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Davante Adams Committed To Raiders, Discusses Aaron Rodgers Pairing

July 9th, 2024 at 8:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Things haven’t necessarily gone as planned for Davante Adams in Las Vegas. The wideout pushed his way out of Green Bay and landed with the Raiders and his college QB, Derek Carr. That QB/WR tandem only lasted one season, with the Josh McDaniels–Dave Ziegler regime shaking up the quarterback position ahead of the 2023 campaign.

[RELATED: Offseason In Review: Las Vegas Raiders]

Adams hinted at some frustration before the Raiders ditched that head coach/GM duo, but the receiver admitted that interim-turned-full-time head coach Antonio Pierce is a big reason why he’s content ahead of the 2024 season.

“I wouldn’t be feeling as good as I do now,” Adams said of Pierce’s promotion during an appearance on “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams” (via NFL.com’s Nick Shook). “That’s for sure. He’s the type of guy that I really enjoy speaking to, working with, so I basically tried to do everything that I could to make it to where the front office didn’t have any other choice.”

Pierce guided the Raiders to a 5-4 record after McDaniels was canned, a performance that helped earn him a promotion to the full-time gig. While there’s still uncertainty at the quarterback position, Adams is committed to the Raiders…and he’s denying inquiries from some of his former teammates. Specifically, Adams admitted that Aaron Rodgers has been “in that ear” since the quarterback moved to the Jets.

“It’s not as easy as — obviously we can get together and talk about the old times and potential of doing this and that, but like I said I’m a Raider, and he knows that,” Adams said. “Maybe in the next lifetime.”

Adams also said he’s heard from former teammate Josh Jacobs, who joined the wideout’s former squad in Green Bay this offseason.

“I told him you go ahead and hold it down,” Adams said. “I’m gonna hold it down over here. I don’t think I’ll be coming back over there. Never know what’s gonna happen. If they ship me off, there’s not much I can do about it, but I’m a Raider. So nobody got to worry about that.”

Despite the management changes, the Raiders quickly quieted trade chatter this offseason, with both Pierce and new GM Tom Telesco (along with owner Mark Davis) expressing interest in keeping Adams around long-term. The wideout is attached to massive $44MM cap hits in both 2025 and 2026, but the Raiders could get out of the deal next offseason with only a temporary dead cap hit of $15.7MM. While both sides are currently saying all the right things, Adams’ future in Las Vegas will still be worth watching over the next year.

The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches

July 5th, 2024 at 10:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following 2023’s five-team coaching carousel, this offseason featured a quarter of the jobs becoming available. One HC-needy team (New England) did not put its position on the market, promoting Jerod Mayo, but the rest did. The Patriots’ decision also produced the first shakeup among the league’s longest-tenured head coach list since 2013.

Since the Eagles fired Andy Reid, Bill Belichick‘s Patriots HC stint had run the longest. After a 4-13 season, the six-time Super Bowl-winning leader was moved out of the picture. No team hired Belichick, generating a wave of rumors, and only one (Atlanta) brought him in for an official interview. While Belichick should be expected to take at least one more run at a third-chance HC gig, Mike Tomlin rises into the top spot on this list.

Tomlin is going into his 18th season with the Steelers, and while he has surpassed Bill Cowher for longevity, the steady leader still has a ways to go to reach Chuck Noll‘s 23-season Pittsburgh benchmark. Tomlin, 52, enters the 2024 season 17-for-17 in non-losing seasons, separating himself from his predecessors in that regard.

Belichick’s ouster brought far more attention, but his Patriots predecessor also slid out of the HC ranks after a 14-year Seattle stay. Pete Carroll‘s third HC shot elevated the Seahawks to their franchise peak. No Hawks HC comes close to Carroll’s duration, and while the Super Bowl winner was interested in remaining a head coach, no team interviewed the 72-year-old sideline staple.

Belichick and Carroll’s exits leave only Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Reid as coaches who have been in place at least 10 years. With Mike Vrabel also booted this offseason, only eight HCs have held their current jobs since the 2010s. A few 2017 hires, however, stand out; Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Sean McDermott have now each signed multiple extensions. Now riding back-to-back Super Bowl wins, Reid joined Tomlin in signing an offseason extension.

Here is how the 32 HC jobs look for the 2024 season:

  1. Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers): January 27, 2007; extended through 2027
  2. John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens): January 19, 2008; extended through 2025
  3. Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): January 4, 2013; extended through 2029
  4. Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills): January 11, 2017; extended through 2027
  5. Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams): January 12, 2017; extended through 2027
  6. Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers): February 6, 2017; extended through 2027
  7. Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): January 8, 2019: signed extension in July 2022
  8. Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): February 4, 2019; extended through 2026
  9. Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys): January 7, 2020
  10. Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns): January 13, 2020; signed offseason extension
  11. Robert Saleh (New York Jets): January 15, 2021
  12. Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions): January 20, 2021; extended through 2027
  13. Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2021
  14. Matt Eberflus (Chicago Bears): January 27, 2022
  15. Brian Daboll (New York Giants): January 28, 2022
  16. Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): February 2, 2022
  17. Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars): February 3, 2022
  18. Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): February 6, 2022
  19. Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints): February 7, 2022
  20. Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): March 30, 2022
  21. Sean Payton (Denver Broncos): January 31, 2023
  22. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans): January 31, 2023
  23. Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts): February 14, 2023
  24. Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals): February 14, 2023
  25. Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots): January 12, 2024
  26. Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders): January 19, 2024
  27. Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans): January 22, 2024
  28. Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers): January 24, 2024
  29. Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers): January 25, 2024
  30. Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons): January 25, 2024
  31. Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks): January 31, 2024
  32. Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders): February 1, 2024

Latest On LB Blake Cashman’s Free Agency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NFC North Front Office Updates: Vikings, Lions, Packers

June 28th, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Ely Allen

The Vikings announced a number of hires to their scouting staff in recent weeks. As general manager continues to find the path to draft success in the NFL, he is enlisting the help of these new additions to achieve the best possible results.

Before getting to the new hires, Minnesota promoted Sam DeLuca to director of pro personnel, according to Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com. DeLuca joined the Vikings about a year ago as a senior assistant director of pro personnel before getting the full director title. His NFL start came as a scouting intern with the Eagles in 2012 before he spent ten years in the Browns scouting department.

The biggest new hire comes in DeLuca’s department as Shane Normandeau joins the team as a pro scout. Normandeau worked alongside DeLuca in Cleveland, joining the Browns two years ago as football operations coordinator after interning for three months with the Colts.

The team also hired on Brian Schnorr as a scouting associate. Schnorr is making his NFL staff debut after three and a half years working in college recruiting with UCF, Florida State, and Nebraska. Schorr also has three years of experience as a data analyst with Pro Football Focus. Lastly, Minnesota added Dabness Atkins as a scouting assistant. After playing college ball at Holy Cross, Dabness spent the 2023 season as a recruiting assistant at UMass.

Here are a few other front office updates out of the NFC North:

  • The Lions made a big move, adding Charlie Adkins to the staff as senior director of football administration, per ESPN’s Seth Walder. Adkins comes from Arizona, where he spent the last seven years in the Cardinals’ football analytics and research department, eventually working his way up to manager of football analytics and research. He reunites with chief operating officer Mike Disner, who joined the Lions in 2019 after six years with the Cardinals as director of football administration.
  • Stratton informs us of one more NFC North scouting hire, noting the addition of Sam Fleming as a scouting assistant for the Packers. Fleming first worked in the NFL as an intern with the Saints before serving two years at Samford, where he played wide receiver in college, in personnel and operations. He has spent the last three years working with National Football Scouting.

NFC North Notes: Bears, Vikings, Love

June 26th, 2024 at 10:39am CST by Sam Robinson

Last year, the Bears became the Eagles’ gateway to Jalen Carter by trading down one spot and picking up an additional fourth-rounder from the NFC East team. GM Ryan Poles referenced this transaction when contacting Falcons GM Terry Fontenot during Round 1 this year. The third-year Chicago front office boss called the fourth-year Atlanta decision-maker about a move from No. 9 to No. 8, via The33rdteam.com’s Ari Meirov, with the aim to lock down Rome Odunze draft real estate. With plans on selecting Odunze’s college QB at No. 8 — to the surprise of most — Fontentot declined Poles’ offer and chose Michael Penix Jr.

The Jets (at No. 10) were also interested in Odunze, shifting to the offensive line once the Bears chose the high-end WR prospect at 9, with Poles undoubtedly aware of the AFC East club’s aim of adding another Aaron Rodgers weapon. A pre-draft report also pointed to the Colts’ interest in trading up for a playmaker; GM Chris Ballard confirmed he made “big offers” to move up from 15. After a dominant final season at Washington, Odunze rounds out a promising Bears receiving corps that includes D.J. Moore and trade pickup Keenan Allen. The Bears, who experimented with Odunze as a punt returner during their offseason program (per ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin), could have the Pac-12 product on a rookie deal through 2028 via the fifth-year option.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • For a second straight offseason, Dalton Risner‘s market underwhelmed. This led to the sixth-year guard changing agents, per The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, as he sought an upper-echelon agreement only to see nothing close come his way. The Vikings blocker called this a “frustrating” offseason, noting (via KSTP’s Darren Wolfson) he was surprised how little interest came his way — during an offseason that featured five free agent guards sign for at least $10MM per year. This mirrored his 2023 offseason, which did not see a deal come together until September. Risner started four seasons in Denver and worked as an 11-game Minnesota starter, with the Vikes trading Ezra Cleveland to the Jaguars, last season. Risner, 29 next month, is attached to a one-year, $2.41MM deal that includes playing time-based incentives.
  • While Risner will compete with Blake Brandel for Minnesota’s left guard job, Jordan Addison is a locked-in starter. Addison impressed despite Kirk Cousins‘ injury last season, and SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the former USC and Pitt wideout’s offseason growth has turned heads at the Vikings’ facility. During a season that featured an extended Justin Jefferson absence and the Vikes starting four QBs, Addison totaled 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The 2023 first-rounder’s rookie deal will now pair with Jefferson’s market-setting extension, and Sam Darnold — before a likely baton pass to J.J. McCarthy — will have a promising WR duo to target this season.
  • The Bears drafting Odunze meant a long wait for defensive help, and the team extended the wait after taking O-lineman Kiran Amegadjie in Round 3 and punter Tory Taylor in Round 4. Montez Sweat is in place as Chicago’s pass-rushing anchor, and Andrew Billings is poised to start once again. Beyond that, the Bears feature some question marks. A late-summer addition at DE and/or DT may be something the team will consider, per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain, if they do not see enough early in training camp. A Yannick Ngakoue reunion could be on the table. Chicago has Gervon Dexter and veteran DeMarcus Walker on track for regular roles, with Fishbain adding veteran pickup Jacob Martin‘s fit will also determine whether the team needs to make another move.
  • Although Jordan Love is expected to join the $50MM-per-year club, the Packers QB is only going into his second starter season. On that end, Matt LaFleur added 7-on-7 periods during practice to help his passer’s development, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky notes. LaFleur has resisted implementing this common offseason drill due to the lack of a pass rush impacting decisions, noting an emphasis on Love’s footwork for dusting off the passing period.

Latest On Packers’ President/CEO Search

June 25th, 2024 at 6:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Packers landed on a successor to Mark Murphy yesterday, with Ed Policy set to take over as the team’s president and CEO following the 2024 campaign. While Policy seemed like the natural choice to take over the top role, the organization still underwent an exhaustive search to find their new franchise leader.

[RELATED: Ed Policy To Succeed Mark Murphy As Packers President]

As Albert Breer of SI.com notes, the team whittled down a list of 90 potential candidates to around 10 by the time Memorial Day came around. The search committee then held virtual interviews with the remaining candidates before inviting a smaller group to Green Bay for in-person interviews. As Breer notes, this “thorough process” wasn’t “required through the league’s mandated hiring practices.” However, considering that the Packers president/CEO effectively functions as the team’s owner, it was obviously in the search committee’s best interest to make the right decision.

One of the final candidates for the role was Commanders president Jason Wright, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Almost a decade after his playing career ended, the former NFL running back joined Washington’s franchise as president in 2020. The executive went on to help guide the franchise through their rebranding process while also leading the day-to-day operations. As Jones notes, Wright would have made history in Green Bay as the first black individual “to be in what’s essentially an owner’s chair.” Wright previously made history as the first black team president in NFL history.

Ultimately, the team landed on Policy as their new president/CEO. The former AFL president joined the Packers organization as vice president and general counsel in 2012. He took on the added responsibility of COO in 2018, and he’ll continue in that role until Murphy’s retirement at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The bylaws governing the Packers’ board of directors dictates that members must retire upon turning 70, which will be the case for Murphy on July 13, 2025. Until that time, the current president/CEO will work alongside his successor with the hopes of a seamless transition.

CB Eric Stokes Has Path Back To Packers’ Starting Lineup

June 25th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

An inability to count on Eric Stokes led the Packers to decline the cornerback’s fifth-year option last month. The team has seen injuries sidetrack the 2021 draftee’s career, bringing about a contract year.

Stokes was not viewed as a starter going into training camp last year, despite having worked in that capacity — when healthy — for most of his first two seasons. The Packers had Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon working as their Jaire Alexander sidekicks at that point. Douglas is now in Buffalo, and Green Bay did not make a significant offseason addition to address its other boundary CB spot. This reopens the door for Stokes, provided he can stay healthy.

Injuries have defined Stokes’ NFL career, but he may well be the clubhouse leader to start opposite Alexander in Week 1. Stokes sits as the Packers’ current No. 2 cornerback starter, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, with ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky also noting the fourth-year defender is firmly in the mix to reclaim a starting job.

Stokes stayed healthy throughout the offseason program, Demovsky adds, though his past will undoubtedly make CB insurance important in Green Bay. The Georgia alum suffered a Lisfranc injury and sustained meniscus damage in November 2022, ending his second season and requiring multiple surgeries. Stokes attributed his persistent hamstring trouble — which led to two IR placements last season — to overcompensation following the foot injury.

Certainly eyeing a long-term Stokes run as a first-stringer when they drafted him 29th overall in 2021, the Packers used the 6-foot defender as a 23-game starter from 2021-22. Showcasing elite speed (via a 4.25-second 40-yard dash time) at the Combine, Stokes fared well in Alexander’s place. After Alexander’s season-altering shoulder injury moved Stokes into the lineup on a full-time basis, the younger CB allowed only a 49.5% completion rate and a 71.3 passer rating as the closest defender in 2021. Pro Football Focus slotted Stokes 45th among corners that year. PFF did not see Stokes flash the same form in 2022, ranking him 105th among CB regulars. Stokes’ three-game 2023 season can effectively be written off, but it did lead to relevant reps for the other player vying to land the CB2 role.

A 2023 seventh-round pick, Carrington Valentine started 12 games last season and was in Green Bay’s lineup during both playoff contests. PFF ranked Valentine 90th among cornerback regulars last year, however. Alexander also missed time due to injury last season, opening the door for a Valentine-Corey Ballentine combo. Ballentine, a 2019 Giants UDFA, remains on the Packers’ roster, though Schneidman adds a Stokes-Valentine competition will likely decide the starting job opposite Alexander. The loser will supply depth, with the Pack also using a seventh-round pick in a corner (Penn State’s Kalen King) this year.

The Packers shut down Alexander trade rumors after his inconsistent season, keeping his CB-record contract (four years, $84MM) on the payroll. Stokes looms as a bit of a wild card for the team, which has some long-term questions at the position. But he can enhance his value considerably with a solid 2024 season. The Packers hold exclusive negotiating rights with the now-extension-eligible cover man until March 2025.

Ed Policy To Succeed Mark Murphy As Packers President

June 24th, 2024 at 8:42pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mark Murphy has one year remaining in his post as president and CEO of the Packers before mandatory retirement. The identity of his successor in that role has now been learned.

Ed Policy will assume Murphy’s responsibilities next summer, as first reported by Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Packers’ board of directors voted unanimously to tap Policy for the position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds. The news is now official, per a team announcement

Policy joined the Packers as vice president and general counsel in 2012. That post, in turn, came after he served as president of the Arena Football League from 2001-08, taking on acting commissioner duties for one season. The 53-year-old then served as an executive consultant with the NFL from 2009-10 before working with Green Bay. He has held the title of general counsel and chief operating officer since 2018, and he will continue in the latter capacity until Murphy steps aside next July.

A Packers search committee was formed to find a successor for Murphy, who has served as Green Bay’s top executive since 2007. He and Policy will work together in the coming months to prepare for the transition after the 2024 campaign and subsequent offseason unfolds. The bylaws governing the Packers’ board of directors dictates that members must retire upon turning 70, which will be the case for Murphy on July 13, 2025.

The team’s announcement notes that 90 candidates received consideration for the position before Policy was ultimately selected to serve as chairman of the board in addition to the dual title of president and CEO. He will be tasked with continuing the organization’s unique structure as the only pro spots team without a private owner. Policy’s relationship with seventh-year general manager Brian Gutekunst will be a key factor in roster-building decisions moving forward as Green Bay proceeds with a young core led by quarterback Jordan Love, who will likely soon be attached a lucrative extension.

“I am incredibly honored, excited and grateful to the search committee, the Board, the shareholders and the entire organization for this treasured and one-of-a-kind opportunity,” a statement from Policy reads in part. “I am particularly grateful to Mark for 12 years of mentorship. I am looking forward to building on his leadership and considerable success on and off the field.

“We are the stewards of the most iconic and unique organization in all of professional sports. I am excited to continue to work with so many talented teammates who have ensured the Packers’ consistent success on and off the field. We are the people’s team, and I love being a part of it.”

Packers Claim K James Turner

June 20th, 2024 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Perhaps the Packers will indeed go into training camp with three kickers. After the team waived Jack Podlesny to bring its kicker count to two post-minicamp, another specialist is now on the roster.

Green Bay submitted a successful waiver claim for James Turner on Thursday, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. The Lions waived Turner to make room for UFL addition Jake Bates. Turner will join Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph on the Packers’ 90-man offseason roster.

While Podlesny was given a reserve/futures deal in January, Turner entered the league as a UDFA months later. He spent the past four years as a primary kicker, first at Louisville before a final season at Michigan. Turner’s transfer allowed him to kick for the national championship-winning Wolverines last season.

Turner served as Louisville’s primary kicker from 2020-22 before using his COVID-19 year of eligibility at the Big Ten program. Turner made 90.9% of his field goal tries during his final season at the ACC school (20-for-22); he connected on 85.7% of his tries (18-for-21) with the Big Ten program. While Turner struggled with the Cardinals in 2021, his past two years served as a rebound of sorts. Turner showed enough to secure an offseason commitment from the Lions, but the UFL’s Michigan team ended up affecting the NFL club’s kicker setup.

The Packers used a sixth-round pick on Carlson last year, and he replaced 16-year kicker Mason Crosby. Counting the playoffs, Carlson missed six extra points last season and misfired on four field goals in the regular season’s second half — before missing a 41-yarder in a three-point divisional-round loss to the 49ers. The Packers added Joseph in late March.

A recent rumor about the Packers considering a three-kicker training camp competition lost some steam with the Podlesny move, but Green Bay will use Detroit’s recent UFL addition to keep that reality in play.

Packers Waive K Jack Podlesny

June 19th, 2024 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

A regular talking point out of Green Bay this offseason, the team’s kicker situation became a bit clearer Wednesday. The Packers have thinned their kicking group from three to two.

Green Bay waived Jack Podlesny, per a team announcement. The former Georgia specialist had signed a reserve/futures deal with the team in January and vied with Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph during the offseason program.

A Vikings UDFA in 2023, Podlesny spent last year’s offseason in the Twin Cities but did not stick with the team leading up to roster-cutdown day. The Vikings moved on in mid-August, and Podlesny spent the rest of the season out of football. After Carlson struggled down the stretch last season, the Packers brought in some competition. But Joseph now represents the second-year kicker’s sole threat.

This news comes after a report that suggested the Packers could consider a three-way competition going into camp. Teams do not regularly bring three kickers to camp, however, as 90-man roster spots go to other areas. Joseph was the player who beat out Podlesny for the Vikings’ job last year, and he completed a third season as Minnesota’s kicker. After Joseph signed with the Packers in late March, the Vikings moved on via sixth-round pick Will Reichard.

Podlesny served as Georgia’s kicker during both the team’s recent national championship seasons. He made at least 81% of his field goals in each of this three seasons as the Bulldogs’ kicker, topping out with a 26-for-31 season in 2022. While the Packers may certainly look outside the organization if their kicker battle underwhelms, it is now slated to be a Carlson-Joseph matchup.

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