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Month: November 2024

QB Rumors: Dak, Cowboys, Dolphins, Tua, Titans, Rudolph, Willis, Sanders

August 14th, 2024 at 7:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys continue to drag out their complex contract situation, one headlined by Dak Prescott‘s contract-year status and enormous leverage. One of the issues believed to be factoring into the quarterback’s negotiations: when the contract’s escape hatch emerges, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. This would pertain to when guarantees vest. Considering Prescott’s built-in advantages stemming from no-trade and no-tag clauses, along with his lofty 2024 cap number and a $40.1MM void years-driven penalty that would go on Dallas’ cap if he reaches free agency, the ninth-year QB is undoubtedly pushing for most of this contract to be guaranteed. Rolling guarantees, which feature money locking in a year early, are also likely coming up during these talks. The Cowboys prefer five- or six-year deals, though they are not in good position to dictate term length or guarantee structure to their longtime passer.

As could be expected, a host of execs are critical of Jerry Jones for slow-playing this. Some are puzzled (via the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora) the Cowboys owner has lost this much leverage with Dak. The Cowboys are believed to be closer on terms with CeeDee Lamb, but one GM told La Canfora that Jones “totally screwed this up” re: Prescott. A $60MM-per-year contract, or something close to it with a player-friendly guarantee structure, will almost definitely be necessary for the Cowboys to keep Dak away from free agency come March.

Here is the latest QB news from around the league:

  • Tua Tagovailoa‘s Dolphins deal features a rolling guarantee structure. The Miami QB’s $54MM 2026 base salary will shift from guaranteed for injury to fully guaranteed in 2025, Florio notes. Of Tua’s 2027 base salary ($31MM), $20MM is guaranteed for injury; $3MM of that total shifts to a full guarantee by 2026 before the remainder vests in 2027. A $5MM roster bonus is also due in 2027. Tagovailoa’s 2028 base ($41.4MM) is nonguaranteed. Miami has set up a potential 2027 escape hatch, though the southpaw starter would still collect more than $150MM from 2024-26 in the event the team moved on three years down the road. Two void years are included to spread out cap hits, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin tweets.
  • Mason Rudolph has displayed accuracy at Titans camp, to the point Titans.com’s Jim Wyatt notes Malik Willis has been unable to gain ground — even though he has looked more comfortable in Year 3 — in the battle for the QB2 job. In the team’s preseason opener, Rudolph came in first and went 10-for-17 for 126 yards. Willis entered midway through the third quarter, going 5-for-7 for 38 yards (but rushing for 42). The Titans gave Rudolph a one-year, $2.8MM deal with $2.7MM guaranteed. A 2022 third-rounder, Willis is tied to a $985K base salary. Cutting the erratic third-year QB would cost the Titans only $466K, and it is certainly worth noting neither this coaching staff nor GM Ran Carthon was in Nashville when Willis was drafted. The Titans are open to carrying three QBs, but will this staff continue to develop an inherited arm given Carthon’s Will Levis investment?
  • NFL evaluators are split on Shedeur Sanders‘ stock for the 2025 draft. While ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid slots him as his No. 2 quarterback (behind Georgia’s Carson Beck) for the ’25 class — though, as a late-Round 1/early-Round 2 prospect — one NFL exec tabbed the Colorado QB as a Day 2 pick. Another evaluator labeled the returning Buffaloes passer as a first-rounder based largely on what is viewed as a weaker quarterback crop. Deion Sanders‘ influence on his son’s career is certainly not lost on execs, Reid adds, as the NFL legend/Colorado HC has already said he does see a cold-weather team as a fit (despite the duo’s current Boulder, Colo., location). Sanders’ impact on his son’s value has come up in NFL circles already and will likely remain a talking point moving forward.

Bills Audition WR Corey Davis

August 14th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bills have made some changes at wide receiver this week, moving Chase Claypool to IR and bringing in Damiere Byrd. A bigger name is also on Buffalo’s radar, albeit one that has not played in two years.

Former Titans top-five pick Corey Davis worked out for the Bills on Wednesday, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. Davis left the Jets just before last season but revealed interest in returning to the league earlier this year.

The Jets released Davis from their reserve/retired list, opening the door for the six-year veteran to speak with other teams about a comeback. While Davis’ Jets deal did not pan out, the former MAC standout is still in his 20s (29) and looks to catch on somewhere as a presumptive auxiliary option or even a depth piece.

Davis attracted a nice Jets contract (three years, $37.5MM) after totaling a career-high 984 yards in 2020. Injuries slowed the big-bodied wideout in New York, leading to 12 missed games during the two years Davis was on the Jets’ active roster. The Jets were taking their time on an expected pay-cut agreement with Davis last year, but the 209-pound pass catcher instead retired. Evidently interested in resuming his career, Davis tried out for a team effectively resetting at the position.

In addition to Claypool, this Bills offseason included the additions of Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The team is trying some free agents as ancillary weapons, with holdover Khalil Shakir and second-rounder Keon Coleman in place as the likely lead options in Josh Allen‘s seventh season. Claypool is now out of the mix, but the Bills are still kicking tires post-Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

Latest On 49ers, Brandon Aiyuk

August 14th, 2024 at 3:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Around 24 hours since a report indicating the 49ers and Steelers had agreed on Brandon Aiyuk trade compensation emerged, the fifth-year wide receiver remains with San Francisco. Aiyuk continues his hold-in.

The Steelers continue to wait on this situation, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicating the AFC North team remains motivated to acquire the dissatisfied wide receiver. But trade talks may have slowed down. Although the teams are believed to have trade parameters in place, Fowler adds talks were quiet in recent days. This note comes days after a report that mentioned 49ers extension talks had intensified following another Aiyuk meeting with team brass.

On this note, Aiyuk watched 49ers practice with teammates Wednesday and greeted GM John Lynch at one point, per the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman. This has been the receiver’s usual routine, but it is notable the club continues to have a high-profile player who could be on the verge of becoming the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade still on the sidelines at practice.

Aiyuk has also continued to attend 49ers meetings during this saga, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. This separates the Aiyuk matter from Trent Williams‘ holdout and how the team proceeded with trade-block occupant Jimmy Garoppolo in 2022. Garoppolo threw on the side and did not attend meetings before agreeing to a late-summer resolution to stay in San Francisco.

“I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play,” Kyle Shanahan said, via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch. “I have a feeling he’s finding a way to stay in shape and do those things. But there’s a football-shape element that I know he is eager to get back to — and us, too. So, hopefully, we can get to that soon. But Brandon knows what he’s got to do to be in shape for the season, and I feel confident he is doing that.”

The 49ers are believed to have upped their offer recently, and Tuesday’s update revealed San Francisco remains his preferred destination. After a report pegged both Aiyuk and the 49ers as underwhelmed by the Steelers’ offers — on the extension and trade fronts — the teams are at least in agreement. The ball is largely in Aiyuk’s court, though the 49ers do not necessarily have to move him. They are still clearly interested in seeing if common ground on numbers can be reached.

It would, then, seem odd if a team that narrowly missed out on a Super Bowl championship would go this far down a trade route — particularly at this point on the calendar, when a replacement will be difficult to obtain — but here we are. The Steelers appear to still believe, unlike the Browns and Patriots after offers did not produce deals, they can acquire the 26-year-old pass catcher — even if such a move would significantly affect the 2024 49ers’ title hopes.

Pittsburgh is believed to have submitted a trade offer including no players. Considering where they reside in the championship picture, the 49ers understandably sought veterans — a wideout, in particular — as part of an Aiyuk trade package. The Steelers, who do not have a comparable wideout they are willing to trade, are believed to have offered a deal in the $28MM-per-year neighborhood. If the 49ers have raised their offer, they may be in the same place. A $26-$27MM-AAV San Francisco price range surfaced earlier this summer.

This situation is not exactly oozing trade vibes at present. Still, the Steelers — who have certainly not been known to be on the receiving end of high-profile wideout trades — remain prepared to accommodate a big-ticket Aiyuk payment and pair him with George Pickens. This would seem incongruous to the 49ers’ immediate needs, but a trade remains a possibility. The wait continues.

Panthers To Sign S Rudy Ford

August 14th, 2024 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers spent big for Xavier McKinney at safety. Their three primary options from 2023 are now each with other teams. Following Darnell Savage and Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford now has a gig.

Ford agreed to terms with the Panthers on Wednesday, The Athletic’s Joe Person tweets. The veteran DB spent the past two seasons in Green Bay, starting 15 games. He will join a Panthers team that has seen some turnover at safety.

Carolina released Vonn Bell after one season, adding ex-Ejiro Evero Rams charge Jordan Fuller. The team also brought in fellow ex-Evero L.A. cog Nick Scott, whom the Bengals cut this offseason. Ford has no experience with Evero, though he did work with former Evero coworker Joe Barry in Green Bay.

The Packers turned to Ford as a regular over the past two seasons, marking a role increase compared to a nomadic start to his career. Playing five seasons split between Arizona, Philadelphia and Jacksonville, Ford started six games in that span. He worked with Savage during both Packers seasons, intercepting five passes.

Pro Football Focus graded Ford just outside the top 30 among safety regulars last season. The 49ers brought the 29-year-old defender in for a recent workout but did not sign him. He will bring more experience to a unit that also houses Xavier Woods, who is going into his second season with the team.

Packers Prepared To Use Jordan Morgan At Guard; LB Edgerrin Cooper Not Likely To Start

August 14th, 2024 at 12:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers’ offensive line is starting to take shape, and it looks likely to include the team’s first-round pick at a new position. Jordan Morgan returned to practice after missing time with a shoulder injury, and he is on track to work at guard.

Drafted shortly after the Packers released David Bakhtiari, Morgan became only the second Green Bay first-round pick allocated to offense over the past 12 years. The Arizona product began training at left tackle during the Packers’ offseason program and would seem positioned to be a long-term answer at one of the team’s tackle spots. For now, however, the team wants to see its rookie on the field.

Despite Morgan’s arrival, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom are locked in at left and right tackle (subscription required). Tom returned from an offseason pectoral tear recently and has reclaimed his RT post. Morgan may be see sporadic tackle reps for preparation purposes, but the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein notes the team has been using the No. 25 overall pick at right guard. It is likely Morgan remains there in what looks like a “best five” scenario for a Packers front that also carries Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins at left guard and Josh Myers at center.

Tackle-to-guard moves from college to the pros are certainly not uncommon, and Morgan moving inside would represent yet another transition involving a 2024 first-round tackle. If Duke tackle Graham Barton counts, nine college tackles were chosen in this year’s first round. Of that group, most are changing positions. Joe Alt (Chargers) is sliding from left to right tackle, while JC Latham is moving from right to left tackle with the Titans. The Saints flipped Oregon State RT Taliese Fuaga to the blind side, while the Steelers are readying Washington LT Troy Fautanu for a Week 1 RT role. The Cowboys are shifting Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton from right to left tackle. The Bucs are moving Barton from left tackle to center, though that was widely expected.

Walker and Tom are each under contract through the 2025 season. While two teams (the Cardinals and Steelers) have flipped 2023 first-round tackles (Paris Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones) to left tackle ahead of their second seasons, the Packers could have Morgan at guard for multiple years. Though, it is still early here. Morgan being moved inside opens the door for a swing role, and Andre Dillard — after starting at right tackle in Green Bay’s preseason opener — may be in the lead on Caleb Jones and 2023 UDFA Kadeem Telfort, Schneidman adds.

Elsewhere on the Packers’ depth chart, second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper looks unlikely to start at linebacker in Week 1. Rumored to be a candidate to take over at one of Green Bay’s ILB spots, Cooper has missed multiple weeks due to a hip injury. The Texas A&M product had not yet unseated Eric Wilson or fourth-year cog Isaiah McDuffie when he was practicing, per Schneidman. While Cooper will undoubtedly be given an extended chance to earn a starting role alongside Quay Walker eventually, he may be parked as a backup to open the season.

OL Notes: Raiders, Giants, Brewer, Nijman

August 14th, 2024 at 10:36am CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders had been planning to have Thayer Munford replace Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle, but a hand injury early in camp created a competition. Third-round rookie DJ Glaze has earned more first-team reps upon Munford returning. While The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes Munford — a 2022 seventh-rounder who competed with Eluemunor for the RT job last summer and saw action at both tackle spots during the season — still has the edge, Glaze has created a position battle (subscription required). Glaze’s chances at earning this job may also have increased Tuesday, with Reed adding Munford sustained an injury to his other hand.

Elsewhere on the Raiders’ front, second-round rookie Jackson Powers-Johnson remains on the active/PUP list. The Oregon product has been out of Raiders practice since early in OTAs, with a concussion sidelining him. Considering the timeline here, it is concerning how long the rookie has been out. Antonio Pierce did say (via Reed) he expects Powers-Johnson and LT Kolton Miller to begin practicing next week, but the former’s chances of winning the LG job — which the Raiders appeared to have earmarked for the Day 2 draftee — have taken a hit. The team does have veteran options in Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat; the latter has been working at tackle while Miller has rehabbed.

Here is the latest from the O-line ranks around the league.

Steelers Have Brandon Aiyuk Trade Agreement Worked Out; 49ers Extension Offer Also In Play

August 13th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

10:00pm: While an Aiyuk-to-Pittsburgh remains in play, it sounds like a trade hasn’t been completed because the 49ers believe they can convince the wideout to stick in San Francisco. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers and Aiyuk’s camp aren’t “that far apart on a deal.” The reporter notes that the 49ers have improved their offer in recent days, and it “has always” been the player’s preference to stick with San Francisco.

12:50pm: Brandon Aiyuk may still find his way to Pittsburgh, but the possibility of a long-term San Francisco deal also exists. A trade agreement has been worked out between the teams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Rapoport adds that the Steelers are “in a good place” with respect to an extension for the All-Pro wideout. The 49ers also have a standing offer to Aiyuk which would allow him to stay in the Bay Area for 2024 and beyond, however. That offer has not yet been accepted.

As the waiting game continues, Aiyuk will have the option of choosing to take a multi-year 49ers deal or, failing that, the 49ers will be in position to authorize the trade. Terms on an extension will be critical, of course. The Steelers have not yet been willing to reach $30MM per season on a deal; that has also been the case for San Francisco. Whereas trade terms had not yet been sufficient from the 49ers’ perspective, though, today’s update points to a Steelers acquisition once again being a distinct possibility.

Rapoport’s report does not specify what Pittsburgh has offered, but the package set to head to the Bay Area will no doubt be noteworthy. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette repeats his previous reporting, though, that no Steelers players are involved. Both the Patriots and Browns had deals worked out, and those agreements would have sent Aiyuk to a new team. The 26-year-old nixed a reported deal which would have yielded Amari Cooper and a pair of draft picks for the Niners, given his preference not to play in Cleveland or New England. Pittsburgh has long been known to be a destination Aiyuk is interested in.

As the Athletic’s Dianna Russini confirms, the Steelers have been waiting on the trade front for days. Pittsburgh does not have a veteran receiver to offer in a trade (at least, not one of Cooper’s caliber). George Pickens is the centerpiece of the team’s passing attack as it currently stands, with Diontae Johnson having been traded away this spring. That move – coupled with the release of Allen Robinson – has led to speculation the Steelers could add a receiver, and an Aiyuk acquisition would certainly mark a major move for their offense.

Late last month, general manager Omar Khan said no deals at the receiver position were being explored. Interest in Aiyuk has erupted since then, with the former first-rounder’s trade request not sparking progress on a 49ers extension agreement. Aiyuk has long been tied to an asking price around $30MM per year, a mark four receivers are currently attached to. It will be interesting to see if San Francisco’s most recent offer reaches that point, or if the Steelers are prepared to up their latest one to get a trade over the finish line.

As the Jets’ situation with Haason Reddick proves, working out a trade without a firm extension in place can be highly problematic for the acquiring team. One year remains on Aiyuk’s rookie deal, and he is due $14.12MM in 2024 on the fifth-year option. A long-term deal will no doubt be worth roughly double that figure, perhaps more. Which team he plays on during his next pact remains to be seen, however.

Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy To Undergo Knee Surgery

August 13th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

J.J. McCarthy has been dealing with knee soreness over the past few days, and he is now set to miss time. The Vikings rookie passer will undergo surgery, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

This procedure will be aimed at dealing with a meniscus issue, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network add. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has since confirmed a torn meniscus in the right knee. The outcome of the surgery will determine how long McCarthy is sidelined for. Today’s update confirms that free agent signing Sam Darnold is atop the quarterback depth chart for the time being.

Of course, Darnold was on track to operate as Minnesota’s starter to open the campaign. The former No. 3 pick entered training camp as QB1, and he is a veteran of 56 starts capable of serving as a bridge option while McCarthy develops. The latter has impressed so far in his acclimation to the NFL level, but going under the knife will halt his development at an important juncture.

McCarthy was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year’s draft, but questions have been raised regarding his ceiling as a pro passer. The Michigan product helped the team to an undefeated season and a national title in 2023, though his arm was not always a central element in the team’s success. Spending time on the sidelines in Minnesota to begin his career represented a logical plan, but that will now take place as a matter of necessity.

The Vikings saw Kirk Cousins depart in free agency, ushering in a new era under center for the team. Minnesota reportedly preferred to keep Cousins in the fold to help develop his eventual replacement, although re-signing the 35-year-old may have changed the team’s draft approach on Day 1. In the end, the Vikings wound up moving up to No. 10 overall and selecting McCarthy after failing to trade up to the third overall spot to secure Drake Maye.

A decision on which type of surgery will be undertaken will be made at the start of the procedure, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. McCarthy’s recovery timeline is therefore uncertain at this point, but his focus will now turn to rehab while Darnold likely receives a multi-week run at the helm of the offense to start the campaign. Attached to a one-year, $10MM deal, Darnold’s free agent stock will depend on his performance in Minnesota. Today’s development paves the way for any questions about McCarthy surpassing him on the depth chart to be delayed.

Rashee Rice Likely Available For Week 1?

August 13th, 2024 at 9:53pm CST by Ben Levine

With the start of the regular season rapidly approaching, it’s seeming increasingly likely that Rashee Rice will be available for Week 1. A source told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that the NFL hasn’t met with nor interviewed the Chiefs wideout about any of his offseason legal issues, a major indication that Rice will be allowed to play at the beginning of the campaign.

[RELATED: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice: “I’ve Learned So Much”]

As Florio notes, there are two possible paths to Rice being unavailable for the start of the 2024 season. The receiver could be suspended without pay under the Personal Conduct Policy. However, the NFL won’t take any action until the legal process is played out. Florio notes that even if Rice’s case was resolved today, there still wouldn’t be enough time for the NFL to complete a disciplinary process that now includes a third party.

The second path would be the Commissioner Exempt list, but Florio believes this is an unlikely outcome. While Rice’s felony charge would fall under that “paid leave” umbrella, Florio notes that the NFL generally reserves the Commissioner Exempt list for domestic violence cases. Further, Florio opines that if the receiver was indeed destined for this list, the move would have already happened. To top it off, the NFL provided a statement to PFT hinting that an eventual unpaid suspension is the likelier outcome:

“We have been monitoring developments in the matter. Following the conclusion of the legal process, the NFL will review the matter under the Personal Conduct Policy.”

This offseason has been one filled with legal issues for the second-year pro. Rice is facing a total of eight felony charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident in Dallas on the evening of March 30. About a month later, Rice was accused of punching a photographer at a Dallas nightclub. That latter incident likely won’t lead to charges, although it could still be grouped into a potential suspension.

So, while Rice will likely eventually face NFL punishment, it probably won’t come until the legal process is completed. Until then, the wideout will be allowed to play for the Chiefs.

Rams Waive K Tanner Brown; Rookie Joshua Karty Wins Kicking Competition

August 13th, 2024 at 9:43pm CST by Ben Levine

The Rams have settled on their starting kicker. The team announced that they’ve waived Tanner Brown, meaning sixth-round rookie Joshua Karty has won the kicker competition.

Karty is coming off a standout career at Stanford. The kicker earned a pair of first-team All American nods while converting 85 percent of his field goal attempts and 98.6 percent of his extra point tries. That performance helped elevate him above the standard grouping of undrafted kickers, with Karty being the first kicker off the board (and one of only two overall alongside Cam Little) during the 2024 draft.

The rookie had an especially strong showing during the Rams’ preseason opener. Karty connected on both of his field goal attempts plus the game-winning extra point. Most notably, he got all of the team’s looks at the position, so the writing was on the wall for the other kicker on the roster.

Brown went undrafted out of Oklahoma State last offseason. He spent the entirety of his rookie campaign on the Rams practice squad, failing to leap the likes of Lucas Havrisik and Brett Maher. Brown should get another shot following 2021 and 2022 campaigns where he nailed 88.6 percent of his FG tries.

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