HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

Patriots’ Josh Uche Changes Agents

July 8th, 2024 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots have made it a priority to retain several players this offseason, and that includes Josh Uche. The fifth-year edge rusher could have tested the market in free agency, but instead he took a one-year deal to remain in New England in 2024.

Uche had more lucrative offers waiting from outside suitors, but the 25-year-old elected to play on a prove-it contract worth a base value of $3MM. He can earn up to $8MM via incentives, and reaching them would also position him as one of the more attractive free agents in 2025. Perhaps keeping that in mind, Uche recently changed representation.

The Michigan alum now has Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Rosenhaus initially represented him at the start of his career, but that was not the case by the time he took his one-year Patriots deal. Now, a change back to Rosenhaus has taken place ahead of a 2024 campaign which will have significant financial implications for Uche.

The former second-rounder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, posting 11.5 sacks. He remained a rotational player this past season, though, and his pass rush production took a step back (three sacks, 15 pressures). Uche – who has not developed into a strong run defender at the NFL level – has logged snap shares between 30% and 38% in each of his Patriots campaigns, and it will be interesting to see if he earns an increased workload this season under Jerod Mayo.

Leading up to the 2023 trade deadline, Uche drew considerable interest and the Patriots nearly worked out a deal. He later made it clear he wished to remain in New England, something which will be the case for at least one more season. Uche’s performance as a pending free agent for the second time in his career will be worth watching closely, and he will approach another Patriots deal or one sending him to a new team with a familiar face representing him.

Panthers, Adrian Wilson Part Ways

July 7th, 2024 at 10:44pm CST by Rory Parks

Just last year, Adrian Wilson was on the short list of candidates to take over as the Cardinals’ permanent general manager. While he did not get the gig, he landed on his feet as the Panthers’ vice president of player personnel. After one year in that position, Wilson is again in search of a new employer.

Carolina never made a public announcement on the matter, but as a team spokesperson told Pro Football Talk this morning, “Adrian Wilson will not continue in his position as Vice President of Player Personnel for the Carolina Panthers. Consistent with our organizational policy on employee matters, we will have no further comment” (via PFT’s Mike Florio).

Of course, 2023 was hardly a banner year for the Panthers. The club’s 2-15 record was disappointing in and of itself, and the pronounced struggles of rookie quarterback Bryce Young made matters worse. Adding insult to injury was the fact that Carolina’s league-worst W-L mark would have entitled the team to the top selection in this year’s draft, but the Panthers had already traded that pick to the Bears as part of the package to acquire the No. 1 overall choice in the 2023 draft, which they used to select Young.

Given the Panthers’ forgettable season and the fact that GM Scott Fitterer was fired in January, it is not surprising that Wilson, one of Fitterer’s top lieutenants, is no longer with the team either. However, since owner David Tepper opted to replace Fitterer internally by promoting assistant GM Dan Morgan to the top job, it was reasonable to think that Wilson would remain on the staff and assist Morgan in trying to right the ship.

It is unclear whether Wilson moved on voluntarily or was dismissed. In either case, and fairly or not, Wilson’s departure will likely be seen as another failure of the Tepper regime. After all, if Wilson left on his own, it could reinforce the notion that Tepper is a difficult boss who fosters an untenable working environment; if Wilson was fired, it will add to Tepper’s reputation as an impatient and impulsive owner. As Florio wrote, “from David Tepper’s football team to his soccer team, the hinge on the swinging door never has much of a chance to get rusty.”

Wilson, a longtime Cardinals safety and five-time Pro Bowler, started working as a regional scout for Arizona in 2015. He ascended the executive ladder fairly quickly, and he and Quentin Harris ended the 2022 season sharing the Cardinals’ GM duties after Steve Keim took an indefinite leave of absence. Wilson had interviewed for the Giants’ GM post the previous offseason and was reportedly in line to take over as Jaguars GM the same year if Jacksonville had hired Byron Leftwich as their head coach.

Now 44, Wilson will surely land another high-ranking position in the near future, though his stint in Carolina stalled his upward trajectory.

DT Alim McNeill On Lions’ Extension Radar; No Deal Imminent

July 7th, 2024 at 10:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2024 Lions offseason has been defined in large part by big-ticket extensions handed out on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell all signed deals which will keep them in Detroit for the foreseeable future.

Several other candidates for extensions remain, though. Among those is Alim McNeill, who has developed into a mainstay along the Lions’ defensive line (a unit which added D.J. Reader in free agency). The 24-year-old is set to enter the final season of his rookie contract, making him eligible for a new deal. The degree to which he has progressed so far likely has him on the team’s extension radar, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic writes (subscription required).

McNeill’s play in 2024 will go a long way in determining his value on a new Lions pact, and Pouncy adds Detroit’s plans with other pending free agents (such as left tackle Taylor Decker and cornerback Carlton Davis) will likely depend on how things play out with McNeill. The latter served in a rotational capacity during his rookie campaign, but in the two years since then he has developed into a notable pass-rushing presence from the interior.

The NC State alum recorded five sacks and 13 pressures last season despite being limited to 13 contests by an MCL injury. McNeill returned in time for the playoffs, adding a sack and three QB hits as the Lions progressed to the NFC title game. Another productive campaign in 2024 – a year in which the Lions expect to take a step forward in the front seven – would put him line to join the growing list of young defensive tackles who have secured notable paydays on their second contracts. A quartet of players in that regard (Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne) inked deals averaging between $22.5MM and $24MM per year last offseason.

Christian Wilkins, Justin Madubuike and Derrick Brown landed similar extensions of their own this spring, providing McNeill and the Lions with plenty of comparable pacts should they negotiate one. However, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes that no deal is considered imminent at this time. Team and player may elect to wait until next offseason to evaluate the situation and engage in talks on what could be a very lucrative second deal.

“I’m just working,” McNeill said (via Birkett) when asked about a potential extension. “I’m head down, whatever happens, happens. I’m just – I still have to play good to set myself up to even get any of that, so I’m [not] worried about that right now.”

Despite the investments made on offense via the Goff, St. Brown and Sewell extensions, the Lions are currently on track to have considerable cap flexibility next offseason. A large portion of it could be needed to keep McNeill in the fold if he delivers a productive season in 2024 and positions himself to become one of the league’s top earners at the defensive tackle spot.

PFR Originals: Bolts, WRs, Cardinals, Vikings

July 7th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Ely Allen

Here’s a rundown of recent PFR originals:

  • With the initial rushes of free agency coming to a close, Ben Levine took a look at where each team ranks in projected salary cap space for the 2025 season with the help of OvertheCap.com. A few teams at the bottom of their divisions like the Patriots, Cardinals, and Commanders are all projected to have the ability to be big spenders in the next offseason.
  • Sam Robinson continued our Offseason in Review series with a look at the offseason activities of the Chargers. Now led by college football’s most recent national championship-winning head coach Jim Harbaugh, Los Angeles will field a new-look offense coached by new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Roman’s new-look offense will be without recent offensive staples Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler but adds some former Roman associates in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins.
  • I continued our work on the Offseason in Review series with a dive into the Cardinals’ activities for the past few months. After some losses in the trenches and in the receiving corps, Arizona made moves to reinforce those areas of loss with a number of free agency signings on both the offensive and defensive lines. The team also made two serious investments for quarterback Kyler Murray, drafting legacy wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 overall and trading for backup quarterback Desmond Ridder as an upgrade in case Murray misses any more time.
  • Sam followed this up with the Offseason in Review series’ edition of the Vikings’ offseason activities. Third-year general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah‘s main focus this offseason was the big-money extension for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, while other key offensive contributors like Kirk Cousins, Alexander Mattison, and K.J. Osborn found themselves headed to free agency. Minnesota will hope that their two first-round picks, J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, will help offset some of the losses, but the team’s third pick in the draft, Khyree Jackson, tragically lost his life in a car accident days ago.
  • We’ve seen a number of star veteran cornerbacks push the market in recent offseasons and some young players set a slightly lower market for some of the best, young corners in the game. The latest of those players vying for a new deal is former first-round pick AJ Terrell for the Falcons. Ben laid out the case for Terrell to get a big, new contract extension before “negotiations get tense.”
  • There are several key wide receivers pushing their clubs for new contracts this offseason. New deals for players like Jefferson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, Calvin Ridley, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and others have made things even tougher for receivers like Brandon Aiyuk, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and Courtland Sutton, all of whom are looking for some kind of update to their current situation, as Sam detailed here.
  • Carolina passer Bryce Young had a rocky rookie season as Adam Thielen was the only receiver to truly contribute to the offense in a big way in 2023. I broke down what the upcoming season will look like for the Panthers’ wide receiving corps with the additions of Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, and Daewood Davis.
  • After watching Bill Belichick part ways with the Patriots this offseason, the top of the list of the NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches looks slightly different, with Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and Baltimore’s John Harbaugh sitting alone atop the list now. Sam ran through the entire list, noting when each coach was hired and for how much longer they’re going to be under contract.
  • Lastly, Ben noted that it was three years ago yesterday that wide receiver N’Keal Harry requested a trade from the Patriots. Harry’s struggles on the field continued that season and, after having his fifth-year option declined, he saw his trade-request fulfilled as New England shipped him off to Chicago. Now with the Vikings and making a transition to tight end, Harry is still working to make his impact on the NFL.

Latest On Broncos’ RBs Group

July 7th, 2024 at 8:30pm CST by Ely Allen

It’s certainly safe to say that the Broncos’ two-year tenure with Russell Wilson leading the offense did not go as planned. While Wilson himself certainly could’ve been the key factor in his team’s underwhelming performances, a lack of support was a factor, as well. Over the past two seasons, the Broncos were one of only two teams without a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver, the other being the Ravens, who have the luxury of a fielding a two-time MVP at quarterback and a top defensive unit.

With Wilson now out in Pittsburgh, the Broncos’ supporting skill players are going to be that much more crucial to the team’s success in 2024. And with the Jerry Jeudy joining Wilson in the AFC North, the running backs, in particular, are going to need to step up for a brand-new quarterbacks groups.

The team’s top three rushers from last season – Javonte Williams (217 attempts-774 rushing yards-3 rushing touchdowns), Jaleel McLaughlin (76-410-1), and Samaje Perine (53-238-1) – all return to the roster in 2024. Additionally, the team added Notre Dame rusher Audric Estime in the fifth round of this year’s draft and Memphis-product Blake Watson as an undrafted free agent.

With fullback Michael Burton all but guaranteed a spot on the initial 53-man roster, per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, that leaves three or, maybe, four roster spots over which the above players will compete. Williams is a likely lock for a roster spot. The former second-round pick has yet to record a 1,000-yard season or score more than four touchdowns in a year, but he’s been their best rusher over his three years in the league, despite being hindered by injury. And, while Watson flashed at times in the team’s spring program, he’s likely the first odd man out, though he could wind up on the practice squad.

That leaves two or three spots for three players. Denver could decide to roll with four running backs and a fullback and eliminate the need for a decision, but more likely, Burton’s presence on the roster will probably limit the Broncos to three roster spots for four backs.

As an undrafted rookie out of Youngstown State, McLaughlin showed up in a big way as Williams dealt with an injury early last season. McLaughlin got the nod over Perine in those few games, but for most of the season, they held similar rushing responsibilities behind Williams. The big difference is that Perine was, by far, the team’s best receiving back throughout the year. Perine’s 455 receiving yards outpaced both Williams (228) and McLaughlin (160) combined, though the latter two both had two scores each through the air to Perine’s zero.

With 2,261 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns for the Fighting Irish in the past two seasons, Estime could potentially bring a production that was lacking in the room last season. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Estime also brings a physical presence to the room that wasn’t there last year.

It’s difficult to determine who holds more value between McLaughlin and Perine. Perine holds the obvious advantage of experience and receiving prowess, while McLaughlin was relied upon in Williams’ absence last year and, at 23 years old, has much more tread on his tires on a much cheaper contract. Then, consider if Estime provides more value than either player, and the decision muddies even further.

In the end, Denver may decide that it serves the team best to hold on to all four running backs going into the season. If not, the Broncos decision could come down to whether they prefer the experience of Perine, the contract of McLaughlin, or the potential of Estime.

Latest On Bills’ Special Teams

July 7th, 2024 at 6:39pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bills had to make a lot of tough decisions this offseason for the sake of the salary cap and their future. Buffalo has lost a number of big names like wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, pass rusher Leonard Floyd, and center Mitch Morse, but it’s also parted ways with a number of under-the-radar contributors, particularly on special teams, per Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News.

Special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley is going to need to come up with some ideas for both returner jobs. The team let last year’s leading punt returner, Deonte Harty, depart for Baltimore in free agency, and while last season’s leading kick returners, Ty Johnson and Khalil Shakir, both return in 2024, Shakir may be needed more on offense with the departures of Diggs and Davis.

Shakir was a contributor on punt returns last year, as well. Now that he’s competing with rookie second-round pick Keon Coleman for the WR1 job, though, the Bills may want to do what they can to keep him fresh for the offense. One possible replacement is rookie sixth-round cornerback Daequan Hardy. The Penn State-product returned 17 punts for 248 yards and two touchdowns for the Nittany Lions last year. While moving from Harty to Hardy sounds easy enough, Hardy likely won’t make the roster for his return abilities alone. He’ll need to show that he can contribute on defense, as well to win the job.

Johnson should continue to work as the team’s main kickoff return man, but Smiley has iterated that both return jobs are wide open for competition. Smiley may also decide to continue utilizing Shakir if he’s truly the best option. The team also rosters veteran Andy Isabella. While Isabella has never caught on as an NFL receiver, he has experience returning kickoffs and punts from his time with the Cardinals.

The Bills also will need to replace the production of linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who remains a current free agent. In four years with the Bills, the veteran played almost exclusively as a special teamer, even earning a role as team captain for his special teams contributions in Buffalo. Similarly, former safety Siran Neal, now with the division-rival Dolphins, served as the team’s main gunner on punt coverage. Both players’ special teams efforts will need to be replaced.

Lastly, the team seems to be encouraging competition at the punter position, as well. Veteran Sam Martin has held the position for two seasons and is under contract for two more, but at one point this offseason, the Bills had three punters on the roster. Matt Haack was released before spring practices concluded, but undrafted free agent punter Jack Browning out of San Diego State is still on the roster and could push Martin through camp. It will take a lot for Browning to beat out Martin, though, as the veteran placed a career-best 47.1 percent of his punts inside the 20-yard line last year.

Smiley has a lot of decisions to make over the next two months, but he seems really excited to see the guys he has on the roster compete this summer.

5 Key Stories: 6/30/24 – 7/7/24

July 7th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

The past few days have seen several key developments take place around the NFL. In case you missed any of the top stories from this week, here is a quick recap:

  • Vikings’ Jackson Dies At 24: Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was involved in a car accident which resulted in his death as well as that of two of his former high school teammates. Jackson was 24. The car he was a passenger in collided with another during an incident early Saturday morning, and investigators believe alcohol was a “contributing circumstance” in the accident. A third vehicle was also involved, but no other injuries were suffered. Jackson spent time at community college before playing at Alabama and ultimately transferring to Oregon. He earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023 and was selected by Minnesota in the fourth round of April’s draft.
  • Jaguars Finalize 30-Year Jacksonville Lease: The future of the Jaguars has been a talking point in the past, but the team’s long-term outlook will keep it in Duval County. Jacksonville City Council approved a 30-year lease with the Jags, something which will put to rest questions about potential relocation. The team’s EverBank Stadium will be renovated as part of the long-term project which will ensure stability from an organizational standpoint. The Jaguars have played regular season games in London dating back to 2013, and their formal international arrangement is set to continue for years to come. With nothing imminent regarding European expansion, though, midseason games at Wembley Stadium are set to remain the only instances of Jacksonville playing overseas.
  • Patriots, Tavai Reach Extension Agreement: After three seasons in New England (including two as a starter), linebacker Jahlani Tavai agreed to a deal constituting a notable raise. The pending free agent worked out a three-year Patriots extension with a base value of $15MM. The pact can max out at $21MM, but in any event this deal is worth far more per season than the $1.88MM Tavai was due to earn in 2024. The 27-year-old made a career-high 110 tackles last season while remaining a core special teams contributor. Tavai is one of many in-house players Eliot Wolf and the Patriots have kept in the fold via new deals or extensions this offseason, and he figures to remain a key role player for years to come.
  • Hill Seeking Dolphins Extension: Confirming previous reports on the matter, Tyreek Hill publicly confirmed he is aiming for a Dolphins extension. The five-time All-Pro once led the way in terms of AAV amongst receivers at $30MM. That figure (which is artificially inflated by the non-guaranteed $43.9MM base salary due in the final year of the pact) has since been surpassed during the most recent wave of monster extensions at the position. Miami has taken part in that process, retaining Jaylen Waddle on a $28.25MM-per-year pact which will keep him in place for years to come. Hill, 30, is under contract for three more years, including two with guaranteed compensation. How the team proceeds knowing that term remains will be interesting to monitor.
  • Gipson Issued Six-Game Suspension: Tashaun Gipson is one of many veteran defensive backs who is still unsigned, but his free agent status is different than that of his peers. The 33-year-old was issued a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. Gipson’s playing future was already in doubt this offseason, with the 49ers remaining patient and allowing him to determine if he wished to continue his 12-year career. San Francisco used Gipson as a full-time starter over each of the past two years, but if anything the team will no doubt be less likely to entertain a new deal knowing he will miss the opening of the 2024 campaign. Opportunities from other suitors could likewise be few and far between until the fall.

Patriots CB Alex Austin On Track For Increased Role?

July 7th, 2024 at 2:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Christian Gonzalez should be able to start the 2024 season at full health, something which would be a welcomed development in the Patriots’ secondary. The team’s top pick in last year’s draft is set to handle a starting role, and the same should be the case for veteran Jonathan Jones.

Plenty of uncertainty is currently present elsewhere on New England’s cornerback depth chart, though, leaving plenty of playing time up for grabs. One name to watch during training camp could be Alex Austin based on his Patriots stint last year and his usage in the spring. The 2023 Bills seventh-rounder did not survive roster cuts, and he was claimed off waivers by the Texans in August.

Austin made three appearances with Houston before ultimately being let go in November. The 23-year-old immediately caught on with the Patriots, and he saw time in five games to close out the campaign. With the team struggling on the injury front in the secondary, Austin logged a defensive snap share of at least 57% for four straight contests. The Oregon State alum registered two pass breakups and allowed five completions on 16 targets in coverage. He re-signed in March, allowing him to compete for notable playing time this offseason.

As noted by team writer Paul Perillo, Austin logged a number of first-team reps during the spring while playing opposite Gonzalez on the perimeter. The latter played almost exclusively on the boundary during his rookie season, and that has also been true of Jones over the past two seasons. Jones – a veteran of 115 games with the Patriots – also has experience in the slot, however, and a strong summer showing from Austin could push him to the inside.

Perillo adds that Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade are also in contention for increased workloads, particularly in the slot. How they fare during training camp will play a role in determining the team’s overall secondary plans. If Austin can continue to impress, though, he could find himself handling first-team duties or at least seeing rotational defensive snaps during his first full New England campaign.

Deven Thompkins Secures Meeting With NFL

July 7th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Rory Parks

Former Buccaneers wide receiver/return specialist Deven Thompkins met with two NFL Personal Conduct Policy investigators and an NFLPA attorney in New York last week, as ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported. Thompkins actively sought the meeting, which took place sooner than it otherwise would have, as part of his effort to clear his name and land another NFL opportunity this season.

Thompkins, 24, was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement last month, which made him a free agent. Given his production as a return man in 2023, he ordinarily would have stood a good chance at hooking on with a new club. After all, the injury that ostensibly precipitated his release was a Grade 1 hamstring strain that should be fully healed by now.

The problem for Thompkins is that his estranged wife, Maria Castilhos, has accused him of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. Thompkins filed for divorce on February 27, and 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.

As of the time of this writing, Thompkins has not been suspended, and given that his steadfast denials have now evolved into a separate suit, the league may wait until more information comes to light before taking any action. In the meantime, he is free to sign with any club, though the nature of Castilhos’ allegations will doubtlessly make teams reluctant to acquire him.

A former undrafted free agent, Thompkins spent the past two seasons operating as Tampa Bay’s kick and punt returner. He totaled 1,082 return yards during that span, adding 115 yards and one touchdown on offense. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles previously left the door open to a new contract for Thompkins, but it is unclear if the club would truly consider that.

Jeffrey Lurie Considering Sale Of Minority Interest In Eagles

July 7th, 2024 at 9:33am CST by Rory Parks

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is considering selling a minority stake in the club, as Bloomberg’s Gillian Tan reported last month. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk makes plain that the size of the stake is uncertain, and that there will be no path to a controlling interest.

As such, it is eminently possible that the sale will not happen at all. The club will be valued at $7.5 billion in any transaction (an 11-times multiple of annual revenue), so it will be a pricey endeavor for any buyer, especially since their prospective purchase would not guarantee them a chance to acquire a more significant share.

After all, it appears that the plan is to keep controlling ownership of the Eagles within the Lurie family. Jeffrey Lurie’s son, Julian, participated in the NFL’s two-year program for prospective executives upon his graduation from Harvard, he took part in the Eagles’ head coaching interviews in 2021 — ultimately advising his father as the team transitioned from Doug Pederson to Nick Sirianni — and even spearheaded the interviews for the team’s analytics department. Julian Lurie, now 29, appears poised to someday succeed his 72-year-old father at the top of the franchise.

The NFL currently does not allow private equity or other institutional investment in its clubs, and while that has not yet prevented owners who wish to sell from finding deep-pocketed buyers, the skyrocketing value of NFL teams could soon necessitate a relaxation of the rule. As Brendan Coffey of Sportico.com writes, the league recently retained an investment bank, PJT Partners, to explore the possibility of private equity partnerships.

Naturally, Jeffrey Lurie’s efforts to sell a share of the Eagles would be aided by a revised private equity rule, and as of the time of Tan’s report, those efforts were still in their early stages. Lurie is working with BDT & MSD Partners, a private banking company, to locate potential buyers.

Lurie purchased the Eagles for $195MM in 1994. Under his stewardship, Philadelphia has appeared in three Super Bowls, winning one and dropping the two others by three points. Like many owners of major sports franchises, Lurie has sometimes been accused of meddling too much in matters of on-field personnel, to the point that some saw GM Howie Roseman as a mere conduit for Lurie’s wishes. Of course, Lurie’s push to keep QB Jalen Hurts as the unquestioned starter heading into the 2021 campaign — even when Roseman had doubts about the young passer’s ceiling — turned out to be the right call.

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