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Month: December 2024

Broncos Owner Greg Penner Echoes Nathaniel Hackett Support

October 28th, 2022 at 7:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday’s game in London will provide Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett with another opportunity to quell concerns about his job status. General manager George Paton spoke in favor of keeping the rookie HC in his post yesterday; one of the team’s owners echoed that sentiment when speaking publicly today.

“I support Nathaniel and really want to see him succeed,” Greg Penner said, via 9News’ Mike Klis. “He’s a first-time head coach. There’s a lot of new things to get in place… But he knows we’re not performing at the level we expect, but we’ve got high expectations for him in the second half.”

Penner, the Broncos’ CEO and a member of the Rob Walton-led group which purchased the team this summer, inherited Hackett as head coach. The 42-year-old has led an offense which has been severely underwhelming to date, and ranks last in the league in scoring. At 2-5, Denver has frequently been named as a potential seller at the trade deadline – a stark contrast to preseason expectations which counted the team among the AFC’s contenders.

Much of the increase in optimism was tied, of course, to the acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson. Before his regular season debut, a long-term deal had been agreed upon; Penner played a role in authorizing that $245MM extension. As he did with Hackett, the latter expressed confidence in a resurgence during the second half of the 2022 season when asked about the maligned passer.

“Russell’s won a lot of games in the NFL,” Penner said. “Russell knows how to win. The specifics on the contract area, that’s a place where I do rely on George and his expertise. I think he is going to be a great quarterback for us.”

While Penner declined to give a full vote of confidence to Hackett for the remainder of the season – a change in offensive play-caller has been thought to be on the table recently – his public support of the status quo on the sidelines is noteworthy. The team’s performance on Sunday against the Jaguars could go a long way in determining how much of an appetite exists for changes affecting both the roster and coaching staff from the new personnel at the top of the organization.

Latest On Giants-Kadarius Toney Split

October 28th, 2022 at 3:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kadarius Toney‘s Giants tenure ended after 41 receptions, 420 yards and no touchdowns. The decision to send him to the Chiefs stemmed partially around trust issues, along with the injury-prone player fetching a Day 2 draft choice in Thursday’s deal.

Toney had missed the past five games due to separate hamstring injuries. The talented pass catcher missed time during training camp with a hamstring issue and, after catching two passes for zero yards in the Giants’ first two games, reinjured the same hamstring in September. While rehabbing the second hamstring injury, Toney injured his other hamstring. But he and the Giants had a difference of opinion in how Week 8 would play out.

The Giants preferred to sit Toney against the Seahawks. The second-year receiver, however, per ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, believed he had recovered. Toney indicated this himself in a since-deleted tweet (via ESPN.com’s Field Yates). Multiple factors influenced the Giants’ plan, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz.

[RELATED: Giants Interested In Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy]

The new Giants regime wanted to keep a trade door open and felt it was more likely than not, given Toney’s injury history, he would damage his trade value if he played in Seattle. An injury designation would also have led to Toney being forced to stay in town during the team’s bye week for rehab purposes, per Schwartz, who adds the Florida product would not have wanted to go through with that plan.

Both the Giants’ current regime and its Dave Gettleman-led front office did not appear to trust Toney. The team’s present staff worried Toney would leave town and not follow through with the necessary steps to play in Week 10, with Schwartz adding conditioning represented a concern. This is not out of step with how the previous regime perceived Toney, who entered the draft with some baggage. The previous Giants staff did not have an issue with Toney when he was at the team’s facility, Raanan tweets, but they did not trust him to put in the work offsite.

Durability and attitude concerns led several teams to take Toney off their draft boards, Schwartz adds. The Giants had eyed DeVonta Smith with their 2021 first-round pick, but the Eagles traded in front of them. New York then traded back to No. 20, allowing Chicago to move up to No. 11 for Justin Fields. Toney became the selection, which irked Urban Meyer, who planned to draft him had he lasted to the Jaguars’ No. 25 pick. Travis Etienne has worked out a bit better.

Between then and the hamstring trouble that cropped up this year, Toney showed electric ability — mostly in two October 2021 games — but battled myriad injury issues. Toney began down a strange path when he did not show for Giants OTAs last year, surprising the team’s previous coaching staff. After missing most of last year’s training camp with hamstring trouble, Toney missed seven games due to ankle, quad, oblique and shoulder ailments. The new Giants regime entertained trade talks this offseason, one in which Toney also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.

The Chiefs have Toney under contract through 2024; a fifth-year option could extend that deal through 2025. After giving ex-Giants first-rounder DeAndre Baker a second opportunity, the Chiefs will roll the dice on another Gettleman-era top pick. Toney, who clocked a 4.39-second 40-yard dash coming out of Florida, would stand to be a developmental player in Kansas City. After wearing out his welcome with two Giants regimes, it will be interesting how the boom-or-bust talent fares under Andy Reid and Co.

Rams To Activate Van Jefferson, Troy Hill From IR

October 28th, 2022 at 2:29pm CST by Ely Allen

OCTOBER 28: Both Jefferson and Hill will be activated ahead of Saturday afternoon’s Week 8 deadline, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. Sean McVay said he expected to have several players back from injury after the team’s bye. Roster designations will be used on Jefferson and Hill, who each went on IR earlier this year. The Rams came into the week having not used any of their injury activations. After these moves, they will have six remaining this season.

OCTOBER 24: The Rams announced on Twitter today that they have designated three players for return from injured reserve. The three players that could potentially come back this year are cornerback Troy Hill, linebacker Travin Howard, and wide receiver Van Jefferson.

Hill is a longtime cornerback for Los Angeles that took a brief hiatus during its Super Bowl season last year. Hill signed as a free agent with the Browns for the 2021 season but was traded back to the Rams during this year’s draft. Hill had earned a starting role in Los Angeles before signing with the Browns and was in line to return to that role before a groin injury in a Week 2 win over the Falcons sent him to injured reserve.

Howard has been with Los Angeles since 2018 in some capacity, spending lots of time on reserve lists over the years. Most recently, Howard was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in July after suffering a groin tear that would eventually require surgery. While he had opportunities to make an impact last year, even making the game-sealing interception in last year’s NFC Championship Game to send the Rams to the Super Bowl, this year’s linebacking corps in Los Angeles is much more talented. If he returns from the NFI list, Howard will only add some depth to the linebacker unit and likely contribute on special teams.

Jefferson is attempting to make his season debut after undergoing knee surgery this offseason. The Rams have badly missed the third-year receiver who served as the team’s second receiving option behind Cooper Kupp last season. Los Angeles has attempted to replace Jefferson’s production with Ben Skowronek and Allen Robinson, but getting Jefferson back could be a huge addition to the Rams’ passing game.

Designating Hill, Howard, and Jefferson opens up the three-week practice period for each player. If, at the end of the three-week period, the Rams have not activated any individual player, that player will have the designation for return removed and will have to remain out for the remainder of the season.

Bears Activate OL Alex Leatherwood

October 28th, 2022 at 2:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears will be without three of their preferred starting offensive linemen this week, but they will have one of their backups available. Alex Leatherwood is coming off the team’s reserve/non-football illness list, The Athletic’s Adam Jahns tweets. The team announced the activation.

Leatherwood has not played since being claimed by the Bears. A mononucleosis bout led Leatherwood to the Bears’ reserve/NFI list, which mandates at least a four-game absence. The Bears had until Nov. 2 to activate Leatherwood, so a shift back to the 53-man roster a bit early would seem to represent a good sign. This will be the Bears’ second injury/illness activation this season; they have six remaining.

Because the Bears designated Leatherwood to return on Oct. 12, he could resume practicing. Chicago claimed Leatherwood on Aug. 31, keeping his first-round contract in the equation after the Raiders bailed on it before his second season. Last year’s No. 17 overall pick, Leatherwood has a long way to go to restore his pre-draft stock — a value in which most disagreed with the Raiders — but he may have an opportunity to contribute with the Bears soon.

Already without longtime left guard Cody Whitehair, the Bears lost center Lucas Patrick and right tackle Larry Borom against the Patriots. Patrick is now on IR, and the Bears ruled out Borom due to the concussion he suffered Monday night. Despite not winning a starting job, Riley Reiff remains on Chicago’s 53-man roster. Reiff would make sense as a Borom replacement; the 33-year-old veteran has played one offensive snap all season. Matt Eberflus did not confirm Reiff would start. The Bears have Michael Schofield rostered as well, with Sam Mustipher set to step back into the starting center role.

Leatherwood, who stands to provide the Bears with some depth, has bounced between tackle and guard during his short career. The Raiders moved him from right tackle to right guard early in his rookie season, but Josh McDaniels‘ staff had the Alabama alum working back at right tackle this offseason. Las Vegas did not see enough from Leatherwood to reserve a roster spot for him, jettisoning the Jon Gruden-era pick.

2022 NFL Cap Space, By Team

October 28th, 2022 at 12:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Days away from this year’s trade deadline (3pm CT, Nov. 1), a few teams have made some in-season moves to bolster their rosters. Several squads have also restructured contracts this season to create additional space. That extra room will matter as most teams will consider adding or subtracting costs before Tuesday’s deadline.

Here is how teams’ cap-space numbers (courtesy of OverTheCap) look ahead of the deadline:

  1. Cleveland Browns: $33.72MM
  2. Las Vegas Raiders: $10.35MM
  3. Carolina Panthers: $9.79MM
  4. Atlanta Falcons: $9.71MM
  5. Philadelphia Eagles: $9.47MM
  6. Denver Broncos: $7.79MM
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers: $7.69MM
  8. Indianapolis Colts: $7.23MM
  9. Dallas Cowboys: $7.16MM
  10. Chicago Bears: $7.08MM
  11. Green Bay Packers: $6.6MM
  12. Miami Dolphins: $6.16MM
  13. New York Jets: $5.71MM
  14. Los Angeles Chargers: $4.97MM
  15. San Francisco 49ers: $4.95MM
  16. Los Angeles Rams: $4.93MM
  17. Arizona Cardinals: $4.76MM
  18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $4.3MM
  19. Washington Commanders: $4.26MM
  20. Kansas City Chiefs: $3.86MM
  21. Seattle Seahawks: $3.71MM
  22. Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.67MM
  23. New Orleans Saints: $3.61MM
  24. Cincinnati Bengals: $3.31MM
  25. New York Giants: $3.26MM
  26. Detroit Lions: $3.25MM
  27. Baltimore Ravens: $3.07MM
  28. New England Patriots: $2.19MM
  29. Houston Texans: $2.09MM
  30. Buffalo Bills: $1.93MM
  31. Tennessee Titans: $1.59MM
  32. Minnesota Vikings: $852K

The Browns have held the top spot for months, and the gulf between their cap-space figure and the field almost certainly stems from a desire to carry over cap space before Deshaun Watson‘s cap number spikes from $9.4MM to a runaway-record $54.99MM. Cleveland has recently been linked to creating more cap space. Interest has come in for Greedy Williams, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Kareem Hunt. Although the Browns did not grant Hunt’s summer trade request, it may now take only a fourth-round pick for Cleveland to deal its backup running back.

Another potential seller could move up on this list while creating some additional space in 2023. The Broncos are believed to have made Jerry Jeudy available. Unlike fellow trade chip Bradley Chubb, Jeudy is under contract for 2023 (on a $4.83MM cap number). Denver appears more likely to move Chubb. That departure would remove the franchise tag from the team’s equation in 2023 — barring a tag for fellow 2023 UFA-to-be Dre’Mont Jones — thus freeing up more free agency funds. It will be interesting if the Broncos, if they are to move Chubb, agree to eat much of his fifth-year option salary. George Paton‘s club took on most of Von Miller‘s 2021 money to increase draft compensation.

The Eagles are still near the top despite acquiring Robert Quinn. Philadelphia is paying just $684K of Quinn’s contract, which now runs through 2022 instead of 2024. Chicago is on the hook for $7.1MM. The Bears are on track to have a gargantuan lead on the field for 2023 cap space. They are projected to hold more than $125MM next year, according to OverTheCap.

New Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney checks in at just $784K on their 2022 cap sheet. The former Giants first-rounder’s figures bump to $1.9MM (2023) and $2.53MM (’24). Kansas City recently restructured Travis Kelce‘s deal, creating some wiggle room for the Toney addition. The Chiefs, who did not touch Patrick Mahomes‘ deal this year, restructured Kelce’s contract twice in 2022. Thursday’s trade hit the Giants with a $2.33MM dead-money charge. Toney will count $3.67MM in dead money for the Giants in 2023.

The Panthers picked up nearly $19MM in 2022 dead money via the Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey trades. Unlike the Eagles and Bears, last week’s Panthers-49ers McCaffrey swap did not involve Carolina taking on additional salary. McCaffrey’s offseason restructure dropped his 2022 base salary to the league minimum; the 49ers have him on their books at just $690K. McCaffrey’s record-setting extension will still represent $18.35MM in dead money on the Panthers’ 2023 cap, but his nonguaranteed base salaries from 2023-25 ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) transferred fully from Carolina to San Francisco.

On the subject of 2022 dead money, the Bears lead the way with $80.32MM. The Falcons added to their total this month, however, by trading Deion Jones to the Browns. That deal saddled the Falcons with $11.38MM in additional dead money — accompanying the franchise’s record-setting Matt Ryan dead-money hit ($40.53MM) — and ballooned Atlanta’s overall total to $78.57MM. Ryan is off the Falcons’ books after this year, but Jones will carry a $12.14MM dead-money figure in 2023.

Browns To Extend LS Charley Hughlett

October 28th, 2022 at 12:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

In his eighth season with the Browns, Charley Hughlett will land a second extension. Cleveland is reupping its long snapper on what his agent (via Twitter) notes is a snapper-record deal.

Hughlett’s four-year extension likely will not come in too much higher than Chargers snapper Josh Harris‘, as teams do not allocate much money to this specialty position. But the Browns will give the 32-year-old snapper $1.95MM guaranteed — an amount that includes a $865K signing bonus — according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter links). The guarantee figure comes in just above Harris’ ($1.92MM).

Harris, who signed with the Bolts this offseason, is making $1.4MM per year. That amount is just north of the league minimum, where the rest of the long-snapping lot resides. Hughlett, who was in the final season of one of the league’s longest-running contracts (a six-year, $6.37MM agreement signed back in February 2017), appears set to check in ahead of Harris.

Joel Bitonio, a second-round 2014 draftee, resides as the Browns’ longest-tenured player; Hughlett is just behind him. The Browns added Hughlett initially in September 2014, signing him to their practice squad, but the former Cowboys UDFA did not debut for the AFC North team until September 2015. He has not missed a game since beginning his Cleveland snapping tenure in Week 1 of the 2015 season. Like Bitonio, Hughlett has played for five head coaches and four GMs.

Hughlett also stopped through New England, Jacksonville and Kansas City but has never played for a team other than the Browns. This contract also comes after Hughlett was called for a controversial false-start penalty, an infraction that moved Cade York‘s game-tying field goal back to 61 yards. The Ravens blocked the kick to secure a Week 7 win.

Ezekiel Elliott Expected To Miss Week 8

October 28th, 2022 at 11:06am CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys will be expected to turn to Tony Pollard as their lead running back this week. Ezekiel Elliott is not on track to suit up against the Bears, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets.

Battling a knee injury, Elliott not playing this week would give him an extended stretch to heal up. Dallas’ bye looms in Week 9. Jerry Jones cited the bye in addressing how the Cowboys plan to manage Elliott ahead of their Bears matchup. The owner’s comments during his most recent 105.3 The Fan appearance (Twitter links via the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken) point to the longtime starting back sitting Sunday.

Elliott suffered a grade 2 MCL sprain during the Cowboys’ Week 7 game against the Lions, Hill notes, adding the seventh-year back also sustained a thigh bruise. Mike McCarthy confirmed an MRI revealed a sprain but has not ruled Elliott out for Week 8.

The former rushing champion has not practiced this week. This is the same knee in which Elliott suffered a PCL tear in 2021. This element would certainly point to the Cowboys giving their longtime starter a longer recovery window. Given the nature of this injury, it obviously would not surprise if Elliott missed games coming out of the Cowboys’ bye week. Though, the former top-five pick has been a durable player throughout his NFL career.

Although Elliott missed six games in 2017 because of a suspension, he has never missed more than one in a season due to injury. The three-time Pro Bowler played all 18 Cowboys games last season, navigating the PCL issue to grind out a fourth 1,000-yard campaign. Zeke did not display top form as he played through that PCL injury, which could be expected, but he still scored 12 touchdowns and amassed 1,289 scrimmage yards.

This season, Elliott is averaging 4.1 yards per carry (109 totes, 443 yards). Pollard, who is in his fourth season in a change-of-pace role, is averaging 5.6 yards a pop (67 handoffs, 375 yards). The smaller back has also been a bigger part of Dallas’ passing game, totaling 105 receiving yards. Increased Pollard receiving usage came up during the offseason, but Sunday will represent a chance for more ground-game work. Pollard is on track to be a 2023 free agent, barring a Cowboys extension transpiring.

The Cowboys extended Elliott on a six-year, $90MM deal in 2019. He is tied to a $12.4MM base salary this season and a running back-high $18.2MM cap number. No other back counts more than $12MM against his team’s cap this year.

Eagles, Robert Quinn Agree To Remove Two Years From DE’s Deal

October 28th, 2022 at 10:31am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears are picking up most of Robert Quinn‘s 2022 salary, agreeing to pay $7.1MM and leaving the Eagles responsible for less than $700K. Although Quinn’s Chicago contract ran through 2024, he and his new team agreed to change that.

Quinn and the Eagles agreed to trim both future years off the deal, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Quinn is now ticketed for free agency in 2023. Both of Quinn’s final two seasons on this contract — a five-year, $70MM accord agreed to in 2020 — were nonguaranteed.

Previously, Quinn’s deal carried base salaries of $13.9MM in 2023 and $12.9MM in 2024. Instead, this shifts to a contract year for the now-thrice-traded pass rusher. Quinn, 32, has only been a free agent once — in 2020 — and he used that opportunity to land $30MM guaranteed from the Bears. The former Rams first-rounder has sandwiched two shaky seasons with a monster 2021 campaign, one that undoubtedly enticed the Eagles to send the Bears a fourth-round pick. Quinn registered just two sacks in 2020 and has just one through seven Chicago games this season. He set a Bears single-season record with 18.5 last season.

This restructure follows a similar one in Cleveland. The Browns acquired Deion Jones‘ through-2023 contract from the Falcons earlier this month, but the parties agreed to lop off the 2023 season from the deal. Like Quinn, Jones is no longer under contract beyond this season. These arrangements will raise the stakes for the two relocating veterans, though both players loomed as potential cap casualties anyway. These restructures will prevent each team from prolonging a separation. Select players receive this treatment annually. The Giants did so with James Bradberry this year, with a May release leading to an Eagles landing.

The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with Quinn until next year’s legal tampering period, a two-day window preceding free agency, but it remains to be seen if they will make this partnership more than a rental agreement. While extensions, cap casualties and possible franchise tags will change the equation, next year’s edge rusher market will feature a mix of players seeking a second contract and various veterans.

It seems unlikely Bradley Chubb will be able to hit free agency. Chubb, a current trade candidate, would stand to be the prize next year. Marcus Davenport is also on track to hit the market after a fifth-year option season. Yannick Ngakoue profiles as another young-ish target, as he will only turn 28 in 2023. 49ers backup Charles Omenihu is also due for free agency. Quinn would join a few other vets — Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram and Dante Fowler among them — in the older wing of the market.

Philadelphia has Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick in place as its long-term defensive end duo. Brandon Graham, 34, is signed through 2023. The longtime Eagle wants to continue his career past 2022. It will be interesting how the Eagles proceed with Graham and Quinn. For now, both 30-something vets are in place as rotational rushers for the 6-0 team. Nick Sirianni said Friday (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, on Twitter) that Quinn will likely make his Eagles debut in Week 8, likely in a limited capacity.

Broncos’ Russell Wilson To Return In Week 8

October 28th, 2022 at 8:41am CST by Sam Robinson

As expected, Russell Wilson will make his return to the Broncos’ starting lineup Sunday. Nathaniel Hackett announced Friday (via 9News’ Mike Klis, on Twitter) that, barring any setbacks, Wilson will return after a one-game absence.

Despite the Broncos having a bye week following their London assignment, Wilson will return after missing Week 7 due to a hamstring issue. Wilson, who has now battled hamstring and shoulder ailments this season, has missed just four career games.

The offseason trade acquisition returns to a Broncos team in disarray, with trade rumors surrounding it ahead of what promises to be a seminal Jaguars matchup. Discussions of Wilson sitting out through the bye did occur, per Denver7’s Troy Renck (via Twitter), but the nine-time Pro Bowler was not interested in such a preservation strategy if he was indeed able to play this week. Mid-flight high knees are now known to have occurred. Wilson is no longer on the Broncos’ injury report.

[RELATED: Hackett Not Prepared To Cede Play-Calling Duties]

Signing a five-year, $245MM extension ($124MM fully guaranteed), Wilson has not clicked in Hackett’s offense. Denver’s defense has been responsible for four of the team’s five losses being by one score. Wilson, 33, ranks 29th in QBR after six starts. Even as he was sluggish upon returning from his finger injury last season, he ended the year 10th in that metric. The Broncos are counting on their high-priced passer to show better form, but Wilson’s injury has followed other key setbacks for the team.

Since their most recent win, the Broncos have lost left tackle Garett Bolles, cornerback Ronald Darby and running back Javonte Williams for the season. They have played the past three games without Randy Gregory, and the player who has filled that void via a breakthrough stretch in his first foray as an edge rusher — Baron Browning — is facing an extended absence. The Broncos’ 2-5 start has changed their outlook this season, and another year of being a deadline seller may be in the cards.

Denver has seen Bradley Chubb and Jerry Jeudy draw persistent trade interest. Both players appear genuine threats to be moved next week, and a loss to the Jags could prompt the team to make major trades and recoup some draft capital the Wilson acquisition sacrificed. The Broncos have not hesitated to sell at recent deadlines, trading away the likes of Demaryius Thomas (2018), Emmanuel Sanders (2019) and Von Miller (2021).

GM George Paton on Thursday provided the dreaded vote of confidence for Hackett, whose offense has sputtered coming out of halftime throughout the team’s losing streak. Third-quarter listlessness, red zone inefficiency and penalty problems have marred Hackett’s first season in Denver. If Wilson’s troops cannot show progress beginning Sunday, Hackett may begin an earnest march toward being a one-and-done HC. Although the Broncos fired Josh McDaniels during his second season in 2010, they have never had a one-and-done coach.

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