HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Josh Jacobs: No Talks With Raiders GM Occurred Before Packers Deal

June 6th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Differing reports came out of the Raiders’ effort (or lack thereof) to extend Josh Jacobs at the July 2023 franchise tag deadline. Multiple reports earlier this year indicated the Raiders made Jacobs an offer, the former rushing champion does not paint a picture of a notable effort on Las Vegas’ behalf to keep him.

The Packers gave Jacobs a four-year, $48MM deal, but the contract contains only $12.5MM (the running back’s signing bonus) guaranteed. Still, the Raiders’ offer was not believed to have approached where the Packers went for the five-year veteran. Jacobs also said he and new Raiders GM Tom Telesco did not speak before his Wisconsin departure.

“I never talked to the GM or none of that,” Jacobs said during an appearance on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast (via Yardbarker). “It just was what it was. At the end of the day, I told them, ‘Look, I’ve got every Raider record since I’ve been here, basically.’ And I’m like, ‘If y’all don’t have enough respect in me to sit me down and have a conversation, then we don’t have anything to talk about.’ It’s that simple, really.”

Jacobs, 26, is now tied to a fourth front office boss, in Green Bay’s Brian Gutekunst. The Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock regime drafted him in 2019, and the accomplished RB’s first round of contract negotiations came with Dave Ziegler in charge. The Raiders may or may not have come close to a Jacobs extension last July. A report indicated a $12MM offer — one that compared favorably to the Giants’ 2023 Saquon Barkley proposal — surfaced, while another indicated the team was not close on terms with its franchise-tagged RB. Regardless, the sides split shortly after Telesco’s hire.

The Raiders’ Telesco move, which came weeks before Jacobs’ contract officially expired, did not lead to a strong effort to retain Jacobs. This came a year after Telesco did not show interest in an Austin Ekeler extension, despite the versatile back’s interest in a new deal. Though, the Raiders are believed to have considered the former Telesco Chargers find in free agency this year. Ekeler ended up in Washington on a two-year, $8.43MM deal.

The Raiders did not have Jacobs’ services for the season’s final month; the five-year starter finished the season on the shelf due to two contusions. Nagging injuries cropped up at several points for Jacobs, though he dominated behind a middling Raiders O-line — en route to becoming the first Raider rushing champion since Marcus Allen‘s 1985 MVP season — in a 17-game 2022 showing. The Packers are likely to roster Jacobs for at least two years, with signing bonus prorations surpassing $9MM from 2025-27 and the RB due a $5.93MM bonus on Day 5 of the 2025 league year.

Las Vegas will save some money at running back, being set to use two-year Jacobs backup Zamir White as its starter. Alexander Mattison, who signed a one-year deal worth $2MM, is expected to back up White. Jacobs is replacing Aaron Jones in Green Bay, but the Pack both re-signed AJ Dillon and used a third-round pick on MarShawn Lloyd.

After three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Jacobs will attempt to prove himself alongside Jordan Love and Co. in the NFC. He leaves Las Vegas ranking third in career rushing yardage (5,545) and rushing TDs (46) as a Raider. His 1,653-yard 2022 season trails only Allen’s ’85 showing in team annals.

Randy Gregory Files Lawsuit Against NFL, Broncos

June 6th, 2024 at 9:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

A matter involving prescription medication has prompted former Broncos edge rusher Randy Gregory to sue the team and the NFL, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel reports.

The current Buccaneer’s lawsuit indicates he has been fined more than $500K over the past year and change for taking medications that include THC. Gregory’s suit alleges discrimination. The veteran edge defender claims he was denied a therapeutic use exemption for this medication and subsequently fined $533K by the league. The Broncos were not involved with levying the fines, per Gabriel.

Although the 2020 CBA brought relaxed policies regarding recreational drugs, THC remains a banned substance. Players are no longer suspended under the positive THC tests, but fines remain in play. Gregory’s suit said he sought permission to use a drug he was prescribed for a social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders, Dronabinol, during non-work hours but was denied. Gregory, who often ran afoul of the league’s stricter drug policy during the 2010s, has been open about his anxiety disorder.

Gregory, 31, initially sought permission from the Broncos and NFL to use Dronabinol in March 2023 but was denied, Gabriel adds. Another therapeutic use exemption request ended up denied, per the suit, in May 2023. It is not known how many fines Gregory incurred; players are to be fined a half-week’s salary for positive THC tests, with the penalty increasing to three weeks’ pay later in this process. Gregory was attached to a five-year, $70MM deal with the Broncos from 2022 until the team traded him to the 49ers in October 2023.

The suit alleges the NFL and Broncos’ unwillingness to provide the former second-round pick “reasonable accommodation” is discriminatory under Colorado low, and he is seeking damages. Gregory was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder in 2021, with Gabriel noting the post-traumatic stress diagnosis emerged in February 2023. Gregory signed with the Broncos in March 2022. The former Cowboys draftee initially filed discrimination charges against the Broncos and the NFL in July 2023.

The Nebraska product incurred four substance-abuse suspensions from 2016-19. He missed all of the 2017 and ’19 seasons due to bans, playing only two games in 2016 as well. Gregory resurfacing with a productive stretch from 2020-21 fetched him a $14MM-per-year contract, but he did not live up to the deal in Denver. Injuries sidelined him for most of 2022, which also included a chapter in which Gregory reneged on a Cowboys pact at the 11th hour due to contract language.

Denver traded Gregory to San Francisco in October, only securing a Day 3 pick-swap agreement despite paying most of the outside linebacker’s salary to facilitate a deal. Gregory signed a one-year, $3MM contract with Tampa Bay in April.

Chiefs To Re-Sign WR Mecole Hardman

June 6th, 2024 at 9:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mecole Hardman‘s second Chiefs stint is set to continue. The veteran wideout has a new deal in place with the defending champions, per veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds this will be a one-year deal. Following a lengthy stay on the open market, Hardman will avoid the opportunity to join a new team like he did last offseason. He re-joined the Chiefs in 2023 following a short-lived Jets tenure, and the relationship between team and player will now continue for at least one more year.

Hardman signed a one-year, $4MM deal with the Jets after his K.C. rookie contract expired. He was positioned to operate as one of many new faces on the team’s offense, but that unit struggled all season following Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. The 26-year-old asked to be sent back to the Chiefs, and New York obliged in October. That move set up limited production down the stretch and into the postseason (although Hardman’s lone touchdown was of course the overtime winner in Super Bowl LVIII).

Wide receiver was known to be a position of need for the Chiefs this offseason, and the team added Marquise Brown on a one-year pact. That was followed by the addition of another speedster (Xavier Worthy) in the first round of the draft. Both players could be in line for notable roles in 2024 particularly if Rashee Rice is handed a suspension to begin the campaign.

Following the draft, Kansas City made it clear no major outside additions were being contemplated, including a re-up with Hardman. The former second-rounder has nevertheless found himself back in the fold as he tries to carve out an offensive role. His best season came in 2021 (59 catches, 693 yards) and he scored at least four touchdowns during three of his four full Chiefs campaigns. Hardman could also earn playing time by reprising his role as the team’s primary returner.

Kansas City entered Thursday with over $17MM in cap space, so the team will easily be able to afford what will no doubt be a low-cost Hardman signing. The Georgia product could help his 2025 market value (either for another Chiefs pact or one from an outside team) with a strong campaign. The veteran receiver market, meanwhile, has become thinner ahead of training camp.

Andrus Peat Sought Saints Exit; Raiders Making O-Line Changes

June 6th, 2024 at 8:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andrus Peat spent nine seasons with the Saints, the last four attached to a contract he signed as a free agent in 2020. Peat played out what became a four-year deal and signed a one-year, $2MM deal with the Raiders shortly after the draft.

The Saints are believed to have shown interest in another Peat contract, but NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill writes he preferred a fresh start elsewhere. Peat figures to vie for a starting job in Las Vegas, while New Orleans is holding a competition to see who will start at guard opposite Cesar Ruiz.

The Saints initially signed Peat to a five-year deal back in 2020, but they voided the former first-rounder’s final year and gave him a pay cut in 2023. Peat, 30, missed 17 games due to injury from 2021-22 but ended up being the team’s replacement for struggling first-rounder Trevor Penning at left tackle last season.

Not much interest came his way this offseason, which also included a Titans visit. Pro Football Focus ranked Peat 56th among tackles last season; the former Pro Bowl guard will attempt to rebound with the Raiders. Though, Las Vegas is far from certain to turn to the mid-offseason pickup as a first-stringer. The team made some moves to bolster its front after multiple low-key offseasons regarding this position group.

In addition to Peat, the Raiders added Cody Whitehair in free agency and then used both their Day 2 picks on blockers — second-rounder Jackson Powers-Johnson, third-rounder DJ Glaze. The Raiders may view Peat as a swingman, making it rather interesting he would select Las Vegas as his free agency destination. It is unclear, however, if New Orleans made an offer. Given the Saints’ situation at tackle and left guard, it would make sense for the team to bring Peat back. But the sides separated. The 10th-year blocker is now on an O-line set for significant change.

Kolton Miller and re-signed center Andre James will reprise their roles, but the other three positions stand to see change from 2023. The Raiders are shifting two-year left guard Dylan Parham to the right side, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore, while Thayer Munford is the favorite to replace Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle. Eluemunor signed a two-year, $14MM Giants deal in March.

A 2022 third-round pick, Parham logged 110 snaps at right guard as a rookie. But he has primarily played on the left side as a pro. Munford pushed Eluemunor during the Raiders’ 2023 training camp, but the veteran remained the Silver and Black’s right tackle when available. He also saw time at left tackle, filling in for Miller, who missed four games. PFF viewed Munford’s work positively, particularly in the run game, last season. This will still be a big jump for a former seventh-round pick.

Peat’s tackle history in the NFL has mostly come on the left side; he has logged all of 80 snaps at RT (78 of those as a rookie in 2015) as a pro. Glaze, who also could settle in as the Raiders’ swing tackle, will be part of the team’s RT battle as well, Bonsignore adds.

The Raiders are expected to use Powers-Johnson at left guard, but he missed much of the team’s OTA sessions, Bonsignore adds. Powers-Johnson played center at Oregon last season, replacing 2023 Broncos seventh-rounder Alex Forsyth as Bo Nix‘s snapper and winning the 2023 Rimington Award (given to Division I-FBS’ top center). The Raiders, who re-signed James to a three-year deal worth $24MM, are converting their second-round pick to guard. Powers-Johnson played 350 snaps at right guard as a sophomore in 2022.

Las Vegas, which did not re-sign primary 2023 RG Greg Van Roten, suddenly features both experience and a collection of early-round picks up front. It will be interesting to see how the team uses its host of offseason additions, as Peat (102) and Whitehair (118) have combined for 220 career starts. New Raiders OC Luke Getsy coaching Whitehair for two seasons in Chicago makes his status as a projected backup — as of now, at least — rather interesting as well.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/6/24

June 6th, 2024 at 6:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: CB Clay Fields III, WR Derek Slywka
  • Placed on IR: S Daniel Scott
  • Waived: C Jack Anderson

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Reverted to IR: WR David White

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Waived: RB Hassan Hall

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR JaQuae Jackson
  • Waived: WR T.J. Luther

New York Jets

  • Waived/failure to disclose physical condition: DL Tyreek Johnson

The Colts chose Scott in the 2023 fifth round, but they will see him miss a second full season due to injury. Scott suffered a torn Achilles during OTAs last week, per the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson. This marks the second time Scott has gone down before Colts training camp; he sustained an ACL tear during spring workouts last year. The Colts chose Scott 158th overall out of Cal.

Best known for a 12-game Giants tenure that featured two starts in 2022, Anderson found his way to the Colts last year. The team used the young O-lineman in one game and extended him in March. A seventh-round Bills draftee in 2021, Anderson also started a game for the Eagles in 2021.

Jaguars Sign Round 2 DT Maason Smith

June 6th, 2024 at 5:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

In addition to making Brian Thomas Jr. a priority during the draft, the Jaguars invested heavily in LSU’s defensive line. Two former Tigers defensive tackles — Maason Smith, Jordan Jefferson — became Duval County-bound during the draft.

The first of those DT draftees, Smith, is now signed to his four-year rookie contract. The Jaguars inked the No. 48 overall pick Thursday; the contract — which will come mostly guaranteed — will run through 2027. Recent second-round deals — most notably the Colts’ agreement with No. 52 overall pick Adonai Mitchell — undoubtedly helped Smith on the contract front.

Indianapolis guaranteed $700K of Mitchell’s 2026 base salary. Being chosen four spots in front of the Texas wideout, Smith presumably secured better terms from the Jags. As second-rounders are making significant guarantee gains this year, Smith will step in and aim to provide a boost for the Jags’ defensive line.

Jacksonville fared better against the run (ninth) than against the pass (26th) last season, and the team added ex-Trent Baalke 49ers draftee Arik Armstead to provide a proven interior presence alongside Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton. As they did with Travon Walker, the Jaguars will bet on upside with Smith, who saw an injury disrupt his college career.

Smith sustained an ACL tear on LSU’s first defensive possession of the 2022 season, stalling the five-star recruit’s progress. As a freshman in 2021, Smith totaled four sacks. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound interior defender profiles as a bit of a project due to the major injury, and he was not quite as productive in nine games last season. Smith totaled 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in 2023.

The Jags nevertheless took a swing with their second-round pick, with the team clearly impressed with LSU’s D-line operation due to the fourth-round Jefferson investment.

WR Courtland Sutton To Attend Broncos’ Minicamp

June 6th, 2024 at 4:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

As he seeks a new deal, Courtland Sutton has been absent from the Broncos’ organized team activities. That situation will change next week.

The veteran receiver said during a Thursday appearance on a DNVR Sports podcast that he will take part in the team’s upcoming mandatory minicamp. The final stage of Denver’s offseason program will run from June 11-13, and head coach Sean Payton previously stated he expected Sutton to attend. By doing so, the latter will not be subject to roughly $100K in fines.

“I will be there,” Sutton said of minicamp (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “A small tidbit. It’s been killing me not being able to be at [OTAs]. This has been a very different offseason since I’ve been a part of since I’ve been in this league. Anybody that knows me and anybody that’s played with me understands that I love this game.”

The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his contract. That includes a 2024 base salary of $13MM, $2MM of which is guaranteed. Next year’s base compensation ($13.5MM) does not contain any money locked in. Sutton is believed to be aiming for a bump in pay for the immediate term in lieu of an extension. An AAV in the $15-16MM range is his reported target, and Mike Klis of 9News confirms a raise is still being sought out.

No progress on negotiations regarding a new arrangement have been made, however, meaning Sutton could wind up playing out the 2024 season on his deal as currently constructed. The former Pro Bowler has fallen well down the pecking order at the WR position, with the 2024 offseason seeing a new wave of monster extensions (with more likely soon to follow).

The SMU alum led the Broncos in receiving last season, his fifth with at least 700 yards. Sutton has topped 1,000 only once in his career, but he was on the radar of interested teams leading up to the trade deadline and the draft. Denver does not wish to move him, nor is he seeking a new team. A key role should await Sutton in 2024 as the Broncos start the second year of the Sean Payton era with a new quarterback (likely first-round rookie Bo Nix) in place.

The Broncos have invested at the receiver spot this offseason with the free agent addition of Josh Reynolds and the selection of Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele in the fourth and seventh rounds of the draft. Those newcomers, along with veteran Tim Patrick and 2023 second-rounder Marvin Mims, will vie for playing time this summer in a receiver room which no longer includes Jerry Jeudy. Sutton will be counted on as a leader for that group, but it remains to be seen if his contract will be adjusted before the start of the campaign.

Eagles Sign First-Round CB Quinyon Mitchell, Complete Draft Class

June 6th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

Quinyon Mitchell signed his Eagles rookie pact on Thursday, per a team announcement. With the first-round corner now on the books, each member of the team’s 2024 class is under contract.

Mitchell enjoyed one of the best pre-draft processes of any prospect this year. As a result, the Toledo product climbed up draft boards to the point where he was considered one of the candidates to be the first cornerback to hear his name called. It thus came as little surprise when Mitchell was selected at No. 22.

Likewise, it was far from a shock that the Eagles were the first team to add at the position. Following an historic run on offensive players to begin Day 1, Mitchell was one of several top defensive prospects left on the board. Given his status as a high-end CB prospect, he was firmly on Philadelphia’s radar. The Eagles double-dipped in the secondary by adding Cooper DeJean in the second round, and both player will provide an infusion of youth on the backend.

The Eagles have Darius Slay and James Bradberry in place as projected cornerback starters, but both players are in their 30s. Philadelphia’s defense was at the heart of the team’s late-season collapse in 2023, and improvements in the secondary were seen as a priority. The return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson should help in that regard, as will the additions of Mitchell and DeJean.

Mitchell had strong seasons in 2022 and ’23, earning first-team All-MAC and second-team All-American honors. Posting six interceptions and 37 pass deflections during that span, he solidified his reputation as a playmaker in addition to strong coverage skills. He will look to earn a defensive role right away, but failing that he should be an impactful contributor in the near future.

Here is the full breakdown of Philadelphia’s draft class:

Latest On Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs

June 6th, 2024 at 1:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trevon Diggs‘ 2023 campaign came to an unexpected end. The Cowboys’ highest-paid corner suffered an ACL tear during a September practice, sidelining him and leaving the team shorthanded in the secondary.

The 25-year-old is making progress in his recovery. To little surprise, though, Dallas will take a cautious approach with him in terms of usage during this offseason. It remains to be seen if Diggs will be available once training camp begins in July.

“Maybe,” the former second-rounder said when asked about his training camp readiness (via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News). “Maybe not. But I’m feeling comfortable. I feel good.”

Diggs’ injury left the Cowboys notably thin at the cornerback spot even with Stephon Gilmore playing at a high level and DaRon Bland enjoying an historic season in terms of pick-sixes. The latter is still on the books for two more years, but the former is among the most high-profile players still on the open market. Gilmore has expressed a willingness to re-sign in Dallas, but little movement has been seen in his case this offseason.

Even if the former Defensive Player of the Year lands elsewhere in free agency, expectations will be high for the Cowboys after they ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards against last season. A healthy Diggs would certainly help the team given his status as one of the league’s top ballhawks. The Alabama product has racked up 18 interceptions and 52 pass breakups in 47 games, figures which helped him secure a five-year, $97MM extension last summer.

Three other Cowboys – linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, tight end John Stevens and receiver David Durden – also suffered ACL tears last year. Like Diggs, their respective rehabs are progressing with an eye on a patient approach from the team’s perspective. Diggs is nevertheless currently in a good place with respect to his recovery.

“We’ll respect the timeline, but Trevon looks great,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s in a good spot…. As far as when he gets back, let’s be honest, we’re going to be very cautious with those guys. We’re not going to put them out there too soon. Better later than too fast.”

If Diggs is not fully recovered by the beginning of training camp, he will be a candidate for the active/PUP list. Players can be activated from that list at any time during the summer, and the point at which the Cowboys do so with Diggs (if necessary) will be a key storyline to follow.

49ers, TE Logan Thomas Agree To Deal

June 6th, 2024 at 1:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

JUNE 6: Thomas will receive the veteran’s minimum ($1.21MM) on his 49ers accord, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. That total includes $300K guaranteed. Thomas’ cap hit will be $985K, a manageable figure if he can effectively serve as a backup tight end for San Francisco.

JUNE 3: Seeing a previous effort to add a backup tight end thwarted by the Lions matching a restricted free agency offer sheet, the 49ers are circling back to the position months later. Logan Thomas is on his way to the Bay Area.

The 49ers and the recent Commanders starter are finalizing a deal, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. This will end a lengthy free agency stay for Thomas, whom Washington released before free agency’s outset. A converted quarterback, Thomas will have a chance to play an 11th NFL season.

San Francisco lost Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley to Atlanta in free agency and has 2023 third-round pick Cameron Latu coming off a season-ending knee injury. The team’s Brock Wright offer sheet did not bring the Sam LaPorta complementary piece to San Francisco; Detroit matched the three-year, $12MM deal. Thomas is now ticketed to be George Kittle‘s top sidekick.

Considering the recent developments, tight end depth became a need for the 49ers. Thomas, 32, stands to fill that void. Despite coming into the league as a Cardinals backup QB, Thomas did not present evidence of being overmatched as a blocker. Pro Football Focus rated the veteran pass catcher 17th in run blocking at the position last season. The 49ers’ offense certainly requires its tight ends to play key roles in the run game, and it will be interesting to see if the 6-foot-6, 250-pound performer can work his way into two-tight end sets alongside Kittle.

Set to turn 33 in early July, Thomas is coming off a four-season Washington tenure. The first of those featured a career-high 670 receiving yards, giving the team a surprise supplementary option alongside Terry McLaurin. Thomas also hit his career high with six touchdowns that season. The showing earned the former Virginia Tech QB a three-year, $24MM deal in July 2021. That turned out to represent important timing for Thomas, who suffered a torn ACL during a six-game ’21 season.

Thomas struggled to regain his form in 2022 but showed signs of promise in Eric Bieniemy’s offense last year. Eclipsing 40 receiving yards in seven games, Thomas finished with 55 receptions for 496 yards and four TDs last season. This effort did not prompt the Commanders’ new regime to sign off on keeping Thomas in the final year of his contract. The team added ex-Kliff Kingsbury charge Zach Ertz and used a second-round pick on Ben Sinnott.

The 49ers did not draft a tight end and came into OTAs with some questions at the position. Most recently, 2023 seventh-rounder Brayden Willis appeared in the lead for the team’s TE2 role, though Latu will probably be heard from at some point ahead of the season. The team also has veteran Eric Saubert on the roster. Thomas’ presence will create some competition among the team’s lesser-known tight ends.

The 49ers have seen Kittle play through injuries in recent years, though he has not missed more than three games in a season in that span. Thomas stands to provide a veteran option for Brock Purdy — in an offense loaded at the skill positions after the draft came and went without Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel being traded.

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