HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll On LB Jordyn Brooks, CB Devon Witherspoon

May 7th, 2023 at 9:17am CST by Rory Parks

The Seahawks recently declined the fifth-year option on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, which would have locked in a fully-guaranteed salary of $12.7MM for 2024. Brooks will therefore be eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of the upcoming season.

Seattle’s decision was not a surprising one, as Brooks suffered an ACL tear in January and is therefore a candidate to begin the 2023 campaign on the PUP list. And even if he did not sustain that injury, it’s difficult to know whether the ‘Hawks would have exercised his fifth-year option. After all, $12.7MM is a steep price to pay for an inside linebacker who, despite gaudy tackle numbers, generally struggles in coverage and does not offer much by way of pass rush production.

Head coach Pete Carroll, though, still sees Brooks as a core piece of the club’s defense for the foreseeable future.

“He’s got a long, long future for us,” Carroll said during a recent appearance on 93.3 KJR (via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com). “We love the way he plays and what he brings and all of that. We’ve got to orchestrate the way we move forward. The decision we made now (with respect to the fifth-year option), this is not an indication of our future. We expect Jordyn to be with us for a long time.”

In 2021, his first year as a full-time starter, Brooks set the Seahawks’ single-season tackle record with 181, and he became the team’s defensive signal-caller in 2022 after the departure of franchise icon Bobby Wagner. In the wake of Brooks’ injury and Cody Barton‘s decision to join the Commanders in free agency, Seattle reunited with Wagner and signed former Steelers first-rounder Devin Bush. Both of those contracts, however, are for one-year terms, and the ‘Hawks did not select any inside linebackers in the draft.

So, despite the ACL tear and Brooks’ shortcomings, it is very possible that Carroll’s remarks were more than lip service, and that he truly does envision a new contract for Brooks at some point. If nothing else, the Texas Tech product offers high-end tackling ability and familiarity with the club’s defensive scheme, and there is value in that.

In addition to Brooks, Carroll also spoke about the Seahawks’ selection of cornerback Devon Witherspoon with their first pick (No. 5 overall) in last month’s draft. That choice registered as something of a surprise, as Witherspoon does not have the length that Seattle typically looks for in its CBs, and the team had a more pressing need for a front-seven defender.

One of this year’s top non-QB prospects was Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who would have seemingly represented a good marriage of need and value for the Seahawks. The club’s decision to bypass Carter in favor of Witherspoon suggested to many that Seattle was scared off by Carter’s character concerns and/or his underwhelming Pro Day performance, but Carroll said that was not the case.

“We spent a lot of time (with Carter) and felt comfortable that we knew what we were dealing with,” Carroll said (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). “There was just a special aspect of Devon and the way that he fit in. Was going to be a rare opportunity, so we jumped at it.”

Predraft reports indicated that Carroll was more inclined to select Carter than other members of the team’s power structure, but even if Carter was the head coach’s preference, it’s difficult to argue with the Witherspoon selection. Witherspoon was widely-regarded as the best corner in the draft, he plays a premium position, and he and second-year pro Tariq Woolen should form a young, dynamic starting tandem on the boundaries of the Seattle defense.

Titans To Move Aaron Brewer To Center

May 7th, 2023 at 8:10am CST by Rory Parks

The Titans plan to make offensive lineman Aaron Brewer their starting center, as Brewer himself told reporters, including Jim Wyatt of the team’s official website. The 2020 UDFA has logged snaps at the pivot over his first three professional seasons, though the bulk of his playing time has come at left guard.

“I have been working at center right now,” Brewer said. “And I would say that is the goal for the team right now – for me to move into the center spot and take over that role.”

Tennessee had deployed Ben Jones at center for the past seven years, and Jones was a model of consistency and durability for most of that stretch. Unfortunately, he suffered two concussions in 2022 and was forced to miss five contests as a result, the first time he was absent for more than a single game in any season during his Titans tenure. In February, Jones was released, thereby creating a significant void that Brewer will try to fill.

After jettisoning Jones and three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan — who played just 20 games in the past three years due to multiple ACL tears — new Titans GM Ran Carthon has been busy trying to reconstruct his offensive front. He signed former Eagle Andre Dillard to a three-year deal to serve as Lewan’s replacement, and he added former 49er Daniel Brunskill to replace free agent defection Nate Davis at right guard.

In last month’s draft, Carthon used his first-round choice (No. 11 overall) on Northwestern blocker Peter Skoronski, who could compete with Dillard for the left tackle post but who is more likely to begin his career as Tennessee’s left guard. So four of the Titans’ five presumptive starting offensive lineman will either be new to the team or in a new position, with only right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere set to reprise his 2022 role.

However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Titans yielded 49 sacks last year, the fifth-highest total in the league, and they also struggled to create space for two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry. Brewer did not exactly help the cause, as he allowed 36 total pressures and committed eight penalties en route to a mediocre 59.9 grade from Pro Football Focus (positioning him 46th among 77 qualified guards).

Still, Carthon saw fit to retain the Texas State product via the second-round RFA tender, and it is possible that Brewer is better-suited to the center position. His performance, and that of the new-look offensive line as a whole, will obviously be critical to Tennessee’s fortunes in 2023.

Latest On Corey Davis, Jets Wide Receivers

May 6th, 2023 at 10:16pm CST by Ben Levine

With Aaron Rodgers now under center for the Jets, the team has been busy adding wide receivers to their roster. Naturally, that’s led some to question Corey Davis‘ future with the organization, but coach Robert Saleh told reporters yesterday that the veteran wideout would be sticking with the Jets (per Connor Hughes of SNYtv on Twitter).

The Jets inked Davis to a three-year, $37.5MM deal back in 2021, but the receiver hasn’t necessarily lived up to his contract. Davis has appeared in 22 games with the Jets over the past two years, hauling in 66 catches for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. The Jets could have cleared around $10MM in cap space by moving on from the former fifth-overall pick, but Saleh noted that Davis will have a role on offense in 2023.

“Again, the cool thing with what [offensive coordinator] Nathaniel [Hackett‘s] bringing and this whole system is there is a lot of versatility amongst the receivers in terms of them being able to play multiple spots,” Saleh said (via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra). “The one thing when Corey got hurt last year, we got small pretty quick, if you guys remember.”

The Jets have been busy adding some of Rodgers’ former targets, including Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb (they’ve also added two other former teammates, quarterback Tim Boyle and offensive tackle Billy Turner). This has led some to wonder if Rodgers had a specific list of targets that he wanted the Jets to pursue, similar to what went down with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. However, Saleh dismissed that notion, noting that multiple individuals play roles in recruiting certain players.

“It’s very common for new faces to want old faces, to come in and help accelerate the installation of an entire program,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “Everything is pinned on the quarterback. It’s not just him.

“Hackett has something to say about it. He loves Lazard. He loves Randall. He took Billy Turner with him to Denver, and he wanted him here. Of course, you’re going to surround a coach with people who he feels like will plant the flag … that whole narrative — what people are trying to put on the quarterback — it’s tired. It’s common practice in the NFL.”

Besides Davis and the two aforementioned acquisitions, the Jets WR depth chart also consists of Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson, free agent addition Mecole Hardman, and former second-round pick Denzel Mims.

Kirk Cousins Wants To Remain With Vikings

May 6th, 2023 at 10:12pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings’ quarterback situation beyond 2023 remains a key talking point, since Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract. If the veteran signal-caller has his way, the coming season will not be he last with the team.

“I want to be in Minnesota,” Cousins said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. That’s kind of a no-brainer. Hopefully, we can earn the right to do that.”

Cousins, 34, will carry a cap hit of $20.25MM this year, after he agreed to a simple restructure of his contract. That came in place of another extension, leading to speculation regarding the Vikings’ potential to select a potential successor in the draft. That didn’t come to fruition, however, and the team remains open to another deal in the future.

The former fourth-rounder has done quite well for himself financially while playing on short-term contracts throughout his career. Cousins has remained consistent in his performances with the Vikings, and earned his second straight (and fourth overall) Pro Bowl nod in 2022. He helped guide an offense which ranked seventh in yardage and eighth in scoring en route to a 13-4 record, but Minnesota fell short in the first round of the playoffs. That extended their (and Cousins’) postseason struggles and the presumed upside of moving in a different direction under center next year.

Cousins would represent a notable free agent if he were to hit the market, and Minnesota’s continued strength (at least on the offensive side of the ball) suggests a repeat of last year’s record could be in reach. That could take the Vikings out of contention for one of the top passers in what is expected to be a celebrated 2024 QB draft class. A new Cousins contract could also alter the $28.5MM cap hit he is scheduled for as a result of void years on his current deal. He would welcome the opportunity to continue his Vikings tenure beyond what will be its sixth year in no small part due to his confidence in his ability to remain productive deep into his career.

“I’m encouraged and excited,” Cousins added, “because I do feel like I’ve got a lot of good football ahead of me.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/6/23

May 6th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s lone minor move in the NFL:

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: CB William Hooper

Hooper was invited to Green Bay’s rookie minicamp, and his performance there has resulted in a deal placing him on the 90-man roster (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of KPRC2). The Northwestern State product was held without an interception in 2022 after recording one in each of the past three seasons, but he showcased his ball skills with 12 pass deflections last season. Named a second-team All-Conference performer at the Southland (FCS) level, Hooper will now look to earn at least a practice squad spot in the NFL.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/6/23

May 6th, 2023 at 8:37pm CST by Adam La Rose

A couple teams have carried on the business of signing members of their draft class through the weekend. Here are the latest rookies to ink their four-year deals:

Baltimore Ravens

New York Giants

WR Cole Beasley Contemplating Second Retirement

May 6th, 2023 at 6:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

A few veterans have already found new homes during the post-draft wave of free agency, but several others remain on the open market. One of those is wideout Cole Beasley, who may soon end his career for the second time.

The 34-year-old began the 2022 season with the Buccaneers, but announced his retirement after only a pair of games. He reversed course on that decision in December, signing a deal allowing him to resume his tenure with the Bills. Beasley’s future now once again remains in doubt, and he is anxious to spend more time with a new team during the offseason compared to last year.

“If I’m not in a training camp I’m retiring,” he said (on Twitter). “Coming in when the season has already started doesn’t give me a chance to be implemented and make an impact. I need camp to develop chemistry with everyone and build confidence. If they won’t give me that then they don’t want me there.”

Beasley totaled just seven catches in Buffalo last season, but he is open to once again playing a role in the team’s offense. The Bills have been connected to pass-catching additions this offseason in the hopes of lessening their dependence on Stefon Diggs. That led them to trade up in the first round to select Dalton Kincaid, the first tight end to come off the board and generally considered the best pass-catcher in a loaded class at the position.

Given the role Kincaid will no doubt have in the middle of the field, Beasley would likely be relegated to a rotational assignment if he were to re-sign. As a result, he downplayed the chances of a fifth year in Buffalo coming to fruition, saying online that “it was fun while it lasted though” (h/t the Buffalo News).

The SMU product received over 100 targets in each of his three full seasons with the Bills, a span which included his best year in terms of yardage (967 in 2020). The recent nature of his success in a full-time starting role could be enticing to a team looking for a veteran presence in the slot. Absent any firm offers in the near future, though, Beasley appears set to hang up his cleats for good.

Broncos Rumors: Lindsay, Harris, DiNucci

May 6th, 2023 at 5:52pm CST by Ely Allen

Seattle Sea Dragons running back Phillip Lindsay has been grinding away in the XFL this year as his team fell just one game shy of the league’s championship game last Sunday. According to Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette, Lindsay viewed his time with the Sea Dragons as an audition to return to the NFL, where he would like to play at least two more seasons.

Lindsay got to stay local after a college career at Colorado, signing as an undrafted free agent to the Broncos in 2018. He made an immediate impact rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Injuries and the reemergence of Melvin Gordon resulted in a down 2020 season for Lindsay. The Broncos rescinded their initial restricted free agent tender on Lindsay after the season ended, and he bounced from the Texans to the Dolphins to the Colts without ever finding the success he had found in Denver.

Despite being essentially let go by the Broncos, Lindsay has Denver at the top of his list for his hopeful return to the big leagues. He sees an opportunity, as well, with starter Javonte Williams dealing with a rocky return from his ACL tear. His agent reportedly reached out to Denver and was told that the team wanted to see how the draft panned out before addressing Lindsay. The Broncos didn’t draft any running backs and haven’t announced official undrafted free agent signings yet.

The team signed former Bengals running back Samaje Perine and former Saint Tony Jones this offseason, and they return Damarea Crockett, Tyler Badie, and Tyreik McAllister from last year. Crockett, Badie, and McAllister don’t account for much with a combined four career carries for seven yards. Perine and Jones provide solid backup options behind Williams with Perine likely to start if Williams is unable to early in the season.

So, the possibility remains for a Lindsay return, if the team is looking for a bit more experienced depth during a potentially lengthy Williams recovery. He put together some film for Denver to consider as he helped the Sea Dragons qualify for the XFL playoffs, and he’ll await his opportunities in the meantime.

Here are a few more potential NFL returns out of the XFL to Denver:

  • One player the Broncos have reported interest in is Houston Roughnecks outside linebacker Trent Harris, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Harris led the XFL in sacks this season with 9.5 over eight starts. Harris went undrafted in 2018 after collecting 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in his final year with the Hurricanes down in South Beach. In 2019, he landed with the Dolphins and totaled 1.5 sacks, 22 tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in 11 appearances (three starts). He started two games for the Bills the next year and sort of bounced out of the league after short stints with the Ravens and Raiders in 2022. His resurgent year in the XFL has shown that Harris still has plenty of gas left in the tank and plenty of NFL potential. Harris should have a decent opportunity in Denver, as well, where Dre’Mont Jones led the team with 6.5 sacks in 2022 as Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory dealt with injuries. Harris could provide some solid depth in case the position continues to deal with absences or lack of production. While the Broncos invited him to their rookie minicamp, several other teams have reportedly shown interest, as well.
  • Lastly, the Broncos also invited Sea Dragons quarterback Ben DiNucci to their rookie minicamp, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. DiNucci, the former Cowboys passer, was another strong factor that led Seattle to the playoffs. With a completion percentage of nearly 65, DiNucci led the XFL in passing yards with 2,671 while tossing 20 touchdowns to 13 interceptions in 10 starts. A transfer from Pitt after losing his starting job to then-true freshman Kenny Pickett, DiNucci was drafted out of James Madison in the seventh round by Dallas in 2020. He played and started in relief of Andy Dalton to discouraging results and was eventually waived by the team. The Broncos appear to be very secure in the quarterbacks room with Jarrett Stidham and Jarrett Guarantano backing up Russell Wilson, but DiNucci will attempt to show that he still has an NFL-caliber arm this spring in Denver.

49ers Rumors: Lance, McKivitz, Snead, Staff

May 6th, 2023 at 3:53pm CST by Ely Allen

There’s been a swirl of rumors recently amongst 49ers quarterback Trey Lance as San Francisco does its usual quarterback shuffle. Some reports have the former No. 3 overall pick getting traded, while others have him staying pat.

The team reportedly views last year’s Irrelevant rookie Brock Purdy as their optimal starter, but Purdy isn’t expected to be healthy until much closer to the start of the season. In the meantime, the 49ers’ back up plan lies with Lance and free agent addition Sam Darnold, who many are now pegging as the team’s Week 1 starter come September.

Part of that has to do with Lance’s own injury situation, but according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, general manager John Lynch told the media last weekend that Lance has been fully cleared to participate. Wagoner also reported that the team, who has experienced an inordinate amount of quarterback injuries, is looking to add a fourth passer via undrafted free agency. As of yet, no such signing has been reported, but the team did bring on veteran backup Brandon Allen days ago.

Here are a few other rumors surrounding last year’s NFC West champions:

  • With starting tackle Mike McGlinchey departing in free agency for Denver, many thought San Francisco would address the departure through the draft. Seven rounds later, and no rookie offensive linemen were drafted by the 49ers. They did sign three undrafted rookies in Shepherd’s Joey Fisher, Washington’s Corey Luciano, and Hawai’i’s Ilm Manning, but they are expected to go with a currently rostered veteran, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Branch saw San Francisco’s inaction in the draft as a vote of confidence in fourth-year tackle Colton McKivitz. McKivitz has been a reserve and spent some time on injured reserve in his first three years, only starting five games, but the Niners have faith in him, as evidenced by their re-signing him to a two-year deal in early-March.
  • The 49ers re-signed veteran wide receiver Willie Snead for another year, and it appears his new deal will be the league’s veteran minimum, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. He’ll have a base salary of $1.17MM, $275K of it guaranteed, to go along with a $25K signing bonus. He’ll also receive a Week 1 bonus of $127.5K if he’s still rostered by then.
  • It looks like the 49ers were able to prevent former safeties coach Daniel Bullocks from following his mentor, DeMeco Ryans, to Houston. According to Josh Alper of NBC Sports, Bullocks has been named San Francisco’s new defensive backs coach. Additionally, Nick Sorensen, a defensive assistant last year, has been promoted to defensive passing game specialist for 2023. Lastly, to round out the defensive staff, Andrew Hayes-Stoker, a defensive quality control coach last year, has been promoted to assistant defensive backs coach and Cameron Brown has been hired to fill the newly open quality control position.

Bears To Sign TE Stephen Carlson

May 6th, 2023 at 1:47pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bears have added to a rather crowded tight ends room today, reportedly signing former Browns tight end Stephen Carlson, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 26-year-old is set to join the teams after participating in Chicago’s rookie minicamp this weekend.

Carlson came into the league as an undrafted signee out of Princeton in 2019. He failed to make the initial 53-man roster but was retained on the Browns’ practice squad to start the year. At the turn of the month into November, Carlson was signed to the active roster, making his NFL debut, and his first start, two days later. He remained on the active roster for the remainder of the year, making five starts and catching five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Carlson had found his playing time thanks to the long-term injuries of pass-catching tight end David Njoku and Pharaoh Brown, but he found most of his usefulness in blocking and special teams while in Cleveland. In his sophomore season, Carlson would play in every game, including the team’s two playoff contests but only caught one pass for 11 yards. He tore his ACL just before the 2021 season, after which his contract with the Browns expired. He had reportedly fully recovered, working out with the Giants nearly a year ago, but didn’t sign with any teams in the 2022 season.

Luckily, Carlson won’t be asked to try and be Chicago’s premier receiving tight end. That role will likely continue to be held by Cole Kmet, who led the team in all receiving categories last year with 50 receptions for 544 yards and seven touchdowns. The rest of the tight ends on last year’s roster combined for six catches for 52 yards. The only returners from that group, second-year tight ends Jake Tonges out of Cal and Chase Allen out of Iowa State, failed to record a reception. Former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan will assist Kmet in pass-catching duties after signing with the Bears back in March. The only other tight end on the current roster is the undrafted rookie out of Stony Brook, Damien Caffrey, who caught seven passes for 78 yards in 2022.

It appears that Carlson will add a bit of experience and blocking behind Kmet and Tonyan. None of Tonges, Allen, or Caffrey were prestigious receivers in college or have much NFL experience, so Carlson stands a good chance of entering the year as the team’s TE3. He’ll get his chance to return to the league this summer after not having played in an NFL game since January 2021.

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