HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Packers Waive K Jack Podlesny

June 19th, 2024 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

A regular talking point out of Green Bay this offseason, the team’s kicker situation became a bit clearer Wednesday. The Packers have thinned their kicking group from three to two.

Green Bay waived Jack Podlesny, per a team announcement. The former Georgia specialist had signed a reserve/futures deal with the team in January and vied with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph during the offseason program.

A Vikings UDFA in 2023, Podlesny spent last year’s offseason in the Twin Cities but did not stick with the team leading up to roster-cutdown day. The Vikings moved on in mid-August, and Podlesny spent the rest of the season out of football. After Carlson struggled down the stretch last season, the Packers brought in some competition. But Joseph now represents the second-year kicker’s sole threat.

This news comes after a report that suggested the Packers could consider a three-way competition going into camp. Teams do not regularly bring three kickers to camp, however, as 90-man roster spots go to other areas. Joseph was the player who beat out Podlesny for the Vikings’ job last year, and he completed a third season as Minnesota’s kicker. After Joseph signed with the Packers in late March, the Vikings moved on via sixth-round pick Will Reichard.

Podlesny served as Georgia’s kicker during both the team’s recent national championship seasons. He made at least 81% of his field goals in each of this three seasons as the Bulldogs’ kicker, topping out with a 26-for-31 season in 2022. While the Packers may certainly look outside the organization if their kicker battle underwhelms, it is now slated to be a Carlson-Joseph matchup.

Latest On Raiders’ Offensive Line

June 19th, 2024 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

After making minimal changes during the Josh McDaniels-Dave Ziegler period, the Raiders made a few moves aimed to bolster their offensive line this offseason. Though, they passed on a clear-cut upgrade effort.

The Raiders did not capitalize on this draft’s deep tackle crop, leaving Taliese Fuaga, Amarius Mims, Troy Fautanu and Co. on the board at No. 13 in order to take Brock Bowers in a best-player-available pick. With two-year right tackle starter Jermaine Eluemunor committing to New York during the legal tampering period, Las Vegas is readying to plug former seventh-rounder Thayer Munford in as a starter.

This has been a rumored scenario for a bit, but coming out of minicamp, ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez points to the Ohio State product being the clear favorite to take over opposite Kolton Miller. Munford was viewed as a player who could push Eluemunor for the gig during training camp last year, but the Raiders passed on elevating the younger player and kicking the veteran to a swing role. This worked out well for Eluemunor, who parlayed his second season as Las Vegas’ RT into a career-best payday (two years, $14MM) from the Giants.

Munford also saw time at left tackle last season, filling in for an injured Miller, who missed four games. Pro Football Focus viewed Munford’s work positively, particularly in the run game, in part-time duty. Ohio State has churned out a number of quality O-line prospects in recent years, and while Munford lasted until pick No. 238 in 2022, he started 45 games for the Buckeyes. He earned first-team All-Big Ten acclaim in 2020 and ’21, providing an interesting background ahead of this starter opportunity.

Raiders offensive line coach James Clegg confirmed (via The Athletic’s Vic Tafur) the team is moving Dylan Parham from left to right guard. This previously rumored move will pair Parham, a two-year LG starter, with Munford and clear a path for rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson on the left side. Though, Powers-Johnson missed most of Las Vegas’ offseason program with an undisclosed injury. Teams are not obligated to specify injuries during the offseason, but the second-round pick missed considerable time ahead of his first training camp.

One of the veteran blockers the Raiders added later in free agency, Cody Whitehair primarily filled in for Powers-Johnson, Gutierrez adds. Miller, who underwent shoulder surgery earlier this offseason, gave way to the other notable UFA O-line addition — Andrus Peat — during minicamp, per Tafur. While Whitehair and Peat look to be insurance options, they each have started more than 100 games. The Raiders received some quality stopgap work from mid-offseason pickup Greg Van Roten — at right guard — last season but did not re-sign him. Powers-Johnson’s training camp status will be worth monitoring, and his offseason absences stand to help Whitehair, who signed a one-year deal worth $2.5MM ($1.4MM guaranteed).

Peat’s extensive past, which includes Pro Bowl nods, at left guard would help his cause. But the Raiders using him as Miller’s fill-in opens the door for Whitehair. Peat also spent much of last season at LT, replacing an ineffective Trevor Penning.

The Raiders plan to manage Miller to keep him healthy this season, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore. This could lead to Peat, whose $2MM contract only includes $450K guaranteed, being prioritized as veteran insurance. Two years remain on Miller’s three-year, $54MM extension, though no guaranteed money is left on the veteran LT’s deal.

Peat in a swing role would make sense, given his past at guard and tackle. Whitehair has played extensively at guard and center. The Raiders also drafted Delmar Glaze in the third round, crowding a depth chart that was thinner in 2023. Glaze has backed up Munford this offseason, per Gutierrez. For now, though, left guard may be the only job up for grabs going into training camp.

AFC West Notes: Franklin-Myers, Broncos, Brady, Raiders, OL, Chiefs, Cook, Chargers

June 19th, 2024 at 1:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Jets work on a solution to bring trade acquisition Haason Reddick into the fold, the Broncos have longtime Gang Green D-line starter John Franklin-Myers penciled into a starting post. Franklin-Myers is expected to start alongside Zach Allen and D.J. Jones in Vance Joseph‘s 3-4 scheme. The Broncos acquired the 27-year-old D-lineman for only a 2026 sixth-round pick, with the deal amounting to a salary dump on the Jets’ part. Denver reworked Franklin-Myers’ deal, with terms (two years, $15MM) north of where a Jets pay-cut offer came in, and improved one of their DE spots from last season. The former Rams draftee said (via ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold) he spoke with Joseph and Broncos senior defensive assistant Joe Vitt about how he would fit in Denver’s scheme, helping move the trade across the goal line.

While significant questions remain about the Broncos’ viability as a contender, the team has experienced cogs at just about every spot across both lines. Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • The Chiefs boast experience at four positions on their offensive front, but the reigning champions’ left tackle post is unsettled as of now. Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia looks to hold an early lead on 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris for the job, per The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. Suamataia took the majority of the first-team reps during minicamp. Training camp will, of course, provide a clearer indication of this position battle (subscription required). Should Suamataia end up losing the competition, it would stand to reason he would have a shot to eventually claim it as he develops. But the BYU product is off to a nice start, albeit in unpadded work.
  • Down Bryan Cook for their final nine games due to an ankle injury, the Chiefs saw the third-year safety participate fully in minicamp, Taylor adds. This certainly brings good news, given that Cook was carted off Lambeau Field in early December. The Chiefs, who lost fill-in Mike Edwards to the Bills this offseason, are once again planning to turn to Cook and Justin Reid as their starting safeties.
  • Trey Pipkins‘ move to guard is looking likely to produce a starting opportunity. Pipkins joined Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Bradley Bozeman and Joe Alt in taking every first-team rep during the team’s final OTA and the minicamp open to media, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper writes. Jim Harbaugh said this group is on track to be a “top-tier” O-line. A career-long tackle, Pipkins’ guard move has been in the works for a bit now. Two seasons remain on his three-year, $21.75MM deal.
  • Jim Leonhard interviewed for the Eagles’ defensive coordinator job last year and appeared the frontrunner for the Packers’ DC gig in 2021. After leaving his Wisconsin DC post following the 2022 season, Leonhard spent last year as an analyst at Illinois. Sean Payton hired Leonhard to coach the Broncos‘ DBs this year and said (via DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens) he attempted to hire the former safety in 2023. Leonhard undergoing a hip replacement delayed this partnership, but he has since replaced Christian Parker, who joined the Eagles this offseason.
  • Nearly 13 months have passed since Tom Brady agreed to buy a Raiders stake. The owners continue to table the matter, with multiple issues — from the stake price (since resolved) to the conflict of interest with Brady’s FOX job — coming up. Owners did not discuss this at last month’s meetings, but the Washington Post’s Mark Maske notes Brady still is more likely than not to end up a Raiders minority owner. Roger Goodell said Brady’s access to team facilities and practices would need to be addressed if he is approved. Barring a special session, the owners’ next chance to vote in Brady as a Raiders part-owner comes in October.

Latest On Rams, Matthew Stafford

June 19th, 2024 at 12:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Extended weeks after he led the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI victory, Matthew Stafford took a slight discount on his fourth NFL contract. The Rams gave him a four-year, $160MM deal in March 2022. A year later, trade rumors came up after Stafford’s injury-plagued 2022.

Stafford responded with a strong season, drawing his first non-alternate Pro Bowl invite, and led a younger Rams team to a playoff berth. The 16th-year veteran has been connected to wanting guarantees added to his contract, as none are in place beyond 2024. Sean McVay said the Rams have engaged in discussions with their quarterback.

As Stafford angles for more post-2024 security, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes he is not planning to force the issue by missing training camp time. The 36-year-old passer ended last season healthy, after needing to be managed — due to a nagging elbow injury — during the team’s 2022 training camp. Although Stafford certainly has McVay’s offense down by this point, his missing camp time would hinder the development of other players.

In terms of AAV, Stafford’s $40MM has dropped to a tie for 12th in the NFL. Thus far, the $50MM-per-year club — one that now includes Jared Goff — that formed last year does not appear to be an issue for Stafford. Following the Rams’ narrow wild-card loss to the Lions, McVay said Stafford would “100%” be the team’s 2024 starter. But adding some guarantees for 2025 would make it more difficult for the Rams to move on from their signal-caller.

Stafford’s push here also provides a good indication he plans to play a 17th season next year. The topic of retirement has come up at points for the former No. 1 overall pick, though he has brushed off the notion at multiple points. The fourth-year Ram is signed through 2026.

Stafford missing any time in camp would lead to increased reps for Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett. The latter has understandably lost momentum after spending his rookie season on the reserve/NFI list. Bennett declined to elaborate why his rookie year featured the September placement on the NFI list, but the two-time national championship-winning passer did confirm he spent last season at home. The Georgia alum did confirm (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) mental health played a role in his unexpected absence. Bennett, 26, returned for Los Angeles’ offseason program.

Elsewhere on the Rams’ offense, Hunter Long returned to work late in the team’s offseason program, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue notes. The fourth-year tight end, acquired in the Jalen Ramsey trade, missed the stretch run due to a December MCL tear that required surgery. Long’s health is a bit more important for the team this year, as Tyler Higbee sustained an ACL tear in the playoff game and stands to be a candidate to start the season on the reserve/PUP list. The Rams also added ex-Seahawks contributor Colby Parkinson, giving them some more experience at tight end.

Giants Factored Into Panthers’ Trade-Up Move For RB Jonathon Brooks

June 19th, 2024 at 10:15am CST by Sam Robinson

Three years ago, Giants connections to DeVonta Smith prompted the Eagles to trade up (via the Cowboys) to outflank their rivals for the Heisman-winning wide receiver. A middle-class version of that situation looks to have played out during this year’s draft.

Not making a strong effort to retain Saquon Barkley in free agency, the Giants pivoted to ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge Devin Singletary at a lower rate. They did add another running back in the draft, addressing the position (Tyrone Tracy Jr.) in the fifth round for the second straight year. The Panthers made a move to ensure the Giants’ investment at the position did not come sooner.

Citing the Giants bringing in Jonathon Brooks for a “30” visit, Panthers GM Dan Morgan advocated to David Tepper the team should trade up to move ahead of the NFC East club for the Texas RB at No. 46. Morgan said he knew of other teams viewing Brooks as this draft’s top running back. Considering Brooks was chosen 20 picks before the second RB went off the board, it seems like a safe assumption other clubs shared Carolina’s view of the ex-Longhorns ball-carrier.

The Panthers traded down from No. 39, allowing the Rams to move up for Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske — a deal that gave Carolina a 2025 second-rounder. They sent the Colts two fifths to climb from 52 to 46, with the Giants sitting at 47. New York eventually took Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, marking the second straight year the Giants went with a Golden Gophers prospect (following center John Michael Schmitz) in Round 2.

“We knew that if we traded [No. 39] there would be a player that we would miss out on. We were comfortable with that because we really wanted Brooks, and to be able to get the two next year, we said, OK, once our guys start going, then we’re going have to move back up,” Morgan said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “It’s not like we did anything that was so smart or great or whatever; we were just willing to take a larger risk to get that outcome of the trade. It’s like, let’s not get cute here. Let’s just get our guy.”

Morgan and Giants GM Joe Schoen worked together for a stretch in Buffalo, helping give the new Panthers front office boss some insight on how his former coworker could be handling Round 2 in this year’s draft. Morgan also called Schoen about moving up, Gantt adds, while new Panthers exec Brandt Tilis contacted ex-Chiefs coworker Chris Ballard — a conversation that led to the Day 2 swap with the Colts.

Brooks fell to No. 46 in part because of a November ACL tear. He had still amassed 1,139 rushing yards (6.1 per tote) and 10 touchdowns in 11 games last year. With Chuba Hubbard going into a contract year, the Panthers made the move to add a successor early. While Brooks is not yet cleared for full work, he is expected to be back for training camp. He looks set to be eased into action, however, with The Athletic’s Joe Person indicating Hubbard is the “clear leader” on the depth chart going into camp (subscription required).

Hubbard usurped free agent signing Miles Sanders, who received last year’s top UFA RB contract (four years, $25.4MM), during Carolina’s dismal season. The former fourth-round pick totaled 902 rushing yards behind an injury-plagued O-line, averaging only 3.8 per carry, and scored five touchdowns. Sanders also suffered a heel injury while working out on his own, and the malady worsened during OTAs, Person adds.

Considering the Panthers also added Rashaad Penny — who overlapped with Dave Canales in Seattle — and it would not be shocking to see them move on from Sanders despite the dead money hit that would come. Though, it would cost Carolina more than $7MM to drop Sanders; the team would also carry 2025 dead money from that transaction.

As for the Giants, they have been linked to adding another veteran RB to the mix. Singletary is in place as the projected starter, with Tracy and Eric Gray behind him. The team has not re-signed multiyear backup Matt Breida. New York did add UFL rushing leader Jacob Saylors on Tuesday, but its backfield obviously does not appear as imposing as it did when Barkley resided atop the depth chart.

With costs rising on Big Blue’s payroll, the team opted not to re-sign the two-time Pro Bowler. It is not known if the Giants truly would have taken Brooks as a Barkley successor in Round 2, but the Panthers took that option off the table to be safe.

Latest On Packers’ Jordan Love

June 18th, 2024 at 9:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the Trevor Lawrence deal in place, the likes of Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love have another benchmark to use in their own negotiations. The latter could be in line to benefit from Jacksonville’s investment despite his limited resume.

The Jaguars inked Lawrence to a five-year, $275MM extension; that term and overall value matches Joe Burrow‘s market-topping deal signed last offseason. Lawrence has had an up-and-down tenure through three years in the league, and the fact he was nevertheless able to land a massive commitment bodes well for ascending signal-callers like Love. After one year as the Packers’ starter, he is in line for a long-term deal of his own.

Both team and player in Love’s case are hoping to work out an agreement before training camp opens next month. One year remains on the band-aid deal the 2020 first-rounder signed last offseason to replace his fifth-year option. He is due $11MM in 2024, but a new accord will be far more lucrative. During an appearance on ESPN Milwaukee Radio, Adam Schefter said he does not anticipate Love will take a deal worth less than Lawrence’s.

Six quarterbacks currently average more than $50MM on their contracts, and indications from last month pointed to Love joining that group despite his inexperience and underwhelming production to start the 2023 season. Improvement in the second half of the campaign helped the 25-year-old lead Green Bay to the divisional round of the postseason and demonstrate an ability to succeed with the team’s young (and cost-controlled) group of pass-catchers. One of the NFL’s most lucrative contracts could soon be coming his way as a result.

Lawrence’s Jags extension includes $200MM in total guarantees and $142MM locked in at signing. The commitments (in terms of up front compensation) go deep into the pact, and it could represent a blueprint for similar agreements this summer. Green Bay has made it clear Love is positioned to serve as the team’s next franchise passer like Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers before him, but the surging QB market could complicate negotiations if the Packers are not willing to surpass the $55MM AAV mark.

Of course, extensions for the likes of Prescott and Tagovailoa could provide further clarity on where the market is headed. In any event, Love’s bargaining power has been strengthened by the Lawrence deal, and it will be interesting to see if he tries to reach the top of the quarterback pecking order as talks with the Packers continue.

Browns, Amari Cooper Aiming For Resolution Before Training Camp

June 18th, 2024 at 9:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

The CeeDee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk situations stand out among this offseason’s remaining receiver matters, but a host of others linger during this post-minicamp period. Following the Jerry Jeudy extension, the Browns have an issue to navigate with their top pass catcher.

Amari Cooper skipped minicamp, drawing the low-six-figure fine for the unexcused absence, but Kevin Stefanski confirmed the team has engaged in talks with the perennial 1,000-yard receiver. Cooper’s Cowboys-constructed contract includes one more nonguaranteed season, and the WR market booms of 2022 and 2024 have dropped the former top-five pick down the earnings list at his position. Considering Cooper’s importance to a Browns team essentially forced to make its Deshaun Watson-centered setup work, it is logical the club is exploring an agreement with the twice-traded target.

The Browns are hoping to have a resolution in place by the time they report to training camp, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot notes. Cooper, 30, is on board with this route. The Browns restructured Cooper’s contract upon acquiring it from the Cowboys in 2022, but he has gone through the past two offseasons without any guarantees on the deal. Cooper tied himself to a long-term contact at what turned out to be a bad time.

This is relative, of course, as productive NFL players are obviously paid quite well. Cooper also secured $40MM guaranteed up front from the Cowboys, but the NFC East club’s preference for five- or six-year extensions effectively kept the veteran target out of the mix for a new deal while the WR market took off. Cooper’s $20MM AAV ranked second at the position — behind only Julio Jones‘ third Falcons contract — when he signed his contract in March 2020; it has since dropped to a tie for 20th, as Justin Jefferson has taken the position’s per-year ceiling to $35MM. Receivers have since opted for shorter-term extensions to have extra chances at paydays.

Although Cooper approached the WR ceiling with his 2020 free agency agreement, he is not a candidate to land a Jefferson-level deal. This will be the former Alabama weapon’s 10th season, and last year marked his first 1,200-yard campaign. Though, Cooper now has seven 1,000-yard seasons. Still, the 6-foot-1 wideout played a central role in a Cleveland team down Watson, Nick Chubb and its top three tackles venturing to the playoffs. It makes sense, then, for the Browns to be interested in another agreement.

“Sometimes all teams will have periods where they go through this type of situation, but it does not change our affinity for Amari,” GM Andrew Berry said during an NFL Network appearance. “We’ll navigate the business considerations, the business aspects, as it goes, but he is a big part of our team, and just as important, he’s a big part of our culture.”

With Cooper going into the final year of his deal, an extension would be the most likely way to resolve this matter. A rumor about a potential Browns-Cooper extension surfaced in April. The team having given Jeudy $41MM fully guaranteed (sixth among WRs) despite the younger Alabama alum being 0-for-4 in 1,000-yard seasons stands to strengthen Cooper’s case to have a new contract by camp.

An extension would stand to reduce Cooper’s cap hit from its $23.8MM place while helping on the void years front as well; the team’s restructure would create $7.6MM in dead money were the accomplished receiver to leave as a free agent in 2025. It does not sound like the Browns are interesting in that happening.

The high-end route runner has produced for three teams and is coming off a year in which he played a starring role in Joe Flacco‘s stunning Comeback Player of the Year season. In addition to Lamb and Aiyuk, Cooper joins Tyreek Hill, Courtland Sutton and, technically, Tee Higgins — though, it does not sound like any 2024 resolution will come out of Cincinnati — as other wideouts angling for better terms. Separating this situation from the other Ohio WR matter, it appears likely the team’s top target will be in a more favorable situation by the time he dons a game uniform again.

Steelers OC Arthur Smith: Russell Wilson To Enter Training Camp In “Pole Position”

June 18th, 2024 at 9:33pm CST by Adam La Rose

Before acquiring Justin Fields via trade, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear the team intended to use Russell Wilson as their starting quarterback in 2024. Both passers are pending free agents, and training camp looms as an opportunity for Fields to reverse the pecking order.

Tomlin later opened the door to Fields unseating Wilson for the starter’s gig this offseason, but such a development would still be considered an upset at this point. The latter has the opportunity to earn a multi-year stay in Pittsburgh or a deal sending him to another new team during free agency in 2025 with his play as a Steeler. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is in line with the organizational notion that the QB1 spot is Wilson’s to lose.

“Russ is in the pole position,” Smith said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “It’s a competition. Obviously, we get to Latrobe, I’m sure things will heat up, but both those guys knew that, however they were acquired, and they got here and I think it’s been pretty transparent.”

Indeed, Tomlin has routinely used the same phrasing this offseason when describing Pittsburgh’s situation under center. Wilson has impressed during spring workouts, giving him the edge so far over Fields. That has pointed further to the former Super Bowl winner opening the season at the helm, although the 25-year-old does not intend to spend the full campaign on the sidelines.

Opinion amongst PFR’s readers also pegs Wilson as the favorite to operate as Pittsburgh’s starter for at least a majority of the 2024 campaign. In that event, his free agent market (and that of Fields) would be interesting given the Steelers’ reset at the position undertaken this offseason. Moving on from Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph paved the way for the team’s new faces acclimating to Smith’s scheme. More clarity will emerge during training camp and the preseason, but the competition between Wilson and Fields will be one to watch as the summer unfolds.

Chiefs DT Isaiah Buggs Facing Multiple Criminal Charges

June 18th, 2024 at 8:45pm CST by Rory Parks

JUNE 18: We’ve got more troubling details on Buggs’ recent domestic violence charge. Per Lukas Weese of The Athletic, Buggs was arrested on June 16 after “unlawfully” entering the apartment of his child’s mother with the “intent to commit a crime.”

Per the Tuscaloosa district court documents cited by Weese, Buggs broke into the apartment with a tire iron before dragging the woman down the stairs, causing the woman to suffer “scratch marks” on her wrists. After leaving the apartment, Buggs was spotted by police, who were responding to the 911 call, in a nearby parking lot. Buggs was arrested and booked early that morning.

JUNE 16: Buggs has been arrested again and has been charged with domestic violence and burglary, as Phillips reports. Court records show that he was given a $5,000 bond (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). Given the team’s minimal investment in him, it is fair to wonder how long Kansas City will keep Buggs on the roster.

JUNE 2: Chiefs defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs turned himself in to Tuscaloosa (Al.) police on Thursday after two arrest warrants for misdemeanor animal cruelty were issued for him, as detailed by Ryan Phillips of Patch.com. A subsequent ESPN report noted that Buggs was released on $600 bond and will be required to appear in court on June 13.

Court documents allege that two dogs, a pitbull and Rottweiler mix, were found by animal control at a home rented by Buggs. The animals were described as “malnourished, emaciated and neglected” and were allegedly left on a screened-in back porch surrounded by feces and without access to food or water. The pitbull was ultimately euthanized at a local animal shelter after becoming increasingly aggressive and failing heartworm treatment, and the Rottweiler mix — which tested positive for Parvo and weighed a dangerously-low 52 pounds when it arrived at the shelter — is still in the shelter’s care pending a court determination as to whether Buggs should be allowed to own it or any other animals.

According to witnesses, Buggs had recently vacated the residence where the animals were found, and Phillips writes that the player’s lease was subsequently terminated due to his rent arrearage. Phillips adds that Buggs faces other charges stemming from his allegedly pushing a police officer during an April arrest and allegedly pointing a gun at a woman outside of his business.

That business — Buggs owns the nearby Kings Hookah Lounge — is at the root of Buggs’ legal issues, according to his agent, Trey Robinson. In the wake of the animal cruelty warrants, Robinson argued that local police are engaged in a “subversive campaign” to force Buggs to close the hookah lounge, and that authorities offered to drop the earlier charges — which were not initially made public — in exchange for the voluntary surrender of Buggs’ business license (the full statement can be found here, courtesy of NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero).

Phillips, meanwhile, reports that Buggs does not have a business license at all, and that the lounge has been cited for operating without a license, overcrowding, and failure to pay city taxes. With respect to the dogs, Robinson said, “under no circumstance does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal. The dogs at issue did not belong to him, and he was unaware they remained at the property in question.”

Buggs, 27, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2019 draft and landed a one-year deal with the Lions prior to the 2022 season. He wound up appearing in all 17 of Detroit’s games that year, including a career-high 13 starts. While his efforts earned him a two-year contract worth up to $6MM last March, he did not make it through the first year of that pact. He was waived in January and subsequently caught on with the Chiefs’ taxi squad in advance of KC’s playoff run. He did not see any postseason work, though the Chiefs retained him via a reserve/futures deal in February.

Buggs declined to speak to a reporter after leaving the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Thursday, and a Chiefs spokesperson said the club was aware of the situation but also declined comment.

Giants Sign RB Jacob Saylors

June 18th, 2024 at 8:44pm CST by Ben Levine

With Saquon Barkley no longer leading the backfield, the Giants face an uncertain RB corps. The team has added another option to the mix, as the team announced that they’ve signed running back Jacob Saylors. In a corresponding move, the team placed wide receiver Chase Cota on injured reserve.

Saylors had 3,851 yards and 33 touchdowns during his time at East Tennessee State. That performance helped earn him preseason and practice-squad jobs with the Bengals and Falcons as an undrafted rookie. After getting cut by Atlanta’s practice squad late last season, Saylors ended up catching on with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. There, he rushed for 461 yards and five touchdowns.

Now, he’ll be looking to make his NFL debut with the Giants, although he faces an uphill battle to make the roster. Devin Singletary is expected to lead the depth chart, with Saylors joining a backup grouping that features the likes of Eric Gray, Jashaun Corbin, and rookies Dante Miller and Tyrone Tracy Jr..

Cota has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Oregon in 2023. The wideout has had stints with the Lions, Chiefs, Texans, and Giants. After not receiving a reserve/futures contract with the Texans at the end of the 2023 campaign, he ended up getting that opportunity from the Giants. Unfortunately, Cota suffered an injury that required him to land on IR, although depending on the severity, an injury settlement could allow him to catch on with another squad.

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