HEADLINES

Month: June 2022

Browns, Panthers Remain In Discussions On Baker Mayfield

June 14th, 2022 at 9:02am CST by Sam Robinson

As the Browns and Panthers’ salary viewpoints diverged considerably during the draft, the teams’ Baker Mayfield talks broke down. Carolina traded into the third round for Matt Corral. Matt Rhule is warming up to the idea a Corral-Sam Darnold competition will be enough for this year’s Panthers edition, Joe Person of The Athletic notes (subscription required).

But Mayfield is still generating support from some inside the NFC South squad’s building, Person adds. This has reached the point where the Panthers have resumed discussions with the Browns on a trade for the fifth-year quarterback, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports tweets.

Both teams begin minicamp Tuesday. Rhule said last week the Panthers would evaluate their quarterback position after minicamp but indicated a free agent at any position would not need to be acquired too long before training camp to pick up new OC Ben McAdoo‘s system. Days later, some semblance of urgency exists on the Panthers’ side on the Mayfield front, Jones adds (via Twitter). This stance would make sense, with Mayfield having a better chance to bounce back in Carolina with additional time to learn McAdoo’s offense ahead of training camp.

The Panthers having checked in on Russell Wilson and aggressively pursued Deshaun Watson — a year after making a strong offer for Matthew Stafford — makes the prospect of running it back with Darnold (31st in 2021 QBR) tough to buy. But Rhule has bolted on the team’s previous starter (Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater) in each of his first two offseasons. And the team did make upgrades along its offensive line, which would stand to aid Darnold in his second Panthers slate. But, through four seasons, Mayfield has been a far more viable starter than Darnold. For a coach on one of the NFL’s hottest seats, adding a quarterback at a much cheaper cost than it took to land Bridgewater or Darnold would seemingly check out.

The Browns have waited for the Panthers’ Darnold-Corral competition to induce them to return to the Mayfield table, but money still divides the teams sitting first and second in cap space. During the draft, the Browns were barely prepared to pay $3MM of Mayfield’s $18.9MM fully guaranteed salary. The Panthers wanted them to pick up at least $13MM. Cleveland appears to have moved closer to the latter figure, and the more the AFC North team pays, the better the draft compensation would be. Still, Carolina should not be expected to give up much for Mayfield.

The Browns would be stuck with nearly the full salary if they release Mayfield, which has long been a non-starter. The Seahawks have been monitoring this situation for months, but lately, the only Seattle-Mayfield connections pertain to a potential release. The latest reports of Panthers-Browns talks could motivate the Seahawks — amid a Geno Smith–Drew Lock QB competition — to reconsider their trade stance. For now, Carolina remains the frontrunner for Mayfield.

Rams COO Optimistic On Odell Beckham Jr. Return; Latest On WR’s ACL Rehab

June 13th, 2022 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams continue to be the team most closely connected to Odell Beckham Jr., but a deal does not appear imminent. Both OBJ’s side and the team seem willing to wait, which makes sense due to the talented wide receiver’s ACL recovery timetable.

Rams COO Kevin Demoff said a lack of urgency exists for both the team and the player, though the longtime team exec confirmed what Sean McVay and Les Snead have this offseason: the team wants Beckham back.

“With Odell, I think, given the rehab [and] the timeline of coming back probably mid-to-later in the year, I just think that the sense of urgency both from his side and probably from our side — and maybe other teams — is not right there, for him,” Demoff said, via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue (subscription required).

“… Both sides have had open dialogue, both sides [are] respectful, excited and couldn’t be more grateful for what Odell did for our team last year — and the chance to meet him and watch him flourish in L.A.”

It is safe to say the ACL tear Beckham suffered during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI derailed his hopes of landing a lucrative deal this offseason. For a player who has dealt with injuries for much of the past five years, the Super Bowl represented a bittersweet event. Barely a month later, the Rams gave Allen Robinson a three-year, $45MM deal. And they now have Cooper Kupp tied to the most guaranteed money ($75MM) of any wideout. Beyond Browns rumors, which may be dying down, not much has developed on the OBJ front in recent weeks.

Still, Rams bigwigs have consistently spoken about the hope of a second Beckham contract — even after the top-market deals for Kupp and Aaron Donald. The team gained $3MM-plus in cap space from the Donald and Kupp deals; it currently sits with $7.6MM in room.

“If we didn’t have a salary cap, we could’ve signed Odell months ago and would’ve loved to,” Demoff said. “Is it a multiyear deal? Is it a one-year deal? All kinds of variables that come into Odell. The one variable that hasn’t changed is how much we love him and want him to be there. I think he’s expressed, over social, his desire to be here.

“Am I optimistic we can get a deal done over time? Yes.”

The lack of urgency comes into play regarding Beckham’s window to return to action. While the 29-year-old pass catcher will not be ready to start the regular season, pointing to a possible PUP-list stay (if OBJ is rostered to start the season), Rodrigue notes it might be longer before he suits up. Beckham’s rehab timetable may point to a late-November return, based on where he was in his rehab earlier this offseason. If his current free agency run comes down to one-year offers, being out until the regular season’s second half is quite relevant.

A multiyear deal — coming from a team that believes Beckham can return at or close to the form he showed down the stretch for the Rams — could benefit said team, tying Beckham down through 2023 or beyond. That would represent a somewhat risky pact, given Beckham’s two ACL tears since November 2020, but it would double as a buy-low opportunity. That said, Beckham might want to ink a 2022-only accord in an effort to make a non-injury-marred run at a lucrative contract in free agency next year.

Latest On D’Ernest Johnson’s Browns Deal

June 13th, 2022 at 10:09pm CST by Ely Allen

A little over a week ago, the Browns reached an agreement to re-sign running back D’Ernest Johnson to a one-year deal. Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed reported some details on the contract. 

Johnson’s deal is billed as a one-year, $2.43MM contract. The deal will have a base salary of $1.07MM with a guaranteed amount of $729,125 and a signing bonus of $151,500. It is unclear from Kyed’s breakdown if the reported guaranteed amount includes the signing bonus or if it is an additional guaranteed portion of the base salary.

Johnson will also have the ability to increase the maximum value of the contract through a number of performance-based incentives. He can earn an additional $450K if he reaches 545 rushing yards and can up that bonus to $608,250 if he can get to 670 rushing yards. Likewise, Johnson can earn an additional $450K if he reaches 700 total yards from scrimmage and can increase that bonus to $608,250 if he can total 835 yards from scrimmage. The achievement of earning any of these incentive bonuses would represent career-highs in either category for Johnson.

The Browns had placed a $2.43MM restricted free agent tender on Johnson in March. The base salary ($1.07MM), the signing bonus ($151,500), and the two maximum incentive bonuses ($608,250 each) make up that $2.43MM amount.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/13/22

June 13th, 2022 at 9:35pm CST by Ely Allen

Two players signed their rookie contracts today:

Baltimore Ravens

Stout transferred to Penn State after two fairly inactive years at Virginia Tech. Stout served double-duty in Happy Valley kicking both punts and field goals. Stout kicked 100 punts during his time as a Nittany Lion, as well as converting 16 of 23 field goals and 34 of 36 extra points. Stout will be asked to fill big shoes after long-time Ravens punter Sam Koch announced his retirement last month. Stout will likely also be able to save All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker‘s leg a little stress, as Stout served as the kickoff specialist during his time at both Virginia Tech and Penn State.

Los Angeles Chargers

Woods’s role as a safety changed a bit over his time in Waco. His first two years saw him play a bit more in the box, as he recorded 2.0 sacks and three fumble recoveries. He developed a bit of range in his next two years as a Bear, totaling eight interceptions over that time period. Woods even had a knack for being dangerous with the ball in his hands, averaging 25.13 return yards per interception. He showed true play-making ability as a senior recording 4.5 tackles for loss while also returning both an interception and a fumble for a touchdown. He adds safety depth to a Chargers roster with Nasir Adderley, Derwin James, and Alohi Gilman at the top of the depth chart.

Bears Release Jeremiah Attaochu, Sign Mike Pennel

June 13th, 2022 at 8:58pm CST by Ely Allen

The Bears made a roster swap of eight-year veterans today, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, releasing linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and signing defensive tackle Mike Pennel. Both defenders have spent their careers as role players, earning starts here and there without ever consistently serving as a starter on defense. 

Attaochu was a second-round pick for the Chargers back in 2014. He made an immediate impact in his NFL debut, recording a strip sack and a blocked punt. He had the best year of his career in his sophomore season. Attaochu started 12 games that year, recording a career-highs in sacks (6.0), tackles for loss (15.0), quarterback hits (17), and tackles (44 solo and 11 assisted). He added a forced fumble and one pass defensed for good measure. In his last season with the Chargers, Attaochu only started one game and was limited to eight appearances due to ankle and foot injuries.

Attaochu signed as a free agent with San Francisco but was released before the season started. He was quickly picked up by the Jets but was only used in a limited capacity recording 2.0 sacks in eleven games. The next offseason, Attaochu signed with the Chiefs as a free agent but, once again, was released on September 1st, before the season.

Attaochu stayed unsigned a bit longer this time, finally joining the Broncos in October of the 2019 NFL season. He did enough during his first year with the Broncos to get re-signed on another one-year deal. During his two-year tenure in Denver, Attaochu started ten games, recording 8.5 sacks, 11.0 tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits, also forcing and recovering one fumble a piece.

His resurgence in Denver led the Bears to sign Attaochu to a two-year deal last offseason. He played fairly limited snaps as a Bear in five games before suffering a pectoral tear that would sideline him for the rest of the season. By waiting to cut Attaochu after June 1, the Bears reduced their dead money over the next two years from $2.25MM to $1.05MM.

In a corresponding move, the Bears brought in the 31-year-old Pennel. After going undrafted in 2014, Pennel has stayed an impressive eight years in the league, starting as a bit of a reserve defensive lineman before evolving into more of a rotational contributor over the last five years of his career. Pennel has 16 starts over his career, along with 2.0 sacks and 176 total career tackles. He’ll likely compete with Khyiris Tonga for playing time behind Angelo Blackson and Justin Jones in Chicago.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/13/22

June 13th, 2022 at 7:48pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves around the league:

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Derek Wolfe Undergoes Another Hip Surgery

June 13th, 2022 at 4:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following Derek Wolfe‘s January hip surgery, the veteran defensive lineman was connected to retirement rumors. Those are not likely to stop. Wolfe revealed Monday he underwent his second hip operation of the year (h/t Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun, on Twitter).

The former Super Bowl starter did not play last season, spending the year on IR. He is tied to a fully guaranteed $3.6MM 2022 salary. Wolfe, 32, said he is looking to “live a normal life,” following this surgery. While that goes without saying, the sentiment may move him further from the prospect of playing another NFL season.

Baltimore picked up Wolfe in 2020, after the Denver did not give him a second extension. The ex-Von Miller–DeMarcus Ware sidekick played a key role for the Ravens’ 2020 defense, starting eight games and playing in 14. The team then gave Wolfe a three-year, $12MM deal in March 2021.

Although Wolfe has dealt with injuries for much of his career, 2021 marked the only season in which he missed more than five games. The Ravens began his IR-return period in October but let the three-week window expire, leading the veteran D-lineman back to season-ending IR. Hip trouble, along with a back issue, led to Wolfe’s season-long absence. The Wolfe-Ravens partnership may be nearing an end, with this hip procedure likely a threat to his early-season availability.

The Ravens entered the offseason with few proven defensive linemen on their roster. The team has, however, brought back both Calais Campbell and Michael Pierce. Baltimore also signed Brent Urban, who was with the team from 2015-18. The vets join starter Justin Madubuike, third-year cog Broderick Washington and third-round pick Travis Jones in the team’s primary D-line mix. Nine-year contributor Brandon Williams remains a free agent.

Saints WR Deonte Harty Seeking New Deal

June 13th, 2022 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints made some big changes at receiver this offseason, trading up for Chris Olave and signing Jarvis Landry. These additions and Michael Thomas‘ expected return would not leave nearly as many opportunities as the rest of New Orleans’ wideout cast received last season.

Prior to the Olave trade-ups and the Landry accord, the Saints tendered Deonte Harty at the second-round level. The former Deonte Harris signed his RFA tender in April, and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football tweets Harty is expected to show for Saints minicamp this week. But the 5-foot-6 wideout/special-teamer is seeking a new contract, Underhill adds.

Harty will make $3.99MM on his RFA tender — well up from the $850K he earned in 2021 — and does have an All-Pro nod on his resume. Harty received that honor as a punt returner in 2019, his rookie season. Harty has remained New Orleans’ primary kick and punt returner in the two seasons since.

A former UDFA out of Division II Assumption College (Massachusetts), Harty became a necessary piece at receiver for the Saints last season — when Thomas’ evolving timetable (and eventual full-season absence) wrecked the team’s aerial setup. Harty caught 36 passes for 570 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, he also served a three-game suspension for a summer 2021 DWI arrest. The Saints and Harty are not believed to be close on terms, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Harty may be eyeing recent deals handed out to some return men this offseason. Fellow All-Pro returner Jakeem Grant signed a three-year, $10MM deal with the Browns in March. The Jets gave 2021’s All-Pro kick returner, Braxton Berrios, a two-year, $12MM deal this year. Despite Berrios’ momentum and increased usage in New York’s offense, Harty bested the part-time Jet slot’s yardage total (431) by a considerable margin and did so in playing fewer offensive snaps.

NFL Suspends Patriots DT Daniel Ekuale

June 13th, 2022 at 4:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Patriots defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale‘s season is now set to begin late. The NFL gave the young interior defender a two-game suspension Monday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Ekuale frequently earned late-week promotions onto the Patriots’ active roster, bouncing between their practice squad and 55-man game-day contingent last season. The Pats gave the former Washington State D-lineman a reserve/futures contract in January.

After starting five games with the Jaguars in 2020, Ekuale did not last into the team’s Urban Meyer-led regular season. The Jags waived him ahead of last season, but Ekuale landed on the Patriots’ taxi squad soon after. In seven Pats games featuring just 99 defensive snaps, Ekuale registered two sacks.

This will be the American Samoa native’s age-28 season. He is set to make $965K in base salary. This suspension stands to hurt Ekuale’s chances with the Patriots, though his practice squad performance last season obviously works in his favor ahead of his second year with the team.

 

Lamar Jackson Reports To Ravens’ Minicamp

June 13th, 2022 at 2:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

As John Harbaugh expected, Lamar Jackson is back with his teammates at minicamp. The former MVP showed up to the team’s facility ahead of the mandatory workouts, which are slated to begin Tuesday.

Entangled in a somewhat strange contract situation, Jackson stayed away from Ravens OTAs this year. The star quarterback had usually attended those voluntary sessions in previous years. But the franchise’s centerpiece player is back for the mandatory work, at least. As far as an extension goes, that is another matter entirely.

The Ravens have Jackson tied to a $23MM fifth-year option this season. Harbaugh, GM Eric DeCosta and owner Steve Bisciotti have spoken about the quarterback’s extension situation, each indicating the team is more prepared to hammer out a deal than the quarterback is. All indications at this point have Jackson on track to play out his rookie contract, setting up a franchise tag scenario in 2023. Although there is still time for the parties to prevent that chain of events, this remains one of the more unusual contractual sagas to unfold in recent years. Jackson, 25, has been extension-eligible since the 2020 regular season ended.

The former Heisman winner will avoid the $90K-plus fine by showing up for the Ravens’ mandatory sessions, returning to work with a new-look offensive line and a receiving corps now without his top wideout (Marquise Brown) of the past three seasons. The Ravens are breaking in rookie center Tyler Linderbaum, and they have a new right tackle in Morgan Moses. While OTAs do not feature any padded practices, and the Ravens are returning their play-caller (Greg Roman), Jackson’s absence was still notable.

But this has never been viewed as a contentious situation. The parties have nearly three months to complete an extension before Week 1. Even if they do not, Jackson has continually said he wants to stay in Baltimore. He has taken an atypical route to show that affection, at least compared to most QBs who have been in his spot since the 2011 CBA changed rookies’ salaries and timetables. Though, it is unknown what the Ravens have offered the agent-less talent. For now, the team can again move forward with its longtime passer after some time apart.

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