5 Key Stories: 5/14/23 – 5/21/23

As the offseason roles along, teams continue to make important decisions shaping their rosters, while other storylines take shape as well. Here’s a quick recap of the top headlines from the past week:

• Brown Dies At 87: The NFL said goodbye to one of its greatest players when it was learned that Jim Brown passed away peacefully at the age of 87. The former Browns running back was one of the league’s first superstars, and his immense success remains well-known to this day. A three-time MVP, Brown led the league in rushing yards during eight of his nine seasons, and is still the only back to average over 100 rushing yards per game over the course of his career. Aside from his on-field brilliance at both the pro and college levels, his legacy includes acting and social activism during his post-playing days. It also, on the other hand, involves multiple arrests for violence against women. Overall, Brown will be remembered as an iconic figure regarding his impact on the NFL as it moved toward the Super Bowl era, along with a number of other positive and negative developments following his sudden retirement at the age of 30.
• Ryan To Step Into Broadcast Booth: While he is leaving the door open to a new deal as a player, quarterback Matt Ryan appears set to begin the next phase of his football career. The 37-year-old will work as an analyst for CBS in 2023, absent an offer from a team to suit up for one more campaign. Ryan’s 14-year tenure with the Falcons ended last offseason, and expectations were relatively high for him upon his arrival in Indianapolis. His time with the Colts was forgettable to say the least, however, and his new team made the expected decision to release him in March. Ryan, the NFL’s MVP in 2016, will earn $12MM from the Colts this season while transitioning to the broadcast booth.
• Saints Negotiating Final Jordan Deal? Cam Jordan has one year remaining on his current contract, but another extension keeping him in New Orleans could be hammered out in the near future. The 33-year-old has established himself as one of the top players in franchise history, but he indicated his next contract will likely be his last with the team. Jordan is the all-time Saints sack leader, and remains in line for a pivotal role on their defense for at least the short-term future. The eight-time Pro Bowler’s ability to add further to his individual accolades will be dictated by the outcome of contract talks, and attention could increasingly turn to his pursuit of a Super Bowl ring if his upcoming extension does indeed mark the beginning of the end of his career.
• Steelers Maintain QB Depth Chart: Kenny Pickett is in place as the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, but many expected at least one change to be made to the team’s depth chart at the position this offseason. Instead, Pittsburgh will once again have Mitch Trubisky as its backup, after agreeing to a new extension which will keep him under contract through 2025. Trubisky will earn $8MM in guranteed money this season, but incentives could push the contract’s total value to $33MM. Meanwhile, third-stringer Mason Rudolph declined the opportunity to seek out a new environment (and with it, a better chance at playing time) by inking to a new deal of his own. For at least one more season, the Steelers’ QBs room will look identical to its 2022 iteration.
• Harris Continues To Wait For Ratification Of Commanders Bid: Given the timing of Josh Harris‘ signed deal with Dan Snyder to purchase the Commanders, few expected the agreement to be formally ratified during the upcoming league meetings. Indeed, no timeline currently exists for a vote to take place regarding the sale, which carries a record-shattering price of $6.05 billion. Issues have arisen regarding the structure of Harris’ proposed agreement, but the widespread belief remains that it will be approved by the summer largely due to the desire on the part of other owners to put an end to Snyder’s tenure at the helm of the franchise. The vetting process of investors supporting Harris will go a long way in bringing the sale across the finish line.