HEADLINES

Cardinals Activate Jonah Williams From IR

November 20th, 2024 at 3:42pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Cardinals have activated offensive tackle Jonah Williams from injured reserve, per team reporter Dan Urban.

Williams suffered a knee injury just 22 snaps into his Cardinals debut in Week 1, forcing him onto IR and raising concerns over his ability to return this season. Head coach Jonathan Gannon then expressed optimism about Williams’ status in October, and the veteran lineman’s returned to practice two weeks later.

With his 21-day practice window set to close, the Cardinals moved Williams back to the active roster to ensure he would not revert to season-ending injured reserve. Offensive lineman Charlie Heck was waived on Monday to make room for Williams on the 53-man roster.

However, Williams’ activation does not necessarily mean he will start at right tackle in Week 12. Veteran Kelvin Beachum replaced Williams in Week 1 and has started eight of the Cardinals’ nine games since, with Jackson Barton stepping up in Week 3. Beachum earned praise from Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for his consistency in Williams’ absence, so the Cardinals could give Williams another week of practice before returning him to a starting role.

Beachum is 35 years old and set to be a free agent after the season. He’s performed well this year, allowing just nine quarterback pressures in his nine games, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). However, Williams is under contract through the 2025 season and could profile as a long-term right tackle for the Cardinals at just 27 years old. He has been restricted to limited participation in practice for the last few weeks, but he was officially listed as questionable in Week 10.

Gannon said that he and his staff would “weigh all the variables and decide what is best for the team” at right tackle moving forward.

Seahawks Designate S Rayshawn Jenkins For Return

November 20th, 2024 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Going through significant changes at safety this offseason, the Seahawks made Rayshawn Jenkins one of their solutions. While the team has moved on from both its stopgap linebacker starters (Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson) already, Jenkins remains in the team’s plan for the regular season’s final third.

The Seahawks designated Jenkins for return Wednesday, The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar notes. Jenkins has missed time due to a hand injury. The offseason pickup had played multiple games with a hand cast and needed an IR stay; that stint looks to be coming to an end.

Jenkins joined the Seahawks on a two-year, $12MM deal. Considering how Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams (among other veteran safeties) fared upon being cut, the offseason Jaguars release did well to catch on. Seattle guaranteed the former Jacksonville and Los Angeles starter more than $6MM and used him as a first-stringer exclusively.

Seattle has Julian Love as its new centerpiece safety, having extended the former Giant this summer. The team took on more than $30MM in combined dead money by cutting Adams and Diggs, doing so without post-June 1 designations, but still has shown a preference for veterans on the back end.

Jenkins, 30, has made 86 career starts between his time with the Chargers, Jags and Seahawks. He made a notable impact during the Seahawks-Giants matchup, returning a fumble 102 yards for a touchdown. Seattle has used 2022 fourth-round pick Coby Bryant in Jenkins’ place over the past four games. Pro Football Focus ranks Bryant and Love as top-20 regulars among safeties, which could make for an interesting decision once Jenkins is activated. Although the Seahawks have placed George Fant on IR a second time, they are in good shape for injury activations, holding six going into Week 12.

NFC West Notes: Seahawks, 49ers, Higbee

November 20th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Signed to similar contracts during the summer of 2022, Deebo Samuel and D.K. Metcalf have each become two of the NFL’s better wide receivers — each being chosen in the 2019 second round. The Seahawks nabbed Metcalf at No. 64 via trade-up, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes the team had aimed to first draft Samuel at No. 35. GM John Schneider had worked out a trade-up from No. 37 to No. 35, via the Raiders, but Schefter adds the Silver and Black backed out of the deal. The Raiders instead dealt with the Jaguars, who drafted Jawaan Taylor at 35. The 49ers chose Samuel at 36.

The Seahawks still do not know why the Raiders reneged on the trade, Schefter adds. The Seahawks initially held a higher second-round choice than the Jags, who picked at 38. After Samuel went off the board, Seattle dealt 37 to Carolina (Greg Little) and drafted safety Marquise Blair at No. 47. The Seahawks had planned to pair Samuel and Metcalf, rather than the Ole Miss product — who famously fell to No. 64 after having teams divided during the pre-draft process — being a Samuel fallback option. Though, Metcalf as a WR contingency plan — with Doug Baldwin retirement rumors circulating during the draft — rather than pairing him with Samuel makes a bit more sense due to Tyler Lockett being just 27 at the time. Samuel and Metcalf are going into the final year of their contracts; each team rebuffed trade offers this year.

Here is the latest from the NFC West:

  • Samuel’s San Francisco status may have changed once Brandon Aiyuk suffered an ACL tear. The older 49ers WR had been a rumored 2025 trade chip, as the team prepares for a Brock Purdy payday. Although some around the league have wondered if the 49ers will pay Purdy the going rate (mentioning a Kirk Cousins trade as a backup plan), The Athletic’s Matt Barrows expects Purdy to indeed receive a top-market deal from San Francisco. Purdy going from Mr. Irrelevant to a deal in the $55-$60MM-per-year range would represent one of the most dramatic rises in NFL history; the 2025 offseason is the window for that to happen.
  • Staying on the 49ers-in-2025 theme, the team has seen promising early returns from second-round rookie Renardo Green. The 49ers have viewed Green as a player who can work inside and on the perimeter; that matches Deommodore Lenoir‘s profile. Lenoir is now signed long term, but All-Pro Charvarius Ward is in a contract year. With Lenoir locked in, Ward appears headed back to free agency. As such, Barrows adds Green should be considered the favorite to start opposite Lenoir on the boundary in 2025. Pro Football Focus rates Green as the sixth-best CB regular this season, albeit on only 298 snaps.
  • While Sean McVay said right tackle Rob Havenstein could be back this week, the eighth-year Rams HC indicated (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) Tyler Higbee remains weeks away from returning. Higbee is still rehabbing the ACL and MCL tears sustained during the Rams’ wild-card loss to the Lions. The ninth-year tight end remains on Los Angeles’ reserve/PUP list. Havenstein has missed the Rams’ past two games with an ankle issue.
  • Jake Moody missed time due to injury this season, being one of three 49ers kickers to go down, and did not impress upon return. Moody missed three field goals against the Buccaneers, prompting a heated Samuel to take issue with the recovered kicker (and long snapper Taybor Pepper). John Lynch said later the 49ers have not considered replacing Moody. “We didn’t blink,” Lynch told KNBR (h/t The Athletic’s David Lombardi). “We have a lot of faith in this kid. We all have rough days. There’s a lot of context to put in these things and Jake has earned a lot of respect from this organization.” Moody’s third-round contract runs through 2026.

Giants Designate OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux For Return

November 20th, 2024 at 11:45am CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants have managed to keep their pass rush in high gear without Kayvon Thibodeaux; it does not appear they will need to work without him much longer.

Thibodeaux is returning to practice Wednesday, starting his 21-day activation clock. Brian Daboll expressed optimism (via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan) Thibodeaux will be ready to go for Sunday’s Giants-Buccaneers game.

A starter since debuting in 2022, Thibodeaux has been down with a wrist injury since Week 5. He underwent surgery to repair the issue, and the Giants gave the Oregon alum the bye week to finish off his recovery. While Thibodeaux will return to a team in transition — thanks to the Daniel Jones benching — he is coming back to a pass rush that has kept going despite other issues holding the roster back.

New York did not trade Azeez Ojulari at the deadline, retaining the Thibodeaux fill-in even though it looks likely he will depart as a free agent in March. Ojulari has played well in his contract year, replacing Thibodeaux opposite Brian Burns. Ojulari has six sacks this season, matching Burns’ total. Dexter Lawrence still leads the way with nine. Only the Broncos (39 sacks) rank higher than the Giants (36) in this area.

Thibodeaux finished last season with team-high 11.5 sacks. He registered 2.5 in five games to start this season but is on pace for more QB hits compared to last season. After notching only 16 in 2023, Thibodeaux tallied seven before going on IR. The Giants are committed to Burns and Thibodeaux long term; both are Joe Schoen-era acquisitions, whereas Dave Gettleman drafted Ojulari in 2021.

Tommy DeVito making an appearance before Thanksgiving certainly illustrates another off-track season for the Giants, but they still have some promising pieces elsewhere on the roster. Thibodeaux is one of them, and a strong homestretch stands to help the edge rusher on the extension front. Schoen’s first draft pick having a productive final third this season would help the GM, who is in a battle to keep his job.

Thibodeaux will become extension-eligible in January, but the Giants may take advantage of having him on a rookie deal due to the big-ticket extension they gave Burns (five years, $141MM) upon trading for him. Big Blue can keep Thibodeaux on his rookie pact through 2026, via the fifth-year option that will probably be exercised — by either Schoen or his successor — by May.

Eagles DE Bryce Huff To Undergo Surgery

November 20th, 2024 at 11:18am CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles’ defense has made strides in recent weeks, helping the team to an 8-2 record. Bryce Huff, however, has not played the kind of role his contract would generally warrant. And the big-ticket free agency addition will see his season pause soon.

Huff is set to undergo wrist surgery, ESPN.com’s Tim McManus tweets. This is not believed to be a season-ending malady, as Huff is slated to return at some point down the road, but it appears he will head to IR. This marks another speedbump for Huff, who had climbed from Jets UDFA to $17MM-per-year Eagle. Huff has played recent games with a cast, limiting his effectiveness; the procedure will occur Thursday, All PHLY’s Zach Berman notes.

Philadelphia deployed Huff as a starter to open the season, but the player the Jets deemed a high-end situational rusher has drifted to a backup role. Huff has not started since Week 8 and has not played more than 21% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in a game since then as well. Huff has played only 32 combined defensive snaps over the past three games, sitting on 2.5 sacks for the season.

Jets GM Joe Douglas showed interest in re-signing Huff, being prepared to make an offer. Owner Woody Johnson ultimately blocked this effort, as Gang Green’s plan careened off course this year. The Jets not franchise-tagging Huff led him to the market, where extensive interest formed. The Commanders, Giants, Seahawks and Vikings pursued Huff, who joined the Eagles early during the legal tampering period. The team reached a reworked agreement with Josh Sweat, leading to Haason Reddick being traded to the Jets — to set off a rumor spree due to the sides’ subsequent impasse.

Although Huff has struggled to acclimate in Philly, the Eagles sit sixth in scoring defense and first in yards allowed. Vic Fangio‘s unit has made improvements, with Sweat leading the team with six sacks. The team is waiting for Huff or 2023 first-rounder Nolan Smith to show consistency. Both edge rushers are sitting on four QB hits for the season; Smith has replaced Huff in the Eagles’ lineup. More will be on the shoulders of Smith and stalwart Brandon Graham while Huff recovers.

Patriots Designate Cole Strange For Return

November 20th, 2024 at 11:01am CST by Sam Robinson

It looks like the Patriots will work Cole Strange back into action during Drake Maye‘s rookie season. The team’s 2022 first-round pick is set to practice Wednesday, Jerod Mayo said.

This will mark the start of Strange’s 21-day activation window from the reserve/PUP list, which the veteran guard has resided on throughout the season. Strange has been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. This comes after a Mike Reiss ESPN.com offering indicated the third-year lineman is indeed in the homestretch of his recovery, pointing to an activation coming soon.

Playing exclusively at left guard during his first two seasons with the Pats, Strange has not yet justified his higher-than-expected draft slot. The Patriots chose Strange 29th overall and used him as a 17-game starter in 2022, but injury trouble surfaced last year. Strange missed four of New England’s first six games last season and then ended up shut down for their final three due to the severe knee malady he sustained.

Mayo had said Strange could see center work previously, and the rookie HC again did not rule this out. The Patriots have been without David Andrews for most of this season; the Tom Brady-era blocker is down for the rest of the year. Though, Mayo said (via the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi) the team wants to see Strange go through some practices before determining his position.

Not logging a snap anywhere else up front during his first two seasons, the young left guard returning would certainly boost a Pats line that has experienced staffing issues — particularly at center and left tackle — this season. The Patriots have given Michael Jordan the bulk of the work at LG this season; Pro Football Focus has rated both he and rookie Layden Robinson among the worst guard regulars this season. The team has also tried Michael Onwenu at left guard in recent practices, per the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed. Onwenu has moved around the Pats’ O-line during his career but has concentrated on the right side, splitting his time between RG and RT in games this season.

Strange’s return should help the Pats settle on an Onwenu position, at long last. Although Mayo said third-round rookie Caedan Wallace was not yet ready to practice, a return before season’s end is expected. Wallace is eligible to come off IR, where he has resided since early October due to an ankle injury.

The Ultimate Fan’s Holiday Wishlist: Baseball and Football Edition (Sponsored)

November 20th, 2024 at 9:44am CST by Tim Dierkes

This is a sponsored post from Legends Memorabilia.

This holiday season, Legends Memorabilia Collection (LMC) offers a gift lineup for the ultimate sports fan. From MLB autographs from Hall of Famers and All-Stars to iconic NFL and college
football memorabilia from the biggest names in the game, this curated guide spotlights top items perfect for the holiday gift-giving season!

For the Baseball Aficionado

  1. Freddie Freeman (LMC Exclusive) and Kiké Hernandez 2024 World Series Champs Signed Memorabilia: Celebrate the glory of the 2024 World Series with signed items from LMC Exclusive
    Freddie Freeman and Kiké Hernandez. Whether it’s a signed baseball, jersey, or photo, these collectibles are bound to be treasured keepsakes from the championship. Additionally, send in your own item to be signed to add a personal touch!
  2. Mike Trout (LMC Exclusive) Autographed Items – Special Holiday Pricing: An exclusive deal for the season, LMC offers Mike Trout autographed memorabilia at a special holiday price. As one of baseball’s all-time greats, Trout’s items are a gift any fan would cherish, offering history and legacy for a price that won’t last long. Personal items
    can also be sent in for Trout to autograph, creating a unique keepsake.
  3. Sandy Koufax Autographed Baseball: An autographed baseball from the legendary Sandy Koufax is a collector’s dream. Known for his incredible career with the Dodgers, Koufax’s signed ball is a timeless piece that will impress fans and collectors alike.
  4. Paul Skenes Autographed Jerseys (LMC Exclusive): Perfect for the LSU and Pittsburgh Pirates fans, these Paul Skenes signed jerseys are exclusively available through LMC. Skenes’ impressive career is just beginning, making this an exciting investment in the next big MLB star.
  5. Ted Simmons Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): A Hall of Fame catcher, Ted Simmons autographed baseballs are ideal for longtime baseball fans. These signed items are the perfect tribute to Simmons’ impressive career.
  6. Patrick Bailey Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): Known for his skills behind the plate, Patrick Bailey’s signed items make for an amazing gift. This LMC Exclusive brings Giants fans closer to one of their franchise’s future legends.
  7. Kyle Harrison Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): Kyle Harrison, San Francisco’s pitching phenom, has autographed items available exclusively through LMC. Get an item signed by this rising star before he cements his place in Giants history.

All MLB items include MLB Authentication.

For the Football Fanatic

  1. Detroit Lions – Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush Autographed Helmets: Celebrate Detroit’s football greats with autographed helmets from two fan-favorite players. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Reggie Bush’s signed gear are iconic reminders of their impact on the field and an exciting addition for Lions fans.
  2. LSU Tigers – Tyrann Mathieu and Harold Perkins (LMC Exclusive) Signed Items: LSU fans, look no further! Autographed memorabilia from Tigers legends Tyrann Mathieu and Harold Perkins are available for the ultimate fan experience. Celebrate LSU’s legacy with these iconic signatures from two standout players.
  3. Ohio State Buckeyes – Jeremiah Smith and Jack Sawyer: Buckeye fans can own a piece of Ohio State pride with items signed by rising star Jeremiah Smith and defensive powerhouse and team captain Jack Sawyer. These autographed pieces celebrate both the future and present of Ohio State football, making them a must-have for the true Buckeye faithful.
  4. Ole Miss Rebels – Jaxson Dart and Eli Manning Signed Items: Ole Miss fans can own a piece of Rebels history with items signed by two of their most iconic quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart and Eli Manning. These items celebrate both past and present and are a perfect fit for the Rebel faithful.
  5. USC Trojans – Zachariah Branch (LMC Exclusive) and Reggie Bush: Embrace the Trojan spirit with signed memorabilia from rising star Zachariah Branch and all-time great Reggie Bush. This selection makes the ideal gift for USC fans who love both the team’s future and historic past.

This holiday season, make a sports fan’s dream come true with these unforgettable items from Legends Memorabilia Collection. Whether you’re adding to a collection or gifting a lifelong memory, these exclusive items make for the ultimate surprise under the tree!

Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas

November 19th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Weeks after dismissing head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets have also cleaned house in the front office. General manager Joe Douglas has been fired, as first reported by SNY’s Connor Hughes. The move is now official, with the team announcement noting veteran executive Phil Savage will serve as interim GM.

2024 marked the final year of Douglas’ deal, leading to plenty of speculation at the the start of the season regarding his job security. He, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett received a mulligan after the 2023 campaign was marred by Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. The current season has not gone according to plan, however, and Saleh was fired in October. Hackett remains on staff, but he was replaced by Todd Downing as the team’s offensive play-caller in the wake of Saleh’s departure.

[RELATED: GM Lost Authority Following Saleh’s Firing]

Douglas was not involved in the decision to make a coaching change, something which created the recent appearance of a disconnect between he and owner Woody Johnson. With the campaign headed toward another finish outside of the playoffs, the latter has chosen to make another major organizational change. New York’s efforts in the coming offseason will certainly be a central league storyline.

Naturally, the midseason coaching alterations led to a fresh round of questions concerning Douglas’ standing in the organization. A report from last month indicated both Douglas and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich were held in high regard by Johnson, however, which suggested the pair would have the remainder of the season to try and oversee a playoff push. Ulbrich has gone 1-5 since taking over, and as such the postseason is out of reach at this point. Rather than allowing Douglas to finish his contract, the team has moved on ahead of time.

Douglas took New York’s GM gig in 2019 after tenures with the Ravens, Bears and Eagles. His time in various capacities across those organizations boosted his stock and led to high expectations for the Jets’ rebuilding efforts with him at the helm. The first year of the Douglas era resulted in a 7-9 campaign with Sam Darnold at quarterback and Adam Gase in place as head coach.

That pairing remained in the fold for one more year, one which resulted in a 2-14 record and sweeping changes being made. Gase was replaced by Saleh, while Darnold was traded away. The latter’s replacement – Zach Wilson – was viewed as the central focus of New York’s ability to return to the postseason. Instead, the former No. 2 pick struggled throughout his Jets tenure, posting a 12-21 record and throwing more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). The Saleh-Douglas tandem was retained to oversee another overhaul at the QB spot, with Rodgers being acquired via trade from the Packers last offseason.

That move (which has been followed by a number of other ones aimed at accommodating the four-time MVP’s wishes) was aimed at providing stability under center to complement a roster seen as having a number of capable producers at several other positions. That includes the likes of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall. Each of those players were selected in the 2022 draft, and they profile as long-term building blocks for Douglas’ successor to inherit. Still, the failure of the Jets to find an effective solution at the QB spot under Douglas will form much of his legacy.

Rodgers has been in place for 2024, but – despite swinging a deal for Davante Adams ahead of the deadline and working out an agreement which ended the much-maligned Haason Reddick holdout – the Jets sit at 3-8. Rodgers’ future for next season is in the air, and it remains to be seen who will be in place as the team’s head coach and general manager by that time. Johnson may also have another ambassador position in place once the 2025 campaign begins, something which could accelerate the timing of hiring decisions on the sidelines and/or in the front office.

Overall, Douglas will depart the Jets with a record of 30-64. Each of his five full campaigns ended with a losing record, and that will likely be the case for 2024 as well. The Jets’ postseason drought has continued under his supervision, and ending it will be a top priority for whomever Johnson brings in for 2025 and beyond. Douglas’ attention will likely focus on a return to scouting or a player personnel role with his next organization; given his run in charge of the Jets, another GM opportunity should not be expected to be on the horizon.

Jets Likely To Move On From Aaron Rodgers In 2025

November 19th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

This wildly disappointing Jets season has brought a gradual housecleaning, with Joe Douglas‘ exit the latest such move. The team’s attempt to load up its roster around Aaron Rodgers over the past two years has not worked, and the four-time MVP may soon be on his way out as well.

As the Jets are seeing their second blockbuster trade for a longtime Packers QB great fail, they are staring at perhaps another reset — albeit with some solid young pieces in place. Rodgers, who will turn 41 in December, may be more likely than not to be elsewhere once that overhaul commences.

[RELATED: Jeff Ulbrich Considering Play-Calling Change]

Nothing may be concrete just yet, but in the wake of the Douglas firing, SNY’s Connor Hughes reports the Jets would prefer to move on from Rodgers as well. Going further, a source told ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini it would be a “shock” if Rodgers was a Jet next year. Rodgers and Douglas shared a good relationship, Cimini adds, and the QB has advocated for interim HC Jeff Ulbrich. With a restart coming, the sides severing ties appears likely.

This news comes not long after a report indicated Rodgers’ post-2024 New York future was up in the air. Davante Adams expressed some rumored hesitation about Rodgers’ Big Apple future beyond this season; now, the All-Pro wideout is tied to a Jets team in transition. A separation might be mutual, as Rodgers has sought more stability than the Jets have provided.

Rodgers said recently he is leaning toward playing in 2025; this came months after the then-rehabbing QB said he was open to playing into his mid-40s. Based on his play this season, that seems unlikely to happen. While it would not be too hard to see teams pursuing him next year, the ex-Green Bay icon has not come remotely close to following in Peyton Manning and Tom Brady‘s footsteps in terms of success with a second team. Rodgers sits 24th in QBR and has not shown much of his early-2020s MVP form. Considering Rodgers did not fare too well in his final Green Bay season, it is worth wondering what a market would be for a 41-year-old quarterback not too far removed from Achilles surgery.

The Jets swapped first-round picks with the Packers for Rodgers in the April 2023 deal — in a trade that also saw two second-round picks going to the Packers — but sit 3-8 in the 20th-year veteran’s comeback season. Rodgers kept himself in headlines throughout last season by teasing a return from the Achilles tear, doing so despite the Jets struggling with Zach Wilson back at the helm. No comeback commenced, but Rodgers-generated headlines followed into the offseason.

The increasingly outspoken passer all but forced the Jets to retain Nathaniel Hackett as OC this offseason, despite Robert Saleh conducting a stealth push to curb the play-caller’s power by bringing in an assistant. With no title to offer, Saleh did not end up hiring a veteran to help/oversee Hackett, and Rodgers vouched again for the embattled assistant. Saleh planned to demote Hackett, and interim HC Ulbrich ultimately did. Todd Downing‘s transition to the play-calling role has not moved the needle. The Jets rank 26th in scoring and total offense; with Gang Green’s defense also regressing this season, the team is 1-5 under Ulbrich.

When the Jets separated from Brett Favre in 2009, they relinquished his rights due to a poison-pill provision effectively preventing the team from trading the future Hall of Famer to the Vikings. Favre ended up in Minnesota as a free agent, unretiring a second time. Rodgers teased retirement during his final Packers years and famously said he was 90% retired before his 2023 darkness retreat. Rodgers then OK’d a Jets trade, but the results have burned the downtrodden AFC East franchise, which brought in several of Rodgers’ former Packers teammates and coaches.

Due to signing bonus proration and void years on a 2023 Rodgers reworking, a $49MM dead cap hit would come if the Jets released him in 2025. This could be trimmed to just $14MM in the event of a post-June 1 cut. Even though the Broncos blazed new territory for dead money by cutting Russell Wilson (to bring more than $83MM over two years) and the Browns are staring at an unfathomable $170MM-plus bill if they drop Deshaun Watson next year, a $49MM cap penalty is still notable. The Packers ate $40.3MM by trading Rodgers last year, with the Falcons’ 2022 Matt Ryan trade standing as the single-player record ($40.5MM) before the Broncos’ decision.

The Jets rolled with rookie-contract quarterbacks primarily in between Favre and Rodgers. Zach Wilson‘s struggles prompted Woody Johnson to spend for Rodgers to chase course, but the franchise is close to giving up here. It will obviously be interesting to see where the Jets go if/when they move on from Rodgers, who would profile as a boom-or-bust bet as a high-profile stopgap in 2025.

Giants Sign QB Tim Boyle, OL Tyre Phillips

November 19th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Daniel Jones‘ benching will ensure he does not suffer an injury late in the season. The Giants are moving forward with Tommy DeVito under center, but they are also adding further depth at the quarterback spot.

New York is adding Tim Boyle on a practice squad deal, Art Stapleton of NJ.com reports. Boyle was among the players who worked out for the team on Tuesday, and he will now give the Giants an insurance option at the position. Drew Lock will serve as DeVito’s backup, an indication that not triggering Jones’ 2025 injury guarantee was a central factor in the decision to bench the former No. 6 pick.

This move is another sign Jones will not see the field again in 2024 even if DeVito and/or Lock suffer injuries. Boyle has made 22 appearances and five starts during his NFL tenure, one which has spanned five teams. His most recent action came earlier this year with the Dolphins while Tua Tagovailoa was injured, but his last two starts came in 2023 with the Jets. The 30-year-old sports a record of 0-5 and has thrown just four touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions.

The Giants’ taxi squad moves also include a deal for Tyre Phillips. The fifth-year offensive lineman is re-joining the team, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Phillips played for New York in 2022 and ’23, but his campaign came to an abrupt end last year due to a torn quad. Now that he is healthy, the 27-year-old has managed to land another Giants pact for the second half of the season. Like the Boyle addition, the Philips signing has since been announced by the team.

The offensive tackle spot has been an issue for New York, with Andrew Thomas suffering a season-ending foot injury last month. On the right side, a number of options have received a look, including 2022 first-rounder Evan Neal. Phillips has some experience on the blindside, but he has primarily played at right tackle in his career; if he finds himself on the active roster, he could represent a depth contributor at RT.

Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports linebacker Curtis Bolton is being released from the Giants’ practice squad in a corresponding move. He has made 29 appearances in the NFL, including one this season for New York during which he handled a notable special teams workload. Bolton’s third phase abilities will likely be targeted by his next team.

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