HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Browns Place Nick Chubb, Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin On PUP List

July 24th, 2024 at 11:00am CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns entered their wild-card game without Nick Chubb and both their starting tackles. Although Deshaun Watson has returned after missing the stretch run, Cleveland remains without its Pro Bowl running back and tackle tandem.

Chubb joined Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin on the Browns’ active/PUP list to open training camp Wednesday. Neither Wills nor Conklin participated in Browns minicamp, working off to the side. Conklin, however, said this month he expected to be a training camp participant. That will not take place at the outset. Chubb is coming off two knee surgeries, making his placement on the camp injured list unsurprising.

Players stationed on the active/PUP list can be activated at any point during camp, as teams do not have to make decisions pertaining to the reserve/PUP list — which sidelines players for at least four games — for a few weeks. Chubb can be considered a candidate for that list, but it would surprise if Conklin or Wills did not return to practice soon. Conklin sustained ACL and MCL tears in Week 1 of last season, while Wills went down with an MCL sprain in December.

Now in a contract year, Wills will need to bounce back to earn a lucrative deal — either via a Browns extension or as a 2025 free agent — after missing nine games last season. Given the nature of the former first-rounder’s injury, it is a bit surprising he remains out of the mix regarding full work. Wills’ MCL issue did lead to surgery, however. The 2020 draftee has started all 53 games he has played in Cleveland, joining Conklin — a 2020 free agency pickup — as the team’s starters in that span.

Conklin, 30 in August, has seen knee injuries play a regular role during his NFL career. He went down midway through the 2018 season with an ACL tear — a setback that contributed to the Titans declining his fifth-year option — and missed 10 Browns games due to a torn patella tendon in 2021. The knee maladies are piling up for Conklin, whom the Browns extended late in the 2022 season. But the former first-round pick is expected to man Cleveland’s RT post again soon.

Given a substantial pay cut this offseason, Chubb is attempting to make his way back from two knee surgeries performed last fall. Chubb did not sustain a full ACL tear, though he did tear an MCL fully, in Week 2 of last season. But the Browns are expected to be cautious with the perennial Pro Bowler. It is not yet known when Chubb will be unleashed this season, and it would not surprise to see the team stash him on the reserve/PUP list. Though, that would create questions at running back for the AFC North club.

In addition to Chubb, the Browns have free agent signing Nyheim Hines rehabbing a major knee injury. The former Colts and Bills RB landed on Cleveland’s active/NFI list, as the injury he sustained while on a jet ski in 2023 has sidelined him for over a year. Hines is aiming for a return during camp. The Browns, who added D’Onta Foreman as RB insurance, also placed DT Dalvin Tomlinson on their active/PUP list with a knee issue. Greg Newsome landed on Cleveland’s active/NFI list with a hamstring injury. Safety D’Anthony Bell is also on the Browns’ PUP list.

Jets Offered Haason Reddick Extension Before Eagles Trade

July 24th, 2024 at 9:19am CST by Sam Robinson

The Haason Reddick situation remains a front-burner Jets issue, as the offseason trade acquisition was a no-show to start training camp. While the Jets are open to adjusting Reddick’s deal via sweeteners, they are not believed to prefer a long-term extension before the accomplished edge rusher plays a down this season.

Though, the Jets are now believed to have offered some type of extension months ago. Receiving permission to speak with Reddick’s camp prior to the trade, the Jets made an offer Reddick declined, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. While the proposal provided Reddick a raise from the $14.25MM salary he is due this year, the former first-round pick’s asking price is currently out of the Jets’ range.

Reddick is seeking a deal in $25-$28MM-per-year territory, Hughes adds. This would place Reddick in the top six among edge rusher AAVs, a sector his sack production would support. The Jets had expected the eighth-year vet to report for their offseason program and training camp. After incurring just more than $100K in fines for skipping minicamp, Reddick has continued to stay away from his new team. This has created an impasse, as the New York Post’s Brian Costello indicates the Jets are not interested in negotiating with Reddick until he reports.

The Jets traded a conditional 2026 third-round pick for Reddick in late March, and while the team has a regular role planned for him (as opposed to the situational role Bryce Huff held), GM Joe Douglas has been hesitant to authorize an extension. Reddick’s age (30 in September) has come up as one of the reasons the team is holding off here, but sending a Day 2 pick for a player — conditional or not — and then seeing that player hold out obviously presents a bad look.

As the Jets are eyeing short-term solutions with Reddick, Costello adds the former Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles edge is more focused on a long-term play. Reddick outplayed his three-year, $45MM deal in Philly, leading the 2022 NFC champions’ charge at the 1984 Bears’ long-running sack record. The Eagles fell just short of that mark but still produced a staggering 70 sacks. Reddick’s 50.5 sacks during the 2020s rank fourth in the NFL, yet his contract has fallen to 19th among edge rushers. Huff secured better terms than Reddick’s this offseason, inking a three-year, $51.1MM Eagles deal. The Jets’ reluctance to pay Huff has certainly affected their developing Reddick situation.

The team is not opposed to doing a deal in-season, per Hughes, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini indicates an extension coming to pass later in the season is still in play. The team wants to gauge the fit first. The Jets extended John Franklin-Myers in September 2021, though Reddick is a much higher-profile player compared to the former waiver claim. Due to Reddick coming aboard, the Jets traded Franklin-Myers to the Broncos in what amounted to a salary dump.

Reddick is also running short on time to cash in, as less productive (but younger) edge rushers Brian Burns and Josh Allen nearly doubled his AAV on extensions this offseason. Finally, Hughes notes the Jets have informed Reddick they have no plans to trade or release him. As such, this drama persists. The team must fine Reddick approximately $50K per day for his absences, as he is attached to a veteran contract.

Post-Franklin-Myers, the Jets have recent first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in the fold. Reddick’s holdout opens the door for McDonald, but the team obviously wants the veteran to anchor its defensive end contingent. For now, the sides are not in alignment on how to make that happen.

Saints Add Dave Ziegler To Staff

July 24th, 2024 at 8:44am CST by Sam Robinson

Brought in to advise the Saints before the draft, Dave Ziegler has landed a full-time gig with the NFC South organization. The Saints have officially added the former Raiders GM to their front office, per NewOrleans.football’s Nick Underhill.

The team has Ziegler in place as a personnel advisor in its Mickey Loomis-led front office. This will reunite Ziegler with Derek Carr, creating some interesting optics considering how the latter’s Raiders tenure ended. While Josh McDaniels does not currently hold a full-time NFL gig, the other Raiders bigwig canned midway through last season now does.

This continues Saints connections to Carr-era Raiders power brokers, as Jon Gruden has helped out the team on a temporary basis since Carr’s arrival. Gruden, however, does not hold a full-time role in New Orleans. Ziegler, whom the Raiders fired hours after last year’s trade deadline along with McDaniels, will aim to rebound after his GM opportunity ended in Year 2 of a six-year contract.

The Raiders remain on the hook for Ziegler and McDaniels’ deals, but Mark Davis moved on quickly. Ziegler, 46, held roster control in Las Vegas but will work a few rungs under Loomis moving forward. He joins Jeff Ireland as a former GM on the Saints’ staff. The Saints also hired Brandon Tamres as a scouting assistant, Underhill adds. Tamres was most recently at Georgia as a recruiting analyst.

While Ziegler controlled the Raiders’ 53-man roster, it was assumed he was riding shotgun to McDaniels in Vegas. This period included the end of Carr’s nine-season run as the team’s starting quarterback. The Raiders, with help from Davis, benched Carr before Week 17 of the 2022 season. The team parked Carr to ensure a $40MM-plus guarantee did not vest in 2023, with Jarrett Stidham — who has made a habit of replacing starters with injury guarantees clouding their futures — taking over. The Raiders then cut Carr, whom the Ziegler-McDaniels regime ultimately deemed a poor fit in the latter’s offense, to avoid the guarantee in February of last year.

Opinions were divided on Ziegler’s role in Nevada, but he joined McDaniels and OC Mick Lombardi in receiving the boot at last year’s midseason point. The Raiders, who made the playoffs in 2021, went 14-20 on Ziegler’s watch and handed out a few deals — for Carr, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller and Chandler Jones — that did not age well. Ziegler’s handling of the Raiders’ QB position in 2023 played a central role in his ouster. Prior to Ziegler’s Raiders role, he held a key post in New England. Ziegler also worked with McDaniels in Denver and remained there following the HC’s ouster.

Giants’ Daniel Jones Cleared Ahead Of Training Camp

July 24th, 2024 at 8:22am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 24: Daboll confirmed Wednesday that Jones has received full clearance for camp. Daboll said (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) the sixth-year quarterback will participate in 11-on-11 drills for the first time this year. Continuing to put to rest any notion of a QB competition, Daboll added Jones will take every snap with the first-team offense during camp.

JULY 21: Daniel Jones has long been expected to be healthy in time for training camp. When providing an update on his health, the sixth-year Giants quarterback confirmed he will be 100% once summer practices commence.

Jones told Peter Botte of the New York Post he “should be” ready in time for Wednesday, the Giants’ first training camp session. The 27-year-old has been rehabbing the ACL tear which ended his 2023 campaign, and he has not endured any setbacks to date. Jones participated in minicamp during the spring, though he did not take part in 11-on-11 drills.

That will of course change once training camp opens. Jones – whose future in New York has been a topic of considerable speculation during the offseason – will work with the first-team offense. Free agent signee Drew Lock is in place as a relatively experienced backup, but head coach Brian Daboll previously made it clear there will be no competition in the summer. Of course, that commitment to Jones will not put to rest concerns over his long-term Giants outlook.

New York was among the teams which made a concerted effort to trade up to the No. 3 slot and select a quarterback in April. To little surprise, Jones was not thrilled with that approach but he enters 2024 with the opportunity to stake his claim to a long-term stay in the Big Apple. Three years remain on the former first-rounder’s deal, though a potential out exists after the coming season.

For that reason, plenty is at stake as Jones prepares for his first campaign without running back Saquon Barkley in the fold. The latter departed in free agency after general manager Joe Schoen and Co. prioritized upgrades along the offensive line and at the skill positions during the offseason. Jones’ health is an area of concern as well given his injury history, but 2024 will at least begin on the right foot in that respect.

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb Not Reporting To Training Camp

July 23rd, 2024 at 10:14pm CST by Ben Levine

After learning earlier today that the Cowboys had yet to engage in “substantial” extension talks with CeeDee Lamb, the inactive negotiations have led to a holdout. “A person with knowledge” of Lamb’s thinking told Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News that the player will not be reporting to training camp tomorrow. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has since confirmed the news. ESPN’s Todd Archer was first to report that the organization was “bracing” for a Lamb no-show when practices start on Thursday.

[RELATED: Cowboys Yet To Conduct ‘Substantial’ Negotiations With WR CeeDee Lamb]

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport clarifies that the two sides have indeed worked on a new deal, although it’s uncertain if that runs contrary to the aforementioned report of minimal “substantial” talks. The wideout will continue to face daily fines of $50K until he attends camp.

While Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown all earned offseason extensions that will pay at least $30MM per year, Lamb is still attached to his $17.99MM fifth-year option. The Oklahoma alum did initially state an interest in becoming the NFL’s highest-paid wideout. It’s uncertain if he’s now pushing for Jefferson’s record-breaking $35MM AAV, but at the very least, he can point to the Vikings WR’s $110MM in guaranteed money.

Both sides always intended to see how the market played out, and recent reports indicated that the Cowboys were prioritizing a Lamb extension over deals for Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons. Perhaps that report was a signal of things to come and the Cowboys read the tea leafs regarding Lamb’s impending holdout. Of course, this news also doesn’t come as a huge shock. Lamb had been a candidate to engage in a holdout for quite some time, considering he skipped voluntary OTAs as well as mandatory minicamp.

Now, the Cowboys will be engaged in a holdout for the second-straight training camp. Last year, Zack Martin held out as he pursued a new contract. The Cowboys ended up being the side to blink, as the organization turned the final two years of Martin’s contract into a fully guaranteed agreement. Lamb will obviously be seeking both guarantees and term on his next pact, and with Dallas having not guaranteed a receiver more than $40MM at signing (while also holding the line on contracts spanning at least five years), it’s uncertain which side will relent. For what it’s worth, Ezekiel Elliott won his staring contest with the Cowboys back in 2019, with the running back earning a new contract that made him the highest-paid player at his position.

Lamb has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ passing attack since the team moved on from Amari Cooper in 2022. The 25-year-old is coming off a first-team All-Pro season (the first by a Dallas wideout since Dez Bryant), setting franchise records in receptions (135) and yards (1,749) along the way.

Brandon Aiyuk Reports To 49ers’ Training Camp

July 23rd, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Brandon Aiyuk has not landed the long-term deal he is seeking, nor has his recent trade request resulted in a change of scenery. The 49ers wideout will nevertheless be in attendance for the start of training camp.

Aiyuk reported to camp on Tuesday, as noted by Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Many players seeking a new deal (or a trade) often remain absent as a means of exerting leverage and forcing a resolution. Instead, Aiyuk will be present for summer practices; it would come as no surprise, though, if he staged a hold-in by attending but not taking part in any on-field work.

Questions have been in place throughout the offseason regarding whether or not Aiyuk would remain in San Francisco for the 2024 season and beyond. The 26-year-old drew considerable interest at the draft, with at least five teams being prepared to meet his asking price on a long-term contract. No trade was worked out, and the 49ers are not interested in exploring a deal at this point in the offseason. A distinct lack of progress on the negotiating front led to this situation’s latest escalation.

Aiyuk – who on a number of occasions has voiced his displeasure over the absence of an extension via social media – requested a trade one week ago. A recent meeting with team officials did not produce traction toward an agreement, though as expected San Francisco still views him as a key part of the 2024 roster. General manager John Lynch confirmed (via Garafolo) the 49ers “fully intend” to keep the Arizona State product in the fold for at least the coming season.

The team is believed to be eyeing an agreement between $26 and $27MM per season, a figure which would move Aiyuk into the top 10 in receiver compensation. His asking price has shifted over the course of the offseason, however, one in which three wideouts (Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown) surpassed $30MM in annual compensation. The former first-rounder is currently slated to play out his $14.12MM fifth-year option in 2024.

San Francisco has a number of big-money offensive skill position contracts on the books already, and the team will have a Brock Purdy extension to attend to as early as next offseason. The 49ers added Ricky Pearsall in the first round of this year’s draft, but for now signs continue to point to Aiyuk (who could be franchise tagged in 2025) playing a fifth campaign in the Bay Area.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton Expected To Attend Training Camp

July 23rd, 2024 at 8:56pm CST by Ben Levine

While there hasn’t been a resolution on Courtland Sutton‘s contract, the wide receiver is expected to participate in training camp. Sean Payton told reporters (including Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post) that he expects the wideout to practice with the team this week. The Broncos are set to hit the practice field for the first time on Wednesday.

Payton also acknowledged that he hasn’t talked with the receiver about his contract dispute, but the coach is confident it won’t be a distraction. Sutton is still attached to a four-year, $60MM extension that runs through 2025. The 28-year-old is believed to be pushing for a raise on his $13MM 2024 base salary, with $16MM being the receiver’s expected asking price. Sutton also only has $2MM more in guaranteed money coming his way, so the player is presumably seeking some more financial certainty, as well.

The receiver previously reported to Denver’s minicamp, but he kept the door open to a potential training camp holdout. That route would have made Sutton subject to fines, and he wouldn’t have been able to recoup any of that lost value since he’s already attached to a veteran contract.

The former second-round pick hasn’t establish himself as a top-tier WR in the NFL, but he still has put together five 700-plus-yard seasons. He’s been remarkably consistent over the past three years, averaging 60 catches and 792 receiving yards over the span. After hauling in four touchdowns between 2021 and 2022, Sutton caught a career-high 10 scores in 2023. The veteran has seemingly been connected to trade rumors for years, but the wideout has continued to stick around through multiple regimes and multiple QBs.

While the Broncos have time on their hands, there is some merit to keeping Sutton happy while assuring the veteran is locked in beyond the 2025 campaign. The organization already moved on from a trade-rumor mainstay in Jerry Jeudy, which only puts more reliance on Sutton as the top receiver. The team also moved off Russell Wilson and replaced him with first-round QB Bo Nix, so Sutton’s experience will surely come in handy in the upcoming years.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24

July 23rd, 2024 at 8:25pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Julién Davenport

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
  • Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

WR Michael Gallup Retires

July 23rd, 2024 at 7:28pm CST by Ben Levine

After joining the Raiders earlier this offseason, Michael Gallup is apparently calling it a career. The team announced that they’ve placed the wide receiver on the reserve/retired list.

The 2018 third-round pick quickly established himself as a foundational piece in Dallas, finishing his sophomore campaign with 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six touchdowns. Despite the team’s addition of first-round WR CeeDee Lamb in 2020, Gallup still managed to top 800 receiving yards on a depth chart that also featured Amari Cooper.

The trouble started in 2021. Gallup missed the first chunk of the season thanks to a calf injury. He was limited to a then-career-low 12.7 yards per reception that season on 35 catches before suffering a torn ACL in the regular season finale. The organization clearly wasn’t deterred by the injuries, as the front office handed Gallup a five-year, $62.5MM extension before trading Cooper days later.

To Gallup’s credit, he returned for 14 games in 2022, but he clearly wasn’t the same player. While Dak Prescott‘s absence partly played into Gallup’s drop in production, the wide receiver was still limited to only 30 yards per game. He managed to get into all 17 games this past season but his counting stats continued to drop, with the 28-year-old compiling only 34 catches for 418 yards and two scores.

The Cowboys gave Gallup permission to seek a trade earlier this offseason, but the team ultimately decided to cut him before a $4MM salary guarantee was due. The wideout quickly caught on with the Raiders, inking a one-year deal that could be worth up to $3MM. There was some hope that the veteran could soak up the snaps left by Hunter Renfrow, who was cut in March. Indeed, Ed Werder reports that news of Gallup’s retirement came as a surprise to the Raiders. The organization will now have an open competition for the WR3 spot behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

Vikings Sign CB Duke Shelley

July 23rd, 2024 at 6:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

Duke Shelley is back with a familiar team in time for training camp. The veteran corner re-joined the Vikings on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

Shelley spent his first three seasons in the league with Chicago, logging six starts and 30 appearances during that span. He did not survive roster cuts in 2022, though, and upon clearing waivers he found himself on the Vikings’ practice squad. The former sixth-rounder made five starts upon signing to Minnesota’s active roster that year, and he recorded his lone career interception during his first Vikings stint (one which predated the arrival of defensive coordinator Brian Flores).

In free agency last offseason, Shelley signed with the Raiders but again he did not manage to secure a roster spot during training camp. The 27-year-old did not need to wait long to find a new home, though, inking a deal with the Rams in September. During his lone Los Angeles campaign, Shelley played 11 games while primarily logging a special teams role.

His third phase experience could help him carve out a roster spot upon his return to Minnesota. Shelley did, however, log a 52% defensive snap share during his first Vikings stint, so he has experience handling at least a rotational role in the secondary. Minnesota has Byron Murphy and free agent addition Shaquill Griffin atop the depth chart as things stand, but Shelley will be able to compete for a backup gig.

The tragic death of rookie Khyree Jackson left the Vikings short on depth at the cornerback spot, and Shelley will aim to land a full-time gig during his return to Minnesota. The team entered Tuesday with over $21MM in cap space, so further roster moves in the coming days and weeks could still take place.

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