HEADLINES

Month: June 2022

Latest On Cardinals Offensive Line

June 14th, 2022 at 6:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Rodney Hudson is a no-show in Arizona. The veteran center hasn’t attended Cardinals mandatory minicamp and doesn’t have an excused absence, coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters (via Darren Urban of the team’s website). The coach wouldn’t reveal why Hudson was staying away from the team, just noting that the two sides were “working through something.”

[RELATED: Center Billy Price To Visit Cardinals]

Hudson was acquired by the Cardinals last offseason, and he started each of his 12 games in 2021 while missing a handful of appearances thanks to rib and shoulder injuries. The 32-year-old still has two years remaining on the three-year, $30MM extension he signed Arizona following his trade from the Raiders. Of course, the offensive lineman’s absence may have nothing to do with money, and considering the Cardinals don’t really have a path to get out of his 2022 salary, it’d make more sense if the front office pursued a reworked deal next offseason. We’ll likely learn more about the situation if Hudson’s absence extends into the preseason.

With the Cardinals down a man, the organization has turned to veteran guard Justin Pugh to pick up the slack at center. Speaking to reporters, Pugh said switching positions could ultimately extend his career.

“I could see myself playing center,” Pugh said. “I’ve capped out money-wise at guard. Why not go out and see if I can play center? In this offseason, with Kyler (Murray), center is a very important position. There are a lot of centers that play older in their years, because physically it’s not as demanding. Mentally it’s much more intense, and that’s where I think I can succeed.

“We’ll try it out. We’ll see how it goes. If I don’t play real well, you’ll see me at left guard.”

Pugh also admitted that he considered hanging up his cleats following the 2021 campaign, and he made it clear that his frustration was due to the pay cut he accepted prior to the season. Ultimately, Pugh re-signed with the organization this offseason on a one-year, $5.5MM pact, and while he ultimately decided to let bygones be bygones, he still sounded a bit worked up about the money he had to sacrifice last year.

“All of a sudden, it’s ‘I’m going to cut your pay,’ and I don’t care what you do, someone cuts your pay by 33 percent, you’re not going to be happy,” Pugh said. “Then you factor in how much you love the game, how much you love being around the guys, how much you love to compete, and there is no dollar amount that can fill that gap.”

Other than Pugh, the Cardinals have limited options at center. As Urban writes, veteran Sean Harlow has some experience playing the position, but similar to Pugh, he’s more of an offensive guard. The team has also tried rookie guard Lecitus Smith at the position throughout minicamp. The team also brought in Billy Price on a free agent visit.

Lions Sign TE Devin Funchess

June 14th, 2022 at 3:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Devin Funchess has not played since Week 1 of the 2019 season. The veteran pass catcher’s recent attempts to catch on with teams did not produce regular-season action, but he will receive another chance in a familiar place.

The Lions signed the former Michigan Wolverines standout and Detroit native Tuesday. They have listed the veteran as a tight end, which will mark a transition after his career outings have come at wide receiver. While Funchess, 28, was one of the NFL’s bigger wideouts, this will represent a challenge.

A four-year Panthers contributor, Funchess has been out of game action since suffering a season-ending injury in his 2019 Colts debut. Funchess signed with the Packers in 2020 but opted out of the league’s first COVID-19-impacted season. After his contract tolled to 2021, Funchess did not make Green Bay’s active roster. He spent part of last season on the 49ers’ practice squad.

In his receiver days, Funchess checked in at around 225 pounds. The 6-foot-4 target played a role on the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50-qualifying team as a rookie and led Carolina’s 2017 playoff-bound squad with a career-high 840 receiving yards; he scored eight touchdowns in that 2017 campaign. That season helped entice the Colts to sign him to a one-year, $10MM pact in 2019. A broken collarbone prevented Funchess from playing many snaps on that deal, and the ensuing developments have turned this Lions opportunity into a potential last-chance effort.

The Lions have T.J. Hockenson in place as their top tight end; unproven cogs line Detroit’s depth chart behind the starter. The team drafted James Mitchell in this year’s fifth round and signed Derrick Deese Jr. and Nolan Givan as UDFAs. Second-year UDFA Brock Wright is also on the roster. Mitchell and Deese have missed time during the Lions’ offseason program, giving Funchess an opportunity.

Ravens, DL Derek Wolfe Part Ways Via Injury Settlement

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

A day after Derek Wolfe revealed he underwent a second hip surgery this year, John Harbaugh said he is no longer with the Ravens. The sides parted ways Tuesday via an injury settlement, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (on Twitter).

Wolfe has been with the Ravens since signing as a free agent in 2020. While he played 14 games during that season, hip and back trouble sidelined the veteran defensive lineman for all of the 2021 season. The Ravens opened Wolfe’s IR-return window but did not end up activating him, leading to a full-season IR stay.

Wolfe, 32, will still walk away with some guaranteed money. His contract called for $3.6MM guaranteed in 2022. But the longtime starter’s career may be coming to a close. Post-surgery, Wolfe said he is looking to “live a normal life,” potentially pointing to his career wrapping after 10 years. Though Wolfe was on pain medication while making his statement, it is easy to see him walking away after this lengthy ordeal. The Cincinnati alum was considering retirement after the first of his two 2022 hip operations.

The former Broncos second-round pick has 116 starts on his resume. Wolfe has played through injuries for much of his career and missed Denver’s stretch run to Super Bowl XLVIII after being hospitalized due to seizure-like symptoms. He returned for the 2014 season, reclaiming his starting post, and teamed with Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson to form a dominant pass rush that took over the AFC championship game and Super Bowl 50 to close out the 2015 season.

Just prior to those playoffs, Wolfe signed an extension to stay in Denver. Although the Broncos did not give him the third contract he sought in 2020, Wolfe scored two deals with the Ravens. The interior D-lineman has earned more than $50MM during his career.

Saints K Wil Lutz Receives Clearance To Return

June 14th, 2022 at 3:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Drew Brees‘ retirement led to four quarterbacks making starts for the Saints last season. Wil Lutz‘s injury produced similar instability. The Saints used four kickers in Lutz’s absence in 2021. Their 2022 outlook at the position appears clearer.

Lutz revealed on Instagram he has received clearance to return to workouts. This will be a welcome sight for the Saints, who used three kickers (Brett Maher, Brian Johnson, Aldrick Rosas) in at least four games, with Maher’s eight leading the way, and Cody Parkey in the other.

A groin injury led to Lutz’s absence. The veteran specialist had an opportunity to return near the midseason point, when the Saints opened his IR-return window. But a setback led to Lutz being shut down for the season. Lutz, 27, said he has undergone two surgeries in the past year.

While the Maher-Johnson-Rosas-Parkey quartet made 25 of 30 field goals, the hired legs combined to go 31-for-38 on extra points. Even while playing exclusively in the longer-range PAT era, Lutz has only missed seven (253-for-260) in his five-season run as New Orleans’ primary kicker. His return stands to help a Saints team that looks better than last year’s iteration — partially because of injured players’ returns. Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas are in line to join Lutz in reclaiming their previous roles with the team.

Lutz, who received a Pro Bowl invite in 2019, is still tied to the five-year extension he signed in March of that year. The Georgia State alum is under contract for two more seasons; he is set to count $5.57MM against New Orleans’ cap in 2022. The Saints’ coalition of 2021 kickers is gone, but the team did sign UDFA John Parker Romo this offseason.

Terrell Davis Joined Josh Harris’ Ownership Group; More Fallout From Broncos Bidding

June 14th, 2022 at 1:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos went for an American sports-record $4.65 billion — to the Rob Walton-fronted group — last week, Walton’s was not the only bid that would have shattered the NFL record.

Josh Harris‘ group is believed to have bid between $4.25 billion and $4.5 billion, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, was prepared to go $5 billion for the Broncos, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. But he was not assured Walton would not top that bid. That led to Harris’ group standing down, letting Walton’s bid win the historic sweepstakes. Harris is prepared to pursue ownership of another NFL team, Florio adds.

Tied to a net worth greater than $70 billion, putting him in position to be by far the NFL’s wealthiest owner, Walton had long been considered the frontrunner to acquire the AFC West franchise. Walton’s daughter (Carrie Walton Penner) and son-in-law (Greg Penner) are expected to run the day-to-day operations, Klis adds. Walton, 77, will continue to live in Arizona. Owners of the league’s other 31 teams will vote on this sale soon.

While Magic Johnson was part of Harris’ group, Klis notes Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis joined that investment team as well. Davis, 49, starred for the Broncos in the 1990s, seeing a 1999 knee injury shorten his career, and played seven seasons with the team.

“They reached out; we talked,’’ Davis said, via Klis, of his affiliation with Harris’ bid. “They said they were interested in bringing me in as part of their ownership group and they wanted to know if the feeling was mutual. And it certainly was. And then it was waiting to see what would happen. I was on standby hoping for the bid, but obviously it never came.”

Eagles Considering RB Addition?

June 14th, 2022 at 1:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Eagles’ increased run-game usage produced a dominant stretch that led to an NFL-leading ground attack, the team relied on few backs. That may be the approach the Eagles take again this season.

Entering a contract year, Miles Sanders remains Philadelphia’s backfield leader. But the team re-signed Boston Scott, despite non-tendering its longtime backup as a restricted free agent, and has 2021 fifth-round pick Kenneth Gainwell under contract for three more years. The Eagles still might be on the lookout for a player to complete their backfield arsenal.

The team should be considered likely to add a back before or during training camp, Adam Caplan of InsidetheBirds.com offers. Jordan Howard may again be the on-call player here, with InsidetheBirds.com’s Geoff Mosher adding the Eagles are the only team to show interest in Howard since the Dolphins cut him last year. Another late agreement appears to be on the radar.

Acquired via trade from the Bears in 2019, Howard returned to the Eagles as a late-season fill-in in 2020, signing back with Philly that November — after his Dolphins deal did not work out. Last year, the Eagles made Howard more of a priority by re-signing him in April. Howard, who moved on and off the Eagles’ practice squad at points last season, became a key part of Philly’s midseason pivot to the run. Despite playing in only seven games, not debuting until Halloween, Howard outrushed Scott by amassing 406 yards (4.7 per carry).

Sanders (5.5), Scott (4.3) and Howard all averaged north of 4.3 yards per carry last season, which included a span in which the Eagles rushed for at least 175 yards per game in seven straight contests — a feat that had not occurred in the NFL since 1985. Jalen Hurts‘ team-high 784 yards obviously contributed heavily to the team’s rushing success. It will be interesting, with A.J. Brown in the fold, how much Philly leans on the run game this year.

A neck issue caused trouble for Howard last year, but the former fifth-round pick is still just 27. His assistance to the past two Eagles rushing attacks may again make him the first candidate to join the team’s backfield. Latavius Murray and Devontae Booker, who have each served as often-used backups for multiple teams, are also available.

AFC South Notes: Colts, Radunz, Jaguars

June 14th, 2022 at 11:58am CST by Sam Robinson

Darius Leonard underwent back surgery recently; the rehab effort may prevent the All-Pro Colts linebacker from beginning training camp on time. More clarity emerged on the injury. Leonard played through an ankle problem last season, and ex-Colts punter-turned-radio host Pat McAfee said recently (via Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star) a nerve issue in Leonard’s back caused the ankle trouble. More specifically, Leonard’s ankle injury lingered because of a calf issue Erickson tweets was caused by the back problem. The aforementioned nerve issue prevented Leonard’s calf from full functionality. Leonard still played 91% of Indianapolis’ defensive snaps last season and, boosted by a career-high eight forced fumbles, earned his third first-team All-Pro nod. Despite this complex issue leading to back surgery, the Colts are still expecting Leonard to return near the start of camp, per Erickson.

Here is the latest from the AFC South:

  • Previously mentioned as a potential left guard option, Titans 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz is now concentrating on the right tackle battle. With Radunz and rookie third-rounder Nicholas Petit-Frere matching up outside, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com notes former UDFA Aaron Brewer and ex-Seahawks backup Jamarco Jones are vying for the left guard gig (Twitter link). The Titans must replace cap casualty Rodger Saffold and free agency defection David Quessenberry — their latest right tackle stopgap — up front this year. Both 2021 starters are with the Bills now.
  • The groin injury Jaguars backup quarterback C.J. Beathard sustained is not expected to keep him out of training camp, Doug Pederson said. But the Jags received worse injury news on another front. Linebacker Jordan Smith will miss the season with a knee injury. A 2021 fourth-round pick, Smith played in two games last season.
  • Shifting back to the Colts, Morocco Brown‘s promotion will be from college scouting director to chief personnel executive, the Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins notes. Brown interviewed for the Steelers’ GM job and the Eagles’ assistant GM job this offseason. This will be his sixth year with the Colts. Matt Terpening will take over as Indy’s college scouting director, with area scout Jamie Moore rising to the assistant college scouting director post Terpening held for the past six years. Terpening has been with the Colts for 22 years.
  • Additionally, the Colts are naming Kasia Omilian as an NFS scout. Omilian, who will be identifying players for future drafts, becomes the first woman to hold a scouting title with the Colts, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 notes. Omilian has been with the team since 2019. Mike Lacy will rise from the NFS scout level to be an area scout for the team.

Robert Quinn To Skip Bears’ Minicamp

June 14th, 2022 at 11:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Mentioned in trade rumors earlier this offseason, Robert Quinn is not expected to join the Bears’ new-look front seven at the team’s minicamp. The 12th-year vet plans to stay away from this week’s mandatory workouts, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Bears purged their defense of many veterans this offseason. They traded Khalil Mack, cut Danny Trevathan and Eddie Goldman and let Akiem Hicks defect to the Buccaneers. Quinn, who is in his third season with the Bears, may well want out. Matt Eberflus said he has talked with Quinn throughout his first offseason as Bears HC but added, via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin (on Twitter), this is an unexcused absence and that he hoped the veteran pass rusher would be on-hand.

[RELATED: Teams Monitoring Quinn As Trade Piece]

Although D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin have been absent for their teams’ respective minicamps, this is not an especially common practice. Players are subject to more than $90K in fines for missing mandatory workouts. Of course, Quinn — who signed a monster Rams extension back in 2014 and landed a nice Bears accord in 2020 — has made considerable dough as an NFLer. Still, Quinn is by far Chicago’s best pass rusher at this point. The team moving on from him would further gut its defense.

The Bears trudged through a rough 2021 season, but Quinn turned it into a showcase year. At age 31, Quinn broke Richard Dent‘s single-season Bears sack record — which had stood since 1984, when the Bears notched a still-standing NFL record for team sacks (72) — by notching 18.5 in 16 games. Quinn would stand to help most contenders’ pass rush situations, should the Bears end up dealing him.

Chicago gave Quinn a five-year, $70MM deal in 2020. After fading during his final years with the Rams and not standing out during a 2018 Dolphins one-off, Quinn rebounded with the Cowboys in 2019, when he recorded 11.5 sacks. The Bears have paid out Quinn’s guarantees, giving them flexibility to move on ahead of Week 1, when vested veterans’ salaries become locked in.

New GM Ryan Poles said earlier this offseason a Quinn trade was not on the team’s radar. The accomplished veteran does carry a team-high $17.1MM cap number, and the Bears could both pick up an asset and save some money by trading him. Should another team agree to take all of Quinn’s $12.8MM salary, that would benefit a rebuilding Bears squad. Collecting a draft pick for Quinn now may be prudent for Poles, considering the veteran edge rusher’s two-sack 2020 showing.

Absent Quinn, sacks may be difficult to come by in Eberflus’ first season in charge. The team did not operate aggressively to replace Mack in free agency, signing ex-Eberflus Indianapolis charge Al-Quadin Muhammad, and it waited until Round 5 to address the position (Dominique Robinson.)

Saints Working Out G Senio Kelemete

June 14th, 2022 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

Senio Kelemete is back with the Saints. For a workout, at least. In addition to bringing in David Johnson and Joe Schobert for minicamp, the Saints are hosting Kelemete, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets. All three vets are participating in the team’s Tuesday workout.

Johnson’s teammate in Houston two years ago, Kelemete may be better known for his time in New Orleans. The 10-year veteran guard played with the Saints from 2014-17, establishing himself as a spot starter to the point the Texans gave him a three-year, $12MM deal to be one of their starting guards in 2018.

The former Cardinals fifth-round pick played three seasons with the Texans. After a 14-start 2018, a season in which Deshaun Watson took more sacks than any quarterback in 12 years, Kelemete missed 15 games in 2019 after an early-season injury. He did not regain a job as a full-time starter in 2020 but did make five starts.

After making two more starts for the Chargers last season, Kelemete has 44 over the course of his career. Twenty-two of those came for the Saints, who had Kelemete as a steady insurance option as they reconstructed their roster ahead of their late-2010s run of playoff berths.

New Orleans has Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz locked in at the guard spots, and while the team did not draft any interior O-linemen, it signed veterans Josh Andrews and Forrest Lamp. Swingman James Hurst remains on the team as well. Kelemete, 32, would vie for a depth role if brought back.

Cowboys, Dalton Schultz Resume Talks; TE Reports To Minicamp

June 14th, 2022 at 9:54am CST by Sam Robinson

A month remains until the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign extensions. A few players — Chris Godwin, Cam Robinson, Davante Adams, David Njoku — have already inked long-term deals after being tagged. Njoku’s Browns extension pertains to two other members of the 2022 tag group.

While not much has developed on the Mike Gesicki-Dolphins front, the Cowboys’ tagged tight end has voiced his displeasure with his current situation this offseason. Dalton Schultz attended some Cowboys OTA sessions but skipped others, making it known his contract was at the root of the absences. The Cowboys may have gotten the message.

Talks between the Cowboys and their fifth-year tight end have picked up recently, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets, noting Schultz reported to Dallas’ minicamp Tuesday. It is not known how close the Cowboys and Schultz are on a long-term deal, as they were far apart recently. But the parties have time. Nearly every year, negotiations seemingly headed nowhere produce a deal ahead of the July 15 deadline.

Njoku’s $14.2MM-per-year pact has undoubtedly generated attention from tight ends around the league, though it directly affects Schultz and Gesicki. Both are attached to the $10.91MM tight end tag price. Each has outproduced Njoku’s best Browns season, yardage-wise. A fourth-round pick in 2018, the soon-to-be 26-year-old Schultz was not groomed to be Dallas’ long-term tight end starter the way Njoku was in Cleveland. But Blake Jarwin‘s injury trouble opened the door for the Stanford product, who has responded with 1,423 yards and 12 touchdown catches over the past two seasons.

The Cowboys picked up $10MM in cap space on June 2, receiving the belated funding from their March La’el Collins cut. As a result, Dallas’ $22.5MM in cap room sits fourth in the NFL. Schultz collecting an eight-figure paycheck represents a nice bonus for a former Day 3 pick who made $2.2MM last season. It would be understandable if the Cowboys are skittish about giving Schultz an extension that tops Njoku’s, while it also makes sense for the 6-foot-5 pass catcher — after Amari Cooper‘s exit and ahead of a season in which Michael Gallup will not be 100% at the outset — to lobby for a top-five deal at the position. Schultz could also enhance his value for 2023 with a big season, as he again will be a key Dak Prescott target, if he ends up playing on the tag. Albeit in a much higher-profile situation, this strategy worked for Prescott two years ago.

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