HEADLINES

Month: October 2024

Latest On Matt Ryan’s Future With Colts

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Ryan isn’t a stopgap solution at QB for the Colts. Owner Jim Irsay told reporters that he could envision a multiyear partnership with the veteran quarterback, and he refused to compare the situation to Philip Rivers‘ one-year stint with the organization.

“Matt is different than Philip, this is definitely different than that,” Irsay said (via ESPN’s Mike Wells). “It’s not drafting Andrew Luck, but it’s different than Philip. We knew Philip was going to be a one-year sort of thing and we view this as very possibly a three-year thing. Who knows. It’s hard to put a number on it.”

While the Colts seem content to ride with the 36-year-old quarterback for the foreseeable future, Irsay also admitted that the front office is continuing to target young options at the position.

“We hope Matt can be here for four years, maybe,” Irsay said. “We certainly have our radar out for a young guy that can be the long-term future.”

Ryan had one of the least-productive seasons of his career in 2021. He went 7-10 in 17 starts, throwing for 3,968 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The veteran still has two years remaining on the five-year, $150MM extension he signed with the Falcons in 2018, and his cap hit means he’s pretty much locked in for at least the next two seasons. That’s fine with Ryan, who’s excited to join the Colts.

“I’m excited to be a part of a team where there’s other guys to lean on, too,” Ryan said (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “You can turn around and hand that thing off. (Jonathan Taylor) can go for big numbers for us. You got good wide receivers, good tight ends, great offensive line, really good defense. To me, that’s one of the things that has me most excited.”

Latest On Jadeveon Clowney, Jarvis Landry

May 3rd, 2022 at 8:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Despite adding a pass rusher and wideout in the draft, the Browns could still re-sign defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Speaking to reporters, Browns GM Andrew Berry said the team’s draft decisions wouldn’t preclude them from re-upping the two veterans, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Veteran Browns reporter Tony Grossi echoed that sentiment (on Twitter), saying the Browns continue to target Clowney and a receiver.

We heard last month that a Cleveland return was still in play for both Clowney and Landry. However, the organization obviously couldn’t rely on either player returning, so they selected UAB defensive end Alex Wright with the No. 78 pick and Purdue wide receiver David Bell with the No. 99 pick.

Clowney, 29, has famously never landed a long-term contract as a veteran, going from a 2018 fifth-year option to a 2019 franchise tag to one-year deals with the Titans and Browns in the following years. Playing opposite Myles Garrett, Clowney registered nine sacks last season. He played with Watson for two seasons in Houston.

The Browns still have interest in bringing back Landry despite releasing him earlier this offseason in a cost-cutting move. Landry’s five-year Pro Bowl streak stopped after the 2019 season, and he finished with a career-low 570 receiving yards last year. When Watson is available in 2022, the Browns should feature superior aerial capabilities.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/3/22

May 3rd, 2022 at 7:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Waived: WR Chris Finke

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

AFC South Teams Add Players Via International Player Pathway Program

May 3rd, 2022 at 6:46pm CST by Ben Levine

This year was the AFC South’s turn to participate in the International Player Pathway program, which allows teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads. This year’s players include (via the NFL on Twitter):

  • Colts: DB Marcel Dabo, Germany
  • Texans: DL Adedayo Odeleye, Nigeria/UK
  • Titans: TE Thomas Odukoya, Netherlands
  • Jaguars: DB Ayo Oyelola, UK

Per the league’s website, the “program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.”

These players will sit on their respective team’s roster until the end of training camp, at which time the teams will be granted “an international player practice squad exemption.” Assuming these players land on the practice squad, they’ll be ineligible to be activated during the 2022 campaign.

Patricipants in last year’s program included tight end Bernhard Seikovits (Cardinals), offensive lineman Alfredo Gutierrez (49ers), offensive lineman Max Pircher (Rams), and linebacker Aaron Donkor (Seahawks).

Ravens Notes: WRs, Clark, Ojabo

May 3rd, 2022 at 5:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens were busier than expected during Round 1 of last week’s draft, making not one but two selections. To acquire the second pick, of course, they honored Marquise Brown‘s trade request. That was the largest of a number of receiver departures this offseason, leaving many surprised the team didn’t draft a wideout at any point over the weekend.

When asked about that, general manager Eric DeCosta said, “it wasn’t for a lack of effort. I think, honestly, the fact that there was a run of receivers in the first round like there was … I wouldn’t say it was a great receiver class in general, compared to some of the years… There were some receivers that we liked; we tried to take a couple guys at different points… I said this last year, but we like our receivers.” 

Baltimore’s WR room now consists of recent draftees Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche and Tylan Wallace. DeCosta did say, though, that the team “will add players to the mix”, a process which will likely involve diving into the remaining free agent market.

Here are some more notes from around Charm City:

  • Regarding DeCosta’s above remark about failing to land draft targets at WR, they were apparently one pick away from selecting Calvin Austin III, according to Peter King of FMIA. As he details, Baltimore was prepared to use pick No. 139 on the Memphis speedster, but the Steelers took him at 138. While they didn’t draft a wideout, the Ravens did add a pair of tight ends in the fourth round: Charlie Kolar and Isiah Likley.
  • After the Ravens drafted safety Kyle Hamilton 14th overall, some have raised questions about Chuck Clark‘s future with the team. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora writes that it’s “hard to see” Baltimore keeping the latter much longer, given Hamilton’s skillset and the recent trend of trading away valued players seeking new and/or larger roles.
  • Another draft pick vaunted for its relative value was that of edge rusher David Ojabo in the second round. His reason for falling out of the first round – a torn Achilles suffered at his pro day – has many expecting the Michigan product to miss his entire rookie season. However, as ESPN’s Jamison Hensley writes, the team is “optimistic that at some point this year he’ll have a chance to play”, a sentiment which Ojabo himself also shares.

DeAndre Hopkins’ Long-Term Future In Doubt?

May 3rd, 2022 at 3:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

It came out yesterday that DeAndre Hopkins will miss more than a third of the 2022 season due to a violation of the NFL’s PED policy. As Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes, his return from suspension will play a large role in affecting his future with the Cardinals beyond the coming campaign. 

[RELATED: Hopkins Suspended Six Games For PED Violation]

The 29-year-old was everything the Cardinals would have asked for in his first year after being traded by the Texans. He put up his third-highest career total in terms of receiving yards with 1,407, adding six touchdowns on 115 receptions. Part of the reason he was able to do that was the fact that he was available for the entire season. As of the beginning of the 2021 campaign, Hopkins had missed only two games in his career.

That changed last year, though. He missed a combined total of seven contests in the regular season, as well as the team’s playoff loss to the Rams. His absence down the stretch was caused by a torn MCL, and had a dramatic impact on the team’s offense. The suspension means that, by the time Hopkins his eligible to return, he will have been sidelined for 14 of Arizona’s 16 most recent games.

Breer confirms that, as many expected, the knowledge of Hopkins’ impending suspension contributed to “the Cardinals’ pursuit of, and eventual trade for” Marquise Brown. More importantly, though, Breer also notes the financial ramifications of keeping Hopkins beginning in 2023. At that point, his salary is scheduled to jump from $6.65MM to just under $19.5MM, while his cap hit will spike to over $30MM. The 2024 season would, as his contract is currently structured, be similarly expensive.

Between that, and the uncertainty which will surround the five-time Pro Bowler regarding his recovery, Breer writes that “how the back end of 2022 goes for him could go a long way to determining where his career goes thereafter”. That statement would have been much more surprising 24 hours ago, but now, the degree to which it could hold true will be a storyline worth watching throughout the year.

Texans To Cut DL Kingsley Keke

May 3rd, 2022 at 1:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kingsley Keke was scheduled to start his Texans career this fall, but he will suiting up elsewhere. The Texans are cutting the 25-year-old, reports Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network (on Twitter).

Keke, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2019, took on an increasingly large role in Green Bay over his three seasons there. He made 17 starts between 2020 and 2021, totalling 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks during that span; those totals contributed to consistent PFF grades in the 60s. His time with the team came to an abrupt end, however, and he was waived in January.

The Texans claimed Keke off waivers not long after, which pointed to him becoming another young piece to Houston’s rebuilding roster. However, as Wilson notes, he was due a base salary of just over $2.5MM as a result of playtime escalators, making him an expensive rotational option. Releasing him does not incur any dead cap charge for the Texans.

Houston drafted Thomas Booker in the fifth round, and has signed Damion Daniels as a UDFA to add cheaper options at the position. Wilson does note, though, that the Texas A&M product is expected to have a market for his services as he hits free agency for the first time in his career.

Jaguars To Re-Sign DL Adam Gotsis

May 3rd, 2022 at 12:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Adam Gotsis will be extending his stay in Duval County. The veteran defensive lineman is re-signing with the Jaguars, per his agent David Canter (Twitter link via Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson). 

The 29-year-old began his career with the Broncos in 2016. While he played a reserve role in his rookie season, he took on a starter’s workload the following year. It was in that 2017 campaign that he set a career high in tackles with 41, adding a pair of sacks and five quarterback hits. A similar performance in 2018 had many expecting a lucrative extension was forthcoming.

However, the former second-rounder ended his final season in Denver by undergoing knee surgery. That concluded an underwhelming year for him, as he struggled in then-head coach Vic Fangio‘s system. It also made the decision easier on the Broncos to let the Georgia Tech alum leave in free agency.

That offseason, Gotsis signed in Jacksonville for the first time. He demonstrated that he had recovered from the injury, playing the full season and making 14 starts. While he was held without a sack, his level of play earned him another deal with the Jaguars last year. The Australian saw a dip in playing time, but still managed to match his career high with three sacks.

In 2022, Gotsis will likely once again see a rotational role. The Jaguars added Folorunso Fatukasi in free agency, and selected Travon Walker with the No. 1 pick in last week’s draft. Still, he will add experienced depth to what figures to be a much improved defensive front.

Chiefs To Sign UDFA Justyn Ross

May 3rd, 2022 at 10:49am CST by Adam La Rose

One of the biggest names amongst undrafted free agents appears to be headed to Kansas City. Former Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross is signing with the Chiefs, per Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson (Twitter link). 

Ross was one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s class. His college career began with a hugely productive freshman season in 2018, where he registered 46 catches for exactly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. Standing out on a team which also featured the likes of Tee Higgins and Hunter Renfrow, he was thought to be a first-round lock and the next in a long line of high-end Tigers receivers.

The following season did little to quell those thoughts. He put up 66 receptions and another eight touchdowns, playing a key role in Clemson going undefeated. In the National Championship game victory over Alabama, he was the team’s leading receiver, averaging over 25 yards per catch. It was after that, however, that his draft stock began to plummet.

In 2020, Ross underwent surgery to correct a congenital fusion in his neck. The procedure cost him his entire junior season, and, for a time, left his ability to play football in doubt. Those concerns were amplified by a second fusion surgery he underwent, as noted by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Ross was able to come back last year, however, playing in 10 games.

Given his injury history, “many teams” took Ross off of their draft boards completely, as noted by Rapoport. His earlier production, coupled with his size (six-foot-four, 205 pounds), though, made him worth a flier in the Chiefs’ eyes. In Kansas City, he will enter a WR room which has seen Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle leave this offseason. In response, the team has added JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and second-rounder Skyy Moore.

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