Month: April 2024

Jaguars T Cam Robinson Issued Four-Game PED Suspension

Details have emerged regarding the PED suspension Cam Robinson will serve to begin the 2023 season. The Jaguars tackle will be sidelined for four games to start the year, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

News of the Robinson ban came out in April, but it was not known at that point how many contests he would miss. Today’s update clarifies the challenge Jacksonville will face along the offensive line, a unit which already saw the departure of Jawaan Taylor to the Chiefs in free agency.

The loss of Taylor left the Jaguars in need of a notable O-line investment in the draft, something which came in Round 1 in the form of Anton HarrisonThe latter was likely to play on the right side upon Robinson’s return, but there is a path for him to spend the first month of his rookie campaign at his familiar left tackle spot. Harrison made all but one of his starts at Oklahoma on the blindside.

Jacksonville also has Walker Little in place as a more experienced LT option. The former second-rounder has made 28 regular and postseason appearances to date, spending most of his time at left tackle. If the team elects to ease Harrison into the pro game (or keep him at right tackle in preparation for when Robinson returns) the Stanford product could see a starting blindside role in the fall.

For Robinson individually, this news carries signficant financial consequences. As Schefter’s colleague Field Yates tweets, the 27-year-old will lose $3.55MM in salary due to the missed time, and the remaining guaranteed money on his deal will void. Robinson signed a three-year, $52.75MM extension in 2022 which called for his $16MM 2023 base salary to be guaranteed in full. That figure will rise to a non-guaranteed $16.25MM next season, while his cap hit will remain above $22MM as is the case this year.

The Jaguars have remained committed to the Alabama product despite his less-than-spectacular performances throughout his career. His return to the lineup will no doubt be welcomed when it takes place, but the absence of guranteed money in the final year of his contract could spark new questions about his long-term future with the team. Robinson will miss games against the Colts, Chiefs, Texans and Falcons while serving his suspension. He will be eligible to return in Week 5, the Jaguars’ second straight London matchup when they play the Bills.

Rams, CB Ahkello Witherspoon Agree To Deal

The Rams are set to add a veteran presence to their secondary. Los Angeles is signing Ahkello Witherspoon, as first reported by Jordan Schultz of the Score (Twitter link). The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue adds (via Twitter) that it is a one-year deal.

The 28-year-old began his career in San Francisco, starting 33 of 47 contests there. His performance with the 49ers eventually led him to Pittsburgh in 2021, where he was a key member of the team’s secondary. Expectations were high heading into the following campaign, but things did not go according to plan.

Witherspoon was limited to just four games played in 2022 due to hamstring injuries. Despite having recently signed a two-year extension in Pittsburgh, he was released last month. That left the former third-rounder in search of a new home, and the Rams could represent an intriguing opportunity for him to rebuild his value.

In an offseason filled with cost-shedding moves, Los Angeles has seen a number of corners depart in one form or another. The Jalen Ramsey trade created a signficant vacancy on the backend, and David Long signed with the Raiders as part of the latter team’s efforts to re-tool their secondary. 2022 Rams contributors Troy Hill and Grant Haley remain unsigned, while special teamer Shaun Jolly was re-upped.

Witherspoon started all four of his Steelers appearances last season, recording one interception and a pair of pass deflections. His coverage statistics in terms of completion percentage and passer rating allowed were the worst of his career, however, which helped inform Pittsburgh’s decision to move on and contributed to the Colorado alum’s wait on the open market. In Los Angeles, he should compete for signficant playing time.

The Rams lack experience at the CB spot heading into 2023, a season in which plenty of expectations will be placed on recent draftees Robert Rochell and Cobie Durant. The team’s only investment at the position in this year’s sizeable draft class was sixth-rounder Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. At 6-2, Witherspoon will provide not only a veteran presence but also length among the Rams’ cornerbacks contingent.

L.A. ranked top-10 in interceptions last season, but the team struggled as a whole against the pass in their underwhelming Super Bowl defense. Witherspoon will aim to assist their new-look secondary in taking a needed step forward, while remaining healthy and boosting his free agent stock along with way.

Patriots To Extend LB Ja’Whaun Bentley

For a second straight day, the Patriots agreed to terms on an extension with one of their veteran contributors. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley is signing a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Following DeVante Parker‘s three-year re-up, Bentley will sign a deal that can max out at $18.75MM. The sixth-year defender will collect $9MM fully guaranteed. This is Bentley’s third Patriots contract.

Bentley, 26, has been a regular Pats starter for the past three seasons. The Purdue alum agreed to terms on a two-year, $6MM deal during free agency in 2022. Considering the guarantee here, Bentley will secure a nice payout compared to his previous pact. The new deal will tie Bentley to the Patriots through the 2025 season.

This is an interesting decision from Bentley, who was going into a contract year. The former fifth-round pick could have pursued a more lucrative pact as a 2024 free agent, but this year’s market was not particularly fruitful for off-ball linebackers. Beyond the monster deal given to Tremaine Edmunds ($18MM per year) and the Giants’ Bobby Okereke pact ($10MM AAV), a host of contracts in the $5-7MM-per-year range came to pass. Bentley’s guarantee puts him at the top of that mix of recently signed ILB vets.

Thursday’s agreement also could represent solid value for the Patriots. Pro Football Focus tabbed Bentley as a top-10 off-ball ‘backer in 2022. Last season, Bentley started all 17 Pats games and made a career-high 125 tackles. He added three sacks and six quarterback hits, notching an interception as well. New England keeping its post-Dont’a Hightower linebacking anchor will bring good continuity on a perennially stout defense.

Like Parker’s accord, Bentley’s may create 2023 cap space as well. The Pats had Bentley tied to a $5.1MM cap hit this year. Spreading bonus money out would free up some funds. The Patriots’ Parker agreement will not lead to them standing down re: DeAndre Hopkins. Veteran NFL reporter Mike Giardi tweets that the Bentley extension will indeed give New England more spending power for the immediate future.

The Patriots were relatively quiet with respect to additions at linebacker spot this offseason. Veteran Chris Board was signed, though he is best known for his work on special teams rather than defense. Further depth was added during the draft with Marte Mapu, who has seen time both at LB as well as safety so far. Regardless of how the team chooses to align its options at the second level of the defense, Bentley will be a mainstay there for years to come.

Isaiah Rodgers, Others Receive Season-Long Gambling Suspensions

JUNE 29: Colts defensive end Rashod Berry and free agent defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor are being hit with gambling bans as well. Berry and Taylor will be suspended for the entire 2023 season, joining Rodgers in that regard, the NFL announced Thursday (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). The league also finalized Rodgers’ long-rumored suspension; the fourth-year cornerback’s ban is indefinite but will cover all of the 2023 season.

Berry and Taylor bet on NFL games during the 2022 season, the league announced. Berry remains on the Colts’ 90-man roster; Indianapolis plucked him off Jacksonville’s practice squad in January. Berry, 26, did not play in a game last season. Taylor, 24, played in one Lions contest. Both players are former UDFAs. Taylor may well be the fifth Lion the league was investigating. The Lions waived Taylor on the same day they cut Berryhill last month. Rodgers and Berry must apply for reinstatement to return to action, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets.

These three join Titans right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere in being part of the league’s latest gambling probe. Petit-Frere will serve a six-game suspension for betting on other sports from team grounds. Thursday’s penalties run the count to nine players suspended by the NFL in 2023 for violating the gambling policy. After Ridley and Shaw were the only players hit with gambling bans between the 1980s and 2022, this year has marked a watershed moment for the league on this front.

JUNE 28: The Isaiah Rodgers suspension will likely down this week, but the Colts cornerback is not the only player on track to be suspended. Other gambling-driven bans are expected to be assessed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Rodgers will be given a season-long suspension, per Schefter. The fourth-year Indianapolis defender is believed to have made bets on NFL games. A year-long ban would be consistent with those given to ex-Lions Quintez Cephus and C.J. Moore and Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney earlier this year. That trio was found to have made bets on NFL games.

It is unknown who the other offenders are here, but a fifth Lions player was believed to be under investigation for gambling. The league already suspended Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams for six games. Since-cut Lions wideout Stanley Berryhill also received a six-game ban; both he and Williams bet on non-NFL games while on team grounds.

Since the initial batch of suspensions came out in April, teams have attempted to provide more thorough educational efforts regarding the NFL’s gambling policy. But after the league went decades without a known issue of player betting, 2023 has brought a number of headlines on this front. Rodgers stands to be the sixth player banned this year. Those punishments follow the ones given to Calvin Ridley (2022) and former defensive back Josh Shaw (2019) for violating the league’s gambling policy.

Since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors for sports betting outside of its traditional hubs (primarily Nevada), 33 states and Washington D.C. have opened legal betting markets. Once a beneath-the-surface topic in the NFL, wagering on games and players (via daily fantasy sites) is now regularly promoted. The NFL has partnered with three sportsbooks in recent years.

Rodgers, 25, was on track to remain a Colts starting cornerback. He started nine games last season. The former sixth-round pick had also served as Indianapolis’ primary kick returner, holding that job throughout his career. An indefinite suspension covering all of 2023 would require Rodgers to apply for reinstatement. Ridley successfully did so this year, but the former Falcons first-round pick carried considerable value based on his pre-suspension form. Such punishment may be costlier for Rodgers. This ban will result in the UMass alum not receiving his $2.7MM 2023 salary; that money will toll to 2024 and delay Rodgers’ free agency by a year. The latter aspect could be significant, as a productive season could have led to a nice payday next year.

The Colts did not become aware of the NFL’s Rodgers investigation until after the draft. The team traded Stephon Gilmore to the Cowboys in March, leaving a gaping hole at outside corner. After also allowing part-time starter Brandon Facyson to rejoin the Raiders in free agency, the Colts used a second-round pick on Kansas State corner Julius Brents. Rodgers was still expected to be a key part of Gus Bradley‘s second Indianapolis defense, potentially as a starter alongside Brents and veteran slot Kenny Moore. As a result of the gambling development, Indy may be in the market for veteran help.

Patriots Remain In DeAndre Hopkins Pursuit

The Patriots took care of one of their own wide receivers Wednesday, coming to terms on a deal that pushes DeVante Parker‘s contract past 2023. Rather than the contract being a sign the Patriots are steering away from DeAndre Hopkins, the Parker deal may end up helping the team on this front.

Parker’s extension numbers are not out yet, though the initial report indicated the 2022 New England trade acquisition can earn up to $33MM — with up to $14MM guaranteed — on the new pact. But veteran reporter Mike Giardi notes the deal lowered Parker’s cap hit (Twitter link). Considering Parker already was tied to just a $6.2MM 2023 number, it will be interesting to see these new terms. The incentives in Parker’s deal range from playing time-based escalators to performance thresholds, ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss notes, adding the former Dolphins receiver’s 2023 base salary will drop below $5.7MM on this new deal.

As for Hopkins, Giardi adds the Patriots believe they are still in the mix. They hosted Hopkins earlier this month, following the Titans in securing a meeting with the free agent standout. The Parker move does give the Pats two veteran wideouts signed beyond 2023, joining March addition JuJu Smith-Schuster, but the team has not ruled out having two 30-something receivers on its roster.

A 2015 first-round pick, Parker is going into his age-30 season. Hopkins turned 31 earlier this month. Parker and Hopkins are each known more for catch radiuses than separation ability, especially at this point in their respective careers, so seeing them on the same team would represent an interesting configuration for new OC Bill O’Brien‘s offense. Smith-Schuster, 26, has primarily been a slot receiver throughout his career; the ex-Steelers and Chiefs pass catcher would stand to complement a Parker-Hopkins outside duo.

The Pats landing Hopkins would seemingly relegate 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton to a reserve role, though the Baylor product remains an intriguing option after missing a chunk of his rookie year due to injury. Mike Gesicki is also in line to see extensive receiver time, crowding this position group — in the event Hopkins chooses to relocate to Massachusetts.

Kendrick Bourne amassed 800 receiving yards in 2021 before falling out of favor — to some degree, at least — with the coaching staff last season. The free agency addition totaled just 434 yards during a dysfunctional 2022 campaign for the Patriots’ offense. Bourne, who is going into his age-28 season, is signed through 2023. Parker’s deal, however, may put Bourne on New England’s roster bubble, AtoZsports.com’s Doug Kyed notes. The Pats can save $5.4MM by releasing or trading the seventh-year veteran. Trade calls came in on Bourne before the deadline last year; he was believed to be available for “the right price.”

Both the Pats and Titans extended offers to Hopkins, but the 10-year veteran is still waiting for his market to expand. While the Chiefs and Bills — long-rumored suitors who had previously discussed trade terms with the Cardinals — have been quiet here for a stretch, and a Deshaun Watson reunion in Cleveland is looking increasingly unlikely. But the Panthers have emerged as a team to monitor here.

Jets Not Planning To Keep Corey Davis At Current Salary

Running back pay cuts have been a regular offseason talking point, but the Jets are preparing to give Corey Davis an ultimatum. The veteran wide receiver may be on the chopping block, should he balk at a pay-cut request.

Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas have said Davis is in the team’s plans. This came after Davis cut rumblings — in the event Odell Beckham Jr. signed — circulated earlier in the offseason. While Davis remains on the Jets’ 90-man roster, the former top-five pick making it back onto the team’s regular-season 53-man unit will not happen at his current $10.5MM base salary, Brian Costello of the New York Post notes.

The Jets likely have already approached Davis about the pay cut, per Costello, who adds the former Titans draftee would not be in line for considerable playing time. Should the Jets enter the season healthy at wide receiver, Davis no longer looks like an every-down player. The team added Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman to its mix alongside Garrett Wilson, and longtime Aaron Rodgers teammate Randall Cobb signed after the draft.

Davis, 28, joined the Jets on a three-year, $37.5MM deal. Zach Wilson‘s lack of development undoubtedly affected Davis, but he has not delivered on the 2021 free agency accord. The Titans did not pick up Davis’ fifth-year option, but the former prized prospect posted a 984-yard receiving season during his 2020 contract year and vaulted into position for a big payday. Davis, however, amassed 492 receiving yards in 2021 and 536 last year. The Western Michigan product has also missed 12 games since joining the Jets, seeing groin and MCL injuries sideline him. The past two seasons do not give Davis much leverage against a pay cut, as a strong market would be unlikely to await.

It would be interesting to see Davis paired with Rodgers, who famously did not have a first-round pick to target while in Green Bay. The Jets boast two former top-10 selections at receiver, and while Garrett Wilson has a chance to be a star after going 10th overall last year, Davis could certainly help the team after its quarterback trade splash. It appears this opportunity will be contingent on the 6-foot-3 outside receiver accepting a pay slash.

Carl Lawson joined Davis in signing a three-year contract (for $45MM) in 2021; the veteran defensive end recently agreed to reduce his salary by $6MM in exchange for more guaranteed money. With Davis less important to the 2023 team’s cause compared to Lawson, it is possible the Jets will ask for a steeper cut. Douglas already alluded to the business of football when assessing Davis’ 2023 status, though the fourth-year GM also called the veteran wideout “a valued member of this team.”

This Davis matter comes as the team goes through the process of restructuring Rodgers’ deal. The Jets have their new starting quarterback on a $1.2MM cap number, but because of a Packers restructure, Rodgers is tied to a $107.6MM 2024 number. Seeing as no player has ever played on a cap hit north of $50MM, Rodgers will obviously not be tied to that figure next year. But a restructure will increase the future Hall of Famer’s 2023 cap number, which will cut into the Jets’ cap space soon.

Latest On S Kevin Byard, Titans

There’s been no shortage of awkwardness in the recent business relationship between All-Pro safety Kevin Byard and the Titans. Byard refused to take a pay cut that the team floated his way early in the offseason. While, in most situations, this would cause the relationship to deteriorate into an eventual split, things don’t seem to be headed in that direction, according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports.

Questions initially arose as Byard spent the offseason away from the Titans, with many thinking his absence was a result of bad blood following the failed request. Byard refuted that claim in an address to the media, saying that he had been in communication with his coaches and was working out according to a preexisting plan. His explanation and following comments seemed to indicate that he would not be pursuing a trade as a result of the pay-cut request.

In fact, Byard is more likely to continue working toward a deal that will keep him in Tennessee for the remainder of his career. Byard has certainly taken the high road in an awkward situation, showing the maturity to know that “you can’t be emotional in business,” a point he expanded on in an appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast recorded two weeks ago. He, instead, found a way to “compartmentalize and keep (his) emotions out of it,” concluding that he thinks the two sides are “in a good place right now.”

When he initially received the request to take a pay cut, Byard had been expecting a contract extension discussion that would alleviate his cap hits in the near future while allowing him to remain in Nashville long-term. He stood his ground on his worth, stayed quiet about the negotiations, and has allowed the business side of things to run their course. He’s claimed that there are no “ill feelings” lingering from the situation and seems to be optimistic about finding a way forward.

Giants Starting S Job “Wide Open”

The Giants ran through most of last year with a strong safety duo of Julian Love and Xavier McKinney. With Love departing in free agency to Seattle, the starting job next to McKinney is reportedly “wide open,” according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. There are plenty of names in contention for the job, leaving New York with several options.

The favorite for the job is Jason Pinnock, whom the Giants claimed off of waivers from the Jets just prior to the regular season last year. Despite playing his rookie year as a cornerback for the Jets, Pinnock filled in for McKinney when he sustained a few broken fingers last year, starting five games in the free safety’s place. He put together a strong sample to put his name in the race early, but he was sidelined in the spring, keeping him from fielding any snaps with the first team until he can return in training camp.

Dane Belton is another name to look at for the position. The fourth-round rookie started five games, as well, last year. He showed a nose for the football in limited time with two interceptions, three passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries. Like Pinnock, Belton missed the spring but should return for training camp in time to compete for the starting job next to McKinney.

With Pinnock and Belton out, veteran free agent signing Bobby McCain and converted cornerback Nick McCloud split reps for the starting spot this spring. McCain is used to the starting role, performing as a full-time starter for Miami and Washington since 2018. His presence provides New York with a reliable starter if none of the other contenders emerge as runaway favorites. He graded out with the worst run defense of any safety in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so he may not be the perfect player to pair with McKinney, but he can stand in if needed.

McCloud is an interesting name in the competition. Another young name on the roster, McCloud started eight games at cornerback for the Giants in his sophomore season last year. He displayed a strong all-around game. While not lacking in run defense, McCloud was decent in coverage, as well, recording seven passes defensed. The Giants lined Love up all over the field last year, and they worked McCloud in a similar manner this spring. If he shows that he’s a good fit in that versatile role, he may have a strong case for a starting gig.

That about sums it up. Pinnock is an early favorite after a strong fill-in performance last season. Belton should also have an opportunity to expand his role from last year but should factor into the defensive back rotation, regardless. McCloud could fit best into a versatile role. While McCain remains a strong option if no one succeeds in separating themselves from the pack.

Jets Set To Hold RB2 Battle

The Jets are working with a deep, young running backs room, forcing each back to prove his mettle early and often. Michael Carter answered that call as a fourth-round rookie in 2021. Last year was supposed to be the takeover of rookie second-round pick Breece Hall, but a torn ACL ended his season after only seven weeks. Hall should return to the starting role, but with their No. 1 coming back from a serious injury, the RB2 spot becomes that much more important.

Despite falling off a bit in production last season after a strong rookie year, Carter is currently in line to enter training camp as the No. 2 back, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Carter started 11 games in his rookie year, racking up 639 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 325 yards receiving. He had seized a lead-back role, and many expected him to take a step forward in his sophomore season. This led to a bit of a surprise when New York took Hall 36th overall in last year’s draft.

Carter started off the 2022 season splitting carries with Hall but taking the majority of the workload. Eventually, Hall took the reins and became a bell-cow back for the four remaining healthy games of his season. Hall’s injury opened the door for Carter to return to the spotlight. Instead, Carter’s usage stayed stagnant as backs like James Robinson and Ty Johnson were given opportunities to split the load with him. Eventually, undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight was elevated from the practice squad and took the majority of the carriers for the final seven weeks of the season.

Knight should be one of Carter’s competitors for the primary backup role. Knight came in last year and, over his first four games, ran the ball 59 times for 253 yards, ending his season with 300 total rushing yards and a touchdown. Costello posits that Carter’s confidence was shaken a bit when the team traded for Robinson and then turned to Knight. Regardless, Knight outperformed Carter in that final stretch of the season, and if that’s any indication of how the position battle will go, Carter has his work cut out for him.

The other name competing for the spot is a newcomer. The Jets selected Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda in the fifth-round of the draft this year. Abanikanda declared for the draft after a breakout junior year in which he rushed for 1,431 yards for an incredible 20 rushing touchdowns for the Panthers. He’ll be green to the game at the professional level, but he’s got plenty of tread left on the tires after only starting 17 games in his college career.

Carter should have a bit of a leg up on Knight and Abanikanda. He has more experience than Knight and Abanikanda to begin with. He also offers a bit more to his game. Throughout their careers, both college and NFL for Knight, the two younger backs have not had near the success receiving out of the backfield as Carter has. Carter’s ability to catch the ball may have pigeon-holed him into a third-down back role only in some situations, but combined with his early success rushing the football in New York, it should set him up nicely for a solid chance to regain his footing as the team’s No. 2 back.

Patriots, DeVante Parker Agree On Extension

Previously attached to a Dolphins-designed extension, DeVante Parker is no longer in a Patriots contract year.

The Patriots are giving the ninth-year wide receiver a three-year deal worth up to $33MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The contract includes $14MM between guarantees and per-game roster bonuses. No guaranteed money remained on Parker’s previous contract.

Parker’s previous deal — a three-year, $30.5MM pact agreed to in 2019 — was set to expire after the 2023 season. He was only carrying a $6.2MM cap number in his second Patriots campaign. The Dolphins traded Parker to the Patriots last year. In 13 Pats games, the former first-round pick caught 31 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns.

New England has been busy at wide receiver this offseason, signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year deal and hosting DeAndre Hopkins on a visit. The Pats made a push reach a deal with Hopkins while he was in Foxborough, but the former All-Pro remains a free agent. New England did join Tennessee in extending an offer to Hopkins, but Wednesday’s development shows the organization has notable plans for Parker as well.

Neither Hopkins nor Parker are known for their speed. Parker, 30, has finished last in Next Gen Stats’ average separation metric in each of the past three seasons. During Parker’s belated 2019 Dolphins breakout, the metric slotted the 6-foot-3 receiver in the bottom five. Parker still averaged 17.4 yards per reception during his first Patriots season. The Louisville product has one 1,000-yard season on his NFL resume — a 1,202-yard 2019 — but has been a starter for most of his career.

Parker profiles as an auxiliary pass catcher on team that now rosters Smith-Schuster and Mike Gesicki. Considering Smith-Schuster’s contract contains $16MM fully guaranteed and checked in at $8.5MM per year, it will be interesting to see if the Pats’ Parker deal outpaces both numbers in terms of base value.

The big-bodied weapon now joins Smith-Schuster in being signed beyond 2023. The Pats have Kendrick Bourne going into a contract year and selected Tyquan Thornton in last year’s second round. Parker went to the Pats in a pick-swap trade, one that sent the receiver and a fifth-rounder to New England and a third-rounder to Miami. Other teams pursued Parker, who wanted to land in Foxborough. The Patriots may be in better position to generate Parker production in 2023, seeing as Bill O’Brien — and not career-long defensive coach Matt Patricia — will be calling plays.