HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

DaQuan Jones To Re-Sign With Bills

March 12th, 2024 at 12:07am CST by Sam Robinson

Up late determining his 2024 employment plan, DaQuan Jones does not intend to leave Buffalo. The veteran defensive tackle will recommit to the Bills on a two-year deal, according to his agency (Instagram link).

The Bills will give the 11th-year D-lineman a $10.5MM guaranteed on a contract that includes $16MM in total. Jones returned from a torn pectoral muscle late in the season and was off to a strong start before the October injury threw his second Buffalo slate off track.

A quality run-stuffing DT, Jones will receive almost the same amount of guarantees the Bills provided back in 2022. They gave the former Titans starter $10.6MM guaranteed two years ago. Despite Jones now set for his age-32 season, Buffalo saw enough over his two-year stay to reinvest.

Prior to going down in Week 5 — a rather disastrous outing for the Bills, who lost Matt Milano for the season in London as well — Jones rated third among DTs, per Pro Football Focus. He landed 20th among DTs in 2022. Despite suffering a torn pec, the 320-pound defender made it back in time for the team’s Week 17 game and then the playoffs. That may have gone a ways within the organization, though the Bills came into free agency with next to nothing in place at D-tackle.

Jones, who started 16 games for the Bills in 2022, has lined up as a first-stringer — in Tennessee, Carolina and Buffalo — 133 times. The Bills have at least one non-Ed Oliver answer at DT now; they need more. Tim Settle, Jordan Phillips and Poona Ford are unsigned for the 2024 season. Despite the Bills saying goodbye to longtime starters Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White and Mitch Morse, they will be keeping a 30-something regular in the fold.

Vikings Interested In RB Aaron Jones; Packers Offered Pay Cut

March 11th, 2024 at 11:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the busiest days involving starting running backs in the position’s history, Monday may feature another move. At least, one appears in play.

The Vikings are interested in longtime Packers RB Aaron Jones, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Matt Schneidman report. This would be an interesting fit, as Minnesota moved on from its 2017 RB draftee — Dalvin Cook — last year. The Vikings also moved on from their Cook replacement option, Alexander Mattison, creating some uncertainty atop the depth chart.

Green Bay attempted to retain Jones, but Schneidman indicates that came with a significant pay-cut offer. The Packers wanted Jones to reduce his salary by at least 50%. Jones passed, but the Packers gave Josh Jacobs the same $12MM-AAV accord they once gave Jones (back in 2021). Jones declined the Packers’ final offer Friday, leading to today’s release.

The Vikings are certainly familiar with Jones, having played against the fifth-round success story a number of times since his 2017 debut. Jones joined Cook as one of this era’s most productive backs, being a better option through the air.

Jones battled through knee and hamstring injuries last season but delivered for the Pack down the stretch. The 29-year-old back ripped off five straight 100-yard rushing games to both secure Green Bay playoff entry and then power the team to the precipice of the NFC title game. Although Packers GM Brian Gutekunst expected Jones to be back for an eighth season in Wisconsin, the pay-cut attempt led to a separation.

Ty Chandler remains on the Vikings’ roster; two seasons are left on the end-of-season starter’s rookie contract. Many teams also filled their RB slots today, with the likes of Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Devin Singletary, Antonio Gibson and Austin Ekeler finding homes. Jones showed in January he remains a high-end talent, but he will turn 30 before next season ends. His next contract, despite what Jacobs and Barkley fetched today, will not approach the four-year, $48MM Packers pact he once signed.

But it would still obviously be interesting if the longtime Packer starter landed in Minnesota and enjoyed the opportunity to face his former team twice in 2024.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/11/24

March 11th, 2024 at 10:51pm CST by Ely Allen

On the busiest transaction day of the NFL year, here are a few moves that maybe didn’t make the headlines:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Woerner is probably one of the bigger names on this list. After serving as a reliable run-blocking tight end with the 49ers for the duration of his rookie contract, Woerner earns a new three-year deal worth up to $12MM to head to Atlanta, according to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein.

Brandel may be the next biggest deal on this list. After making five starts in 39 game appearances with the Vikings during his rookie deal, Brandel earned a new three-year, $9.5MM contract to remain in Minnesota. Quessenberry joins him as a depth lineman sticking around.

Lewis also gets to stick around on a multi-year deal, signing a two-year, $4MM deal to remain in Buffalo. A valuable special teamer, Lewis has done a good job of getting himself worked into the rotation on defense a good amount over the course of his rookie deal.

Olszewski earns another year in New York after solving a big issue on punt returns for the Giants last year. Baun heads to Philadelphia as a strong backup after starting 14 games for the Saints during his first four years in the league.

Jets To Sign QB Tyrod Taylor

March 11th, 2024 at 10:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

It is quite possible Tyrod Taylor will not have to change residences; he will merely switch locker rooms at MetLife Stadium. The Jets are adding the recent Giants backup, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.

Maligned for their quarterback plan behind Aaron Rodgers last year, the Jets will bring in a veteran QB2 in Taylor. The journeyman arm will slide in behind Rodgers, with the Jets on track to part ways with Zach Wilson soon. This will be Taylor’s seventh NFL team.

[RELATED: Jets Give Zach Wilson Permission To Seek Trade]

Not seeing much action in his first season with the Giants, Taylor became needed early in 2023. Daniel Jones battled a neck injury before going down with a torn ACL. While Tommy DeVito enjoyed a memorable stretch in relief of Jones — as Taylor sat healthy behind the rookie UDFA — the older backup closed the Giants’ season back under center. The Jets will hope Taylor does not have similar involvement in their 2024 season — as that could well mean a regime change — but they have one of the game’s most experienced QB2s ready to go in the event Rodgers suffers another injury.

Taylor, 34, is coming off a season in which a rib injury required hospitalization. This reminded of the lung puncture that ended his brief run as Chargers starter in 2020. The 2023 injury led to DeVito’s debut. Taylor later expressed disappointment he did not get the call upon returning from IR. But Brian Daboll moved him back into action on Christmas; the veteran ignited the Giants’ offense and started the final two games. For his career, Taylor now has 58 starts; he is 28-28-1 in those games.

The Ravens, Bills, Browns, Chargers, Texans, Giants and now Jets have employed the former sixth-round pick, who impressed a points during his previous AFC East cameo — a three-year starter stay in Buffalo. At a different point in his career, Taylor will come off the market and give the Jets better insurance — after Woody Johnson went so far as to say the 2023 team lacked a backup quarterback. Wilson remains on the Jets’ roster, but be it via trade or release, the former No. 2 overall pick will be gone soon.

Titans To Sign LB Kenneth Murray

March 11th, 2024 at 10:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Kenneth Murray is staying in the AFC. The free agent linebacker is signing with the Titans, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Murray has since announced the move via Instagram (h/t Daniel Popper of The Athletic).

It’s a two-year deal worth $15.5MM, per Garafolo. The contract can max out at $18MM.

Murray was a first-round pick by the Chargers back in 2020. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing with 107 tackles, but a balky ankle contributed to him having an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign.

He bounced back a bit in 2022, starting 16 of his 17 appearances. However, he was limited to only 76 tackles, and the Chargers declined his fifth-year option last offseason. As an impending free agent, Murray showed some of the ability he flashed as a rookie, finishing the 2023 campaign with 107 tackles and a career-high three sacks. While the numbers were up, Pro Football Focus still only ranked Murray 75th among 82 qualifying linebackers.

Despite the inconsistent showing, Murray managed to get a two-year commitment from the Titans. The team needed some reinforcement after Azeez Al-Shaair left for the Texans today. Al-Shaair finished last season with a team-leading 163 tackles, and the Titans are certainly hoping that Murray can make up for that absence.

Commanders To Sign OL Nick Allegretti

March 11th, 2024 at 10:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a standout performance in the Super Bowl, Nick Allegretti has earned a nice contract from the Commanders. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the guard is signing with Washington.

Allegretti earned a three-year deal from the Commanders. The deal is worth $16MM and includes $9.02MM in guaranteed money.

The former seventh-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Kansas City, earning three Super Bowl rings along the way. The lineman mostly served as a backup during his time with the Chiefs, starting only 13 of his 74 appearances. Nine of those starts came in 2020, when Allegretti got into a career-high 63 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.

2023 was looking like another footnote on Allegretti’s resume, as the lineman was limited to only seven percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps during the regular season. However, he was forced into the starting lineup for the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl after teammate Joe Thuney went down with an injury. Allegretti earned even more headlines when it was revealed that he played through a torn UCL during the title game without missing a snap.

Now, he’ll finally have a chance to be a full-time starter in Washington. The Commanders’ offensive line was inconsistent this past season, and OC Kliff Kingsbury and co. were expected to dedicate some resources to the unit. Allegretti will likely be part of the answer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team pursues more depth via free agency and/or the draft.

Jets To Sign DT Javon Kinlaw

March 11th, 2024 at 10:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite the 49ers planning to cut Arik Armstead, they are not re-signing Javon Kinlaw. Instead, the defensive coordinator in place when the team drafted Kinlaw will take a flier.

Kinlaw will sign a one-year contract with the Jets, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This will reunite Kinlaw with Robert Saleh, who coached the former first-round pick in 2020. Saleh, who had also brought in Solomon Thomas from his 49ers days, will see if he can generate quality work from Kinlaw.

Injuries played the lead role in Kinlaw disappointing as a 49ers draftee. The South Carolina alum, brought in with the draft choice the Colts sent over for DeForest Buckner in 2020, struggled to stay healthy. Kinlaw missed 24 games between the 2021 and ’22 seasons, with knee trouble primarily plaguing the former No. 14 overall pick. But he did stay healthy last season, suiting up for all 20 49ers games.

Kinlaw appeared in 14 games (12 starts) in his rookie season, but he played in just four contests in 2021 before undergoing season-ending knee surgery (which was later reported to be an ACL reconstruction). While Kinlaw played well enough to land on the All-Rookie team in 2020, his knee trouble dates back to his college days. That will lead to this one-year agreement. Last season, however, Kinlaw totaled a career-high 3.5 sacks, adding two tackles for loss in the playoffs.

The Jets have Quinnen Williams anchoring their D-tackle contingent, but Thomas, Quinton Jefferson and Al Woods are free agents. San Francisco only used Kinlaw as a six-game starter last season. The Jets’ situation points to more DT pieces, probably at least one more starter-caliber option, being added this offseason.

Jets To Sign G John Simpson

March 11th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Ely Allen

After dipping their toe into the free agency waters with a few defensive additions, the Jets finally made a splash on offense by announcing that they will sign former Ravens offensive guard John Simpson, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The Clemson product will sign a two-year deal worth up to $18MM.

As a fourth-round pick by the Raiders, Simpson only made appearances on special teams or as an injury replacement, getting passed up by Denzelle Good for the opportunity to start in place of an injured Richie Incognito. The following year, Simpson was given an opportunity to start for Las Vegas and started every game of the season that year. He lost his starting job to Alex Bars in 2022 and was waived from the Raiders.

After clearing waivers, Simpson signed to the Ravens’ practice squad, signing a reserve/futures contract at the end of the year. That offseason in Baltimore, Simpson beat out rookie sixth-round pick Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Ben Cleveland, and, supposedly, fullback Patrick Ricard for the starting left guard job. Simpson started every game while leading the team in snaps played on offense.

The Ravens will need to address the loss of a starter on the offensive line in the offseason, perhaps two as the team’s other starting guard, Kevin Zeitler, is also bound for free agency. Cleveland, a massive former third-round pick, could factor in, and Aumavae-Laulu nearly won the job over Simpson as a rookie last offseason. Additionally, the team essentially red-shirted rookie guard Andrew Vorhees, who was projected to be a potential first-round pick before tearing his ACL at the NFL scouting combine. If the team isn’t sure about these options, they can certainly still address it in the draft or later in free agency, as general manager Eric DeCosta tends to avoid transactions that might cost the team compensatory draft picks.

Simpson heads to New York as a likely starter. While he’s never really graded out well, according to Pro Football Focus, with key interior offensive line contributors like Laken Tomlinson, Connor McGovern, and Xavier Newman-Johnson all bound for free agency, Simpson slides right into a starting spot, barring more incoming competition. The Jets have a bit more work to do along the offense to improve things for a healthy Aaron Rodgers, but bringing in Simpson to protect him is a decent start. His starting experience for a contender like the Ravens should bode well for New York.

Texans To Sign P Tommy Townsend

March 11th, 2024 at 9:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Tommy Townsend is heading to Houston. The veteran punter is signing with the Texans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Townsend will be inking a two-year deal worth $6MM. The former UDFA was taking his first trip into free agency and will earn a significant raise on his new deal.

The Florida Gators product caught on with the Chiefs as a UDFA in 2020. He ended up missing only a single game over the next four seasons in Kansas City, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings in the process.

Townsend earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2020, and he earned an All-Pro nod in 2022 after averaging more than 50 yards on his 53 punts. That number took a bit of a step back in 2023, as the 27-year-old finished with an average of 47.1 yards per punt, his lowest since his rookie campaign.

Cameron Johnston served as the Texans’ primary punter in 2023, but the Bill Burr lookalike is taking his talents to the Steelers, opening a spot on Houston’s roster.

Panthers, G Damien Lewis Agree To Terms

March 11th, 2024 at 9:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers and Rams are in a guard battle, with the bulk of the high-end payments at this position going to Carolina or Los Angeles this week. The NFC South club struck again Monday night.

Four-year Seahawks starter Damien Lewis is heading to Charlotte, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reports. The former third-round pick has a four-year, $53MM deal in place with Carolina. After adding Robert Hunt on a monster accord, the Panthers are not stopping there. The team will give the ex-Seattle regular $26.2MM fully guaranteed, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

Rostering the NFL’s shortest starting quarterback in Bryce Young, the Panthers’ new coaching staff will equip the team’s 2023 top pick with two proven starters. Lewis’ guard starter tenure ran longer than Hunt’s, with the Seahawks putting the former to work from the jump in 2020.

The bevy of guards on PFR’s top 50 free agents list are snapped up. This includes Michael Onwenu, the guard/tackle whom the Patriots re-signed this evening. The Panthers will come away with two of them. Hunt scored the fourth-highest AAV in guard history ($20MM), while Lewis will settle in just north of $13MM. Rumored to be pursuing guards in free agency, Carolina was quite serious about upgrading to better protect its 5-foot-10 quarterback.

Lewis has a history with Dave Canales, to a degree. The new Panthers HC was on the Seahawks’ staff from 2010-21, overlapping as an offensive assistant in Lewis’ first two Seattle seasons. Carolina’s new staff will ask the 26-year-old blocker to keep up his pace and help Young improve in 2024. The Panthers already have an upper-crust tackle payment (for Taylor Moton) on their books, but they cut center Bradley Bozeman and have LT Ikem Ekwonu on a rookie deal.

As the Seahawks became the third team since the 1970 merger to start two rookie tackles (in 2022), Lewis stood as a dependable guard option. While not garnering the attention Hunt, Onwenu and Jonah Jackson did entering free agency, the LSU alum comes away with a nice payday as many teams searched for upgrades here. Lewis started all 61 games he played as a Seahawk, ranking fourth in ESPN’s run block win rate metric in 2022. While his Pro Football Focus ratings yo-yoed, Lewis certainly played a role in Geno Smith‘s surprising re-emergence over the past two seasons. The Panthers will hope he can boost Young soon.

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