HEADLINES

Month: June 2022

Browns Unlikely To Bring Back Odell Beckham Jr.

June 10th, 2022 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Browns have gone through internal discussions about re-signing Odell Beckham Jr., and beyond Amari Cooper, the team has an experience void at wide receiver. Through that lens, it is not surprising the team has been connected to veterans.

But Cleveland should be expected to look elsewhere, in the event its wideout need becomes too pressing to ignore. The Browns are unlikely to bring back Beckham, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Although the former Pro Bowler said months ago he was open to the idea of returning to Cleveland, his fit might be clunky. Even with OBJ’s former Browns teammates consistently offering praises, despite last year’s awkward ending to his two-plus-season-season tenure, Beckham was inconsistent in both Freddie Kitchens and Kevin Stefanski‘s offenses and battled injuries for much of his time in Ohio. Some of Beckham’s inconsistency can be blamed on Baker Mayfield, and OBJ’s camp certainly took that route upon forcing the 2021 divorce that led the marquee wideout to Los Angeles. But the Browns’ passing attack has not exactly stabilized.

Deshaun Watson is facing a lengthy suspension; the prospect of another missed season should not be dismissed. That would leave the Browns in limbo, with the team intent on trading Mayfield. And Beckham’s Super Bowl LVI ACL tear — his second such injury in 15 months — is expected to sideline him until at least midseason.

The Rams still want Beckham back. The 29-year-old standout crashed Sean McVay‘s wedding last weekend, doing so after McVay made more comments about eyeing a reunion with the eight-year veteran. Beckham’s NFC championship game and Super Bowl performances had him on track to be one of this year’s highest-paid free agents, but his second-quarter injury closed that avenue. The Rams have Allen Robinson signed to a $15MM-per-year deal, just completed their long-rumored Cooper Kupp raise ($80MM in new money) and have Day 2 picks Van Jefferson and Tutu Atwell.

Robinson and Jefferson would seemingly hold down the fort until Beckham returns, should he suit up for the Rams again. But OBJ has been patient for a better offer here. Meanwhile, the Browns have third-year target Donovan Peoples-Jones primed to be Cooper’s top complementary option. Third-round rookie David Bell will be given a chance to fill in alongside that tandem.

Latest On Browns, Deshaun Watson’s Contract

June 10th, 2022 at 12:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of new civil lawsuits being filed against him, the matter of guaranteed compensation in Deshaun Watson‘s contract has come into question. In response to the potential uncertainty, the team remains fully committed to the beleaguered quarterback. 

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the team is not looking to void his contract – a fully-guaranteed, $230MM deal signed upon his trade from the Texans. The possibility of the Browns considering doing so came up not long after a 24th suit was filed, adding to the allegations made against him which are separate from the initial 22 in place at the time the contract was signed.

As Cabot details, however, “nothing has transpired… that has caused the Browns to change their view of Watson” in a way which would lead them to try and void the contract. In much the same vein, she further states that the team is not currently looking to nullify the trade with Houston that saw six total picks (including three first-rounders) sent to the Texans.

“The Browns and all of us that know Deshaun are still totally behind him” as stated by his attorney, Rusty Hardin. “These latest claims by [plaintiffs’ attorney Tony] Buzbee change nothing, and they are totally false, and that will ultimately be what everyone concludes when they hear the evidence.”

The ongoing lawsuits Watson faces – which now include the Texans as well – will be paused until the conclusion of the upcoming NFL season, barring settlement deals being made. A suspension is expected to be handed down sometime in July, though the door remains open to further punishment, pending the outcome of the civil trials. For now, at least, the Browns are prepared to move forward with Watson as their franchise signal-caller, regardless of the backlash associated with doing so.

Saints Hosting LB Joe Schobert

June 10th, 2022 at 11:51am CST by Adam La Rose

Free agent Joe Schobert may be on his way to the NFC for the first time in his career. The veteran linebacker is visiting the Saints, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football (Twitter link). 

Schobert, 28, was a fourth round pick of the Browns in 2016. He played sparingly on defense as a rookie, but took on a starter’s workload the following season. That year, he took a major step forward, leading the league in tackles with 144. He added three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception, en route to being named a Pro Bowler.

The Wisconsin alum remained a full-time starter and key contributor for the Browns until he hit free agency in 2020. On the open market, he landed a five-year, $53.75MM contract with the Jaguars. Despite playing a full season and leading Jacksonville in tackles, Schobert found himself on the move once again just one season into that new deal.

Traded to the Steelers as the Jaguars looked to clean house amongst many of their veterans, Schobert spent last season in Pittsburgh. He continued to fill the stat sheet with 112 tackles, an interception and six pass deflections, but was nevertheless a significant member of the league’s worst run defense. At the end of the year, he was cut in a cost-saving move, as the team turned to Myles Jack as a replacement.

In New Orleans, Schobert could provide experienced depth at a minimum to the team’s linebacking corps. The Saints appear set to lose Kwon Alexander, who has been linked to the Jets multiple times this offseason. On, presumably, a much smaller free agent deal than the last one he signed, Schobert could be another effective veteran on the team’s re-vamped defense.

Latest On Chiefs’ Orlando Brown Jr.

June 10th, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Adam La Rose

The Chiefs’ offseason has seen the departures of key players like Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu, but the money saved as a result has long been thought to be earmarked for a long-term extension with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. After the latest development in the negotiating process, the 26-year-old provided some encouraging remarks with respect to a deal getting done soon. 

Brown said that he is “very confident” an extension will be finalized before the July 15 deadline, via Grant Gordon of NFL.com. “Especially simply based off the things that have come into effect within our division, the type of defensive ends that have been brought in, the type of players and all of that type of stuff” he added. “It’s not the year to go into the season with a backup left tackle. So, I’m very confident that the Kansas City Chiefs will get that done.”

The Chiefs traded for Brown last offseason as part of their efforts to rebuild their offensive line. The move gave them a replacement for Eric Fisher, and let Brown fulfil his goal of manning the blindside (as opposed to the right tackle spot, where he spent most of his time in Baltimore). With only one year remaining on his rookie contract, it was widely assumed a long-term deal would be coming at some point.

The Oklahoma product did nothing on the field to lessen the chances of an extension coming his way. He started all 16 games he appeared in, earning Pro Bowl honors for the third consecutive season. As was expected after the campaign, Kansas City placed the franchise tag on him, which will pay him $16.7MM in the absence of a new pact being signed.

Negotiations have been ongoing, but it was reported last month that the former third-rounder is seeking a deal which will place him atop the list league-wide in terms of compensation amongst left tackles. At a minimum, he is expected to join Trent Williams, David Bakhtiari and Laremy Tunsil as the only offensive linemen earning over $20MM per season.

Last week, another hurdle was cleared when Brown hired an agent. Interestingly, he become the first player to sign on with the Delta Sports Group, deliberately seeking a representative without pre-existing relationships with NFL executives. With that taken care of, both sides will be seeking traction in negotiations, as just over one month remains to finalize a deal. If Brown’s sentiments are reciprocated, though, he should have a new contract in hand by the time the 2022 season begins.

Raiders, Hunter Renfrow Agree To Extension

June 10th, 2022 at 8:40am CST by Adam La Rose

In an offseason full of big-money deals, the Raiders have taken care of another important piece of business. The team is signing receiver Hunter Renfrow to a two-year, $32MM extension, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link). The deal includes $21MM in guaranteed money. 

Renfrow, 26, was a steady presence in the Raiders’ passing game during his first two seasons with the team. Despite only making 10 starts, he totalled 105 receptions, 1,261 yards and six touchdowns during that span. His ability to return to the form showed in his rookie campaign (which involved a punctured lung) in 2020 was noteworthy, but few would have expected the performance he delivered this past year.

Taking on a larger workload in a passing game dominated by tight end Darren Waller, the Clemson product took a major step forward in 2021. In no small part due to the time missed by the former, Waller comfortably led the team in receptions (103), yards (1,038) and touchdowns (nine). Those numbers helped lead the team to the playoffs, and earned him a Pro Bowl nod.

From a financial perspective, that production also made the former fifth-rounder a logical extension candidate. He has one year remaining on his rookie contract, which will pay him just over $2.5MM. This new pact will represent quite the raise, as well as a willingness from new general manager Dave Ziegler to make significant commitments to the team’s current offensive core. The Raiders have signed quarterback Derek Carr to lucrative new deal, and paired him with Davante Adams on another sizeable contract. Since Renfrow slots in as the No. 3 option in the passing game behind Adams and Waller, $16MM per year is a noteworthy figure, though he demonstrated this year that he can handle a heavy workload if necessary.

With each of their top pass-catchers now under contract for multiple years, the Raiders are in line to build upon last year’s success, and remain competitive in the AFC West for at least the short-term future.

AFC Workouts: Vizcaino, Roberson, Cox

June 9th, 2022 at 9:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are a couple of free agents getting try outs around the AFC:

  • If free agent kicker Tristan Vizcaino is still unsigned after a busy week that entailed planned workouts with the Patriots and Raiders, the Ravens plan on bringing the 25-year-old in for their minicamp next week, according to Tom Pelissero. While the Ravens are obviously set with the most accurate kicker in NFL history, Justin Tucker, they made headlines years ago when they took 2018 undrafted free agent Kaare Vedvik and flipped him to Minnesota one year later for a fifth-round pick. General manager Eric DeCosta may be interested in working that same magic on Vizcaino.
  • Free agent pass rusher Derick Roberson has been working out with the Colts this week, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star. Roberson has made some noise in his very limited playing time in the NFL. As an undrafted rookie in 2019 with the Titans, Roberson totaled 3.0 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback hits while only appearing in three games. After earning a start in 2020, Roberson appeared in five games last year, recording 1.5 sacks, 3.0 tackles for loss, and 4 quarterback hits.
  • The Colts are also auditioning free agent defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. this week. Cox entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Panthers, appearing in 19 games over three years as a reserve defensive lineman. In 2019, Cox was waived by Carolina, signing with the Browns five days later. Cox saw his most successful stint in the NFL while in Cleveland, starting two of the six games he played for the Browns. In those six games, Cox recorded half a sack, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 5 quarterback hits. He signed with the Bills as a free agent last offseason but only appeared in one game after spending time on injured reserve with an Achilles injury.

Contract Details: Michel, Goodwin

June 9th, 2022 at 9:24pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on deals recently signed around the NFL:

  • Sony Michel, RB (Dolphins): One-year, $1.75MM. The deal, according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, has a guaranteed amount of $850,000 consisting of a $350,000 signing bonus and $500,000 of the base salary. Michel will also earn a per game active bonus of $14,117 for a potential season total of $240,000.
  • Marquise Goodwin, WR (Seahawks): One-year, $1.27MM. The contract, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times, has a guaranteed amount of $152,500 in the form of a signing bonus. It’s a low-risk deal meant to either bring in a veteran on the back end of the depth chart or motivate the younger players on the back end of the depth chart to up their game.

Pete Carroll Hints At Career-Ending Injury For Chris Carson

June 9th, 2022 at 8:48pm CST by Ely Allen

Running back Chris Carson knows a bit about adversity in football. From community college to being a late-round pick to early competition and injuries, Carson overcame quite a bit to become a starting NFL running back. According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, Carson may not be done dealing with adversity. Jude reports that, in comments this week, head coach Pete Carroll seemed to hint that Carson may be looking at the end of his career, following a neck injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2021 season. 

Carson transferred to Oklahoma State after two seasons at Butler Community College and, after two so-so seasons of college football, Carson was five picks away from going undrafted in 2017. Even after getting selected by Seattle near the end of the final round of the draft, Carson was set to compete with veterans Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy for playing time. Carson won the starting job before having his rookie season cut short by a broken ankle.

A quick recovery helped Carson return to become the Seahawks’ leading rusher for the next three years, despite only playing 12 games in 2020. In the offseason before the 2021 season, Carson re-signed with Seattle on a two-year deal. In Week 4 of the season, though, Carson suffered a neck injury that would require surgery and end his season. The updates on Carson’s status have been few and far between in the last eight months. Carroll’s comments, this past Thursday, gave us one of the first looks into Carson’s status, albeit an ominous one.

“Our guys love this game that they grow up playing, and when they sense that there may be an end to it, it’s hard. It’s difficult, and it’s real,” Carroll said. “And we’re going to love (Carson) through it and help him as much as possible, if that’s the case, like we do with everybody when it comes to the end of it. It’s inevitable. It’s coming, but it’s always too soon, so we’re trying to fight that off.”

With Carson sidelined indefinitely, Rashaad Penny sits atop the depth chart. Penny has his own history with injuries, failing to play in more than 10 games in a season since his rookie year and only appearing in 37 of a possible 65 career games. Penny did have the best season of his career last year, rushing for 749 yards and six touchdowns, despite only starting six games.

Seattle has a bit of depth behind Carson and Penny. Since drafting Carson in 2018, the Seahawks have drafted a running back every year except for 2021. This past draft, the Seahawks drafted Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III in the second round. In the years before 2021, Seattle drafted Miami Hurricanes running backs Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas in back-to-back drafts.

Carson is reportedly scheduled to meet with his doctors and surgeon in the coming weeks. The meetings should provide a clearer picture of Carson’s potential for a return.

“He’s battling. He’s doing everything he can,” Carroll told reporters. “He wants to compete all the way to the last word. And so he’s going for it.”

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/9/22

June 9th, 2022 at 7:13pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s draft pick signings in the NFL:

Baltimore Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs

  • CB Joshua Williams (fourth round, Fayetteville State)

New England Patriots

Tampa Buccaneers

Jason Pierre-Paul Visits Ravens

June 9th, 2022 at 6:18pm CST by Ely Allen

Free agent pass rusher Jason Pierre-Paul is still available and looking for his next NFL home. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Pierre-Paul took another step toward that goal today, taking a visit to Baltimore. 

Pierre-Paul, 33, spent the first eight years of his career in New York, after the Giants selected him with their first pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. He saw early success with the Giants, being named a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in his second NFL season after finishing second in the league in tackles for loss (23.0) and fourth in the league in sacks (16.5).

In 2018, New York traded Pierre-Paul to the Buccaneers in exchange for a third-round pick and a swap of fourth-round picks. He immediately outplayed his trade capital, leading the team in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (16.0) during his first year in Tampa Bay.

Over the course of a 12-year career, Pierre-Paul has totaled 91.5 sacks and 122.0 tackles for loss. He’s had his share of injuries throughout his career. Some were natural football-injuries that required surgery, but, twice, Pierre-Paul experienced substantial injuries outside of football that nearly cost him his career. His most recent season saw him miss time due to a torn rotator cuff that he called “the worst injury of his career,” according to Luke Easterling of USA Today.

Baltimore is certainly in the market for a veteran pass rusher. The Ravens return Tyus Bowser and Odafe Oweh at the top of their depth chart, with the former working to come back from a torn Achilles injury suffered in Week 18 of last season. They’ve seen limited results out of three-year pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson and 2021 fifth-round pick Daelin Hayes only saw one game of action last season. The Ravens did draft Michigan’s David Ojabo in the second round of this year’s Draft, but a torn Achilles suffered during his pro day is likely to hold him out for much of his rookie season.

Enter: Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul has an extensive pass rushing resume to bring to Baltimore. While his recent injury may prevent him from being an immediate upgrade over Bowser or Oweh, his presence would give the Ravens some much-needed depth in their pass-rushing rotation.

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