HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Broncos Add Incentives To Courtland Sutton’s Contract

July 30th, 2024 at 4:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 30: This is actually a $1.7MM incentive package. A three-tiered setup is now in place for the seventh-year receiver. Sutton can collect $500K if he totals 500 receiving yards and the Broncos improve on their 2023 point total or average yards per pass attempt, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. These two conditions are in place for the next two $500K escalators — at 750 and 1,065 yards, respectively. The final $500K bump can also be achieved if Sutton hits 900 receiving yards and the Broncos rank in the top 10 in yards per pass play.

The Broncos scored 357 points last season — well up from their 287-point debacle in 2022 — and saw Russell Wilson average 6.9 yards per attempt (21st). The final $200K would be available if the Broncos snap their playoff drought and Sutton either hits 1,500 receiving yards (his career high is 1,112, which came in 2019) or scores 10 touchdowns. Sutton did finish with 10 TD grabs last season.

JULY 25: Courtland Sutton attended Broncos’ training camp in anticipation of a new financial arrangement being worked out. That has now taken place, with the Pro Bowl wideout agreeing to new money being added to his pact.

Sutton has received $1.5MM in additional incentives, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. He can now earn up to $15.2MM over the course of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old remains under contract through 2025, but this agreement will not change his scheduled earnings for next year. Sutton was originally due $2MM guaranteed over the remainder of his pact, which drove his efforts to land a new deal.

The former second-rounder skipped voluntary OTAs while seeking added compensation for the immediate future. Sutton was due a $13MM base salary in 2024 prior to today’s agreement, one which 9News’ Mike Klis confirms does not lock in a larger portion of his earnings in addition to the incentives being added on. He took part in mandatory minicamp, a move which avoided fines being accumulated. The same held true of training camp attendance.

Sutton signed a four-year, $60MM extension in 2021, a period before the numerous shifts which have taken place in the receiver market. The top of the positions’ pecking order has surged to $35MM per season, a mark Sutton did not realistically have a chance of approaching. Still, the SMU product will be able to increase his earning potential in 2024 as he looks to duplicate his strong campaign from last year. Sutton recorded a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023, and he is positioned to remain Denver’s top receiver moving forward.

The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy this offseason, dealing the former first-rounder the Browns. Denver also still has Tim Patrick in the fold, and he will contribute starting production if he can remain healthy. Sutton represents the most experienced (six-year veteran) and productive (298 career receptions, 4,259 yards) option at the WR spot as the team spends the coming weeks determining its starting quarterback.

Sutton’s deal does not contain any guaranteed salary for the 2025 season, so today’s move could need to be repeated next offseason. Much of his bargaining power will, of course, depend on his production during Year 2 of head coach Sean Payton‘s tenure guiding the offense. With an upgraded deal in place, Sutton can now turn his attention to training camp and preparations for his seventh campaign in the Mile High City.

Vikings To Sign CB Fabian Moreau

July 30th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Depleted at cornerback, the Vikings are making an addition. Well-traveled corner Fabian Moreau has a deal in place with Minnesota, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.

Moreau spent the bulk of last season as Patrick Surtain‘s boundary sidekick in Denver. The Broncos moved Moreau into their starting lineup midway through the season, and the veteran helped stabilize the position during the team’s five-game win streak. The Vikings will be team No. 6 for Moreau.

A tragedy began the Vikings’ issues at corner this month. Fourth-round rookie Khyree Jackson died in a car accident. Soon after, the Vikes lost Mekhi Blackmon — a part-time starter last season — to a torn ACL. In need in its Byron Murphy-fronted position group — which was on the radar to be bolstered before the July events — Minnesota will hope Moreau can remain a solid option in his age-30 season.

Moreau has made a habit of moving from late-summer addition to starter, having done so in each of the past two years. The Texans rostered Moreau during the 2022 offseason but cut him before setting their initial 53-man roster. The ex-Washington third-rounder made his way to the Giants, who turned to him as an 11-game starter despite not signing him from the practice squad until late September of that year. The Broncos added Moreau a year ago Thursday, and although the team’s plan was to keep Damarri Mathis in place as the perimeter starter opposite Surtain, Moreau took over during a stretch that revived the team’s playoff chances.

Pro Football Focus assigned Moreau a mid-pack grade (73rd) last season; he intercepted one pass and broke up seven more. After allowing a whopping eight touchdowns as the closest defender with the Falcons in 2021 and five as a Giant, Moreau settled down and yielded only one in Denver. While Moreau has not approached his 34.1 passer rating-allowed number from 2020 since, he has experience as a boundary defender and a slot player.

The Vikes added Shaquill Griffin earlier this offseason; they also used former fourth-round pick Akayleb Evans on 855 defensive snaps last season. Minnesota has seen neither Andrew Booth nor Lewis Cine justify their 2022 draft slots yet; Booth, chosen in Round 2, played just 151 snaps last season. The events of this month have the Vikings heavily reliant on free agent corners, and it will be interesting to see if Moreau can once again join a team late and carve out a regular role.

Lions DL John Cominsky Tears MCL

July 30th, 2024 at 3:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Lions’ run of extensions continues with Taylor Decker — and potentially Alim McNeill — they will be without one of their defensive line regulars for an extended stretch. John Cominsky‘s injury at practice Tuesday will likely sideline him for the entire regular season.

A cart transported Cominsky off the practice field, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports the veteran D-lineman suffered a torn MCL. This injury is not necessarily a season-ender, but Cominsky is expected to miss months. The playoffs may be the target date, per Schefter. This will be a five- or six-month injury, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

This is a setback to a Lions team that played Cominsky on 56% of its defensive snaps last season. Initially claimed off waivers — in an interesting transaction, as seven other teams submitted claims for the former Falcon — Cominsky has become a quality piece up front for the Lions. He played 60% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2022, rebounding after falling out of favor in Atlanta.

While Pro Football Focus slotted Cominsky 73rd among interior defenders, the advanced metrics site placed him in the top 30 at the position as a run defender. The former fourth-round pick has totaled six sacks and 20 QB hits during his two-season Detroit stay, faring well enough in 2022 to bring the Lions to re-sign him — at two years and $8.5MM — last March.

Working more as an interior presence, Cominsky leaves a void for a Lions team that does not yet have D.J. Reader back from the torn quad that ended his 2023 season in Cincinnati. McNeill remains the Lions’ top interior pass rusher, though the team did not see much from third-rounder Brodric Martin during a 28-snap rookie season. Levi Onwuzurike remains on the roster as well. Cominsky, however, trailed only McNeill for snaps by a Lions interior defender. This will require an adjustment for the defending NFC North champs.

Eagles Agree To Terms With OL Nick Gates

July 30th, 2024 at 2:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Gates‘ journey around the NFC East is set to continue. The former Giants and Commanders starter is heading to Philadelphia. The Eagles agreed to terms with Gates on Tuesday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. The team waived cornerback Mario Goodrich to make room on its roster.

Having played center in Washington and across the O-line in New York, Gates will head to Pennsylvania to join a team that lost a future Hall of Fame center. Cam Jurgens is sliding from guard to center to replace Jason Kelce, but the Eagles are holding a competition at right guard. Thus far, former third-round pick Tyler Steen has been mentioned most frequently as the likely RG. But Gates will supply another option.

The Commanders released Gates one season into a three-year, $16.5MM deal, one authorized by the Ron Rivera-led regime. The Adam Peters-run operation moved on from Gates and left tackle Charles Leno. While Leno remains unsigned, Gates has secured another gig ahead of what would be his sixth NFL season.

Gates, 28, came back from a major injury to secure that midlevel Commanders contract. A broken leg sustained in September 2021 kept Gates out for over a year, sidetracking his run as a Giants starter. He made a return midway through the 2022 season and worked mostly in a platoon role. Despite splitting time for a chunk of his comeback season, Gates managed to land a nice Washington payday. Pro Football Focus slotted Gates as the No. 17 overall center last season.

This still prompted the new Commanders regime to drop the former UDFA; the team is taking on a $5.3MM dead money hit this year as a result. Gates will join a crowded setup inside in Philly. Brett Toth, ex-Falcon Matt Hennessy and former second-rounder Max Scharping are in place as guard/center options. Day 3 draftees Trevor Keegan (Round 5) and Dylan McMahon (Round 6) are also rostered. The Eagles have cross-trained Mekhi Becton at guard, however, providing an interesting wrinkle here. Becton played exclusively at tackle in games as a Jet.

While Gates has 29 starts under his belt — including a 16-game run as the Giants’ center back in 2020 — this Eagles equation may not guarantee him a spot on the 53-man roster. The signing does add an intriguing name to the mix, as the team prepares to transition from Kelce and find capable backups. Gates’ time at center and both guard spots, along with an early-career right tackle work, would make him an appealing swing option behind the starting five.

Giants Not Committing To Evan Neal Being Ready By Week 1

July 30th, 2024 at 2:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not viewed as a “break glass in case of emergency”-level option at tackle, Jermaine Eluemunor nevertheless changed positions to start Giants training camp. The two-year Raiders right tackle starter, who worked at left guard throughout the Giants’ offseason program, has lined up at RT with the first-stringers during training camp.

The Giants have now also signed Greg Van Roten, who lined up alongside Eluemunor in Las Vegas at right guard last season. A starting job could well open up for Van Roten, as the Giants still do not have Evan Neal at practice. Expected to return by training camp and be given another opportunity to stick at right tackle, Neal appears without a timetable.

Aiming to return from a fractured ankle initially diagnosed as a sprain last November, Neal landed on the Giants’ active/PUP list to start camp. Although that is a summer-only designation, Brian Daboll did not commit to Neal being ready by Week 1.

Unless the Giants were to take it week by week and carry the former top-10 pick on their 53-man roster on cutdown day next month, a transition to the reserve/PUP list — which mandates a four-game absence — would seem to be in play. Daboll called Neal “day to day,” via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy, though SNY’s Connor Hughes classifies this situation as Neal “falling out of favor” with the team. This is obviously quite concerning for Neal, whose injury came after steady struggles on the field.

Jon Runyan Jr., who had lined up at right guard during the Giants’ offseason program, has shifted to the left side following the Van Roten signing, Hughes adds. The team had partially placed the ex-Packer at RG to help protect Neal, who has struggled since being drafted seventh overall in 2022. The Runyan component could certainly point to Week 1 plans that do not involve Neal with the first-stringers, though the $10MM-per-year player did play left guard in 2021 and part of the 2022 season.

Neal, whom Pro Football Focus has ranked as the NFL’s second-worst tackle regular in each of his two seasons, has made 20 starts at right tackle. The Alabama alum been connected to a potential guard move. He played inside partially in college, but GM Joe Schoen said last year a move inside was unlikely. At this point, returning to practice and attempting to win any job would represent a win for the third-year blocker. While Kayvon Thibodeaux has panned out for the Giants, GM Joe Schoen‘s other top-10 pick in his first draft disappointing on this level has represented a significant letdown.

The Giants needed to rearrange their O-line at several points last season, which memorably included Justin Pugh‘s “straight off the couch” Sunday Night Football intro, and allowed a staggering 85 sacks — the second-most in NFL history. Multiple players changing positions, along with potentially a new starter preparing to step in, would represent familiar territory for the team. Unless Neal makes significant strides soon, he is running out of time to win back his starting job.

Jaguars To Sign DL Rasheem Green

July 30th, 2024 at 2:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rasheem Green is coming back to the AFC South. The former Texans defensive line contributor has a deal in place with the Jaguars, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This will be Green’s fourth team in four seasons.

Spending 2023 with the Bears, Green played out his rookie contract in Seattle before going year-to-year with teams. This will be another one-year contract for the former third-round pick. Green joins a Jaguars team that still has Arik Armstead on the active/PUP list.

Green played on a one-year, $2.5MM deal in Chicago; he was attached to a one-year, $3.25MM accord in Houston two years ago. The Bears stationed the USC alum as a depth piece, using him as a rotational rusher in all 17 games last season. Green, 27, registered two sacks with Chicago; his five QB hits were his fewest since his 2018 rookie season.

Pro Football Focus slotted Green outside the top 100 among edge defenders last season, though he has played both inside and outside during his career. Armstead has transitioned to a DT regular as his career has progressed; he is expected to be a starter upon signing a three-year, $43.5MM deal ($28MM guaranteed) following his 49ers release. Armstead, however, is recovering from a torn meniscus.

The Seahawks received a 6.5-sack season from Green in 2021, though he was unable to score a notable contract following that solid platform year. During a Texans season spent as a part-time starter, Green totaled 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits. Having spent time in 4-3 and 3-4 defenses — mostly in 4-3 schemes, however — Green will join a Jaguars team that lost rotational rusher Dawuane Smoot this offseason.

While Jacksonville’s rush still hinges on Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, the team used second- and fourth-round picks on LSU DTs Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. As Ryan Nielsen takes the reins as the third Jags DC in four seasons, he will also see what Green can provide as a supporting-caster.

Titans’ Arden Key Facing Six-Game Ban

July 30th, 2024 at 1:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

A day after the news of Denico Autry‘s suspension emerged, another AFC South pass rusher is set to begin the season late. Titans outside linebacker Arden Key is facing a six-game suspension, ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport reports.

Going into his second season with the Titans, Key violated the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Key started nine games for the Titans last season; he is tied to a three-year, $21MM deal authorized during the 2023 free agency period.

“I don’t have much to comment on it until that comes out from the league,” Titans HC Brian Callahan said, via Davenport. “It’s not something that you want to hear, but we don’t have a choice. We have to go play football with what we have.”

The loss of Autry was set to make Key a more important presence in Tennessee, which was planning to use the well-traveled rusher as a starter opposite Harold Landry. Suddenly, a Titans pass rush that housed Landry, Key, Autry and Jeffery Simmons will enter the season depleted.

Autry led the Titans with 11.5 sacks last season; Landry contributed 10.5 upon returning from an ACL tear. Key added six, finishing third on the team in this department. This suspension would also void Key’s remaining guarantees, though considering no guarantees remain on his deal beyond 2024, this suspension probably does not stand to affect him on this front.

This could lead to the Titans looking into an outside addition, as they are thin on the edge after Autry’s Texans defection. Rashad Weaver, a three-year Titan who started four games in 2022, could step in opposite Landry in a pinch. Seventh-rounder Jaylen Harrell and 2023 UDFA Caleb Murphy represent the other Landry sidekick options outside of Key.

Lions GM: Alim McNeill Extension Talks On Tap

July 30th, 2024 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

This offseason has brought significant contractual developments in Detroit. The team has authorized multiple record-setting extensions — for Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown — and paid Jared Goff at a top-market rate. Taylor Decker joined in on the extension spree Monday, becoming a Bob Quinn-era draftee to be paid by the now-Brad Holmes-run team.

Sewell, St. Brown and Goff arrived during Holmes’ first year, and the recently extended GM has another of his 2021 investments on the radar to be a long-term Lion. After a rumor suggested Alim McNeill was in the Lions’ extension plans, Holmes confirmed that is the case.

“He’s another one that Dan [Campbell] and I have talked about it. He’s part of the foundation,” Holmes said of McNeill during an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s Costa & Jansen with Heather show (h/t Pride of Detroit). “He was part of our first draft, and again, we’ve gotten Penei done, we’ve gotten St. Brown done, and there’s plenty other guys within that draft class that have played key roles.

“But Alim, the way that he’s developed his game, he does everything right; he’s a total pro, and he’s extremely talented. So he’s another one that, it’s about time. So we’ll get talks going at some point and hopefully try to get something done.”

A third-round pick in 2021, McNeill has started 36 games for the Lions. The interior D-lineman has been Aidan Hutchinson‘s steadiest sidekick up front and took a step forward last season. McNeill totaled career-high numbers in sacks (five) and QB hits (10) while matching his 2022 tackle for loss total (six) despite a short IR stint due to an MCL injury. McNeill, 24, then added another sack in the NFC championship game.

Although McNeill did not rank in the top 20 in pass rush win rate, Pro Football Focus viewed him as one of the better DTs against the run and pass and slotted him seventh overall at the position. That marked a notable improvement from 2022. The Lions did just pay D.J. Reader in free agency, giving the former Texans and Bengals starter a two-year, $22MM deal. That contract, however, comes with $7.43MM guaranteed. Reader is due a $4MM roster bonus if he is on Detroit’s roster by Day 3 of the 2025 league year. Hutchinson will also need to be paid, becoming extension-eligible in 2025. While that will complicate matters for McNeill, Reader may not be in the picture by the time Hutchinson’s cap numbers — from an eventual extension — begin to spike.

The Lions’ above-referenced extensions stand to also make it challenging to complete a McNeill deal, and the NC State alum could increase his value with a quality contract year. It sounds like the Lions will attempt to pay him early, which would represent quite the early commitment to a single draft class. That said, Holmes’ 2021 investments played lead roles in the team completing a remarkable turnaround. McNeill being extended would round out one of the most memorable offseasons in Lions history.

Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs Off PUP List

July 30th, 2024 at 12:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trevon Diggs‘ recovery from an ACL tear sustained during practice has reached a key stage. The All-Pro cornerback is ready to practice once again. He is officially off Dallas’ active/PUP list.

The Cowboys had nearly a month to activate Diggs from their active/PUP list, a training camp-only designation, but his being ready before August represents a positive direction for this particularly rehab odyssey. Team officials, per the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore, have been confident Diggs will be ready for Week 1. Today’s activation certainly points to a return on time.

Dallas managed to remain a top-tier defense despite losing the former 11-interception player early last season. DaRon Bland delivered a ballhawk season for the ages, setting an NFL record with five pick-sixes. The Cowboys now have 11- and nine-INT players rostered at corner, and they are close to playing together once again. Dallas has planned a Diggs-Bland-Jourdan Lewis trio at the position under new DC Mike Zimmer, and the veteran coach will see his top troops together for the first time.

It sounds like the Cowboys will ease Diggs back into action, per ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. That makes sense given that the fifth-year corner is just more than 10 months removed from the injury. Diggs going down so early last season helps him on this front, and the injury did not end up costing him any value. The Cowboys extended the former second-round pick during last year’s training camp, and the injury soon made signing early — as opposed to playing out his rookie contract — an important decision.

Diggs, who will turn 26 in September, earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 — after he became the first 11-INT player since Cowboys then-rookie Everson Walls in 1981. Diggs parlayed that season into a five-year deal worth $97MM. That still ranks fifth among CBs. In terms of AAV, this year’s batch of cornerback accords — for the likes of Jaylon Johnson, L’Jarius Sneed and Tyson Campbell — did not eclipse that. Though, each of the three 2024 big-ticket CB extension recipients outdid Diggs for guarantees.

The team has not re-signed Stephon Gilmore, who remains a free agent. But Zimmer will soon see how the Diggs-Bland-Lewis trio looks in practice. Diggs has started 46 games for the Cowboys, becoming one of the team’s many draft finds in recent years. The Alabama alum will hope to join Lewis in putting an injury-marred chapter behind him.

Falcons CB A.J. Terrell Addresses Extension Talks

July 30th, 2024 at 11:02am CST by Adam La Rose

A.J. Terrell is currently set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, but it would not come as a surprise if he had a long-term deal in place before the start of the campaign. The Falcons cornerback recently addressed where things stand on the negotiation front.

“I’m just focused on being with the team and being involved and let my agent do what he does,” the 25-year said, via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall (subscription required). “It’s easy for me to come to work and not think about it and know that it’s in good hands. I’m just playing football and controlling what I can.”

While nothing appears to be imminent with respect to an extension, those remarks point to Terrell being satisfied with where things currently stand. The Clemson alum has been a full-time starter in each of his four Falcons campaigns, and his 2021 performance (three interceptions, 16 pass deflections) earned him a second-team All-Pro nod. Terrell has not matched that production since, but he remains an integral member of Atlanta’s secondary.

Earlier this month, it was predicted team and player would manage to hammer out an extension relatively smoothly. That has yet to take place, but Terrell’s participation in training camp is a positive sign with respect to a deal being feasible in the near future. Atlanta’s cornerback room beyond Terrell faces questions, and the team’s other starting boundary corner spot is up for grabs this summer.

The Falcons made a big-money investment at the safety spot last offseason by adding safety Jessie Bates on a four-year, $64MM pact. Terrell is set to join him as a highly-compensated member of the team’s secondary. The latter is due $12.34MM on his option, but a long-term pact should bring him closer to the top of the market. It would likely come as a surprise if Terrell joined the trio of corners averaging $20MM or more per season, but he could move up the position’s pecking order on a multi-year accord. With no other major financial priorities facing the team at the moment, the situation between Atlanta and Terrell will remain worth watching closely.

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