Week In Review News & Rumors

The countdown to the draft continues, and teams around the league remain busy hosting prospects set to be selected at every point in the order. Plenty of intrigue is building regarding the teams positioned to add a potential franchise quarterback in particular, though some notable developments concerning established players have also taken place. Here is a quick recap of the NFL’s top stories from the past week:

• Jags Extend Allen: Another franchise tag recipient landed a long-term deal when the Jaguars inked Josh Allen to a five-year extension. Falling in line with the deal Brian Burns landed upon arrival with the Giants, Allen secured $28.25MM in annual base value and $76.5MM guaranteed at signing. That places him near the top of the edge market and cements his status as a foundational member of Jacksonville’s defense for the foreseeable future. Allen, 26, set a new franchise record with 17.5 sacks in 2023 after failing to reach double digits in that regard each of the past three years. Repeating last season’s success would represent a major development for the Jaguars’ front seven.
• Chiefs’ Rice Facing Eight Felony Charges: As expected, Rashee Rice now faces charges stemming from his involvement in a hit-and-run incident during which two vehicles which were racing were involved in a six-car crash. The Chiefs wideout – who was driving one of the cars – has been charged with eight felonies (seven counts related to collision involving bodily harm and one count of aggravated assault). Rice turned himself in to police and posted a $40K bail. The 23-year-old’s situation therefore remains one worth monitoring closely in terms of legal developments and the potential league discipline which could accompany them. Theodore Knox, a former teammate of Rice at SMU, was driving the other vehicle; he has been suspended from the Mustangs’ football team and he now faces the same charges as Rice.
• Daniels Likely Commanders’ Selection At No. 2? The Commanders represent a key turning point in the upcoming draft by owning the second overall pick. With Caleb Williams likely to come off the board first, Washington will have a choice of Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Jayden Daniels at the No. 2 slot. Many around the league expect the latter to be the Commanders’ ultimate selection, although the team has ‘top-30’ visits lined up with all three passers. Daniels won the Heisman in 2023, his second season at LSU. The Arizona State transfer has drawn praise for his processing as a passer along with his rushing abilities, but concerns over his age and build have been raised. Whichever rookie heads to the nation’s capital this summer will likely have the chance to compete for the starter’s gig right away, and Daniels’ floor could position him well to see early playing time in 2024.
• Bucs, Winfield Making Progress On Market-Setting Extension: Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. remains on track to play on his franchise tag in 2024. That one-year pact carries a value of $17.12MM, but a more lucrative long-term agreement could be on the horizon. Optimism exists Winfield and the Buccaneers could work out a deal making him the league’s highest-paid player at his position. While the veteran safety market took a notable hit ahead of this year’s free agent period, keeping Winfield in place for years to come would likely prove to be a valuable move on Tampa Bay’s part. The second-generation defensive back earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2023, and at the age of 25 he is positioned to be a staple of the team’s backend for years to come. GM Jason Licht is confident a deal with both Winfield and standout left tackle Tristan Wirfs can be hammered out.
• Eagles Begin Smith Extension Talks: Like Winfield, DeVonta Smith could soon have a second contract in hand. The latter is now negotiating an Eagles extension, and optimism exists an agreement can be worked out relatively soon. Smith has been a key figure in Philadelphia’s passing game during his three-year tenure, reaching the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two campaigns. The Eagles’ offense already features a number of lucrative commitments (from quarterback Jalen Hurts to offensive linemen Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson as well as fellow receiver A.J. Brown). Smith – who will no doubt have his fifth-year option picked up this spring, keeping him in place through 2025 – could be in line to command a sizable raise compared to his rookie pact, though. No wideouts have been extended in their first offseason of eligibility during the era of fifth-year options, so it will be interesting to see if a Smith pact can be finalized this spring or summer.

With the calendar having flipped to April, the countdown to the draft continues. As teams further evaluate the top prospects in this year’s class, a number of key decisions involving established players have taken place recently. Here is a recap of the league’s top headlines from the past week:

• Bills Deal Diggs To Texans: Stefon Diggs saw his four-year Bills run come to an end with a deal sending him to the Texans being worked out in short order. Buffalo will receive a 2025 second-round pick in return for the four-time Pro Bowler and two Day 3 selections. Diggs, 30, has been the subject of controversy and speculation over time, although Bills GM Brandon Beane planned on retaining him for the 2024 campaign prior to talks with Houston picking up. The Texans now boast a six-time 1,000-yard receiver on an offense which already had high expectations ahead of the coming season, although the team has notably removed the post-2024 years on Diggs’ deal. Carrying a dead cap charge of over $31MM and now dealing with another receiver departure, meanwhile, the Bills will be a team to watch with respect to a pass-catching addition in the draft.
• Panthers Extend Brown: The Panthers’ negotiations with Derrick Brown on a lucrative new deal produced a four-year, $96MM agreement. The former top-10 pick thus became the latest young defensive tackle to earn a monster second contract, securing $41MM fully guaranteed in the process. Brown earned his first career Pro Bowl nod last season, and the departures of several key defenders – including Brian Burns – will add even further to his importance on Carolina’s defense. Days away from his 26th birthday, Brown continued ascending as a run defender in 2023 (103 tackles), although his career has included marginal sack production compared to his positional peers. New general manager Dan Morgan is nevertheless confident the Auburn product can remain an anchor along the Panthers’ defensive interior for the foreseeable future.
• Mailata Lands New Eagles Deal: The Eagles have already given guard Landon Dickerson a record-setting extension but the 2024 offseason has also seen another major financial investment up front. Left tackle Jordan Mailata landed a three-year, $66MM extension despite being on the books through 2025. The converted rugby player will now earn an average of $22MM per season, a figure which ranks fourth amongst all left tackles. Mailata, 27, has been a foundational member of the Eagles’ O-line for the past four seasons and he will remain in place for years to come as a result of this agreement. Philadelphia’s offensive front will look different in the middle after center Jason Kelce’s retirement; the blindside will have a familiar face in 2024 and beyond, though.
• Dugger Replaces Transition Tag With Patriots Contract: The Patriots kept Kyle Dugger from reaching the market by placing the rarely-used transition tag on him last month. The sides remained free to negotiate a long-term deal, though, and efforts on that front produced a four-year agreement. The versatile defensive back will receive up to $66MM on his new contract, including $32.5MM guaranteed. New England has managed to retain a number of pending free agents this offseason, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Dugger, 28, has proven to be a high-end producer in the run game throughout his four-year career, although his work in coverage has led to less-than stellar evaluations. As the team transitions to new head coach Jerod Mayo, he will remain a focal point of the New England’s secondary in 2024 and beyond.
• Chiefs’ Rice Set To Face Charges? Rashee Rice was involved in a hit-and-run incident, during which six vehicles crashed. Two cars were believed to be street racing, and the Chiefs wideout was driving one of them before fleeing the scene. As a result, Rice’s lawyer expects charges to be filed in the near future, though the 23-year-old has cooperated with police’s investigation and he plans on covering the victims’ expenses generated by the accident. NFL discipline does not require legal action being taken, but the league may very well wait until after any charges are laid before proceeding with a punishment. Rice is currently on track to play a large role in Kansas City’s receiving corps for 2024 after enjoying a strong rookie campaign.

Teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters in advance of the upcoming draft, something which has produced a few notable moves in recent days. The recent league meetings also produced a number of noteworthy developments. Here is a quick recap of this past week’s top stories from around the NFL:

• Eagles, Jets Agree To Reddick Trade: The Eagles’ edge rush group faced a number of questions this offseason, owing in large part to the uncertain status of Haason Reddick. The two-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Jets with one year remaining on his contract, although a new deal could be coming in short order. In exchange, Philadelphia will receive a conditional 2026 third-round pick; the selection could become a second-rounder if the 29-year-old logs a snap share above 67.5% and records at least 10 sacks. The Eagles signed Bryce Huff to a lucrative free agent deal, casting further doubt on Reddick’s future. The latter will now join a strong Jets defensive front and either secure a new big-money pact or set himself up as one of the top members of the 2025 free agent class.
• NFL Approves New Kickoff Format: Among the rule changes approved by the league’s owners, the most notable one was the decision to green-light a dramatically new alignment for kickoffs. The proposal (which passed by a vote of 29-3) will see the NFL essentially adopt – on a one-year, trial basis – the system which was in place in the XFL over the past two years. The change is aimed at staving off the steep decline in kick returns the NFL has seen in recent years, punctuated by a Super Bowl which included all 13 kickoffs resulting in a touchback. The league also agreed to push back the 2024 trade deadline by seven days; it will now fall on the Tuesday following Week 9.
• Jaguars Extend Oluokun: Jacksonville added Foye Oluokun as a free agent in 2022, and the team has elected to keep him the fold for the foreseeable future. The 28-year-old inked a four-year extension which has a maximum value of $48MM and includes $22.5MM fully guaranteed. Oluokun – who has led the NFL in tackles twice in his career – is now under contract through 2028. The ex-Falcon ranked fourth in the league in terms of annual average value amongst linebackers on his previous contract ($15MM). That figure will be lowered via this extension, but it ensures Oluokun will remain a key member of Jacksonville’s defense for years to come while providing financial security relative to the remaining term on his old pact.
• Browns Set To Extend Stefanski, Berry: Changes on the sidelines and in the front office have been commonplace for the Browns, but that trend is set to come to an end with respect to head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. Both members of that pair are in line to receive contract extensions. A recent report indicated that would be the case, and with only one year remaining on their current deals a re-up would be sensible. Stefanski has earned Coach of the Year honors twice during his four-year run in Cleveland, helping lead the team to the postseason in 2020 and ’23. Berry’s tenure (which will of course be defined by the blockbuster trade acquisition of Deshaun Watson, one which has to date not gone as planned) has included a number of savvy veteran and draft additions. Both staffers should be in place for years to come once their new deals are signed.
• Clowney Signs With Panthers: Continuing his career arc of short-term stints around the league, Jadeveon Clowney has once again found a new team. The former first overall pick signed a two-year, $20MM deal with the Panthers following the success of his one-and-done Ravens tenure. A new deal with Baltimore (as well as one with the Jets) seemed to be a possibility, but the Rock Hill, South Carolina native and former Gamecock ultimately elected to join a Panthers team which no longer has Brian Burns or hybrid linebacker Frankie Luvu in the fold. Clowney matched his career high with 9.5 sacks last season, and a repeat of that performance in 2024 would help Carolina’s rebuilding efforts on defense. It could also help the 31-year-old secure a long-term future in Carolina after spending time with five teams over the past six seasons.

With free agency having slowed down considerably compared to the opening days of the league year, attention will increasingly turn toward the draft. The first week between the two major offseason checkpoints saw a number of notable developments, though. Here is a quick recap of the league’s top stories from the past seven days:

• Chiefs Deal Sneed To Titans: Even before L’Jarius Sneed received the franchise tag, it was expected he would be traded away by the Chiefs at some point. The defending champions made Chris Jones a higher financial priority, and he has a new long-term deal in place. Shortly after reports emerged detailing the hurdles a Sneed contract represented to a Titans acquisition, the veteran corner was indeed dealt to Tennessee. Kansas City received a 2025 third-round pick as compensation, while the teams swapped 2024 seventh-rounders. Upon arrival, Sneed inked a $19MM-per-year extension including $55MM guaranteed to take the place of his tag. The 27-year-old will thus find himself near the top of the cornerback market for the foreseeable future in his new home, while the Chiefs will move forward with their incumbent secondary starters and avoid a Sneed free agent departure in 2025.
• Sutton’s Arrest Warrant Prompts Lions Release: On March 7, an arrest warrant was issued for cornerback Cameron Sutton. One day after that went public, the Lions elected to release Sutton with a post-June 1 designation. The 29-year-old is wanted on a charge of domestic battery by strangulation stemming from an incident in Lutz, Florida. Police are still unable to locate Sutton, who signed a three-year deal with Detroit last offseason. He remained a full-time starter during his debut campaign, but the team (which has already made multiple CB additions this offseason) has a vacancy to fill in the secondary. The guaranteed money on Sutton’s pact will be voided, and Detroit will see $1.5MM in cap savings for this season as a result of the move.
• Browns Extend Jeudy: Jerry Jeudy has yet to play a game for the Browns, but the former first-round receiver already has a three-year extension in place worth up to $58MM. Jeudy is now on the books through 2027, and he will receive $41MM guaranteed at signing. The 24-year-old’s play to date has not matched expectations given his draft stock, but the Browns will attempt to maximize his potential with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Amari Cooper has proven to be an effective lead receiver in Cleveland, but he is under contract for only one more year at the moment. Jeudy will be in place as the team’s No. 2 wideout now and into the future regardless of what happens with Cooper.
• Cardinals, Chargers Open To Trading Down: In consecutive days, both Monti Ossenfort (Cardinals) and Joe Hortiz (Chargers) publicly stated they are willing to trade the fourth and fifth selections in next month’s draft, respectively. Quarterbacks are widely expected to come off the board with the top three picks, and Chicago, Washington and New England are set to retain their places in the order. As such, Arizona and Los Angeles are the top targets for teams looking to maneuver up the order, likely to add the next-best quarterback available. The Cardinals and Chargers each have a need at receiver, and Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers project as the best non-QBs in the 2024 class. It would come as no surprise if either team stayed put to select their preferred wideout, but interest in a swap will no doubt pick up over the coming weeks.
• Williams Chooses Jets: Mike Williams found himself on the market after being cut by the Chargers in a cost-shedding move. The veteran deep threat quickly drew interest from a number of teams, but his Jets visit yielded agreement on a one-year deal. Williams will earn a base value of $10MM, but another $5MM is available via incentives; the prove-it nature of the pact comes as little surprise since the 29-year-old will be coming off a torn ACL in 2024. The Jets will aim to have a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center next season, but upgrades at the receiver spot were a top offseason priority. If Williams can return to his previous 1,000-yard form, his addition will prove to be effective and his 2025 free agent value will see a notable spike.

The opening of the franchise tag window began an important period on the NFL calendar in advance of free agency. It has already resulted in one notable move, with more sure to follow. In case you missed any of the top stories from this past week, here is a quick recap:

• Bengals Tag Higgins: The two-week franchise tag window opened on February 20, and the Bengals quickly elected to place the one-year tender on wideout Tee Higgins. The 25-year-old would have headlined the free agent class at his position, and both he and the team have expressed a desire to continue their relationship. As a result, it comes as no surprise he will remain in Cincinnati for at least one more season. The Bengals will soon need to work out a monster extension for Ja’Marr Chase to pair with Joe Burrow’s $55MM-per-year contract, however, leading to questions of a tag-and-trade with Higgins or the chances he departs in 2025. The latter can continue negotiating a multi-year Bengals deal as late as July 15.
• Salary Cap Sees Historic Increase: The NFL unveiled the salary cap ceiling for 2024, and it checked in at $255.4MM. Annual eight-figure increases have been commonplace in non-pandemic years, but the jump of roughly $30MM compared to 2023 is the largest in league history. Teams were preparing offseason strategies with a cap projection approximately $10MM lower than the actual figure, so it will be interesting to see how the found money will be allocated. As always, a number of teams still have work to do simply to achieve cap compliance in time for the new league year. Efforts on that front will be somewhat easier, though, and teams with considerable spending power will have even more flexibility. Notably, franchise tag and 2025 fifth-year option values are also in place, so much-needed clarity has emerged with respect to financial decisions around the league.
• Bears Nearing QB Decision? Just like last year, the Bears hold the No. 1 pick in the draft and therefore have the means of selecting a Justin Fields successor. A decision on whether to take that route or (once again) retain Fields is expected to be in place by the upcoming NFL Combine. Teams have inquired about Fields’ availability, and the market Chicago can generate for the 24-year-old will no doubt be a crucial factor in the direction the rebuilding outfit takes. Numerous Bears coaches and executives have publicly praised Fields, who has one season remaining on his rookie contract (with the potential for one more via the fifth-year option). He would offer an intriguing option under center for any number of teams – and a trade would pave the way for a Caleb Williams selection – but it is unknown at this point if the Ohio State product will become available (as likely as that seems to be). Clarity on that front should be coming soon.
• Raiders Interested In Top Pick: If the Bears do elect to commit to Fields, they could trade out of the No. 1 slot as they did last offseason. In that event, the Raiders would be among the teams eyeing a move up the board. Vegas is currently set to select 13th overall, so a trade-up of that magnitude would come at a massive cost. With Jimmy Garoppolo‘s time in Sin City thought to be over, though, the team is in the market for an addition at the QB spot. Three passers could very well come off the board with the first three selections, so Vegas is among the potential suitors which would need to get aggressive to acquire one of the top 2024 prospects under center. Interestingly, a recent reported noted the Raiders should not be considered a landing spot for Fields in the event he finds himself outside of Chicago this offseason.
• Evans Likely To Reach Free Agency: The Buccaneers are a team to watch in the build-up to free agency, with Mike Evans set to see his contract expire. The perennial 1,000-yard wideout is not believed to be close on extension talks, which could lead to him heading elsewhere on the open market. Evans, 30, has spent his entire career in Tampa Bay but negotiations this past summer did not yield much traction on a third contract. He would be one of the most sought-after receivers in this year’s free agent class on a short-term arrangement in particular, and the Bucs have a new deal to work out with franchise tag candidate Antoine Winfield Jr. as well as quarterback Baker Mayfield. Talks with the latter have begun, and the team is eyeing an agreement before the new league year. Regardless of that effort, the chance of Evans departing this spring remains.

With the Super Bowl in the books, all 32 NFL teams have begun their respective offseasons. The franchise tag deadline and free agency are not far away, and they will provide a number of important developments. Some have taken place in the past week, though; here is a quick recap in case you missed any of them:

• Garoppolo Handed Two-Game Suspension: In another unwelcomed development during his Raiders tenure, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was issued a PED suspension which will sideline him for the start of the 2024 campaign. The ban – which he will not appeal – is likely to end his time in Vegas, a period which included only six starts in 2023. The 32-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, but the suspension will void the remaining guaranteed money in his deal. The Raiders were already likely to cut bait with Garoppolo this offseason after he was benched in the wake of Josh McDaniels’ firing, but this news will make that decision even easier. Vegas will be a team to watch on the QB market as competition for Aidan O’Connell is sought out.
• 49ers Fire Wilks: The 49ers’ Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs produced the same result, and head coach Kyle Shanahan made a notable staffing change in the wake of the team’s loss. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired after one campaign in that position, marking an end to a relationship which had been the source of speculation throughout the season. Shanahan cited a lack of fit with respect to scheme as the reason Wilks was let go. The 49ers posted top-10 finishes in total and scoring defense in the regular season, but Wilks’ unit underperformed in the wild-card and divisional playoff rounds. Scoring drives by the Chiefs late in regulation and then in overtime helped them secure the win and inform the decision to fire Wilks. The 54-year-old will now become a late entrant into the coaching cycle; every head coach and DC vacancy has been filled.
• Patriots Open To Trading Down, Moving Jones: The Mac Jones era has not produced the desired results in New England, and it would come as little surprise if he were to be traded this offseason. Many have pointed to the No. 3 pick in April’s draft as a logical avenue to adding his replacement, but the team could trade out of that slot. Moving down the board would give New England’s new regime (led by personnel director Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo) additional assets, something which would help the effort to rebuild a roster featuring deficiencies at a number of spots. It could delay the team’s decision to draft a Jones replacement by one year, though, and steer them in direction of a short-term free agent move. Jones is all-but certain to have his fifth-year option declined this spring, putting him on track for free agency in 2025 following a final year in New England or a first with a new team.
• Smith Likely To Remain Seahawks’ Starter? Friday marked an important milestone for the Seahawks with respect to quarterback Geno Smith. The team kept Smith on the roster long enough to guarantee his $12.7MM base salary in full, a sign he will remain in place atop the depth chart for one more season. Seattle does still have a window to trade the 33-year-old before his $9.6MM roster bonus vests one month from now, though, so Smith’s job security is still uncertain. Neither general manager John Schneider – a strong advocate for backup Drew Lock – nor new head coach Mike Macdonald have endorsed a firm QB direction for the offseason. Smith (who saw a regression in his overall totals compared to his Comeback Player of the Year performance in 2022) has two years remaining on his contract, while Lock is a pending free agent. As things stand, the former is headed for a reprise of his QB1 duties.
• Eagles Allow Reddick To Seek Trade: One year remains on Haason Reddick’s contract, but the Eagles allowed the two-time Pro Bowler to seek out a trade partner. Reddick has racked up 27 sacks in his two Philadelphia campaigns, and he could command a raise on his next pact. The 29-year-old is due $15.5MM in 2024, but none of his $14.25MM base salary is guaranteed. Reddick is not angling to leave, however; he has made it clear he intends to remain in Philadelphia and is aiming for an extension. The Eagles have little clarity along the edge at the moment, and ensuring Reddick’s future for at least the 2024 season would be a welcomed development. Whether or not the parties can work out another contract also will be worth watching as the offseason unfolds, though.

The opening of some NFL training camps capped off a busy seven-day period around the league. In case you missed any of the top developments from the past week, here’s a quick recap:

• Commanders Sale Goes Through: The long-awaited purchase of the Commanders by Josh Harris was ratified during a special league meeting, and the sale went through the following day. That marked an end to the Dan Snyder era in Washington, with the embattled ex-owner being issued a $60MM fine stemming from the results of the Mary Jo White report. Her probe into Snyder and the Commanders found evidence of sexual harassment on Snyder’s part, and of revenue being withheld from the league by the team. Harris – already the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils – will now look to take the team in a direction far away from the 24-year one it had under Snyder, marked by scandals and a lack of postseason success. The $6.05 billion price tag represents another North American record for franchise sales, comfortably topping Rob Walton’s winning bid ($4.65 billion) for the Broncos from last year.
• No Deadline Deals For Franchise-Tagged RBs: Monday represented the final day for franchise tag recipients to sign a long-term deal. No such agreement came to fruition for Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs or Tony Pollard, however, putting them on track to earn $10.1MM on the one-year tender in 2023. The Giants came much closer to a deal with Barkley than the Raiders did with Jacobs, but the key question in both cases now is how much time they will spend away from their teams. Both backs have stated a willingness to sit out regular season games – missing out on $561K per week in the process – amidst their frustrations with the RB market. Pollard, by contrast, is obligated to attend Cowboys training camp having already signed his franchise tag.
• Titans Win Hopkins Sweepstakes: Tennessee emerged as DeAndre Hopkins‘ destination when the parties agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $32MM. High performance thresholds are in place via incentives, but the $12MM in guaranteed compensation for this season helped convince the All-Pro wideout to join the Titans rather than teams such as the Patriots, Chiefs and Bills. Those clubs were unwilling to offer as much up front as Tennessee was, so Hopkins’ return to the AFC South will give them a signficant boost in the passing game. The 31-year-old will aim to put his injury- and suspension-related absences of the recent past behind him, while helping the Titans’ offense in the process. Doing so could lead to further individual accolades for the five-time Pro Bowler and help his new team return to the postseason.
• Steelers Extend Highsmith: After a busy offseason seeing several additions, the top remaining priority for the Steelers was finalizing a second contract for Alex Highsmith. They did just that by signing him to a four-year, $68MM extension which includes $27.7MM in guaranteed money. Pittsburgh already has the league’s most expensive edge rusher (in terms of AAV) with T.J. Watt, but his sack partner is now on the books through 2027. Highsmith, a former third-round pick, has taken a step forward in production during each of his three seasons, putting him firmly on the radar for a new deal. Both he and the team expressed a desire to work out an extension before training camp, and with that business settled Highsmith can now turn his attention to continued progression and what would be a second consecutive double-digit sack campaign.
• Engram Avoids Tag With New Jaguars Deal: Unlike his running back counterparts, tight end Evan Engram was able to land a multi-year contract to take the place of the franchise tag. The Jaguars signed him to a three-year, $41.25MM deal. The guarantees in the pact ($24MM) are roughly the value of what he would have earned by playing on consecutive tags, but incentives could allow him to slightly outpace that mark. The 28-year-old turned his prove-it Jacksonville contract into a career year with 766 yards last season, an impressive showing after an up-and-down Giants tenure. Engram is well-positioned to continue his success for the intermediate term and he should remain a key member of the Jaguars’ offense as they look to repeat their playoff run from 2022.

The NFL offseason continues to roll along, and a few notable developments regarding the top storylines around the league have taken place. Here’s a quick recap from the past week:

• Dolphins, Others Eyeing Cook: The Dolphins still appear to be in pole position to sign free agent running back Dalvin Cook, and mutual interest exists for a deal to be finalized. However, the four-time Pro Bowler is not prepared to sign the Miami offer which is currently on the table. That could open the door to other suitors making a push for the former Viking, something the Jets and Patriots have explored. Cook is in no hurry to make a decision on his next destination, one which he has said will ideally involve a continuation of his role as a full-time starter. Training camp will likely be the point during which his intentions become clearer, but Miami has work to do to help a homecoming take shape for Cook while fighting off their division rivals in the process.
• Barkley Extension Still Possible For Giants? Three franchise-tagged running backs are approaching the deadline to sign a long-term deal. One of those – Saquon Barkley – could find himself inking a multi-year contract with the Giants soon, though. There is optimism that this situation will avoid seeing the 26-year-old play on the $10.1MM tag in 2023. Barkley was a top priority for New York at one point, but their lucrative extension for quarterback Daniel Jones has left him short on leverage throughout the offseason. The former No. 2 pick earned another Pro Bowl nod while helping lead the team to the second round of the postseason last year, but his injury concerns and the positional value of RBs as a whole have led to frustrating moments during negotiations from Barkley’s perspective. He and the Giants have until July 17 to work out an extension.
• Commanders Sale Vote Remains On Track: A number of concerns have been raised regarding the Josh Harris bid to purchase the Commanders, but they appear to have been resolved. Harris’ agreement with outgoing owner Dan Snyder is scheduled to be voted on by the league on July 20, and that process is expected to produce unanimous ratification of the sale. Issues related to financing and the number of investors in Harris’ bid have been worked on since the $6.05 billion exclusive agreement was finalized, but the scheduling of a July vote illustrates the degree to which the NFL is satisfied with the deal as it stands. For the second straight offseason, then, the summer should see a special league meeting take place to approve a record-breaking franchise purchase.
• Willis On Titans’ Roster Bubble? The Titans drafted a quarterback for the second consecutive year in 2023, adding Will Levis as their signal-caller of the future. That decision, in part, has left Malik Willis in danger of failing to make Tennessee’s roster out of training camp. The 2022 third-rounder was seen as a long-term project coming out of college, but his athletic upside was seen as a factor which could at least earn him a long look as a backup. The presence of Levis gives the team a succession plan to veteran Ryan Tannehill, however, and they could elect to only carry those two passers on the 53-man roster during the season. Needless to say, training camp and the preseason will go a long way in determining Willis’ future with the Titans.
• Ingram Headlines Veteran Retirements: A number of accomplished NFLers announced that they are handing up their cleats in recent days, including running back Mark Ingram. The 33-year-old will try his hand at broadcasting with Fox Sports, putting an end to a 12-year playing career spent with the Saints, Ravens and Texans. Ingram leaves as New Orleans’ all-time rushing leader and a three-time Pro Bowler, and he will begin the next chapter of his football career rather than searching for a depth role as a player this summer. In addition, punter Kevin Huber (the all-time games played leader for the Bengals) as well as ex-Commanders center Chase Roullier have announced their respective retirements.

The calendar has flipped to July, meaning training camps and a few other offseason checkpoints aren’t far away. In the meantime, some signficant developments have taken place around the league in recent days. Here’s a quick recap from the past week:

• Colts’ Rodgers, Berry Waived Amidst Year-Long Suspensions: Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry were given indefinite suspensions for violations of the league’s gambling policy. The pair were found to have wagered on NFL games, and Rodgers reportedly bet on Colts contests. In the wake of the bans being handed down, Indianapolis waived both players, falling in line with actions taken by the Lions earlier this offseason under similar circumstances. The news of Rodgers and Berry (along with free agent D-lineman Demetrius Taylor) being sidelined for at least the 2023 campaign marks the latest major gambling-related punishments to be handed down this year. Bans for NFL players and staff members have been a major storyline in recent months, as teams look to better educate members of both groups about the rules regarding gambling and the consequences of violating them.
• Petit-Frere Suspended Six Games For Gambling: Continuing the theme of suspensions being handed down, Titans tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was banned for six games. The 23-year-old placed wagers on non-NFL events while at the team’s facility, triggering the latest short-term punishment (relative to the indefinite ones) issues for gambling violations. Petit-Frere was a full-time right tackle starter as a rookie last year, and his absence to begin the campaign will be acutely felt by Tennessee. The Titans have a number of new faces along the offensive line after the unit was affected by the team’s cost-cutting measures this offseason. A temporary replacement will need to be found for the Ohio State alum, one of many players set to miss considerable time in 2023 as violations of the gambling policy continue to be identified.
• Howell Chosen As NFLPA Executive Director: The NFLPA has its new leader in place, with Lloyd Howell having been unveiled as executive director. The 57-year-old has no background in football, like his predecessor DeMaurice Smith, but he has a long track record working with the Booz Allen Hamilton consulting firm, one which has an existing relationship with the NFL. The union’s search for a new leader was shrouded in secrecy throughout the process, and the identities of the other finalists voted on remains unknown. Howell is in line to take over later this month, which will mark an end to Smith’s tenure; the latter had been in place since 2009. Talks on the next CBA, which is several years away, will be a key chapter in Howell’s new role.
• Patriots Extend Parker: The Patriots took care of some business with their in-house veterans, including a new deal for wideout DeVante Parker. The 30-year-old inked a three-year extension with a maximum value of $33MM. Guarantees and bonuses account for $14MM on the new pact, one which will secure his future with the Patriots for years to come after his acquisition from the Dolphins via trade last offseason. The Parker deal is not expected to take New England out of the running for free agent DeAndre Hopkins, however. Parker will look to take a step forward in terms of production in 2023 after his middling debut campaign with the Patriots, something which holds true of the team’s passing attack as a whole.
• Dolphins Submit Offer To Cook: Dalvin Cook has been linked to the Dolphins on a number of occasions this offseason, and he has an offer in place from Miami. The four-time Pro Bowler would add to the Dolphins’ running game considerably, though the team already has a number of options in place at the RB position. A homecoming would nevertheless allow Cook to fulfil his goal of operating as a starter, which could in turn boost his value for future contracts provided his next one will be short in length. Other suitors are in the mix, though, so his free agent process could very well extend beyond the beginning of training camp later this month.

A number of developments have taken place over the past week concerning on- and off-the-field matters in the NFL. In case you missed anything, here’s a quick recap:

• Bills Extend McDermott, Beane: The Bills will have stability on the sidelines and in the front office for years to come with head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane signing joint extensions. The pair are now under contract through the 2027 season, as their shared success has yielded another set of new deals. The Bills have been among the NFL’s elite since McDermott and Beane were hired in 2017, qualifying for the postseason five times during that span and reaching one AFC title game. With one of the NFL’s deepest and most balanced rosters, expectations will once again be high for them in 2023, though the AFC East in particular and the conference as a whole will provide signficant challenges. McDermott and Beane will enter the campaign assured of their long-term futures.
• Owners To Vote On Commnaders Sale: A date has been arranged for the final step in the Commanders sale process. NFL owners will convene on July 20 to vote on the ratification of Josh Harris’ purchase of the franchise. The league’s finance committee is expected to provide a unanimous recommendation of green-lighting the sale, which should in turn result in full approval being given to the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner to take over from Dan Snyder. Issues related to finances have come up with the Harris bid since it was agreed to in May, but the decision to schedule the ratification vote for July points to optimism from all involved that they will be smoothed over soon. Provided the vote goes as expected, the sales process will reach its conclusion next month.
• Giants, Raiders Contemplating Deals With Franchise-Tagged RBs: The deadline for signing franchise tag recipients to long-term deals is approaching, and the Giants and Raiders have decisions to make with running backs Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, respectively. Both teams are still open to new contracts with their leading rushers, though Vegas has been much quieter to date in terms of negotiations relative to New York. Little is known with respect to the gap between Jacobs and the Raiders regarding extension talks, something which has been a source of frustration for the former. The Giants, meanwhile, have made (and pulled) offers to Barkley, limiting his leverage during negotiations which have dated back to the bye week of the 2022 campaign. All parties involved have until July 17 to reach agreement on new deals; otherwise, Barkley and Jacobs will earn $10.1MM on the one-year tender this year.
• Cook Remains On Dolphins’ Radar: The Dolphins have previously been connected to Dalvin Cook on the trade front before his release from the Vikings, and they still are now that the veteran running back is a free agent. Miami has discussed a deal with the four-time Pro Bowler, something which would represent a homecoming and give the team a notable boost for their ground game. Cook was let go by Minnesota after no trade partner could be found, immediately leading to speculation that a Dolphins deal could soon follow. No other serious suitor has emerged to date, which could clear the way to a contract being worked out between the two sides. Miami sits mid-pack in terms of cap space at the moment, so they could absorb what should be a short-term pact for the 27-year-old.
• Hopkins Free Agent Watch Continues: The free agent visits taken by DeAndre Hopkins have come and gone, but no deal has emerged as a result. The All-Pro wideout has met with the Titans and Patriots, and he is contemplating the standing offers made by each team. Hopkins, 31, is employing a patient approach which could allow him to draw further interest from other teams looking to bolster their passing attacks, though it remains to be seen how much value his next contract will have given how deep into the offseason his free agent process has lasted since his May release. Many contending AFC teams are in worse cap space than Tennessee and New England as things stand, which could hinder Hopkins’ market at least until training camp brings about injuries or surprise roster cuts.