2023 July - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Largest 2023 Cap Hits: Defense

July 12th, 2023 at 9:52am CST by Sam Robinson

While the NFL’s top 2023 cap hits go to players on offense, a number of pass rushers are tied to lofty figures as well. None check in higher than Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Williams and Chiefs D-tackle Chris Jones carry high contract-year cap hits, while the Steelers’ two front-seven cornerstones each are set to go into training camp with cap figures north of $20MM. As the salary cap climbed to $224.8MM this year, here are the top defensive cap figures as camps near:

Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $32.26MM
T.J. Watt, OLB (Steelers): $29.37MM
Myles Garrett, DE (Browns): $29.18MM
Chris Jones, DT (Chiefs): $28.29MM
Aaron Donald, DL (Rams): $26MM
Arik Armstead, DT (49ers): $23.95MM
Cameron Heyward, DL (Steelers): $22.26MM
C.J. Mosley, LB (Jets): $21.48MM
Jonathan Allen, DT (Commanders): $21.44MM
Shaquil Barrett, OLB (Buccaneers): $21.25MM
Grady Jarrett, DT (Falcons): $20.63MM
Marlon Humphrey, CB (Ravens): $19.99MM
Shaquille Leonard, LB (Colts): $19.79MM
Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $19.62MM
Adoree’ Jackson, CB (Giants): $19.08MM
Harold Landry, OLB (Titans): $18.8MM
Justin Simmons, S (Broncos): $18.15MM
Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks): $18.11MM
Matt Judon, DE (Patriots): $18.107MM
Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $18.1MM
Nick Bosa, DE (49ers): $17.9MM
DeForest Buckner, DT (Colts): $17.25MM
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE (Dolphins): $17.19MM
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE (Cowboys): $17.11MM
Eddie Jackson, S (Bears): $17.1MM

The Chiefs are working toward a second extension agreement with Jones, who is in the final season of a four-year, $80MM contract. A new deal with the star inside pass rusher would free up cap space, and DeAndre Hopkins is believed to be monitoring this situation.

As for Williams, the Giants had wanted to adjust his deal to reduce his eye-opening cap number. As of mid-June, however, no extension appeared to be on the team’s radar. The previous Giants regime signed off on the 2021 Williams extension (three years, $63MM). The Giants are also uninterested — for the time being, at least — in extending Jackson, who was also a Dave Gettleman-era defensive addition.

Donald is in the second season of a three-year, $95MM deal. The Rams gave Donald a landmark raise last year, convincing the all-everything D-tackle to squash retirement talk. A no-trade clause exists in Donald’s contract, which pays out its guarantees this year. Mosley remains tied to the $17MM-per-year deal the Mike Maccagnan regime authorized with the Jets. That contract, which reset the off-ball linebacker market in 2019, still has two seasons remaining on it due to the deal tolling after Mosley’s 2020 COVID-19 opt-out call. The Jets restructured the deal last year.

Washington now has two D-tackles tied to deals of at least $18MM per year. While Daron Payne‘s pact is worth more ($22.5MM AAV), higher cap hits on that deal will come down the road. Three years remain on Allen’s 2021 agreement. At safety, no team is spending like the Seahawks. In addition to the big-ticket deals authorized for Adams and Diggs, Seattle gave ex-Giants starter Julian Love a two-year, $6MM accord in March.

New Titans GM Ran Carthon attempted to give Byard a pay cut. That request did not go over well, but the standout safety remains with the team and has not requested a trade. Tennessee re-signed Landry on a five-year, $87.5MM deal in 2022; the veteran edge rusher has yet to play on that deal due to the ACL tear he sustained just before last season.

The 49ers can bring Bosa’s number down via an extension, which has long been on the team’s docket. As San Francisco extended Deebo Samuel just after training camp began last year, Bosa received back-burner treatment due to the fifth-year option. The star defensive end’s price undoubtedly went up during the waiting period, with the former No. 2 overall pick earning Defensive Player of the Year acclaim in the fourth year of his rookie contract.

Bills Still In On DeAndre Hopkins

July 11th, 2023 at 9:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots and Titans’ offers for DeAndre Hopkins were extended nearly a month ago. The former All-Pro wide receiver’s inaction has made it quite clear he is eager to see if other teams will compete with the AFC teams. It appears other interested parties remain.

Hopkins does look to be waiting on the Chiefs to extend Chris Jones. That will create cap space for the defending Super Bowl champions, who have been in on Hopkins since early this offseason. (More buzz on a Jones deal surfaced Tuesday.) The Chiefs negotiated with the Cardinals on a Hopkins trade, but the Ravens’ $15MM Odell Beckham Jr. guarantee blew up those talks and led to Arizona eventually releasing the 10-year veteran.

While Kansas City still looks to be lingering here, Buffalo fits the same profile. The Bills also negotiated with the Cardinals before Hopkins’ release, and GM Brandon Beane spoke with the then-agentless wide receiver shortly after the late-May cut. Not much has emerged on the Buffalo-Hopkins front in weeks, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the team is still in on the high-profile free agent (Twitter link). As of now, however, the Bills are not aiming to compete with an escalating market. They have a firm price point, per Florio.

Buffalo’s price is clearly not to Hopkins’ liking, and the team only carries $5.5MM in cap space. The Bills and Chiefs’ low cap-space figures likely led to the Titans and Patriots taking the early lead here, hosting the former Texans superstar on visits. The Titans, who have the worst receiver situation among these four teams, may be the club most willing to come closest to Hopkins’ asking price. They remain confident in a deal transpiring. Tennessee submitting the highest offer would put Hopkins to a decision, especially if firm Bills or Chiefs proposals eventually emerge.

The Bills have a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver, in Stefon Diggs. Despite Sean McDermott sending a disgruntled Diggs home from the team facility during minicamp, four years remain on the standout receiver’s contract. Hopkins is coming off two seasons limited by injuries and a PED ban. The Bills could still use the Clemson product as a hired gun of sorts alongside Gabe Davis, forming an imposing three-receiver set. The team is prepared to use first-round tight end Dalton Kincaid extensively in the slot, however, in two-tight end sets featuring starter Dawson Knox.

Hopkins, 31, has mentioned the Bills as an attractive destination at multiple points. It is unclear how he would proceed if the Bills and Chiefs submitted similar offers. Having lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, Kansas City has a clearer receiver need. It is also unclear how much of a discount Hopkins would take if a Titans offer led the pack by a notable margin. The wait continues in one of the NFL’s two frequently discussed midsummer free agent derbies.

This Date In Transactions History: Michael Irvin Retires

July 11th, 2023 at 9:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following a scary sight in Philadelphia during the 1999 season, Michael Irvin opted not to risk his health by attempting to return from a severe injury. The superstar Cowboys wide receiver instead called it quits during the 2000 offseason.

A central component in the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, Irvin was in his 12th NFL season when he suffered a spine injury at Veterans Stadium in October 1999. Cervical spinal stenosis became Irvin’s official diagnosis. Irvin, 34 at the time of his retirement, was temporarily paralyzed after hauling in a short pass from Troy Aikman. During the 2000 offseason, doctors had advised Irvin to walk away due to the risk a return posed.

“I like to think of myself as a warrior. I wanted to be dragged off the field, and I was,” Irvin said at the time. “… If I said there wasn’t serious thought [of coming back], I’d be lying to you. I tried to rationalize it: ‘Any hit can be your last hit. You’ve been doing that all you’re life.’ But I’ve accomplished a great deal of things that I wanted to accomplish and at this juncture there’s no need to risk it and go on.”

The decision brought an end to one of the best careers in Cowboys history. The first of Dallas’ famed “Triplets” to debut in the pros — a year before Aikman and two years before Emmitt Smith — Irvin joined the Cowboys after a much-discussed career at the University of Miami. In Tom Landry‘s final year as Cowboys head coach (1988), the team used its No. 11 overall pick on Irvin, who was reunited with his college HC — Jimmy Johnson — a year later. Irvin went on to become one of his era’s best wide receivers.

When Irvin was stretchered off the turf in Philly 24 years ago, his reception and receiving yardage totals (750 and 11,904) each ranked ninth in NFL history. Illustrating the pass-crazed nature of today’s game, those numbers have dropped to 44th and 29th, respectively. But Irvin earned a spot on the 1990s’ All-Decade team. His retirement also came five years after another of Jerry Rice‘s top contemporaries, Sterling Sharpe, left the game early due to a neck injury.

After leading the NFL in receiving during a breakout 1991 season — the Cowboys’ first playoff berth of the Johnson era — Irvin staged a holdout with the goal of becoming the league’s second-highest-paid receiver (behind Rice). A three-year, $3.75MM contract kept Irvin in uniform ahead of the 1992 season, a rather important year in Cowboys history. Dallas won the first of its three Super Bowls that season; the 6-foot-2 wideout caught two touchdown passes in the team’s 52-17 win over the Bills. Irvin made the Pro Bowl each year from 1991-95, with the final two seasons coming after the infamous Johnson-Jerry Jones split. The Cowboys gave their top aerial threat a raise (five years, $15MM) during the ’95 offseason. At the time, that contract was the richest in wide receiver history.

A drug arrest led to Irvin being suspended for the first five games of the 1996 season; the rangy receiver still led the NFL with 87.5 yards per game upon return. “The Playmaker” tacked on two more 1,000-yard years in his final two full seasons, en route to Hall of Fame induction in 2007.

Titans Eyeing Tyjae Spears As RB2

July 11th, 2023 at 8:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Most of the Titans’ efforts to install a quality back behind Derrick Henry have not proven successful. The only back to qualify as a reliable option throughout his tenure has since changed teams twice.

D’Onta Foreman, who belatedly became the team’s top option to replace an injured Henry in 2021, has signed with the Panthers and Bears in consecutive offseasons. The productive fill-in’s departure prompted the Titans to draft Hassan Haskins in the 2022 fourth round, but the Michigan product totaled just 25 carries as a rookie and was arrested on an assault charge last month.

Haskins is expected to vie for the Titans’ third-string job with Jonathan Ward and Julius Chestnut, per Jim Wyatt of the team’s website. This will leave third-round rookie Tyjae Spears as the primary backup to Henry. The Tulane product is on track to “one-two punch” with the accomplished veteran, Wyatt adds.

Foreman and Haskins are just two of the players to be added since DeMarco Murray‘s 2018 exit (and subsequent retirement). Tennessee gave Dion Lewis a four-year, $19.8MM deal in 2018. While the ex-Patriots back operated as a nice Henry complement that season, he struggled to carve out much of a role in 2019. The Titans released Lewis in 2020. They drafted Darrynton Evans in the 2020 third round, but the Appalachian State product struggled with injuries and could not earn much playing time. Tennessee added Adrian Peterson following Henry’s November 2021 foot fracture and also tried Jeremy McNichols. Foreman, whom the team signed to its practice squad shortly after Henry’s injury, ended up playing the lead replacement role.

Spears will be the latest mid-round pick to receive an opportunity. A four-year Tulane contributor, the 201-pound back broke out with a 1,581-yard rushing season in 2022. He concluded his career with a 205-yard, four-touchdown performance in Tulane’s Cotton Bowl win over USC.

The Titans made Spears, the No. 81 overall pick, this year’s fifth running back selected. Spears ran a modest 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the Green Wave’s pro day, after not running at the Combine. An NFL.com report during draft weekend indicated Spears does not have an ACL in his one of his knees, after two tears, and had battled arthritis. He was not on every team’s draft board due to the medical concern, Daniel Jeremiah noted at the time. When asked about the report during Titans offseason workouts, Spears attempted to brush it off by indicating he was healthy.

The elusive rookie was a full participant in OTAs and minicamp. Considering the Titans’ run-oriented offense and lack of proven wide receivers, Spears may be called upon frequently. And he now represents the team’s top option if Henry, 29, goes down. Henry’s four-year, $50MM deal expires after this season.

Nick Bosa Likely To Stage Hold-In If Unsigned By Training Camp

July 11th, 2023 at 7:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Nick Bosa extension has been on the 49ers’ docket for multiple offseasons. The team has long viewed this year as the likely extension window, seeing as the All-Pro defensive end had the fifth-year option in his rookie contract. But Bosa remains unsigned.

It is not too unusual for a first-rounder to enter his fifth training camp still tied to his rookie contract, though other defensive linemen from Bosa’s draft class locked in lucrative extensions earlier this offseason. If Bosa is unsigned by the time the 49ers begin camp, it should not be expected he will participate. A hold-in effort should be viewed as likely in this instance, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes.

This should not be taken as a sign animosity exists between the 49ers and their top player. Bosa regularly skips OTAs before reporting to minicamp. This year, the fifth-year veteran did not participate in minicamp. That provided a decent indication of Bosa’s plans for a training camp should he remain on his rookie deal.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year looms as the top candidate to top Aaron Donald‘s defender-record AAV. The Rams gave Donald a $31.7MM-per-year contract in June 2022, moving the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle away from a potential retirement. Bosa does not have that kind of leverage, and the 2020 CBA curbed holdouts by mandating steep fines and the threat of stripping players of an accrued year toward free agency. The latter component would not affect Bosa, if he attempted to stage a holdout, as he has already played four seasons to become a UFA. But he would be hit with substantial penalties for skipping workouts.

Deebo Samuel‘s negotiations were messier than Bosa’s. They featured a trade request and hold-in measures at minicamp and training camp. But the 49ers came to terms with the versatile playmaker on July 31, 2022. That brought Samuel back onto the field early in camp. Bosa’s negotiations might be a bit more complicated, with a possible defense-record salary in play. This situation reminds of T.J. Watt‘s two years ago. The Steelers All-Pro did not practice during the team’s training camp, and his hold-in encompassed the preseason slate and ran up to Week 1. Pittsburgh and the star edge rusher agreed on a four-year, $112MM extension on Sept. 9, 2021.

Watt’s contract set the market for edge rushers; Bosa is likely looking to not only surpass that but move beyond Donald’s deal as well. This would be a bit of a bridge, as there is a $3.5MM AAV gap between those numbers. But the salary cap is back on the rise, after a 2021 regression. Money from the 2021 TV deals will lead to bigger cap spikes, and position salary standards will fall. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers attempt to keep Bosa under Donald’s number or if they will sign off on their dynamic D-end setting the market for all defenders.

If the 49ers and Bosa are not on the same page, the team would still have the defensive end franchise tag at its disposal for 2024. But a Bosa re-up has been budgeted for a while now. The former No. 2 overall pick undoubtedly raised his price after last season’s league-leading 18.5-sack showing, but the team now has the Jimmy Garoppolo contract off its cap sheet and should be amenable to a monster Bosa re-up.

Saints’ Alvin Kamara Pleads No Contest To Misdemeanor Charge

July 11th, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

7:07pm: Greene has also resolved his civil case against defensive back Chris Lammons, NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett notes (on Twitter). Lammons, who spent last season with the Chiefs and Bengals, was also indicted for his role in the Greene assault.

2:11pm: Greene’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, revealed his client and Kamara reached a private settlement regarding the civil matter, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com tweets. This also came with a public apology from the veteran running back.

“Please accept my sincere apologies for the events of February 5, 2022 in Las Vegas,” Kamara said (h/t Terrell). “I am happy that we were able to get on the other side of this unfortunate incident. I wish you the best for the future.”

The NFL has not rendered any discipline yet, but that should be expected in the coming weeks. The league said in a statement it is “closely monitoring all developments” pertaining to this case.

1:28pm: The NFL now has a clear path to levy discipline against Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who has loomed as a suspension candidate for nearly 18 months.

Kamara reached a plea agreement Tuesday, according to Kyle Paine and David Charms of 8 News Now, who report the perennial Pro Bowler will avoid a felony charge in connection with a February 2022 incident in Las Vegas (Twitter link). Indicted by a grand jury for his role in an assault on a man at a Las Vegas nightclub, Kamara pleaded no contest to a breach of peace charge.

This agreement will force the Saints running back to perform 30 hours of community service, pay a $500 fine and pay the victim $105K, which will go toward medical bills. Kamara, 27, has long expected to be suspended for the incident that led to Darnell Greene being hospitalized. Kamara, who was one of multiple men involved in the assault during the 2022 Pro Bowl weekend, was also hit with a civil suit last year.

The NFL does not need a conviction on a felony or misdemeanor charge to proceed with a ban under the personal conduct policy, as past developments have confirmed. With the league preferring to wait until cases are adjudicated before handing out punishment, Tuesday’s news sets up the likelihood of a Kamara ban — potentially a six-game penalty — occurring before the 2023 season.

Kamara’s case encountered frequent delays, leaving him free to play throughout last season. The Saints were less prepared for a Kamara ban last year, but the team has made preparations this offseason. New Orleans agreed to terms on a three-year, $12MM deal with Jamaal Williams — last season’s rushing touchdowns leader (16) while with the Lions — and used a third-round pick on TCU back Kendre Miller.

Kamara has been one of the best skill-position players in Saints history; he is tied to the league’s second-most lucrative running back extension ($15MM per year). The seventh-year veteran remains New Orleans’ top back, though he is coming off a bit of a down season — one in which he scored just four touchdowns. The team will undoubtedly make Kamara a key player in a now-Derek Carr-led offense, but the additions of Williams and Miller are certainly interesting. While a suspension will void remaining Kamara guarantees, only $1.1MM in guaranteed money remains on Kamara’s five-year, $75MM contract.

Giants LB Jarrad Davis Undergoes Surgery, Facing Long-Term Absence

July 11th, 2023 at 5:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants authorized this offseason’s second-most lucrative linebacker contract, giving Bobby Okereke a $10MM-per-year deal. However, one of the team’s holdovers had been leading the competition to join the ex-Colt as a starter.

But Jarrad Davis‘ path back to the Giants’ starting lineup has encountered a road block. Davis underwent surgery recently and is believed to be facing a long-term absence, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports. The operation was on Davis’ knee, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz notes. The Giants re-signed Davis, 28, in March but saw him miss minicamp due to this unspecified injury.

Davis started just one regular-season game for the Giants last season, but the ex-Lions first-rounder played a first-string role in both Big Blue playoff tilts. During Giants OTAs, Davis was running with Okereke on Don Mardindale‘s first unit. The former Colts starter could now be an option at middle linebacker, where Davis was stationed.

Should this knee injury threaten Davis’ regular-season availability, the Giants will be prepared to hold a competition between Micah McFadden and Darrian Beavers. A 2022 fifth-round pick, McFadden started seven games for an embattled Giants linebacking corps last season. The Giants chose Beavers in last year’s sixth round, but he did not play as a rookie due to a torn ACL sustained during the team’s second preseason game. Beavers, whom Sirius XM’s Adam Caplan notes the team remains high on, did not practice in full at minicamp but did side-field work (Twitter link).

If this is a season-threatening injury, it obviously deals a blow to Davis’ career. The Florida alum received extensive playing time during his first go-round in Detroit but did not receive strong reviews for his work. The Lions benched Davis during his 2020 contract year, and while he did receive $5.5MM from the Jets in 2021, he settled for $1.2MM from the Lions last year. The Lions deemed Davis a practice squad-level player during his second stint, leading to the Giants poaching him off that Detroit unit in December. Davis re-signed with the Giants for the league minimum (one year, $1.1MM). His $75K roster bonus will only be due if he makes the team’s 53-man roster.

It would make for a natural transition for the Giants to have one of their recent Day 3 picks win this competition. Both Beavers and McFadden were drafted by the team’s current regime, and each makes low-end money that would complement Okereke’s four-year, $40MM deal. The Giants hosted former Falcons mainstay Deion Jones earlier this offseason, doing so after signing Okereke. Jones could potentially be an option, depending on the severity of Davis’ injury. For now, two second-year players have clearer paths to a regular role.

Largest 2023 Cap Hits: Offense

July 11th, 2023 at 3:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL’s salary cap once again ballooned by more than $10MM, rising from its $208.2MM perch to $224.8MM. Factoring in the pandemic-induced 2021 regression, the NFL’s salary risen has climbed by more than $42MM since 2021.

This has allowed teams more opportunities for roster additions and opened the door for more lucrative player deals — at most positions, at least. However, it does not look like this season will include a $40MM player cap number. The Browns avoided a record-shattering Deshaun Watson $54.9MM hit by restructuring the quarterback’s fully guaranteed contract, calling for monster figures from 2024-26.

Here are the largest cap hits for teams on the offensive side going into training camp:

Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $39.69MM
Ryan Tannehill, QB (Titans): $36.6MM
Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $30.98MM
Jake Matthews, T (Falcons): $28.36MM
Trent Williams, T (49ers): $27.18MM
Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $26.83MM
Laremy Tunsil, T (Texans): $26.61MM
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (49ers): $23.8MM
Amari Cooper, WR (Browns): $23.78MM
Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $23.69MM
Ronnie Stanley, T (Ravens): $23.67MM
Joe Thuney, G (Chiefs): $22.12MM
Russell Wilson, QB (Broncos): $22MM
Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $22MM
Daniel Jones, QB (Giants): $21.75MM
David Bakhtiari, T (Packers): $21.29MM
Kirk Cousins, QB (Vikings): $20.25MM
D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $20.17MM
Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $20MM
Brian O’Neill, T (Vikings): $19.66MM
Taylor Decker, T (Lions): $19.35MM
Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $19.1MM
Braden Smith, T (Colts): $19MM
Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $18.64MM
Courtland Sutton, WR (Broncos): $18.27MM

As should be expected, quarterbacks dominate this list. Mahomes’ number checks in here despite the Chiefs restructuring his 10-year, $450MM contract in March; the two-time MVP’s cap hit would have set an NFL record had Kansas City not reduced it. The Chiefs did not restructure Mahomes’ deal last year, but if they do not address it — perhaps via a complex reworking — before next season, Mahomes’ $46.93MM number would break an NFL record.

The Titans have not touched Tannehill’s contract this offseason, one that included some trade rumors months ago. This is the final year of Tannehill’s Tennessee extension. Mahomes and Tannehill sat atop this ranking in 2022.

Cousins is also heading into a contract year, after the Vikings opted for a restructure and not an extension this offseason. Cousins does not expect to discuss another Minnesota deal until 2024, when he is due for free agency. Two relatively low cap numbers have started Wilson’s $49MM-per-year extension. The Denver QB’s cap number rises to $35.4MM in 2024 and reaches historic heights ($55.4MM) by ’25. The subject of a Goff extension has come up, and it would bring down the Lions passer’s figure. But Goff remains tied to his Rams-constructed $33.5MM-per-year deal through 2024.

Jackson and Jones’ numbers will rise in the near future, with the latter’s contract calling for a quick spike in 2024. Next year, the Giants QB’s cap hit will be $45MM. Watson’s 2024 hit, as of now, would top that. The Browns signal-caller is on the team’s ’24 payroll at $63.98MM. Long-term consequences aside, the Browns can be expected to once again go to the restructure well with Watson’s outlier contract.

The Raiders did not backload Garoppolo’s three-year contract; it only climbs to $24.25MM on Las Vegas’ 2024 cap sheet. The Bills did backload Allen’s pact. Its team-friendly years are done after 2023; the six-year accord spikes to $47.1MM on Buffalo’s cap next year. The Cowboys have gone to the restructure well with Prescott. Like Watson, the Cowboys quarterback is tied to a seemingly untenable 2024 cap number. The March restructure resulted in Prescott’s 2024 number rising to $59.46MM. Two seasons remain on that $40MM-AAV extension.

Another notable cap hold that should be mentioned is Tom Brady‘s. When the Buccaneers did not sign the again-retired QB to another contract before the 2023 league year, his $35.1MM dead-money figure went onto Tampa Bay’s 2023 cap sheet. The Bucs will absorb that entire amount this year. Brady’s 2022 restructure, after retirement No. 1, led to the $35.1MM figure forming.

Were it not for another O-line-record extension, the Tunsil number would have come in at $35MM this year. Matthews signed an extension last year. Moore would have come in higher on this list were he still on the Panthers, who took on $14.6MM in dead money to move their top wideout for the No. 1 overall pick. Sutton came up regularly in trade rumors, with the Broncos wanting a second-round pick for the sixth-year veteran. The former second-rounder’s high base salary ($14MM) hinders his trade value.

No Players Selected In Supplemental Draft

July 11th, 2023 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL’s supplemental draft took place on Tuesday, ending a three-year absence of the event. As many expected, no teams took the opportunity to make an addition to their rosters, however.

Neither Malachi Wideman nor Milton Wright were drafted, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). As a result, both wideouts are now unrestricted free agents, as is the case with players who are not selected in the spring entry draft.

The announcement of the supplemental draft’s return came roughly one month ago, amidst little fanfare. The 2023 edition marked the first since 2019, and instances of notable players being selected have generally been few and far between. Wideman held a Pro Day in an attempt to garner interest from NFL teams, but that effort was not sufficient to earn him a selection today.

Teams acquire players in supplemental drafts by bidding on them; succesful bids cost them a selection in the equivalent round of the subsequent entry draft. Both Wideman and Wright applied for eligibility for the supplemental draft after being deemed academically ineligible for the 2022 college season. That missed time cost them the opportunity to take part in April’s draft, though today’s news demonstrates it was unlikely they would have been selected at that point.

It will be interesting to monitor how much interest either player receives as a free agent with teams not willing to spend draft capital to acquire them. A deal in time for training camp could allow them the opportunity to at least compete for a practice squad role. Failing that, the XFL and USFL have demonstrated in recent years an ability to give players a pathway back to the NFL via impressive play during the spring.

Between 2010 and 2019, a total of eight players were selected in supplemental drafts. That list includes the likes of quarterback Terrelle Pryor and receiver Josh Gordon, along with current Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. Further additions to the summer draft alumni will have to wait until at least next year, however.

Latest On Colts’ Jonathan Taylor, Shaquille Leonard

July 11th, 2023 at 11:55am CST by Adam La Rose

Plenty of attention will be paid to rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson heading into the 2023 season. However, much of the Colts’ success will ride on the health of running back Jonathan Taylor and linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

Owner Jim Irsay provided an update on each of the latter two players during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show (video link). Taylor’s recovery from offseason ankle surgery has been a key talking point, given his importance to the team’s offense. He has remained optimistic about his ability to return to full health in time for the start of the regular season, if not earlier.

Irsay stated that Taylor is indeed “healed up,” a development which should do wonders for the Colts’ ground game. A healthy 2023 campaign from the former rushing champion would also have signficant financial consequences, of course. Taylor has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and negotiations for an extension began last month. Arriving at agreeable contract terms could be difficult for player and team, considering the time Taylor missed last year and the stagnant nature of the RB market around the league.

As for Leonard, the situation is notably different. The three-time All-Pro was limited to just three games in 2022, as he dealt with a recurring back ailment. He underwent a second surgery aimed at addressing it, and later made positive remarks with respect to its effectiveness compared to the first. Still, there is no timetable for his return to the field, and a patient approach would come as no surprise considering Indianapolis’ financial commitment to him. Four years remain on Leonard’s $98.25MM extension signed in 2021.

“He’s working hard,” Irsay said when asked about the status of Leonard’s recovery process. “We’ll see. He has a chance, he’s working really hard. He’s getting a little better each day.”

A season at full strength for both Taylor and Leonard would boost the Colts’ chances of rebounding from a disastrous 2022 campaign, though expectations may be tempered during Richardson’s acclimation to the NFL. At the onset of training camp later this month, the health situation the Colts find themselves in will become clearer, but general optimism on the injury front is certainly noteworthy.

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