HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Eagles Secure First-Round Pick From Carson Wentz Trade

December 19th, 2021 at 10:17am CST by Rory Parks

It has felt like a foregone conclusion for a few weeks now, but the Eagles have officially secured the Colts’ 2022 first-round pick under the terms of the Carson Wentz trade that the two clubs consummated back in February. In exchange for Wentz, Indianapolis gave up a 2021 third-rounder and a conditional 2022 second-rounder that would turn into a first-round choice if Wentz played 75% of the Colts’ offensive snaps this year (or if he played in 70% of the snaps and Indy qualified for the postseason).

After last night’s victory over the Patriots, Wentz has now played enough snaps to ensure that, even if he were to miss the next three games for some reason, he will not fall below the 75% threshold (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). As such, Philadelphia will now be armed with three first-round selections in the 2022 draft (the Colts’, the Dolphins’, and their own).

Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Indy and Miami picks are not looking as valuable as they were a few weeks ago. The ‘Fins are in the midst of a five-game winning streak (and are favored to defeat the Jets today), and after a 1-3 start, the Colts have improved to 8-6 on the season.

Even if Philadelphia doesn’t end up with any top-10 selections, having three first-round choices in any draft is an enviable scenario. Of course, the big question is whether the Eagles will try to package those picks to trade for a veteran quarterback or to move up the draft board to secure a top collegiate passer.

Jalen Hurts‘ recent run of quality play led to some chatter that the club was comfortable enough with him under center to use its draft capital on other areas of need, but Hurts’ terrible showing against the Giants in Week 12 and reports about an organizational divide on his long-term viability have reopened the conversation about the Eagles’ quarterback plans.

Jets Unlikely To Extend Quinnen Williams In 2022?

December 19th, 2021 at 9:19am CST by Rory Parks

When the 2021 season concludes, Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will have three years of service time under his belt, thereby making him eligible for an extension. Despite how good Williams has been, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com expects the team to wait until 2023 to seriously consider a new contract for the budding star.

After all, the Alabama product will earn $10.6MM in 2022, the final year of his rookie contract. The Jets can keep him under club control through 2023 via the fifth-year option to his rookie deal, and at present, that option is worth $10.9MM. That number would jump to $16MM if Williams earns a Pro Bowl nod this year, but even if that happens, a two-year commitment for a total of $26.6MM is quite reasonable for a player of Williams’ caliber.

Plus, the franchise tag value for DTs is usually not too exorbitant, so if New York elects to tag Williams for the 2024 campaign, it will have secured his services from 2022-24 for no more than $45MM. Considering Williams would probably land a $20MM+ AAV contract if he were to hit the open market today, it’s easy to see why the Jets would be willing to wait on a bank-breaking extension, at least until the cap spikes again in 2023.

On the other hand, the club has developed a reputation of not rewarding its best players, so GM Joe Douglas could be tempted to reverse that trend with a player who not only looks like the anchor of the front seven for years to come, but who also is the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Taking a proactive approach certainly couldn’t hurt team morale and the outside perception of how the front office treats its top performers.

Pro Football Focus pegs Williams as a good defender this year, but not an elite one; his 65.3 overall score positions him as the 43rd-best interior defender out of 126 qualifiers. But this appears to be an instance where the advanced metrics do not quite mesh with the on-field production, as Williams has certainly been as much of a force as most of his top peers this season.

The fact that he excels as a pass rusher will only enhance his value. His 13 sacks over the past two seasons is second only to Aaron Donald‘s 16 among interior linemen.

Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards To Rejoin Buccaneers

December 19th, 2021 at 8:18am CST by Rory Parks

Like country singer Vince Gill in 1993, Antonio Brown is getting one more last chance. When the Buccaneers receiver joined the team last season, head coach Bruce Arians told him that “there will be no second chances,” so Brown’s recent suspension for misrepresenting his vaccination status theoretically put his roster spot in jeopardy.

Indeed, Arians said earlier this month that no decision had been made with respect to Brown’s future with the team. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that Brown will rejoin the Bucs on Monday (the club’s contest against the Saints tonight marks the final game of his three-game ban).

Suspended players are allowed to attend meetings and work out in their team’s facility, and Brown has been doing just that. Arians’ comments notwithstanding, it would have been surprising to see Tampa Bay cut Brown given how productive he has been while on the field — 29 catches for 418 yards and four TDs through five games in 2021 — though it was at least somewhat possible that the Bucs would refrain from activating him as soon as he was eligible. We previously heard that the club wanted to ensure that Brown is focused on football and adhering to the league’s rules prior to activation, and apparently Arians has been satisfied with Brown’s behavior over the last several weeks.

The seven-time Pro Bowler was also dealing with an ankle injury that had been keeping him on the sidelines even before the suspension, but Rapoport says that the rehab has gone well and that Brown is ready to play. His next opportunity to do so will be against the Panthers next Sunday.

Safety Mike Edwards, who was suspended three games for his own COVID-19 protocol violations, will also rejoin the team on Monday.

Latest On COVID-19 Protocols

December 19th, 2021 at 7:54am CST by Rory Parks

The NFL is continuing to modify its protocols in an effort to combat the COVID-19 outbreaks that have threatened to derail the final few weeks of the regular season. On Thursday, the league issued a statement advising that it was requiring masking regardless of vaccination status; mandating remote or outdoor meetings; eliminating in-person meals; and prohibiting outside visitors while on team travel.

However, per PFT, those additional protections will be removed after this weekend’s slate of games (Twitter link). Going forward, only teams with outbreaks will need to abide by those requirements.

That decision jibes with another modification, which is that fully vaccinated, asymptomatic players and staff will no longer be subject to weekly testing (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network). As Dr. Allen Sills noted, the healthcare industry is not routinely testing medical providers, and is instead testing in a more “targeted” fashion (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network).

Targeted testing for the NFL means that vaccinated individuals will be tested only if they are symptomatic. Unvaccinated individuals, meanwhile, will still be tested daily.

Even the Thursday statement that set forth what turned out to be temporarily enhanced protocols provided that a vaccinated and asymptomatic player will be eligible to return as soon as the day after one positive test (instead of having to test negative on back-to-back days). So the league has apparently decided that, at least during this period of rampant outbreaks, it doesn’t make sense to spend time and resources on players who have been vaccinated and who are not exhibiting any symptoms.

Interestingly, Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that a majority of players want to do away with COVID-19 protocols entirely. In other words, they want to eliminate all testing, all quarantine requirements, and operate just as they did in 2019. While one can certainly understand those sentiments, Pelissero says that union leadership does not feel that way and actually is still pushing for daily testing.

It is also worth noting, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes, that players will not be required to get a booster shot in order to maintain “fully vaccinated” status. However, all other Tier 1 personnel — coaches, trainers, etc. — are required to get a booster by December 27. The same goes for Tier 2 personnel (GMs, football operations staffers, etc.).

Latest On Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

December 19th, 2021 at 7:05am CST by Ben Levine

Dec. 19: Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jackson is dealing with a bone bruise in his ankle and not an ankle sprain. Schefter adds that while it might still be difficult for Jackson to suit up for today’s key matchup with Green Bay, the 2019 MVP was at least moving better in practice this weekend and has an outside shot at playing (Twitter links).

Dec. 16: Lamar Jackson didn’t practice again today (per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic on Twitter), and his status isn’t looking good for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter), it’s “looking like an uphill battle” for the QB to play this weekend.

Jackson exited last Sunday’s loss to the Browns after only 10 offensive snaps, completing all four of his passes. We later learned that the former MVP avoided a high ankle sprain and could possibly play this weekend. However, the QB hasn’t practiced all week, and Garafolo notes that the Ravens were hoping that Thursday would be the day that Jackson could start preparing for Green Bay. The 24-year-old obviously did not practice, putting his status in serious doubt.

“The plans are right now, in my mind, for Lamar to be out there,” head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week. “So we’ll see where it goes this week. If he can go, he’ll go. If not, Tyler [Huntley] will be the quarterback. That’s where we’re at.”

Fortunately, assuming Jackson is out this weekend, he should be back sooner than later. Still, an absence for Jackson couldn’t come at a worse time as the Ravens battle for playoff positioning in the AFC. In 12 starts this season, the QB has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 2,882 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He’s also added 767 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Iowa State’s Breece Hall Enters NFL Draft

December 18th, 2021 at 11:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Iowa State running back Breece Hall is going pro. Hall is the latest of college football’s top rushers to declare, posting an announcement to his Instagram earlier today.

Although Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Hall listed as the third-best running back prospect, behind Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III and Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, he is part of the consensus top-three among all draft sites.

“Playing for Iowa State has been nothing short of a gift,” Hall said in his posted statement. “After much praying and discussion with loved ones, I have decided to forgo my remaining eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL Draft.”

“While this decision has not been easy,” Hall continued, “playing in the NFL has been a lifelong dream of mine. I know that Cyclone Nation will support me and this decision. I am excited and grateful for this next step in my life.”

Hall sits at fifth in the nation in rushing yards per game with 122.67. He is also tied with four others for the most rushing touchdowns in college football with 20. His additional 3 receiving touchdowns gives him the most total touchdowns of any player in the NCAA (not including quarterbacks).

While there are not many mock drafts projecting running backs to be taken in the first round, Hall, Walker III, and Spiller are sure to be three of the top backs taken.

Urban Meyer’s Thoughts On Firing

December 18th, 2021 at 10:06pm CST by Ely Allen

NFL.com recently conducted an exclusive interview with former Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer was fired by Jacksonville shortly after midnight on Thursday morning.

The interview covered many of the unflattering headlines that have colored the coach’s tenure in Duval, but started with an apology. Meyer apologized to the City of Jacksonville and painted the picture of a successful football future for the City, including a full stadium and a new facility promised by Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan.

Meyer talked a bit about something that he didn’t have a ton of experience with previously: losing. Meyer commented, “Losing eats away at your soul. Once you start losing, it’s hard on everybody.” This was perhaps most clear during what would be Meyer’s last post-game handshake of the 2021 NFL season, in which it seemed he couldn’t be bothered to even look at his former assistant, Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel, after a convincing 20-0 loss. Meyer commented on that moment, claiming that he and Vrabel are really close and saying, “that had nothing to do with [Vrabel]…I can’t take losing. I try to accept it, it just eats away at my soul.” 

On many of the recent headlines that were thought to have contributed to his early exit, Meyer argued that they just weren’t true. Meyer said that a reported incident during which team captain Marvin Jones left the facility due to Meyer’s public and private criticism was not accurately portrayed. He also completely denied that he delivered a message to his assistant coaches that he is a winner and they are losers. Meyer also disputed that a preseason altercation occurred wherein he kicked former Jaguars’ kicker Josh Lambo while Lambo was stretching. Meyer was quoted saying, “It was like, ‘Wait a minute, where is this coming from?’ I’ve certainly made a few mistakes but those weren’t right.”

Meyer was asked about another highly criticized decision he made of benching James Robinson for an extended period of time against the Rams. The second-year running back is widely thought to be the best player on the struggling Jaguars. Meyer shrugged the decision off as a miscommunication. “We discussed it as a staff,” said Meyer. “When you see someone lose the ball or even see them be loose with the ball, get them out of the game, get their mind right, and then get them back in. When he fumbled, I said, ‘Take him out.’ We took him out and then we had lack of communication about when to put him back in.”

The other young star on Meyer’s former team is number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Meyer was complimentary of the 22 year old quarterback, commiserating with the tough situation he was put into. Meyer noted the franchise’s 15-game losing streak and injuries to key contributors on offense as obstacles Lawrence had to face. He ended the discussion on Lawrence saying, “There is zero doubt Trevor is going to be a great NFL quarterback.”

Questions were delivered on if there is an ongoing discussion with Jacksonville about the remaining money owed on his contract and on if Khan made the right move. Meyer declined to comment on both questions.

When asked what comes next for Meyer, he replied, “To be determined.” As of now, he has not heard from anyone in the football world about potential coaching opportunities. One can’t help but to think of where Meyer was a year ago, when he claimed he was living “the perfect life:” working at FOX with no plans to coach in the future.

NFL COVID List Updates

December 18th, 2021 at 7:37pm CST by Zachary Links

We are trying our best here at Pro Football Rumors to keep up with all of the updates throughout the league concerning players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. A lot of teams had high hopes during today’s testing as they were trying to get players activated in time for Sunday’s slate of games.

Here are updates as of 8:30 PM ET, Sat 12/18:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Eddie Goldman
  • OC Bill Lazor, DC Sean Desai, STC Chris Tabor in COVID-19 protocols

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB P.J. Locke

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

  • Four Coaches in COVID-19 protocols

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Football Team

Vikings Waive Bashaud Breeland

December 18th, 2021 at 3:20pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have waived cornerback Bashaud Breeland, per a club announcement. The comes just hours after the team listed Breeland as questionable for this week’s game due to non-injury reasons.

Breeland “got into a verbal altercation” with coaches at Saturday’s practice, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). Apparently, the veteran took off his cleats at some point during the fracas and got into it with teammates who were trying to restore order. After that, the Vikings acted fast to hand Breeland his pink slip.

After two seasons with the Chiefs, Breeland spent much of the offseason in free agency limbo. Finally, in June, the Vikings signed him to a one-year, $4MM deal. It’s worth noting that the Bears and the incumbent Chiefs were also in the mix.

The 29-year-old (30 in January) graded out as a midlevel corner in 2020, slotting him 57th at the position. This year, PFF has him ranked as one of the worst among all qualified corners — 117 out of 119. Teammate Mackensie Alexander, also in the midst of a rough year, is tied for dead last.

Breeland’s Minnesota run will end with 63 tackles and two interceptions across 13 games. The Vikings, sans Breeland, will face the Bears on Monday night in a game that could make or break their playoff hopes.

Saints Place Garrett Griffin On IR

December 18th, 2021 at 1:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints will place tight end Garrett Griffin on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Griffin will have to miss a minimum of three games, per league rules, but the Saints hope to have him back on the field for Week 18. In the meantime, they’ll activate Adam Trautman for additional depth against the Buccaneers.

[RELATED: Saints HC Sean Payton To Miss Sunday’s Game]

Griffin has seen time in 13 games this season, more action than his previous three years combined. Used mostly for his blocking ability, the 6’4″, 240-pound tight end has four catches for 39 yards this year. The Saints clobbered the Jets last week to snap their five-game losing streak and stay alive at 6-7. They might be in a better spot today, if not for an iffy penalty called on Griffin against the Cowboys earlier this month. Regardless, they still have a 19% chance of pulling out a Wild Card spot, per the odds at Five Thirty Eight.

Saints head coach Sean Payton will also be absent from this week’s game, following his positive test for COVID-19. In his stead, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will serve as the HC on Sunday.

Load More Posts