2024 March - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Patriots Interested In QB Jacoby Brissett

March 5th, 2024 at 5:31pm CST by Ben Levine

With the Patriots facing an uncertain future at quarterback, the team may turn to a familiar face. According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the Patriots have “real” interest in veteran QB Jacoby Brissett.

Brissett entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Patriots back in 2016. Thanks to a suspension for Tom Brady and an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, Brissett ended up getting into three games for New England, keeping the ship afloat with a 1-1 record as a starter. That encouraging performance ended up making Brissett a trade candidate, and he was dealt to the Colts before his sophomore season to fill in for Andrew Luck.

The now-veteran QB’s connections to the Patriots go beyond his first stint with the organization. Brissett also worked with current Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt when the two were in Cleveland together. Per Volin, the former Browns OC “loved” Brissett, and the quarterback had one of the most productive seasons of his career while starting 11 games for Cleveland in 2022.

With Mac Jones likely out of the picture and the Patriots armed with the third-overall pick, it’s been hinted that the organization will look to address the quarterback position via the draft. In fact, there were whispers that the Patriots were considering drafting one of the top prospects at No. 3 and pairing him with a bridge QB who could start for a year.

Brissett would certainly fit that bill. The 31-year-old has widely been considered one of the top backup QBs in the NFL, mostly thanks to his performance while filling in for injured QB1s. After going 4-11 during his first stint in Indy, Brissett has gone 13-18 as a starter, including a 2019 campaign where he went 7-8.

Brissett didn’t have an opportunity to start in Washington in 2023, but he tossed 12 touchdowns in 11 starts with the Browns in 2022 (he added another two scores on the ground). The Patriots surely wouldn’t be expecting to compete for a playoff spot with Brissett under center, but they could rest easy knowing the offense is in good hands while their top prospect develops behind the scenes.

Dolphins Offered Christian Wilkins Top-10 DT AAV, Still Trying To Strike Deal

March 5th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Christian Wilkins‘ bet on himself is close to producing a big payoff. The Ravens taking Justin Madubuike off the free agency board will benefit the Dolphins defensive tackle, who already saw a host of his 2019 DT draft classmates steer clear of the market via 2023 extensions.

The Dolphins’ exclusive negotiating rights with Wilkins expire in less than a week, and while it will be hard for the team to keep the five-year veteran off the market at this juncture, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson indicates it is still trying. Though, the parties have been negotiating off and on for more than eight months. Sorting through cap issues, the Dolphins declined to use their franchise tag on Wilkins before today’s deadline.

During the talks last year, the Dolphins offered Wilkins a deal that would have paid him a top-10 D-tackle salary, Jackson adds. The team’s proposal included more than $40MM guaranteed. It is likely that $40MM sum represents the money guaranteed in total, rather than at signing, as only six DTs are tied to deals with that much locked in at signing. Jackson adds the Dolphins’ Wilkins offer came in significantly higher than Zach Sieler‘s $10MM-AAV extension. If the AAV came in within the top 10 at the position, Miami’s offer would have been north of Kenny Clark‘s $17.5MM-per-year accord.

Considering the deals that set the non-Aaron Donald market last year, it is understandable why Wilkins balked at an offer that may not have been in line with those 2019 draft classmates Quinnen Williams, Dexter Lawrence and Jeffery Simmons received. The issue of Wilkins’ sack production hovered during these negotiations.

Although the Clemson alum had been regarded as one of the NFL’s best run-defending DTs in prior years, he had totaled just 11.5 sacks through four seasons. He posted nine last season. The Dolphins may well have used the Bills’ extension for fellow 2019 first-rounder Ed Oliver — $17MM per year, $45MM guaranteed in total, $24.5MM fully guaranteed — as a closer comp than the Williams-Lawrence-Simmons-Daron Payne group. That foursome each received between $22.5MM and $24MM per year and between $46MM and $47.8MM fully guaranteed. Wilkins may soon strike a similar deal.

Miami has been creating cap space in recent days, cutting Baker and Emmanuel Ogbah. The team also is set to designate Xavien Howard as a post-June 1 release. Prior to the Howard cut, the Dolphins are more than $18MM over the cap. That will make affording Wilkins’ second contract difficult. If the Chiefs can pull off a Chris Jones re-signing before the legal tampering period begins March 11, the runway will be clear for Wilkins as DT-needy teams prepare their offers.

Chargers Release LB Eric Kendricks

March 5th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after receiving the opportunity to return to Los Angeles, Eric Kendricks is out of a job. The Chargers released the veteran linebacker Tuesday.

In Tom Telesco‘s final offseason as Bolts GM, the team gave Kendricks a two-year, $13.25MM deal. The longtime Vikings starter was set to make $5MM in base salary next season. The Chargers will save $6.5MM by making this cut.

Jim Harbaugh‘s team still has work to do to reach cap compliance; the Kendricks release only moves the Bolts to $19MM over the 2024 cap. The Chargers are also in need of linebacker starters. Kendricks and Kenneth Murray operated as L.A.’s primary ILBs in 2023. Murray is days away from free agency.

A UCLA alum and a Fresno native, Kendricks received a quick opportunity to return to California last year. This marks his second straight offseason as a cap casualty, with the Vikings releasing the former All-Pro in 2023. Considering where the Chargers are cap-wise, it is unsurprising to see them follow suit.

Kendricks, who turned 32 last week, continued his run of solid production by registering 117 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks. The former second-round pick added a forced fumble and six passes defensed, also finishing his season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 25 overall linebacker; PFF ranked Murray as one of the NFL’s worst full-time ILBs. The Chargers declined Murray’s fifth-year option in 2023.

It will take more maneuvering for the Chargers to create actual breathing room. Thanks to big contracts and 2023 restructures, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack combine to comprise $142MM on the Chargers’ 2024 cap sheet. Even with the cap spiking to $255.4MM, four players — two of whom over 30 — take up more than half the team’s payroll. Decisions will need to be made involving these cornerstones, with Kendricks more of a role player last season.

Kendricks may be able to generate interest elsewhere as he did in 2023, though his age will begin to work against him. The 2015 draftee has started 127 games during his nine-year career, earning an eight-figure-per-year Vikings extension in 2018. Kendricks started for four playoff-bound Minnesota teams, earning his lone Pro Bowl nod in 2019.

49ers Interested In Re-Signing Chase Young

March 5th, 2024 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have passed on re-signing some Nick Bosa wingmen in the recent past, letting the likes of Arden Key, Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu walk over the past two free agency periods. It would seem Chase Young will follow suit, but the NFC champions are not resigned to collecting a compensatory pick just yet.

Young is less than a week from testing the market, and while the 49ers have a considerable amount of money tied up in D-line payments, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes the team is interested in re-signing the recent trade acquisition. It probably will depend on how teams view Young, which will be one of this free agency period’s most interesting storylines.

A brutal knee injury sidelined Young for more than a year, but the former No. 2 overall pick showed some positive signs to start this past season. Young totaled five sacks in eight games with the Commanders last year, drawing trade interest from the Ravens, Jaguars and 49ers. After the Commanders reduced their asking price for Young — on a memorable deadline day in Washington — the 49ers obtained him for a third-round comp pick. The partnership did not produce fireworks, with Young finishing with 2.5 sacks during his Bay Area regular-season run. He did add a sack of Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LVIII, however.

If Young’s market escalates well past the “prove it” point, it would seem the 49ers may have a hard time bringing him back. Some teams, per Graziano, remain intrigued with Young’s potential; the former Heisman finalist entered the league as one of the 21st century’s top defensive prospects.

With Brian Burns and Josh Allen off the market via the franchise tag, interest in Young would stand to increase. Though, other edges — most notably Jonathan Greenard, Bryce Huff and Danielle Hunter — are poised to be available as well. Young’s place on this market is somewhat difficult to peg as of now, but a team viewing this as a buy-low opportunity for a player in the process of re-establishing his value following an ACL tear and a ruptured patellar tendon could conceivably land a steal.

The former Defensive Rookie of the Year probably fits best as a sidekick pass rusher at this point in his career. The 49ers could use such a presence, having seen 2022 second-round pick Drake Jackson fail to return from injury last season. Bosa’s starting bookend partner, Clelin Ferrell, is also on track for free agency. So is Randy Gregory, thanks to a contract reworking.

Although Brock Purdy is on a rookie deal, the 49ers have Bosa tied to a defender-record contract ($34MM per year). They struck that deal after having extended Arik Armstead in 2020 and giving Javon Hargrave a $21MM-AAV pact during free agency last year. San Francisco Young a notable second contract would be a fascinating roster-building move.

Joe Flacco Eyeing New Browns Deal

March 5th, 2024 at 3:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

Joe Flacco is on track to hit free agency with far more value than he had one year ago. If the 39-year-old quarterback has his way, though, he will remain in Cleveland for 2024.

Flacco is among the Browns’ pending free agents, and a recent report noted he was expected to gauge the market for the chance to operate as a starter. He did so to close out the 2023 season – in surprisingly effective fashion – while filling in for the injured Deshaun Watson. The latter will be in place for years to come, though, meaning a new Browns accord would consign Flacco to backup duties.

In spite of that, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports a Cleveland re-up is Flacco’s “first choice.” The former Super Bowl MVP joined midseason after failing to receive much interest following the end of his Jets tenure. He took charge of a severely injured offense down the stretch and helped lead the team to the postseason.

Flacco earned Comeback Player of the Year honors as a result, and he would no doubt be able to land at least a notable backup deal with any number of teams on the open market as he attempts to play two more years. It will be interesting to see how willing the Browns are to entertain talks in the coming days to prevent him from reaching free agency. The team currently has roughly $6.8MM in cap space.

Cleveland is amenable to a new Flacco pact, one which will add further to the cap investments made under center. Watson is currently set to count nearly $64MM against the cap over the next three years, meaning another restructure will be necessary. The Browns also added Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the fifth round of last year’s draft, giving them a young and cost-effective option at the QB spot even if Flacco leaves.

A signing amongst the various bridge options set to hit the market would allow the Browns to maintain depth in the wake of Watson’s season-ending shoulder injury. A number of outside options will be available, but retaining Flacco could wind up being the team’s ultimate direction if his desire to remain in place meshes with Cleveland’s valuation.

Dolphins To Release LB Jerome Baker

March 5th, 2024 at 3:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

As they continue to move toward cap compliance, the Dolphins will move on from a starter in the linebacking corps. Jerome Baker is being let go, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter notes the sides attempted to work out a restructure to lower Baker’s cap hit (slated for $14.79MM). No agreement could be reached, however, and he will now be able to hit free agency. In spite of that, Schefter adds Miami is open to Baker returning at a lesser price.

The six-year veteran has spent his entire career in South Beach, starting 82 of 94 games. He has remained a highly important member of the team’s defense during that stretch, but moving on will yield notable financial benefits. Miami will save $9.82MM in 2024 cap space while creating a dead money charge of just $4.97MM. As one of the teams with work to do to get under the cap ceiling by next week, those funds will be welcomed.

If a reunion cannot be worked out, however, the Dolphins will have a notable hole to fill at the LB spot moving forward. Fellow starter David Long is in place for one more season (although with no guaranteed salary owed, he too could be a candidate for a cost-saving move). Baker has posted 100 or more tackles three times in his career, and he has added 22.5 sacks along the way. Replacing that production on the free agent market or in the draft will not be easy.

Miami ranked seventh against the run in 2023, although Baker has not drawn rave PFF reviews for his work in that department for much of his career. He has, on the other hand, received better evaluations for his efforts in a pass-rush capacity and his performances in coverage. Entering his age-27 season, Baker should be able to garner a market for his services if he elects to head elsewhere for the first time in his career.

The Dolphins sat roughly $28MM over the cap after the expected release of cornerback Keion Crossen. Further savings will be seen at the start of the new league year when Xavien Howard is let go, and like in Baker’s case the team is open to a reunion on that front. More financial work is still to come, though, and in any case Miami’s defense will likely feature a number of new faces in 2024.

Giants Will Not Use Transition Tag On S Xavier McKinney

March 5th, 2024 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

The safety market lost two key pieces today, with the Buccaneers franchise-tagging Antoine Winfield Jr. and the Patriots transition-tagging Kyle Dugger. The Giants will pass on cuffing their high-priority DB.

Rumored to be a transition tag candidate, Xavier McKinney is now close to reaching free agency. The Giants will not place the lesser-used tag on McKinney, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. This points to the Giants needing to compete with other teams on the open market next week.

It would have cost the Giants $13.8MM to use the transition tag on McKinney. As of now, the team holds just more than $38MM in cap space. The Giants are not giving up hope of reaching an agreement with the safety starter, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. But time is running out.

This decision opens the door to the Giants losing both McKinney and Barkley in free agency. Barkley is viewed as the top running back available, and although that status does not mean nearly as much as it once did, several teams will undoubtedly be in on the two-time Pro Bowler. McKinney will be in line to sign for more money, especially with Winfield off the market and the Patriots having the chance to match any Dugger offer sheet.

As of late last week, McKinney talks were not believed to have started. The sides had tabled negotiations to 2024, but we are now less than a week from the legal tampering period. Beginning 11am CT on March 11, unsigned players can begin talking to other teams and reaching agreements. Since the tampering period’s debut, most top free agents agree to terms in that 48-hour window. Planning to pass on using tags this year, the Giants are in crunch time with their top free agents.

McKinney talks may be a bit complicated. The former second-round pick, despite missing chunks of two seasons due to injury, said in January he views himself as the NFL’s most complete safety. He does not have a Pro Bowl on his resume. It would seem unlikely, then, the Alabama product agrees to terms with the Giants before seeing what the market looks like.

McKinney set a new career high in tackles last season with 116, also reaching a personal best in pass deflections (11) and recording his second-best completion percentage allowed when in coverage (63.1%). McKinney, 25, missed 10 games as a rookie and then eight in 2022. But he will certainly be one of the top defensive free agents available.

The Giants have seen a few safeties leave in recent years. After the Landon Collins, Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan exits (the latter being cut), the team lost Julian Love despite making multiple offers. The Giants factored in an eventual McKinney payment into their Love calculus, but it is entirely possible both will be gone soon.

Dolphins To Release CB Keion Crossen

March 5th, 2024 at 2:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

As cost-cutting season continues around the NFL, the Dolphins are moving on from Keion Crossen. The veteran corner and special teamer is being released, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2.

One more year remained on Crossen’s deal, but none of his compensation was guaranteed. As a result, Miami will see $2.99MM in savings without incurring any dead money charges. Considering the financial constraints the team is facing on both sides of the ball, this move comes as no surprise.

Crossen joined the Dolphins on a three-year, $10.5MM pact. That agreement gave him multi-year security after he previously bounced around with the Patriots, Texans and Giants in a four-year span. He played out the 2022 campaign while seeing rotational defensive usage and a heavy special teams workload. Crossen was placed on injured reserve during 2023 roster cutdowns, however, and as a result he was sidelined for all of last season.

The 27-year-old will now once again be on the move in free agency, and his missed time will no doubt hinder his market value. Still, third phase specialists are often able to find an opportunity on low-cost deals, and Crossen’s experience on defense (which includes 884 snaps) could allow him to compete for a depth CB spot on his next team. Meanwhile, today’s move adds further uncertainty in the secondary for the Dolphins, a team which will at least temporarily part ways with Xavien Howard at the start of free agency.

Miami is still roughly $28MM over the cap when taking Crossen’s release into account. Further cost-shedding moves will be needed in the coming days as a result, as they and all other teams will need to be cap compliant by March 13.

Seahawks To Release TE Will Dissly

March 5th, 2024 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks’ new coaching staff is parting ways with a few Pete Carroll-era cogs Tuesday. After the team released its two highly paid safeties — Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs — word emerged the club is also moving on from one of its tight ends.

Will Dissly will be released as well, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The move will save the Seahawks $6.97MM in cap space. Signed to a three-year, $24MM deal in 2022, Dissly was due to make $6.49MM in base salary next season.

Seattle has effectively cleared the decks at tight end. With Dissly gone, the team has to fill out this position group. Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson are days away from free agency; both players played out their rookie contracts in 2023.

Dissly played out his rookie deal in Seattle back in 2021, but despite a pattern of injury trouble during that time, the Seahawks still re-signed him in March 2022. Dissly, 27, seemed a bit surprised when he received that offer — which came as the Broncos (who had just acquired ex-Dissly QB Russell Wilson) pursued him as well — but he rewarded the Seahawks by avoiding major injuries on his second contract.

Valuing Dissly’s blocking, the Seahawks gave him $10.34MM fully guaranteed. He ended up receiving more than that on this contract, playing two years on the pact. But Mike Macdonald and OC Ryan Grubb are moving in a different direction. While Dissly played at the University of Washington, his college run came well before Grubb became the Huskies’ OC.

Fant led the way in terms of TE production over the past two seasons in Seattle, but Dissly made an auxiliary contribution to Geno Smith‘s Comeback Player of the Year award by catching 34 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns in 2022. He finished that season on IR but returned to play 16 games in 2023. Last season, Dissly’s numbers dropped; he totaled 17 receptions for 172 yards. Dissly, who missed 24 games over his first four seasons, only missed three contests over the past two. Dissly also should command some interest on the open market; Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s third-best run-blocking tight end last season.

Colts To Tag Michael Pittman Jr.; Sides Discussing Extension

March 5th, 2024 at 2:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

2:03pm: Although the Colts have Pittman on their extension radar, they will use the placeholder option. Indianapolis will tag Pittman, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. It does not appear the sides are too close on a long-term deal, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, but a tag gives them some time. The Colts have until July 15 to complete an extension with their top receiver.

1:45pm: Chris Ballard‘s comments at the Combine did not make it sound likely Michael Pittman Jr. would reach free agency. Indeed, it appears the Colts are preparing to use their franchise tag for the first time since 2013.

The Colts are planning to tag Pittman if they cannot reach an extension, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. The sides are still talking, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. The Colts last used their tag to keep Pat McAfee off the market 11 years ago, but with the Ballard regime doing well to re-sign its own homegrown talent, it is not surprising this tag drought may soon end.

If the Colts can reach an agreement by 3pm CT, they will avoid a $21.8MM cap hold going on their books. This deadline has spurred action in the recent past, but no extension for a tag candidate has surfaced today. Pittman would be the eighth player franchise-tagged during this year’s two-week window.

Ballard has done well to keep his cornerstone players on extensions. Since taking over, the eighth-year GM has extended Ryan Kelly, Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, Shaquille Leonard, Kenny Moore, Grover Stewart and Jonathan Taylor. The former rushing champion’s messy extension process overshadowed Pittman’s contract year, which proved vital to a Colts team frequently playing without its top back. Pittman produced career-high numbers in receptions (109) and yards (1,152) last season, helping a Colts team down Anthony Richardson for most of the season.

It is certainly possible Richardson’s injury helped Pittman compile solid stats last year, with Gardner Minshew a readier passer compared to the raw but promising rookie. Minshew indeed looked Pittman’s way often, giving the former second-round pick his second 1,000-yard season. The Colts chose Pittman before Taylor four years ago, selecting him 34th — one spot after Tee Higgins. Showing the value wideouts bring, neither player will be headed to free agency. The Bengals were the first team to use a tag this year, cuffing Higgins in February.

Without a veteran quarterback on the roster, the Colts can better afford expenditures like a Taylor extension and Pittman tag. Ballard’s team generally avoids big-ticket free agency moves, however, and came into Tuesday with more than $70MM in cap space. That number would shrink if Pittman is tagged, but the sides still have more than an hour to reach an extension.

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