2022 April - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals, Kyler Murray Yet To Begin Negotiations

April 14th, 2022 at 3:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Quarterback drama has persisted throughout the offseason’s early months, and one of the early contributors here is back in the mix. Kyler Murray is seeking a Cardinals extension before the draft, but two weeks ahead of the event, nothing is on the horizon.

The Cardinals have not made Murray an offer, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. The team still wants to keep Murray long-term, but the sides are not negotiating. This has understandably led other teams to monitor this situation, which ties into Murray’s camp wanting an extension by the draft (Twitter links). The 24-year-old standout became extension-eligible in January, and his side has ramped up the pressure on the Cardinals to hammer out a deal. Team Murray still views the draft as a deadline, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets.

Murray’s agent pulled his extension offer weeks ago, Pelissero adds. The market has undoubtedly changed, with Deshaun Watson signing a fully guaranteed $230MM deal with the Browns and Aaron Rodgers raising the per-year bar beyond $50MM. Murray has established himself as one of the league’s top young quarterbacks, though the two-time Pro Bowler has seen his play tail off after hot starts in each of the past two seasons.

A report of the Cardinals being annoyed by Murray started the drama in Arizona, and Murray had issues of his own with the organization. Murray soon scrubbed the Cards from his social media accounts, and his agent sent out a much-discussed statement regarding his client’s extension pursuit. This led to the start of a peacemaking effort, but it is clear the sides have work to do to complete that.

The former No. 1 overall pick is under contract for two more seasons, via the fifth-year option the Cardinals plan to pick up, but it has not been uncommon to see teams extend franchise quarterbacks after their third seasons. Watson, Russell Wilson and Patrick Mahomes received monster re-ups after their third years. Of course, the post-Year 3 deals the Rams and Eagles gave Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, respectively, might factor into the Cards’ decision-making here. Both extensions led to trades that saddled those teams with record-setting dead-money sums.

The draft plays a role here due to Murray’s camp believing more teams would be interested ahead of the event. Even though this year’s quarterback crop has not been highly praised, teams will undoubtedly make big investments at the position, thus narrowing potential Murray destinations and reducing his leverage. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill called Murray’s extension process “complicated” and did not seem to be on the same page regarding a pre-draft extension. The team holds considerable leverage here anyway, but it will be interesting to see how Murray’s side operates in the coming days.

Cardinals Re-Sign WR A.J. Green

April 14th, 2022 at 2:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

After bouncing back to contribute for the first playoff-qualifying Cardinals team in six years, A.J. Green is staying put. The 12th-year veteran agreed to re-sign with the Cards on a one-year deal, according to the team. Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports that the contract is worth up to $3.5MM, with $3MM of that total guaranteed (Twitter link). Green can earn the remaining $500K in per-game active roster bonuses, and the deal also includes two voidable years for cap purposes.

This will give Green a chance to play an age-34 season; the former perennial Pro Bowler will turn 34 in July. Green is coming off a season in which he played 16 games, helping a Cardinals club that was without DeAndre Hopkins for much of the year. With Christian Kirk now out of the picture, Green again stands to be a key factor for Arizona’s Hopkins-led receiving corps.

Although Green’s days of 1,000-yard seasons appear to have passed, the 6-foot-4 wideout did re-emerge after a rough close to his Bengals career. After missing the 2019 season, Green posted just 523 receiving yards in 2020. This led him to the desert, but the former top-five pick caught 54 passes for 848 yards and three touchdowns. The Georgia alum posted two 100-yard games last season.

Green’s historic run of Pro Bowls to start his career (seven) stopped after the 2017 season, with injuries causing him to miss 23 games at the end of the 2010s. And he was not connected to any other teams in free agency this offseason. Thus, it is certainly interesting to see this Green-Cards partnership continue for another year.

The Cards might still be interested in wideout help, considering they will have two 30-somethings at receiver this year — Hopkins turns 30 in June — they still have Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley rostered. Former second-round pick Andy Isabella remains on the team, but the Cardinals gave him permission to seek a trade last month. Green’s injury past and Hopkins’ 2021 setbacks should still make this a relative need, but the former’s return should certainly help the Kyler Murray-centered offense.

Seahawks To Re-Sign Geno Smith

April 14th, 2022 at 1:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Seahawks have, as expected, retained backup quarterback Geno Smith. A new deal being agreed upon between the two sides was first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz and corroborated by USA Today’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link).

ESPN’s Jeremey Fowler details that the new contract is one year in length, and has a maximum value of $7MM (Twitter link). That represents a sizable raise for the 31-year-old, who had previously earned no more than $1.2MM in a single season during his tenure in Seattle.

Smith stepped in for the injured Russell Wilson midway through the 2021 campaign. In four total appearances (including three starts), he threw for 702 yards and five touchdowns, completing over 68% of his passes. While the team only won one of those games, Smith’s level of play was higher than that during most of his NFL tenure.

It came as little surprise, then, that head coach Pete Carroll publicly stated the team’s intention to re-sign him. While the Seahawks also have former Bronco Drew Lock as a result of the Wilson trade, Smith is expected to compete for the starting role, something reflected by the financial value of this new pact.

This deal, of course, doesn’t guarantee that Seattle is set with those two at the top of the depth chart for 2022. The team has been named (as recently as yesterday) as a potential trade destination for the likes of Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo; they also hosted Desmond Ridder for a draft visit, signalling that they could be willing to select a future franchise signal-caller. Regardless of their future plans, they will clearly have a familiar face available to serve as, at a minimum, an experienced backup.

Packers To Sign WR Sammy Watkins

April 14th, 2022 at 1:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

1:14PM: Not surprisingly, the two sides have indeed been able to reach an agreement on a deal. Watkins is signing a one-year contract worth up to $4MM (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

1:07PM: One of the teams most in need of wide receiver additions is meeting with one of the top remaining free agents at the position. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports (on Twitter) that Sammy Watkins is visiting the Packers today.

Green Bay has been able to retain most of the key players on their NFC-leading team from 2021. Two of the most notable departures, though, are of course Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. That has left the team in search of multiple replacements for their pass-catching corps; given the current state of the free agent market, many expected the draft to become the Packers’ main area of focus.

Watkins is on a small list of notable veterans still available, though. He, along with Julio Jones, Jarvis Landry and Will Fuller could all be on the move around, or just after, the draft. The Packers would represent Watkins’ fifth career team, as he spent the 2021 campaign with the Ravens after three years in Kansas City. That, in turn, was preceded by a single season with the Rams and three with the Bills. Since his lone 1,000 yard campaign in Buffalo, he has established himself as a consistent secondary option in the passing game.

Green Bay would still have some familiar faces for the former fourth-overall pick. Head coach Matt Lafleur was the Rams’ offensive coordinator during his lone season there in 2017. Likewise, WRs coach Jason Vrable worked with Watkins as an offensive staffer when he was in Buffalo. If he were to sign, the 28-year-old would add experienced depth to the WR room, while leaving the door open to at least one other noteworthy addition, either in free agency or the draft.

49ers To Sign Kemoko Turay

April 14th, 2022 at 12:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

Not long after meeting with San Francisco, edge rusher Kemoko Turay has found his next NFL home. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that he is signing a one-year contract with the 49ers (Twitter link).

Turay, 26, sat down with the team one week ago, so this deal comes as little surprise. He had also visited the Falcons, but they clearly had more interest in linebacker Rashaan Evans, who has since signed with Atlanta. It didn’t take long for Turay to pivot to the Bay Area.

A second-round pick in 2018, Turay saw more playing time in his rookie season than any of his other three. Never able to break out as a full-time starter, he still put together a productive campaign in 2021. In 13 games (and only 224 snaps), he totalled a career-high 5.5 sacks. That, coupled with his age, made him an intriguing low-cost addition.

In San Francisco, Turay will join a defensive line headed by the likes of Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. He should fill at least some of the void left by the expected departure of Dee Ford. Indianapolis, meanwhile, will lean on 2021 first-rounder Kwity Paye as well as offseason trade acquisition Yannick Ngakoue at the top of their pass-rush depth chart.

Cowboys Willing To Trade Up In Draft

April 14th, 2022 at 11:00am CST by Adam La Rose

A number of teams have publicly expressed a willingness to trade down, especially near the top of the board, with respect to this month’s draft. One team that wouldn’t shy away from moving up, though, is the Cowboys.

“I would trade up in this draft… just going in as much as you can say about it, until you see what’s there and who’s on the other end of the line” said owner Jerry Jones (video link via the Athletic’s Jon Machota). “But I would trade up, since we’re down as low as we are in the first two or three rounds if we had a chance to and somebody that we had really coveted was sitting at the bottom … and we were able to trade up and get him.”

The Cowboys’ top pick is currently No. 24. They also own one selection in each of the second and third rounds, having added day three picks from the Browns as a result of the Amari Cooper trade. Another wideout to compliment CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup (and offset the loss of not only Cooper but also Cedrick Wilson) is a strong possibility.

Replacements for free agent departures such as Randy Gregory, La’el Collins and Connor Williams would also be logical targets for Dallas’ first few picks. In any event, the team will obviously be open to moving up to land a specific prospect – a contrast to most other teams’ views of this year’s deep, but not top-heavy class.

Dolphins, Mike Gesicki Not Close On Long-Term Deal

April 14th, 2022 at 9:59am CST by Adam La Rose

The Dolphins already know they will have tight end Mike Gesicki under contract for 2022, after he signed his franchise tender last month. As Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley reports (in a pair of tweets), however, it doesn’t appear as though the two sides are “particularly close on a [long-term] deal”.

Gesicki, 26, was named as a prime candidate to be tagged this offseason. He has established himself as a key piece of the team’s offense, particularly in the past two years. Since 2020, the former second-rounder has posted 126 catches for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns. That earned him a one-year deal worth $10.93MM as a result of the tag.

“It’s obviously not the end-all be-all goal” Gesicki said. “It’s definitely more team friendly than player friendly. When asked about the possibility of a long-term extension, he said, “I am absolutely open to negotiation, but it’s not really up to me… If they reach out, my agent will be listening.”

There was some concern Gesicki could file a grievance with the Dolphins with respect to being tagged as a tight end. Given that he is used much more like a slot receiver, many thought he would seek to negotiate a figure between the TE and WR values. Instead, both he and the Dolphins have until the summer to agree on a new deal. If one can’t be reached, Miami will move forward this season evaluating how Gesicki fits into an offense which now includes Tyreek Hill as a competition for targets.

Eagles Hosting WR Chris Olave

April 14th, 2022 at 9:00am CST by Adam La Rose

For the second time this week, there is a high-profile receiving prospect meeting the Eagles. Philadelphia is hosting a visit with Chris Olave today (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

The Eagles have already hosted Alabama alum Jameson Williams, signalling a willingness to draft a wideout in the first round for a third consecutive year. Jalen Reagor has had a disappointing start to his NFL career, leading to his name being involved in trade speculation. DeVonta Smith, on the other hand, had a productive rookie campaign, but the team actively tried to add an impact veteran to the WR room.

With the draft becoming the best way to do so this late in the offseason, it comes as no surprise that Philadelphia is doing their due diligence at the position. The team owns picks No. 15 and 18 after their trade with the Saints last week. That should give them a chance to land Olave, who is generally rated behind USC’s Drake London and fellow Ohio St. product Garrett Wilson.

In four years with the Buckeyes, Olave put up consistent receiving numbers despite a healthy competition for targets. In his final three campaigns, he totalled 163 receptions for 2,505 yards and 32 touchdowns. That has placed him in the mid-first round conversation, and drawn the interest of the Cowboys and Commanders; each team has already hosted him. Philadelphia is becoming the third NFC East team to do so, as they continue to eye additions to their pass-catching corps.

Latest On Browns QB Baker Mayfield

April 13th, 2022 at 9:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Baker Mayfield is on his way out in Cleveland, and the quarterback is starting to speak his mind about the entire situation. After being bumped to the trade block following the Browns’ acquisition of Deshaun Watson, Mayfield stated that he’s felt disrespected throughout the whole ordeal.

“I feel disrespected 100% because I was told one thing and they completely did another,” Mayfield said during his appearance on the “Ya Neva Know: You Know What I Mean?” podcast (via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal). “That’s what I’m in the middle of right now. And you know what? OK. I got my taste of it because I’ve had four different head coaches in four years, a bunch of different coordinators. I’ve had the highs, and they always come back.”

Mayfield is referring to statements made by Andrew Berry back in January, when the GM said he fully expected the former first-overall pick to be under center for Cleveland in 2022. Things have obviously changed following the blockbuster acquisition of Watson, and while it hasn’t been explicitly stated, there’s no way the Browns enter next season with Mayfield still on the roster.

We heard recently that the Browns were struggling to find a suitor for Mayfield, but Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports notes that neither side wants this tension to linger deep into the offseason. In fact, the reporter believes we could get a resolution in the coming weeks. So where could Mayfield land? The quarterback has some of his own theories.

“Um … Seattle?” Mayfield said during his podcast appearance (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). “I mean it’d probably be the most likely option. But even then, I have no idea.”

Panthers Considering Trades For No. 6 Pick

April 13th, 2022 at 8:14pm CST by Ben Levine

In their quest to add more draft capital, the Panthers are dangling the No. 6 pick. According to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi (on Twitter), the Panthers have talked to multiple teams about trades for the sixth-overall pick.

Thanks to deals for Sam Darnold and C.J. Henderson, the Panthers’ second selection of the draft is No. 137. By trading down, the Panthers could pick up some extra draft picks. Besides their first- and fourth-round selections, the Panthers also have two fifths, one sixth, and one seventh.

A trade down could also open the door to the Panthers selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick. The popular sentiment has been that No. 6 is too early to select from this year’s crop of quarterbacks. However, as Giardi notes, a trade for a mid-first would be “more palatable” for the front office. Carolina has done extensive quarterback prep, with six QBs — Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell, and Bailey Zappe — being included in the team’s 30 allotted prospect visits.

If the Panthers end up keeping their pick, the expectation is that they’ll select an offensive lineman with the sixth-overall pick. We heard recently that the organization had identified tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross as prime candidates for their first-round pick. Offensive lineman Evan Neal is also working out for the Panthers this week.