PFR Originals: Giants, Extensions, Zappe

Here is a rundown of PFR’s recent originals:

• In the first edition of the 2024 Offseason in Review series, Sam Robinson recapped the Giants’ moves this spring. The departure of running back Saquon Barkley, the trade acquisition of edge rusher Brian Burns and the selection of wideout Malik Nabers were among the defining developments of the past few months in New York. Uncertainty remains over the future of head coach Brian Daboll, though, and the team’s interest in finding a Daniel Jones replacement has led to a new round of questions concerning his tenure beyond 2024.
• The summer is a common time for many players around the league to receive extensions, including those entering the final year of their rookie pacts. That is the case for Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who made a case for a new deal with his play in 2023. Ben Levine profiled the former second-rounder’s candidacy for an extension, one which would keep him in place for years to come as part of Cleveland’s highly-regarded defense. A repeat of last year’s Pro Bowl invitation would help Owusu-Koramoah’s leverage in talks on a new Browns deal or one sending him elsewhere.
• Plenty of veteran players with term remaining on their pacts find themselves negotiating new deals during the offseason as well, of course. One example could be Bears wideout D.J. Moore, who has two years (but little guaranteed salary) left on his deal. I broke down the ex-Panther’s deal and the presence of new wideouts (Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze) which could give Chicago pause before committing to a long-term deal. Moore, 27, has proven to be an effective producer in many systems during his career and waiting could cost the Bears based on the surging receiver market.
• The Bengals have had one of the league’s most consistent kicking games over the past three years with Evan McPherson serving in that role. As Ely Allen detailed, the 24-year-old has put himself squarely on the extension radar with his play to date, and he could soon find himself near the top of the financial pecking order amongst kickers. That position’s market currently has eight players averaging at least $5MM per year, and McPherson could join that list on a multi-year agreement.
• Roster cutdowns entail releases for all 32 teams, but players believed to be on the cut list often draw attention from interested suitors. In those case, players are traded to avoid being placed on waivers; Ben profiled Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe as someone who could find himself in that situation this summer. Zappe, 25, does not have a path to a starting job in New England, and the team’s post-Mac Jones depth chart features a number of backup options. A fresh start could allow him to rebuild his value while providing an acquiring team with a cost-controlled passer for two seasons.