HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Browns, Ravens, Vikings Interested In OLB Trent Harris; Broncos On Radar

May 10th, 2023 at 9:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Houston Roughnecks outside linebacker Trent Harris recently received reported interest from the Broncos in the form of a rookie minicamp invitation. The report also indicated that other teams were showing interest, as well, and we now have the names of teams we can tie to Harris, thanks to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette.

According to Tomasson, some of the other teams that extended an invitation to Harris include the Vikings, Ravens, and Browns. The Browns and the Vikings make sense as both teams finished last season in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks. Cleveland was only able to get consistent pressure out of star defensive end Myles Garrett. Behind Garrett’s 16.0 sacks, the Browns’ next highest sack total came from defensive tackle Taven Bryan, who had three.

Minnesota had a much more balanced attack, getting double-digit sack totals out of Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith. They were even able to get eight more combined sacks out of backups D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones. All are under contract through at least this year, with Hunter and Wonnum entering contract years. Perhaps the Vikings’ interest in Harris is as an eventual replacement for one of the two.

While Baltimore tied with the Saints for fifth in the league in sacks last year, their sack numbers did not consistently come from the outside linebacker position. Aside from Justin Houston, who is no longer with the team, the Ravens’ top sack-getters were defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (5.5), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (5.5) (also no longer with the Ravens), inside linebacker Patrick Queen (5.0), and cornerback Marlon Humphrey (3.0). New defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald seemingly took a page out of former defensive coordinator Don Martindale‘s playbook by manufacturing a pass rush from all over the field.

Landing a strong pass-rushing outside linebacker like Harris could add to the production of a Ravens outside linebacker group that contains Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo. Harris spent almost two weeks in camp with Baltimore last year, spending all but three days on injured reserve before being released prior to the start of the regular season.

Despite the additional interest, Tomasson reports that the “ball looks as if it will be in (the Broncos’) court.” With XFL players eligible to sign NFL deals this coming Monday, May 15, Harris seemed to say that, if Denver wants him, he’ll be a Bronco. In reference to his Broncos tryout, Harris told the media, “I would assume that if I have a good workout and they want to sign me, I’d stay there.”

Josh Harris-Commanders Deal Faces Hurdles

May 10th, 2023 at 8:56pm CST by Ely Allen

The situation surrounding Dan Snyder‘s potential sale of the Commanders seemed nearly over as reports appeared to be pointing towards a sale to the Josh Harris-led group last month. As a result of the NFL finance committee’s review of the potential sale, questions have been raised about the integrity of the deal, according to Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic. The main concerns lie on two fronts: 1) the number of limited investors involved in the deal and 2) the amount and source of the debt involved in the deal.

The NFL currently has a set cap for how many limited partners may be involved in an ownership group, currently set at 25. The Harris group contains approximately 17 limited partners. While that group is under the league’s cap, each investor requires extensive vetting and, with some investors located internationally, the vetting process becomes that much more cumbersome.

As for the debt involved, “buyers of teams can borrow up to $1.1 billion secured against the franchise,” something Harris proposes he will do. The problem stems from the fact that he also intends to borrow more with debts secured against the other sports teams in which he holds stake, the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and Crystal Palace FC of the English Premier League.

Similar deals have been made in the NFL with limited partners. Snyder’s original purchase of the team included this method of sourcing debt. The issue lies in the fact that it is the controlling partner, Harris, who is borrowing against his own businesses. If a limited partner defaults on his loans, it wouldn’t affect the controlling party, but the committee has concerns about the possibility of Harris defaulting on his debts as the controlling partner.

It’s not the opinion of the public that the deal will be rejected over these issues, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, but the additional hurdles may push the timeline of the deal, making it “increasingly unlikely the owners can vote to approve the transaction, even on a conditional basis, during their May 22-23 meeting in Minneapolis.” Some solutions that have been proposed are the result of the deal’s extenuating circumstances. For instance, a suggestion that Snyder himself may extend a loan to the Harris group in hopes of getting the deal over the finish line. The loan would be approximately $200MM.

Another thought was that the league may conditionally approve a rise in the allowance of debt. Due to the recent skyrocket of franchise prices (Panthers for $2.28 billion in 2018, Broncos for $4.65 billion in 2022), the NFL figured that it would become increasingly difficult for buyers to acquire teams under the current debt rules. There are still some potential bidders who may be able to go through with the purchase under the current rules, but with rising prices, that only makes an already extremely selective process that much more difficult.

There’s still optimism the deal with get approval, in due time. A source close to Harris aptly said, “It’s dragging through the NFL because they’ve never had to evaluate this type of bid. The NFL’s choice is getting Dan out (by) working through Josh’s complexity. I think they’ll find a way, but no guarantees.”

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/10/23

May 10th, 2023 at 7:36pm CST by Ely Allen

Teams are moving quickly on inking their Day 3 draftees to their four-year rookie deals, with this process involving a slot system that does not feature many complications for late-round players. Here are the latest such agreements to commence:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Johnson transferred back to the west coast after a freshman year at Miami (FL). He established himself as one of the most versatile players in the country while in Eugene, contributing for the Ducks on defense as an edge rusher and on offense as a tight end. Carolina drafted him for his defensive potential.

Moody is the expected replacement for Robbie Gould, who departed in free agency this spring after six years with San Francisco. Likewise, New England moved on from punter Jake Bailey after a couple of internal disagreements. Baringer is expected to take over for the one-time All-Pro punter.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/23

May 10th, 2023 at 6:51pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the league’s minor moves from today:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Claimed off waivers (from Browns): DL Ben Stille

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Bowden will now be searching for the fourth team of his young NFL career. The former third-round pick was traded to Miami before his rookie season began. In South Beach, he recorded 243 yards from scrimmage with 28 receptions and nine rush attempts. After missing his sophomore season on injured reserve, Bowden was waived just before last season and signed to the Patriots practice squad.

Latest On Vikings, Dalvin Cook

May 10th, 2023 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mentioned as both a trade and release candidate this offseason, Dalvin Cook remains with the Vikings. But the parties continue to sort through the Pro Bowl running back’s contract situation.

No resolution has emerged, but second-year Minnesota HC Kevin O’Connell would prefer Cook remain with the team. That remains up in the air, however.

“They’re still, you know, working through some things, and I’m sure we’ll come to a great resolution,” O’Connell said, via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “And if that means Dalvin Cook is still playing running back for the Vikings, that’s something that will be a really good thing for me as the head coach and play-caller.

“… I tend to let [GM] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah] and [executive VP of football operations] Rob [Brzezinski] work through things, you know, contractually or whatever may be there. I can just tell you what Dalvin meant to me, not only in year one as one of our core leaders of our team, but also just the impact he had on the field.”

O’Connell’s support stands to matter to a degree regarding the Vikings’ plans with Cook, who recently passed Chuck Foreman to move into third place (behind Adrian Peterson and Robert Smith) on the franchise’s all-time rushing list. But the Vikings do not appear prepared to carry Cook’s $10.4MM base salary (and $14.1MM cap number) into this coming season. Only $2MM of Cook’s salary is guaranteed, giving the Vikings some wiggle room in the coming weeks.

Minnesota re-signed longtime Cook backup Alexander Mattison and engaged briefly with Miami in trade talks, but the Dolphins have brought back both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson and drafted Devon Achane in Round 3. That would seemingly take Miami off the table as a Cook destination. Few teams are in the market for backs, as the brief Austin Ekeler trade rumors showed, and the Vikings and Cook would need to agree to a resolution that reduces the seventh-year back’s base salary before moving forward in a trade. The Vikings are believed to have told teams they do not need to shed Cook’s salary in a trade, but seeing as they sit 31st in cap space ($1.1MM), moves will need to be made to sign draft picks.

Adofo-Mensah has not guaranteed Cook will be back but said he and Mattison can coexist for a fifth season. The 2017 running back class produced several extensions, but the past year has introduced some hurdles. Cook is on similar terrain as the Bengals’ Joe Mixon, who looms as a pay-cut candidate. The Packers restructured Aaron Jones‘ deal this offseason, while the Panthers traded Christian McCaffrey‘s $16MM-per-year contract to the 49ers. The Saints have repeatedly gone to the restructure well with Alvin Kamara, but the versatile back remains tied to a $15MM-AAV accord. Ditto Ekeler, a 2017 UDFA who is in the final year of a below-market contract. The Vikes have never restructured Cook’s $12.6MM-per-year deal. Doing so would reduce his 2023 cap hit but make a future departure more difficult.

Should the Vikings trade Cook after June 1, it would save them $11MM. They are in a similar boat with Za’Darius Smith, who sought a release earlier this year. As OTAs near, both players are in limbo.

Broncos Release OLB Jacob Martin

May 10th, 2023 at 3:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two months after cutting Chase Edmonds, the Broncos have parted ways with the other player they acquired at last year’s trade deadline. They released Jacob Martin on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets.

While Edmonds came over in the Bradley Chubb trade — a deal that also included the first-rounder sent to the Saints for Sean Payton — Martin was part of the team’s post-Chubb edge-rushing contingent. The Jets dealt Martin to the Broncos in a pick-swap trade, which sent a 2024 fourth-rounder to New York and a 2024 fifth to Denver.

A Denver-area native, Martin played in five games with his hometown team. The outside linebacker recorded a sack and two tackles for loss as a Bronco. Knee trouble limited Martin last season, and he finished his Denver cameo on IR.

As a vested veteran, Martin will skip the waiver process and pass through to free agency. The Jets gave Martin a three-year, $13.5MM deal in 2022. The Broncos will save $3.8MM by shedding the through-2024 contract from their cap sheet. This will bump Denver’s cap-space figure just past $10MM. Denver had created $5.9MM in cap space by cutting Edmonds in March.

Last season, the Broncos dealt with injuries to most of their edge rushers. Randy Gregory went down in October and did not return until mid-December. Both he and Martin finished the season on IR, with the Broncos moving Martin off their 53-man roster in December. Denver also played without Baron Browning for a stretch. These maladies and Chubb’s midseason exit certainly affected the Broncos’ pass rush.

Martin had tallied at least three sacks from 2018-21, totaling four with the Texans during his ’21 platform year. Also part of the 2019 trade that sent Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle, Martin played three seasons for the Texans before commanding that Jets free agency deal. Gang Green guaranteed the former sixth-round pick $6MM via the 2022 agreement, but the Broncos’ Wednesday decision closes the book on that contract.

Gregory, Browning and 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto reside as the Broncos’ top edge players. The team did not draft an outside ‘backer nor did it make a notable investment at the position in free agency. Though, third-round linebacker Drew Sanders recorded 9.5 sacks at Arkansas last season and may be set for a hybrid role of sorts.

Allen Lazard Contacted Jets About FA Deal

May 10th, 2023 at 3:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Aaron Rodgers-to-New York timeline became clearer this week, and one of the new Jets quarterback’s longtime teammates was ready to make the jump from the NFL’s smallest market to its biggest quickly.

Rodgers’ agent informed Jets GM Joe Douglas his client intended to sign off on a trade — rather than retire — shortly after midnight on March 13. That intel came hours before the start of this year’s legal tampering period; Allen Lazard revealed his preferred destination early in the unofficial free agency stretch. The four-year Packers receiver contacted the Jets shortly after hearing rumblings of the Rodgers news, Albert Breer of SI.com notes (on Twitter).

Lazard, whom the Packers picked up off the Jaguars’ practice squad in December 2018, had his agent call Douglas once the tampering period began, Breer adds. Upon hearing word Rodgers was on track to eventually become the Jets’ quarterback, Lazard declared his interest in following him to the Big Apple. Following Lazard’s pitch, the process accelerated quickly and was finalized before Rodgers publicly confirmed his intentions to play for the Jets.

The Jets made their Lazard commitment official on March 14, giving the former Davante Adams sidekick a four-year deal worth $44MM ($22MM fully guaranteed). This agreement came hours after the report of Rodgers’ wish list surfaced. While Rodgers and Robert Saleh have attempted to debunk that report, the Jets have added two ex-Rodgers teammates (Lazard and Randall Cobb) and made a strong push for Rodgers-backed wideout Odell Beckham Jr. Marcedes Lewis was also believed to be a Rodgers-driven target, though the soon-to-be 39-year-old veteran has yet to sign.

The Broncos are one of the teams that also pursued Lazard, who matched Jakobi Meyers in terms of AAV in this year’s much-maligned receiver class. Despite not landing Beckham, the Jets have remade their receiver room around Rodgers. Lazard, Cobb and Mecole Hardman have joined the sudden free agent destination. Garrett Wilson is still the centerpiece of this receiving corps, and while Corey Davis has lingered as a cut candidate, both Douglas and Saleh have indicated the contract-year receiver remains in the team’s plans.

Gang Green’s Lazard deal got the ball rolling, however, with the Elijah Moore trade soon to follow. Rodgers began working out with Lazard before the trade was finalized. Lazard’s guarantees cover 2024, and Rodgers said he views this trade as the groundwork for a multiyear partnership. While the future Hall of Famer has stopped short of committing he will play beyond this season, Lazard being locked down through 2024 would represent one of the reasons for a return next year.

Lions Sign DL Christian Covington

May 10th, 2023 at 12:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Christian Covington‘s 2022 season ended early, the Lions will give him a shot to bounce back. The well-traveled defensive lineman agreed to terms with the Lions on Wednesday, according to his agent (on Twitter). The Lions have since announced the signing.

An eight-year veteran, Covington has worked as a rotational defensive lineman and occasional starter throughout his career. He topped 500 defensive snaps in both 2020 and ’21, but a torn pectoral muscle ended his second Chargers season.

Covington, 29, has mostly served as an interior D-line presence for his various teams. A 2015 Texans draftee, Covington later journeyed to Dallas, Cincinnati and Los Angeles. He has 32 starts on his resume. Covington worked in the Bolts’ 3-4 defense but was part of 4-3 schemes with the Bengals and Cowboys in the two years prior, making for a fit in either alignment. Pro Football Focus rated Covington as a plus run defender in the late 2010s and slotted him as a middle-of-the-pack interior D-lineman in 2021.

The Chargers gave Covington two one-year contracts, both for the league minimum. Considering the pec tear ended Covington’s 2022 season after four games, it stands to reason his Lions deal will check in around the same financial territory.

In 2021, Covington totaled a career-high 52 tackles and forced a fumble. The Bengals gave the 289-pound defender a career-most 14 starts in 2020. Beyond that season, however, Covington has never started more than six games in a single slate.

Detroit has made a number of defensive augmentations this offseason, which is understandable given its last-place ranking last season. The Lions have added more notable players on the second and third levels. They signed three starter-caliber DBs (Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley) and drafted Brian Branch in the second round. They also made linebacker Jack Campbell a surprising first-round pick. Up front, the Lions did use a third-round pick on D-tackle Brodric Martin. Beyond that and the re-signing of John Cominsky, the Lions have stood pat up front. Covington will be given a chance to catch on as a rotational presence for Dan Campbell‘s team.

NFC West Notes: Carter, Cards, Rams, 49ers

May 10th, 2023 at 11:47am CST by Sam Robinson

Closely connected to Jalen Carter ahead of the draft, the Seahawks decided to select Devon Witherspoon at No. 5. The Lions were believed to be targeting the Illinois cornerback at No. 6, and Tyler Dunne of GoLongTD.com notes the Seahawks were pleased rumors circulated they were eyeing Carter at 5. That said, some among the Seahawks did make a late push for the Georgia defensive tackle, per Dunne, who adds some teams viewed the polarizing prospect as “unapologetic” regarding the off-field incident that docked his draft stock. Carter faced misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing — in connection with a fatal crash that killed two members of Georgia’s football program in January — but said he did not encounter extensive questioning from teams about the January scene. The Eagles are not believed to have inquired deeply about the event.

Pete Carroll was believed to be onboard with the Seahawks drafting Carter, but the team passed on one of this draft’s top talents. They were not alone in doing so. The Lions were prepared to draft Jahmyr Gibbs over Carter, before the Cardinals sent them a trade offer for 6, and the Raiders and Falcons passed as well. The Bears, who were eyeing D-line additions in the draft, traded out of No. 9 to allow the Eagles to land this class’ top D-tackle. Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • The Cardinals‘ trade-up to No. 6 completed their Paris Johnson acquisition effort. After being tied to the Ohio State prospect in the days leading up to the draft, Arizona will likely move him into its starting lineup immediately. Johnson earned his high prospect ranking as a tackle, but Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic notes the Cardinals have not determined if the ex-Buckeyes blocker will start his pro career at tackle or guard. Johnson played guard in both 2020 and ’21, being a full-time starter at that position as a sophomore, before sliding to left tackle last season. The Cards have both their top tackles — D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum — under contract and re-signed Will Hernandez this offseason. Josh Jones, a guard who slid to tackle to replace an injured Humphries, remains rostered as well. Regardless of where Johnson starts his career, he is expected to become the Cards’ long-term left tackle, McManaman adds.
  • Staying on the topic of Cardinals positional uncertainty, Zaven Collins began working as an edge rusher when the team convened for its offseason work, Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com notes. The 2021 first-round pick spent his first two NFL seasons as an off-ball linebacker, but the Cardinals have Isaiah Simmons and the recently added Kyzir White — who followed HC Jonathan Gannon from Philadelphia — at the ILB spots. While Collins played 785 snaps at linebacker last season, he did line up as a D-lineman on 182 plays.
  • With Gannon and Cards DC Nick Rallis departing Philly, the Eagles hired Matt Patricia. Prior to that relocation, Patricia spoke with the Rams about a role on Sean McVay‘s staff, Albert Breer of SI.com writes. Patricia, who interviewed for the Broncos’ DC job and was on the radar for another role on Sean Payton‘s staff, has only previously coached for two teams (the Patriots and Lions) throughout a 19-year NFL career.
  • The 49ers added Brandon Allen as their fourth quarterback. While Allen would not be part of San Francisco’s active roster if every other QB on the team was fully healthy, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco notes the team gave the ex-Bengals QB2 $200K guaranteed. Allen spent most of the past three seasons as Joe Burrow‘s backup. While the 49ers have Brock Purdy, Trey Lance and Sam Darnold on their roster, Purdy is not expected to be cleared until potentially September and Lance has been involved in trade rumors to the point John Lynch felt compelled to address those with the former No. 3 overall pick.

Bucs GM Jason Licht On Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke

May 10th, 2023 at 10:51am CST by Rory Parks

MAY 10: Lending more to the notion Wirfs will be on the move, Bucs offensive line coach Joe Gilbert said (via Stroud) the left side of the team’s line looks fairly set with the All-Pro on the blind side and free agency pickup Matt Feiler at left guard. After three strong seasons at right tackle, Wirfs appears on the cusp of playing a more lucrative position as a big payday nears.

MAY 7: The Buccaneers have contemplated moving right tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has earned two Pro Bowls bids and one First Team All-Pro selection in his three years in the NFL, to the left side of the line. After the Bucs failed to acquire a left tackle in last month’s draft, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times wrote that Wirfs will officially be moving to LT.

GM Jason Licht, however, says that a final decision on Wirfs’ position has not been made just yet. On a recent appearance on 95.3 WDAE, Licht said, “Now we’re still going to remain fluid here in the offseason. We’re going to see how it goes. We certainly feel very comfortable with a person like Tristan, with his skillset and his athleticism and size and intelligence and all that, that [his transition to left tackle] is gonna be pretty seamless, but that hasn’t completely been etched in stone yet” (h/t JoeBucsFan.com).

Licht’s comments notwithstanding, it would seem that Wirfs, as Stroud indicated, is indeed ticketed for the blind side. At this stage of the offseason, the free agent left tackle options are generally uninspiring and include the likes of Eric Fisher (who did not play a snap in 2022), Jason Peters (who turned 41 in January), and Taylor Lewan (who has suffered two ACL tears in the past three years). Unless Wirfs sustains an injury or proves completely incapable of making the transition to LT, those players likely would not represent an upgrade.

Of course, assuming Wirfs does fill the void created when longtime left tackle Donovan Smith was released in March, someone will need to replace Wirfs at right tackle. Per Stroud, the first crack at that position will go to Luke Goedeke, a 2022 second-round choice. In his rookie season, Goedeke — who worked as a right tackle in college — spent the majority of his time at left guard and largely struggled.

The hope is that moving Goedeke back to RT will make him look more like a second-round draftee. He did line up at right tackle for last year’s regular season finale, and he looked much more comfortable there than he did as an interior blocker.

“We are excited about how Luke did for us at (right) tackle there at the end of the year — it’s his natural position,” Licht said.

It is unclear whether Licht made an effort to trade up from his No. 19 selection to land an OT. The Steelers moved up four spots from their No. 18 slot to nab Georgia LT Broderick Jones, and Licht passed on Oklahoma’s Anton Harrison when the Bucs were on the clock. While the Bucs did pick up North Dakota State tackle Cody Mauch on Day 2, Mauch will be converted to guard.

At present, Tampa Bay’s starting OL, from left to right, appears to be Wirfs, Nick Leverett, Ryan Jensen, Mauch, and Goedeke. That unit will be tasked with clearing more space for what was the league’s worst rushing attack in 2022 and affording presumptive QB1 Baker Mayfield sufficient time to throw.

Wirfs is already under club control through 2024 since Licht made the easy decision to exercise his fifth-year option. But if the Iowa product performs as well at left tackle as he has on the right side, his future earning power will get a significant boost.

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