2022 January - Pro Football Rumors

Giants Ownership To Push For Offensive Staff Changes; Outside GM Hire Likely?

January 7th, 2022 at 3:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants are wrapping up one of the most miserable seasons in franchise history. They are expected to have a new GM soon, with Dave Gettleman on track to step down. But Joe Judge is expected to receive a third season. Other changes should be anticipated.

Ownership keeping Judge will come with stipulations, with SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano indicating the embattled head coach will likely be asked to hire some new offensive staffers. Mainly, a new offensive coordinator would be expected to take over instead of bumping interim OC Freddie Kitchens up to a full-time play-calling role.

While Kitchens has not been given much to work with since Daniel Jones‘ injury, the Giants have lost each of their five games without Jones by at least two scores. Their latest Mike Glennon offering resulted in a minus-10-yard passing performance — the worst team total since a Chargers Ryan Leaf-quarterbacked game in 1998. Kitchens likely will not be the only offensive staffer to be axed.

Gettleman’s GM replacement also may be given a chance to determine Judge’s future in 2022, though Vacchiano adds ownership’s plan to keep Judge will likely stick. The Giants fired their previous two HCs — Ben McAdoo and Pat Shurmur — after two seasons. Judge would obviously enter Year 3 on a scorching-hot seat. He is 10-22 in two seasons.

The Giants also have a decades-long penchant for hiring GMs from within. Since Hall of Famer George Young came in from outside the organization in 1979, the Giants have promoted Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese and hired Gettleman, who had been with the Panthers but had extensive experience as a Giants exec prior to his Charlotte stay. This time, many sources indicate an outside GM hire is a “strong possibility,” Vacchiano adds.

Given Gettleman’s rough tenure, another promotion from within — such as assistant GM Kevin Abrams, who is set to be a candidate — would almost certainly not go over well with Big Blue’s fanbase. Gettleman is 19-45 as GM and is on the brink of a forced resignation. Prior to Gettleman’s arrival, the Giants missed the playoffs in five of Reese’s final six seasons.

Latest On Packers’ Injured Players

January 7th, 2022 at 2:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite many of their top players not seeing much action this season, the Packers secured the NFC’s No. 1 seed for a second straight year. Green Bay’s injured players have additional time to prepare for the playoffs, thanks to the first-round bye, and some are rounding into form.

David Bakhtiari has not played since suffering an ACL tear during practice on New Year’s Eve 2020. However, the All-Pro left tackle practiced fully for the first time this season Friday. He is questionable for Sunday’s game in Detroit. Matt LaFleur said the ninth-year veteran blocker looked “really good” in practice this week, and although the third-year HC will not commit to playing him Sunday, a return for the Packers’ first playoff game should now be expected (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky).

Out since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 4, Jaire Alexander is ramping up after being activated from IR recently. LaFleur said the Pro Bowl cornerback will not play in Week 18. Alexander returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, and the lack of practice time this week led to LaFleur’s decision to keep him on ice another week. Signs point to Alexander returning for Green Bay’s first playoff game.

Center Josh Myers will return against the Lions, LaFleur said. The Packers officially activated Myers from IR, and he has no injury designation going into Sunday’s game. The second-round rookie has been out since suffering a knee injury on the first drive of the Packers’ Week 6 game.

Lucas Patrick has taken over at center and is in line to keep that first-string gig this week, but LaFleur is not ruling out Myers returning as a starter in the playoffs, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. A scenario in which both are in the team’s starting lineup will almost certainly be in play.

Although the team designated Randall Cobb for return last week, the veteran slot receiver will not come back against the Lions. This adds up, with Cobb’s core injury requiring several weeks’ worth of rehab. Cobb is tracking toward a playoff return, Demovsky tweets. Regarding Aaron Rodgers‘ status for the Detroit rematch, he will start. LaFleur did not necessarily plan to start the MVP favorite, indicating he does not believe Rodgers needs to play Sunday. But the QB prefers to start, Silverstein tweets.

Texans, Rex Burkhead Agree On Extension

January 7th, 2022 at 2:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans have used a host of veteran running backs this season. Some remain on the roster, while others are now elsewhere. The team identified Rex Burkhead as one it wants to keep around beyond this season.

The ninth-year veteran back agreed to terms on an extension, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Burkhead’s new deal is set to run through the 2022 season.

Although Burkhead spent the first eight seasons of his career as a role player and a valued backup, the Texans have turned to him as their top runner in recent weeks. In Week 16 against the Chargers he delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. That yardage total topped Burkhead’s previous single-game best by 30 yards. After logging no more than four carries in a game through the first 10 weeks of the season, Burkhead has totaled 102 since. The Nebraska alum has gained 403 yards on 110 carries this season.

A former Bengals sixth-round pick, Burkhead rushed for just 31 yards over his first three seasons and played behind Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. Burkhead signed with the Patriots in 2017 and became a more prominent contributor, scoring eight touchdowns for the 2017 AFC champion Pats outfit and helping their 2018 squad win Super Bowl LIII. The Texans gave Burkhead a one-year, $1.5MM deal in June.

Burkhead, 31, joined Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay and David Johnson as seasoned vets in Houston’s backfield this year. Only Burkhead and Johnson remain on the team, and the previous Texans regime famously brought in Johnson. The ex-Cardinal All-Pro’s contract expires after this season. So does recent waiver claim Royce Freeman‘s. The Texans will need to make new plans at running back for 2022, but Burkhead is in line to be part of the team’s next backfield at age 32.

Jaguars To Interview Kellen Moore Tonight

January 7th, 2022 at 12:20pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars will conduct a virtual interview with Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on Friday night (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News). Moore, who won’t turn 33 until this summer, has been on the Jaguars’ radar for several weeks.

Moore inked a three-year extension with the Cowboys towards the close of the 2020 season, but he’s remained a hot name in coaching circles. The rival Eagles requested an interview with him in January of 2021 before ultimately going with Nick Sirianni.

At the time, he had an opportunity to lead Boise State as their head coach, but chose to stay in Dallas with a pay bump. The ink has barely dried on that re-up, but Moore could still explore other opportunities in the NFL.

Moore’s offensive mind could be enough to offset his lack of HC experience. It’s also possible that he could lure a few of the Cowboys’ top free agents to Florida. Guard Connor Williams, tight end Dalton Schultz, and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson are all scheduled to reach the open market in March.

Ravens Rule Out Lamar Jackson

January 7th, 2022 at 12:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Tyler Huntley will serve as the Ravens’ starting quarterback on Sunday, head coach John Harbaugh announced. This marks yet another missed week for Lamar Jackson, as the Ravens head into the regular season finale against the Steelers.

The Ravens’ 20-19 loss to the Rams was a costly one. They still have a chance — albeit a slim one — of making it to the playoffs, but they’ll need a whole lot to work in their favor this weekend. To qualify for an AFC Wild Card spot, the Ravens need a win, plus losses from the Chargers, Colts, and the Dolphins. The Ravens would also qualify with a win, losses from the Chargers and Colts, plus a Dolphins tie.

Huntley, a former UDFA, has had his moments, but nothing like Jackson when he’s at his best. Of course, this hasn’t been a banner year for the former MVP, but he’s still managed a 64.4% completion rate for 2,882 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions across a dozen starts. He’s also added 767 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

Jaguars To Interview Bill O’Brien

January 7th, 2022 at 11:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are set to interview former Texans head coach and current Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien for their head coaching vacancy. The interview, slated for sometime after Alabama’s National Championship game on Monday (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport), comes as a surprise.

O’Brien led the Texans to four playoff berths in six full seasons, including 2015 and ’16 when he had the likes of Brian Hoyer and Brock Osweiler under center. Still, the Texans went just 9-7 in each season and came up short in the playoffs, despite having with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. All in all, Houston won two playoff games under O’Brien before his 2020 ouster.

Of course, O’Brien also took considerable heat for his work as the Texans’ GM. He didn’t leave Houston on good terms either as he clashed with some of the team’s most prominent stars at practice.

“Bill is one of the brightest offensive minds in football, an outstanding teacher and excellent recruiter,” Saban said upon hiring O’Brien last year. “He will strengthen our coaching staff and give our players the best possible chance to be successful.”

There are now nine known candidates for the Jaguars job. That list includes Bucs offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich, who is interviewing with team brass today.

Cardinals Designate J.J. Watt For Return

January 7th, 2022 at 10:03am CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have designated J.J. Watt for return from the injured reserve list, per a club announcement. With that, Watt can begin practicing with the team as soon as today and rejoin the 53-man roster at any time over the next three weeks.

Watt may or may not be trotted out in Week 18 against the Seahawks, a game that could decide the NFC West. But, beyond that, it appears that Watt could suit up for the playoffs. That’s phenomenal news, especially since doctors told him that his surgically-repaired shoulder would keep him sidelined all year long.

“They tell me I’m done, I have to get surgery and it’s going to take four to six months,” Watt said a few weeks ago (via AZCardinals.com). “I’m sitting there and I can easily pout and easily say, ‘Woe is me, four to six months, I’ll do what I have to do.’ But instead I said, ‘Nah, I’m not going to accept that.’”

Watt’s defied doctors in the past, having returned from a pectoral tear to play in the Texans’ two playoff games in 2019. And, when healthy, he’s still playing at a high level. In a limited sample of 341 defensive snaps this year, Pro Football Focus had him ranked as a top-10 interior defensive lineman.

D.K. Metcalf Wants To Stay With Seahawks

January 7th, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Zachary Links

Beyond the big questions, the Seahawks have lots on their to-do list this offseason. That includes a potential extension for D.K. Metcalf, whose rookie deal expires after the 2022 season. For his part, the wide receiver says he wants to stay with the Seahawks for the long haul.

“Of course,” Metcalf said when asked if he wants to sign a new deal with Seattle (via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times). “I’m not trying to leave, but we’ve got the Cardinals to focus on right now. You can hit me up later in the offseason if you need that question answered.”

Metcalf’s offseason may also include foot surgery, though no decision has been made on that front. Despite playing through serious pain this year, Metcalf has still managed 70 catches for 909 yards and 12 touchdowns across 16 games. In 2020, a healthier campaign, Metcalf went off for 83 grabs, 1,303 receiving yards, and ten TDs en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

For now, the Seahawks have him under contract for one more year at a paltry $1.12MM cap hit. His next deal should take him north of $15MM/year, slotting him somewhere in the top ten at WR. No matter what the future holds for the team’s other stars, there’s no doubt that the Seahawks want Metcalf to be a part of it.

Jaguars To Interview Byron Leftwich On Friday

January 7th, 2022 at 9:40am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are set to interview Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich for their head coaching vacancy today, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). He’ll be the fourth candidate to meet with team brass, following Doug Pederson, Jim Caldwell, and Bucs DC Todd Bowles.

As a quarterback, Leftwich entered the league as a 2003 first-round pick of the Jaguars and spent four years under center in Jacksonville. Beyond the franchise ties, Leftwich has proven himself as an offensive mind. With one week left in the regular season, his Bucs lead the league in yards per game (405.8) and rank second in points per contest (29.4).

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians, who has had Leftwich on staff since his Arizona days, firmly believes that Leftwich is ready to guide his own team. Leftwich, meanwhile, only wants to focus on the task at hand — a second straight Super Bowl ring.

“Obviously, as a coach anytime your name is thrown around, I guess it is what it is, but it really means nothing at this point,” Leftwich said last weekend when asked about the Jags job (via the New York Post). “It really means nothing at this point and I kind of think it’s disrespectful to the guys that you really work with every day.”

After Leftwich, the Jaguars are expected to interview Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett sometime next week. So far, the Jaguars have eight known candidates on the radar, though they could cast a wider net in the coming weeks.

Raiders Re-Sign LB Will Compton

January 7th, 2022 at 8:34am CST by Zachary Links

He wasn’t gone for long. The Raiders have re-signed Will Compton, according to the linebacker himself (Twitter link).

Las Vegas brought in Compton, a former starter for the 2019 Oakland Raiders, when they were severely short-staffed last month. Compton saw time in one game — Week 14 against the Chiefs — before being released on Wednesday.

“I gave [head coach Rich] Bisaccia a huge hug and thanked him for absolutely everything,” Compton said (via the Las Vegas Review-Journal). “I would do anything for that man. Coach Bisaccia is the best. Everybody in that building has been so good to me these last few weeks as everything has unfolded for me personally.”

Now, with a potential playoff berth at stake, there could be plenty more hugs to go around. With a win over the Chargers this weekend, the Raiders will punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Compton, once a starter for Washington, has nine seasons of experience to his credit, spending the last four with the Titans and Raiders. So far this year, he has just 15 special teams snaps under his belt, all from that single game against the Chiefs.