HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Mutual Interest Between Eagles, Saquon Barkley?

March 7th, 2024 at 10:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The long list of running backs on track for free agency next week is headlined by Saquon Barkley. A departure from the Giants is a distinct possibility, but he may still find himself playing in the NFC East in 2024.

[RELATED: Giants Have Not Submitted Offer To Saquon Barkley]

The Eagles have an interest in signing the two-time Pro Bowler, per Howard Eskin of 94 WIP. That interest is reciprocated by Barkley himself, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post adds. Philadelphia could be in the market for a new lead running back in free agency if D’Andre Swift departs.

The latter was acquired via trade from the Lions during last year’s draft, and he enjoyed a career year while leading the Eagles’ RB depth chart. Swift topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time and received a Pro Bowl invite. Given his age (25), he could be in store for a better market than most other, older backs who will be available once the new league year begins. Barkley has far more in the way of pedigree given his past production, though, and he could manage to secure more guaranteed money than most (or any) other backs in 2024.

The Eagles are positioned to be spenders at a few positions in free agency, as they currently have just under $42MM in cap space. Running backs have seen their collective value stagnate over time, and signs continue to point in that direction given the crop of veteran players who will be on the market simultaneously. Still, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano reports the Eagles are believed to be willing to “take a swing” at Barkley, a move which would represent a major move on offense.

Philadelphia’s late-season collapse was due in large part to defensive deficiencies, but inconsistency on the other side of the ball was often related to struggles in the ground game. Swift is joined by Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny as pending free agents, so the RB room could look much different for the Eagles in short order. Barkley would take on primary rushing responsibilities with a deal and also serve the role of complementary pass-catcher in an offense which could stand to add more targets at the running back spot.

News of Barkley-Eagles interest is interesting on a number of levels, not the least of which being the potential of the 27-year-old making an intra-divisional move. However, it is also notable given the recent report which tapped the Texans as Barkley’s preferred destination. In any case, his market will be worth watching closely when free agency begins, as will the Eagles’ willingness to make a splashy addition at the position.

Steelers Release S Keanu Neal

March 7th, 2024 at 10:17am CST by Adam La Rose

Keanu Neal‘s debut Steelers season was cut short due to injury, and his time in Pittsburgh has now come to an end. The veteran safety has been released with a failed physical designation, per a team announcement.

Neal joined the team on a two-year deal last March, and he represented a potential Terrell Edmunds replacement. Indeed, the 28-year-old started eight of his nine appearances in Pittsburgh, recording 50 tackles and one interception. Neal suffered a ribs injury in November, however, and he was placed on IR as a result.

The journeyman never came back to the Steelers’ lineup, and he will now hit the market once again. Pittsburgh will gain $2.25MM in cap space with today’s move while incurring a dead money charge of $460K. After playing on four different teams in as many years, meanwhile, Neal will aim to find another new opportunity while continuing to recover.

Pittsburgh has All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick in place as a starter at the safety spot, and Damontae Kazee – who logged nine starts last season – is on the books for one more year. That pair could see considerable playing time in 2024, but the team could also be involved in the safety market during free agency. A bevy of high-profile players at the position have become cap casualties recently, meaning the Steelers will have a number of options to choose from.

Neal has never landed a contract averaging more than $4MM per season, and the 2024 safety market is shaping up as one in which few producers at the position will likely secure a lucrative investment. The former first-rounder has bounced around with the Falcons, Cowboys and Buccaneers in addition to his brief Steelers tenure. Neal has seen mixed results in terms of PFF evaluation over the years, and 2023 produced only a 59.6 overall grade. Between that showing, his health status and the list of safeties also on the market, he could be hard-pressed to land another multi-year contract in 2024.

Bills Bring Back QB Mitchell Trubisky, P Matt Haack; S Taylor Rapp Lands Extension

March 7th, 2024 at 9:12am CST by Ely Allen

MARCH 7: Garafolo’s colleague Tom Pelissero reports the Trubisky deal is two years in length and has a base value of $5.25MM. $2.75MM in guaranteed money is in place for 2024, and he can raise the value of the pact to $8.45MM via playing time and win incentives. Trubisky’s deal is thus far more valuable than Kyle Allen’s from last season, and the latter will likely be headed elsewhere.

MARCH 6: After being released from the Steelers over three weeks ago, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is headed back to Buffalo, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Trubisky left the Bills two years ago in order to compete for the starting job in Pittsburgh, but after falling dramatically on the depth chart since then, Trubisky found himself a free agent. Tim Graham of The Athletic was the first to report progressing talks of a reunion earlier this afternoon.

After leaving for the Steelers, Trubisky successfully won the starting job over then-rookie Kenny Pickett. In a Week 4 loss to the Jets, Trubisky was benched for the rookie out of Pitt and remained on the bench for most of the remainder of the year, except for two games during which Pickett was injured. This season, Trubisky was the first name called upon to start when Pickett got hurt again. He played in three consecutive games before eventually getting benched once again, this time in favor of Mason Rudolph.

During his previous stint in Buffalo, Trubisky signed knowing that he would serve as a backup to Josh Allen, resigning himself to a role learning under the same staff that molded Allen into an MVP candidate. He’ll return to the same role in 2024. Trubisky’s addition likely means the end of Kyle Allen‘s time in Buffalo. Allen made seven garbage-time appearances last year as the primary backup before heading to free agency this offseason. Practice squad reserve Shane Buechele was signed to a futures deal and should play a similar role next season.

The Bills also kept an important name in the secondary, signing safety Taylor Rapp to a three-year extension worth up to $14.5MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Rapp, formerly a full-time starter as a second-round pick for the Rams, functioned as a third safety for the Bills in 2023, sitting behind the veteran pair of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Rapp’s main playing time in Buffalo came as a starter in the four weeks that Hyde and Poyer missed due to injury.

With Hyde headed towards free agency and Poyer being released today, Rapp’s signing may deliver a glimpse of the Bills’ plans at safety moving forward. Some have even linked Buffalo to some of the best safety prospects in the draft like Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin or Miami’s Kamren Kinchens. Since both Hyde and Poyer will be 33 years old heading into the 2024 season, it makes sense that Buffalo is making plans to move on. Rapp represents one possible solution moving forward at 26 years old.

Finally, another reunion is happening in Buffalo, this one on special teams. Veteran punter Matt Haack signed a deal to return to Buffalo this year. Haack’s last full season came in 2022, when he served punting duties for the Colts, but he did play a game for the Browns this past year. The Bills re-signed current punter Sam Martin to a three-year, $6MM deal almost a year ago, so he’s still under contract for two more years.

Martin’s contract does have a potential out this offseason that would allow the team to save $1.25MM of cap space, so given the rest of their actions today, I wouldn’t rule out Haack coming in to replace Martin. For now, though, we’ll assume Haack is coming in to provide some camp competition for Martin this summer.

Broncos Release S Justin Simmons

March 7th, 2024 at 8:14am CST by Adam La Rose

The list of veteran safeties who will be available in free agency continues to grow. The Broncos are moving on from Justin Simmons, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

One year remained on Simmons’ pact – one which had an AAV of $15.25MM, sixth-highest in the league at the position – and he was set to carry a cap hit of $18.25MM. By cutting bait with the 30-year-old, Denver will save $14.5MM while generating a dead money charge of $3.75MM. The move will bring an end to Simmons’ eight-year tenure in the Mile High City, one in which he has consistently been one of the team’s top producers.

Given the nature of his cap hit, the former third-rounder’s future was called into question earlier this offseason. A report from last month noted the likelihood of a deal lowering Simmons’ cap charge, something which could have been accomplished via a restructure or extension. Instead of taking either route, though, the Broncos – met with a number of financial challenges given the enormous dead money charge the Russell Wilson release will trigger – will cut bait altogether.

Simmons has played each of his 118 career games with the Broncos, generating a well-earned reputation as one of the league’s top safeties along the way. He has recorded at least two interceptions every year, including a league-leading six in 2022. This past campaign saw continued production on the backend (three interceptions, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles), and Simmons received a second career Pro Bowl invitation as a result.

Dating back to 2019, the Boston College product has been earned second-team All-Pro honors four times while remaining healthy and productive. His 30 interceptions since his rookie campaign (2016) are the most in the NFL during that span. As a result, his absence will be sorely felt in Denver’s secondary moving forward, while a number of suitors will no doubt show interest in Simmons now that he is available.

The Broncos had a long-standing tandem at the safety spot with Simmons and Kareem Jackson serving as starters. After a campaign featuring multiple ejections, fines and suspensions, however, the latter was waived in December and claimed by the Texans. Jackson is a pending free agent, but a Broncos reunion would come as a major surprise. P.J. Locke – who took over as a starter due to Jackson’s absence – is also set to reach the open market next week, so plenty of additions could be required for the Broncos to re-build their safety depth chart.

Denver entered Thursday as one of the team’s sitting over the cap ceiling, meaning cost-cutting moves would be required. Releasing Simmons will bring the team to within roughly $1.85MM of compliance, so any subsequent maneuvering will likely not be as notable as today’s move. Still, the loss of Simmons will create a challenge for Denver as the team aims to build off the defensive rebound seen last season after a woeful start to the campaign on that side of the ball.

Simmons’ durability (seven missed games since 2018) and production should help him find a new home relatively soon. A number of teams have moved on from pricey safeties in the lead-in to free agency, however, and the likes of Jordan Poyer, Rayshawn Jenkins, Kevin Byard and Quandre Diggs are among those who have recently been released. Interested suitors will have a number of options to choose from at the safety spot, but Simmons could command the most lucrative deal among them.

Bills To Release CB Tre’Davious White

March 6th, 2024 at 11:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

As their cost-shedding moves continue, the Bills are parting ways with Tre’Davious White. The former All-Pro corner will be released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Schefter notes White will be designated a post-June 1 cut, meaning the move will not take place until the new league year begins next week. That path will lead to $10.2MM in savings in 2024, but they will not be realized until June 2. White will, however, be free to find a new team as soon as the market opens.

[RELATED: Bills To Release Mitch Morse, Deonte Harty]

White’s future was in question given his injury history over the past two seasons in particular. The former first-rounder was limited to six contests in 2022 as he recovered from an ACL tear the previous fall. In 2023, an Achilles tear cut his season short after just four contests. Having missed considerable time and with no more base salary guaranteed on his deal, White represented a logical release candidate.

The 29-year-old’s extension (a four-year, $69MM pact inked in 2020) had already been restructured multiple times, and taking that route again would have pushed further cap charges down the road. Instead, the team will elect to spread out his dead money charge ($6.23MM in 2024) over two years while cutting ties with a full-time starter. White logged 89 total appearances between regular and postseason play in Buffalo.

Over that span, he racked up 18 interceptions – including a league-leading six in 2019. White reached double figures in terms of pass deflections in three of his first four seasons, but his production in that regard has dropped off in the past three years due in part to the missed time. The LSU alum has remained strong in coverage, though, something which could help him land a notable pact with a new team in free agency.

Buffalo has 2022 sixth-rounder Christian Benford as well as 2023 trade acquisition Rasul Douglas in place as starting outside corners for the time being. Kaiir Elam – taken 23rd overall in 2022 – has not developed as hoped so far in his career, but moving on from White could open the door to playing time. In any case, the Bills will be in the market for a CB addition either in free agency or the draft.

In need of plenty of maneuvering to get under the cap limit, the Bills have made a slew of moves pointing them in that direction. That has included Jordan Poyer and Siran Neal being released today. The same is also true of Morse and Harty. Taking into account the efforts made so far, Buffalo sits $19.7MM over the cap as things stand. That figure will be helped in June by White’s release, but in the immediate future the team still has more work to do from a financial standpoint.

Giants Have Not Made Saquon Barkley Offer In Offseason

March 6th, 2024 at 11:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Saquon Barkley-Giants extension talks began in November 2022 and memorably ran up to the July 2023 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals. Not much activity has transpired this offseason.

Although the Giants met with Barkley at the Combine and are believed to be planning to make an offer to retain their Pro Bowl running back, the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy reports the team has not submitted one this offseason. The Giants will lose their exclusive negotiating rights with Barkley at 11am CT on Monday, when the legal tampering period begins.

[RELATED: Darren Waller Considering Retirement]

This year’s legal tampering period will be Barkley’s first chance to negotiate with a team other than the Giants since they drafted him second overall in 2018. The Giants passed on franchise-tagging Barkley a second time, at a rate just more than $12MM, and may be ready to bid farewell to the six-year starter. While this is a crowded free agent running back class, Barkley is expected to draw the most attention. Barkley reaching the tampering period unsigned obviously increases the chances he will play elsewhere in 2024.

The Giants could not resume Barkley negotiations until after the regular season ended, but they have now had nearly two months to make another offer. Not doing so runs in stark contrast to last year, when they frantically attempted to retain both Barkley and Daniel Jones. The team ended up re-signing Jones and tagging Barkley minutes before last March’s tag application deadline. It is worth wondering the alternate reality of what would have played out if the team had reversed those moves, as Jones may be going into his last season as Giant — as persistent rumors about the team drafting a QB emerge.

No signs exist the Giants will ramp up talks at the 11th hour, Dunleavy adds, with the team potentially ready to let Barkley see what kind of offers come on the open market. GM Joe Schoen said a second tag was a consideration, but a rumor also emerged last month that the team was leery of Barkley’s age (27) and making another notable commitment. That said, the Giants are believed to have offered Barkley a deal including $22MM guaranteed last summer. The team reducing the offer’s AAV below $12MM, however, helped influence the former Offensive Rookie of the Year to pass. The Giants passed on trade interest at the deadline, despite a poor start. That sets the stage for this free agency foray.

Many backs will be available for the Giants in free agency. Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift and Gus Edwards are ticketed for free agency in one of the best RB classes in the free agency era. Devin Singletary, who played in Brian Daboll’s offense for three seasons in Buffalo, also could appeal to the Giants at a lower cost. With Barkley likely the most expensive player in this crowded group, the Giants may be ready to add one of the other vets at a reduced rate.

It is possible the Giants will lose both Barkley and Xavier McKinney next week. The team did not use the transition tag on McKinney. Kyle Dugger‘s transition tag may have played a role. With Dugger tagged, McKinney naturally becomes a more attractive piece in free agency. The Giants would not have been entitled to any compensation if McKinney signed an offer sheet they did not match. Had the Giants transition-tagged McKinney, they also would not have been entitled to a 2025 compensatory pick if they did not match an offer sheet, as CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones points out. Transition-tagged players no longer count toward the compensatory formula.

Tony Pollard May Take Less To Stay In Dallas

March 6th, 2024 at 11:04pm CST by Ely Allen

The free agent market for running back this offseason is sure to be active with such names as Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, and Austin Ekeler all seeking new contracts. Among those names is Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, who is seeking his second multi-year contract after playing under the franchise tag in 2023. According to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Pollard is reportedly willing to take less money to remain with the Cowboys next year.

Pollard delivered a strong 2023 season under the franchise tag, though not nearly as strong as his 2022 season. He rushed for two fewer yards than he had in 2022 despite receiving 59 more carries. Similarly, he racked up 60 fewer receiving yards despite catching 16 more passes on 12 more targets. He also reached the end zone six times last year, only half as many times as he had scored in his Pro Bowl 2022 season.

Still, Pollard finished 12th in the league in rushing yards, outperforming Barkley (who missed three contests), Jacobs (who missed four contests), and Ekeler (who also missed three contests). Henry and Swift were the only backs listed above to outperform Pollard, and Henry’s advanced age (30) could limit his value in comparison to Pollard and Swift.

The common thought in Dallas is that Pollard expects a raise after earning $10.09MM on the franchise tag last year. That’s hard to envision, especially with this year’s free agent crop struggling to perform in contract years. Projected market values at Spotrac.com show only Henry making more than $10MM in 2024. Swift, the second-best performer of the above group this season is only projected to be worth $6.7MM per year. Spotrac has Pollard projected for a two-year, $13.05MM deal, which lands right inside the two-year, $12-14MM deal proposed by Watkins.

Pollard may be willing to take a bit of a discount to stay in Dallas, but it sounds like it would only be a slight discount. Pollard is reportedly preparing to get as many offers as possible before talking to the Cowboys. It sounds like he may give the league an opportunity to set his value and then give Dallas a chance to come in and slightly undercut that value if they want to keep him around. This could pose a risk if he waits long enough that the draft and other free agent moves influence how valuable he is to the Cowboys. We’ll see just how risky of a strategy he will employ in the weeks to come.

Bills Restructure Von Miller, Rasul Douglas

March 6th, 2024 at 11:03pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bills remained the busiest team in the NFL this Wednesday as they made a litany of moves to adjust their salary cap heading into the new league year.

While much of that came in the releases of Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse, Nyheim Hines, Deonte Harty, and Siran Neal, as well as the planned post June-1 release of Tre’Davious White, they were able to open up even more cap space today by restructuring the contracts of veteran pass rusher Von Miller and cornerback Rasul Douglas.

Miller, 34, was a shadow of his former self in 2023. Rotating in behind Gregory Rousseau, Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa, and Shaq Lawson, Miller was mostly a nonfactor on the Bills defense. While eight sacks in 2022 seemed worth the massive six-year, $120MM contract he signed to come to Buffalo, Miller’s ineffectiveness in the wake of his ACL recovery made a restructure all but necessary. According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Bills converted $7MM of his base salary (originally worth $17.15MM) into a signing bonus and $8.65MM more into incentives. Miller’s new base salary is $1.5MM for 2024, but he will reportedly be able to make up to $20MM. The move clears $8.65MM of cap space.

Douglas, a midseason trade acquisition this past season, was a welcome addition to the secondary, but Buffalo felt a need to offset some of his 2024 cap hit, which was scheduled to be nearly $10MM. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the team converted $1.5MM of Douglas’ 2024 base salary, as well as a $2MM roster bonus, into a signing bonus. Buffalo also added three void years in order to spread out cap into later years. In doing so, the Bills were able to clear up another $2.5MM of cap space.

Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News had the honor or keeping track of all the team’s financial moves today, noting the changes to a cap number that started the day around $41MM over the league’s $255.4MM salary cap. Between the restructures of Miller and Douglas and the releases of Poyer, Morse, Hines, Harty, and Neal, the Bills were able to clear approximately $37.1MM of their $41MM deficit. They should get an additional boost of over $10MM from the post June-1 release of White and more from the trade of offensive lineman Ryan Bates, but that will be needed to counteract the recent moves to extend safety Taylor Rapp and guard David Edwards and sign quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and punter Matt Haack.

The Bills were much busier than any other team in the NFL today. They’ll likely continue to adjust here and there with free agency and the draft on the horizon. For now, though, no one can say they aren’t making efforts to get under the league’s new salary cap.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/6/24

March 6th, 2024 at 10:18pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s tender decisions from around the NFL:

RFAs

Non-tendered:

Since the Broncos claimed him off waivers during his rookie season, Harris has played in Denver for the last three and a half years. During his first two seasons, he only played as a practice squad elevation three times a year. In the last two years, though, Harris has seen his impact increase with nine starts in 25 regular season appearances for the Broncos, playing in every game this year. Despite being in line to start in 2024, Harris will head to the open market after not being tendered in Denver.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/6/24

March 6th, 2024 at 8:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Some minor moves during a busy day of major transactions:

Atlanta Falcons

Dallas Cowboys

Kansas City Chiefs

The Falcons were able to avoid tendering Landman by simply signing him to a new one-year contract. The exclusive rights free agent signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and after the season-ending injury to starting linebacker Troy Andersen, Landman took full advantage of the opportunity to start, finishing third on the team with 110 total tackles in 14 starts. He returns to Atlanta to fit in amongst Andersen and Kaden Elliss.

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