HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

CeeDee Lamb Seeking To Become NFL’s Highest-Paid WR

January 4th, 2024 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Given an expected invite to the Pro Bowl event, CeeDee Lamb is also on course for his initial first-team All-Pro honor. The Cowboys wide receiver has timed his career-best season well, seeing as he will be an extension candidate this coming offseason.

Rumors about the Cowboys extending Lamb early surfaced in 2023, but after neither they nor the Vikings extended their top wideouts, the streak of first-round receivers never being extended with two years of rookie-deal control remaining has reached 10 offseasons in the fifth-year option era. Lamb and Justin Jefferson may soon be linked, however, as their teams reopen negotiations.

Jefferson should be expected to enter the 2024 season as the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, but Lamb said Thursday (via the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken) he would ideally secure the NFL’s top WR salary on his second contract. Stating that would be a goal of his “for sure,” Lamb is prepared to discuss an extension with the Cowboys after the season ends. Dallas picked up the 2020 draftee’s fifth-year option, slotting him in at $17.99MM guaranteed for the ’24 season.

While Jefferson stands on his own tier in terms of receiving yards through three seasons, shattering Randy Moss‘ record in that timeframe, Lamb has put together his best season in Year 4. The Oklahoma product, chosen after Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy (but ahead of Jefferson) four years ago, leads the NFL with 122 receptions and has posted a career-high 1,651 yards. Both numbers smash Lamb’s previous career-best figures. Lamb has totaled 12 touchdowns this season, adding two on the ground while amassing 106 rushing yards. He has done just about everything possible to secure a lucrative second contract from the Cowboys.

Of course, Dallas’ payroll looms as a question. For the time being, Dak Prescott is on a $40MM-per-year deal and Micah Parsons his rookie contract. But Prescott is armed with leverage that gives him an excellent opportunity to become the NFL’s highest-paid player. A $60MM-AAV deal, which would top Joe Burrow‘s current league-high salary by a notable margin, is believed to be in play. That will make matters more difficult on the Lamb front, with Parsons also on track for an extension that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. At 24, Lamb is six years younger than Prescott. But the former likely resides as the Cowboys’ No. 3 priority — in the grand scheme — regarding a new contract.

Dallas caved on player-friendly terms for Prescott, eschewing its usual approach for five- or six-year extensions to sign its quarterback just before the 2021 deadline to apply franchise tags. Preventing a $37MM cap hold from going on their 2021 payroll, the Cowboys procedurally tagged Prescott — for the purpose of the QB avoiding a 2025 tag. While Prescott joins Lamb in being signed through 2024, he is effectively finishing out a contract year. Prescott’s 2024 cap number spikes to $59MM. No team has ever gone into a season with a player attached to even a $45MM cap number, giving Prescott tremendous leverage as he closes out a quality bounce-back season.

The Cowboys’ decision to bail on Amari Cooper‘s five-year, $100MM contract has been costly at points, but the team made that move with an eye on Lamb’s future. It would surprise if the Cowboys were suddenly uninterested in extending Lamb, though he did not enter the 2023 season with a realistic chance of becoming the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. His success this season raises the stakes a bit. Although Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase will both be extension-eligible in 2024, Lamb has put together a monster season that could conceivably vault him past Tyreek Hill‘s $30MM-per-year number before Week 1 of next season.

The Prescott and Parsons matters provide complications. Parsons can be kept on his rookie contract through 2025, via the fifth-year option. Big picture-wise, having a Prescott-Parsons-Lamb trio each signed to position-record contracts would make it challenging to build a roster around them. This doubles as a good problem for the Cowboys, given the talent at these positions, but it will present an interesting dilemma.

RB Dalvin Cook Goes Unclaimed On Waivers

January 4th, 2024 at 3:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 4: The seventh-year veteran went unclaimed on waivers Thursday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. Aiming to sign with a contender, Cook is now free to negotiate with any team as a free agent. He does not have much momentum, but the Ravens and Cowboys have surfaced as potential landing spots.

JANUARY 2: Nearing the end of a disappointing campaign for both team and player, the Jets are moving on from Dalvin Cook. The Pro Bowl back is being waived, per his agency.

As Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes, this decision was a mutual one. Cook saw a smaller workload than expected after he elected to join New York in August. That agreement was a one-year contract, and he appeared to provide a veteran option to complement Breece Hall on a Jets offense which faced significant expectations. Things have not gone according to plan for either Cook or his employer, however.

The 28-year-old has not found a notable role in New York’s attack, receiving double-digit carries only once this season. He has averaged 4.5 attempts per contest this season, by far the lowest of his carer. On the lookout for a fresh start, Cook asked for a trade ahead of this year’s deadline. By that point, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had suffered a season-ending Achilles tear and Hall had proven his ability to recover in full from last year’s ACL tear. No deal emerged, though, and Cook remained a minor contributor on one of the league’s least-productive units through Week 16.

A report from last month stated the longtime Vikings starter would not ask for a larger share in the offense or to be let go. In spite of that, he will now have the opportunity to join a new team by being claimed off waivers or signing with a playoff-bound club. To help make his arrival more feasible from a financial standpoint, Cook has agreed to restructure his pact and forfeit his remaining guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

When on the field with the Jets, Cook did not make the impact many expected he would. The four-time Pro Bowler has not topped the 59 scrimmage yards he posted in Week 1 in any game since, averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. He has not found the end zone in 2023 after scoring double-digit touchdowns in three of the past four years. Increased age (especially within the context of the RB position) and financial factors led to Cook’s Minnesota release, a move which has now proven to be a shrewd one.

In spite of Cook’s struggles this season, he will still offer a veteran backfield presence to any team in need of depth ahead of a postseason run. Presuming he clears waivers, the Florida State alum will be free to join any interested team. Helping a new squad’s postseason run would help in the immediate future, but it could also rebuild his free agent stock to an extent.

The Dolphins were heavily involved in pursuing Cook, going as far as to submit an offer for him before his decision to join the Jets. A homecoming for the Miami native could be on tap in advance of the postseason if interest from team and player still exists. In any case, Cook will be in a new home the next time he takes the field in the NFL.

49ers View Brandon Allen As QB2 Option For 2024

January 4th, 2024 at 1:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Previously Joe Burrow‘s backup in Cincinnati, Brandon Allen could soon see the cards fall in his favor in San Francisco. Not joining the 49ers until May, their current third-string quarterback looks to have an opportunity to move up the depth chart fairly soon.

Sam Darnold resides as Brock Purdy‘s unquestioned backup, but after injuries changed a slew of teams’ QB plans this season, it would not surprise to see the NFL collectively place a greater emphasis on the backup role in free agency. Darnold would stand to benefit, being one of the league’s top backups. While Darnold said he chose the 49ers in large part because of Kyle Shanahan and the team’s weaponry, the former No. 3 overall pick may well become too expensive for the team to retain.

Enter Allen, whom The Athletic’s Matt Barrows notes the team views as a “strong candidate” to be Purdy’s backup next season (subscription required). The 49ers made it a priority to acquire Allen after the draft, despite employing Trey Lance at the time. Allen is tied to a veteran-minimum deal (one year, $1.23MM) for his experience level. The journeyman backup will carry a much lower price tag compared to Darnold, who will be in position to command more than the one-year, $4.5MM deal he signed in March.

Allen, 31, is a ninth-year veteran who has taken snaps in just four of those seasons. A 2015 Jaguars sixth-round pick, the Arkansas alum spent time with the Rams and Broncos prior to a three-year run as Burrow’s Bengals backup. Allen’s most notable work came during the 2019 and ’20 seasons, when he made eight combined starts in place of injured starters (Joe Flacco and Burrow). Allen does not bring an impressive statistical resume, holding a career 6.1-yard average per attempt and a 56.7% completion rate. He is 2-7 as a starter. But the 6-foot-2 passer, who stepped into the QB3 role in earnest after the 49ers traded Lance to the Cowboys, will have a year of experience in Shanahan’s offense.

Considering the issues the 49ers have experienced at quarterback under Shanahan, it would surprise if the team did not explore a higher-end backup in the event Darnold leaves for either a bridge-QB job or joins a team with a less solidified starter. San Francisco, however, has seen Purdy recover from his UCL tear and become a Pro Bowl invitee. The experience gap between Darnold and Allen is certainly notable, and even with Nick Bosa on a defender-record extension and Brandon Aiyuk an extension candidate, it would surprise if the 49ers did not explore the backup market again. But Allen looks to be a clear QB2 option for 2024.

Devin Singletary Aiming To Re-Sign With Texans

January 4th, 2024 at 1:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Devin Singletary operated as the primary Bills running back during most of Josh Allen‘s initial years as their quarterback, but the former third-round pick did not receive too much interest on the open market.

A crowded running back free agent class led to a host of low-cost deals, giving the Texans an opportunity to add a proven veteran on a one-year, $2.75MM contract. Singletary has outperformed that deal, though the running back position’s value remains in question despite Jonathan Taylor‘s extension. Taylor’s Saturday counterpart would prefer to avoid another relocation.

Singletary said Thursday he wants to run it back with the Texans, via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, indicating he would embrace a return if the organization expresses interest as well. DeMeco Ryans has viewed Singletary as a vital part in the team’s turnaround, and the 5-foot-7 running back is closing in on a career-high total for single-season rushing yards.

Once again displaying durability, the diminutive back has taken over as Houston’s lead ball carrier. Dameon Pierce led the way as a rookie and spent the first half of this season as the Texans’ starter, but the 2022 fourth-round pick has not offered up a quality follow-up effort. With 835 rushing yards, Singletary more than doubles Pierce’s total (416). Pierce is also averaging just 2.9 yards per carry (to Singletary’s 4.3). Houston’s current RB1 ranks 16th in Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric, with 58. Pierce ranks in the bottom five near the end of a disappointing season in Bobby Slowik‘s offense.

While GM Nick Caserio drafted Pierce, the Florida alum was obtained to play in Pep Hamilton‘s offense. Singletary has proven a fit under Slowik, who will certainly be back if he does not land a head coaching job during this year’s cycle. Singletary logged two high-volume college seasons, totaling 714 carries across his career at Florida Atlantic, but has played in at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons.

Having never topped 300 receiving yards in a season, Singletary likely will not carry a substantial price tag for 2024. Another crowded free agent market will affect his next salary. This year’s three franchise-tagged backs — Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard — join the likes of D’Andre Swift, Austin Ekeler, Derrick Henry, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins and ex-Bills teammate Zack Moss as free agents-to-be. But the 26-year-old back has likely upped his market by a bit. Considering Singletary’s importance in the Texans’ new offense, it would be a bit surprising if the team was not interested in a second contract.

WR Xavier Worthy Declares For 2024 NFL Draft

January 4th, 2024 at 11:30am CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after falling just short of a national title game appearance, Xavier Worthy has decided to turn pro. The Texas wideout announced he has declared for the NFL draft (video link).

Worthy enjoyed a highly productive three-year run with the Longhorns, establishing himself as a major part of the team’s offense as a freshman. He posted 62 catches for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021, demonstrating his potential and securing multiple school records along the way. Over the following two seasons, Worthy remained a notable contributor to the team’s attack.

The 6-1, 160-pounder took a step back statistically in terms of receptions and yards last year, but he still managed to find the end zone nine times. In 2023, he rebounded with a 75-1,014-5 statline. Those totals helped him earn first-team All-Big 12 and third-team All-American honors while contributing to Texas’ conference championship. Despite a quiet showing in the Sugar Bowl (only 45 yards scoreless yards on two catches), he is one of many wideouts on the first-round radar.

Worthy’s decision to forgo his senior season puts him alongside the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU), Rome Odunze (Washington) and Keon Coleman (Florida State) as receivers likely to hear their names called on Day 1 of the draft. Worthy is ranked 25th on The Athletic’s consensus big board (subscription required). Likewise, the speedster is slated at the No. 19 spot in ESPN’s Matt Miller’s latest mock draft.

In a draft dominated by blue-chip prospects at the quarterback, receiver and offensive tackle positions, Worthy could find himself being selected behind a number of other offensive prospects and pass-catchers. Still, his big-play ability and potential shown in terms of yards after catch ability will make him an intriguing addition to any interested NFL team. He should be able to make an impact at the pro level as a rookie and for years to come after that.

Titans HC Mike Vrabel Addresses Future

January 4th, 2024 at 9:50am CST by Adam La Rose

Three head coaching vacancies already exist in the NFL, and a number of others openings are expected by next week. Despite a lengthy tenure in Tennessee, Mike Vrabel has been connected to speculation during the year in large part due to perceived tension between he and first-year general manager Ran Carthon.

The latter’s arrival came about with the expectation of a transition to a younger core, something which has played out in the 2023 campaign. As a result, Tennessee is in line for another high draft pick in April as the team’s rebuild continues. Whether or not Vrabel is interested in that process has been a talking point, but the 48-year-old recently offered a strong commitment in that regard.

“Of course I want to be here,” Vrabel said when asked about his intentions, via Teresa Walker of the Associated Press. “Be here as long as we can win, as long as we can do this thing, and it’s been great. But it also has been just this year. And nobody wants to be where we’re at.”

Indeed, the the Titans have posted a 12-21 record over the past two seasons, a stark contrast to their 41-24 mark in Vrabel’s first four seasons at the helm. Moving on to 2023 second-rounder Will Levis under center could provide a foundation for the team’s offense, a unit which has plenty of room for improvement in 2024 and beyond. While declining to comment on speculation surrounding his relationship with Carthon, Vrabel doubled down on his intention to remain in Nashville for the foreseeable future.

“I know where we’re at as an organization, and I’m excited to build this thing and fix this thing and get it to where we want it to be, to win championships with Ran and [assistant G.M.] Chad [Brinker] and the coaching staff and everybody,” Vrabel added (video link via team reporter Jim Wyatt). “That’s what our goal is.”

Between the team’s draft capital and a relative abundance of projected 2024 cap space, this offseason will be one to watch closely for the Titans. If Vrabel has his way, he will remain in Tennessee to continue overseeing the rebuilding effort now and into the future.

Bobby Wagner Intends To Play In 2024; Seahawks Interested In New Deal

January 4th, 2024 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

With the Seahawks in danger of missing the playoffs, Week 18 could represent the team’s final game this season. As a result, questions have been asked with respect to linebacker Bobby Wagner‘s future.

The 33-year-old departed Seattle last year to join his hometown Rams. He asked for and was granted his release following a disappointing campaign from the team, however, making him a free agent once again. Wagner rejoined the Seahawks in March, inking a one-year deal with a base value of $5.5MM. By being named a Pro Bowler this year, he has added $750K to his earnings.

The six-time All-Pro has delivered another productive campaign in his second stint in Seattle. Wagner sits second in the league in tackles (168), and he has a strong chance of setting a new career high in that department in Week 18. He has added 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery while playing 1,100 snaps for the third time in his career.

When speaking publicly on his future, Wagner said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson) that he is “one hundred percent” planning on playing next season. That comes as little surprise given his continued high level of play this year and the market he could command as a free agent on another short-term deal in particular. The 2010s All-Decade member added that he was not considering his future beyond 2023 when signing his latest Seahawks deal, and it remains to be seen if he and the team will be able to reach another agreement this offseason.

However, head coach Pete Carroll made it clear the Seahawks “would love to have” Wagner back for the 2024 campaign. The latter has played 167 of his 184 career games with Seattle and his continued production could help maintain stability at the second level of the team’s defense. Former first-rounder Jordyn Brooks is a pending free agent due to the Seahawks’ decision last spring to decline his fifth-year option, and free agent addition Devin Bush (attached to a one-year deal) is also set to hit the open market in March.

While plenty is therefore uncertain at the LB spot in Seattle in the near future, Wagner could very well be in the team’s offseason plans. It will be interesting to see if a mutual interest exists between player and team in the spring to continue their storied relationship even further.

Ravens, Cowboys Interested In Dalvin Cook?

January 3rd, 2024 at 10:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Dalvin Cook saw his brief and underwhelming Jets tenure come to an end yesterday. As a result, he is on the waiver wire until Thursday afternoon. A free agent agreement with a playoff-bound team (presuming he clears) would come as little surprise.

Suitors in that regard may be emerging. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Ravens and Cowboys are among the teams which could consider adding the four-time Pro Bowl running back. No firm interest appears to be in place at this point, and that will likely remain the case until Cook clears waivers. Still, both teams would represent logical landing spots if a deal were to emerge.

As Anderson notes, Baltimore would specifically be eyeing Cook as a practice squad addition (although the same will likely be true for Dallas and any other interested parties). Players added to the taxi squad can be designated a gameday elevation up to three times without occupying a 53-man roster spot, something of particular importance in the postseason.

The Ravens lead the league in rushing this season, averaging nearly 160 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Lamar Jackson has accounted for for a large portion of that success, however, and the team finds itself thin in the backfield late in the year. Starter J.K. Dobbins was lost for the season to an Achilles tear in Week 1, though undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell burst onto the scene midway through the campaign. The latter took on an increased workload upon entering the lineup, and he averaged 8.4 yards per carry in his brief stretch of action.

However, Mitchell suffered an ACL tear last month, sidelining him until 2024. The Ravens will therefore depend largely on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill at the RB spot in the postseason. Cook could attempt to carve out a limited role in Baltimore’s backfield while looking to boost his free agent stock in the process.

The Cowboys have not been as strong as expected on the ground this season, the first full campaign with Tony Pollard in place as the undisputed lead back. Playing on the $10.1MM franchise tag in 2023, Pollard has posted a career-low 4.0 yards per carry average; his impact in the passing game (295 scoreless yards on 53 receptions) has also left something to be desired. He will still enter the postseason as the clear option atop the depth chart, though.

Dallas’ second-leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, has amassed just 315 yards this year. That has contributed to the Cowboys’ middling performance in their ground attack (averaging 112 yards per contest, 14th in the NFL). Cook may have a clearer path to playing time with Dallas, but questions will be asked with respect to how much he will be able to contribute to close out the campaign. The longtime Vikings starter logged just 67 carries with the Jets this year, the first time he failed to receive triple-digit attempts since 2018.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets the Cowboys are simply doing their due diligence on Cook at this point. With further developments likely to take place in the near future, the interest shown by Dallas, Baltimore and any other RB-needy teams will be a storyline to follow closely in advance of the postseason.

Saquon Barkley Discusses Impending Free Agency

January 3rd, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Saquon Barkley could be playing in his final game with the Giants this weekend, as the star running back is set to hit unrestricted free agency. While Barkley has continually stated a desire to stick with the Giants, the running back admitted that he could be eyeing a “fresh start” elsewhere.

[RELATED: Latest On Giants, Saquon Barkley]

“[Does] a fresh start cross my mind? I guess anybody, when you look at how the season went, I feel like everybody would want a fresh start somewhere else, just a clean slate,” Barkley said (via Dan Martin of the New York Post). “But that’s how I look at it. If I did hit the open market, hey, that’s God’s plan to go to another team and continue to build a legacy for myself.”

Following failed extension negotiations during the 2022 campaign, the Giants front office briefly shopped Barkley before slapping him with the franchise tag, locking the RB to a $10.1MM salary for the 2023 campaign while also buying the organization some time. The two sides continued to negotiate until the extension deadline but couldn’t agree to a new deal, putting Barkley’s future with the organization in doubt.

We heard back in November that the Giants and Barkley were interested in a multiyear extension when they could resume talks in January. Barkley told reporters today that he’d still be open to negotiating with the Giants before he even hits free agency.

“I’m still as open as I was before,” he said. “I just want something that’s fair [and] that makes sense. I think I was open and honest about that last year. I still stick by that. But I get it. It’s a business. Hopefully, if it’s not here, it’s some other place.”

Since negotiations stalled, star RB Jonathan Taylor inked a manageable three-year, $42MM deal (including $26.5MM guaranteed) with the Colts. In the meantime, Barkley has battled through a lingering high ankle sprain. Considering the developments, it’s unlikely the Giants would be willing to budge on their previous valuation, and the front office could also choose to buy another year via the franchise tag. Barkley seemed to hint that the ball was in the front office’s court, perhaps a hint that the two sides might struggle to find common ground.

“I’ve mentioned before, I want to be a Giant for life,” Barkley said. “That was a goal of mine when I got drafted. I wanted to leave a legacy here. It’s out of my control. I have no say. It’s up to those guys upstairs, Joe [Schoen, the GM] and those guys. They’ve got to do what’s best for the team, whatever they feel like is best for the team. They’ll make a decision. Me saying ‘I want to be a Giant for life’ like I did last year, it doesn’t help or it doesn’t hurt, so I’ll leave it to those guys.”

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/3/24

January 3rd, 2024 at 7:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: LB Abraham Beauplan

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

  • Signed: OL Vitaliy Gurman
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