2022 June - Pro Football Rumors

Month: June 2022

WR Julian Edelman Teases NFL Return: “You Never Know”

June 16th, 2022 at 7:59pm CST by Ben Levine

Julian Edelman may be retired, but during an appearance in Croatia this weekend, the wideout hinted that he’d consider an NFL return. When asked if Edelman would head to Tampa Bay to reunite with Tom Brady, the receiver instead pointed to a reunion with his former team.

“I don’t know, we’ll see,” Edelman said (via Jenna Lemoncelli of the NY Post). “That’s called a little teaser. We’ll see. We’re staying in shape but you never know. But I’d probably go back to the Patriots. I love the Patriots. Foxborough Forever.”

Edelman’s knee limited him to only six games during the 2020 season. Last offseason, the Patriots released Edelman with a failed-physical designation, and the receiver later announced his retirement. Despite the decision to hang up his cleats, whispers of a move to Tampa Bay continued to persist. Edelman has continually hushed the rumors, but former teammate (and current free agent) Rob Gronkowski recently fueled the fire when he said he’d definitely return to the Buccaneers next season if he was joined by the veteran wideout.

Brady would surely welcome back his former wideout, and while organizations tend to favor younger players to round out their roster, Edelman could probably show enough to slide in toward the back of the Buccaneers depth chart. On the flip side, even when considering Bill Belichick’s affection for Edelman, it seems unlikely that he’d want to sign a WR in his late 30s.

Edelman’s last healthy season came in 2019, when he hauled in 100 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. The former seventh-round pick finished his career with three rings and a Super Bowl MVP.

Browns Not Expected To Target Sam Darnold In Baker Mayfield Trade

June 16th, 2022 at 6:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

With the Browns and Panthers haggling over how Baker Mayfield‘s 2022 salary will be paid, Cleveland taking back one of Carolina’s quarterbacks in a deal would not seem in step with these negotiations. But Deshaun Watson‘s status may point to the Browns looking around at emergency QB options, considering Mayfield is out of the picture for such a role.

Sam Darnold is not expected to be on such a list, and as of now, the Browns are not preparing to chase a QB upgrade as part of a Watson contingency plan. A Mayfield-for-Darnold swap is not believed to be on the Browns’ radar, according to cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, who adds the AFC North team is confident in offseason addition Jacoby Brissett.

Carolina and Cleveland have picked up talks on Mayfield recently, with the NFC South squad displaying some urgency here. If Mayfield finally does end up being traded, the acquiring team would be wise to do it soon for the purposes of the relocating quarterback immersing himself in his new team’s playbook ahead of training camp.

Matt Rhule said a trade weeks in advance of camp is not essential to a QB learning Ben McAdoo‘s playbook, but the more time Mayfield would have with Carolina’s system, the better off he would be. Illustrating money’s impact in these talks, the Panthers would have hoped to acquire Mayfield before or during minicamp for acclimation purposes, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

Like Mayfield, Darnold is tied to a fifth-year option salary of $18.9MM. As 2018 draftees, Mayfield and Darnold are part of the first class to have their fifth-year options fully guaranteed. While trade-value purposes should be considered here, Rhule is believed to be warming to another Darnold season. Given the efforts the Panthers have made to acquire a better QB over the past two years, that would be quite the development. Mayfield would seemingly be a better option, his inconsistency notwithstanding, but his former draft classmate has been prepping in McAdoo’s system for five months.

The Browns were linked to Darnold ahead of the 2018 draft; Mayfield emerged late in the process. The two passers’ work to date suggests then-GM John Dorsey made the right decision, but Darnold — who is two years younger, at 25 — has been stationed behind below-average offensive lines throughout his career. Mayfield enjoyed a top-tier line during the second half of his Cleveland run. Darnold has not shown what Mayfield has during the latter’s highpoints, but with a new-look Panther O-line and a quality set of skill-position players, this might be the USC product’s best chance of putting together a decent season.

Signed to a one-year, $4.65MM deal this offseason, Brissett replaced Case Keenum as the Browns’ backup. The frequent fill-in starter stands to be a pivotal figure in the Browns’ season. With a lengthy Watson suspension expected, the former Patriots, Colts and Dolphins QB will be on track to make several starts for a Browns team that has seen its preferred starter encounter additional turmoil since the divisive blockbuster trade occurred.

Cardinals Sign Josh Jackson, Ben Niemann

June 16th, 2022 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

After working out with the Cardinals during their minicamp this week, cornerback Josh Jackson and linebacker Ben Niemann landed spots on the team’s 90-man offseason roster. The team announced the signings Thursday afternoon.

Kliff Kingsbury indicated earlier this month the Cardinals would pursue veteran corners. That comment came not long after the news offseason addition Jeff Gladney died in a car accident May 30.

The Cardinals will be Jackson’s fourth team. The former second-round Packers draftee spent last year with the Giants, who acquired him from the Packers via trade, and the Chiefs, who gave Jackson a practice squad spot after the Giants waived him midseason. The Chiefs used Jackson in two regular-season games as well. The Iowa product’s NFL stock has dropped considerably, but he will have an opportunity to catch on with a Cards team light at corner.

Jackson, 26, started 10 games with Green Bay as a rookie in 2018 but has lined up as a first-stringer in only five contests since. He allowed a whopping 86% of the passes thrown his way to be completed in 2019, with that figure only dropping to 74% in 2020. The Packers, who drafted Eric Stokes in the 2021 first round, moved on via the trade — a straight-up swap for corner Isaac Yiadom. Jackson did not see any regular-season time with the Giants.

Niemann joined Jackson on the 2021 Chiefs and played for Kansas City throughout his rookie contract. The Chiefs used Niemann as a five-game starter in each of the past two seasons. While he did not start any of Kansas City’s playoff contests during his four-year Missouri run, the former UDFA played in each postseason game. Niemann, 27 in July, and Jackson were Hawkeyes teammates.

Arizona, which waived safety Javon Hagan on Thursday as well, has questions at corner beyond top cover man Byron Murphy. It would not surprise if the Cards signed a starter-caliber corner ahead of training camp. The team has first-rounders Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins stationed at linebacker, with the latter ticketed to start after the team’s Jordan Hicks release. The Cards did not draft an off-ball linebacker this year but have Tanner Vallejo, Joe Walker and seventh-year vet Nick Vigil rostered.

Key Dates On 2022-23 NFL Calendar

June 16th, 2022 at 5:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL recently announced important dates for the remainder of 2022 on through the 2023 offseason. Here are some dates to file away during these periods:

Key dates remaining on the 2022 NFL calendar:

Franchise tag extension deadline: July 15, 2022
Deadline for players given UFA tenders to sign with other teams: July 22
Roster cutdown from 90 to 85 players: August 16
Roster cutdown to 80 players: August 23
Roster cutdown to 53 players: 3pm CT, August 30
Post-cutdown waiver claims due: 11am CT, August 31
NFL trade deadline: 3pm CT, November 1
Vested veterans (if cut) become subject to waivers: November 2
Deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign tenders: November 15

Key dates for the 2023 offseason:

Franchise and transition tag period: February 21-March 7, 2023
Legal tampering period: March 13-15
Start of 2023 league year and free agency: 3pm CT, March 15
Offseason workouts: April 3 (for teams with new head coaches); April 17 (for all other teams)
Restricted free agency signing period ends: April 21
Last day to match RFA offer sheets: April 26
2023 NFL draft: April 27-29
Deadline to exercise fifth-year options: May 1

The NFL is again using the three-tiered cutdown structure, using the 90-to-85-to-80-to-53 setup for a second straight year. The in-season deadline pertaining to tagged players has not been a storyline since Le’Veon Bell‘s 2018 holdout, which led to the first skipped season by a tagged performer in 20 years. Jessie Bates (Bengals), Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs), Mike Gesicki (Dolphins) and Dalton Schultz (Cowboys) remain attached to the tag. Anyone who has not signed their tender would be prohibited from playing this season if unsigned by the mid-November date. Gesicki and Schultz have signed their tenders.

Justin Houston is the only player still attached to a UFA tender, which the Ravens assigned last month. He has until July 22 to sign with another team. Otherwise, the Ravens will have exclusive negotiating rights until November 15, when Houston must sign or be prevented from playing in 2022.

Next year’s draft will take place in Kansas City, Missouri. On the whole, the 2023 dates are in line with the NFL’s usual offseason calendar.

After its second-ever decline, in 2021, the salary cap is expected to balloon from its $208.2MM 2022 perch. Free agents can begin official negotiations with other teams beginning at 11am CT on March 13. No deals can become official until the start of the 2023 league year two days later.

Wide receivers represent some of next year’s franchise tag candidates. D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin are entering contract years. Although the Seahawks, 49ers and Commanders, respectively, want to extend the pass catchers, the tag represents a last-ditch option. Next year will represent the third offseason for the usage- and performance-based fifth-year option system, which features fully guaranteed options.

Jimmy Raye III Among Browns’ Front Office Hires

June 16th, 2022 at 4:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

A regular on the general manager interview circuit, Jimmy Raye III is now working in the Browns’ front office. Among other changes, the Browns announced Thursday they brought in the veteran exec.

Raye and Browns GM Andrew Berry worked together with the Colts back in the mid-2010s, when the latter was beginning his rise to the GM level. Raye, 53, began his scouting time in 1996 and has held high-ranking positions with a few AFC franchises. Much of that time came with the Chargers, his employer from 1996-2012. Raye left the Bolts after lengthy tenures as their college scouting director and director of player personnel.

Most recently, Raye worked with the Lions as a senior personnel executive. Hired during Bob Quinn‘s GM stay, Raye saw his Detroit tenure end in early 2021 — shortly after Brad Holmes took over the Lions’ front office. Prior to his time in Detroit, Raye worked as Houston’s assistant GM briefly and was Indianapolis’ VP of football ops from 2013-16. The latter two gigs led to Raye interviewing for GM jobs with the 49ers, Colts, Texans and Panthers from 2017-18. Raye, who was the Colts’ interim GM between Ryan Grigson and Chris Ballard‘s tenures, also interviewed for the Panthers’ assistant GM post last year.

The Browns also promoted Adam Al-Khayyal from assistant director of pro scouting to their pro scouting director post. Sam DeLuca will take over Al-Khayyal’s former job. Al-Khayyal and DeLuca have been with the franchise amid extensive front office overhauls, the former arriving in 2015 and the latter two years earlier. Sixth-year Browns staffer Tyler Hamblin will now serve as director of football operations.

After 10 years with the Dolphins, Chris Burford relocated to Cleveland to work as a national scout with the Browns. Burford spent the past three seasons as a southwest area scout with the AFC East franchise. The Browns are also moving Zach Ayers to the national-scout level; he spent the past six years overseeing the team’s West Coast scouting. Seventh-year Browns staffer Josh Cox will move into Ayers’ old role. Joe Dever will rise from scouting assistant to the team’s Mid-Atlantic area scout, with the team also announcing Matt Donahoe as its new southeast area scout.

Panthers Not Committing To Ikem Ekwonu As Week 1 Left Tackle

June 16th, 2022 at 2:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

When no tackles came off the board in the top five, the Panthers pounced on the opportunity to stop their revolving door at left tackle. The team has not had the same primary left tackle starter since Jordan Gross‘ 2014 retirement, and Ikem Ekwonu is positioned to be the long-term answer.

It is not certain that stretch will begin at this season’s outset. Matt Rhule said Ekwonu has a “long way to go” in his preparation to be an NFL left tackle, via Joe Person of The Athletic, who adds Brady Christensen took plenty of reps (nonpadded reps, but still) during the Panthers’ offseason program (subscription required).

Christensen’s three season-ending starts at left tackle appear to have impressed the Panthers’ staff, Person adds. The 2021 third-rounder has gained more momentum this offseason. Rhule said earlier this year he should have played the 2020 first-team All-American more last season, and offensive line coach James Campen said before the draft the BYU product would factor into the left tackle competition. Rhule said Thursday that Christensen is one of the best players on Carolina’s roster, via Person, who adds this should point to Christensen lining up as a first-stringer — at either left tackle or left guard — come Week 1 (Twitter link).

An offensive line featuring the team’s top left tackle prospect since Gross and the evidently improving Christensen alongside him at guard would make the most sense, from a need-filling standpoint. Ekwonu would not be out of place at guard, having played there in high school and at points during his stay at North Carolina State. If Rhule and Co. deem Ekwonu — a 2021 first-team All-American — not ready, a left side featuring Christensen at tackle and Michael Jordan at guard would seem to be the play. Carolina also has versatile veteran Cameron Erving (nine 2021 starts) entering his second season with the team.

It has been a while since a top-10 tackle draftee did not start in Week 1. Greg Robinson, the Rams’ No. 2 overall pick in 2014, is the most recent such investment to begin his rookie year on the bench. Training camp and the preseason will obviously be a much better gauge of Ekwonu’s readiness compared to various nonpadded workouts, and the No. 6 overall choice being a starter in Week 1 should still be considered more likely than not.

Deshaun Watson’s Decision Swayed Jadeveon Clowney’s Free Agency Choice

June 16th, 2022 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns acquiring Deshaun Watson via trade has become one of the most controversial moves in modern NFL history. The talented quarterback’s off-field issues have intensified since he chose Cleveland as his trade destination, but that choice did go a long way toward bringing Myles Garrett‘s 2021 edge-rushing sidekick back.

Jadeveon Clowney said Thursday that Watson’s decision made a significant impact on his own, indicating (via 92.3 The Fan’s Anthony Lima; video link) he would probably have joined the Falcons had Watson selected Atlanta as his next team. Prior to Clowney’s team-hopping run of recent years, he and Watson were Texans teammates from 2017-18.

Clowney and Watson spoke during the QB’s four-team trade sweepstakes, and Jake Trotter of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) Clowney gave Cleveland a strong endorsement. While the $230MM guaranteed the Browns came back to the table with provided the clincher for the embattled passer, Clowney offering Browns praise provides some breadcrumbs ahead of the defensive end’s own decision.

“We stayed in touch through that whole thing about coming here,” Clowney said, via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. “If he come, then I come. I told him if he goes, I’ll follow him up here. I’ll go back. That’s what it came down to.”

A late-March report indicated Watson spoke with Jarvis Landry and Leonard Fournette about potentially playing together with the Falcons. Browns GM Andrew Berry‘s idea to fully guarantee Watson’s contract changed those plans, and the Falcons — who traded Matt Ryan shortly after Watson was dealt to the Browns — have shifted toward a full-scale rebuild.

Cleveland re-signed Clowney on a one-year, $10MM deal that features $9.25MM fully guaranteed. Garrett lobbied extensively to bring Clowney back. That stands to help the Browns’ defense, though the one-year commitment is interesting in this case. While Clowney’s injury history has damaged his hopes of scoring a long-term deal, Watson factoring into his free agency choice this year may provide a letdown. With the sixth-year veteran QB facing 24 civil lawsuits and counting, a lengthy suspension is expected. This Browns season stands to feature an extensive stretch in which Watson is away from the team, leading to Jacoby Brissett being favored to take many of the team’s snaps this year.

Watson potentially being ticketed to play a full season in 2023 could again influence Clowney’s next commitment. The injury-prone former No. 1 overall pick played 14 games last season, recording nine sacks. Another healthy season would increase Clowney’s market value in 2023, should he not sign a Browns extension before the next league year begins.

Ravens Resume Contract Talks With Lamar Jackson

June 16th, 2022 at 12:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Ravens’ offseason has been dominated by the distinct lack of progress being made regarding contract negotiations with Lamar Jackson. With the former MVP back at the team’s facility this week, though, he was able to provide an update on the situation.

When speaking to the media after the team’s final practice before training camp, the 25-year-old said that he has been in conversation with GM Eric DeCosta about his contract status this week (Twitter link via the Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec). That is in line with previous negotiations, as Jackson represents himself and DeCosta has personally handled talks throughout this process.

Jackson added that he “expects to stay with Ravens for his career,” something which seemed like an inevitability at one point but has since been clouded by the growing belief he will play on the fifth-year option in 2022. If that were to take place, the door would be opened to a pair of franchise-tag years, in a situation similar to the one involving Kirk Cousins in Washington.

On that point, ESPN’s Jamison Hensley reported before Jackson’s remarks today that there is “not a lot of optimism Baltimore and Jackson can agree to an extension before the season.” Talks between the two sides, even for a brief period, could change that sentiment, especially considering a different statement Jackson made.

Jackson “does feel worthy of a contract extension” at this time (Twitter link via Zrebiec). That contradicts the notion from earlier in the offseason that his focus would be squarely placed on the upcoming season, and remarks from owner Steve Bisciotti that he felt the need to win a Super Bowl before commanding a sizeable raise.

Jackson also made it clear that his unprecedented absence from Baltimore’s OTAs “was not contract-related,” as noted by Hensley (on Twitter). On the other hand, when asked about his planned attendance at training camp and the beginning of the regular season, he replied, “We’re having a conversation about it. I don’t know” (Twitter link).

Depending on how talks go, there could be progress made on an extension in the near future. It still appears likely, however, that this storyline will continue into the summer.

Cardinals Work Out RB Justin Jackson, CB Josh Jackson

June 16th, 2022 at 12:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Among the players currently with the Cardinals on a tryout basis are a pair who share the same last name. Running back Justin Jackson and cornerback Josh Jackson have been in Arizona during the team’s minicamp, as noted by team reporter Darren Urban (Twitter link).

The former was a seventh-round pick of the Chargers in 2018. His workload remained consistent throughout his time there, never averaging more than six carries per game. Not surprisingly, his rushing totals remained almost identical for his first three seasons, though he had a career-year in 2021.

Playing in 14 games last year, the Northwestern alum totalled 364 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry along the way. He added 187 yards in the passing game, to give him a new mark in scrimmage yards (542 yards). That wasn’t enough to earn him a second contract from Los Angeles, however; the team still has Joshua Kelly as a backup to Austin Ekeler, and drafted Isaiah Spiller in the fourth round this year.

In Arizona, Jackson would join a backfield which lost Chase Edmonds in free agency, but still includes 2021 starter James Conner. The Cardinals have also signed Darrell Williams and added Keaontay Ingram in the draft, so Jackson would again face healthy competition for carries.

As for the other Jackson, who was also a 2018 draftee, a deal with Arizona would lead him to his fourth career team. A second round pick of the Packers, he played in Green Bay for the first three seasons of his NFL tenure, totalling 86 tackles and 12 passes defensed. Last August, he was traded to the Giants for fellow corner Isaac Yiadom.

The Iowa product didn’t see any playing time in New York, however, and was ultimately waived in October. He was quickly signed onto Kanas City’s practice squad, and ended up making two appearances with the Chiefs. Like his namesake, Jackson could find a depth role on the Cardinals’ roster to fill out their CB room.

Latest On Saints’ Demario Davis

June 16th, 2022 at 10:13am CST by Adam La Rose

Demario Davis has been a consistent presence in the middle of the Saints’ defense during his four seasons with the team. He is scheduled to remain in New Orleans for another two years, but the veteran linebacker is aware that his contract status may change soon.

Davis, 33, began his career with the Jets in 2012. He was a full-time starter by his second year, and remained a significant contributor throughout his tenure. After a single season with the Browns, he was traded back to the Big Apple in 2017. He led the league in solo tackles that year, also setting a new career-high in sacks with five.

That production led to a three-year, $24MM contract with the Saints during the subsequent offseason. He remained as consistent as ever during that span, earning First-Team All-Pro honors in 2019. That led to a three-year extension worth $27MM. He received a Second-Team nod in 2020, after compiling 119 tackles and four sacks. After that season, the Arkansas State alum was one of several Saints veterans who re-worked their contracts to create immediate cap space for the team.

As a result, his 2022 base salary is just $1.1MM, coupled with a cap hit of just under $5.9MM. However, those figures are set to jump to $8.5MM and $13.2MM, respectively, next year. That leaves another extension as a possibility, though the team would see a small financial gain from his release after the 2022 campaign. Davis addressed his contract status at minicamp, his first on-field participation with the team this offseason.

“We’ll see,” he said, via Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com, while speaking about the potential of a new contract. “I have nothing but love for the city. And I have a lot of love for this organization. But at the end of the day, it’s still a business. We’ll see how it goes.”

The Saints have a number of other options to succeed Davis as a starter in the near future, though none of them have established themselves as full-time starters in New Orleans. Depending on his level of play in 2022, then, another new contract could be beneficial for both parties.

Load More Posts