Some assorted notes from around the NFL…
- The Buccaneers are interviewing former Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Brentson Buckner for the same position on their staff, reports Scott Reynolds of PewterReports.com (and since confirmed by other sources). Buckner and general manager Jason Licht have a relationship from their time in Arizona, perhaps giving him an advantage during the process. The Bucs are also interviewing assistant defensive line coach Paul Spicer and former Colts defensive coordinator Ted Monachino.
- With three days remaining until Le’Veon Bell‘s artificial deadline to sign a new deal with the Steelers, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wonders whether the two sides will come to an agreement. The reporter notes that there’s been no progress between the two sides in recent weeks, and he adds that it makes plenty of sense for Bell to wait for a deal. Ultimately, if the Steelers are claiming their offer will continue to drop as time goes on, Florio believes the running back should call their bluff and explore his value on the open market.
- Following the massive deals signed by Jimmy Garoppolo and Alex Smith, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson believes Russell Wilson could be in line for a contract that pays him $30MM per season. When the Seahawks quarterback signed an extension three years ago, he was second in average annual salary (behind Aaron Rodgers). However, following the latest deals and projected contracts for Kirk Cousins and Drew Brees, Wilson could now fall all the way to 10th. Ultimately, the writer believes the organization could pursue a new deal with Wilson before next offseason.
There’s no exploring Bell’s value on the open market at this time. He doesn’t sign–they tag him and run his wheels off next season. Then the Steelers replace him and see how he does with a lesser offensive line blocking for him.
Exactly. No way they let him walk without tagging him. The rb tag is somewhere in the $12mil range. Not bad to buy you a year with one of the games current top backs
he will be at 14 mill next year for tag. way to expensive for a rb. beside Steelers aren’t winning another SB with Tomlin anyway so doesn’t matter if he stays of goes.
You might need to worry your team and gutting of the front office and coaching staff
yeah for sure…will be interesting to see if it works out. wasted alot of Rodgers years
Bell will be back in Pittsburgh. Ben doesn’t come back for another season if he thinks he’s not going to have the same tools in Bell and Brown. It was one thing for him to push Haley out but there is no way he’s gonna come back without assurances that he will have all his weapons.