2023 March - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Bengals’ Chris Lammons Indicted By Grand Jury

March 2nd, 2023 at 4:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

MARCH 2: Kamara entered a not guilty plea on Thursday, as noted (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. In a statement, his attorneys said in part, “we are looking forward to trial and a full vindication.” The next court date in this matter has been scheduled for July 31, meaning his and Lammons’ status will remain unclear deep into the NFL offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets, to no surprise, that a guilty verdict would mean Kamara’s league discipline would likely take effect in 2023.

FEBRUARY 16: An incident from last season’s Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas was quickly thought to be the reason for legal action and league discipline being taken against Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons at some point. Thursday saw an important development in their case.

A grand jury in Clark County (NV) has indicted the pair, along with two other men, for an alleged beating which took place last February in a Las Vegas nightclub. Specifically, they are facing criminal prosecution on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, as detailed by David Charns of Las Vegas 8 News Now.

Kamara and Lammons, both 27, were involved in a violent altercation which resulted in their arrest and a civil suit being filed by the victim, Darnell Green. The presence of video surveillance showing their respective involvement in the incident led to the expectation that the NFL would take action in line with its personal conduct policy. As such, Kamara was reported to be bracing for a six-game suspension, though the legal process has been marked by delays.

As the offseason wore on, it became increasingly clear that Kamara would be able to at least begin the 2022 season without incident. That was confirmed in late September, and he wound up playing in 15 contests during the campaign. Kamara was mentioned in trade rumors in the build-up to the deadline, despite the assumption around the league that his ban will take effect at the beginning of the 2023 season.

The five-time Pro Bowler led New Orleans with 897 rushing yards this year, adding 490 yards in the passing game. That production was in line with his numbers from the 2021 season, though he scored fewer than half as many touchdowns (four) as he did the previous campaign. Lammons maintained his special teams role in Kansas City throughout the year before being claimed off waivers by the Bengals in January.

“The state has avoided a contested preliminary hearing by indicting Mr. Kamara,” a statement from Kamara’s attorneys reads in part. “He intends to vigorously fight the allegations at trial as he was defending himself and others at the time of the incident.”

Today’s news means the case will move directly to district court. A court date for March 2 has been set, so an update to the league’s evaluation of the matter could come shortly thereafter.

Chiefs Eyeing New Deals For Chris Jones, Frank Clark

March 2nd, 2023 at 4:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chiefs have a number of key decisions to make in their attempt to retain as many core pieces of their Super Bowl winning roster as possible. That will likely include moves keeping their two most expensive defenders in place beyond the coming season.

Both defensive tackle Chris Jones and edge rusher Frank Clark are under contract for 2023. However, their deals are each scheduled to carry cap hits over $28MM, which would be a significant obstacle to the team’s other priorities, such as a long-term deal for left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. New contracts (rather than restructures) for both Jones and Clark could thus be mutually beneficial for team and player.

“The good thing for us is that we have these strong connections with these players that have played here a long time,” general manager Brett Veach said on the subject this week, via Nate Taylor of The Athletic (subscription required). “They love being here. That’s a good starting point for us.”

Jones is likely to be a higher priority from the Chiefs’ perspective, but working out a new deal with the 28-year-old won’t be a simple matter. Taylor reports that Jones is seeking a contract which will make him “at least” the second-highest paid interior d-lineman in the league, behind only Aaron Donald. The latter agreed to a massive restructure last offseason, bringing his average annual compensation over $31.6MM. Jones currently sits at $20MM in that regard, which trails Donald, DeForest Buckner and Leonard Williams.

Jones remained a crucial member of Kansas City’s defense in 2022. He matched his career high with 15.5 sacks, setting a new personal mark in tackles with 44 and playing time with an 80% snap share. The former second-rounder earned a First-Team All-Pro nod, along with Pro Bowl recognition for the fourth straight season. A deal flattening his 2023 cap hit would pay dividends, of course, but Jones’ continued production could leave the Chiefs in a similar situation to that of wideout Tyreek Hill last year. The latter’s contract demands led the team to trade him to Miami, a deal which allowed them to divert resources elsewhere on the roster.

Clark re-worked his contract last offseason, something which came as a surprise given the expectation that he would be destined to leave in free agency. That possibility remains once again in 2023, as Taylor notes that a release prior to free agency is a consideration for the team to save much-needed cap space. A March cut would lead to $21MM in savings and a dead cap hit of $7.6MM. Veach stressed his desire to talk with Clark’s agents in the hopes of finalizing an extension before that becomes necessary though, adding that Kansas City would remain interested in re-signing the 29-year-old if he were to be cut and allowed to test the open market.

The Chiefs still have work to do to become cap compliant, something which will become more difficult assuming a second franchise tag is placed on Brown in the coming days. Extensions for at least one of Jones or Clark could be coming soon to grant the team flexibility to afford a multi-year Brown deal, while keeping the team’s defensive leaders in place for at least the intermediate future.

Nick Gates, Jon Feliciano On Radar To Stay With Giants; Team Wants To Adjust Leonard Williams’ Deal

March 2nd, 2023 at 2:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Gates went from suffering a career-threatening injury to returning as a Giants starter, and the team has interest in keeping him on another contract.

The Giants have begun negotiations with the veteran interior offensive lineman, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post notes. Gates played out his two-year, $6.83MM extension. Both he and center Jon Feliciano are on the radar to stay. Feliciano, who was with GM Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll in Buffalo, signed a one-year, $3.25MM deal in March 2022.

A lower leg fracture in September 2021 ended Gates’ season, and then-HC Joe Judge mentioned the injury as being a potential career-ender for the former starting center. Displaying resilience and versatility, Gates worked his way back into a uniform by this past season’s midpoint. And the ex-center starter took over as a starting left guard soon after. Gates, 27, began sharing the gig with Ben Bredeson. The Giants have Bredeson under contract for 2023, via a 2021 trade, and still have 2022 draftees Joshua Ezeudu and Marcus McKethan on rookie deals.

Given the Giants’ guard situation and higher priorities in free agency, it is notable the team wants to work something out with Gates. Pro Football Focus graded Gates as a top-50 guard this year, slotting him a bit behind right guard Mark Glowinski, a former Colts starter who is signed through 2024. Feliciano being in the picture to stay is a bit more surprising, though his longstanding ties to the current regime certainly help. The 31-year-old blocker ranked outside the top 30 among full-time centers, per PFF, which graded Big Blue’s O-line 30th overall.

Considering the big-picture issues with Barkley, Daniel Jones and Julian Love, the Giants should be considered unlikely to sign off on big raises for Gates or Feliciano. Factoring in their spots as starters, however, Gates and Feliciano’s previous rates are a bit low.

A player whose paygrade checks in higher than most at his position also slots as a Giants offseason priority. Leonard Williams, who signed a three-year deal worth $63MM shortly after the Giants franchise-tagged him for a second time in March 2021, is going into a contract year. The Giants want to reduce his cap hit, with Dan Duggan of The Athletic noting (subscription required) Schoen will meet with the veteran D-lineman about doing so this week. Although void years could be tacked onto Williams’ deal to reduce his massive cap figure ($32.3MM — the most for any D-lineman in 2023), Duggan adds the team’s preferred path here is likely an extension.

The Giants extending Williams will be tricky. While it would reduce the former top-10 pick’s 2023 cap hit, the team also has a Dexter Lawrence extension on the agenda. Lawrence talks have begun, and the breakout D-tackle should be expected to top Williams’ $21MM-per-year price. With Jones set for a major raise and Barkley potentially back on either a franchise tag or an extension, the Giants will need to cut costs in some places. Williams also has seen his production dip since a big 2020 contract year, when he totaled 11.5 sacks and 30 QB hits. In 2022, the ex-Jet tallied 2.5 sacks and 12 QB hits. He only played in 12 games, however.

Former Panthers Owner Jerry Richardson Dies At 86

March 2nd, 2023 at 1:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jerry Richardson, who owned the Panthers from their inception until selling the franchise in 2018, died Wednesday night, according to the team. He was 86.

The first former player to own an NFL franchise since George Halas, Richardson launched the Panthers in 1993. He acquired the team in October 1993, nearly two years before the franchise began play along with the Jaguars as part of the NFL’s two-pronged expansion effort for the 1995 season.

The Spring Hope, N.C., native led an ownership group that paid $206MM for the Panthers 30 years ago. Richardson sold the franchise for $2.28 billion in 2018, with David Tepper making that acquisition.

“Jerry Richardson’s contributions to professional football in the Carolinas are historic,” David and Nicole Tepper said in a statement. “With the arrival of the Panthers in 1995, he changed the landscape of sports in the region and gave the NFL fans here a team to call their own. Nicole and I extend our deepest condolences to Rosalind, the entire Richardson family, and their loved ones.”

Richardson’s playing career was brief, lasting two years before he left the Colts amid a financial dispute. During his two-year career, however, Richardson caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas to help the Colts to their second consecutive NFL championship in 1959.

After a successful business career, the Wofford alum re-entered the league 33 years after his playing days ceased. The Panthers joined the Jaguars in advancing to the conference championship round in their second year of existence, defeating the defending champion Cowboys in Round 2 to set up a matchup with the eventual champion Packers. The Panthers advanced to four NFC championship games and two Super Bowls under Richardson, the most recent coming in 2015, when the team went 15-1 ahead of a Super Bowl 50 loss to the Broncos.

A sexual harassment scandal led Richardson to sell the team five years ago; Richardson had ceded control of the franchise in December 2017.

Buccaneers Plan To Cut Cameron Brate

March 2nd, 2023 at 11:13am CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers are an NFL-high $56MM over the cap, and they have less than two weeks to become compliant with the league’s $224.8MM salary ceiling. Cuts and restructures are coming. One of them will involve one of the team’s longest-tenured players.

Tampa Bay plans to release Cameron Brate, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The veteran tight end has been with the team since 2014, having stuck around this long despite being a UDFA. The Bucs will save just more than $2MM through this cut.

This comes after Brate suffered a scary injury midway through last season. A sprained neck led to Brate being stretchered off the field in Pittsburgh, leading to a three-game absence. Brate, who had been bumped down in Tampa Bay’s pecking order during Rob Gronkowski‘s time with the team, returned but did not make a substantial statistical impact. He finished the year with 20 receptions for 174 yards and no touchdowns.

Brate, 31, has been with the Bucs since before their Jameis Winston draft investment. The Harvard alum’s 2,857 career receiving yards rank second among tight ends in team history, behind only Jimmie Giles‘ 4,300. Brate’s total tops every Bucs tight end since 1987. Although 6-foot-5 pass catcher has played a complementary role behind Mike Evans (and often others) throughout his Tampa tenure, he has been a valuable player for the team.

The Bucs gave Brate a rare six-year contract back in 2018, with the deal being worth $40.8MM. This came after he served as a key Winston target, totaling 1,251 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns from 2016-17. The Bucs’ O.J. Howard first-round pick changed Brate’s role a bit, as did Bruce Arians‘ arrival; Brate never topped 350 receiving yards after that 2017 slate. The Bucs twice restructured Brate’s contract, adding two void years. That created a $2.96MM dead-money charge.

Reduced role aside, Brate teamed with Gronk and Howard in one of the higher-profile tight end stables in recent NFL history, collecting a Super Bowl ring in the process. Brate made a notable contribution during the Bucs’ 2020 playoff run, catching 14 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown in the postseason to help the Tom Brady-led team to a home Super Bowl. Barring a second Brady unretirement, Brate also caught the legendary quarterback’s final touchdown pass — an 8-yarder in the Bucs’ wild-card loss to the Cowboys.

This cut comes not long after the Bucs agreed to release Leonard Fournette. Others from the Super Bowl year will be gone as well, via releases or the team letting them walk in free agency. Todd Bowles has said the team is not expected to be particularly active on the market. Before that point, however, Tampa Bay must clear more than $50MM in salary to move under the cap.

Giants Not Planning To Raise Offer To Saquon Barkley?

March 2nd, 2023 at 10:43am CST by Sam Robinson

Inheriting two downward-trending pieces on offense in 2022, the Joe Schoen-led front office is now negotiating with two players coming off bounce-back seasons. The Giants are days away from a date that could send one of them out of New York.

The team continues to negotiate with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Schoen said he has talked to the free agent-to-be (or soon-to-be-tagged) quarterback’s camp throughout the week but mentioned during a Good Morning Football appearance he wished the Giants and their QB were closer on terms (video link). Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to apply franchise tags, which the Giants will do if no Jones deal commences by then.

Jones’ talks have hovered over Barkley’s throughout the offseason, as the running back — despite beginning negotiations with the Giants before they were sold on Jones — represents the second domino here. The Giants offered Barkley a deal in the $12.5MM-per-year neighborhood — one Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook and Nick Chubb populate. Then again, those contracts were respectively agreed to in 2020 (Henry, Cook) and 2021 (Chubb). The salary cap has climbed to $224.8MM since, which could make Barkley signing for a similar amount a somewhat sobering (as far as eight-figure-per-year deals go, at least) transaction on his part.

While a report indicated the Giants moving to $14MM per year could probably finish this process, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports adds Combine buzz suggests the team will not raise its offer from the $12.5MM-AAV place (Twitter link). When the Giants initially offered that, Schoen confirmed the talks did not come close. The second-year GM said earlier this week the sides had made some progress.

Guarantees here are not known, and if Barkley would entertain signing for this price, the Giants would likely need to step up on that front. As a former No. 2 overall pick, Barkley already signed a deal for $31.2MM guaranteed at signing. Not even Christian McCaffrey‘s contract — still the position-record deal on the AAV front, at $16MM — contains that. If Barkley does not accept the estimated $12.5MM-per-year accord, Vacchiano adds the Giants would be willing to let him walk.

This stance invites risk, as their pass catcher-deficient offense depended on Barkley for much of last season. Then again, free agency will bring a host of starter-level options — including Miles Sanders, Kareem Hunt and Devin Singletary, who arrived in Buffalo during Schoen and Daboll’s tenure — that would save the Giants money as they regrouped following failed Barkley negotiations. Still, Barkley is quite popular among the team’s fanbase and, when healthy, is one of the NFL’s best backs. Although this year’s free agent running back surplus could devalue the position, Barkley would shoot to the top of the market if untagged — especially if the Cowboys and Raiders respectively cuff Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs.

The Giants’ best path remains extending Jones by Tuesday’s deadline and tagging Barkley at $10.1MM. A Jones tag will cost $32.4MM. As far as a long-term deal goes, Jones has been closely tied to a $45MM-per-year ask. The Giants had hoped $35MM per year would be the ceiling here. To bridge this gap, Vacchiano notes the sweet spot may well be a $37MM-AAV extension with the first two years guaranteed (Twitter link).

Jones asked the Giants for some time away before beginning negotiations and hired new representation after that stretch. How the Giants proceed with their passer’s new agency over the next week will certainly have a major say in their immediate future.

Rams Receiving Calls On Jalen Ramsey, Eyeing Edge Rushers

March 2nd, 2023 at 10:03am CST by Sam Robinson

The centerpiece of their secondary since sending the Jaguars two first-round picks ahead of the 2019 trade deadline, Jalen Ramsey now looks unlikely to return to the Rams.

A trade is expected, and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes the Rams have already received calls from multiple teams on the high-profile chip (subscription required). Moving Ramsey stands to both replenish the Rams’ draft capital — an oft-discarded war chest during Sean McVay‘s tenure — and invite serious questions about the team’s coverage capabilities next season.

As far as what Ramsey could bring back, NBC Sports’ Peter King mentions a low-end first-round pick — from a team like the Chiefs, Bills or Cowboys — or a package fronted by a second-rounder could be available. By Rams standards, their 2023 draft arsenal does not look too bad. They hold a second-round choice and 10 picks overall. Though, only three of those will arrive before the fifth round.

The Rams may want more than just one first-round pick, with Rodrigue adding it will probably take a 2023 first-rounder or future first and at least one other pick. Although Los Angeles has made it known Ramsey is available, this price would count on a bidding war taking shape. A January report indicated the Rams were unlikely to fetch a first-rounder for Ramsey, but this seems to the be goal.

Pro Football Focus has rated Ramsey, who will play his age-29 season in 2023, as a top-20 cornerback in each of his three full seasons with the Rams. His three first-team All-Pro nods (2017, 2020, 2021) are tied for sixth among corners in NFL history. No active corner matches that feat, putting Ramsey squarely on the Hall of Fame radar. It would cost the Rams $19.6MM to trade Ramsey before June 1, and a team that acquired him would be taking on a $17MM base salary this year. Ramsey’s $20MM-per-year deal runs through 2025, though Rodrigue adds the Rams would likely rework the eighth-year veteran’s deal. That would help facilitate a move and increase the attainable compensation.

This would deplete a Rams team that cut future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. Both David Long and Troy Hill are free agents at corner. The team also has its edge rusher situation to clean up this offseason. The Rams offered their two-first-rounder platter to the Panthers for Brian Burns, though the picks being in 2024 and ’25 affected Carolina’s decision to pass, and pursued Bradley Chubb last year. This all came about after Von Miller spurned the team for the Bills, who offered guarantees into Year 3 — which the Rams and Cowboys did not.

While some in the front office did not want to re-sign Miller, per Rodrigue, who notes age- and injury-related concerns were behind these skeptics’ hesitancy on this front. Still, the Rams had made an aggressive push. Their subsequent Allen Robinson investment — enabled by the funds free from Miller’s Buffalo choice — tanked. Leonard Floyd‘s $16MM-AAV deal remains on the Rams’ books, but the Rams missed Miller in 2022. Floyd registered a team-high nine sacks; no other Rams outside linebacker notched more than one. As such, Rodrigue adds the team will pursue edges in free agency, via trade and through the draft.

The team has Aaron Donald signed for two more seasons. Capitalizing on what remains of the all-time great’s prime would be prudent. Then again, the Rams have exhausted resources attempting to do this — and largely succeeding — throughout the McVay-Les Snead partnership. It will be interesting to see the team attempt to go the other way, via trading Ramsey for draft capital and importing vital cost-controlled talent onto the roster.

Arrest Warrant Out For DT Jalen Carter In Connection With Fatal Crash

March 2nd, 2023 at 9:08am CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 2: After indicating he would return to Athens to face these misdemeanor charges, Carter was booked at 11:33pm ET. He was released from the Athens-Clarke County Jail at 11:49pm, upon paying a $4K bond, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Carter will make a return to the Combine as well, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who notes (via Twitter) the 310-pound lineman will be back to finish his measurements and interviews with teams.

MARCH 1: The Athens-Clarke County (Ga.) Police Department secured arrest warrants for former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter in connection with a fatal January car accident. The warrants are for reckless driving and racing (Twitter link via The Athletic’s Seth Emerson).

A January 15 accident claimed the lives of Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. Carter was driving a separate vehicle, and an ongoing police investigation found the two vehicles were “operating in a manner consistent with racing.” Police initially determined the crash a single-car accident caused by LeCroy speeding.

Carter, 21, is expected to be a top-five pick in April. ESPN.com ranks the interior D-lineman as the No. 3 overall prospect in this year’s class; Mel Kiper Jr. places him as the top player available. The highly touted prospect had been scheduled to speak at the Combine on Wednesday morning, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes (on Twitter) he is not present.

Carter met with teams prior to this updated story emerging. As of Tuesday night, Carter’s agent told Alan Judd and Dylan Jackson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he had not been contacted about potential charges. Carter said later (via Twitter) he will return to Athens to “answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented.”

Evidence suggests Carter’s vehicle, a 2021 Ford Tomahawk, and LeCroy’s, a 2021 Ford Expedition, were switching lanes — including on the opposite side of the road — and speeding. Just before LeCroy’s fatal crash, her vehicle was traveling approximately 104 mph. A toxicology report measured LeCroy’s blood-alcohol level at .197, well above the legal limit, and the investigation has deemed alcohol, racing and reckless driving were “significant contributors” to this accident.

Police questioned Carter, and Judd and Jackson report his story changed. Initially, Carter said he was a mile away when the accident occurred. That account changed to indicate he was following the vehicle close enough to see its taillights. Carter also later said he was driving alongside the Expedition. He left the scene of the crash, according to the Journal-Constitution. Police initially suspected other cars were at the scene at the time of the wreck, which occurred after 2:30am Jan. 15. Police asked a Georgia athletics official to have Carter return to the scene; he returned at around 4:15am and denied speeding or racing. Police did not find Carter had been drinking.

Members of Georgia’s national championship-winning team were celebrating the win at a downtown Athens strip club. Three cars left the club around the same time, per Judd and Jackson. Athens police had previously ticketed Carter for driving 89 mph in a 45-mph zone in September 2022; Carter received a $1K fine for that violation. Teams had a lot of questions regarding Carter’s maturity level before this report of his potential involvement in the accident surfaced, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets. This issue will certainly overshadow everything else about his prospect status for the time being.

Jets Want To Re-Sign QB Mike White

March 2nd, 2023 at 9:00am CST by Sam Robinson

The team most closely connected to a big-ticket quarterback addition, the Jets have maintained Zach Wilson still has a place on the roster. New York’s offseason blueprint may also involve bringing back the QB who replaced Wilson.

Mike White is in the Jets’ plans; they are keeping close tabs on him. Robert Saleh said the veteran passer “should be” back on the roster, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets. White is a free agent, and he joins a host of bridge- or backup-type quarterbacks available this year. That should make the popular Jet affordable, but he will soon be free to negotiate with other teams.

For a quarterback who began the past two seasons as a backup, White went through two of the more eventful years for a recent reserve. He became the first Jets QB to surpass 400 passing yards in a game since Vinny Testaverde in his debut — an upset win over the Bengals in 2021 — but threw four interceptions against the Bills before returning to the bench. White was not the team’s preferred option to replace Wilson to start last season, sitting behind Joe Flacco, but once again did so after leapfrogging the aging vet on the depth chart in-season. White injected life into a woeful New York passing attack upon supplanting Wilson, but injuries once again intervened. White, 27, finished the season with five broken ribs.

There does not figure to be too much money available for White on the Jets’ end. They appear committed to making a massive upgrade at the position, and acquiring Aaron Rodgers or Derek Carr would take up much of the team’s budget. Wilson also remains tied to his No. 2 draft-slot contract, being set to count nearly $10MM toward the Jets’ 2023 cap. Wilson returning and either Rodgers or Carr being the biggest name on next year’s Jets roster would seemingly point White out of town, but the team is keeping the door open.

White, whose QBR dropped considerably from his 2021 cameo, joins numerous QBs that profile as capable backups or spot starters on the market. Ex-Jet Sam Darnold may head up that list, joining Baker Mayfield, Marcus Mariota, Carson Wentz, Jacoby Brissett, Teddy Bridgewater and Andy Dalton here. Jameis Winston may be available soon as well. Case Keenum, Mason Rudolph, Drew Lock, Chase Daniel and Cooper Rush are also set to be UFAs. This collection may well cannibalize each other on the market, even as several teams chase quarterback additions.

Bolts GM: Team Not Trading Keenan Allen

March 1st, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not long after the Bengals shot down the notion Tee Higgins is available via trade, the Chargers are effectively taking another big name off the wide receiver market. Tom Telesco put a stop to Keenan Allen trade rumors.

During an appearance on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, the longtime Chargers GM said there has “never been any thought” of moving Allen. Two years remain on the 11th-year veteran’s four-year, $80.1MM extension.

“Keenan Allen, to me, he’s our Andre Reed. He’s our Charlie Joiner,” Telesco said (Twitter link). “He’s an incredible football player. We have a great quarterback and we need weapons around him. There’s never been any thought of [a trade].”

Allen may not be on track to join those pass catchers in Canton, but he has been one of the most important Chargers players during this era. The Chargers gave Mike Williams a three-year, $60MM contract last March and have a Justin Herbert megadeal to negotiate. These big-picture components, Allen’s age (31 in April) and the Bolts’ cap situation have pointed to a potential separation. But a Herbert extension could pair with Allen’s money ($20MM AAV) for at least another season.

As the Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray extensions most recently showed, big-ticket QB contracts often carry low cap numbers in Year 1. Watson, Murray and Wilson all checked in below $18MM for first-year cap hits on their respective accords. Herbert’s deal following suit would complement Allen’s $21.7MM cap hit. The Chargers could look to reduce that via other methods as well.

Allen’s trade value took a hit last season as well. He missed seven games because of a recurring hamstring injury, limiting the top-shelf route-runner to 752 receiving yards. In terms of per-game impact, however, Allen’s 75.2 average was his best since 2017. The former third-round pick should have a bit more left in the tank to help the Bolts, who have relied on him for 10 seasons as a starter. With Higgins and Allen trades being squashed, that would only make the likes of DeAndre Hopkins and Brandin Cooks more valuable as part of a receiver landscape that does not feature a high-end free agency class or the kind of draft crop teams have grown accustomed to in recent years.

The Chargers are still $20MM over the cap. Allen staying on the payroll will force the team to make other adjustments. The Bolts want to keep right tackle Trey Pipkins, and The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes linebacker and fellow UFA-to-be Drue Tranquill is likely in the team’s plans as well. Pipkins joins an intriguing right tackle market, which houses Mike McGlinchey, Jawaan Taylor and Kaleb McGary. Tranquill’s position group is one of the deepest, which should make the versatile ‘backer affordable for the Bolts. But the AFC West team still has work to do before it can make any re-signings happen.

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