2022 February - Pro Football Rumors

Broncos Plan To Hire Ejiro Evero As DC

February 2nd, 2022 at 1:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

The makeover of the Broncos’ new coaching staff continues. The latest addition is set to be Ejiro Evero coming aboard as defensive coordinator, according to 9News’ Mike Klis (Twitter link).

It became clear that Evero was a strong candidate for the role last week. In fact, Klis tweeted recently that any other coach landing the job would be a “big upset”. The 41-year-old has a close relationship to newly-hired head coach Nathaniel Hackett dating back to their playing days in college.

Evero has been with the Rams since 2017, the year Sean McVay took over as HC in Los Angeles. He held the title of secondary coach/passing game coordinator this season, his fifteenth in the NFL. This Broncos’ role will be his first as a DC.

While maintaining the standard set during the Vic Fangio era on the defensive side of the ball will be a tall order, Evero does have a connection to Denver’s former HC. Evero has experience working alongside ex-Rams’ DC Brandon Staley, a member of the Fangio coaching tree. That background should help keep the defense a top-ten unit, which could be crucial during the team’s formative first year under a new offensive coach and scheme, not to mention, in all likelihood, a different quarterback.

This hire cannot be made official until after next week, due to the Rams being in the Super Bowl.

Bears To Hire Alan Williams As DC

February 2nd, 2022 at 12:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Matt Eberflus isn’t making the move alone. The Bears are set to hire Colts safeties coach Alan Williams as their new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

Williams joined the Colts in 2018, the same year as Eberflus. Together, they helped guide the Colts to two playoff appearances across four years. Before that, Williams served as the Lions’ defensive backs coach for four seasons, but he has DC experience dating back to his time with the Vikings. All in all, he’s got more than 20 years of pro coaching on his resume.

Between Eberflus, new GM Ryan Poles, assistant GM Ian Cunningham, and Williams, there’s a clear pipeline forming between Illinois and Indianapolis. There may be even more to come, which means more work for Colts GM Chris Ballard as he reshapes his staff and front office.

“We think it’s win-win,’’ Ballard said recently (via FOX 59). “[The Bears are] getting some really good, only people, but also some really good football coaches coming into your organization as we will going forward here.’’

Jets’ Cameron Clark Retires From NFL

February 2nd, 2022 at 12:03pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets offensive lineman Cameron Clark is retiring, as ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes. Sadly, Clark was left with little choice after missing the 2021 season with a serious spinal cord injury.

“Based on the advice of Dr. Andrew Hecht, a prominent orthopedic surgeon at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, Cameron will not be able to continue to play football for the New York Jets,” said agent Alan Herman.

Clark, 24, joined the Jets as a fourth-round pick in 2020. However, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte product never saw the field as his would-be rookie year was scuttled by a shoulder injury. Then, this past summer, he suffered a serious spinal cord injury. It was first believed to be contusion — now, doctors know that it’s much more serious.

“A great young man, with a bright future, I am thankful for Cameron’s peace in making his decision, however bittersweet it may be,” head coach Robert Saleh said. “He made it to the league because of his talent, hard work and attitude and I have every confidence that they will all continue to serve him as he transitions to the next step.”

Broncos Hire Justin Outten As OC

February 2nd, 2022 at 10:26am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos are set to hire Packers tight ends coach Justin Outten as their new offensive coordinator (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). He’s now set to guide the offense for the new regime and take over where Pat Shurmur left off.

The Broncos were also said to be considering Klint Kubiak for the OC job, but he’s likely to wind up as the team’s quarterbacks coach. Kubiak just helped Kirk Cousins turn in one of his best seasons in Minnesota, so he figures to be a huge asset to new head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

Outten has been with the Packers since 2019. The Packers were the first team to employ him as a position coach, so this move to OC in Denver marks a huge step up. Before that, he was an intern under Kyle Shanahan with the Falcons and a high school assistant coach.

Interestingly, the Broncos’ first OC target was Packers offensive line coach Adam Stenavich, but the Packers installed him as their own OC. After that, they eyed Green Bay wide receivers coach Jason Vrable, but Packers head coach Matt LaFleur blocked the request. Chargers tight ends coach Kevin Koger was also in the running for Denver, but it sounds like Outten has edged him out.

Even with Outten on board, Hackett is expected to call the plays for his West Coast offense.

Titans Aiming To Keep OLB Harold Landry

February 1st, 2022 at 10:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Harold Landry‘s breakthrough contract year will earn him quite a bit of money soon. The Titans would prefer it be their cash the free agent-to-be collects.

Tennessee’s top pass rusher finished with a career-high 12 sacks and made his first Pro Bowl. The former second-round pick also totaled 43 pressures, seventh in the NFL, and a career-best 22 quarterback hits. Landry, who also added 1.5 sacks in Tennessee’s nine-sack divisional-round performance, is poised to be one of the top free agents available come March.

“I think Harold wants to be [with us], not to speak for him,” Titans GM Jon Robinson said. “We are going to do everything we can to try and keep Harold, but we understand there’s a lot of other things that need to go down, too. … We have to plan and forecast how we are going to allocate salary cap resources.”

The Titans have the franchise tag at their disposal, but the AFC South champions are projected to be nearly $10MM over the 2022 cap at this point. Though, it is still early here. Ryan Tannehill‘s cap number is set to rise from $11.1MM to $38.6MM, in the penultimate year of his deal, as well. The Titans already gave Bud Dupree a five-year, $82.5MM deal. Dupree missed time due to injury but could only register three sacks and eight QB hits in 11 games coming off his 2020 ACL tear, amplifying Landry’s importance.

While other standout edge rushers are set to hit free agency, Landry’s age (25) works strongly in his favor. Von Miller, Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul and Jadeveon Clowney are among the other big edge names set to hit the market. Of these, only Clowney (29 this month) is under 31. Among the younger pass rushers set for free agency — a list headlined by Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett, Emmanuel Ogbah and Uchenna Nwosu — Landry appears set to command the top value. Projecting the linebacker franchise tag to land north of $18MM, CBS Sports’ Joel Corry views Landry as a prime tag candidate.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 2/1/22

February 1st, 2022 at 10:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad updates:

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: DB Antoine Brooks, WR Warren Jackson, TE Kyle Markway
Placed on practice squad injured list: DB Sharrod Neasman
Released: K Ryan Santoso, LS Carson Tinker

Latest On 49ers, Jimmy Garoppolo

February 1st, 2022 at 10:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmy Garoppolo pushed his presumptive lame-duck year to a conference championship game and, after playing hurt in the season’s final weeks, will soon undergo thumb surgery. While it is not certain the 49ers deal their four-plus-year starter soon, that is Garoppolo’s expectation.

The 30-year-old passer spoke with GM John Lynch on Monday regarding his potential departure, wanting, understandably, to end up in a winning situation. This is relevant considering Garoppolo’s contract contains a no-trade clause, which allows the veteran QB to approve his destination. However, the clause expires at the start of the 2022 league year March 16.

“I was talking to John yesterday about finding the right destination and whatever the future holds, just doing it the right way,” Garoppolo said, via ESPN.com’s Nick Wagoner. “I’ve got a long career ahead of me. I’m excited about it. I’m excited about the opportunities to come. I just want to go to a place where they want to win. That’s really what I’m in this game for.”

Garoppolo’s contract calls for a $24.2MM base salary in its final year, 2022. The 49ers can move the contract easily; they’d be tagged with just $1.4MM in dead money in a deal. The 49ers would save more $25.6MM by trading their starter, tying them to Trey Lance‘s rookie contract for the foreseeable future. CEO Jed York previously floated the idea of Garoppolo sticking around in 2022, but signs currently point to a trade.

Any team that trades for Garoppolo would likely complete an extension, and suitors figure to emerge. The upcoming quarterback market potentially including Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson would stand to complicate matters on the AFC side, with the long-QB-needy Broncos having been connected to the former for nearly a year. Wilson has also been linked to a Denver destination, and his Seattle future remains murky. Garoppolo qualifies as a cheaper backup plan, in the event Rodgers or Wilson are unattainable.

Other teams could beat the Broncos to the punch while they wait on the bigger names, however. The Steelers also loom as a winning team in need at quarterback, but they have also been mentioned as being likelier to steer clear of a veteran acquisition. The Browns could be in the mix as well, but a fifth Baker Mayfield season looms. The NFC side could feature more interested parties, with Carolina, New Orleans, Washington and now Tampa Bay residing as prospective suitors.

“As far as the whole trade situation, John has been very clear with it,” Garoppolo said. “I think they’re trying to do the best for me; I’m trying to do the best for them and we’re working together. We haven’t really made too much progress on it, but I think things will start happening here pretty quickly.”

Broncos, O-Line Coach Mike Munchak Likely To Part Ways

February 1st, 2022 at 8:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos’ 2021 offensive staff featured two former head coaches, in OC Pat Shurmur and offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Nathaniel Hackett‘s first Denver staff looks like it will feature less experience.

Munchak, Denver’s O-line coach for the past three seasons, is unlikely to return under Hackett, Mike Klis of 9News notes. Although Klis adds one year remains on Munchak’s contract, the zone-blocking scheme Hackett plans to reinstall in Denver does not mesh with the concepts Broncos linemen utilized under Munchak.

Widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top O-line coaches, Munchak has received offers from other teams since the Broncos fired Vic Fangio, Klis adds. Munchak, 61, interviewed for Denver’s HC job in 2019 and ended up joining Fangio’s staff. Although the prospect of Munchak staying on in a different role under Hackett is in play, given his contract status, it appears likely another team will employ him next season. Prior to coming to Denver, Munchak spent five seasons as Pittsburgh’s O-line coach. The Hall of Fame offensive lineman was the Titans’ head coach from 2011-13.

Broncos assistant O-line coach Chris Kuper could move into Munchak’s role, with Klis adding 49ers assistant O-line coach Butch Barry is also expected to be interviewed for the job. Prior to receiving training in Kyle Shanahan‘s offense, Barry spent the 2020 season as a Packers assistant alongside Hackett.

Bears To Interview Ex-Panthers OC Joe Brady

February 1st, 2022 at 8:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Fired less than a year after landing HC interviews, Joe Brady has a chance to land a job on Matt Eberflus‘ Bears staff. The former Carolina OC is interviewing for a job with Chicago, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.

The Bears have already hired an offensive coordinator, former Packers quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, so Brady’s interview is for another position. Considering where Brady was positioned coming out of LSU and again after his first Panthers season, when he landed five HC interviews during the 2021 hiring period, this would be an interesting move.

The Bears represent Brady’s first known connection to a team since the Panthers fired him. Despite being the point man behind Joe Burrow‘s record-setting LSU season in 2019, Brady wants to remain in the NFL.

Brady, 32, would certainly represent a notable addition to a coaching staff whose top priority will be developing Justin Fields into a franchise-caliber quarterback. Next season will be Getsy’s first NFL offensive coordinator job, but he was Mississippi State’s OC in 2018. Brady has three seasons of OC experience.

Matt Rhule fired Brady during the Panthers’ December bye week, with the move coming amid a quarterback crisis that led to Rhule’s job being in jeopardy by season’s end. The Panthers dropped from 21st to 30th in total offense last season, with Sam Darnold and Cam Newton‘s struggles playing the main role in the decline.

Bengals WR Auden Tate Reverts To IR

February 1st, 2022 at 7:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite returning to practice ahead of the Bengals’ wild-card game, Auden Tate will not be in uniform when the team takes the field for Super Bowl LVI.

Tate’s practice period expired Tuesday without a roster move, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This means the veteran wide receiver will revert to IR, a move that ends his season. Tate has not played since Week 7.

A thigh injury led to Tate’s IR placement in early December. The fourth-year wideout had battled that issue in the weeks leading up to that move, but the former seventh-round pick did not play much of a role this season. Tate caught three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown this season.

A shoulder ailment ended Tate’s 2020 season, and an MCL sprain in December 2019 wrapped his most promising season. After catching 40 passes for 575 yards in 2019 — during a season A.J. Green did not play — Tate has compiled just 189 yards since.

The Bengals have invested significant draft capital in the receiver position, taking Tee Higgins in the 2020 second round and adding likely Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase fifth overall this year. Tate, who is set for free agency in March, will likely attempt to bounce back with another team next season.