HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Packers CB Jaire Alexander Seeking Top-Of-The-Market Extension

March 27th, 2022 at 9:26am CST by Rory Parks

Following the Aaron Rodgers extension, the Davante Adams trade, and a host of other moves, the Packers currently possess a little more than $15MM in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. Of course, Green Bay still needs to maintain sufficient room to sign its rookie class and make in-season transactions, and as Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required) writes, the club might be interested in a free agent wide receiver like Odell Beckham Jr.  or Will Fuller now that Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are out of the picture.

In other words, the Packers would still like to create more cap room, and per Schneidman, the most obvious way to achieve that goal would be to extend cornerback Jaire Alexander. As we heard earlier this month, Green Bay and Alexander’s camp have engaged in negotiations on a long-term pact.

One potential snag is that, according to Schneidman, Alexander is seeking a contract that would make him the highest-paid corner in the league. Currently, Rams CB Jalen Ramsey is the clubhouse leader in terms of both AAV ($20MM) and practical guarantees ($71.2MM).

Alexander, a member of the 2018 All-Rookie team who had established himself as a quality starter over his first two years in the league, had a breakout in 2020, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and Second Team All-Pro recognition. The advanced analytics at Pro Football Focus supported those honors with a tremendous 90.5 overall grade, and Green Bay made the easy decision to exercise Alexander’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season, which guarantees him a $13.3MM salary.

Unfortunately, Alexander played in just four regular season games in 2021 thanks to an October shoulder injury, and while he did return for Green Bay’s lone postseason contest, he appeared in just eight snaps in the Packers’ snowy upset at the hands of the 49ers. So while it stands to reason that he would shoot for the moon based on his career trajectory up to the 2021 campaign, it also makes sense that the team is uncomfortable authorizing a Ramsey-esque contract at this point.

If Alexander wants top-of-the market money, he may have to wait until next offseason and turn in a fully-healthy 2022 season reminiscent of his 2020 efforts. If he is willing to sacrifice a bit of earning potential in exchange for a lesser contract that will still provide him with a significant amount of guaranteed money, perhaps he and the Packers can find some middle ground in the coming weeks.

Free Agent WR Jarvis Landry Seeking $20MM AAV?

March 27th, 2022 at 8:11am CST by Rory Parks

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry remains a free agent after being released by the Browns nearly two weeks ago, and he is apparently unhappy with how his stint on the open market is developing. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Landry, who had been represented by Damarius Bilbo of Klutch Sports, has switched agencies and is now represented by Roosevelt Barnes and Jovan Barnes.

Florio also reports that Landry was hoping to land a contract with an average annual value “in the range of” $20MM per season. If his new agents are able to secure such a deal, especially at this point in the league year, they can probably expect quite a boost to their portfolio of clients in the near future.

Landry, 29, is a five-time Pro Bowler who would likely provide a jolt to most any receiving corps, but he is also coming off a 2021 campaign in which he missed five games and posted a career-low 570 receiving yards (though, in fairness, at least some of that production can be attributed to a Browns passing game that was limited by quarterback Baker Mayfield‘s shoulder injury). His contract with Cleveland featured an AAV of just over $15MM, but the expectation is that his next deal will not hit even that yearly average, let alone a $20MM/year rate.

Indeed, several of Landry’s previously-reported suitors may no longer be interested in his services. The Falcons brought him in for a visit, but that was when the club was still in the thick of the Deshaun Watson race, and Watson and Atlanta were contemplating ways to upgrade the QB’s would-be receiving corps. The Chiefs were also said to be interested in Landry in the immediate aftermath of his Cleveland release, but Kansas City has since acquired fellow slot man JuJu Smith-Schuster and has replaced Tyreek Hill with Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Landry could, of course, still end up catching passes from Watson in 2022. The Browns were the surprise winner of the Watson sweepstakes, and even after they landed the embattled passer and furnished him with a historic contract, they were said to be open to a reunion with Landry. The Saints, who joined the Chiefs in the hunt for Landry once he became a free agent, have not done anything to upgrade their stable of wideouts this offseason, so they could theoretically still be in play.

If the LSU product really is shooting for a contract worth around $20MM per year, however, he might not be signing for a while.

Panthers’ Plans At Quarterback

March 26th, 2022 at 9:52pm CST by Ely Allen

After losing out on the Deshaun Watson-sweepstakes, the Panthers have maintained that they still intend to add another quarterback to the roster, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. In a press conference covered by Shook and Joseph Person of The Athletic, general manager Scott Fitterer laid out the team’s plans moving forward.

Answering the obvious question, quarterbacks Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker are still under contract and will be afforded every opportunity to earn the starting job moving forward. The issue there lies in the fact that they’ve already been given such an opportunity and the question of future quarterback is still being asked as a result. Fitterer did inform reporters that head coach Matt Rhule had talked with a free agent signing from last year, Cam Newton. On the matter, Fitterer said, “The thing with Cam, it’s gotta be a fit for us and it’s gotta be a fit for him, just as well. He’s looking for a certain opportunity. The door’s still open for us.”

The free agent quarterback market really cleared out after Watson’s trade to Cleveland. There are still some NFL-experienced options in the trade market, though. As of now, Fitterer asserts that they haven’t heard from San Francisco or Cleveland about Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield. Since phones tend to have the ability to both send AND receive calls, it stands to reason that the Panthers not reaching out to initiate conversations over the available quarterbacks is a reflection of their level of interest. Still, Fitterer claims that they are open to receiving calls from the 49ers or Browns. They do have the luxury of waiting, possibly even until after the Draft, as there doesn’t seem to be any urgent interest in Garoppolo or Mayfield.

The most likely path, and the one most desired by Fitterer, is through the 2022 NFL Draft. Rhule and Fitterer were in attendance for Kenny Pickett’s pro day workout at Pitt and Malik Willis’ workout at Liberty. Rhule went to Mississippi’s pro day to watch Matt Corral. The only reason they didn’t go the Cincinnati to watch Desmond Ridder is because they already worked extensively with the Bearcat quarterback at the Senior Bowl and Combine. They still sent a scout and two personnel executives, though.

Suffice it to say that the Panthers have made it extremely clear that they are taking a good look at this year’s quarterback class. With the sixth pick in the first round of the Draft, Carolina could very likely take a quarterback and very well may the first team to do so, giving them their pick of the litter.

Fitterer preached a philosophy of building a team around a young quarterback on a reasonably low contract, like the Seahawks did with Russell Wilson during Fitterer’s tenure in Seattle. The only issue with this philosophy is that Rhule’s seat is getting hotter with each loss. He may not feel he has the leash to develop a young quarterback surrounded by veterans. If Rhule feels like he’s in a win-now scenario, he may push for the team to trade for one of the more proven assets like Garoppolo or Mayfield.

The route that ends up getting taken in Carolina will likely say a lot about the alignment of Rhule and Fitterer, who arrived one year after the head coach. If the team makes a move to trade for a league veteran, Fitterer likely wants to give Rhule the tools to keep his job. If the teams sits pat and waits until the Draft to address the position, it could be assumed that Fitterer is willing to let Rhule test his luck in order to build a team around his own philosophy.

NFC Coaching Notes: 49ers, Lions, Saints, Packers

March 26th, 2022 at 7:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Earlier this month, the 49ers announced a bundle of coaching hires and title changes. Head coach Kyle Shanahan informed the public of title changes for Chris Foerster (adding run game coordinator to his title of offensive line coach), Klay Kubiak (defensive quality control to assistant quarterbacks coach), and Bobby Slowik (offensive passing game specialist to offensive passing game coordinator).

Additionally, San Francisco announced the hires of James Cregg and Joe Graves as assistant offensive line coaches, Asauni Rufus and Deuce Schwartz as offensive quality control coaches, and Brian Schneider as special teams coordinator.

Here are a few other coaching notes from around the NFC starting with a note from the Motor City:

  • After seeing a good amount of shuffling in his defensive staff, Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell hinted at one last hire as the NFL Combine concluded earlier this month. The eventual hire of Lamar University defensive line coach Cameron Davis as the Lions’ new assistant defensive line coach was announced by the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches.
  • The Saints’ new head coach Dennis Allen announced some new hires to his coaching staff earlier this month. After taking a year off from coaching last year, longtime NFL wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell is joining New Orleans as a senior offensive assistant. Former journeyman cornerback Sterling Moore spent last season with the Saints as a defensive intern and has earned the position of defensive assistant. Joining Dr. Matt Rhea, who was hired away from the University of Alabama as the Saints’ director of sports science, the Saints also poached the Crimson Tide’s assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Clapp to serve as their strength coach.
  • Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported a couple of title changes and coaching hires for Matt LaFleur‘s staff in Green Bay. Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery added the title of running game coordinator to his billing. Former assistant defensive backs coach Ryan Downard was promoted to safeties coach. Quinshon Odom joins the Packers as a coaching assistant (minority fellowship) after stints as a graduate assistant coach as Eastern Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and the University of Texas. Former journeyman wide receiver and special teamer Micheal Spurlock adds a ninth team to his list, joining Green Bay as a special teams quality control coach after some time assistant coaching in the college ranks.

Texans Re-Sign LB Neville Hewitt

March 26th, 2022 at 6:24pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans are bringing back a key contributor from Lovie Smith‘s defense from last year. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Houston is bringing back linebacker Neville Hewitt on a one-year deal. 

Hewitt performed admirably in a single season try out for the Texans last year. The seventh-year undrafted player out of Marshall played the third-most snaps for Houston’s linebackers behind starters Christian Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hill, racking up five starts along the way.

Hewitt did enough coming out of college in 2015 to sign on as a free agent with the Dolphins as a rookie. After increasing his role in Year Two, the Dolphins waived Hewitt, stashing him on the practice squad for most of the 2017 season.

In 2018, Hewitt signed a one-year contract with the Jets, starting four games in his first season in New York. Hewitt broke out a bit over the next two years, stepping in to start all 28 games he appeared in with injuries to players like C.J. Mosley providing the opportunity for him to show what he could do. In 2020, Hewitt led the Jets in tackles with a career-high 134, adding 2.0 sacks, four passes defensed, and one interception to the stat sheet, as well.

The productive year in New York earned him a one-year contract with Houston in May of last year. With Kirksey and Grugier-Hill both set to return, as well, the Texans bring back their top three linebackers, providing a nice bit of defensive familiarity for Lovie Smith to start his head coaching tenure in Houston.

Latest On Deshaun Watson Investigation

March 26th, 2022 at 4:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite Deshaun Watson‘s off-field issues surfacing more than a year ago, it is not certain his NFL punishment will be known by the time the 2022 season begins.

Watson said Friday his plan remains not to settle any of the civil lawsuits filed against him, via Sarah Barshop and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com, and has continued to maintain the allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct are without merit. With the criminal cases not producing charges, the civil part of this saga shifts to the forefront regarding NFL discipline. Players do not have to be charged with crimes to be suspended, and the expectation remains the Browns’ new quarterback will be banned for an undetermined stretch.

The NFL is unlikely to act on a Watson suspension until his civil trial concludes, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com noting the league does not want to levy discipline and then see new information come out that forces an adjustment to that discipline (video link). The league’s investigation is ongoing. At least 10 of the 22 women who have filed suit against Watson have spoken with the league, Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets. The league has not interviewed Watson, with Rapoport adding that is this investigation’s final step.

The attorney for the 22 accusers who have filed civil suits, Tony Buzbee, said 17 Watson depositions remain on the docket. Buzbee expects four additional women to join the suit against Watson, who has two depositions scheduled for next week, per ESPN. With Watson not planning to settle, this matter stands to drag on for a while longer.

Anticipating a suspension, the Browns reduced Watson’s 2022 base salary to $1MM, which will significantly limit the financial penalties the quarterback will face if/once the NFL’s ban is handed down. The prospect of Watson not being suspended by Week 1 would put the NFL in an interesting situation. The Texans deactivated Watson throughout the 2021 season, but the NFL would be forced to make a decision regarding the commissioner’s exempt list if a suspension does not surface by Week 1. If Watson is not placed on the list in this scenario, it opens the door to the QB starting the season and facing an in-season suspension, a la Ezekiel Elliott in 2017. The league was not prepared to place Watson on the exempt list last year, and Elliott did not land on the list five years ago. The Cowboys running back played eight games before being suspended that year.

Chiefs, Stephon Gilmore Discussing Deal

March 26th, 2022 at 3:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Stephon Gilmore‘s top two suitors look to be in the AFC West, a division that has seen a few impact defenders arrive over the past two weeks. While the Raiders are eyeing the former Defensive Player of the Year, the Chiefs are as well.

The Chiefs have joined the Raiders in discussing a deal with Gilmore, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. The Raiders were connected to Gilmore early in free agency and have ex-Patriot staffers Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels running the team, but the veteran cornerback has options.

Gilmore, 31, being patient is unsurprising here, given his quest to see a pay raise during the second half of his Patriots tenure. Gilmore voiced frustration about his Pats contract — a five-year, $65MM deal that became wildly team-friendly as the market moved — in 2020 and 2021, leading to a pay bump for the ’20 season and a trade to the Panthers the following year. Leading up to free agency, Carolina had not closed the door on a Gilmore re-signing. But the team prioritized Donte Jackson, who has since signed an extension.

A Gilmore-Kansas City addition would give the Chiefs additional ammo in an AFC West that has seen defenders Khalil Mack, Chandler Jones, Randy Gregory, D.J. Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day and ex-Gilmore sidekick J.C. Jackson join the Chiefs’ rivals. The Chiefs lost Charvarius Ward to a $14MM-per-year 49ers deal and saw contributor Mike Hughes sign with the Lions. While Kansas City signed Justin Reid, it looks to come at the expense of a Tyrann Mathieu exit. The Chiefs still have L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton at corner, but the team is eyeing veterans.

A James Bradberry trade remains on the Chiefs’ radar, Wilson adds. The Giants are looking to move Bradberry, but he is going into a contract year on a $13.4MM salary. That has limited his trade appeal thus far. Kansas City has not spent much on cornerbacks in recent years, but its Tyreek Hill trade has freed up some cash. The defending division champs went to work immediately after dealing Hill, signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jermaine Carter over the past two days.

OL Notes: Fins, Steele, Colts, Jets, Seahawks

March 26th, 2022 at 3:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Dolphins drafted him to be Laremy Tunsil‘s left tackle successor, Austin Jackson finished his second NFL season at guard. Pro Football Focus graded Jackson as the Dolphins’ worst regular starter last season and tabbed Miami’s unit as the league’s worst. The team has since made changes, signing Terron Armstead to a big-ticket deal and adding guard Connor Williams. With Robert Hunt at right guard, the Dolphins are looking to try Jackson at a third position soon. They are planning to see how the USC product fares at right tackle, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald tweets. The Dolphins also figure to try 2021 second-rounder Liam Eichenberg on the right side, with Armstead having replaced him at left tackle. Hunt, whom PFF graded as the team’s top O-line regular last season, began his career at right tackle. But the Dolphins would prefer he stay at right guard, Jackson adds. This figures to pit Jackson and Eichenberg in a position battle. Eichenberg, who replaced Jackson on the left side last year, made 16 starts as a rookie.

Here is the latest from the O-line ranks:

  • The Cowboys made La’el Collins a cap casualty, but the team is confident in the player poised to replace him. Dallas views Terence Steele as a potential “decade-long” option at right tackle, Todd Archer of ESPN.com notes. A UDFA out of Texas Tech, Steele has made 27 starts over his first two seasons, subbing for both Collins and Tyron Smith. The Cowboys turned to Steele during Collins’ five-game PED suspension last year and used him as their primary right tackle starter in 2020, when Collins missed the entire season. This has given Dallas a notable evaluation period on the oft-used backup. Steele is not eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2024, giving Dallas more time to determine his future.
  • Matt Ryan will join a Colts team that houses some of the league’s best O-linemen, and Quenton Nelson is on track to join center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Braden Smith in being extended. But the team has a hole at left tackle again. With Eric Fisher unlikely to return, the Colts may not be ready to spend on a replacement. Swingman Matt Pryor stands to be given the first look at replacing Fisher, Mike Wells of ESPN.com notes. Pryor made guard starts for the Eagles in 2020 and started at three positions for the Colts last season, a five-start year in which he replaced Fisher, Smith and Nelson at various points. The ex-sixth-round pick is signed through the 2022 season.
  • The Jets reunited Mike LaFleur and Laken Tomlinson, giving the ex-49ers guard a three-year, $40MM deal during the legal tampering period. Tomlinson will receive $13.9MM fully guaranteed, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, adding that Tomlinson’s 2022 cap charge comes in at just $5.4MM. Tomlinson’s 2023 base salary ($12.7MM) shifts from an injury-only guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2023 league year. Tomlinson’s cap number spikes to $17.4MM in 2023.
  • The one-year, $4MM deal the Seahawks gave Austin Blythe comes with a $2.5MM signing bonus and a $1.5MM base salary, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Blythe can earn up to $500K in playing-time incentives. With Ethan Pocic unsigned, Blythe has a clear path to becoming a starting center again. The ex-Rams guard and center starter backed up Creed Humphrey throughout last season with the Chiefs.
  • Will Richardson‘s one-year Jaguars deal is worth $2MM, Wilson adds (on Twitter). Jacksonville is guaranteeing the veteran backup $975K.

Eagles Sign LB Kyzir White

March 26th, 2022 at 11:16am CST by Ben Levine

One of the NFL’s top tacklers last season has found a new home. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Eagles have signed Kyzir White.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (on Twitter) that White is inking a one-year deal worth up to $5MM.

White had a breakout campaign in 2021. The linebacker started all 17 games for the Chargers, finishing with a team-leading 144 tackles, good for eighth in the NFL. White added four QB hits, one sack, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He got into 84 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.

White was a 2018 fourth-round pick by the Chargers. The West Virginia product got into 30 games (20 starts) through his first three seasons in the NFL, collecting 134 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss.

The 26-year-old will be joining a depth chart that’s led by recent acquisition Haason Reddick. Philly is also rostering the likes of T.J. Edwards, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley, and Patrick Johnson.

Jets Sign K Greg Zuerlein

March 26th, 2022 at 9:51am CST by Ben Levine

Greg the Leg has landed in the Big Apple. The Jets announced that they have signed veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein. It’s a one-year deal worth $2.75MM, according to Connor Hughes of The Athletic (via Twitter).

Zuerlein, 34, has managed to stick around the NFL for 10 seasons, coming into the league from a Division II school and playing eight years with the Rams. That included a 2017 campaign where the kicker earned All-Pro honors after converting 95 percent of his field goals (including six of seven from 50+) and 95.7 percent of his extra point tries.

Since that 2017 campaign, Zuerlein has converted only 81.4 percent of his field goals, and the 2021 season saw him miss a career-high six extra point attempts. As a result, the veteran was cut by the Cowboys earlier this month, saving the organization $2MM. According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter), the veteran kicker had back surgery last offseason that “affected his swing,” so there’s some optimism Zuerlein can return to form in 2022.

The Jets relied on the duo of Eddy Pineiro and Matt Ammendola for kicking duties in 2021. The two players are still on the Jets roster, but their future outlook with the organization doesn’t look great following today’s transaction.

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