With June practices nearing an end, a few signficant developments have taken place around the league recently. In case you missed any of the top stories from the past week, here’s a quick recap:
- Vikings Release Cook: After plenty of speculation about his future, the Vikings have officially parted ways with running back Dalvin Cook. The move came after no trade partner could be found, and resulted in $9MM in cap savings. Minnesota has moved on from a number of high-priced veterans this offseason, and the team previously hinted at their intensions of turning to Alexander Mattison as their new starter moving forward. Cook earned a fourth straight Pro Bowl nod in 2022, demonstrating his continued ability to serve as a productive lead back. He is now free to sign with a new team, and the Dolphins have frequently been named as a potential suitor. The free agent market at the RB spot has been modest, and a number of experienced options are still available, but the 27-year-old should be the subject of signficant interest in the coming days and weeks.
- Broncos Sign Clark: Frank Clark’s tenure with the Chiefs came to an end as he took a one-year deal with the Broncos worth up to $7.5MM. The decorated edge rusher failed to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2022, but he once again produced in the playoffs en route to winning another Super Bowl in Kansas City. He was a cap casualty at the start of the offseason, and Clark, 29, acknowledged that no new Chiefs offer representing a pay cut was made during his lengthy free agent period (one which included the team adding a first-round pass rusher for the second straight year). Now, he will turn his attention to a new AFC West team, one which has plenty of question marks along the edge entering the 2023 season. A strong showing in Denver could boost Clark’s value significantly ahead of another year on the open market.
- Bills Add Floyd: Clark’s Broncos deal came not long after the Bills made their own notable addition on the edge. Leonard Floyd inked a one-year contract with a maximum value of $9MM. That will give Buffalo another veteran presence in the pass rush department alongside Von Miller, whose ACL recovery is in a good place at the moment. Floyd was a lone bright spot in the Rams’ edge contingent last season, but he was one of many expensive veterans the team moved on from this offseason. The 30-year-old has experience logging a heavy workload, but more of a rotational role may await him in Buffalo. A follow-up to his productive stint in Los Angeles would yield considerable benefits for the Bills, and likely boost Floyd’s market value ahead of next March.
- Titans, Patriots To Host Hopkins: The first two teams prepared to host DeAndre Hopkins on a free agent visit have been revealed. The All-Pro wideout will meet with the Titans and Patriots in the coming days, as he searches for a new home. New England has been mentioned as a team to watch on the Hopkins front, but the same has not been the case to date for Tennessee. Either squad would be well-suited to add the 31-year-old given their struggles in the passing game last season, and they are each in better shape than the Chiefs and Bills with respect to cap space. The latter two teams would need Hopkins’ price to come down significantly to make a serious push to sign him, but the five-time Pro Bowler already has multiple suitors lined up. More could soon follow.
- Harris Continues Making Progress On Commanders Purchase: The sales process of the Commanders has a number of hurdles left to clear, but positive steps have been taken in recent days. Josh Harris had a succesful meeting with the NFL’s finance committee, during which the outstanding issues related to the structure of his purchase agreement were discussed. The 76ers and Devils owner, who is slated to take over from Dan Snyder after the pair agreed to a $6.05 billion purchase price, pledged to make the requisite adjustments to satisfy the league. Once that has taken place, a special owners’ meeting aimed at ratifying the deal should be expected. With a deadline on the exclusivity of the Harris deal approaching, though, all parties have incentive to continue moving with urgency.