HEADLINES

Month: June 2023

C Connor Williams Absent From Minicamp

June 6th, 2023 at 11:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins began their mandatory minicamp today, but there is one noticeable absence. Center Connor Williams is not in attendance, head coach Mike McDaniel said on Tuesday.

McDaniel said that Williams’ absence is not excused, but added that the pair have been in communication with each other. Williams has one year remaining on his contract, but his decision to skip minicamp demonstrates his desire for a new deal this offseason. He has now opened himself up to fines from the team, if they choose to penalize him for not attending.

The 26-year-old found himself on the open market for the first time last year after his rookie deal with the Cowboys expired. He logged 51 starts in Dallas and emerged as one of the better interior O-linemen in the 2022 free agent class. He inked a two-year deal in Miami worth $14MM. He is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2023 with $2MM in guranteed money.

Williams is eyeing a raise after a successful first campaign in South Beach. After exclusively playing at guard with the Cowboys, the Dolphins used him at center for the full 2023 season. He logged over 1,000 snaps while handling full-time starting duties, and set a new career-high in terms of PFF evaluation. The former second-rounder earned an overall grade of 78.4, excelling in run blocking in particular. After penalties were an issue the previous year, Williams’ flag count also fell back in line with his totals from the beginning of his career.

That performance now has him angling for an extension. Miami has just under $14MM in cap space at the moment, which places them middle of the pack in the league. Getting Williams on the books beyond 2023 could be a priority for the team considering his age and level of play last year, though there are other contracts to take care of as well. One of those is defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who is eligible for what will be a sizeable raise on his second deal and has been in conversation about signing one. Regardless of what happens on that front, attention will no doubt turn to contract talks with Williams amidst his absence.

Jaguars Not Eyeing Pass Rush Additions

June 6th, 2023 at 10:54am CST by Adam La Rose

Another veteran edge rushing name came off the list of available free agents yesterday, dropping the number of options available for teams looking to add in that department. For the time being, the Jaguars are not one of them.

Jacksonville has room for improvement in terms of production from its edge group, after the team ranked 25th in the league with 35 sacks in 2022. Head coach Doug Pederson has acknowledged the need for the team’s defensive front to take a step forward, but that will likely not involve an outside addition any time soon.

When asked about the Leonard Floyd deal, Pederson said, “he’s a good player and guys are gonna get scooped up, but, listen, you can’t just jump in the first thing that’s there” (video link via Mia O’Brien of 1010 XL). “Obviously, somebody has to fit your roster and fit your structure financially. There’s going to be guys probably going into training camp, there’s going to be guys coming out of training camp that we’ll take a look at but those are all things for conversations down the road.”

The Jaguars have made a number of high-end investments on the edge via the draft in recent years. They used a first-round pick on Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson in 2019 and 2020, respectively, though the latter’s future with the organization is up in the air. Jacksonville made Travon Walker the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, adding further to the young elements of the team’s pass rush who will likely be counted on in the short- and long-term future.

With respect to free agency, the only development on the Jacksonville front which has taken place at the OLB spot has been the departure of Arden Key, who signed a three-year, $21MM deal with the Titans. Replacing his production and playing time will largely fall to the team’s in-house options, which includes another draft investment from this pat April. The Jaguars used a fourth-round pick on Oklahoma State product Tyler Lacey, who should have a path to at least a rotational role especially if no free agents are added before the season.

Jacksonville will certainly have a number of options to choose from if they do elect to go the veteran route, though. The likes of Frank Clark, Justin Houston and Jadeveon Clowney are still on the market deep into the offseason. The Jaguars could land an experienced depth option later in the summer, but their patient approach is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Bills, DT Ed Oliver Reach Agreement On Extension

June 6th, 2023 at 9:57am CST by Ely Allen

JUNE 6: Further details on the extension are in, courtesy of ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Oliver will receive a $14.75MM signing bonus via his extension, which has cap implications for 2023. His charge for this season has dropped to $5.775MM (compared to the $10.75MM it would have been on the fifth-year option). Buffalo has already used some of those savings on their deal for edge rusher Leonard Floyd.

JUNE 3: After four strong years on the Bills defensive line, defensive tackle Ed Oliver will avoid playing out his fifth-year option to free agency after agreeing to an extension, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Oliver’s new contract is reportedly a four-year deal worth $68MM, $45MM of which will be guaranteed.

Oliver isn’t the flashiest of defenders, as many in his position aren’t, but since getting drafted at No. 9 overall back in 2019, Oliver has done his job and done it well. While not elite in any area of the game, Oliver has been a good all-around defender in Buffalo, delivering strong performances as both a run defender and a pass rusher. He didn’t have his best season in 2022, but according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Oliver was the 13th best interior defender in 2020 and the 23rd in 2021.

As a rookie in 2019, Oliver became an immediate contributor rotating in the defensive front alongside Jordan Phillips and Star Lotulelei. He finished his rookie year with five sacks and five tackles for loss. He held down a similar role in his sophomore season, anchoring a rotation that now included Quinton Jefferson and Vernon Butler but now starting every game. In 2021, Oliver became a mainstay on the defensive line, playing more snaps than any other Bills defensive lineman. His playing time that year about doubled any other tackle on the team besides Harrison Phillips, and he rewarded Buffalo with a disruptive four sacks and 10 tackles for loss. Last year, DaQuan Jones replaced Phillips as Oliver’s right-hand man as the two dominated the defensive tackles’ snap share.

So far in his career, Oliver has proven to be an above average pass rusher with 14.5 career sacks from the interior as well as 42 quarterback hits, a disruptive run stopper with 30 career tackles for loss, and an all-around nuisance with 11 swatted passes and four forced fumbles. He’s been a steady, reliable contributor, appearing in all but four games over the course of his career, as well.

Oliver’s new deal is reflective of his status in the NFL. Not considered an elite athlete at his position but still respected as a strong contributor, the $17MM annual average value of Oliver’s extension ranks 11th among NFL defensive tackles. The league’s better tackles make north of $20MM per year while an all-time great like Aaron Donald makes just over $30MM per year. The $45MM guaranteed, though, ranks sixth-most among active defensive tackle contracts.

Five other defensive tackles were taken in the first round of 2019: Quinnen Williams, Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence, Jeffery Simmons, and Jerry Tillery. Tillery was waived by the Chargers midseason last year. Lawrence agreed to an impressive four-year, $87.5MM deal almost a month ago, and Simmons topped both Oliver and Lawrence with a four-year, $94MM extension, a deal that would top the position if not for Donald. Williams is currently in discussions with the Jets for an extension and should expect a strong one after a first-team All-Pro 2022 season. Wilkins is also in discussions with Miami, but he likely shouldn’t expect to reach the heights of Simmons, Lawrence, or Williams. After two strong seasons, Wilkins may see a deal similar to Oliver’s, but an inconsistent start to his career may limit what he receives.

Back in Buffalo, though, the Bills have locked down the future of their defensive line, especially considering every other experienced defensive tackle on the roster (Jones, Phillips, Tim Settle, and Poona Ford) is set for free agency at the conclusion of the upcoming season. Oliver joins tight end Dawson Knox, who received an extension of his own last September, as the only remaining members of Buffalo’s 2019 draft class.

OL Russell Okung Retires

June 6th, 2023 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Russell Okung has officially closed the book on his NFL career. The veteran offensive lineman announced (on Twitter) that he has fully committed to the “new chapter” of his life.

Okung had not played in the NFL since 2020, the first year in which he considered hanging up his cleats. He suffered a pulmonary embolism due to blood clots the season prior, which limited him to six games played. In a one-off campaign with the Panthers in 2020, the former first-rounder appeared in (and started) seven contests at left tackle.

The 34-year-old wasn’t satisfied with the offers he received on the open market in 2021, and he wound up sitting out the past two seasons. As explained in his retirement announcement, Okung has now shifted his attention to his post-playing days, with fasting becoming a key component in the next phase of his life. That means his now-complete pro career can be reflected upon.

As the Seahawks’ top pick in 2010, Okung was the first draft choice of the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era in Seattle. He spent six years in the Emerald City, starting all 72 games he appeared in and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2012. He followed that up with a Super Bowl victory the following season, and later continued his career with the Broncos, Chargers (with whom he was again named a Pro Bowler in 2017) and Panthers.

Overall, the Oklahoma State product totaled over $190MM in career earnings. With respect to finances, he became known for promoting bitcoin as a form of compensation. His Panthers contract allowed him to convert portions of his salary into the cryptocurrency, and he remains an advocate for athlete-driven entrepreneurship. More of his focus might be aimed in that direction now that his playing days are officially over.

NFL Investigating Colts CB Isaiah Rodgers For Potential Gambling Violation

June 5th, 2023 at 8:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

8:52pm: Rodgers has admitted wrongdoing, though he did not specify if the recent accusations are entirely accurate. The 25-year-old defender said he has “made mistakes” and wants to rectify them. An NFL ruling may be coming soon.

“Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions,” Rodgers said (via Twitter). “I know I have made mistakes and I am willing to do whatever it takes repair the situation. I’ve let people down that I care about. I made an error in judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process.”

Depending on the NFL’s findings, Rodgers will almost certainly face a lengthy suspension. Betting on NFL games led to Cephus, Moore and Toney being banned for at least one full season. Given the scope of Rodgers’ reported violations, he should not be expected to play in 2023. An indefinite suspension would require reinstatement. Should Rodgers receive a full-season ban, the last year of his rookie contract would toll. This is assuming the Colts not cut ties with the 5-foot-10 defender.

6:20pm: Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is believed to the player under investigation, Holder and ESPN’s David Perdum report. A former sixth-round pick, Rodgers started nine games last season and worked as Indianapolis’ primary kick returner. The Colts cleared a bit of a path for Rodgers this offseason, trading Stephon Gilmore and letting Brandon Facyson return to the Raiders in free agency. While the team drafted Julius Brents in the second round, a Rodgers suspension would certainly affect Gus Bradley‘s plans at corner.

A sportsbook account was created under the name of one of Rodgers’ associates, per ESPN, with approximately 100 bets being placed on the account over an undisclosed time span. Most of the bets were worth between $25-$50, though Holder and Perdum note at least one was in the four-digit range.

5:38pm: The NFL’s issues with player betting are spreading beyond Detroit and Washington this offseason. The league is investigating a Colts player for violating the gambling policy, according to Sportshandle.com’s Matt Rybaltowski.

The Colts released a statement indicating awareness of the gambling investigation into this unnamed player, and ESPN.com’s Stephen Holder adds the Indiana Gaming Commission has received “information pertaining to this matter.” No suspension has been handed down, but the Lions precedent set some parameters in the event of violating findings.

While the April development led to two Lions (Jameson Williams and since-cut receiver Stanley Berryhill) being suspended six games for making non-NFL bets on team grounds and two other Lions (since-released special-teamer C.J. Moore and since-waived wideout Quintez Cephus) and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney banned at least a full season for betting on the NFL, punishment in this Colts matter may be more extreme. The unnamed Colt is alleged to have placed “hundreds” of wagers, with Rybaltowski adding some of those are believed to have been bets on the Colts.

Obviously prohibited from betting on NFL games, players — as the Williams ban reminded — are also barred from making sports wagers at team facilities. The extent of which Cephus, Moore and Toney bet on the NFL is not known, but a report indicating this many possible violations could certainly result in a stiffer suspension for the latest player in the gambling policy crosshairs. The NFL’s investigation into the Lions has expanded to a fifth player as well, though it is unknown if that player is under the microscope for betting on the NFL or on other sports. After seeing players and unnamed staffers commit violations, the Lions have provided further instruction to their players on the policy.

The report of a fifth Lion to be investigated for a potential violation also indicated players on other teams had potentially violated the policy. The league went years without a gambling policy violator, but a 2018 Supreme Court decision that expanded betting to numerous states beyond Nevada and New Jersey has both affected the NFL through partnerships and with players running afoul of the betting policy. Although Ridley and former defensive back Josh Shaw incurred indefinite suspensions prior to this offseason, 2023 has been the league’s most turbulent year on the gambling front in decades.

Colt McCoy Considered Retirement

June 5th, 2023 at 8:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Kyler Murray likely to miss the start of the season, a Cardinals team that has shifted focus toward a rebuild may need to rely on a 14th-year veteran to run the show. Colt McCoy is going into his age-37 season, but he represents the most likely candidate to take the snaps for the Cardinals to start the year.

This expected opportunity comes after the longtime backup missed the final games of the 2022 season due to a concussion. Making his third start of last season, McCoy sustained the head injury in Week 15 and did not play again. The Cardinals cleared their backup from concussion protocol in Week 17, but McCoy experienced more symptoms during a practice soon after and finished the season out of action.

“That concussion was not bad physically. I know I was knocked out, I don’t want to [downplay it], but I recovered very quickly,” McCoy said, via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. “Then I think there were some decisions made that were out of my hands. I was going to practice and I was going to play if I was allowed to play. It was just that way. I haven’t had any repercussions from the concussion. I feel good.”

McCoy also battled arm and calf issues last year, keying an IR stint, and entered the offseason dealing with an elbow ailment. Jonathan Gannon has confirmed McCoy is back to 100% after an early-offseason ramp-up period. One season remains on McCoy’s two-year, $7.5MM contract. While McCoy is expected to be a Week 1 starter for the first time since 2011, he considered calling it a career this offseason.

“There is always an evaluation process you go through,” McCoy said of his retirement consideration. “Opportunities to play in this league don’t grow on trees. I understand the situation we are in. I still want to play and I still feel confident I can play.

“In my mind, I don’t know if Kyler is going to be healthy or not. We all certainly hope that he is. If he is not, I will 100% be ready to go.”

The Cardinals finished last season with David Blough and Trace McSorley making starts in place of Murray and McCoy. Blough remains on Arizona’s roster, while McSorley signed with the Patriots. Arizona also signed Jeff Driskel and drafted Houston’s Clayton Tune in Round 5. Murray starting the season on the reserve/PUP list opens the door to the Cardinals carrying Tune and either Blough or Driskel on its season-opening roster. Once Murray is activated, a practice squad slot may well be opened for one of these two as well.

Michael Bidwill said earlier this offseason Murray would likely return early in the season. That statement came before free agency, when the likes of Zach Allen, Byron Murphy and Markus Golden moved off the Cards’ roster. DeAndre Hopkins is also now out of the picture. The team’s rebuilding mission — one that could include two high 2024 draft choices, partially due to the Cardinals collecting the Texans’ first-rounder in the Will Anderson Jr. trade — introduces a natural conflict with Murray’s recovery timetable. While it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals manage their well-paid starter this season, McCoy looms as the first option off the bench.

This will be McCoy’s third season with the Cardinals. The Texas alum helped the 2021 team secure a playoff berth, leading that Cards edition to two wins in his three starts for an injured Murray. McCoy completed 74.7% of his passes (at 7.5 yards a clip) in 2021. Those numbers fell to 68.2% and 5.9, respectively, as McCoy went 1-2 as a starter last year. The playoffs will not be an expectation for the ’23 Cards, but McCoy will be expected to play a notable role for Gannon’s first Arizona squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/5/23

June 5th, 2023 at 7:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR Ed Lee

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Seattle Seahawks

Borders worked out for the Falcons on Monday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. This will be team No. 11 for Borders, who is moving toward Josh Johnson journeyman territory — at least for volume. A former Raiders UDFA, Borders played in one game last season — with the Bears — after a 12-game 2021 (in Chicago and Arizona). Borders’ most notable NFL stint came when he started five games for the eventual AFC South champion Titans in 2020. Borders has also caught on with Buffalo, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington, Pittsburgh and Miami.

A 2019 UDFA, Crockett had been with the Broncos since 2020. He served as backfield depth in Denver, but all of his playing time came in 2021 — mostly on special teams. Crockett’s career encountered a speedbump during training camp last year; the Missouri alum suffered a torn ACL.

Duane Brown Addresses Jets’ Tackle Outlook

June 5th, 2023 at 7:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite being healthy for all of one game over the past two seasons, Mekhi Becton voiced a strong stance against playing right tackle again. The Jets moved Becton from left to right tackle ahead of training camp last year, sliding George Fant to the right side. After Becton’s second major knee injury, the team signed Duane Brown, whose contract runs through 2023.

Although injuries affected the Jets’ tackle situation throughout 2022, Brown started 12 games on the left side. Becton has lost more than 45 pounds this offseason and has not been shy about his push to become Gang Green’s left tackle again. Brown, however, remains on the roster and would be the best bet to stay on the left side. He does not sound too eager to change positions this late in his career.

“It’s not something I’ve practiced over the years,” Brown said of a right tackle role, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “Not to say I can’t do it, but I’ve been solidified [at left tackle] for a while.”

Even after the Jets proclaimed Fant their left tackle starter last summer, the team moved him to the right side upon signing Brown. The 37-year-old blocker is tied to a two-year, $20MM deal. Fant is a free agent, but the Jets also signed Billy Turner, who has now followed OC Nathaniel Hackett from Green Bay to Denver to New York. The team was believed to be eyeing Georgia tackle Broderick Jones in Round 1, but the Steelers (via the Patriots) drafted him 14th overall. That development keeps the Brown-Becton situation a front-burner matter in New York.

Brown is also recovering from offseason rotator cuff surgery, with Cimini adding the 16th-year veteran did not confirm he would be ready in time for training camp. (Becton is expected to be ready by the start of camp.) The former Texans and Seahawks blocker is the league’s oldest active O-lineman and has made 215 career starts. That ranks in the top 10 in NFL history. Each of those starts came at left tackle. Pro Football Focus assigned Brown, who was playing through injury last year, his worst grade as a pro in 2022. The former Houston first-rounder ranked just inside the top 70 among tackles, placing him near the bottom among regulars at the position.

The Jets can save just more than $9MM by releasing Brown, though Becton’s injury history and Turner having missed half of last season might prompt Robert Saleh and Co. to insist the veteran stays as Aaron Rodgers begins his New York run. Rodgers’ contract will likely soon be addressed, as his cap number presently sits at a deceiving $1.2MM. Brown and Corey Davis — who respectively are tied to the second- and third-largest Jets cap numbers this year — may still reside as potential cut candidates. Both remain in place, however, and the Jets have insisted Davis — despite cut rumors — is in their 2023 plans.

As Brown continues his shoulder rehab, he is set to re-enter an unusual situation. Becton’s pointed comments at the coaching staff have injected drama into the team’s tackle picture, and Saleh said right tackle may still be in the cards for the irked blocker. This matter will not be resolved until training camp, as neither Brown nor Becton are ready to return to work yet.

Cowboys Sign WR Tyron Johnson, Cut WR Antonio Callaway

June 5th, 2023 at 6:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyron Johnson has now found a home with a ninth NFL team. The fifth-year wide receiver received a Cowboys workout opportunity Monday, and the team announced an agreement is in place.

In a corresponding move, the Cowboys cut wideout Antonio Callaway. The former Browns draftee has joined Johnson in bouncing around the league, but his latest opportunity may be coming to an end because of an off-field matter. Callaway was arrested Saturday in Miami for driving with a suspended license, Andy Slater of Fox Sports 640 tweets.

The Cowboys had signed Callaway to a reserve/futures contract in January, doing so despite the Florida alum having not played in a regular-season NFL game since 2020. Callaway, who also spent time in the XFL during the league’s initial relaunch in 2020, emerged with a promising rookie season in Cleveland (43 catches, 586 yards, five touchdowns) but has been unable to come particularly close to replicating that.

Dallas is the fourth team to sign Callaway, who spent time in Miami and Kansas City since the Browns waived him midway through the 2019 season. Callaway received a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy — a harsher standard prior to the 2020 CBA being ratified — and has only played in five games since.

Originally a 2019 Texans UDFA, Johnson has since bounced to the Bills, Panthers, Chargers, Jaguars, Raiders, Bengals and 49ers. The Texans reacquired Johnson, who finished his college career at Oklahoma State, on multiple occasions. The 49ers waived him last month. Johnson, 27, played in four games — with the Chargers and Texans — last season. His most notable NFL work has come as a kick returner. The Cowboys have that role covered, with ex-USFLer-turned-All-Pro KaVontae Turpin going into his second season.

Bills, OLB Leonard Floyd Agree To Deal

June 5th, 2023 at 6:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

6:25pm: Floyd agreed to join the Bills on a deal that pays $7MM in base value, Rapoport tweets. Incentives can take the contract to $9MM. While this is well off Floyd’s previous NFL contract — a four-year, $64MM pact the Rams shed in March — the former first-round pick still did reasonably well after spending nearly three months in free agency. Floyd received other offers, per Rapoport, who adds he turned down a more lucrative one to land with a contender in Buffalo.

8:58am: The next domino has fallen with respect to veteran edge rusher landing new contracts deep into free agency. Leonard Floyd has agreed to a one-year-deal with the Bills, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).

The move will give Buffalo another experienced presence on the edge, and Floyd will be reunited with Von Miller after the pair spent time together with the Rams during their Super Bowl run. The latter is aiming to return to the lineup for Week 1 after his ACL tear, but Floyd will provide insurance for the team if that does not take place. When the Bills’ edge group is at full strength, it will have an intriguing mix of experience and upside.

Floyd enjoyed a successful run in Los Angeles after a generally underwhelming start to his career in Chicago. The 30-year-old posted 10.5, then 9.5 and 9.0 sacks in his three years with the Rams, and was a crucial part of their defense during his time there. No other edge rusher recorded more than one sack for the team in 2022, though they still committed to parting ways with the veteran this offseason.

After failing to find a trade partner willing to take on the remainder of the contract Floyd signed in 2021, the Rams released him. That fell in line with their moves at other spots on the roster, as they look to reset financially and move past what was a highly disappointing 2022 campaign. It left Floyd on the open market amongst many other accomplished pass rushers, though, and the position’s market has remained cool through June.

Floyd has landed in a new home where there could be signficant competition for playing time, especially once Miller is healthy. The Bills have 2021 first-round pick Gregory Rousseau, along with former second-rounders A.J. Epenesa and Carlos Basham Jr. in the fold; they also re-signed veteran Shaq Lawson this offseason. Floyd logged a snap share of at least 80% in all three of his Rams seasons, so he is capable of handling a heavy workload if need be.

Given the team’s depth, however, the former first-rounder is likely in line for a smaller role in Buffalo, a team which ranked mid-pack with 40 sacks last season. A strong campaign from Floyd would help boost his free agent stock ahead of next offseason, while also providing a boost up front to a team which is once again eyeing a deep postseason run.

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