2024 June - Pro Football Rumors

Month: September 2024

Lawrence Cager, Theo Johnson Vying For Giants’ Pass-Catching TE Role?

June 25th, 2024 at 3:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

In between the Evan Engram and Darren Waller New York stays, Daniel Bellinger worked as the Giants’ primary tight end. During Waller’s latest time off the field due to a hamstring injury last season, the 2022 fourth-rounder returned to a role as the team’s top TE. It would, then, stand to reason the Giants would turn back to Bellinger following Waller’s retirement.

If that is to happen, the team is taking a roundabout route to that depth chart arrangement. The Giants’ offseason program featured Lawrence Cager and fourth-round rookie Theo Johnson splitting first-team reps, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. Bellinger missed time due to an unspecified injury, Brian Daboll said (via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan), adding the injury occurred weeks ago.

Teams do not have to disclose players’ offseason injuries, and Daboll noted the Giants are proceeding cautiously with the third-year tight end. The third-year HC expects Bellinger to “be fine,” though Schwartz adds the parties do not appear on the same page regarding the injury. Considering Bellinger’s extensive playing time over the past two seasons, his role during training camp and the preseason will be a topic to monitor as the Giants transition from Waller.

Despite the Giants trading a third-round pick for Waller in March 2023, they used Bellinger on a career-high 688 offensive snaps. The San Diego State product moved back into the top TE slot during Waller’s five-game absence midway through last season, though the Giants have not involved him heavily in the passing game. Bellinger, who started 11 of the 12 games he played as a rookie, has not eclipsed 275 receiving yards in a season. While Bellinger missed five games due to injury in 2022 and was behind Waller for much of 2023, he did not exceed 375 yards in a season with the Aztecs.

A converted wide receiver, Cager earned praise from Daboll at the conclusion of the offseason program. It should be expected Bellinger will remain a regular for the Giants, but ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan notes it appears Cager and Johnson are being groomed to take over receiving responsibilities at the position. Daboll referred to Cager as one of the team’s most improved players this offseason. Considering Cager’s past as a frequent practice squad stash, his move to regular duty would be a notable development for a Giants team again grappling with the loss of a productive tight end. In 17 Giants games since his 2022 arrival, Cager has just 17 receptions for 154 yards.

Although Waller continued to battle health issues in New York, he totaled 552 receiving yards in his 12-game Giants stint. Only Engram has topped that among Giants TEs since 2013. Waller’s summer exit leaves a gaping hole in the Giants’ skill-position corps.

The Giants did not add a receiving tight end in free agency but did use their first Day 3 pick on Johnson, who caught seven touchdown passes at Penn State last season. Johnson topped out at 341 yards in a Nittany Lions campaign, but he averaged 16.4 yards per catch as a junior in 2022. Johnson measured 6-foot-6 and ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Additionally, Duggan notes Chris Manhertz exited the offseason program ahead of the other UFA tight end the team added (Jack Stoll). The Broncos released Manhertz, a blocking tight end, this offseason. Manhertz making the roster would cut into the above-referenced trio’s work, as he would be of use to the Giants’ post-Saquon Barkley rushing attack, one still expected to feature the struggling Evan Neal at right tackle.

Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith Competing For Broncos ILB Job

June 25th, 2024 at 1:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos’ separations from Russell Wilson, Justin Simmons and Jerry Jeudy drew more attention this offseason, but the team also said goodbye to starting linebacker Josey Jewell. The six-year Denver defender left to rejoin Ejiro Evero with Carolina.

Alex Singleton remains tied to the three-year, $18MM contract he signed last year; the prolific tackler will enter training camp a surefire starter on Denver’s defensive second level. Jewell’s old post remains unfilled; a camp position battle will determine who will be Singleton’s ILB wingman to start this season.

Days after Jewell’s defection to the Panthers, the Broncos signed Cody Barton. The latter has been a starter in back-to-back seasons, working in that capacity with the Seahawks and Commanders. The team also re-signed Jonas Griffith, who has logged fill-in starter duty while maintaining a regular role on special teams. This shapes up as a head-to-head matchup for the other three-down LB role in Denver, ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes.

Griffth’s re-emergence reflects his progress with the current coaching staff, which was not in place when the Broncos traded for him in 2021, and from the ACL tear he sustained last summer. Griffith, who made eight starts for the Broncos in 2022, also suffered two significant injuries that limited him two seasons ago. Elbow and foot issues shelved the former UDFA in 2022, when he had played alongside Jewell and Singleton in base sets. The fifth-year defender, whom the Broncos re-signed to bypass the RFA tender process this offseason, has not played since that November 2022 foot flareup.

Given the keys to a three-down role after the Seahawks released Bobby Wagner in 2022, Barton has since seen Wagner circle back to replace him in Washington. Dan Quinn‘s run of reunions included Wagner, whom he coached as Seahawks DC from 2013-14. Wagner’s Washington commitment followed Frankie Luvu‘s. With former first-rounder Jamin Davis still on the roster, Barton saw the new Commanders regime move on during the first days of free agency. This preceded a one-year, $2.5MM Broncos agreement. That deal includes $2.33MM guaranteed; Griffith’s contract does not feature any guarantees.

Barton, 27, made 24 starts over the past two seasons, filling up the stat sheet in that time. The former third-round pick totaled 136 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defensed in 2022 while adding 121 stops and one pick last season. Pro Football Focus, however, viewed Barton as a liability against the run and ranked him as a bottom-10 LB regular last season. Griffith, 27, intercepted a pass during his injury-shortened 2022 season.

Singleton’s new sidekick will emerge as a low-cost solution after Jewell’s two-year, $11MM contract came off the books. With Wilson carrying a record-smashing dead money sum, the Broncos have needed to cut costs elsewhere. Linebacker will be one such place, with rookie deals (Justin Strnad, Drew Sanders) and a vet-minimum Andre Smith contract rounding out the position. Denver did not draft an inside linebacker this year.

Barton’s contract would indicate a slight edge, though Sean Payton said Griffith has shown himself to be a viable competitor for a starting post. After the Broncos’ Jewell talks did not produce a third contract agreement, he inked a three-year, $18.75MM Panthers pact. DC Vance Joseph, having lost the last two defenders left over from his HC stay (Simmons and Jewell), will need to select a less established replacement soon.

Latest On Free Agent Safety Market

June 25th, 2024 at 11:57am CST by Adam La Rose

A select number of positions have seen their free agent values soar in recent years, including quarterback, receiver and defensive tackle. Others have dropped in terms of interest shown around the league and the willingness of teams to make lucrative long-term commitments, though.

Safety can be placed in the latter category with several veteran producers at the position yet to land a deal. That will likely continue up to the start of training camps, the point when unsigned veterans often join new teams. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports this year’s group of free agent safeties are in line to primarily receive low-cost, incentive-laden contracts this summer.

While that update comes as little surprise given how the opening waves of free agency unfolded, it nevertheless underscores the financial landscape of the safety spot in most cases. Xavier McKinney landed $16.75MM in annual average value on his Packers deal, one of the few at the position which was signed in short order in March. McKinney secured $23MM guaranteed, a figure which at one point trailed only Derwin James (Chargers) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers) for locked in compensation.

More recently, Antoine Winfield Jr. became the league’s highest-paid defensive back on his Buccaneers extension (four years, $84.1MM). The pact took the place of his franchise tag and includes $45MM guaranteed in full. While the top of the safety market has thus seen movement amongst players entering their prime, the position has generally not seen its veteran members receive interest from teams for big-ticket extensions.

The likes of Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye were all released in cost-shedding moves this offseason. The latter two have since signed with the Dolphins, but the others remain on the market. Simmons – whose 30 interceptions since his arrival in 2016 lead the NFL – has not been linked to a prospective suitor since signs pointed to a Broncos reunion being unlikely.

Like with all other veterans, the safeties still looking for a deal will likely settle for a one-year accord this summer in the hopes of rebuilding their value in 2024. Three quarters of the NFL’s teams currently have at least eight figures in cap space, so the top options could try to command something of a bidding war if multiple suitors emerge, but such a scenario would be unlikely at this point. In general, it will be interesting to see if this offseason represents an outlier at the safety spot or the continuation of a larger financial trend at the position.

Josh Dobbs Ahead Of Brandon Allen For 49ers’ Backup QB Spot?

June 25th, 2024 at 10:30am CST by Adam La Rose

The top of the 49ers’ quarterback depth chart is set with Brock Purdy. San Francisco will not have Sam Darnold in place as his backup in 2024, however, creating a vacancy for the QB2 role.

Darnold spent last season with the 49ers, and his performance under Kyle Shanahan was sufficient to get him at least a short-term starting opportunity. The former No. 3 pick inked a one-year, $10MM deal with the Vikings in free agency and he will enter training camp ahead of first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy on the depth chart. San Francisco has two competitors to fill Darnold’s role.

One is Josh Dobbs, who joined the 49ers in March on a one-year contract. The journeyman will earn $2.25MM guaranteed and he has the potential to receive an additional $750K in roster bonuses. He is joined by Brandon Allen, who spent the 2023 campaign in San Francisco following a three-year run with the Bengals. Allen inked a one-year deal worth just over $2MM prior to the start of free agency.

While plenty is yet to be decided at this point in the offseason, Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes Dobbs is currently in the lead for the backup gig (subscription required). The 29-year-old found himself on the Browns last summer before he was dealt to the Cardinals. An eight-game run filling in for Kyler Murray as a starter was followed by a trade to the Vikings, a team which used him for four starts after Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear. Dobbs has 14 starts and 21 appearances to his name in the NFL.

Allen, 31, has logged nine starts (five of which came with the Bengals in 2020) and 15 total games during his tenure. As Barrows notes, he could have a greater chance of clearing waivers at the end of training camp than Dobbs, something of particular importance if San Francisco elects to carry two passers on the active roster. Teams will be allowed to make unlimited practice squad elevations for emergency third quarterbacks in 2024, so whichever passer is relegated to third-string duties will still likely dress on gamedays. As things stand, Allen is likelier than Dobbs to be in that position.

Brandon Aiyuk Requests Meeting With 49ers

June 24th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk remain in a stalemate over the wide receiver’s contract demands. With training camp rapidly approaching, the wideout is attempting to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. ESPN’s Ryan Clark reported today that Aiyuk requested a meeting with the organization to hammer out some kind of resolution.

With Aiyuk currently set to hit free agency following the 2024 campaign, both sides have expressed interest in a long-term arrangement. The former first-round pick is focused on joining the several wideouts who helped to reset the positional market this offseason, but it sounds like the 49ers are resistant about reaching some of those benchmarks.

“…[H]e said that he’s taking these negotiations personal,” Clark said on NFL Live (via Cam Inman of The Mercury News). “That the way that they have negotiated with him, the way that they have told him why he’s worth what he’s worth, it has touched him.”

Aiyuk was an unsurprising no-show at San Francisco’s voluntary offseason program, but he’s now facing fines after also skipping mandatory minicamp. The fines will start piling up if the receiver refuses to attend training camp, although it’s uncertain how far Aiyuk is willing to take this stare down.

The wideout is set to play this upcoming season on his $14.12MM fifth-year option. While the 49ers have continually stated their desire to retain Aiyuk long-term, the team faces an untenable financial situation after having extended Deebo Samuel last offseason. The team is currently projected to be more than $38MM over the cap next season, making a lucrative Aiyuk extension (or even the impending franchise tag) a difficult proposition.

The 49ers likely read the tea leafs regarding Aiyuk’s upcoming demands, explaining why he was reportedly on the trade block earlier this offseason. In the likely event that this latest meeting doesn’t lead to an extension, perhaps the front office once again explores those trade fronts. More likely, the impasse will continue until at least late-July when players arrive for training camp.

Extension Candidate: Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

June 24th, 2024 at 8:43pm CST by Ben Levine

Thanks in part to injuries, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah didn’t necessarily live up to his second-round billing through his first two seasons in the NFL. However, the linebacker stepped up in a big way during the 2023 campaign, and that performance could earn him an extension with the Browns in the coming months.

As Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com notes, “JOK” has emerged as an extension candidate for the organization. The reporter believes the Browns front office would prefer to lock up Owusu-Koramoah as soon as possible, either before the regular season or part way through the campaign. That way, the organization can assure the impending free agent is clear of any distractions in the follow-up to his breakout season.

After being selected with the 52nd pick in the 2021 draft, Owusu-Koramoah proceeded to earn All-Rookie team honors after finishing with 76 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. He missed a chunk of that season with an ankle injury, but Pro Football Focus still graded him as a top-10 player at his position. The linebacker took a slight step back during his sophomore campaign. He missed six more games thanks to a foot injury, and he finished the year ranked only 38th at his position.

Fortunately for the player and the organization, Owusu-Koramoah took a significant leap this past season. The 24-year-old finished the campaign with 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions, earning him his first career Pro Bowl nod. Pro Football Focus ranked him 18th among 82 qualifying linebackers, including the second-best pass-rushing score at his position.

There’s a chance Owusu-Koramoah could solidify himself as a definitive top-10 linebacker with a strong performance in 2024. That would come at the perfect time for the fourth-year player, as he’s set to hit free agency following the season. JOK doesn’t have the track record to match the $18MM average annual value mark that’s been surpassed by Roquan Smith, Fred Warner, and Tremaine Edmunds, but he could still be in line for a lucrative pay day.

Patrick Queen leaped into the top-five AAV at the position this offseason following a strong year in Baltimore. The former first-round pick got a three-year, $41MM deal from the Steelers, good for a $13.6MM AAV. The LB franchise tag for 2025 is projected to be north of $25MM, so Owusu-Koramoah does have some leverage if the Browns truly intend to keep him long-term. The linebacker is set to earn around $2MM on the final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

The Browns also haven’t done a whole lot to add depth at the weakside linebacker spot, with former UDFAs Mohamoud Diabate and Charlie Thomas serving as JOK’s primary backups. Anthony Walker and Sione Takitaki both departed this offseason, meaning the Browns will be even more reliant on Owusu-Koramoah’s experience in the linebackers room next year.

For what it’s worth, Owusu-Koramoah said he’s not overly focused on his contract status, noting that “there’s a time and place for everything” (per Zac Jackson of The Athletic). More notably, the linebacker declared that he’s “all about ball,” which is surely the type of mentality the front office is seeking from the hopeful defensive stalwart.

Ed Policy To Succeed Mark Murphy As Packers President

June 24th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mark Murphy has one year remaining in his post as president and CEO of the Packers before mandatory retirement. The identity of his successor in that role has now been learned.

Ed Policy will assume Murphy’s responsibilities next summer, as first reported by Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Packers’ board of directors voted unanimously to tap Policy for the position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds. The news is now official, per a team announcement

Policy joined the Packers as vice president and general counsel in 2012. That post, in turn, came after he served as president of the Arena Football League from 2001-08, taking on acting commissioner duties for one season. The 53-year-old then served as an executive consultant with the NFL from 2009-10 before working with Green Bay. He has held the title of general counsel and chief operating officer since 2018, and he will continue in the latter capacity until Murphy steps aside next July.

A Packers search committee was formed to find a successor for Murphy, who has served as Green Bay’s top executive since 2007. He and Policy will work together in the coming months to prepare for the transition after the 2024 campaign and subsequent offseason unfolds. The bylaws governing the Packers’ board of directors dictates that members must retire upon turning 70, which will be the case for Murphy on July 13, 2025.

The team’s announcement notes that 90 candidates received consideration for the position before Policy was ultimately selected to serve as chairman of the board in addition to the dual title of president and CEO. He will be tasked with continuing the organization’s unique structure as the only pro spots team without a private owner. Policy’s relationship with seventh-year general manager Brian Gutekunst will be a key factor in roster-building decisions moving forward as Green Bay proceeds with a young core led by quarterback Jordan Love, who will likely soon be attached a lucrative extension.

“I am incredibly honored, excited and grateful to the search committee, the Board, the shareholders and the entire organization for this treasured and one-of-a-kind opportunity,” a statement from Policy reads in part. “I am particularly grateful to Mark for 12 years of mentorship. I am looking forward to building on his leadership and considerable success on and off the field.

“We are the stewards of the most iconic and unique organization in all of professional sports. I am excited to continue to work with so many talented teammates who have ensured the Packers’ consistent success on and off the field. We are the people’s team, and I love being a part of it.”

Latest On Colts’ RB Depth

June 24th, 2024 at 7:39pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts ended their standoff with Jonathan Taylor last October, assuring the running back would stick in Indy for the foreseeable future. With the former All-Pro locked in, the Colts front office had to watch as key backup Zack Moss took a starting gig with the Bengals this offseason.

Taylor has missed 13 games over the past two years, meaning the Colts RB2 should be in line for a significant role. With that in mind, ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes that veteran Trey Sermon is the “likeliest option” to take over that top backup gig following a standout performance at OTAs. Holder points out how Sermon’s “hard-running style” could be appealing to the Colts, and his familiarity with the offense gives him some leeway for the RB2 job.

The former third-round pick collected 193 yards with the 49ers as a rookie, but he was quickly squeezed out of a crowded RBs room. He spent the 2022 campaign in Philly before catching on with the Colts last year. He ended up getting into 14 games with Indy, collecting 173 yards from scrimmage.

He should see an uptick in those numbers next season, even if Taylor remains relatively healthy. The team doesn’t have many other experienced options at the position, although both Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson bring their own intrigue. Hull was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, but the Northwestern product spent the majority of his rookie campaign on IR. Goodson was also on the Colts in 2023, collecting 121 yards on 19 touches. Zavier Scott and Trent Pennix round out the depth chart.

“I love the room,” Sermon said of his fellow RBs (via Locked On Colts on YouTube). “Everybody’s a little bit different, but we’re all great running backs. We compete, we push each other. If one of us makes a big play, we’re all excited for each other.”

Seahawks Sign RB Ricky Person Jr.

June 24th, 2024 at 6:45pm CST by Ben Levine

The Seahawks added to their backfield today. The team announced that they’ve signed running back Ricky Person Jr. to a contract.

After collecting more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons at North Carolina State, Person Jr. caught on with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022. After spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, the running back joined the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.

Person played sparingly as a backup in 2023, but he saw a larger role this past season. The running back finished the campaign with six touchdowns, and he notably collected 102 rushing yards in his team’s championship win.

In Seattle, Person will be competing for a bottom-of-the-depth-chart spot behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. The newest addition will be going against the likes of 2023 seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh and undrafted rookies George Holani and Kobe Lewis.

The team also announced that they’ve waived a trio of undrafted rookies. The grouping includes cornerback Ro Torrence, defensive end Rason Williams, and running back TaMerik Williams.

Ravens Eyeing Increased Role For TE Isaiah Likely

June 24th, 2024 at 4:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mark Andrews missed significant time in 2023, and his absence left the Ravens without their top tight end option. It also opened the door to increased playing time for Isaiah Likely, however, and he showed considerable potential.

In total, Likely racked up 411 yards and five touchdowns on 30 catches in 2023, his second year in the league. Much of that production came when Andrews was sidelined, but Baltimore’s offense could look to include both on the field moving forward. That has been showcased by the many roles Likely has seen time in this spring.

The 24-year-old indicated (via Ryan Mink of the team’s website) he has taken snaps in several spots on offense this offseason. Doing so will allow offensive coordinator Todd Monken to find ways to have both Andrews and Likely on the field together. Baltimore rarely used two tight end sets in 2023, but putting the latter in a variety of spots could change that this season.

“It’s being a chess piece, being anywhere ‘Monk’ needs me to be in this offense – whether it’s in the slot, in-line, in the backfield, split out wide by myself,” Likely said of the experiments with his positioning. “The more you know, the more you can stay on the field.”

Likely showed his pass-catching potential as a rookie, and his success when thrust into a starting role in Year 2 will lead to high expectations. The Coastal Carolina product is not known for his run blocking, so giving him looks not only in the slot but on the perimeter would be sensible. Baltimore’s receiving core is led by Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor and fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker. Running back addition Derrick Henry does not have a track record of notable production in the passing game, and that should not be expected to change in 2024.

Of course, Henry (along with quarterback Lamar Jackson) being in the fold means the Ravens will remain a run-heavy offense moving forward. Likely’s play to date has garnered interest in a increased workload, though, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out during training camp this summer. Two years remain on his rookie contract, so a strong campaign in 2024 could set him up for an extension.

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