Week In Review News & Rumors

The countdown to the NFL draft continues, but a number of notable developments continue to take place around the league in the relatively quiet time between the initial waves of free agency and the arrival of the latest crop of rookies. Here is a quick recap of some of the top storylines from the past week:

• Titans Sign Simmons To Monster Deal: An extension for Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons had been considered one of the team’s top priorities for the offseason, and it has now been taken care of. The two-time Pro Bowler inked a four-year, $94MM extension which will take effect starting in 2024. The pact places Simmons, 25, behind only Aaron Donald in terms of average annual value ($23.5MM) and slightly ahead of the Rams superstar in guarantees ($66MM). Tennessee has moved on from a number of veterans this offseason, but the ascending talent at the heart of their defensive line will be in place for years to come, while other DTs up for extensions will look to use his deal as a benchmark for their own contracts.  
• Patriots Looked To Move Jones? Things didn’t go according to plan on offense for the Patriots in 2022, and the fallout from their much-maligned coaching setup continues. The relationship between quarterback Mac Jones and head coach Bill Belichick is not in a good place, and the Patriots reportedly shopped the 2021 first-rounder earlier this offseason. Jones, 24, repeatedly expressed frustration with the team’s underwhelming passing attack last year, something which no doubt contributed to his statistical regression compared to his rookie campaign. Belichick recently hinted at a training camp competition between the Alabama product and 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe, despite owner Robert Kraft‘s firm support of Jones. Potential developments for New England under center (which is not expected to include a Lamar Jackson pursuit) will certainly be worth watching.
• Jets To Host Beckham: The Jets continue to negotiate with the Packers on an Aaron Rodgers trade, something which is expected to produce a number of other moves on New York’s part. One of those would be a deal with free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr., and the team will take a step closer to that on Monday by hosting him on an official visit. The 30-year-old sat out the entire 2022 season while rehabbing an ACL tear, and the list of serious suitors appears to have shrunk relatively recently. The Jets have long been connected to Beckham (especially given the assumption they will acquire Rodgers), and this sit-down will be his first official one. A deal sending him back to the Big Apple could soon follow.
• Panthers Favor Young With Top Pick? When the Panthers traded up to the No. 1 spot in this month’s draft, their intentions of selecting a quarterback were confirmed. It had originally seemed their preference was Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, but signs are now pointing to Alabama product Bryce Young being the target. The latter has many fans inside Carolina’s organization, and is generally seen as the top passer in the 2023 class. His size is often named as a concern, though, especially within the context of the QB profile head coach Frank Reich tends to work with. Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, put up two highly productive seasons as the starter for the Crimson Tide and is, along with Stroud, seen as a known commodity compared to the other signal-callers in this class. Carolina will continue to evaluate their options, but Young hearing his name first on Day 1 would come as less of a surprise now than it previously would have.
• Cards’ Bidwill Facing Cheating, Misconduct Allegations: Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is the subject of an arbitration claim filed by outgoing team executive Terry McDonough following alleged actions which took place in 2018. Specifically, McDonough claims he and then-head coach Steve Wilks were forced to illegally communicate with then-general manager Steve Keim during his suspension that year. The fallout from objecting to that plan, according to McDonough, has resulted in a number of actions taken against him by Bidwill which left him in a position of lower standing in the organization and off the radar for GM positions for other teams. The Cardinals have firmly denied the misconduct allegations, which also include claims of creating “an environment of fear for minority employees.” The matter will be resolved through the league’s arbitration policy.

The first few waves of free agency have come and gone, but plenty of key storylines remain in place around the NFL. Here’s a quick recap of some of the top headlines from this past week:

• Packers, Jets Continuing Rodgers Negotiations: It is well known around the NFL that Aaron Rodgers wishes to continue his career with the Jets, and that the Packers are more than willing to move on from the four-time MVP. Trade talks between Green Bay and New York are now centered on the compensation (particularly in 2024 draft capital) which will be needed to finalize a swap. There is a growing sense that no first-round picks will be included in the package sent to the Packers, given the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ playing future beyond 2023. Most of the elements of this trade – including, quite possibly, the financial work which will be required for the Jets to absorb the 39-year-old’s contract – are said to be in place, though, so trade compensation likely represents the final hurdle to a deal being consummated.
• Jackson Goes Public With Trade Request: The saga surrounding Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken a number of turns recently, including his Twitter posts stating that he asked for a trade one month ago. Negotiations have remained ongoing for years now, but not much traction has been gained between player and team. The former MVP’s market has not heated up, as no serious suitors for an offer sheet or tag-and-trade have emerged to date. The issue of draft compensation, along with the matter of guarantees (although Jackson is reportedly not seeking a fully-guaranteed pact), has left the 26-year-old’s future in the air well into the offseason.
• Commanders Sale Approaching? Signs continue to point to the Dan Snyder era in Washington nearing an end. Two fully funded bids (from the groups led by Josh Harris and Steve Apostolopoulos) have been submitted, despite the fact that it is not known with certainty whether or not Snyder intends to sell. The latter’s recent actions, including reportedly moving himself and his family to England, however, have further fueled the belief that a sale will be finalized in the near future. In addition to Harris and Apostolopoulos, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and an unnamed fourth bidder are in place as potential new Commanders owners.
• Hopkins Trade Market Heating Up? The 2023 free agent class of wideouts has, as expected, produced little in the way of big-money deals. One of the top trade candidates at the position, DeAndre Hopkins, is drawing interest from a number of teams, as the Cardinals continue to shop him. To no surprise, the 30-year-old is eyeing a contending team as his next home, but his contract represents a significant obstacle. Hopkins would likely sign an extension upon arrival with a new team to lower his 2023 cap hit ($29.99MM), but Arizona has remained firm in seeking a trade package including at least one second-round pick in return for the three-time All-Pro. Interested teams (including the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens and, perhaps less feasibly, the Patriots) are intent on having the Cardinals eat a portion of Hopkins’ remaining compensation to make a trade more manageable. The degree to which Arizona is willing to do so will no doubt go a long way in determining his playing future.  
• Campbell Heading To Atlanta: After three years in Baltimore, six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell was a cap casualty of the Ravens this offseason, allowing him to head elsewhere on the open market. He did just that, inking a one-year deal with the Falcons which includes $7MM guaranteed and has a maximum value of $9MM. The 36-year-old proved he can still be an effective producer in the run and pass game in 2022, and will look for career sack No. 100 with an Atlanta team which has made a number of noteworthy additions so far in free agency. A strong year with his fourth career franchise will help the 2010s All-Decade member add further to his legacy.

The calendar has flipped over to March, which means the NFL Combine and the impending franchise tag deadline have driven most of the headlines in recent days. Here’s a quick recap of some of the top stories from the past week:

• Bears Open To Trading No. 1 Pick: Only twice this century has the No. 1 pick in the draft been traded, but that is a distinct possibility in 2023. The Bears are reportedly leaning toward a move down the board, something which GM Ryan Poles hinted at when giving incumbent quarterback Justin Fields a strong endorsement. Several QB-needy teams have top-10 picks, so a bidding war shouldn’t be difficult for the Bears to generate while fielding calls. Interestingly, Poles added that a trade involving the top selection could take place before free agency begins, which would be an unprecedented move.
• Saints Prepared To Sign Carr: Derek Carr figures to have several suitors as the top quarterback currently available, but New Orleans is reportedly “ready” to sign him right now. The Saints are in the market for an upgrade under center from their 2022 setup, and they pursued Deshaun Watson last offseason. They have plenty financial work remaining to become cap compliant, however, and will likely face competition from the likes of the Jets and Panthers to sign the 31-year-old. Carr could make his decision in the coming days, so his future – and that of the Saints at the QB position – could become clearer soon.
• Raiders To Tag Jacobs: The NFL’s leading rusher could have commanded a hefty payday on the open market, but he will remain in Vegas for at least one more season. Unless a long-term deal can be agreed upon with Josh Jacobs, the Raiders will tag him at a cost of $10.1MM. A multi-year deal appears to be each party’s preference, though Jacobs’ 2022 performance would no doubt drive up his contract demands; the two sides can negotiate a pact until mid-July assuming the tag gets used. The same holds true of Tony Pollard with the Cowboys.
• Wentz, Mariota Headline Veteran Cuts: Joining Carr in early quarterback free agency this past week were Carson Wentz of the Commanders and Marcus Mariota of the Falcons. Neither move came as a surprise, as the veterans lost their No. 1 positions midway through the 2022 season after being signed as bridge starters. Both Washington and Atlanta are likely to make additions under center this offseason, albeit with less expensive options to compete with Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder, respectively. Wentz and Mariota will look to catch on with a preferable situation as they attempt to rebuild their value. They are joined on the open market by other notable veterans such as wideout Kenny Golladay and running back Leonard Fournette.
• Jaguars To Tag Engram: After an up-and-down tenure with the Giants, Evan Engram enjoyed a career-year in 2022 with the Jaguars. He and the team have expressed their desire to continue their partnership, and the 28-year-old will remain in Duval County on at least the franchise tag (valued at $11.35MM). A long-term deal remains a strong possibility, and could take shape before the March 7 tag deadline. Failing that, Engram and the Jags could keep negotiating through July 15 as they look to retain several core members of last season’s playoff squad.

With free agency not far away, the coordinator hiring cycle has begun to wind down as teams look to make financial moves to become cap compliant and free up flexibility. In case you missed any of this past week’s top headlines, here’s a quick recap:

• Giants Continuing Jones, Barkley Talks: All teams have important decisions to make in the next few days, but the Giants face the dilemma of keeping quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley on the roster for at least one more year. They have resumed contract negotiations with Jones, in the wake of reports that he is seeking north of $40MM (perhaps as much as $45MM) per season. New York is trying to finalize a deal at a more affordable number, knowing that the franchise tag deadline (March 7) is approaching. That one-year option remains for Barkley in particular, though the team’s intention remains multi-years deals for both. Progress will need to be made soon on at least one front if they wish to avoid either player hitting the open market.
• Rams Moving On From Wagner: All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner chose to sign with his hometown team on a five-year deal last offseason, but that contract resulted in only a one-year stint there. The Rams and Wagner will mutually part ways when the new league year begins, and he will likely once again have a robust market for his services. The 32-year-old remained highly productive in 2022, but will turn his attention to signing with a contender. In the wake of that news, it has since come out that star corner Jalen Ramsey is expected to be traded as the Rams reset financially.
• Chiefs Promote Nagy To OC: The departure of Eric Bieniemy left a vacancy at the offensive coordinator spot for the Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs made the expected move of promoting from within, naming Matt Nagy as their new OC. The ex-Bears head coach is now in his second stint under that title in Kansas City, though it does not include play-calling duties on a full-time basis. Nagy worked as quarterbacks coach in 2022, and has experience working not only with HC Andy Reid but QB Patrick Mahomes as well. The decision will give the Chiefs continuity as they look to lengthen their recent run of success.
• Titans Shed Significant Salary: Cost-cutting season is in full swing, and the Titans made several notable moves by releasing wideout Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunningham, left tackle Taylor Lewan and kicker Randy Bullock within a matter of hours. The slew of cuts freed up more than $35MM in cap space, but Tennessee still sits outside the top-10 in the league in terms of financial wiggle room. In Lewan’s case, retirement could very well be the next step, but the other three will now get a head start on free agency. The Titans will have a number of replacements to find in the coming weeks and months in their bid to rebound from a disappointing 2022 campaign.
• Broncos Reunite With Joseph: The Broncos have plenty of new faces on their coaching staff, including Sean Payton at the helm. However, their defense will have some familiarity under Vance Joseph, who was hired to come back to the Mile High City after his HC stint there ended in 2018. Since then, he had led Arizona’s defense and recently been let go by the Cardinals’ new staff. The 50-year-old won out over a few other notable candidates, including Rex Ryan, Matt Patricia and Sean Desai. He will aim to continue Denver’s success on defense in 2022, while Payton and Co. attempt to revive the team’s offense.

With Super Bowl LVII in the rearview, all 32 NFL teams are now in offseason mode. In case you missed any of the top developments in the days following another season coming to an end, here’s a quick breakdown:

• Raiders Release Carr: A move which had long been expected finally became official this week, as the Raiders cut quarterback Derek Carr before the guarantee trigger in his contract took effect. A trade to an interested team was not an option, after the four-time Pro Bowler made it clear he would force Las Vegas to make him a free agent. Now, Carr can sign with a new team at any time (as opposed to other free agents who can only do so when the new league year begins in March). He has already met with the Saints, and most recently, the Jets. A number of other suitors are likely to show interest in him as well.
• Colts Hire Steichen As HC: The Colts conducted a lengthy, wide-ranging search for their next full-time head coach, one which included interim HC Jeff Saturday for quite some time. Not long after narrowing their list of finalists, though, they landed on Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. The 37-year-old has received glowing reviews for his previous work with quarterbacks in particular, something which will play a central part in his success in Indianapolis, a team desperate for a long-term solution under center.
• Gannon Takes Over As Cardinals’ Coach: Hours after the news broke that Steichen was headed to Indianapolis, it was learned that Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon had been hired by Arizona. That put him in place as the final HC hire of the 2023 cycle, and made the Eagles the first team in a decade to see both their offensive and defensive coordinators depart in the same offseason. Gannon, 39, emerged as a late contender for the Cardinals’ head coaching gig, and will face the tall task of rebuilding the AFC West squad alongside new general manager Monti Ossenfort and a pair of new coordinators.  
• Commanders Hire Bieniemy As OC: After five straight one-year contracts tying him to Kansas City, Eric Bieniemy has landed a new coaching opportunity in Washington. While it isn’t the HC position many have been clamoring for, the 53-year-old will have his first opportunity to have full control of an offense, along with a raise and bump in title as the Commanders’ assistant head coach. The two-time Super Bowl winner inherits a far different situation than the one he left in Kansas City (from the distinct lack of an established quarterback to the uncertain future of HC Ron Rivera), but he will have the chance to guide his new team to an improved showing on offense and, in turn, boost his own stock.
• Ridley Applies For Reinstatement: On the first day he was eligible to do so, wideout Calvin Ridley applied to be reinstated to the NFL. The 28-year-old was suspended for the 2022 campaign due to a violation of the league’s gambling policy, but was still traded at the deadline from the Falcons to the Jaguars. If he is allowed to suit up in 2023, the former first-rounder will look to build off his success in Atlanta while helping Jacksonville’s new-look pass-catching corps take another step forward.

With training camps well underway, there have been a number of significant developments with on- and off-the-field implications this past week. In case you missed anything, here’s a quick recap of the top stories from around the league:

• Watson Given Six-Game Suspension: The long-awaited ruling from former judge Sue L. Robinson was handed down Monday morning, and imposed a ban for the first six games of the season on Deshaun Watson. The Browns QB was found to have violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy by virtue of his “nonviolent sexual conduct” during massage sessions dating back to his time with the Texans. As it stands, the punishment will cost Watson $345K in salary; things could change significantly soon, however, since the league has appealed the decision, and is looking to have both its length and financial penalties increased by a new third-party arbiter.
• Samuel Signs Extension: After formally requesting a trade earlier this offseason, wideout Deebo Samuel completed his course reversal by inking a three-year, $71.55MM extension. The new deal will keep him in San Francisco through 2025, and moves him into the top-10 in the league in annual compensation ($23.85MM) at the position. The 26-year-old now has the financial security to replicate his success from last season – where he earned All-Pro honors for his unique effectiveness in the air and on the ground – but also the opportunity to hit the open market in the not-too-distant future.
• Dolphins, Ross Punished For Tampering: The Dolphins were docked a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder for their attempts to acquire QB Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton. In addition, owner Steven Ross was suspended until October and fined $1.5MM. The organization was found to have committed tampering violations of “unprecedented scope and severity,” leading to the substantial discipline being handed down. Ross and the team were, on the other hand, cleared of any wrongdoing with respect to the tanking allegations made by former head coach Brian Flores.
• Steelers Extend Johnson: In the immediate build-up to his new deal being finalized, all signs seemed to point to Diontae Johnson departing in free agency at the end of this season. Instead, he signed a two-year extension worth $36.71MM. Surprisingly, the Pro Bowler came in short of the $20MM-per-year mark that each of his 2019 draft classmates (among several other wideouts) who have been extended this offseason eclipsed. Like Samuel, though, he can build off of a career-year over the course of the pact’s short term and test the free agent market while still in his prime.
• Cardinals Extend Humphries: Not long after signing QB Kyler Murray to a massive extension, Arizona took care of his blindside blocker as well. Left tackle D.J. Humphries signed a three-year, $66.8MM extension to keep him on the books through 2025. The 28-year-old now ranks ninth in the league in terms of annual average compensation ($16.98MM) amongst left tackles as a result of the deal. He will look to continue his Pro Bowl form of last year as another key member of the Cardinals’ offense who is on the books for the foreseeable future.  

With the deadline for franchise-tagged players passing on Friday, it was an important week on the NFL’s offseason calendar. Here’s a quick recap of the top headlines from the past seven days:

• No Progress Made Between Bengals, Bates: The most contentious situation of the four which were in the spotlight leading up to the deadline was that between the Bengals and safety Jessie Bates. It came out on Friday that no inroads had been made regarding a long-term contract, something made more significant by the fact that Bates hasn’t signed his $12.9MM tender. He has also been public about not playing on the tag in 2022, so the threat of a training camp holdout looms large.
• Late Brown Extension Push Falls Short: Circumstances were rather similar between the Chiefs and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Kansas City did, however, make a late run at finalizing a long-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler, offering a pact which would have vaulted him to the top of the o-line market in terms of annual average compensation. A lack of guaranteed money later on in the proposed contract led to talks breaking off, though, meaning that Brown will be tied to a 2022 salary of $16.7MM if/when he signs the tag. Just like Bates, Brown could hold out from training camp without financial penalty.
• TEs Schultz, Gesicki Set To Play On Tags: Unlike Bates and Brown, tight ends Dalton Schultz and Mike Gesicki had already signed their one-year tenders, valued at $10.93MM, by the time the deadline passed without either landing a long-term contract. No substantive talks had taken place between the Cowboys and Schultz in weeks, so this was the expected outcome in his case. For Gesicki, he will enter the season after little negotiation took place regarding a new deal, facing competition from Tyreek Hill for targets in the Dolphins’ new-look offense.
• Texans Settle 30 Watson-Related Suits: While the decision on Deshaun Watson’s league discipline continues to be contemplated, the Texans reached settlement agreements with 30 women who either had made, or were planning to make, claims against the team for its role in their former QB’s alleged sexual misconduct. The team made it clear that doing so does not constitute an admission of guilt, and that it feels no further investigation into their actions will be necessary. The news has no bearing on Watson’s (presumed) impending punishment, or the four remaining civil suits he faces.
• Incognito Headlines Retirees: Three veterans ended their careers within a short span, including All-Pro tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Super Bowl-winning corner Jason McCourty. Another player who hung up his cleats was Richie Incognito, who chose to end his career as a member of the Raiders. The 39-year-old missed all of last season due to health issues, putting an end to his up-and-down, controversial NFL tenure. A four-time Pro Bowler (including three straight all-star seasons in Buffalo), Incognito missed multiple other campaigns for various reasons, making him one of the league’s most polarizing figures. He’ll finish with more than $32MM in career earnings.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the top headlines from around the NFL this past week:

• Browns Send Mayfield To Panthers: It took longer than all parties involved expected it to, but the Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers on Wednesday. The Browns received a conditional fifth-round pick in return, showing how much of a depreciated asset the former No. 1 overall pick had become this offseason. Mayfield reduced his salary by $3.5MM to facilitate the deal, while the Browns will absorb $10.5MM of his fifth-year option cost of $18.9MM. The swap marks the second consecutive offseason involving a top-three QB from the 2018 class for the Panthers, as they acquired Sam Darnold last year. The team plans on keeping both signal-callers in 2022.
• Raiders Hire New President: Continuing a decades-long line of historic personnel hires, the Raiders made Sandra Douglass Morgan the new team president. The former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman becomes the first Black woman to hold that title in the NFL. The move comes amidst another round of workplace misconduct allegations against the franchise, which Morgan has already acknowledged. “I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” she said in a letter to team employees. She replaces Dan Ventrelle as president, after the veteran exec claimed he was fired in May as a result of his decision to alert owner Mark Davis to the presence of a hostile workplace environment.
• Miller Nearly Chose Cowboys, Rams Over Bills: Von Miller gave the Bills a significant boost to their pass rush when he signed in Buffalo on a six-year, $120MM deal. Before doing so, he had an offer on the table from the Cowboys equal to the one Randy Gregory backed out of (five years, $70MM). Looking back, the future Hall of Famer said “I would have taken less to go to Dallas because it’s Dallas. But I wouldn’t take that much less.” At one point, he was also “90%” sure of staying in Los Angeles, after his Super-Bowl winning run with the Rams. Instead, he will try to earn a third ring with a third different franchise.
• Steelers Not Prepared To Top $20MM For Johnson? One of the top storylines this offseason has been the skyrocketing WR market, and the deals 2019 draftees have signed to continue driving up the cost of young stars at the position. In the case of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers aren’t expected to offer an extension valued at $20MM per season – the benchmark several receivers, including non-Pro Bowlers, have reached or eclipsed in recent months. If the team has reached a price point it is unwilling to extend beyond, the sense that 2022 could be the 26-year-old’s final campaign in Pittsburgh will only grow.
• Murphy To Step Aside In 2025:  The Packers will have a new president in three years’ time. Mark Murphy confirmed that, as required by the clubs by-laws, he will be retiring in 2025, ending a tenure of sustained success for the franchise. Included in that stretch is the team’s fourth Super Bowl title, adding to Murphy’s personal collection of rings dating back to his playing career. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Packers president,” he wrote to fans. “I plan on making the last three years as successful as possible, with multiple Super Bowl championships!”