HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Giants Planning To Carry Two Quarterbacks

June 28th, 2023 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the NFL reinstating the emergency quarterback rule, teams’ roster counts at the position become a more interesting topic. The new rule — in place after the 49ers lost both their active QBs during the NFC championship game — may influence teams’ 53-man roster decisions.

The league’s offseason tweak, reverting to a rule that has not been in place since 2010, is not expected to sway the Giants. They are likely to go into the season with a two-quarterback depth chart, Dan Duggan of Athletic notes. Current third-stringer Tommy DeVito is not expected to be a real threat to join Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor on the active roster come September (subscription required).

Last year, the Giants reacquired Davis Webb, whom they originally drafted in the 2017 third round, to team with Jones and Taylor. But Big Blue released Webb and subsequently stashed him on their practice squad. Webb made a few cameos on the Giants’ 55-man gameday roster but was not part of the team’s unit for most games. While Webb was called upon to start a meaningless Week 18 game — his last NFL action before transitioning to coaching; he is now the Broncos’ QBs coach — the Giants rolled with their Jones-Taylor setup for most of last season.

Taylor remains attached to the two-year, $11MM deal he signed in March 2022. Jones signed a four-year, $160MM accord just before the franchise tag deadline — which then pertained to Saquon Barkley — after an encouraging contract year. Jones, however, has missed time in three of his four NFL seasons. Most notably, the former No. 6 overall pick suffered a neck injury that ended his 2021 season in November. Jones underwent surgery to repair the issue. Heading into his age-34 season, Taylor has battled injuries as well. A scary lung puncture controversy sidelined Taylor just before the Chargers’ Week 2 game in 2020, ushering in the Justin Herbert era ahead of schedule, and a hamstring injury shelved the current Giants backup for an extended stretch during a 2021 Texans one-off.

Teams generally avoid dressing three passers — hence the rule update — but clubs will be unable to utilize the emergency QB rule unless they carry a third quarterback on their active roster. In order for the Giants to have DeVito — or another third-stringer — in place as their emergency option, he must be on their 55-man gameday roster. (The 2020 CBA allows teams to elevate two P-squad players the Saturday before a game, expanding gameday rosters to 55.) Teams cannot carry two QBs and bump a third up from the practice squad during a game. This part of the rule figures to influence teams’ roster constructions, but the Giants appear prepared to stick with a two-passer setup.

Playing for Syracuse and Illinois in college, DeVito joined the Giants as as a UDFA in May. No other quarterbacks reside on New York’s offseason roster, but third-string options — whether they land on an active roster or a practice squad — regularly change teams once the cut to 53 players comes. This year, teams must chop their rosters from 90 to 53 by 3pm CT on August 29.

Extension Candidate: Evan Engram

June 28th, 2023 at 2:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The least discussed of the four negotiations involving franchise-tagged players, Evan Engram‘s Jaguars situation still offers intrigue. The Jags have until July 17 to strike a deal with their starting tight end, or he will play a second straight season on a one-year contract — this one worth $11.35MM.

Jacksonville initially signed the former first-round pick on a higher-end “prove it” pact, giving the ex-Giant a one-year deal worth $9MM. After a rocky New York tenure, Engram showed value in Jacksonville by setting a Jags single-season tight end record with 766 receiving yards. Considering how difficult it has been for this franchise to find tight end production in recent years, Engram has a case to command a deal near the top tier at his position.

On the whole, the tight end position is undervalued. Travis Kelce has been the constant receiving presence during the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes era, and the future Hall of Famer helped power the team to another Super Bowl despite the trade of Tyreek Hill. George Kittle may be the league’s most complete tight end, and he has been vital to the Kyle Shanahan-era 49ers’ offensive success both aerially and on the ground. Neither star earns more than $15MM per year. Darren Waller‘s $17MM-per-year contract tops the tight end market, further complicating matters due to the new Giant’s recent injury trouble. Sixteen wideouts earn more than every tight end, contrasting one pass-catching position’s booming market and another’s stagnancy.

The tight end market being out of step with the position’s value may affect current and future negotiations, as Engram is coming off a better year compared to Waller. The Ole Miss alum teamed with fellow Jaguar newcomers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones to form a productive arsenal around the ascending Trevor Lawrence. In addition to his regular-season numbers, Engram totaled 12 catches for 124 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs.

The Jags chose an Engram tag over cuffing right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who made his way to the Chiefs on a $20MM-per-year accord. Engram’s tag cost the Jags barely $11MM. That amount becomes fully guaranteed once Engram signs his franchise tender; he joins Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs in not yet doing so.

Both Dawson Knox and David Njoku signed for at least $13MM last year. Given Engram’s first-year production in Jacksonville, it should be expected he is targeting a deal north of those authorized by the Bills and Browns. Considering Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews are signed to $14.25MM- and $14MM-AAV contracts, it would seem Engram and the Jags could find common ground. A 2024 Engram tag would be worth $13.62MM, but neither Knox nor Njoku secured $20MM guaranteed. The second tag price is assuredly a major factor for Engram; only three veteran tight ends (Andrews, Kittle, Hunter Henry) commanded guarantees of at least $25MM.

Njoku benefited by signing a long-term deal weeks after being tagged, while fellow tag recipients Dalton Schultz and Mike Gesicki endured down seasons. This led to disappointing 2023 paydays. Engram will need to consider this as well, though he has both made more cash than the ex-Cowboys and Dolphins tight ends — due to his first-round contract and 2022 Jaguars deal — and holds a clear role in Doug Pederson‘s offense. Lawrence’s climb also stands to benefit his top tight end.

Engram has said he wants to stay in Jacksonville, while GM Trent Baalke expressed optimism for a long-term agreement as well. But the sides were not believed to be especially close on terms weeks after the tag emerged. Engram being set for his age-29 season also complicates contract talks, but a three- or four-year deal should still cover prime years for the veteran. The Jags whiffed on a big-ticket Julius Thomas signing in 2015 and were unable to generate much from their tight end spot between then and the Engram contract. The Jags did, however, let left tackle Cam Robinson play on the tag in 2021. And Engram’s age and inconsistent past are likely factors the team is considering while determining if an extension or a second rental year will transpire.

Last year provided a notable uptick for the 6-foot-3 pass catcher, who saw injuries and inconsistency plague him in New York. After a 722-yard rookie season, Engram picked up a Pro Bowl nod with a 654-yard 2020 slate. Engram was not particularly reliable during the other three years of his rookie deal. After a 2021 season in which the Giants bottomed out following a Daniel Jones neck injury, Big Blue’s new regime let the Jerry Reese-era draftee walk.

Lawrence will be tied to a rookie contract in 2023, but the former No. 1 overall pick becomes extension-eligible in January. The Jags also added Calvin Ridley‘s fifth-year option salary ($11.12MM) to their payroll. Extending Engram would give the team more 2023 cap room, but with neither he nor Ridley signed beyond 2023, big-picture decisions loom. Kirk’s $18MM-per-year deal runs through 2025; Jones’ $8MM-AAV accord goes through 2024. With this being the rare pass-catching corps without a rookie contract in the starting mix, how the Jaguars proceed with this position group will be worth following.

Potential complications here pale in comparison to what is happening leaguewide at running back. While that issue clouds the talks with the three tagged backs — Barkley, Jacobs, Tony Pollard — Engram should have a clearer path to securing an extension by next month’s deadline.

Follow Pro Hockey Rumors For NHL Draft Coverage

June 28th, 2023 at 2:00pm CST by Josh Erickson

The first round of the 2023 NHL Draft starts tonight, and Pro Hockey Rumors is your destination for draft coverage, trades, and rumors throughout the two-day event!

Last season saw a few big names moved at the draft, and we’re expected to see some more big moves over the coming days. Some big-time news has already come in, such as 2016 top-five pick Pierre-Luc Dubois heading to Los Angeles and the New Jersey Devils locking in Timo Meier on a massive extension.
The Chicago Blackhawks hold tonight’s first overall pick, and they’ll be the lucky team where the most coveted prospect in nearly a decade will start his career. Center Connor Bedard is in the conversation with Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Auston Matthews as a true generational talent.
The Anaheim Ducks hold the second pick and are expected to draft University of Michigan center Adam Fantilli, who became only the third freshman ever to win the Hobey Baker Award for the top player in college hockey. There’s some room for surprise, though, especially with Russian forward Matvei Michkov. Michkov is widely regarded to be the best prospect out of Russia since Ovechkin, but could fall out of the first few selections given his contract status overseas and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine – potentially to Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals, who hold the eighth overall pick.
Pro Hockey Rumors will have coverage of all of the above, keeping track of draft selections as they come in while keeping you updated on trades, signings, and rumors. It’s the busiest time of the year for NHL fans, so keep up with Pro Hockey Rumors and follow @ProHockeyRumors on Twitter for instant analysis on every move!

Broncos WR KJ Hamler Expects To Be Ready For Training Camp

June 28th, 2023 at 1:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering the NFL after an injury prevented a workout at the 2020 Combine, KJ Hamler has not been able to avoid health setbacks as a pro. The Broncos wide receiver finished the past two seasons on IR and is now rehabbing a pectoral tear.

Hamler sustained the chest injury while training independently earlier this year, going down before the Broncos began their offseason program. While Hamler’s latest injury required surgery and put him on shaky ground for training camp, the speedy wideout expects to be cleared by the time the Broncos reconvene late next month, Denver7’s Troy Renck tweets.

Of course, it is worth wondering where Hamler stands with another new Broncos coaching staff. Since Hamler’s pec injury, the Broncos signed ex-Sean Payton Saints charge Marquez Callaway, doing so after pursuing free agents Allen Lazard and Adam Thielen. Most importantly in Denver’s offseason receiver puzzle, Oklahoma deep threat Marvin Mims arrived via a second-round pick. The Broncos traded up to No. 63 for Mims, making him their first 2023 draftee despite entering the draft without a clear receiver need. Mims topped 20 yards per reception during the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

The Broncos are set to go into camp in better shape at wide receiver compared to how they finished last season. In addition to Hamler finishing another year on IR, the Broncos played all of 2022 without starter Tim Patrick. The former UDFA-turned-extension recipient has been cleared from the ACL tear he suffered during Denver’s 2022 camp, while Mims stands to provide an intriguing wild card for a position group still headlined by Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Both of the Broncos’ top wideouts spent weeks in trade rumors, but Payton said before the draft the team would not move either. This did not stop teams from calling after the Mims pick. It should not be considered a lock Jeudy and Sutton will both be back, though Denver placed a high asking price — first- and second-round picks, respectively — for the veterans.

The Broncos became the first team since the 2003 Cardinals (Bryant Johnson, Anquan Boldin) to use first- and second-round picks on wideouts in the same draft. That move has not produced stability at the position. While Jeudy has grown into Denver’s No. 1 receiver — in an offense that has struggled to establish consistency — Hamler has not topped 400 receiving yards in a season. He has missed 28 career games, with ACL and hip injuries in September 2021 being his most significant deterrents. A hamstring problem sidelined Hamler for the close of last season. He finished with 165 receiving yards in seven games.

In addition to Hamler, Kendall Hinton looms as an uncertainty to be on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. But the former COVID 19-induced emergency quarterback remains with the team and has made steady contributions as a backup over the past two seasons. Hinton is also recovering from an offseason surgery, per Renck, who notes the former UDFA underwent an arthroscopic knee procedure. Hinton, 26, is also on track for what will be an interesting training camp for this position group.

Lloyd Howell Named NFLPA Executive Director

June 28th, 2023 at 11:16am CST by Sam Robinson

The foggy search for DeMaurice Smith‘s successor as NFLPA executive director is over. The union has a new leader. Lloyd Howell will succeed Smith, the NFLPA announced Wednesday (Twitter link).

Howell recently retired from his position as CFO with the Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm. He spent 34 years with the company. Howell left his post in October of last year, with that move coming just as the NFLPA began its search to succeed Smith. The appointment came after a vote from the NFLPA’s board of player representatives, though Howell’s name had not been circulated during this months-long process.

Howell will step in as the fourth executive director of the NFLPA. Smith served in this capacity since 2009, while Hall of Fame guard Gene Upshaw held it from 1983-2008. Ed Garvey was in place in this role from 1971-83. While Upshaw starred for the Raiders, the NFLPA brought in Smith from outside the league to lead their efforts. The union will follow suit with Howell, a Penn alum who holds an MBA from Harvard. Howell certainly hovered off the NFL radar, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes Booz Allen has worked in NFL consulting matters in the past (Twitter link).

A number of players have expressed support for the Howell hire since the announcement, but Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith notes players were “in the dark” during this search. But Howell will be the choice to lead the way alongside NFLPA president J.C. Tretter. Smith’s term runs through 2024, though CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes (on Twitter) Howell could begin his leadership stay this year.

“It was important for us to run a process that lived up to the prestige of the position we sought to fill,” Tretter said in a statement. “The process was 100% player led and focused on leadership competency, skills and experience. Our union deserves strong leadership and a smooth transition, and we are confident Lloyd will make impactful advances on behalf of our membership.”

Richard Sherman, Calais Campbell, Alex Mack, Austin Ekeler, Ryan Kelly, Jason McCourty, Brandon McManus, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Michael Thomas and Thomas Morstead joined Tretter in comprising the search committee. Smith faced off against the NFL owners during two collective bargaining agreement negotiations, producing deals in 2011 and 2020. The 2020 agreement runs through the 2030 season, meaning Wednesday’s appointment will not lead to near-future Howell-led negotiations.

While CBA talks will not be in the cards for a while, Howell will be in place to lead all other union-related matters. Howell also serves on the board at Moody’s Corporation and General Electric Healthcare. After a top-secret search led to Howell taking over, it will be interesting to see when his term begins and what changes come about in the weeks and months immediately after that transition commences.

Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson On Track To Start

June 28th, 2023 at 9:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Darnell Wright is positioned to enter Week 1 as Chicago’s right tackle starter. Given that he was drafted 10th overall, that is not exactly a surprise. But the Bears’ No. 56 overall pick is also on track to open the year as a first-stringer.

Chicago’s third draft choice this year, Tyrique Stevenson will have a clear onramp to begin his career with the 1s. The Miami product spent the offseason program working as a first-team option on the outside, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com notes, adding he is primed to begin the season as a boundary starter opposite Jaylon Johnson.

[RELATED: Johnson Seeking Bears Extension]

The Bears’ Ryan Poles–Matt Eberflus regime has devoted significant draft resources to the cornerback spot, having now taken Stevenson and Kyler Gordon in consecutive second rounds. Gordon began his career as a starter and remained in that role for each of the 14 games he played during his rookie season. Gordon operated as both an outside and slot defender last season, but the Bears are planning to slide last year’s No. 39 overall pick to a full-time slot role. This will clear a path for Stevenson.

ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed Stevenson as a quality value choice for the Bears at 56, having slotted the 6-foot cover man as this year’s No. 41-ranked prospect. A high-end recruit who transferred from Georgia, Stevenson spent his final two college seasons with the Hurricanes. He earned third-team All-ACC acclaim last season, playing primarily on the outside.

Stevenson following through on this path will give the Bears three first- or second-year starters in their secondary. Johnson, who is going into a contract year, and safety Eddie Jackson represent the veteran wing of the team’s DB crew. Chicago’s plan to go with a Johnson-Stevenson-Gordon trio at corner will relegate Kindle Vildor, a 2020 fifth-round pick who has started 21 games over the past two seasons, to a reserve role. Pro Football Focus viewed Vildor as making progress in 2022, tabbing him just outside the top 75 at the position. The 25-year-old corner will represent experienced depth for a Bears team that does not have a second-contract presence at this spot. The team also used a fifth-round pick on a corner, bringing in Minnesota’s Terell Smith.

The Bears ranked last in scoring defense and in defensive DVOA last season, opening the door for new personnel to commandeer roles. Stevenson stands to join free agent linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards as high-profile new starters on defense.

Dolphins Make Offer To Dalvin Cook; Other Teams Remain On Radar

June 27th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

After communicating with Dalvin Cook in the days since his Vikings release, this market’s long-rumored frontrunner has extended an offer. The Dolphins made their first offer to Cook, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).

This is not the only offer Cook has received, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show the six-year veteran has received multiple proposals. Around a “half-dozen” teams are in this market, Pelissero adds (video link).

Cook, who has said he wants to land with a contending team that has a need at running back, is not believed to be mandating a deal be done before training camp. It would not surprise if Cook attempted to drag this process into August, as proven veterans are generally fine with avoiding the rigors of camp. An injury or a team viewing its backfield situation as insufficient during camp could change Cook’s market, but it seems significant interest exists now.

Miami has loomed as the Cook favorite for months; PFR readers widely expect the Florida State alum to sign there. The Dolphins discussed a Cook trade with the Vikings but ultimately stood down and waited for a release. Cook is a Miami native who has expressed interest in joining the Dolphins. That said, the longtime Viking should not be expected to take a discount to end up in South Florida, Pelissero adds. But it is not known who the other suitors are here.

Although Cook mentioned the Jets as a team he has been linked to, it is unclear if New York has reached out with contract terms. The Jets do not have a need for a starting running back, with Breece Hall expected to be back from ACL surgery by Week 1, though their depth does not match the Dolphins’. While Miami’s backfield is deeper than New York’s, Cook would be positioned as a starter for Mike McDaniel‘s team. The Dolphins re-signed ex-McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson and used a third-round pick on Texas A&M speedster Devon Achane. It would seem the Dolphins could get by without Cook, given Mostert and Wilson’s system fits. But Mostert is 31 and has run into major injury trouble in recent years. Wilson also missed a chunk of time in 2021 due to a foot injury.

While Pelissero also mentioned the Broncos and Patriots as potential destinations, neither has been connected to possessing genuine interest. The Broncos emerged as an early Cook suitor, with a report indicating Denver had monitored Cook for a stretch ahead of his release. But a subsequent report pegged the Broncos as a team more likely to stay out of this market.

Like the Jets, the Broncos have a starting back (Javonte Williams) coming off an ACL tear. Williams has made progress, participating in OTAs, and is expected to be ready by Week 1. Denver also signed Samaje Perine, who is on track to play a regular role in Sean Payton‘s offense. The Patriots did not re-sign Damien Harris or add a veteran backup to replace him; as of now, Rhamondre Stevenson is ticketed for a three-down role in his third season.

The Dolphins are not planning to make Cook an offer close to the $10.4MM base salary he was to earn with the Vikings, but if there are legitimately a handful of teams in the market, the six-year Minnesota starter is unlikely to be forced to settle for the low-cost deals Mostert, Wilson and Harris signed in March. It will be interesting to see how close Cook comes to the $10.4MM mark, as even with interest forming, he is a running back going into his age-28 season — and in free agency when teams’ budgets are largely depleted.

Raiders’ Josh Jacobs Could Sit Out Week 1?

June 27th, 2023 at 9:48pm CST by Ben Levine

Running back Josh Jacobs has already missed the Raiders offseason program and mandatory minicamp as he pursues a long-term pact, and he could extend his unofficial holdout into the regular season. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero hinted that Jacobs could sit out part of the regular season if he doesn’t get a new deal.

[RELATED: Raiders Not Closing Door On Josh Jacobs Extension]

“The one [running back situation] that nobody’s talking about is Josh Jacobs,” Pelissero said (h/t to CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan). “At this point, if there’s not a long-term deal, I don’t anticipate Josh Jacobs being there at the start of training camp and I don’t know that he shows up Week 1.”

Jacobs was slapped with the franchise tag earlier this offseason, locking him into a guaranteed $10.1MM salary for next season. Since Jacobs hasn’t signed his franchise tag, he wouldn’t face any penalties for missing training camp or preseason games. If he sits out regular season games, he would lose checks for each contest missed.

Jacobs and the Raiders have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal. As a result of that deadline, any hypothetical Jacobs holdout wouldn’t do anything to help his case for signing a long-term pact in 2023. The running back could point to preserving future earnings as a reason for sitting out regular season games, but running backs like Le’Veon Bell and Melvin Gordon struggled to recoup their value when they followed a similar mindset.

It’s not a surprise that Jacobs is trying to grasp at the little leverage he has as we get closer to that July 17 deadline. Jacobs has previously talked of taking a stance for future running backs, and he’s also hinted at “bad business” coming from the Raiders organization. The threat of a holdout probably won’t be enough to make the Raiders front office blink, but if the two sides don’t agree to a long-term deal, the organization at least has to prepare for a potential Jacobs absence.

We heard earlier this week that the Raiders wanted to lessen Jacobs’ workload in 2023 while expanding the roles of 2022 draftees Zamir White and Brittain Brown. White got into 14 games as a rookie, collecting 70 total yards from scrimmage. Brown got into six games as a rookie but exclusively played on special teams.

Bears LB Jack Sanborn Expected To Be “Full Speed” For Training Camp

June 27th, 2023 at 9:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Jack Sanborn was an unexpected contributor for the Bears last season, with the undrafted rookie getting into 14 games. An ankle injury ended his rookie season prematurely, but it sounds like the linebacker will be good to go for the start of training camp. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Sanborn is expected to be “full speed” when the team gathers for training camp next month.

Sanborn ended up making the Bears roster out of the preseason, and he was eventually elevated to the starting lineup when Chicago moved star Roquan Smith. When all was said and done, the rookie ended up starting six of his 14 appearances last year, finishing with 64 tackles and a pair of sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked him 41st among 81 qualifying linebackers, and they handed him one of the top grades at his position for pass rushing.

Sanborn’s recovery from his season-ending knee injury extended into minicamp, forcing the second-year player to the sideline. As a result, rookie fifth-round pick Noah Sewell got a chance to work with the starters. While the Oregon product seemed to impress during his initial practices, coach Matt Eberflus was quick to point out that the starting gig still belongs to Sanborn.

“We’ll see where he goes,” Eberflus said of Sewell (via Biggs). “With rookies, it’s always ‘Know what to do first.’ So he knows his assignment so he can do it fast. He’s getting better at it. We love his instincts. He’s a very instinctual player.

“And so is Jack. Jack is a very instinctual player, plays multiple positions for us. But Jack will be the starter there going into (training camp) and then we’ll see what Noah can do to press him.”

Latest On Commanders LB Depth

June 27th, 2023 at 6:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Entering mandatory minicamp, there were some questions surrounding the Commanders’ depth at linebacker. However, the team’s answer at the position may already be on the roster. As ESPN’s John Keim writes, the Commanders’ apparent need for a LB may not be as urgent considering the emergence of Khaleke Hudson.

Hudson, a 2020 fifth-round pick, has seen time in 41 games through his first three seasons in the NFL. However, he only has four starts while playing about 85 percent of his total snaps on special teams. In total, the Michigan product has 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits. The defender was cut by Washington last August before catching on with the practice squad. After appearing in 13 games last season, he was signed to a one-year extension back in March.

Jamin Davis is still expected to fill in at the WLB spot, but he was sidelined during minicamp while recovering from offseason knee injury. On the other side, free agent addition Cody Barton was slated to play the MLB role, but he was playing alongside the backups while he learned the defense.

As a result, Hudson saw an increased role during minicamp, and per Keim, the linebacker’s performance impressed coaches. Even if the 25-year-old doesn’t end up starting at either of Washington’s two linebacker spots, it seems all but certain that he’ll still see an increased role on defense in 2023. Plus, as Keim notes, his development may reduce the team’s need for depth at the position. The Commanders are also rostering the likes of David Mayo, De’Jon Harris, and Milo Eifler at the position.

Load More Posts