HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Jason Pierre-Paul Had Offseason Shoulder Surgery

February 18th, 2022 at 9:50am CST by Adam La Rose

Pending unrestricted free agent Jason Pierre-Paul could very well be headed somewhere other than Tamp Bay. His suitors will be glad to know that the veteran could be in better shape, from a health perspective, than he was in 2021. As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk writes, he had shoulder surgery earlier this week. 

The 33-year-old suggested that he would likely be exploring the open market, raising the possibility of his four-year tenure with the Buccaneers coming to an end. As he did in that instance, he took to Instagram to provide an update on his status, vowing to recover in full for next season.

After being named a Pro Bowler for the third time in his career in 2020, Pierre-Paul took a step back last season. Hampered by not only the shoulder issue, but also a broken finger, he managed just 31 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 12 contests. He added an additional half-sack and a fumble recovery in the postseason.

Even with missing five games in 2021, durability hasn’t generally been a problem for the 12-year veteran. If he is able to recover in full, he could provide solid production to any number of pass-rush needy teams in free agency, giving him a chance to build back his value, not to mention earn a third Super Bowl ring.

 

Chiefs Want To Bring Back Melvin Ingram

February 18th, 2022 at 8:52am CST by Adam La Rose

One aspect of the Chiefs’ midseason turnaround was the acquisition of veteran edge rusher Melvin Ingram. After his brief stint in Kansas City, there appears to be mutual interest for him to stay put, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher. 

Ingram ended his nine-year stint with the Chargers when he signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh last offseason. Things didn’t go according to plan, however, as he managed just one sack and saw his playing time dwindle. Once he became available, the Chiefs were immediately interested in adding him as a boost to their pass rush. The deal was done in November, sending Ingram to his second team in a matter of months.

While Ingram also only recorded one sack with the Chiefs, his arrival coincided with the team’s late-season surge. As Teicher notes, Kansas City started the year 4-4, but won eight of their nine games after acquiring him. A large part of the turnaround was a defensive resurgence in the second half of the campaign; the Chiefs allowed eleven fewer points per game with Ingram than without him.

During the team’s run to a fourth consecutive AFC Championship game, Ingram said “I’ve definitely got a lot of desire” to stay in Kansas City. Meanwhile, general manager Brett Veach is similarly interested in bringing back the 32-year-old.

“His leadership and his approach, I think, elevated everyone else’s game”, he said. “We had a really good string of late-season football and I think he was a huge part of that… I do think if a guy like Melvin decides he wants to come back and play, I think that we would be at the top of his list“.

The Chiefs ranked 29th in the league in sacks last season, so keeping Ingram certainly wouldn’t be the only move needed to be made in upgrading the team’s defense. If he were to sign another short-term deal around the $1MM rate he inked last year, though, he could provide low-cost experience at a premium position.

Broncos Prepared To Target Edge Rushers

February 17th, 2022 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos and Rams executed a mutually beneficial trade, with Von Miller going to Los Angeles and two Day 2 picks going to Denver, Miller’s old team is now in need at outside linebacker.

The Broncos are planning to upgrade that area either through free agency or the draft, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (video link). Denver’s $38MM-plus in cap space sits sixth presently, though this is without a notable quarterback salary on the team’s payroll. Quarterback continues to serve as the team’s top need, as it has for most of the past seven offseasons. But without Miller on the roster, the Broncos are needier at their highest-profile defensive position.

Coming off an injury-marred season that featured zero sacks in seven games, Bradley Chubb is in need of a big contract year. The former top-five pick is Denver’s top edge defender. However, former UDFA Malik Reed has played well; seventh-round rookie Jonathon Cooper also showed flashes off the bench. Midseason trade acquisition Stephen Weatherly is on track for free agency. Denver has its top D-linemen — Shelby Harris and Dre’Mont Jones — under contract for 2022.

The Broncos have not spent much on edge rushers in free agency since signing DeMarcus Ware in 2014. Players at similar points in their careers are expected to be available next month. Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul and Jadeveon Clowney are among the top free agents-to-be. The Titans should be expected to retain Harold Landry, likely via the franchise tag, while Haason Reddick and Uchenna Nwosu are younger rushers headed to the market. Georgia’s Travon Walker and Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson loom as edges potentially available at No. 9 overall, in the likely event Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux are off the board.

Miller is the most interesting potential target. The future Hall of Famer has spoken glowingly of his former franchise in recent weeks and is now familiar with Denver’s new DC, ex-Rams secondary coach Ejiro Evero. The Broncos and Miller seemed a mismatch at the deadline, with Denver headed toward its sixth straight playoff absence. However, if the Broncos were to fill their years-long quarterback need and raise their contender profile, a veteran like Miller would make more sense on a reunion deal.

Miller, 33 in March, will not come cheap after his late-season Rams run (nine sacks in his final eight games) helped the team to a Super Bowl title. Miller said a Rams return is preferred, but he plans to explore the market as a first-time UFA.

49ers Seeking Day 2 Pick In Jimmy Garoppolo Trade?

February 17th, 2022 at 8:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Of the starter-caliber quarterbacks linked to trades, Jimmy Garoppolo has the clearest path to being moved. Garoppolo and John Lynch have discussed a trade, and the passer would prefer to be dealt to a team with a shot at near-future contention.

The 49ers acquired Garoppolo for a second-round pick, and Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com offers the team is aiming for a Day 2 choice and an additional asset in a deal for its four-plus-year starter. The team would not necessarily need the Day 2 choice to be in this year’s draft, per Wagoner. The Jets’ haul for Sam Darnold comes to mind, with the Panthers sending over their 2022 second-rounder in last year’s swap that also included fourth- and sixth-round choices.

[RELATED: Who Will Acquire Garoppolo From 49ers?]

The quarterback market not producing fireworks would stand to help the 49ers, who could drive a harder bargain if Garoppolo turns out to be the top QB available or one of the top two — in the event Deshaun Watson is finally moved. This might not end up being the case, with several passers mentioned as trade candidates, but the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson staying put would increase Garoppolo’s value.

While Garoppolo’s contract contained a no-trade clause, it expired after the 2021 trade deadline. The 49ers are free to send Garoppolo anywhere they choose, though it sounds like the team is willing to work with him. Teams like the Steelers, Commanders, Buccaneers, Broncos and Panthers could be in play as well. Carolina and Washington make the most sense as suitors, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Neither figures to be in play for Rodgers or Wilson. If those two are not available, and the Vikings hold firm on keeping Kirk Cousins, the Broncos would probably be more likely to entertain a Garoppolo swap.

Quarterbacks who have fetched a second-day draft choice in recent years include Darnold, Josh Rosen, Teddy Bridgewater (his Jets-to-Saints 2018 deal) and, of course, Garoppolo, whom the 49ers acquired for a second-rounder at the 2017 deadline. The 49ers may use the Chiefs’ 2018 Alex Smith trade as a comp, given the similar situations. The Chiefs were ready to hand the keys to Patrick Mahomes, and Smith signed an extension with Washington after being dealt for a third-rounder and Kendall Fuller.

Garoppolo’s injuries will limit San Francisco’s trade return to a degree, but he did take the 49ers to two NFC championship games after seasons in which he ranked in the top 15 in QBR (13th in both 2019 and 2021). While the ex-Patriots draftee has seen his play frequently maligned, he will have value as a trade chip. Garoppolo’s contract includes a $24.2MM salary in 2022, presumably prompting the team that acquires him to authorize another extension. The extension the 30-year-old QB signed in 2018 runs through 2022.

Latest On Colts, Carson Wentz

February 17th, 2022 at 7:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts’ January collapse has put Carson Wentz‘s tenure with the franchise in jeopardy. Despite the team giving up a hefty trade haul for the former Eagles starter — a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 first — a weekend report indicated Wentz may well be a one-and-done in Indianapolis.

Wentz’s role in the Colts’ final two losses has moved the team to consider outside options, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. Chris Ballard‘s noncommitment to Wentz exiting the season provided a fairly clear indication the team is not sold on its starter, despite decent numbers in his first season back with Frank Reich.

After the unvaccinated quarterback struggled upon return from his COVID-19 contraction, which caused him to miss a week of practice leading up to the Colts’ Week 17 loss to the Raiders, he failed to come through again in Jacksonville in one of the uglier regular-season losses in recent NFL history. Wentz’s decision to go through the season unvaccinated did not sit well with Jim Irsay, Zak Keefer of The Athletic notes (subscription required), and the Week 18 loss to the Jaguars prompted a meeting during which the owner, Ballard and Reich discussed Wentz at length.

The Colts have not made a decision on Wentz, ESPN.com’s Mike Wells notes, but it is not difficult to see which way they are leaning. The six-year vet’s chances of being given a second shot probably hinge on Indianapolis’ search for a replacement. The Colts would save $13MM by cutting Wentz before March 19. Should Wentz stay a Colt, he will be attached to a $28MM cap number.

Finding an upgrade is not automatic here. Aaron Rodgers has been connected to the Broncos most frequently as an outside destination, but signs are starting to point to the four-time MVP staying with the Packers. No strong indicator has yet emerged to point Russell Wilson out of Seattle, and the Vikings are preparing to keep Kirk Cousins. Derek Carr is going into the final year of his contract, and the Raiders have changed regimes. But Josh McDaniels is believed to hold Carr in high regard. None of this is set just yet, but unless the Colts view Jimmy Garoppolo as an upgrade, the team would fight an uphill battle thanks to having given up its 2022 first-rounder for Wentz. The Colts’ lack of a first-rounder also removes them from the mix to add one of this year’s top prospects.

Availability aside, this would be an intriguing destination for one of the potentially available QBs. The Colts rostered three defensive Pro Bowlers and have one of the NFL’s top offensive lines. They intend to extend Quenton Nelson this year, locking down their All-Pro left guard after reaching long-term agreements with center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith. The team does need help at wide receiver, which makes Wentz’s 27-7 TD-INT ratio and ninth-place QBR finish last season look fairly impressive. But Indy’s roster is in good shape otherwise. Even with Wentz’s contract on the books, the Colts are projected to hold more than $37MM in cap space — seventh-most in the league.

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Expects Kirk Cousins Back In 2022

February 17th, 2022 at 5:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Vikings changing regimes, the status of their four-year starting quarterback has understandably come up. Kirk Cousins carries the NFL’s third-highest 2022 cap hit, at $45MM, and is going into a contract year.

Minnesota attempted to trade up for Justin Fields last year and did select Kellen Mond early in the third round. But Cousins remains in place as the team’s starter. New head coach Kevin O’Connell responded to a Thursday question regarding Cousins’ status by indicating (via the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson, on Twitter) the 33-year-old passer is under contract. The former Rams OC followed that token endorsement up by saying he does expect Cousins to be the Vikings’ 2022 starter.

“I know he’s under contract, and I’m excited to coach him,” O’Connell said. “We’ve already started thinking about how we’re going to build our system for him. … I’m anticipating Kirk being a part of what we’re going to do.”

[RELATED: Cousins Wants To Finish Career With Vikings]

O’Connell compared Cousins to Matthew Stafford, calling each an “elite thrower,” via Tomasson (on Twitter). Despite entering the league three years after Stafford, Cousins is also going into his age-34 season. Cousins is attached to a fully guaranteed $35MM base salary. It would help the Vikings if Cousins agreed to another extension, which would allow the team to reduce his 2022 cap hit, but ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin does not get the sense the quarterback’s camp is eager to enter such discussions just yet. The 11th-year quarterback possesses considerable leverage, given his guaranteed salary and Minnesota’s lack of options behind him.

If Cousins plays out his contract ahead of another free agency run in 2023, it would hurt the Vikes’ ability to complement him. A report out of Minnesota over the weekend pointed to this scenario playing out. The team holds the NFL’s fifth-worst cap situation at present, sitting more than $16MM over the projected 2022 salary ceiling. But the former Washington QB has been in one of the most advantageous negotiating positions in NFL history, having arrived in Minnesota on a fully guaranteed three-year deal in 2018.

Teams eyeing Cousins in trades would want the Vikings to eat some of his salary, which would increase trade compensation. For now, Cousins is on track to work with O’Connell again. O’Connell was in place as Washington’s QBs coach in 2017, Cousins’ final season with the NFC East team.

Jaguars Retain Bob Sutton, Make Several Additions To Coaching Staff

February 17th, 2022 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bob Sutton caught on with the Jaguars during Urban Meyer‘s nine-month run as head coach, but the former defensive coordinator also has a history with Doug Pederson. The Jags will keep Sutton on Pederson’s first staff.

The former Chiefs and Jets DC will stay on as a senior defensive assistant with the Jaguars, helping out Mike Caldwell, who will be a first-time coordinator. The Jags hired Caldwell from the Buccaneers last week. Sutton, 71, worked with Pederson in Kansas City from 2013-15; the two were Andy Reid‘s coordinators during that span.

[RELATED: Jaguars Hire Press Taylor As OC]

Additionally, the Jags announced several new hires. One of them, offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, was believed to have another job lined up. Rather than join the Bills as their O-line coach, Rauscher signed up to hold that same position with the Jags. Rauscher, 36, coached the Vikings’ O-line last season — his first overseeing a position group — and was given permission to explore other jobs after Minnesota changed regimes. The Jags are keeping Todd Washington on staff as assistant O-line coach.

Jacksonville is hiring Heath Farwell as its special teams coordinator. A 10-year NFL vet, Farwell moved into coaching immediately after retiring. He spent the past three years as Buffalo’s ST coordinator; he left that job to join Pederson’s staff. The Jags are bringing in Luke Thompson to be their assistant ST coach. Thompson is a Pederson Philadelphia transplant, having worked as the Eagles’ assistant ST coach during Pederson’s final two seasons in Philly.

Andrew Breiner will work under Mike McCoy as assistant quarterbacks coach; Breiner was with the Eagles during Pederson’s tenure. Chris Jackson is on board as Jacksonville’s wide receivers coach. He comes over from Chicago, having worked with ex-Pederson coworker Matt Nagy for the past four seasons. Caldwell is bringing Cody Grimm with him from Tampa; Grimm will be Jacksonville’s safeties coach. The Jags are also retaining Tony Gilbert, who will be their inside linebackers coach next season. Gilbert was on Doug Marrone‘s final staff and Meyer’s 2021 group.

Cardinals Release Malcolm Butler From Reserve/Retired List; CB Considering Comeback

February 17th, 2022 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Malcolm Butler did not play in 2021, informing the Cardinals of a retirement decision just before the season began. While the Cards previously held Butler’s rights, the former Super Bowl hero is unattached again.

The Cardinals released Butler from their reserve-retired list Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This might not be a formality, with Rapoport adding the veteran cover man is considering a comeback. Butler has been working out regularly in preparation for a likely return, per NFL.com’s Mike Giardi (on Twitter).

Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said just before last season a Butler comeback remained in play, but he stayed retired. Butler will turn 32 in two weeks. His retirement decision left the Cardinals shorthanded on the outside last season, though Robert Alford‘s return after two injury-nixed years helped the playoff-qualifying team’s cause. Alford is now on track for free agency.

Prior to the late-summer retirement, Butler logged seven NFL seasons and did well for himself financially despite arriving in the league as a UDFA. The Patriots slapped a first-round RFA tender on Butler in 2017, and the Titans gave him a five-year, $61.25MM deal in 2018 as a free agent. Tennessee bailed on that contract last March. Arizona signed Butler to a one-year, $3.25MM accord weeks later.

Packers To Bring Back Tom Clements

February 17th, 2022 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following a short retirement, Tom Clements is coming back to the NFL. The longtime Packers assistant will return to Green Bay to become the team’s quarterbacks coach, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. While Clements has not signed a contract just yet, the parties have agreed to terms, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky adds (on Twitter).

Previously with the Cardinals, Clements has been an NFL QBs coach since 1997. Much of that time came in Green Bay. The 68-year-old staffer spent 11 seasons with the Packers, working as their QBs coach and serving as one of Mike McCarthy‘s offensive coordinators during the 2010s. This move could impact Aaron Rodgers‘ forthcoming decision, with The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman positing (via Twitter) it is unlikely Clements would agree to return to the Packers unless Rodgers would be in the picture.

Clements served as Green Bay’s QBs coach from 2006-11, beginning his tenure when McCarthy arrived and when Brett Favre was still the Packers’ QB1. This involved two years of Rodgers development and his ascent to the MVP tier. Clements was on the Packers’ staff for the first two Rodgers MVP slates, staying on through the 2016 season, and the veteran quarterback has offered Clements extensive praise over the past several years, Schneidman adds (via Twitter).

Clements will replace Luke Getsy, whom the Bears hired as their offensive coordinator. A former Heisman candidate at Notre Dame, Clements served as the Bills’ OC for a time in the 2000s and spent two seasons helping Kliff Kingsbury as the Cardinals’ passing-game coordinator.

It is certainly not a lock Rodgers returns, but Matt LaFleur bringing Clements back to Wisconsin cannot hurt here. And Rodgers’ relationship with the Packers has undoubtedly improved compared to where it was during the 2021 offseason. While the Packers have seen the long-QB-needy Broncos hire Nathaniel Hackett and stay in the mix as the likely top outside Rodgers suitor, the NFC North champions continue to receive positive signs their 14-year starter is interested in coming back.

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