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Broncos Add Incentives To Courtland Sutton’s Contract

July 30th, 2024 at 4:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 30: This is actually a $1.7MM incentive package. A three-tiered setup is now in place for the seventh-year receiver. Sutton can collect $500K if he totals 500 receiving yards and the Broncos improve on their 2023 point total or average yards per pass attempt, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. These two conditions are in place for the next two $500K escalators — at 750 and 1,065 yards, respectively. The final $500K bump can also be achieved if Sutton hits 900 receiving yards and the Broncos rank in the top 10 in yards per pass play.

The Broncos scored 357 points last season — well up from their 287-point debacle in 2022 — and saw Russell Wilson average 6.9 yards per attempt (21st). The final $200K would be available if the Broncos snap their playoff drought and Sutton either hits 1,500 receiving yards (his career high is 1,112, which came in 2019) or scores 10 touchdowns. Sutton did finish with 10 TD grabs last season.

JULY 25: Courtland Sutton attended Broncos’ training camp in anticipation of a new financial arrangement being worked out. That has now taken place, with the Pro Bowl wideout agreeing to new money being added to his pact.

Sutton has received $1.5MM in additional incentives, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. He can now earn up to $15.2MM over the course of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old remains under contract through 2025, but this agreement will not change his scheduled earnings for next year. Sutton was originally due $2MM guaranteed over the remainder of his pact, which drove his efforts to land a new deal.

The former second-rounder skipped voluntary OTAs while seeking added compensation for the immediate future. Sutton was due a $13MM base salary in 2024 prior to today’s agreement, one which 9News’ Mike Klis confirms does not lock in a larger portion of his earnings in addition to the incentives being added on. He took part in mandatory minicamp, a move which avoided fines being accumulated. The same held true of training camp attendance.

Sutton signed a four-year, $60MM extension in 2021, a period before the numerous shifts which have taken place in the receiver market. The top of the positions’ pecking order has surged to $35MM per season, a mark Sutton did not realistically have a chance of approaching. Still, the SMU product will be able to increase his earning potential in 2024 as he looks to duplicate his strong campaign from last year. Sutton recorded a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023, and he is positioned to remain Denver’s top receiver moving forward.

The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy this offseason, dealing the former first-rounder the Browns. Denver also still has Tim Patrick in the fold, and he will contribute starting production if he can remain healthy. Sutton represents the most experienced (six-year veteran) and productive (298 career receptions, 4,259 yards) option at the WR spot as the team spends the coming weeks determining its starting quarterback.

Sutton’s deal does not contain any guaranteed salary for the 2025 season, so today’s move could need to be repeated next offseason. Much of his bargaining power will, of course, depend on his production during Year 2 of head coach Sean Payton‘s tenure guiding the offense. With an upgraded deal in place, Sutton can now turn his attention to training camp and preparations for his seventh campaign in the Mile High City.

Vikings To Sign CB Fabian Moreau

July 30th, 2024 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Depleted at cornerback, the Vikings are making an addition. Well-traveled corner Fabian Moreau has a deal in place with Minnesota, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.

Moreau spent the bulk of last season as Patrick Surtain‘s boundary sidekick in Denver. The Broncos moved Moreau into their starting lineup midway through the season, and the veteran helped stabilize the position during the team’s five-game win streak. The Vikings will be team No. 6 for Moreau.

A tragedy began the Vikings’ issues at corner this month. Fourth-round rookie Khyree Jackson died in a car accident. Soon after, the Vikes lost Mekhi Blackmon — a part-time starter last season — to a torn ACL. In need in its Byron Murphy-fronted position group — which was on the radar to be bolstered before the July events — Minnesota will hope Moreau can remain a solid option in his age-30 season.

Moreau has made a habit of moving from late-summer addition to starter, having done so in each of the past two years. The Texans rostered Moreau during the 2022 offseason but cut him before setting their initial 53-man roster. The ex-Washington third-rounder made his way to the Giants, who turned to him as an 11-game starter despite not signing him from the practice squad until late September of that year. The Broncos added Moreau a year ago Thursday, and although the team’s plan was to keep Damarri Mathis in place as the perimeter starter opposite Surtain, Moreau took over during a stretch that revived the team’s playoff chances.

Pro Football Focus assigned Moreau a mid-pack grade (73rd) last season; he intercepted one pass and broke up seven more. After allowing a whopping eight touchdowns as the closest defender with the Falcons in 2021 and five as a Giant, Moreau settled down and yielded only one in Denver. While Moreau has not approached his 34.1 passer rating-allowed number from 2020 since, he has experience as a boundary defender and a slot player.

The Vikes added Shaquill Griffin earlier this offseason; they also used former fourth-round pick Akayleb Evans on 855 defensive snaps last season. Minnesota has seen neither Andrew Booth nor Lewis Cine justify their 2022 draft slots yet; Booth, chosen in Round 2, played just 151 snaps last season. The events of this month have the Vikings heavily reliant on free agent corners, and it will be interesting to see if Moreau can once again join a team late and carve out a regular role.

Eagles Agree To Terms With OL Nick Gates

July 30th, 2024 at 2:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Gates‘ journey around the NFC East is set to continue. The former Giants and Commanders starter is heading to Philadelphia. The Eagles agreed to terms with Gates on Tuesday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. The team waived cornerback Mario Goodrich to make room on its roster.

Having played center in Washington and across the O-line in New York, Gates will head to Pennsylvania to join a team that lost a future Hall of Fame center. Cam Jurgens is sliding from guard to center to replace Jason Kelce, but the Eagles are holding a competition at right guard. Thus far, former third-round pick Tyler Steen has been mentioned most frequently as the likely RG. But Gates will supply another option.

The Commanders released Gates one season into a three-year, $16.5MM deal, one authorized by the Ron Rivera-led regime. The Adam Peters-run operation moved on from Gates and left tackle Charles Leno. While Leno remains unsigned, Gates has secured another gig ahead of what would be his sixth NFL season.

Gates, 28, came back from a major injury to secure that midlevel Commanders contract. A broken leg sustained in September 2021 kept Gates out for over a year, sidetracking his run as a Giants starter. He made a return midway through the 2022 season and worked mostly in a platoon role. Despite splitting time for a chunk of his comeback season, Gates managed to land a nice Washington payday. Pro Football Focus slotted Gates as the No. 17 overall center last season.

This still prompted the new Commanders regime to drop the former UDFA; the team is taking on a $5.3MM dead money hit this year as a result. Gates will join a crowded setup inside in Philly. Brett Toth, ex-Falcon Matt Hennessy and former second-rounder Max Scharping are in place as guard/center options. Day 3 draftees Trevor Keegan (Round 5) and Dylan McMahon (Round 6) are also rostered. The Eagles have cross-trained Mekhi Becton at guard, however, providing an interesting wrinkle here. Becton played exclusively at tackle in games as a Jet.

While Gates has 29 starts under his belt — including a 16-game run as the Giants’ center back in 2020 — this Eagles equation may not guarantee him a spot on the 53-man roster. The signing does add an intriguing name to the mix, as the team prepares to transition from Kelce and find capable backups. Gates’ time at center and both guard spots, along with an early-career right tackle work, would make him an appealing swing option behind the starting five.

Jaguars To Sign DL Rasheem Green

July 30th, 2024 at 2:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rasheem Green is coming back to the AFC South. The former Texans defensive line contributor has a deal in place with the Jaguars, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This will be Green’s fourth team in four seasons.

Spending 2023 with the Bears, Green played out his rookie contract in Seattle before going year-to-year with teams. This will be another one-year contract for the former third-round pick. Green joins a Jaguars team that still has Arik Armstead on the active/PUP list.

Green played on a one-year, $2.5MM deal in Chicago; he was attached to a one-year, $3.25MM accord in Houston two years ago. The Bears stationed the USC alum as a depth piece, using him as a rotational rusher in all 17 games last season. Green, 27, registered two sacks with Chicago; his five QB hits were his fewest since his 2018 rookie season.

Pro Football Focus slotted Green outside the top 100 among edge defenders last season, though he has played both inside and outside during his career. Armstead has transitioned to a DT regular as his career has progressed; he is expected to be a starter upon signing a three-year, $43.5MM deal ($28MM guaranteed) following his 49ers release. Armstead, however, is recovering from a torn meniscus.

The Seahawks received a 6.5-sack season from Green in 2021, though he was unable to score a notable contract following that solid platform year. During a Texans season spent as a part-time starter, Green totaled 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits. Having spent time in 4-3 and 3-4 defenses — mostly in 4-3 schemes, however — Green will join a Jaguars team that lost rotational rusher Dawuane Smoot this offseason.

While Jacksonville’s rush still hinges on Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, the team used second- and fourth-round picks on LSU DTs Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson. As Ryan Nielsen takes the reins as the third Jags DC in four seasons, he will also see what Green can provide as a supporting-caster.

Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs Off PUP List

July 30th, 2024 at 12:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trevon Diggs‘ recovery from an ACL tear sustained during practice has reached a key stage. The All-Pro cornerback is ready to practice once again. He is officially off Dallas’ active/PUP list.

The Cowboys had nearly a month to activate Diggs from their active/PUP list, a training camp-only designation, but his being ready before August represents a positive direction for this particularly rehab odyssey. Team officials, per the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore, have been confident Diggs will be ready for Week 1. Today’s activation certainly points to a return on time.

Dallas managed to remain a top-tier defense despite losing the former 11-interception player early last season. DaRon Bland delivered a ballhawk season for the ages, setting an NFL record with five pick-sixes. The Cowboys now have 11- and nine-INT players rostered at corner, and they are close to playing together once again. Dallas has planned a Diggs-Bland-Jourdan Lewis trio at the position under new DC Mike Zimmer, and the veteran coach will see his top troops together for the first time.

It sounds like the Cowboys will ease Diggs back into action, per ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. That makes sense given that the fifth-year corner is just more than 10 months removed from the injury. Diggs going down so early last season helps him on this front, and the injury did not end up costing him any value. The Cowboys extended the former second-round pick during last year’s training camp, and the injury soon made signing early — as opposed to playing out his rookie contract — an important decision.

Diggs, who will turn 26 in September, earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 — after he became the first 11-INT player since Cowboys then-rookie Everson Walls in 1981. Diggs parlayed that season into a five-year deal worth $97MM. That still ranks fifth among CBs. In terms of AAV, this year’s batch of cornerback accords — for the likes of Jaylon Johnson, L’Jarius Sneed and Tyson Campbell — did not eclipse that. Though, each of the three 2024 big-ticket CB extension recipients outdid Diggs for guarantees.

The team has not re-signed Stephon Gilmore, who remains a free agent. But Zimmer will soon see how the Diggs-Bland-Lewis trio looks in practice. Diggs has started 46 games for the Cowboys, becoming one of the team’s many draft finds in recent years. The Alabama alum will hope to join Lewis in putting an injury-marred chapter behind him.

RB Rashaad Penny Retires

July 30th, 2024 at 8:39am CST by Adam La Rose

Rashaad Penny‘s latest bid to put together a healthy campaign has come to an abrupt end. The Panthers announced on Tuesday that they have placed the veteran running back on the reserve/retired list, ending his career.

Penny entered the league with high expectations as a first-round pick. His Seattle tenure began with 24 appearances across the 2018 and ’19 seasons. He did not log a heavy workload during that time, but he scored six total touchdowns while displaying impressive efficiency on the ground. The years since then have been marred by injuries, however.

The 28-year-old was limited to just three games in 2020, and his Seahawks future was in doubt entering the following campaign. Penny’s best season came in 2021, when he scored six touchdowns while leading the NFL with a 6.3 yards per carry average. That performance earned him a one-year, $5.75MM deal with Seattle, but that pact did not produce the desired outcome. Penny had a strong start to the year in 2022, but a major injury (including a fractured fibula) limited him to just five contests.

Penny had a brief stint in Philadelphia last season, logging only 11 carries. His free agent market was understandably limited this spring, although the Seahawks showed interest in a reunion. Seattle has made recent draft investments in the backfield with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, and that tandem will remain intact for 2024. Penny inked a deal with the Panthers in May, but his time in Charlotte has already come to an end.

Carolina signed Miles Sanders in free agency last offseason, but he struggled mightily during his debut Panthers season. Sanders still has a future with the team, but he will continue to have competition for playing time during training camp. Chuba Hubbard and second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks are set to handle the bulk of the load for Carolina this season. Rather than attempting to catch on with a new team, meanwhile, Penny will hang up his cleats.

The San Diego State product will end his career with 46 combined regular and postseason appearances to his name. Penny accumulated just over $17MM in career earnings, and he will now turn his attention to his post-playing endeavors.

Patriots, S Jabrill Peppers Finalize Extension

July 30th, 2024 at 8:35am CST by Adam La Rose

JULY 30: Peppers’ deal has a maximum value of $29MM, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe clarifies. His 2024 compensation will increase to $10MM, while next year already includes locked in money. Peppers has $4.32MM in guaranteed money for 2025, so he will remain in New England for at least the immediate future on his new pact.

JULY 26: Questions linger for some Patriots defenders at the start of training camp with respect to their futures. In the case of Jabrill Peppers, though, that will not be a concern.

The veteran safety is finalizing a three-year New England extension, per ESPN’s Field Yates. The pact has a base value of $24MM and can max out at $30MM, he adds. Peppers had one year remaining on his deal, so he will now be on the books through 2027.

This agreement – which head coach Jerod Mayo has since confirmed – will ensure Peppers remains a key member of the Patriots’ secondary for the foreseeable future. The former Browns first-rounder spent his first two seasons in Cleveland before being included in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Peppers then played three years with the Giants before seeing his rookie contract expire. During that time, he demonstrated his ability to be an impactful player when healthy.

Peppers was limited to six games in 2021, and he originally joined the Patriots on a one-year, $2MM deal. The 28-year-old played more on special teams than defense during his debut New England campaign, but his performance earned him another contract. Peppers inked a two-year deal last offseason, one which set him up for a full-time starting role. He responded with a career-high two interceptions, along with eight pass deflections and 78 tackles.

Rather than waiting to see if Peppers repeats that level of production in 2024, Eliot Wolf and the front office have authorized a significant raise. The Michigan alum was attached to a $4.5MM AAV on his previous deal, but he will collect much more on this contract even if he is unable to maximize its value. With Peppers in the fold, he will reprise his starting spot in a tandem with Kyle Dugger moving forward. The latter signed a four-year, $58MM deal earlier this offseason.

Wolf’s first year at the helm has consisted of a long list of re-signings and extensions being worked out. The likes of Peppers, Dugger, Christian Barmore, Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai have all secured new pacts on the defensive side of the ball. Michael Onwenu, Rhamondre Stevenson, Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry, meanwhile, each signed long-term contracts allowing them to remain key players on offense.

Uncertainty remains as it pertains to edge rusher Matt Judon and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and attention will no doubt continue to be focused on how their respective contracts are handled by the front office. With Peppers now on the books well beyond 2024, though, he is among the Patriots whose future is not in question.

Lions Extend LT Taylor Decker

July 29th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Lions general manager Brad Holmes announced during a Monday appearance on 97.1FM radio that left tackle Taylor Decker has signed an extension. His agent confirmed the news, noting this is a three-year, $60MM agreement.

Decker will receive $31.83MM guaranteed on his latest Lions pact. He was entering the final year of his deal, one which was set to pay him $13.7MM. The 29-year-old has now landed a raise, though, along with added long-term security. Decker will be on the books through 2027.

The former first-rounder has spent his entire eight-year career in Detroit, and he has started each of his 116 combined regular and postseason contests. Decker has remained a consistent performer with respect to pass protection in particular, and his PFF evaluations have been steady over the years. He received the ninth-highest overall grade amongst tackles in 2023 (81.1), his best showing in that regard to date.

Extension talks between Decker and the Lions began this spring, ahead of an offseason in which several big-money deals were worked out. The likes of quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell each inked contracts at or near the top of their respective markets in recent months. Decker’s $20MM AAV will move him into seventh amongst blindside blockers, a notable move up the pecking order from where he previously was.

Decker recently expressed a positive outlook on where contract talks stood, so today’s news comes as little surprise. With his deal now official, both members of Detroit’s tackle tandem are in place for the foreseeable future. Any question of whether or not Sewell would transition to the left side (at least any time soon) will be put to rest. The Lions selected Canadian college product Giovanni Manu in the fourth round of the draft, but he projects as a long-term developmental option. With Decker on the books, Manu will not need to be rushed into action.

The Lions’ success in a number of categories last year stemmed in large part from the play of their offensive line. That unit will return Decker, Sewell, left guard Graham Glasgow and center Frank Ragnow. Former right guard starter Jonah Jackson departed in free agency, but Detroit added a capable replacement in the form of Kevin Zeitler. Expectations will therefore once again be high up front for the team in 2024 and beyond with Decker remaining on the blindside.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/29/24

July 29th, 2024 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

  • Signed: WR Jesse Matthews

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

  • Waived: K John Parker Romo

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Riley Patterson‘s second stint in Jacksonville has come to an end. After getting a seven-game look with the Lions in 2021, Patterson won the Jaguars full-time kicking gig in 2022. He proceeded to convert 30 of his 35 field goal attempts that season, plus another three-for-three showing in the postseason (including a 41-yard game-winner against the Chargers).

He was replaced in Jacksonville by Brandon McManus last offseason, leading to him spending the majority of the 2023 campaign back in Detroit. In addition to his two-game stint with the Browns to end last season, Patterson ended 2023 having connected on 16 of his 18 FG tries and 41 of his 44 XP tries. The Jaguars brought him back in February via a reserve/future contract, but the team is already committing to rookie sixth-round pick Cam Little as their full-time kicker.

Falcons, WR James Washington Agree To Deal

July 29th, 2024 at 4:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

James Washington‘s efforts to land an NFL deal have produced an agreement. The veteran wideout is set to join the Falcons, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Washington did not record a reception in his pair of Cowboys contests during the 2022 season. He was out of the league altogether last year, but he made it clear earlier this month he intended to join a new team. After reportedly being on the radar of multiple interested teams, he will spend the rest of training camp in Atlanta.

The 28-year-old’s Dallas tenure did not go as planned, but it was preceded by four years in Pittsburgh. Between 2018-21, Washington showed his potential as a deep threat by averaging 14.2 yards per reception. He totaled 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns on 114 catches, and he will aim to regain that form with the Falcons. Atlanta’s receivers coach – Ike Hilliard – served in that role with the Steelers during Washington’s last two years in Pittsburgh.

The Falcons’ WR depth chart is once again topped by 2022 first-rounder Drake London. The former No. 8 pick has been a focal point of the team’s passing attack so far, and that is expected to continue in 2024 with Kirk Cousins at the helm. The Falcons added Darnell Mooney in free agency, and the former Bear is slated to handle a starting role. Washington will be competing for a rotational spot alongside the likes of trade acquisition Rondale Moore, veteran returner Ray-Ray McCloud and incumbent KhaDarel Hodge.

Atlanta entered Monday at the bottom of the league in terms of cap space (roughly $3.5MM), so this Washington accord will not be a lucrative one. That comes as no surprise, of course, but he will now have the opportunity to earn a 53-man roster spot with a new team.

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