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NFC South Notes: Tepper, Pace, Bucs, Saints

August 21st, 2024 at 5:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

David Tepper‘s Panthers tenure has plunged the team to its lowest point. Carolina is 0-for-6 in playoff berths under the current owner, bottoming out at 2-15 last season. Panthers fans have observed their owner play perhaps the lead role during this period. Beyond Tepper throwing a drink at a fan last season, the primary concerns about the owner have been overreach-based. Frank Reich confirmed Tepper carried considerable input into football operations last year, and Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline notes a number of league insiders indicate the Carolina czar has not cooled down on this front. Tepper, who has been tabbed as difficult to work for in the past, said at Dave Canales‘ introductory presser he would step back regarding personnel matters. This latest report suggests he has not done so.

From steering the Bryce Young trade to authorizing the monster Matt Rhule contract to firing Reich after 11 games, Tepper has made a mark in his early ownership years. Given how chaotic last year’s coaching setup was believed to be — due in no small part to Tepper’s role — the owner’s involvement will continue to be a central issue as the Panthers attempt to climb out of the NFL’s basement.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • Ryan Pace will continue to move up in the Falcons‘ front office. Fired from his Bears GM post following the 2021 season, Pace received a second promotion from the Falcons recently. The team moved him from director of pro personnel to VP of football operations/personnel. Pace last promotion took place during the 2023 offseason. Pace, 47, began his Atlanta stint as a senior personnel executive in 2022. No GM interviews have come his way since the Chicago ouster. The Falcons also promoted Hakeem Smith from assistant pro scout to pro scout and hired Cami Pasqualoni and Kevin Weisman as scouting assistants. Cami is the daughter of former Lions DC and Syracuse HC Paul Pasqualoni; she had previously worked in the Orange’s recruiting department.
  • The Buccaneers are not planning to bring in a kicker to push Chase McLaughlin. Todd Bowles said (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) it is “a little late for competition.” McLaughlin has missed two kicks during the preseason. Any type of competition might be a bit rash as well, seeing as the sixth-year specialist made 93.5% of his field goal tries (29 of 31) and all 33 of his extra points last season. This included 7-for-8 from 50-plus yards. The Bucs also re-signed McLaughlin on a three-year, $12.3MM deal in March. The kicker’s 2024 and ’25 base salaries are guaranteed.
  • Justin Simmons‘ New Orleans visit effectively alerted the football world the Saints were not satisfied with the safety position alongside Tyrann Mathieu. Dennis Allen confirmed that recently, indicating no one has seized the job yet. Jordan Howden started in place of the since-cut Marcus Maye during the latter’s injury- and suspension-driven absences last season, but the Saints also re-signed former first-rounder-turned-nomad Johnathan Abram. The team has given Abram and recently added DB Will Harris starting nods, respectively, in its two preseason games. Simmons signed a one-year, $7.5MM deal with the Falcons following a multi-day visit.

Buccaneers’ Graham Barton, Ben Bredeson Win Starting OL Jobs

August 21st, 2024 at 11:27am CST by Sam Robinson

The Buccaneers’ offensive line is coming into focus. Two new starters will take their places on Tampa Bay’s front. The unit will include Graham Barton and Ben Bredeson.

As expected since the Bucs chose Barton in Round 1, the converted tackle will be the team’s starting center, Todd Bowles said. Bredeson, who signed a $3MM deal that did not come fully guaranteed, will be Tampa Bay’s left guard starter, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman tweets. Bowles has since confirmed Bredeson has won the job.

This duo will team with Tristan Wirfs, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke on a Bucs front that includes four of the five starters attached to deals that run beyond 2024. Only Bredeson, who inked a one-year contract after three seasons with the Giants, is on an expiring deal. The Bucs guaranteed Bredeson $1.75MM, but he will see the full $3MM soon, as vested vets’ salaries lock in just before Week 1. This certainly represents a solid camp performance from Bredeson, who has continued to see starter roles despite not always being teams’ first choice.

The Giants traded for Bredeson, a former Ravens fourth-round pick, in 2021. After making one start that season, the Michigan alum was an eight-game starter during the Giants’ 2022 run to the playoffs. Although injuries ransacked the Giants’ O-line last season, Bredeson held up and had won a guard job out of training camp. The Giants had expected former third-round pick Joshua Ezeudu to beat out Bredeson last summer, but the veteran won the LG job and started 16 games in a contract year.

Operating in a super-utility role of sorts, Bredeson played 180-plus snaps at all three interior O-line positions. Pro Football Focus did not grade that effort well, slotting Bredeson as the NFL’s fifth-worst guard regular. The Bucs presumably disagreed with that assessment, having added him during an offseason that saw veteran swingman Aaron Stinnie join the Giants. Fellow Tampa Bay FA pickup Sua Opeta suffered an ACL tear early in camp, but Auman notes Bredeson was ahead in the LG competition before the ex-Eagle’s injury.

The Bucs turned to Robert Hainsey as their starting center in the wake of Ryan Jensen‘s career-altering training camp injury in 2022. The former third-round pick started all 34 Bucs regular-season games over the past two seasons. PFF rated Hainsey as last season’s fifth-worst center, and the Bucs chose an interior O-lineman in Round 1 for the first time since 2006 (Davin Joseph). Barton is converting from Duke’s left tackle to Bucs center, and the team will aim for this to be a long-term partnership. One season remains on Hainsey’s rookie contract. The Notre Dame alum now stands to be important swing depth for the Bucs.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/19/24

August 19th, 2024 at 8:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

  • Placed on IR: T Earl Bostick

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: C Mike Panasiuk, LB Mike Smith Jr.
  • Placed on IR: C Ryan Coll
  • Waived/injured: G Josh Sills
  • Released via injury settlement: RB Trent Pennix

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed: LS Randen Plattner
  • Waived: OL McKade Mettauer

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: WR Justin Hall
  • Waived: WR Ty James, P Seth Vernon

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed: LB Kyahva Tezino

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: TE Michael Ezeike, TE Devon Garrison
  • Waived: LB Devin Richardson, CB Willie Roberts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: DL Brandon Matterson

Washington Commanders

Smith sustained a torn patellar tendon during a Bengals joint practice with the Bears, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He joins Evans in sustaining a season-ending injury during that workout. A 2021 fourth-round pick, Smith was believed to have earned the Bengals’ swing tackle role early last year. But he did not see any game action in Year 3. Having played in just three career games, Smith has seen his career hit a crossroads after this injury. His rookie contract expires after the season. This further depletes a Bengals O-line that will be without first-rounder Amarius Mims for a bit due to a strained pec.

A former Bengals starter, Adeniji joined the Browns in March. A knee injury sidelined Adeniji recently, and while Kevin Stefanski said the veteran O-lineman will miss “a little bit of time,” this transaction will likely lead to an injury settlement that sends him back to free agency for a stretch. The Bengals used Adeniji as a starter in each of their four 2021 playoff games, before spending to upgrade their O-line the following year. Adeniji, a 2020 sixth-rounder, played in one Vikings game last season.

Brown and Lamar Jackson sustained injuries during the Panthers’ most recent preseason game, adding to Carolina’s issues — headlined by Dane Jackson‘s significant hamstring setback — at corner. Formerly a Cowboys regular, Brown has struggled to stick with a team as of late. He spent 2023 with three teams — the Steelers, 49ers and Jets — and played in just two games. This came after Brown was with Dallas for six seasons, starting 69 games.

A five-game starter for the 2021 Super Bowl champion Rams, Hollins played for three teams last season. The former Broncos draftee was with the Packers, Giants and Chargers. He has 10.5 career sacks, one coming last season.

Buccaneers To Release OLB Randy Gregory

August 18th, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 18: As Greg Auman of Fox Sports observes, the Bucs still need to reach a resolution on the fines that Gregory has accrued as a result of his absence. Auman notes that Gregory has racked up at least $902K in non-waivable fines — $50K per day for each day of missed training camp plus $102K for missing minicamp — and another ~$150K for missing Tampa Bay’s two preseason contests.

AUGUST 17: Randy Gregory remained absent from the Buccaneers during training camp, and his time with the team will now come to an end. The veteran defensive end has reached an agreement with the Bucs and will be released, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Gregory’s absence has been shrouded in mystery, but Stroud’s report suggests an injury settlement has been reached. Such arrangements are commonplace during this time of year, as they allow for players to be let go while rehabbing ailments before being positioned to sign with a new team. Gregory will be a free agent once his release is official, though he will no doubt have a tepid market.

The 31-year-old had been on the reserve/did not report list since late July after also missing mandatory minicamp. The reason for doing to was unclear, but Gregory filed a suit against the Broncos and the NFL for being prevented from using a prescription medication containing THC earlier this offseason. Updates on his situation since then have been sparse.

Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said in the lead-in to training camp he had not been in communication with Gregory, who signed in April. The former Cowboy turned down a Dallas offer in 2022 and took one with identical terms to join the Broncos. His tenure in the Mile High City did not go according to plan, however, and after only 10 Broncos games he was traded to the 49ers in October.

Gregory posted 2.5 sacks in San Francisco, but his overall production while playing on a five-year, $69.5MM pact was underwhelming to say the least. He took a $3MM deal to head to Tampa Bay and serve a depth role in the team’s pass rush. Shaquil Barrett departed in free agency (and has since retired), creating a vacancy along the edge for the Bucs. After Gregory was absent from minicamp and training camp – accruing fines along the way – however, it seemed as though he would be released before the start of the season.

With that decision now having been made, the former second-rounder will (presumably) attempt to land with a team ahead of Week 1. Clarity on his situation over the past several months will no doubt be needed for any suitor to add him, though, so Gregory may spend an extended stretch on the free agent market for the second time in 2024.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/24

August 18th, 2024 at 7:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

  • Activated from active/NFI list: T Kiran Amegadjie

Cleveland Browns

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  • Activated from active/NFI list: Tanner Taula
  • Waived (injury designation): DL Eric Banks

Washington signed in late July, but his Falcons tenure has proven to be brief. The 28-year-old was let go to clear a roster spot for Justin Simmons‘ arrival. Washington last played a regular season game in 2022, and he will now look to find another opportunity ahead of roster cutdowns.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/12/24

August 12th, 2024 at 8:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Activated from active/PUP: DT Devonnsha Maxwell

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle, S Chase Williams
  • Released: RB John Kelly
  • Waived: DE Marcus Haynes
  • Waived/injured: CB Vincent Gray

Denver Broncos

  • Claimed (from Giants): DB Kaleb Hayes
  • Waived: ILB Alec Mock

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Signed: LB Anthony Hines, TE Neal Johnson
  • Waived: LB Jimmy Ciarlo, CB Myles Jones

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Claimed (from Ravens): OL Tykeem Doss
  • Waived/injured: DB Kalon Barnes

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hernia surgery forced Tampa to the Ravens’ active/PUP list, but the fourth-round pick is ready to return. Needing a double hernia operation after minicamp (per The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec), Tampa is unlikely to be ready for practice until at least next week. By avoiding a move to the reserve/PUP list, Tampa is no longer at risk of missing Baltimore’s first four games.

A rookie UDFA, Murphy went down with an MCL injury, per NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe. The Dolphins signed Brown, a four-year Giants special-teamer and backup presence, in April. While the Dolphins continue to deal with linebacker injuries, they did bring Jaelan Phillips off the PUP list today.

Fromm spent most of the past two seasons with the Commanders, but the team — as it transitions to a new regime — cut the former Georgia passer in May. He joins a Lions team that still rosters Nate Sudfeld along with Jared Goff and Hendon Hooker.

LB Devin White Addresses Bucs Departure

August 10th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Part of the Eagles’ retooling efforts at the linebacker spot this offseason included signing Devin White. The former No. 5 pick only landed a one-year deal, but it came as little surprise when he departed the Buccaneers considering the way his Tampa Bay tenure ended.

White’s efforts to secure a top-of-the-market extension were unsuccessful, and that promoted a trade request in April. The Buccaneers did not move on, though, sticking with their plan of keeping him in the fold for 2024 on his fifth-year option. The 26-year-old began the campaign in his usual first-team role alongside Lavonte David, but a foot injury suffered in Week 3 limited his effectiveness for an extended stretch.

After being briefly sidelined, White seemed set to return to action in Week 15. He did not play, however, and reports suggested his decision not to suit up stemmed from learning K.J. Britt would retain a starting role even though White was healthy. Head coach Todd Bowles offered a denial on that front, but in any case the matter of White’s foot injury and the timeline of his return to action was a point of contention.

“A certain person wanted me to come back,” the LSU alum said during an appearance on The Pivot podcast (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “They wanted me to come back, and I just didn’t feel like I was ready. I felt like when I came back, I would’ve [known], and he didn’t like it. He didn’t like that I wasn’t ready on his terms.”

White declined to name the member of the organization in question, but he noted it was not Bowles. He did add, however, that his spring trade request led to a change in the way he was viewed by some in the team. The issue over his decision to play at less than 100% and then delay returning to action longer than necessary (at least, in the eyes of some) compounded that point.

“It was already downhill when I asked for the trade,” the former Pro Bowler said. “Everybody loved me at first, but when I asked for the trade and tried to do what was best for me, that turned everybody against me. Not everybody, but some higher-up people.”

Leading up to free agency, Bucs general manager Jason Licht confirmed the team had other priorities to handle this offseason when asked if White – who logged a rotational role once back on the field to close out the campaign – would be retained. In the end, the latter inked an Eagles deal worth $4MM and he will spend the remainder of the offseason competing for a starting gig. With White and the Buccaneers having gone their separate ways, both parties can now start over in 2024.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/8/24

August 8th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves around the league:

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

  • Reverted to IR: CB Don Callis, WR Rory Starkey

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: G Ryan Johnson
  • Placed on IR: G Silas Dzansi

Dixon exited Jacksonville’s Tuesday practice early, and head coach Doug Pederson confirmed on Thursday he has suffered a torn ACL. The former UDFA started his career with the Jaguars, making three appearances as a rookie in 2022. He resided on the team’s practice squad last season, and he could remain in the organization by reverting to IR in the event he goes unclaimed.

Speaks will take Dixon’s place as he aims to translate an effective UFL campaign into a return to NFL action. The 28-year-old earned Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing for the Michigan Panthers. He collected 9.5 sacks in the spring, and that production has landed him the chance to carve out a roster spot with Jacksonville. Speaks last played with the Chiefs in 2018.

Bucs, LT Tristan Wirfs Agree To Extension

August 6th, 2024 at 10:28am CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 6: Wirfs will receive $52.24MM of his new guarantees locked in at signing, as detailed by OvertheCap. His $25MM roster bonus and $26MM 2025 base salary will provide significant cash flow early in the pact, which includes another $26MM in salary locked in for 2026 on the fifth day of the 2025 league year. The extension lowers Wirfs’ cap hit for this season to $6.61MM, though that figure will check in at more than $31MM every year from 2025-28.

AUGUST 1: Tristan Wirfs‘ financial future has been settled. The All-Pro tackle reached agreement on a five-year, $140.6MM Buccaneers extension on Thursday, as first reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

This monster pact includes $88.24MM in guarantees, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Wirfs is still on the books for the coming season via his fifth-year option, so today’s deal means he is under contract through 2029. This agreement checks the final major piece of business off Tampa Bay’s offseason to-do list.

The likes of Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. each secured big-money deals this year to keep them with the Buccaneers. The latter – as expected – became the league’s highest-paid safety with his extension. Wirfs’ deal checks in at an AAV of $28.12MM, which moves him to the top of the pecking order for left tackles. Bucs general manager Jason Licht made it clear this past weekend the 25-year-old would likely take the top spot financially for at least blindside protectors, and that has now taken place. Wirfs has also moved ahead of Penei Sewell, who earlier this offseason became the top earner for right tackles.

Wirfs attended training camp in anticipation of an agreement being worked out, but he did not take part in team drills prior to the deal being finalized. The Iowa alum said progress was being made, though, so the expectation remained that he would soon have a long-term accord in hand. That is now the case, so Tampa Bay’s subsequent practices can now have the team’s full offense on hand.

For the first three seasons of his career, Wirfs manned the right tackle spot and delivered strong results. The former No. 13 pick earned Pro Bowl invitations in 2021 and ’22, adding a first- and second-team All-Pro nod during that time. Tampa Bay moved on from veteran left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason, paving the way for Wirfs to switch to the blindside. That transition went well, as the latter added another Pro Bowl to his resume and cemented himself as the anchor of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

When taking into account the $18.24MM Wirfs was already guaranteed to earn in 2024, his total scheduled compensation is just under $159MM. This is the most lucrative contract in franchise history, one which ensures Wirfs will be in place for the foreseeable future. Tampa Bay will aim for a fourth straight NFC South title in 2024, and he will no doubt play a major role in determining whether or not a return to the postseason ensues.

The Buccaneers entered Thursday with roughly $25MM in 2025 cap space. That figure will change drastically once Wirfs’ deal is officially on the books, but absorbing his scheduled cap hits should be feasible for the time being. After a trip to the divisional round of the playoffs, several members of the team’s nucleus are now set to remain in place as the Bucs attempt to improve on their 2023 performance. Wirfs’ accord will now, in turn, serve as the new standard for future tackle mega-deals.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/24

August 2nd, 2024 at 6:50pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions as we head into the weekend:

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Petit-Frere has been rehabbing back from a medical procedure he underwent on his knee. The third-year lineman will now get an opportunity to enter the team’s position battle at right tackle.

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