HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Pro Football Rumors Seeking Part-Time Writer

July 8th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

We’re looking to add a part-time contributor to the Pro Football Rumors writing team. The position pays on an hourly basis. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Exceptional knowledge of all 32 NFL teams, with no discernible bias.
  • Knowledge of the salary cap and transaction-related concepts.
  • At least some college education.
  • Writing experience is necessary; online writing experience is preferred.
  • Attention to detail — absolutely no spelling errors, especially for player and journalist names.
  • Ability to follow the site’s style and tone.
  • Ability to analyze articles and craft intelligent, well-written posts summing up the news. We need someone who can balance quick writing with thoughtful analysis. You must be able to add value to breaking news with your own insight, numbers or links to other relevant articles.
  • Ability to use Twitter/X.
  • Strong weekend availability is important. You must frequently be available to work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Frequent weeknight availability (5-11pm CT) is preferred.
  • Flexibility to work on short notice, along with occasional weekday availability, is a bonus.

If you’re interested, email pfrumorsapplications@gmail.com by July 16 with your resume and take a couple of paragraphs to explain why you qualify and stand out.

Extension Candidate: Matt Judon

July 8th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Judon is set to enter the final season of the four-year, $56MM contract he signed with the Patriots back in 2021. The four-time Pro Bowler has undoubtedly lived up to his contract in New England (at least through the first two seasons), but there have been conflicting reports surrounding the progress of extension talks. That’s led some pundits to wonder if 2024 could end up being Judon’s final season with the organization.

Judon himself provided a discouraging update last week. The veteran posted on X that he doesn’t think an extension is “about to happen” (per Dakota Randall of ProFootballNetwork.com). Further, Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard said that “there are a couple of big contract issues” that may stem from the front office’s decision to hand Christian Barmore a new $92MM deal, with Bedard seemingly pointing the finger at Judon (via Randall).

On the flip side, Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily recently hinted that Judon could sign the league’s “next big contract.” The four-time Pro Bowler has also continued to express interest in continuing his career in New England, and the 31-year-old has been an active free agent recruiter on social media.

In other words, it doesn’t seem like anyone has any idea how this will play out. At the very least, Judon doesn’t intend to make his contract status a distraction. Last year, the player staged a hold-in before coming to a temporary resolution with the Patriots, but the player has since admitted that his negotiation tactic was “trash.” With the impending free agent hinting that he won’t follow a similar path this year, the Patriots could simply let Judon play out his contract before revisiting a long-term deal next offseason.

Of course, this could be the perfect time for the organization to pounce. After compiling 28 sacks through his first two seasons with the Patriots, Judon was limited to four sacks in four games before suffering a season-ending bicep injury in 2023. With the 2024 campaign representing Judon’s age-32 season, the Patriots could cite the player’s age and recent injury as a reason for a discounted extension. Plus, while Judon is only set to earn $7.5MM in 2024, he’s connected to a $14.6MM cap charge, so any extension could help the organization reduce that number for the upcoming season.

Beyond the simple decision to extend Judon, the two sides would obviously have to settle on a value. Judon would probably be hard pressed to garner a $22MM average annual value, a mark that would push him into the top-10 among pass rushers. Von Miller got a $20MM AAV from the Bills ahead of his age-33 season, but Judon is still unlikely to generate that type of money and term (six years). DeMarcus Lawrence‘s three-year, $40MM deal with the Cowboys or Cameron Jordan‘s two-year, $27.5MM deal with the Saints may be better benchmarks. Considering the Patriots are armed with plenty of future cap space, this shouldn’t be a prohibitive move for the front office.

There would probably be plenty of teams willing to give Judon at least $13MM per year, and those hypothetical suitors would probably give the player a better chance at winning. The projected franchise tag for Judon is likely untenable (between $24MM and $25MM, per OverTheCap.com), so the Patriots could risk the player walking for nothing if they can’t agree to an extension now.

As the team’s defensive and emotional leader, the Patriots can’t afford to move on from Judon in 2024. It remains to be seen if the organization is willing to pay up to keep him on the roster for 2025 and beyond.

WR Notes: Texans, Patriots, Eagles, Cardinals

July 8th, 2024 at 9:01pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s easy to be excited about the Texans wide receiver corps in 2024. After Tank Dell and Nico Collins established a connection with C.J. Stroud in 2023, the organization added another major name in Stefon Diggs. With the Texans hoping to take a major step forward in 2024, the team can now boast that they’re armed with one of the best WR trios in the NFL.

One of the other players on the depth chart, Steven Sims, has gotten a first-hand look at his talented teammates, and he believes Houston’s wideouts are ready for some big plays during the upcoming campaign.

“We’ve got a great group,” Sims told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. “I can’t wait to get back to camp. It’s going to be so much fun. I feel like there’s going to be a lot of big plays, a lot of fun, but it’s a business and it’s work. It’s time to get back to work and I’m excited to go back to work with the group we’ve got I feel like from top to bottom everybody can get it done.”

Sims re-signed with the Texans this offseason after getting into three games with the team in 2023. He’ll be competing with the likes of John Metchie III and Ben Skowronek for reps behind the team’s top-three WRs.

More wideout notes from around the NFL…

  • Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston explores some of the Patriots wideout scenarios for the 2024 campaign, including the best-case scenario (which sees rookie Ja’Lynn Polk and second-year wideout DeMario Douglas break out) and the worst-case scenario (the team’s over-reliance on veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne). Curran believes the most-likely scenario is a bit of both, with the organization allowing the young players to show their stuff, especially as Bourne works his way back from a torn ACL. Curran says the team’s main wildcard at the position is free agent acquisition K.J. Osborn, who has already developed chemistry with presumed starting QB Jacoby Brissett.
  • Joseph Ngata spent the majority of his rookie campaign on Philly’s practice squad, and Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia believes the former UDFA is set to make the Eagles 53-man roster in 2024. As Zangaro notes, Ngata got some first-team reps during the spring,and he’s clearly ahead of some of the team’s other young wideouts. Parris Campbell is the likeliest of Philly’s non-star WRs to emerge, but Ngata should have an upper hand on fifth-round rookie Ainias Smith and sixth-round rookie Johnny Wilson.
  • Jess Root of Cards Wire notes that Cardinals undrafted rookie WR Xavier Weaver is likely to stick with the organization by virtue of his contract. The Colorado product got $225K in guaranteed money from Arizona, the equivalent to 18 weeks of practice squad salary. If the rookie is eventually waived, it’s unlikely a cash-strapped suitor would willingly add him to their 53-man roster. With four WR spots locked up in Arizona (Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Zay Jones), Weaver will be hard pressed to earn a regular roster gig, but the Cardinals’ financial commitment shows they plan to keep the WR around their practice squad for the 2024 campaign.

Guaranteed Money A “Sticking Point” In Tagovailoa Extension Talks?

July 8th, 2024 at 6:04pm CST by Ben Levine

As the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa continue their staring contest, we’ve getting some clarity on the main obstacle during extension talks. As Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com writes, guaranteed money is “what most believe is the sticking point” in the ongoing contract negotiations.

A report from last month indicated Miami has yet to submit a market-value offer, but as Beasley notes, it would be “foolish” for the Dolphins to offer Tagovailoa “anything substantially less” than the $53MM average annual value set by Jared Goff (and recently surpassed by Trevor Lawrence). Assuming the two sides are around the same range for AAV, the extension’s guaranteed money would be the next major hurdle.

Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, Lawrence, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert all earned at least $130MM fully guaranteed at signing on their respective extensions. While Tagovailoa’s camp may not necessarily be looking to top that list (Watson leads the way with $230MM, followed by Burrow at $146MM), Beasley believes the QB is pushing for at least a nine-figure guarantee…and the writer also believes the Dolphins will be reluctant to reach that mark.

While the win-now Dolphins aren’t necessarily in position to play hard ball with their franchise quarterback, Beasley doesn’t blame the organization for being wary of Tagovailoa’s impending guarantees. The former first-round pick has dealt with his fair share of injuries and concussions, and while 2023 represented a clear step forward for the 26-year-old, he still failed to guide his squad to any playoff success.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald previously noted that both parties “seem determined” to work out an extension agreement, and it doesn’t sound like negotiations have been contentious. Still, until the two sides agree to a new deal, Tagovailoa can still threaten a holdout. While the QB could face more than $5MM in fines by skipping training camp and the regular season, that still may be in the player’s interest if he’s able to recoup that lost value via additional guarantees, per Beasley.

Tagovailoa’s extension will continue to hang over the Dolphins with training camp rapidly approaching. At the start of the offseason, both sides wished for speedy negotiations as they looked to avoid the drama. With veterans set to report on July 23, we’ll see if the organization feels any pressure to finalize a deal.

Patriots To Hold Open K Competition Between Chad Ryland, Joey Slye

July 8th, 2024 at 5:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 draft as Nick Folk‘s successor. The latter was ultimately traded to the Titans in a sign of confidence for the rookie.

While Folk delivered a strong season which landed him a new Tennessee contract, Ryland endured an inconsistent debut campaign. The 24-year-old connected on just 16 of 25 field goal attempts, including five of 10 kicks between between 40 and 49 yards. Ryland only missed one of his 25 extra point tries, but it came as no surprise when the Patriots added a veteran competitor this offseason.

New England signed Joey Slye in May shortly after he was released by the Jaguars. Jacksonville already had Riley Patterson in the fold before becoming one of the teams which drafted a kicker, leading to the decision to let go of Slye. The 28-year-old is a veteran of 78 games spent with four different teams, including a stint in Washington which ran from midway through the 2021 campaign through the end of last season.

Slye has a career accuracy rate of 82.3%, a figure buoyed by the 12-for-12 start to his Commanders tenure. He saw his success rate dip over the past two seasons, though, and he will need a strong showing this summer to cement the Patriots’ kicking role. As team reporter Paul Perillo notes, both Ryland and Slye will have the opportunity to win the position during training camp and the preseason in what is “expected to be a true competition.”

Perillo adds that Slye was the more accurate of the two during OTAs and minicamp, but summer practices and exhibition games will provide plenty of further chances for Ryland to gain an advantage. The latter is on the books for the next three years via his rookie contract, and he would be subject to waivers if New England elected to keep Slye on the active roster instead of him. Ryland could be a developmental practice squad candidate if no outside team showed interest, though.

Slye’s deal is worth the veteran minimum, and releasing him during the summer would create $1.28MM in cap savings without any dead money accruing. Neither contender for the kicking gig therefore has much in the way of security, so their performances in the coming weeks will be crucial.

Broncos’ QB Competition Will Not Place Bo Nix In Third-String Role

July 8th, 2024 at 2:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

JULY 8: Echoing previous reports on the subject, Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post confirms Nix could earn the No. 1 gig outright based on his training camp performances. Likewise, he notes Wilson is an underdog for the backup spot as things stand, although he adds the latter’s arm talent could still keep him in the mix to beat out Stidham and earn an extended period developing under Payton. The Broncos’ allotment of training camp and preseason reps under center will certainly be worth watching closely.

JULY 5: Sean Payton‘s second Broncos quarterback room features an interesting makeup, as the team has its 2023 backup (Jarrett Stidham) and a trade acquisition (Zach Wilson) joining this year’s sixth QB chosen (Bo Nix).

While the sixth QB taken in a draft sometimes stretches into Round 2 or Round 3, Nix was this year’s 12th overall pick. The Oregon and Auburn product is most likely going to be the Broncos’ starter at some point this season — perhaps in Week 1 — but Stidham fared best during Denver’s offseason program. Considering the team’s Russell Wilson backup played in Payton’s system last year, it is not too surprising he looked the best to start the three-way competition.

[RELATED: Broncos’ QB1 Job Nix’s To Lose?]

A scenario in which Nix struggles during training camp would stand to see one of the veterans receive the call for Week 1, but while the five-year college QB’s development is the central Broncos storyline, the team’s decision on which veteran passer to retain is also part of this competition. Regardless of how Nix performs during camp, 9News’ Mike Klis notes the Broncos will not go into the season with their first-rounder as the third-string quarterback.

Nix’s floor being QB2 pits Stidham and Wilson against each other. So far, Wilson is noticeably behind. The former Jets franchise-QB hopeful exited minicamp with ground to cover for the backup job. Although Wilson may have more arm talent than the other two passers in Denver’s competition, his erratic New York stay undercuts this part of his game. Stidham probably offers a higher floor by comparison, though bridge option represents the best-case scenario for the sixth-year arm this season.

Nix having set the record for most starts by a Division I-FBS quarterback (61) and joining Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. in going into an age-24 season makes him an illogical third-stringer, and Payton’s past carrying two QBs points to the team’s upcoming roster call being a Stidham-or-Wilson decision. The Broncos will obviously focus their training camp around Nix reps as well. Klis also viewed Stidham as the team’s most consistent QB during the offseason program, though training camp and the preseason will obviously reveal more about the passers’ 2024 capabilities.

Money will be a factor, with just $1MM of Stidham’s $4.49MM base salary guaranteed. Even so, the Broncos — thanks to an agreement with the Jets to split Wilson’s 2024 pay — will probably not base this decision solely around finances. It would cost the team only $2.76MM if Wilson is the odd man out, while a Stidham cut would cost $2MM. Though, the Broncos would save $5MM by releasing Stidham. Wilson would also need to pass through waivers if cut, whereas Stidham is a vested veteran.

The Broncos have not given the keys to a rookie quarterback since John Elway 41 years ago. Drew Lock began the 2019 season on IR, while Trevor Siemian beat out Paxton Lynch for the 2016 job. Lynch was the team’s top backup to start that season, however, with trade acquisition Mark Sanchez being released before Week 1. Tim Tebow and Jay Cutler did not start games until late in their rookie seasons. Tebow began his rookie season as a third-stringer — behind Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn — but Nix is not viewed as the kind of raw prospect the popular left-hander was 14 years ago.

Nix would represent a course change, but the Broncos certainly need one given how their passers have fared since Peyton Manning‘s retirement.

S Tashaun Gipson Aims To Play In 2024, Will Not Appeal PED Suspension

July 8th, 2024 at 1:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tashaun Gipson‘s free agent stock took a hit last week when he was issued a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy. The veteran safety will not appeal the ban, but he still intends to play in 2024.

“During this offseason I took a supplement one time, which I thought to be completely safe and well within any of the NFL’s policies,” a statement from Gipson reads. “It was in no way related to performance, training, or gaining an advantage of any kind at any time. I have competed at this level for a long time, and have nothing but respect for the game and the fraternity of players in it.

“The NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances is clear, and I take full responsibility for anything I put into my body. It is with great disappointment that I accept this suspension, and I do so knowing that I have never even attempted to cheat the game. I look forward to returning for my 13th NFL season and helping a team compete for a championship.”

Gipson, 33, spent the past two seasons with the 49ers. He remained a full-time starter during that time, as he has each year since his rookie campaign. San Francisco elected to remain patient with him and allow him to decide on his playing future, something which was in doubt even before the news of his suspension. His comments make it clear, however, that retirement is not under consideration.

While the former Pro Bowler will be sidelined for the first six contests of the regular season, he is eligible to sign with an interested team at any time. Hindering his value is the depth of other veteran defensive backs still on the market leading up to the start of training camp, most (if not all) of whom will represent a more attractive option to suitors. Nevertheless, Gipson should generate a market of some kind amongst teams which do not make other additions in the secondary this summer, something which would allow him to meet his goal of playing a 13th NFL campaign.

Latest On Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland

July 8th, 2024 at 12:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cowboys have Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence atop the edge rush depth chart, but the team has made recent draft investments at the position to add complementary options behind them. That effort included the selection of Marshawn Kneeland this spring.

Dallas added Kneeland in the second round of April’s draft, matching the Round 2 selection of Sam Williams in 2022. The latter has served in a rotational capacity to date, but he could take on an increased workload this season. With Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler having followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington, the defensive end pecking order will look somewhat different in 2024.

That should open up playing time for Kneeland in a depth capacity. The Western Michigan product is fourth on the depth chart behind Parsons, Lawrence and Williams, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News writes. That comes as little surprise given his inexperience, although his college success suggests he could handle at least an early-down role during his rookie campaign. Kneeland racked up 148 tackles (including 27.5 for loss) between 2020 and ’23 with the Mustangs.

That stretch included relatively underwhelming sack production, however. Kneeland totaled 13 sacks in his college career, and his largest statistical outputs came in 2021 and ’23 with 4.5. The 6-3, 267-pounder profiles as a strong run defender and carrying that skillset over to the NFL level should allow him to carve out a rotational role in certain defensive packages.

Lawrence is entering the final year of his contract, while Parsons is on the books through 2025 (although he is one of multiple high-profile extension priorities for the Cowboys). Williams has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and a strong showing this season could put him on the radar for an extension keeping him in the fold for years to come. Kneeland has plenty of time to establish himself as a regular contributor with the Cowboys, but for the time being he is not in line for a heavy workload.

Lions CB Terrion Arnold On Track For Starting Role

July 8th, 2024 at 11:16am CST by Adam La Rose

Improving in the secondary was a priority for the Lions this offseason, and as a result the team has several new faces in place at the cornerback position. Trade acquisition Carlton Davis is, to no surprise, expected to handle a first-team defensive role in 2024. The other perimeter starting spot is yet to be determined.

The second cornerback spot will be a key position to watch during training camp, and Detroit has a number of contenders for the spot. As could be expected, though, the early favorite appears to be first-round rookie Terrion Arnold. During OTAs and minicamp, it was Davis and Arnold who handled the majority of reps with the starting defense, as noted by team reporter Tim Twentyman.

The Lions made Arnold the second corner off the board on Day 1 of the draft, moving up the order to acquire him. The Alabama product enjoyed a stellar 2023 campaign, leading the SEC in interceptions with five and adding 12 pass deflections. Arnold earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors while surpassing teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry as a more highly regarded draft prospect.

The Lions used the second selection on a cornerback as well, adding Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 61 overall. The Missouri product will look to carve out a role during his rookie campaign, and he could compete with free agent signing Amik Robertson for playing time in the slot. On that note, Brian Branch is likely to split his time between the slot and safety this season, something which will have a notable effect on how the likes of Rakestraw and Robertson are used.

Twentyman names Emmanuel Moseley as another contender for a first-team perimeter role. The 28-year-old’s debut Lions campaign was cut short by an ACL tear, but he re-signed on a one-year deal in March. Moseley has 33 starts to his name dating back to his time with the 49ers, and he therefore represents an experienced alternative to Arnold as a first-team option. Questions remain about his health and his ability to return to his previous form, though, which could leave Arnold as the preferred option at the start of the campaign.

The Lions ranked 27th against the pass in 2023, and improving in that area would go a long way in helping the team repeat its 2023 success. How the cornerback pecking order is determined this summer will be a key factor in those efforts, making it an interesting storyline to follow.

RBs D’Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong On Browns’ Roster Bubble?

July 8th, 2024 at 10:30am CST by Adam La Rose

Attention related to the Browns’ backfield will continue to be directed toward Nick Chubb while his rehab from multiple knee surgeries continues. It is unclear when he will be back on the field, and as training camp approaches Cleveland will have a number of contenders for depth running back spots.

Jerome Ford – who took on starting duties after Chubb’s injury – is in line to reprise his RB1 workload until Chubb is back in the fold. The Browns also have Nyheim Hines in place as a pass-catching and returner option. After missing all of 2023 due to an ACL tear, Hines is hopeful to be on the field in time for the start of training camp. Cleveland has other backs on the roster, and their fates will be determined over the course of the summer.

Specifically, D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong could find themselves competing for one roster spot. Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that Chubb’s health will be a key factor in determining how many running backs the Browns keep in the fold to begin the campaign. If the latter misses time in the fall, Foreman and Strong could survive roster cuts. If he is healthy by Week 1, however, keeping both in the fold (in addition to Ford and Hines) may not be feasible.

Strong was acquired via trade from the Patriots last summer, and he played sparingly on offense in Cleveland. The 2022 fourth-rounder logged a notable workload on special teams, though, and his third phase abilities could help him secure a spot. Foreman, on the other hand, has a longer track record of production in the backfield. The 28-year-old has played 52 games with four different teams, and his most productive campaign came in 2022 with the Panthers (914 rushing yards, five touchdowns).

Foreman signed a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March, and he is set to carry a cap hit of $1.15MM this season. That is slightly higher than Strong’s cap charge, and the latter is on the books through 2025. Releasing Foreman would create $818K in cap savings, although his track record could make him an attractive option to outside teams looking to add him via the waiver wire. Plenty is still to be determined separate from Chubb’s health, and Foreman and Strong’s showings this summer will be worth monitoring.

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