HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

WR Rumors: Chase, Diggs, Dotson, Steelers

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

Ja’Marr Chase spent weeks holding in. Now, the All-Pro Bengals wide receiver continues to vacillate between a hold-in strategy and practicing. Wednesday marked a better sign for the team, as its top weapon suited up for what is considered its first game-week workout of the season. Of course, Chase returned to the sideline after having previously suited up. The extension-seeking player’s Thursday participation may be more indicative, given the inconsistency here, of his Week 1 availability.

Seeking a deal in Justin Jefferson territory, Chase is doing so with an organization that avoids the kind of guarantee structures the Vikings authorized for their top wideout. Mike Brown has said Chase is the team’s top non-Joe Burrow performer, but the longtime owner pointed to a 2025 deal being more likely. That said, a recent report indicated the Bengals intensified efforts to extend Chase late last week. Burrow said Wednesday that Chase is ready to play, via the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway, but stopped short of confirming he would.

The Vikings did proceed this way with Jefferson, with the sides cutting off talks before last season. While the Bengals and Chase continue to negotiate, it will be interesting to see how the team — which has bristled about needing to change its guarantee structure for Chase — goes near the guarantees Jefferson ($110MM) and CeeDee Lamb ($100MM) commanded. Jefferson also did not hold in last year.

The Bengals listed Chase as a limited practice participant. A mysterious injury would be a way for him to avoid playing — absent a new contract — in Week 1, but Cincinnati’s injury report lists the limited capacity as pertaining to rest. Here is the latest from a few NFL wide receiver situations:

  • Jahan Dotson‘s second Commanders season included a clash with then-OC Eric Bieniemy, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. Bieniemy’s style, as Ron Rivera pointed out last year, had brought a bit of a culture shock to several Commanders players. The longtime Chiefs OC is now in that position at UCLA. This year, teams began inquiring about Dotson’s availability after reading of Washington’s uncertainty beyond Terry McLaurin at receiver. The Commanders ended up making a rare trade with the Eagles, a pick-swap deal that brought back a 2025 third-rounder, to unload the 2022 first-round pick.
  • Missing out on Brandon Aiyuk, the Steelers have Van Jefferson and third-round pick Roman Wilson as their top George Pickens complementary options. The team also took a look at receiver/returner Jamal Agnew recently, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Agnew, who suffered a broken leg late in the 2023 season, has returned to full strength, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. More than 10 teams have inquired about the converted cornerback’s status. The former All-Pro caught 90 passes during his recent three-year Jaguars tenure.
  • Preparing to being his Texans tenure, Stefon Diggs alluded to an effort to lead the Bills to trade him this offseason. The veteran receiver had said he was not surprised Buffalo did move him this offseason. “None of those teams wanted to get rid of me,” Diggs said, via GQ’s Clay Skipper. “Things had to shake because I kind of wanted them to shake.” The Bills moved on from Diggs, tiring of his antics, despite taking on a non-QB-record $31.1MM in dead money. The Texans then took the unusual step of removing the final three seasons from the wide receiver’s contract, making him a 2025 free agent-to-be. Diggs, who also made noise in an effort to leave Minnesota, has an opportunity to rebound after disappointing during the second half of last season in Buffalo.

Contract Details: Ravens, 49ers, Sutton, Bates

September 4th, 2024 at 9:32pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens reworked a handful of contracts this week. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team restructured linebacker Roquan Smith‘s contract. ESPN’s Field Yates adds that defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike and kicker Justin Tucker also reworked their pacts.

Smith’s restructuring helped create $4.875MM in cap space, per Rapoport. Smith is playing on the second year of a five-year, $100MM extension he signed with the Ravens in 2023. In total, the three recent contract restructurings will total $9.3MM in savings, per Yates.

GM Eric DeCosta recently hinted that the team may be over the cap after adding a long list of practice squad players (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). The executive was confident the organization would quickly get cap compliant, and it sounds like the front office also managed to squeeze out some extra financial wiggle room heading into the regular season.

More cap restructurings from around the NFL…

  • Deebo Samuel provided the 49ers with some cap space the other day, with the wideout’s restructuring providing the team with a whopping $16.4MM in cap space (via Yates). Samuel is still playing on the three-year, $73.5MM extension he inked with San Francisco in 2022. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins also recently reworked his contract, saving the 49ers $5.43MM against the cap, per Yates. The team specifically converted $6.79MM of Collins’ upcoming salary into a signing bonus, adding three void years in the process (per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac).
  • The Broncos continue to commit to wideout Courtland Sutton, at least for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. The team restructured the receiver’s contract, helping open $9.5MM in cap space, per Yates. Specifically, the team converted $11.875MM of Sutton’s $13MM salary into a bonus, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. The reduced financial flexibility reduces the chances of a Sutton trade during the upcoming season.
  • The Falcons opened up about $7.5MM in cap space by reworking Jessie Bates‘ contract, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The team converted $11.25MM of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus, increasing his 2025 ($22.25MM) and 2026 ($22.27MM) cap hits in the process.
  • The Panthers reworked a pair of contracts, according to Yates. Both offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle helped provide the Panthers with some breathing room, as the duo’s restructurings created $10.7MM in cap room.
  • The Saints opened $3.5MM in cap space by reworking Juwan Johnson‘s deal, per Yates. The tight end inked a two-year extension with the team ahead of the 2023 campaign, with $11.5MM of his $12MM earnings guaranteed.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/4/24

September 4th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Tennessee Titans

Teagan Quitoriano has been sidelined with a sprained calf, leading to his placement on season-ending IR. The tight end has now been cut from IR with an injury settlement, allowing the player to play this season. In fact, he could still land with the Texans, as Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston hints that the tight end could sign with the Texans when first eligible in Week 5. The tight end is expected to be ready to play in the next few weeks, so there’s a chance another team could swoop in before Houston.

The 2022 fifth-round pick has spent the past two seasons in Houston, starting 11 of his 16 appearances. Quitoriano has mostly seen time as a blocker, although he has contributed offensively with nine catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Justin Herbert Avoids Injury Report, Discusses Foot Injury

September 4th, 2024 at 7:01pm CST by Ben Levine

Justin Herbert didn’t make an appearance on the Chargers injury report, a clear indication that he’s good to go for Week 1. Before today’s report dropped, the quarterback made it clear that he’s past his foot injury, although he wouldn’t specify why he specifically missed weeks of practice.

[RELATED: Justin Herbert Returns To Practice]

Herbert was sidelined at the start of August and was spotted wearing a walking boot. It was reported that the franchise QB sustained a plantar fascia injury on July 31, although Herbert said today that he “didn’t have that.” The quarterback wouldn’t reveal what exact injury he had been dealing with, with the fifth-year pro opting to keep the issue quiet.

“You know, I think that’s just something that’s a personal thing that you’d like to keep to yourself,” Herbert said (h/t Alexander Insdorf of Bolt Beat). “And if it’s not something I have to put out there, then I think I’d like to keep that to myself, and to the doctors here especially.”

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Herbert revealed that he didn’t suffer the injury at any exact moment, and the soreness gradually built up over a period of time. The QB also revealed that he’ll need to manage the injury throughout the upcoming campaign, which will include rehabbing and icing.

“It’s not really on my mind right now,” Herbert said of his foot (via Popper). “As long as we’re out in front of it, I think it’ll be all right.”

Herbert’s injury came at an unfortunate time for an offense that’ll be without former top wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The organization recently added a bit more insurance behind Herbert, adding veteran Taylor Heinicke to a QB room that already featured backup Easton Stick. Herbert was limited to 13 games last season thanks to a finger injury, but both the QB and the Chargers are hoping he can put forward a 17-game showing in 2024.

Colts K Matt Gay Underwent Hernia Surgery

September 4th, 2024 at 6:20pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts might be without their kicker for Week 1. Veteran Matt Gay told reporters that he underwent hernia surgery and is uncertain if he’ll suit up on Sunday, per Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports.

Gay revealed that he first started experiencing pain last weekend. After getting the injury checked out, it was determined the kicker would have to go under the knife. Fortunately, it should be a relatively quick turnaround time, but Gay could still miss this weekend’s matchup with the Texans.

Following a successful three-year stint with the Rams, Gay signed a four-year, $22.5MM contract with the Colts last offseason. He wasn’t as efficient during his first season in Indy, converting only 80.5 percent of his field goal attempts, his worst showing since his rookie campaign. Gay notably connected on a single-game record four 50-plus-yard field goals during a September game, and he converted 35 of 36 extra point tries throughout the campaign.

The Colts prepared for Gay’s potential Week 1 absence by adding kicker Spencer Shrader to the practice squad. The rookie caught on with the Colts earlier this offseason after going undrafted out of Notre Dame. Shrader made 15 of his 22 field goal attempts and 61 of his 62 XP tries last season. In his four previous seasons at South Florida, he connected on 68.3 percent of his FGA and 99 percent of his XPA.

OL Notes: Ravens, Mekari, Dolphins, Brewer, Bengals, Brown, Giants, Neal, Patriots

September 4th, 2024 at 4:07pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After an overhaul of their offensive line this offseason, the Ravens appear to have landed on veteran Patrick Mekari as their starting right tackle to open the 2024 season. Though Baltimore has resisted making any formal announcements about their starting OL, offensive coordinator Todd Monken pointed toward Mekari starting to open the year, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Mekari is also listed as the team’s starting RT on their official depth chart after competing with rookie Roger Rosengarten for the job throughout training camp.

The Ravens used a second-round pick on Rosengarten this year and gave him plenty of chances to win a starting gig over the summer. He frequently took reps with the first-team offense in practice and played 86 snaps at right tackle in the preseason, but that may not have been enough to overcome Mekari’s consistency over the past few seasons. A sixth-year blocker, Mekari has stepped up at both tackle positions. He started at LT when Ronnie Stanley was injured in 2022 and rotated snaps at RT as Morgan Moses played through a torn pectoral in 2023.

Mekari’s experience (36 starts) likely played a factor in the Ravens’ decision. Baltimore traded Moses to the Jets in March and also allowed veteran starting guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler to leave in free agency, opening up three new spots along the offensive line. With Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele stepping into starting guard roles for the first time, the Ravens appear to be opting for a known quantity in Mekari over the unproven Rosengarten.

Here’s the rest of the news from offensive lines around the NFL:

  • Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that starting center Aaron Brewer will practice this week after recovering from a hand injury, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Miami added Brewer on a three-year, $21MM this offseason after starting at center for the Titans in 2023. His hand injury, producing a multi-week absence, has raised concerns about his snapping ability. But McDaniel seemed confident about Brewer’s readiness to start in Week 1.
  • The Bengals have landed on veteran Trent Brown to start at right tackle over first-round pick Amarius Mims, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Mims has struggled with a pectoral injury throughout training camp, limiting his reps with Cincinnati’s first-team offense. The 18th overall pick did not practice on Monday, but did return in a limited capacity Wednesday. As Mims gets up to full speed physically and mentally, the Bengals will look to Brown, a nine-year veteran who signed a one-year, $4.75MM deal in March. Mims was seen as a developmental prospect during the pre-draft process, so it’s not surprising that the Bengals have opted for a conservative approach with a player they see as a long-term pillar of their offensive line.
  • Brian Daboll announced that Evan Neal will remain exclusively at tackle after the Giants toyed with the idea of trying him out at guard, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “We have enough guards,” said Daboll, “He needs to continue to work at right tackle.” The No. 7 overall pick in 2022 opened the past two seasons as the team’s starting RT, but injuries limited him to just 20 games. He also struggled to transition to right tackle after spending his senior year as a left tackle at Alabama. New York signed Jermaine Eluemunor on a two-year, $14MM deal this offseason. With Neal struggling to overcome his ankle injury early in camp, the ex-Raider took over the RT job.
  • The Patriots are working through multiple injuries along their offensive line as they put together their starting five before Week 1. Left guard starter Sidy Sow and Vederian Lowe, the latter having vied for a starting tackle job after playing LT and RT in 2023, are both nursing injuries. This potentially leaves rookie Layden Robinson as the team’s top option at RG come Sunday, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. The fourth-round pick impressed in training camp and even earned a few first-team reps in the preseason. Third-round rookie Caedan Wallace is expected to start the year as the Patriots’ swing tackle after training at both left and right tackle this summer.

Jaguars Undecided On Week 1 Play-Caller

September 4th, 2024 at 3:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars switched their primary play-caller just before last season. At least, it was revealed they would do so shortly before their 2023 slate began. The team’s performance — particularly down the stretch last year — has made this topic one of the top issues coming out of Jacksonville this summer.

Days before Week 1, Doug Pederson may or may not know where the call sheet will reside Sunday. The third-year Jags HC said Wednesday (via ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco) he has not decided if he or OC Press Taylor will call plays.

[RELATED: Assessing Jaguars’ 2024 Offseason]

Pederson did say Taylor will be on the sideline, as opposed to in the press box, on gamedays. But the former Super Bowl-winning HC is either leaving the audience in suspense or is taking this rather important decision down to the wire. Pederson served as the Jags’ primary play-caller in 2022 but handed the reins to Taylor last year.

As of the team’s preseason opener, Taylor still held this role. However, Shad Khan injected himself into the proceedings earlier this offseason. Addressing a report that indicated Pederson could be on the hot seat, the owner said he would want to call plays were he in that situation. Khan did not confirm Pederson was on the hot seat, but it did appear the owner would prefer the former Eagles play-caller take the Jags gig back.

Were Pederson truly on the hot seat, it would be odd if he entrusted Taylor once again. Then again, Eagles ownership disagreeing with Pederson’s plan to promote Taylor to OC was among the reasons the HC was forced out of Philadelphia.

Trevor Lawrence‘s injuries hindered Taylor’s first full-time play-calling effort last season, but the team plummeting from 8-3 to 9-8 and out of the playoffs clearly dropped the third-year OC’s stock. Pederson certainly suffered from the collapse as well. Even though the freefall led to DC Mike Caldwell and most of his staff being shown the door, Jags GM Trent Baalke took a long look at the state of the offense as last season deteriorated. It would be interesting, then, to see Taylor back in the role.

Jacksonville made personnel changes on offense, swapping out Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones with Gabriel Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. The team also changed centers, signing longtime Bills blocker Mitch Morse. We will soon find out if another key change is coming.

Bills Name Damar Hamlin Week 1 Starting S

September 4th, 2024 at 2:17pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Less than two years after going into cardiac arrest during a January 2023 game against the Bengals, Damar Hamlin will start at safety for the Bills in Week 1, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. This will be Hamlin’s first start since the on-field emergency.

Sean McDermott made the announcement Wednesday, praising Hamlin’s “consistency and opportunity” throughout training camp. In a contract year, Hamlin played his way off Buffalo’s roster bubble.

Hamlin’s well-publicized 2023 recovery did not lead to a prominent role last season. He spent the campaign buried on the depth chart, as Buffalo carefully managed his recovery and workload following the on-field scare. Hamlin only played in five games with just 17 total snaps on defense but seized his chance to earn a starting job after the Bills parted ways with its long-running Jordan Poyer–Micah Hyde safety duo this offseason.

“It’s one thing to come back off of an ACL or a broken bone. It’s another thing to come back off of what he came back off of,” McDermott said. “Let alone just to decide to play football, contact football in full pads at the NFL level. I don’t think I need to say anything more. It’s incredible.” 

Hamlin faced plenty of competition for the chance to start alongside Taylor Rapp, who signed a three-year extension in March. The Bills then added Mike Edwards in free agency before drafting Utah’s Cole Bishop with the 60th overall pick of the 2024 draft. Hamlin (hamstring), Edwards (hamstring), and Bishop (shoulder) all struggled with injuries during training camp, limiting their ability to develop chemistry with the rest of the first-team defense. Bishop managed his first full practice since July 30 on Wednesday.

According to McDermott, Hamlin’s ability to build “a certain level of rapport” with Rapp was a crucial factor in earning the starting job. “That’s important as well at the safety position,” McDermott added. Hamlin may not remain the Bills’ starter once their safety room returns to full strength. Both Edwards and Bishop have returned as full participants in practice this week and could eat into Hamlin’s playing time once they are back up to speed. For now, however, Hamlin (14 starts in 2022, counting the game cancelled after his collapse) will make the leap back to first-string duty.

Dolphins Considered WR Brian Thomas Jr. In Round 1

September 4th, 2024 at 1:13pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Mike McDaniel has built his Dolphins offense around speed. His first move after arriving in Miami was bringing Tyreek Hill into the fold, and he’s since prioritized speed in his veterans (Raheem Mostert, Braxton Berrios) and rookies (De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright), all of whom registered sub-4.4 40-yard times before being drafted.

McDaniel nearly added another speedster to his offense this past offseason: LSU wide receiver prospect Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU product was available to the Dolphins at the No. 21 overall pick, and according to McDaniel, the Dolphins did their due diligence on Thomas in the pre-draft process.

McDaniel described Thomas as a “super talented player that has a unique combination of being able to be a down-the-field third-level receiver that can track and make plays down the field, while also having a route-running skill set to do your underneath and intermediate routes.” The Malik Nabers sidekick led Division I-FBS with 17 touchdown receptions, breaking through en route to first-round status.

Thomas’ 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine indeed would have fit into the Dolphins’ recent skill-position blueprint, as Hill and Jaylen Waddle represent the NFL’s fastest active receiving duo. But the Dolphins opted to draft Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson at No. 21 overall instead. Two picks later, the Jaguars selected Thomas, giving Trevor Lawrence a new weapon to replace the departed Calvin Ridley.

“He’s a very talented individual that we will be well aware of when he’s out there on the field,” McDaniel said of Thomas. “It won’t be a surprise, because we did a lot of work on him coming out.”

Miami’s receiver interest is certainly interesting, given what the team already had invested at the position. The Dolphins were eyeing a big-ticket Waddle extension, which came to fruition after the draft, and had already seen Hill begin to angle for a contract adjustment. Hill has since agreed to an updated deal. The Dolphins did lose Cedrick Wilson from their receiving corps this offseason, though the team did not see the former $8MM-per-year player pan out.

Shortly after passing on Thomas, the Dolphins resumed their Odell Beckham Jr. pursuit. Miami had made Beckham an offer before the draft but did not agree to terms with the former Pro Bowler until May 3. As the Jaguars will throw a revamped receiving corps at the Dolphins — one that features Thomas and ex-Bills deep threat Gabriel Davis — the Dolphins will not have Beckham. The would-be WR3 is on the shelf until at least Week 5 due to being transferred to the team’s reserve/PUP list last week.

The Robinson pick addressed a much greater need, with the Dolphins finishing last season with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips sustaining major injuries. While Phillips is back, Chubb remains on Miami’s PUP list. With offseason pickup Shaq Barrett retiring post-draft, the Dolphins will need Robinson to aid their pass rush effort early.

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