HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Cowboys Eyeing Another Dak Prescott Extension, Likely To Use Franchise Tag

February 27th, 2023 at 9:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Finalized at the March 2021 deadline for teams to apply franchise tags to players, Dak Prescott‘s four-year, $160MM deal remains one of the league’s most player-friendly agreements. The Cowboys have twice restructured it, and the contract calls for a whopping cap number this year.

Prescott is tied to a $49.13MM figure. No player has ever played on a cap number north of $46MM, though Deshaun Watson ($54.9MM) is on track to venture into unexplored territory after his outlier extension is set to spike on the Browns’ payroll. The Cowboys can create more cap space — up to $22MM — by restructuring Prescott’s pact for a third time, but executive VP Stephen Jones took it a step further.

“We’ve got to have a plan to ultimately extend Dak,” Jones said, via ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. “… I’ve got all the faith in the world we can win this thing with Dak. We know what he’s about. His leadership skills are undeniable. Impeccable work ethic. Other than he hadn’t won some key playoff games, he’s everything you want in a quarterback.”

This will be Prescott’s eighth season at the controls for the Cowboys and his age-30 campaign. The team has gone to the increasingly popular void-years well with its quarterback, whose cap hit jumps to $52.1MM in 2024. It does not sound like the Cowboys plan on having him attached to his current contract by that point.

Prescott and the Cowboys negotiated this contract over three offseasons, beginning when he became extension-eligible in 2019 to the March 2021 accord. The complex process ended up benefitting Prescott, who saw the 2020 team crater without him. With this offseason potentially set to break down the $50MM barrier — via possible extensions for Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts — Prescott stands to be in good position when it comes time to discuss what will be his third Cowboys contract.

A 17-start season in 2023 would match Prescott with Roger Staubach for third in Cowboys history among QBs — behind Troy Aikman (165) and Tony Romo (127) — and although Dallas has continually encountered playoff roadblocks, it does not seem like any wavering is taking place. Mike McCarthy will now take over the Prescott-piloted offense.

Jones said the fourth-year Cowboys HC “made a compelling argument that making him the play-caller was going to help us.” Jones foresees a “noticeable change” in the Cowboys’ offense, which stood as DVOA’s No. 1-ranked unit during Prescott’s most recent full season (2021). Initially described as a mutual parting, the Cowboys-Kellen Moore split appears closer to a firing. Moore, who stayed on as the Cowboys’ play-caller during McCarthy’s first three seasons, is now with the Chargers. It will be interesting to see what changes McCarthy, who resided as the Packers’ play-caller for most of his 12-season Green Bay tenure, introduces.

Additionally, it looks like the Cowboys will unholster their franchise tag for a sixth straight offseason. After tagging DeMarcus Lawrence in 2018 and ’19, the Cowboys cuffed Prescott in 2020 and ’21 (the latter year a procedural move). They kept Dalton Schultz off the market last year. While Schultz can be re-tagged for barely $13MM, Tony Pollard is viewed as the team’s most likely tag recipient this year. Jones said (via Archer) the team will “probably use [the tag] again this year.” It would cost Dallas $10.1MM to tag Pollard, who joins Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs as running back tag candidates.

The Cowboys are $7MM-plus over the cap, as of Monday night, so they will need to get to work on cost-clearing moves and restructures soon to create space for a tag and reasonable free agency activity. Moving Prescott’s number down should take center stage in the coming days.

NFC North Notes: Fields, Pack, Vikes, Lions

February 27th, 2023 at 7:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Going into the Combine, the Bears are leaning toward keeping Justin Fields in place at quarterback. They are viewed as likely to trade out of the No. 1 overall draft slot, and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reinforces that the rebuilding team is leaning against exiting the first round with a quarterback. Fields finished a historically successful season as a running quarterback, but significant questions remain about his potential as a passer. The Bears will still meet with just about every top quarterback at the Combine, Jones adds, noting questions also exist about whether the team view this draft class as having a QB option head and shoulders above Fields. While the belief is Fields will have a shot at a third season in Chicago, questions will persist until the Bears trade the pick. Doing so would make them the first team to move out of the No. 1 spot since the Titans did so in 2016.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • Aaron Jones‘ Packers restructure will ensure he plays a seventh season in Green Bay — rare territory for modern Packers backs — and it will create considerable cap space for the team. Jones’ cap figure will drop from $20MM to $8.2MM, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. Jones’ base salary will drop from $8.1MM to $1.1MM. Jones took a $5MM salary cut in exchange for a $8.5MM signing bonus, keeping him tied to the four-year, $48MM extension he inked before free agency in 2021. In 2024, the final year of Jones’ deal, Demovsky adds (via Twitter) his cap number will rise from $16MM to $17.7MM. The void years from Jones’ 2022 restructure remain on the contract.
  • Shifting to another 2017 running back draftee still on his second contract, Dalvin Cook will miss time this offseason because of shoulder surgery. The Pro Bowl Vikings back, whom Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes underwent surgery this month, played shoulder pain for the past three-plus seasons, initially injuring it in 2019. Cook, 27, suffered a broken shoulder in 2019 and missed time in 2019 and 2021 as a result; he played all 18 Vikings games last season but battled a shoulder dislocation he sustained in Week 3. This surgery will likely knock Cook out for much of the offseason, with the Vikings announcing he is expected to make a full recovery “by the start of the regular season.” Two years remain on Cook’s five-year, $63MM contract.
  • Dalvin Tomlinson‘s two-year Vikings pact was set to void last week, but the team bought more time on this front. The Vikes pushed Tomlinson’s void date to March 15 — Day 1 of the 2023 league year — according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). This keeps $7.5MM from hitting Minnesota’s cap, though that amount will move onto the payroll if no extension is reached by March 15. If an extension occurs before that date, the Vikings will only be charged with $2.5MM in dead money, Yates tweets.
  • If Tomlinson does return, he will be a part of another 3-4 scheme. Minnesota had gone decades in a 4-3 alignment, but new DC Brian Flores confirmed (via the St. Paul Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson) the 3-4 look installed under previous leader Ed Donatell will remain in place. Although teams’ increased sub-package usage diminishes the importance of base sets, this is certainly notable given how long the Vikes were a 4-3 team prior to 2022, when their switch yielded disastrous results.
  • Shaun Dion Hamilton will move up from defensive assistant to the Lions‘ assistant linebackers coach, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. Hamilton is just 27, being one of the Lions’ cuts last summer, but moved quickly into coaching. Rather than hit the workout circuit, the former Washington sixth-round draftee opted to enter coaching early.
  • The Packers‘ run of extensions last offseason included executive VP Russ Ball, Demovsky tweets. Green Bay quietly extended Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst, and Ball — a veteran cap guru elevated during the same offseason Gutekunst took over as GM — remains a key part of the franchise’s equation. Ball, 63, has been a critical part of the Pack’s front office since 2008.

Panthers Add Adrian Wilson To Front Office

February 27th, 2023 at 5:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Weeks after interviewing for the Cardinals’ general manager job, Adrian Wilson stood in limbo after the only organization he has worked for went with Monti Ossenfort. But the veteran staffer is relocating.

The Panthers are hiring Wilson as their vice president of player personnel, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Wilson finished his Cardinals tenure as their VP of pro personnel but has been with the team as a scout or personnel exec since 2015. As a player and exec, Wilson had spent 20 years with the Cardinals.

A longtime Cardinals safety, Wilson finished last season working alongside Quentin Harris atop the franchise’s front office hierarchy. The organization parted ways with longtime GM Steve Keim, despite authorizing a lengthy extension earlier in 2022, and placed Wilson and Harris as the interim front office bosses. Ossenfort has begun restructuring the front office, however, and one of Keim’s top lieutenants is on the move.

Ossenfort brought in Dave Sears as his assistant GM; Wilson will now become one of Scott Fitterer’s right-hand men. While Fitterer does not have a history with Wilson, new Panthers HC Frank Reich was on the Cardinals’ coaching staff during Wilson’s final season with the team (2012). This will also be a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, a High Point, N.C., native who played collegiately at North Carolina State.

Wilson confirmed (via Twitter) the Cardinals wanted him back as part of Ossenfort’s staff. He asked Michael Bidwill if he could pursue the Panthers job, and the owner signed off on the intra-NFC move. Wilson being under contract would have allowed the Cardinals to block the move, something the team could not have done were this a GM position.

The five-time Pro Bowler also interviewed for the other vacant GM job this offseason — Tennessee’s — but Ran Carthon secured that post. He met with the Giants last year and was on the Jaguars’ radar. Moving up the ladder, via the player personnel VP title, would stand to further the 43-year-old exec’s pursuit of a GM position.

Texans To Re-Sign LS Jon Weeks

February 27th, 2023 at 4:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ longest-tenured player will continue his time in Houston for at least the 2023 campaign. Long snapper Jon Weeks is re-signing on a one-year deal, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC. The contract is worth $1.165MM and includes a $153K signing bonus.

The 37-year-old joined the team in 2010 and has not missed a game since. Weeks has suited up for 210 consecutive contests, and comfortably holds the franchise record for total games played (Andre Johnson ranks second, with 169). His career has been defined by consistency, and includes a Pro Bowl nod in 2015.

This past season, the Baylor alum made six special teams tackles – the third-highest amount in his career, and the most since his all-star campaign of 2015. He also eclipsed the 200 games played mark, a feat which drew organizational recognition and allowed Weeks to reflect on his career to date.

“It’s funny, you look back at it and it’s like your time in college, it’s flown by,” he said upon reaching the milestone. “It’s been a fun ride and I’ve enjoyed every second of it. I’m incredibly blessed to do what I’m doing right now. I love doing it and I love playing with the guys in the locker room. I’ve really enjoyed my time and I hope to continue going for as long as possible.”

With this deal in place for Weeks, each member of the Texans’ special teams battery is under contract for 2023. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn and punter Cameron Johnston are set to hit free agency next offseason, by which time Weeks will have in all likelihood further cemented his status as one of the most consistent and durable players in franchise history.

Commanders Release DB Bobby McCain

February 27th, 2023 at 3:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders’ secondary depth has led to a cost-cutting move. Washington is releasing veteran defensive back Bobby McCain, per a team announcement.

[RELATED: Commanders Cut Wentz]

McCain had one season remaining on his current contract, an $11MM pact he signed last offseason. That deal, in turn, came after a one-year stint in the nation’s capital following his release from the Dolphins. The former fifth-rounder had a six-year stay in Miami, and followed it up with a strong first season with the Commanders

His production in 2021 (including four interceptions and nine pass deflections) earned him the two-year accord the following offseason. McCain continued to see time in a hybrid slot corner/safety role this past year, once again logging a snap share of 93%. He racked up 76 tackles, but was held without an interception for only the second time in his career and first since his rookie season.

This move will see Washington open up $2.3MM in cap space if it is processed as a pre-June 1 cut. If the team designates it as a post-June 1 release, that figure will rise to $4.4MM. Moving on from McCain will clear a path to increased playing time for the team’s other options on the backend, including Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler. The latter two flashed potential this season as compliments to Kamren Curl in a three-safety look. As recent draftees, they carry a far lower financial cost than McCain.

The 29-year-old is now on the market for the second time in the past three years, and will look to catch on with a team which will allow him to maintain a starting role. For the Commanders, this move will add incrementally to their financial flexibility, which has increased dramatically now that the team has moved on from quarterback Carson Wentz.

Commanders Release Carson Wentz

February 27th, 2023 at 2:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders have been expected to move on from Carson Wentz since his time as their starting quarterback came to an end. A team announcement on Monday confirmed that he has been released.

Wentz has bounced around the NFL since his Eagles tenure came to a close. The Commanders acquired him from the Colts last offseason in their latest attempt to secure a long-term solution under center. The structure of his contract (which was set to run through 2025, but had no guaranteed money after 2022) made this offseason an important milestone with respect to the one-year experiment with him as a starter.

The 30-year-old held the No. 1 role to begin the season, one which carried notable expectation given the Commanders’ willingness to part with multiple picks for him and take on his contract in full. His play early in the campaign drew criticism, but was not enough for head coach Ron Rivera to consider benching him. The team was nevertheless obligated to try other options at the position when Wentz suffered a broken thumb.

That paved the way for Taylor Heinicke to regain his starting role, one which he maintained even after Wentz was activated from IR. The QB pecking order did change once again, however, in Week 17 when Wentz got the nod to lead the team in their late-season playoff push. After both passers failed to deliver performances worthy of keeping their role in 2023, rookie Sam Howell was named the starter entering next season.

Once that decision became clear, it was a matter of time before the Commanders cut ties with Wentz. This move will give them roughly $26.2MM in cap savings, a figure which will not (at least to a great extent) be put towards a veteran replacement. Rivera has insisted that competition for Howell will be acquired at some point this offseason, but other priorities exist on the roster. Given the added flexibility from cutting Wentz, the Commanders now sit inside the top 10 in the league in cap space.

That could make it easier to retain defensive tackle Daron Payne, who is likely to receive the franchise tag this year. Increased funds will go a long way in a making a long-term deal possible, or to help in acquiring a less expensive starter along the defensive front. For Wentz, the timing of this release will give him a head start on free agency, as he searches for his best fit to rebuild his value, though that will likely not involve a starting position in 2023.

Bills S Jordan Poyer Addresses Pending Free Agency

February 27th, 2023 at 12:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bills face the possibility of losing at least one of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jordan Poyer in free agency next month. The former is likely to test the open market, and the latter is aware of the options he will have once his contract expires.

On the latest episode of the Jordan Poyer Podcast, the veteran elaborated on his current situation, which will see him become a free agent for the first time since joining the Bills in 2017. During the past six years, Poyer has established himself as one of the league’s most consistent producers at the position. He earned All-Pro honors in 2021, and received a Pro Bowl nod this season after recording four interceptions in 12 games.

The 31-year-old angled for a new contract last offseason, and his production and cap numbers made him a logical extension candidate. No new deal materialized, however, and while Buffalo remains interested in bringing him back for the right price, Edmunds is likely to be the higher priority. Acutely aware of that, Poyer is looking forward to exploring his options.

“I definitely want to keep playing,” the former seventh-rounder said. “I’m excited. I’m going to enjoy this process. Not really sure what to expect. I do know I’m a ball player, so whatever team does get J-Po, I believe they’re going to be better. So, I’m excited for what’s to come. If that’s Buffalo, I’ve been out there six years and know what to do. If not, that’s just part of the business… I would love to go to a state that doesn’t take half my money… If it wasn’t Buffalo, it’d be nice to be warm. It would be nice to see the sun, maybe, every week or so, every other week at least” (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk).

The Bills have work to do in the coming days simply to become cap compliant, let alone ink deals with their pending free agents. Poyer is likely to have a significant market for his services, especially on a short-term deal from Buffalo or elsewhere. His remarks point to ambiguity regarding the Bills’ willingness to sign him to another big-ticket deal, and the uncertain future he faces as a result.

“I’m excited about the next opportunity,” he added. “I don’t know how it’s going to play out or how it’s going to work out. What’s going to make sense is going to make sense.”

Chargers’ Renaldo Hill Joining Dolphins’ Staff; Derrick Ansley Promoted To DC

February 27th, 2023 at 11:56am CST by Adam La Rose

FEBRUARY 27: The Chargers announced a number of previously reported coaching moves on Monday, including confirmation that Ansley is the team’s new defensive coordinator. He will enter his first season as a coordinator at the NFL level with significant expectations, given the team’s playoff roster and the presence of Staley on the sidelines. The latter’s decision to allow Hill’s departure and thus pave the way for Ansley to ascend to this position will no doubt be the subject of considerable scrutiny, depending on the unit’s performance.

FEBRUARY 20: The Chargers are undergoing a significant shake-up on their defensive staff. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill is leaving the team to take on a position with the Dolphins (Twitter link). To fill his absence, Los Angeles is promoting Derrick Ansley as its new DC, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets.

Hill, 44, will take on the role of defensive passing game coordinator in Miami. This move will allow him to work under new DC Vic Fangio once again; the pair worked together in Denver in 2019 and 2020. Hill was Fangio’s top target for his new defensive staff, Schefter adds, and Chargers head coach Brandon Staley is signing off on what is a demotion in title to allow him this reunion.

Hill had spent the past two seasons at the helm of the Chargers’ defense. His first campaign saw the team put up underwhelming numbers across the board, especially in the run game. That was met with a slew of offseason moves aimed at bolstering the unit, though the team’s return on those investments proved to be less fruitful than hoped. Los Angeles still ranked below-average in a number of categories in 2022, and their season came to an end on the back of a major second-half collapse against the Jaguars in the wild card round.

Now, Hill will take on a lesser role under Fangio, working with a unit whose secondary was an issue in 2022. The Dolphins ranked 27th in the league in passing yards allowed last season, and recorded only eight interceptions. That drove their efforts to replace Josh Boyer after three seasons overseeing the team’s defense, and the celebrated move of bringing Fangio aboard. Expectations will be raised on that side of the ball for the team heading into 2023 with their new-look staff.

Pelissero notes that, in addition to Ansley, Tom Donatell is being promoted. His new title will be secondary coach and passing game coordinator. Staley had been eyeing ways to give both Ansley and Donatell a larger workload on the team’s defense, per Pelissero (Twitter link), and Hill’s departure will allow him to do just that. The former joined the Chargers’ staff in 2021, working as defensive backs coach. That came after several coaching stops, mostly in the college ranks.

The 41-year-old worked as the Raiders’ DBs coach in 2018, before a two-year stint as DC at the University of Tennessee. This posting will be his first opportunity to lead a defense at the NFL level. Donatell received an interview request from the Dolphins earlier this month, but will now take on a larger role after choosing to remain in Los Angeles.

Today’s news means the Chargers will have new offensive and defensive coordinators in 2023. LA hired Kellen Moore as their OC immediately after his Cowboys tenure came to an end. While that has led to increased expectations on offense, questions will be raised about their prospects of taking a step forward defensively with a new (albeit familiar) face in place on that side of the ball.

Colts To Retain DC Gus Bradley

February 27th, 2023 at 10:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Colts have undergone several changes on the sidelines this offseason, but their defense will be led by a familiar face. Gus Bradley will remain in place as the team’s defensive coordinator, as reported (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

[RELATED: Colts Hire Cooter As OC]

The 56-year-old joined the Colts last offseason after Matt Eberflus took the head coaching job in Chicago. He and the unit carried significant expectations heading into the season, but hardly anything went according to plan in 2022 in Indianapolis. The team’s midseason firing of Frank Reich was followed by a freefall under Jeff Saturday, leaving them with a 4-12-1 record.

The offense was at the heart of much of the Colts’ struggles, of course, as the acquisition of Matt Ryan didn’t stabilize the quarterback position. Defensively, Indianapolis had a mixed bag of results; the team surrendered just over 25 points per game, which ranked 30th in the league, but they finished mid-pack in terms of yards allowed. Bradley’s unit also fared relatively well against the run and posted 44 sacks.

Upon the hiring of Shane Steichen as head coach and offensive play-caller, attention turned to whether or not Bradley and his staff would remain in place. The pair worked together with the Chargers from 2017-20, so it came as little surprise that the Colts blocked Bradley from pursuing other coordinator vacancies. Steichen did not firmly commit one way or the other with respect to Bradley’s future during his introductory press conference.

Given the interest he and other Colts HC candidates had in keeping Bradley, though, this news represents an expected outcome. Continuity will likely be a welcomed sight on a staff which has a new head coach and offensive coordinator, and the former Jaguars bench boss will work for at least a second season in his fourth DC position. A rebound on offense will no doubt help Bradley and the Colts’ defense in 2023, a campaign in which the team will be expected to take a significant step forward.

Eagles To Conduct Second DC Interview With Sean Desai

February 27th, 2023 at 9:59am CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles are in catch-up mode with respect to coordinator hires, having lost both of their top assistants after the Super Bowl. Their search for a new top defensive coach could be nearing an end, though.

Philadelphia will interview Sean Desai for a second time today, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). The Seahawks defensive assistant was on the radar of multiple teams during this year’s hiring cycle, but has yet to land a coordinator position. He was named as one of the initial candidates for the Eagles’ vacancy, and now finds himself as a finalist.

Desai, 39, headed to Seattle last offseason under the title of associate head coach. That marked his first job outside of Chicago, where he had spent the previous nine years. He worked his way from quality control coach to a one-year stint as defensive coordinator in 2021. That season, the Bears ranked sixth in the league in total defense, but sweeping changes to the coaching staff and front office the following offseason led him to Seattle.

In 2022, a Seahawks unit which moved on from franchise icon Bobby Wagner struggled in run defense in particular, which contributed to poor overall rankings in yardage and points allowed. The team did fare surprisingly well in the secondary, though, led by rookie corner and NFL interception leader Tariq Woolen. Seattle also finished top-10 in the league in sacks with a re-tooled pass rush.

Desai would inherit a strong defense if he were to be named as Jonathan Gannon‘s replacement, though the unit does feature a number of high-profile pending free agents. Desai would constitute an experienced staffer at the NFL level, compared to some of the college candidates they have shown interest in.

Here is an updated look at the Eagles’ DC search:

  • Sean Desai, defensive assistant (Seahawks): To conduct second interview 2/27
  • Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 2/21-2/22
  • Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed
  • Chris Shula, defensive backs coach (Rams): Interviewed
  • Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator (Wisconsin): Interviewed
  • Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Eagles): Mentioned as candidate
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