HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Dolphins To Interview Frank Smith For OC Job

February 12th, 2022 at 12:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Mike McDaniel continues to look for an offensive coordinator. The Dolphins will interview Chargers run game coordinator/OL coach Frank Smith for their OC job, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).

[RELATED: Dolphins Retain Josh Boyer As DC]

Smith joined the Chargers just last offseason. He spent the previous three years with the Raiders as their tight ends coach, overseeing the development of Darren Waller. The veteran coach also served as the Bears tight ends coach for three years, and he had a five-year stint as the Saints assistant offensive line coach (during which time the Saints had four OLs earn Pro Bowl nods: Jermon Bushrod, Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, and Carl Nicks).

We previously heard that Curtis Johnson was a candidate for the OC job in Miami. The Dolphins were set to interview the long-time Saints coach for the vacancy.

Elsewhere on the Dolphins staff, McDaniel will be retaining a handful of coaches. In addition to defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, the Dolphins will also be keeping linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, cornerbacks coach Charles Burks, and defensive line coach Austin Clark on the staff (per Barry Jackson of Miami Herald on Twitter).

Rams OT Andrew Whitworth Considering Retirement?

February 12th, 2022 at 10:06am CST by Ben Levine

Andrew Whitworth previously indicated that he wouldn’t retire following the season. However, when asked if he’d consider hanging up his cleats if the Rams win the Super Bowl, the left tackle hinted that he would think about calling it a career.

“What an unreal way to walk off,” Whitworth said when asked if he’d retire following a Super Bowl victory (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter). “I don’t think there’s anything else I would have to do.”

This runs counter to what we heard in December. Then, Whitworth said he wanted to keep playing for as long as possible, cautioning that he’d only retire if “the Rams can’t afford me” or “it doesn’t work out for the both of us for me to be back.” Whitworth is under contract through the 2022 season, when his cap hit rises from its current figure of $5.67MM to $14.67MM.

At that time, the 16-year veteran had just become the first left tackle to start an NFL game at the age of 40, and he was one of only two active players this year older than 40 (along with Tom Brady).

A Bengals second-round pick in 2006, Whitworth played in Cincinnati for the first 11 years of his career. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro has been with the Rams since 2017 and has consistently been one of the league’s pass protectors. Now, he’ll be looking to secure his first Super Bowl ring against his former squad, and a win could end up being the cherry on top of a standout career.

DE Everson Griffen Intends To Play Next Season

February 12th, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Ben Levine

Everson Griffen sat out the final seven games of the season as he dealt with a mental health incident, but the Vikings defensive end told Chris Tomasson of TwinCities.com that he’s “doing great” and intends to play next season.

“Yeah, of course I’m looking to play again this season,” the impending free agent told the reporter.

In November, there was an incident at Griffen’s home. He first wrote in an Instagram story that he needed help and people were “trying to kill” him, and he later refused to leave the premises. Griffen called police himself and requested assistance himself, and while police acknowledged that the player had fired a round, no one was injured. The defensive lineman had previous mental health incidents in 2018.

“I’m doing great but I don’t want to talk about that time,” Griffen said. “I’m going to keep my personal business personal … I’m doing well, but I’m taking it one day at a time, and I feel good.”

Griffen had spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Vikings, and following a 2020 campaign where he split time with the Cowboys and Lions, the veteran returned to Minnesota for the 2021 season. Griffen made a Pro Bowl as recently as 2019, and he was productive in his nine games (six starts) with the Vikings this season, collecting five sacks and 10 QB hits. The 34-year-old wouldn’t commit to re-signing with the team, per Tomasson, and while the player also wouldn’t discuss the firings of Mike Zimmer or Rick Spielman, he did discuss the departure of defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson.

“He meant a lot to my career,” Griffen said. “He taught me great technique and I went out there on the field and I used his technique that he taught me. I worked hard for him. Coach P was a great coach. He was able to relate to players and he always had great speeches to make us understand how football was meant to be played.”

Latest On Aaron Rodgers’ Future With Packers

February 12th, 2022 at 9:43am CST by Ben Levine

While it’s still uncertain if Aaron Rodgers will be sticking around Green Bay, it sounds like his relationship with the organization is improving. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Rodgers has “made it clear that the animosity he felt toward the organization at this time last year is gone.” However, the MVP still hasn’t made a decision about whether he wants to return to the Packers next season.

The issues started about nine months ago when things gradually bubbled over during a long-term contract negotiation between the Packers and Rodgers. Rodgers had reportedly been unhappy during the proceedings and became so disgruntled that he told members of the organization that he didn’t want to return to the team. This frustration continued throughout an offseason that saw loads of trade speculation, including a report that Rodgers was under the impression that the Packers had promised to trade him before reneging on their deal. The offseason also contained a Rodgers hold-out that ended with a deal that some saw as a “Last Dance” contract that would help set up his departure after the season ended.

Now, Rodgers is coming off his fourth MVP season, with the 38-year-old leading the organization to their second-straight first-round bye in the playoffs. After accepting the MVP award the other day, Rodgers addressed his future, and he said he’d make a decision before long.

“I think you’ve got to take some of the emotion out of it and then kind of lean into understanding what it takes to revamp and feel like what’s the best place,” Rodgers said. “The best decision for me moving forward — not really place — more just what does it feel like to commit to a season if that’s what I want to do? The good thing is I still feel like my body is in a good place.”

Immediately after the season ended, Rodgers made it clear that he has no interest in staying in Green Bay if he doesn’t think the team can win in 2022. Part of that had to do with the issues detailed above, but Davante Adams‘ free agency and Nathaniel Hackett‘s move to Denver certainly wouldn’t help the Packers’ cause. However, Rodgers is seemingly leaving the door open to playing another season in Green Bay.

If that happens, the Packers will need to rework Rodgers’ contract, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com confirms that that club is willing to go “all in” by spending to the cap and spreading out cap charges into future years to give Rodgers as competitive of a roster as possible (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com suggests that a two-year deal worth over $45MM per year and with voidable years tacked onto the back end for cap purposes could be in play.

Steelers To Interview John Spytek

February 11th, 2022 at 9:17pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers plan to interview John Spytek for their GM vacancy, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Spytek, the Buccaneers’ VP of player personnel, has been a popular name in this cycle, but has yet to land a GM spot.

Spytek spoke with the Raiders and Vikings before they hired former Pats exec Dave Ziegler and ex-Vikings VP of football operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, respectively. As a top lieutenant to Jason Licht, Spytek played an integral role in building the Buccaneers’ championship roster. All in all, he’s spent six years in Tampa. Before that, he worked as a scout for the Broncos during the Peyton Manning era and as a college scout for the Browns.

In addition to Spytek, the Steelers have been connected to:

Odell Beckham Jr. Wants To Stay With Rams 

February 11th, 2022 at 9:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Odell Beckham Jr. has a rough idea of what he wants to do next season. As he gets set for the Super Bowl, the star wide receiver says he’s hoping to remain with the Rams. 

[RELATED: OBJ Had Interest In Patriots, Saints]

“This place, it feels good in my heart,” OBJ said (Twitter link via Nick Shook of NFL.com). “It feels like a home.”

Beckham even went so far as to say that he would take a little less to stay in Los Angeles. “Yeah, of course,” Beckham said when asked whether he’d be open to a hometown discount.

Beckham, still only 29, has posted 19 grabs for 236 yards and a touchdown so far in the playoffs. And, while his 27/305 showing in the second half of the regular season wasn’t in line with his best work, he did register five TDs in his eight regular season games for the Rams. Some say that Beckham has been a diva in the past but, this year, he’s embraced his role as the No. 2 WR alongside Cooper Kupp (in Robert Woods’ stead).

The Rams surely feel the same way, but they’ll have to work some cap magic in order to keep OBJ in the fold. As of this writing, they’re projected to be roughly $14MM over the limit in March. Fortunately for the Rams, Beckham seems willing to meet them somewhere in the middle.

NFC South Notes: Pickett, Bucs, Falcons

February 11th, 2022 at 5:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have received substandard quarterback play for several years and still have Sam Darnold‘s fully guaranteed fifth-year option ($18.9MM) on their books going forward. While Carolina will undoubtedly be linked to veteran passers — potentially Deshaun Watson for a second straight offseason — the team may have early interest in Pitt prospect Kenny Pickett. The Panthers are believed to be high on Pickett, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, who notes multiple evaluators do not believe the ACC talent will make it past Carolina’s No. 6 overall pick. Panthers owner David Tepper was previously a minority Steelers owner and, per JLC, is a Pitt booster, connecting some dots here. Tepper was believed to be behind the Panthers’ aggressive Watson interest last year, before the Texans QB’s legal issues surfaced. Based on that and the team’s push for Matthew Stafford last year, it can be assumed the owner will endorse a splashy QB addition. Although this year’s crop of prospects is not viewed especially well, Pickett impressed at the Senior Bowl and would give the Panthers a low-cost starter amid the Darnold deal.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • Tristan Wirfs could not finish the Buccaneers‘ wild-card win and missed their divisional-round Rams matchup, halting a quality run of durability to start his career. Tampa Bay’s All-Pro right tackle is moving toward taking care of his recent ankle issue. Wirfs plans to undergo surgery, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe (subscription required). Although Bruce Arians said a non-surgical option exists (via Buccaneers.com’s Scott Smith), the standout blocker suffered a rather severe ankle injury. The former first-round pick tore two ligaments, one ripping off the bone completely, Howe adds. Wirfs said he will undoubtedly be ready for training camp.
  • The Bucs have not made a roster move regarding Tom Brady yet, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes, despite the all-time great announcing his retirement last week. The team has $32MM in dead money associated with its two-year quarterback. A post-June 1 placement on the reserve-retired list would defray $24MM of that total to 2023. The Saints and Panthers did this with Drew Brees and Luke Kuechly, respectively, over the past two offseasons. The Bucs doing this would also mean they would retain Brady’s rights for 2022, entitling them to compensation if the ageless passer decides he wants to play again but for another team. Should the Bucs release Brady after June 1, he would be free to sign with any team.
  • Falcons director of pro personnel Steve Sabo is leaving the team. Sabo spent the past 12 years with the Falcons, working in various roles. Previous GM Thomas Dimitroff hired Sabo, but he stayed on in Terry Fontenot‘s first year. Sabo previously served as the Falcons’ college scouting director.
  • The Panthers made a change in their front office recently as well. They are promoting cap guru Samir Suleiman to a newly created position of VP of football administration, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Suleiman previously worked as Carolina’s salary cap manager.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 2/11/22

February 11th, 2022 at 5:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are today’s reserve/futures deals signed around the league:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Broncos To Hire Dom Capers

February 11th, 2022 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dom Capers has lent his services to three different teams since his time as Packers defensive coordinator ended. The former head coach is now set to head to Denver.

The Broncos are hiring the longtime defensive staffer, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Capers will again serve as a senior defensive assistant, adding decades of experience under Ejiro Evero, who is expected to become Denver’s new defensive coordinator following Super Bowl LVI. Evero is set to be a first-time coordinator.

Since 2019, Capers has worked with the Jaguars, Vikings and Lions as a senior defensive assistant. Two of those seasons featured multiple game-planning weeks against Nathaniel Hackett‘s offense ahead of NFC North matchups. Hackett was not in Green Bay during Capers’ nine-season stint as Packers DC, though Aaron Rodgers obviously was. The Broncos continue to be linked to the now-two-time reigning MVP, but several hurdles remain on that path.

Capers will turn 72 before the 2022 seasons begins. He has been coaching since 1972 and served as head coach for two expansion teams, taking over the Panthers in 1995 and Texans in 2002. Carolina experienced more success under Capers, venturing to the NFC championship game in 1996. In between those stints, Capers served as the Jaguars’ DC. He has been a defensive coordinator for four teams — the Steelers, Jags, Dolphins and Packers — in addition to the HC tenures. While Capers’ Steelers defenses featured top-tier units, his Packers group helped the franchise win its fourth Super Bowl in 2010.

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