2024 July - Pro Football Rumors

Month: September 2024

Checking In On Unresolved WR Situations

July 4th, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Wide receiver rumors continue to dominate the NFL’s post-minicamp quiet period. The shift atop the receiver market this offseason has complicated matters for other teams, while multiple clubs are also dealing with players attached to upper-middle-class accords.

With training camps less than a month away, here is a look at where the unresolved wideout situations stand:

Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers

This situation that has generated the most offseason rumors at the position; the 49ers-Aiyuk negotiations have dragged on for months. Progress has been scarce here, to the point Aiyuk requested a meeting to address his value and issues with the 49ers’ tactics during these talks. The Vikings’ Justin Jefferson extension has affected these conversations, with Aiyuk’s camp now seeking a full guarantee near the number ($88.7MM) the Minnesota superstar scored. AAV-wise, Aiyuk’s camp has been connected to pursuing a deal that matches or surpasses the $30.01MM number the Lions reached for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Aiyuk did not show for OTAs or minicamp.

Aiyuk, 26, is due a $14.12MM fifth-year option salary. His next step would be to hold out, risking $50K in per-day fines. The 49ers could waive them, as they did for Nick Bosa, since Aiyuk is on a rookie contract. That separates this situation from a few others here, and it is certainly possible the sides do not come together on a deal. Aiyuk not bringing down his guarantee request would run the risk of that happening.

While Aiyuk expects to be a 49er for a fifth season, the value gulf here — one partially created by the big-ticket deals other WRs have agreed to this offseason — threatens to prevent this situation from concluding smoothly like Deebo Samuel‘s did in 2022. The 49ers guaranteed Samuel $41MM at signing, illustrating how far the team and Aiyuk may be apart. Conversely, an agreement here — with the 49ers preparing for a Brock Purdy payday and having drafted Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 — would point to a 2025 Samuel trade. The 49ers discussed trades involving both their top wideouts, but John Lynch shut down those rumors post-draft.

Amari Cooper, Browns

The two-year Browns contributor joined Aiyuk in skipping minicamp, having seen his Cowboys-constructed contract fall in the pecking order (from second to 20th) due to the market booms of 2022 and 2024. Cooper signed a five-year deal, as the Cowboys prefer longer-term accords, in 2020 and missed out on cashing in as the market soared during the contract’s lifespan. Having played the lead role for a depleted Browns offense during an 11-6 2023 season, Cooper is aiming to score another payday ahead of his age-30 season.

Browns GM Andrew Berry identified Cooper as an extension candidate earlier this offseason, and Kevin Stefanski acknowledged talks have taken place. The Browns certainly had to assume they would be dealing with Cooper on the contract front once they gave trade pickup Jerry Jeudy a $41MM guarantee at signing (sixth among WRs). The ex-Bronco has yet to post a 1,000-yard season. Cooper has seven, though last season marked the older Alabama alum’s first 1,200-yard year.

With Deshaun Watson in Year 3 of a $230MM guaranteed extension, the Browns feature an unusual roster component. If Cooper were to hold out, the Browns would be unable to waive his $50K-per-day fines due to the 2015 first-rounder not being on a rookie contract.

As it stands, Cooper is tied to a $23.78MM cap number. Cleveland could reduce that with an extension, but Cooper’s age offers a slight complication. This does not appear an acrimonious dispute, and the sides are hoping for a pre-training camp resolution.

Tee Higgins, Bengals

This matter appears simpler, as Higgins has signed his $21.82MM franchise tender. Unlike Jessie Bates two years ago, Higgins is obligated to attend camp. The other eight players to receive a franchise or transition tag have signed extensions, each doing so several weeks ago. The Bengals have shown no indications they plan to extend their No. 2 wide receiver before the July 15 deadline, and while Higgins requested a trade, he has acknowledged he expects to remain in Cincinnati for the 2024 season. A trade could occur after the tag deadline, but the Bengals are highly unlikely — after resisting trade interest at the 2023 trade deadline — to move Higgins this year.

The Bengals and Higgins have discussed an extension for more than a year, and a modest offer — well south of $20MM per year — prompted the 6-foot-4 receiver to play out his fourth season. Gunning to dethrone the Chiefs and finish a mission they nearly accomplished in Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals tagged Higgins and are preparing to run back their standout receiver pair for a fourth year. If/once Higgins is tied to the tag this season, the sides cannot restart talks until January 2025. It is unclear if the Bengals would consider re-tagging Higgins next year, but the early word leans against this reality.

Joe Burrow‘s cap number spikes by $17MM between 2024 and 2025, moving past $46MM next year, and the Bengals have a receiver extension earmarked for Ja’Marr Chase. Though, Chase talks will be interesting after Jefferson’s guarantee figures surfaced.

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

This is a rather unusual situation, but one that reminds of another Dolphins matter from recent years. Hill is tied to a four-year, $120MM extension; that deal runs through 2026. But the future Hall of Famer is already seeking a new contract. Teams rarely accommodate players with three years of team control remaining, due to the precedent it sets, but Hill has shown himself to be one of the top receivers of this era. He has delivered back-to-back first-team All-Pro offerings and has made a significant difference in Tua Tagovailoa‘s development. The Dolphins have not shut Hill down on this matter.

Hill, 30, is believed to have approached the Dolphins about an update before the St. Brown, Jefferson and A.J. Brown deals came to pass, but those contracts intensified the ninth-year veteran’s pursuit. Rather than a push for more guarantees on his current contract, Hill confirmed he is seeking a new deal. Teams are not big on giving back years to players, the Texans’ unusual move to lop three years off Stefon Diggs‘ contract notwithstanding, and agreeing on another extension — with customary guarantees — so soon would make for one of the more interesting decisions in this key chapter in WR history.

Dolphins GM Chris Grier has set a precedent on this front, giving in to Xavien Howard‘s demands for a new contract in 2022 despite being tied to a deal that covered three more seasons. The Dolphins have given Jaylen Waddle a big-ticket extension, one that is structured in a more player-friendly way than Hill’s backloaded $30MM-AAV pact. Signing deals that at the time broke the receiver AAV record, Hill and Davante Adams allowed their respective teams to insert phony final-year salaries — which almost definitely will not be paid out — to inflate the overall value.

No trade rumors have emerged here, as Hill wants to stay in Miami for his career’s remainder. Though, it will be interesting to see what comes out of these talks if the Dolphins decline Hill’s request this year. Hill is attached to a $31.23MM cap number.

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

The Vikings’ decision to authorize outlier guarantees for Jefferson probably affects the Cowboys most, as Lamb is also a 2020 first-round draftee who has shown himself to be one of the NFL’s best receivers. Lamb, 25, has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ passing attack since the team traded Amari Cooper — for salary purposes — in 2022. He is coming off a first-team All-Pro season — the first by a Dallas wideout since Dez Bryant in 2014 — and is tied to a $17.99MM fifth-year option figure. If Lamb does not land a new deal by training camp, he is prepared to follow Zack Martin‘s lead and hold out.

Dormant during the spring, Lamb extension talks are expected to pick up this summer. The Oklahoma alum’s interest in becoming the NFL’s highest-paid wideout veered toward shakier ground for the Cowboys following this offseason’s run of deals. The Cowboys not going through with a Lamb extension last year has certainly cost them, as Lamb’s camp has Jefferson’s guarantees to cite now. Dallas has not guaranteed a receiver more than $40MM at signing and typically holds the line on contracts spanning at least five years. Based on where the WR market has gone in terms of contract length, Lamb’s camp will likely make this a central issue in the sides’ negotiations.

Dallas not pushing this process past the goal line in 2023 has also created a situation in which Lamb and Dak Prescott are in contract years, a window that has opened just as Micah Parsons has become extension-eligible. The Cowboys are expected to first address their quarterback’s deal, which could be a tricky proposition due to Prescott’s tactics during his long-running extension talks earlier this decade, but a Lamb pact coming together by training camp is still in play. The Cowboys’ glut of extension candidates has created one of the more complicated contract situations in recent NFL history.

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Checking in on a lower tier compared to the above-referenced receiver situations, Sutton continues to push for an update to his Denver deal. The Broncos have their top wide receiver attached to a four-year, $60MM extension that runs through 2025. Although just about every Broncos contract matter is overshadowed by the team’s Russell Wilson mistake, the team did well to lock down Sutton at what became a club-friendly rate during the 2021 season. After Sutton scored 10 touchdowns to help Wilson bounce back — to a degree, at least — in 2023, he has made an effort to secure better terms.

Sutton, 28, is believed to be angling for a raise from his $13MM 2024 base salary. The seventh-year target has been connected to seeking a bump to around $16MM. The Broncos did resolve a Chris Harris impasse by authorizing a raise, but the All-Decade CB was a better player who was in a contract year. Sutton reported to Denver’s minicamp but has not committed to showing up for training camp. Last month, the sides were at a stalemate. Tied to a $17.39MM cap number, Sutton would not be able to recoup any fines for a holdout due to being on a veteran contract.

Trade interest emerged during the draft, and the former second-round pick has regularly resided in departure rumors over the past two years. The Broncos cut the cord on fellow trade-rumor mainstay Jerry Jeudy, which stands to make Sutton more important as the team develops Bo Nix. Though, the Broncos have added a few wideouts on Sean Payton‘s watch. If younger players like Marvin Mims and fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin show promise, it is possible the Broncos revisit Sutton trade talks. Up until Week 1, only $2MM of Sutton’s base salary is guaranteed.

AFC South Notes: Zentner, Texans, Colts

July 4th, 2024 at 8:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ryan Stonehouse‘s Week 1 availability for the Titans is in question. The record-setting punter is rehabbing ACL and MCL tears in addition to a broken bone, but he is hoping to recover in time for the start of the season.

If that does not turn out to be the case, the team’s other in-house option would by Ty Zentner. The former UDFA saw time with both Tennessee and Houston last season, and he made five appearances after Stonehouse’s injury. Zentner averaged 46.5 yards per punt with the Titans, and he remains in place as a developmental practice squad candidate.

The 26-year-old has improved this offseason, team reporter Jim Wyatt writes. He adds, to no surprise, that as a result Tennessee is not likely to add another punter this summer. Zentner is on track to handle punting duties until Stonehouse returns, and his performance in training camp and the preseason will be worth monitoring with respect to if the team changes course and pursues a veteran.

Here are some other notes out of the AFC South:

The Texans have made a few changes in the front office, including the hiring of Steve Cargile. The former Patriots exec will hold the titles of senior personnel executive and assistant director of pro scouting, as detailed by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Cargile bounced around the league during his playing career (2004-09) before joining the Patriots’ front office in 2021. It was learned this spring Eliot Wolf would not retain him, but the 42-year-old has not needed to wait long to find a new gig.
The aforementioned Wilson piece also notes that DJ Debick will replace Ronnie McGill as Houston’s pro scouting director moving forward. The latter’s contract was not renewed this offseason, paving the way for Debick to take on the role. From 2016-21 the Patriots employed Debick in their scouting department. That time overlapped with Texans GM Nick Caserio‘s New England tenure, and in 2022 Debick was hired as Houston’s assistant pro scouting director. Now, he will lead that department shortly after reuniting with Caserio.
The Colts recently announced that Joey Elliott has received a promotion from area scout to assistant pro scouting director. As Neil Stratton of Inside the League notes, Elliott’s tenure in Indianapolis (which began in 2017 and was preceded by a stint with the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks) saw him receive recognition on the 2023 BART list as one of the conference’s top scouts. His performance to date with the Colts has earned him a move up the executive ladder along with added responsibilities in 2024.

Raiders Could Be In Market For CB, RB Additions

July 4th, 2024 at 8:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the central storylines for the Raiders during training camp will be the competition for the starting quarterback position. This summer will serve as a key evaluation period at several other spots, though, and additions could be made depending on how Vegas’ in-house options perform.

The cornerback spot has frequently been mentioned as a potential weak spot on the Raiders’ defense. Nate Hobbs is on track to handle first-team duties in the slot, while Jack Jones is believed to be set to handle one of the starting perimeter roles. The other is available to Jakorian Bennett and Brandon Facyson for at least the time being, but Vegas bringing in an outside contender would not come as a surprise.

The Raiders were interested in veteran cover man Steven Nelson prior to his retirement, Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes (subscription required). Nelson played 140 regular and postseason games, but last month he elected to hang up his cleats. That decision thinned the cornerback market to a degree, but the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard, Adoree’ Jackson and Patrick Peterson are still on the market.

Like many veterans at this time of year, any of the available corners could likely be added by the Raiders or any other interested team at a relatively low cost. Vegas has over $34MM in cap space, but the team is unlikely to make a lucrative addition in the absence of a major injury. Nevertheless, Tafur predicts Vegas will pursue a signing (not unlike that of Marcus Peters last year) at or around the beginning of training camp.

Likewise, the team’s backfield could see a new face this summer. Josh Jacobs‘ departure has the paved the way for Zamir White to ascend to a starter’s workload, a role he held late last year. The 2022 fourth-rounder impressed when Jacobs was injured, and he could cement his RB1 status over free agent signing Alexander Mattison with a strong showing in camp. As Tafur adds, though, an underwhelming performance by either early in the summer could drive new general manager Tom Telesco to seek out a signing.

Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray are some of the backfield options still available. That group also includes Brandon Bolden, who spent the past two years with the Raiders in a special teams capacity. A reunion on the latter front or an outside addition is feasible given Vegas’ cap situation, and it will be interesting to see if Telesco pursues one this summer.

Latest On LB Blake Cashman’s Free Agency

July 4th, 2024 at 6:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ success on defense in 2023 led to a few members of that unit securing lucrative deals on the open market this spring. In the case of linebacker Blake Cashman, several interested parties emerged before he chose his next destination.

The 28-year-old inked a three-year, $22.5MM contract with his hometown Vikings in March. Considering Cashman primarily on special teams for three of his five seasons to date, the pact represents a notable windfall. Houston was interested in keeping him in the fold for 2024 and beyond, but the team expected a strong market to exist once Cashman was known to be available.

Going further on that note, the former fifth-rounder indicated (via Andrew Krammer of Minneapolis Star Tribune) that the Broncos, Packers, Falcons and Steelers showed interest in addition to the Texans prior to his Vikings agreement. Cashman is a veteran of 21 starts, 13 of which came last season. During DeMeco Ryans‘ debut campaign as Houston’s head coach, he shattered his career high in tackles (106) while adding a pair of sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

That production – along with the terms of his contract, which includes $15MM in total guarantees – will lead to high expectations for Cashman. Minnesota made a notable investment in another ex-Texan (edge rusher Jonathan Greenard) this offseason, and both players will be counted on to handle a starter’s workload on defense. For Cashman, that would have been the case on any new team considering the contract he landed.

Denver lost Josey Jewell in free agency, creating a linebacker vacancy which was filled (at least in part) by the addition of Cody Barton. Green Bay released De’Vondre Campbell in a cost-shedding move, but no outside move was made to replace him before Edgerrin Cooper‘s selection in the second round of the draft. Atlanta was quiet on the linebacker front this offseason, waiting until Day 3 of the draft to make a move (JD Bertrand). Pittsburgh made by far the most lucrative LB investment of the group by inking Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41MM deal.

The decisions made by the other teams interested in Cashman is a simple ‘what if’ matter at this point, of course. Still, it is notable he managed to generate enough of a market to draw interest from several teams after his strong showing in 2023. Repeating that performance moving forward will prove Minnesota’s investment in him to be worthwhile.

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott Sustains Foot Sprain

July 4th, 2024 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

4:53pm: Bringing this holiday-based boot storyline to a close, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer notes Prescott indeed suffered a minor foot sprain but is no longer wearing the boot. Although Prescott still dealing with effects from his 2020 ankle break and dislocation is notable, it appears this brief storyline will wrap with fears of a serious midsummer setback put to rest.

3:02pm: Following the reports of a foot sprain, Prescott attempted to reassure Cowboys fans. The talented QB texted, “I’m great,” via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill. Prescott said the ankle he injured in 2020 swelled during his last time deep sea fishing, per Hill, and wore the boot as a precautionary measure.

The boot is, however, part of a maintenance effort Prescott has needed to conduct due to lingering effects from his 2020 ankle fracture. That injury has not impacted the former Offensive Rookie of the Year’s availability since he returned in 2021, and he said no restrictions are expected at training camp.

1:40pm: Dak Prescott scored his current contract despite coming off a season-ending ankle injury. The Cowboys quarterback’s latest contract talks will now be coming off another injury.

The ninth-year QB sustained a foot sprain that has required a walking boot, per the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins. It is not known when Prescott sustained the injury, but Watkins adds it is not believed to be serious. Prescott is vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, presently, with a boot visible on his right foot. He has worn the boot for a week, per Watkins, calling into question when the injury occurred. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport classifies this as a “very minor” injury.

It would be unlikely this injury provides a serious impediment to the Cowboys extending Prescott this year. They are planning to present a strong offer, creating more distance from early-offseason reports that suggested the team may be willing to let this process reach free agency next year. Prescott is believed to reside above CeeDee Lamb in the Cowboys’ extension queue.

How and when Prescott sustained the injury will be notable, of course, as will the extent of the issue. The Cowboys break for training camp later this month, and any Prescott stay on the active/PUP list — a camp-only designation that does not impact regular-season availability — will naturally generate attention. The Cowboys last held a practice on June 5, potentially pointing to the 30-year-old passer sustaining this injury away from team headquarters. Though, that is not confirmed.

Prescott damaged his right ankle during an October 2020 game against the Giants but was still able to secure a four-year, $160MM deal that has created significant leverage for him as talks on a third contract unfold. While Prescott also missed five games due to a thumb injury in 2022, he has otherwise been durable throughout his career. Dak played all 18 Cowboys games last season, marking the sixth time in his career he has avoided missing time in a campaign due to injury, and earned second-team All-Pro acclaim for his performance.

Prescott’s bounce-back effort solidified his value, putting him — considering the leverage he holds with the franchise tag out of the equation and a steep 2025 dead money bill on tap if no extension occurs — on the radar for a deal approaching $60MM annually.

DB Notes: Owens, Giants, King, Chargers

July 4th, 2024 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears have become a rather Olympic-friendly organization in recent years. Although Marquise Goodwin did not make the U.S. long jump team three years ago, Bears coaches backed the London Olympian-turned-NFL wideout’s bid to land on the Tokyo squad. A new Bears regime appears equally into the Olympic spirit. Goodwin did not need to miss any training camp time, but one of the Bears’ new signees looks set to receive a few excused absences for Olympics purposes.

Jonathan Owens, a sixth-year safety best known as the husband of gymnastics icon Simone Biles, will be given some time to attend Paris to support his wife. Biles said (via USA Today’s Nancy Armour) the Bears intend to allow the veteran safety “a couple days off” during training camp to watch her compete. Biles, who regularly attended Texans and Packers games to support Owens, is due to compete in her third Games from July 28-August 1. Owens signed a two-year, $3.8MM deal with the Bears this offseason. Although the former Houston and Green Bay cog worked as a starter over the past two seasons, he looks set to operate as a backup behind Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in his first Chicago season.

Here is the latest from the NFL secondary ranks:

Saquon Barkley‘s departure and Daniel Jones remaining in place as the starting quarterback have been the lead items — perhaps along with Brian Burns‘ arrival — from this Giants offseason. But Joe Schoen also identified cornerback as one of the team’s top needs going into free agency. The third-year GM said during the Hard Knocks: Offseason debut (h/t The Athletic’s Dan Duggan) CB was a front-line need along with wide receiver and the offensive line. The Giants did invest in a corner (Dru Phillips) in Round 3 and added former Jaguars slot defender Tre Herndon in June, but the team is counting on converted slot Cor’Dale Flott to replace Adoree’ Jackson alongside Deonte Banks. Schoen’s recently revealed assessment of the position may be of note as the team finishes assessing its pre-training camp depth chart.
Desmond King cited the Texans‘ emergence into an AFC contender as a key reason he agreed to re-sign this offseason. The team gave King a second chance after he washed out with the Steelers last year. “I’m going on my fourth year in Houston,” King said, via KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. “I’ve done seen the evolution of the team and the organization just being here for those first couple of years and seeing where it’s at now, knowing my capability and what I can bring to the team, why not be here with Houston?” King, who signed a one-year deal worth $1.8MM, has operated primarily as a slot player in Houston. He was with the team during David Culley and Lovie Smith‘s one-and-done seasons, before observing the Texans’ progress under DeMeco Ryans. With Tavierre Thomas now with the Buccaneers, King has a clear path to holding the Texans’ slot role this season.
A number of new faces will be part of the Chargers‘ two-deep this year. After going into last season with J.C. Jackson and Michael Davis in key roles at corner, the Bolts moved on from both. While Kristian Fulton has a path to a starting job, ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes another addition — fifth-round rookie Tarheeb Still — made perhaps the biggest impact among the Bolts’ rookies during the offseason program. DC Jesse Minter also offered praise for Still, a Maryland product, and it looks like he has a chance at securing a role alongside the likes of Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. in Jim Harbaugh‘s first season.

Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers Vying For Colts Starting CB Job; JuJu Brents Likely To Start

July 4th, 2024 at 10:40am CST by Sam Robinson

An early-May report indicated the Colts could be in the market for veteran help in the secondary. Boundary cornerback would seemingly be the team’s focus here. In between the offseason program and training camp, however, no such signing transpired.

The Colts, who ranked 28th in pass defense last season, included slot ace Kenny Moore among their spate of re-signings but have questions about both outside cornerback posts. One of those spots looks to be earmarked for JuJu Brents, per The Athletic’s James Boyd, but the other position will bring competition (subscription required).

Brents may not be a true lock to start, but the Colts chose him in the 2023 second round and used him as an eight-game starter last season. Brents was sidelined for two extended stretches, though he did suit up for the team’s final four games. Pro Football Focus slotted Brents 66th among corners last season.

Opposite the Indianapolis native, the Colts feature uncertainty. The team drafted two corners, selecting Jaylin Simpson in Round 5 and Micah Abraham in Round 6, but Boyd points to Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers as the primary competitors for the boundary job opposite Brents.

A 10-game starter last season, Jones worked with the first-stringers for most of the Colts’ offseason workouts. The team drafted Jones in the 2023 seventh round, and the Texas A&M product made the quick move into the starting lineup. Brents missing eight games and Flowers going down with an Achilles tear in early October contributed to this, and PFF ranked Jones 94th last season. He was charged with five touchdowns allowed. Flowers made five starts in two seasons, working behind Stephon Gilmore and the Isaiah Rodgers–Brandon Facyson tandem in 2022, but the Division II product was working with the starters each week before going down last year.

The Colts clearly believe in their current nucleus, as their batch of re-signings and extensions — headlined by the likes of Moore, Julian Blackmon, Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart — illustrate, but the team having employed Moore and still ranking in the bottom five in pass defense seems to point toward a deficiency at a rather key area.

Options are limited, as could be expected, weeks away from camp. Xavien Howard is not expected to be a Colts consideration, Boyd adds, due to the the civil suit that came up since his Dolphins release. Another potential option, Steven Nelson, retired after nine seasons. Adoree’ Jackson remains available ahead of his age-29 campaign, as does Gilmore, who will turn 34 in September. Patrick Peterson is also available ahead of his age-34 season.

Indy only has two non-homegrown players — Buckner and Samson Ebukam — projected to start (Moore technically counts, as a Patriots UDFA, but he was a Colt before his rookie season started). In the free agency era, that is obviously a rather low number. As of now, the team is preparing to roll out an entirely homegrown secondary. The Flowers-Jones competition may change that, but for the time being, Indy’s inward-focused plan extends to cornerback.

Daniel Jones’ Contract Factored Into Giants’ Saquon Barkley Strategy

July 3rd, 2024 at 10:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants’ fork-in-the-road moment involving Saquon Barkley came nearly 18 months ago, when they re-signed Daniel Jones and slapped the franchise tag on their Pro Bowl running back minutes before the tag deadline. Another round of negotiations did not produce a deal, eventually leading the former Offensive Rookie of the Year to Philadelphia.

Jones’ four-year, $160MM deal — one that includes a fully guaranteed 2024 salary — changed the Giants’ path with Barkley, as could be expected. GM Joe Schoen expanded on that during the debut episode of HBO’s offseason Hard Knocks effort. As Giants front office staffers met with the third-year GM about Barkley’s status before free agency, Jones’ deal came up with regards to the team’s interest in paying Barkley.

“We have to upgrade the offensive line and you’re paying [Jones] $40MM, and it’s not to hand the ball off to a $12MM back,” Schoen said (h/t Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post). “My plan is to address the offensive line at some point here in free agency. We’re sitting at 6, there’s a chance there’s an offensive weapon there. This is the year for Daniel.”

After skimping on guard investments last year, the Giants did beef up their O-line by signing Jon Runyan Jr. to a three-year, $30MM deal and adding Jermaine Eluemunor at two years and $14MM. Both are expected to start at guard, provided Evan Neal‘s rehab process concludes on time and his comeback bid at right tackle commences. They will be blocking for Jones and Devin Singletary, the Giants’ post-Barkley plan who had pre-Giants ties to Schoen and Brian Daboll from the parties’ Buffalo years.

Barkley said in the spring the Giants were not among the four teams who submitted an offer. In a meeting with John Mara earlier this year, Schoen said an offer in the Giants’ ballpark would run the risk of disrespecting the player who had operated as the team’s offensive centerpiece.

“We’re not gonna franchise him. It doesn’t make any sense to franchise him,” Schoen told Mara. “What are we really gonna get unless it got down to $7MM? I don’t want to offer that because I don’t want to be like we ‘disrespected him.’ There’s 31 teams and it only takes one to maybe be open to doing something. If it doesn’t get to that then, hey, we’re going to let you hit free agency. Find out your market, come back and let us know if we can match it. If we can, we’ll have those discussions.

“Daniel’s making a lot of money and it’s the fork. We have to figure out, is he the guy, so we have to protect him. We need to put resources there. … We’ll have to find a running back, but upgrade the offensive line and give him a chance.”

Mara still acknowledged that “in a perfect world” he would like to re-sign Barkley, whom the Giants began negotiations with during their 2022 bye week. The partnership, however, ended with the Penn State alum’s three-year, $37.75MM Eagles deal. After the Giants offered a guarantee in the $22MM neighborhood in July 2023, Barkley will end up pocketing $36.1MM guaranteed between his New York franchise tag and Philly guarantee at signing.

Schoen and his staff pondered the merits of a tag-and-trade move, with Schoen and assistant GM Brandon Brown coming out against due to the $12MM cap hold and trade compensation the latter expected to be low. Giants staffers wondered how big of a gap existed between teams’ RB valuations of a crowded market. Director of pro scouting Chris Rossetti did seem to suggest a value gap existed between Barkley and the other FA backs, pointing to a potential trade market being there in the event the Giants did re-tag the two-time Pro Bowler. This turned out to be an appropriate debate, as a gulf did emerge.

After Barkley’s $26MM full guarantee, no other back received more than $14MM locked in at signing (D’Andre Swift). At the Combine, Schoen called the franchise tag a tool the Giants could use. It does not appear they seriously considered it.

During his conversation with Mara, Schoen did seem to underestimate teams’ interest in adding veteran RBs by indicating the second week of free agency should still feature some quality backs. Day 1 of the tampering period produced a wave of RB deals — for the likes of Barkley, Singletary, Swift, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler among the signees — as the bulk of the starter-level players committing to teams within hours of the market’s unofficial opening. The Giants did not end up waiting, locking down Singletary on a three-year, $16.5MM deal ($9.5MM fully guaranteed) less than an hour after the Barkley-to-Philly news broke.

Barkley’s age (27) factored into the Giants’ interest in another deal as well, with Schoen referencing the RB’s college carry total (671) with new 49ers staffer Frank Gore as further reasoning (h/t The33rdTeam.com) for the team’s hesitancy to pay him. Although Singletary is only seven months younger, he has logged 1,063 career touches to Barkley’s 1,489. Barkley reached that total despite missing 24 games due to injury from 2019-23.

Committed to Jones for 2024 (but not any longer, per the QB’s guarantee structure), the Giants are stuck with the 2019 first-round pick. Nearly a year and a half after the team’s Jones-or-Barkley decision, the team’s big-picture choice will play out in the NFC East this season.

Latest On Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Talks

July 3rd, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of quarterback dominoes have yet to fall this offseason, and the situation regarding Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins remains unsettled. A lucrative investment in the Pro Bowl passer could still very well be worked out relatively soon, however.

Contract talks have been ongoing throughout the spring, and developments on the QB front have helped Tagovailoa’s bargaining position. The Lions gave Jared Goff a third contract carrying an annual average value of $53MM before Trevor Lawrence secured a Jaguars extension worth $55MM per year. Tagovailoa is younger than Goff while he has generally outproduced Lawrence when healthy.

Keeping that in mind, the 26-year-old has publicly stated how he is well aware of where the market currently is, suggesting a hometown discount should not be expected in his case. Tagovailoa is already thought to have turned down at least one extension offer, and while he has cited progress there is ground still to be made up. A report from last week indicated Miami has yet to submit a market-value offer.

Still, efforts from team and player continue on the negotiating front. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes both parties “seem determined” to work out an extension agreement, adding a “decent chance” remains that one will be in place before the start of the 2024 season. Plenty of blockbuster extensions are not finalized until training camp, and this summer is likely to be no different with a number of potential holdouts looming and the likes of Dak Prescott and Jordan Love also positioned for big-money QB deals.

As things stand, Tagovailoa is set to play out his $23.17MM fifth-year option this season. The Alabama product put together a healthy campaign in 2023, leading the league in passing yards (4,624) while adding a career-high 29 touchdowns. Questions about his durability and ceiling as a passer could limit the team’s willingness to make a long-term investment, on the other hand, which could lead to a patient approach and a potential 2025 franchise tag coming into play.

Of course, the Dolphins also have the Tyreek Hill contract situation as a summer priority. The former receiver leader (in terms of annual average compensation) is seeking a raise, and accommodating that wish will alter Miami’s cap structure for 2024 and beyond. With respect to Tagovailoa, meanwhile, traction at the negotiating table will be worth watching closely for.

AFC East Rumors: Hall, Dolphins, Jones

July 3rd, 2024 at 9:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Jets running back Breece Hall is now two seasons into his NFL career, and the former second-round pick out of Iowa State still doesn’t believe his full potential has been put on display as a pro. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Hall has put a rookie-year ACL tear in the past and is looking forward to the 2024 NFL season.

Hall hit the ground running as a rookie in New York. Despite coming off the bench in his first five games before finally starting games 6 and 7, Hall was able to rack up 463 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards, and five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving). His tremendous rookie campaign was cut short by the ACL and meniscus tears, and though he came back to play all 17 games in 2023, he failed to show that same promise. Last year, in 16 starts, Hall managed 994 rushing yards, 591 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns: not a bad season by any means, but certainly not the delivery of the promise from his rookie season.

This offseason, though, Hall gets to take a different approach. “I ended the season on a good note,” Hall told the media. “Last season, (I was) still not feeling 100 percent all the time, but now, I had my first offseason to not just be trying to get back but to get better. And I’ve gotten better this offseason. I’m a lot leaner. I feel a lot healthier My knee feels a lot better. I just feel like I’m back to my old self.”

Here are a couple other rumors from around the AFC East:

The Dolphins have welcomed new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, while former coordinator Vic Fangio has taken the same job in Philadelphia. In another Sports Illustrated piece, Breer underlined how a “one-voice approach” led to Fangio losing the respect of his defense in Miami. Fangio’s approach in meetings minimized the role of his position coaches, and that frustration allegedly bled through to the players who began to ignore defensive calls and freelance on the field. Weaver stands to resonate with his assistants and players better in 2024. A position coach in Baltimore for the last three years, Weaver saw his input magnified by head coach John Harbaugh, who awarded him the additional title of assistant head coach after his first season with the Ravens. Seeing his own input valued in that manner should encourage him to seek the same out of his own assistants in Miami this year.
As the Bills attempted to rattle off a string of wins to close the season and make the playoffs last year, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was activated from injured reserve with two games remaining in the regular season. Jones came back from a torn pectoral muscle to finish the season with his team but was certainly not 100 percent upon his return from injury. After deciding to re-sign to return to Buffalo on a new two-year deal, Jones is reportedly feeling much better. According to Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News, Jones is back to feeling 100 percent and should return to a crucial role on the defensive line in 2024.

Load More Posts