HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Colts Announce Finalized 2023 Coaching Staff

March 8th, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Ely Allen

New Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially put the finishing touches on his first NFL coaching staff, according to Colts.com writer JJ Stankevitz. We’ve covered a number of staff announcements like the hiring of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and the retaining of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, but below are any moves from the announcement that we haven’t already reported on.

On the offensive side of the ball, we’ve covered most moves already. One piece of new information is that offensive quality control coach Brian Bratton has been retained in the same position for 2023. Bratton works primarily with wide receivers, assisting wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne, who was also retained. Joining them and the rest of the offensive staff will be former Notre Dame graduate assistant Chris Watt. Watt was previously the offensive line coach at Tulane in 2021 and will serve as assistant offensive line coach for the Colts under new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.

We also received information that most of the defensive staff will be retained alongside Bradley. Linebackers coach and run game coordinator Richard Smith and defensive backs coach Ron Milus were both blocked by Indianapolis from interviewing for lateral moves and will stay in place in 2023. Their second-in-commands will both remain in place, as well, as assistant linebackers coach Cato June and assistant defensive backs coach Mike Mitchell were also retained. Similarly, defensive line coach Nate Ollie and assistant defensive line coach Matt Raich were kept on staff for next season. Lastly, Brent Jackson, who served last year as the team’s 2022 Tony Dungy Defensive Coaching Fellow, was promoted to defensive quality control assistant.

On special teams, it was confirmed that newly hired former Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason will serve as the Colts’ own special teams coordinator next year, despite this being his first NFL coaching position. Last year’s assistant special teams coach Joe Hastings will help Mason after being retained for 2023. Lastly, Indianapolis plans on hiring two Tony Dungy Diversity Fellows for next season, which it will announce at a later date.

And, with that, we have the first NFL coaching staff under Steichen. He retains much of what was put together in former head coach Frank Reich‘s last year but with a few of his own touches. Now Steichen can focus on roster-building as free agency and the draft loom on the horizon.

Texans Plan To Release LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

March 8th, 2023 at 8:32pm CST by Ely Allen

The rollercoaster that is the career of linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin continues as Houston reportedly plans to release the 28-year-old defender, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Reeves-Maybin was brought in to compete for the Texans at linebacker but mainly found himself on special teams in 2022.

The rollercoaster started for Reeves-Maybin in college when, after phenomenal performances in his sophomore and junior years, injuries decimated his senior season at Tennessee. He was still drafted in the fourth round by Detroit back in 2017. He showed promise in a rookie season that saw him rotate in at linebacker and record 30 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and a half sack. During his second year with the Lions, Reeves-Maybin began to earn more playing time before injuries started nagging at him again, eventually landing him on injured reserve.

His third year was a confusing mix. He started out with strong snap counts in the first two weeks of 2019 before finding himself relegated to special teams for several games. He did earn three starts to end the season, finishing off a tough year in strong fashion. He would see another letdown year, though, in 2020, spending the entire season on special teams and recording a career-low in total tackles.

Despite his diminished impact on defense, the Lions re-signed Reeves-Maybin to a one-year contract for 2021. After two games in his special teams role, Reeves-Maybin carved out a bit more playing time, eventually earning a starting spot that he kept for the rest of the season. The one-year tryout was a career year for Reeves-Maybin as he totaled career highs in total tackles (82), tackles for loss (4), forced fumbles (2), and passes defensed (4).

The strong year resulted in the Texans signing him to a two-year, $7.5MM contract. Unfortunately for Reeves-Maybin, the rollercoaster that is his career continued. Aside from one game that saw him play 67-percent of the team’s snaps on defense, Reeves-Maybin was largely relegated back to special teams play. He was passed over in favor of Kamu Grugier-Hill, Jake Hansen, Blake Cashman, and Garret Wallow for playing time alongside Christian Kirksey and rookie third-round pick Christian Harris.

The move to release him doesn’t come as much of a surprise. With Reeves-Maybin due to hold a 2023 cap hit of $4.25MM, the Texans are more than willing to eat the $2MM in dead money to release him. The $2.25MM in cap savings is simply too enticing a return for releasing a special teamer.

As for Reeves-Maybin’s future, if his previous rollercoaster years are any indication, the pending free agent is due for a strong performance in his sixth year of NFL play. Some team will likely take a chance on him for a reasonably low price.

Texans Re-Signing C Scott Quessenberry

March 8th, 2023 at 7:21pm CST by Ely Allen

As part of efforts to address the interior of the offensive line this offseason, the Texans have re-signed center Scott Quessenberry who was set to hit free agency this spring, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Quessenberry stepped up this past season and started every game for the Texans after initial starting center Justin Britt‘s departure following Week 1.

A former fifth-round pick for the Chargers, Quessenberry signed with the Texans a year ago, making him the third of his brothers to play in Houston, after offensive tackle David Quessenberry and tight end Paul Quessenberry. He was almost immediately put into action when Britt was placed on the team’s reserve/non-football illness list after the first game of the season.

Quessenberry stepped in and started the remaining 16 games of the season at center. While the move does address the interior offensive line, it may not be the only move Houston makes at center. Quessenberry gets a lot of deserved credit from the Texans’ staff for stepping up when needed, but during his time filling in, Quessenberry graded out as the worst center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

It wasn’t necessarily close, either. The top two centers in the league, Super Bowl LVII participants Creed Humphrey and Jason Kelce, had offensive grades of 89.9 and 89.5, respectively. Beneath them, the grades gradually decrease from third-graded Browns center Ethan Pocic (79.0) to 35th-graded Cardinals center Billy Price (51.3). The only center graded below Price: Quessenberry, at a distant 36th with an offensive grade of 36.6. Quessenberry had the worst pass blocking grade (25.8) and run blocking grade (43.7) of any center in the NFL.

Still, with Britt expected to retire and the only other lineman on the roster with experience at center being Jimmy Morrissey, who began last season on the Texans’ practice squad, it was important for the Texans to make sure that, at the very least, they had a center with starting experience on the roster.

With further moves to address the interior linemen positions expected on the horizon, it will be interesting to see what Quessenberry’s role next year will be. Regardless of what other help is brought in, he’ll at least have an opportunity to retain his starting job this summer.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/8/23

March 8th, 2023 at 5:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

  • Claimed off waivers (from Jaguars): QB E.J. Perry

New York Giants

A veteran linebacker formerly with the Lions, Davis joined the Giants very late in the season last year, only starting one regular season game for New York. Davis did go on to start both postseason games for the Giants, doing impressive work for a player with such little time to learn a team’s defense. The 28-year-old had been starting less and less as his career progressed in Detroit, so a renewed opportunity to win a starting position should help to former first-round pick to get back on track.

Buccaneers Discussing Tristan Wirfs Move To Left Tackle

March 8th, 2023 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tristan Wirfs became extension-eligible in January; he could soon have a chance to increase his price. The Buccaneers are considering shifting Wirfs from right to left tackle.

The team has discussed this change, and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes Wirfs is open to a move. This is not viewed as a lock just yet, but The Athletic’s Dan Pompei writes the assumption is the former first-round pick will change positions ahead of his fourth season (subscription required).

Unlike a number of NFL right tackles, Wirfs did not primarily play on the left side in college. He spent more time on the right side while at Iowa, though his 2019 All-American year included three blindside starts. This would be an interesting transition for Wirfs, and the Bucs have laid the groundwork for it by cutting Donovan Smith.

Smith, 29, spent the past eight seasons as Tampa Bay’s left tackle; only Paul Gruber enjoyed a longer run at that spot in the franchise’s 47-season history. Smith signed three contracts with the Bucs but will now be in search of a second team, as the franchise that pushed its chips in during Tom Brady‘s tenure deals with a cap crunch. The Bucs making Smith a cap casualty opens the door for Wirfs, 24, to make his mark at the higher-profile tackle spot.

Other high-end right tackles have been connected to possible position changes. Lane Johnson was once viewed as a Jason Peters heir apparent in Philadelphia, and Ryan Ramczyk has been mentioned as a candidate to switch sides in New Orleans. Both have stayed at right tackle, however, and a Wirfs switch does run the risk of the Bucs cutting into one of their biggest strengths — after a season in which the team struggled at the non-Wirfs O-line spots. Wirfs earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 2021 and second-team acclaim last season. He became an instant starter as a rookie and provided strong protection for Brady during the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV-winning march.

By exercising Wirfs’ fifth-year option (which the Bucs will do) by May, they can push out his contract year to 2024. If this position move comes to pass and Wirfs thrives on the left side, his price will likely rise. The league’s top three left tackles each earn north of $22MM per year; no right tackle is tied to a deal past the $19.2MM-AAV mark. The top right tackle deal (Ramczyk’s) also contains language that would bump his pay if he moved to left tackle and excelled.

Following through with this transition will also shift the Bucs’ top need up front to right tackle. Although this is a good year to need a right tackle, as free agency will feature a few quality options, the Bucs would seemingly focus on the draft here. They still have a ways to go to move under the salary cap.

OL Rumors: Taylor, McGlinchey, Pats, Powers

March 8th, 2023 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Right tackle will be one of this year’s top positional markets to monitor. One of the best players set to hit the market, Jawaan Taylor, is expected to do very well. The Jaguars blocker may move into position to command a deal worth at least $17MM on average, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. The Jaguars used their franchise tag on Evan Engram, with that cost being $7MM cheaper than the O-line tag, but they are attempting to bring back Taylor. The former second-rounder has never missed a start as a pro and has earned plus grades for his pass protection. Although Pro Football Focus viewed Taylor as one of the league’s worst run-blockers last season, the advanced metrics site rates him as the eighth-best pass-protecting right tackle over the past two years.

The Jags already have Cam Robinson tied to a top-10 deal at left tackle, which will make keeping Taylor difficult. A deal at $17MM AAV would move Taylor into the top five at the position. Here is the latest from the O-line ranks:

  • Another of the top right-siders set to be hit the market, Mike McGlinchey is not expected to return to the 49ers. The Bears would be in position to outmuscle other suitors for the five-year starter’s services, holding a near-$30MM lead in cap space (at $94.7MM). McGlinchey should be expected to join Taylor on a deal north of $17MM per year, per Adam Jahns of The Athletic (subscription required). Kaleb McGary could profile as a slightly cheaper alternative, per Jahns, who notes Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan was the Falcons’ O-line coach when they drafted the Michigan product in the 2019 first round. The Bears have gone through a few options at right tackle since releasing Bobby Massie in 2021. This represents a good year for the team to address the position.
  • Excepting their 2017 Stephon Gilmore payment and the 2021 spending frenzy, the Patriots are not known for deep dives into free agency pools. But they also look set to investigate the right tackle market. New England is seeking an upgrade here, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe notes, pointing out that the team is content on the interior (with center David Andrews and guards Michael Onwenu and Cole Strange). Trent Brown is still under contract on the left side. Beyond the top three RTs, Trey Pipkins, Kelvin Beachum and Andrew Wylie are ticketed for free agency. Isaiah Wynn is not expected back in New England, which is not exactly a surprise given his dismal contract year. The Pats hold more than $32MM in cap space, giving them some capital to use at this need area.
  • Currently carrying a $32.4MM Lamar Jackson franchise tag on their cap sheet, the Ravens should not be expected to retain their top free agent (now that Jackson is tagged). Ben Powers‘ quality contract year should lead to his Baltimore departure, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes. Powers needed to win a left guard competition in training camp. Upon doing so, the former fourth-round pick proceeded to rank in the top 10 in run and pass block win rates, per ESPN. Powers, 26, will be one of the best guards available next week. The Ravens’ Jackson tag has them $9MM over the cap as of Wednesday afternoon.
  • USC tackle prospect Andrew Vorhees suffered a torn ACL while doing drills at the Combine, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. While Vorhees still managed to perform 38 reps in the bench press after the injury, this setback will undoubtedly hurt the top-100 prospect’s draft stock.

NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Draft, Purdy, 49ers, Ebukam, Clark, Seahawks, Staff

March 8th, 2023 at 1:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cardinals have fared well when picking in the top five over the past two decades, landing the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson and Kyler Murray. The team’s second-half swoon last season led to a rebuild, giving a new regime the No. 3 overall pick. Similar to the Bears, the Cards are prepared to move down. GM Monti Ossenfort made that clear, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The team gave Murray a landmark extension last summer, and although Year 1 of that deal did not go well, he remains Arizona’s franchise quarterback. As such, the team will be prepared to move down to accommodate a QB-seeking team (or one eyeing the top non-passer available) that was unable to land Chicago’s pick. Such a move would bolster a roster that enters free agency with several holes.

Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • Ossenfort also said the Cardinals have been in talks with free agents-to-be Zach Allen and Byron Murphy. The first-year GM indicated the Cardinals “would love” to keep both players, though he noted the obvious financial caveat (via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban) that could lead each out of town. Both were drafted to play in Vance Joseph‘s system in 2019, and each will be among the top free agents at their respective positions. If Murphy and Allen leave, cornerback and defensive line would become areas of dire need in Arizona. The Cards did not put much around Murphy since Peterson’s 2021 exit, and Allen following J.J. Watt off the roster would obviously put the onus on the NFC West squad adding reinforcements up front.
  • Brock Purdy‘s postponed elbow surgery will take place Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets. The breakthrough 49ers quarterback was initially scheduled to undergo the UCL repair Feb. 22, but swelling led to a delay. The seventh-round pick who would be on track to retain his starting role is expected to face a six-month recovery timetable, which would run up against Week 1. This creates more QB uncertainty in San Francisco, though Trey Lance is on track to participate in OTAs. The plan remains for Purdy to have a less invasive elbow procedure, but he acknowledged Tommy John surgery — elbow reconstruction — could take place. The latter route would threaten to hijack Purdy’s 2023 season.
  • The 49ers discussed trading for Frank Clark before the veteran defensive end agreed to a Chiefs restructure in 2022, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. Clark is now available, having been a Chiefs cap casualty this week. The former Seahawks draftee’s 13.5 playoff sacks are the third-most in NFL history, but he never topped eight during a regular season with the Chiefs. The 49ers could consider Clark opposite Nick Bosa, with Samson Ebukam being viewed (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com) as likely to price himself out of San Francisco. Ebukam, 27, recorded 9.5 sacks in his two-year 49ers run. He could command an eight-figure-per-year deal, per Fowler, as this edge rusher market is fairly light. Even ahead of his age-30 season, Clark may not come much cheaper.
  • Azeez Al-Shaair figures to join Ebukam on the way out of the Bay Area, Barrows adds. The 49ers have already given Fred Warner a top-market contract, and they reached a midlevel agreement to retain ascending sidekick Dre Greenlaw last year. Al-Shaair will join a crowded off-ball linebacker market next week.
  • The Seahawks went through with some front office promotions recently. Nolan Teasley has moved into the role of assistant GM, while Matt Berry will become the team’s senior director of player personnel. Teasley has been with the team since 2013, moving up from the scouting level. Berry has been working with the Seahawks longer than GM John Schneider, having started with the team in 2008. Additionally, Willie Schneider will step into Beasley’s former role of pro personnel director. Aaron Hineline will replace Berry as director of college scouting.
  • The Seahawks’ recent Phil Haynes deal will be a one-year, $4MM pact, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets. The prospective guard starter will receive a fully guaranteed $1.3MM base salary and a $2.2MM signing bonus.

Eagles Eyeing Matt Patricia; Return To Patriots Still In Play?

March 8th, 2023 at 12:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Patricia has not landed a job just yet, but it should be expected the veteran defensive coach (feat. a memorable 2022 on the offensive side) lands elsewhere in 2023, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. Patricia has met with the Broncos, but Sean Payton pointed to new DC Vance Joseph needing to sign off on a hire.

The Eagles also have Patricia on their radar. Nick Sirianni is aiming to add a veteran staffer for the linebackers coach position vacated by Nick Rallis, and InsidetheBirds.com’s Adam Caplan notes the Patricia addition is “probably going to happen.” The defending NFC champions would place Patricia as a senior member of the staff if hired, noting Sirianni is prioritizing experience for this hire.

This would be an interesting fit, given the Patricia-Darius Slay relationship from the duo’s Lions days. Slay’s dislike for Patricia was bad enough it affected the cornerback’s performance, per Caplan, and the accomplished cover man said he and Patricia’s relationship was “destroyed” as early as 2018, the latter’s first season as Lions HC. Ahead of Patricia’s final year in Detroit, the Lions sent Slay to the Eagles for third- and fifth-round picks. A recent Slay tweet regarding a Patricia Philadelphia arrival pointed to animosity remaining. Although Patricia would not be coaching Slay in Philly, this reunion would certainly bring an awkward component into the Eagles’ defensive equation.

Patricia, however, has spoken with multiple teams about a role, Graziano adds. Patricia’s Patriots contract has expired, and his most recent New England arrangement did not come with much compensation from the Pats. The Lions still owing Patricia money — as part of his five-year contract — aided the Patriots in paying their versatile assistant, with Ben Volin of the Boston Globe describing the situation as the AFC East team not needing to pay an offensive coordinator last season.

Patricia ended up the de facto Pats OC in 2022. As most assumed, it did not go well. The longtime defensive coach and ex-Lions leader, however, did not want to serve in that role, per Volin, who notes Patricia ended up doing so as a favor to Bill Belichick. The Patriots boss wanted a coach he could trust at the helm on offense. The Pats had lost longtime OC Josh McDaniels, and rather than hire a true play-caller, Belichick took the unusual step of putting Patricia in that post. The Pats have since added another ex-staffer, Bill O’Brien, to serve in this capacity.

Patricia gained considerable experience during his second New England stay, playing the lead role on offense with an emphasis on the team’s O-line while working in a front office capacity at points as well. He is the rare modern NFL coach to call plays on both sides of the ball. Patricia seems poised to head to a third organization soon, though Volin adds a path back to New England should still be open due to he and Belichick remaining close. The Patriots have already filled their O-line coach post, hiring Adrian Klemm, while the Broncos have added both inside and outside linebackers coaches.

Ravens Add Dennard Wilson, Chuck Smith To Staff

March 8th, 2023 at 10:53am CST by Sam Robinson

In consideration for the Eagles and Browns’ defensive coordinator jobs this year, Dennard Wilson is joining the Ravens. Baltimore hired the former Philadelphia assistant as its defensive backs coach.

The Eagles had Wilson in place as a potential Jonathan Gannon successor, and the veteran position coach at a point looked like the frontrunner. Philadelphia promoted from within to fill Shane Steichen‘s OC position, elevating QBs coach Brian Johnson. But the NFC champions went outside the organization to replace Gannon, hiring Seahawks assistant Sean Desai. As could be expected, this meant a separation with Wilson.

Wilson, 40, will return to his home state. He both played high school and college football in Maryland; his Terrapins career spanned from 2000-03. Wilson both coached at his high school and was a graduate assistant at Maryland in the 2000s. He has been an NFL assistant since breaking into the league with the Rams in 2012. Nick Sirianni added pass-game coordinator to Wilson’s responsibilities in 2022, and the Eagles ranked first in pass defense last season. Wilson previously worked as DBs coach for the Rams and Jets. The Browns interviewed Wilson early during this year’s lengthy coordinator hiring period but went with Jim Schwartz.

It appears Wilson will work alongside Ravens defensive pass-game coordinator Chris Hewitt, who has been with the team since 2012. Hewitt previously held the title of defensive backs coach. Former Ravens safeties coach D’Anton Lynn, however, left this offseason to become UCLA’s DC under Chip Kelly. Lynn, 33, worked as Baltimore’s safeties coach over the past two seasons.

The Ravens are also hiring Chuck Smith to be their new outside linebackers coach, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. The former Falcons defensive end represents a bit of an unusual hire, having not coached at the pro or college levels in recent years. He coached at the University of Tennessee in 2010, though The Ringer’s Lindsay Jones notes Smith has worked alongside Von Miller at the latter’s annual pass rush summits (Twitter link). Smith, 53, played for the Falcons from 1992-99, being part of their Super Bowl XXXIII defense and finishing his career with three double-digit sack seasons. He will replace Rob Leonard, who left last week to become the Raiders’ defensive line coach.

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