HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Steelers Conduct Second GM Interviews With Brandon Hunt, Omar Khan

May 12th, 2022 at 4:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers’ thorough general manager search has seen a few outside candidates receive second interviews. Ryan Cowden (Titans), John Spytek, Andy Weidl (Eagles) and former Bills GM Doug Whaley have met with the Steelers twice about their GM vacancy.

The team still has two of its own staffers as candidates, however. Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt have gone through second interviews for Kevin Colbert‘s old job, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. These two surfaced as the initial candidates for the job and remain in the mix several months later.

Khan, who serves as the Steelers’ vice president of football and business administration, has been with the team since 2001 and has served as a central figure in the team’s contract negotiations. Other teams have reached out to him about their GM vacancies over the past two offseasons. The Bears met with Khan this year, and the Panthers and Texans interviewed him in 2021. Khan was on the doorstep of being hired as Houston’s GM, but the franchise changed course and pivoted back to Nick Caserio at the 11th hour.

Hunt is up for two jobs in Pennsylvania, being in contention for a high-ranking gig in the Eagles’ front office. The Steelers’ pro scouting director, Hunt is in his second stint with the team. He began interning for the team in 2005 and returned in 2010. Hunt also met with the Raiders about their GM vacancy this offseason.

Here is how the Steelers’ expansive GM search looks as of Thursday afternoon:

  • Morocco Brown, college scouting director (Colts): Interviewed
  • Ran Carthon, director of player personnel (49ers): Interviewed
  • Ryan Cowden, vice president of player personnel (Titans): Conducted second interview
  • Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interviewed 2/4
  • Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel (Ravens): Interviewed
  • Brandon Hunt, pro scouting director (Steelers): Conducted second interview
  • Omar Khan, vice president of football and business administration (Steelers): Conducted second interview
  • Dan Morgan, assistant general manager (Panthers): Interviewed
  • Jerry Reese, former general manager (Giants): Interviewed
  • Louis Riddick, former director of pro personnel (Eagles): Interviewed
  • Rick Spielman, former general manager (Vikings): Interviewed
  • John Spytek, director of player personnel (Buccaneers): Conducted second interview
  • Andy Weidl, vice president of player personnel (Eagles): Conducted second interview
  • Doug Whaley, vice president of player personnel (XFL): Conducted second interview
  • John Wojciechowski, co-director of player personnel (Packers): Interviewed
  • JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel (Chargers): Interviewed

Falcons To Sign LB Nick Kwiatkoski

May 12th, 2022 at 3:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Kwiatkoski met with the Falcons last week and huddled up with the Raiders’ new staff this week. The former Bears and Raiders linebacker is going with his first visit.

The Falcons are signing Kwiatkoski to a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This will reunite Kwiatkoski with former Bears GM Ryan Pace, who joined the Falcons’ front office this offseason. The then-Pace-run Bears used a fourth-round pick on Kwiatkoski in 2016.

Given a three-year, $21MM deal in 2020, Kwiatkoski worked as a Raiders starter that year but operated as a depth piece last season. The Raiders added multiple new pieces on their defensive second level, one that already included fellow 2020 signing Cory Littleton, and Kwiatkoski did not start any games in 2021. With the Raiders transitioning from their Jon Gruden–Mike Mayock power structure, it led Kwiatkoski back to free agency. Las Vegas’ new regime cut Kwiatkoski and Littleton this offseason, though it showed interest in reuniting with the former. Littleton signed with the Panthers.

Atlanta has addressed its off-ball linebacker spots extensively this offseason, signing ex-Titans starter Rashaan Evans and using a second-round pick on Troy Anderson. Although the team is in the early stages of a rebuild, it still rosters highly paid inside ‘backer Deion Jones. Kwiatkoski, 29 this month, stands to represent depth, at worst, for the Falcons. He made 81 tackles in 2020 and has started 34 career games.

Titans To Sign DL DeMarcus Walker

May 12th, 2022 at 3:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeMarcus Walker‘s partial tour through the AFC South will lead to a Titans agreement. The sixth-year veteran defensive lineman, who met with the Colts and Titans recently, will latch on with the latter, according to his agent (Twitter link).

A former second-round pick, Walker spent last season in the AFC South as well. The Texans used the Florida State alum as a rotational defensive lineman. He will continue to work in a 3-4 scheme, transitioning from the one in Denver to Houston and now Tennessee.

While the Broncos tried the ex-Seminoles defensive lineman as an outside linebacker during his rookie year, he fared better at his natural interior defender position. Walker started slow but compiled eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss from 2019-20. The Broncos did not opt to re-sign him, as they transitioned from the John Elway regime to current GM George Paton, and Walker landed with the Texans on a one-year deal worth $1.5MM.

This Titans pact likely comes in at a similar price. Tennessee returns starters Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Teair Tart up front. Walker will look to position himself as one of Simmons and Autry’s D-end backups. Tennessee did not draft a defensive lineman this year, increasing the need for depth here.

Lions’ Amani Oruwariye Eyeing Long-Term Deal

May 12th, 2022 at 1:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

After he enjoyed a breakout season, the Lions let it be known they were considering an extension with cornerback Amani Oruwariye. As detailed by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the desire to get a deal done is mutual. 

[RELATED: Lions Discussing Oruwariye Extension]

“Yeah, I love Detroit” the 26-year-old said when asked about his intention of signing long-term. “I mean, I love being here. I love everything it’s given me. It’s given me a chance to play in the NFL, so ideally that’s where I want to be at. But we’ll see.”

A fifth round pick in 2019, Oruwariye recorded a pair of interceptions in his rookie season, but it wasn’t until the following year that he became a full-time starter. He played a career-high 1,028 snaps in 2020, taking significant strides in pass coverage. That set the stage for this past campaign.

Stepping into the No. 1 role as a result of Jeff Okudah‘s torn Achilles, Oruwariye set career highs across the board in tackles (57), interceptions (six) and passes defensed (11), continuing to improve nearly all of his coverage statistics along the way. His level of play made him a strong candidate for an extension, so it came as little surprise when general manager Brad Holmes said the team was considering offering him one.

“Obviously, with Amani, with the ball production that he had, and just being a good teammate – he’s really developed as a leader” he said when discussing the subject last month. “He’s still a young guy… There’s still upside in him.”

If Oruwariye does land a second contract, he will likely earn a considerable raise from the $2.54MM he is due in 2022. While the team could wait one more season to extend him, doing so could ultimately drive his asking price up, if he continues his current career trajectory.

Steelers To Conduct Second GM Interview With Andy Weidl

May 12th, 2022 at 11:53am CST by Adam La Rose

The list of general manager candidates receiving second looks from the Steelers continues to grow. Pittsburgh is set to interview Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl again, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link).

A Pittsburgh native, Weidl began his front office career with the Steelers in 1998 as a player personnel assistant. His time with the team was short-lived, as he went on to have scouting stints with both the Saints and Ravens. In 2016, he joined the Eagles’ front office, ultimately being promoted to his current role three years later.

Weidl was named an interviewee in February as the Steelers cast a wide net in search of Kevin Colbert‘s replacement. His connection to the Steelers, and success the Eagles enjoyed during his tenure there, make him a logical candidate for the vacant GM position. If he were to leave, he would continue a significant exodus of key front office personnel suffered by the Eagles this offseason. The list of executives moving on to other franchises includes Brandon Brown, Ian Cunningham, Catherine Raiche and scouting director Casey Weidl, Andy’s brother.

This news adds Weidl to the pool of candidates receiving extra consideration, a group which now has four members. Here is an updated look at the search:

Jaguars Reach Agreement With No. 1 Pick Travon Walker

May 12th, 2022 at 10:06am CST by Adam La Rose

The top pick in this year’s draft is about to sign his rookie contract. The Jaguars have agreed to terms with Travon Walker, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 

Walker gained steam throughout the pre-draft process as a member of the class’ deep edge rusher pool. One month before the draft, though, he was named as a candidate for the Jaguars to be selected first overall. Even at that time, many still believed the team would lean towards the more known commodity in Aidan Hutchinson, or look to bolster their offensive line by choosing either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu.

One day before the first round, Jacksonville signed left tackle Cam Robinson to an extension, a move which took the latter two prospects out of consideration. By that point, Walker had become the favorite for the top pick, having been identified as an attractive blend of size and athleticism for general manager Trent Baalke. While there was a reported disagreement between he and owner Shad Khan on the Walker-Hutchinson debate, Baalke ultimately landed his preferred option.

Across three seasons at Georgia, Walker flashed his potential as a disruptive force against both the pass and the run. His final season was his most productive, as he totalled 33 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss, along with six sacks. The contrast between those numbers and those of more accomplished pass rushers like Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux were weighed against Walker’s perceived ceiling and the limitations placed on him in the Bulldogs’ highly-talented defense.

As a result of being the top pick, Walker will earn a fully-guaranteed $37.4MM over four years. The deal also includes a $24.4MM signing bonus. In Jacksonville, he will look to pair with 2019 first-rounder Josh Allen as the focal points of a re-vamped defensive unit.

Patriots To Trade Jarrett Stidham To Raiders

May 12th, 2022 at 9:07am CST by Adam La Rose

After they added more depth to their quarterback room, the Patriots were likely to make a move with Jarrett Stidham. They have done so today, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports (on Twitter) that New England is trading him to the Raiders. 

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds that New England is sending a seventh round pick along with Stidham in exchange for a sixth-rounder from Vegas (Twitter link). The deal represents a new beginning for the 25-year-old, but it will reunite him with a familiar face on the Raiders’ staff in Josh McDaniels.

After being drafted in the fourth round by New England in 2019, Stidham worked with the new Vegas head coach when he served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. That season marked Tom Brady‘s last with the team, so it came as no surprise that he only attempted four passes in the regular season. After Brady’s departure, though, expectations were raised for Stidham to be able to take over the starting role.

That didn’t end up happening, however, as the Baylor and Auburn alum sat behind Cam Newton. Stidham made five appearances, completing 22 of 44 passes for 256 yards, a pair of touchdowns and three interceptions. Between the level of play showed by both signal-callers, the Patriots entered the subsequent draft needing a new quarterback. They filled that need by selecting Mac Jones in the first round.

This year, the team selected Bailey Zappe in the fourth round to further add to the depth chart. Given the presence of the Western Kentucky product, as well as veteran Brian Hoyer, Stidham would have faced stiff competition for a roster spot. The same could be true in Vegas, as he will join Nick Mullens, Garrett Gilbert and Chase Garbers in vying for the backup job behind Derek Carr.

Contract Details: Addison, Michel, Chargers

May 11th, 2022 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve compiled some updated numbers on recent NFL signings:

  • Mario Addison, DE (Texans): two-year deal. Contract has a $7.7MM base value, including a $2MM signing bonus, per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter.
  • Bryce Callahan, CB (Chargers): signed. It’s a one-year deal worth $1.27MM, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). The deal has a cap hit of $1.04MM thanks to the veteran salary benefit. Callahan will earn a base salary of $1.12MM and a signing bonus worth $152.5K.
  • Mike Davis, RB (Ravens): signed. It’s a one-year deal for the veteran running back, per Yates (on Twitter). The deal is worth a bit more than $1.20MM, meaning Davis’s cap hit will qualify for the veteran salary benefit contract.
  • Tyrann Mathieu, CB (Saints): three-year, $33MM deal ($18MM guaranteed). The deal features a $9.5MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed base salaries in 2022 and 2023. The contract is effectively a three-year pact worth $27MM, with $18MM guaranteed and $2MM in yearly bonuses (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com).
  • Sony Michel, RB (Dolphins): one-year, $2.1MM deal. The contract includes a $1.75MM base value, including a $350K signing bonus (per Yates on Twitter).
  • E.J. Perry, QB (Jaguars): signed. The UDFA received $230K in guaranteed money from Jacksonville, including a $23K signing bonus and a guaranteed $207K salary, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
  • Kyle Van Noy, LB (Chargers): one-year deal. The contract’s base value and cap hit are worth $2.25MM. Includes $1.5MM base salary and $750K signing bonus, per Yates on Twitter.

Bears Sign WR Dante Pettis

May 11th, 2022 at 9:03pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears have made another move at wide receiver. Chicago is signing wideout Dante Pettis, the receiver announced on Twitter.

[RELATED: Bears To Sign WR Tajae Sharpe]

Pettis was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2018, and he had a solid showing during his rookie campaign, hauling in 27 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns. Since then, the receiver has collected only 15 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns during stints with the 49ers and Giants.

After getting waived by San Francisco during the 2020 campaign, Pettis landed in New York. In one-plus seasons with the Giants, Pettis averaged 32.6 yards per game in five contests while adding a pair of touchdowns. The receiver’s 2021 season ended on injured reserve after he suffered a shoulder injury.

The Bears have been busy reshaping their receivers depth chart this offseason. While they let Allen Robinson walk in free agency, they’ve added Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, David Moore, Tajae Sharpe (who they signed earlier today), and now Pettis via free agency. The team also drafted Tennessee wideout Velus Jones in the third round of the draft, meaning the majority (if not all) of the receivers depth behind Darnell Mooney will consist of newcomers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/22

May 11th, 2022 at 7:40pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

  • Claimed (from Giants): TE Rysen John
  • Waived/failed physical: TE Jesper Horsted

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Claimed (from Colts): TE Eli Wolf
  • Waived: WR Chris Blair

Jacksonville Jaguars

New England Patriots

  • Claimed (from Lions): TE Matthew Sokol

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Load More Posts