2022 February - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Coaching Notes: Bengals, Broncos, Texans, Jaguars

February 14th, 2022 at 3:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

While Super Bowl LVI didn’t go the way the Bengals wanted, their 2021 postseason run demonstrated that they are set to be a force in the AFC for years to come. One of the results of their success is not only an expected contract extension for head coach Zac Taylor, but a number of assistants on his staff as well.

As Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network writes, the list of coaches receiving new deals includes at least five names. On the offensive side of the ball, wide receivers coach Troy Walters is listed; he jumped into coaching almost immediately after an eight-year playing career, and has worked with the Bengals’ wideouts since joining the team in 2020. The other offensive assistant is tight ends coach James Casey, who has coached that position (after playing it himself in the NFL) since 2017. He has been in Cincinnati for the past three seasons.

Defensively, new deals are forthcoming for linebackers coach Al Golden and defensive line coach Marion Hobby. The former has been coaching since 1993, between the college and NFL ranks, including the last two years with the Bengals. The latter is equally experienced, and coached the position in Cincinnati this year, after four seasons doing the same in Jacksonville and Miami. Wilson adds that strength and conditioning coach Joey Boese is the final name on the list.

Here are some other coaching notes from around the AFC:

Nathaniel Hackett‘s new staff continues to take shape in Denver. Wilson tweets that Tyrone Wheatley is the new running backs coach. He has previously coached the position at four colleges, including Michigan, as well as the Bills and Jaguars. He was most recently the head coach at Morgan State.
The other offensive addition in Denver is Jake Moreland, who is taking over as tight ends coach, according to 9News’ Mike Klis (Twitter link). The 45-year-old’s first NFL coaching gig came with the Jets this past season, serving as an assistant offensive line coach. Klis notes that his background is the same as fellow newcomer Ben Steele.
Defensively, the Broncos are adding Bert Watts to their staff. He was most recently the associate head coach at Auburn, but he also held the titles of special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach. The latter will be his purview in Denver, where he was an assistant in 2012 (Twitter link via ESPN’s Dan Graziano).
The Texans have made an interesting hire on their offensive staff. Wilson tweets that Ted White, who was a quarterback during the days of NFL Europe, and also in the CFL, has been hired as an offensive assistant. His coaching career includes stints at five college programs, and most recently in the XFL, with a background in working with QBs.
Graziano tweets that Jacques Cesaire is coming to Houston as their defensive line coach. The former Charger defensive end began coaching in San Diego in 2015, also spending two years with the Bills as an assistant at that same position.
Finally, Deshea Townsend is being hired by the Jaguars, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). This comes as a surprise, since he was expected to join the Vikings’ staff, but changed course due to a perceived sense he’ll get a “bigger role within the defense” in Jacksonville (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press). He has previously worked with cornerbacks with five different teams, including four in the NFL, Chicago being the most recent.

Odell Beckham Jr. Suffered Torn ACL In Super Bowl

February 14th, 2022 at 2:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

When Odell Beckham Jr. exited the Super Bowl with an apparent knee injury, it may have been the last time in a while he gets seen on an NFL field. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, he suffered a torn ACL in the game (Twitter link).

The ACL tear is in his left knee, the one that suffered the same fate in the middle of the 2020 season. It is devastating news, given the success he was having not only in the Super Bowl, but his time with the Rams as a whole. After a messy divorce from the Browns, Beckham seemed to have found a home in L.A. as a complimentary piece to the Rams’ passing attack.

After signing with the Rams in November, the 29-year-old posted five touchdowns in eight regular season games with his new franchise. Then, he settled in during the postseason, and seemed to be on his way to a big night on Sunday with two catches for 52 yards and one touchdown before halftime. Those numbers brought his yards per catch average up to 13.7 for the playoffs, which is nearly on par with his average during his heyday with the Giants.

In the days leading up to the big game, Beckham expressed a desire to stay with the Rams. For that to be possible, he would need to take a discount, as the team is already scheduled to be $14MM over the cap before signing new deals with the likes of Beckham or fellow mid-season acquisition and close friend Von Miller.

Much of what both sides do now may depend on the health of Robert Woods, who himself suffered a torn ACL this season. If both he and Beckham are able to fully recover, and the latter does indeed stay in L.A., they would form quite the receiving trio alongside Cooper Kupp. Today’s news, though, may cast doubt on the chances of that happening.

Jason Pierre-Paul Leaving In Free Agency?

February 14th, 2022 at 1:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

With Tom Brady retired and a slew of other high-end players set to hit free agency, the Buccaneers’ roster is likely to look very different in 2022. One of the veterans of the team’s dominant defense, Jason Pierre-Paul, could be on his way out of Tampa Bay.

In an Instagram post, the 33-year-old said in part, “wherever I am next year you gone get the same me” (Twitter link via Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times). That would certainly suggest he is, at a minimum, willing to look at other options on the free agent market.

Pierre-Paul was a Pro Bowler in 2020 for the Super Bowl champion Bucs, but had a much quieter year in 2021. Dealing with a broken finger and torn rotator cuff throughout the campaign, he recorded 24 fewer tackles (31), seven fewer sacks (2.5) and three fewer forced fumbles (one) than the previous year.

If he does depart, a starting spot would be opened up for Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The 2021 first round pick flashed potential in a rotational role in his rookie season, recording four sacks and five tackles for loss. With fellow starter Shaquil Barrett already under contract, moving on to Tryon-Shoyinka would not only be a nod to his upside, but also a way to save cap space at the position.

At his age, and coming off of an injury-plagued season, Pierre-Paul is unlikely to command a contract like the two-year, $25MM extension he signed in 2020. Still, he would represent an accomplished edge rusher with two Super Bowls to his name for any outside teams interested in his services.

Dolphins Hire Frank Smith As OC

February 14th, 2022 at 12:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after interviewing Frank Smith for the biggest remaining role on Mike McDaniel’s new staff in Miami, the team has hired him. As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (via Twitter), Smith is the Dolphins’ new offensive coordinator.

Smith, 40, began his NFL coaching career with the Saints in 2010, following six seasons in the college ranks. He then spent three years as the tight ends coach of the Bears, which is the same title he held with the Raiders. From 2018 to 2020, Smith oversaw the unit that includes Darren Waller, who has evolved from a castaway to one of the league’s best at the position. Last season, he worked as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach of the Chargers.

With a strong background in developing both TEs and o-linemen, Smith represents an intriguing addition to the Dolphins’ staff. The team has plenty of room for improvement in the run game, as they ranked 30th in the league with just over 92 yards per game on the ground in 2021. He would also play a much-needed role in the TE department, regardless of if free agent Mike Gesicki is brought back or not.

As Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald tweets, McDaniel will call plays on offense, but Smith “will be very involved” in forming game plans. If he is able to replicate his success elsewhere, the Dolphins may have just taken an important step towards the offensive turnaround they need.

Adrian Peterson Arrested On Domestic Violence Charge

February 14th, 2022 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

Free agent running back Adrian Peterson was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday on a felony domestic violence charge. As The Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala writes, the incident took place in the morning onboard an airplane flying to Houston.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles Airport Police, they were called to respond to “a verbal and physical altercation between a male suspect and a female victim”, later identified as Peterson and his wife. Peterson was removed from the plane before it took off, and his wife and the other passengers completed the flight without further issue.

A representative for Peterson released a statement which reads in part, “this is a private misunderstanding between husband and wife and we anticipate it will all be resolved shortly”. Peterson was taken into custody with a $50K bail and released on bond later in the day. ESPN’s John Keim adds that his wife “was not going to press charges”. Peterson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge committed against his then-four-year-old son in 2014.

The 36-year-old continued his career by signing with the Titans midseason, after they lost Derrick Henry to injury. Not long after, he found himself in Seattle, though he only appeared in four total games in 2021. The former league MVP has bounced around to six teams since his illustrious tenure in Minnesota. Just shy of 15,000 career rushing yards, which ranks him fifth all time, he intends to play in 2022.

Latest On NFL’s Dolphins Investigation

February 14th, 2022 at 10:53am CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL’s probe into the Miami Dolphins, and in particular owner Stephen Ross, has begun. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the result of the investigation could cost Ross the team.

This stems from the allegations former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores made against Ross that included, among other things, $100K payments for each loss during the team’s rebuilding 2019 season. The league announced it would open an investigation one day later. If proven to be true, Ross could face a wide range of consequences.

As Rapoport writes, Ross’ discipline “could be severe, up to and including [him] losing the team by a vote of fellow owners”. That option, while extreme, is a possibility, according to commissioner Roger Goodell, who recently stated, “I do believe that clubs do have the authority to remove an owner from the league”. Rapoport adds that a three-fourths majority vote would be required for such an action to take place.

From the outset, Ross has denied any wrongdoing, calling Flores’ allegations “false, malicious and defamatory”. He also stated an intention to cooperate fully with the investigation. Goodell added that the league’s next actions will, of course, not be determined until after the facts of the probe have been established. When that time comes, though, its ramifications could clearly be far-reaching for Ross.

Calais Campbell Returning In 2022

February 14th, 2022 at 9:55am CST by Adam La Rose

There had been a strong possibility that the 2021 season was the final chapter of Calais Campbell‘s career. Instead, he announced Sunday night that he will return next year, writes ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.

The 35-year-old is a pending free agent, and he left the door open to retirement during the 2021 campaign. However, he wants to take at least one more shot at a Super Bowl title, the only accolade that has eluded him during his 14 seasons in the NFL.

“The feeling I have right now after seeing [the Rams] celebrate a world championship, I have a desire to go out there and play football and to compete”, he said. “So, I’m definitely not retiring. I’m coming back”.

A six-time Pro Bowler, former All-Pro, Walter Payton Man of the Year winner, 2017 Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team, Campbell is also in search of his 100th career sack. He currently sits at 93.5, but has transitioned more and more into a run-stopper than a pass rusher in recent years.

Campbell’s first season in Baltimore was in 2020, where he earned a fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. While his total tackles increased in 2021 to 49, his sack numbers dropped from four to 1.5. Still, his ability to defend the run that has been prevalent throughout his previous time with the Cardinals and Jaguars should garner him plenty of interest if he reaches the open market.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has already been in discussion with Campbell regarding a new contract to stay in Baltimore. However, the defensive line – which has recently consisted of Campbell, along with fellow veterans Brandon Williams and Derek Wolfe – has been named as an area where the team will work to get younger at during the offseason. Perhaps, then, Campbell’s next, and quite possibly final, campaign in the NFL will be with a fourth team.

Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order

February 14th, 2022 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

With Super Bowl LVI finished, the final two places in the 2022 Draft have been finalized. The Bengals’ top pick is locked into 31st, while the Rams will not have a selection until the third round. For the rest of the league, the focus has already shifted to free agency and the draft, of course, so now all eyes will be on the offseason maneuvering teams do to reshape their rosters.

For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.

Pending trades, here is the final first round order of the 2022 Draft:

Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-14
Detroit Lions: 3-13-1
Houston Texans: 4-13
New York Jets: 4-13
New York Giants: 4-13
Carolina Panthers: 5-12
New York Giants(via Bears)
Atlanta Falcons: 7-10
Denver Broncos: 7-10
New York Jets (via Seahawks)
Washington Football Team: 7-10
Minnesota Vikings: 8-9
Cleveland Browns: 8-9
Baltimore Ravens: 8-9
Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)
Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)
Los Angeles Chargers: 9-8
New Orleans Saints: 9-8
Philadelphia Eagles: 9-8
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-7-1
New England Patriots: 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders: 10-7
Arizona Cardinals: 11-6
Dallas Cowboys: 12-5
Buffalo Bills: 11-6
Tennessee Titans: 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13-4
Green Bay Packers: 13-4
Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)
Kansas City Chiefs: 12-5
Cincinnati Bengals: 10-7
Detroit Lions (via Rams)

S Eric Weddle Re-Retiring

February 13th, 2022 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

The Beard is hanging up the cleats…again. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rams’ safety Eric Weddle told reporters after their Super Bowl LVI victory, that “yes, (he’s) re-retiring.” Weddle is making good on a promise he made shortly after the Rams’ NFC Championship victory over the 49ers.

“It’s amazing to be able to understand that and know that I don’t have to save myself for next season, I don’t have to save myself for the offseason, I didn’t have to save myself for the Super Bowl last week knowing it wasn’t guaranteed, so I was throwing it in there, giving it everything I got,” Weddle had said. “After this Super Bowl, I move on and go back to my old life and there will be no comebacks.”

Weddle originally announced his retirement shortly following the conclusion of his 2019 NFL season with the Rams. In that lone year in Los Angeles, Weddle was a team captain and defensive-signal caller, a role he reprised tonight, wearing the green sticker for the Rams’ defense.

Weddle was coaxed out of retirement as a bandage for a Rams’ secondary that was without Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp at safety to start the playoffs. His impact over the four-game playoff run wasn’t flashy, but he provided impactful leadership and sure tackling en route to his first Super Bowl ring. A member of the All-Decade Team for the 2010s, the only thing missing in Weddle’s illustrious career was that elusive ring. He’ll get fitted for it now and be invited to the White House with the rest of the team.

In tonight’s Super Bowl LVI victory, Weddle appeared to injure himself early in the game while making a tackle. He left the game momentarily before coming back to finish out the victory continuing to make tackles along the way. He told reporters after the game that he suffered a torn pec and will require surgery soon. He’ll have a lifetime to recover with no rush.

Weddle had a well-known tradition after winning football games. Upon returning home, Weddle and his family would enjoy a victory-bowl of ice cream. While in Baltimore, Weddle once agreed he would host an ice cream party at M&T Bank Stadium if they won the big game. While he may not have the same plans for SoFi Stadium, I hope Weddle and his family get to enjoy a “super bowl” of ice cream that fits the entire carton.

Vikings Plan To Hire Mike Pettine, Not As DC

February 13th, 2022 at 10:22pm CST by Ely Allen

Now that Super Bowl LVI is over, the Vikings should be able to start moving forward with their coaching staff hires. One coach expected to join the staff in Minnesota is former Browns’ head coach Mike Pettine, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Contrary to prior rumors that Pettine was the favorite to land the defensive coordinator job, Pelissero tweeted out that, with Ed Donatell reportedly hired to be the defensive coordinator, Pettine will join the staff in a different capacity.

So far, no Minnesota coaching hires have officially been announced but, with the Rams’ season finally over, the Vikings will be happy to welcome Super Bowl Champion Kevin O’Connell to the facility. With his focus no longer on a postseason run, O’Connell and the Vikings can start making moves to build their new staff.

One of those first moves is Pettine. Although he will not serve as the defensive coordinator of the Vikings, Pettine brings a plethora of experience having served in that role in the past for the Jets, Bills, and Packers. He will also be able to provide some valuable head coaching insights to the rookie O’Connell. Pettine spent last season as a senior defensive assistant for the Bears after not being retained as the Packers’ defensive coordinator following an NFC Championship loss to the eventual Super Bowl LV champion Buccaneers.

Along with O’Connell, Donatell, and Pettine, rumored hirings in Minnesota include Chris Kuper as the expected offensive line coach, Chris Rumph as the expected defensive line coach, and Curtis Modkins as the expected run-game coordinator and backfield coach. Expect for official hires to start being announced and for the rest of the coaching staff to start coming into focus.