New York Jets News & Rumors

QB Notes: Tua, Rodgers, Daniels, Steelers

Tua Tagovailoa is not holding in, separating the Dolphins‘ top negotiation from multiple others around the NFL. This includes Jordan Love‘s Packers arrangement, which has become a hold-in situation. Despite Tagovailoa having a longer track record than Love, the fifth-year passer went through Dolphins workouts Wednesday. This did come with a notable exception. Tagovailoa took only two reps (both handoffs) in Dolphins team drills to open camp, per ESPN.com’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s camp workload — absent an extension — would compare to OTAs; the lefty did not go through team drills then or during minicamp. We heard Monday this would likely be the route Tagovailoa takes.

The Dolphins have been negotiating with Tua for months, and while some optimism has emerged, Miami’s QB1 has turned down at least one offer and may have seen the team dig in on a price south of Trevor Lawrence‘s $55MM-per-year deal. Lawrence receiving $142MM may also be much higher than the Dolphins want to go. McDaniel said (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) both sides are “relentlessly” working on this agreement. The parties still have time to hammer out a deal before the season, but the longer this goes, the closer Tua comes to carrying a lofty franchise tag number (upwards of $40MM) on Miami’s 2025 cap sheet.

Here is the latest QB news coming out of training camp:

  • Aaron Rodgers confirmed a trip to Egypt indeed led to his missing minicamp and confirmed the Jets fined him for the unexcused absences. Rodgers has been criticized for a lack of leadership by skipping the offseason’s only mandatory workout, but he said his relationship with Robert Saleh has been unaffected. “I’m an adult; I knew what I was getting into,” Rodgers said, via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. “I knew the fine that was coming and also knew how much I wanted to be in Egypt. I wish there hadn’t been a conflict scheduling-wise, but it was what it was.” Rodgers, who said be based the trip on the Jets’ 2023 offseason schedule, had shown up for OTAs prior to the abrupt — to the public, at least — departure.
  • Jayden Daniels does not have Commanders first-string reps to himself just yet; the No. 2 overall pick is splitting them with free agency addition Marcus Mariota, the Washington Post’s Sam Fortier notes. While Dan Quinn is labeling this a QB competition, Fortier cautions that Daniels is all but assured of the starting job. This follows a report that pointed to the Commanders indeed feeling no real reason to hold back the 2023 Heisman winner by giving Mariota bridge work.
  • Although the Daniels-Mariota split may deprive the highly touted rookie from early reps, Washington is holding an actual battle for the No. 3 spot. The team is pitting rookie UDFA Sam Hartman against veteran Jeff Driskel, Fortier adds. The former Notre Dame starter, who has a safety net via the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions’ recent draft choice, played behind Driskel to start camp. It is not yet clear if the Commanders plan to keep three QBs, but the winner of this battle would stand to at least be the team’s emergency option in the event only two are rostered.
  • Prior to the USFL and XFL merging, Ben DiNucci played in the former league’s second season and spent last year as the Broncos’ third-stringer. The recent Russell Wilson teammate worked out for the 13-year vet’s new team this week, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes the Steelers brought in the veteran. Pittsburgh has Kyle Allen in place behind Wilson and Justin Fields presently.

Jets Offered Haason Reddick Extension Before Eagles Trade

The Haason Reddick situation remains a front-burner Jets issue, as the offseason trade acquisition was a no-show to start training camp. While the Jets are open to adjusting Reddick’s deal via sweeteners, they are not believed to prefer a long-term extension before the accomplished edge rusher plays a down this season.

Though, the Jets are now believed to have offered some type of extension months ago. Receiving permission to speak with Reddick’s camp prior to the trade, the Jets made an offer Reddick declined, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports. While the proposal provided Reddick a raise from the $14.25MM salary he is due this year, the former first-round pick’s asking price is currently out of the Jets’ range.

Reddick is seeking a deal in $25-$28MM-per-year territory, Hughes adds. This would place Reddick in the top six among edge rusher AAVs, a sector his sack production would support. The Jets had expected the eighth-year vet to report for their offseason program and training camp. After incurring just more than $100K in fines for skipping minicamp, Reddick has continued to stay away from his new team. This has created an impasse, as the New York Post’s Brian Costello indicates the Jets are not interested in negotiating with Reddick until he reports.

The Jets traded a conditional 2026 third-round pick for Reddick in late March, and while the team has a regular role planned for him (as opposed to the situational role Bryce Huff held), GM Joe Douglas has been hesitant to authorize an extension. Reddick’s age (30 in September) has come up as one of the reasons the team is holding off here, but sending a Day 2 pick for a player — conditional or not — and then seeing that player hold out obviously presents a bad look.

As the Jets are eyeing short-term solutions with Reddick, Costello adds the former Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles edge is more focused on a long-term play. Reddick outplayed his three-year, $45MM deal in Philly, leading the 2022 NFC champions’ charge at the 1984 Bears’ long-running sack record. The Eagles fell just short of that mark but still produced a staggering 70 sacks. Reddick’s 50.5 sacks during the 2020s rank fourth in the NFL, yet his contract has fallen to 19th among edge rushers. Huff secured better terms than Reddick’s this offseason, inking a three-year, $51.1MM Eagles deal. The Jets’ reluctance to pay Huff has certainly affected their developing Reddick situation.

The team is not opposed to doing a deal in-season, per Hughes, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini indicates an extension coming to pass later in the season is still in play. The team wants to gauge the fit first. The Jets extended John Franklin-Myers in September 2021, though Reddick is a much higher-profile player compared to the former waiver claim. Due to Reddick coming aboard, the Jets traded Franklin-Myers to the Broncos in what amounted to a salary dump.

Reddick is also running short on time to cash in, as less productive (but younger) edge rushers Brian Burns and Josh Allen nearly doubled his AAV on extensions this offseason. Finally, Hughes notes the Jets have informed Reddick they have no plans to trade or release him. As such, this drama persists. The team must fine Reddick approximately $50K per day for his absences, as he is attached to a veteran contract.

Post-Franklin-Myers, the Jets have recent first-rounders Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald in the fold. Reddick’s holdout opens the door for McDonald, but the team obviously wants the veteran to anchor its defensive end contingent. For now, the sides are not in alignment on how to make that happen.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/24

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: OT Julién Davenport

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jared Wayne
  • Released from IR: WR Jaxon Janke

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Haason Reddick Absent From Jets’ Training Camp

After skipping spring workouts in search of a new deal, Haason Reddick faced the prospect of holding out from training camp. The Jets edge rusher has indeed elected not to attend the first day of camp, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Reddick had a highly productive Eagles tenure, collecting 27 sacks in 34 games. That drove his desire for an extension, something Philadelphia was not willing to authorize. The two-time Pro Bowler was ultimately traded to the Jets, a team which lost Bryce Huff in free agency. The latter inked multi-year deal in Philadelphia, but Reddick projects as a starting-caliber replacement for at least the 2024 season.

The pending free agent continues to seek an extension, though the Jets are not particularly interested in working out such an agreement. As things stand, Reddick is due to collect $15MM this year while carrying a cap hit of equal value. While he seeks a raise, New York’s front office intends to add incentives to his 2024 compensation in lieu of tacking on additional years to his pact.

Reddick was absent from voluntary OTAs, but the team expected him to attend mandatory minicamp. That did not end up being the case, however, leading to speculation about his intentions at the start of training camp. Despite optimism being expressed by the Jets that a resolution would have been worked out by now, today’s developments demonstrate further progress at the negotiating table will be required.

Players on non-rookie deals who elect to hold out are subject to $50K in mandatory daily fines. For that reason, it has become increasingly common for players to ‘hold-in’ by attending camp but not participating in practices. Reddick has chosen to incur financial penalties as he continues to push for an extension or at least a top-up to cover the 2024 campaign.

In the meantime, New York will move forward with an edge contingent led by the likes of Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald and Solomon Thomas. Especially considering the Huff departure and the draft-day trade of John Franklin-Myers to the Broncos, Reddick is positioned to handle a substantial workload during his debut Jets campaign. When he will first take part in team practices with his new squad remains to be seen.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/24

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Waived-injured: WR Jared Wayne

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Signed: WR Kevin Austin Jr.

New York Jets

Davante Adams Notes: Packers Departure, Carr, Rodgers

Davante Adams has been at the center of trade speculation throughout the offseason, although he and his agents have attempted to shoot down further rumors on that front. More has nevertheless recently been learned about the All-Pro Raiders wideout, including his arrival in Vegas and his outlook on a hypothetical trade to a third career team.

During an appearance on Keyshawn Johnson’s All Facts No Brakes podcast, Adams touched on the lead-up to his Packers departure (video link). He said he approached Green Bay’s front office about working out an extension in the 2022 offseason as he was approaching his walk year. Uncertainty loomed over Aaron Rodgers‘ future with the franchise, but Adams was prepared to sign a long-term deal regardless.

The 31-year-old said he received an offer averaging $17MM per season – a figure notably below market value for the league’s top receivers, especially in the wake of the commitments made at the position over the past two seasons. Adams replied there was “nothing to talk about” after that point, and in March he was traded to the Raiders. That deal allowed him to reunite with former college teammate Derek Carr.

Adams confirmed during an episode of Netflix’s Receiver series (via Vic Tafur of The Athletic) Carr’s presence was a central element in his desire to play for the Raiders. Of course, the veteran passer only remained in Vegas for 2022 before being released and joining the Saints in free agency. Jimmy Garoppolo served as the Raiders’ starter last year before dealing with injuries and being benched – something Adams approved of and tied his future in the organization to.

Vegas decision-makers have repeatedly made it clear no Adams trade is being considered at this time, but Rodgers’ recent comment about anticipating a reunion has led to renewed questions. The former doubled down on his commitment to Vegas while also acknowledging a trade could send him out of Sin City. In the event that were to take place, Adams would welcome the opportunity to resume playing with Rodgers.

“I’m locked in with the Raiders, and I really feel good about this team, and as far as I know they feel good about me,” the six-time Pro Bowler told Shannon Sharpe on his Club Shay podcast (video link). “If that ever changes, if that got to a point where they weren’t feeling the same way, I ain’t done playing, so obviously we would figure out whatever we needed to figure out.”

Adams added, “if I’m gonna be reunited with anybody, it would be Aaron,” confirming he would be open to playing on the Jets in the future (while repeating that it is not a scenario he currently desires). Three years remain on Adams’ contract, but an adjustment will likely be needed after the 2024 campaign given his projected cap hits and the absence of guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26. Plenty could change by that point, but for now he is set to play a third Raiders campaign.

The NFL’s Eight-Figure Dead Money Hits For 2024

The NFL moved into new territory this offseason, with one Broncos decision creating a staggering gap between the most costly dead money hits and No. 2 on the all-time list. Beyond Denver’s Russell Wilson release, other teams are taking on notable dead cap hits in 2024. Here are the players who will account for more than $10MM in dead money on teams’ payrolls this year.

  1. Russell Wilson, QB (Broncos): $53MM
  2. Stefon Diggs, WR (Bills): $31.1MM
  3. Kirk Cousins, QB (Vikings): $28.5MM
  4. Haason Reddick, EDGE (Eagles) $21.52MM
  5. Jamal Adams, S (Seahawks) $20.83MM
  6. J.C. Jackson, CB (Chargers): $20.83MM
  7. David Bakhtiari, T (Packers): $18.15MM
  8. Danielle Hunter, EDGE (Vikings): $14.91MM
  9. Carlton Davis, CB (Buccaneers) $14.1MM
  10. Andrus Peat, OL (Saints): $13.64MM
  11. Kevin Byard, S (Titans): $13.36MM
  12. Mike Williams, WR (Chargers): $12.46MM
  13. Aaron Jones, RB (Packers): $12.36MM
  14. Chandler Jones, EDGE (Raiders): $12.27MM
  15. Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $12.19MM
  16. Keenan Allen, WR (Chargers): $11.62MM
  17. Xavien Howard, CB (Dolphins): $11.41MM
  18. Michael Thomas, WR (Saints): $11.19MM
  19. Laken Tomlinson, G (Jets): $10.74MM
  20. Leonard Williams, DL (Giants): $10.64MM
  21. Arik Armstead, DL (49ers) $10.31MM
  22. Quandre Diggs, S (Seahawks): $10.26MM
  23. Byron Jones, CB (Dolphins): $10.1MM
  24. Maliek Collins, DT (Texans): $10MM

Months after trading for Wilson, the Broncos gave the decorated quarterback a five-year, $245MM extension. While Wilson offered something of a bounce-back effort from a shockingly mediocre 2022, Sean Payton‘s team still opted to designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Wilson’s $37MM injury guarantee, which the Broncos attempted to move in an effort that led to NFLPA involvement but no grievance, would have resulted in comparable dead money in 2025 had he remained on Denver’s roster on Day 5 of the 2024 league year and then been released next year.

The Broncos will receive a small cap credit — due to Wilson’s veteran minimum Steelers deal — in 2025, but the team will take on more than $83MM in total dead money from the release. This shatters the NFL record for dead money, which the Falcons previously held by trading Matt Ryan ($40.5MM), and the contract will remain on Denver’s books through the 2025 season. The Broncos opted to take on more dead money this year than next, separating this post-June 1 cut from most teams’ strategies.

The Bills’ decision to trade Diggs less than two years after giving him a four-year extension broke the non-QB dead money record. Unlike the Wilson matter, Buffalo will take on the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s full dead cap hit this year. Ditto Green Bay, which passed on a Bakhtiari post-June 1 designation. The Chargers will also be rid of the Allen and Williams responsibilities after 2024. The Seahawks also passed on post-June 1 designations with Adams and Diggs.

New Orleans has Thomas set to count more than $9MM in dead money in 2025 as well due to using the June 1 strategy. The Dolphins are still paying out the Jones contract from a 2023 post-June 1 designation, while Howard’s post-June 1 status will create a $15.7MM dead money penalty in 2025.

Void years created the Vikings’ Cousins cap hit. After attempting to negotiate a fourth contract with the veteran quarterback last year, the parties failing to come to terms resulted in void years being added in a restructure. The Falcons came in much higher than the Vikings were willing to go, guarantee-wise, leading Minnesota to a new QB path and significant Cousins dead money.

The Eagles also included three void years on Reddick’s contract, and the Buccaneers will eat some Evans dead money — despite re-signing the 11th-year wide receiver just before free agency — due to a void year-driven trigger before the latest contract was signed.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/18/24

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

As a reminder, players who land on the physically unable to perform list or the non-football injury list can be activated at any time during training camp or the preseason. If players remain on either of those two lists following initial 53-man rosters, they’ll be forced to sit out the first four games of the 2024 season.

While the majority of the Dolphins’ injuries were expected, Isaiah Wynn‘s placement on PUP is a bit of a surprise. The offensive lineman continues to recover from a quadriceps injury that ended his 2023 campaign in October, but his rehab is apparently taking longer than expected. After mostly playing offensive tackle to begin his career, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the former first-round pick is expected to be the “front-runner” at left guard once he’s healthy enough to see the field. Jackson also passed along that Salvon Ahmed‘s issue isn’t related to his season-ending foot injury from last season and is a result of a “minor medical issue.” The RB is firmly on the roster bubble heading into training camp.

WR Randall Cobb Open To 2024 Deal

11:10am: Cobb is in fact still open to playing this season, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes. His limited 2023 production makes it little surprise no market has emerged in recent months, but a change in that respect could take place as training camps open up around the league. If not, Cobb will try his hand at broadcasting this fall.

9:35am: Randall Cobb‘s playing career has come to an end. It was announced on Thursday the former Pro Bowl wideout will join the SEC Network for the 2024 campaign. ESPN’s press release on the matter notes that Cobb retired following this past season.

Cobb entered the league in 2011 with the Packers. That began an eight-year run in Green Bay, one in which he proved to be a consistent pass-catching option for Aaron Rodgers. The Kentucky alum had his best season in 2014, racking up 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. That production (which was preceded by strong performances as a returner) yielded his only Pro Bowl nod.

Following the expiration of his four-year, $40MM Packers contract, Cobb took a one-year Cowboys deal. That accord saw him register a career-high 15.1 yards per catch average while posting 828 yards. The former second-rounder then landed a three-year Texans deal in 2020, but he only wound up playing a single season in Houston. A summer 2021 trade saw Cobb rejoin the Packers.

Across 25 appearances in 2021 and ’22, he logged a much smaller workload than he had in years past. Cobb nevertheless scored six touchdowns during that span while remaining a deep threat. Once Rodgers was dealt to the Jets last offseason, a wishlist of familiar faces quickly emerged. To little surprise, Cobb found himself on it.

New York inked the veteran last May, providing Rodgers with another one of his desired receiving options. Cobb made 11 appearances with the Jets in 2023, but he recorded only five receptions during that span. Now, at the age of 33, he will turn his attention away from the playing field as he transitions to broadcasting.

“I am incredibly excited to be coming home to the SEC with this new role,” Cobb said in a statement. “The level of greatness this conference provides year after year is unmatched – I cannot wait return to the conference family with this SEC Network crew.”

In all, Cobb will hang up his cleats with 178 combined regular and postseason appearances to his name. Across 13 seasons in the NFL, he amassed just over $72.5MM in career earnings.

Arthur Smith Was Not Interested In Jets Role

Earlier this week, a report named Arthur Smith as one of the coaches contacted by the Jets as part of their efforts to add a veteran offensive coach to oversee Nathaniel Hackett. Smith did not end up joining New York’s staff, though, ultimately being hired by the Steelers as their offensive coordinator.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk confirms communication did indeed take place between Smith and the Jets. The 42-year-old was not interested in the opportunity, he adds. Smith’s hesitation to join Robert Saleh‘s staff stemmed in part from uncertainty regarding what his role would be, per Florio.

In the wake of the 2023 season, it was learned Saleh explored moves which would limit Hackett’s authority over the Jets’ offense. A subsequent report confirmed New York looked into hiring a coach who would outrank Hackett and thus serve as de facto OC. Smith was a target in that regard following the end of his Falcons head coaching tenure, but Florio notes his preference was the Pittsburgh offensive coordinator gig.

No other teams met with Smith prior to his Steelers hire, one which will see him return to coordinator duties for the first time since 2020. He guided the Titans’ run-first offense for two seasons, and his success in that regard put him on the head coaching track. Three straight 7-10 campaigns in Atlanta will likely leave Smith waiting for another opportunity in that regard, but in the meantime he will turn his attention to guiding Pittsburgh’s offense – a unit which is expected to rely heavily on the run game.

Scrutiny will remain high, meanwhile, as it pertains to Hackett and the Jets. The 44-year-old had a disastrous head coaching spell in Denver before his New York hire. Aaron Rodgers‘ Week 1 Achilles tear hindered the team’s offense, but improvements on that side of the ball in 2024 will likely be needed for Hackett (along with, potentially, Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas) to remain in place beyond the coming season. Without a supervisor being hired, Hackett will once again have the reins of the Jets’ offense in the absence of Smith – or a staffer of similar experience – overseeing him.