HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/22

July 29th, 2022 at 5:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Friday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

New England Patriots

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

  • Signed: DL Tomasi Laulile

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Signed as a UDFA shortly after the draft, Mevis fared rather poorly in a Thursday workout. The rookie kicker missed badly on three warmup kicks, one of which drilling ex-Cowboys HC Dave Campo (of Hard Knocks 2002 fame), per ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco. Mevis had struggled during the start of Jaguars camp. This is Fry’s seventh NFL team since he entered the league in 2019. The workout-circuit regular has played in three regular-season games — one-offs with the Falcons, Bengals and Chiefs. The Jags also have kicker Ryan Santoso on their roster.

A hamstring injury, sustained during a workout shortly after a flight to Green Bay, sidelined Watkins for the start of Packers camp. The veteran will try to shake a well-earned injury-prone label in Green Bay, though the former top-five pick’s roster spot may not be 100% secure. Andrews, who returned in 2020 after missing all of the 2019 season due to blood clots, underwent offseason shoulder surgery. He is back for a seventh season as the Patriots’ starting center.

Raiders Place OLB Kyler Fackrell On IR

July 29th, 2022 at 4:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kyler Fackrell‘s Raiders time could be shortlived. The team placed the veteran edge rusher on injured reserve Friday, clearing a roster spot for running back addition Austin Walter.

The Raiders reached an agreement to add Fackrell in March, adding the former Packers, Giants and Chargers edge on a one-year deal worth $1.19MM. The Raiders guaranteed Fackrell $633K to sign.

An injury settlement could clear a path for Fackrell to sign elsewhere, but for now, he is out of the picture for the Raiders. Las Vegas has its well-paid bookend duo — Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones — set to start, but this roster designation leaves questions beyond the top tandem. Former No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell has not worked out, to the point the fourth-year pass rusher may be on the team’s roster bubble as training camp begins.

A third-round Packers pick in 2016, Fackrell delivered an interesting 2018 season by accumulating 10.5 sacks as a part-time starter. The Giants gave him a one-year, $4.6MM deal in 2020, and he worked mostly as a starter with Big Blue. Fackrell played a rotational role with the Bolts, signing for $1.5MM. He registered seven sacks over the past two years.

Ferrell would make for an ideal No. 3 pass rusher, but he has not proven reliable as a pro. The Raiders were busy adding defensive tackles this offseason, but Fackrell represented their lone notable depth addition outside.

G J.R. Sweezy To Retire With Seahawks

July 29th, 2022 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

3:48pm: This agreement may not be for Sweezy to give it another go in Seattle. Not long after signing K.J. Wright to a ceremonial deal to let him retire as a Seahawk, the organization is doing the same for Sweezy, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets.

Part of the draft class that included Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson, Sweezy served as a regular on a Seahawks O-line that helped move Wilson toward the Hall of Fame track and give Marshawn Lynch a career-defining second act. Behind 1,200-plus-yard seasons from Lynch, the Seahawks ranked as a top-10 offense from 2012-14. Being part of this group helped Sweezy eventually top $30MM in career earnings.

3:31pm: J.R. Sweezy has not played since the 2020 season, but the former Seahawks draftee is going home. The Seahawks will give the veteran guard another chance, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

This stands to be Sweezy’s third Seattle stint. He arrived as a 2012 seventh-round pick and, after his Buccaneers free agent deal did not pan out, wound up back with his original team in 2018. The Seahawks let Sweezy walk in 2019, and he ended up starting two seasons with the Cardinals.

Sweezy, 33, caught on with the Saints in 2021 but did not make their 53-man roster. Despite Sweezy having missed two full seasons since 2016, the prior one because of injury, he has made 104 career starts. Sixty-four of those have come with the Seahawks, who deployed him as a first-stringer during each of their Super Bowl campaigns.

A starter in both Super Bowl XLVIII and Super Bowl XLIX, Sweezy commanded a five-year, $32.5MM deal from the Bucs in 2016. An injury wiped out his first Tampa Bay season, and the Bucs eventually moved on after the 2017 slate.

The Seahawks used Sweezy as a starter again in 2018, after giving him a one-year deal worth just $1.5MM. He parlayed Seahawks stint No. 2 into a two-year, $9MM Cardinals pact and was part of the team’s first two Kyler Murray-protecting O-lines. Considering Sweezy’s full-season absence in 2021, his latest Seahawks agreement is likely at or close to the veteran minimum.

Giants Work Out RB Devontae Booker

July 29th, 2022 at 3:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the new Giants regime made Devontae Booker one of a few notable cap casualties this offseason, they have circled back to Saquon Barkley‘s former backup.

Booker worked out for the Giants on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The Giants have not made major tweaks to their running back room since releasing Booker in March, only signing ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge Matt Breida as a possible backup.

Booker, 30, has not been connected to any other teams since being cut, but he has established himself as one of the league’s better backup backs. He has collected some decent (for a reserve running back) dough since leaving Denver. Most of that came from the Giants, who signed him to a two-year, $6MM deal in 2021.

Although Phillip Lindsay‘s quick emergence kept Booker on the bench to close out his Broncos contract, the former fourth-round pick caught on with both the Raiders and Giants. He played extensively for each team, totaling 1,016 rushing yards over the past two years. Booker filled in for Barkley during the latter’s latest injury hiatus, leading the 2021 Giants with 593 yards (4.1 per carry) and adding 40 receptions.

Another Giants pact would almost certainly not match the money Booker received during Dave Gettleman‘s GM regime, but the team’s backfield would not exactly be thrown off by bringing Booker back at a lower rate. The Giants have seen their starter run into extensive injury trouble over the past three seasons, and although Barkley has gone through his smoothest offseason in three years, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year probably needs to be backstopped with a proven insurance option.

Mike Kafka On Radar To Call Giants’ Plays

July 29th, 2022 at 2:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

When the Giants hired four-year Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, it was expected the play-caller who helped Josh Allen become a top-tier quarterback would run the show for the Giants. The rookie HC might have other plans.

Giants OC Mike Kafka is calling plays at training camp, and while making these scripted calls is quite different from being an in-game play-caller, Daboll said he has not finalized his decision on who will call regular-season plays.

“Mike has done a really good job in the spring, which he handled the scripts,” Daboll said, via Giants.com’s Michael Eisen. “And again, we talk on a day-to-day basis on plays and things to install. But he’s been on the headset with Daniel [Jones]. And he’ll be doing that through camp. And as we get closer to it, we’ll sit down and discuss it. … Once we cross that bridge, which we’ve still got a little bit here to go, you guys will know.”

Daboll has a several-year head start on calling plays compared to Kafka, who worked under both Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy in Kansas City. While Kafka, 34, was Patrick Mahomes‘ position coach during each of the superstar’s four years as the Chiefs’ starter, Daboll enjoyed play-calling stints prior to Buffalo. He worked as OC in Cleveland, Miami and Kansas City from 2009-12. Daboll then established himself as a candidate for HC jobs by elevating Allen from a raw talent to a player that has done the most to reinstall the Bills as a Super Bowl contender.

It would surprise if Daboll ceded play-calling reins in his first year on the job. Most OCs that rise to the HC level call plays, and Daboll’s arrival represented a key development for Jones, who is going into what amounts to a make-or-break year as the Giants’ starter. Kafka calling plays for the Giants would also give him a potentially quicker path to the HC level, though it is a bit early to predict when the former NFL QB will be part of a coaching carousel.

Broncos, Russell Wilson Yet To Begin Extension Talks

July 29th, 2022 at 2:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Broncos and Russell Wilson have expressed the obvious desire for a long-term partnership, a scenario introduced by the historic trade package sent to the quarterback’s former team. But the sides are operating methodically here.

No negotiations are believed to have taken place yet, Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Wilson is signed through the 2023 season, with the two years of remaining control — on a $35MM-per-year contract the Seahawks negotiated in 2019 — helping increase the trade package Seattle received in March.

“I’m excited to be here for a long time, and I think that will definitely happen,” Wilson said. “So we’ll see where it goes.”

Broncos GM George Paton said earlier this week the negotiations will be kept in-house but added, via Howe, “We didn’t give up all we gave up for him to be here for two years; that’s for sure.” The Broncos would have the option of a 2024 franchise tag with their new quarterback, but this situation should not be expected to reach that point. Wilson, 33, should be expected to sign a monster extension with the Broncos. If the timing of the perennial Pro Bowler’s two Seahawks negotiations is any indication, an extension during his contract-year offseason (2023, in this case) will commence.

Wilson’s previous two negotiations did not exactly stay in-house. In 2015, Wilson extension talks ran from mid-April to late July. The Seahawks hammered out a deal July 31, 2015 — a four-year, $87.6MM agreement — but that came after numerous headlines pertaining to the talks surfaced. In 2018, a report emerged indicating Wilson expected to be tagged after his second contract expired. But, after a three-plus-month negotiation in 2019 — one that included Wilson setting a mid-April deadline to wrap his third contract — the sides reached agreement on the then-record $35MM-AAV extension.

Although the Broncos gave Peyton Manning a lucrative five-year deal in 2012, this will be new financial terrain for a franchise that has famously struggled to replace the all-time great. Denver’s issues replacing Manning, a marketplace that could include new deals for Lamar Jackson and possibly Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, an again-rising salary cap, and the Broncos being set to have the NFL’s wealthiest owner (Rob Walton) soon all stand to work in Wilson’s favor.

A bounce-back year from the likely Hall of Fame-bound passer would only further drive up his market. Although Paton and Seahawks GM John Schneider kept their trade talks quiet, Wilson’s past negotiations indicate low-key contract talks might not happen. Regardless of how this process reaches a conclusion, the Broncos will be expected to have their new franchise passer signed long-term by the start of the 2023 campaign.

Bengals Hire Adam Zimmer As Offensive Assistant

July 29th, 2022 at 1:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adam Zimmer has worked on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career, but the Bengals are bringing back their former assistant in a different capacity.

The recent Vikings defensive coordinator will work for the defending AFC champions as a senior offensive analyst, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). This will mark a return for the second-generation NFL coach. Zimmer, 38, spent the 2013 season as the Bengals’ assistant defensive backs coach, working in Cincinnati during the final year of Mike Zimmer‘s DC stay.

One of a few sons of former head coaches still active in the game, Adam Zimmer has been an NFL staffer above the quality-control level since he was 22. The Saints used him as their assistant linebackers coach to start Sean Payton‘s tenure in 2006, and he held that role through New Orleans’ Super Bowl-winning 2009 slate. The younger Zimmer has since worked for the Chiefs, Bengals and Vikings.

Mike Zimmer’s Minnesota hire naturally meant his son followed, and the longtime Vikings HC promoted his son from linebackers coach to DC in 2020. Adam Zimmer, however, shared that role with Andre Patterson. Although Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks developed into Pro Bowlers on Zimmer’s watch, his shot at the DC job did not go especially well. Injuries plagued the 2020 Vikings defense, which ended a run of quality defensive units in Minnesota, but the team also ranked 30th in total defense last season.

The Bengals also added Fredi Knighten to their offensive staff. Knighten, 28, will work as an offensive assistant. He has spent his career in the college ranks to this point and will come to Cincinnati after a year at Utah State.

Buccaneers Fear Season-Ending Knee Injury For C Ryan Jensen

July 29th, 2022 at 12:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

JULY 29: The Bucs indeed fear Jensen will be out for the season, Rapoport adds. Todd Bowles confirmed Friday the team’s starting center will miss a significant amount of time (video links). The new Tampa Bay HC did not say Jensen would miss the entire season, mentioning a potential multi-month timeline.

The Bucs have already discussed bringing in a veteran, per Bowles, though the fourth-year Tampa Bay staffer said these discussions have not progressed too far just yet. Hainsey, a right tackle at Notre Dame who converted to the interior as a pro, is expected to receive the first crack at replacing Jensen, per Rapoport. Nick Leverett, a former UDFA who played in two games last season, is also in the mix.

JULY 28: A cart transported Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen off the practice field Thursday, and the team is concerned about a long-term absence. The Bucs fear the recently re-signed snapper suffered a serious injury, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report (on Twitter).

These reports indeed usually precede bad news for teams. The Bucs just gave Jensen a second contract — a three-year, $39MM deal — to return as Tom Brady‘s center. Tests are ongoing here, but a source informed ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter this situation is “not looking good” for the veteran blocker (Twitter link). Jensen is dealing with a major injury, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). His season is certainly in jeopardy.

Offensive line continuity played a big part in the Bucs’ surge to the Super Bowl LV championship, but the 2021 playoffs and this offseason have brought uncertainty to Tampa Bay’s front. This year has injected considerable O-line change, with longtime guard Ali Marpet retiring and the Bucs letting their other guard starter — Alex Cappa — defect to the Bengals in free agency. A Jensen absence would create a new issue for the Bucs, who will have the oldest primary starting quarterback in NFL history.

Jensen’s recommitment to the Bucs came just after Brady’s; the ninth-year center re-signed with the team hours after Brady’s unretirement. Jensen has established himself as one of the NFL’s top centers, having moved from sixth-round pick to using a contract-year springboard with the Ravens to a 2018 Bucs deal. On that pact, Jensen did not miss a game. The Colorado State-Pueblo alum has not missed a game since the 2016 season. Jensen, 31, made his first Pro Bowl last season.

Tampa Bay did trade a Day 3 pick to acquire Shaq Mason, reuniting Brady with one of his longtime Patriots guards. But the team could soon be vulnerable at two guard positions. With interior O-line play vital to Brady-led offenses, the Bucs could be in need of another veteran reinforcement. While it is premature here, center does feature an interestingly experienced free agent crop. J.C. Tretter, Matt Paradis and Trey Hopkins remain available.

For now, Robert Hainsey will take over at the pivot, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Competing for the other guard spot with second-round pick Luke Goedeke and the recently re-signed Aaron Stinnie, Hainsey is a third-round pick in his second season. Tampa Bay quickly addressed the Rob Gronkowski void by signing Kyle Rudolph. If Jensen is set to miss a substantial amount of time, it would not remotely surprise if Tampa Bay signed one of the top free agent snappers.

Ryan Kerrigan Announces Retirement

July 29th, 2022 at 12:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following an 11-year career spent entirely in the NFC East, Ryan Kerrigan is walking away. The longtime Washington pass rusher signed a ceremonial contract with the team Friday to announce his retirement.

Kerrigan, 33, will retire as Washington’s all-time sack leader. The former first-round pick collected 95.5 over the course of his 10-season run with the franchise. While Kerrigan did not add to his sack total with the Eagles last season, he played 16 games with the team after signing a one-year deal in May.

Chosen as part of a stacked 2011 draft, Kerrigan earned four Pro Bowl nods and finished with at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first eight seasons. Becoming one of the most durable players in modern NFL history, the Purdue product did not miss a game during that stretch was only sidelined for five during his career. The last came because of a COVID-19 contraction. Team success was fleeting during Kerrigan’s Washington run, but the 3-4 outside linebacker — a role he played for most of his career — remained one of the game’s more consistent edge rushers.

After trading down with the Jaguars in the ’11 draft, in order for Jacksonville to take Blaine Gabbert at No. 10 overall, Washington nabbed Kerrigan at 16. He broke into the team’s starting lineup immediately and did not play a game as a rotational sub until 2020, when the team’s current Chase Young–Montez Sweat D-end configuration formed. Kerrigan signed a five-year, $57.5MM extension seven years ago today and played out that deal. The Eagles gave him a one-year pact worth $1.425MM.

Illustrating how deep the the 2011 draft was for pass rushers, Kerrigan’s 95.5 sacks rank only sixth among that class. His 26 forced fumbles, however, are tied for second among 2011 draftees — matching Von Miller and J.J. Watt. Kerrigan’s five strips led the NFL in 2014. Kerrigan is unlikely to join Miller and Watt in the Hall of Fame, but he anchored the Washington rush for most of his career.

The team reduced his role upon drafting Young in 2020, but the elder edge defender broke Dexter Manley‘s franchise sacks record — though Manley’s 1981 rookie year came before sacks became an official stat — by recording 5.5 that year. The 2020 Washington D-line housed five first-round picks, and it played a major role in helping the team make a surprise playoff run. Kerrigan also added 1.5 sacks in the Eagles’ playoff loss to the Buccaneers in January.

DL Derek Wolfe Retires After 10 Seasons

July 29th, 2022 at 11:59am CST by Adam La Rose

After the events of this offseason, it was considered a longshot for veteran defensive lineman Derek Wolfe to play again in the NFL. Today, the former Bronco and Raven confirmed those thoughts, officially retiring after nine seasons played in the league (10 in total). 

He announced the decision via a video shared on the Broncos’ Twitter page (link). “I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the game,” he said. “Time for a new beginning.”

The 32-year-old had dealt with injuries throughout his career, but none as significant as the hip ailment which kept him sidelined for the entire 2021 campaign, which would have been his second in Baltimore. In March, it was reported that Wolfe was considering retirement, pending his ability to recover in full from surgery. The chances of that happening were considered slim in June, however, after he underwent a second procedure allowing him to “live a normal life.”

One day later, he and the Ravens parted ways, though Wolfe was still able to receive a portion of the guaranteed money remaining on his deal, a three-year extension signed the previous offseason. He had established himself as an effective run-stopper in his lone season on the field with the Ravens, continuing his high level of play dating back to his time in Denver.

A second-round pick of the Broncos in 2012, Wolfe registered 299 tackles and all but one of his 34 career sacks in the Mile High City. He was a member of the Super Bowl winning 2015 squad, one whose defensive front led the team to the title. His play earned him multiple contract extensions, pushing his career earnings over $52MM.

Today’s announcement confirms that Wolfe isn’t recovered to the point where he can continue playing, but he can now turn his attention squarely to the next chapter of his life.

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