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49ers Sign DE Jonathan Garvin

August 8th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of Drake Jackson being shut down for the 2024 campaign, the 49ers have made an addition along the edge. Jonathan Garvin has been added on a one-year deal, per his agency.

Garvin is among the players who have parlayed a strong showing in the UFL into a new opportunity at the NFL level. The 25-year-old played a key role on the league champion Birmingham Stallions, collecting 3.5 sacks this season. He worked out for the Cowboys in June, but that did not produce a deal. Now, Garvin will head to the Bay Area to finish training camp and the preseason.

The former seventh-rounder began his NFL career with the Packers, spending three seasons with the team. His best year came in 2021, when he logged a 39% defensive snap share and totaled 1.5 sacks. He will compete for a similar rotational role upon arrival in San Francisco, a team with the top of the edge depth chart relatively sorted out even with Jackson no longer in the picture.

Nick Bosa is set to remain the focal point of San Francisco’s defense and occupy one starting spot at the defensive end position. The team added Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos in free agency, and they will continue competing for playing time opposite Bosa in the coming weeks. Garvin will provide another option in a backup capacity if he manages to survive roster cutdowns at the end of the month.

The 49ers entered Thursday with over $52MM in cap space, leaving the team with plenty of flexibility to make additions. That total will drop slightly with Robbie Chosen now in the fold, along with Garvin. Both players will no doubt be attached to league-minimum pacts as they attempt to return to a regular NFL role.

Saints, LB Pete Werner Agree On Extension

August 8th, 2024 at 5:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

5:55pm: Further details on the pact are in, courtesy of Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Werner will receive a $5.5MM signing bonus, and his base salaries for this season ($1.44MM) and next ($4.25MM) are locked in at signing. This contract is worth $22.5MM in base value, per OverTheCap.

The 2026 season calls for $6.25MM in salary, and it will shift from an injury to a full guarantee one year early. No guarantees are in place for the final year of the pact. Werner can earn up to $400K annually from 2025-27 with a snap share of 95% or higher, a mark he has yet to reach. Cashing in on those escalators would allow him to reach the extension’s maximum value of $24.6MM.

10:21am: A Saints defense packed with experienced performers has seen a rookie-contract cog become a regular in recent years. As a result, Pete Werner is no longer attached to that rookie deal.

The fourth-year linebacker agreed to terms on an extension Thursday, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who indicates this is a three-year commitment. Werner signed a deal worth more than $25MM, per Schefter, with $17.5MM coming guaranteed. The former second-round pick will be tied to the Saints through the 2027 season.

Although we do not yet know the precise value, this extension appears to fall in line with the the off-ball linebacker market’s upper middle class. While market reassessments at running back and safety have been discussed more often, ILB paydays have dipped a bit in recent years. The past two free agency periods have produced a glut of second-level defenders whose contracts have come in between $6MM and $10MM per year. If the Werner deal’s base value is indeed beyond $25MM, the AAV would fall in line with the contracts Logan Wilson, Jordyn Brooks and Dre Greenlaw signed in the recent past.

Only five ILBs are currently tied to deals worth more than $12MM per annum, and Patrick Queen‘s Steelers pact contains no guarantees beyond Year 1. C.J. Mosley and Foyesade Oluokun also agreed to pay cuts (revisions that provided increased guarantees) this year. While this is not the best era to be an off-ball ‘backer, teams rely on their anchors at these positions. The Saints have one of the best, in Demario Davis, but Werner — at 25 — is 10 years younger.

Werner emerged as a full-time player last season, logging an 88% snap rate for a workload (920 defensive plays) that came in well above his previous two seasons. The Davis sidekick opted for security rather than head into a contract year. The Saints have now agreed to deals with Davis, Werner and Willie Gay this offseason. The Gay deal, however, checked in as a one-year, $3MM accord.

Pro Football Focus was much lower on Werner as a full-timer compared to his part-time work. After rating the former No. 60 overall pick as its No. 5 off-ball ‘backer in 2021, PFF slotted him 40th in 2022 and 67th in ’23. As far as traditional stats go, Werner racked up 93 tackles (four for loss) and intercepted a pass last year — his first with more than 11 starts. The Ohio State product started 16 games.

The Saints continue to rely on Davis’ top-shelf versatility carrying into his mid-30s; PFF rated the ageless dynamo third at the position in 2023. While betting against Davis has been a risky proposition, Werner’s contract may well place him on track to be the team’s long-term LB option once the team’s 35-year-old pillar is out of the picture.

New Orleans now has veteran contracts for Davis, Werner, Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Marshon Lattimore and Tyrann Mathieu on defense. The team also brought in Justin Simmons for a visit Wednesday. Going into his fourth season, Werner profiles as an important young talent on a defense that features some aging cogs. The Saints will count on him for the foreseeable future.

49ers DE Drake Jackson Out For Season

August 8th, 2024 at 4:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Drake Jackson will be sidelined for the 2024 campaign as he continues to recover from a knee injury. The third-year defensive end has been placed on the reserve/PUP list, per a team announcement.

Players moved to the active/PUP list at the start of training camp are permitted to be activated and return to practice at any time. The reserve/PUP designation, however, guarantees players are out for the entire campaign, just like injured reserve at this point in the offseason. Jackson’s absence will be felt along the edge for San Francisco.

The former second-rounder was limited to eight games last season due to the injury, and an update from earlier this week noted he would be absent for at least the remainder of training camp. Today’s news is a notable step beyond that, and it means Jackson’s attention will need to turn to the 2025 campaign. That year doubles as the end of his rookie contract.

San Francisco has depended on Nick Bosa as an anchor on the edge, but Jackson was drafted to turn into a full-time starter to complement him. The latter posted three sacks as a rookie, matching that total in the first half of the 2023 campaign. He will face questions about his health and ability to produce on a consistent basis once he returns to full health.

The 49ers signed Leonard Floyd in free agency, and the veteran is positioned to operate as a first-teamer in 2024. San Francisco also added Yetur Gross-Matos on a two-year deal this offseason as part of a general strategy aimed at providing relative stability along the edge. Jackson would have been counted on to at least hold down a rotational role this season, so it will be interesting to see if a late-summer addition is made in the wake of his injury.

The team has over $52MM in cap space, flexibility which could allow for a move to be made in the near future. Anyone brought in at this point will face a short ramp-up period given how close Week 1 is, though. Jackson, 23, will need to make considerable progress in the coming months as he aims to return to the field next year. His designation created the roster spot needed for the 49ers’ signing of safety Tracy Walker to become official.

Panthers Waive S Caden Sterns

August 8th, 2024 at 3:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Caden Sterns‘ time with the Panthers has proven to be very brief. The former Broncos safety has already been placed back on waivers after failing a physical with his new team, Carolina announced on Thursday.

Sterns’ health has been a concern this offseason after he was limited to only one game in 2023 due to a torn patellar tendon. A failed physical was not the reason he was let go by the Broncos, but struggles in recovering from that injury – or a new ailment altogether – should keep him on the open market for a period moving forward. The 24-year-old will join a new team if another claim is put in, but it would come as a surprise if that took place.

In the event Sterns clears waivers, he will be a free agent. The former fifth-rounder could draw interest when healthy given his performances in 2021 and ’22. Across those seasons, he totaled four interceptions and nine pass deflections while making five starts. Sterns logged a defensive snap share of 84% in 2022, a campaign in which he was held to only five games played.

The Texas alum likely would have competed for playing time at safety with the likes of Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott while Sam Franklin recovers from a broken foot. Sterns has seen time at slot corner in his career, though, and he could have met the Panthers’ goal of adding depth at that position had he been healthy. Instead, team and player will now go their separate ways.

Carolina has roughly $6.1MM in cap space. That should allow the team to pursue a modest veteran addition in the secondary late in the summer. Sterns, meanwhile, will turn his attention to recovery in the hopes of landing a deal with another new team in time for the start of the season.

Ravens Expected To Sign WR Anthony Miller

August 8th, 2024 at 1:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens are set to make another veteran addition at the receiver spot. Baltimore is expected to sign Anthony Miller, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports.

[RELATED: Ravens Sign Russell Gage]

Miller’s last regular season action came in 2021. He split his time between the Texans and Steelers that year, making just six receptions. That production fell well short of that from his tenure with the Bears, which lasted from 2018-20. That spell included a seven-touchdown rookie campaign and a career-high 656 yards and 52 receptions the following season.

The former second-rounder caught on with the 49ers late in the 2023 offseason, but he did not survive the team’s roster cutdown. That led Miller to a brief tenure on the Colts’ practice squad and, later in the campaign, a futures deal with the Chiefs. Kansas City prioritized additions via free agency and the draft at the receiver position, though, and in May Miller was let go.

The 29-year-old had not been connected to any visits or interest from teams until today. Baltimore’s offseason did not consist of much in the way of roster moves amongst receivers, but the team will once again add depth presuming this Miller deal goes through. He will compete for a spot in a WR room consisting of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, fourth-round rookie Devontez Walker and returner Deonte Harty in addition to recent signing Russell Gage.

The Ravens have not had a pass-happy offense during the Lamar Jackson era, and the addition of Derrick Henry in the backfield has led to the expectation of a ground-based attack continuing in 2024. Miller’s sparse production will no doubt limit his value to the league minimum on a Baltimore pact, and he will have work to do to carve out a roster spot. The team’s remaining training camp practices and preseason schedule will provide him with the opportunity to do just that, though.

49ers To Add WR Robbie Chosen

August 8th, 2024 at 12:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Aiyuk remains a 49er, but he is not practicing. Frustrated by his contract situation for months, Aiyuk remains a hold-in. As a result, the 49ers are bringing in a veteran.

San Francisco is adding Robbie Chosen, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Known more in recent years for his name changes, Chosen has starter experience and, per Pelissero, received interest elsewhere. After working out for the 49ers, the former Jets and Panthers starter will receive another opportunity.

[RELATED: 49ers, Aiyuk Underwhelmed By Steelers’ Offers?]

The Seahawks hosted Chosen earlier this offseason, but ESPN.com’s Field Yates notes the 49ers brought him in for an audition Wednesday. Chosen follows Tracy Walker as recent 49ers tryout invitees to receive a contract offer. Walker signed with the team late Wednesday night. The other player invited for a workout, safety Rudy Ford, has not signed.

The former Robby Anderson, Robbie Anderson and Chosen Anderson is now 31 and is coming off an unremarkable Dolphins stint. Though, a 68-yard touchdown grab in Miami’s 70-20 demolition of Denver led to an interesting four-catch, 126-yard stat line from last season. The Panthers rostered Chosen from 2020-22 but traded him shortly after Matt Rhule, Chosen’s college HC while at Temple, was fired. The deep threat produced a 1,000-yard season in 2020, leading to a two-year, $29.5MM Carolina extension, and flashed as a deep threat during his Jets tenure. At this point, however, Chosen would qualify as a depth option.

Beginning camp without Ricky Pearsall healthy, the 49ers have since seen the first-rounder return to practice. The defending NFC champions still have Deebo Samuel and the recently extended Jauan Jennings in uniform, and Ronnie Bell and fourth-round rookie Jacob Cowing are rostered as well. The team also signed Chris Conley and brought back Trent Taylor this offseason, but Chosen will be asked to contribute as well. With 16-man practice squads in place, Chosen could compete for a spot there if he is unable to land a 53-man spot.

QB Nick Foles Announces Retirement

August 8th, 2024 at 10:10am CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Foles did not play last season, and the former Super Bowl MVP will not attempt to return to the league in 2024. The veteran quarterback announced his retirement after 11 seasons Thursday.

Turning 35 this offseason, Foles spent his most recent NFL campaign with the Colts. That 2022 season was far from his best work, and Indianapolis released him along with Matt Ryan in 2023. Foles will certainly be better remembered for his other stints, most notably his work in Philadelphia.

The virtuoso display the then-Carson Wentz backup offered in the 2017 NFC championship game and then Super Bowl LII led to the Eagles winning their only Super Bowl title and claiming an NFL crown for the first time since 1960. Foles did not have as much luck as a team’s preferred starter, but he also submitted a quality late-season relief effort to extend Philly’s title-defense season into the divisional round. Foles walks away having played for the Eagles, Rams, Chiefs, Jaguars, Bears and Colts.

Foles’ Eagles run began when the then-Andy Reid-run team used a third-round pick on the Arizona alum. The Eagles had traded would-be Donovan McNabb heir apparent Kevin Kolb to the Cardinals in 2011, and as injuries continued to hound free agency pickup/extension recipient Michael Vick, Foles stepped in. Foles’ first Philly stint included 24 starts, including a 2013 outing in Oakland that featured the 6-foot-6 passer tie the NFL record with seven touchdown passes, and a playoff berth. Foles was at the controls during Chip Kelly‘s 2013 debut, which produced an NFC East title and a narrow wild-card loss. Kelly’s one year in charge of personnel, however, resulted in Foles’ exit.

Kelly shipped Foles to St. Louis for Sam Bradford, whom the Eagles — after Howie Roseman regained the GM reins once Kelly was fired — traded after one season. Foles said he considered retirement following a rough Rams stint, which involved a benching and then a release. He resurfaced in Kansas City, backing up Alex Smith, and fetched a two-year, $11MM deal to back up Wentz. That turned out to be one of the most important QB2 acquisitions in NFL history.

Wentz’s ACL and MCL tears sidetracked what looked like an MVP season, and Foles struggled early in replacing the ascending starter. This led to the Eagles memorably being an underdog No. 1 seed in the divisional round. Foles silenced doubters by dominating to close out the Eagles’ banner postseason. Submitting 352- and 373-yard showings against the Vikings and Patriots, Foles threw six TD passes — and memorably caught another — to seal the Eagles’ championship. A statue now exists in Philadelphia because of Foles’ “Philly Special” offering.

Following another successful finish replacing Wentz, Foles saw his starter run end quickly. The Jaguars regretted the four-year, $88MM deal they authorized in 2019, benching him for Gardner Minshew before a 2020 trade with the Bears. Foles replaced Mitchell Trubisky early that season but was back on the bench during the stretch run. The Bears, who reworked Foles’ contract upon acquiring him, released the QB — who had become the team’s third-stringer following the Justin Fields draft choice — in 2022.

Thanks largely to the Jaguars contract, Foles earned more than $87MM in his career — a journey that included 58 starts, two trades and three releases. Although consistency eluded Foles, his Eagles accomplishments will certainly be remembered fondly.

49ers To Sign S Tracy Walker

August 7th, 2024 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

The 49ers’ depth at the safety position took a hit this offseason when veteran starter Tashaun Gipson departed in free agency. With a young, new up-and-comer in Ji’Ayir Brown and the veteran ballhawk reaching 34 years old, a return to San Francisco was unlikely. That has been capitalized by the likely addition of veteran safety Tracy Walker, reported late today by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Barrows announces that San Francisco plans to add the former Lions defensive back tomorrow, when they will have to prepare an accompanying roster move to make room for Walker. The team did its homework on veteran safeties earlier in the offseason, hosting Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon, but they ended up signing with the Seahawks and Colts, respectively.

Walker was a third-round pick for the Lions back in 2018 after an impressive four-year stretch for the Ragin’ Cajuns in Louisiana. After Walker came off the bench in his rookie season behind Glover Quin and Quandre Diggs, the offseason release of Quin allowed Walker to step up as a full-time starter in his sophomore campaign. He struggled to hold down the starting job in 2020, splitting time with Jayron Kearse in the role, but returned to start 15 games in 2021. A torn Achilles tendon cost Walker most of his 2022 season.

Last year, Walker seemingly lost his starting job on the Lions defense. Coming back from the Achilles injury, Walker started five of Detroit’s first seven games. Young safeties Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu ended up taking over as the starters as the season went on. Walker was released by Detroit as a result, freeing up a good amount of cap space for the Lions.

Luckily, San Francisco doesn’t need Walker to come in as a starter. The 49ers are looking forward to the eventual return of former All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, who missed the final seven games of 2023 with a torn ACL. Hufanga aims to return in time for the team’s season-opener, but in case there are any speed bumps along the road back to the field, Walker provides the 49ers with some starting experience next to Brown.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/7/24

August 7th, 2024 at 7:38pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Claimed off waivers (from Commanders): TE Armani Rogers
  • Waived: WR Shaq Davis

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

The Packers apparently felt it necessary to add another competitor to their position battle at kicker today, signing Hale out of Oklahoma State. The former walk-on from Australia hit on 43 of his 54 field goal attempts as a Cowboy in Stillwater.

Following the retirement of Tarik Cohen, the Jets opted to sign Jackson. The former Colts rusher had some big moments in 2022 while filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. He and Vaughn were both participants in a recent workout with the Texans, but Cam Akers walked away from that day with the job.

Lastly, Owens’, son of NFL legend Terrell Owens, time with one of his father’s former teams has come to an end. His pedigree may have assisted in landing an opportunity as an undrafted free agent in San Francisco, but he was unable to stay rostered throughout camp.

Jets Activate WR Mike Williams From PUP List

August 7th, 2024 at 3:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mike Williams has reached a notable checkpoint in his ACL rehab. The free agent addition was activated from the active/PUP list by the Jets on Wednesday.

Williams was limited to three games in 2023, his final one with the Chargers, as a result of the injury. It was clear in March that being back to full speed in time for the start of training camp was not a goal for team or player in his case. Returning to health in advance of the regular season, though, was a target. Today’s move clears Williams to take part in practice.

The longtime Bolts deep threat was released in one of many cost-shedding moves Los Angeles undertook this offseason. Williams’ latest health issue limited his long-term earning power on the open market, but he managed to land $8.3MM in guarantees on a one-year pact. His Jets contract includes $5MM in incentives, so plenty will be riding on his ability to remain healthy on his new team. Today’s news is a positive step toward taking the field when the regular season starts.

The top of the Jets’ receiver depth chart is of course led by Garrett Wilson. The former top-10 picks faces high expectations for 2024 with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but New York’s other pass-catchers are the subject of questions entering the season. Big-money 2023 free agent signing Allen Lazard did not have a strong debut Jets campaign, while third-round rookie Malachi Corley will likely face an acclimation period at the NFL level as he develops his route running in particular.

That should leave Williams, 29, in place to occupy a key role on offense this season. The Clemson alum has twice topped 1,000 yards in his career, and his yards per reception mark has ranged between 13.1 and 20.4 every year since his rookie campaign. Providing New York with a dependable deep threat would be crucial to the team’s ability to deliver a bounce-back season on offense; it would also help Williams’ free agent stock ahead of 2025.

The Jets begin their preseason slate on Saturday, and it would come as a surprise to see Williams play in that contest. The team will no doubt proceed with caution as he ramps up, but by virtue of being cleared for practice, he will have ample time to prepare for the season opener.

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