2024 July - Pro Football Rumors

Month: September 2024

Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill Will Not Seek Trade To Secure Better Contract

July 25th, 2024 at 5:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Their back-to-back Super Bowl wins aside, the Chiefs certainly have been a less explosive offense since trading Tyreek Hill. Kansas City had entered extension talks to retain the historically talented deep threat in early March of 2022, but after Davante Adams‘ Raiders deal raised Hill’s asking price, a quick trade to Miami transpired.

Hill has thrived in Miami, with the two first-team All-Pro nods he has secured post-trade almost definitely locking up his Hall of Fame case, and has said he wants to finish his career with the Dolphins. This has made his current quest for an updated contract tricker, and Hill continued to remove one of the leverage plays he would have by insisting these negotiations not reach the point where another trade enters the equation.

“To be honest, I have no idea,” Hill said (via ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Beasley) regarding his contract status. “Obviously, I let Drew [Rosenhaus] and the team handle that situation. The only thing I told Drew was, ‘Do not get me traded, bro.’ Last time you did this, you got me traded. That’s been my only thing to him. I want to stay here in Miami.”

The Chiefs had Hill tied to an $18MM-per-year contract, one with team protections due to the wideout’s turbulent past, from 2019 until March 2022. Adams landing his $28MM-per-year Raiders accord moved Hill to ask for a deal in that neighborhood, though the speed merchant said at the time he was not mandating he become the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. The Dolphins made Hill the position’s kingpin by authorizing a four-year, $120MM extension; that deal kept Hill atop the WR salary list until Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown and Justin Jefferson eclipsed his $30MM AAV this offseason.

The structure of Hill and Adams’ contracts point to their respective teams moving on or revising the deals, as lofty base salaries that likely will not be paid out are in place. Hill’s 2026 salary (a nonguaranteed $43.9MM) effectively makes 2025 a contract year, and he has sought better terms — potentially a new deal altogether — since last season ended. Hill’s 3,509 receiving yards since 2022 lead the NFL by more than 400, and his impact on Tua Tagovailoa‘s trajectory has been undeniable.

As the 2022 Xavien Howard redo showed, the Dolphins have a precedent in place for renegotiating with a player that had three years left on his contract. Hill’s deal running through 2026, along with his desire to stay in Miami, gives Chris Grier some ammo in the event the veteran GM does not want to provide a raise to a player locked in for three seasons. While Tagovailoa looms as Miami’s top priority, the team paying Jaylen Waddle does point to some type of adjustment to Hill’s contract commencing. But the timeline here is murky.

Vikings, LT Christian Darrisaw Agree To Extension

July 25th, 2024 at 4:34pm CST by Ben Levine

JULY 25: Joining Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith and Penei Sewell as 2021 first-rounders already extended, Darrisaw’s base value will fall short of Sewell’s $28MM-per-year Lions deal. The Vikings gave their left tackle a four-year, $104MM contract, according to OverTheCap. The contract includes $43.73MM guaranteed at signing, but Darrisaw is all but certain to add $13.29MM (his 2026 base salary) to that total. If Darrisaw is on Minnesota’s roster as of Day 3 of the 2025 league year, his 2026 base locks in.

This rolling guarantee structure, increasingly popular in recent years, also includes $8.38MM of Darrisaw’s 2027 compensation ($16.5MM) becoming guaranteed in March 2026, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The Vikings also guaranteed $2MM of Darrisaw’s 2028 base salary for injury, with the rest of that money becoming guaranteed in 2028. This contract makes Darrisaw the NFL’s highest-paid left tackle.

JULY 23: Christian Darrisaw has landed a big-ticket deal with the Vikings. The left tackle agreed to an extension on Tuesday, as first reported by Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

This will be a four-year pact worth up to $113MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Darrisaw will collect $77MM in guaranteed money, including $43.7MM locked in at signing. The offensive lineman still had two years remaining on his contract after having his fifth-year option picked up earlier this offseason.

This four-year extension will be added to the end of Darrisaw’s rookie deal, meaning the 25-year-old is locked in through the 2029 campaign. Considering general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wasn’t in place when the Virginia Tech alum was drafted, there was some uncertainty regarding the timeliness of a potential Darrisaw extension. Ultimately, the two sides completed a deal with time to spare.

The 2021 first-round pick has established himself as one of the league’s top OTs while blocking for Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. Pro Football Focus graded Darrisaw as the second-best offensive tackle in 2022, and he followed that up with an eighth-place finish (among 81 qualifiers) in 2023. The lineman has missed 10 regular season games in three years, but he managed to get into a career-high 15 games this past season.

While Darrisaw still has a few years before the extension kicks in, the new deal will vault him up the list of the league’s highest-paid left tackles. The $77MM in guaranteed money is now the highest commitment at his position, and the extension’s $28.25MM average annual value would top Laremy Tunsil‘s $25MM AAV. Darrisaw still has about $20MM coming his way in the final two seasons of his current deal.

As the Vikings transition from the veteran Cousins to a rookie in J.J. McCarthy, the front office is assuring some continuity elsewhere on offense. McCarthy’s rookie contract has also allowed the organization to allocate finances elsewhere. In addition to Darrisaw’s new contract, the Vikings also handed wideout Justin Jefferson a lucrative extension this offseason.

While there’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding the offense moving forward, the Vikings can rest easy knowing their core is locked in. In addition to Darrisaw, Jefferson, and McCarthy, the team has Jordan Addison on his rookie contract and tight end T.J. Hockenson signed long-term.

Panthers To Audition Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Lawson, Marquis Haynes, Kemoko Turay

July 25th, 2024 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

JULY 25: Kemoko Turay is joining Haynes at today’s workout, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets. Failing to make the Falcons’ 53-man roster last year, Turay spent most of the season out of football. The former Colts second-rounder has not panned out, but he did total 5.5 sacks as a rotational cog in 2021. The Panthers now have Ngakoue and Lawson set to audition Friday.

JULY 24, 5:09pm: Marquis Haynes, a pass rusher who has been a Panther throughout his six-year career, will be part of Thursday’s workout group as well, Kaye adds. Added under Ron Rivera, Haynes has played for six HCs. Though, the Panthers have some continuity on defense, at least, with Ejiro Evero coming back for a second season as DC. After a five-sack 2022, Haynes missed much of last season due to a back injury.

10:09am: The Brian Burns trade led to a Panthers reboot on the edge. For now, the team is taking a veteran-heavy approach at the position. Jadeveon Clowney, D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson are in place as Carolina’s most notable outside linebackers. The team is still looking for similar help here.

After not drafting an edge player, the Panthers placed Wonnum on their active/PUP list to start training camp. With Chaisson underwhelming in Jacksonville, plenty could be on Clowney’s shoulders. The former No. 1 overall pick might have some help soon, as the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye reports Yannick Ngakoue‘s workout tour will stop through Charlotte. The Panthers are also preparing to audition Carl Lawson this week. Ngakoue’s workout will take place Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.

Previously eyeing a deal before training camp, Ngakoue worked out for the Dolphins this week. Emmanuel Ogbah‘s familiarity won out, and the nomadic edge rusher remains in search of a deal. With Wonnum rehabbing a torn quad suffered in Week 16 — an injury that was expected to cost him camp time — and Chaisson producing a grand total of five sacks in four Jaguars seasons, the Panthers appear to remain in need of help. Clowney has reached notable peaks throughout his career, but the injury-prone pass rusher has been unable to sustain success since leaving Houston in 2019.

This would open the door for Ngakoue, who is still just 29 despite going into his ninth NFL season. The former third-round pick’s run of sack production stalled in Chicago last year, as his seven-year streak of eight-plus-sack seasons — a string no active NFLer matched from 2016-22 — halted after a four-sack slate last season. Ngakoue suffered a broken ankle last December, though he did start 13 Bears games prior to that injury. Ngakoue’s 10 sacks alongside Maxx Crosby in 2021 helped the Raiders to the playoffs, and he led the 2022 Colts with 9.5. Viewed as a liability against the run, Ngakoue has cycled through six teams over the course of his career — including five during the 2020s.

Lawson, 29, has not landed in offseason rumors the way Ngakoue has. The recent Jets contributor did visit the Dolphins in April, however, and has been productive in the not-so-distant past. He totaled seven sacks and 24 QB hits with the Jets in 2022, helping Robert Saleh‘s defense rebound after a woeful 2021. Lawson’s training camp injury contributed to New York’s last-place rankings that season, but he found himself out of the Jets’ D-line rotation last year after accepting an offseason pay cut. Lawson, whom the Jets tried to trade, did not record a sack in 2023.

It would make sense for the Panthers to add some help here. Their $6MM in cap space sits 29th in the league, and Ngakoue likely will not be available for the veteran minimum. Despite having agreed to a three-year, $45MM Jets deal in 2021, Lawson would stand to come cheaper.

Kevin Stefanski To Remain Browns’ Play-Caller In 2024

July 25th, 2024 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Browns hired a new offensive coordinator and other staffers in an effort to design an offense more suited to Deshaun Watson‘s skillset, the team is not changing its play-caller.

Kevin Stefanski said Thursday he will call plays for the Browns this season. Despite Stefanski carrying the play sheet during his first four seasons in Cleveland, some uncertainty existed whether he would continue to do so after hiring ex-Bills play-caller Ken Dorsey as OC. Dorsey will follow Alex Van Pelt as a non-play-calling Browns OC.

The Browns have succeeded intermittently with Stefanski calling plays, and the recently extended coach most recently displayed his chops by guiding the 2023 team to the playoffs after numerous injuries — including Watson’s season-ending shoulder malady — impacted their offense. Stefanski steered late-season free agency pickup Joe Flacco to Comeback Player of the Year acclaim, doing so without the services of Nick Chubb and the team’s top three tackles for much of the season.

The Bills fired Dorsey midway through his second season as their play-caller, giving way to Joe Brady. Buffalo’s Josh Allen-driven offense had run into some issues during a midseason swoon, one the team rebounded from en route to the AFC’s No. 2 seed. That said, Dorsey guided the Bills to No. 2 rankings in scoring and total offense in 2022. This came despite Allen playing through injury for much of that season.

Stefanski collecting the Coach of the Year award in 2020, after Baker Mayfield bounced back from a woeful 2019, came after he called plays in Minnesota in 2019. Cleveland’s current HC carries more experience than Dorsey, by a significant margin, calling plays. As the Browns make some changes on offense, the unit’s maestro will not change.

Cleveland took a significant step back in 2021, as Mayfield played hurt ahead of an awkward transition to Watson, and their high-priced quarterback has not come especially close to justifying the historic trade cost. Stefanski, however, coaxed a solid Jacoby Brissett stretch in 2022. The fifth-year Browns HC must continue to make it work with Watson, whose $230MM guaranteed contract runs through 2026. While Dorsey carries experience and would be the next man up, Watson will be continue communicating with Stefanski in the huddle.

Panthers Sign WR Deven Thompkins

July 25th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Waived by the Buccaneers after allegations of domestic violence surfaced, Deven Thompkins later received word he would not be suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This will lead to another chance for the young wide receiver.

The Panthers added Thompkins on Thursday, reuniting him with 2023 Bucs OC Dave Canales. Thompkins has largely operated as a backup and return specialist. With the Panthers having made some notable receiver investments over the past two years, it would appear Thompkins will compete for such a role in Carolina as well.

The Bucs waived Thompkins, 24, with an injury designation in June, doing so days after his estranged wife alleged domestic abuse. Thompkins’ wife, Maria Castilhos, accused the wide receiver of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. Thompkins filed for divorce on Feb. 27, 2024. In the wake of Castilhos’ accusations, he recently filed a lawsuit against her for defamation and tortious interference with his NFL contract. As part of that claim, Thompkins alleges that Castilhos threatened him “with fabricated allegations of domestic violence unless he met her financial demands for additional alimony” in the divorce proceeding.

An NFL meeting led to assurances the 5-foot-8, 155-pound wideout would not receive a suspension. Barely a week after that ruling, the former UDFA will receive another shot. This comes at an interesting point, as an offseason rule change is set to revive the kickoff return. Thompkins served as Tampa Bay’s primary kick returner in 2022 and ’23; he was also the Bucs’ lead punt returner last season.

Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault Jr. served as Carolina’s kick returners last season. Shenault is now with the Seahawks, while Blackshear remains on the Panthers’ roster. As a receiver, Thompkins caught 17 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown last season.

49ers LT Trent Williams Staging Holdout

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

JULY 25: Making Williams’ no-show official, the 49ers placed their starting left tackle on the reserve/did not report list. For a second straight year, the 49ers have a confirmed holdout.

JULY 24: Trent Williams remains on a six-year contract that runs through 2026, but the acclaimed left tackle is no longer satisfied with the terms of that deal. Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport) the veteran blocker is holding out.

This news follows Brandon Aiyuk‘s hold-in decision. The 49ers could waive Aiyuk’s fines — as they did for Nick Bosa last year — because he is on a rookie contract, but Williams must be fined daily for skipping camp. The 15th-year tackle has done well for himself since entering the league — on a CBA that was friendlier to first-round picks — in 2010, so accruing camp fines does not figure to derail Williams here.

Williams signed a six-year, $138.1MM deal to stay in San Francisco during the 2021 free agency period, maximizing his leverage by hitting the market. The contract has slid to fourth among tackles, and the Vikings’ Tuesday deal with Christian Darrisaw — when the details emerge — may drop the All-Pro 49ers tackle to fifth at his position. Penei Sewell, Laremy Tunsil and Andrew Thomas are each tied to higher AAVs than Williams, who does not have any guarantees remaining on his deal.

Williams provides tremendous value for the 49ers, having almost definitely secured a Hall of Fame route during his time in the Bay Area. He will attempt to exert more leverage to secure some better terms.

This is, however, a rather interesting holdout due to Williams’ age. He turned 36 last week and has been linked to retirement. The former Washington draftee said late last season he would play at least one more year, but he is not a candidate for a massive extension — especially with three years left on his current deal. The Oklahoma product did say a bit earlier last year he wanted to play until age 40, however. That longevity aim may well have come up during offseason talks.

A straight raise would stand to appeal to Williams due to his age, as the 49ers giving him another extension that runs beyond 2026 may not be especially relevant here. The four-time All-Pro is due $20.1MM in base salary this season. While that money is not guaranteed, Williams is in no danger of being released or traded before Week 1. As a vested veteran, his salary will lock in just before the start of the season.

Re-emerging after a dispute with Washington preceded a full-season absence in 2019, Williams established a new career peak in San Francisco. He has been the first-team left tackle on the past three All-Pro squads; that came after his Washington tenure did not include any first-team All-Pro nods. The 49ers lost both the games Williams missed last season, with he and Deebo Samuel‘s absences serving as central reasons for the eventual NFC champions’ midseason swoon.

A panel of anonymous NFL evaluators ranked Williams as the NFL’s top tackle recently, via ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, and Pro Football Focus slotted Williams as the game’s best left tackle last season. PFF ranked Williams first among all tackles in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Williams’ leverage also comes from the 49ers featuring an O-line with no one else remotely near Williams’ talent level, with the team keeping costs low around its LT anchor.

The Chiefs pursued Williams in free agency three years ago, helping to drive up the 49ers’ price. Still, Williams signing a six-year contract — one that drove the AAV to a then-OL-record $23.01MM — gave the team considerable control here. Three- and four-year deals have become the NFL norm for non-quarterbacks, allowing opportunities to cash in not long after. As one of the top wage earners in NFL history ($171MM — eighth all time), Williams did well to secure a homestretch contract. But his performance has exceeded expectations since.

The Raiders rewarded Maxx Crosby by moving money from future years to 2024; the 49ers would stand to have that option with Williams. He will incur fines north of $40K per day by skipping camp. Of course, Williams’ past earnings would give him some solid ground on which to stand — depending on how far he plans to go to prove his point.

Matthew Stafford Addresses Rams Deal

July 25th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of players around the NFL are currently absent from training camps as they seek new deals. Matthew Stafford and the Rams avoided the threat of such a scenario by working out a new financial arrangement.

The Super Bowl-winning quarterback attended the start of training camp with upgrades to his existing deal in place. Stafford remains under contract through 2026, but the new pact is believed to provide him with added security. His $31MM 2024 base salary was already guaranteed, but the lack of locked in money beyond that point led to negotiations during the spring.

Full financial details are not yet known, but Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic writes this week’s agreement will increase “some” of Stafford’s guarantees (subscription required). She adds the deal appears to be a compromise, though it was obviously sufficient to avoid a potential holdout. Stafford was not expected to skip the start of camp, but Rodrigue reports there was uncertainty in the organization whether or not he would report in the absence of a deal. In the end, Stafford is satisfied with his new situation.

“It was a good agreement, listen, I’m happy to be where I am,” the two-time Pro Bowler said (via Rodrigue). “I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be playing. I’m excited about playing football this year, and that’s what matters to me the most, to be honest with you.”

Head coach Sean McVay made it clear this offseason Stafford will remain atop Los Angeles’ depth chart for as long as he intends to keep playing. The former No. 1 pick – who has been linked to retirement in the past and has dealt with a number of injuries in his career – enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023, helping lead the team to the postseason. Stafford and Co. will look to duplicate that success this year, his fourth with the Rams.

Los Angeles signed Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency to serve as a veteran backup, and 2023 fourth-rounder Stetson Bennett does not profile as a long-term Stafford successor. The latter will thus be at the helm of the Rams’ offense for the foreseeable future with a new financial setup in place.

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, Grady Jarrett Medically Cleared

July 25th, 2024 at 10:49am CST by Adam La Rose

As the Falcons begin training camp, two of their most important players have received a clean bill of health. Head coach Raheem Morris announced on Thursday that quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett have been cleared to take part in training camp (h/t ESPN’s Marc Raimondi).

The news comes as little surprise given the team’s recovery expectations for both players. Jarrett hoped to be back to 100% in time for the start of camp, and that has proven to be the case. The two-time Pro Bowler was limited to eight games last season due to an ACL tear suffered on the same day Cousins’ campaign was cut short by a torn Achilles.

The latter’s rehab has been a key storyline throughout the offseason as he prepares for his debut Atlanta campaign. Cousins said earlier this month he intended to be back at full strength no later than August 1, so today’s update is an encouraging sign. It has long been expected the Falcons would take a cautious approach with the 35-year-old’s practice workload as he continues to rehab, but he will have not share time with the starting offense this summer.

Morris said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic) Cousins will receive all of Atlanta’s first-team reps during training camp. That will leave first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. and incumbent Taylor Heinicke to split time with the team’s backups. Cousins has already been assured of the starting gig in spite of Penix’s draft status, leaving him free to focus on his transition to Atlanta at the start of his four-year, $160MM pact. Penix, meanwhile, will aim to lock down the QB2 role over the coming weeks.

The Falcons made a pair of draft investments along the defensive interior this spring, but Jarrett will remain a focal point upon his return to health in 2024. The 31-year-old has recorded multiple sacks seven times in his career, and two years remain on his current contract. He and Cousins will have a full training camp under their belts by the time the campaign starts.

Eagles’ Brandon Graham To Retire After 2024 Season

July 25th, 2024 at 8:44am CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles saw two members of their ‘Core Four’ retire following the 2023 season. Center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have elected to hang up their cleats, but defensive end Brandon Graham will play out one more year in Philadelphia.

The latter confirmed at the start of training camp that 2024 will be the final year of his decorated career. Graham, 36, worked out a one-year, $4MM deal in March. That pact came as no surprise given the mutual interest which existed on a final campaign being spent with the only organization he has played for.

“Last first day as a player. I don’t know what the future holds with the organization,” Graham said when speaking to the media (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). “It’s my last year, so just trying to soak it all in, trying to enjoy every day.”

The former first-rounder made it clear in the aftermath of the Eagles’ wild-card loss in January he (along with right tackle Lane Johnson) intended to continue playing in 2024. Graham already holds the franchise record for games played (195), and suiting up for the coming campaign will make him the first Eagle to play 15 seasons with the organization. He will look to add to his personal accolades this year in addition to winning a second Super Bowl.

Graham served as a starter along the edge from 2015-21, but over the past two seasons he has seen his playing time drop. The Michigan product logged a snap share of 43% in 2022, and that figure fell to 34% last year. The Eagles have Josh Sweat and free agent addition Bryce Huff in place as projected starters at the defensive end spot, along with 2023 first-rounder Nolan Smith positioned to take on an increased workload.

While plenty will be expected of that trio, Graham will continue to contribute in a rotational capacity this season. He posted only three sacks last year, but the 2022 campaign saw him set a career high in that department with 11. Regardless of what happens on the field in 2024, Graham will look to find a role in the organization once he officially hangs up his cleats.

Seahawks, S Julian Love Reach Agreement On Extension

July 24th, 2024 at 10:07pm CST by Ely Allen

After making his first Pro Bowl with the Seahawks last year, safety Julian Love was set to enter the 2024 season on the final year of his contract. It appears that Seattle valued his contribution in 2023 enough to sign Love to a new three-year extension worth up to $36MM, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Love left Notre Dame after his junior season as a consensus All-American, getting drafted in the fourth round by the Giants in 2019. Over his first three seasons, Love wasn’t viewed as a starter in New York, often sitting behind the likes of Antoine Bethea, Jabrill Peppers, Logan Ryan, and Xavier McKinney. Still, he got a decent amount of playing time with at least five starts in each of those first three years and nabbing one interception in each of those years, as well.

In the final year of his rookie contract, Love finally earned a role as a full-time starter on the Giants defense. Love led the team with a career-high 124 tackles, earning other career highs in interceptions (two), tackles for loss (six), and sacks (one). His efforts earned him a spot in Seattle with a two-year, $12MM contract, despite beliefs in New York that Love would re-sign with the Giants.

Despite seeming to be a superfluous addition to a secondary that already rostered Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, Love found new life in Seattle. In his first season with the Seahawks, Love started 12 games, filling in as an injury replacement for Adams at first, before becoming too crucial to the defense to keep off the field. Love was all over the field on defense, finishing second on the team with 123 tackles, while tallying career highs in interceptions (4) and passes defensed (10). With the releases of both Adams and Diggs, Love will take over alongside newly signed Rayshawn Jenkins as the top safety duo in Seattle this coming season.

Before his new deal, Love was expected to head into the final year of his two-year contract with a cap hit of $8.09MM. Love’s extension will likely lower that figure while rewarding the safety with a new signing bonus. Instead of dealing with free agency next offseason, the two parties will now be tied together through the 2027 NFL season.

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