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Seahawks To Acquire OLB Trevis Gipson From Jaguars

August 26th, 2024 at 10:59am CST by Adam La Rose

10:59am: It will cost the Seahawks a sixth-round pick to pry Gipson from the Jaguars, according to ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco. It is not a conditional choice, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson, so the Jags will receive a Day 3 selection regardless of how Gipson performs this season.

Nwosu suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s preseason finale. While the team awaits word on its highest-paid edge rusher, Gipson comes in as a hired gun.

8:21am: Already involved on the trade front in recent days, the Seahawks are adding Trevis Gipson. The fifth-year edge rusher is being acquired via trade from the Jaguars, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Jacksonville will receive a late-round pick in return.

Gipson began his career with the Bears, making 19 starts amongst his 40 appearances with the team. He racked up seven sacks in 2021 despite only logging a 49% snap share, and his workload increased the following year. That season only saw him post three sacks, but his pressure total (18) remained on par with his 2021 production. Last summer, Gipson was among the Bears’ final roster cuts.

The 27-year-old quickly landed a deal with the Titans, but his workload with the team (15% defensive snap share) in eight games was surprisingly low. He attempted to remain in the AFC South by signing a Jaguars pact in free agency, but before his regular season debut he finds himself on the move. Jacksonville will move forward with an edge contingent led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, while Gipson will aim to carve out a rotational role in Seattle.

The Seahawks traded away Darrell Taylor last week, sending the pending free agent to the Bears. That deal left the team short on depth behind Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, but Gipson could prove to be a valued part-time contributor. The latter’s starting experience could also be useful if Seattle is struck by injuries along the edge.

The Taylor trade freed up cap space for Seattle, and Gipson will prove to be a more cost-effective option. The Tulsa product signed for $1.13MM on his Jaguars pact, carrying a cap hit of equal value. Jacksonville already paid out a $43K signing bonus, but Seattle will pick up the remainder of his outstanding compensation, including a $100K roster bonus. A strong showing in the Emerald City could help his market value on an extended Seahawks tenure tenure or a deal sending him to another new team in the spring.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24

August 25th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.

Jaguars Cut WR Denzel Mims

August 25th, 2024 at 8:06am CST by Rory Parks

The Jaguars have cut wide receiver Denzel Mims, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Mims, who has accrued just three years of service time, will be placed on the waiver wire.

Now 26 (27 in October), Mims has always had tantalizing potential. Selected by the Jets in the second round of the 2020 draft, the Baylor product was never able to carve out a consistent role for himself with his original club, and he became a consistent presence in trade rumors not long after his tenure in New York began.

The Jets finally dealt Mims last July, sending him to the Lions in exchange for a minimal return. Unfortunately, Mims contended with multiple ailments in Detroit and was waived with an injury designation just one month after being acquired. He lingered on the open market until early October, when the Steelers scooped him up and added him to the taxi squad.

Although Pittsburgh certainly could have used some receiving help in 2023, the team never promoted Mims to the active roster during the course of the campaign. Apparently he showed enough in practice to stick around via a reserve/futures deal, but the Steelers sent him back to the waiver wire in June, shortly after minicamp ended.

The Jags then became the fourth team to take a flier on Mims, signing him shortly after Pittsburgh dismissed him. While Jacksonville lost Calvin Ridley in free agency, the team acquired Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay and added Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of this year’s draft. Mims caught just one pass for seven yards during the preseason slate, and he did not do enough in training camp to carve out a spot on the back end of the Jags’ WR depth chart.

Another team may well gamble on Mims’ upside; in an admittedly small sample size of 42 catches, he has posted a 16.1 yards-per-reception rate. However, as he searches for a fifth professional team, his opportunities to establish himself as a viable NFL receiver are dwindling.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/24

August 20th, 2024 at 6:47pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

  • Reverted to IR: LB Zeke Vandenburgh

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

Strong was a surprising release by the Cardinals during the regular season last year. At the time, Strong was coming off of his strongest NFL campaign, but head coach Jonathan Gannon claimed that the release was what was “best for the team.” While we still don’t know the nature of the suspension, or whether or not it’s even related to his January release, we are aware that he will miss three games.

DB Notes: Lassiter, Texans, Colts, Simmons, Davis, Lions, Chiefs, Dolphins, Hawks, Jags

August 20th, 2024 at 3:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans showed interest in re-signing Steven Nelson this offseason, but the two-year Houston starter ended up retiring. Houston has identified another clear candidate to start opposite Derek Stingley. The defending AFC South champions are prepared to roll with second-rounder Kamari Lassiter as their No. 2 cornerback. Not much drama exists here, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating Lassiter has worked with Houston’s first-team defense since the offseason program. Although Lassiter sustained an ankle injury earlier during training camp, the No. 42 overall pick reclaimed his starter post — ahead of former first-rounders Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson — and will be expected to work in tandem with Stingley.

“For a young guy to come in and not be noticed a lot for doing something negative, everything has been positive with Kamari,” Texans HC DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s exactly the guy we saw from the Georgia film.”

Here is the latest from several other DB situations:

  • The Chiefs still need to decide on a No. 2 corner opposite Trent McDuffie. Long known for moving on from corners after one contract (as they most recently did with L’Jarius Sneed), the Chiefs have a few options — most acquired in 2022. Fourth- and seventh-round picks from that draft Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson, who played extensively last year, lead the way. No one has seized the job, per The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, who has 2022 seventh-rounder Nazeeh Johnson, rookie sixth-rounder Kamal Hadden and former Cowboys second-rounder Kelvin Joseph making the team as well (subscription required). Versatile performer Chamarri Conner, a 2023 fourth-rounder, will be in the mix at corner, but Andy Reid said (via Taylor) this could be a rotation into the season.
  • Justin Simmons accepted a one-year, $7.5MM Falcons deal. That price being so far beyond what other veteran safeties commanded confirms a decent market formed for the perennial All-Pro. The Colts‘ questions in the secondary did not lead them into this chase, however, with the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins indicating the team did not make the ex-Bronco an offer. Former third-rounder Nick Cross, recently re-signed veteran Ronnie Harrison and third-year performer Rodney Thomas have rotated in alongside Julian Blackmon in camp. Colts assistant GM Ed Dodds said no safety moves are anticipated.
  • Seeing his three-year contract traded from the Buccaneers to the Lions, Carlton Davis remains scheduled to be a 2025 free agent. Davis will be 27 for most of this season, which should give him a decent market — should no Detroit extension be reached in the meantime — come March. A new agency will be representing the former second-rounder for his next negotiation. Davis is joining Athletes First, per a recent announcement.
  • Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller will start on the boundary for the Dolphins, with former UDFA success story Kader Kohou in place as Miami’s slot defender. Despite Cam Smith being a second-round pick, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes Ethan Bonner — a 2023 UDFA who has stood out in training camp — is the frontrunner to be Miami’s top backup CB. Bonner, who recently returned from a concussion sustained in camp, played only 11 defensive snaps last season. While Smith recently came back after missing nearly three weeks due to injury, ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques adds he is week-to-week after sustaining another injury against the Commanders. Despite playing 15 games last season, Smith only saw 20 defensive snaps.
  • The base value on Julian Love‘s second Seahawks contract checks in at $33MM, per OverTheCap. The three-year deal includes $11.97MM guaranteed at signing and dropped Love’s cap number by just more than $1.6MM. Option bonuses (worth a combined $4.8MM) are in place to keep the cap hits lower, with both Love’s 2024 and ’25 cap figures coming in at just over $6MM. Love’s 2025 base salary ($1.2MM) is guaranteed for injury and will shift to a full guarantee five days after Super Bowl LIX, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson tweets.
  • The Jaguars‘ Tashaun Gipson reunion pact is worth $2.55MM, Wilson tweets. It comes with $525K guaranteed. The Jags will still be shorthanded at safety for a while. In addition to Gipson’s six-week suspension, Doug Pederson said (via ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco) Andrew Wingard‘s recent knee injury will sideline him for at least a few games.

Competition Ongoing Between C.J. Beathard, Mac Jones For Jaguars’ Backup QB Role

August 16th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trevor Lawrence is entrenched as the Jaguars’ starter of the present and future given the $55MM-per-year extension he signed this offseason. It remains to be seen which quarterback will begin the season as his backup, though.

[RELATED: Recapping Jaguars’ Offseason]

C.J. Beathard has been with Jacksonville for the past three seasons, making 13 appearances and one start (in place of an injured Lawrence in 2023) during that span. The 30-year-old beat out Nathan Rourke for the QB2 gig last offseason in advance of starting his two-year contract. While he is still on the books for 2024, Beathard has competition once again.

The Jags acquired Mac Jones via trade in March after the Patriots elected to move in a different direction under center. The Jacksonville native showed promise during his rookie season, earning a Pro Bowl nod. In the two years after that, however, Jones struggled mightily and it came as no surprise when he was dealt. A change of scenery could help rebuild his value as he approaches the final year of his rookie contract.

“It has been really close honestly,” head coach Doug Pederson said of the ongoing competition between the two passers (via John Oehser of the team’s website). “The addition of Mac was great for that room. It was great for C.J. Both those guys have really embraced the challenge. We’ve been upfront with both of them and explained exactly how camp was going to go and really both of them I think are within three or four reps of having a 50-50 split right down the middle. So, it’s been good. It’s been good competition.”

Pederson added that Lawrence will not play during the Jaguars’ preseason game against the Buccaneers on Saturday. That decision will leave plenty of reps available for Beathard and Jones as they continue to vie for the backup gig. Teams are allowed an unlimited number of gameday elevations for players to dress as an emergency third quarterback in 2024, so many will likely only carry two passers on the 53-man roster.

Jones’ base salary ($2.79MM) is guaranteed in full, so cutting him would create a dead cap charge of the same amount. Moving on from Beathard, by contrast, would create $1.9MM in savings and incur only $500K in dead money. The play of both quarterbacks in the preseason will of course be a key factor in Jacksonville’s decision, but the financial implications will no doubt be taken into account as well.

Minor NFL Transaction: 8/16/24

August 16th, 2024 at 8:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

Friday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: S Tyler Coyle, LS Rex Sunahara
  • Waived: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle
  • Waived (injury designation): S Brady Breeze

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Green was let go after failing to disclose a physical condition, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. The 27-year-old has bounced around the league after playing out his rookie contract, playing with the Texans (2022) and Bears (2023) following his four-year Seahawks stint. Green signed with Jacksonville late last month, giving him the chance to compete for a depth role. He will now return to free agency, but without being healthy it will likely be some time before he finds another contract.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/24

August 15th, 2024 at 9:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

  • Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): G Mason Brooks
  • Waived-injured: G Nash Jensen

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: S Jalyn Phillips

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Joshua Kelley will land in New York after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Chargers. The running back is coming off a 2023 campaign where he started a career-high three games while compiling 437 yards from scrimmage. In a post Saquon Barkley-era, Kelley will be joining an uncertain depth chart that features the likes of Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, and rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr..

Grayland Arnold won’t have an opportunity to contribute to the Steelers in 2023 after landing on IR. The defensive back was battling it out for Pittsburgh’s starting slot corner spot, with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor noting that Arnold’s injury means UDFA Beanie Bishop likely won the job. Arnold spent the past three seasons with the Texans, collecting 22 tackles in 20 games.

Trace McSorley‘s career journey brings him to Washington, per Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan in Washington. As Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes, the veteran should soak up some snaps on Saturday with both Marcus Mariota (groin) and Sam Hartman (shoulder) sidelined. McSorley was a 2019 sixth-round pick by the Ravens, and he’s now had stints with six different squads throughout his career.

WR Tavon Austin Retires

August 13th, 2024 at 4:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tavon Austin‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. The veteran receiver and returner announced his retirement on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old has not played since 2021, but he continued to draw interest over the past two years. Workouts in October 2022 as well as last September did not produce agreements, however. With the start of the 2024 campaign approaching, Austin will turn his attention toward his post-playing days.

“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football,” the former first-rounder’s statement reads in part, “and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m retiring from the NFL… Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love! I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL… Just like my seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”

Austin entered the league with high expectations as a No. 8 overall pick of the Rams. His most productive season as a receiver came in 2016 when he posted 509 yards and three touchdowns. While his output on offense did not live up to expectations, he did carve out a notable role as an impactful returner. His third phase contributions helped land him on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team in 2013.

The West Virginia alum racked up at least 1,009 all-purpose yards in three of his first four seasons, returning one punt for a touchdown each season from 2013-15. Austin was dealt to the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season, but his two-year tenure with the team did not produce a regular role on offense. That remained the case in 2021 during his stint with the Jaguars.

Austin caught on with the Bills in the summer of 2022, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. That resulted in a brief period on the team’s practice squad, but in October he was let go. Free agency has not produced a deal since that time, marking an end to his NFL tenure. Austin will depart the league with 118 combined regular and postseason games to his name and roughly $41MM in career earnings.

Jaguars Activate DL Arik Armstead

August 13th, 2024 at 4:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

Arik Armstead missed the beginning of training camp while recovering from a torn meniscus suffered midway through the 2023 campaign. The veteran defensive lineman is now able to return to practice, however; Armstead was activated from the PUP list on Tuesday, per a team announcement.

[RELATED: Recapping Jaguars’ Offseason]

The longtime 49er spent his first nine seasons in the league with San Francisco. Armstead was set to play out the final year of his deal in 2024, but the 49ers’ efforts to have him accept a pay cut were unsuccessful. As a result, the team moved forward with his release, setting up a notable free agent spell. Armstead drew interest from multiple teams, but he ultimately decided to join the Jaguars.

The 30-year-old landed a three-year, $43.5MM deal featuring $28MM in guarantees. Armstead will thus be expected to play a key role along the defensive interior for his new team. Jacksonville is set atop the depth chart on the edge with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, but the team sought out a D-lineman to pair with DaVon Hamilton when negotiating with Armstead. The latter is a veteran of 97 starts.

Armstead recorded five sacks last season despite being limited to 12 games. That was the third time in his career he posted at least five sacks, and making an impact in the passing game would be key in the Jaguars phase of his career. The former first-rounder has posted between 11 and 18 quarterback hits in five of the past six seasons; duplicating that production should be expected provided he can remain healthy.

With two preseason games remaining, the Jaguars will have multiple opportunities to have Armstead see game reps before the campaign kicks off. Even if he is limited to training camp work, though, he will have time to get up to speed in time for Week 1.

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