2024 March - Pro Football Rumors

Month: January 2025

Jaguars To Cut S Rayshawn Jenkins

March 5th, 2024 at 11:06am CST by Sam Robinson

After going into last season with largely the same defense they trotted out in 2022, the Jaguars are making changes. Rayshawn Jenkins will be the latest Jacksonville cut on that side of the ball.

The Jags are releasing the veteran safety, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, with this move following the cuts of Folorunso Fatukasi and Darious Williams. Not part of the Jags’ 2022 free agency splurge like Fatukasi or Williams, Jenkins has been with the team since 2021, working as a starter throughout his tenure.

Jenkins, who turned 30 earlier this year, was due to make $8MM in base salary next season and carry a $12.3MM cap number. Unless this is a post-June 1 cut, the Jags will eat a bit of dead money due to void years existing on the veteran DB’s contract. Jacksonville will save more than $5MM while taking on just more than $7MM in dead cap.

Signed to a four-year, $35MM deal during Urban Meyer‘s offseason in charge, Jenkins came over from the Chargers and started every game he played as a Jaguar. That included 17-game seasons in each of the past two years. Jenkins intercepted five passes in that span, including a walk-off pick-six of Dak Prescott in a 40-34 Jags win in 2022. Pro Football Focus, however, rated the former fourth-round pick as one of the worst regular safeties over the past three seasons. The advanced metrics website slotted Jenkins outside the top 70 in each of his three Jacksonville seasons.

With the Jags firing most of their defensive staff shortly after a disappointing season, it is unsurprising they will look to add new starters ahead of Ryan Nielsen‘s first DC campaign. The team allowed at least 28 points five times after its Week 9 bye, leading to it going from contending for the AFC’s No. 1 seed to being bounced out of the playoffs. If this is a post-June 1 cut, Jenkins must remain on the Jags’ payroll until the start of the 2024 league year (March 13). If the team is moving on immediately, it will hold more than $34MM in cap space.

Jaguars To Release CB Darious Williams

March 5th, 2024 at 10:17am CST by Adam La Rose

In need of funds to retain two key pending free agents, the Jaguars are set to move on from Darious Williams. Jacksonville plans to release the veteran cornerback, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.

Williams has indeed been let go, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. He adds that teams have already begun showing interest, something which comes as little surprise given his level of play last season. The 30-year-old was set to count $12MM against the cap in 2024, but this move will yield major financial savings. Jacksonville will free up $11.5MM via his release.

A former Ravens UDFA, Williams established himself as a starter during his tenure with the Rams. That span – from 2018-21 – helped his free agent value and landed him a three-year Jags pact. That agreement included $18MM in guaranteed money, but only $500K of that total remained for 2024. Now, Williams will be on the move once again while Jacksonville will have extra cap room to keep edge rusher Josh Allen and wideout Calvin Ridley.

The team has made it clear the former will not reach the open market, meaning a franchise tag will be used later today if necessary. The latter, by contrast, is in the Jags’ plans for 2024 and beyond, but allowing him to test free agency will lower the trade compensation sent to the Falcons in the event a re-up emerges. Jacksonville will have roughly $45MM in cap space when taking the Williams release into account.

The Alabama-Birmingham product posted four interceptions, 19 pass deflections and a pair of forced fumbles in 2023. That ball production will make him an enticing add for any number of teams, especially on a short-term deal. Williams remained strong in coverage last year, allowing a 55% completion percentage and an opposing passer rating of 63.9 as the nearest defender. While his age could turn away some suitors, he could be in line to land a new pact rather quickly.

Tyson Campbell has one year remaining on his rookie contract, and he will again be counted on as a full-time starter next season. Veterans Tre Herndon and Tevaughn Campbell are pending free agents, however, so the Jaguars could see considerable turnover at the cornerback position. The team recently took a flier on Amani Oruwariye via a futures deal, but further investment will be needed to replace Williams’ production.

Giants Will Not Tag Saquon Barkley

March 5th, 2024 at 9:58am CST by Adam La Rose

Giants general manager Joe Schoen has left the door open to a second Saquon Barkley franchise tag being used this offseason. That will not be the case, however; New York will elect not to tag Barkley, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

This represents the expected outcome, as a free agent spell has long been on the horizon for Barkley. The former No. 2 pick has played out his rookie contract (including the fifth-year option) as well as a 2023 franchise tag during his six years in New York. For the first time, though, he will be able to test the market. A deal keeping him with the Giants after doing so remains in the cards, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson confirms.

A second Barkley tag would have checked in at a cost of $12.1MM. Using it would have prevented the franchise (or, perhaps more likely, transition) tag being applied to safety Xavier McKinney. Teams are free to use one tag in any given offseason, but not both. McKinney receiving the transition tag remains a “very strong possibility,” according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.

That route has been floated as a potential path for New York to keep the latter, who profiles as a higher priority given his age and the lack of high-end safeties set to reach free agency. Paying greater attention to McKinney will allow New York to avoid seeing a safety starter depart in free agency as Julian Love did in 2023. Talks on a long-term McKinney agreement are ongoing.

Barkley is on track to headline the list of available running backs, one which is notably long. Fellow 2023 tag recipients Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard are also likely to reach the market, as are Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D’Andre Swift and J.K. Dobbins. Of those, ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes Barkley is the likeliest to reach the $10MM-per-year mark on a new contract. Doing so will be difficult, though, given the state of the RB market in general and the bulk of available options this offseason in particular. Barkley, like Jacobs and Pollard, did not help his case for a lucrative pact during the 2023 season.

The Giants came close to an agreement with Barkley last offseason, with guaranteed money coming up as the main sticking point. That will likely be the case again as he enters his age-27 season. New York’s offense will (at least temporarily) include a major hole at the RB spot if Barkley departs, but that is a risk the team is formally prepared to run.

Panthers Place Franchise Tag On Brian Burns

March 5th, 2024 at 9:30am CST by Adam La Rose

With no long-term deal in sight, the Panthers will move forward with the expected decision on Brian Burns. The Pro Bowl edge rusher has been told he will receive the franchise tag, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The team has since announced the move.

Burns has long been an obvious candidate for the tag, which will pay out $24MM guaranteed. That figure will eat into much of Carolina’s available cap space if he plays out the 2024 season on the tender, but questions about his future with the organization have persisted for some time now.

Contract talks have been on and off between the Panthers and the 25-year-old. Burns played on his $16MM fifth-year option in 2023, and the lack of a long-term pact kept him in trade talks. Carolina once again elected to keep him in the fold, but the passing of the deadline did not spur a new round of negotiations. With the parties still not on the verge of an agreement, talks were put on hold during last week’s Combine.

For that reason, many have pointed to a tag-and-trade being on the table as the Panthers look to avoid Burns departing in free agency in 2025. The Rams made an offer including two first-round picks in 2022, and teams have remained highly interested in the Florida State alum. Washington was among the suitors in the build-up to this year’s trade deadline, and those still in a favorable cap situation will no doubt show at least a degree of interest. With Burns requiring a lucrative pact upon arrival, however, it would come as a surprise if Carolina was able to secure a better draft haul than the previous Rams offer.

Seeing as the non-exclusive tag has been used, Burns will be eligible to negotiate a contract with outside suitors. An agreement which goes unmatched from the Panthers will result in two first-round picks as compensation, though a trade would allow an acquiring team to pay out a different price to Carolina. Burns and the Panthers will be able to negotiate a long-term deal as late as July 15 if no trade takes place.

Given where things stand on that front, though, considerable progress would need to be made for an agreement keeping him in Charlotte beyond 2024 to be hammered out. Burns has been connected to a higher asking price (roughly $30MM per season) than the team is willing to reach. Nick Bosa‘s historic 49ers extension carries an AAV of $34MM, which comfortably leads the pack. Carolina would likely add Burns to the list of eight edge rushers earning between $22MM and $28MM on their respective pacts if a multi-year deal were to come to fruition.

Burns posted double-digit sacks for the first time in his career in 2022, totaling 12.5. He followed that up with eight last season, bringing his career total to 46 in five years. Not known for his run defense, he will nevertheless be an attractive option for teams looking to make a pricey investment along the edge. The Panthers will need to weigh their options on the Burns front while also sorting out the futures of other key defenders such as Frankie Luvu and Derrick Brown.

Jets To Release TE C.J. Uzomah

March 5th, 2024 at 9:02am CST by Adam La Rose

C.J. Uzomah will not play out the final year of his Jets contract. The veteran tight end is expected to be released, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

Uzomah was set to carry a cap hit of $11.22MM in 2024. By releasing him now, the Jets will see $5.3MM in savings while creating $5.92MM in dead cap charges. Given the financial benefits, as well as the knee injury which ended his 2023 campaign prematurely, Uzomah’s release comes as little surprise.

The 31-year-old finished the season on IR due to MCL and meniscus damage. Even when on the field, though, Uzomah was not able to match the production he delivered in his best Bengals campaigns. Across 27 games with New York, he totaled 290 yards and three touchdowns. Expectations were higher after he joined the team on a three-year, $24MM deal in 2022.

The former fifth-rounder saw fluctuating usage in the passing game during his seven-year Cincinnati run. He remained a key member of the offense with respect to playing time for much of that span, though, and he twice recorded 40-plus catches and over 400 yards as a Bengal. Those past showings could help his market as a complementary target for his new team, although his health and underwhelming Jets showing could give potential suitors pause.

Today’s move will leave the Jets with roughly $26MM in cap space as free agency draws nearer. New York will move forward with Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert atop the tight end depth chart; those two are under contract for one and two more years, respectively. The team could be in the market for an addition at the position either in free agency or the draft to replace Uzomah, who will now turn his attention to the search for a new opportunity.

Eagles’ Jason Kelce Confirms Retirement

March 4th, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of the Eagles’ wild-card loss, it was reported center Jason Kelce informed his teammates of his intention to retire. The future Hall of Famer confirmed that decision in a press conference on Monday.

Kelce’s future remained uncertain until Monday, as he declined to make a formal announcement. He spoke about a desire to remain with the Eagles in some capacity, while also looking into a potential transition to the broadcast booth. The 36-year-old has done extensive homework with multiple networks, and there will no doubt be a considerable market for his services in his post-playing days.

A sixth-round pick in 2011, Kelce was a full-time starter in his rookie season and he maintained his place atop the depth chart throughout his storied career. He was forced to miss considerable time only once in his 13-year tenure, and he was able to suit up for every game from 2015 onwards. Across that span, Kelce cemented his status as one of the best O-lineman (at any position) of his generation.

The Cincinnati alum earned at least a Pro Bowl invitation or a first-team All-Pro nod every year from 2016 through his final campaign. The waning years of his career proved Kelce was still capable of playing at an elite level while remaining an integral part of the Eagles’ offensive front. Instead of pursuing a 14th campaign and the chance at a third Super Bowl appearance (and second championship), though, he will hang up his cleats and turn his attention elsewhere.

Kelce ranks second on the franchise’s all-time games played list with 193, just behind fellow ‘Core Four’ member Brandon Graham. The latter’s future is in question, although he and right tackle Lane Johnson have stated a desire to play in 2024. The final member of the illustrious quartet – defensive tackle Fletcher Cox – is believed to be leaning toward hanging up his cleats at some point this offseason. Regardless of what happens with the other Philadelphia mainstays, Kelce’s absence will be acutely felt.

Over each of the past three years, he and the Eagles have worked out one-year contracts knowing a retirement decision would looming in relatively short order. Kelce’s latest pact is set up so he can remain on the team’s roster beyond June 1 before being placed on the retirement list. Once that procedural move takes place, Philadelphia will begin a new era under center. Cam Jurgens – who was drafted in 2022 as Kelce’s successor and played at right guard in 2023 – could move to center with the sizable challenge of replacing a franchise icon.

“It has always been a goal of mine to play my whole career in one city,” Kelce said during his press conference, via ESPN’s Tim McManus. “I couldn’t have dreamt a better one if I tried.”

Kelce will walk away from the game with more than $85MM in career earnings. His next endeavor will be worth following closely, especially if he elects to try his hand at broadcasting in 2024 or down the road. In any event, a spot in Canton no doubt awaits him with his playing career now in the books.

Latest On Eagles DE Brandon Graham

March 4th, 2024 at 9:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Brandon Graham and the Eagles are interested in a new deal, and it sounds like there’s confidence that a deal could soon be finalized. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there’s “mutual interest” in Graham re-signing with Philly, and a new contract “could come prior to free agency.”

There were some whispers earlier today that the Eagles and Graham had indeed agreed to a new deal. Rapoport said that isn’t true, but the reporter did provide some optimism that a deal could be completed sooner than later.

After spending the past 14 seasons with the Eagles, it would be a major surprise if the two sides couldn’t find common ground. After finishing up his three-year, $40MM extension with the Eagles in 2022, Graham re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year, $5MM deal last offseason. He was coming off an 11-sack campaign the last time around, but after failing to come close to those numbers in 2023, Graham may have to accept an even lower total in 2024.

Following the Eagles’ disappointing finish to the 2023 campaign, there was some speculation that the 35-year-old could look to hang up his cleats. However, Graham was quick to dismiss that notion, stating that he still has a “little bit of juice” and intends to have a “farewell tour” in 2024. The former first-round pick also hinted that he’d be interested in sticking with the organization when his playing career comes to an end.

While Graham’s counting stats dropped in 2023 (16 tackles, three sacks), Pro Football Focus still ranked him 17th among 118 qualifying edge defenders. He got into about a third of his team’s defensive snaps, and assuming Graham re-signs with the organization, he’ll likely be eyeing a similar role in 2024. Graham will also have an opportunity to build on some of his franchise marks next season. The veteran only needs 3.5 sacks to pass Clyde Simmons for third place on the franchise leader board, and he needs one forced fumble to break away from Seth Joyner for sole possession of second place on the team’s all-time list.

Bills Trade OL Ryan Bates To Bears

March 4th, 2024 at 8:24pm CST by Ben Levine

After signing Ryan Bates to an offer sheet back in 2022, the Bears have finally got their guy. The team announced that they’ve acquired the offensive lineman in a trade with the Bills. Chicago will be sending Buffalo a 2024 fifth-round pick. Pending a physical, the deal will become official on March 13. Buffalo will designate this a standard – rather than post-June 1 – move, per The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.

The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Penn State has spent the majority of his professional career in Buffalo, appearing in 73 games across five seasons. Bates served primarily as a backup/special teamer through his first two seasons in the NFL, but following a 2021 campaign where he got into about 25 percent of his team’s offensive snaps, the guard/center became a popular name in restricted free agency.

After being slapped with the restricted free agent tender, Bates found a suitor in the Bears, who inked the lineman to an offer sheet. The Bills ultimately matched the offer, signing Bates to a new four-year, $17MM deal.

Bates quickly helped validate Buffalo’s decision. He started all 15 of his appearances for the Bills in 2022, with Pro Football Focus ultimately grading him as a middle-of-the-road lineman. However, he found himself back on the bench this past season. With center Mitch Morse, right guard O’Cyrus Torrence, and left guard Connor McGovern not missing a start, Bates was limited to a career-low 35 offensive snaps.

The 27-year-old was destined for a backup role once again in 2024, and with a $5.5MM cap hit, it seemed unlikely the Bills would keep him around. Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News points out that Bates also wanted to start, and he’ll likely have that opportunity in Chicago.

Bates’ ability to play all over the offensive line should afford him a role in Chicago. For the time being, he’ll likely be the assumed starter at center with Lucas Patrick hitting unrestricted free agency.

Lions Re-Sign Shane Zylstra

March 4th, 2024 at 7:59pm CST by Ben Levine

After missing all of last season with a knee injury, Shane Zylstra will likely be sticking in Detroit for the 2024 campaign. The Lions announced that they re-signed the tight end today. Zylstra was set to become an exclusive rights free agent.

The former undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State had a brief stint with the Vikings before catching on with the Lions in 2021. After getting into four games as a rookie, Zylstra appeared in 13 games in 2022, finishing with 11 catches while playing in about 25 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.

He was set to take on an even bigger role in 2023 but suffered a knee injury following a hit from teammate Khalil Dorsey during training camp. He was waived/injured by the organization in early August but ultimately reverted to their injured reserve. At the time of the injury, coach Dan Campbell reflected on Zylstra’s value to the Lions.

“He was a pivotal part of our success last year once we started turning the corner,” Campbell said (h/t Pride of Detroit). “And he just does everything right, man. He works, he’s a grinder.”

Sam LaPorta should lead the Lions’ depth chart for the foreseeable future, and the organization is also set to return James Mitchell, who has seen time in 29 games across the past two seasons. Zylstra could slide in as a primary backup with Brock Wright hitting restricted free agency and veteran Anthony Firkser reaching unrestricted free agency.

Ravens “Likely Won’t Re-Sign” Odell Beckham Jr.

March 4th, 2024 at 7:18pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Odell Beckham Jr.‘s stop in Baltimore may only last one season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes that the Ravens “likely won’t re-sign” the veteran wide receiver. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley also hints that the Ravens may move on from OBJ, although the writer merely states that “it’s unknown” if the two sides will agree to another pact.

General manager Eric DeCosta told Hensley that he’s been in contact with Beckham since the season ended. While the executive wouldn’t completely close the door on another season, he made it clear that the organization will first consider other options.

“I love Odell,” DeCosta said (via Hensley). “He’s become a great friend of mine and a friend to the Ravens, and I think we’ll just kind of assess and see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

After missing the entire 2022 campaign with a knee injury, Beckham inked a one-year, $15MM deal with the Ravens last offseason. He got into 14 games with his new squad, hauling in 35 catches for 565 yards, the second-highest total on the team. While his counting stats were down, OBJ still set a career-high with 16.1 yards per catch, an indication that the 31-year-old still has something left in the tank.

While John Harbaugh wouldn’t definitively say if the wideout would be back next season, he did sound pleased with the veteran’s performance.

“I know that’s probably a question that people are asking,” Harbaugh said (via Hensley). “I’ve got my fingers crossed. We’ll see. That’s kind of out there. Those are those things that kind of answer themselves in time.”

While Beckham had a clear role in 2023, he may simply be squeezed out of the picture in 2024. As Hensley details, the team has high hopes for former first-round pick Rashod Bateman, and the team already brought back Nelson Agholor on a new deal. With Zay Flowers atop the depth chart and the team potentially eyeing wideouts in the draft, there might just not be a spot for Beckham on next year’s team.

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