HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Dolphins, CB Kendall Fuller Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2024 at 2:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kendall Fuller was among the top defensive options still on the market amongst 2024 free agents. He has found a new home, however. The veteran corner has agreed to a two-year, $16.5MM deal with the Dolphins, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Fuller found himself as one of the best corners available due to Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed receiving franchise tags. The 29-year-old has spent six of his eight seasons in Washington, having gone to Kansas City in between as part of the Alex Smith trade. Fuller served as a full-time starter during his first season with the Chiefs, but Sneed’s arrival pointed to his departure in 2020 following a smaller workload the previous campaign.

The Commanders inked Fuller to a four-year, $40MM pact, and he played out that contract while rarely leaving the field. The former third-rounder logged more than 1,000 snaps in each of the past three seasons, earning strong PFF reviews along the way. While his coverage statistics in 2023 in particular (120.4 passer rating, nine touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender) were not impressive, he posted those figures on a defense which saw its top two edge rushers traded away at the deadline.

The Dolphins were in the market for a new starting corner with Xavien Howard being released as a post-June 1 cut. A new Miami agreement briefly seemed to be a possibility, but by last week the former All-Pro confirmed that would not be happening. Fuller will step into Howard’s role as a starter opposite Jalen Ramsey moving forward.

Fuller posted 10 interceptions and 49 pass deflections during his second stint in the nation’s capital. He will aim to replicate that ball production on a defense which ranked 14th in interceptions last season and 15th in passing yards allowed. A number of changes have been made in the secondary, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio departed after a single campaign in Miami. Anthony Weaver is now in place as DC.

Weaver will oversee a unit which lost Christian Wilkins in the early portion of free agency, a departure which will weaken Miami’s defensive front. On the backend, however, the combination of Ramsey and Fuller (who has experience both in the slot and on the perimeter) will be expected to provide high-end play.

Cowboys To Re-Sign CB Jourdan Lewis

March 14th, 2024 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Now employing two All-Pros at cornerback, the Cowboys will still find room for Jourdan Lewis. The career-long Cowboy will stay with the team once again, per the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken.

This will be Lewis’ eighth season with the Cowboys. The past three came under Dan Quinn. While the new Commanders HC is believed to have expressed interest in adding Lewis to the Dallas-to-Washington pipeline, via ESPN’s John Keim, Lewis will be set to work with Mike Zimmer next season.

With DaRon Bland posting one of the most productive seasons in cornerback history last year and Trevon Diggs coming back from an ACL tear, the Cowboys may have their top three corners in place. As Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent, Lewis is coming back on a third Cowboys contract. With Bland establishing himself as a boundary corner last season, Lewis working as the team’s nickel again in 2024 appears a likely scenario.

Lewis, 28, made it back from a severe foot injury to play that role in 2023. During the 2022 season, the former third-round pick suffered a Lisfranc injury that was deemed career-threatening. The Cowboys ramped up Lewis’ workload early last season. By the midpoint, he was working as a regular again. After playing out a three-year, $13.5MM deal, the 5-foot-10 cover man is signing up to play a supporting once in the Dallas secondary once again.

The Cowboys gave up on ex-second-rounder Kelvin Joseph after two seasons, but their Joseph-for-Noah Igbinoghene swap did not move the needle. Rolling out a Gilmore-Bland-Lewis trio, the Cowboys ranked fifth in pass defense. Pro Football Focus did not view Lewis’ first season back from injury in a positive light, however, ranking him in the bottom 10 among cornerback regulars. The Michigan alum did force three fumbles and intercept a pass. Lewis ranks behind only DeMarcus Lawrence as the longest-tenured Cowboy defender.

The Commanders have added Dorance Armstrong and Tyler Biadasz from the Cowboys, but they have not made a move at corner yet. Both Washington’s secondary starters who entered free agency among the best options available — Kendall Fuller, Kamren Curl — are unsigned on Day 4 of free agency.

Bears Sign C Coleman Shelton

March 14th, 2024 at 1:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams expressed interest in keeping Coleman Shelton, but their interior offensive line blueprint changed via two big-ticket guard contracts. As a result, Shelton will collect some cash elsewhere.

Shelton signed a one-year contract with the Bears on Thursday. While Chicago was a candidate — due to cap space and the likelihood of Caleb Williams’ rookie contract helping the cause — to splurge for a center. But Lloyd Cushenberry went to the Titans; the Raiders retained Andre James. While Connor Williams remains unsigned, the Bears will go with Shelton, who is going into his age-29 season.

A Rams backup until the Austin Corbett free agency defection opened a guard spot, Shelton worked as an interior starter in Los Angeles for most of the past two seasons. After opening last season as a guard, Shelton became the team’s full-time center last season. He beat out former starter Brian Allen for the gig. The former UDFA started all 18 games for the Rams last year, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 17th-best center.

L.A.’s offseason blueprint hinged on guards, and the team joined the Panthers in spending big to fortify that position in a deep market. The Rams re-signed Kevin Dotson on a $16MM-per-year deal and inked Jonah Jackson on a three-year, $51MM pact. Although Shelton’s terms are not known, the Rams already have three veteran contracts — counting longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein‘s — on their starting O-line.

The Bears have struggled at center in recent years. Their plan to move Cody Whitehair back to center did not last, and PFF ranked Lucas Patrick 30th at the position. With the rest of Chicago’s O-line seemingly in place, the team will see about Shelton at center ahead of the draft.

Joey Bosa Restructures Chargers Contract

March 14th, 2024 at 1:06pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers entered Wednesday needing to free up cap space ahead of the new league year. They did so by releasing Mike Williams, but edge rusher Khalil Mack remained in place via a restructure. Fellow defensive end Joey Bosa will take the latter route as well.

Bosa has agreed to a re-worked Chargers pact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. As a result, his 2024 cap figure will be lowered and he will remain in place for at least one more season. The former third overall pick was one of four players set to count more than $32MM against the cap in 2024, with a projected charge of $36.6MM. Converting the maximum amount allowable of Bosa’s $15MM base salary into a signing bonus would create $10.4MM in savings.

Given the team’s financial situation leading into free agency, it was widely expected the Chargers would cut or trade at least one member of the quartet set to occupy a major portion of their cap space (the three aforementioned players and wideout Keenan Allen). Mack and Bosa were reported as the ones Los Angeles was most likely to move on from, and the team spoke with potential suitors to gauge their markets. Any deal would not have come at market value, of course, given the contract an acquiring team would have taken on. New general manager Joe Hortiz has thus elected to run back the Mack-Bosa tandem in 2024.

The latter was due a $7MM roster bonus tomorrow, leading to urgency on Hortiz’s part to work out Bosa’s future despite the cap relief brought about by moving on from Williams and restructuring Mack. As The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reports, at least one team showed interest in trading for the four-time Pro Bowler before today’s move was worked out (subscription required). Rather than moving on with two years left on his contract, Los Angeles will keep him in place for a ninth season with the franchise.

Bosa has been limited to just 14 games over the past two seasons, so questions will be asked about his ability to remain healthy moving forward. The Ohio State alum has posted nine sacks in that span, after reaching double-digits four times in a season earlier in his career. At age 28, however, he should be able to continue playing at a high level with better luck on the injury front. The Chargers’ defense would benefit substantially if that were to be the case.

Los Angeles entered Thursday in worse cap shape than any other team in the NFL, per Over the Cap. That situation will change given today’s move with Bosa, but it will be interesting to see if another cost-clearing move is made with an Allen restructure. In any event, much more clarity has arrived for the team’s veteran nucleus compared to where things stood at the start of free agency.

Vikings To Sign DT Jerry Tillery

March 14th, 2024 at 1:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Continuing to re-shape their front seven, the Vikings have a deal in place with Jerry Tillery. The former first-round defensive tackle is set to join Minnesota on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Tillery had an underwhelming start to his career with the Chargers, despite seeing a full-time starting role 2020 and ’21. The 27-year-old saw his workload cut the following season, and he was ultimately waived midway through the 2022 campaign. He closed out that year with the division-rival Raiders, starting four of eight games. His play with Las Vegas earned him a two-year, $6.8MM contract last offseason.

However, Tillery was released last week as part of the Raiders’ cost-shedding moves. The Notre Dame product logged a 45% defensive snap share in Vegas in 2023, making 31 tackles and adding a pair of sacks. His nine pressures fell well short of his previous high marks in the pass-rush department, something of particular significance given his skillset. Tillery will get another chance to establish himself in Minnesota, though.

The Vikings have seen plenty of changes along the defensive front this offseason, with edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport departing and Jonathan Greenard being added on a big-money deal along with Andrew Van Ginkel. Along the interior, Minnesota has retained Jonathan Bullard, but Tillery will add to the list of new faces for the unit. The latter will look to carve out a starting (or at least rotational) role under DC Brian Flores.

Minnesota ranked 19th in the league in sacks last season, and the absence of Hunter will lead to questions about the team’s ability to improve on that figure (even given the additions made to replace him). Known more for his ability to generate interior pressure than his run defense, Tillery could help in that regard if he earns notable playing time. Doing so would help the Vikings transition to a new look on the defensive front while helping his 2025 free agent stock in the process.

Saints To Sign QB Nathan Peterman

March 14th, 2024 at 12:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints designated Jameis Winston as a post-June 1 cut, leaving the position of Derek Carr‘s backup open. Carr’s health issues last season made that role more relevant than it was in Oakland and Las Vegas.

Nathan Peterman is heading to New Orleans to be one of Carr’s backups, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets. Peterman has experience as a Carr backup, being one of the Raiders’ reserves under Jon Gruden, and has worked with new Saints QBs coach Andrew Janocko with the Bears. Peterman’s deal is for one year and worth the veteran minimum, Underhill notes.

Peterman spent the past two seasons in Chicago, finding himself on and off the Bears’ active roster. He was released during final roster cutdowns in August, confirmation that UDFA Tyson Bagent won out Chicago’s backup quarterback competition. Peterman was ultimately brought back into the fold later on in the year, though, and he remained on the active roster from mid-October onwards.

New Orleans faced increased expectations on offense after using Winston and veterans like Andy Dalton under center in previous years. Carr – who inked a four-year, $150MM deal – had an up-and-down showing while battling injury for part of the campaign. A new offensive staff is in place for 2024, and Carr will face pressure to perform under Klint Kubiak, especially given the fact his 2025 salary does not become guaranteed until next March.

Much of New Orleans’ success on offense will of course depend on the play of Carr, but Peterman could be tasked with stepping in for him if needed. The Saints also have 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener (who was issued a six-game PED suspension to start the year) along with Swiss Army knife Taysom Hill as other QB options.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

Steelers, S DeShon Elliott Agree To Deal

March 14th, 2024 at 11:56am CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers continue to bring in new faces on defense. Pittsburgh has agreed to a two-year, $6MM deal with safety DeShon Elliott, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reports.

Elliott entered the league with Baltimore in 2018, establishing himself as a starter during the final two seasons of his rookie contract. After one-year stints in Detroit and Miami, the 26-year-old will now join linebacker Patrick Queen as an ex-Raven making the move to Pittsburgh. Elliott played on one-year accords with the Lions and Dolphins, so this pact will offer slightly more security.

Injuries marred much of Elliott’s Ravens tenure, but he has managed to remain relatively healthy over the past two seasons. The Texas alum played 14 games in 2022, followed by 15 last season. Across that span, he recorded a pair of interceptions and 10 pass deflections while starting all but two games. Known best for his physicality, Elliott has made 178 tackles over the past two years (and 287 total in 57 contests), and he will look to remain productive in that area with Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick in place as a locked-in safety starter. Keanu Neal saw significant playing time last year, but he was released one week ago. With fellow veteran Damontae Kazee under contract for only one more year, the position was one in need of an addition either via free agency or the draft this offseason. Elliott will at least be able to provide experienced depth while playing in three-safety looks, or he could beat out Kazee for a starting role ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Pittsburgh ranked 17th against the pass last season, and while Elliott has not drawn stellar PFF reviews in coverage, he has remained consistent in that regard during his career. The former sixth-rounder earned an overall rating of 72.6 last season, the highest mark of his career. Replicating that success would be a welcomed development for the Steelers as they continue to re-shape areas of their defense.

Falcons Expected To Trade Desmond Ridder

March 14th, 2024 at 11:55am CST by Sam Robinson

With Kirk Cousins coming in as the unquestioned Falcons starting quarterback, the team’s previous option is likely on his way out. After two seasons, the Falcons are preparing to trade Desmond Ridder, WSB’s Zach Klein reports.

No deal is imminent, but ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds the Falcons have been discussing Ridder with other teams and a trade is anticipated. Two seasons remain on the former third-round pick’s rookie contract.

Big-ticket QB additions often lead to the predecessor being shipped out. The Vikings let Case Keenum walk when they signed Cousins in 2018, while the Browns dealt Baker Mayfield months after acquiring Deshaun Watson — edging out the Falcons in those sweepstakes — two years ago. The Buccaneers did not install Jameis Winston as Tom Brady‘s backup. The Jets did not trade Zach Wilson last year, and they regretted it. Although Ridder would profile as a player who could slide into a backup role — his primary 2022 slot — the Falcons may have determined there is enough of a market to move him now.

The Raiders and Vikings acquired bridge starters, in Gardner Minshew and Sam Darnold, while the Steelers picked up Russell Wilson on the cheap. This would leave the Broncos as a potentially interested party, with only Jarrett Stidham under contract for 2024. But Ridder also would profile as a backup elsewhere.

The Falcons’ Cousins pursuit brought an about-face from the team. In explaining why the team was not interested in Lamar Jackson last year, Arthur Blank said he wanted to build a roster around a rookie contract at quarterback. At that point, Ridder served as that passer. The team anointed the Cincinnati alum early during the 2023 offseason and used him as a starter for much of the season. But Arthur Smith benched Ridder on multiple occasions, moving Taylor Heinicke into action. Heinicke’s two-year, $14MM deal remains on Atlanta’s roster; it would seem the Falcons do not want both of them back.

Ridder ranked 26th in QBR last season, finishing with a 12-12 TD-INT ratio and a 7.3 yards-per-attempt number. The Falcons gave Ridder 17 total starts. Coming out of this season, word immediately surfaced the Falcons were aiming to upgrade at QB. Enter Cousins and another big contract. His rookie deal calls for $985K and $1.1MM base salaries over the next two seasons.

Ravens To Re-Sign QB Josh Johnson

March 14th, 2024 at 11:37am CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Johnson signed with the Ravens last offseason, kicking off a third stint with the franchise. The journeyman quarterback is set to continue his time in Baltimore moving forward.

Johnson has agreed to terms on a new one-year Ravens deal, The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec reports. Zrebiec adds the contract has not been signed yet, but presuming that takes place the 37-year-old will be in place to compete for the backup job. Johnson did not see any playing time in 2023, with former UDFA Tyler Huntley occupying the second spot on the depth chart.

It was the latter who started Baltimore’s regular season finale, a game which had no implications for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. That contest marked Huntley’s 10th overall start (and 22nd appearance) during his Baltimore career, one which began in 2020. After playing on an RFA tender in 2023, the 26-year-old is a free agent. The Ravens’ decision to keep Johnson in the fold (coupled with the midseason addition of Malik Cunningham) points to Huntley departing.

Johnson’s nomadic pro football journey began in 2009 when he was drafted by the Buccaneers. He saw playing time with Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Washington before playing in the AAF and XFL. The San Diego alum also has UFL experience on his resume to go along with tenures with a record 14 NFL franchises. Johnson was previously with the Ravens in 2016 and 2021, making one start in the latter campaign.

Regular season action in 2024 would of course only come about if Lamar Jackson were to miss time and Johnson were to beat out Cunningham (a 2023 Patriots UDFA who was used as a receiver in New England but is viewed by Baltimore as a quarterback) or any further additions as the backup signal-caller. With Jackson’s mega-extension in Year 2, the Ravens obviously need to be frugal with respect to other QB deals. Johnson has never played on an NFL deal worth more than $1.3MM per year, and that will no doubt continue on his latest Baltimore pact.

NFL Investigating Eagles, Falcons For Potential Tampering

March 14th, 2024 at 11:31am CST by Sam Robinson

Although the NFL calls its unofficial free agency the legal tampering period, the league is looking into whether two teams went too far during this year’s window. The Eagles and Falcons are under investigation, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets.

The league is looking into potential violations from these teams during their respective Saquon Barkley and Kirk Cousins negotiations. Penn State coach James Franklin, who coached Barkley in college, said GM Howie Roseman spoke directly with the running back prior to the new league year. Teams are not permitted to speak directly with players during the tampering period unless they are self-represented; the Eagles have denied any violation occurred, ESPN.com’s Tim McManus notes.

Cousins said Wednesday night he spoke with the Falcons’ trainer during the tampering window, which is not permitted under league rules. While tampering ahead of the days that comprise the legal tampering period happens annually, as some deals come to pass rather quickly once the signing window opens. But the league is investigating these two high-profile team changes. Fines or potential loss of draft picks can come out of tampering violations.

“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well,” Franklin said (via McManus) of Barkley’s Eagles talks.

As of Thursday morning, the Giants had not contacted the league about tampering, per McManus. By most accounts, the Giants were prepared to move on from the two-time Pro Bowler. While New York did add a veteran replacement in Devin Singletary, the ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge comes cheaper than Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75MM deal with $26MM guaranteed at signing. The Vikings did make a more concerted effort to retain Cousins, but the Falcons came in with a big offer — four years, $180MM with a $100MM practical guarantee — to lure him out of Minneapolis.

Rehabbing a torn Achilles sustained in late October, Cousins wants to be ready for the Falcons’ summer workouts. Falcons buzz began building coming out of the Combine, which often serves as a preview of the market. After battling uphill against Cousins during negotiations for years, the Vikings held tight against the kind of guarantee the Falcons are authorizing. As he prepares to move to his wife’s hometown, the 35-year-old passer will be working with the Falcons’ medical staff soon. The NFL will look into whether the Falcons’ staff violated tampering policies during this high-profile recruitment.

Load More Posts