Just in time for tonight’s postseason game, the Buccaneers are receiving a significant boost to their offensive line. The team announced that center Ryan Jensenhas been activated from IR, putting him in line to make his season debut against the Cowboys. In a corresponding move, special teamer J.J. Russellhas been waived.
Jensen suffered a major knee injury in late July, and his availability for the season was immediately called into question. It was long presumed that he would be sidelined for the entire campaign, something which substantially compounded the Buccaneers’ issues along the interior of their o-line. The retirement of Ali Marpetand free agent departure of Alex Cappaleft the team without any of their 2021 starters at guard or center throughout the 2022 campaign.
To little surprise, then, Tampa Bay struggled mightily on the ground this season. The Buccaneers finished dead last in rushing yards per game, averaging only 77 yards in that department. The absence of a balanced attack weighed down the team’s offensive consistency despite their success through the air (270 passing yards per game, second-most in the league). Jensen’s return, assuming he is able to play close to his Pro Bowl level, could go a long way towards solving that issue.
The 31-year-old has been a mainstay in the middle of Tampa’s offensive front since signing with the team as a free agent in 2018. He had yet to miss a game during his time with the Bucs prior to this summer’s injury, making him a dependable member of the team’s decorated offense. It remained uncertain for much of the campaign when (if at all) Jensen would be able to return this year, but a comeback was confirmed to be a distinct possibility last month when he returned to practice.
Uncertainty still remains at the left guard spot for Tampa Bay heading into the final contest of the wild-card round, but with Jensen expected to start, their offense will be better-positioned to pull off an upset over Dallas. This move leaves the Buccaneers with three IR activations remaining for the postseason.
The Panthers are in the midst of a head coaching search, but they are spending time meeting with potential defensive coordinators as well. Their most recent action on that front involved a prominent name.
Carolina conducted an interview with Vic Fangio for their DC position, per Joe Person of The Athletic (Twitter link). That news comes not long after the team was granted permission by the Saints to interview Sean Payton for their head coaching vacancy, an interesting development given the fact that a trade sending him to Charlotte would represent a rare intra-divisional swap.
Payton and Fangio were linked in the build-up to this year’s cycle, so it comes as little surprise that the Panthers are showing interest in both. The latter served as Carolina’s first ever defensive coordinator, holding the role for four seasons in the 1990s. He went on to serve in the same capacity for the Colts, Texans, 49ers and Bears in the following years, during which time he established himself as a highly successful defensive mind.
The 64-year-old followed that up with a three-year stint as head coach of the Broncos, his only time as a bench boss at any coaching level. His 19-30 record in Denver left him unemployed in 2022, and he has made it clear any return to the sidelines in the NFL would likely come in the form of another DC post. His success in that role would be welcomed by a Panthers team which relied on its performance on that side of the ball to stay in contention in the NFC South late into the campaign.
Carolina is expected to target an offensive-minded bench boss as their full-time Matt Rhule replacement, something which is generally reflected by their list of candidates generated so far. While Payton would constitute a significant add on that side of the ball, a number of younger options could be available; should one of them ultimately become the team’s hire, Fangio would bring a wealth of experience to their new-look staff.
Of course, interim HC Steve Wilks has already interviewed for the permanent position, one for which he has the backing of the team’s players. Carolina sticking with the ex-Cardinals HC could allow Al Holcomb to remain in place at the helm of the team’s defense. The Panthers are also interested in meeting with Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel for the DC role, so their response to Fangio’s interview (especially relative to their level of desire in acquiring Payton) will be worth watching in the coming days.
The Texans enter the offseason once again needing to find a new head coach, after they dismissedLovie Smith last week. That move marked a second straight one-and-done year on the sidelines in Houston, and added to the tumult the organization has dealt with since the Bill O’Brien era came to an end.
The latter was fired during the 2020 season, and replaced on an interim basis by Romeo Crennel. That led to an underwhelming stint with David Culley last year, and then the unorthodox process by which Smith was installed as head coach after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator. Overall, the Texans have gone 11-38-1 over the past three years and have plenty of roster holes to fill as they continue their rebuild.
The team’s search for what they hope will be a long-term hire on the sidelines will take on a slightly different look this time. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 details how owner Cal McNair will use a more hands-on approach during the selection process, a departure from his stance in previous years which left general manager Nick Caserio at the forefront of Culley’s and Smith’s respective selections.
“Now we’re committed to getting this one right,” McNair said. “I have full confidence in Nick. He has led our football operations through a difficult stretch and continues to prove he is an elite talent evaluator. We talk constantly and have a plan for this process that we’ll execute together over the next days and weeks. For this hire, I’ll be taking on a more active role in the process.”
Caserio himself has also said the 2023 hiring process will be more comprehensive in terms of the personnel involved. He noted the organization’s intention of “implementing some different techniques and tactics” and receiving input from a larger number of voices in the building. That admission comes at a time when changes could be coming in the front office. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that “due diligence background and research” is ongoing regarding Texans personnel, though any moves will likely not threaten Caserio’s job security.
As for the HC vacancy, one factor to watch could be the latter’s background in New England. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that McNair would be “leery” of hiring a coach with Patriots ties, in light of Caserio’s experience with the team. That could hurt the candidacy of, for instance, Jerod Mayo and Brian Flores, and at least partially explain why neither of them have been connected to this year’s Texans vacancy.
In spite of the uncertainty surrounding Houston’s future, McNair remains optimistic. “We know the last two seasons have not been what we had hoped for, but we’re committed to building a program that’s successful long-term,” he said. “We’ve dealt with unprecedented circumstances over the last several years, but we’re excited about our future and where we’re headed.”
The list of potential candidates to fill the Falcons’ defensive coordinator vacancy continues to grow. Atlanta has requested interviews with Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores and Panthers DC Al Holcomb (Twitterlinks via Josina Anderson of CBS Sports and ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
Flores has received interest in multiple coaching opportunities this offseason, including a recent interview with the Browns for their DC position. A move to Cleveland would represent a step up in title relative to his current arrangement in Pittsburgh, though the 41-year-old played a more sizeable role on Mike Tomlin‘s staff than an average position coach, of course.
The Cardinals have also reached out to Flores seeking an interview for their head coaching vacancy. If he were to land that job, it would mark a quick turnaround from his firing by the Dolphins last offseason. That move ended his three-year tenure in Miami, one which has been followed by his ongoing racial discrimination suit against the NFL in general and several teams in particular. The controversy surrounding his exit – and its subsequent effect on the 2022 coaching cycle, among other things – was a key storyline around the league.
Holcomb, 50, has been an NFL staffer since 2009. His lone season as a full-time defensive coordinator came with the Cardinals in 2018, under head coach Steve Wilks. The pair were reunited in Carolina, and Holcomb spent the 2020 and ’21 campaigns serving as the Panthers’ defensive run game coordinator. Following the firing of Matt Rhule – and the subsequent departures of multiple members of his staff, coupled with Wilks taking over – Holcomb was promoted to the role of interim DC to finish the season.
This news comes after it was reported earlier today that the Panthers put in an interview request for Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel. That meeting is likely to concern Carolina’s DC position, so Holcomb’s future will be worth monitoring as the coaching (and coordinator) cycles take shape in the coming days. He and Flores join the Packers’ Jerry Gray and the Saints’ Ryan Nielsen as targets for Atlanta to replace Dean Pees following his retirement.
The Bears enter the offseason with a plethora of needs to fill out their roster, but an intriguing array of means with respect to augmenting it in the months ahead. One of those, of course, is the first overall pick in this spring’s draft.
For much of the campaign, it appeared the top slot would ultimately go to the Texans. However, a last-minute, come-from-behind victory during Lovie Smith’s final game with Houston helped his former team secure the No. 1 selection. Chicago only remained in the running to ‘win’ the race to the bottom of the standings, though, due to a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak to close out the season.
The Bears’ 3-14 record came as little surprise, given the team’s clear intentions of pursuing a multi-year rebuild under new general manager Ryan Poles. That included several veteran defenders heading elsewhere via trades or releases before and/or during the season as a means of clearing up cap space. That strategy has left the team with by far the most spending power in the league ahead of free agency.
After a number of high-end additions are presumably made in March, Poles and his staff will be tasked with determining their course of action with the No. 1 pick. Retaining the selection would enable them to bolster their defense with, for instance, Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. Long considered a candidate for the top spot in this class’ rankings, he could provide a considerable boost to a pass rush which finished last in the NFL in sacks with only 20.
Alternatively, the Bears could turn to Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carterat the top of the board. Chicago surrendered an average of 157 rushing yards per game in 2022, the second-worst mark in the league. Carter would help improve the team’s front seven both in that department, and as an interior pass-rusher as they look to rebuild their front seven. Opinion is split on which out of Anderson or Carter grades out as the best prospect, but either one would be considered a foundational piece for the Bears for years to come.
The situation is complicated, however, by the presence of Bryce Young. The 2021 Heisman winner had another productive season with the Crimson Tide this year, putting him squarely in contention to hear his name called first on draft night – particularly if the QB-needy Texans had finished the year with the No. 1 pick. Chicago having that luxury adds to their possible moves to build for the future.
Drafting Young could give the franchise a long-term answer at the position, though Justin Fieldsshowed signs of being able to do just that in his second NFL season. The 2021 first-rounder – whom Chicago’s previous regime traded up to draft – produced the second-most single-season rushing yards by a signal-caller in league history. At age 23 and with at least two more years of team control on his rookie contract (with the potential of another, via the fifth-year option), the Ohio State product would represent a logical candidate to be retained for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, Fields took a league-leading 55 sacks despite not playing a full campaign. He also led the NFL’s lowest-ranked passing attack, though the Bears’ weaknesses along the offensive line and distinct lack of proven pass-catchers certainly contributed to that as well. Questions regarding Fields’ upside as a passer could be made irrelevant from Chicago’s perspective if they become convinced Young (or another QB prospect) is worth taking first overall, an outcome which Poles recently downplayed the likelihood of.
“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done – we’re going to evaluate the draft class,” he said last week, “and I would say this: I would have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”
The other option the Bears have, of course, is trading out of the top slot to add more draft capital now and (potentially) next year as well. Such a move has not been seen since 2016, but if it were to happen, it would once again take place to pave the way for a team to guarantee they landed their desired quarterback. The Texans, armed with a second first-round pick, could be a candidate to move up one spot, but the Colts could be another after they made clear their willingness to be aggressive in adding at the position.
A move down the board would extend the Bears’ streak to 77 years without making the draft’s first selection, but it would allow them to increase their draft capital considerably. Chicago currently only owns three picks in the top 100 – a smaller figure than one may expect given their rebuilding status, but also one owing in part to the team’s trade deadline acquisition of wideout Chase Claypool. A trade keeping them in the top 10 of the first round order would take them out of contention for Anderson or Carter, but place them in good position to add another high-end talent, particularly one of the class’ top offensive tackles.
Which path do you see the Bears taking with the No. 1 pick? Have your say by voting in the poll below and weighing in via the comments section:
Rourke has been a popular workout candidate in recent weeks, visiting several teams amidst interest from more than a dozen NFL clubs. The CFL star has arrived at a decision after that time, though, announcing (on Twitter) that he is signing a three-year reserve deal with the Jaguars.
Rourke put up impressive numbers at college with the Ohio Bobcats, and placed himself firmly on the NFL radar with his play this season with the BC Lions. He threw for a league-record 78.7% completion percentage in 2022, recording a 25:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio and adding seven touchdowns on the ground. The 24-year-old earned Most Outstanding Canadian honors despite missing considerable time through injury as a result, and he will now be positioned to compete as a backup to Trevor Lawrencein the offseason. His time spent in the spring with head coach Doug Pederson – well-known for his work in developing QBs – could be enough for him to land a 53-man roster spot in the fall.
Jadeveon Clowneymade plenty of headlines recently with his remarks suggesting the Browns made a concerted effort on multiple occasions to give fellow edge rusher Myles Garrettfavorable one-on-one matchups this season. The incident led to the 29-year-old being sent home for the season finale, and provided a further sign that he will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
Earlier this week, however, Clowney apologized to Garrett, who himself had a noteworthy public response to Clowney’s accusations. A statement from the latter said in part, “As a man I have reached out to Myles specifically to apologize. I will continue to learn and grow as a I move forward” (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Clowney also claimed that his initial remarks were “completely misrepresented” and “taken out of context.”
On that point, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com has since responded that Clowney was quoted verbatim in their interview which included his statement that he had a “5%” chance of re-signing with the Browns this offseason. It remains to be seen if Clowney’s apology will increase the likelihood of another free agent deal being signed between the two parties, or if the former No. 1 pick will depart in a change-of-scenery move.
Here are some other Browns-related notes:
In light of issues such as defensive performance (which led to DC Joe Woods being fired) and discipline surrounding the team in 2022, questions have been raised regarding whether or not head coach Kevin Stefanski will delegate offensive play-calling duties. Cabot writes that he will likely retain his current role in 2023, however, citing his relationship with quarterback Deshaun Watsonand their need to rebuild the playbook together as a main reason (subscription required). The Browns struggled to move the ball through the air this season, one in which Watson was suspended for the first 11 games, but they ranked sixth in the league with an average of 147 yards per game on the ground.
Watson’s suspension is now over, of course, but his legal battle is not. The embattled signal-caller will be forced to sit for a deposition pertaining to the 26th civil lawsuit filed against him, as detailed by USA Today’s Brent Schrotenboer. After settling most of the claims made against him this summer, Watson, 27, currently faces two outstanding suits alleging sexual misconduct during massage sessions dating back to his time with the Texans.
Cleveland had one of the most highly-touted backfields this season, led by Nick Chubband Kareem Hunt. Their third-stringer,D’Ernest Johnson, also flashed plenty of potential in 2021 when called upon as a spot-starter, though, leading to expectations that he could replicate his success during this campaign. He received only 11 touches all year, however, something which he explained, via Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, was a major source of frustration. The 26-year-old added that he has not yet head from the Browns regarding a new deal, signalling that he will head elsewhere in search of a larger workload in free agency.
The Lions engineered a remarkable turnaround late in the season, and nearly managed to clinch the NFC’s final playoff spot on the back of their offensive efficiency in particular. Detroit’s play under center is now likely to lead to continuity at the position into 2023.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes endorsed Jared Goffas the team’s top signal-caller when speaking to the media in his season-ending news conference. That would have come as a surprise not long ago, as their acquisition of the 28-year-old was widely thought to simply make him a ‘bridge’ starter likely resulting in a younger option being drafted not long after.
That sentiment remained true well into the start of the 2022 season, when the Lions sat at 1-5 and they appeared to be destined for one of the top spots (if not the No. 1 slot) in this spring’s draft. However, Goff helped guide the team to a 5-1 record to close out the season as they continued to showcase their surprising production both in the passing game and on the ground.
Goff himself was efficient in the process, going nine straight games without throwing an interception to finish the season. The former Ram added 15 touchdowns and averaged over 266 yards per game during that span, adding to his chances of his new team committing to him for the long haul. He is under contract for two more years with cap hits of $30.9MM and $31.9MM, but there is no guaranteed money remaining on his deal.
“I think it’s a lot easier to get worse at quarterback than to get better at quarterback, in this league,” Holmes said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required). “And so, I think what Jared has done this year, he captained the ship of a top-three offense, and I want to say he was top-10 statistically in most of the passing categories. And again, you know how we approach the draft like we’re never going to turn down a good football player, so if there’s a football player we really love, we’re going to make sure every stone is unturned. But I do think that Jared has proven everybody that he is the starting quarterback for us.”
Indeed, the Rams’ collapse this season leaves Detroit with the No. 6 pick in this year’s draft owing to the Goff-Matthew Staffordswap from last year. The Lions’ own pick sits at 18, so they will have multiple opportunities to draft someone to compete with Goff in the near term or succeed him down the road. Regardless of what this offseason brings, though, the matter of the Lions’ 2023 QB situation appears to be far more certain now than it was in the fall.
Another team has entered the fray for this year’s most talked-about head coaching candidate. The Panthers have requested and received permission to interview Sean Payton, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).
Payton has, as expected, drawn considerable interest from HC-needy teams this offseason as he contemplates a return to the sidelines, something which is not guaranteed to take place during this year’s cycle. He is still under contract to the Saints, however, which led to an expectation that the division-rival Panthers would not be a realistic contender to acquire him via trade.
Deals sending head coaches from one team to another in the same division are rare, but not entirely unprecedented. Payton’s level of interest in the Panthers’ vacancy – one brought on by the firing of Matt Rhule after his highly underwhelming two-plus year tenure with the team failed to show sufficient signs of a turnaround for the franchise – will be worth watching relative to his desire to head elsewhere.
The Super Bowl winner has his first interview lined up with the Broncos this week, the earliest point at which he is allowed by rule to meet with interested teams. Denver reportedly has a general understanding of the trade compensation which will be needed to acquire him from New Orleans; a first-round pick is widely thought to be included in the package the Saints will be asking for.
In addition, both the Texans and Cardinals have been granted permission to interview Payton, giving him plenty of options to consider. The Panthers put themselves in contention to win the NFC South with their improved play under interim HC Steve Wilks, who has already interviewed for the full-time role a number of Carolina’s players have publicly campaigned for him to be granted. The Panthers are widely expected to pursue an experienced, offensive-minded HC, and Payton would certainly fit into both of those categories.
Here is the updated look at the Panthers’ search:
Jim Caldwell, former head coach (Lions): Interviewed
The 27-year-old had been sidelined since Week 13 due to a lower back injury. The issue was sufficient to keep him from being able to suit up on its own, but as Tomasson notes, a minor car accident Bradbury was involved in shortly afterwards aggravated the injury. Fortunately for he and the team, however, he has recovered in time for the postseason.
The former first-rounder did not live up to expectations during the first three seasons of his career, leading Minnesota to decline his fifth-year option. Bradbury entered the season with questions surrounding his status as the team’s starter in the middle of the o-line, but he played nearly every snap this year prior to being shelved by the back issue. His improved play in year four was reflected by a career-best PFF grade of 70.2, the 10th-highest mark at the position.
In Bradbury’s absence, the Vikings had turned to Austin Schlottmannat center until he went down with a season-ending injury. That left Minnesota with third-stringer Chris Reedto close out the regular season and, if not for Bradbury’s return, to start today against New York. Now, though, the NC State product will be available to line up against Dexter Lawrenceand the Giants’ defensive front after he practiced in full Thursday and Friday.
“[Bradbury] demonstrated a complete readiness to play this weekend,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said in advance of this afternoon’s contest. “I’m really excited about having Garrett back in there. He’s been huge for us all season long.”
Elsewhere on the offensive line, the Vikings received another piece of good news with swing tackle Blake Brandelbeing activated from IR yesterday. That will allow him to start at right tackle, the spot vacated by Brian O’Neill‘s partial Achilles tear. Oli Udohhad been playing in that spot, but Brandel had gotten the nod for three straight games before his IR stint. Overall, Minnesota should head into today’s game with better confidence in their front five than they had in recent contests.
