Tony Jefferson - Pro Football Rumors

Chargers Release S Tony Jefferson

August 29th, 2024 at 2:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tony Jefferson survived the Chargers’ initial roster cuts, but he is set to quickly hit the open market. The veteran safety is being released, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

Rapoport notes, to little surprise, that Jefferson is expected to remain in the organization by signing a practice squad deal. The 32-year-old retired last May, but he spent the spring attempting an NFL comeback. That process included a free agent visit with the Chargers in June, and it resulted in a contract later that month.

Jefferson began his career with the Cardinals, and he landed a big-ticket free agent deal with the Ravens in 2017. The former UDFA spent three seasons in Baltimore, serving as a full-time starter until an ACL tear ended his 2019 campaign. Jefferson followed defensive coordinator Don Martindale to the Giants in 2022, making nine appearances. That was a positive sign after he had missed 2020 altogether and bounced on and off the Ravens’ and 49ers’ rosters the following year.

Presuming Jefferson is retained on the taxi squad, he will provide depth to the Chargers – a team which features a familiar face in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter – in the secondary. Given the time which has elapsed since his last game action, expectations will be relatively low if/when he is signed back to the active roster. Still, Jefferson could prove to be an effective pickup as the Bolts aim to find low-cost contributors on defense and special teams.

In another roster move, the Chargers waived running back Jaret Patterson. The former Commander played two seasons in Washington, but did not make any regular season appearances last season. He signed a futures deal with Los Angeles in January, and he managed to remain on the roster until today. Patterson will now hit the waiver wire, and if he clears he will be free to re-sign with the Bolts on the practice squad or join a new team in advance of Week 1.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Gallup, Chargers

July 17th, 2024 at 5:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be at an impasse with the Broncos regarding his contract, Courtland Sutton said recently he is not certain he will show for training camp. It should be considered more probable than not the seventh-year wide receiver reports due to the hefty fines (at least $50K per day) that would pile up if he skipped. One sign Sutton is a decent bet to resurface in Denver next week: he attended throwing sessions with Jarrett Stidham and Bo Nix recently. An SMU product who grew up near Houston, Sutton was among the pass catchers in attendance at the Stidham-organized workouts, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.

Sutton showing represents a good sign for Denver fans. Though, the 6-foot-4 target missed nearly the entire offseason program — and time to establish a rapport with the first-round QB — before making a minicamp cameo. Sutton, 28, has angled for a raise. He is tied to a four-year, $60MM deal that runs through 2025. Only $2MM of the former Pro Bowler’s $13MM 2024 base salary is guaranteed, though the rest of it will lock in just before Week 1.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

Michael Gallup should be considered a good bet to make the Raiders‘ roster, but the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore classifies the longtime Cowboys starter as likely for a backup role in Las Vegas. Gallup (67 career starts) should be considered the lead WR4 candidate, per Bonsignore, with slot Tre Tucker expected to start alongside Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. The Raiders guaranteed Gallup just $828K on a one-year, $1.75MM agreement. After being slowed by injuries, Tucker impressed during the Silver and Black’s offseason program. All parties involved have tried to cool Adams trade rumors. Unless the All-Pro target is dealt or an injury occurs, Gallup may well begin his age-28 season as a reserve.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is ticketed to be the Raiders’ starting left guard if healthy, though Cody Whitehair and Andrus Peat represent potentially superior options for 2024. Long term, however, the Oregon center-turned-Raiders guard is poised to take over the LG spot Dylan Parham vacated by moving to RG. Powers-Johnson missed most of the Raiders’ offseason program, putting the reigning Rimington Award winner behind as he transitions to the pros. The second-round pick was out with a shoulder malady, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed (subscription required).
The Broncos‘ impact 2021 draft class featured Patrick Surtain and the recently extended Quinn Meinerz, but GM George Paton‘s first haul also includes outside linebacker starters Baron Browning (Round 3) and Jonathon Cooper (Round 7). Those two being in contract years could open the door for 2024 third-rounder Jonah Elliss down the road, but Klis notes the Utah-developed sack artist’s 2024 role will likely be as the team’s fourth OLB behind the Ohio State alums and Nik Bonitto. Elliss has recovered from the torn labrum that ended his 2023 season and limited him during Denver’s offseason program, Klis adds. The youngest of Luther Elliss‘ NFL-playing sons, Jonah will begin full work soon.
New Chargers DC Jesse Minter moved Derwin James around the formation during the offseason program, making the team’s third safety spot more important. While the recently re-signed Alohi Gilman is entrenched as the starter alongside James, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes JT Woods and AJ Finley will continue their competition for the No. 3 safety role in camp. A 2022 third-rounder, Woods had a chance to unseat Gilman last summer but is no longer in the running for a starting role. Woods played just three games last season, with Finley — a 2023 UDFA — suiting up for 12. Summer addition Tony Jefferson, who decided to come out of retirement, also lingers for this part-time role.

Chargers, S Tony Jefferson Agree To Deal

June 14th, 2024 at 12:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tony Jefferson‘s comeback attempt has landed an agreement. Shortly after trying out with the Chargers, the veteran safety is signing a deal with the team, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. The move is now official.

Jefferson took part in Los Angeles’ minicamp aiming to secure a roster spot for at least the remainder of the offseason. Now, the Chula Vista, California native will look to carve out a role on defense and/or special teams with the Bolts. Jefferson last played with the Giants in 2022.

The 32-year-old established himself as a starter during his tenure with the Cardinals. He showcased a strength as a run defender in particular during that time, posting five sacks and six forced fumbles with Arizona. Jefferson landed a four-year, $34MM contract with the Ravens in 2017 and he remained a consistent first-team presence during his time in Baltimore.

Across 35 Ravens starts, the former UDFA posted a pair of interceptions and 12 pass deflections. His career was impacted by a 2019 ACL tear, though, and he was sidelined for the following campaign. A brief 2021 49ers spell led to a Ravens reunion, but that too was short-lived. After failing to survive Ravens roster cutdowns two years ago, Jefferson played under Don Martindale with the Giants.

By joining the Chargers, he has once again undertaken a reunion with familiar faces. Longtime Ravens executive Joe Hortiz is now the general manager in Los Angeles, and a number of staffers with connections to Baltimore are in place under Jim Harbaugh. That includes defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who served as a DBs coach with the Ravens during Jefferson’s time there.

The latter worked as a scouting intern in Baltimore last season, but instead of a repeat in that capacity he will try and resume his playing career. The Chargers entered Friday with over $21.5MM in cap space, so adding Jefferson on what will likely be a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum will not be burdensome.

S Tony Jefferson To Visit Chargers

June 3rd, 2024 at 1:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

News of Tony Jefferson‘s attempt to return to the NFL came with a report of teams showing interest. The veteran safety now has a tryout lined up with a potential suitor.

Jefferson will take part in the Chargers’ minicamp, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. That will allow him the opportunity to earn a contract and the chance to compete for a roster spot during training camp in the summer. The 32-year-old last played in 2022 with the Giants.

That campaign was followed by a decision to hang up his cleats and join the Ravens’ scouting department. Now, Jefferson intends to land a new gig in the NFL, and a Chargers agreement would allow him to reunite with a number of familiar faces. Several former Baltimore coaches and front office members have joined head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz in Los Angeles this offseason.

That includes defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who as expected was tapped by Harbaugh to carry on his current capacity after working under him at Michigan. Minter was with the Ravens from 2017-20, working as a defensive backs coach during that span. That allowed him to overlap with Jefferson during his time in Baltimore, and the upcoming tryout could pave the way for a reunion.

Los Angeles has Derwin James on the books with a $19MM-per-year accord, but none of the team’s other safety pacts come close in value. The Chargers – who did not add at the position during the draft – retained Alohi Gilman this offseason on a two-year, $10.13MM deal. Those two are positioned to continue as starters, but a depth role could be available for Jefferson. The Bolts allowed Jaylinn Hawkins to depart in free agency, and Dean Marlowe remains unsigned.

Entering Monday with over $26MM in cap space, the Chargers can certainly afford to take a flier on Jefferson. The former UDFA will all-but assuredly not represent an expensive acquisition for Los Angeles or any other teams which show interest in the near future.

S Tony Jefferson Attempting NFL Comeback

May 28th, 2024 at 11:18am CST by Adam La Rose

Almost exactly one year ago, Tony Jefferson brought his playing career to an end. The veteran safety retired to begin a tenure in the Ravens’ scouting department. He has since reversed course.

Jefferson is now attempting to un-retire and play in the NFL this season, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 32-year-old has played nine seasons to date, including four years with the Cardinals from 2013-16. He established himself as a full-time starter during that span, and in 2017 he inked a four-year Ravens deal worth $34MM. Jefferson wound up playing 39 games with Baltimore, including 35 starts.

An ACL tear limited the former UDFA to just five games in 2019, leading to his release during the subsequent offseason. After being out of the game for 2020, Jefferson joined the 49ers late in the 2021 offseason, but he made only a pair of appearances. That was followed by a brief Ravens reunion, though he did not survive roster cutdowns in 2022.

That led to a Giants agreement as it gave Jefferson the opportunity to once again work under then-defensive coordinator Don Martindale. The Oklahoma product played nine games with New York in 2022, but he saw more time on special teams than defense. That will likely remain the case if/when he finds a new home for this comeback attempt.

The 2024 offseason has not been kind to the safety market, and a number of established contributors are still unsigned. Those players will no doubt have a leg up on Jefferson (who has 113 games, 9.5 sacks and four interceptions to his name) in terms of landing a contract this summer. It will nevertheless be interesting to see if the latter receives interest from the Ravens – thought to be in the market for a depth safety addition – or an outside team.

S Tony Jefferson To Retire, Join Ravens’ Staff

May 25th, 2023 at 12:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

After missing more than two years because of an ACL tear, Tony Jefferson managed to land roles with multiple teams over the past two seasons. But the veteran defender will choose to step away rather than attempting to play a 10th season.

Jefferson intends to retire, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. He has another gig lined up, with Schefter adding the former Ravens safety is expected to join the team’s scouting staff. Jefferson played four seasons with the Ravens, working as a Baltimore starter in three of those. The 31-year-old cover man wraps his career having played for four teams, beginning with the Cardinals and including late-career stops with the 49ers and Giants.

Jefferson will follow punter Sam Koch in retiring and joining Baltimore’s staff. Current Ravens inside linebackers coach Zach Orr did the same in the late 2010s, moving from Ravens defender to coach. Jefferson did not finish his career with the Ravens, closing out his NFL run with the Giants last season, but he will stay close to the game as a member of the franchise. The Ravens announced Jefferson will be working as a scouting intern this summer.

The Ravens have signed several veteran safeties to big-ticket deals over the past several years. Jefferson joined Eric Weddle, Earl Thomas and Marcus Williams in this group. Baltimore teamed Jefferson and Weddle from 2017-18, when the two operated as the team’s starting safeties together. Jefferson signed a four-year, $34MM deal with the Ravens in 2017 and started 35 games over the next three seasons. During Jefferson’s final year as a full-time Ravens starter (2018), the team finished first in total defense.

A Week 5 ACL tear sidelined Jefferson for most of Baltimore’s 14-2 2019 season, and the Ravens released him with a failed physical designation in February 2020. Jefferson spent the 2020 season out of football. He eventually caught on with the 49ers in June 2021 but only played in two games with the team. He circled back to the Ravens in November of that year and ended up rejoining DC Don Martindale in New York just before last season. The Ravens released Jefferson on roster-cutdown day last August, his past with Martindale led to a Giants practice squad agreement. He moved up to the active roster and played nine games for the playoff qualifier.

Jefferson finished his career with 67 starts, lasting nine years despite entering the league as a Cardinals UDFA in 2013. Part of Bruce Arians‘ first batch of UDFAs, Jefferson played a regular role on the 2014 and ’15 playoff-bound Cardinals teams. He teamed with the likes of Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu in Arizona’s 2015 secondary, which helped form a top-10 defense during a season that ended in the NFC championship game. Jefferson intercepted only four passes as a pro but registered 9.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. The future scout earned just more than $32MM as an NFL player.

Giants Activate OLB Azeez Ojulari, S Tony Jefferson From IR

December 3rd, 2022 at 6:56pm CST by Ely Allen

The Giants are in the midst of a bit of a midseason slump during a crucial four-game stretch of division games. They are activating pass rusher Azeez Ojulari and safety Tony Jefferson from injured reserve in hopes that they’ll be able to turn things around after losing three of their last four, according to Giants senior writer Michael Elsen.

New York will certainly be glad to see Ojulari return to the field to assist with an aspect of the game they’ve struggled with so far this season: sack production. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has been able to produce some form of pass rush, much like he did during his time with the Ravens, by getting creative and sending blitzers from every part of the field. While this has resulted in 12 different players contributing to the team’s sack total, the Giants haven’t gotten consistent results out of any one player, besides defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence leads the team with five sacks and is the only one of those 12 players with more than two.

Ojulari not only will get to the quarterback, as he showed he could during his rookie season when he led the team with eight sacks, but his presence should help the other defensive lineman provide more of a natural pass rush. With offensive linemen focused on Ojulari, Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and this year’s No. 5 overall pick, Kayvon Thibodeaux, should be freed up with some one-on-one matchups.

Jefferson is a depth piece in the Giants secondary. After two standard gameday elevations, Jefferson was signed to the team’s active roster for their London game against the Packers. Jefferson unfortunately suffered a foot injury in the game and was promptly placed on IR. With starting safety Xavier McKinney ruled out for the fourth-straight game, Jefferson provides a solid option alongside Dane Belton to start opposite the team’s other starting safety, Julian Love.

New York also made an exchange at the tight end position in today’s transactions. The Giants signed veteran tight end Nick Vannett to the active roster from the practice squad, waiving tight end Tanner Hudson to make room. With fourth-round rookie, and expected starter, Daniel Bellinger missing the last four games with an eye injury, the Giants have recently turned to recent addition Lawrence Cager who converted from wide receiver this past offseason. The team is expecting to finally get Bellinger back but will have Cager and Vannett available for backup.

Lastly, New York has promoted defensive tackle Vernon Butler and defensive back Zyon Gilbert as standard gameday elevations from the practice squad for tomorrow’s matchup with the Commanders. If Gilbert enters the game for Big Blue tomorrow, it would be the NFL debut for the undrafted rookie out of Florida Atlantic.

Giants Designate Ben Bredeson, Azeez Ojulari, Tony Jefferson For Return

November 28th, 2022 at 2:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Giants were one of the surprise stories of the NFL during the early portion of the season, but the team has become increasingly hampered by injuries on both sides of the ball lately. New York will soon be receiving reinforcements, however, as the team has designated three players for return from IR.

Left guard Ben Bredeson is among the trio, something which will soon give the Giants another starting option up front. The former fourth-rounder was not projected to be a first-teamer to begin the campaign, but an injury to Shane Lemieux changed those plans. Bredeson played in a rotation with rookie Joshua Ezeudu through the first two games of the season, but then operated as a full-time starter before landing on IR last month. His return may not need to be rushed, given the fact that Lemieux has since been activated.

Edge rusher Azeez Ojulari could provide the Giants with depth at the position if he is able to remain healthy. The 2021 second-rounder impressed as a rookie with a team-leading eight sacks, but has hardly played this year. Ojulari spent time on the NFI list in the summer due to a calf injury, but was not placed on IR right away with the team hoping he could suit up at some point in September. That was the case, as the Georgia product played in Weeks 3 and 4, but a reaggravation of the previous ailment has kept him sidelined ever since. If he can regain his form from last season and serve as a bookend to rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York’s pass rush could receive a considerable boost.

Lastly, veteran safety Tony Jefferson‘s practice window has been opened. The 30-year-old has only played three games in 2022, after following Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale from Baltimore to the Big Apple. The Giants are dealing with starter Xavier McKinney currently on the shelf due to an ATV accident earlier this month. That could leave defensive snaps available for Jefferson upon his return, especially if the team opts to use more three-safety packages amidst their injuries at cornerback.

Each player now has a three-week time period within which they must be activated to be eligible to play again in 2022. If all three are brought back, the Giants will have used up each of their remaining activations for the season, but they will also have at least rotational contributors in place for the stretch run.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/15/22

October 15th, 2022 at 5:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves around the league:

Atlanta Falcons

Activated from IR: CB Isaiah Oliver
Promoted: TE MyCole Pruitt

Baltimore Ravens

Promoted: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, S Ar’Darius Washington

Carolina Panthers

Signed to active roster: LB Arron Mosby
Promoted: QB Jacob Eason, CB Tae Hayes
Placed on IR: CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Dallas Cowboys

Signed to active roster: LS Matt Overton
Promoted: TE Sean McKeon, RB Malik Davis
Placed on IR: WR Simi Fehoko, RB Rico Dowdle

Green Bay Packers

Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
Placed on IR: LB Tipa Galeai

Indianapolis Colts

Signed to active roster: WR Keke Coutee
Promoted: RB Phillip Lindsay, RB D’Vonte Price
Waived: T Luke Tenuta

Jacksonville Jaguars

Promoted: LB Ty Summers

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed to active roster: CB Dicaprio Bootle
Promoted: S Zayne Anderson, LB Cole Christiansen
Placed on IR: DT Tershawn Wharton

Los Angeles Rams

OL Chandler Brewer, RB Ronnie Rivers

Miami Dolphins

Promoted: T Brandon Shell, T Kion Smith

Minnesota Vikings

Promoted: TE Jacob Hollister

New England Patriots

Promoted: QB Garrett Gilbert, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey

New Orleans Saints

Signed to active roster: WR Keith Kirkwood, WR Rashid Shaheen
Promoted: CB Chris Harris, WR Kevin White
Placed on IR: WR Deonte Harty
Waived: QB Jake Luton

New York Giants

Promoted: DT Ryder Anderson, WR Marcus Johnson
Placed on IR: S Tony Jefferson

New York Jets

Promoted: TE Kenny Yeboah
Waived: WR Lawrence Cager

Philadelphia Eagles

Promoted: S Andre Chachere
Placed on IR: DE Janarius Robinson

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed to active roster: CB Josh Jackson
Promoted: S Elijah Riley, CB Quincy Wilson
Placed on IR: DL DeMarvin Leal

San Francisco 49ers

Activated from IR: LB Curtis Robinson
Promoted: CB Dontae Johnson, WR Willie Snead

Seattle Seahawks

Promoted: LB Christian Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Promoted: CB Anthony Chesley, S Nolan Turner

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/22

October 8th, 2022 at 5:42pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the roster moves for today, leading into gameday tomorrow. Reminder that gameday elevations will revert to the practice squad after this weekend’s games:

Arizona Cardinals

Activated from IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
Promoted from practice squad: K Matt Ammendola, S Chris Banjo
Placed on IR: LB Nick Vigil