Offseason In Review News & Rumors

Offseason In Review: Cleveland Browns

August 21st, 2023 at 10:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

After their historic and controversial acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson the Browns resided at the center of attention for much of 2022. A lengthy process of investigation by the NFL left Watson sidelined for 11 games, fueling in large part an underwhelming campaign for Cleveland both before and after his return. The Browns finished in the AFC North basement at 7-10, making this offseason a crucial one for the direction of the franchise.

Beginning the process of dealing with Watson’s fully guaranteed deal and its cap implications, general manager Andrew Berry made a number of changes on defense in particular, retooling a unit which will be guided by a new, highly regarded coordinator. The new faces on the field and the sidelines should help Cleveland in Watson’s first full season at the helm, but the largest determining factor in their success (by a wide margin) will nevertheless be his ability to regain his previous form.

Trades:

Acquired WR Elijah Moore and 2023 third-round pick from Jets for 2023 second-rounder
Added DE Za’Darius Smith and 2025 sixth, seventh-round picks from Vikings for 2024, 2025 fifth-rounders

Moore’s time with the Jets seemed to be coming to an end long before their offseason alterations began. The 23-year-old requested a trade ahead of the 2022 deadline, and New York set about reconfiguring its skill-position corps with players familiar to Aaron Rodgers before pulling off the blockbuster trade for the future Hall of Fame quarterback. With the likes of Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb having been signed, there was mutual benefit to Moore being dealt elsewhere for a fresh start.

The Browns enjoyed a highly productive debut season from Amari Cooper (78 catches, 1,160 yards, nine touchdowns), but they entered the offseason in search of further firepower in the passing game. That led to interest in Jerry Jeudy, but Cleveland – like all other suitors – was unwilling to meet Denver’s asking price for the former first-rounder. Moore should represent a strong consolation prize if he is able to reach his potential in his new home.

The Ole Miss product flashed as a rookie, posting 538 yards and five touchdowns. He took a step backwards last season, though, so a fresh start should be beneficial beyond the promise of continued usage as a starter. Moore has the ability to play on the outside, but he will likely be most effective in the slot while Cooper and the emerging Donovan Peoples-Jones operate on the outside.

Smith’s path to the Vikings last offseason included an apparent deal being struck which would have returned him to Baltimore. The former Ravens fifth-rounder instead signed with Minnesota after three years as a Packer, the last of which saw him miss all but one game. A return to health helped bring about a return to his productive form in 2022; Smith posted 10 sacks while eclipsing the double-digit mark in that regard for the third time. Due to the language in his contract, Smith remained on the field despite being less than 100% late in the year in particular, however, something he elaborated on following the trade.

The three-time Pro Bowler was part of a veteran exodus in Minnesota this offseason, and questions will be raised about the Vikings’ ability to replace Smith’s production. Cleveland should provide plenty of opportunities for the 30-year-old to boost his market ahead of free agency, using him opposite Myles Garrett but also on the inside at times. Smith’s return to the AFC North could prove to be a key stepping stone in a succesful Browns season, particularly if he can avoid the drop-off in production which occurred toward the end of 2022. Cleveland’s pursuit of Melvin Ingram prior to the Smith trade illustrates the team’s emphasis placed on improvements on the edge, something the latter should provide compared to last season.

Free agency additions:

Dalvin Tomlinson, DT: Four years, $57MM ($27.5MM guaranteed)
Juan Thornhill, S: Three years, $21MM ($14MM guaranteed)
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE: Three years, $19MM ($12.29MM guaranteed)
Shelby Harris, DT: One year, $3.5MM ($2MM guaranteed)
Josh Dobbs, QB: One year, $2MM ($2MM guaranteed)
Jordan Akins, TE: Two years, $2.9MM ($1.73MM guaranteed)
Mike Ford, CB: One year, $1.5MM ($975K guaranteed)
Rodney McLeod, S: One year, $1.31MM ($853K guaranteed)
Marquise Goodwin, WR: One year, $1.7MM ($400K guaranteed)
Matthew Adams, LB: One year, $1.32MM ($300K guaranteed)
Trysten Hill, DT: One year, $1.32MM ($300K guaranteed)
Maurice Hurst, DL: One year, $1.32MM
Colby Gossett, G: One year, $1.08MM
Wes Martin, G: One year, $1.08MM
Jordan Wilkins, RB: One year, $1.08MM
Michael Dunn, OL: One year, $1.01MM
Joseph Charlton, P: One year, $940K
Nate Meadors, S: One year, $870K
Chris Westry, CB: One year. $870K

Upgrading the defensive front stood as a clear priority entering the offseason for Cleveland, and the Tomlinson acquisition will go a long way in determining if that goal is achieved. Another of the Vikings’ regulars who departed Minnesota in 2023, Tomlinson established himself as one of the best available options at the DT spot in this year’s free agent class. Tomlinson, 29, will join the Browns with plenty of pedigree as a run-stopper, but also as a player capable of making an impact in the passing game. His 81 stops and five sacks as a Viking led to a desire on his former team’s part to work out a new deal, but instead he will start anew for the second time in his career.

The former second-rounder was not the only Browns target at the position, though. A deal with Dre’Mont Jones (which would have represented a homecoming) was on the radar before the Tomlinson agreement was worked out. Jones, better known for his pass-rushing skillset, took a more lucrative Seahawks contract – in terms of AAV – compared to the one Tomlinson landed. The latter will nevertheless be counted on to anchor a new-look D-line as the Browns aim to improve a unit which ranked 25th against the run last season.

2023 saw plenty of movement at the safety spot, and it came as no surprise that Thornhill made his way out of Kansas City. The Chiefs signed Justin Reid to help replace Tyrann Mathieu last offseason, and the selection of Bryan Cook in the 2022 second round gave the defending champions an in-house Thornhill replacement. The 27-year-old received more value in terms of annual compensation on his Cleveland pact than all but Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates amongst free agent safeties; only the latter earned more guaranteed money.

That fact lends credence to the belief some held before the onset of free agency that Thornhill was the second-best safety available. The Virginia product posted career-high marks in tackles (71) and pass deflections (nine) last season while winning a second title. That will raise expectations for him in Cleveland, but Thornhill should help form an effective tandem alongside Grant Delpit. Given the addition of another veteran in McLeod, though, a healthy usage of three-safety alignments would not come as a surprise.

Well before the Smith acquisition, Okoronkwo was in place. In an offseason in which several decorated (but aging) edge rushers were available, the latter represented one of the more high-upside options on the market. A one-year stint in Houston saw him receive a major boost in playing time compared to his Rams seasons. Okoronkwo, 28, took advantage with a career-best five sacks and 17 pressures. Plenty of snaps – and, with Garrett on the opposite edge, desirable one-on-one matchups – will await him in Cleveland. If he lives up to his deal, the former fifth-rounder should help reverse the drop in sack totals (from 49 to 34) the Browns experienced last season compared to 2021, even if Smith ultimately proves to be a one-year rental.

Despite the commitment made to Tomlinson, the Browns remained active in seeking D-line help with the Harris deal. The fact it is worth up to $5.25MM shows the team’s awareness of how effective the former Broncos and Seahawks starter can be. While the Seahawks opted to retool and jettison Harris’ Broncos-constructed contract, Pro Football Focus did grade him as a top-20 interior D-lineman last season. But the veteran lingered on the market for five months, not indicating too much interest in the defender included in the Russell Wilson trade.

Dobbs spent much of 2022 in Cleveland, despite not seeing any game action. He served as Jacoby Brissett’s backup during Watson’s suspension, and the former’s departure leaves the QB2 spot open. For now, Dobbs – who started twice at the end of the season for the Titans – is in line to serve in that role. Cleveland is expected carry rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the 53-man roster, however, so a return to third-string duties may be on the horizon.

Re-signings:

Ethan Pocic, C: Three years, $18MM ($10MM guaranteed)
Sione Takitaki, LB: One year, $2.58MM ($1.23MM guaranteed)
Anthony Walker, LB: One year, $1.23MM ($653K guaranteed)
Jordan Kunaszyk, LB: One year, $1.23MM ($500K guaranteed)

The center spot became the source of plenty of questions heading into 2022. The release (and eventual retirement) of J.C. Tretter opened the door to Nick Harris assuming the starting role. A season-ending knee injury sustained during the preseason instead thrust Pocic into first-team duties, and he thrived under those conditions. The former Seahawk was meant to be a high-end backup despite having logged 40 starts in Seattle, but he delivered a career-best performance in his debut Browns season. After the 28-year-old expressed a desire to remain in Cleveland, his multi-year agreement came as no surprise.

Strength along the interior offensive line has been a constant in recent years for the Browns, owing in large part to the guard tandem of Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio. Pocic earned the third-highest PFF grades amongst centers in 2022 when playing between them, and Cleveland is banking on a repeat of that success moving forward. If their investment proves worthwhile, the Browns will have a strong Tretter successor in the fold. If needed, though, Harris will still be available in 2023, the final year of his rookie contract.

Injuries decimated the Browns at the inside linebacker spot last year, but the second level of their defense will have plenty of familiar faces complementing Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in 2023. Takitaki, 28, seemed to be on his way to a more lucrative deal (in Cleveland or elsewhere) before an ACL tear ended his campaign and cratered his value. As he hoped, however, Takitaki will remain with the team that drafted him and hope to build off his encouraging performance from before the injury last season. That would be especially beneficial for Takitaki and the Browns, since Jacob Phillips has already been sidelined for the year with a pectoral tear.

Notable losses:

Jacoby Brissett, QB
Pharaoh Brown, TE
Taven Bryan, DT
Jadeveon Clowney, DE (released)
Tae Davis, LB
Hjalte Froholdt, OL
Joe Haeg, OL (released)
Ronnie Harrison, S
Chris Hubbard, T
Jesse James, TE
D’Ernest Johnson, RB
John Johnson, S (released)
Deion Jones, LB
Ben Stille, DL
Greedy Williams, CB
Perrion Winfrey, DT (waived)
Chase Winovich, DE

Clowney highlights the veterans who were let go in cost-shedding moves. The former No. 1 pick equaled his personal best with nine sacks in his first Cleveland season in 2021. That appeared to suggest he may have finally found a long-term NFL home, but last season was a significantly different story. The 30-year-old was limited to just a pair of sacks as his frustration over playing time and usage became increasingly public. He was sent home for the season finale, and while an apology was later issued, it was clear both parties would be moving on in 2023.

With Okoronkwo and Smith in place, the Browns should be able to replace Clowney’s 44 QB pressures in his 24 Cleveland games. The three-time Pro Bowler will spend the coming season with the division rival Ravens, after he signed yet another one-year deal. Unlike his previous accords, this Baltimore one has a low base value and includes incentives needed for him to rebuild his value ahead of free agency in 2024.

Brissett was brought in just days after the Watson trade took place. The latter’s suspension loomed, though it took until deep into the summer for the Browns to learn how long he would be unavailable. Brissett performed as well as could be expected during his interim period as Cleveland’s starter, posting better passing yards per game, a higher yards per attempt average and an increased passer rating than his career average in those respects. It nevertheless came as no surprise that he went to Washington in the hopes of seeing a better path to playing time, although he will also begin the year as a backup with the Commanders.

Much like Clowney, John Johnson was not able to replicate the success of 2021. Heavier usage in the box – as opposed to as a free safety – helped contribute to his interception and pass breakup totals dropping, and his PFF evaluation suffered as well. A return to the Rams (with whom he spent the first four years of his career) will see him earn far less than what he was originally due from the Browns in 2023, but it could lead to a rebound in performance and set him up well for his next appearance on the open market.

Nick Chubb is still in place as the undisputed lead back for the Browns, but their other backfield options will be different. Kareem Hunt remains unsigned, and D’Ernest Johnson headed for Jacksonville in search of backup opportunities. The former AAF player was frustrated by his lack of playing time as a third-stringer in Cleveland despite showing considerable potential when Chubb and/or Hunt were unavailable. Johnson will likely be used sparingly behind Travis Etienne, but his loss is notable for his former team, as it leaves plenty of responsibility for 2022 fifth-rounder Jerome Ford. The latter saw eight carries as a rookie, a total which is set to increase substantially this year.

Williams came up in trade talks midseason, and the depth of Cleveland’s cornerbacks corps should soften the blow of his departure. The former second-rounder was unable to avoid the injuries which hurt his draft stock coming out of college, and he was relegated to backup duties during his final Cleveland campaign. Winfrey’s time with the team was cut short after only one season, following a continuation of his legal troubles. The 23-year-old is facing allegations of violence against a woman for the second time since he was drafted, and he was scratched multiple times for maturity-related reasons. Rather than seeing Winfrey grow into a rotational D-line role, Cleveland has elected to cut bait.

Extensions and restructures:

Restructured QB Deshaun Watson’s contract, creating $35.8MM in cap space
Adjusted DE Za’Darius Smith’s pact following trade acquisition
Restructured WR/KR Jakeem Grant’s deal, creating $1.77MM in cap space

Plenty of controversy from the Watson acquisition stemmed not only from the Browns’ willingness to trade for him in the wake of widespread sexual misconduct allegations and the full guarantees in his deal, but also the structure of the pact. Watson’s 2022 salary was lowered to minimize the money forfeited through his suspension, something which drew the ire of many around the league. By pushing cap charges into the future, however, the team set itself up for untenable positions and created the need for restructures on a regular basis.

Watson was due to count for a record-breaking $54.9MM on the cap in 2023, but the Browns did not need his permission to rework the pact. The restructure thus came as no surprise with Cleveland needing to free up space in advance of the new league year. Temporary relief helped make moves like the Tomlinson signing and the Smith trade possible, but further headaches await down the road even with healthy rises in the salary cap ceiling expected for many years to come.

Watson’s financial situation could increasingly become a central element in Cleveland’s offseasons, growing into a more acute issue, of course, if he is unable to replicate his Pro Bowl form from his Houston days.

Smith has already seen $10.5MM paid out as a result of his reworked contract, including the $1.77MM owed by the Vikings as part of the trade agreement. That represents considerable compensation on its own, but incentives could bring the total to nearly $13MM. Those figures will add to the expectations Smith faces in his debut Browns campaign, but a cap hit of barely more than $3MM will make him a cost-effective rental from Cleveland’s perspective. With free agency (and thus the potential to earn another lucrative multi-year pact) looming once again, his performance and ability to remain healthy will be worth watching closely.

Draft:

Round 3, No. 74 (from Jets): Cedric Tillman, WR (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 3, No. 98: Siaki Ika, DT (Baylor) (signed)
Round 4, No. 111: Dawand Jones, OT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 126 (from Vikings): Isaiah McGuire, DE (Missouri) (signed)
Round 5, No. 140 (from Rams): Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 142: Cameron Mitchell, CB (Northwestern) (signed)
Round 6, No. 190: Luke Wypler, C (Ohio State) (signed)

Owing to the Watson trade, along with the Moore one, the Browns needed to wait until deep into Day 2 of the draft to begin constructing their rookie class. Expectations will be limited for most (if not all) of the 2023 draftees given the established starters in place throughout the roster, but Tillman and Ika in particular should be able to see at least rotational snaps early in their careers.

The former drew less attention than Fred Biletnikoff winner Jalin Hyatt during their shared time at Tennessee. In spite of that, Tillman should still offer a noteworthy skillset. The 6-3, 215-pounder eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and scored 12 touchdowns in 2021 and was on track to put up another strong season last year. Injuries limited Tillman to six games, but the second-generation NFLer still found himself selected only one spot after Hyatt on draft night. Whereas the Moore trade and the Goodwin signing will add speed to the Browns’ receiver room, Tillman will bring an intriguing blend of size and playmaking.

Especially with Winfrey no longer in the picture, Ika could receive the opportunity to serve as a depth option early and often in his rookie campaign. A transfer from LSU helped lead to an uptick in production for the latter over the past two years. Ika totaled 48 stops (including 8.5 tackles for loss) and 3.5 sacks with the Bears, showing a disruptive presence which could make him an effective contributor in the pro game. Tomlinson, Harris and 2020 third-rounder Jordan Elliott will be leaned on heavily along the defensive interior in 2023, but Ika possess staring potential down the road.

Other:

Replaced Joe Woods with Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator
QBs coach Drew Petzing joined Cardinals as offensive coordinator
HC Kevin Stefanski not thought to be on hot seat
Picked up T Jedrick Wills’ $14.18MM fifth-year option
Signed nine UDFAs

Stefanski’s tenure began as well as could be hoped with an 11-5 record, an end to the franchise’s playoff drought and a postseason victory. He has helmed the team to a record of 15-19 since then, however, as the Baker Mayfield era came to an unceremonious end and the beginning of the Watson one was delayed last year. In the wake of the Browns’ poor start with Watson sidelined, a report emerged indicating Stefanski’s days in Cleveland could be numbered in absence of a turnaround. The vote of confidence the 2020 Coach of the Year has since received, however, means he enters the coming season with at least a bit of rope left.

Watson has named Stefanski, 41, as a reason he authorized the trade to Cleveland last year, and the pair’s relationship will be a key determinant in the team’s success moving forward. The latter will remain offensive play-caller in 2023, while offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt adds the duties of quarterbacks coach vacated by Petzing’s departure – something done with Watson’s approval. Success in orchestrating a more productive passing game would do wonders for Stefanski and Van Pelt with respect to their job security, but failure in that regard would no doubt lead to increased calls for a change on the sidelines.

The decision to move on from Woods came as little surprise, though it did not produce a repaired relationship with Clowney as the latter suggested could be possible. The Browns delivered a strong defensive showing in terms of yards allowed in 2021, something which was essentially repeated last year. The team’s high-end CB room also provided effective play in coverage (albeit not with respect to interception production). The glaring weakness was rush defense, which helps explain the retooling of the front seven.

It also illustrates the appeal of Schwartz, whose work with the Eagles helped rebuild his stock as a highly regarded coordinator. The ex-Lions head coach has a reputation for overseeing productive defensive fronts, something which will need to continue if Cleveland is to improve not only on the ground but in the sack department. Given the win-now situation the Browns are in, the added experience of Schwartz over Woods (who was able to land the Saints’ DC gig after his Browns departure) should be beneficial. While many eyes will be on Watson and the offense, Schwartz’s ability to maximize the potential of a unit which has a number of intriguing contributors on paper will be a central 2023 storyline as well.

Wills was one of three tackles from the 2020 class to have his option picked up. That puts him on firmer ground in Cleveland than Mekhi Becton with the Jets, but a monster deal like the one given to Andrew Thomas by the Giants should not be expected at this point. Without a Pro Bowl to his name, Wills will earn $14.18MM in 2024, a reasonable figure for a starting blindside protector. Earning that amount (or more) on a multiyear commitment would require further development from the 24-year-old, but Stefanski has expressed confidence that will take place. In the immediate future, incremental growth from a player PFF has yet to rate as a top-50 tackle would be welcomed on a strong Browns offensive front.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Myles Garrett, DE: $29.18MM
Amari Cooper, WR: $23.78MM
Deshaun Watson, QB: $19.06MM
Wyatt Teller, G: $15.43MM
Nick Chubb, RB: $14.85MM
Joel Bitonio, G: $14.6MM
Denzel Ward, CB: $12.22MM
David Njoku, TE: $8.93MM
Jack Conklin, T: $7.79MM
Jedrick Wills, T: $6.27MM

Even with the expectations for a step forward in passing production with Watson and an improved array of pass catchers (including Cooper, whose cap hit is the highest amongst NFL wideouts), it is telling that five of the names listed are Chubb and O-line starters. The ground game will still be essential to the team’s success this season, though all 10 players are on the books for 2024 as well. Watson’s cap hit is set to explode to $64MM absent another restructure, while Ward and Njoku will see theirs jump by $9MM and $10MM, respectively.

Wills’ future can be ensured with an extension, and doing so would likely lower his 2024 cap charge; aside from that, though, the easiest way to free up money amongst the highest earners would be moving on from one of the guard mainstays of Teller and Bitonio or agreeing to a reworked deal with either of them.

Much of the Browns’ core remains in place, but there are sufficient new faces to give the team a wide range of outcomes in 2023. Watson’s last full season saw him lead the league in passing yards, but that showing came back in 2020. If he can come close to the level of his Texans performances, Cleveland could mount a strong challenge for at least a wild-card berth in a stacked AFC. Failure to shake off the rust which was understandably present last year, however, could leave the team in a highly unenviable position given the financial implications of his contract. High-end play from Watson’s new supporting cast and what should be an improved defense would insulate against mediocre performances under center, but it does not feel like a stretch to expect the Browns to go as far as Watson will take them.

Offseason In Review: Detroit Lions

August 21st, 2023 at 10:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Finishing last season with rare momentum, the Lions are in a stranger position coming into Dan Campbell‘s third year. The Campbell-Brad Holmes rebuild has progressed to the point Detroit comes into a season as the favorite to win the NFC North. Since the NFL redid its divisions after the Texans entered the league in 2002, the Lions have never won this division. Although they made the playoffs three times during the 2010s, their last divisional conquest came in 1993 as part of the NFC Central — in Barry Sanders‘ fifth season.

Making the second first-round pick brought from the Matthew Stafford trade and making a number of moves to improve a porous defense, the Lions operated intently this offseason. The rebuild that covered the past two seasons is over. It will now be deemed a failed season if the Lions do not qualify for the playoffs.

Free agency additions:

Cameron Sutton, CB: Three years, $33MM ($21MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery, RB: Three years, $18MM ($8.75MM guaranteed)
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB: One year, $6.5MM ($6.5MM guaranteed)
Marvin Jones, WR: One year, $3MM ($3MM guaranteed)
Teddy Bridgewater, QB: One year, $3MM ($2.55MM guaranteed)
Graham Glasgow, OL: One year, $2.75MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
Emmanuel Moseley, CB: One year, $6MM ($2MM guaranteed)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB: One year, $1.75MM ($500K guaranteed)
Christian Covington, DL: One year, $1.17MM
Bobby Hart, T: One year, $1.17MM
Germain Ifedi, T: One year, $1.17MM
Benny Snell, RB: One year, $1.1MM
Saivion Smith, CB: One year, $940K

The Lions went 8-3 in their final 11 games and made defensive strides; Aaron Glenn‘s unit still finished last in yards allowed, 28th in DVOA and 30th against the pass. Holmes and Co. aggressively targeted the secondary in free agency and the draft. The aftermath brought considerable depth, giving Glenn options in his third season as Detroit’s DC.

This effort started with Sutton, who had been on the Steelers’ radar to retain. Sutton, 28, had already signed two Pittsburgh contracts; his performance over the past two years turned the two-year, $9MM pact from 2021 into a team-friendly deal. The Steelers were not prepared to go where the Lions did for the former third-round pick, and a contract agreement emerged within hours of the legal tampering period’s opening. Sutton’s arrival illustrated a Lions versatility lean this offseason.

Each of their top three acquisitions in the secondary supplies experience in multiple roles, with Sutton joining Gardner-Johnson and second-rounder Brian Branch as having extensive slot seasoning. But the Steelers had shifted Sutton, an early-career slot corner, to the outside. That is where the Lions are expected to use the seventh-year vet, but Sutton’s history as an inside defender will help his new team. The 5-foot-11 cover man finished in the top five in passer rating allowed as the closest defender last season (among corners), per Next Gen Stats, and ended the year with a career-high 15 passes defensed. He will take over for Jeff Okudah as the Lions’ top corner investment, though Sutton has proven far more than the recently jettisoned top-five pick.

Ideally, Sutton would join Moseley as the Lions’ outside corners. But the ex-49er remains on the Lions’ active/PUP list due to a late-summer knee surgery. A stay on the reserve/PUP list — a designation mandating a four-game absence — is firmly in play. Moseley, 27, suffered an ACL tear midway through last season. That brought the sixth-year corner’s price down to a level that proved palatable for the Lions, per Holmes. Moseley made his way into a regular 49ers role in 2019, replacing Ahkello Witherspoon opposite Richard Sherman on the outside for the Super Bowl LIV-bound team. Pro Football Focus has graded Moseley as a top-35 corner in three of the past four seasons. His last full season (2021) featured substantial improvements in passer rating against (65.6) and yards per target (5.8) compared to his prior work.

Moseley recapturing that form for the Lions would set him up for a big free agency payday in 2024 or a nice Lions extension. But his extended layoff will be something to keep monitoring as the season nears.

Gardner-Johnson, who has enjoyed quality seasons at safety and as a slot corner, may have misread the market en route to Detroit. The Eagles offered their 2022 trade acquisition a multiyear deal early in free agency. Seeking a higher payout, Gardner-Johnson turned it down. This led to the Eagles pivoting and re-signing James Bradberry to and giving ex-Lion Darius Slay another extension. Rather than extend CJGJ — a pre-free agency goal — Philly reinvested at corner and went with low-cost safeties. Beyond Jessie Bates, none of this year’s free agent safeties secured more than $7.5MM per year. Gardner-Johnson, 25, will attempt to use this season to solidify his value.

Known as much for his trash talking as his coverage acumen, Gardner-Johnson has both served as a full-time slot corner — with the Saints during Sean Payton‘s final seasons — and a regular safety. As a safety last year, Gardner-Johnson tied for the INT lead (six) despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney. Rumors about Glenn, who coached New Orleans’ DBs during CJGJ’s first two seasons, returning the brash defender to a slot role emerged. But the Lions have been trotting him out at safety alongside 2022 third-rounder Kerby Joseph during camp.

A Joseph-CJGJ safety pairing has led to Tracy Walker, who re-signed on a three-year deal worth $25MM in 2022, dropping to a backup role. Branch played a hybrid role at Alabama, and he has been given steady time in the slot during camp. This has led to converted safety Will Harris (again, the Lions ooze DB versatility) working as a second-string corner behind Sutton and third-year UDFA Jerry Jacobs. PFF rated Harris much higher than Jacobs last season, so it would be interesting to see the sixth-year veteran demoted. But Moseley’s re-emergence would stand to lead to Jacobs losing his starting gig, too. On the verge of including four new starters, the Lions’ secondary is poised to present a much higher ceiling.

On offense, the Lions pried the Bears’ four-year starting running back to replace last season’s rushing touchdowns leader. After Jamaal Williams turned down a similar offer, Montgomery swooped in and will step in as Detroit’s between-the-tackles runner. It is worth wondering if the Lions overpaid here, given what happened to the running back market this offseason.

Montgomery finished with the NFL’s sixth-worst rushing yards over expected figure (minus-53), per Next Gen Stats, though Williams was not too much better (minus-11). Montgomery, however, finished with the eighth-worst RYOE mark in 2021 (minus-80). That said, Montgomery is two years younger, at 26, and has been better in the passing game (617 yards from 2020-21) than Williams (230 in that span). Still, Williams, who regrouped and signed a $4MM-AAV deal with the the Saints, led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (17) and totaled his first 1,000-yard season.

Offseason developments involving Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s top sidekicks moved the Lions to bring back Jones, who played out a five-year contract with the team in 2020. Working alongside Golden Tate to help the Lions pick up the pieces after Calvin Johnson‘s earlier-than-expected retirement, Jones offered high-end WR2 work during most of his first stint (three 900-plus-yard seasons). The ex-Bengals deep threat led the NFL with 18.0 yards per reception in 2017. Jones, 33, is far removed from that point and now profiles as a possession receiver. With DJ Chark departing and Jameson Williams continuing to encounter obstacles, Jones — whose second Jaguars year ended with his worst full-season yardage total (529) — will likely be needed for regular work.

It did not seem realistic the Lions would trudge into a second season with Nate Sudfeld as their backup quarterback. Even after Campbell expressed satisfaction with his QB room during the Lions’ offseason program, the team kept tabs on Bridgewater. Detroit had made the ex-Minnesota first-rounder an offer in April. After it cost the Dolphins $6.5MM to sign Bridgewater last year, the Lions landed him for less than half that.

Bridgewater left multiple 2022 games due to injuries, causing major issues for a Dolphins team that hit a crisis point with starter Tua Tagovailoa‘s availability. This tanked Bridgewater’s market. But the journeyman will reunite with Campbell, who was in New Orleans during both the QB’s years there, and provide Jared Goff with a much more accomplished backup.

Goff did not miss any time due to injury last season, but the Lions went 0-3 without their starter in 2021. Bridgewater, 30, had the Broncos at 7-7 before a second concussion ended his 2021 season. This looks like a clear stopgap situation, with Hendon Hooker positioned as the likely Lions backup in 2024. With the Tennessee product on the NFI list as he winds down ACL rehab, the Lions needed a better option than Sudfeld — he of 37 passes in seven seasons.

Re-signings:

Alex Anzalone, LB: Three years, $18.75MM ($9MM guaranteed)
John Cominsky, DL: Two years, $8.5MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Will Harris, DB: One year, $2.52MM ($2.52MM guaranteed)
Isaiah Buggs, DL: Two years, $4.5MM ($2.1MM guaranteed)
Nate Sudfeld, QB: One year, $1.6MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Craig Reynolds, RB: One year, $1.1MM

As the third tier of the 2023 inside linebacker market formed, the Lions found common ground with Anzalone, who will continue his career under Glenn. Anzalone’s four New Orleans seasons featured Glennon staff as well, though the veteran linebacker found more playing time in Detroit. After never clearing a 50% defensive snap barrier during a full season as a Saint, Anzalone has been a three-down presence with the Lions. The former third-round pick played a career-high 1,080 defensive snaps last season, totaling 125 tackles — far and away a career high — and notching seven stops behind the line.

One of 11 linebackers to score a deal with an AAV between $5MM and $7.25MM this offseason, Anzalone — after two low-cost, one-year deals — did well to secure a midlevel Lions pact. Although first-rounder Jack Campbell should vie for this status soon, Anzalone remains entrenched as Detroit’s lead linebacker going into his third season with the team.

The Lions’ waiver priority became valuable re: Cominsky, who saw a staggering eight teams attempt to claim him when the Falcons cut bait in May 2022. Following the Lions’ flier, Cominsky put together his best season. The Lions turned to the D-lineman as a regular, giving him eight starts and using him on a career-high 556 defensive snaps. That came after the Falcons made Cominsky a healthy scratch often in 2021. The Division II alum totaled four sacks, 12 QB hits and three pass deflections. Throwing most of their defensive investments at its secondary this offseason, the Lions look set to once again turn to Cominsky often.

Michael Badgley, K (released)
Stanley Berryhill, WR (waived)
Chris Board, LB
Michael Brockers, DT (released)
Evan Brown, OL
Quintez Cephus, WR (waived)
DJ Chark, WR
DeShon Elliott, S
Mike Hughes, CB
Justin Jackson, RB (retired)
Tommy Kraemer, OL
C.J. Moore, DB (released)
Amani Oruwariye, CB
Dan Skipper, OL
Logan Stenberg, OL
Demetrius Taylor, DL (waived)
Jamaal Williams, RB
Josh Woods, LB

Although the highest-profile Lion to receive a gambling suspension (Jameson Williams) remains on the roster, the team’s most notable departures stemmed from that round of penalties. The Lions axed Berryhill, Cephus, Moore and Taylor due to each running afoul of the gambling policy — during an offseason in which this reached a crisis point across the NFL.

The team cut Moore, a veteran special-teamer, despite re-signing him to a two-year, $4.5MM deal in March. Before running into injury trouble last season, Cephus had served as a backup receiver during most of his first two NFL campaigns. One year remained on Cephus’ rookie contract, but both he and Moore were found to have made bets on NFL games, leading to indefinite suspensions. The Lions could have retained both players, as the Cephus and Moore contracts were set to toll to 2024. But they opted to cut bait amid a troublesome offseason on this front.

Widespread gambling trouble had not impacted the NFL in decades, but a 2018 Supreme Court ruling led to 33 states and Washington D.C. opening legal betting markets. NFL sponsorships with sportsbooks have followed, and messaging from teams to players about the league’s gambling policy seemed to — for some franchises, at least — lack clarity. The Lions were ground zero here. The NFL did not suspend Taylor until he was a free agent, but the Lions cut him on the same day they axed Berryhill. Taylor played in one game for the team last season. As the count of Lions popped for gambling bans reached five, the team also fired a few staffers — a strength and conditioning coach and two equipment managers — who had violated the NFL’s policy.

After giving Chark a one-year, $10MM deal in 2022, the Lions saw him run into more injury trouble. The former Jaguars second-rounder had suffered a fractured ankle early in the 2021 season, and he missed six games during his Lions slate. Chark, 26, did negotiate with the Lions this offseason, and while the team expressed interest in bringing back the field-stretching wideout, it stood down and let the Panthers make Chark’s next payment (one year, $5MM).

Chark’s exit and Williams’ six-game suspension will leave Detroit more questions at its non-St. Brown receiver spots. In addition to Jones, the team still rosters Josh Reynolds, an ex-Goff Rams target. Working as a starter while Williams rehabbed his college ACL tear, Reynolds caught 38 passes for 479 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Lions did not draft a receiver until Round 7, leaving Reynolds in place to reprise his 2022 role. Returner Kalif Raymond (616 receiving yards in 2022) has provided key contributions during this stretch as well. Raymond should also remain relevant in Detroit’s passing attack, which will not be at full strength until at least Week 7.

Trades:

Traded RB D’Andre Swift and No. 249 to Eagles for No. 219, 2025 fourth-round pick
Dealt CB Jeff Okudah to Falcons for 2023 fifth-round pick
Acquired WR Denzel Mims and 2025 seventh-round pick from Jets for 2025 conditional sixth-round pick
Sent Jaguars 2026 seventh-round pick for K Riley Patterson

The Gibbs pick left Swift without a role, despite the former second-round pick excelling at points in Detroit. While somewhat injury-prone, Swift has 25 career touchdowns. He posted 1,069 scrimmage yards in 14 games in 2021 and averaged 5.5 yards per carry last season. The Bob Quinn regime, however, added Swift, who lost playing time to Jamaal Williams last year. Smith played in 14 games last year — up from 13 in 2021 — but saw his carry total plummet from 151 to 99. As Williams zoomed to a career year behind an upper-crust O-line, Swift displayed frustration about his usage. Ahead of his contract year, the Lions bailed, restarting the process with Jahmyr Gibbs.

After the Gibbs pick opened the trade floodgates on the Georgia alum, the Dolphins inquired about a deal. As Miami monitored a Dalvin Cook trade as well, Philadelphia swooped in and has big plans for the dual-threat back, whose Motor City exit signals a full-fledged backfield makeover for a team that finished 11th in rushing last season.

Dealing Swift meant the Lions cut the cord on their first- and second-round picks from 2020. Quinn made a historic investment in Okudah, who was the first cornerback chosen in the top three since the Seahawks drafted Shawn Springs in 1997. Okudah could not live up to the draft slot, struggling to stay on the field and offering inconsistent play when available. PFF viewed Okudah as a marginal-at-best corner during his Detroit stay, and Atlanta declined the Ohio State alum’s fifth-year option. Okudah, who missed 23 games over his first two seasons, may already be on track to begin his Falcons tenure sidelined. Should Okudah fail to turn his career around soon, he will go down as one of the bigger busts in recent draft history.

Patterson could turn into a worthwhile addition. The Lions already cut Badgley, their primary 2022 kicker, before training camp. Patterson spent last season with the Jaguars but was with the Lions in training camp last year. Boasting a career 87.8% field goal make rate, Patterson connected on 30 of 35 tries last season. The Cowboys also discussed Patterson with the Jags after the latter’s Brandon McManus signing.

Extensions and restructures:

G Halapoulivaati Vaitai agreed to pay cut, removing 2024 season from contract
Gave WR Kalif Raymond two-year, $10.5MM extension ($8.15MM guaranteed)
DE Romeo Okwara accepted pay cut, creating $9MM in cap space
DE Charles Harris took $3MM pay reduction

The Lions not retaining Evan Brown, who served as a regular fill-in over the past two years, cut into their O-line depth. Filling in for Ragnow and Vaitai over the past two seasons, Brown made 24 starts for Detroit in that span. But Glasgow is back, after three years in Denver, and pushing Vaitai for the right guard job. Glasgow is slotted as the backup center as well.

Vaitai missed all of last season with a back injury, a setback that led to the ex-Eagle contemplating retirement. Instead, he joined Okwara and Harris in accepting a post-injury pay cut. Vaitai, 30, had been tied to a five-year, $45MM deal agreed to in 2020, but this reworking moves him into a contract year. PFF already rated the Lions as the No. 8 offensive line last season. Vaitai bouncing back — and joining four returning starters — could unlock another level for this well-built Lions front.

Rather than explore the edge rusher market, the Lions kept two veteran defensive ends at reduced rates. After seeing an Achilles tear (and a botched surgery) effectively ruin two seasons, Okwara agreed to trim his three-year, $37MM deal. The elder of the Lions’ two pass-rushing Okwaras, Romeo led the team in sacks in two seasons prior to his 2021 contract. Only going into his age-28 season, the eighth-year veteran represents a wild card alongside Aidan Hutchinson. Will Romeo Okwara’s return to full strength bump younger brother Julian Okwara, a Quinn-era third-round pick who finished with two sacks last year, off the roster?

Also 28, Harris missed 11 games due to injury last year. As a result, the Lions took some money back on the two-year, $14MM contract the former first-rounder signed in 2022. But Harris, who registered 7.5 sacks in 2021, remains in place as a potential starter — after a 14-start 2021 — and surefire rotational option. The Lions are largely running it back at the pass rusher spots, with surprising sixth-round producer James Houston (eight sacks from Thanksgiving to season’s end) joining Hutchinson, Harris, Cominsky and Okwara.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 12 (from Browns through Texans and Cardinals): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 1, No. 18: Jack Campbell, LB (Iowa) (signed)
Round 2, No. 34 (from Cardinals): Sam LaPorta, TE (Iowa) (signed)
Round 2, No. 45 (from Packers): Brian Branch, DB (Alabama) (signed)
Round 3, No. 68 (from Broncos): Hendon Hooker, QB (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 3, No. 96 (from Cardinals): Brodric Martin, DT (Western Kentucky) (signed)
Round 5, No. 152: Colby Sorsdal, OT (William & Mary) (signed)
Round 7, No. 219 (from Texans through Vikings and Eagles): Antoine Green, WR (North Carolina) (signed)

Collecting some capital from the Cardinals for moving down six spots, the Lions went through with a surprising first round. Arizona’s offer prevented Detroit from making a stunning move: taking Gibbs sixth overall. A multipurpose Alabama back, Gibbs’ first-round status was a well-kept secret until draft week. But the Lions were set to select him ahead of Bijan Robinson, the consensus top back in the draft. Gibbs at 12 still turned heads, but with Swift gone, this Lions regime will make its own bet on a dual-threat back. Detroit showed interest in Devon Witherspoon (and not Jalen Carter), but after Seattle chose the cornerback at 5, Holmes went with an unorthodox choice.

The Robinson and Gibbs top-12 picks came as running back value tanked, but teams remain interested in rookie-contract RBs. The Lions have Gibbs under contract through 2026, and what could certainly be a cheap fifth-year option exists in this contract. Boding well for Gibbs’ mileage: he never topped 151 carries in a season at Alabama. He averaged north of 10 yards per catch in each of his three Tuscaloosa seasons and profiles as an intriguing weapon, one the Lions believe has a higher ceiling than Swift.

Taking two Iowa standouts in between the two Alabama alums, the Lions made perhaps a more surprising pick with their second first-round choice. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranked Campbell 49th on his pre-draft big board; ESPN’s Scouts Inc. slotted him 57th. Not exactly pleasing the analytics community for positional value with his second two-first-rounder draft, Holmes indeed said he probably could have traded down and landed Campbell. Taking him at 18 effectively reveals Detroit’s against-the-grain confidence.

Although Campbell won the Butkus award and totaled a whopping 265 tackles from 2021-22, this RB-LB first round represents a significant risk for the Lions, who are done with their two-first-rounder drafts brought on by the Stafford swap.

More conventional picks came in Round 2. The Lions have made early tight end investments part of their M.O., having chosen four in the top 34 picks (Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron, T.J. Hockenson, LaPorta) since 2009. Coming from one of the NCAA’s tight end factories, LaPorta earned first-team All-Big Ten acclaim last season and topped 650 yards as both a junior and senior. After trading Hockenson to the Vikings, the Lions entered the draft with a clear need. Tight ends typically take longer to acclimate compared to running backs and receivers; only three (Kyle Pitts, Evan Engram, John Carlson) have eclipsed 600 receiving yards as rookies since 2008. But LaPorta has an early path to a regular role in Detroit.

The top safety chosen this year, Branch was the only Division I-FBS player to amass at least 90 tackles, 14 TFLs and two INTs last season. With Gardner-Johnson only signed for one year, Branch is more likely to become the versatile DB on which the Lions lean in the long term. An effective blitzer from the slot, Branch also registered three sacks last season. How the Lions use their batch of DB acquisitions will be an important NFC North subplot.

Hooker did not find himself with as many first-round ties as Malik Willis did last year, but buzz built. Instead, Hooker fell to the top of Round 3. The Lions made Hooker their first QB selected in the top three rounds since Stafford 14 years ago. Hooker redshirting his rookie season, as of now, appears the Lions’ plan. The team has Goff under contract for two more seasons, and Hooker did not craft his rising prospect profile in a particularly pro-friendly offense.

The two-year Volunteers starter (58 TD passes, five INTs from 2021-22) landed on the Heisman radar before his ACL tear, but his career track now points to a full season off at 25. Hooker could be in his late 20s before the notion of him starting becomes realistic, though the Lions are not expected to let the rookie spent the full season on the NFI list and see his rookie deal toll.

Other:

WR Jameson Williams received six-game gambling suspension
OC Ben Johnson withdraws from HC searches, agrees to Lions extension
DC Aaron Glenn interviewed for Cardinals, Colts’ HC positions; Lions extended Glenn
Hired John Fox as senior defensive assistant, Jim Hostler as senior offensive assistant
Director of college scouting Dave Sears becomes Cardinals’ assistant GM
RBs coach Duce Staley accepts same position with Panthers; Scottie Montgomery added as replacement
Dre’ Bly, Steve Heiden join staff as cornerbacks, tight ends coach

Thanks to Johnson bowing out of HC searches early and the Cardinals passing on Glenn, the Lions return both their coordinators. Johnson managed to go from a rookie play-caller to a hot HC candidate, who appeared in the early lead for the Carolina job. Johnson orchestrated the Goff’s best season since the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII-qualifying campaign, and should Williams negotiate a concerning number of early-career hurdles, the second-year OC should have a better offensive nucleus by midseason. A Lions step back could obviously lead to diminished interest, and the team did finish with just four turnovers over its final 11 games. Will that unsustainable rate and Goff’s inconsistent history lead to Johnson regretting an early leap off the 2023 coaching carousel?

Goff, who threw no interceptions after Week 7, giving defenses few short fields and the Lions still finishing last in total defense created an odd launching pad for Glenn. But he nevertheless interviewed twice for the Cardinals and Colts’ HC jobs. Glenn is also believed to be signed beyond 2023, but he fended off in-season firing rumors last year. Campbell and Glenn have worked together for eight years now, and the Lions have equipped their 51-year-old defensive play-caller with an overhauled secondary and a first-round linebacker.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Jared Goff, QB: $30.96MM
Taylor Decker, T: $19.35MM
Frank Ragnow, C: $16.45MM
Aidan Hutchinson, DE: $8.12MM
Penei Sewell, T: $6.57MM
Tracy Walker, S: $6.32MM
Romeo Okwara, DE: $5.68MM
Charles Harris, DE: $5.16MM
Halapoulivaati Vaitai, G: $5.1MM
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S: $4.5MM

Should Williams return from his gambling ban healthy and Gibbs proves a Swift upgrade, Goff (fifth in 2022 QBR) will have the best offensive nuclei at his disposal since before Todd Gurley‘s knee troubles intensified. The team still will likely want to see its third-year starter deliver another strong season before considering an extension. Goff ranked 22nd, 23rd and 24th in QBR, respectively, from 2019-21 and is two years removed from the Rams sending the Lions an extra first-rounder in exchange for taking on his $33.5MM-per-year contract. But Goff has effectively dispelled the notion he was a bridge quarterback for Detroit. In addition to Holmes and Campbell praising Goff at every turn, they showed that faith by passing on QBs with four first-round picks over the past two years. A new deal is on Detroit’s radar.

Ahead of his age-29 season, Goff looms as one of the NFC’s central figures. The former No. 1 overall pick showing his 2022 re-emergence was no fluke stamps the Lions as NFC North favorites. With Aaron Rodgers gone, the Vikings attempting to clean up a defensive mess and the Bears coming off a 3-14 season, the Lions have their rare turn in the frontrunner chair. Making good on these prognostications would place this as one of the better rebuilding efforts in recent NFL history.

Offseason In Review: Baltimore Ravens

August 20th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Ely Allen

The 2022 season was an up-and-down experience for the Baltimore Ravens. Despite some double-digit leads disappearing early in the year, the team put forth a strong first half before injuries threatened to waste a 7-3 start. The Ravens made the playoffs but saw the continuation of a troubling trend of early postseason exits.

This offseason posed its own obstacles. With an offensive system to repair, two All-Pro talents threatening to become two of the biggest names on the free agent market, and a couple of position groups that desperately needed addressing, the Ravens had their work cut out for them this spring and summer. There was plenty to do to push this team into the AFC’s upper echelon, and they took some big swings in an attempt to get there.

Trades:

Traded SS Chuck Clark to Jets for a 2024 seventh-round pick

On its face, the loss of Clark seems significant. A former sixth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, Clark began his career with the Ravens as a strong special teams contributor, stuck behind Eric Weddle and Tony Jefferson on the depth chart. After earning a few more meaningful defensive snaps in his sophomore season, Clark finally secured an opportunity to be a regular starter in 2019. He opened the year coming off of the bench, but after a season-ending ACL tear to Jefferson, Clark took over the starting job next to new free safety Earl Thomas.

Clark became a staple in the Ravens’ defensive backfield from that day forward. He would go on to start every game but one for the remainder of his time in Baltimore, even earning the green helmet sticker that denotes the only defensive player allowed to have radio contact with the sideline, an honor usually reserved for leaders on the team. Clark was never the flashiest or most talented safety in the league, but he was a solid, dependable presence on a perennially fierce Ravens defense.

In April of last year, Clark saw the writing on the wall after the team signed former Saints free agent safety Marcus Williams and drafted Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall. Baltimore dedicated substantial capital to bring in Williams, and Hamilton’s high draft slot reflected the ambitions the Ravens had for his future use. With both onboard for the long term and Clark’s deal not reflecting the same commitment, Clark requested a trade. Despite the request, Clark refused to hold out, participating fully throughout the offseason and, ultimately, retaining his job.

So, is a future seventh-round pick adequate compensation for a starting veteran and leader? It does not seem like an outstanding return, but the Ravens weren’t in a prime position to leverage Clark. Although he continued his starting streak in 2022, it became very clear that the future of the safety position in Baltimore laid with Williams and Hamilton. Clark was a luxury the Ravens could no longer afford to hold on to, and they hoped to be able to get any return as opposed to potentially cutting the veteran at a loss. The team was reportedly “open to the idea” of extending Clark, as he was scheduled to enter a contract year in 2023, but instead, Clark found himself shipped out to New York for a one-year audition before free agency.

Unfortunately for Clark and the Jets, a torn ACL will force the veteran to experience the first extended absence of his career. He will miss the entire 2023 season, losing the chance to put forth a strong performance before free agency.

Free agency additions:

Odell Beckham Jr., WR: One year, $15MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Rock Ya-Sin, CB: One year, $4MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Nelson Agholor, WR: One year, $3.25MM ($3.25MM guaranteed)
Jadeveon Clowney, OLB: One year, $2.5MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
Ronald Darby, CB: One year, $1.7MM ($500K guaranteed)
Arthur Maulet, CB: One year, $1.08MM ($220K guaranteed)
Josh Johnson, QB: One year, $1.32MM ($153K guaranteed)
Melvin Gordon, RB: One year, $1.17
Angelo Blackson, DT: One year, $1.17MM
DeAndre Houston-Carson, S: One year, $1.17MM
Laquon Treadwell, WR: One year, $1.17MM
Tyler Ott, LS: One year, $1.08MM
Sam Mustipher, C: One year, $1.01MM

The Ravens focused mainly on two groups with their biggest free agent moves this offseason: wide receiver and cornerback. For the most part, at every other position, Baltimore either has starters returning or is replacing starters internally.

Baltimore has a strong history of signing veteran wide receivers who come in and make a lasting impact. Whether they were bona fide WR1s like Derrick Mason, Steve Smith, Anquan Boldin, or Mike Wallace, or key role players like Jacoby Jones, the Ravens have historically made up for poor wide receiver draft evaluations with excellent pro scouting. They’ll hope to buck one trend while continuing the other this year. The team will pair returning receivers Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay, as well as new first-round pick Zay Flowers, with Beckham and Agholor.

Beckham found himself choosing the Ravens over the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets this offseason. The 30-year-old was last seen winning a Super Bowl ring with the Rams. Unfortunately for Beckham, he did not get to finish Los Angeles’s Super Bowl victory, leaving the game in the second quarter with a torn ACL that would keep him recovering the entire offseason. It seemed likely that a few teams might take a swing at Beckham as a potential addition for a playoff run, but nothing developed from those conversations late last season. Instead, Beckham sat out the entire 2022 campaign as his free agency extended into 2023.

Agholor, also 30 years old, has shown he has the ability to produce almost 900 receiving yards, surpassing 735 three times in his career, and has reeled in eight touchdowns twice. The more common version of Agholor, though, has seen him struggle to surpass 400 yards and three touchdowns. In the right system, with the right quarterback, there is no reason to think Agholor can’t shine again.

Both Beckham and Agholor project with relatively low floors, due to injury history for Beckham and a history of inconsistent play from Agholor. If Baltimore can maximize the potential of both players, though, combined with the trio of Bateman, Duvernay, and Flowers, the team may be looking at its strongest receiving corps since Torrey Smith, Boldin, and Jones helped secure a Super Bowl berth. The good news for Baltimore is that, in the recent Jackson-led offenses, they have not needed high yardage totals out of the wideouts. When Jackson won MVP honors in 2019, his most productive wide receiver was Marquise Brown with 584 yards. Who knows how much that will change under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken, but we know that Jackson does not need highly productive receivers to win 14 games; he needs role players.

At cornerback, the Ravens needed to replace veteran Marcus Peters. They will turn instead to the former Colts and Raiders cornerback, Ya-Sin, to start across from their former All-Pro Marlon Humphrey. Ya-Sin does not quite have the turnover production that Peters had — no active cornerback does — but he’s younger and can still provide dependable coverage. Baltimore reached out to Darby late in the offseason, as well, after news broke that Humphrey would need to miss a little bit of time, and secured some starting depth. Darby is coming off a midseason ACL tear and has battled injuries for much of his career, having also sustained an ACL tear in 2018. But with 88 starts under his belt, the suddenly injury-plagued Ravens will look forward to that veteran presence.

The team has a lot of young options in the room like second-year corners Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams and fifth-round rookie Kyu Blu Kelly, and it will surely hope that one or some of them will eventually step into a bigger role. Until then, the Ravens needed the veteran starting experience of Ya-Sin. Maulet, like Darby, was also a late addition that provides some veteran experience. He has never been a full-time starter in his career, and he will not be expected to become one in Baltimore. But Maulet was a go-to nickel cornerback for the Steelers the past two years and can play a similar role for the Ravens.

Also on defense, the Ravens found their grizzled veteran outside linebacker to replace some of the snaps lost in the departures of Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul. Clowney should be expected to contribute a significant amount, but the staff seems insistent that his presence will not hold back the development they project this year for their young pass rushers Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo.

Now 30, Clowney has never landed a multiyear deal since his rookie contract expired. This marks the fourth straight offseason in which the former No. 1 overall pick signed a one-year contract. Clowney has still made just more than $80MM over the course of his career, and he has earned three Pro Bowl nods (all from his Texans days). Before a rocky 2022 season in Cleveland, Clowney flashed alongside Myles Garrett, recording nine sacks in 2021. The 10th-year player has never been an elite pure pass rusher but has been one of the NFL’s better run-defending edges. It will be interesting to see how Baltimore uses the hired-gun defender.

The Ravens also added Gordon to shore up its running backs group. Gordon will provide Baltimore with an experienced starter as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option in case J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards continue to struggle to stay on the field. Lastly, another late addition came at long snapper, Ott. A former Pro Bowler for the Seahawks, Ott was signed as an injury replacement for usual long snapper Nick Moore, who suffered a torn Achilles during his offseason training. Ott will now join All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker and second-year punter Jordan Stout in the 2023 special teams unit.

Re-signings:

Justice Hill, RB: Two years, $4.51MM ($1.25MM guaranteed)
Geno Stone, S: One year, $1.76MM ($750K guaranteed)
Nick Moore, LS: Two years, $2.5MM ($500K guaranteed)
Del’Shawn Phillips, LB: One year, $1.11MM ($100K guaranteed)
Tyler Huntley, QB: One year, $2.63MM
Brent Urban, DL: One year, $1.17MM
Daryl Worley, CB: One year, $1.17MM
Trayvon Mullen, CB: One year, $1.1MM
Kevon Seymour, CB: One year, $1.08MM
Kristian Welch, LB: One year, $1.01MM

Most of the Ravens’ re-signed players were depth pieces. Still, there are some important depth signings in this group.

After his rookie deal concluded, Hill returns to try and hold his place as RB3 and a core special-teamer. He will compete for a roster spot this year with Gordon, who brings much more starting experience to the table. They also brought back Huntley, who continued to fill in admirably for an injured Jackson last year. Unfortunately, Huntley does not have the greatest history of winning games, so the team brought in the experienced veteran, Johnson, to push the incumbent to earn QB2 role.

Stone, Worley, and Seymour are all valued depth pieces in the secondary who were called into starting action last season due to injuries. Phillips and Welch served as core special-teamers and are likely to continue in those roles in 2023.

Moore, as we mentioned above, is presumably out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. Mullen, after being released due to failing to disclose a non-football injury that led to his placement on the NFI list, is now also projected to sit out the entire season because of the toe surgery he was required to undergo.

Notable losses:

Calais Campbell, DL (released)
Kenyan Drake, RB
Kyle Fuller, CB
Justin Houston, OLB
Ja’Wuan James, T
Steven Means, OLB
Josh Oliver, TE
Marcus Peters, CB
Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB
Ben Powers, G
Demarcus Robinson, WR
Sammy Watkins, WR

Aging defensive veterans represented the most notable losses for Baltimore this offseason. Campbell, Houston, Peters and Pierre-Paul all brought strong contributions to the Ravens in 2022. Campbell was his normal, dominant self when healthy, but his recent injury struggles combined with the emergences of Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington allowed the Ravens to feel comfortable moving on from him in 2023.

Despite not operating as a starter, Houston led the team in sacks last season with 9.5. Pierre-Paul only amassed three sacks on the year, but he served as a full-time starter for Baltimore after only joining the team in Week 4 of the season. In addition to Clowney, the only other pass-rushing addition the team made in the offseason was fourth-round rookie Tavius Robinson. Baltimore is depending on a return to form for Tyus Bowser, who slowly came back from injury last year, and a couple of breakout seasons from Oweh and Ojabo.

On offense, the obvious biggest loss in starting guard Ben Powers, who signed a big deal to join the Broncos at the start of free agency. We recently detailed a breakdown of the position battle to replace him. It essentially boils down to utility lineman/sixth man Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, John Simpson, and tackle Daniel Faalele. That being said, John Harbaugh made sure to emphasize that rookie sixth-round pick Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is very much in the mix for the job, as well.

Robinson and Watkins’ departures mark the loss of two wideouts who had a strong rapport with Jackson. Over Jackson’s young career, both have provided sparks at times in the quarterback’s passing game with Robinson even leading the receiving corps in receptions and yards last season.

Draft:

1-22: Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)
3-86: Trenton Simpson, LB (Clemson)
4-124: Tavius Robinson, OLB (Mississippi)
5-157: Kyu Blu Kelly, CB (Stanford)
6-199: Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OL (Oregon)
7-229: Andrew Vorhees, G (USC)

The Ravens approached the draft with a mix of win-now and future-building mindsets, attempting to improve with immediate contributors while taking some high-potential developing chips, as well.

Flowers is expected to step into an immediate role. Baltimore may not need him to start, as they could sport a starting three of Beckham, Bateman, and Duvernay, but the early sense out of camp is that Flowers will be a difficult piece to keep off the field. His smaller stature screams “slot receiver” to many, but he was often compared to Steve Smith in ability. Like Smith, Flowers’ size should have very little effect on his on-field contributions. Crisp route-running and agility are expected from smaller-framed receivers, but Flowers has that and more as he seems determined to remind the league why his size did not prevent him from being a first-round selection.

The Ravens gave up a second-round pick in the midseason trade for Smith, but they used their third-round pick to select his potential future on-field partner in Simpson. The former five-star recruit showed dominance at times over an up-and-down career at Clemson, so the talent and athleticism are there if the coaches can pull it out of him.

Robinson, Kelly, and Aumavae-Laulu were not drafted to make an immediate impact, yet all three find themselves with early playing opportunities as rookies. Robinson has a chance to contribute after the losses of Houston and Pierre-Paul in free agency. Kelly can make a strong impression as the team works its young depth behind Humphrey, Ya-Sin, Darby, and Maulet at cornerback. And, as mentioned above, Aumavae-Laula is fully in the mix for the starting left guard job.

Vorhees is expected to use his rookie year as a redshirt season. The 2022 first-team All-American suffered a torn ACL while working out at the NFL Combine and is expected to miss most if not all of his rookie year. Still, it’s an extremely solid value pick that could provide the Ravens a high-quality guard for cheap as soon as 2024.

Extensions and restructures:

Extended QB Lamar Jackson on five-year, $260MM deal ($135MM guaranteed)
Agreed to extend LB Roquan Smith on five-year, $100MM deal ($45MM guaranteed)
RB Gus Edwards took $1MM pay cut for 2023
DT Michael Pierce agreed to $2MM pay cut to remain in Baltimore

The headlines here are obvious. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta set clear goals for the offseason, and boy, did he meet them, signing arguably the team’s best offensive and defensive players to landmark contracts.

Smith, the team’s new star inside linebacker, came in wearing a cape as a midseason trade acquisition last year and turned the entire defense into an elite unit. A defense that had routinely let its high-powered offense down by blowing large leads late in games during the opening weeks of the season became one of the league’s fiercest, most efficient defensive units. Smith’s presence and influence played a central role in that transformation. DeCosta wasted no time at the end of the season, not allowing Smith to sniff free agency, and signed the All-Pro linebacker to his long-term extension. The deal made Smith the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL in the process.

Jackson’s process was not nearly so simple. Some will blame Jackon’s lack of representation at the bargaining table. Some will blame hardball approaches from both parties of the negotiation. Despite the two sides seemingly having agreed to keep their discussions under lock and key, leaks started making their way out of the front office of offers that may never have actually emerged. Jackson began to parry with corrections from his point of view. The situation quickly deteriorated, and it became clear that a new deal was starting to look further and further out on the horizon.

Baltimore placed the necessary bandage by tagging their franchise quarterback but surprised many when opting to utilize the non-exclusive franchise tag. Some teams immediately declined to consider putting in an offer sheet, while a few quarterback-hungry teams seemed to consider Jackson. The teams that balked were hesitant as they seemed rather certain that Baltimore would match any offer sheet submitted for Jackson and that this was solely a tactic by the Ravens’ front office. Other NFL front offices decided not to do the Ravens’ bidding for them. It seemed the relationship was beyond repair to the point that Jackson requested a trade from the team.

In the end, cooler heads prevailed, and Jackson signed a five-year extension that would give him the league’s highest annual average value (until unseated for that title by Justin Herbert weeks later). Jackson returned to working with the team under a new offensive coordinator (as mentioned below), and DeCosta moved on to other concerns, namely Jackson’s backfield teammate, J.K. Dobbins, who will likely end up on next year’s Offseason in Review one way or another.

Other:

Parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman
Named Georgia’s Todd Monken as Roman’s OC replacement
Declined linebacker Patrick Queen‘s $12.72MM fifth-year option

Roman did some great things for Jackson and the Ravens’ offense during his tenure, designing an attack around the star quarterback that keyed that passer’s eventual MVP award. Despite the evidence of success, there were clearly holes in the team’s offensive philosophy that held them back from deep playoff runs. Throughout the 2022 season, much focus fell on Roman as the team struggled to find much if any success inside the redzone. Ultimately, the team and Roman agreed to part ways, ending his time as Baltimore’s play-caller.

Enter Monken. Coming off of back-to-back national championship victories, the ex-Georgia assistant arrives to add that missing spark to the Ravens offense. The recent success at the collegiate level may have been just what Monken needed in order to make his return to the NFL after inconsistent tenures with the Buccaneers and Browns. Monken has immediately employed Jackson with more agency in the decision-making process, granting him freedom to audible and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Monken even absorbed some suggestions Jackson made for plays into the team’s playbook.

Before Smith’s arrival in Baltimore last season, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Queen’s fifth-year option would be declined. Once Smith was in place, though, Queen looked like a completely different football player. With the weight of needing to lead the linebacking corps off his shoulders, Queen was freed up to play a style of football that Ravens fans had not seen from the former first-round pick in his first three years. Despite the marked Queen improvement, the Ravens shocked some by taking Simpson in the third round — a move that many saw as an attempt to find Queen’s eventual replacement.

Paying Smith, drafting Simpson, and declining Queen’s option all seem to point to an eventual Ravens-Queen separation in 2024. Both parties, however, have expressed desires to extend their partnership. Still, it is difficult to pay two linebackers big contracts, and Queen’s recent elevated play may make him too tempting of a trade piece to ignore.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Ronnie Stanley, LT: $23.67MM
Lamar Jackson, QB: $22.15MM
Marlon Humphrey, CB: $19.99MM
Mark Andrews, TE: $13.66MM
Roquan Smith, LB: $9MM
Marcus Williams, FS: $7.26MM
Tyus Bowser, OLB: $6.5MM
Patrick Mekari, OL: $6MM
Justin Tucker, K: $5.96MM
Morgan Moses, RT: $5.46MM

Praise has come DeCosta’s way this offseason. The team made adjustments in areas that were not working. The Ravens locked down some of their most valuable assets for the long term. In attempts to boost their weakest positions, they added productive veterans on both sides of the ball. And they signed what could end up being an impactful rookie class. With a new contract, new weapons, a new offensive philosophy and new agency, Jackson is equipped with many tools to succeed.

If the new-look Ravens offense can improve on what was already an incredibly potent attack, and their defense returns as elite as we last saw them when they limited the Bengals’ offense to 183 yards passing and 51 yards rushing in their wild-card loss, the sky is the limit for this Ravens edition. It is hard to say that they did enough to catch up to the reigning AFC North champs without seeing all these updates in action, but in theory, the Ravens put themselves in contention with a strong offseason. And, depending on what works this year, DeCosta’s eye for the future has potentially set this team up well for years to come.

Offseason In Review: New Orleans Saints

August 18th, 2023 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

After one of the most stable QB periods in NFL history, the Saints spent the past two seasons on a lower tier. While the Saints’ post-Drew Brees run of quarterbacks did not receive the attention the Broncos’ batch of failed Peyton Manning successor efforts did, New Orleans immediately regressed to a midlevel operation once Brees retired. The team’s 2023 offseason featured relevant non-QB moves, but the clear centerpiece transaction came just before the free agent market opened.

Free agency additions:

Derek Carr, QB: Four years, $150MM ($60MM guaranteed)
Nathan Shepherd, DT: Three years, $15.1MM ($10.18MM guaranteed)
Jamaal Williams, RB: Three years, $12MM ($8.15MM guaranteed)
Foster Moreau, TE: Three years, $12.23MM ($8MM guaranteed)
Khalen Saunders, DT: Three years, $12.3MM ($4.6MM guaranteed)
Jimmy Graham, TE: One year, $1.3MM ($153K guaranteed)
Trai Turner, G: One year, $1.32MM ($153K guaranteed)
Lonnie Johnson, DB: One year, $1.23MM
Max Garcia, G: One year, $1.17MM
Jesse James, TE: One year, $1.17MM
Johnathan Abram, S: One year, $1.16MM
Bryan Edwards, WR: One year, $1.1MM
Storm Norton, T: One year, $1.1MM
Kyle Phillips, DL: One year, $1.1MM
Jaylon Smith, LB: One year, $1.1MM
Darrel Williams, RB: One year, $1.1MM
Lynn Bowden, WR: One year, $870K
Tommy Kraemer, OL: One year, $870K

Jameis Winston‘s October 2021 ACL led to the Saints starting four quarterbacks (Winston, Trevor Siemian, Taysom Hill, Ian Book) during a 9-8 season. Andy Dalton then replaced Winston in October 2022. Not long after the Raiders publicly ended Carr’s nine-season starter run ahead of their Week 17 game — which led to the former second-round find leaving the team early, as Jarrett Stidham replaced him — the Saints put pieces in place for a big-ticket signing. As GM Mickey Loomis went through his usual round of winter restructures, the Saints became the only team to seriously negotiate a trade with the Raiders.

The Raiders gave Carr permission to speak with other teams, and an early-February trip to New Orleans ensued. But Carr ended up wielding the no-trade clause the Raiders gave him as part of their April 2022 extension. The veteran passer refused a trade, forcing the Raiders to release him before a $40MM guarantee vested Feb. 15. The Saints, who had agreed with the Raiders on trade compensation, then needed to compete with other teams on the open market. While Carr met with the Panthers and Jets at the Combine, both teams clearly slotted him as a Plan B.

The Panthers were negotiating with the Bears about a trade to acquire the No. 1 overall pick. The Jets made no secret of Carr being their Aaron Rodgers backup plan. Carr did visit the Jets, who had hired ex-Raiders OC Todd Downing as QBs coach. This meeting came before Rodgers determined he would play a 19th season and before he signed off on becoming a Jet. Without assurances, the Jets bowed out, leading to the Saints agreement. It later came out Carr felt “far more comfortable” with the Saints, who were not courting Rodgers, compared to the Jets. The Saints landed their top QB choice, paying up to do so.

Agreed to more than a week before the UFA market opened, Carr’s contract includes $60MM guaranteed. That is more money at signing compared to his final Raiders deal and more than double what Geno Smith received from the Seahawks. The recently cut QB’s decision to pass on a trade paid off. The four-year contract includes a practical guarantee of $70MM; a $10MM Carr 2025 injury guarantee will shift to a full guarantee in March 2024. The $70MM approaches the territory the Giants needed to go to for Daniel Jones ($81MM fully guaranteed). Carr’s remaining 2025 money ($30MM) will become guaranteed if he is on New Orleans’ roster in March 2025, setting this agreement up as a two-year audition. Due to a nonguaranteed $50MM base salary in 2026, Carr will almost definitely not play out this contract. But if the 32-year-old passer plays well, it is easy to see he and the Saints agreeing on another contract before that point.

This AAV does not match Carr’s 2022 Raiders re-up, but that deal giving the Silver and Black an early escape hatch did not provide much security. The Saints accord puts Carr back on track; he will have a chance to compete a division that looks much less imposing compared to what the Raiders are facing. Whereas the Raiders gave up on Carr, they will roll the dice with the injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo. In Carr, the Saints have a player who has only missed three career games (plus a 2016 wild-card tilt) due to injury. While paying Andy Dalton $3MM is more cost-effective than giving Carr $70MM guaranteed, the Saints felt they needed to take a swing after they saw their long-dependable QB situation deteriorate over the past two seasons.

Familiarity exists here. Dennis Allen was with the Raiders when they drafted Carr in 2014, though he was fired early that season. The Saints also brought in four-year Carr HC Jon Gruden as a consultant. The team also added ex-Raiders Moreau and Edwards. Finishing third in the 2016 MVP voting, Carr fell off that level in 2017. Thanks to the Raiders’ Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams bets busting (an understatement) and then Henry Ruggs being released after his DUI manslaughter charge, Carr did not have much help at receiver under Gruden. But he finished with a top-11 QBR in 2019 and ’20, before piloting the Raiders to the playoffs in 2021. Carr’s QBR checked in at 14th — seven spots ahead of Dalton — last season. Carr’s completion percentage (60.8) and yards per attempt (6.7) numbers cratered under Josh McDaniels, despite Davante Adams‘ arrival.

While it is debatable Garoppolo is an upgrade on Carr and worth wondering if the ex-Raider is worth this guarantee for the Saints, Las Vegas’ decision to cut the Carr cord will have longstanding ramifications for two franchises. As a result of the Carr contract, the Saints did not authorize any other splash deals this offseason. But the team did hand out a few lower-middle-class contracts of note.

Holding in-season workouts and trying a few players as Kamara insurance in 2022, the Saints operated with more intent at running back this spring. Expecting the long-rumored Kamara suspension to be handed down this year, New Orleans added Williams, who will take an AAV discount despite coming off his best season. The fiery back overtook D’Andre Swift as the Lions’ primary runner, blazing to an NFL-high 17 rushing TDs last season. Never gaining more than 601 rushing yards in a season previously, the ex-Packers draftee finished with 1,066 last year. After the Lions gave Williams a two-year, $12MM contract in 2021, he settled for a $4MM AAV this year. Citing disrespect in the Lions’ offer — one featuring similar terms to David Montgomery‘s three-year, $18MM deal — Williams joined the Saints. He is positioned to be the team’s September starter and should have a regular role once Kamara returns.

Losing David Onyemata early during the legal tampering period, the Saints completed an overhaul of their defensive tackle contingent. Before drafting Bryan Bresee in Round 1, New Orleans added Saunders and Shepherd on the same day in free agency. Onyemata signed a three-year, $35MM Falcons contract. With Carr on the books, the Saints passed on that D-tackle salary range by signing two players whose AAVs do not add up to Onyemata’s.

Bresee will be expected to move into New Orleans’ starting lineup soon — probably this season — but Saunders and Shepherd reside there now. Each former third-round pick worked most recently as a rotational D-tackle. Shepherd, 29, never cracked the Jets’ lineup on a full-time basis, but the Robert Saleh regime retained the Division II alum and used him on 400-plus defensive snaps in each of the past two seasons. Saunders, 27, has not started a game since 2020. He recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks with the Chiefs last season, finishing his rookie contract with backup roles on two Super Bowl-winning teams.

For name value, the Saints made some considerable strides at tight end. Jesse James is a veteran who, in addition to being associated with one of this era’s most controversial plays, has eight years’ experience. With Moreau, Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill in place, James is far from a lock to be on the team. Graham should have a better chance, though his summer arrival was certainly more surprising.

Graham spent last season out of football, having played out a two-year Bears contract. He sought a deal to return to the Saints. At 36, the one-time hoops-to-gridiron sensation is far past his prime. Graham appeared on a Hall of Fame trajectory the last time he donned a Saints uniform, but his Canton pace slowed with the Seahawks, Packers and Bears. Graham delivered dominant work during his four-year run as the Saints’ top tight end, catching 51 of his 85 career touchdown receptions. Even after the 2015 trade for a first-round pick and Max Unger, Graham excelled as a red zone threat. He totaled eight TD grabs in 2020. Graham’s guarantees present this contract as a last-chance flier, but this was easily one of the most surprising signings of the year.

Perhaps more surprising: Moreau going from a cancer diagnosis in March to a $12MM contract in May. Moreau’s Saints visit led to the Hodgkin’s lymphoma discovery, but the New Orleans native stayed in touch with the team as he received treatment. By July, Moreau was in full remission. He rejoins Carr to help a deep tight end corps. The Raiders attempted to re-sign Moreau, but they moved on (via Austin Hooper and second-rounder Michael Mayer) in the weeks after the LSU alum’s diagnosis. Darren Waller running into injury trouble over the past two years opened the door for Moreau, who tallied 793 receiving yards and five TDs in that span.

Trades:

Traded former HC Sean Payton‘s rights and a 2024 third-round pick to Broncos for 2023 first-rounder, 2024 second
Sent TE Adam Trautman and a 2023 seventh-rounder to Broncos for 2023 sixth

Rumors about Payton returning to his old job ended up quickly squashed, with the Saints committing to Dennis Allen for a second season. This set the one-year FOX analyst on a tour. As the highest-profile coach on this year’s carousel, Payton met with four of the five HC-seeking teams (all but the Colts). The 15-year Saints HC, who was connected to the Cowboys and Chargers jobs, considered staying at FOX and re-entering the market when better jobs were available. But he ended up preferring the Broncos among this year’s lot. The Cardinals were not Payton’s first choice, though Michael Bidwill belatedly called the Payton trade cost too steep. Denver’s deep-pocketed ownership group won over the former Super Bowl winner, setting up negotiations with the Saints on compensation.

In a complex April 2022 trade, the Saints dealt their 2023 first-rounder to the Eagles. This move gave New Orleans a second 2022 first-rounder, which it used to trade up for Chris Olave. As a result, the Saints entered the offseason without a 2023 first. Payton gave them a chance to recoup that asset, but his longtime coworker wanted more initially. Loomis asked for two first-rounders for Payton, whose Saints contract ran through 2024.

The two first-rounder ask reminded of the Buccaneers’ 2002 trade for Gruden, which required two firsts and two seconds. The Jets traded first-, second-, third- and fourth-rounders for Bill Parcells in 1997. Bill Belichick also cost the Patriots a first in 2000. Rather than complete a minor trade — like the Bucs’ 2019 swap for Bruce Arians‘ rights or the Chiefs’ 2006 Herm Edwards acquisition — the Saints and Broncos agreed on a deal in the Gruden-Parcells ballpark. The Saints collecting first- and second-round picks from the Broncos for Payton gave them a second chance in the ’23 first round; it also meant that pick ended up changing hands three times. The 49ers dealt it to the Dolphins in the Trey Lance swap, and Miami sent it to Denver for Bradley Chubb at last year’s trade deadline.

Re-signings:

Juwan Johnson, TE. Two years. $12MM ($8.51MM guaranteed)
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE: Two years, $5MM ($2.5MM guaranteed)
Keith Kirkwood, WR: One year, $1.1MM
Malcolm Roach, DT: One year, $1.1MM
Calvin Throckmorton, OL: One year, $940K

Rather than tender Johnson as an RFA, the Saints locked down the converted wide receiver on a nice compromise. Dalton’s non-Olave go-to last season, Johnson broke through for 508 receiving yards and seven TDs. This move gives Johnson, 27 next month, a nice upfront payment. The guarantee doubles the cost of a second-round RFA tender, and the through-2024 agreement offers the Saints an extra year of control. While the Saints were busy at tight end this offseason, Johnson should remain the group’s pass-catching centerpiece. The converted wideout building on his mini-breakout year will be a boon for Carr, as his nominal WR2 — Michael Thomas — is one of the NFL’s least reliable players.

Notable losses:

Marquez Callaway, WR
Andy Dalton, QB
Marcus Davenport, DE
Kaden Elliss, LB
Justin Evans, S
Chris Harris, CB
Deonte Harty, WR
Mark Ingram, RB (retired)
David Johnson, RB
Jarvis Landry, WR
David Onyemata, DT
Daniel Sorensen, S
Kentavius Street, DL
Shy Tuttle, DT
Nick Vannett, TE
Dwayne Washington, RB
P.J. Williams, DB

Quickly setting their sights on Carr, the Saints are not believed to have discussed a Dalton extension. The longtime Bengals starter-turned-nomad contributed his most relevant post-Cincinnati work in New Orleans, re-establishing himself as a starter. Dalton supplanting Winston and completing a career-high 66.7% of his passes — at 7.6 yards per attempt, the Red Rifle’s second-highest career number — produced a 7-10 record and did not lead to a starter market. Dalton, 35, still did well, securing the most guaranteed money ($8MM) of any backup this offseason. Dalton playing out his two-year Carolina contract as Bryce Young‘s mentor would bring him to 14 seasons.

Davenport closed a high-variance tenure with a half-sack season, managing just eight QB hits in 15 games. The inconsistent Cameron Jordan wingman registered nine sacks in 2021 and six in 2019. The Vikings are gambling on the potential of a player that once cost the Saints a future first-rounder to acquire.

Departing co-DC Ryan Nielsen took both Onyemata and Elliss with him to Atlanta. Due to void years present on Onyemata’s second Saints deal, the longtime D-tackle starter not signing a third contract led to a $10.2MM dead-money charge. A seven-year Saint, Onyemata started 68 games with the team and played an auxiliary role in New Orleans reviving its defensive operation in the late 2010s. Despite the Saints investing first-round picks in Davenport and Payton Turner, Onyemata (23 sacks as a Saint) was the most consistent Jordan complement in recent years.

Operating in Demario Davis-like fashion, Elliss managed an impressive seven sacks from an off-ball linebacker spot. He and Davis helped the Saints, despite Davenport’s no-show and Turner’s developmental struggles, finish with 48 sacks — fifth-most in the NFL. Elliss’ breakout contract year resulted in Pro Football Focus ranking him seventh among off-ball ‘backers.

Ingram had hoped to play a 13th season, but he ended up a FOX college analyst. Ingram’s second tour of duty with the Saints did not produce too much of consequence, and the team reloaded behind Kamara — to the point Kareem Hunt visited. A depth chart with Kamara, Williams, Kendre Miller and Hunt — once Kamara’s suspension ended — would have been a bit crowded.

Ingram’s first run in New Orleans brought a late-blooming rise into one of the best backs in team history, and after the 2021 trade from Houston, the former Heisman winner used the second stint to pass Deuce McAllister to move into the top spot on the franchise’s all-time rushing list (6,500 yards). Ingram and Kamara’s 2017 showing remains one of the best by a running back tandem in NFL history.

Extensions and restructures:

Gave DE Cameron Jordan fully guaranteed two-year, $27.5MM extension
Reworked deal with WR Michael Thomas, retaining him for one year and $10MM ($6.26MM guaranteed)
QB Jameis Winston agreed on pay cut, trimming 2023 compensation to $4MM
Extended LS Zach Wood at four years, $6.31MM ($2.3MM guaranteed)
G Andrus Peat accepted pay cut, creating $4MM in cap space
Created $6MM in cap space by restructuring S Marcus Maye‘s contract
Added nearly $13MM in cap space by restructuring QB/TE Taysom Hill, LB Demario Davis‘ deals
Restructured K Wil Lutz, C Erik McCoy, T Ryan Ramczyk‘s deals, creating $20MM-plus in cap room
Restructured DE Cameron Jordan, RB Alvin Kamara, CB Marshon Lattimore‘s contracts

An oft-restructured contract, Thomas’ five-year, $96.25MM did not pan out for the Saints. While the former second-rounder did set the NFL single-season reception record (149) in the season after signing the deal, the spate of injuries he encountered left it as an anchor on the perennially cap-strapped Saints’ payroll. A three-restructure offseason — even for the Saints, that is something — both created and then avoided a scenario in which a $31.8MM dead-money hit would have emerged had the sides not worked out another deal prior to March 17. But Thomas, 30, said he did not want to leave New Orleans, allowing for yet another comeback opportunity.

2020 became a well-known line of demarcation for Thomas’ career. Injuries have led to 39 missed games in the 2020s, with the 2021 season — when Thomas effectively went rogue with his rehab timetable — effectively ended the former All-Pro’s prime. After Thomas’ toe injury led to season-ending surgery last year, it appeared the Saints would walk away. Due to past restructures, however, Thomas has another chance in New Orleans.

Rashid Shaheed‘s status notwithstanding, Thomas looms as a surprisingly important component in the Saints’ first Carr-piloted offense. Rather than viewing Thomas as a wild card, the Saints need the former star to shake off his injury issues and recapture some semblance of his elite version — as a WR2 role alongside Olave awaits.

One of the NFL’s 21st-century reliability beacons, Jordan is now the Saints’ leader in official sacks (115.5). Trey Hendrickson‘s 2021 exit has hurt the Saints, stripping away Jordan’s best bookend (for one season, at least). But the 12-year veteran keeps chugging along. Post-Davenport and Onyemata, however, the Saints will need another big season from Jordan.

Although the 2011 first-rounder is now 34, having zero injury history (two missed NFL games) will work in his longevity favor as he is now locked in through his mid-30s. Like 2011 draft classmate Jason Kelce, Jordan has used his 30s to create a strong Hall of Fame case. Jordan has earned three original-ballot Pro Bowl nods over the past four seasons. With a host of non-Hall of Famers ahead of Jordan (23rd) on the official sack list — from Jared Allen (136) to John Abraham (133.5) to Dwight Freeney (125.5) — the Saints cornerstone should not be considered a lock yet. But he can use this fourth Saints contract to secure Canton entry.

Whereas Dalton used his surprise starter year — at just $3MM — to land atop this year’s QB2 market, Winston was forced to settle for midlevel backup dough. Winston scored a two-year, $28MM deal in 2022, doing so despite tearing his ACL midway through the 2021 season. Losing his job to Dalton due to injury last year, Winston will still head into his fourth Saints season. The Saints face a $10.7MM 2024 cap penalty if Winston walks next year, due to more void-year chicanery.

You’ll never believe this, but four void years are also present in Jordan’s through-2025 extension. The Buccaneers overshadowed the Saints, for a change, for negative cap space entering the offseason. But NFL’s cap-navigating kingpins were still $50MM over at one point this offseason, restoring some order. Loomis’ brand of payroll navigation is not for everyone, but no team’s restructure efforts are more interesting.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 29 (from 49ers through Dolphins and Broncos): Bryan Bresee, DT (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 40: Isaiah Foskey, DE (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 3, No. 71: Kendre Miller, RB (TCU) (signed)
Round 4, No. 103 (from Bears): Nick Saldiveri, G (Old Dominion) (signed)
Round 4, No. 127 (from Jaguars): Jake Haener, QB (Fresno State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 146: Jordan Howden, S (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 6, No. 195 (from Steelers through Broncos): A.T. Perry, WR (Wake Forest) (signed)

The Saints attempted to be the fourth team to trade this particular first-round pick, with USC wideout Jordan Addison believed to be on their radar. Taking a receiver early would have made sense for the Saints, given their non-Olave receiving situation. But they went with the one-time top recruit in the country. Bresee did not deliver on his 2020 prospect status, seeing a 2021 ACL tear sidetrack him. Bresee made it back from that injury by the start of last season and still profiles as a promising interior disruptor. Now that he is nearly two years removed from the tear, the Saints should see a better version of former five-star recruit.

Foskey illustrated the team’s interest in helping restock Jordan’s supporting cast, and he does bring rare college production to Louisiana. The ex-Brian Kelly recruit is coming off back-to-back 10-plus-sack seasons. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. still viewed Foskey as more of a third-round talent, slotting him 77th in this class.

The Saints possess an interesting armada of defensive end alongside Jordan. Foskey will team with Turner, Carl Granderson (5.5 sacks last year) and Kpassagnon. Much still could hinge on Turner, who plummeted to healthy-scratch status at points last year. But Bresee and Foskey represent important investments up front for a team reliant on a 34-year-old D-end and one that lost its other established vets.

Other:

RB Alvin Kamara handed three-game suspension in connection with 2022 arrest
Declined $14.18MM fifth-year option on G Cesar Ruiz
Co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen became Falcons’ DC; team parted ways with co-DC Kris Richard
Hired Joe Woods as defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham as D-line coach
Added former All-Pro G Jahri Evans to coaching staff

A six-game suspension was in play; this outcome appears lenient for the Saints. Their offseason suggests they joined Kamara in bracing for a six-game ban. Losing arguably the best running back in team history for a third of the season would have slowed the start of the Carr era. But Miller and the Williamses provide more protection than the Saints possessed last year.

The Darrel Williams add also brings insurance for Miller, who has missed most of the Saints’ 2023 work. Used sparingly in the passing game at TCU, Miller does not profile as a Kamara-type back. And the Saints may also be hesitant to deploy their third-round pick immediately. This points to plenty of Jamaal Williams in September. Miller recently reinjured the knee he hurt in the Fiesta Bowl, and while the Saints do not expect this injury to sideline him long, a sprain following a New Year’s Eve meniscus tear does not paint a picture of early-season reliability.

All offensive linemen are grouped together under the fifth-year option formula, leaving teams tougher choices with first-round guards and centers — especially now that options are fully guaranteed. This could benefit Ruiz, who is now positioned to cash in a year earlier. The Saints moved Ruiz, who finished his Michigan career at center, to guard immediately and have used him as a starter throughout his career. Ruiz (40 starts) will need to rebound from the Lisfranc injury that halted him in December, but the guard market has soared in recent years.

The Saints have continually made big investments up front, but with Andrus Peat suddenly not assured of keeping his starting left guard job, he should not be considered a lock to stay in 2024. That said, the prospect of a Ruiz contract effectively replacing Peat’s on the payroll is complicated by Carr’s deal. Then again, the Saints do not let such issues stand in the way of business. Another round of restructures opens the door to Ruiz joining Erik McCoy and Ryan Ramczyk as extended O-linemen.

Woods, 53, catching on so quickly was a bit surprising. Miscommunications plagued the Browns’ defense last season, and the team dropped from 11th to 23rd in defensive DVOA from 2021-22. Woods worked with Dennis Allen in Oakland, serving as the Raiders’ DBs coach in 2014. Like Carr, Woods did not spend much time with Allen that year, with the then-third-year HC being canned in September 2014. Woods’ Broncos defenses did not measure up to Wade Phillips‘ units, but they were perhaps better than most remember. DVOA slotted the Woods-led units 10th (2017) and fifth (2018), as QB play sunk each squad. Woods also rebuilt his stock as the 49ers’ defensive pass-game coordinator in 2019.

Still, it was interesting to see the Saints interview one candidate and fill the position. Woods, who is also reuniting with ex-Broncos first-rounder Bradley Roby, will have a chance to coach a veteran-laden defense. Jordan, Lattimore and Davis lead the way, though the team losing Nielsen just as it needs to develop Bresee and Foskey could be a blow. Nielsen had been the Saints’ D-line boss for six years.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Cameron Jordan, DE: $16.94MM
Michael Thomas, WR: $14.45MM
Marshon Lattimore, CB: $11.73MM
Ryan Ramczyk, RT: $11.11MM
Andrus Peat, G: $8.85MM
Alvin Kamara, RB: $8.16MM
Demario Davis, LB: $7.61MM
Derek Carr, QB: $7.2MM
Taysom Hill, TE/QB: $6.87MM
James Hurst, OL: $6.76MM

Carr leaves a division housing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert for one full of QB reboots. A declining Tom Brady barely kept the Buccaneers afloat last season, with Baker Mayfield likely to succeed the all-time great. The Falcons have shown tremendous confidence in Desmond Ridder, who submitted uneven four-start evidence of QB1 ability. While this year’s NFC South makeup does little to bury the Panthers’ hopes of riding Young to a surprise playoff spot, the Saints look to be the safest bet.

With the division in transition and Jordan and Davis in their mid-30s, this profiles as a critical season for the Saints to capitalize. Carr’s arrival likely will not generate Super Bowl buzz, but the Saints are in a better position than they were last year.

Offseason In Review: Chicago Bears

August 16th, 2023 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming into this offseason with the most cap space, the Bears used it in different ways. In addition to outbidding competitors for Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago filled other needs at guard and defensive end. GM Ryan Poles‘ second draft also is set to include multiple Week 1 starters, but this offseason — and more after that — will be defined by the trade the second-year GM made in March. This Bears regime made a bet on the previous staff’s quarterback investment and acquired a number of high-value assets to do so.

Trades:

Traded No. 1 overall pick to Panthers for WR D.J. Moore, 2023, 2024 first-round picks, 2023, ’25 second-rounders

The Bears trudged into the Poles era without a first-round pick, a familiar feeling for a team that entered the 2019 and ’20 drafts without Round 1 capital. This trade will give Chicago two 2024 first-rounders — the team last made multiple first-round choices in 2003 — while providing Justin Fields with his best pro receiver. Still, the Bears will bet on Fields plus assets over Bryce Young, a quarterback who came into this draft as a higher-regarded prospect than Fields was in 2021.

Teams have dealt the No. 1 overall pick earlier than the Bears. The Buccaneers moved what became the 1984 top pick — in a 1983 deal with the Bengals for QB Jack Thompson — before knowing where that selection would land. That separated what the Bears did this year. Two months after seeing a miraculous Texans win give them the No. 1 pick, the Bears dealt it to the Panthers before free agency. That marks new territory in the modern NFL. Since the draft moved to April in 1976, no team knowing it held the No. 1 pick had traded the choice before mid-April.

Poles preferred to have his cards arranged before the free agent market opened, and the March 10 swap led to the Panthers having more clarity before free agency than the Bears, who dropped down to No. 9 overall. Rather than spend more time scouting this year’s QB class, Poles made good on his January indication the team would need to be wowed by one of this year’s prospects to pass on a future with Fields.

Poles has been open about the Texans being included in a three-team deal that would have allowed the Bears to drop from No. 1 to No. 2 to No. 9. The Raiders and Cardinals were also connected to interest in the top pick, but the Texans and Panthers emerged as the only serious buyers. Once Houston showed trepidation, Carolina and Chicago cut out the middle man and made a direct swap. Poles brought up Brian Burns and Derrick Brown, but the Panthers preferred to hang onto their rookie-contract D-linemen. The Bears GM had spoken to Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson for advice on how to construct a high-profile trade involving picks and players, and the NFL GM moved to Moore, who became a mandatory piece once the Panthers took Burns and Brown off the table.

In exchange for allowing the Panthers to retain their No. 38 overall pick this year, the Bears pried two second-rounders — No. 61 this year and a 2025 choice — from the NFC South club. That should be a win for Chicago, which now has Moore signed through 2025. The Panthers gave Moore a three-year, $61.88MM extension hours before the receiver market ignited — via Davante Adams‘ $28MM-per-year Raiders deal — in March 2022, but after Matt Rhule‘s October 2022 firing, sharks circled. Carolina only moved Christian McCaffrey and Chosen Anderson before the trade deadline, rebuffing a big Rams Burns offer and holding onto Moore, Brown and other young pieces. Saving Moore for this Bears trade proved prudent, but it also stripped the Panthers of their longtime No. 1 wideout.

The Bears benefited from the 2022 contract timing, with Moore tied to $16.1MM cap numbers in 2024 and ’25, and the cap space they carried into the offseason. Rather than attempt to provide Fields weaponry in a modest free agent class, the Bears traded for Moore and Chase Claypool. The latter swap has not panned out, but Moore has a much better track record. The 2018 first-round pick posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons despite Carolina running into annual QB trouble once Cam Newton‘s injuries accelerated a steep decline. Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold represented the Panthers’ primary passers during that period (2019-21). As of now, it is not known if Moore will need to prepare for more of the same with Fields or if he will be an A.J. Brown-like piece that catalyzes a passer’s ascent.

While the Bears have been able to acquire receiving talent over the past decade, each WR1-caliber cog turned out to be a short-term fix. Brandon Marshall was with the team for three years, with one of them — 2012 — establishing a franchise single-season yardage record. Tandem partner Alshon Jeffery spent five years in the Windy City, thanks to a 2016 franchise tag. Allen Robinson carried otherwise-deficient Bears passing attacks from 2018-20, showing notable slippage while with Fields in ’21. Granted, Robinson’s 2022 Rams form pointed to a decline rather than Fields tanking his stock. In Moore, 26, the Bears will hope they have a long-term piece.

Chicago is banking on the quarterback at the helm of a 3-14 team to show significant improvement, and subsequent offseason moves equipped him with offensive line upgrades. For Fields’ historic rushing season (1,143 yards) last year — one that could have ended with the Ohio State alum eclipsing Lamar Jackson‘s QB record had the Bears not held him out in Week 18 — he has not shown too much as a passer. The Bears’ 22.2 pass attempts per game ranked last in the league in 2022, and Fields completed just 60.4% of his throws. The two-year Buckeyes starter also took a league-high 55 sacks.

This season will better determine if Fields was held back by a bottom-tier supporting cast or if the college star will bring genuine long-term concerns ahead of the Bears’ fifth-year option call. This trade certainly points to the Bears exercising Fields’ option, and potential Jalen Hurts-like strides would make 2024 extension territory for a Bears franchise that has struggled to develop homegrown QB talent for much of its existence.

Fields flopping would move Poles, Matt Eberflus and OC Luke Getsy onto shakier ground, and Young’s Carolina performance will obviously be tied to the Bears’ Fields path. For now, the Bears have a cost-controlled QB, more support around him and draft capital to accumulate more talent in 2024 and ’25.

Free agency additions:

Tremaine Edmunds, LB: Four years, $72MM ($41.8MM guaranteed)
Nate Davis, G: Three years, $30MM ($17.5MM guaranteed)
DeMarcus Walker, DL: Three years, $21MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
Yannick Ngakoue, DE: One year, $10.5MM ($9.9MM guaranteed)
T.J. Edwards, LB: Three years, $19.5MM ($7.9MM guaranteed)
Andrew Billings, DT: One year, $2.75MM ($2.31MM guaranteed)
P.J. Walker, QB: Two years, $4MM ($2MM guaranteed)
Travis Homer, RB: Two years, $4MM ($1.75MM guaranteed)
Robert Tonyan, TE: One year, $2.65MM ($1.25MM guaranteed)
D’Onta Foreman, RB: One year, $2MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Marcedes Lewis, TE: One year, $2MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Rasheem Green, DL: One year, $2.5MM ($850K guaranteed)
Dylan Cole, LB: One year, $1.23MM ($100K guaranteed)
Aviante Collins, OL: One year, $1MM

Eberflus was in Indianapolis when Shaquille Leonard signed a then-record off-ball linebacker contract. It cost nearly that much for the Bears to add Edmunds, who is now tied to an $18MM-per-year deal (fourth among ILBs) and $41.8MM fully guaranteed (third at the position). While Edmunds is going into his sixth season, he is somehow just 25. The Bears are entrusting Edmunds less than a year after trading away Roquan Smith, who sought a top-market contract (and eventually received it from the Ravens).

The Bears deemed Smith unworthy of this type of contract but authorized it for another 2018 first-rounder. Edmunds put together five seasons with at least 102 tackles, finishing that run despite missing four games last year. The Virginia Tech product’s four absences last season are not indicative of his durability; Edmunds missed just four games over his first four seasons. He earned Pro Bowl acclaim in 2020 and finished as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 overall linebacker last season, improving in coverage. He served as a key piece in the Bills’ climb.

Edmunds has not produced on the Leonard level, despite the Bears giving him $8MM more guaranteed, and he will be expected to be more consistent in Chicago. But the Bears not backloading the deal would allow them an easy 2025 escape from this big-ticket agreement.

The non-Edmunds market topped out at $10MM AAV (the Giants’ Bobby Okereke deal), while no other team ventured past $7MM per season for the other ILBs on the market. The Bears also struck early with Edwards, agreeing to terms with the multiyear Eagles contributor on a team-friendly accord that doubled as the legal tampering period’s first 2023 commitment. A northern Illinois native, Edwards rose from UDFA to three-down player in Philly. The 27-year-old defender finished with a monster contract year: 159 tackles (10 for loss), two sacks and seven passes defensed. The Eagles gave Edwards by far their most linebacker snaps last season (1,041).

It only took $6.5MM per year to land Edwards, and this contract effectively set the market for this crowded third tier of sorts at inside linebacker. But the two LB pledges on Day 1 of the tampering period illustrated the Bears’ interest in a position that, not unlike running back, has fallen far from its prestige peak. An Edmunds-Edwards duo will give Chicago a promising linebacker outlook, marking a major upgrade from the scraps assembled to staff last year defensive second level.

Early-April and early-June rumors depicted Bears interest in bolstering its pass-rushing corps, but going into camp, the team still lacked a proven edge threat. That changed when Ngakoue made the Bears his sixth NFL team, collecting more money than the other veteran edges who had lingered on the market into the summer. Surpassing the likes of Frank Clark, Justin Houston and ex-Bear Leonard Floyd in base value and guarantees, Ngakoue, 28, will be an upgrade for a Bears team that saw its pass rush predictably collapse after the trades of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. Poles landed second-, fourth- and sixth-rounders for that pair, but the Bears finished last in 2022 sacks (20). To help remedy the issue, the Bears signed the only player riding a seven-season streak of at least eight sacks.

While Houston loomed as a Bears backup plan, Ngakoue will anchor another pass rush. As the Colts crumbled, Ngakoue still totaled 9.5 sacks. With the Raiders in 2021, he racked up 10 to go with 23 QB hits. The Bears also added Walker and Green as supporting rushers, and while Walker offers outside- and inside-rushing ability, the team will count on Ngakoue to keep up his pace.

Walker, 28, is coming off a career-high seven sacks and 16 QB hits — the latter figure more than doubling his career best — with the Titans. This Bears deal marks a turning point for Walker, who washed out of Denver as a second-round pick and played for near-vet-minimum money in Houston and Tennessee. Green has totaled 10 sacks over the past two seasons, with his last year in a 4-3 scheme — with the Seahawks in 2021 — resulting in a career-high 15 QB hits. Pass rush will likely be a top 2024 need, but this group features better pieces compared to how Chicago’s post-Mack outfit looked at this time last year.

Not all of Fields’ 55 sacks taken were on the Bears’ O-line, but they made a clear effort to repair some of the damage. Davis came in first, securing eight-figure-per-year money after four seasons as a Titans starter. Davis was in place for each of Derrick Henry‘s rushing titles, and as the line dealt with steady tackle issues — from Taylor Lewan‘s knee trouble to its post-Jack Conklin RT staffing concerns — Davis was a constant during the team’s 2021 surge to the AFC’s top seed. PFF rated Davis as the No. 14 run-blocking guard from 2020-22, though ESPN’s pass block win rate charged him with an alarming eight sacks allowed last season.

The Bears pursued both Mike McGlinchey and Isaac Seumalo, whose Eagles tenure overlapped with assistant GM Ian Cunningham‘s. They decided on Davis at guard and let the Broncos win the McGlinchey sweepstakes, which required a top-six RT AAV ($17.5MM) and a practical guarantee north of $50MM. More changes are coming up front for Chicago, which is moving converted tackle Teven Jenkins once again — from right guard to left guard, to accommodate Davis — and shifting Cody Whitehair back to center. The Bears’ longest-tenured offensive starter, Whitehair had moved to guard in 2019 to accommodate James Daniels. But the 31-year-old blocker spent his first three NFL seasons at center.

Davis’ presence helped Foreman effectively replace Henry, a low-cost Titans effort that provided some groundwork for a vicious running back offseason. Despite replacing both Henry and McCaffrey effectively over the past two years, Foreman, 27, could only score a $2MM deal. The bruising ex-third-rounder finished with a career-best 914 rushing yards (4.5 per tote) in 2022, getting there despite playing a minimal role before the CMC trade. Though, Foreman contributed next to nothing in the passing game with the Titans or Panthers.

Holding a three-man competition between Foreman, Khalil Herbert and fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson, the Bears will likely form a timeshare. Albeit in an injury-limited season, Herbert averaged 5.7 yards per carry and offers a speedier option compared to Foreman. While the Bears have not used Herbert in the passing game much either, he looks to be the early clubhouse leader.

Getsy reunited with both Tonyan and Lewis, giving the Bears one of the league’s deepest tight end contingents. Joining starter Cole Kmet, the ex-Packers offer differing skillsets. Lewis, 39, has been one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends for some time. He will be blazing a new trail for tight ends, being set to become the first 18th-year player at the position. The longtime Jaguar-turned-Matt LaFleur-era Packer only missed one game while with Green Bay; he will be in position to boost Chicago’s ground game.

Tonyan, 29, recovered from the ACL tear that derailed his 2021 contract year, but he did not show the form he flashed in 2020. Failing to match his lofty (and unsustainable) 11 touchdowns from the ’20 slate, Tonyan did play in all 17 Packers games last season. Now two years removed from the knee injury, Tonyan should be in better form with the Bears.

Re-signings:

Khari Blasingame, FB: Two years, $3.6MM ($1.95MM guaranteed)
Patrick Scales, LB: One year, $1.32MM ($1.1MM guaranteed)
Nathan Peterman, QB: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)
Dante Pettis, WR: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)

Notable losses:

Matthew Adams, LB
Angelo Blackson, DT
Breon Borders, CB
Tim Boyle, QB
Dane Cruikshank, DB
Dakota Dozier, G
Darrynton Evans, RB
Ryan Griffin, TE
N’Keal Harry, WR
DeAndre Houston-Carson, DB
Elijah Lee, LB
David Montgomery, RB
Nicholas Morrow, LB
Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL (released)
Sam Mustipher, OL
Mike Pennel, DT
Byron Pringle, WR
Riley Reiff, T
Michael Schofield, OL
Trevor Siemian, QB (released)
Joe Thomas, LB
Armon Watts, DL
Trevon Wesco, TE

In a merry-go-round among NFC running backs, the Bears tried to prevent Montgomery from landing elsewhere. As free agency’s first week progressed, the RB market stood frozen — a harbinger of what loomed at the position — before Montgomery helped break the ice. Although Poles said the Bears made an offer to retain Montgomery, he ended up with the Lions on a three-year, $18MM pact. This led Jamaal Williams to the Saints (three years, $12MM). The Lions had attempted to re-sign last year’s rushing TDs leader as well. As the Panthers gave Miles Sanders the largest guarantee in this year’s RB class, Foreman became available as a Montgomery consolation prize.

The Bears’ offer did not include any post-2023 guarantees, while Montgomery’s Lions deal contained $3MM guaranteed next year. Montgomery offered workmanlike production during his Bears rookie contract, surpassing 800 rushing yards each season and eclipsing 400 through the air in 2020. Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric placed Foreman (122) well ahead of Montgomery (minus-53) last season. Considering the Foreman signing cost the Bears a fraction of what it took for the Lions to add Montgomery, Poles’ club may have been right to stand down.

Rejoining ex-Panthers teammates Foreman and Moore, Walker started seven games with Carolina, which went 4-3 in those contests from 2020-22. Perhaps Moore’s most memorable play — the would-be game-winning 62-yard touchdown in Atlanta, were it not for a bizarre Moore personal foul — came on a Walker heave, and the ex-Rhule charge held off Baker Mayfield once the latter recovered from his high ankle sprain last season. Walker, 28, has yet to complete 60% of his passes in an NFL season.

Extensions and restructures:

Handed TE Cole Kmet four-year, $50MM extension ($22.89MM guaranteed)

Kmet agreed to a fairly team-friendly extension, one that places him in a tie for ninth in tight end AAV. Kmet’s pact matches Hunter Henry‘s average salary — on a contract agreed to in March 2021 — so the Bears locking down their starter through 2027 at this rate could certainly age well. Kmet is an Illinois native coming off back-to-back seasons with 500-plus receiving yards. As Fields attempts to grow into a franchise QB, the Bears will bet on Kmet helping to take him there.

Chosen with Chicago’s first pick in 2020, Kmet took a step forward in 2021 by amassing a career-high 612 receiving yards. After the 6-foot-6 Notre Dame alum totaled no touchdowns that year, he caught seven for an anemic Bears passing attack last season. Kmet, 24, has never missed a game since being taken 43rd overall. While Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are going into contract years, the Bears have Moore and Kmet signed long term. It will be interesting to see if Chicago chooses to extend one of its auxiliary wideouts or looks to the draft to restock.

At tight end, Kmet committing long term stands to bring a new chapter for a Bears team that has needed to make a few outside hires (Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, Martellus Bennett) at the position in recent years.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, T (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)

Viewed as a possible floor for Jalen Carter, the Bears indeed hosted the controversial Georgia defensive tackle on a visit. Carter had met with every team picking from Nos. 5-10, but Chicago joined Seattle, Las Vegas and Atlanta in passing on the high-risk/high-reward prospect. The Bears picked up a fourth-round pick to pass on Carter, sending him to the Eagles. They then circled back to their right tackle pursuit, and Wright is weeks away from taking over as a starter.

Wright spent more time on the right side than left while at Tennessee, but be brings considerable experience at both spots. A first-team All-SEC blocker last year, Wright started 40 games in college — 27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle — and the Bears saw enough to pass on hometown product Peter Skoronski. Whereas the Titans have made the expected choice to relocate Skoronski to guard, Wright — the Volunteers’ right tackle in 2020 and ’22 — will play alongside Davis and work opposite 2022 rookie success story Braxton Jones.

This represents the Bears’ first Round 1 investment in the O-line since they took Kyle Long in 2013. With both Jones and Wright being Poles investments, the Bears have the makings of a long-term tackle duo. This comes after the team has scrambled here for the past two seasons, since severing ties with its long-running Charles Leno–Bobby Massie pair. The Bears used Jason Peters as an emergency left tackle stopgap in 2021 and tried Jenkins at both tackle posts, before determining he worked better as a guard. Riley Reiff ended up Chicago’s right-sider to close last season, replacing Larry Borom, who is now in place as the swingman.

Stevenson is ticketed to start as a rookie, which will give the Bears a cornerback trio featuring three second-rounders — Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Johnson arrived during Ryan Pace‘s GM tenure and looms as an extension candidate, but the Poles staff’s cornerback scouting abilities will be judged this year through Gordon and Stevenson’s play. Stevenson is set to relocate Gordon to a slot role. A Georgia transfer, Stevenson played primarily on the outside during his final two college seasons. If the Bears extend Johnson, they could have the opportunity for rare continuity at this position — due to Stevenson and Gordon being tied to rookie deals for years.

As of now, Billings and Justin Jones are ahead of the two Day 3 defensive tackles. Neither Pickens nor Dexter were productive pass rushers in college, but the Colts’ D-tackle setup reveals the position’s importance in Eberflus’ scheme. The Colts traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner in 2020 and gave Grover Stewart a $10MM-per-year extension later that year. If nothing else, Dexter and Pickens create 2023 depth at the position. With both projected starters on expiring contracts, the Day 2 draftees should be expected to challenge for starting jobs in 2024.

Other:

Assistant GM Ian Cunningham interviewed for Cardinals, Titans’ GM jobs
Hired Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as team president
Added Jon Hoke as defensive pass-game coordinator
Claimed DT Bravvion Roy, LB Mykal Walker off waivers from Panthers, Falcons
Signed 14 undrafted free agents

One of four Eagles execs to become an assistant GM elsewhere in 2022, Cunningham found himself in demand this year. Both the Cardinals and Titans interviewed Poles’ chief second. The Titans brought him in for two interviews, while a report indicated the Cards offered Cunningham their GM job (one that ultimately went to Monti Ossenfort). Rather than leave for the desert, Cunningham will stay on this Bears rebuild. It should be expected more teams show interest down the road.

Warren, 59, will fill the role Ted Phillips held for more than 20 years. While Warren is now best known for a tenure as the Big Ten commissioner, he has tours of duty with the Rams, Lions and Vikings. Most notably, Warren spent 15 years in Minnesota. The Bears previously had their GMs report to Phillips, and they are not deviating. Although Warren will run the business side, Poles will report to him. Warren should be expected to have a say in how the Bears proceed with Poles and Eberflus, being positioned as the exec who would play the lead role in shaping the team’s next HC-GM combo.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

D.J. Moore, WR: $20.17MM
Eddie Jackson, S: $17.1MM
Tremaine Edmunds, LB: $14.69MM
Cody Whitehair, OL: $14.1MM
Yannick Ngakoue, DE: $10.44MM
Justin Jones, DT: $7.4MM
Cole Kmet, TE: $7.36MM
Nate Davis, G: $6.93MM
DeMarcus Walker, DL: $6.42MM
Lucas Patrick, OL: $5.38MM

Aaron Rodgers‘ NFC North exit creates more uncertainty in a division he largely controlled during his 15-year starter run. In addition to the Packers’ Jordan Love transition, the Vikings overhauling their defensive staff — after a season in which they finished 13-4 with a negative point differential — puts the Lions in a rare spot as a trendy favorite. Detroit has never won the NFC North, with its last division crown coming when they won the NFC Central in 1993. Las Vegas gives the Bears the longest odds to win this division, but even after their worst regular season since since 1969, they are not viewed as a hopeless underdog.

In what could be a wide-open division in a conference short on muscle, eyes will be on the QB bet Poles made. While recent draftees should generate attention as this Bears regime determines potential pillars, Fields’ progress will obviously shape Chicago’s season. How Fields and Young’s trajectories look coming out of this season will illuminate the second QB fork-in-the-road moment the Bears have faced over the past decade. Young will become one of the biggest what-ifs in Bears history, but if Fields makes a noticeable leap as a passer this season, the Panthers QB’s status probably will not haunt the NFC North franchise in the way Patrick Mahomes has.

Offseason In Review: Arizona Cardinals

August 11th, 2023 at 9:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Kyler Murray homework clause showed signs the team’s recommitment to its previous nucleus may not work out, but it was difficult to predict just how far the Cardinals would fall. Murray struggled through his worst season, one that ended with an ACL tear, and the Cardinals bailed on the Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim extensions less than a year after authorizing them. While the Titans joined the Cards in ditching a GM they had extended earlier in 2022, Arizona pulled the plug on its head coach as well. As a result, this franchise appears to be transitioning into a clear rebuild.

Coaching/Front Office:

Fired Kliff Kingsbury as HC, Steve Keim as GM
Named Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon head coach, hired Titans exec Monti Ossenfort as GM
Cardinals, Eagles exchanged draft picks due to tampering penalty for improper pursuit of Gannon
Hired Eagles LBs coach Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator, Browns QBs coach Drew Petzing as OC
Parted ways with DC Vance Joseph; defensive line coach Matt Burke became Texans’ DC
Named Lions director of college scouting Dave Sears as assistant GM
Added Colts’ Klayton Adams as offensive line coach, Browns’ Israel Woolfork as QBs coach
Interim GM Adrian Wilson left to become Panthers’ VP of player personnel
Former exec Terry McDonough files complaint against owner Michael Bidwill

Keim’s tenure produced high points, one of them including the only 13-win season in Cardinals history (2015). The team could not follow up that Carson Palmer-led effort, and the QB’s retirement preceded a 3-13 campaign. Bidwill still gave Keim the opportunity to hire a third head coach (Kingsbury). Draft misses plagued Keim in Arizona, but despite those and the extreme DUI arrest in 2018, the GM lasted 10 years and secured an extension following the Cards’ 2021 playoff berth. The organization is still on the hook for Keim money through 2027, with the longtime exec out of football, but it altered its blueprint by making an outside hire to replace him.

The Cardinals promoted Keim from within in 2013 and elevated his predecessor, Rod Graves, from in-house in 2003. Coming into this offseason, Bob Ferguson (hired in 1996) represented the franchise’s last outside addition for the GM role. With the Cardinals being unable to sustain success under Graves or Keim, the objective became an outside hire. Ossenfort beat out Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham for the position, but a report also indicated Cunningham turned down the job. Regardless of how Ossenfort reached this post, it will be on him to attempt to revive the Cardinals.

The latest ex-Bill Belichick staffer given a chance to lead a team, Ossenfort indeed spent the bulk of his professional career in New England. The Minnesota native worked his way up from the personnel assistant level to the Patriots’ director of college scouting by the time his 17-year Foxborough run ended in 2019. The Titans hired Ossenfort as their player personnel director, under fellow ex-Pats staffer Jon Robinson. Ossenfort, 45, interviewed for five GM jobs from 2020-23, receiving interest as the Titans continued to voyage to the playoffs while lacking a top-tier quarterback. After spending his career helping the Patriots extend their dynasty and keeping the Titans on the contender tier, Ossenfort has taken over a fixer-upper in Arizona.

Bidwill and Keim’s Kingsbury hire drew criticism in the moment, with the team firing a Black coach (Steve Wilks) to hire someone recently fired from a college HC job. Kingsbury drove the bus for Murray (over Nick Bosa), even with the Cardinals choosing Josh Rosen 10th overall in 2018. Murray turned out to be a good investment at the time, zooming to two Pro Bowls and giving the Cardinals their most exciting homegrown QB in team history. Kingsbury had the Cards at 10-2 in 2021, winning multiple games with Colt McCoy at the helm that year, but the team’s second-half downturn and wild-card blowout loss proved indicative of its direction. While Kingsbury expressed shock upon being fired months after signing a through-2027 extension, rumors about his shaky job security — amid reported clashes with Murray — lingered for months. Kingsbury, 44, is now back at USC.

Ossenfort conducted a lengthy search to replace Kingsbury. The process involved Sean Payton, but the Super Bowl-winning HC chose the Broncos. After Payton’s Denver pledge, Dan Quinn removing himself from HC searches and DeMeco Ryans canceling his Cardinals interview, Brian Flores — an Ossenfort Patriots coworker for over a decade — pulled out of the process. In late January, the Cardinals added more names to their search. Lou Anarumo, Brian Callahan and Mike Kafka interviewed, but the Cards waited even longer to speak officially with their preferred candidate.

Gannon’s Arizona path caused some issues for the Cardinals and Eagles. The two-year Philadelphia DC spoke with Ossenfort following the NFC championship game, which violated the NFL’s tampering rules. Bidwill then announced he wanted to postpone a hire until after Super Bowl LVII, suggesting one of the Eagles’ coordinators was on his radar. The Gannon interview did not officially take place until after the game, but a report during the Eagles’ 38-35 loss indicated Gannon was all but certain to land the job. The tampering violation led to the Cardinals’ third-round pick dropping 28 slots in the draft, but Gannon — hired nearly six weeks after the regular season’s conclusion — became the choice.

Reminding of Matt Patricia‘s final act in his first Patriots stint, Gannon’s defense was ineffective in the Super Bowl. Two Chiefs goal-line plays befuddled the Eagles, with no one within several feet of Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore on walk-in touchdowns that helped Kansas City prevail in a shootout. The Cards’ improper Gannon pursuit also affected Vic Fangio‘s Philly status.

But the Eagles did make considerable strides under Gannon, who coached enjoyed top-flight personnel last season. DVOA viewed Gannon’s first Eagles offering as a step down, with the unit going from 15th in 2020 to 25th in 2021. Last season, which featured the Eagles fall two sacks shy (70) of the 1984 Bears’ single-season record, brought a sixth-place ranking. As Shane Steichen parlayed Jalen Hurts‘ improvement into the Colts’ HC job, Gannon — who also interviewed for the Texans’ job — rode Philly’s defensive improvement into the Cardinals’ top sideline job.

Separating with Joseph, the Cardinals hired the league’s youngest defensive coordinator to replace him. Rallis turned 30 this offseason. While Gannon, 40, has a defensive background, he is giving Rallis the play-calling reins. Rallis spent two seasons with the Eagles, moving from the quality control level (on Mike Zimmer‘s Vikings staffs). The Joseph-to-Rallis play-calling transition will mark a steep experience downgrade. Although the Cardinals’ defense regressed last season, Joseph turned in two top-10 DVOA showings (2020 and ’21) during his tenure.

Gannon, who coached Vikings DBs for four years under Zimmer, did not overlap with Rallis in Minneapolis. But he did with Petzing, who spent six seasons on Zimmer’s staff. The Kingsbury-to-Petzing transition will be more important, with the ex-Browns assistant now the top offensive coach on the Cardinals’ staff. Petzing, 36, coached tight ends in Cleveland during Kevin Stefanski‘s first two seasons and shifted to the more appealing (for coordinator searches) QBs position last year. Jacoby Brissett‘s bounce-back effort undoubtedly helped Petzing, who withstood Deshaun Watson‘s shaky debut to land this job. Gannon will also entrust Woolfork, who spent the past two seasons on coaching fellowships in Cleveland, to be Murray’s position coach. The Cardinals will be light on staff experience this season.

Free agency additions:

Kyzir White, LB: Two years, $10MM ($6MM guaranteed)
Hjalte Froholdt, OL: Two years, $4.6MM ($2.11MM guaranteed)
Zach Pascal, WR: Two years, $4.5MM ($1.5MM guaranteed)
Elijah Wilkinson, OL: One year, $1.23MM ($1.1MM guaranteed)
Dennis Daley, OL: Two years, $3.2MM ($750K guaranteed)
Geoff Swaim, TE: One year, $1.7MM ($450K guaranteed)
Kris Boyd, CB: One year, $1.23MM ($428K guaranteed)
Carlos Watkins, DL: One year, $1.67MM ($250K guaranteed)
L.J. Collier, DE: One year, $1.23MM ($76K guaranteed)
Kevin Strong, DL: One year, $1.17MM ($76K guaranteed)
Rashad Fenton, CB: One year, $1.23MM ($76K guaranteed)
Pat Elflein, OL: One year, $1.15MM ($25K guaranteed)
Krys Barnes, LB: One year, $1.04MM ($25K guaranteed)
Corey Clement, RB: One year, $1.1MM
Jeff Driskel, QB: One year, $1.1MM
Matt Haack, P: One year, $1.1MM
Marlon Mack, RB: One year, $1.1MM

For the time being, the Cardinals have both Froholdt and Wilkinson in place as starters. A Week 1 starting assignment would be new territory for Froholdt, who boasts connections to Ossenfort (as a 2019 Patriots draftee) and Petzing (as a two-year Browns blocker). Froholdt made six starts with Cleveland last season. Wilkinson (36 career starts) has tackle and guard starter experience. The Broncos turned to Wilkinson after Ja’Wuan James‘ Week 1 injury in 2019; the former made 12 right tackle starts that year. Wilkinson also opened last season as the Falcons’ left guard, but a knee injury limited him to nine games. The Cardinals have Wilkinson stationed as their left guard starter.

The Panthers released Elflein two seasons into a three-year contract. Elflein, 29, started at center and guard in Carolina. A hip injury ended his 2022 season after six games. The Panthers did not have a first-unit opening for the ex-Vikings draftee this year, but the Cardinals could probably use his services. And Petzing and Gannon were in Minnesota when he was drafted. Even if Elflein (64 starts) usurps Wilkinson or Froholdt, the Cardinals will be rolling with low-cost veterans at three of their five starting O-line posts.

Gannon and Rallis brought White over from Philly, and his contract is in line with how the non-Tremaine Edmunds–Bobby Okereke linebacker market played out. After signing a one-year, $3MM Eagles deal, the converted safety operated as a full-time linebacker for the Eagles’ NFC champion outfit. Teaming with T.J. Edwards, White totaled 110 tackles and seven passes defensed. The Eagles used the ex-Chargers draftee on 75% of their defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus slotted White, 27, as a top-35 off-ball linebacker in 2021 and ’22.

Considering Isaiah Simmons is now a full-time DB and Zaven Collins has shifted to the edge, White figures to see even more playing time in Arizona. He and Barnes, a 23-game Packers starter from 2020-21, emerged as the first-string ILBs on Gannon’s first Cardinals defense. The Cardinals do not have much in the way of draft picks or dollars invested at the off-ball linebacker spots, making White the clear centerpiece. Barnes, 25, sustained an ankle injury in Week 1 of last season. That halted his run as a Packers starter, but it looks like the Cardinals are readying to give the former UDFA another first-string run.

Pascal, 28, was with Gannon in Philly and Indianapolis. While the frequent T.Y. Hilton sub could not beat out Quez Watkins for a regular Eagles role, he does have two 600-yard receiving seasons on his resume. The Cards are planning to use more two-tight end sets to capitalize on their Zach Ertz–Trey McBride duo, but beyond Marquise Brown, this is a thin receiving depth chart. Pascal should have a better chance to carve out a steady role than he did on an Eagles team rostering A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Re-signings:

Will Hernandez, G: Two years, $9MM ($4.5MM guaranteed)
Matt Prater, K: Two years, $7.5MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Kelvin Beachum, T: Two years, $5.1MM ($3.26MM guaranteed)
Antonio Hamilton, CB: One year, $1.5MM ($1.5MM guaranteed)
Zeke Turner, LB: One year, $2MM ($653K guaranteed)
Aaron Brewer, LS: One year, $1.17MM

Stationed at right guard, Hernandez has a clear role on the latest Cardinals O-line; Beachum does not. As Rodney Hudson, D.J. Humphries and Justin Pugh went down with major injuries last year, Beachum started all 17 games. The Ossenfort-Gannon regime brought Beachum back, but he is currently slotted as a swing tackle. Beachum’s contract does align with that role, and mentoring first-rounder Paris Johnson Jr. while representing veteran depth may suit the 34-year-old blocker well at this point in his career. That said, if a team like the Jets or Patriots called the Cardinals about the recently re-signed tackle, he would likely be available given the NFC West team’s present state. Beachum has started 147 games over the course of his 11-year career.

No market formed for Hernandez last year, but the former Giants second-rounder did a bit better in March. While the ex-New York starter did not fetch a big-ticket deal, he collected more guaranteed money compared to his first Cardinals contract. On a line that may feature two journeyman starters and a rookie, Hernandez (69 starts) stands to provide value. Although he joined Humphries, Pugh and Hudson in missing time last year, the UTEP alum returned from IR to finish a 13-start season. PFF rated Hernandez 30th among guards in 2022.

Marco Wilson is the only lock to start at corner; Rallis has labeled the competition for the other two jobs as wide open. Arizona’s first depth chart places Hamilton ahead of Boyd and Fenton. With Simmons’ move to DB set to make three-safety looks common, the non-Wilson CB contingent may be vying for one job. Hamilton suffered serious burns from a late-summer kitchen accident but re-emerged as a Cards cornerback regular. Hamilton logged a 61% snap share, which was easily the career backup’s highest usage rate as a pro. PFF slotted Hamilton as a top-40 player at the position as well, but a number of younger options will push the 30-year-old defender this year.

This will be Prater’s 17th season. The long-range specialist made 88% of his field goal tries last year — his best accuracy rate since 2015. Prater is 12-for-16 from 50-plus yards, a ledger that includes a 62-yard make, in two Cardinals campaigns. At 39, he is the league’s oldest active kicker.

Notable losses:

Zach Allen, DL
Chosen Anderson, WR (released)
Chris Banjo, S
Pharoh Cooper, WR
Rashaad Coward, OL
Michael Dogbe, DL
Cody Ford, G
Elliott Fry, K (released)
Max Garcia, G
Markus Golden, OLB (released)
A.J. Green, WR (retired)
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB
Trysten Hill, DT
DeAndre Hopkins, WR (released)
Rodney Hudson, C (released)
Andy Lee, P
Trace McSorley, QB
Byron Murphy, CB
Ben Niemann, LB
Justin Pugh, G
Billy Price, C
Nick Vigil, LB
Charles Washington, DB
J.J. Watt, DL (retired)
Antoine Wesley, WR
Darrel Williams, RB
Maxx Williams, TE

The Cardinals already slipped from sixth in defensive DVOA in 2021 to 24th last year. Their defensive personnel then took a number of hits in the spring. Watt, Allen, Murphy and Golden are gone, and splashy moves did not deliver replacements. The Cardinals’ defensive teardown does little to hide this regime’s intentions for 2023.

Aaron Donald has delivered a better career than the contemporary he is most often compared to, but it is tough to argue against Watt’s peak. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year became one of the NFL’s biggest stars despite playing for perhaps the league’s lowest-profile franchise. Since sack counting became official in 1982, Watt is the only player with two 20-plus-sack seasons (2012, 2014). The 21st century’s top three tackle for loss seasons all belong to Watt, whose 39 TFLs in 2012 are 11 better than any non-Watt performance since 2000. While Watt’s body frequently betrayed him, he delivered one of the greatest stretches by any player in NFL history. Barring a comeback, the new CBS analyst will join Tom Brady in Canton (assuming no second Brady unretirement commences) in 2028.

The Cardinals received quality Watt work on his two-year, $28MM deal. After the legendary D-line presence missed half the 2021 season due to injury, he resurfaced with a 12.5-sack finale that included 25 QB hits and seven passes defensed. It would have been interesting to see Watt wind up with a Super Bowl contender, but an October heart scare keyed a retirement after 12 seasons.

Watt served as a mentor for Allen, who led all D-linemen with eight passes defensed last season. The late-blooming third-round pick finished with 20 QB hits. Allen followed Vance Joseph to Denver. Watt and Allen’s exits leave the Cardinals short on answers for QB pressure.

Relying heavily on Murphy in the two seasons since Patrick Peterson left, the Cardinals did not do much to replace their top corner. Murphy, who followed Peterson’s path to Minnesota, offered Arizona a quality option inside and outside. The Cardinals put a lot on the four-year veteran’s plate. Will Wilson be up to the task as the new de facto Cards CB1?

The Golden cut created $3MM in cap space but took away another pass rusher to effectively strip the team of all proven pressure artists. Golden racked up 11 sacks in 2021, playing opposite Chandler Jones, but only produced 2.5 in 17 games last season. He is now in place as the Steelers’ third edge rusher. Golden’s exit will open the door for 2022 Day 2 picks Myjai Sanders and Cam Thomas (three rookie-year sacks apiece).

Teams inquired about Hopkins’ availability before the 2022 deadline, and the former All-Pro ended up a trade-rumor fixture this year. Hopkins kept his Houston-era momentum going in 2020, after signing a two-year, $54.25MM extension that belatedly impacted the receiver market, but fell off due to injuries and a PED ban. The suspension voided Hopkins’ no-trade clause, and the Cards discussed him with the Bills and Chiefs. The long-rumored suitors wanted the Cardinals to eat some of Hopkins’ salary in a trade, but after the Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr. $15MM guaranteed, Hopkins balked at any adjustment to facilitate a move. This led to the Cardinals cutting bait, after indicating he was in their 2023 plans, and eschewing the post-June 1 option.

Already making Hudson and Watt (for procedural purposes) post-June 1 releases, the Cardinals used up their allotment. They are eating all of Hopkins’ dead money ($21.1MM) this year, moving the contract off their books by 2024. New regimes often operate this way, caring little for cap penalties associated with past contracts. This Hopkins move, however, supports the stance the Cardinals will take their lumps in 2023.

Upon acquiring Hudson from the Raiders in 2021, the Cards gave the former Pro Bowler a three-year, $30MM extension. The veteran center did not exactly reward his third NFL team, considering retirement before last season and missing 18 games during his two-year Arizona run. Pugh fared better on his contract, playing out a five-year, $44.78MM deal and helping Murray reach two Pro Bowls and James Conner posting a surprise 18-touchdown season. An October ACL tear ended Pugh’s run. The veteran guard has not signed anywhere, while Hudson is expected to retire.

A.J. Green joined Watt in wrapping a 12-year career in Arizona. Injuries did more to limit Green’s form compared to Watt, and the former is not a lock to end up in Canton. But the six-time 1,000-yard receiver was one of the 2010s’ best pass catchers. Although he missed the 2019 season due to injury and did not look the same on a Bengals franchise tag in 2020, Green tallied 848 receiving yards in 2021. That performance helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs as Hopkins’ injury troubles began.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 6 (from Rams through Lions): Paris Johnson Jr., T (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 41 (from Titans): BJ Ojulari, DE (LSU) (signed)
Round 3, No. 72 (from Titans): Garrett Williams, CB (Syracuse) (signed)
Round 3, No. 94 (from Eagles): Michael Wilson, WR (Stanford) (signed)
Round 4, No. 122 (from Dolphins through Chiefs and Lions): Jon Gaines II, G (UCLA) (signed)
Round 5, No. 139 (from Broncos through Lions): Clayton Tune, QB (Houston) (signed)
Round 5, No. 168 (from Cardinals through Lions): Owen Pappoe, LB (Auburn) (signed)
Round 5, No. 180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB (Louisville) (signed)
Round 6, No. 213: Dante Stills, DT (West Virginia) (signed)

The Cardinals filled some key needs with their top three picks, but the process of obtaining those selections proved more interesting. With Murray signed for six more years, teams with less solidified QB situations targeted the Cardinals’ No. 3 overall pick. The Titans were among those who discussed a deal with the Cards, but after the Texans chose C.J. Stroud at No. 2, Tennessee bowed out. This opened the door to the Cardinals collecting one of the better draft-week trade hauls for a non-QB in recent NFL history.

In moving down nine spots to give the Texans access to a player they were frequently connected to (Will Anderson Jr.), the Cardinals pried a 2024 first-round pick from the team with the worst 2020s record (11-38-1). The Texans’ past three seasons have each generated top-three draft real estate. Considering the Cardinals’ 2023 outlook, the prospect of Arizona becoming the first team since the 2018 Browns to enter a draft with two top-five picks appears realistic. The Cardinals also picked up a 2023 second-rounder and a 2024 third in the deal, which preceded a second swap with the AFC South.

A night later, the Cardinals circled back to their Titans talks and agreed to move down eight spots to give Tennessee Will Levis. This equipped Arizona with another 2024 third-rounder, arming Ossenfort’s staff with six picks (two 1s, one 2 and three 3s) across next year’s first three rounds.

Pre-draft buzz pointed to the Cardinals taking Johnson, with Murray helping drive that selection. And Ossenfort discussed deals with the Lions and Raiders (at Nos. 6 and 7). The Cardinals’ call stopped the Lions from making a stunning pick (Jahmyr Gibbs over Bijan Robinson at 6) and paved a path to Johnson, the team’s first Round 1 O-lineman pick since Humphries in 2015. Johnson played guard and tackle at Ohio State, but at 6-foot-6, the standout ex-Buckeye appears better suited for the edge. The Cardinals concur, stationing Johnson at right tackle in training camp.

The younger brother of Giants 2021 second-round pick Azeez Ojulari, BJ Ojulari wound up going in nearly the same draft slot (Azeez went 50th overall). The younger Ojulari totaled 12.5 sacks between his sophomore and junior years, leaving LSU early. He will join a Cardinals team that lacks proven pass rushers, though Gannon’s club will likely give Sanders, Thomas and Collins regular opportunities to lead the way during Ojulari’s rookie year.

Williams suffered a torn ACL in October, but as a third-round pick, he is the top investment in a Cardinals cornerback corps also devoid of proven performers. The Cardinals viewed the 5-10 corner as a much better prospect compared to ESPN’s Scouts Inc., which slotted him 145th. This Cardinals regime did not draft Marquise Brown, though the ex-Raven’s ties to Murray may matter when assessing an extension. The Keim trade acquisition will lead the way for the Cardinals this year, but Wilson has a path to early playing time due to Arizona’s receiver uncertainty beyond the fifth-year deep threat. Wilson played five Pac-12 seasons and never cleared 700 receiving yards in any of them. He only eclipsed 500 yards once, generating an atypical prospect profile.

Extensions and restructures:

Agreed on incentive package with S Budda Baker
Created $5.3MM in cap space by restructuring LT D.J. Humphries‘ deal

The Cardinals did not let the Baker trade request devolve into a hold-in or bring legitimate trade talks. At least, no reported trade conversations took place. It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals are amenable to making a deal at the deadline involving Baker, should the team be a clear seller by that point. Baker has been in a leadership position in Arizona for years, moving there amid a run of Pro Bowl invites. It was not hard to see why Gannon, despite the defense losing several veterans this offseason, prioritized retaining him.

Baker’s four-year, $59MM extension — agreed to in summer 2020 — has been since passed by six safeties, with the market ceiling now at $19MM per year. While Baker has sought a raise, the Cardinals new regime’s stance against doling one out with two seasons left on a contract is understandable. The Cards’ compromise guaranteed Baker’s $13.1MM base salary — a modest concession since that money would have become locked in just before Week 1 — with the incentive package reaching $2.4MM. None of Baker’s 2024 salary ($14.2MM) became guaranteed, however, making this a temporary resoluation.

Other:

QB Kyler Murray iffy to be ready for start of regular season
Declined $12.7MM fifth-year option on LB Isaiah Simmons; Cards move ex-first-rounder to DB
Signed 10 undrafted free agents

Rushing Murray back would obviously be ill-advised on the Cardinals’ part, and an early-offseason report pointed to an extended absence being in play. Murray is both the face of the franchise and a player who helped influence Gannon to take the job, and the two-time Pro Bowler — whose ACL tear occurred on Dec. 12 — also represents a potential impediment toward long-term goals. Cardinals-Caleb Williams talk should be considered premature at this juncture, but if the team starts poorly and Murray remains sidelined, will there be a consideration to keep the dual-threat passer shelved for a longer period due to the team’s status?

The Cardinals winding up with a Bears-like decision next year, should they obtain the No. 1 pick, would generate more intrigue since Murray has accomplished more than Justin Fields. For the time being, it would not surprise to see the ex-MLB top-10 pick begin the season on the reserve/PUP list, keeping him off the active roster for at least four games. That would provide the Cardinals time to reassess the situation in October. For now, Colt McCoy — a 14th-year veteran going into his age-37 season — is the frontrunner to start. Clayton Tune seeing time might not be outlandish, especially when McCoy considered retirement after a multi-injury 2022 — a season in which a concussion shut him down. But McCoy replacing Murray again looks to be how this season will start.

Keim, who had already drafted Deone Bucannon in Round 1 and seen 2017 first-rounder Haason Reddick moved to inside linebacker, used back-to-back first-round picks on LBs — in Simmons (2020) and Collins (2021). Neither is currently playing linebacker, with Collins trying his hand at the more valuable edge spot and Simmons officially a safety. The Cardinals used Simmons more at linebacker in 2021 but took advantage of his versatility last season, stationing him most often in the slot. Gannon gave Simmons a choice on his position this offseason, and the former top-10 pick preferred to move away from linebacker.

This sets up an interesting contract year for Simmons, who may play a regular deep safety role for the first time since high school. It would surprise if this Cardinals staff did not capitalize on the Clemson product’s hybrid skillset, as it would stand to help a depleted defense. But the team has shifted resources away from inside ‘backer and should be expected to deploy three-safety looks frequently. After this year’s ILB market produced only two deals north of $7MM AAV, it is unsurprising to see Simmons request to work as a DB.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Budda Baker, S: $17.9MM
Kyler Murray, QB: $16MM
Marquise Brown, WR: $13.41MM
D.J. Humphries, LT: $12.54MM
Zach Ertz, TE: $11.61MM
James Conner, RB: $9.45MM
Isaiah Simmons, DB: $6.57MM
Jalen Thompson, S: $5.29MM
Paris Johnson Jr., OL: $5.1MM
Colt McCoy, QB: $5MM

The NFC does not look especially deep, so the idea of the Cardinals moving toward a Texans-like punt on a season cannot be considered a lock. But it is hard to find many rosters that look worse than this one. Murray’s timetable, the position changes for the first-round linebackers and how recent draftees look will obviously be worth monitoring in Arizona this year. As will the prospect of seller’s trades. It does, however, seem like the 2024 offseason will bring more relevant developments for the Ossenfort-Gannon partnership.

Offseason In Review: Los Angeles Chargers

August 10th, 2023 at 8:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Only the 1992 Oilers and 2013 Chiefs surpass the Chargers’ 27-point collapse in Jacksonville. While Sean Payton loomed as a potential HC candidate, GM Tom Telesco elected to give Brandon Staley a third season. The Bolts did overcome more major injury trouble to return to the postseason.

The offseason buzz that annually follows the Chargers has been somewhat muted this year, but once again, the oft-hyped team promises to be a factor in a deep AFC. The Bolts have two new coordinators and made a splashy addition to their skill-position corps in the draft. They also completed a long-rumored extension for their latest star quarterback — this one moving into a new NFL salary bracket compared to the deals handed out to Philip Rivers.

Extensions and restructures:

Reached five-year, $262.5MM ($134MM guaranteed) extension agreement with QB Justin Herbert
Agreed on $1.6MM incentive package with RB Austin Ekeler
Restructured contracts of WRs Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, OLBs Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, creating $40.37MM in cap space

A longtime Colts exec, Telesco was on-hand to observe how Indianapolis built its rosters around Peyton Manning‘s 2004 extension. Whereas that deal checked in at seven years and $98MM and the Telesco-constructed Rivers extension at four years and $84MM (2015), Herbert’s reflected the cap spikes and the swiftly shifting QB market. Herbert followed Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson by agreeing to a deal with a record-setting AAV this offseason.

The Packers have received the most attention for forming a transition between two Hall of Fame-caliber passers, with the Brett Favre–Aaron Rodgers run lasting 31 seasons. But the Chargers have rostered three such QBs since 2001. Unlike Drew Brees, Rivers may not be a lock to enter Canton. But he gave the Bolts upper-echelon play during most of his 14 seasons as their starter. Without any gap years, the Chargers have gone from Brees to Rivers to Herbert. That has not resulted in MVPs like the Packers duo brought (seven) or Super Bowl berths (three), but Herbert still has plenty of time on these fronts. And the Bolts now have their latest set-it/forget-it QB signed through 2029.

Jackson’s long-running Ravens talks, which began back in 2021, produced a true five-year deal. With Hurts’ second-round rookie contract not including a fifth-year option, the Eagles’ latest QB extension gives them control for six seasons. Herbert signed off on the Chargers having seven, signing a five-year extension after the team made the automatic call to exercise his option. Only Patrick Mahomes (through 2031) has a contract that extends farther into the future. This structure will help the Chargers build around the $52.5MM AAV, minimizing cap hits along the way.

The Chargers could not accomplish much during Herbert’s three rookie-deal seasons, advancing to one playoff bracket and enduring a brutal loss when there. But the strong-armed passer presented immediate franchise-QB signs and, other than a dip following a September 2022 rib fracture, has charted a historic course. Only Dan Marino‘s 98 touchdown passes better Herbert’s through-three-years number (94), illustrating how prodigious the Dolphins legend was for his era; no one tops Herbert’s 14,089 passing yards through Year 3. Herbert followed his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign with a Pro Bowl starting nod. His numbers took a hit last season, as the rib issue and both his top receivers (and left tackle Rashawn Slater) missing extended time hurt the Bolts’ cause. But this extension was always on the team’s docket.

The Chargers did not attach any void years to this contract (yet), but running it through 2029 will keep Herbert’s cap numbers south of $38MM until 2026. As the Chiefs have done on multiple occasions with Mahomes’ deal, the Chargers can go to the restructure well once faced with a $46.35MM cap hit in 2026. The team managed to give Herbert that record-setting AAV while keeping the cap hits low enough that rostering two $20MM-per-year receivers (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams) along with two $23MM-plus edge rushers (Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack) is manageable.

Herbert’s $133.7MM guarantee number trails only Deshaun Watson‘s deal — a contract this year’s QB extension candidates helped cement as an outlier — and Jackson’s $135MM number. For total guarantees, Herbert’s $193.7MM figure leads the non-Watson field by more than $12MM.

Doubling as one of the many flashpoint moments at the running back position this offseason, the Chargers refused to give Ekeler a raise more in line with his contributions. The dual-threat back led the league in touchdowns in 2021 and ’22, totaling 38. Ekeler offers top-shelf receiving ability which helped compensate for the injuries elsewhere on offense last season. The Chargers let their UDFA find seek a trade, but as RB value decreased yet again, no serious talks commenced. Ekeler remains tied to the four-year, $24.5MM contract — one given in 2020, as the Bolts said goodbye to Melvin Gordon — he has outplayed.

Ekeler, 28, has not been shy about addressing the value of the modern running back. Unlike some of the other backs to voice frustration about where the market has gone, Ekeler provides a clear passing-game dimension that has made his $6.13MM-per-year deal age incredibly well for the Bolts. Los Angeles was able to ink Ekeler to that extension due in large part to finding him as a UDFA out of a Division II school. Even after this year’s market shakeup — which included high-profile releases, two notable pay-cut moves, no free agency deal topping $6.5MM AAV and three franchise-tagged backs not being extended — Ekeler’s AAV sits 11th at the position.

The Chargers threw Ekeler a bone in the form of the $1.6MM incentive package, which is based on his scrimmage yards, touchdowns and the elusive Pro Bowl berth. The yardage incentive begins at 1,125 and tops out at 1,639. The TD section ranges from 10-16. He can earn up to $600K in this area. While Ekeler stands to generate interest on next year’s market, he is set to join Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins and Antonio Gibson as free agents-to-be. Another crowded market will likely suppress backs’ value once again, and the Bolts will also have the franchise tag available.

Free agency additions:

Eric Kendricks, LB: Two years, $13.25MM ($6.75MM guaranteed)
Nick Williams, DL: One year, $1.23MM ($25K guaranteed)

The Vikings reached agreements to keep their other two remaining Mike Zimmer-era defensive cornerstones — Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter — this offseason, but Kendricks was an early cap casualty. Taking advantage of what became — beyond the Tremaine Edmunds and Bobby Okereke deals — a buyer’s off-ball linebacker market, the Chargers will give the ninth-year veteran a chance to bounce back. A UCLA alum, Kendricks has 113 starts under his belt and will provide considerable experience from a Bolts team that has not been able to rely on 2020 first-rounder Kenneth Murray.

A former second-round pick, Kendricks ascended to the All-Pro level in the late 2010s. Pro Football Focus rated the ex-Minnesota middle ‘backer as a top-three off-ball LB in 2019 and ’20 but viewed the veteran as sliding a bit over the past two seasons. PFF slotted him 50th at the position in 2022. Still, Kendricks totaled 16 tackles for loss from 2021-22 and topped 135 total stops in each of those seasons. He also finished with 10 passes defensed and six sacks, providing some versatility, in that span.

Re-signings:

Trey Pipkins, T: Three years, $21.75MM ($13.25MM guaranteed)
Morgan Fox, DL: Two years, $7.25MM ($3.75MM guaranteed)
Easton Stick, QB: One year, $1.8MM ($1.2MM guaranteed)
JK Scott, P: Two years, $4MM ($820K guaranteed)
Donald Parham, TE: Two years, $2.57MM ($400K guaranteed)
Jalen Guyton, WR: One year, $1.32MM ($76K guaranteed)

The Chargers’ Bryan Bulaga bet backfired, and Storm Norton proved a substandard option in 2021. While Pipkins did not impress early in his career, either, he made some well-timed improvements and landed a nice mid-tier contract as a result. PFF still did not think too much of Pipkins’ performance — particularly as a run blocker — slotting him outside the top 60 at tackle last season, but the Bolts disagreed. After seeing the former third-round pick make strides during the ’22 offseason, the team’s above-referenced restructures cleared cap space to keep the young right tackle off the market.

Heading into his age-27 season, Pipkins presents the Chargers with rare RT continuity. The team has not deployed the same primary right tackle since Sam Tevi manned the spot during the 2018 and ’19 seasons. Pipkins’ return also gives the Bolts the potential to deploy one of the NFL’s best O-lines. Pro Bowlers Slater and Corey Linsley anchor the group, with 2022 first-rounder Zion Johnson set to move from right to left guard to make room for converted tackle Jamaree Salyer, who fared well as Slater’s injury substitute last season. With Pipkins now re-signed, each of L.A.’s starters is signed for at least two more seasons. Slater’s rookie deal can (and almost certainly will) be extended through 2025 via the fifth-year option.

The role of Herbert’s backup has not come into play much, despite last season’s injury. Since the Tyrod Taylor injection controversy brought Herbert into the Bolts’ lineup in Week 2 of the 2020 season, the former No. 6 overall pick has not missed a start. But the team will transition from one of the most experienced backups in recent memory (Chase Daniel) to Stick, a career third-stringer. The North Dakota State starter between Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, Stick went a cool 49-3 as the Bison’s QB1, leading the Division I-FCS dynasty to two national championships. As a pro, however, Stick has appeared in one game in four seasons. Still, the Bolts groomed the 27-year-old QB for this role during Daniel’s tenure.

The maladies afflicting Herbert, Allen and Williams received more attention, but Guyton going down with an ACL tear in Week 3 hindered the Bolts’ deep-passing game. The former UDFA averaged 18.3 yards per catch in 2020 and totaled 448 receiving yards in 2021, scoring six touchdowns — including this rather memorable air strike — in that span. He has yet to come off the active/PUP list, however.

A former Rams cog, Fox is now 2-for-2 in six-sack seasons when playing in Staley’s scheme. After a six-sack season under Staley for the Rams in 2020, he produced 6.5 for a team that spent most of last season without Bosa. Last season marked his career high for QB hits (11) as well. Fox also aided a Bolts team that lost Austin Johnson and Otito Ogbonnia for the season. Given the Chargers’ injury issues, Fox (no missed games in five seasons) represents important depth up front.

Notable losses:

Nasir Adderley, S (retired)
Bryce Callahan, CB
DeAndre Carter, WR
Christian Covington, DL
Chase Daniel, QB
Tyeler Davison, DL
Matt Feiler, G (released)
Joe Gaziano
Storm Norton, T
Troy Reeder, LB
Richard Rodgers, TE
Kyle Van Noy, LB
Drue Tranquill, LB

Joining the team during the offseason in which the Chargers added fellow starters Slater and Linsley, Feiler worked alongside them for two seasons. The Bolts decided to cut costs at guard, shifting money to right tackle. Feiler caught on with the Buccaneers, fetching a lower-cost deal compared to the three-year, $21MM pact the Bolts gave him in 2021. The Chargers saved $6.5MM by cutting Feiler, who joined the rest of this departure contingent in not finding green pastures in free agency.

Despite a 146-tackle, five-sack season that undoubtedly thrilled his set of IDP fantasy GMs, Tranquill only received a one-year, $3MM deal from the Chiefs. Carter also relocated to a division rival, signing with the Raiders (one year, $1.5MM). The Chargers are all set to make fourth-round speedster Derius Davis their primary return man. The 5-foot-8 rookie totaled an eye-catching six return TDs at TCU, finishing his career as an All-American for the national championship-bound Horned Frogs.

Callahan and Van Noy joined the Chargers after the 2022 draft and made key contributions. Although injuries marred Callahan’s Broncos tenure, the veteran stayed mostly healthy in L.A. Missing only two games, Callahan, 32, patrolled the slot for the Chargers. The Bolts are holding a competition between Asante Samuel Jr. and second-year safety Ja’Sir Taylor to succeed Callahan inside. Samuel has experience at both the slot and outside corner positions, but the team is concerned about the second-generation pro’s tackling. Van Noy, 32, stepped into a regular pass-rushing role after Bosa’s groin injury. The multi-stint Patriot finished with his fifth five-plus-sack season in six years. Both Callahan and Van Noy are unsigned.

Of the Charger losses, Adderley saw the most playing time. The former second-round pick started 44 games over the course of his rookie contract. The Delaware alum certainly could have scored a decent contract in free agency, making this retirement timing interesting. Considering Derwin James‘ shaky health history, the Chargers losing Adderley could be somewhat costly. They have former sixth-round pick Alohi Gilman (nine career starts) and 2022 third-rounder JT Woods as the top options alongside the All-Pro.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 21: Quentin Johnston, WR (TCU) (signed)
Round 2, No. 54: Tuli Tuipulotu, OLB (USC) (signed)
Round 3, No. 85: Daiyan Henley, LB (Washington State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 125: Derius Davis, WR (TCU) (signed)
Round 5, No. 156: Jordan McFadden, G (Clemson) (signed)
Round 6, No. 200: Scott Matlock, DT (Boise State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 239: Max Duggan, QB (TCU) (signed)

Linked to making an early-round pass-catching upgrade for a while ahead of the draft, the Chargers pounced and made Johnston the second wide receiver off the board. The Bolts passed on Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison to go with Johnston, the biggest of the first-round receiver batch — at 6-foot-2. The addition of the TCU product gives the Chargers a deep cast of receivers, with Guyton back and 2021 third-rounder Josh Palmer having shown improvement both last season and during this year’s offseason.

The Ravens expected the Chargers to go with the size-speed performer, waiting rather than trade up for Flowers. Telesco did not disappoint, adding Johnston to a receiving corps already the 6-4 Williams. Johnston struggled with drops in college, and the Horned Frogs’ recent run of first-round wideouts — Jalen Reagor, Josh Doctson — has disappointed. But the latest high-end talent played a key role in elevating the Big 12 program to a stunning national championship game appearance. Johnston averaged at least 17.8 yards per catch in each of his three seasons in Fort Worth, finishing with 1,069 yards as a junior.

One of the best skill players in Chargers history, Allen is going into his age-31 season. Telesco shut down the idea of trading the route-running extraordinaire to create cap space, but the steady option is on the back nine. Williams has long offered a boom-or-bust profile, which makes the Johnston pick interesting due to the variance this tools-heavy prospect presents. But having this trio and Palmer in the fold could certainly make the Bolts a handful — when at full strength. When Allen or Williams goes down, Johnston will provide important depth as well. The Chargers sank some investments into TCU’s operation, grabbing a Johnston receiver mate and his college QB on Day 3.

Mack is a year older than Allen, turning 32 this offseason. Two seasons remain on the former Defensive Player of the Year’s Bears-built contract, but he is tied to a $38.5MM cap hit for 2024. Moving on from Van Noy, the Chargers have a younger OLB3 option in Tuipulotu. The L.A. native broke through for a 13.5-sack, 22-TFL season in 2022, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year acclaim.

Tuipulotu offers an intriguing option behind Bosa and Mack, who have each battled injuries in recent years. Mack missed 10 games due to a foot injury in 2021; Bosa missed 12 last year, four in 2020 and nine in 2018. As is the case at receiver, the Chargers needed a quality top backup now and a potential long-term starter later.

Scouts Inc. rated Henley as this year’s No. 75 overall prospect. With Murray far from certain to be back in 2024 and Kendricks in his early 30s, the Bolts need more answers on their defensive second level. A former Nevada wide receiver recruit, Henley made the rare transition to linebacker during his college career. He posted a four-INT, 94-tackle season with the Wolf Pack in 2021 and, showing some upside as a pass rusher, made 106 stops (12 for loss) and four sacks during his one-season Washington State stay. Henley may not be needed as a regular this season; that could change by 2024.

Other:

Fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi; added Kellen Moore as replacement
Defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill joined Dolphins’ staff; Derrick Ansley promoted as replacement
Hired Doug Nussmeier as quarterbacks coach, promoted Tommy Donatell to defensive pass-game coordinator
Declined LB Kenneth Murray‘s $12.7MM fifth-year option
Signed 18 undrafted free agents; added WR Milton Wright following supplemental draft

The Chargers dropped from fourth in offensive DVOA in 2021 to 19th in 2022, and as the heat turns up on Staley, he made the common move — for coaches in this position — of firing his top lieutenant. Lombardi received frequent criticism for conservative game plans, despite having one of the game’s best talents leading the offense. But the two-year Chargers play-caller elevated Herbert’s play in 2021. The Oregon-developed superstar threw 38 touchdown passes and topped 5,000 passing yards that year. Last season, injuries to Herbert, Allen, Williams (at a rather inopportune time) and Slater limited the Bolts’ attack.

Staley’s refusal to yank starters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Broncos — a decision Telesco belatedly endorsed — led to the injury-prone Williams going down and missing the Jaguars tilt. Stripped of a key playmaker, Lombardi’s offense sputtered during the historic collapse. Although Lombardi landed on his feet by becoming Sean Payton‘s Broncos OC, it is worth wondering if the Chargers still make this move had Williams been available in Jacksonville. Nevertheless, Herbert will have a third OC in four seasons.

Less than a day after the Cowboys jettisoned Moore, reports of a Chargers hire emerged. Mike McCarthy had retained the ex-QB as OC and play-caller over his first three seasons, and the Cowboys ranked first and fourth in points scored during the seasons Dak Prescott finished in this timeframe. Dallas’ offense did drop from sixth to 15th in DVOA from 2021 to ’22, but the team also operated without Prescott for a stretch and missed Amari Cooper‘s presence. Moore, 34, still unleashed Tony Pollard and played a lead role in the Cowboys posting back-to-back 12-5 seasons.

McCarthy made scrutinized comments regarding an intent to run more often this season, and Moore went from HC candidate — five teams interviewed him from 2022-23 — to unemployed after the Cowboys’ second-round loss. McCarthy’s decision to take over Dallas’ play-calling duties will lead to a fascinating Moore-Herbert partnership. Rumblings of Herbert taking more downfield shots have circulated during Chargers camp, and Moore could represent one of the top coaching variables in what looks like an AFC gauntlet. Herbert will be entirely directed by ex-Prescott coaches, with Nussmeier — a Jason Garrett hire in Dallas — following Moore after five seasons as a Dallas assistant.

Staley leads the Chargers’ defense, but Hill leaving a defensive coordinator post to return to a role under Fangio may not have received enough attention. Hill, a former Broncos defensive backs coach, followed Fangio to Miami. Considering the Dolphins gave Fangio upwards of $4.5MM to elevate their defense, it is possible they dangled a better offer for Hill.

Staley has not generated the defensive improvement his reputation would have suggested. The Bolts have ranked 29th and 21st, respectively, in scoring defense since his arrival. Excepting a one-year stay as the Raiders’ DBs coach (2018), most of Ansley’s pre-Chargers experience came at the college level. But Staley promoted the DBs coach and gave Tommy Donatell, the son of Ed Donatell, a better gig. The Dolphins are believed to have requested an interview with Tommy Donatell, whose father has worked extensively with Fangio, but the Bolts made retaining him a priority.

Murray staying beyond 2023 may not be a Charger priority. While Murray has offered inconsistent play over three seasons, none of the 2020 first-round linebackers’ options were picked up. Rather than see their $12.7MM options exercised, Isaiah Simmons, Patrick Queen and Jordyn Brooks join Murray in contract years. Due to his lower snap count, Murray’s option checked in on the lowest LB rung ($11.73MM). Although Murray’s playing time ticked up after Staley benched him in 2021, PFF viewed the Oklahoma alum as the NFL’s worst run-defending linebacker last season. Of the four linebackers to see their options declined, the Chargers had the easiest call.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

J.C. Jackson, CB: $17MM
Khalil Mack, OLB: $16.63MM
Joey Bosa, OLB: $15.78MM
Mike Williams, WR: $13.54MM
Corey Linsley, C: $13.1MM
Keenan Allen, WR: $12.78MM
Austin Johnson, DL: $9.5MM
Michael Davis, CB: $9.4MM
Derwin James, S: $9.11MM
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL: $9MM

Rather than lose his offensive coordinator to an HC job, Herbert saw his second NFL play-caller canned. With the Chargers among the NFL’s underachievement hubs in recent years, Staley’s seat should be considered one of the hottest. The Bolts gave Anthony Lynn four years, but after the Jacksonville meltdown and the coordinator shakeups, Staley will almost definitely be coaching for his job this season.

Offseason hype has followed the Chargers for years, but as the Chiefs’ second Mahomes-era Super Bowl win created more distance between they and their top AFC West competitors, it feels like expectations have been adjusted. With healthy cornerstones and Moore now calling the shots on offense, are the Chargers live underdogs to challenge the defending champions’ seven-year AFC West streak? Even if the Bolts cannot mount a serious push there, it would be shocking if they were not in the wild-card mix. Herbert’s presence should ensure that.

Herbert’s talent and the contract he agreed to will put pressure on the Chargers to parlay their latest franchise QB into legitimate championship pursuits, seeing as their Brees-Rivers period produced just one AFC championship game berth. What could be the final season with the Allen-Williams-Bosa-Mack quartet in place together will double as one of the more important Charger campaigns this century.

Offseason In Review: Pittsburgh Steelers

August 6th, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Last season marked the beginning of the post-Ben Roethlisberger era in Pittsburgh, as well as Omar Khan’s first year in the general manager role. A slow start seemed to threaten an end to the team’s 19-year streak of non-losing seasons, but a strong stretch after the bye week resulted in a 9-8 record. That was insufficient to qualify for the playoffs, but it presented reasons for optimism moving forward.

The free agent period and draft presented plenty of opportunities for Khan to retool the Steelers’ offensive line, secondary and linebacking corps in particular. New faces in those positions, and others, should give quarterback Kenny Pickett a stronger supporting cast ahead of his first full season as a starter, one where offensive improvement will be required for a return to the postseason.

Trades:

Acquired WR Allen Robinson from Rams in a swap of 2023 seventh-round picks

Pittsburgh already boasted an intriguing receiver tandem of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, and the organization has a well-earned reputation for developing its own at the position. The Rams were active in dumping several veteran contracts during the offseason, however, and they were more than willing to move on from Robinson after only one season in Los Angeles. The soon-to-be 30-year-old was limited to 10 games last season, and he posted underwhelming totals (33 catches, 339 yards, three touchdowns) for the second consecutive season.

Guaranteed money is only present in 2023 on Robinson’s restructured contract, making this essentially a low-cost, one-year rental for the Steelers. A move to the slot could help player and team in this instance, with a complementary role available while Johnson, Pickens and tight end Pat Freiermuth serve as focal points in the passing game. A veteran presence alongside those three could help what is otherwise a young offense as it looks to become more productive and consistent through the air. A return to the earlier form in his career could allow Robinson to benefit from the recent surges in the WR market, either with an extended look in Pittsburgh or another new beginning.

Free agency additions:

Isaac Seumalo, G: Three years, $24MM ($6.95MM guaranteed)
Patrick Peterson, CB: Two years, $14MM ($5.85MM guaranteed)
Cole Holcomb, LB: Three years, $18MM ($4.92MM guaranteed)
Nate Herbig. G: Two years, $8MM ($2.92MM guaranteed)
Elandon Roberts, LB: Two years, $7MM ($2.335MM guaranteed)
Keanu Neal, S: Two years, $4.25MM ($920K guaranteed)
Markus Golden, OLB: One year, $1.32MM ($153K guaranteed)
Kwon Alexander, LB: One year, $1.32MM ($153K guaranteed)
Chandon Sullivan, CB: One year, $1.08MM ($153K guaranteed)
Armon Watts, DT: One year, $1.08MM ($153K guaranteed)
Le’Raven Clark, OL: One year, $1.22MM ($50K guaranteed)
Nick Kwiatkoski, LB: One year, $1.17MM
Tanner Muse, LB: One year, $1.01MM
Breiden Fehoko, DT: One year, $940K

The new league year brought about a full-scale renovation of Pittsburgh’s inside linebacker corps, but it also comes as little surprise that the interior O-line and cornerback spots received the largest financial commitments. Seumalo represents a sizable guard investment for the second straight offseason, after James Daniels was added in 2022. Seumalo proved his worth across career 60 starts with the Eagles, including a fully healthy campaign last season (having been limited to just 12 total contests between the two previous years). He continued his strong showings in terms of PFF evaluations while helping Philadelphia’s elite offensive front guide the team to the Super Bowl, leading to his intrastate move.

The 29-year-old, as expected, earned a more lucrative three-year pact in free agency than his previous one. Carrying over his consistent high-level performances will bolster the Steelers’ O-line, something which will in turn pave the way for a continued heavy reliance on workhorse running back Najee Harris. If Seumalo’s injury issues return, ex-Eagles teammate Herbig should be able to provide quality fill-in play. In any event, a needed step forward in terms of play along the interior should be expected in 2023.

Peterson will be counted on to remain a significant contributor deep into his career, after starting all 31 of his Vikings games. The 2010s All-Decade member racked up five interceptions (the second-highest single-season total of his career) last year, but he also allowed the same number of touchdowns in coverage on a leaky Minnesota defense. Peterson, 33, should rarely leave the field in his third NFL home, though he may no longer exclusively see time as a boundary corner. He and Tomlin have discussed the possibility of being used at multiple spots in the secondary, including safety.

The three-time All-Pro will join a defense featuring a vaunted pass rush, but a backend which has room for improvement. The Steelers ranked 19th against the pass in 2022, and improvement in that regard will be needed to contend in an AFC loaded in quarterback talent. Like Peterson, Neal will provide versatility to the Steelers’ new-look secondary after joining a new team for the third straight offseason. The 28-year-old has seen time at safety and linebacker across his time with the Falcons, Cowboys and Buccaneers, and the absence of Terrell Edmunds and each of the starting ‘backers from last season leaves plenty of opportunities for him to find a role.

Holcomb will lead the new LB room, after a highly productive stint in Washington. He started all but two of his games with the team that drafted him, grading out as a top-25 linebacker from PFF in 2020 and logging over 1,000 snaps the following year. His market was not hindered by the injuries which limited him to seven games in 2022, allowing the former fifth-rounder to price himself out of the nation’s capital. Production similar to that of fellow Steelers target Leighton Vander Esch would prove Pittsburgh’s investment in Holcomb to be worthwhile.

Roberts will look to build off his career year in Miami last season, while holding down a full-time starting role for the first time. He has never logged a snap share above 59%, but his production with the Dolphins in 2022 showed the impact he is capable of making against the run and pass. Topping the 100-tackle mark for the first time last campaign, the ex-Patriot also set a new personal best with 4.5 sacks. At 29, Roberts does not possess the upside that incumbent Mark Robinson (23) has, but that pair will be given considerable opportunity to provide consistent play at the second level for a defense seeking just that.

Alexander, Kwiatkowski and Muse represent experienced fill-in options should the new starters miss time or underperform. Altogether, the new LB corps will spend the buildup to the season aiming to establish a firm pecking order in the middle. Successfully doing do could foreshadow needed improvement at the position during the campaign.

Re-signings:

Larry Ogunjobi, DT: Three years, $28.75MM ($12MM guranteed)
Damontae Kazee, S: Two years, $6MM ($1.75MM guranteed)
Zach Gentry, TE: One year, $1.14MM ($153K guranteed)
James Pierre, CB: One year, $1.3MM
Miles Boykin, WR: One year, $1.08MM
Mason Rudolph, QB: One year. $1.08MM
Christian Kuntz, LS: One year, $940K

Ogunjobi was set to play in Chicago last season, but his Bears deal fell through and allowed him to remain in the AFC North. The former Brown and Bengal played on a one-year contract and earned himself an extended look in Pittsburgh. He took a significant step back in terms of sacks (1.5, compared to a career-best 7.0 in 2021) but was credited with 30 total pressures by PFF. That led to an overall grade of 61.7, the highest since his rookie campaign. Ogunjobi, who missed only one game last year, will thus remain in place alongside Cam Heyward at the heart of Pittsburgh’s defensive front moving forward. The structure of the 29-year-old’s deal does leave open the possibility of the Steelers cutting bait after this season, though, so his play will be worth watching closely in his second Pittsburgh campaign.

At least one change to the QB depth chart seemed inevitable this offseason for the Steelers, but Rudolph’s free agent period was very brief. The third-string passer was mentioned in trade talks last summer and fielded offers from other teams to sign this spring, but he ultimately decided to remain in his only NFL home. The former third-rounder has made only two starts since the 2019 campaign and did not see any game action last year. A lack of opportunities to unseat fellow veteran Mitch Trubisky for the No. 2 role seen in 2022 is likely to be repeated this year, so plenty would need to take place for Rudolph, 28, to see the field. If he does, though, his market could look much different come next March.

Seeing a dramatic increase in playing time over the past two seasons, Gentry is one of several depth pieces who will return in 2023. His blocking skills give Pittsburgh an effective compliment to Freiermuth’s abilities as a pass-catcher. Gentry, like some other incumbents, should continue to see significant usage after a slew of departures.

Notable losses:

Largely by choice, Pittsburgh’s linebacker and cornerback rooms will look far different than they did last season. Sutton’s absence could be acutely felt, especially if Peterson and the new group of corners fail to live up to expectations. The former third-rounder graduated from part-time duties to emerge as a key member of the team’s secondary over the past two seasons in particular. Sutton was essentially an every-down player in 2021 and ’22, totaling five interceptions and 21 pass breakups over that span and posting strong coverage numbers in the latter campaign.

The 28-year-old’s performance earned him a spot in the renovated Lions’ secondary on a three-year, $33MM deal – one which notably outpaced the Steelers’ efforts to retain him. Expectations will be high for him in Detroit, while fellow veteran Levi Wallace will be counted on alongside Peterson to provide a veteran presence to an otherwise low-cost CB contingent. Compared to Sutton, the other departures at the position are in a much different financial situation.

Witherspoon and Maulet each signed low-cost one-year deals deep into the offseason as they look to serve complementary roles with the Rams and Ravens, respectively. Jackson is among the veteran cover men who have still yet to find a home despite training camps being well underway. The former first-rounder did not make an appearance in Pittsburgh after his trade acquisition, something which has no doubt hurt his market.

Bush entered the NFL with significant expectations after the Steelers executed a rare trade-up in the draft to acquire him, but by the start of the 2022 season his long-term future with the team was shaky at best. The former No. 10 overall pick saw his playing time cut considerably for the second consecutive year in 2022, and he was on the field for just 62% of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps. Bush failed to replicate the statistical success of his rookie campaign, and with his fifth-year option having been declined, it came as no surprise that he looked elsewhere in free agency.

The Michigan alum secured a prove-it deal with the Seahawks, a team which has reunited with Bobby Wagner to offer a familiar face at the second level of the defense. A strong performance from Bush, 25, could be the start of a new chapter in his career and boost both his confidence and market value. It is telling, however, how willing the Steelers were to move on from him and several other key members of the previous LB corps.

Bush, coupled with Jack, Spillane and Jones combined to play 2,025 defensive snaps last season. Their collective performance left enough to be desired that the team set about acquiring numerous replacements (though Pittsburgh did rank in the top 10 in run defense last season). Still, the sheer total of plays available to the unit’s newcomers will make their ability to outproduce its predecessors a storyline to follow closely as the season progresses.

While he landed a far less lucrative deal than his brother Tremaine, Terrell Edmunds’ absence will be notable given the size of his role during his Steelers tenure. The former first-rounder never saw a snap share below 89% in his five Pittsburgh campaigns, and his consistent (if unspectacular) play will need to be effectively replaced by Minkah Fitzpatrick’s next running mate(s). The loss of D-lineman Tyson Alualu will likewise be noticeable if in the locker room more than on the field at this point in his career. The 36-year-old would prefer to play an eighth straight season in Pittsburgh, but that desire has not been reciprocated to date.

Extensions and restructures:

Agreed to four-year, $68MM extension with OLB Alex Highsmith ($27.7MM guaranteed)
Extended QB Mitch Trubisky through 2025 on an $11.25MM pact including $8MM guaranteed
Reworked S Minkah Fitzpatrick’s deal, creating $10MM in 2023 cap space

By the time the calendar flipped to July, it was clear the top remaining Steelers priority was working out a second contract with Highsmith. The former third-rounder once again took a step forward in production in 2022, reaching double-digit sacks for the first time (14.5) while also leading the league in forced fumbles (five). Optimism was expressed by both team and player regarding a deal being finalized before camp, and Highsmith will now see his partnership with Watt continue for years to come.

The latter’s injury left Highsmith with the bulk of Pittsburgh’s pass-rushing responsibilities in 2022. Despite the 25-year-old’s relative lack of production when on his own compared to when Watt was on the field, the Steelers are banking on continued growth over the coming years while still operating as an every-down starter. The team is one of four in the NFL with multiple edge rushers connected to deals worth more than $15MM per season, but elite sack totals have been a driving force of Pittsburgh’s success for years now. If Highsmith continues his career ascent and Watt can avoid further serious injuries, that will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

Trubisky was always considered a lame-duck starter in his first Steelers season, and it came as little surprise that his time in the No. 1 role was short-lived. Pickett is the undisputed starter moving forward, but the Steelers made it clear keeping the former second overall pick in the fold was in their long-term plans. Trubisky, 29 by the start of the season, saw plenty more action in Pittsburgh than he did during his one-year stint with the Bills, but his performance significantly hindered his claim to a starting role down the line.

The North Carolina product posted a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2022, and his 81.1 passer rating fell short of his career average. Now four years removed from his Pro Bowl Bears season, Trubisky faces the prospect of several more years of backup duty. His extension does have a maximum value of $33MM via incentives, however, so fill-in play in case of Pickett injury troubles (such as a recurrence of the multiple concussions he suffered as a rookie) could prove to be rather lucrative.

Fitzpatrick landed an extension last offseason which included fully guaranteed compensation in its second year, something which was unprecedented for non-quarterbacks in the organization before Watt’s megadeal. Fitzpatrick’s willingness to redo his contract provided breathing room in the immediate future, but it swelled his cap hits from 2024 through the pact’s final year (2027). No guaranteed salaries exist after this season, so it will be interesting to see how the three-time All-Pro’s situation is handled in the near future. His crucial importance to Pittsburgh’s defense will no doubt make Fitzpatrick, 26, a continued long-term financial priority.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 14 (from Patriots): Broderick Jones, T (Georgia) (signed)
Round 2, No. 32 (from Bears): Joey Porter Jr., CB (Penn State) (signed)
Round 2, No. 49: Keeanu Benton, DT (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 3, No. 93 (from 49ers through Panthers): Darnell Washington, TE (Georgia) (signed)
Round 4, No. 132 (from 49ers through Panthers): Nick Herbig, LB (Wisconsin) (signed)
Round 7, No. 241 (from Vikings through Broncos): Cory Trice, CB (Purdue) (signed)
Round 7, No. 251 (from Rams): Spencer Anderson, G (Maryland) (signed)

After a busy first few waves of free agency, the remaining positional needs for the Steelers were quite clear. The top of the draft board presented an effective opportunity to fill them, and the first Day 1 trade-up since the Bush selection opened the door for Jones to be acquired. One of the consensus top tackles in the class, Jones was lauded for his athletic potential, though a lack of playing time contributed to the fact that Paris Johnson Jr., Darnell Wright and Peter Skoronski heard their names called first. Jones was long thought to be the top target of the Jets (who selected at No. 15), however, likely making the trade a necessary move.

The Jets have publicly denied having Jones atop their board, but the two-time national champion will nevertheless be a key part of Pittsburgh’s long-term success on the offensive line when he plays. Immediate blindside duties might not be in the cards, with incumbent Dan Moore having impressed during the spring. But Jones will give the Steelers a left tackle answer for many years down the road if he lives up to his billing.

Porter was often named as a potential target of Pittsburgh’s first selection, so securing him at No. 32 (the selection acquired in the Chase Claypool trade) was a best-case scenario. The son of the longtime Steelers player and coach of the same name, the rookie corner will have a significant role right away after the numerous CB departures seen this offseason. Porter’s Penn State career saw him record only one interception, but it also demonstrated the physicality which his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) should allow him to carry over to the NFL level. If he does so, he will be a mainstay in a transitioning secondary for both the short- and long-term future.

With the Dolphins having been docked their first-round pick, Porter found himself in the unique position of being one of the top 32 selections in the draft but not hearing his name called on Day 1. That led to a lengthy negotiation on the topic of guaranteed money in his rookie contract, but a resolution in time for training camp avoided any potential holdout. Porter is well-positioned to not only carry on his father’s legacy, but to create one of his own.

The trade for Jones still left Pittsburgh with the picks used on Benton and Washington. The former flashed considerable pass-rush potential in his final two seasons in college, recording seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. A rotational role at first could see him supplant Ogunjobi not too far down the road if he can remain a force against the pass in the NFL. Washington, on the other hand, will likely have to wait to see starter’s snaps. Development as a pass catcher for the already dominant run blocker could turn the latter’s selection into a highly fruitful one.

Other:

HC Mike Tomlin unlikely to be extended in 2023
Linebackers coach Brian Flores joined Vikings as defensive coordinator
Claimed P Braden Mann off waivers from Jets
Claimed DT Manny Jones off waivers from Cardinals.
Signed seven undrafted free agents

Tomlin has traditionally signed extensions with two years remaining on his existing contracts, making this offseason the next logical time for one to be signed. Owner Art Rooney II expressed his latest round of confidence in the 51-year-old in January, which made it seem inevitable that a seventh extension was just around the corner. It now appears that will wait until next year, but by being on the books through 2024, Tomlin can approach the coming season with a fair amount of job security intact.

The league’s second-longest tenured head coach, Tomlin has embodied consistency during his Steelers stint. Postseason success has been elusive for a mounting stretch of campaigns, however; Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since 2016. Reversing that trend will be difficult given the landscape of the AFC, but an impressive year would likely cement his status on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. Changes amongst his lieutenants could continue by the time Tomlin has his next deal in hand, though.

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has routinely come under fire for the struggles of his unit, one which he has guided for the past two seasons. A lack of downfield passing proficiency in particular has led to mediocre performance on the ground and through the air. In spite of that, Tomlin has once again endorsed Canada as the offensive play-caller, meaning all eyes will be on the latter to guide Pickett and Co. to a much better season than 2022. Failure to do so would no doubt add substantially to the ongoing calls for an OC change.

Flores joined the Steelers last offseason after his controversial Dolphins exit and subsequent unsuccessful round of head coaching interviews. He took a role as linebackers coach in Pittsburgh, though he held duties beyond those of a typical position coach. The 42-year-old was involved in the 2023 hiring cycle as well, and at one point appeared to be in the lead to land the Cardinals gig. He ultimately withdrew from Arizona’s search, however, and took charge of a Minnesota defense which has plenty of room for improvement from last season and will feature many new faces after the departure of several veterans. Flores’ racial discrimination suit against the NFL and a number of teams is ongoing, and many of his allegations are set to be tried in open court.

Pressley Harvin has handled Pittsburgh’s punting duties since being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft. He managed to up his net yardage average in his second season, but a regression in punts landing inside the 20 contributed in part to the Steelers’ decision to bring in Mann for competition. The latter was quite busy during his two fully healthy campaigns in New York, punting a combined 165 times in 2020 and ’22. His performance in terms of gross average and punts downed inside the 20 was better than Harvin’s last year, so Mann could unseat the incumbent over the remainder of preseason and training camp.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

T.J. Watt, OLB: $29.37MM
Cameron Heyward, DT: $22.26MM
Dionate Johnson, WR: $16.33MM
Chukwuma Okorafor, RT: $13.08MM
James Daniels, G: $11.16MM
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S: $7.94MM
Mason Cole, C: $6.92MM
Mitch Trubisky, QB: $6.01MM
Chris Boswell, K: $5.64MM
Levi Wallace, CB: $5.48MM

With several contributors, particularly on offense, still in the midst of their rookie contracts, stability amongst many of the team’s veterans is possible. Every player on the above list except for Wallace is on the books in 2024, with most set to see their cap hits remain stable compared to this season. A notable exception is Fitzpatrick, whose burden on the Steelers’ cap sheet will nearly triple next season (and remain above $22MM for two years after that) unless another restructure or extension is worked out. Najee Harris will be eligible for an extension next offseason, but Khan’s recent remarks on the nature of the running back market do not suggest the team will be particularly urgent with respect to pursuing a lucrative long-term commitment.

Much of the Steelers’ 2023 success will depend on the core which remains in place from the previous season. Many of the new additions could raise the team’s ceiling, however, and an extension of Tomlin’s run without a losing record would come as no surprise. Projecting success beyond that mark would require not only a healthy campaign from Watt and the rest of the edge rushing group, but also development from Pickett and the offense as a whole.

Provided that takes place, Pittsburgh will figure to be squarely in the mix within a highly competitive division and conference, and the team will be well-positioned for sustained success in its new era. Falling short of the standards established by this franchise, though, could lead to calls for significant alterations to be made.

Offseason In Review: Tennessee Titans

August 3rd, 2023 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The AFC’s No. 1 seed in 2021, the Titans took a step back after another injury-riddled season. As numerous starters moved from Tennessee’s two-deep to IR, ownership reversed course on an extension it had just authorized months earlier. Like the Cardinals, the Titans fired a GM (Jon Robinson) they had extended earlier in the year. Robinson’s decision to trade A.J. Brown also brought disastrous effects, and the Titans enter 2023 with their longtime offensive pillars — Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill — in contract years.

Rookie GM Ran Carthon made several lineup changes this offseason, and the Titans do play in what has been the AFC’s worst division for the better part of the past decade. Will the high floor Mike Vrabel has helped provide be there for this reconstructed team?

Extensions and restructures:

Agreed to four-year, $94MM extension with DL Jeffery Simmons ($47.83MM guaranteed)
Reached incentive-based contract reworking with S Kevin Byard

This Robinson bet on an injured prospect paid off for the Titans, who have one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen. And Simmons has been durable since debuting midway through his rookie season post-ACL tear. Notching back-to-back second-team All-Pro seasons, Simmons has totaled 16 sacks and 21 tackles for loss from 2021-22. His three sacks drove a ferocious pass rush that nearly dragged the Titans to a divisional-round win over the Bengals. The Titans now have the two anchors of that rush — Simmons and Harold Landry — signed long term.

During an offseason in which the NFL’s top non-Aaron Donald tier of D-tackle contract became firmly established, Simmons exited with more guaranteed money than the Rams legend. Although Carthon did not draft Simmons, the former 49ers exec made a point to hammer out the deal before the offseason program began.

Simmons, 26, had staged a hold-in at the Titans’ 2022 minicamp, but with non-quarterback extensions for players with two years of control remaining still fairly rare, the DT-rich 2019 first round needed to wait. With the Commanders franchise-tagging 2018 first-rounder Daron Payne, it created a glut of D-tackles aiming to bridge the mammoth gap between Donald and the field.

In a league in which Patrick Mahomes‘ contract — which stood $10MM north of the second-highest NFL AAV when finalized — has been passed over many times, it is notable none of the 20-something D-tackles came especially close to Donald’s $31.7MM average salary. Simmons has a case to be labeled the league’s third-best inside D-lineman — behind Donald and Chris Jones — and his AAV landed at $23.5MM. Teams were not willing to go near the price the Rams set for their historically talented pass rusher, but Simmons securing the $47.8MM guarantee number obviously proved crucial for his camp. While the Jones-Chiefs talks have not produced a resolution, Simmons trails only Quinnen Williams in fully guaranteed money at the position.

The Byard saga did produce an agreement, but the Carthon era has not started off ideally for the veteran safety. A reliable performer on one of the NFL’s most injury-prone teams, Byard is two seasons removed from a first-team All-Pro nod. The seven-year veteran has never missed a game, giving the Titans vital security as injury trouble has impacted the roster at key points. Pro Football Focus has also graded Byard as a top-10 safety in five of the past six seasons. Byard, who will turn 30 before the season, admitted he did not expect Carthon to hit him with a pay-cut request.

No trade drama ensued, but Carthon did trim money from Byard’s 2023 base salary. This is not a true restructure, as the transaction shaved nearly $3MM off Byard’s 2023 base salary. Incentives can move the number back to the $13.6MM place at which it previously stood, but the Titans also gave Byard $7MM in additional guarantees — on a contract that had seen its guarantees elapse — to agree to this. As a result, the team created more than $7MM in 2023 cap space with this adjustment. After two previous restructures, Byard’s cap number had ballooned to $19.6MM.

Free agency additions:

Arden Key, OLB: Three years, $21MM ($13MM guaranteed)
DeAndre Hopkins, WR: Two years, $26MM ($10.98MM guaranteed)
Andre Dillard, T: Three years, $29MM ($10MM guaranteed)
Azeez Al-Shaair, ILB: One year, $5MM ($4.25MM guaranteed)
Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB: One year, $3.5MM ($3.5MM guaranteed)
Daniel Brunskill, G: Two years, $5.5MM ($1.5MM guaranteed)
Luke Gifford, ILB: Two years, $4MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Chris Moore, WR: One year, $1.32MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Chris Hubbard, OL: One year, $1.32MM ($75K guaranteed)
Jaleel Johnson, DL: One year, $1.1MM
Ben Niemann, LB: One year, $1.1MM

The Ravens’ Odell Beckham Jr. contract shook up Hopkins trade talks, eventually opening the door for the Titans. As Hopkins’ free agency played out, it seemed fitting the Titans ended up playing the Ravens role as they competed against true AFC contenders. Tennessee ended up outflanking other suitors — perhaps by a decent margin — to sign Hopkins. Considering the performance of the Titans’ receiving corps last season and the state this year’s group resided post-draft, Hopkins represented a vital upgrade.

Dealing Brown immediately burned the Titans, who may have misread the market. Although the Ravens traded Marquise Brown, the other four teams with decisions on 2019 receiver draftees — the Commanders (Terry McLaurin), Seahawks (D.K. Metcalf), 49ers (Deebo Samuel) and Steelers (Diontae Johnson) — reached extension agreements, with the pacts being based on the one the Eagles gave Brown. While first-rounder Treylon Burks — effectively Brown’s replacement — showed flashes, Tennessee’s receiving corps produced just one 500-yard showing. And that came from a declining Robert Woods, who totaled 527 yards as this passing attack cratered.

Hopkins, 31, is not where he was when traded from the Texans to the Cardinals, but of the suitors, no team needed him more. The contract the Titans shelled out reflected that. Had the Ravens’ similar receiver need not driven them to give Beckham $15MM guaranteed, the long-rumored Bills-Chiefs bidding war might have taken place on the trade market.

Hopkins was apparently ready to accept a reduction to facilitate a trade away from the rebuilding Cards, but once OBJ (zero first-team All-Pro nods) landed the Baltimore deal after not playing in 2022, Hopkins naturally did not believe he needed to make a big sacrifice ahead of his 11th season. Rather than becoming a major chip in the arms race taking place atop the AFC, Hopkins will take some pressure off Burks in Nashville.

This move does remind of Tennessee’s Julio Jones pickup two years ago. Jones was also a three-time first-team All-Pro coming off an injury-limited season in his early 30s. But the Titans needed to fork over a second-round pick for the ex-Falcon great. The Hopkins contract details reveal an easy out after one year. The Titans designating Hopkins as a post-June 1 cut next year would come with just $1.96MM in dead money (and $14MM-plus in savings). Hopkins is due a $4.1MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2024 league year, providing an early decision date — unlike this offseason.

Bailing on another accomplished wideout with a post-June 1 release designation would not be optimal for Tennessee, which still has $8.4MM in Jones dead money on its 2023 cap sheet. But even though it looked like the team needed to offer several million more than Kansas City or New England did in guarantees, thus topping the incentive-laden deals each proposed, the Titans are not pot-committed for 2024.

In Hopkins’ last full season, he totaled a career-high 115 receptions for 1,407 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Hamstring issues and a torn MCL halted Hopkins’ momentum in 2021, bringing about the first injury-plagued stretch of the former first-round pick’s career. A PED ban and a minor knee issue emerged last year. Hopkins has missed 15 games over the past two seasons. But he has a history with Vrabel and new OC Tim Kelly, who were each in Houston during part of his seven-season stay.

The six-time 1,000-yard receiver will have another chance as a WR1. Potentially on the Hall of Fame borderline, Hopkins may be able to use this Titans tenure to cement his Canton candidacy. Will a player who has already pocketed $111MM regret not insisting on playing with Patrick Mahomes?

Making big changes on their offensive line, the Titans added Brunskill — a 49ers UDFA during Carthon’s San Francisco period — and will give Dillard a second chance. Dillard was unable to become the Jason Peters heir apparent the Eagles wanted when they traded up for him in the 2019 first round, but the Washington State alum drew trade interest before the 2021 and ’22 deadlines. Dillard, 27, has only made nine career starts, making this an interesting gamble by the Titans. Pro Football Focus did view Dillard’s five-game starter stretch in 2021 favorably, and he has fared better as a left tackle in his career.

Brunskill, 29, played a key role in the 49ers’ trips to the past two NFC championship games. He worked as San Francisco’s right guard starter from 2020-21, and although rookie Spencer Burford beat him out last year, Brunskill still rotated in and played 519 offensive snaps. No rotation appears planned by the Titans, who entered the offseason with two guard needs.

The 49ers extending Dre Greenlaw last year turned Al-Shaiir’s 2022 into an audition, and Carthon brought another San Francisco UDFA find to Tennessee with him. A 2021 Greenlaw injury gave Al-Shaair an extended run as a three-down Fred Warner sidekick, and PFF graded him as a top-30 off-ball linebacker that year and in 2022. Greenlaw’s return restored Al-Shaair to a part-timer last season, but for a Titans team that released Zach Cunningham and let David Long sign with the Dolphins, a three-down role is on tap for the soon-to-be 26-year-old talent. The Titans were able to land Al-Shaair on the cheap as well, as the ILB market produced just two deals (for Tremaine Edmunds and Bobby Okereke) north of $7.5MM per year.

Carthon continued to find former 49ers in free agency, signing Key to a deal that brought the young pass rusher more in guarantees than the summer Leonard Floyd or Frank Clark deals ended up requiring. The 49ers found some value in Key, scooping up the Raiders cut in 2021 and seeing him collect 6.5 sacks as one of Nick Bosa‘s wingmen. Key, 27, operated as a rotational rusher in San Francisco and Jacksonville. Tennessee will give him a chance to be a regular starter opposite Harold Landry. Jon Robinson struggled for years to staff that position, whiffing on Cameron Wake, Vic Beasley, Jadeveon Clowney and Bud Dupree. Carthon will continue this effort with a familiar face.

Robinson also saw his efforts to build at cornerback largely fall flat. Betting on Caleb Farley to shake off an injury-laden college tenure has not worked, and slot man Elijah Molden missed most of last season. Murphy-Bunting will pair with homegrown talents Molden, Kristian Fulton and Roger McCreary. The former Buccaneer did not see the type of market ex-teammates Carlton Davis ($14.8MM per year) and Jamel Dean ($13MM AAV) did in free agency. This came despite a 2022 season in which he set career-best marks for passer rating against (59.6), completion percentage allowed (51.2) and yards per target (4.5). These each ranked near the top of the league, but the Bucs gave Murphy-Bunting a career-low 53% snap rate. The former second-round pick, who made a big impact with three playoff INTs during the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV run, will try to boost his stock in Tennessee.

Re-signings:

Aaron Brewer, OL: One year, $4MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Teair Tart, DL: One year, $4MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Morgan Cox, LS: One year, $1.32MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR: One year, $1.26MM ($400K guaranteed)
Corey Levin, OL: One year, $1.1MM

After winning Tennessee’s left guard job in training camp last year, Brewer is shifting to center. The 17-game 2022 starter will be the only returning starter on the Titans’ O-line in Week 1. A fellow ex-UDFA, Tart has been a Titans regular over the past two seasons. He joins Simmons and the versatile Denico Autry on a solid defensive front.

While the Titans have kept attempting to minimize Westrbook-Ikhine’s role via high draft choices and veteran additions, the former Indiana UDFA has remained a regular auxiliary piece. Barring injuries to Tennessee’s top two receivers, Westbrook-Ikhine profiles as the team’s WR3 in his age-26 season. But Hopkins and Burks missed time last year. NWI has helped Tennessee navigate the various maladies its pass catchers have suffered over the past two seasons, totaling 873 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in that span. The 215-pound target, whom the Titans circled back to after nontendering as an RFA, will aim to create a decent free agent market for himself this season.

Notable losses:

Andrew Adams, S
Tarell Basham, OLB
C.J. Board, WR
Randy Bullock, K (released)
Trenton Cannon, RB
Le’Raven Clark, OL
Dylan Cole, LB
Chris Conley, WR
Zach Cunningham, ILB (released)
Dennis Daley, OL
Nate Davis, G
Joshua Dobbs, QB
Bud Dupree, OLB (released)
Mario Edwards, DL
Davontae Harris, CB
Dontrell Hilliard, RB
Austin Hooper, TE
Lonnie Johnson, DB
Ben Jones, C (released)
Jamarco Jones, OL (released)
Joseph Jones, LB
Taylor Lewan, LT (released)
David Long, ILB
Greg Mabin, CB
Terrance Mitchell, CB
A.J. Moore, DB
Andre Smith, ILB
Kevin Strong, DL
Geoff Swaim, TE
DeMarcus Walker, DL
Robert Woods, WR (released)

Carthon made four cap-casualty moves in one afternoon, cutting Bullock, Cunningham, Lewan and Woods on Feb. 22. The releases of Jones and Dupree followed. The moves took six starters’ contracts off the books, creating just more than $50MM in cap space. This helped move Tennessee well under the cap, but the team did not stop there. Davis, Walker and Edwards further stripped away Robinson-era pieces from the Titans’ lines, with Long’s Miami exit representing more turnover at inside linebacker as well.

Jones (108) and Lewan (100) combined to start 208 games as Titans — fifth and sixth, respectively, in the franchise’s Tennessee era — but finished last season on IR. Lewan ran into extensive knee trouble, with the issue recurring last season and leading to 15 missed games. The former first-round pick missed 29 games during the 2020s, with the excessive knee trouble leading him to a lawsuit over a surgery he underwent in 2020. The Titans still received Pro Bowl-caliber play from Lewan during most of his healthy stretches, and he played a vital role in Henry’s dominance. But the 32-year-old blocker/podcast host appears headed toward retirement.

A former Texans draftee, Jones became better known for his Titans work. He signed three contracts with the team, initially joining during Robinson’s first offseason as GM. The Titans gave their interior O-line anchor a two-year, $14MM accord in 2022, but concussion issues intervened and halted the durable performer. Jones, 34, had only missed one game over his first 10 seasons. He missed five last year, suffering two concussions. That obviously brings about concern for Jones, who was briefly linked to the Jets in free agency. No team has signed him. While this franchise has trotted out the likes of Bruce Matthews and Mike Munchak, no player in Oilers/Titans history has started more games at center than Jones, who also played an essential part in Henry’s ascent.

The Titans also figure to miss Davis, who grew from third-round pick to four-year right guard starter. As Lewan missed time, Davis joined Jones in being constants for the team during its three-year playoff streak. As the Titans have struggled to find right tackle consistency post-Jack Conklin, they were able to depend on Jones and Davis inside. Moving on from Lewan and both interior staples will make for one of the bigger transitions any team has made up front in recent years.

Hooper’s one-and-done will leave intriguing Chig Okonkwo atop the tight end depth chart. Okonkwo totaled 450 yards as a rookie, but Next Gen Stats’ yards after catch per reception metric slotted him second (8.1) to only Deebo Samuel across the NFL. With the Titans still short on receiver dependability, Okonkwo will be an important piece in his second season.

For a stretch during the 2010s, the Titans enjoyed inside linebacker continuity. Since the Wesley Woodyard–Avery Williamson duo splintered, the team has let a number of notable ILBs walk. Zach Brown, Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans and now Long have moved on as free agents.

Long battled injuries, to the point Vrabel brought it up at his season-ending press conference. Hamstring trouble, in particular, has interfered with Long’s ascent. Long’s 12 absences over the past two seasons likely contributed to his being available for two years and $11MM (Dolphins). PFF, however, graded Long as a top-20 off-ball ‘backer in 2021 and ’22, slotting him fifth in run defense at the position. The Titans could not rely on Cunningham, a 2021 waiver claim. While the former Texans second-rounder immediately moved from castoff on a rebuilding team to starter for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, he made two trips to IR last season.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 11: Peter Skoronski, OL (Northwestern) (signed)
Round 2, No. 33 (from Cardinals): Will Levis, QB (Kentucky)
Round 3, No. 81 (from Lions through Cardinals): Tyjae Spears, RB (Tulane) (signed)
Round 5, No. 147: Josh Whyle, TE (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 6, No. 186 (from Falcons): Jaelyn Duncan, T (Maryland) (signed)
Round 7, No. 228: Colton Dowell, WR (Tennessee-Martin) (signed)

Connections tied the Titans to interest in trading up for a first-round quarterback, but it is quite possible one of their division rivals blocked the path to the player they wanted. The steady attachments forming between the Titans and a first-round trade-up from No. 11 into the quarterback range may have centered on C.J. Stroud, as the Titans dropped out of the running for such a move — which would have been with the Cardinals — after the Texans chose Stroud at 2.

As Tennessee regrouped, filling a need up front made sense given the losses sustained in March. Skoronski played only tackle at Northwestern, but most scouts agreed guard would be his NFL job. After giving the decorated blocker a look at tackle during their offseason program, the Titans have stationed him at guard in training camp. The grandson of former Vince Lombardi-era Packers left tackle Bob Skoronski, Peter paved a clear path toward first-round status by earning first-team All-Big Ten acclaim as a sophomore and junior. Despite Nicholas Petit-Frere‘s situation, the Titans added Hubbard, who vying for the RT job with Duncan. Rather than disrupt Skoronski’s development by giving him the temporary assignment of replacing Petit-Frere, Vrabel and Co. look to be allowing him to learn guard full-time.

The Titans did explore moving back into Round 1, but Levis fell out of the first round. Following the likes of Geno Smith, Drew Lock and Malik Willis, the Kentucky alum remained available after steady first-round rumors. The Colts, who had been low-key enamored with Anthony Richardson, had been consistently linked to Levis. Instead, the Titans will make the bet on the Penn State transfer-turned-multiyear SEC starter. Moving from No. 41 to 33 cost the Titans a 2024 third-rounder. That will be an afterthought if Levis becomes a legitimate Tannehill successor.

Levis, who fared better under OC Liam Coen as a junior in Lexington, will challenge Willis for the Titans’ backup job. After being rumored to be a potential top-10 pick, Willis fell to 86 last year and looked overmatched when summoned to replace Tannehill. This situation reached a definitive conclusion when Vrabel called upon Joshua Dobbs, plucked off the Lions’ practice squad days earlier, to start the team’s final two games. It would seem premature to bail on Willis after one season, but with a new front office in place, that should not be considered a shocking development. Levis now sits as the preferred developmental option behind Tannehill, who joins Kirk Cousins in being due for free agency in 2024.

Since DeMarco Murray‘s 2018 exit unleashed Henry, the Titans have tried and largely failed to acquire a capable backup. The team released Dion Lewis after one season of a four-year deal, and third-rounder Darrynton Evans did not pan out. Jeremy McNichols and a shopworn Adrian Peterson could not replace Henry in 2021; only in-season practice squad pickup D’Onta Foreman ended up being a viable fill-in. Foreman left in free agency last year. A 2022 fourth-round pick, Hassan Haskins was arrested on an aggravated assault by strangulation charge this offseason.

Spears will be the latest attempt at a Henry RB2. The Tulane product shined as a senior, zooming for 1,837 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns — four of those in Cotton Bowl victory over USC. Considering Henry’s high mileage (1,877 career touches), Spears’ status will be worth monitoring this season. A draft-weekend report indicated Spears does not have an ACL in his one of his knees, after two tears, and had battled arthritis. The rookie brushed off health concerns upon being drafted.

Other:

49ers’ Ran Carthon named general manager; Chad Brinker, Anthony Robinson named co-assistant GMs
Fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing, promoted Tim Kelly as replacement
RT Nicholas Petit-Frere received six-game gambling suspension
Interim GM Ryan Cowden accepted Giants front office position
Added former Broncos OC Justin Outten to staff, Jason Houghtaling as offensive line coach
Added Falcons’ Charles London as quarterbacks coach, Commanders’ Chris Harris as DBs coach
Signed 14 undrafted free agents

The Titans attempted to interview both of John Lynch‘s top lieutenants, but assistant 49ers GM Adam Peters declined the meeting. Carthon joined Peters in working as a 49ers staffer since Lynch’s 2017 arrival, and he will team with Vrabel. While the NFL’s progress with minority HCs has slowed, the hiring of Carthon — who beat out Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham for the job — gives the league eight minority GMs.

After a short career as a running back, Carthon, 42, worked his way up from a pro scout over the past 15 years, finishing his San Francisco tenure as director of player personnel. The 49ers have built one of the NFL’s best rosters, advancing to three of the past four NFC title games despite middling-at-best quarterback play. Carthon will attempt to carry that success to Tennessee, where he steps into the unusual situation of taking over a team that has made the playoffs in three of the past four years.

This will be an interesting partnership, as Vrabel — who joined Robinson in signing a 2022 extension — is entrenched and will have considerable say in personnel matters. While new GMs often join a team in need of a head coach or create an HC vacancy by firing the incumbent sideline boss within a year, Carthon will likely be working with Vrabel for the foreseeable future.

Robinson lieutenants Cowden, who closed last season as the Titans’ interim GM, and Monti Ossenfort — now the Cardinals’ GM — are out. Brinker, named the Titans’ assistant GM/strategy, spent 12 years working under Ted Thompson and then Brian Gutekunst in Green Bay. Like Brinker, Robinson stayed on with his former team — the Falcons — after a GM change. The Thomas Dimitroff hire spent two years under Terry Fontenot, finishing as Atlanta’s college scouting director. He carries the title of assistant GM/personnel.

Todd Downing lost his Raiders OC gig after one season and saw a DUI arrest key a downfall with the Titans, whose offense talent lessened during his second season. Internal and NFL investigations ensued, with Downing’s arrest coming in Tennessee shortly after the Titans concluded a Thursday trip to Green Bay, but the ousted OC is now with the Jets.

Like Downing and Arthur Smith before him, Kelly, 36, earned the Tennessee OC job via promotion. The former Texans OC joined the Titans as pass-game coordinator in 2022, coming over after an eight-year stay in Houston. The longtime Bill O’Brien right-hand man called plays for the Texans during the 2020 and ’21 seasons. Kelly, who is the older brother of ex-Titans tackle Dennis Kelly, spent three seasons as Houston’s OC. The Texans finished 13th in total offense in each of Kelly’s first two seasons, but after the Deshaun Watson fiasco led to the team parking the embattled Pro Bowler as a healthy scratch, the team’s offense predictably sank to the NFL’s basement in 2021. After that last-place offensive ranking, the Texans fired Kelly and HC David Culley.

The Titans’ depth chart points to Petit-Frere getting his job back once the suspension ends. Unlike a handful of players found to have bet on NFL games, Petit-Frere was popped for making a bet on another sport while on team grounds. That will allow the 2022 third-round pick to salvage his second season. Hubbard, who has not been a regular starter in four years, could provide swing depth once Petit-Frere (16 starts as a rookie) returns. The player Petit-Frere beat out for the RT job last year, 2021 second-rounder Dillon Radunz, remains on Tennessee’s active/PUP list after suffering a late-December ACL tear.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Ryan Tannehill, QB: $36.6MM
Harold Landry, OLB: $18.8MM
Derrick Henry, RB: $16.37MM
Kevin Byard, S: $11.27MM
Denico Autry, DL: $9.1MM
Amani Hooker, S: $8.87MM
Jeffery Simmons, DL: $6.35MM
Aaron Brewer, OL: $4.3MM
Teair Tart, DL: $4.3MM
Caleb Farley, CB: $3.68MM

Tennessee’s payroll figures to look much different in 2024, with Tannehill likely — barring another contract agreement ahead of his age-36 season — coming off the books. The former injury-prone Dolphins castoff resurrected his career as a Titan and should generate a market next year. For 2023, however, the Titans need the veteran QB.

Barring Levis showing immediate readiness, Tannehill should have the reins for most, if not all, of the upcoming season. It would probably take Levis displaying considerable progress, the Titans stumbling out of the blocks and a contract restructure — to lower Tannehill’s big paragraph 5 number ($27MM) — for a QB trade to become realistic.

After toppling a wounded Titans team, the Jaguars are favored to stay atop the AFC South. In Vrabel’s five years at the controls, the Titans have only finished under .500 once. Even as the team jettisoned several veterans, it is difficult to see a decline from last year’s 7-10 place coming. This could mark the end of an era, given Tannehill and Henry’s contract situations, but the Titans still have prime-years talent left over from the 12-5 2021 squad. The presences of that nucleus, which returns Landry after a full-season absence, should keep the Titans competitive with the Jags this season.

Offseason In Review: New York Giants

July 30th, 2023 at 9:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Joe Schoen regime’s first offseason did not feature splash moves, with cap issues limiting the GM last year. After a surprise voyage to the NFC’s divisional round, the Giants became far more active this year in making moves that will shape their long-term future. For the most part, the team’s core players are now locked down. Though, more headlines came the team’s way because of the pillar that exited the offseason without an extension.

Re-signings:

Daniel Jones, QB: Four years, $160MM ($81MM guaranteed)
Saquon Barkley, RB: One year, $10.1MM ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Darius Slayton, WR: Two years, $12MM ($4.9MM guaranteed)
Jamie Gillan, P: Two years, $4MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Jihad Ward, OLB: One year, $1.5MM ($500K guaranteed)
Matt Breida, RB: One year, $1.4MM ($500K guaranteed)
Casey Kreiter, LS: One year, $1.32MM ($353K guaranteed)
Oshane Ximines, OLB: One year, $1.18MM ($200K guaranteed)
Sterling Shepard, WR: One year, $1.32MM
Jarrad Davis, LB: One year, $1.18MM
Isaiah Hodgins, WR (RFA tender)

Faced with one of the more fascinating decisions in the franchise tag era, the Giants made no secret of their stance adjustment on Jones. Schoen passed on the Dave Gettleman-era draftee’s $22.4MM fifth-year option in 2022. Picking that up would have brought an easier route for the Giants, but the former No. 6 overall pick was coming off an injury-limited season and had not justified such an investment at that point. With Jones becoming the first quarterback to re-sign with a team that had declined his fifth-year option, he exerted the leverage the March franchise tag deadline gave him. At the end of that journey: a payday that would have been unimaginable a year ago.

By not picking up Jones’ option and letting Barkley play out his, the Giants entered March with both unsigned. They ended up navigating this scenario in the same way the 2020 Titans did, re-signing the quarterback and tagging the running back. But the Ryan Tannehill–Derrick Henry situation did not produce half the headlines the Giants’ Jones-Barkley proceedings did.

In the fall, the team first identified Barkley as an extension candidate, beginning bye-week negotiations and offering an extension worth more than $12MM per year. No Jones negotiations took place at that point, with the new Big Blue regime wanting to see more. After Jones piloted a Giants offense stripped of non-Barkley skill-position talent to the franchise’s first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI, Schoen and Co. changed course. Jones became the priority and was set to receive an expensive franchise tag ($32.4MM). Barkley’s superior talent notwithstanding, the two-time Pro Bowl running back’s positional value dropped him in the team’s queue. This set up a high-stakes stretch leading up to the March 7 deadline to tag players.

Rumored to be aiming for a deal south of $40MM per year, the Giants saw their quarterback change agents and come in with a $47MM-AAV ask once talks heated up in the winter. After a lack of progress in the days leading up to the deadline, the Giants talked Jones down to $40MM per year. Beating the deadline buzzer on this extension allowed them to tag Barkley, completing step one of a seminal offseason itinerary. While that set off another high-profile negotiation that would play out in the coming months, Jones successfully negotiated the same contract parameters Matthew Stafford and Dak Prescott received and did so coming off a season in which he threw only 15 touchdown passes.

The Eli Manning heir apparent transforming his value to this degree made for one of the most interesting contractual sagas in recent memory. Jones, 26, had shown promise as a rookie under Pat Shurmur. His 24 TD passes — in a 12-start season — still rank fifth for a rookie. But Joe Judge‘s tenure, which largely placed Jason Garrett at the controls on offense, ended up setting Jones back. The Duke product combined for 21 TD passes in 25 starts from 2020-21, and his midseason neck injury in the latter season led to one of the worst stretches in Giants history. Although the team’s 9-7-1 response to that benefited Jones more than anyone, the Giants are making a reasonable bet on a player they were seemingly ready to discard at this time last year.

Factoring in rushing impact, QBR viewed Jones as having made tremendous strides under Brian Daboll. Despite increasing receiver limitations and a basement-level tight end situation, Jones ranked sixth in that metric. His 708 rushing yards boosted a team in need of viable non-Barkley help moving the chains, and it will be interesting to see how Jones performs in Daboll’s offense with an improved pass-catching corps.

This contract also gives the Giants a reasonable out after two years. They would be on the hook for barely $9MM in dead money if they designated Jones a post-June 1 cut in 2025. And the subsequent deals for Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert did bump the Jones contract down to 11th at the position. Still, Jones is a bit on this deal is a different than having him on rookie money. While it would have been interesting to see if another team would have been willing to give him $40MM per year on the open market, the Giants did not wish to chance that.

Barkley’s tag became one of many events in a crushing offseason for the running back position. The throughline from Mike Shanahan‘s brigade of post-Terrell Davis 1,000-yard backs to the gridlock atop the market following Christian McCaffrey‘s 2020 agreement has led to an overdue spotlight shining on this position’s place in the modern game. At the end of 2023’s carnage, the RB position is at maybe its most unstable point in history.

The Giants not coming to an agreement with Barkley certainly puts this relationship at risk of falling apart after 2023. But the team will have a chance to use the most talented back in its near-100-year history for at least one more season. The Giants will have a chance to tag Barkley again, at barely $12MM, in 2024. Will the 26-year-old RB remain in the picture by that point?

After shaking off a three-year stretch of injuries, Barkley provided great value on a $7.22MM fifth-year option salary by powering the Giants to the playoffs. While the Giants have not been able to utilize Barkley’s pass-game talents on the level his rookie year brought, he gained a career-high 1,312 rushing yards and was by far the most talented Giants skill player. Barkley stayed healthy throughout the season, but after the fall talks did not come close to producing a deal, the Giants ended up pulling their second offer — worth roughly $13MM per year — after tagging him. Four months later, Barkley will play the season for the $10.1MM tag salary (feat. a small incentive package with lofty benchmarks).

Barkley blasted the Giants for leaks that made him look greedy, when the fall and winter offers included low guarantees. Once the team finally moved up to the $22MM guarantee level that represented the cost of two franchise tags, the backfield staple was annoyed that increase came with an AAV decrease south of $12MM. Despite the parties being close to a deal, the Giants making the late move to reduce the AAV led to Barkley passing. Barkley’s No. 2 overall draft slot and fifth-year option money moved his career earnings past $38MM, which would have given him interesting leverage to use a Le’Veon Bell-like absence as evidence — on a Giants team still bereft of dependable skill players elsewhere — of RB value while preserving his body for what could be a last-chance free agency run in 2024. Barkley’s bluff on this front did not translate to even a training camp holdout, illustrating the power the tag gave the Giants.

With the Giants free to use Barkley as they please, this tag season could tank his stock — through either an injury or a third 350-plus-touch year — and leave him in a tough spot on what looks like another crowded free agent market. That is, if the Giants let Barkley reach free agency in 2024. With Miles Sanders receiving $13MM guaranteed from the Panthers, Barkley will bet on himself this year in hopes a reasonable guarantee figure will await him on the market in 2024.

Shepard is the Giants’ longest-tenured player, but his injury history and having re-signed for no guaranteed money makes the Slayton transaction more pertinent for the 2023 Giants. Although Jones and Barkley zoomed into this regime’s good graces after down 2021 offerings, Slayton’s turnaround with the organization may have been more surprising.

The Giants buried Slayton on their depth chart going into his contract year and then slashed his pay, stripping away the proven performance escalator money he earned, before the season. But the slew of issues to affect the team’s receiver cadre — Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson‘s ACL tears, Kadarius Toney‘s repeat injuries and then a give-up trade, and Kenny Golladay cementing himself as a historic free agency bust — led to Slayton climbing back into a starting role and leading the team in receiving (724 yards). The Giants are deeper at wide receiver this year, but with Robinson not a lock to begin the season on time, Slayton (three 700-yard years) could still find himself opening the season as Jones’ top wideout.

Trades:

Sent third-round pick (No. 100) to Raiders in exchange for TE Darren Waller

In betting Jones will grow with better pass catchers, the Giants are wagering Waller will shake off the injury trouble that plagued him in Las Vegas. Waller, who will turn 31 in September, missed 14 games over the past two years. The Pro Bowl tight end’s injuries eventually caused the Raiders to cut bait. For a Giants team that has not employed a difference-making tight end in maybe 16 years (Jeremy Shockey?), this is a bet worth making. The pick obtained for Toney is a reasonable price to pay for a dynamic player like Waller.

Unlike Shockey, Waller has delivered a 1,000-yard season. In fact, the ex-Ravens wide receiver is one of just eight tight ends with two 1,100-yard years. Waller saved the Raiders when their Antonio Brown trade preceded a spectacular combustion, going from Jon Gruden-era flier to cornerstone piece in Derek Carr‘s final stretch with the franchise. In his most recent healthy season, Waller ripped off 107-catch, 1,196-yard, nine-TD performance.

Of course, that came three years ago. Since, Waller has dealt with ankle, IT band and hamstring problems. Waller missing eight games due to a hamstring issue — weeks after the Raiders made him the NFL’s highest-paid tight end, at $17MM per year — last year frustrated some in the organization. But he has a clear opportunity in New York. The Raiders had transitioned to a Davante Adams-centered aerial attack. While the Giants took a quantity-based approach at receiver, no No. 1-type wideout — at least, no known commodity — exists on this depth chart. Waller will enter the year as the most likely passing-game centerpiece.

Waller’s 2022 extension did not feature lofty guarantees, which gave the Raiders an easy out. The Giants will only be tagged with $2.5MM in dead money if they designate Waller a post-June 1 cut in 2024. This is a relatively low-risk proposition for Big Blue. Waller did show flashes after coming back from his hamstring issue in December; when healthy, he presents the capability to give the Giants a weapon that would accelerate Jones’ development.

Extensions and restructures:

Signed LT Andrew Thomas to five-year, $117.5MM extension ($67MM guaranteed)
Gave DT Dexter Lawrence four-year, $90MM deal ($46.5MM guaranteed)
Restructured TE Darren Waller‘s deal, creating $7.87MM in cap space

In an offseason that has placed Barkley in a late-’90s George Costanza-like position, when the Susan Ross Foundation continued to unveil other financial plans regarding her estate, Thomas and Lawrence have joined Jones in receiving windfalls. How the Giants proceeded this year doubles as a decent encapsulation for positional value in the NFL. Beyond the reality of the Giants taking care of higher-value players and letting their running back stay on the tag, two more Gettleman-years breakthrough players are under contract for at least five more seasons. Thomas’ deal, in particular, could age very well for the team.

Zack Martin‘s Cowboys holdout shows the risk of standout players agreeing to lengthy contracts, but Thomas has given the Giants seven years of control. It took a tackle-record guarantee for the former No. 4 overall pick to do so, but the Giants now have their left tackle signed through his age-30 season. Considering the growth Thomas has shown since a rocky rookie year, this might be a significant value play for the team as the salary cap makes a climb toward $300MM over the course of this contract.

Thomas, 24, finished last season as a second-team All-Pro. Pro Football Focus slotted the Georgia alum third among tackles; both PFF and ESPN’s win rate metric charted him as an elite pass blocker. After the Giants whiffed on big-ticket moves to staff this all-important position — the Ereck Flowers top-10 pick, the Nate Solder record-setting contract — in Manning’s twilight years, they have a potential anchor for Jones.

Of the 318 players chosen in Round 1 in the fifth-year option era (2011-present), Thomas is just the 28th to sign an extension before his fourth season. Teams do not make a habit of extending non-QBs with two years left on their rookie deals. The Giants had this on their radar, however. Showing early faith in Thomas illustrates their confidence in the prior regime’s investment. With the Giants not having another O-lineman signed to an upper-echelon contract, an early window for a Thomas play was open.

Lawrence signed a more traditional extension, doing so as a clear-cut second tier formed at defensive tackle this offseason. Lawrence joined Daron Payne, Jeffery Simmons and Quinnen Williams in signing extensions worth between $22.5-$24MM AAV this year. Payne’s re-up started off that formation, and the Giants matched the Commanders’ terms two months later. The non-Aaron Donald market at the position is set, though Chris Jones is seeking a payday much closer to the Rams all-time great than this new tier that now exists, and the Giants will enter a season as the only team paying two DTs — Lawrence and Leonard Williams — more than $20MM per year.

The last piece remaining in either New York or Cleveland from the 2019 Odell Beckham Jr. trade, Lawrence has grown into one of the league’s top inside D-linemen. Both PFF and ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric rated Lawrence as a top-five D-tackle last season. The Clemson product controlled the line of scrimmage against Garrett Bradbury in the Giants’ wild-card win in Minnesota, finalizing his case for a top-non-Donald-level re-up. Lawrence, 25, moved from 11 QB hits in 2021 to a staggering 28 — with 7.5 sacks — last season. Leonard Williams’ $21MM-AAV contract expires at season’s end, making Lawrence the Giants’ cornerstone D-lineman.

Gettleman’s tenure did not go well, and the Golladay move will reside in free agency infamy. But the criticized GM’s top investments comprise the Giants’ long-term core. It will be on the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal and Deonte Banks to join them, but this offseason showed Schoen was plenty willing to reward players he did not have a hand in acquiring.

Free agency additions:

Bobby Okereke, LB: Four years, $40MM ($21.8MM guaranteed)
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DL: Three years, $12MM ($5.47MM guaranteed)
A’Shawn Robinson, DL: One year, $5MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Parris Campbell, WR: One year, $4.7MM ($2.9MM guaranteed)
Bobby McCain, S: One year, $1.32MM ($653K guaranteed)
Cole Beasley, WR: One year, $1.17MM
J.C. Hassenauer, OL: One year, $1.01MM ($200K guaranteed)
Amani Oruwariye, CB: One year, $1.23MM ($53K guaranteed)
Jamison Crowder, WR: One year, $1.32MM ($28K guaranteed)
James Robinson, RB: One year, $1MM

Similar to the running back market, a low ceiling set in for most of the off-ball linebackers aiming to cash in. But the Bears and Giants made exceptions. Despite Schoen, Daboll and ILBs coach John Egorugwu having a history with Tremaine Edmunds in Buffalo, Chicago landed the top ILB on this year’s market. The Bears also signed ex-Eagle T.J. Edwards, a rumored Giants target. But the Giants handed out the second-most lucrative deal. No other ILB free agent collected more than $10.2MM guaranteed, making New York’s Okereke deal stand out. But the Giants had battled steady issues at inside linebacker for a bit.

It seemed Blake Martinez had solved the Giants’ ILB issue, but a 2021 ACL tear led to the Giants moving on in 2022 (and led Martinez into a flourishing career selling Pokemon cards). Tae Crowder‘s rise from Mr. Irrelevant to Giants starter ended abruptly, via a midseason cut. Okereke, who moved out of Shaquille Leonard‘s shadow after the latter’s 2022 injury trouble, is now the team’s ace at this position.

Unleashed after the Colts did not re-sign Anthony Walker in 2021, Okereke combined for 283 tackles over the past two seasons — ninth-most in that span — and forced two fumbles last year. Considering Martinez received $10MM per year in 2020, this might represent a bit of value for the Giants, even though the crowded ILB market settled in below this point.

The contracts given to Campbell and Jamison Crowder show modest confidence, and taken in with Beasley’s deal along with the Shepard re-signing and Robinson draft choice, this Giants regime certainly has a type at receiver. Jokes about Big Blue’s slot receiver hoarding aside, Campbell’s injury trouble from 2019-21 led to this small guarantee.

The ex-Ohio State speedster was a non-factor over his first three NFL years, but as eyes fixated elsewhere during a disastrous 2022 Colts campaign, he played 17 games and posted 623 receiving yards. Campbell, 26, seems a safe bet to make the team, while Crowder (30) is more a flier. A decent slot contributor in Washington and with the Jets (three 700-yard seasons), Crowder is coming off a season in which a fractured ankle limited him to four games with the Bills.

Even with Williams and Lawrence entrenched up front, the Giants ranked 27th against the run last season. They brought in Robinson and Nunez-Roches to help the cause. PFF rated Robinson as a top-30 run defender among D-tackles last year, and the ex-Lions draftee started for a Super Bowl-winning Rams outfit a season prior. Nunez-Roches (30) and Robinson (28) should have promising opportunities alongside the Giants’ big two up front. If nothing else, each provides some stability after the Giants lacked depth here last year.

Notable losses:

Landon Collins, S/LB
Justin Ellis, DT
Jon Feliciano, C
Nick Gates, OL
Kenny Golladay, WR (released)
Richie James, WR
Tony Jefferson, S (retired)
Marcus Johnson, WR
Julian Love, S
Fabian Moreau, CB
Jaylon Smith, LB
Nick Williams, DL

Not using the post-June 1 designation on Golladay, the Giants are taking the entire $14.7MM dead-cap penalty in 2023. Responsible for two 1,000-yard seasons in Detroit, the slow-footed target quickly showed in New York he would not come close to replicating that production. Daboll banished Golladay from the Giants’ receiver rotation last season, going with Slayton and low-end additions Richie James and Isaiah Hodgins as his primary wideouts. James (561 yards last season, easily a career-high total) signed with the Chiefs this offseason, but it is not exactly like the Giants are hurting for slot receiver types.

Love may have joined C.J. Gardner-Johnson in misreading the market. As the Eagles safety ended up taking a one-year deal worth $6.5MM with the Lions, Love joined the Seahawks for two years and $12MM. But the Giants expected to re-sign the improving safety. Their offseason offer was believed to be worth more than what the Seahawks proposed, but after the market opened, it appears likely the Giants — after paying Okereke, Nunez-Roches and Slayton — were moving in a different direction. Love signed with Seattle five days into free agency. He joined a team that already had the most money allocated to safeties, thanks to the top-five Jamal Adams pact and Quandre Diggs‘ quality third contract.

Former Jets draftee Jason Pinnock, who made five starts for the Giants last season, joins McCain, 2022 fourth-rounder Dane Belton and converted cornerback Nick McCloud in competition to start alongside Xavier McKinney. Pinnock worked as McKinney’s primary fill-in when the latter sustained injuries in an ATV accident. The Giants let two safeties (Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers) go last year, moving to Love, who delivered a 124-tackle slate in being used across the formation under Martindale. Love will not be easy to replace, but the Giants have an array of options they are considering.

Rumored to be on the Giants’ extension radar, Gates and Feliciano are now in Washington and San Francisco, respectively. Gates’ exit has introduced a guard competition, one that primarily involves Ben Bredeson and 2022 third-rounder Joshua Ezeudu.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): Deonte Banks, CB (Maryland) (signed)
Round 2, No. 57: John Michael Schmitz, C (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 3, No. 73 (from Browns through Texans and Rams): Jalin Hyatt, WR (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 5, No. 172: Eric Gray, RB (Oklahoma) (signed)
Round 6, No. 209 (from Chiefs): Tre Hawkins, CB (Old Dominion) (signed)
Round 7, No. 243: Jordon Riley, DT (Oregon) (signed)
Round 7, No. 254: Gervarrius Owens, S (Houston) (signed)

No team was more closely connected to this year’s batch of first-round receivers than the Giants, who both met with the top four (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Quentin Johnston, Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison) around their pro days and brought them in for “30” visits. The Giants, who had pursued Odell Beckham Jr. before surprising Ravens offer won that race over both New York teams, also explored trade-up avenues — with Flowers being the reported target. But no path emerged, leaving the team to address another need in Round 1.

With answers beyond Adoree’ Jackson scarce at corner, whom the team is not preparing to extend before this season, the Giants chose Banks. The Giants lost Jackson to an MCL sprain and spent most of last season without their planned CB2 — Aaron Robinson. With question marks at corner, the team will need to count on Banks, a multiyear Maryland starter who enhanced his value after an early-season shoulder sprain kiboshed his junior year, to start immediately. As a senior in 2022, the 6-foot cover man held his own in a matchup with high-end Ohio State receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. and finished with eight pass breakups.

The Giants showed early interest in Schmitz and made him this draft’s first pure center pick. Big Blue’s second-round choice came down to a Schmitz-or-Hyatt decision, and with the Biletnikoff winner falling out of Round 2, Schoen pulled the trigger on a 16-spot trade-up. Schmitz will be expected to start before Hyatt, as the Giants let Feliciano — their 2022 center starter — walk in free agency.

This pick comes nine years after the Weston Richburg second-round investment. Since Richburg’s 2018 free agency exit, the Giants have deployed a different primary center (Spencer Pulley, Jon Halapio, Nick Gates, Billy Price, Feliciano) in each season. They will call on Schmitz, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a junior and first-team acclaim as a COVID-year senior, to stop the carousel.

The receiver investment the Giants circled back to, Hyatt brings a different dimension to a slot-heavy Giants receiving corps. He of a five-touchdown performance in Tennessee’s win over Alabama last season, Hyatt broke out after two off-grid years in Knoxville. That junior-season showing prompted the Giants to meet with him pre-draft and then take him at 73. Hyatt’s 4.40-second Combine 40-yard dash clocking surprised some, illustrating the speed profile the 6-footer had created, but a hamstring ailment had bothered him at that point. With the Giants lacking a long-term outside presence, Hyatt should be given an opportunity to commandeer this role in Daboll’s offense.

Other:

Added former Titans interim GM Ryan Cowden to front office
DC Don Martindale, OC Mike Kafka received HC interviews; QBs coach Shea Tierney took Bucs OC meeting
Assistant DBs coach Anthony Blevins takes XFL HC job
RBs coach DeAndre Smith, assistant offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. joined Colts’ staff
Signed nine undrafted free agents

Last year’s surprising work on offense garnered Kafka and Tierney looks, and despite a 29th-place DVOA finish (albeit with a host of starters missing time with injuries), the Giants’ defensive performance led to Martindale returning to the HC carousel for the first time since the Giants interviewed him in 2020. Martindale, 60, is tied to a three-year contract. If Jones takes another step, Kafka — the team’s play-caller — will be a tough candidate to ignore come 2024. A closer Tierney OC look will probably follow as well.

The Giants hired Jeff Nixon to replace Smith. This marks an interesting addition, with Nixon having been a Matt Rhule assistant — at Baylor and with the Panthers — for the past six years. Nixon spent time in the NFL prior to his Rhule ties, though.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

Leonard Williams, DT: $32.26MM
Daniel Jones, QB: $21.75MM
Adoree’ Jackson, CB: $19.08MM
Saquon Barkley, RB: $10.09MM
Andrew Thomas, LT: $9.29MM
Mark Glowinski, G: $8.35MM
Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB: $7.12MM
Tyrod Taylor, QB: $6.9MM
Dexter Lawrence, DT: $6.65MM
Evan Neal, RT: $5.58MM

An extension brought down Lawrence’s 2023 cap number, but the Giants have not discussed a second re-up with Williams just yet. The 29-year-old D-tackle carries the largest 2023 cap hit for any defender. It will be tougher for the Giants to carry two big-ticket D-line contracts in 2024, when Jones’ cap number — barring a restructure — will spike to $45MM. Thomas’ $23.7MM 2024 cap figure and Lawrence’s $21.9MM number further complicate Williams’ Big Apple future.

As for this year’s team, expectations are higher compared to 2022. The Giants do face five 2022 playoff teams in their first six games, with a date with the now-Aaron Rodgers-fronted Jets in Week 8. Even in a shallower NFC, the team will be challenged to stay afloat early. Potential Barkley disharmony will be a storyline to monitor, considering the other payments the Giants handed out and running backs now holding meetings to discuss their depressed market. Barkley’s 2023 workload also ties directly to an ability to score what could be a last-chance free agency payday, making his carry count a potential plotline as well.

Jones’ progress after a 2022 step forward will still be the biggest factor in determining whether the Giants can sustain their momentum. Development from the highly drafted Schoen players to go along with the established Gettleman-era bastions will aid Jones, but the scrutiny — as many are naturally viewing the middling QB’s payment as out of step given the Barkley saga’s 2023 conclusion — does not figure to let up anytime soon. The fifth-year QB should be in better position this year, however, positioning the Giants to see if they made the right call.

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