2020 March - Pro Football Rumors

Jaguars’ Yannick Ngakoue Wants Out

March 2nd, 2020 at 8:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars will use their franchise tag on Yannick Ngakoue, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Meanwhile, the pass rusher took to Twitter on Monday morning to announce that he is not interested in a long-term deal with the club.

“The Jaguars are aware I no longer have interest in signing a long term contract in Jacksonville,” Ngakoue tweeted. “Duval, I love you and gave you guys everything I got. I’m thankful for the journey and look forward to continuing my career elsewhere.”

At this point, it seems like the Jaguars will wind up having to tag-and-trade the standout defensive end. They’ll find plenty of interest in him if that’s the case – over the last four years, Ngakoue has notched 37.5 sacks for the Jaguars and 14 forced fumbles (fourth in the NFL in that span, behind only Khalil Mack, Chandler Jones, and T.J. Watt. He’s been durable as well; he never missed a game until last year.

The soon-to-be 25-year-old had another standout campaign in 2019, finishing with 41 tackles, eight sacks, six passes defended, and four forced fumbles. The former third-rounder discussed an extension with the team last offseason, but those talks did not lead to a deal and it seems that he is not long for Jacksonville.

The franchise tag for defensive ends is expected to cost upwards of $19MM for 2020.

QB Rumors: Stafford, Dalton, Saints

March 1st, 2020 at 9:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

A rumor surfaced recently indicating the Lions discussed a Matthew Stafford trade. GM Bob Quinn denied this, and multiple key parties were quick to state the 11-year veteran quarterback does not want to leave Detroit. Stafford’s agent, Tom Condon, informed NFL.com’s Michael Silver his client does not want a trade (Twitter link). The quarterback’s wife, Kelly Stafford, shared on her Instagram (Twitter links via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett) they are not angling for a new NFL city. Matthew Stafford, 32, is under contract for three more seasons.

Here is the latest from the quarterback realm, moving to a passer who very much is available for trade:

Despite the Saints set to start a 41-year-old Drew Brees and apply a high tender to intriguing gadget player/backup Taysom Hill, they may not be prepared to draft a passer this year. Although some mock drafts have the Saints taking Utah State’s Jordan Love, Larry Holder of The Athletic notes (subscription required) the Saints do not appear to be interested. The Saints hold the No. 24 pick in the draft, and it might now be a surprise to see Love still on the board at that point.
Brees-Hill 2020 looks like the Saints’ plan. Combine buzz centered around Bridgewater’s next team, with Holder speaking to no NFL decision-maker who expected Brees’ backup of the past two years to return. Sean Payton said it would be unrealistic for the Saints to bring back all three, and Bridgewater is expected to receive interest as a starter in free agency. The Bears, Buccaneers, Chargers, Panthers and Patriots may possess some interest, Holder hears. Though, unlike Tom Brady and Philip Rivers, no team has been connected to Bridgewater yet.
Like Brady and Rivers, Andy Dalton has also been connected to a team. The Bears discussed a trade with the Bengals but may have to battle other teams for the nine-year veteran starter. Dalton’s agent has been working with the Bengals on potential Dalton deals, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com names the Colts and Patriots — in addition to the Bears — as teams who could potentially have interest in the contract-year passer (video link). The Colts have been connected to Rivers at multiple junctures this week, while some around the league have indeed viewed New England as a landing spot for Dalton if Brady does decide to defect in free agency. Cincinnati and New England have made multiple trades involving high-profile Bengals, and the same two decision-makers — Mike Brown and Bill Belichick — remain in place from when Corey Dillon and Chad Johnson were dealt to New England in 2004 and 2011, respectively.

Mutual Interest Between Rivers, Colts?

March 1st, 2020 at 8:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Colts have not entered free agency in the market for a veteran starting quarterback since the mid-1990s, but signs continue to point toward the franchise exploring a deal with one of this year’s biggest available names.

After a report surfaced indicating the Colts are interested in Philip Rivers, the quarterback may share that interest in signing up to play in Indianapolis. Rivers seemingly has interest in joining the Colts, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). However, other teams may interfere with this potential partnership.

Rivers worked with both Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni with the Chargers, and early indications make the Colts a frontrunner for the 38-year-old quarterback’s services. They are doing their homework on the eight-time Pro Bowler. But the Buccaneers are believed to have interest as well and may even prefer Rivers to Jameis Winston. And as strange as it sounds, given their depth chart and salary commitments at quarterback, the Redskins may join the Bucs and Colts as Rivers suitors.

The Colts and Buccaneers each possess immense cap space, with Indianapolis holding $86MM and Tampa Bay at $79MM. However, the Bucs have a far more crowded group of free agents — including Winston, Shaquil Barrett, Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh — than the Colts. Indianapolis also may be the better bet to be a 2020 playoff contender, given its 2018 divisional-round advancement and wealth of cap space, than a Bucs franchise that has not qualified for the postseason since 2007. The Bucs, though, boast one of the league’s best receiver tandems in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Rivers made it clear he wants to sign with a potential contender and is eyeing a two-year window to extend his career outside of southern California. A market is taking shape.

CBA Includes Increased PED Penalties

March 1st, 2020 at 7:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Under the yet-to-be-ratified CBA proposal, violators of the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs would face stricter punishment. Second offenses, in particular, would come with significant repercussions.

First-time positive tests for anabolic substances currently trigger a four-game ban. Under this CBA proposal, said offenses would cost a player six games, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The 2011 CBA shelved a violator 10 games for a second offense; the proposed new agreement would result in a 17-game suspension for a second positive test, Florio adds. Additionally, players who attempt to manipulate samples will be given eight-game suspensions.

Should this CBA be ratified, disparate penalties for testing positive for anabolic substances and stimulants would take effect. The NFL will reduce the latter ban from four games to two, per Florio, and from 10 games to five for a second offense.

Stimulants and anabolic substances currently trigger the same penalty, and with the NFL not disclosing the substances for which a player tested positive, the league’s PED issues are somewhat hazy. That would change if players ratify this CBA, though the agreement would still not disclose specific substances.

This will mark a further divide between the punishment for marijuana and PEDs. The CBA would nearly decriminalize the former in the NFL, while the latter will become a costlier mistake.

Broncos Interested In DL D.J. Reader

March 1st, 2020 at 5:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos have Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris set for free agency. While both have expressed a desire to return, the prospect of the Broncos needing two replacement defensive ends certainly exists.

Denver has expressed interest in Houston defensive lineman D.J. Reader, according to 9News’ Mike Klis (on Twitter). Other teams will be in the running for the breakout interior defender, but the Broncos are monitoring the four-year Texans defender.

Reader broke through last season, registering 13 quarterback hits — more than his first three seasons combined — and ranking as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 interior defender. At 25, he is much younger than Wolfe (29) or Harris (28). Denver drafted Dre’Mont Jones in Round 3 last year and could use him as a starter, but if both Wolfe and Harris exit, the franchise will need help up front.

The Texans and Reader have discussed an extension, but nothing has emerged on the sides being close on a re-up that would keep the former fifth-round pick in Houston. Reader started 52 games for the Texans. Both Denver and Houston rank in the top 10 in 2020 cap space, with the Broncos holding north of $70MM (seventh) and the Texans at $61MM-plus (ninth).

Browns Want To Re-Sign WR Rashard Higgins

March 1st, 2020 at 4:51pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins will likely hit the free-agent market, but that does not mean a reunion with Cleveland is out of the question, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. In fact, Cabot adds that, per a league source, the team would still like Higgins back “‘at the right price.”

Higgins fell out of the Browns rotation this past season after a falling out with the previous coaching staff. However, now that Freddie Kitchens has been replaced by Kevin Stefanski as head coach, the new regime appears to have interest in a reunion.

A fifth-round pick in 2016, Higgins progressed into larger and larger roles in Cleveland’s offense over his first three seasons and seemed poised to be the team’s third receiver behind Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham last season.

After hauling in 39 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, Higgins managed just four catches for 55 yards in all of 2019. At just 25, Higgins is not far from being a solid young prospect, but his dip in production could very well dampen his market.

AFC East Notes: Brady, Winters, Brown

March 1st, 2020 at 4:06pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Tom Brady‘s impending unrestricted free agency will be the largest story of the offseason. It remains unclear whether he will be returning to the Patriots or looking for a new home outside of New England. One important element of negotiations revolves around Brady’s relationship with owner Robert Kraft.

A source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that he “wonders” if Kraft will instruct head coach and president Bill Belichick to do whatever is necessary to keep Brady in a Pats uniform. While little is known about Brady’s own preferences, the power dynamics within the organization itself could very well play a role as well.

Many expect Jets guard Brian Winters to be released to make $7MM in salary cap space, but Rich Cimini of ESPN notes that the organization might want to find a way to retain the guard at a reduced salary through a restructure. Winters, a seven-year veteran, has spent his entire career with the Jets and started 9 games for the team last season.
Former Patriots wide receiver Troy Brown appears to be taking a larger role on the team’s coaching staff, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. Reiss noted that Brown, who has been on the Pats coaching staff in a limited capacity, was involved in meetings with prospects at the scouting combine.

RT Jack Conklin Unlikely To Sign With Jets

March 1st, 2020 at 2:55pm CST by Marc Delucchi

It seemed that one of the most prominent free agent offensive linemen had already come off the board earlier Sunday. Reports emerged that at least one team had been informed that right tackle Jack Conklin would sign with the Jets as soon as free agency began. However, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Conklin is “not expected” to land with Gang Green in free agency.

While Schefter notes the Jets, who are looking to upgrade their offensive line, have interest in Conklin and a plethora of cap space, the competition for Conklin’s services are expected to be “intense” and bring him out of New York’s price range.

Conklin was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 Draft by the Titans and has started each of the 57 games he’s appeared in over his four-year career. He has proven himself as a solid starter at right tackle but failed to develop into an elite player, which led Tennessee to decline his fifth-year option, which allows him to enter the open market this summer.

NFC East Notes: Okudah, Groh, Heath, Jones

March 1st, 2020 at 1:58pm CST by Marc Delucchi

While there’s still plenty of time until the NFL Draft, but murmurs around the combine are tying the Giants to cornerback Jeff Okudah, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the NY Post. Okudah is considered the best defensive back prospect in the draft class and is expected to be a top-five pick. In his final season at Ohio State, Okudah recorded three interceptions, nine passes defended, 34 tackles, and, perhaps most impressive of all, zero holding or defensive pass interference penalties.

Here are some more notes from around the NFC East;

The Eagles made a number of changes on their coaching staff following a disappointing season. Most notably, Philadelphia fired offensive coordinator Mike Groh, but sources familiar with the situation tell Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer that head coach Doug Pederson told Groh he would be retained for a third season. Instead, the team fired Groh alongside offensive assistants Rich Scangarello and Andrew Breiner. While there’s no direct consequence, it’s not the ideal way to conduct business.
Longtime Cowboy safety and defensive back Jeff Heath has received interest from a number of teams, including Dallas, as he nears free agency, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Watkins notes that things will pick up after the league and NFLPA resolve their CBA negotiations.
As previously reported, the Giants officially hired Amos Jones to join Joe Judge‘s coaching staff. Jones’ position on the staff had not been previously known. According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, Jones will serve as an “assistant coach/special projects and situations.”

Latest On Broncos’ RB Phillip Lindsay

March 1st, 2020 at 12:49pm CST by Rory Parks

Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay is one of the best stories of the past several seasons. The Colorado native is the first undrafted free agent to begin his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, and although he is under contract through 2020, his UDFA status makes him eligible for an extension now.

We heard in December that Denver GM John Elway would explore a new contract for Lindsay this offseason, and Lindsay himself — who is due a considerably below-market $660K salary in 2020 — would obviously like that to happen sooner rather than later. However, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post says a new deal for the Broncos’ RB1 is on the back-burner for the time being.

The two sides may enter into negotiations at some point before the start of the regular season, but not until after free agency and the draft. Elway wants to see how much cap space he has after the bulk of his offseason business has been conducted.

“We would like to be able to do something,” Elway said. “Obviously, Phillip’s been great. If we can do something, we’ll try.”

It doesn’t sound like there’s a ton of urgency on Elway’s end, and that makes sense to a degree. Even if a new deal is not struck before the end of the 2020 season, Lindsay would only be eligible for restricted free agency, so he could be retained with a fairly modest RFA tender.

But the diminutive Lindsay has been terrific for Denver, averaging 4.9 yards per carry over his first two seasons in the league and racking up 17 total TDs. He battled a wrist injury throughout the 2019 campaign but underwent surgery on the wrist in January. He is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring workouts.