HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Jets’ Duane Brown To Play In 2023

March 5th, 2023 at 2:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets’ offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2022, and the team entered this offseason with a high degree of uncertainty at the tackle position in particular. Some clarity has emerged on that front with respect to a veteran member of the unit.

Duane Brown intends to play in 2023,as confirmed by his agent. That will set him up to continue his career for a 17th season, and second with the Jets. The 37-year-old signed with New York on a two-year, $20MM contract last offseason as the Jets scrambled to find an experienced replacement for Mekhi Becton after the latter suffered another major injury of his own.

Expectations were relatively high for Brown, given his consistent play over five seasons in Seattle. Things took a turn for the worst just before the season, however, when the five-time Pro Bowler suffered a shoulder injury which required being place on IR. He opted not to undergo surgery, instead opting for rehab to allow for a quicker return to action. That ultimately took place in time for him to suit up for 12 contests this season, all spent at left tackle.

It was later revealed that Brown was playing through a torn rotator cuff, something which made his return even more impressive. Overall, the former first-rounder allowed just one sack during his first Jets campaign, leading to a pass-blocking PFF grade of 72.3. While his overall rating was far worse, Brown still provided stability on the blindside in a season which was marred by crucial injuries up front for the Jets.

“Duane is a freaking rock star, man, the way he fought through pain and injury,” head coach Robert Saleh said of Brown recently, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “He did what I’d say about 90% of players probably wouldn’t have done, in terms of playing when he didn’t have to. All his money was already guaranteed, and the guy still strapped up and played [12] games for us. So, a lot of respect for him… and if he’s here [in 2023], it’d be awesome.”

Today’s news means that Brown will indeed suit up for the upcoming season, though his name has been mentioned as a cut candidate. He is due a non-guaranteed base salary of $9MM in 2023, and has a scheduled cap hit of $11.2MM. Releasing the former All-Pro would save the Jets just under $5MM in cap space. Doing so would create a roster hole at the position, though, one of increased importance given the lengthy injury history Becton has.

Brown had been contemplating retirement, but now he will play at least one more season in pursuit of a first Super Bowl title. The Jets will likely have him, Becton and Max Mitchell as their top offensive tackles, though Cimini notes the position is likely to be a high draft priority. The team may feel less urgency to use their first-rounder on a lineman knowing they are in line to have Brown back in the fold as at least veteran insurance.

Packers Rumors: Rodgers, Love, Lazard

March 5th, 2023 at 12:58pm CST by Rory Parks

We are now 10 days away from the start of the 2023 league year, and there is still no clarity on the Aaron Rodgers situation. In February, a report surfaced indicating that the Packers’ entire power structure is “done with Rodgers” and ready to turn the QB reins over to Jordan Love, while a subsequent report suggested that Green Bay would be amenable to a Rodgers return if the 10-time Pro Bowler is “fully bought in.”

Rodgers’ “darkness retreat,” in which he spent a few days in isolation to consider his future, concluded sometime in the middle of February, but at the end of the month, GM Brian Gutekunst said that he had not yet spoken with Rodgers aside from a few text messages (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). And, as Demovsky noted, Gutekunst was noncommittal when asked who his 2023 QB1 will be, which is notable in light of his unequivocally stating in December that he wanted Rodgers back and then deferring to Rodgers’ four MVP honors when asked in January which of his top two passers gives the club the best chance to win.

As of now, the beginning of free agency on March 15 remains the soft deadline for Rodgers to make a decision as to whether he wants to retire, return to the Packers, or be traded, though Gutekunst is still not pushing the franchise icon to clarify his intentions.

Now for more from Titletown:

  • In the same piece linked above, Gutekunst is quoted as saying that he has not had any specific trade talks concerning Rodgers. We did hear last month that the Jets had “inquired” on Rodgers’ availability, though technically speaking, such an inquiry may not qualify as “trade talks” if actual compensation was not discussed.
  • Also in Demovsky’s piece, Gutekunst reiterated his belief that Love is ready to be a starting quarterback, and as Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com (subscription required) writes, many current Packers players believe the same, just as the team knew Rodgers was ready to take up the mantle from Brett Favre in 2008. All of the Rodgers-related reports that have surfaced in 2023 lend credence to the notion that, while Green Bay may be open to one more year with Rodgers at the helm, it may actually prefer to trade him and begin life with Love.
  • Moving away from the Packers’ quarterbacks room, free agent-to-be WR Allen Lazard told SiriusXM NFL Radio last month that his agent has had some discussions with team brass about a new contract, but at this point, it sounds as if Lazard will have a chance to test his luck on the open market (audio link). With Davante Adams no longer in the picture, Lazard became more of a focal point of the Green Bay offense in 2022, setting career bests in targets (100), receptions (60), and yards (788). His 60% reception rate was a career low, though Rodgers has said, if he returns to the Packers in 2023, he would want the team to re-sign Lazard.
  • Another of Rodgers’ favorite targets, WR Randall Cobb, recently underwent ankle surgery, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Cobb, 32, is out of contract, though if he chooses to play in 2023, he will be able to do so without pain.
  • The Packers recently restructured the contracts of a few high-profile players for salary cap purposes. Per Rapoport, cornerback Jaire Alexander and edge defender Preston Smith both agreed to reworked deals that will open up a little more than $16MM of cap space (Twitter link). Demovsky passes along some details (Twitter links), pointing out that the team added a void year (2027) to the back end of both contracts.
  • Likewise, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that the Packers converted roughly $13.8MM of DT Kenny Clark‘s 2023 pay into a signing bonus, thereby opening up a little over $11MM in cap room. Demovsky again offers a complete breakdown of the restructure (via Twitter).

D’Onta Foreman Would Be “Hot Commodity” In Free Agency

March 5th, 2023 at 11:35am CST by Rory Parks

Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman is expected to be a “hot commodity” should he hit free agency later this month, as Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.com reports. Foreman recently indicated that he wants to return to Carolina, and Wilson says the team will attempt to retain the Texas product.

After the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey in October, Foreman became the club’s feature back, and he ended the 2022 season with 203 carries for 914 yards (4.5 YPC) and five touchdowns. That represented a continuation of the solid work he displayed with the Titans in 2021, when he carried the ball 133 times for 566 yards (4.3 YPC) as an injury replacement for Derrick Henry.

So it stands to reason that Foreman would generate interest in free agency, and we heard in December that outside clubs were monitoring his status. Obviously, having a number of teams involved will help Foreman’s cause, but there are also several factors that will limit his earning power. For one, running back is no longer considered a premium position, and Foreman is not an elite talent who will be paid like his Pro Bowl-caliber colleagues. Second, even though players like Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard will likely be kept off the market via the franchise tag, talents like Miles Sanders, David Montgomery, Kareem Hunt, and Devin Singletary could be available, and even Saquon Barkley could be there for the taking.

Plus, Foreman is a between-the-tackles runner who does not offer much in the passing game. In light of all of those considerations, Spotrac estimates that the soon-to-be 27-year-old merits a one-year contract worth $3.4MM. That would be a nice raise from the $2MM salary he earned in 2022, but it would not be a budget-busting sum that the Panthers would be unable to afford (particularly as the team’s other RBs, Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear, are on eminently affordable rookie deals).

In related news, new Carolina head coach Frank Reich has said that the team is prioritizing a new contract for center Bradley Bozeman, as David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. We heard in January that Bozeman is interested in remaining with the Panthers, so there is a good chance that the parties will strike an accord in short order.

Brandon Graham Generating Interest

March 5th, 2023 at 9:51am CST by Rory Parks

Defensive end Brandon Graham will soon be a free agent, and though he will turn 35 next month, a number of teams are interested in his services, as Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). Graham, who has been a member of the Eagles since he was drafted by the club in the first round of the 2010 draft, would prefer to finish his career in Philadelphia but is willing to move on if he can land a larger contract elsewhere.

An Achilles tear limited Graham to just two games in 2021, which made his 2022 performance particularly remarkable. In his age-34 season, the Michigan product tallied a career-high 11 sacks as a key part of the Eagles’ league-best pass rush, and Pro Football Focus also assigned him a solid 69.7 overall grade for his efforts against the run. In all, PFF considered him the fifth-best edge defender among players with enough snaps to qualify.

Snap count, however, could be a factor in Graham’s negotiations with interested clubs. His performance in 2022 was doubtlessly aided by the fact that the Eagles could keep him fresh, having deployed him in only 43% of their defensive plays (as opposed to snap rates between 69% and 76% in each of his prior six healthy campaigns). It stands to reason that, at this stage of his career, Graham would be utilized as more of a rotational player, which is perhaps why Spotrac projects him to land a one-year deal worth a fairly modest $5.7MM.

Still, there is plenty of need for rotational defenders with the ability to get after opposing quarterbacks, and just about every team could use such a player if the price is right. Per McManus, the Browns are among the clubs with interest in Graham, which makes sense given the recent tension between Cleveland and Jadeveon Clowney, who is also set to hit the open market. The Browns may also be an attractive landing spot for Graham, who would have the opportunity to line up opposite two-time First Team All-Pro Myles Garrett.

Philadelphia came up just short in its quest for a second Lombardi Trophy, and the team has plenty of high-profile contributors eligible for free agency, including Javon Hargrave, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry, and Miles Sanders. GM Howie Roseman, who will also be navigating extension talks with QB Jalen Hurts, has acknowledged that he will simply be unable to retain all of his pending FAs (Twitter link via Zach Berman of The Athletic). One wonders if Roseman will prioritize another contract for an aging, albeit productive, player like Graham.

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll: Seattle Is “Totally Connected” To Collegiate QBs

March 5th, 2023 at 8:34am CST by Rory Parks

Reports on contract talks between quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks have indicated that both sides are optimistic a deal will get done. However, the latest such report was a full month ago. With the March 7 deadline for teams to utilize a franchise or transition tag looming, it is unclear how much progress has been made in negotiations, or if Seattle will hit its breakout passer with a tag.

Deadlines can always spur action, so it would not be surprising to see a deal struck over the next 48 hours or so. The Seahawks, though, are carefully evaluating the top quarterbacks in this year’s class, and as they possess the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft due to last offseason’s Russell Wilson trade (along with their own No. 20 overall selection), the club is well-positioned to select a high-profile signal-caller if it so chooses.

At the scouting combine in Indianapolis last week, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters, including Brady Henderson of ESPN.com, “[w]e are totally connected to the quarterbacks that are coming out. This is a really huge opportunity for us. It’s a rare opportunity. We’ve been drafting in the low 20s for such a long time; you just don’t get the chance with these guys. So we’re deeply involved with all that.”

When asked how much the Seahawks are studying this year’s quarterback class, GM John Schneider said, “a lot. Every year, honestly, we really look at it a lot. Like I said earlier, we haven’t picked fifth overall since we’ve been here. So yeah, I got out to see a lot of quarterbacks this year. It was pretty fun.” 

As Carroll and Schneider indicated, the ‘Hawks have typically had a native pick late in the first round during their tenure in Seattle, and the most coveted collegiate passers generally do not fall that far. So while Schneider acknowledged that he looks closely at every year’s quarterback class, his 2023 draft capital gives him an opportunity he has rarely had.

Of course, as Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic posits, the comments made by Carroll and Schneider could be part of a ploy to get quarterback-needy teams to leapfrog the Seahawks in a trade-up maneuver, thereby increasing the chances that an elite non-QB like Alabama edge defender Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter falls to them (subscription required). But Dugar does not believe that is the case. Even when Wilson was piloting the club to division titles and playoff runs, Schneider attended the pro days of quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, and he has regretted not selecting more QBs over his 13 drafts as Seattle’s GM.

To be clear, even if Schneider is serious about nabbing one of this year’s prized quarterback prospects, it does not mean that he will allow Smith to walk. Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times) projects that a fair contract for Smith would be a two-year pact worth between $55MM-$60MM, and given that the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year will turn 33 in October, a two- or three-year accord sounds about right. Which means that Schneider could draft a top-flight quarterback and groom him behind Smith for a couple of years before turning over the reins, just as mentor Ted Thompson did when, as general manager of the Packers in 2005, he selected Aaron Rodgers and had him sit behind Brett Favre for several seasons.

Schneider recently said that contract discussions with Smith have been “positive,” but he did not indicate that an agreement was particularly close. And as Henderson writes in a separate piece, Schneider may not be inclined to use a tag on Smith (as our own Sam Robinson suggested last month, and as ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote in a subscription-only piece today). If he doesn’t, and if no deal is reached by the time the legal tampering period opens on March 13, Smith would then be able to talk to other clubs, and the Seahawks would not have the right of first refusal.

Meanwhile, Seattle still wants to retain Drew Lock (ideally to reprise his 2022 role as Smith’s backup). Several experts that Henderson has consulted believe Lock will get no more than a one-year deal for the league minimum salary ($1.08MM), while others believe he will be able to command slightly more, but no higher than $3MM.

Latest On Giants, Daniel Jones

March 5th, 2023 at 7:38am CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 5: Jones and New York brass are expected to leave the scouting combine today “with no contract resolution in sight,” as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter). Pelissero’s NFL Network colleague, Mike Garafolo, says it always seemed likely that, if a long-term deal is going to be struck prior to the March 7 deadline for teams to utilize the franchise tag, it will happen in the 48 hours leading up to the deadline (Twitter link). However, Pelissero’s report suggests that there is still a great deal of work to be done in these negotiations.

MARCH 3, 4:00pm: Painting a more optimistic picture of the situation compared to Leonard’s report, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tweets that progress has been made in recent days between the two sides. He adds that a contract being finalized before the tag deadline “doesn’t seem unreasonable,” something which would of course carry massive implications for the team if it were to happen. Jones being signed would allow for the franchise tag to become an option for Barkley, thus keeping him off the market. Raanan also echoes the expectation that Jones’ deal will check in at a value of at least $40MM per season.

MARCH 3, 8:57am: Daniel Jones‘ rumored $45MM-per-year price point emerged almost two weeks ago. Despite the Giants negotiating with their free agent-to-be quarterback daily this week, they do not appear to be making progress.

Not only has Jones not come down from that lofty number, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports his ask is beyond $45MM on average. GM Joe Schoen said Thursday he wished the two sides were closer on terms by this point. The gap between where the Giants want this deal to land and what Jones’ camp points to a franchise tag.

The Giants initially feared Jones’ ask would come in beyond $35MM per year. Given the developments since the sides started negotiating, that number sounds reasonable now. Guarantee structure will matter here, but it does not appear the Giants are entertaining a number north of $45MM AAV. That is top-five (for now) quarterback money — north of Patrick Mahomes‘ 10-year deal’s average — and it points to Team Jones viewing the fifth-year passer as ascending to the point the Giants need to pay up for what he will be with a stronger supporting cast.

Jones’ wild-card performance in Minnesota notwithstanding, his being connected to an ask in this neighborhood after a 15-touchdown pass season is interesting. The Giants’ wide receiver plan broke down to the point a waiver claim (Isaiah Hodgins) had emerged as his go-to target by season’s end. Saquon Barkley was by far the team’s best skill player. Jones’ ask staying at this place could certainly lead to the sixth-year running back hitting the market.

The $37MM-AAV range has emerged as a sweet spot here; that would check in around the price of a 2024 Jones franchise tag. This year’s QB tag is $32.4MM, explaining the gap between the Giants and Jones four days away from the deadline to tag players.

Evaluators at this week’s Combine have classified Jones as an above-average quarterback not in the top tier at his position, Leonard adds, noting execs would want to see more before entertaining a contract in this price range. “Above average” is a safe label, even after Jones’ surprising 2022 season. The 25-year-old QB is a year removed from the Giants passing on a $22.4MM fifth-year option. Now, the prospect of Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson moving the top of the QB market is likely affecting the Giants.

This offseason brings a handful of quarterback-needy teams. The Jets and Saints are leading the way in terms of those connected to veteran arms, with Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr at the forefront. The Giants are not planning to let Jones test free agency; the only way he could gauge his value is to negotiate with other teams while on the tag. It would cost a team two first-round picks to pry Jones from the Giants, who would need to match an offer sheet to keep him in that scenario. Would another team’s offer come close to a deal in the high-$40MM range?

Even if this offseason saga is unlikely to reach that point, the Giants are on the verge of being stuck with a $32.4MM tag clogging their payroll going into free agency. The team sits near the top of the league in terms of cap space, holding $46.9MM as of Friday morning. Its equation would change if/once Jones is tagged.

Dan Snyder Roundup: Indemnification, Financial Impropriety, Potential Sale

March 4th, 2023 at 8:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The past few days have seen a number of reports emerge with respect to Commanders owner Dan Snyder which add further to the disdain felt towards him and the uncertainty that he will sell the team. With league meetings approaching later this month, pressure is likely to increase from other owners to distance himself from the league.

In the event that takes place, however, a number of legal actions could be soon to follow. A report from Mark Maske, Nicki Jhabvala and Liz Clarke of the Washington Post claims that Snyder is seeking protection against future liability and costs if he ultimately decides to sell the team. That demand for indemnity is a noteworthy one, as it comes against a backdrop of his fellow owners seeking to have him either sell the team or face the possibility of an unprecedented vote to remove him taking place.

The Post’s report notes, to little surprise, that Snyder’s indemnification request has not sat well with the other owners. In the event it is not granted, however, Snyder has threatened to sue them and the league in the event he is forced out. In addition, Snyder is reportedly seeking to keep the results of the ongoing Mary Jo White investigation into the team’s workplace culture and allegations of financial impropriety from going public. The NFL has stated that a written report on that front will be released, and Snyder’s demands to the contrary are similarly not likely to be met with sympathy from around the league. For their part, the Commanders have issued a statement which says the above claims are “simply untrue.”

Here is a roundup of some other Snyder-related notes, as this ongoing storyline continues to take shape:

  • In a follow-up to the aforementioned Post article, Clark, Maske and Jhabvala detail that league sources believe a vote forcing Snyder out would hold up against a hypothetical legal challenge. The preference amongst owners, however, remains that Jerry Jones (long thought to be Snyder’s closest ally, though their relationship seems to have worsened recently) helps convince Snyder to take the less challenging path of selling the franchise. On the point of indemnity, the expectation exists that it will be flatly rejected, given the myriad issues which have dogged Snyder over the course of his 24-year tenure as owner.
  • In a lengthy piece examining the financial aspects of the controversy surrounding the Commanders, ESPN’s Don Van Natta writes that a $55MM loan obtained in 2019 marked a key turning point in Snyder’s buyout of the team’s three minority owners. The latter group claimed they were not made aware of the loan being requested and obtained (a clear violation of the club’s shareholder agreement), and aired the grievance during a mediation session including NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Van Natta notes that no league action was taken to investigate the matter, which ended in the minority partners’ stake in the franchise being sold. This episode, they claim, represents one of several examples of Snyder using the team “as a personal piggy bank.”
  • Other issues of financial impropriety are at the heart of an ongoing probe from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Eastern Virginia. As reported by A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, that process now includes at least one subpoena being issued. The Commanders, who by their own admission have remained cooperative in the investigation, have previously been forced to pay a $250K penalty and refund season-ticket holders after deposits were found to have been withheld improperly. Van Natta’s ESPN’s piece adds that a criminal probe is underway, and is being led by FBI and IRS agents investigating what one source described as “jail time type of fraud” on Snyder’s part.
  • As was the case in October, owners are set to once again discuss Snyder and the Commanders situation in the coming league meetings, writes Rob Maaddi and Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. It was during the fall summit that Colts owner Jim Irsay publicly spoke out about the potential Snyder is forced to sell. Such action would become possible if at least 24 of the 31 other owners voted in favor of ousting Snyder, though questions have persisted throughout this saga whether the required majority exists to follow through on that.
  • On the point of a potential sale, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that $7B remains the “magic number” which Snyder is seeking. The latest on the bidding process has suggested that $6B could be closer to the sales price, which could cloud Snyder’s intentions of selling all or part of his share even further. The top name linked to buying the franchise, Jeff Bezos, has reportedly been blocked from taking part in the Commanders bidding process to date. Breer notes that the Amazon founder may very well prefer to buy the Seahawks should they hit the market, something which is not expected in at least the near future. While Bezos’ interest (or lack thereof) in buying the Commanders remains a storyline worth watching, further developments could be coming soon regarding Snyder’s future vis-à-vis the league’s other owners.

Latest On Cardinals, DeAndre Hopkins

March 4th, 2023 at 7:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

MARCH 4: In an update which comes as little surprise, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that teams have been calling the Cardinals to gauge the availability of Hopkins (video link). He adds that no decision has been made by Ossenfort and the Arizona front office as of yet, but the situation could change in the days leading up to free agency.

MARCH 3: The Cardinals have a new coaching staff, general manager and the potential to add a franchise player in the draft with the third overall pick. One of their top storylines for the offseason concerns an in-house player, however.

Wideout DeAndre Hopkins has become the subject of trade speculation recently, especially after it was learned that his no-trade clause is no longer in effect. That clause was voided as a result of the six-game PED suspension Hopkins served at the start of the 2022 campaign, one which again saw his game action limited. The 30-year-old does not have any guaranteed money remaining on his deal.

That could make him a trade candidate, especially if the Cardinals look to rebuild in the coming years under head coach Jonathan Gannon and GM Monti Ossenfort. Hopkins showed that he is still productive when healthy, posting 717 yards and three touchdowns in only nine games in 2022. However, a trade would result in $8.1MM in cap savings this season, and just under $15MM in 2024.

“I had a great talk with D-Hop a couple weeks ago,” Ossenfort said, via team reporter Darren Urban. “I explained to him what my philosophy was. It was a great conversation. D-Hop has been a great player in this league for a long time. I’m excited to work with him. I think any roster decisions like that, we are in the very early stages right now.”

The three-time All Pro has played three seasons in Arizona, the first of which was the only one in which he was available for a full campaign. Hopkins earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after recording his sixth career 1,000-plus yard season, but has been limited to 106 catches, 1,289 yards and 11 scores since then. Those numbers are certainly noteworthy, but they still fall short of expectations given the substantial extension he signed upon being traded from Houston. His deal carries cap hits of $30.75MM and $26.2MM in the next two years.

Between that financial burden, along with Hopkins’ missed games, trade value could be relatively underwhelming from the Cardinals’ perspective. Veteran reporter Mike Jurecki predicts (via Twitter) that Arizona would not be able to land a first-round pick in a deal, with a second-rounder coupled with a Day 3 selection being more likely. Part of the reason an acquiring team could wind up spending a top selection, on the other hand, is the underwhelming nature of this year’s free agent class at the position, and the relative lack of impact wideouts in the 2023 draft class compared to recent years.

Ossenfort’s remarks demonstrate that no decision has been made with respect to keeping or moving on from Hopkins. The Cardinals currently have just under $14MM in cap space, but the team faces a number of challenges in improving a roster which went 4-13 last season. Hopkins’ future will no doubt have an impact on their offseason either way.

Titans GM Ran Carthon Addresses Ryan Tannehill’s Future

March 4th, 2023 at 5:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Things didn’t go according to plan for the Titans in 2022 on offense in particular, and the team lost out in the AFC South title race. Not long before that took place, Tennessee fired general manager Jon Robinson in a move which took many by surprise.

His replacement, Ran Carthon, faces the challenge of determining the team’s future at the quarterback position. Four-year starter Ryan Tannehill remained the No. 1 when healthy in 2022, but questions have been raised about his chances of remaining in Nashville next season. The veteran struggled during his 12 games played, throwing 13 touchdowns and six interceptions while battling multiple injuries and overseeing a passing attack which had undergone significant changes.

Tannehill, 34, was thought to be in danger of losing his starting spot at some point when the Titans selected Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft. The Liberty product was seen as a long-term developmental option, and one who could make Tannehill expendable, especially in light of his contract status. The latter has one year remaining on his deal and a scheduled cap hit of $36.6MM.

When speaking on the former first-rounder’s situation, Carthon said, “Ryan is under contract. I know everybody wants to make a big deal out of the quarterback position and whether he will or won’t be here, but you guys just have to accept the fact that Ryan is under contract for us. Right now, he’s a Titan and he will be a Titan” (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com).

Those comments certainly suggest that the Titans won’t be looking to cut Tannehill in at least the immediate future. Doing so would yield $17.8MM in cap savings, and follow the steps already taken by the Commanders with Carson Wentz and the Falcons with Marcus Mariota. On the other hand, they fall well short of the endorsement Tannehill received last offseason.

Notably, Tennessee turned to Joshua Dobbs, rather than Willis, for the final two weeks of the regular season with a playoff spot on the line. The latter did little in his three starts to cement his status as anything but competition for Tannehill (or another passer) for the top spot on the depth chart in training camp. The Titans currently have just over $12MM in cap space, with a number of positions needing attention after the slew of cuts they made last week. Moving on from Tannehill would help their financial situation, but likely add the team to the list of those already in the market for a short-term veteran addition under center.

Cowboys To Place Second-Round RFA Tender On RT Terence Steele

March 4th, 2023 at 3:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys were recently said to be weighing their options with right tackle Terence Steele with respect to a restricted free agent tender. A decision has reportedly been made on that front.

Dallas will place the second-round RFA tender on Steele, per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Doing so carries a value of $4.3MM for 2023, a figure which comfortably surpasses the $2.295MM he has earned to date on his rookie contract. The first-round tender would have cost the team just over $6MM.

Steele, 25, has played in 45 games across his three seasons with the Cowboys. He has logged 40 starts over that span, primarily at right tackle. His level of play at that spot allowed Dallas to move on from La’el Collins and commit to the Texas Tech alum full time in 2022. Steele took a step forward in PFF rating for the third straight year, generating an overall grade of 73.9. That figure ranked 23rd out of 81 qualifying tackles. As Gehlken notes, that makes him part of the Cowboys’ long-term o-line plans.

Steele’s 2022 campaign was cut short by ACL and MCL tears. However, his recovery is going well so far, and a return in time for training camp is expected. Before that point, Steele’s financial future will likely become clearer. Their chosen tender will earn the Cowboys a second round pick if Steele signs an offer sheet with another team and they decline to match it. Given his age and experience, it will be interesting to monitor if a multi-year deal worth notably more than the tender’s value is put on the table, and how the Cowboys would respond to it. Steele can negotiate with teams up until April 21.

This news comes as Dallas faces the problem of trying to keep all three of their top tackles in the fold for 2023. Longtime blindside protector Tyron Smith has just one year remaining on his current deal, at a cap hit of over $17.6MM, while 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith filled in at LT for much of his rookie season. Deciding on the elder Smith’s future and the latter’s best short-term position could become part of their offensive line equation if Steele draws considerable outside interest.

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