2024 May - Pro Football Rumors

Month: September 2024

Latest On Potential Brandon Aiyuk Extension

May 25th, 2024 at 10:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Brandon Aiyuk is looking to approach the top of the WR market on his next deal. The 49ers wide receiver is eyeing Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s recent extension with the Lions, and Aiyuk is hoping to sign a new deal “at that number or higher,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com).

Both St. Brown and Eagles wideout A.J. Brown helped to reset the receiver market this offseason. St. Brown inked a four-year, $120MM extension with the Lions that included $77MM in guaranteed money. While Brown’s contract with Philly was for only three years, he still managed to put himself atop the position in AAV ($32MM) and total guarantees ($84MM).

At the very least, it sounds like Aiyuk is hoping to approach a $30MM AAV, a mark also reached by Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill. Aiyuk is currently tied to a $14.12MM fifth-year option salary, and he’d be attached to a projected $24.7MM salary in 2025 if he’s hit with the franchise tag next offseason (h/t to OverTheCap).

While the 49ers don’t necessarily have to extend Aiyuk to retain him beyond the 2024 season, it’s uncertain if even that franchise-tag value would be untenable. The team is currently projected to be more than $38MM over the cap next season, and the front office has already committed big money at the position to Deebo Samuel.

Aiyuk is currently following Samuel’s strategy from 2023, as the receiver is skipping OTAs as he pursues a new deal. There were whispers that the 49ers were shopping both of their receivers ahead of the draft, and until Aiyuk signs a new deal, he’ll continue to be mentioned among trade candidates. The 49ers may have been preparing for a potential Aiyuk divorce during the draft. The team used a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall, adding the Florida product to what was already one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. The 49ers are also rostering Jauan Jennings and fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing,

Trade Candidate: Treylon Burks

May 25th, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Almost a year ago to this day, the Titans claimed they were “satisfied” with their group of wide receivers heading into the 2023 season. Two months later, the team decided to augment the group with the acquisition of veteran free agent DeAndre Hopkins. Still, the team finished 29th in the NFL in passing yards last year, leading to lots of investment in a new wide receiving corps.

Hopkins did his job. In 17 games, he led the team in all receiving categories with 75 catches for 1,057 yards, and seven touchdowns. He didn’t have much help, though, as his 137 targets were more than three times higher than the next most-targeted wideout, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (45), though tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (77) and running back Tyjae Spears (70) received their fair share of targets.

The rest of the wide receiving corps provided nothing more than auxiliary numbers. After Hopkins, the next leading receivers were 30-year-old Chris Moore (22 receptions/424 yards/zero touchdowns), the undrafted Westbrook-Ihkine (28/370/3), and finally, former first-round pick Treylon Burks (16/221/0).

Burks experienced a bit of sophomore slump in 2023, even after putting up middling stats (33/444/1) in his rookie season. In both seasons, Burks has missed six contests with injury. His rookie year, turf toe landed him on injured reserve. This past season, an LCL sprain caused him to miss even more time.

Burks opportunity to turn things around in 2024 will be difficult in Tennessee. Though Moore has departed in free agency, Hopkins and Westbrook-Ikhine return next season. Additionally, the Titans invested massive capital in signing free agents Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. Not only is this group a massive improvement over last year’s, but Hopkins also claims this is one of the best wide receiving corps he’s ever been a part of, per Michael David Smith of NBC Sports. That’s big praise for someone who shared the field with Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.

With Ridley, Hopkins, and Boyd manning the first-team offense and Westbrook-Ikhine showing more reliability in 2023 than Burks, the 24-year-old out of Arkansas will struggle to see much of the field this year. Even if he does get some snaps, he’s going to have to earn targets over those four, as well. It’s starting to seem that if Burks is going to turn things around, it will require a change of scenery.

Before last year’s trade deadline, the Titans made it clear that running back Derrick Henry and Hopkins were not available. They were more receptive to hearing offers on Burks but were not necessarily inclined to move a young, former Day 1 pick. One has to imagine that, with the additions of Ridley and Boyd, their stances may have changed.

Tennessee is likely not going to fetch a first-round value out of Burks like what Baltimore got out of Marquise Brown a couple years ago, but some teams may still see the potential value in acquiring the sixth receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. Even if they aren’t quite satisfied with the offers they receive for Burks, his value is likely only going to decline in 2024, barring a shocking breakout season.

As for teams with wide receiver needs following the draft and free agency, the Ravens, Bills, Chargers, Steelers, and Jets could all stand to take a swing. The Bills and Chargers probably house the biggest need. With Buffalo losing both Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis this offseason, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman lead their room. After losing star veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles is depending on Josh Palmer, last year’s first-round pick Quentin Johnston, and second-round rookie Ladd McConkey in 2024.

The Steelers (George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson) and Jets (Garrett Wilson, Williams, Malachi Corley) are each relying on a dynamic, young talent, an intriguing free agent, and a third-round rookie, while Baltimore could be looking to add another pass catcher to replace Odell Beckham Jr.‘s production from last year.

The Titans should have some options if they feel the need to move Burks or if Burks feels the need to request a change of scenery. Either way, it’s hard to see a situation in which Burks finds tremendous success as WR4 or WR5 on a Tennessee offense quarterbacked by Will Levis. If Burks wants to turn his career around and if the team wants to maximize his value, a move might be necessary this offseason or before the next trade deadline.

Kirk Cousins Addresses Achilles Rehab

May 25th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Atlanta will receive plenty of attention this summer as both Kirk Cousins and first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. take part in their first training camp with the team. The latter is slated for backup duties in 2024, but the former faces questions about his rehab from the Achilles tear which ended his Vikings tenure.

Cousins was enjoying a productive campaign until the injury, one which did not hinder his earning power in free agency. The 35-year-old secured $100MM guaranteed from the Falcons to serve as the team’s starter for at least the short-term future. Cousins was initially taken aback by the Penix selection (eighth overall), although he has since turned his attention back to his ongoing recovery.

Head coach Raheem Morris recently indicated the four-time Pro Bowler’s Achilles is not yet fully healed at this point. Cousins is nevertheless taking part in Atlanta’s offseason workouts as he continues to make progress. His latest comments on the matter represent a further sign he will be back to 100% in time for the start of the regular season.

“I’m good to go,” Cousins said during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show (video link). “I’ve told people for a while that if the Super Bowl were today, I’m playing. And that goes back probably – I think when I first got here, I was working out and we got maybe a week or two into my rehab and I did some drills where I said, ‘Hey, if the Super Bowl were today, I’m playing.’ And they seemed to agree.”

Cousins still has plenty of time to continue rehabbing, and the team will no doubt take a cautious approach during the summer if he suffers any setback. It seems unlikely that will be the case, though, so the most compelling storyline for the offseason (and likely beyond) will presumably be Penx’s development along the sidelines and how Cousins performs knowing his projected successor is in the organization.

Latest On Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas

May 25th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks found starters at both tackle spots during the 2022 draft. No. 9 pick Charles Cross is in place as the team’s blindside blocker of the present and future, while third-rounder Abraham Lucas has impressed when on the field at right tackle.

The latter was limited to only six games last season, however, after he suffered a knee injury in Week 1. That ailment required surgery, and then-head coach Pete Carroll referred to the issue as a “chronic” one. That has led to concerns about Lucas’ long-term health status, but ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports the injury is not viewed by the Seahawks as being as much of an issue as initially feared.

Despite that encouraging update, Henderson adds Lucas’ recovery has taken longer than hoped at this point. The 25-year-old started 16 games as a rookie, drawing impressive PFF grades in both pass protection and run blocking. His evaluation was worse last season, one in which he received an overall grade of just 51.3. As a whole, the Seahawks struggled up front in 2023, something which played a role in quarterback Geno Smith‘s regression relative to the year prior. A healthy Lucas would no doubt help the unit considerably this year.

“It’s hard to tell,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said when speaking about Lucas’ recovery process (via Henderson). “It’s hard to tell. We’re shooting for camp right now. Abe’s getting after it in rehab, so I’m proud of his effort that he’s putting in.”

The Washington State alum’s status will be worth watching through the summer with a training camp return being targeted. In the meantime, practices will have George Fant in place as a first-teamer at the right tackle spot. The veteran was brought back this offseason to serve as Seattle’s swing tackle, and he has 73 starts to his name. Fant last played for the Seahawks in 2019, and the team intends for him to not be counted on as a frequent contributor at either tackle position in 2024. Whether or not that winds up being the case will depend on Lucas’ recovery, a process which is ongoing and does not have much clarity at this point.

Sean McDermott: Bills DC Bobby Babich To Receive Look As Play Caller

May 25th, 2024 at 8:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Leslie Frazier served as the Bills’ defensive coordinator from 2017-22, but he was away from the team last season and he has not returned for the coming campaign. Buffalo has a replacement in place (Bobby Babich), but it remains to be seen if he will call plays.

Babich – promoted from the role of linebackers coach in January – has been with the team since 2017, and he drew coordinator interest from outside teams during the 2024 hiring cycle. This Buffalo gig represents his first DC posting in the NFL, however, and Babich has not called a defense at either the college or pro levels to this point in his career.

Head coach Sean McDermott called plays last year, and he said earlier this month that a final decision will not be made on that front until at least training camp. Whichever direction the team goes, the coach guiding the unit will face considerable expectations. To little surprise, though, Babich will receive the chance to handle play-calling duties this summer before McDermott elects to either hand over the reins or repeat his workload from 2023.

“There’s going to be intentionality on my part to make sure, whether it’s practice or preseason games, that Bobby’s given that opportunity,” McDermott said, via The Athletic’s Tim Graham (subscription required). “So it’s just a matter of when and for how long.”

It would come as little surprise if Babich were to operate as play caller during Buffalo’s exhibition games in addition to training camp practices. McDermott has plenty of experience in that regard dating back to his own DC tenures, and he guided the Bills to a fourth-place finish in scoring defense last year. The team has generally fared well on that side of the ball during the McDermott era (although their postseason performances have not matched regular season showings), and his familiarity with the role could help as a transition to plenty of new faces is made in 2024.

The likes of Tre’Davious White, Leonard Floyd, Tyrel Dodson, Jordan Poyer and (at least for now) Micah Hyde are no longer in the picture for Buffalo’s defense. One of the team’s top storylines will be their ability to fill the vacancies created by those absences, and the decision on play caller will of course be a key topic to follow during the summer. Babich will receive at least a brief look before McDermott makes a final decision.

Lions Looking Into Options At Kicker

May 25th, 2024 at 6:02pm CST by Ely Allen

Since the departure of Matt Prater following the 2020 NFL season, the Lions have struggled to find constancy at the placekicking position. Twice, Michael Badgley has come to their rescue with admirable results, and though he’s set to return in 2024, that hasn’t stopped Detroit from examining all its options.

Badgley first helped out the Lions in 2022, signing with the team’s practice squad in early-October and getting promoted to the active roster three weeks later. After the team opted to move on from Austin Seibert, Badgley took over the job and didn’t relinquish it. For the rest of the year, Badgley made 20 of his 24 field goal attempts and went a perfect 33-for-33 on extra point attempts. The team re-signed Badgley for the 2023 season but cut him in July.

Instead, the team opted for Riley Patterson last season. In 13 games, Patterson only missed two of 17 field goal attempts, but when the Memphis-product missed two extra point attempts within a three-game stretch, the Lions waived him in favor of Badgley, who had remained on their practice squad all year.

Once again, Badgely gave the Lions what they were looking for. Though, he too missed two extra point attempts in his four regular season games, Badgley was a perfect four-for-four on field goals. During the team’s run to the NFC Championship Game, Badgley was a perfect three-for-three on field goals and 11-for-11 on extra points. Despite this consistency, Badgley was rarely tested in big moments. Throughout the playoffs, head coach Dan Campbell repeatedly opted to go for it in long field goal scenarios.

The only other option currently on the roster is James Turner, an undrafted rookie from Michigan. A grad transfer for the Wolverines after four years at Louisville, Turner showed inconsistent production at the collegiate level. Turner missed eight field goals and two extra points in his sophomore season with the Cardinals. He never made more than 20 field goals in a season and only had a career-long of 50 yards, so he may not be the answer to Campbell’s hesitation from long distance.

The veteran free agent market is relatively bare. With many kickers already signed or re-signed, only Randy Bullock serves as an experienced option. The 34-year-old only appeared in six games for the Giants last year, though.

Another intriguing option in free agency, though, is Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates in the UFL. Bates signed with the Texans last year after going undrafted but was waived just prior to the preseason. This wasn’t extremely surprising as Bates didn’t kick any field goals in college. During time at Texas State and Arkansas, Bates was utilized singularly on kickoffs, utilizing leg strength gained in two seasons of college soccer at Central Arkansas. Finding his place in the UFL, though, Bates has taken the football world by storm.

Coming into a game today, Bates’ stats consisted of 15 made field goals out of 18 attempts. While the accuracy is admirable, what’s really impressive is his leg strength. His only three misses have come from over 50 yards, yet he is still six-for-nine from long distance. Of those six makes from 50+, three of those were from 60 yards or further. The young kicker doesn’t shy away from the spotlight either. Two of his makes have been game-winners, including a career-long 64-yarder to open the season. His 64-yard make is second to only Justin Tucker‘s 66-yarder in Detroit’s stadium.

That being said, Bates is still under contract with the Panthers and cannot communicate with NFL teams at the moment nor can his agent. Currently, the Panthers themselves are the only ones who can communicate with any interested parties, given their ownership of his contract.

Still, Bates to Detroit makes a lot of sense. The team has an expressed desire to bring in some competition at kicker and reached out to the Panthers already, and Bates has seen all of this kicking success come in the city of Detroit at Ford Field. Bates could be the long-distance answer that convinces Campbell not to go for it next year.

The Lions may have to wait for the close of the UFL season to acquire Bates but consider them a top candidate to land his services in 2024. If that plays out, Badgely could once again be relegated to a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency role, if he doesn’t find a new home altogether.

Latest On Steelers’ Offensive Line

May 25th, 2024 at 2:44pm CST by Ely Allen

The Steelers offensive line in 2023 was pretty decent, allowing the ninth-least sacks in the NFL and ranking as the 13th-best rushing offense. Still, Pittsburgh opted to make a number of moves towards an upgrade on their offensive front for the 2024 season. In fact, the Steelers utilized their first two draft picks (and three of seven) this year on linemen, and all three could be in line to start as rookies.

The only position that lost a starter on the line this year was center. The team watched their starter of the last two seasons, Mason Cole, depart in free agency. Cole graded out as the league’s 29th-best center out of 36 graded players at the position last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). They have a couple options to replace Cole, including veteran Nate Herbig. Herbig hasn’t played center much at the college or NFL level, but he has versatile experience all over the line and could be utilized there in a pinch. The favorite to start, though, is the second-round rookie out of West Virginia, Zach Frazier.

At guard things are a bit more interesting. Like Frazier, fourth-round rookie guard out of South Dakota State Mason McCormick is currently slotted to start on the depth chart of the team’s website. McCormick is listed as the starting left guard, presumably because that’s the only position he played in college. The team’s returning left guard, Isaac Seumalo, graded out as the team’s best offensive lineman in 2023, though, per PFF. So, unless the team benches their top returning lineman, Seumalo or McCormick will need to move over to the right side to compete with James Daniels. Seumalo has experience starting at right guard in the past, so it makes the most sense to move him over.

At tackle, the Steelers utilized their first-round pick to bring in Washington lineman Troy Fautanu. Many projected Fautanu’s skillset to fit best at guard or center at the NFL-level, though he spent most of his time at tackle during college in Seattle. Pittsburgh believes that he has the ability to stay at tackle and start in the NFL. Pundits predict that last year’s rookie first-round pick Broderick Jones will remain at right tackle, where he played in 2023, putting Fautanu at left tackle to replace Dan Moore Jr. as the starter. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, though, Fautanu has spent the first three days of organized team activities at right tackle behind Jones.

Kaboly doesn’t think Fautanu will stay as the backup at right tackle, though. More likely, with OTAs serving as the ideal time to mold and learn. This experience is the perfect opportunity for Fautanu to learn both positions in the event that he may have to move over to the right side and fill in for an injured Jones. It’s not uncommon for offensive lineman to need time to develop, but the Steelers likely didn’t use their first two draft picks on players they didn’t intend to start.

Things are still extremely early. The rookies are still finding their footing, and a number of camp battles are sure to ensue. The team even has plenty of time to sign a veteran free agent if they deem it necessary. Still, Pittsburgh has the potential to serve as a rare occasion in which we see three rookies starting across the offensive line.

We last saw that in 2020 when the Dolphins started Austin Jackson, Robert Hunt, and Solomon Kindley (their first-, second-, and fourth-round picks, respectively) as rookies. That Miami team improved their record from 5-11 the previous year to 10-6 despite the youth across the line. The Steelers may be hoping for a similar level of improvement.

AJ Dillon Discusses Decision To Re-Sign With Packers

May 25th, 2024 at 12:51pm CST by Ben Levine

While the Packers underwent some major changes atop their RB depth chart, AJ Dillon will be sticking around Green Bay after re-signing with the organization this offseason. While the running back acknowledged that he probably could have earned more money on a new squad, he believes the extra cash wasn’t enough to uproot his family.

“Obviously money-wise, there was maybe a little more here or a little more there, a little less there,” Dillon said (via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “It wasn’t really that big of a deal. It was more so where I felt like I could just be the best, and be the best for the team.

“And also, in all honesty, picking up my family and going ahead and moving. I’ve got a 1-year-old son, and obviously I love Green Bay. Take that away from the Packers – no disrespect to the Packers – but Green Bay will be my home after, regardless if I go somewhere else, or I did go somewhere else.”

The running back ended up re-signing with the Packers via the rarely used four-year qualifying offer, a decision that locked him into a $1.2MM cap hit in 2024. That drop-in-the-pan commitment all but assures that he’ll end up making the roster, even as the front office completely revamped the rest of the running backs room.

The organization ended up joining the RB carousel, replacing Aaron Jones with Josh Jacobs. The Packers also added rookie MarShawn Lloyd in the third round, perhaps leading to Dillon’s most uncertain role in years heading into 2024. The former second-round pick had his best season in 2021, finishing with 1,116 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. His yardage dropped to 967 in 2022, and despite starting a career-high six games in 2023, he collected 836 yards on a career-low 4.2 yards per touch.

OL Billy Price Announces Retirement

May 25th, 2024 at 11:24am CST by Ben Levine

Billy Price is retiring from the NFL due to health complications. The offensive lineman revealed on Instagram that he recently underwent emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove blood clots in his lungs. Price decided to retire because the “risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.”

“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away,” Price said in his statement. “On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today. Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.

“I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have played in some of the greatest atmospheres around the world. I am thankful to have trained and played alongside men who will continue to make Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions.”

The Ohio State product was a first-round pick by the Bengals in 2018. After earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors following his first NFL campaign, he saw a reduced role in Cincinnati over the next two seasons. This culminated in a 2020 season where the lineman only started one of his 16 appearances, leading to him getting traded to the Giants.

He’s since bounced around the league, also spending time with the Raiders, Cardinals, Saints, and Cowboys. He started all 11 of his games for Arizona before splitting the 2023 campaign between the New Orleans and Dallas practice squads.

OL David Bakhtiari Receives Positive Health Update

May 25th, 2024 at 9:50am CST by Ben Levine

As free agent David Bakhtiari continues to seek his next job, the offensive lineman received some positive news this week regarding his health. After undergoing knee surgery last October, Bakhtiari had a positive follow-up exam with expert Dr. Brian Cole, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Cole, the chairman of Orthopedics at Rush University Medical Center and chairman of surgery at Oak Park Hospital, “proclaimed” that the offensive lineman is on schedule for a “2024 season return.”

Once one of the NFL’s premier offensive tackles, Bakhtiari’s last three-plus seasons have mostly been defined by his absences. His 2020 season ended early thanks to a torn ACL, and the lineman only returned for one game in 2021. Back to full health for the 2022 campaign, Bakhtiari was still limited to only 12 games that season. Then, this past year, the veteran got into one game before undergoing season-ending knee surgery.

The long-time Packers lineman was cut by the organization back in March. At the time, Bakhtiari made it clear that he still wanted to play in the NFL next season, but it’s been relatively quiet for the veteran through the first chunk of the offseason. This latest update may convince teams to have the 32-year-old in for a workout.

Considering the player’s track record, Bakhtiari would represent a low-risk move for a lineman-needy squad. While the five-time All-Pro lineman hasn’t performed like one of the league’s top offensive tackles since the 2020 season, Pro Football Focus was still fond of his production when he was on the field over the past three years.

Considering his connection to Aaron Rodgers, the Jets will continue to be mentioned as a suitor for the free agent. The team has already invested heavily in the position this offseason, adding veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses before selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round of the draft. Of course, the Jets front office is well aware of the need for OL depth, so the team probably wouldn’t reject Bakhtiari if he comes cheap.

Considering his recent injuries, Bakhtiari may have to also wait for some other free agent OTs to find home. The current grouping of unsigned veterans at the position also includes D.J. Humphries and Charles Leno.

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