HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Raiders S Marcus Epps Suffers ACL Tear

September 23rd, 2024 at 3:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Raiders were dealt a major blow during Sunday’s loss. Safety Marcus Epps suffered an ACL tear, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Epps was part of the Raiders’ efforts to rebuild in the secondary last offseason. He inked a two-year deal as a free agent worth $12MM. That pact included $8MM in guarantees, and it proved to be a worthwhile investment from the team’s perspective last year. The 28-year served as a full-time starter, collecting 66 tackles and three pass breakups. Similar play was expected of him in 2024, but his attention will turn to recovery.

As Pelissero notes, Epps’ knee is otherwise intact, which is a positive sign regarding his long-term outlook. For the time being, though, the Raiders will be shorthanded at the safety spot. The Wyoming product logged more than 1,000 defensive snaps for the second straight year in 2023, and replacing him will be a tall order for Las Vegas. The team ranks 28th in scoring defense through three games, including poor numbers against the pass (226 yards per game), and those figures could worsen in Epps’ absence.

The former Viking and Eagle did not hold down a full-time starting role in Philadelphia until his final year with the team. Epps did not deliver strong coverage statistics that season, but his leadership and communication made him an attractive option for the Raiders to pair with Tre’von Moehrig. The latter had his best season to date in 2023, but he will close out the current campaign with a new safety partner. The likes of Isaiah Pola-Mao, Amari Burney, Christopher Smith and Trey Taylor are options to take on an increased defensive role.

The news of Epps’ injury comes not long after it was learned starting defensive end Malcolm Koonce is also out for the year. Those absences will leave the Raiders without a pair of impactful defenders moving forward as they look to improve from a 1-2 start. With nearly $28MM in cap space, a move aimed at adding safety depth to help replace Epps would be feasible from a financial standpoint.

For the former sixth-rounder, this injury will no doubt impact his free agent value. Epps will look to rehab in time for the start of the 2025 campaign, but his market will not be as strong as it would have been had he remained healthy and productive for Vegas.

Chargers’ Justin Herbert Exits Game; QB Hopeful To Play In Week 4

September 23rd, 2024 at 2:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 23: X-rays on Herbert’s ankle came back negative, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. That is an encouraging sign, although his status over the course of the coming week will of course be carefully monitored. How Herbert progresses over the coming days will determine his ability to return to the lineup.

SEPTEMBER 22: Justin Herbert battled an ankle injury during the build-up to Week 3, leading to questions about his availability. The Chargers’ franchise passer did indeed start today’s contest, but he reaggravated the injury and was pulled in the third quarter.1

A sack caused Herbert to limp off the field, and head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game he decided at that point to make a change at quarterback. Taylor Heinicke took over for the remainder of the contest, but he took three sacks and did not lead any scoring drives. The Chargers lost 20-10 to the Steelers, dropping them to 2-1. The most important situation to monitor is of course Herbert’s status, though.

The 26-year-old was in a walking boot after the game, as noted by ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. That comes as no surprise given the nature in which he was injured, and his progress in recovering over the coming days will be a key storyline. Herbert may not need to practice for the Bolts to determine he is able to play in Week 4, although a cautious approach would also be reasonable. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year said X-rays were taken on his foot after the game.

The Chargers inked Herbert to an extension which temporarily made him the league’s highest-paid player last offseason. That $52.5MM-per-year accord has been surpassed multiple times since, but he is still the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ offense. His health is paramount, although some eyebrows were raised by the Chargers’ decision to start him given how serious the injury was over the past week. Further testing will no doubt take place before a prognosis emerges, although Herbert added he is hopeful to play in Week 4.

Heinicke was acquired via trade from the Falcons ahead of the roster cutdown deadline. With Atlanta signing Kirk Cousins in free agency and selecting Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the draft, Heinicke assumed he would be on a new team by the start of the season. The 31-year-old is a veteran of 29 starts, so he would represent an experienced option if the Chargers were to be sit Herbert. Updates on the latter’s status will be worth watching closely.

Falcons C Drew Dalman Expected To Miss Time; Latest On RT Kaleb McGary

September 23rd, 2024 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons came up short against the Chiefs on Sunday night, and their offensive line suffered multiple injuries in the process. Both center Drew Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary are in danger of missing time.

Dalman suffered a high ankle sprain, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Further testing is still needed, but Rapoport adds the 25-year-old is expected to miss time to the point where injured reserve may come into play. An IR stint would guarantee at least a four-week absence and leave the Falcons without a full-time starter up front.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, Dalman hardly saw the field during his rookie season. Since then, however, he has taken on first-team center duties. The Stanford product has only missed three games so far in his career, but the injury suffered last night threatens to increase that figure. Dalman graded out as PFF’s third-best center in 2023, and his early showings this year slotted him fifth. Any missed time would be acutely felt.

McGary exited the loss due to a knee injury. Rapoport notes the ailment is believed to be an MCL sprain, although an MRI will be needed to confirm. If that diagnoses proves to be true, at least a brief absence would become likely in McGary’s case. The Washington product has started all but one game during his six years in Atlanta, and durability has generally not been a concern. PFF has not usually rated McGary as one of the league’s top tackles, but the former first-rounder ranked fourth in 2022.

McGary, 29, is attached to a three-year, $34.5MM extension he inked last offseason as part of the Falcons’ investments up front. He is a key figure for the team’s efforts to deliver a step forward on offense in 2024; the same is of course true of Dalman, who is a pending free agent. Updates in both cases will be worth watching closely.

Exploring Panthers’ 2025 QB Options

September 22nd, 2024 at 9:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Cam Newton’s last full campaign as the Panthers’ starting quarterback came in 2017. Since that time, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Will Grier, Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker have seen sparse time at the helm of the team’s offense.

The same is also true of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, both of whom were acquired with the potential to serve as a long-term Newton successor. The latter has since found success in Tampa Bay, while the former could set himself up for a strong free agent market after his Minnesota campaign. Bryce Young was acquired as Carolina aimed to end the QB carousel, paying a massive price in the process. To date, that move has backfired.

The 2023 first overall pick has been benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton. First-year head coach Dave Canales offered support of Young in the wake of the team’s Week 2 loss, Carolina’s latest underwhelming offensive outing. One day later, though, a review of the game in addition with conversations with other members of the organization resulted in Young’s benching. No timeline for a reversal of the depth chart is in place, but the 23-year-old may see the field again in 2024.

Young did not expect to be benched, and the former Heisman winner is reportedly open to anything with respect to his future. That could include a trade sending him to a new team. The Panthers are not currently willing to take that route, although to little surprise teams have begun to show interest. Any swap would yield a return nowhere near the price paid to acquire Young (two first-round picks, two second-rounders and receiver D.J. Moore).

While the Alabama product will likely remain in place through the remainder of the season (and quite possibly beyond that point), the Panthers will no doubt bring in competition for the starter’s role this spring. A number of veterans are projected to be available, and a high draft pick for April’s draft is a distinct possibility as things stand. The team should therefore have a number of options to choose from.

Free agents:

Dalton joined the Panthers on a two-year deal last offseason, and he now has the opportunity to boost his value with an extended look atop the depth chart. The 36-year-old’s tenure as the Bengals’ starter ended in 2019, and he followed that up with single campaigns in Dallas, Chicago and New Orleans. He made nine starts in place of an injured Dak Prescott in 2020, and similarly filled in for Jameis Winston midway through the 2022 campaign. Even when Winston was healthy, though, the Saints stuck with Dalton to close out the season.

After only making one start in 2023, Dalton now finds himself in position to stabilize Carolina’s offense as he did with New Orleans two years ago. Succeeding in that respect could result in a new Panthers accord or increased interest on the open market in March. Canales’ head coaching stock was built on his work with other veteran passers, and it will be interesting to see how he fares with Dalton over the coming weeks after he was primarily brought in to develop Young.

Darnold was acquired via trade in 2021 after he failed to establish himself as a long-term answer under center with the Jets. The former No. 3 pick started all but one of his 18 Panthers games, taking over from Mayfield to finish the 2022 slate after he was granted his request to be released. Darnold, 27, spent last season in a developmental capacity with the 49ers and took a one-year Vikings contract to operate as a bridge starter.

First-round rookie J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury has left Darnold without competition for 2024, though. An impressive season in Minnesota would make the USC product one of the top signal-callers available in March and give the Panthers a number of other suitors to bid against if a reunion were to be considered. A different regime is in place compared to the one which originally brought him to Charlotte, and a repeat of that endeavor from Canales and new GM Dan Morgan in 2025 would make for an intriguing storyline.

The underwhelming 2021 QB class figures to offer a number of buy-low options. Top pick Trevor Lawrence is attached to a long-term Jags extension, but the passers selected second (Zach Wilson), third (Trey Lance) and 15th (Mac Jones) that year are all on their second NFL teams. No member of that trio is in a starting position at the moment, and a path to signficant playing time down the road does not exist. A prove-it contract with the Panthers could offer another change of scenery and the chance to at least compete for the QB1 gig with Young, provided he does remain in the team’s plans.

Justin Fields is another 2021 draftee whose career has not gone as planned. He has started three straight games with the Steelers to begin the campaign, though, and he could play his way into a Pittsburgh contract keeping him in place for years to come. The same could be true for veteran Russell Wilson, signed shortly after his Broncos release to operate as the Steelers’ starter. Plenty is yet to be determined regarding Pittsburgh’s quarterback outlook, but it would come as a surprise if both Wilson and Fields were to be retained. At least one could therefore be available for Carolina in the spring.

Drew Lock took a one-year deal to serve as the Giants’ backup, although struggles on the part of Daniel Jones could allow him to see the field in 2024. Lock underwhelmed during his time in Denver, and Geno Smith’s recent Seattle success prevented him from seeing a run of first-team action. Carolina could offer him a new chance for a QB1 gig; at a minimum, a Panthers deal would mark a reunion between Lock and Canales after their single season together with the Seahawks.

Like every year, 2025 is projected to have a number of veteran journeymen on the market. The likes of Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett will be an option if the Panthers elect to add a stopgap under center. Such a move would no doubt be accompanied by once again adding a rookie viewed as having the upside to serve as a franchise signal-caller.

Read more

Panthers Receiving Trade Inquiries On Bryce Young; QB Expected To Start Again In 2024

September 22nd, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bryce Young‘s status continues to be a lead early-season storyline, and conflicting reports about the second-year passer’s future have emerged. For now, Young will sit behind Andy Dalton. The organization’s plan beyond that remains unclear.

With the team so quickly veering from its Young path, trade inquiries are coming in. Several teams have reached out to the Panthers about Young’s availability, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Beyond those clubs, others have debated an overture internally. The offseason looms as the most likely trade window, Schefter adds.

Dave Canales said this week the team was not interested in moving Young right now, and while the rookie HC had said following the Chargers’ blowout win the 2023 No. 1 overall pick would remain the starter, Dalton received word hours later he would take over. Panthers players had grown frustrated with Young, who is not coming especially close to developing — albeit in suboptimal circumstances — in the way the franchise had hoped when it traded a bounty to the Bears for the draft slot last year. And debate around the league about the Panthers’ long-term direction with Young is coming out.

When the Panthers benched Young, word out of Charlotte depicted the change as a permanent benching instead of a move to merely reset the former Heisman winner’s confidence. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicates the Panthers indeed aim to turn back to Young at some point this season.

The Jets took this route with Zach Wilson in 2022, allowing the embattled QB to climb back up the depth chart — with an assist from a Mike White injury — after veterans were wildly disappointed in the player’s showing. While Schefter adds the door is indeed open to Young returning this season, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini is bearish about the Alabama alum’s long-term Carolina outlook (subscription required).

Young had been reassured the Panthers were in this for the long haul, only to see the team scrap a plan it formed in 2023 and then doubled down via several acquisitions this offseason. Young was believed to be “pissed” at the Panthers’ about-face, and although the team is not planning to trade the 5-foot-10 passer now, Russini reports this relationship is fully expected to end in 2025.

A veteran Panther informed Russini that Young kept making the same mistakes. Despite the Panthers signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis and then trading for Diontae Johnson to improve on a poor offensive setup, Young sits last in QBR by a wide margin through two games. The second of which produced a paltry 84 passing yards on 26 attempts. Young is averaging a nonfunctional 4.4 yards per attempt this season, and Russini adds that despite any damage control coming out of Charlotte, he is done as the hopeful long-term Panthers QB1.

Young’s scout-team performance this week offered the Panthers some renewed hope for a rebound, per Rapoport, who adds the team had viewed its previous starter as “overwhelmed.” Though, even if the Panthers may well be planning to give Young another shot later this season, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones offers this relationship is “forever altered.”

Jones affirms the Panthers “blindsided” Young with news of the benching but echoes Rapoport’s reporting that the diminutive QB will have another chance to start this season. Neither Russini nor Jones dispute David Tepper being involved in the benching, though the latter pushes back that the oft-criticized owner was not the sole driver behind the move. Most around the league, however, believe Tepper was involved in this benching, Russini offers.

Tepper is believed to have been the driving force behind the Young draft choice last year. Both GM Scott Fitterer and HC Frank Reich announced they shared the view, with separate research efforts producing a consensus between the since-fired HC-GM combo. Though, rumblings out of Charlotte had tied Reich to C.J. Stroud — even after the quickly fired coach had denied strong consideration was given to the Ohio State product. That is well in the past, and the Panthers are now nearing a cliff with the player they chose.

Two years remain on Young’s rookie contract, and roster bonuses of $3.17MM and $4.78MM are respectively due in 2025 and 2026. The Cowboys took on Trey Lance‘s fully guaranteed rookie contract, while the Broncos and Jets agreed to split Wilson’s 2024 money. The Panthers will have an impossible task finding value near what they gave up if they were to unload Young, with Jones reporting a Day 3 pick would be most likely the highest return the team could expect.

Carolina gave up D.J. Moore, its 2024 first-round pick (No. 1 overall) and 2023 and ’25 second-rounders to climb from No. 9 to No. 1. The Texans had backed out of a three-team trade that would have sent them the top pick and the Panthers No. 2 overall, and after Carolina had also discussed No. 3 with Arizona, the NFC South club then dealt directly with Chicago to obtain No. 1. With Young 2-16 as a starter, that move has deteriorated into one of the worst NFL decisions in a rather bad period for QB missteps.

Dalton is tied to a two-year, $10MM contract, and he appears set for a long runway as the Panthers’ emergency fix. Whether the Panthers’ 2024 plan involves another Young look or not, trade rumors — after many QBs drafted in 2021 and ’22 have been moved — are unlikely to cool down before this year’s deadline. Assuming the Panthers stick to their guns and retain Young throughout this season, trade rumblings are almost definitely to follow — perhaps ahead of a deal that gives Young a true fresh start — in 2025.

Titans Not Considering QB Change

September 22nd, 2024 at 8:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Titans fell to 0-3 on Sunday, and quarterback Will Levis‘ struggles continued. Head coach Brian Callahan confirmed after the game that no change will be made on the depth chart, though.

“Oh yeah,” the first-year coach confirmed when asked if Levis would still operate as Tennessee’s starter (via ESPN’s Turron Davenport). “We’ve also got to play better around him. I’m not going to overreact to an interception. Those things happen, guys throw picks, we just can’t give it to their team. It’s a killer. But we’ve not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet.”

Levis threw a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble during today’s loss to the Packers. That gives the 2023 second-rounder eight turnovers on the year, one in which he was expected to develop into the team’s long-term starter under Callahan. Giveaways at critical times have been a constant during the early portion of the campaign, and Levis’ ability to eliminate them will be key for his own acclimation to the NFL and to the Titans’ 2024 success.

Of course, Week 3 featured a matchup between Tennessee and former quarterback Malik Willis. The Titans tapped veteran Mason Rudolph as their backup signal-caller during the offseason, trading Willis to Green Bay shortly before the campaign. With the Packers showing disappointment in Sean Clifford (who was retained after roster cutdowns) and Michael Pratt (who was not), Willis found himself second on the depth chart at the start of the year. Jordan Love‘s MCL injury left Willis in place to start over each of the past two games, both victories.

If a change were to be made by Callahan and Co., Rudolph would take over. The 29-year-old has 13 starts to his name, each of which came during his lengthy Steelers tenure. Rudolph served as Pittsburgh’s QB1 to close out the 2023 campaign even after Kenny Pickett returned to full health, although the team cleaned house under center during the offseason. That left Rudolph in need of a new team, and he inked a one-year deal featuring $2.7MM guaranteed.

Callahan’s comments confirm Levis will remain in place for the time being, but questions about his status will no doubt continue if his turnover issues carry over into future games. The Kentucky product has totaled 579 passing yards and four touchdowns to date in 2024, adding sparse production on the ground and taking 15 sacks. More passing efficiency and overall stability from the QB spot will be the target moving forward. If that does not come to bear, however, it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds.

Jets Notes: Reddick, Carter, Johnson

September 22nd, 2024 at 8:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Three weeks into the season, Haason Reddick has still not reported to the Jets. Team and player remain at a stalemate with no signs of a resolution being imminent.

Acquired via trade this offseason, Reddick received at least one offer for a new deal from New York (albeit one which was below market value). He attended an introductory press conference on April 1 but has not been with the team since. The 30-year-old has angled for an extension while the Jets have been amenable to a restructure including incentives for 2024, the final year of his contract. Before Reddick reports, however, no agreement will be reached.

As the two-time Pro Bowler’s financial penalties continue to accumulate, it remains to be seen how the Jets will proceed. Jermaine Johnson‘s Achilles tear has left the team shorthanded along the edge, although that injury has not produced movement on the Reddick front. As a result, ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes a trade sending the sack artist elsewhere remains a likelier outcome than an agreement allowing him to play out his deal in New York. Reddick requested a move last month, but GM Joe Douglas quickly rejected it.

Here are some other Jets-related notes:

  • Slot corner Michael Carter II has been dealing with an ankle injury, and a full recovery does not appear to be in store any time soon. The 25-year-old’s ailment will be a season-long issue, head coach Robert Saleh said (via Graziano’s colleague Rich Cimini). Carter could find himself in and out of the lineup during games as a result, although he logged a season-high 73% snap share in Week 3. The former fifth-rounder landed a three-year, $30.75MM extension earlier this month.
  • Johnson faces a long rehab process due to his aforementioned Achilles tear. Fortunately, his surgery was a success, as the 25-year-old confirmed on social media. Johnson will miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign, and he will probably be on the mend for much of the subsequent offseason as well. Expectations were high for the Florida State product after his Pro Bowl year in 2023, but attention will now turn to his progress in returning to full health.
  • On another injury note, quarterback Aaron Rodgers noted in an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that he was not able to run late last season. The four-time MVP attempted to recover from his own Achilles tear in time for the end of his debut New York campaign, but that effort ended when it became clear the Jets would not make the playoffs. Rodgers’ mobility will remain a question given his age (41 in December), but his play so far – in particular during Thursday’s win over the Patriots – has quelled concerns from a health standpoint.

Browns DE Myles Garrett To Consider Offseason Foot Surgery

September 22nd, 2024 at 8:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

8:10pm: When speaking after the Browns’ Week 3 loss, Garrett said his foot issue is having a detrimental effect on his legs (h/t The Athletic’s Zac Jackson). Without time to heal, that problem could continue over at least the short term.

3:11pm: A foot issue led to some missed time for Myles Garrett in Week 2, but he did not carry a designation heading into today’s matchup. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is not expected to miss game action as a result of the ailment, but surgery could be an option down the road.

Specifically, Garrett is dealing with pain in both of his feet. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes the three-time All-Pro underwent a procedure as a nine-year-old to address flat feet, which may be related to the current problem (video link). In any case, pain management will be required on Garrett’s part for an extended period. After the current campaign, a procedure will be considered.

“We talk about [surgery after the season] but that’s something that we’ll talk about further down the line,” the 28-year-old said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “The issue itself is something that I’ll probably have to deal with for however long I end up playing. So it’s about managing that and playing through it.”

The former No. 1 pick has played double-digit games every year of his career, and he will be able to do so again in 2024 if he can tolerate the pain level he is currently dealing with. Garrett added he is hopeful the issue will get better over time as the season progresses. If that does not turn out to be the case, though, it would not come as a surprise if surgery were to become a distinct possibility.

Garrett earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and then each year from 2020-23. His 90.5 sacks since being drafted rank second in the NFL, underlying his importance to the Browns. Cleveland also has Za’Darius Smith and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo along the edge, but they of course play complementary roles to Garrett, the focal point of one of the league’s top defenses from 2023. Remaining strong on that side of the ball will be key to the Browns’ efforts to return to the postseason.

Garrett recorded a strip sack in each of his first two games, and he will again be counted on as one of the league’s top defensive players if he can stay on the field for the rest of the season. Whether or not he can do so with reasonable pain levels will be worth watching closely over the next few weeks in particular.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid Addresses Kareem Hunt Reunion

September 22nd, 2024 at 3:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of Isiah Pacheco‘s broken fibula, the Chiefs turned to a familiar face in the backfield. Kareem Hunt signed with Kansas City shortly after a workout.

Hunt joined the team’s practice squad, a move which has become increasingly popular in recent years amongst veterans who land in-season deals. The 29-year-old was not called up to the active roster as a gameday elevation, meaning he will not suit up tonight. Still, he figures to have a role in short order on his former team, one which released him in 2018 following the emergence of a video detailing a domestic violence incident.

Hunt quickly landed a new opportunity the following season when he signed with his hometown Browns. The former third-rounder spent five seasons in Cleveland, similarly inking a deal ahead of Week 3 last season once Nick Chubb was lost due to injury. He rushed for nine touchdowns in 2023 but logged the lowest snap share (31%) of his career, making it little surprise the team moved on. With his off-field issues in the past, the Chiefs authorized a comeback while eyeing backfield depth.

“We just thought he needed a change of scenery and get some help and take care of business there and we felt like he did that,” head coach Andy Reid said when addressing the Hunt deal (via ESPN’s Adam Teicher). “He did a nice job in Cleveland, and we talked to the people there and there were no issues there, so we felt OK by bringing him back… It looks like he’s grown up. I think people deserve a second chance if they’ve done something to work on the first part of it.”

Pacheco is on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four games. It would come as no surprise if he were to miss more time than that, however, so a committee approach could be in order for the foreseeable future. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on the on the reserve/non-football illness list and cannot be activated until at least Week 5. Kansas City will therefore rely heavily on undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran pass-catcher Samaje Perine until Pacheco returns.

Hunt could emerge as a figure in that respect as well once he finds himself on the active roster. The Toledo product led the league in rushing yards as a rookie, and he topped 1,100 scrimmage yards twice more. His efficiency has taken a dip recently, so expectations will be tempered during his second Chiefs stint. An impressive season could nevertheless boost his market on another Kansas City deal or an outside deal during the spring.

Ravens’ Justice Hill Did Not Expect Extension

September 22nd, 2024 at 1:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ahead of the Ravens’ Week 3 contest, the team agreed to a two-year extension with Justice Hill. The sixth-year running back has spent his entire career with Baltimore, but he did not anticipate receiving a new deal at this point.

Hill said in the wake of the pact being signed that he was surprised by it. The Ravens inked him to a two-year deal last March, so the team had the option of remaining patient on the contract front. Instead, Hill received $6MM on his latest pact, one which represents a slight raise and has him on the books through 2026.

“I just come to work every single day,’ the 26-year-old said when addressing the deal (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). “I wasn’t paying much attention to [the contract]… I’m a Raven, man. This is where I want to be. Grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

Hill had minimal production during his first two seasons while logging a special teams role. He suffered an Achilles tear ahead of the 2021 campaign, but since then he has not had any major injury problems. The former fourth-rounder stepped into the largest offensive role of his career last season with the Ravens experiencing injuries elsewhere on the running back depth chart. Hill amassed 593 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns while also handling part-time special teams duties.

The Ravens, like many other teams, used free agency to make a notable backfield addition this offseason. Derrick Henry was added on a two-year deal to handle a starter’s workload following the departures of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards on the open market. Keaton Mitchell – who impressed during a brief healthy stretch as a rookie – is set to occupy a role once fully recovered from the ACL tear which ended his 2023 season. Hill will still be in the backfield mix once that takes place, though.

The Oklahoma State product is clearly in the team’s plans beyond 2024 given the renewed commitment. As much as it was not expected, Hill clearly moved quickly in accepting the extension and his ability to reward Baltimore with continued steady play will be worth following over the coming years.

Load More Posts