5 Key Stories: 4/21/24 – 4/28/24

This past weekend saw the 2024 draft come and go, marking a major checkpoint on the offseason calendar. As usual, other key developments took place on the roster-building front leading up to the event, however. In case you missed anything from the past seven days, here is a quick recap:

• Williams, QBs Headline First Round: As expected, quarterbacks dominated the top of the Day 1 order. Caleb Williams (Bears), Jayden Daniels (Commanders) and Drake Maye (Patriots) were the first three players to hear their names called. Atlanta then provided the night’s largest surprise by selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall. That was followed by a trade-up (albeit a smaller one than many predicted) by the Vikings, who drafted J.J. McCarthy at No. 10. Rounding out the run on signal-callers, Bo Nix was added by the Broncos. A record-breaking stretch of 137 picks ensued after that selection before the next QB, but those six teams each added an intriguing rookie to their depth charts.
• Chiefs Extend Reid, Veach, Donovan: Andy Reid has faced questions about retirement in recent years, but he put those to rest by agreeing to a new Chiefs extension. General manager Brett Veach as well as president Mark Donovan are also attached to new contracts, and as such Kansas City’s top decision-makers will be in place for the foreseeable future. Reid has climbed to fourth on the all-time wins list during his decorated time with the Chiefs while Veach has enjoyed considerable success alongside him since they joined the team in 2013. Four Super Bowl appearances in the past five years – including three titles – have helped the Chiefs become the league’s most decorated team in recent seasons, and the continued presence of a strong core headlined by Patrick Mahomes means they will likely remain contenders for years to come.
• St. Brown, Sewell Land Massive Lions Deals: Prior to the draft kicking off, the Lions hammered out deals with two major contributors of their offense. Both wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell signed lucrative extensions keeping them in place through 2028 and ’29, respectively. The former inked a four-year pact averaging just over $30MM per year; it includes $77MM in guarantees, over $35MM of which is locked in at signing. The latter, meanwhile, is in line to collect $28MM per season on his own four-year accord. Sewell’s deal is the most expensive one ever given to an O-lineman and it shatters the record for value in terms of right tackles. Both All-Pros will be counted on to remain key producers for years to come in Detroit while commanding large financial commitments.
• Eagles Extend Brown: Not long after St. Brown reached the summit of the receiver market, A.J. Brown moved to the top of the pecking order with an Eagles extension. Two years still remain on the pact he signed upon arrival in Philadelphia, but the 26-year-old landed $96MM on a three-year add-on which will keep him in the fold through 2029. The Eagles recently gave DeVonta Smith a three-year, $75MM extension and that pact moved him into a tie with Brown in terms of annual average value. Coming off a second straight 1,400-yard season, though, the latter is now once again the highest earner in Philadelphia’s skill position group. In all, the Eagles have now made four lucrative investments regarding in-house players on the offensive side of the ball this offseason.
• Jets Deal Wilson To Broncos: Prior to selecting Nix – a decision which many pointed to being on the table – the Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the Jets. The latter was known to be on the trade block, and New York received offers well before the Denver swap came to pass. Wilson, 24, struggled mightily during his time as a Jets starter and the team signed Tyrod Taylor this offseason to serve as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup. With Wilson’s trade having been worked out, four of the five QBs selected in the opening round of the 2021 draft (all but Trevor Lawrence) have now been dealt to a new team. In Wilson’s case, he will join a depth chart which features Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci. Attached to his rookie pact for one more year, it will be interesting to see how Wilson develops under head coach Sean Payton as he aims to rebuild his value.