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Cardinals Release OL Dennis Daley

August 19th, 2024 at 4:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals added Dennis Daley on a two-year deal last offseason, but after an injury-shortened campaign he will be on the move. Arizona is expected to release the veteran offensive lineman, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Head coach Jonathan Gannon has since confirmed the move.

Daley spent his first three seasons with the Panthers, logging 21 starts across 34 appearances. The 28-year-old saw time at left tackle in addition to both guard spots during that span before being traded to the Titans in 2022. That move was seen as a depth acquisition on Tennessee’s part, but Daley wound up logging a notable workload.

While filling in for the injured Taylor Lewan, the former sixth-rounder made 15 starts on the blindside. That season did not result in a strong PFF evaluation, but Daley still managed to land a two-year contract in free agency from former Titans exec Monti Ossenfort in his first offseason as GM of the Cardinals. He survived roster cuts upon arrival in Arizona, but he was placed on IR to begin the campaign. Once healthy, the South Carolina product made three appearances and one start for the Cardinals.

Arizona moved on from D.J. Humphries this offseason, one in which Jonah Williams was added on the open market. The latter will man the right tackle spot, allowing 2023 sixth overall pick Paris Johnson Jr. to move to the blindside. Daley could have served as a backup option at both spots, and his guard experience could have helped him land a roster spot with a depth role in mind.

Instead, he will hit free agency deep into the summer. Daley may manage to catch on with a new team relatively quickly given his experience, but he will likely need to wait until roster cutdowns at the end of the month to draw interest as teams sort out their offensive line depth. This release will create $1.6MM in cap space while incurring a dead cap charge of $175K.

Texans, S Jimmie Ward Agree To Extension

August 19th, 2024 at 3:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jimmie Ward is set to remain in Houston beyond the coming campaign. The veteran safety has a one-year extension in place, as first reported by ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime.

Ward will now be under contract through the 2025 season. The 33-year-old made his Texans debut last season, the first of DeMeco Ryans’ tenure as head coach. Now, the pair will continue their relationship in Houston after several years together in San Francisco.

Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 details this agreement will include up to $5.25MM in new money. Ward’s guaranteed compensation across the 2024 and ’25 seasons now sits at $8.75MM.

Since entering the league in 2014, Ward has been a mainstay on defense. His nine-year 49ers tenure included 79 starts in 116 appearances. The former first-rounder struggled with injuries in 2022, a year which he figured would be his final one in the Bay Area. Ryans invited him to sign with whichever team hired him as head coach, though, and that came to fruition in Houston. Team and player agreed to a two-year, $13MM pact and – after seeing some time in the slot – Ward returned to safety upon arrival with the Texans.

The Northern Illinois product was limited to 10 games last season, but when on the field he served as a starter. Ward logged a 73% defensive snap share, a figure short of his usage during many of his 49er years but a step up from the 2022 campaign. He recorded one interception and three pass deflections while not allowing a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. That level of play has earned him another short-term commitment.

Ward will continue handling a starter’s workload in a safety room which also includes fellow veteran Eric Murray in addition to third-round rookie Calen Bullock. 2022 second-rounder Jalen Pitre has previously played at safety, but Houston is using him at slot corner this offseason. Regardless of how that move works out, Ward will continue to be counted on for at least the next two years.

Cowboys Sign DE Carl Lawson

August 19th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 19: Lawson’s pact has a base value of $1.13MM, but incentives can increase that total, as detailed by ESPN’s Todd Archer. Reaching each of the five- or seven-sack thresholds would yield $125K in additional compensation; the same amount is available for logging a 55% or 65% defensive snap share. Hitting all of those marks in addition to the Cowboys reaching the playoffs would result in another $500K for Lawson.

AUGUST 15: Carl Lawson has been busy recently with respect to free agent visits, and one of his workouts has led to a deal. The veteran edge rusher is signing with the Cowboys, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

[RELATED: Cowboys Acquire Jordan Phillips From Giants]

Lawson has long remained one of the top edge rush options on the market following the end of his Jets tenure. The 29-year-old was one of four pass rushers the Cowboys hosted earlier this month, although no deal was immediately worked out. Both Al-Quadin Muhammad and Shaka Toney landed Dallas deals in the aftermath of their visits, but the latter was waived/injured yesterday.

In the wake of that development, the Cowboys have circled back to Lawson. The former Bengals fourth-rounder racked up 20 sacks in four seasons with Cincinnati, and he joined the Jets in 2021 with major expectations. An Achilles tear kept him sidelined for the entire season, but he returned to action the following year. Lawson recorded seven sacks in his debut Jets campaign. In 2023, however, things took a notably different turn.

The Auburn alum only suited up for six games last season, and he was held without a sack or QB hit. It thus came as little surprise Lawson endured a lengthy spell on the open market after his April visit with the Dolphins. More recently, he worked out with the Panthers and Cardinals in addition to auditioning for the Cowboys. Looking for depth on the edge, Dallas will add Lawson for the rest of training camp on a deal which will be worth far less than the three-year, $15MM one he previously landed with the Jets.

Dallas is set atop the depth chart with Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Muhammad and second-round rookie Marshawn Kneeland are set to handle rotational roles in the wake of Sam Williams‘ ACL tear. Lawson will now spend the coming weeks looking to carve out a role as part of that group ahead of roster cutdowns. A return to regular usage could set up an earlier free agent deal being worked out next offseason.

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.

Steelers OL Nate Herbig Suffers Torn Rotator Cuff

August 18th, 2024 at 6:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 18: A follow-up from Dulac notes that Herbig is dealing with a torn rotator cuff. He is now in danger of missing the 2024 campaign as a result. At a minimum, a lengthy rehab awaits him. Frazier will ascend to the top spot on the depth chart for the foreseeable future with Herbig not in the picture any time soon. Herbig has since been placed on IR, clearing the way for Frazier.

AUGUST 17: Nate Herbig spent training camp atop the Steelers’ center depth chart, but he will be unavailable for a stretch. The sixth-year blocker is dealing with a “signficant” shoulder injury, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Herbig will miss regular season time, Dulac adds. As a result, the 26-year-old is no longer in contention to be tapped as the starter in the middle for Week 1. Second-round rookie Zach Frazier will instead handle those duties, as may have at some point during the 2024 campaign anyway. The West Virginia product was one of three draft investments up front made by Pittsburgh in April.

The first of those was Troy Fautanu, selected 20th overall. The Washington alum is set to handle right tackle duties right away, thus allowing 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones to move to the blindside. Frazier will have a limited period to log first-team reps in practice and the preseason before taking on starting responsibilities in the fall. For Herbig, the injury news leaves him sidelined for the start of his second season with the team.

The former Eagle and Jet signed a two-year, $8MM deal last offseason. That pact allowed him to play in every regular and postseason game during his debut Steelers season, making a pair of starts. Herbig played at left and right guard (his most familiar positions) but not at center during that time. With Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels in place at both guard spots, though, he spent this summer preparing to log a starter’s workload at the pivot.

Now, Herbig’s attention will turn to recovery as he enters a contract year. If Frazier performs well right away, he will cement his status as the Steelers’ center of the present and future. That would help the chances of Herbig departing in free agency next March (as Mason Cole did this past offseason), although he could still be counted on in a depth capacity once healthy.

Chargers To Sign LB Frank Ginda

August 18th, 2024 at 6:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

Frank Ginda first entered the NFL in 2018, but he has yet to see regular season game action. The former UDFA linebacker has another opportunity in place, though.

Ginda is set to sign with the Chargers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 27-year-old had a strong showing in the USFL in 2022 and ’23 while playing for the Michigan Panthers. That tenure included Defensive Player of the Year honors last spring and continued in 2024 following the USFL-XFL merger. After another campaign of spring league action, Ginda will get his latest chance to land an NFL roster spot.

The San Jose State alum caught on with the Falcons almost exactly one year ago in his bid to survive roster cutdowns. That did not wind up being the case, and Ginda bounced on and off Atlanta’s practice squad during the season. After not generating a market until deep into summer once again, he will now attempt to carve out a role in Los Angeles.

The Chargers saw considerable turnover at the linebacker spot this offseason. Eric Kendricks was released, while Kenneth Murray and Tanner Muse departed in free agency. That created multiple vacancies at the second level, and veteran signing Denzel Perryman will be counted on to provide starting-caliber play. The same may true of third-round rookie Junior Colson, who of course is a familiar face for head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as a Michigan product. The Bolts also have Troy Dye and the newly-signed Shaquille Quarterman in their linebacking corps ahead of their final preseason contest.

Ginda – also a veteran of the AAF and XFL – will spend the coming weeks looking to find a place on the LB depth chart. If he is unable to lock down a 53-man roster spot, he could be a practice squad candidate once again. With nearly $21MM in cap space as of Sunday, this addition will not alter Los Angeles’ financial outlook.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/24

August 17th, 2024 at 6:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Claimed off waivers (from Panthers): LB Jackson Mitchell

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Seahawks Sign OL Connor Williams

August 17th, 2024 at 9:55am CST by Ben Levine

AUGUST 17: In terms of base value, Williams’ deal checks in at $4MM, per OverTheCap. After signing a two-year, $14MM Dolphins contract (and expressing frustration a year into that deal), the veteran interior O-lineman will attempt to create a better market following his ACL tear.

AUGUST 6: At long last, Connor Williams has landed in Seattle. The veteran offensive lineman has reached an agreement with the Seahawks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. It’s a one-year deal that could be worth up to $6MM. The contract contains $3MM in guaranteed money.

The veteran has been connected to the Seahawks for several weeks. The two sides overcame their first hurdle when Williams passed a physical, a notable milestone considering the lineman is only about eight months removed from suffering a torn ACL. The signing stalled when the two sides started negotiating a contract, with Williams asking for more than the Seahawks could offer.

While agent Drew Rosenhaus indicated yesterday that a deal was imminent, Williams added a slight wrinkle to the saga by taking a visit with the Ravens. That may have been the final push the Seahawks needed, as the two sides agreed to a deal less than 24 hours after Williams’ reported trip to Baltimore.

There was recent uncertainty surrounding Seattle’s center depth, with the likes of Nick Harris and Olusegun Oluwatimi struggling to take hold of the opportunity. The Seahawks seemed to signal an impending move yesterday, when they moved on from Michael Novitsky.

Williams will now slide atop the depth chart…when he’s ready to take the field. The veteran tore his ACL in December, although Rosenhaus expressed optimism that Williams will be available for Week 1. The injury came at the worst possible time for the impending free agent, as he would have been among the top linemen on the market.

After spending his first four season as a starting guard in Dallas, Williams inked a two-year deal with Miami in 2022. He ended up starting all 17 games at center that season, with Pro Football Focus grading him as the fourth-best player at his position. Williams finished 2023 in the number-two spot, and the veteran previously graded as a top-15 guard during his time with the Cowboys.

With Seattle lacking depth in the middle of their offensive line and Williams hoping to reset his value, this pairing seemed like a perfect match. After a few weeks of uncertainty, the deal has finally come to fruition.

Bengals To Extend K Evan McPherson

August 16th, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bengals conversations with Evan McPherson have produced a deal ahead of the kicker’s contract year. The parties came to terms on an extension that will tie McPherson to Cincinnati through 2027, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reports.

McPherson agreed to a three-year, $16.5MM deal that Garafolo indicates will include $10MM in new money in Year 1. This is the most Year 1 money a kicker has secured on a three-year deal, for those keeping track. This frontloaded contract makes McPherson the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid kicker, with the deal’s structure undoubtedly appealing to the young specialist.

[RELATED: Contract Structure A Factor In Ja’Marr Chase Negotiations]

This extension has been rumored for months, so it is not exactly surprising the Bengals have completed a deal in a low-cost market. The NFL’s highest-paid kicker (Harrison Butker) is attached to a $6.4MM-per-year number. McPherson’s second contract will come in at fifth, tied with Graham Gano at $5.5MM AAV.

Memorably kicking game-winning field goals to help the Bengals upset the Titans and Chiefs to reach Super Bowl LVI, McPherson has shown considerable promise. Though, he has yet to make 85% of his field goals during a regular season. He checked in at 83.9% last year, seeing his 50-plus-yard accuracy wane a bit. After making 14 of 16 50-plus-yard tries from 2021-22, the former fifth-round pick was just 7 of 12 from long range last season.

Still, McPherson is 19-for-19 in the playoffs, covering two postseasons, and is just 25. This extension gives him a clear path to becoming a long-term Bengals kicker.

The Browns were eyeing McPherson in the 2021 draft, leading them to Cade York a year later. The Bengals ended up taking the Florida product to replace Randy Bullock, their kicker of four seasons. This extension will take McPherson through Year 7, though he will need to remain in good form following 2024 to stay on the deal. Given the frontloaded structure and low rate this contract brings, the Bengals would be able to get out of it rather easily after this year. Considering how the team prioritized the agreement, however, a separation is unlikely for the foreseeable future.

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