s asking price. He reportedly wants a third or fourth-round pick, but Ertz will turn 31 in November and he’s coming off of a down year. With one season left on his five-year, $42.5MM deal, it’s hard to say whether Roseman will get what he wants. Of course, Ertz’s issues with the Eagles have been extremely public, so teams are willing to wait things out until the price comes down.

Before the drama and the down year Ertz three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-19. For years, he consistently performed as one of the league’s better tight ends. Even if some suitors can’t afford his cap hit, there are plenty of teams that could use a player like him.

Dolphins Sign Second-Round Pick Liam Eichenberg

July 27th, 2021 at 1:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins have signed second-round offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg. With Eichenberg inked, the Dolphins have wrapped up their 2021 draft class.

Eichenberg, taken No. 42 overall, served as Notre Dame’s starting left tackle for three seasons. As a pro, he may be ticketed for more work on the interior. Either way, the Dolphins are high on his potential. Initially set to pick at No. 50 overall, the Dolphins packaged it with a 2022 third-rounder to move up and snag Eichenberg.

Here’s the full rundown of the Dolphins’ (totally signed) 2021 class:

Chargers Sign Rashawn Slater 

July 27th, 2021 at 1:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Northwestern alum Rashawn Slater is officially in the fold. Per a team press release, the Chargers’ first-round offensive lineman has formally signed his rookie deal. 

[RELATED: Vikings Wanted Slater At No. 14]

The Bolts took Slater No. 13 overall, beating the Vikings and other interested clubs to the punch. The son of former eight-year NBA veteran Reggie Slater, Rashawn started 37 games at either left or right tackle between 2017 and 2019. This included a sophomore season where he earned Third-team All-Big Ten honors. Slater also fared well against Chase Young in their final matchup of the 2019 campaign, not allowing the ex-Buckeyes phenom to record a quarterback hit when they were matched up. Despite shifting from right to left tackle as a junior, Slater did not allow a sack in eleven games that year.

Slater managed to maintain his high draft stock despite sitting out the 2020 campaign. Some say the 305-pounder lacks the elite length needed for the outside. The Bolts disagree — they’ll use him at left tackle. They’ll be counting on him big time after watching quarterback Justin Herbert eat 32 sacks last year.

Broncos Sign S Tedric Thompson

July 27th, 2021 at 1:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have signed safety Tedric Thompson, per a club announcement. Thompson will now push to make the final cut and provide support for Denver’s secondary.

Thompson, a fourth-round pick in 2017, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Seahawks. He started 16 games for Seattle between the 2018 and 2019 seasons, collecting 76 tackles and three interceptions. However, a shoulder injury limited him to only six games in 2019, and he was released by the Seahawks last offseason.

He later landed with the Chiefs, where he mostly served in a rotational role up until his late November release. After 13 tackles in eight games for KC, he joined the Browns, but he didn’t appear in any games for them. For his career, Thompson has 37 appearances to his credit with three INTs, five passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

WFT, Logan Thomas Agree To Extension

July 27th, 2021 at 9:35am CST by Zachary Links

The Washington Football Team has agreed to a three-year extension with tight end Logan Thomas (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). The new deal is worth $24MM with $10.3MM in guarantees, making Thomas the seventh-highest paid TE in the NFL.

[RELATED: Washington, Allen Agree To $72MM Extension]

Thomas is coming off of a career year with 72 catches, 670 yards receiving, and six touchdowns, so it’s safe to say that the former quarterback has been successful in his transition. His 72 grabs last year put him third among all tight ends while his yardage (670) put him seventh at the position. It all seemingly happened overnight, but Thomas spent multiple seasons trying to prove himself as a blocker and receiver.

Thomas, 30, entered the NFL as a signal caller in 2014 and transitioned to tight end in 2016 when he joined the Lions’ taxi squad. After a few years with the Bills, he returned to Detroit in 2019. From 2017 through 2019, Thomas had a grand total of 35 catches for 317 yards and two TDs. Now, after doubling/tripling those totals, he’s got a fresh deal to take him through his prime seasons.

Thomas should continue his role as WFT’s top tight end, ahead of fourth-round pick John Bates, Ricky Seals-Jones, and ex-basketballer Sammis Reyes.

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