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49ers Pursued Raiders CB Nate Hobbs At Deadline

November 28th, 2023 at 4:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers made multiple inquiries on some big-ticket defenders before the trade deadline, discussing Brian Burns with the Panthers and Jaylon Johnson with the Bears. Chase Young ended up being San Francisco’s addition, but the team still tried to bolster its secondary last month.

Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs became a 49ers target, according to ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan. This came at a rather interesting point on the Raiders’ timeline, as the team was hours away from firing Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler. Mark Davis made the unusual call to let the soon-to-be-fired staffers manage the trade deadline — one that included Davante Adams interest — before letting them go. Prior to the Oct. 31 deadline, however, the ex-Patriots staffers informed the 49ers they were not interested in trading Hobbs.

Playing both inside and outside during his career, Hobbs has been the closest thing the Raiders have had to an anchor at corner over the past several years. The team has not been able to settle on corners recently, cycling through veterans after cutting 2020 first-rounder Damon Arnette. Neither Rock Ya-Sin (a 2022 trade acquisition) nor Anthony Averett (free agency) were re-signed this offseason, and the team has already bailed on two of its 2023 pickups — Duke Shelley, Marcus Peters. The Raiders waived Peters on Monday, and Vic Tafur of The Athletic indicates the team nearly cut the 30-year-old defender earlier this season (subscription required). An issue with inconsistent Peters effort likely led to the decision to move on, per Tafur.

Pro Football Focus rates Hobbs as Las Vegas’ top corner, slotting the third-year cover man 36th at the position. After yielding a 120.2 passer rating as the closest defender last season, Hobbs’ 2023 number comes in at 95.2. The Raiders have Hobbs signed through 2024. Pierce has since reunited with Jack Jones, whom he coached at Arizona State; Jones’ rookie deal runs through 2025. This could be the pairing the Raiders roll with beyond this season, though the team will likely still pursue more help at the position.

At the trade deadline, the 49ers were mired in a three-game losing streak. Injuries to standout starters impacted that swoon. The team has since moved Ambry Thomas into a regular role alongside Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. Thomas has been a full-timer for the past three games — all wins. A 2021 third-round pick, Thomas carries a 90.1 passer rating-against mark. PFF slots Thomas 11th overall

The 49ers have each of their top three corners signed beyond this season, and they are in better shape — thanks partially to the Young addition, which cost only a compensatory third-rounder — than they were heading into the deadline. The Bears opted to hold onto Johnson, though they discussed him with a few teams after an 11th-hour decision to allow the contract-year cover man to find a trade partner. After keeping him out of trades, the Raiders will be eligible to enter extension talks with Hobbs in January. With a new GM-HC combo likely coming in during the 2024 offseason, the current cogs’ futures largely remain cloudy.

Raiders Waive S Roderic Teamer Following DUI Arrest

November 27th, 2023 at 9:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders used one of their IR activations on Roderic Teamer ahead of Week 12, but the team did not use the veteran safety in its Week 12 game. A Teamer DUI arrest Saturday night changed his status, and Antonio Pierce confirmed Monday the Raiders have cut the fifth-year safety.

Declared out by the AFC West team before its matchup with the Chiefs, Teamer will head to waivers. He was hit with charges of “DUI of alcohol and/or controlled or prohibited substance” and a speeding violation of between 21-30mph over the limit. Teamer, 26, was attached to a one-year, $1.5MM deal. A Raider since 2021, Teamer had re-signed with the team in March.

[RELATED: Raiders To Waive CB Marcus Peters]

This arrest occurred while Teamer was on his way back to the team hotel before curfew, ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez notes. It was also not Teamer’s first off-field issue since coming into the league. The NFL hit the former UDFA with a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy in 2020.

The Chargers cut Teamer immediately after his substance-abuse ban, bailing on a player who had started six games as a rookie. Teams will often ride it out with players deemed integral following arrests or suspensions, but Teamer has now been cut twice after off-field incidents. This latest exit breaks up a three-year partnership, by far Teamer’s longest tenure with one team during his career.

Initially signing with Las Vegas in June 2021, Teamer started five games with the team from 2021-22. This season, he played in six as a reserve during Josh McDaniels‘ final weeks with the team. The Raiders placed Teamer on IR earlier this season. Although Teamer did not suit up for the Raiders following his activation from IR on Saturday, the team still sees the transaction go toward its eight-activation limit this season. Las Vegas, however, has six activations remaining.

Raiders To Waive CB Marcus Peters

November 27th, 2023 at 12:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

After a long-awaited move which sent him to Vegas ahead of the 2023 season, Marcus Peters is on his way out. The veteran corner has been let go by the Raiders, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.

Peters was benched for yesterday’s game against the Chiefs, a move which represented a stark contrast to his usage earlier in the season. The two-time All-Pro logged a snap share of 91% this season while serving as a full-time starter on a Raiders secondary which faced plenty of questions during the summer. It was long expected Peters would eventually sign a deal in advance of the season, and multiple visits culminated in an agreement in July.

The parties worked out a one-year deal with a base value of $3MM. An additional $1.5MM in incentives were present in the contract, though, and Tafur notes Peters was on pace to reach them. As a result, the 30-year-old will now head to waivers; if he clears, he will be free to sign with any interested team. The decision marks an underwhelming end to Peters’ time with the Raiders.

The three-time Pro Bowler earned a reputation as one of the league’s top ballhawks during his time with the Chiefs, Rams and Ravens. Over the course of his tenure with those franchises, Peters totaled 32 interceptions and 92 pass breakups. His brief stint in Vegas, however, resulted in one interception (returned for a touchdown) in Week 8 along with five PBUs.

Peters missed the 2021 season due to a torn ACL, and his return to action in his final year with the Ravens featured a downturn in ball production and issues in coverage. Those seem to have followed him to Vegas, as he has posted a 66.1% completion percentage allowed (the worst mark of his career) along with a 103.2 opposing passer rating as the nearest defender (third-worst). Those figures have contributed to the Raiders’ middling performance in terms of pass defense this season, and the team will elect to cut ties in the second half of the campaign.

Peters had a relatively quiet free agent market in 2023 after the Ravens decided against retaining him. That move allowed his previous three-year, $42MM deal to expire without being extended or renewed at a different rate. A contract at a much lower figure awaited him this summer, and the same will no doubt be true on his next pact. It will be interesting to see if any teams get aggressive in making a claim on Peters given his status as a rental for the stretch run, or if he will go unclaimed and have a free choice of new employers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/25/23

November 25th, 2023 at 6:30pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor moves and callups for Week 12’s Sunday slate:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Jim Harbaugh On NFL Coaching Radar?

November 23rd, 2023 at 2:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 23: In an update on how Harbaugh is viewed in NFL circles, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports notes teams initially had doubts before further details emerged on the sign-stealing scheme. Now, however, the scandal is not likely to stop interested teams from proceeding with inquiries into Harbaugh (video link). With the path to an NFL return clear, it will be worth watching closely how many teams make a push to interview him and how committed he is to remaining at Michigan if firm offers do not emerge.

NOVEMBER 16: For the second time this season, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh finds himself in the midst of a three-game suspension. His latest disciplinary troubles have led many to believe he would not be under consideration for another NFL gig, but that does not appear to be the case.

The Athletic’s Mike Jones reports Harbaugh could be interested in a return to the pro game, adding that such interest is expected to lead to interview consideration this coming offseason (subscription required). Jones names the Bears and Raiders as teams which could be worth watching on that front, noting the connection Harbaugh has to each franchise.

The 59-year-old – who was suspended by Michigan at the beginning of the season due to alleged recruiting violations and was recently sidelined for the remainder of the regular season by the Big Ten due to the school’s sign-stealing scandal – was a first-round pick of the Bears in 1987. He spent seven of his 14 years in the Windy City as a player, and has a relationship with new Bears president Kevin Warren. Prior to his current posting, the latter served as commissioner of the Big Ten. Chicago has Matt Eberflus at the helm right now, and though he has received support from the organization recently, his job security has been called into question in Year 2.

Harbaugh worked as the Raiders’ QB coach from 2002-03 in what was his first coaching position in the NFL. He has since maintained a relationship with owner Mark Davis, who will be on the lookout for a Josh McDaniels replacement this offseason (unless interim HC Antonio Pierce does enough in the coming weeks to earn the job on a full-time basis). A recent report named the Raiders as a logical landing spot for Harbaugh in the event Davis followed through on his interest in interviewing him, with the caveat that any longstanding punishment handed down by the Big Ten or NCAA may still apply in the NFL.

The most recent NFL looks Harbaugh has received have come in 2022 (from the Vikings) and this past offseason (when he was the first candidate to interview with the Broncos). Not long after the latter meeting, he made the commitment to remain at Michigan and publicly expressed an aversion to future NFL interest. Having taken the 49ers to the Super Bowl during his long head coaching stint at the pro level, though, speculation has frequently tied him to leaving the Wolverines in pursuit of unfinished business.

Harbaugh (who signed a five-year deal with Michigan last winter) would no doubt command a large share of personnel decisions in the event he were to take on an NFL gig. As the 2024 coaching carousel takes shape in the coming months, it will be interesting to see how often his name comes up with respect to interview requests and the degree to which he reciprocates.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/22/23

November 22nd, 2023 at 7:01pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions and gameday callups heading into Week 12 of the NFL season:

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Smith’s tenure on the Raiders lasted about three weeks after he was signed off of the Saints’ practice squad. The Raiders immediately plugged him in hoping that he would improve a unit struggling to defend the run. After his initial game in Vegas, though, Smith was inactive for the next two games. Whether due to injuries or ineffectiveness, Smith no longer warranted a roster spot with the Raiders.

The Jets signed Kelly in the midst of a litany of offensive line injuries. Kelly is an established veteran with a good amount of starting experience, but even with all the opportunities provided due to injury, Kelly couldn’t quite crack the rotation and now finds himself without a roster spot.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/22/23

November 22nd, 2023 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Although the Rams look to be expecting Kyren Williams to be activated for Week 12, they will keep Henderson around as insurance. The Rams turned to their former third-round pick immediately after injuries moved Williams and Ronnie Rivers off the roster. Despite waiving Henderson in November 2022, the Rams plugged him back in. While Royce Freeman‘s per-carry numbers (4.3) outshine Henderson’s (2.4), the latter scored two touchdowns during his latest run in Sean McVay‘s system. While the Rams waived Henderson again Tuesday, Freeman remains on Los Angeles’ active roster.

Harmon will join team No. 3 this season. The former Patriots Super Bowl winner, a Raider in 2022, began the season with the Ravens. The Bears signed Harmon off Baltimore’s practice squad last month. Harmon, 32, would represent a veteran safety presence for a Browns team that just lost Rodney McLeod for the season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/21/23

November 21st, 2023 at 6:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tuesday’s taxi squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Released: DB Cameron McCutcheon

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Jets Expected To Pursue Davante Adams Trade In 2024

November 20th, 2023 at 10:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Again in quarterback turmoil and likely headed toward their 13th straight season without a playoff berth, the Jets will need to regroup in 2024. Even if Aaron Rodgers‘ long-rumored comeback from Achilles surgery may not end up happening this season, he remains under contract — at a fully guaranteed rate — in 2024.

With Rodgers expected to play a 20th season, the Jets are likely to revisit their attempt to acquire Davante Adams. Looking into Adams this summer and at the trade deadline, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes the Jets have been monitoring the Raiders wide receiver since acquiring Rodgers in April. The embattled AFC East team will be expected to pursue an Adams trade once again next year.

Adams, who will turn 31 next month, is in the second season of a five-year, $140MM contract. The Raiders gave Adams this deal upon acquiring him via trade in March 2022. At that time, Rodgers attempted to convince the All-Pro wide receiver to stay with the Packers. Adams also admitted the Packers’ extension offer bettered the Raiders’ but also indicated Rodgers’ uncertain status in Green Bay steered him away. At the time, the Raiders employed former Adams teammate and longtime friend Derek Carr. Major changes have come to pass in Las Vegas this year, however, complicating Adams’ status with the Raiders.

Cutting Carr and signing Jimmy Garoppolo, the Raiders have already benched the latter. While the team is 2-2 with Aidan O’Connell at the helm this season, the rookie threw three interceptions in a loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. Still, Adams has been more prominently involved in the offense compared to the final weeks of the short-lived Josh McDaniels–Dave Ziegler regime. After voicing frustration with his role in the offense in McDaniels’ final days running the show, the 10th-year veteran has been more content with this Raiders operation. But trade rumors figure to persist.

Although the McDaniels-Ziegler pair made Adams off-limits in trades before the deadline, the Raiders may well have new leadership by the time Adams is again eligible to be dealt. Antonio Pierce and interim GM Champ Kelly are in auditions, but organizations generally do not take interim tags off leaders. Neither Pierce nor Kelly is out of the mix, but both staying will be the less likely scenario than Mark Davis hiring a new HC-GM tandem. Such a decision would seemingly move the Raiders closer to dealing Adams.

It would cost the Raiders $23.6MM in dead money to trade Adams before June 1 of next year, and Schefter adds the Raiders’ decision on their top weapon will also hinge on how this season finishes. Sitting on 741 receiving yards (just 13th in the NFL), Adams is on pace for his fifth 1,000-yard season. Though, he led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2020 and ’22 and topped 1,500 yards with Carr last year. Adams’ stat line could certainly determine if he asks out of Vegas, and a New York move would make sense.

Despite signing Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman in free agency, the Jets chased Odell Beckham Jr. largely because of Rodgers’ wishes. The talented wideout instead signed with the Ravens, punting on a Jets visit due to the $15MM guarantee Baltimore proposed. Adams’ accomplishments lap his 2014 classmate’s, and Rodgers would almost definitely be interested in the Jets adding the marquee pass catcher to their Garrett Wilson-dependent receiver stable. Wilson’s 641 receiving yards lead all Jets wideouts by nearly 400; no other Gang Green receiver — amid Zach Wilson‘s continued struggles — has topped 300 this season.

Following his trade to the Jets, Rodgers took issue with the Packers’ approach to Adams’ extension leading up to the blockbuster trade. Rodgers dropped from first to 26th in QBR last year, with the Packers having also let Marquez Valdes-Scantling leave in free agency. An Adams-Wilson duo would represent one of the more talented tandems in recent memory, and although hurdles exist to a reunion, it almost certainly will be a Jets consideration once the season ends.

Latest On Interim Raiders HC Antonio Pierce

November 19th, 2023 at 3:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

Having started out 2-0 after the firings of Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, the Raiders saw a turnaround under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The latter’s change in attitude regarding the locker room has been well received throughout the organization, something which could help his chances (and those of interim GM Champ Kelly) of remaining in place beyond 2023.

Pierce had no experience as a head coach at the college or NFL levels prior to his Vegas appointment. As a result, the 45-year-old has turned to a veteran in search of advice during the early days of his time at the helm of the Raiders. Pierce has consulted with Tom Coughlin for advice, reports Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Pierce played for Coughlin’s Giants for much of his career.

Heading into Week 11, the system in place for the Raiders has been not only player-friendly but also effective. Vegas won games against the Giants and Jets, teams which will offer less of a challenge than future opponents on the Raiders’ schedule. Still, the improved atmosphere around the organization has been telling for players, staffers and front office personnel. Both Jones and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport report owner Mark Davis is pleased with the early showings of the Pierce era.

That is particularly signficant given recent Raiders history. In the wake of Jon Gruden‘s scandal-induced resignation in 2021, Rich Bisaccia was given the head coaching position on an interim basis. The latter guided the team to the postseason, but he was allowed to depart to Green Bay while McDaniels was hired to replace him. By Year Two of the Patriots-flavored regime, though, another change had been made. Jones reports that Davis has since come to regret not giving Bisaccia the full-time gig, so a continuation of the team’s recent success by Pierce would greatly bolster his case for being tapped as McDaniels’ long-term successor.

While the early results have been encouraging, there are still questions in the organization regarding how far a much more player-centric environment can go, as noted by Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required). Stiffer tests (beginning with today’s close loss in Miami) will go a long way in determining the Raiders’ fate with respect to postseason contention or at least development from rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who is in place as the starter moving forward.

Davis did not lay out specific targets for the Pierce-Kelly pairing to meet during their time at the helm of the organization, but the door appears to be open to them staying in place for the foreseeable future. With Davis already on the hook for the McDaniels and Ziegler firings at a cost of $85MM (at least before offsets brought on by new employers), it will be interesting to see how aggressively he pursues outside options in the offseason as opposed to reversing his actions from the Bisaccia situation.

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