HEADLINES

Steelers WR Quez Watkins Eyeing Starting Role?

May 28th, 2024 at 9:45am CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers have made a number of changes at the receiver position this offseason, and the departures of Diontae Johnson (traded) and Allen Robinson (released) has left plenty of playing time available. Quez Watkins is among the newcomers aiming to secure a first-team role this summer.

The 25-year-old spent his first four seasons with the Eagles, serving as a deep threat. Watkins’ best season came in 2021, when he posted 647 yards and one touchdown on 43 catches. The development of DeVonta Smith and the arrival of A.J. Brown cut heavily into his playing time, and his production dropped over the past two years. Pittsburgh could provide Watkins with a new opportunity, though.

“For me, when I saw they traded Diontae, it was a great opportunity to potentially be a No. 2 or whatever they want me to do,” the former sixth-rounder said (via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “It’s a good opportunity to compete for that spot.”

Johnson consistently served as a focal point in the Steelers’ passing game, drawing no fewer than 87 targets in each of his five seasons with the team. Per his request, he was traded away, though, paving the way for George Pickens to operate as Pittsburgh’s clear-cut WR1 moving forward. The pecking order beyond that is in the air, with 2022 fourth-rounder Calvin Austin in place as a another returnee capable of logging first-team snaps.

Pittsburgh has added Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller this offseason; both of those veterans have worked with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith before. The team also used the draft as a means of adding a pass-catcher, selecting Roman Wilson in the third round. Watkins will be competing with each of those players for a starting position or at least a rotational role in the WR room.

Given the lack of established receivers already on the depth chart, the Steelers have been connected to another acquisition late in the offseason. Pittsburgh was one of the reported suitors for Deebo Samuel, but neither he nor fellow 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk is believed to be on the block anymore. The free agent pool includes the likes of Michael Thomas, Mecole Hardman and Hunter Renfrow, and the Steelers could look to sign one of them if they feel an addition is needed. For now, though, Watkins and the new arrivals will compete for roster spots and significant snaps.

Packers’ Jordan Love Expected To Approach Top Of QB Market?

May 27th, 2024 at 10:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jordan Love entered the 2023 season having been handed the reins of the Packers’ offense despite his inexperience. With a bridge deal in hand, he delivered a strong second half of the campaign in particular, earning the team’s trust as a long-term solution under center.

The 2020 first-rounder posted a 96.1 passer rating in 2023, finishing second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes. That production helped lead the team to the divisional round of the postseason, and it certainly helped his leverage at the bargaining table. Talks on a Love extension are ongoing, and an agreement can be finalized at any time.

Four quarterbacks reset the market last offseason, each signing monster second contracts. That quartet (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts) were recently joined by Jared Goff on his new Lions pact. Any new deals for ascending or established franchise passers therefore come with the expectation they will carry an annual average value at or above $50MM. Despite Love’s relative inexperience, he too could be positioned to reach that plateau.

In a recent installment of The Insiders, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that it is a matter of “when” not “if” Love becomes one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks on his next contract. Colleague Mike Garafolo adds the Utah State alum is expected to wind up “in Burrow territory” regarding compensation (video link). The Bengals Pro Bowler sits atop the market with a $55MM-per-year deal, and it would certainly be noteworthy if Love were to sign a similar one.

The latter started only one game during his first three seasons in the league. Green Bay’s decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers paved the way for Love to take over, and his one-year extension took the place of his fifth-year option. That agreement could not be extended until May 4, but with that date having come and gone the parties are free to hammer out a long-term accord. If the Packers view 2024 as a preview of Love’s prime, a deal near the (current) top of the market could prove to be a sound investment.

This offseason is expected to see a fresh wave of mega-deals at the QB spot. Any or all of Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa could ink deals whose value is based on the contracts signed last summer and the historic jump in the salary cap witnessed in 2024. Waiting until after that has taken place could put Love in position to secure more on a deal (this offseason or later) than what the Packers could offer now.

On the other hand, the fact the 25-year-old has made only 20 combined regular and postseason starts (throwing 16 interceptions in that span) could give the team pause. Love endured growing pains early in the 2023 campaign, and his decision-making in certain playoff situations showed there is room for improvement in that regard. He is currently set to receive $11MM in 2024, but that figure will rise considerably once his next contract is in place even if the Packers manage a more modest agreement.

Green Bay has Sean Clifford in place as a backup quarterback, and the team selected Michael Pratt in the seventh round of this year’s draft. They will provide developmental options for years to come, but the Packers have already publicly endorsed a lucrative Love deal. When that is worked out – and the figures it includes – will be a key storyline to follow.

LB Patrick Queen Rejected More Valuable Offers Before Signing With Steelers

May 27th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers’ most notable defensive addition this offseason was the signing of linebacker Patrick Queen. The former Raven made an intra-divisional move on a deal which includes no money guaranteed beyond its first year.

Queen signed for $41MM on a three-year pact which includes $13.84MM fully guaranteed for 2024. After that, though, the deal includes roster bonuses which will allow the Steelers to proceed on a year-to-year basis. Considering Queen’s age (24) and production, it came as a surprise he agreed to a contract with such a structure. When explaining his free agent decision, he confirmed he left money on the table.

“From all the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to like five at the end,” the former first-rounder said during an appearance on Steelers DB (video link).“It was just like five teams in the mix. Some of them were offering $17 [million per year]. After that it was like, I have a chance to either go win or I have a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million.

“I’m looking at it like, I’ve never been on a losing team before, and then I also don’t want to be a part of anything being rebuilt because I’m trying to win now… I’m really just trying to win right now, get that out the way and then get paid later.”

Queen’s deal checks in at an AAV of $13.67MM, the fifth-highest figure in the league amongst inside linebackers. Roquan Smith‘s Ravens extension, signed shortly after he was acquired via trade, continues to top the market at $20MM per season. The fact Baltimore already had Smith on the books was one of the signs indicating Queen would be playing elsewhere in 2024. Indeed, a report from last month indicated the Ravens did not attempt to re-sign the LSU product this offseason.

That will certainly add a new layer of intrigue to the Ravens-Steelers rivalry for at least one more season. Queen posted a career-high 133 tackles in 2023, adding 3.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. Those figures earned him a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors, and he will aim to build off that acclaim as a central figure on Pittsburgh’s defense. If player and team have success, the below-market agreement will prove to be a worthwhile commitment on both sides.

49ers Rumors: Willis, Floyd, Ward

May 27th, 2024 at 10:13pm CST by Ely Allen

The 49ers have one of the NFL’s more complete rosters with few holes, if any. While tight end is certainly not a hole on the roster with George Kittle bringing his All-Pro talent to the offense, the team will be looking to fill in the depth behind him after the departures of Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley in free agency. Both former San Francisco backups signed with the Falcons this offseason.

According to Cam Inman of The Mercury News, second-year tight end Brayden Willis is making a case for the TE2 job in 2024. Willis, a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma, was the second tight end the team drafted last year following Cameron Latu, whom the team drafted in the third round out of Alabama. While Latu spent his rookie season recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL, Willis got depth experience with some special teams play and minimal snaps on offense.

The team does have some experience at the position in veteran free agent addition Eric Saubert, who can step in if Willis and Latu fail to make an impact during their sophomore campaigns. Local Cal-product Jake Tonges and Furman undrafted free agent Mason Pline serve as under the radar prospects at the position who will likely find their way to the practice squad. Some combination of Willis, Saubert, and Latu will likely be used to replace the backup production lost in Woerner and Dwelley’s departures.

Here are a few more rumors coming out of the Bay Area in recent weeks:

  • San Francisco may have added the complimentary pass rusher across from Nick Bosa that they’ve been looking for this offseason in Leonard Floyd. That signing can be directly attributed to another offseason addition: the hiring of assistant head coach Brandon Staley. Staley worked directly with Floyd in Chicago as the Bears outside linebackers coach in 2017 and 2018 and in Los Angeles as the Rams defensive coordinator in 2020. With Staley’s backing, Floyd became a priority free agent target this offseason for the 49ers.
  • Coming off of a second-team All-Pro season, cornerback Charvarius Ward is entering a contract year with the 49ers. In a recent interview on the Up & Adams show, Ward told Kay Adams that he’s “trying to get that bag.” He’s in no rush, though, as he said he’ll have to have his best year and, hopefully, get paid in 2025. He also shared an encouraging update on his injury status with Adams, telling her that he’ll “be ready for training camp for sure.”

Commanders K Brandon McManus Named In Sexual Assault Lawsuit

May 27th, 2024 at 9:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

9:14PM: We have now seen statements from the three NFL-related parties with interest in this lawsuit: McManus, the Jaguars, and the Commanders. McManus’ representation, Brett R. Gallaway, spoke on the matter, saying that the allegations are “absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false” and are “part of a campaign to defame and disparage” McManus, per Sam Fortier of the Washington Post.

The Jaguars’ statement, provided by Fortier, and the Commanders’ statement, provided by Nicki Jhabvala also of the Post, both acknowledged the allegations and their severity while claiming to be looking into the matter. The Commanders noted that they “take allegations of this nature very seriously,” and the Jaguars emphasized that they “insist on an organization built by people who represent (their) community and game with the highest character and class.” While both statements may reflect the directions each organization is attempting to move in, they ring a bit hollow as both franchises have been subject to several less than ideal workplace issues in recent years.

1:53PM: Brandon McManus spent the 2023 season as the Jaguars’ kicker. His actions during a flight with the team to London are now the subject of a lawsuit.

McManus has been sued by two women who filed the suit in Duval County Circuit Civil Court on Friday, as detailed by ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. The anonymous plaintiffs accuse McManus of rubbing himself against them and grinding against them during the Jaguars’ flight to London on September 28, 2023. Both women worked as flight attendants at the time, but they have since been removed from the crew which handles the team’s flights.

The suit alleges that McManus was among the members of the team who turned the flight into a “party,” and that he “recruited three other flight attendants” in addition to the two plaintiffs. The 32-year-old is accused of passing out cash to have the staff members “drink and dance inappropriately for him” during the flight. The lawsuit calls for a jury trial and damages in excess of $1MM.

Neither McManus nor his attorney have made an official statement on the matter at this point, but DiRocco reports one is expected to be made later today. The Jaguars (who are also named in the suit for failing to supervise him during the flight) have likewise yet to issue a response to the allegation. McManus played one season in Jacksonville before seeing his contract expire. He inked a one-year deal with the Commanders in March.

The Temple product had a nine-year run with the Broncos which came to a somewhat unexpected end with his release last offseason. McManus enjoyed a rebound compared to his final Denver season in terms of accuracy during his single Jags campaign; he converted 30 of 37 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra point kicks. His Commanders contract carries a value of $3.6MM, including a $1.5MM signing bonus which has already been paid out. Washington does not currently have another kicker on the roster.

Former Giants, Raiders G Kevin Boothe Interviewing For Front Office Jobs

May 27th, 2024 at 8:31pm CST by Ely Allen

Former NFL guard Kevin Boothe had an impressive career in the NFL. Coming out of the Ivy League to the NFL as a sixth-round pick in 2006, Boothe spent nine years in the NFL as an interior lineman for the Raiders and Giants. Following his final year as a player, Boothe went to work in the NFL league office in New York. Now, after establishing himself as one of the league’s hot, young executives, Boothe is starting to get some interest for front office jobs around the league.

In Boothe’s nine-year playing career, he started 62 of his 114 game appearances. A Cornell graduate already, Boothe decided to keep pushing forward in his education while still playing in the NFL. When presented with the opportunity to earn an MBA over the course of two seasons at George Washington University, Boothe took it, keeping his post-playing career in mind. Shortly after ending his playing career following the 2014 season, Boothe began a business development internship at the NFL league office.

It didn’t take long for Boothe to move up the ladder. By 2017, he was named manager, football operations strategy and business development. Two years later, he became director, football development. Currently, he serves the league as director, management council. He also participated in the league’s front office accelerator program in 2022.

Now that he’s displayed his ability to succeed in an executive setting, it appears that Boothe is setting his sights on working with a team again. According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Boothe was interviewed by three different teams this offseason for high-ranking front office jobs. At 40 years old, he still has plenty of time to find a path towards a role as a top front office executive with an NFL team.

Boothe earned an Ivy League degree while playing football at Cornell then continued his education by earning an MBA during his NFL career. He has nine years of NFL playing experience and almost eight more working as an executive for the league. He even has firsthand knowledge of what a Super Bowl-winning team looks like after earning two rings with the Giants. While Boothe may not have gotten hired in a new job this offseason, don’t be surprised if his name appears in the running for a high-ranking front office gig next year.

NFL Contract Details: Singletary, Jones, Peat

May 27th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on recent new contracts around the NFL:

  • Devin Singletary, RB (Giants): Three years, $16.5MM. We had a number of details on Singletary’s contract in our original report, especially noting that the veteran rusher would have the ability to earn up to $3MM in incentives. Thanks to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, we now know how he can earn around $1MM of those incentives. $625K will be available based on his performance; Singletary can earn $125K for reaching 1,100 combined rushing and receiving yards, an additional $250K for 1,200 yards, and another $250K for 1,300 yards. The remaining $325K of the amount previously mentioned would come from playing time. Singletary can earn $125K for playing 56 to 65 percent of New York’s offensive snaps and an additional $250K for playing 66 percent or more.
  • Zay Jones, WR (Cardinals): One year, $2.25MM. In our original post, we noted that Jones’ deal will be worth up to $4.25MM. OvertheCap.com lists his contract value at the $2.25MM amount listed about. The deal has a guaranteed amount of $1.15MM consisting of $650K of his 2024 base salary (worth a total of $1.41MM) and a $500K signing bonus. Jones can also earn a per game active roster bonus of $340K for the season.
  • Andrus Peat, OL (Raiders): One year, $2MM. We didn’t see much in initial reports on Peat’s deal with Las Vegas on salary, but thanks to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, now we know that his contract will be for the $2MM-figure noted above. Underhill also tells us that Peat’s deal will include a guaranteed amount consisting entirely of a $450K signing bonus.

LB Eric Kendricks Addresses Cowboys Deal

May 27th, 2024 at 4:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Eric Kendricks had a deal in place to sign with the 49ers this offseason, but he ended up backing out of that agreement to join the Cowboys. The veteran linebacker reunited with Mike Zimmer in the process, and that was a factor in his decision to sign with Dallas.

“Yeah absolutely, I always appreciated Zim,” Kendricks said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “Just the amount of defense I learned when I was underneath him. The way I watch film, the way we break things down, the install, a lot of things I learned from Zim and we had some good years and I can’t wait to continue that.”

Zimmer’s head coaching tenure of the Vikings came to an end when he was fired following the 2021 season. His dismissal (along with that of general manager Rick Spielman) came amidst reports of a rift between that pairing and the players. Kendricks himself publicly lamented the “culture of fear” which was in place under Zimmer. The latter was out of coaching for two seasons before taking the Cowboys’ DC gig.

Zimmer will be charged with replicating the success Dallas saw with Dan Quinn at the helm on defense; the unit ranked no worse than seventh in points allowed over the past three years. Linebacker is a spot filled with question marks going into 2024, though, and Kendricks figures to serve in a starting role. The 32-year-old took less money to join the Cowboys, eschewing what would have been a short-term gig as a first-teamer in San Francisco.

Kendricks had an eight-year run in Minnesota, starting 127 games along the way. He earned first-team All-Pro honors along with a Pro Bowl nod in 2019, and he has recorded at least 107 tackles every season since. The UCLA alum will see plenty of playing time in a linebacker unit which no longer includes the retired Leighton Vander Esch. Dallas will depend on Kendricks as an experienced producer alongside the likes of Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau. Any potential tension with Zimmer has been dealt with by now.

“I respect him fully,” Kendricks added. “We’re going to get this thing going. I had a talk with him this past weekend. We’re excited to have this opportunity to work together again and play off each other.”

Latest On Joe Burrow’s Bengals OTAs Participation

May 27th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals’ 2024 season was dealt a major blow when Joe Burrow was shut down due to a torn wrist ligament. His latest ailment threated to cause missed time in the offseason, but that has not turned out to be the case.

Burrow resumed throwing in the early portion of Cincinnati’s offseason program. Unlike most teams, the Bengals have yet to start OTAs. When they begin tomorrow, however, Burrow will be participating. In terms of workload in any one session, there will notably be no restrictions.

“We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said (via the team’s website). “Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we’ve been smart how we put it together.”

It would come as no surprise if the team took a cautious approach with Burrow this summer, and Pitcher’s comments confirm his rehab is being taken under consideration regarding his workout schedule. The Pro Bowler has dealt with injuries on a regular basis during training camp, rehabbing his ACL tear in 2021, undergoing an appendectomy the following year and dealing with a calf strain in 2023. A fully health training camp would certainly be welcomed by both team and player this time around.

The Bengals’ offense will have a number of new faces in 2024, with Pitcher replacing Brian Callahan as OC (although head coach Zac Taylor will retain play-calling duties). Longtime running back Joe Mixon is no longer in the fold, nor is veteran receiver Tyler Boyd. Expectations will nevertheless remain high for Burrow if he manages to put together a healthy campaign. Cincinnati managed a 9-8 finish last year despite Burrow missing seven contests.

That mark was insufficient for a playoff berth, but a return to the playoffs will not be out of the question if Burrow can regain his previous form in 2024. The 2021 Comeback Player of the Year’s health status will remain worth watching closely as the summer unfolds, but he will be taking starter’s reps at OTAs in a positive sign for his long-term outlook.

PFR Originals: Steelers, WRs, Meinerz

May 27th, 2024 at 2:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here is a collection of PFR’s latest originals:

  • The Steelers have an interesting quarterback setup with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on expiring deals. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner is set to serve as Pittsburgh’s starter over the ex-Bears first-rounder, but a training camp competition could be on hand. PFR’s readers agree that Wilson is likelier to see more starts than Fields this season, one in which both of their futures will become clearer.
  • The receiver position has erupted in value over the past few years, and many teams have recently made unprecedented investments in the league’s top pass-catchers. Sam Robinson broke down each team’s most lucrative contract handed out to receivers in terms of guaranteed money. To no surprise, many of the most expensive commitments (regarding up front compensation in particular) have come in this decade, and that trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
  • A number of players are skipping out on OTAs around the league in the hopes of landing a new deal. One of those is Giants wideout Darius Slayton, who has one year remaining on his existing pact. He recently expressed confidence a resolution would be coming soon, but no progress on the negotiation front has been seen. Ely Allen profiled the 27-year-old as a potential trade candidate.
  • The Dolphins are currently negotiating a long-term deal with Tua Tagovailoa, nine years removed from when the team similarly made a lucrative commitment to Ryan Tannehill. Ben Levine looked back on the latter’s Miami contract in another installment of our This Date In Transactions History series. Tannehill spent six years with the Dolphins, but his tenure did not produce the desired results and he was traded to the Titans in 2019. As current GM Chris Grier and Co. consider a mega-deal for Tagovailoa, they will no doubt remain aware of Mike Tannenbaum‘s commitment to Tannehill and its unwanted effects over time.
  • The Chiefs have been the dominant team in the AFC for several years now, and the two-time defending champions are the target for each of the other teams in the conference in 2024. A few top contenders are in place with respect to which team has the greatest chance of unseating Kansas City; opinion is split many ways on the question of which squad represents the Chiefs’ top threat. To little surprise, though, the Ravens, Bengals and Texans received the most votes in PFR’s latest poll. Baltimore, Cincinnati and Houston are among the most well-positioned AFC teams at the quarterback spot, and they should be postseason contenders in 2024.
  • The Broncos agreed to a pair of major free agent offensive line deals last offseason (Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers) but another one will be needed to keep Quinn Meinerz in the fold. The latter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his play at right guard has upped his market value considerably. As Sam demonstrated, the Division III product has been an integral part of Denver’s offense during that past two years in particular. Meinerz will showcase himself to the Broncos or outside teams in 2024 if no extension can be worked out.
  • Treylon Burks entered the league with considerable expectations, but he has not managed to deliver so far. The former Titans first-rounder is now joined by DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in the receiving room, and as a result Ely explored the possibility of Tennessee being willing to move Burks, 24, in a trade. Two years remain on the Arkansas alum’s rookie deal, unless the Titans or an acquiring team were to pick up his fifth-year option for 2026 next offseason.
  • In another look back at major QB moves of the past, Sam recounted the Giants’ decision to cut Kerry Collins in 2004. That move was quickly followed by the Raiders signing him to a three-year deal. Collins did not enjoy a successful run in Oakland upon taking over from Rich Gannon, and his Raiders stretch included a 7-21 record before it ended with another release. The two-time Pro Bowler rebounded with the Titans and Colts to finish his career, but Collins’ Oakland tenure was a key part of the team’s years-long efforts to find a true Gannon successor.
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