HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Klutch Sports Group Hires Ex-Cardinals GM Steve Keim

September 19th, 2024 at 8:18pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Klutch Sports Group has hired former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim as its new general manager, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Although Keim has not worked in the NFL since taking a leave of absence from the Cardinals late in the 2022 season, he spent 10 years as the NFC West team’s GM. The Cardinals made the playoffs just three times during Keim’s tenure, though that is a better success rate than the franchise has displayed in decades. The Cards ventured to the 2015 NFC championship game, and Keim’s regime — despite enduring a rough 2022 — acquired some cornerstone pieces that have ended up boosting the current Arizona front office.

Keim, 52, worked his way up through the Cardinals organization, starting as a regional college scout in 1999 and rising all the way to general manager in 2013. He remained in that position until January 2023, when he stepped down to focus on his health. Keim has not worked in the NFL since that Cardinals separation late in the 2022 season.

Keim finished with an 80-80-2 record as Arizona’s general manager, being atop the front office when the team traded for Carson Palmer, drafted Kyler Murray and traded for DeAndre Hopkins. Keim also oversaw the talks that produced Murray’s five-year, $230.5MM extension

The Cardinals extended Keim and then-HC Kliff Kingsbury months before they hammered out the Murray deal, but ownership reversed course after the 2022 Arizona edition unraveled and finished 4-13. Michael Bidwill bailed on Keim and Kingsbury at season’s end, not bringing back the veteran decision-maker and canning the HC who had pushed for Murray.

Klutch Sports Group is believed to be the first agency to hire a former NFL general manager to the same position within an agency. Keim will work with Klutch’s team of agents, bringing decades of NFL front office experience to the agency.

“Steve gives us a tremendous amount of depth through the lens of knowledge, experience and expertise,”’ said Klutch CEO Rich Paul. “This is a game changer for us and I imagine the industry. His entire life has been loving the game of football, and we couldn’t be happier to have him join us.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/19/24

September 19th, 2024 at 7:36pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

New England Patriots

New York Jets

The Patriots sustained a blow to their offensive line depth when Okorafor left the team after being benched after just 12 snaps in Week 1. New England received a five-day roster exemption for Okorafor’s initial absence but was forced to move the offensive tackle to the reserve/left team list when the exemption expired. He is now ineligible to return this season.

Watson was drafted by the Browns in the sixth round of the 2024 draft and made Cleveland’s initial 53-man roster. He appeared in the team’s first two regular-season games, playing 33 snaps on special teams.

Broncos Work Out T Cameron Fleming

September 19th, 2024 at 6:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Suddenly shorthanded at tackle along a high-priced offensive line, the Broncos are set to turn to a UDFA who missed all of his 2023 rookie season. As Alex Palczewski prepares to take over for Mike McGlinchey, Denver is looking into veteran options as well.

The Broncos brought in a familiar face for a Thursday workout. Cameron Fleming auditioned for his most recent NFL employer, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets. Fleming joined recently cut Commanders O-lineman Braeden Daniels at the workout.

[RELATED: Broncos OL Quinn Bailey Out For Season]

Fleming, 32, would supply the Broncos experience they lack. Denver has Palczewski and ex-Giants swingman Matt Peart in place as backup options for McGlinchey and Garett Bolles. The team did not need to turn to backup help much in 2023, with four of its five O-line starters (all but McGlinchey) playing 17 games. McGlinchey was available for the team’s first 16, but to start this season, the veteran RT is on IR with an MCL sprain. For the time being, Palczewski — an Illinois standout who spent all of last season on IR — will be asked to start opposite Bolles.

Fleming started in place of McGlinchey in Week 18 and saw more action for less healthy Broncos O-lines in 2021 and ’22. Brought in initially after Ja’Wuan James suffered an Achilles tear away from the team’s facility in 2021, Fleming started four games for that Denver edition but was needed for 15 starts in 2022. The Broncos used a different Week 1 right tackle starter each year from 2013-23. Fleming took his turn on that carousel in 2022, with his 15-game season coming two years after he served as the full-time Giants RT.

Pro Football Focus graded Fleming as a solid option, particularly in pass protection, in 2022. He re-signed with a rebooted Broncos team in 2023. Not too much interest came the journeyman blocker’s way this offseason, though the tackle-needy Browns auditioned him in August. The Broncos had struggled to provide sufficient protection for Bo Nix with their starting quintet in place, and the McGlinchey-to-Palczewski experience gap is obviously rather wide. Fleming could help fill the void, having familiarity with Sean Payton‘s system.

Daniels enjoyed a short Texans stint following his Commanders cut, as the rebuilding NFC East team cut five 2023 draftees. Houston also moved on from the second-year player, doing so this week. Daniels, 24, profiles as more developmental option; the former fourth-round pick has yet to play a regular-season snap.

NFC West Notes: 49ers, Rams, Metcalf, Cards

September 19th, 2024 at 5:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trent Williams‘ absence secured him a significant guarantee midway through the life of a six-year contract. The All-Pro 49ers left tackle had shown up to minicamp but staged a training camp holdout that surpassed one month. Williams did not talk to Kyle Shanahan or John Lynch for more than two months, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes (subscription required). This ended with Shanahan calling the disgruntled tackle to express the team’s need for his return, with Russini indicating that the eighth-year HC’s overture took place eight days before San Francisco’s season opener.

The parties ended up agreeing to their rework, which provided Williams with a three-year deal worth $82.66MM ($26.9MM guaranteed at signing), less than 48 hours later. Williams, who remains signed through 2026, is by far the 49ers’ best O-lineman and is gunning for a tackle-record 12th Pro Bowl nod.

Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • Brock Purdy will already be without McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel against the Rams, but the third-year 49ers QB also may not be able to target George Kittle in a game featuring concerning injury trouble for both California teams. Hamstring tightness led Kittle to a DNP on Thursday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. The All-Pro tight end practiced Wednesday but appears to have come out of the workout worse for wear. Kittle, 31 next month, has dealt with a number of injuries in his career but has managed to avoid extensive absences since missing much of the 2020 season. Eric Saubert would likely step in as San Francisco’s starter if Kittle joins CMC and Samuel in being unable to go.
  • The 49ers also recently worked out slot cornerbacks Tre Herndon and Chandon Sullivan, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. A longtime Jaguars slot player, Herndon caught on with the Giants in June but did not make their 53-man roster. Sullivan, who has played for the Packers, Vikings and Steelers in a six-year career, has been a free agent since March.
  • A tweaked hamstring led Darious Williams to the Rams‘ IR list just before the season. Williams preceded a host of Rams regulars — including Puka Nacua, Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila and John Johnson — in heading to IR before Week 3. Williams had been battling hamstring trouble this summer and will be eligible to return in Week 5, with ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop noting the Rams are not yet concerned the recently reacquired cornerback will need to miss more time. Hamstrings, of course, can cause uncertain timetables. For Williams, this is his first IR trip since 2021. It is not a good start to his age-31 season, as the former Super Bowl starter is attached to a contract that becomes a pay-as-you-go accord beyond 2024. Williams will be due $8MM if on the Rams’ roster by Day 5 of the 2025 league year.
  • The Seahawks recently created some cap space by restructuring D.K. Metcalf‘s three-year deal. Seattle converted $11.88MM of Metcalf’s 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, freeing up $9.5MM in cap room, OverTheCap.com’s Jason Fizgerald notes. The team saw its cap-space figure balloon from around $4MM to $13MM-plus via this conversion, creating breathing room and inflating Metcalf’s 2025 cap number (now $31.88MM). Seattle added three void years to Metcalf’s deal as well; as a result, the team would take on $7.13MM in dead money if Metcalf is not re-signed before the 2026 league year begins.
  • The Cardinals and Patriots each posted 4-13 records last season, but New England’s tiebreaker both provided access to the No. 3 overall pick (Drake Maye) and a better waiver position. The Pats took advantage recently, claiming recent UDFA tackle Demontrey Jacobs off waivers from the Broncos. Arizona had also submitted a claim for Jacobs, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss offers, only to lose out by one priority spot.

Texans TE Brevin Jordan Out For Season

September 19th, 2024 at 3:28pm CST by Ben Levine

SEPTEMBER 19: This placement will cover the rest of the season. Jordan suffered a torn ACL, according to Wilson. This is a tough blow for the 2021 draftee, as his path toward the 2025 free agent market will now include extensive knee rehab.

SEPTEMBER 18: The Texans will be down a tight end for at least the next four games. The team placed tight end Brevin Jordan on injured reserve today, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.

Jordan suffered a knee injury at some point during Sunday’s win over the Bears, although he still managed to finish the contest. The veteran was operating as Houston’s TE2 behind Dalton Schultz this season, with Jordan garnering 43 total snaps as a run blocker.

While he’s been called upon as a blocker in 2024, the former fifth-round pick hasn’t been a complete non-factor offensively through his first three-plus seasons in the NFL. The Miami (FL) product averaged 17 catches per season between 2021 and 2023, and he had a notable 73-yard touchdown during last year’s playoffs.

The team added some depth at the position today by signing Irv Smith Jr. to the practice squad, per Wilson. Smith profiles as more of a pass-catcher, with the tight end averaging more than 23 receiving yards per game in 37 appearances with the Vikings. After dealing with injuries between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Smith put together his worst statistical season in 2023, finishing with career-lows in receptions (18), receiving yards (115), and touchdown receptions (one).

Schultz and rookie fourth-round pick Cade Stover are mostly rostered for their pass-catching ability, so there’s a chance the team looks for a blocking option to temporarily replace Jordan. The Texans are also rostering tight end Chris Myarick and fullback Troy Hairston on the practice squad, and both players are probably candidates for promotions for Week 3.

QB Tyler Huntley Addresses Dolphins Deal

September 19th, 2024 at 1:39pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tua Tagovailoa is on injured reserve in the wake of his latest concussion. A multi-week absence (at a minimum) is in store as a result, and the Dolphins added quarterback depth in the form of Tyler Huntley.

Skylar Thompson will serve as Miami’s starter moving forward, but the team opted to add Huntley off the Ravens’ practice squad on Monday. That move came in lieu of promoting Tim Boyle from the Dolphins’ own taxi squad. Huntley is now the team’s QB2, a role he envisioned for himself shortly after Tagovailoa’s injury.

“I was thinking about it a lot,” the Dania, Florida native said when speaking to the media upon arrival with the Dolphins (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). “I was really thinking about it coming out of the draft and I was hoping Miami would have come and got me. But, you know, God’s plan and we’re here now.”

Huntley went undrafted despite a strong finish to his college career. The Utah product led the country in passer rating and completion percentage in 2019, and his dual-threat skillset made him a target of the Ravens. Upon signing with Baltimore, Huntley spent time as Lamar Jackson‘s backup for several years. He made 22 total regular and postseason appearances, a figure which includes 10 starts. One of those was during the wild-card round of the 2022 playoffs, but with Jackson healthy last year his only full contest came during a meaningless Week 18 game.

The 26-year-old signed with the Browns in free agency, but Cleveland also brought in Jameis Winston as a Joe Flacco backup replacement. The team elected to keep Winston and Dorian Thompson–Robinson in place behind Deshaun Watson, leading Huntley to return to the Ravens. Baltimore has Jackson and Josh Johnson on the active roster, though, so the Dolphins offer a better path to playing time at least while Tagovailoa is sidelined.

Thompson’s performances over the coming weeks will be critical as the Dolphins look to remain competitive without Tagovailoa. Huntely may play a role in that effort, but even if not he is now with the team he originally hoped to join upon entering the NFL.

Jon Gruden Eyeing College HC Gig

September 19th, 2024 at 12:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jon Gruden‘s lawsuit against the NFL has not been settled, and a return to the pro coaching ranks before it does remains highly unlikely. In the meantime, the former Raiders head coach is open to a college head coaching opportunity.

“Yeah, I’m interested in coaching,” Gruden said during an interview with CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. “Hell yeah, I’m interested in coaching. I know I can help a team, I know I can help young players get better, and I know I can hire a good staff, and that’s the only thing I can guarantee. But yeah, I’m very interested in coaching at any level, period.”

The 61-year-old resigned midway through the 2021 season after emails he sent while an ESPN analyst were uncovered during an investigation into former Commanders owner Dan Snyder. Gruden filed a suit against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell, one which the league has attempted to handle via arbitration. Gruden has pressed to have the case heard in open court, although that process has hit a number of obstacles. In July, his legal team asked to have a split decision by the Nevada Supreme Court favoring arbitration overturned.

It remains to be seen if the case will ultimately be presided over by Goodell or an appointee (if the arbitration route is taken) or in open court provided Gruden’s appeals processes work out. A full-time coaching gig at the NFL level would come as a surprise at this point, but the former Buccaneers Super Bowl winner has played a temporary role on staffs recently. Gruden worked as a consultant with the Saints last year, and he spent time alongside Andy Reid and the Chiefs this offseason. His stock could be rebuilt with a successful run at the NCAA level.

Marcello notes that opinion is split amongst college administration officials and athletic directors with respect to a potential Gruden hire. A number of coaches with past off-the-field issues have received second chances at the NCAA level, though, and a market could pick up as Gruden eyes a long-term opportunity to coach again. It will be interesting to see if he manages to land a college gig while his lawsuit against the NFL continues to play out.

“If there’s somebody out there that thinks they need a candidate, somebody to come in there, maybe lather it up a little bit, jazz it up a little bit, I’ll be down here in Tampa,” Gruden added. “I’ll be ready to go if needed.”

Browns DT Mike Hall Pleads No Contest To Disorderly Conduct

September 19th, 2024 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Hall‘s legal situation reached a conclusion on Thursday, paving the way for NFL discipline under the personal conduct policy. The Browns rookie entered a plea of no contest to disorderly conduct in the Avon Lake Municipal Court, per court records.

That fourth-degree misdemeanor represents a lower charge than the ones Hall was originally facing. The 21-year-old was arrested in August on domestic violence charges. An incident involving Hall and his fiancée led to the arrest, although the victim has since filed a motion for a protective order against Hall to be removed. That motion was granted.

Hall’s legal resolution includes a suspended 30-day sentence, a $250 fine and a placement on two-year monitor time, as detailed by Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. His original court date was scheduled for September 10, but it was moved back to Thursday. That day was meant to be the start of a pre-trial hearing, but today’s news brings a close to the case.

As is common in instances of domestic violence, Hall was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list. That move prevented him from taking part in the Browns’ regular season opener and had him set to remain away from the team until his legal process played out. Now that it has, the NFL can proceed with an investigation in advance of a fine and/or suspension being issued for a personal conduct violation. A league statement confirms Hall remains on the exempt list for the time being (h/t Easterling).

During his final two years at Ohio State, Hall collected six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. That production made him one of the top defensive linemen in the 2024 draft class, and upon being selected with the No. 54 pick he was the Browns’ top choice in April. Expectations are high based on his potential, but it remains to be seen when he will be cleared to make his NFL debut.

Rams Place Jonah Jackson, John Johnson On IR; Cooper Kupp To Stay On Active Roster

September 19th, 2024 at 8:58am CST by Sam Robinson

SEPTEMBER 19: Kupp will be in a cast for the next week before beginning his rehab, McVay said, via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue (subscription required). He added the injury will not require surgery, which is another positive development. McVay also said a final decision on injured reserve has not been made yet in Kupp’s case, however, so he could still be shut down for notable stretch.

SEPTEMBER 18: This season is skidding off track quickly for a Rams team that carried higher expectations compared to 2023. More IR placements are on tap for Sean McVay‘s team.

Jonah Jackson and John Johnson are heading to IR, the team announced. Jackson joins O-linemen Steve Avila and Joe Noteboom on the injured list, with more injury trouble persisting on the team’s front beyond the IR crew.

That said, some good news has come out of this early-season bloodbath. Cooper Kupp is not currently viewed as an IR candidate, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Kupp is again battling an ankle injury. McVay had previously said Kupp was an IR candidate.

[RELATED: Steve Avila Undergoes MCL Surgery]

Previously the last man standing among Rams starters in terms of health and overall availability entering Week 2, Jackson aggravated the shoulder injury that sidelined him for much of training camp and the preseason. The free agency addition must now miss at least four games. Jackson must sit until at least Week 8, while Avila and Noteboom are out until at least Week 7. The Rams have their bye in Week 6. That suddenly looms as an important recovery period, despite it coming so early in the season.

The Rams gave Jackson a three-year, $51MM deal days after re-signing Kevin Dotson (three years, $48MM) to remain at right guard. A four-year Lions left guard starter, Jackson has bounced between LG and center early in his Rams tenure. But injuries have overshadowed the entire O-line’s work thus far. Dotson is playing through a sprained ankle.

Alaric Jackson‘s return from a two-game suspension will help a Rams team in crisis. That will give the team three of its five O-line starters available, with longtime RT Rob Havenstein returning in Week 2. But the team is battling injury issues at multiple spots. Johnson sustained a hairline scapula fracture and had loomed as an IR candidate. Re-signed to continue his second Rams stint in July, Johnson had started one game for a Rams team otherwise retooling at safety.

As the Rams’ O-line injury issues remind of their 2022 problems, Kupp’s most recent trouble is familiar as well. Kupp suffered a foot injury in October 2022 but then went down with a more significant ankle malady a month later. The All-Pro receiver underwent season-ending tightrope surgery to repair the issue, and while he returned in time for training camp in 2023, a hamstring issue delayed his debut last season.

Kupp has missed 13 games since his dominant 2021 season, stalling the crafty wideout in his early 30s. The Rams gave Kupp a big raise after his Super Bowl MVP showing — during an offseason in which the team paid Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald — but have not seen much to justify it since.

Kupp, 31, does lead the NFL with 18 receptions through two games; that total came despite leaving the Rams’ Week 2 loss early. The team has Puka Nacua on IR as well, leaving the likes of Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and rookie Jordan Whittington as Stafford’s top targets.

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