2023 August - Pro Football Rumors

Month: August 2023

Buccaneers WR Russell Gage Out For Season

August 17th, 2023 at 8:31am CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 17: Gage did not suffer an ACL tear, but Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times indicates the veteran wideout ruptured his right patellar tendon (Twitter link). Gage will undergo season-ending surgery this week.

AUGUST 16, 12:21pm: The injury will end up sidelining Gage for the season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. While it is not known if Gage suffered a torn ACL, that would stand to be the expected prognosis here. Either way, the Bucs will be down one of their top pass catchers for the 2023 slate.

10:53am: As the Buccaneers’ offense sputtered, Russell Gage‘s first Tampa Bay season did not go quite as planned. The sixth-year wide receiver may not step on the field for a second Bucs campaign.

Gage suffered a non-contact knee injury during a joint practice with the Jets on Wednesday, and Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report the belief is this malady will end the veteran pass catcher’s season (Twitter link). A cart transported Gage off the practice field.

Ahead of Tom Brady‘s third and final season with the team, the Bucs gave Gage a three-year, $30MM deal to join Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. After improving over the course of his Falcons rookie contract, Gage generated interest on the open market. But he did not take off with the Bucs. The LSU alum totaled 51 catches for 426 yards — numbers well off his 2020 and ’21 outputs — as the Bucs’ offense fell off a cliff in 2022. Gage’s first Bucs season also ended with a concussion sustained in the team’s wild-card loss. He soon accepted a pay cut — in exchange for additional 2023 guarantees — to stay with the team.

Tampa Bay still rosters its long-running Evans-Godwin tandem, but Scotty Miller is now with the Falcons after signing a low-cost free agency pact. A Gage injury will would this year’s team more as well, with Julio Jones also no longer on the roster. The Bucs drafted Trey Palmer in Round 6, but their offense — to be quarterbacked by Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask — will be down its expected WR3 if this report turns out to be accurate.

Gage, 27, topped 700 receiving yards in both the 2020 and ’21 seasons in Atlanta, helping then-Matt Ryan-quarterbacked teams compensate for absences at the position. Gage broke through as an auxiliary option initially due to Jones’ hamstring injury in 2020 and then stepped up as Ryan’s top wideout in 2021 after Calvin Ridley left the team midway through that season. Those two showings catapulted Gage into free agency, and the Bucs — despite having Evans signed to an $18MM-per-year deal and franchise-tagging Godwin — authorized a third eight-figure-per-year wideout accord.

Losing Gage would represent familiar territory for the Bucs, who saw Ryan Jensen go down with a regular-season-ending knee malady during training camp last year. While Jensen returned in time for the wild-card loss to the Cowboys, he may not be a lock to start this season on time.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Leaves Camp Due To Personal Matter

August 16th, 2023 at 10:17pm CST by Ely Allen

Once again, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is away from the team this preseason. After spending about a week away from the team rehabilitating a nagging ankle injury amidst contract struggles, Taylor returned to camp just two days ago. Now, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Taylor has left camp once again, this time due to a personal matter.

Schefter’s colleague at ESPN, Stephen Holder, reported that, according to “multiple sources,” the personal matter Taylor is attending to is completely legitimate. It must be since, despite the recent disagreements over his contract, the Colts classified his absence as “excused” in a team statement, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

News isn’t likely to be released concerning the personal matter that Taylor is dealing with, but although it seemingly has nothing to do with the contract issues Taylor and the Colts face, it’s impossible not to add that context to the situation. Regardless of whether or not it was his intention, this personal matter allows Taylor to continue his holdout from team camp. He is technically not missing much anyway, as he remains on the physically unable to perform list nursing the ankle injury that hampered him throughout most of the 2022 season.

This new absence doesn’t really add any new information to the existing situation and issues. Taylor is still dealing with the ankle injury. Taylor still has concerns about his future in Indianapolis that the team seemingly has no interest in discussing. All this new absence does is prolong the inevitable conversations that will need to take place.

In the meantime, the Colts will continue rolling with Deon Jackson, Kenyan Drake, and a hampered Zack Moss through the preseason. There’s still time to work things out and get Taylor back on the field before the regular season, but with Taylor out of the building once again, it will be a bit less time.

Offseason In Review: Chicago Bears

August 16th, 2023 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Coming into this offseason with the most cap space, the Bears used it in different ways. In addition to outbidding competitors for Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago filled other needs at guard and defensive end. GM Ryan Poles‘ second draft also is set to include multiple Week 1 starters, but this offseason — and more after that — will be defined by the trade the second-year GM made in March. This Bears regime made a bet on the previous staff’s quarterback investment and acquired a number of high-value assets to do so.

Trades:

Traded No. 1 overall pick to Panthers for WR D.J. Moore, 2023, 2024 first-round picks, 2023, ’25 second-rounders

The Bears trudged into the Poles era without a first-round pick, a familiar feeling for a team that entered the 2019 and ’20 drafts without Round 1 capital. This trade will give Chicago two 2024 first-rounders — the team last made multiple first-round choices in 2003 — while providing Justin Fields with his best pro receiver. Still, the Bears will bet on Fields plus assets over Bryce Young, a quarterback who came into this draft as a higher-regarded prospect than Fields was in 2021.

Teams have dealt the No. 1 overall pick earlier than the Bears. The Buccaneers moved what became the 1984 top pick — in a 1983 deal with the Bengals for QB Jack Thompson — before knowing where that selection would land. That separated what the Bears did this year. Two months after seeing a miraculous Texans win give them the No. 1 pick, the Bears dealt it to the Panthers before free agency. That marks new territory in the modern NFL. Since the draft moved to April in 1976, no team knowing it held the No. 1 pick had traded the choice before mid-April.

Poles preferred to have his cards arranged before the free agent market opened, and the March 10 swap led to the Panthers having more clarity before free agency than the Bears, who dropped down to No. 9 overall. Rather than spend more time scouting this year’s QB class, Poles made good on his January indication the team would need to be wowed by one of this year’s prospects to pass on a future with Fields.

Poles has been open about the Texans being included in a three-team deal that would have allowed the Bears to drop from No. 1 to No. 2 to No. 9. The Raiders and Cardinals were also connected to interest in the top pick, but the Texans and Panthers emerged as the only serious buyers. Once Houston showed trepidation, Carolina and Chicago cut out the middle man and made a direct swap. Poles brought up Brian Burns and Derrick Brown, but the Panthers preferred to hang onto their rookie-contract D-linemen. The Bears GM had spoken to Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson for advice on how to construct a high-profile trade involving picks and players, and the NFL GM moved to Moore, who became a mandatory piece once the Panthers took Burns and Brown off the table.

In exchange for allowing the Panthers to retain their No. 38 overall pick this year, the Bears pried two second-rounders — No. 61 this year and a 2025 choice — from the NFC South club. That should be a win for Chicago, which now has Moore signed through 2025. The Panthers gave Moore a three-year, $61.88MM extension hours before the receiver market ignited — via Davante Adams‘ $28MM-per-year Raiders deal — in March 2022, but after Matt Rhule‘s October 2022 firing, sharks circled. Carolina only moved Christian McCaffrey and Chosen Anderson before the trade deadline, rebuffing a big Rams Burns offer and holding onto Moore, Brown and other young pieces. Saving Moore for this Bears trade proved prudent, but it also stripped the Panthers of their longtime No. 1 wideout.

The Bears benefited from the 2022 contract timing, with Moore tied to $16.1MM cap numbers in 2024 and ’25, and the cap space they carried into the offseason. Rather than attempt to provide Fields weaponry in a modest free agent class, the Bears traded for Moore and Chase Claypool. The latter swap has not panned out, but Moore has a much better track record. The 2018 first-round pick posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons despite Carolina running into annual QB trouble once Cam Newton‘s injuries accelerated a steep decline. Kyle Allen, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold represented the Panthers’ primary passers during that period (2019-21). As of now, it is not known if Moore will need to prepare for more of the same with Fields or if he will be an A.J. Brown-like piece that catalyzes a passer’s ascent.

While the Bears have been able to acquire receiving talent over the past decade, each WR1-caliber cog turned out to be a short-term fix. Brandon Marshall was with the team for three years, with one of them — 2012 — establishing a franchise single-season yardage record. Tandem partner Alshon Jeffery spent five years in the Windy City, thanks to a 2016 franchise tag. Allen Robinson carried otherwise-deficient Bears passing attacks from 2018-20, showing notable slippage while with Fields in ’21. Granted, Robinson’s 2022 Rams form pointed to a decline rather than Fields tanking his stock. In Moore, 26, the Bears will hope they have a long-term piece.

Chicago is banking on the quarterback at the helm of a 3-14 team to show significant improvement, and subsequent offseason moves equipped him with offensive line upgrades. For Fields’ historic rushing season (1,143 yards) last year — one that could have ended with the Ohio State alum eclipsing Lamar Jackson‘s QB record had the Bears not held him out in Week 18 — he has not shown too much as a passer. The Bears’ 22.2 pass attempts per game ranked last in the league in 2022, and Fields completed just 60.4% of his throws. The two-year Buckeyes starter also took a league-high 55 sacks.

This season will better determine if Fields was held back by a bottom-tier supporting cast or if the college star will bring genuine long-term concerns ahead of the Bears’ fifth-year option call. This trade certainly points to the Bears exercising Fields’ option, and potential Jalen Hurts-like strides would make 2024 extension territory for a Bears franchise that has struggled to develop homegrown QB talent for much of its existence.

Fields flopping would move Poles, Matt Eberflus and OC Luke Getsy onto shakier ground, and Young’s Carolina performance will obviously be tied to the Bears’ Fields path. For now, the Bears have a cost-controlled QB, more support around him and draft capital to accumulate more talent in 2024 and ’25.

Free agency additions:

Tremaine Edmunds, LB: Four years, $72MM ($41.8MM guaranteed)
Nate Davis, G: Three years, $30MM ($17.5MM guaranteed)
DeMarcus Walker, DL: Three years, $21MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
Yannick Ngakoue, DE: One year, $10.5MM ($9.9MM guaranteed)
T.J. Edwards, LB: Three years, $19.5MM ($7.9MM guaranteed)
Andrew Billings, DT: One year, $2.75MM ($2.31MM guaranteed)
P.J. Walker, QB: Two years, $4MM ($2MM guaranteed)
Travis Homer, RB: Two years, $4MM ($1.75MM guaranteed)
Robert Tonyan, TE: One year, $2.65MM ($1.25MM guaranteed)
D’Onta Foreman, RB: One year, $2MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Marcedes Lewis, TE: One year, $2MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Rasheem Green, DL: One year, $2.5MM ($850K guaranteed)
Dylan Cole, LB: One year, $1.23MM ($100K guaranteed)
Aviante Collins, OL: One year, $1MM

Eberflus was in Indianapolis when Shaquille Leonard signed a then-record off-ball linebacker contract. It cost nearly that much for the Bears to add Edmunds, who is now tied to an $18MM-per-year deal (fourth among ILBs) and $41.8MM fully guaranteed (third at the position). While Edmunds is going into his sixth season, he is somehow just 25. The Bears are entrusting Edmunds less than a year after trading away Roquan Smith, who sought a top-market contract (and eventually received it from the Ravens).

The Bears deemed Smith unworthy of this type of contract but authorized it for another 2018 first-rounder. Edmunds put together five seasons with at least 102 tackles, finishing that run despite missing four games last year. The Virginia Tech product’s four absences last season are not indicative of his durability; Edmunds missed just four games over his first four seasons. He earned Pro Bowl acclaim in 2020 and finished as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 overall linebacker last season, improving in coverage. He served as a key piece in the Bills’ climb.

Edmunds has not produced on the Leonard level, despite the Bears giving him $8MM more guaranteed, and he will be expected to be more consistent in Chicago. But the Bears not backloading the deal would allow them an easy 2025 escape from this big-ticket agreement.

The non-Edmunds market topped out at $10MM AAV (the Giants’ Bobby Okereke deal), while no other team ventured past $7MM per season for the other ILBs on the market. The Bears also struck early with Edwards, agreeing to terms with the multiyear Eagles contributor on a team-friendly accord that doubled as the legal tampering period’s first 2023 commitment. A northern Illinois native, Edwards rose from UDFA to three-down player in Philly. The 27-year-old defender finished with a monster contract year: 159 tackles (10 for loss), two sacks and seven passes defensed. The Eagles gave Edwards by far their most linebacker snaps last season (1,041).

It only took $6.5MM per year to land Edwards, and this contract effectively set the market for this crowded third tier of sorts at inside linebacker. But the two LB pledges on Day 1 of the tampering period illustrated the Bears’ interest in a position that, not unlike running back, has fallen far from its prestige peak. An Edmunds-Edwards duo will give Chicago a promising linebacker outlook, marking a major upgrade from the scraps assembled to staff last year defensive second level.

Early-April and early-June rumors depicted Bears interest in bolstering its pass-rushing corps, but going into camp, the team still lacked a proven edge threat. That changed when Ngakoue made the Bears his sixth NFL team, collecting more money than the other veteran edges who had lingered on the market into the summer. Surpassing the likes of Frank Clark, Justin Houston and ex-Bear Leonard Floyd in base value and guarantees, Ngakoue, 28, will be an upgrade for a Bears team that saw its pass rush predictably collapse after the trades of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. Poles landed second-, fourth- and sixth-rounders for that pair, but the Bears finished last in 2022 sacks (20). To help remedy the issue, the Bears signed the only player riding a seven-season streak of at least eight sacks.

While Houston loomed as a Bears backup plan, Ngakoue will anchor another pass rush. As the Colts crumbled, Ngakoue still totaled 9.5 sacks. With the Raiders in 2021, he racked up 10 to go with 23 QB hits. The Bears also added Walker and Green as supporting rushers, and while Walker offers outside- and inside-rushing ability, the team will count on Ngakoue to keep up his pace.

Walker, 28, is coming off a career-high seven sacks and 16 QB hits — the latter figure more than doubling his career best — with the Titans. This Bears deal marks a turning point for Walker, who washed out of Denver as a second-round pick and played for near-vet-minimum money in Houston and Tennessee. Green has totaled 10 sacks over the past two seasons, with his last year in a 4-3 scheme — with the Seahawks in 2021 — resulting in a career-high 15 QB hits. Pass rush will likely be a top 2024 need, but this group features better pieces compared to how Chicago’s post-Mack outfit looked at this time last year.

Not all of Fields’ 55 sacks taken were on the Bears’ O-line, but they made a clear effort to repair some of the damage. Davis came in first, securing eight-figure-per-year money after four seasons as a Titans starter. Davis was in place for each of Derrick Henry‘s rushing titles, and as the line dealt with steady tackle issues — from Taylor Lewan‘s knee trouble to its post-Jack Conklin RT staffing concerns — Davis was a constant during the team’s 2021 surge to the AFC’s top seed. PFF rated Davis as the No. 14 run-blocking guard from 2020-22, though ESPN’s pass block win rate charged him with an alarming eight sacks allowed last season.

The Bears pursued both Mike McGlinchey and Isaac Seumalo, whose Eagles tenure overlapped with assistant GM Ian Cunningham‘s. They decided on Davis at guard and let the Broncos win the McGlinchey sweepstakes, which required a top-six RT AAV ($17.5MM) and a practical guarantee north of $50MM. More changes are coming up front for Chicago, which is moving converted tackle Teven Jenkins once again — from right guard to left guard, to accommodate Davis — and shifting Cody Whitehair back to center. The Bears’ longest-tenured offensive starter, Whitehair had moved to guard in 2019 to accommodate James Daniels. But the 31-year-old blocker spent his first three NFL seasons at center.

Davis’ presence helped Foreman effectively replace Henry, a low-cost Titans effort that provided some groundwork for a vicious running back offseason. Despite replacing both Henry and McCaffrey effectively over the past two years, Foreman, 27, could only score a $2MM deal. The bruising ex-third-rounder finished with a career-best 914 rushing yards (4.5 per tote) in 2022, getting there despite playing a minimal role before the CMC trade. Though, Foreman contributed next to nothing in the passing game with the Titans or Panthers.

Holding a three-man competition between Foreman, Khalil Herbert and fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson, the Bears will likely form a timeshare. Albeit in an injury-limited season, Herbert averaged 5.7 yards per carry and offers a speedier option compared to Foreman. While the Bears have not used Herbert in the passing game much either, he looks to be the early clubhouse leader.

Getsy reunited with both Tonyan and Lewis, giving the Bears one of the league’s deepest tight end contingents. Joining starter Cole Kmet, the ex-Packers offer differing skillsets. Lewis, 39, has been one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends for some time. He will be blazing a new trail for tight ends, being set to become the first 18th-year player at the position. The longtime Jaguar-turned-Matt LaFleur-era Packer only missed one game while with Green Bay; he will be in position to boost Chicago’s ground game.

Tonyan, 29, recovered from the ACL tear that derailed his 2021 contract year, but he did not show the form he flashed in 2020. Failing to match his lofty (and unsustainable) 11 touchdowns from the ’20 slate, Tonyan did play in all 17 Packers games last season. Now two years removed from the knee injury, Tonyan should be in better form with the Bears.

Re-signings:

Khari Blasingame, FB: Two years, $3.6MM ($1.95MM guaranteed)
Patrick Scales, LB: One year, $1.32MM ($1.1MM guaranteed)
Nathan Peterman, QB: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)
Dante Pettis, WR: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)

Notable losses:

Matthew Adams, LB
Angelo Blackson, DT
Breon Borders, CB
Tim Boyle, QB
Dane Cruikshank, DB
Dakota Dozier, G
Darrynton Evans, RB
Ryan Griffin, TE
N’Keal Harry, WR
DeAndre Houston-Carson, DB
Elijah Lee, LB
David Montgomery, RB
Nicholas Morrow, LB
Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL (released)
Sam Mustipher, OL
Mike Pennel, DT
Byron Pringle, WR
Riley Reiff, T
Michael Schofield, OL
Trevor Siemian, QB (released)
Joe Thomas, LB
Armon Watts, DL
Trevon Wesco, TE

In a merry-go-round among NFC running backs, the Bears tried to prevent Montgomery from landing elsewhere. As free agency’s first week progressed, the RB market stood frozen — a harbinger of what loomed at the position — before Montgomery helped break the ice. Although Poles said the Bears made an offer to retain Montgomery, he ended up with the Lions on a three-year, $18MM pact. This led Jamaal Williams to the Saints (three years, $12MM). The Lions had attempted to re-sign last year’s rushing TDs leader as well. As the Panthers gave Miles Sanders the largest guarantee in this year’s RB class, Foreman became available as a Montgomery consolation prize.

The Bears’ offer did not include any post-2023 guarantees, while Montgomery’s Lions deal contained $3MM guaranteed next year. Montgomery offered workmanlike production during his Bears rookie contract, surpassing 800 rushing yards each season and eclipsing 400 through the air in 2020. Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric placed Foreman (122) well ahead of Montgomery (minus-53) last season. Considering the Foreman signing cost the Bears a fraction of what it took for the Lions to add Montgomery, Poles’ club may have been right to stand down.

Rejoining ex-Panthers teammates Foreman and Moore, Walker started seven games with Carolina, which went 4-3 in those contests from 2020-22. Perhaps Moore’s most memorable play — the would-be game-winning 62-yard touchdown in Atlanta, were it not for a bizarre Moore personal foul — came on a Walker heave, and the ex-Rhule charge held off Baker Mayfield once the latter recovered from his high ankle sprain last season. Walker, 28, has yet to complete 60% of his passes in an NFL season.

Extensions and restructures:

Handed TE Cole Kmet four-year, $50MM extension ($22.89MM guaranteed)

Kmet agreed to a fairly team-friendly extension, one that places him in a tie for ninth in tight end AAV. Kmet’s pact matches Hunter Henry‘s average salary — on a contract agreed to in March 2021 — so the Bears locking down their starter through 2027 at this rate could certainly age well. Kmet is an Illinois native coming off back-to-back seasons with 500-plus receiving yards. As Fields attempts to grow into a franchise QB, the Bears will bet on Kmet helping to take him there.

Chosen with Chicago’s first pick in 2020, Kmet took a step forward in 2021 by amassing a career-high 612 receiving yards. After the 6-foot-6 Notre Dame alum totaled no touchdowns that year, he caught seven for an anemic Bears passing attack last season. Kmet, 24, has never missed a game since being taken 43rd overall. While Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are going into contract years, the Bears have Moore and Kmet signed long term. It will be interesting to see if Chicago chooses to extend one of its auxiliary wideouts or looks to the draft to restock.

At tight end, Kmet committing long term stands to bring a new chapter for a Bears team that has needed to make a few outside hires (Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, Martellus Bennett) at the position in recent years.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, T (Tennessee) (signed)
Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)

Viewed as a possible floor for Jalen Carter, the Bears indeed hosted the controversial Georgia defensive tackle on a visit. Carter had met with every team picking from Nos. 5-10, but Chicago joined Seattle, Las Vegas and Atlanta in passing on the high-risk/high-reward prospect. The Bears picked up a fourth-round pick to pass on Carter, sending him to the Eagles. They then circled back to their right tackle pursuit, and Wright is weeks away from taking over as a starter.

Wright spent more time on the right side than left while at Tennessee, but be brings considerable experience at both spots. A first-team All-SEC blocker last year, Wright started 40 games in college — 27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle — and the Bears saw enough to pass on hometown product Peter Skoronski. Whereas the Titans have made the expected choice to relocate Skoronski to guard, Wright — the Volunteers’ right tackle in 2020 and ’22 — will play alongside Davis and work opposite 2022 rookie success story Braxton Jones.

This represents the Bears’ first Round 1 investment in the O-line since they took Kyle Long in 2013. With both Jones and Wright being Poles investments, the Bears have the makings of a long-term tackle duo. This comes after the team has scrambled here for the past two seasons, since severing ties with its long-running Charles Leno–Bobby Massie pair. The Bears used Jason Peters as an emergency left tackle stopgap in 2021 and tried Jenkins at both tackle posts, before determining he worked better as a guard. Riley Reiff ended up Chicago’s right-sider to close last season, replacing Larry Borom, who is now in place as the swingman.

Stevenson is ticketed to start as a rookie, which will give the Bears a cornerback trio featuring three second-rounders — Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Johnson arrived during Ryan Pace‘s GM tenure and looms as an extension candidate, but the Poles staff’s cornerback scouting abilities will be judged this year through Gordon and Stevenson’s play. Stevenson is set to relocate Gordon to a slot role. A Georgia transfer, Stevenson played primarily on the outside during his final two college seasons. If the Bears extend Johnson, they could have the opportunity for rare continuity at this position — due to Stevenson and Gordon being tied to rookie deals for years.

As of now, Billings and Justin Jones are ahead of the two Day 3 defensive tackles. Neither Pickens nor Dexter were productive pass rushers in college, but the Colts’ D-tackle setup reveals the position’s importance in Eberflus’ scheme. The Colts traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner in 2020 and gave Grover Stewart a $10MM-per-year extension later that year. If nothing else, Dexter and Pickens create 2023 depth at the position. With both projected starters on expiring contracts, the Day 2 draftees should be expected to challenge for starting jobs in 2024.

Other:

Assistant GM Ian Cunningham interviewed for Cardinals, Titans’ GM jobs
Hired Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as team president
Added Jon Hoke as defensive pass-game coordinator
Claimed DT Bravvion Roy, LB Mykal Walker off waivers from Panthers, Falcons
Signed 14 undrafted free agents

One of four Eagles execs to become an assistant GM elsewhere in 2022, Cunningham found himself in demand this year. Both the Cardinals and Titans interviewed Poles’ chief second. The Titans brought him in for two interviews, while a report indicated the Cards offered Cunningham their GM job (one that ultimately went to Monti Ossenfort). Rather than leave for the desert, Cunningham will stay on this Bears rebuild. It should be expected more teams show interest down the road.

Warren, 59, will fill the role Ted Phillips held for more than 20 years. While Warren is now best known for a tenure as the Big Ten commissioner, he has tours of duty with the Rams, Lions and Vikings. Most notably, Warren spent 15 years in Minnesota. The Bears previously had their GMs report to Phillips, and they are not deviating. Although Warren will run the business side, Poles will report to him. Warren should be expected to have a say in how the Bears proceed with Poles and Eberflus, being positioned as the exec who would play the lead role in shaping the team’s next HC-GM combo.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

D.J. Moore, WR: $20.17MM
Eddie Jackson, S: $17.1MM
Tremaine Edmunds, LB: $14.69MM
Cody Whitehair, OL: $14.1MM
Yannick Ngakoue, DE: $10.44MM
Justin Jones, DT: $7.4MM
Cole Kmet, TE: $7.36MM
Nate Davis, G: $6.93MM
DeMarcus Walker, DL: $6.42MM
Lucas Patrick, OL: $5.38MM

Aaron Rodgers‘ NFC North exit creates more uncertainty in a division he largely controlled during his 15-year starter run. In addition to the Packers’ Jordan Love transition, the Vikings overhauling their defensive staff — after a season in which they finished 13-4 with a negative point differential — puts the Lions in a rare spot as a trendy favorite. Detroit has never won the NFC North, with its last division crown coming when they won the NFC Central in 1993. Las Vegas gives the Bears the longest odds to win this division, but even after their worst regular season since since 1969, they are not viewed as a hopeless underdog.

In what could be a wide-open division in a conference short on muscle, eyes will be on the QB bet Poles made. While recent draftees should generate attention as this Bears regime determines potential pillars, Fields’ progress will obviously shape Chicago’s season. How Fields and Young’s trajectories look coming out of this season will illuminate the second QB fork-in-the-road moment the Bears have faced over the past decade. Young will become one of the biggest what-ifs in Bears history, but if Fields makes a noticeable leap as a passer this season, the Panthers QB’s status probably will not haunt the NFC North franchise in the way Patrick Mahomes has.

Titans WR Treylon Burks Suffers LCL Sprain

August 16th, 2023 at 9:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Tennessee experienced a scare today when wide receiver Treylon Burks hobbled off the field after hauling in a deep throw in practice, as seen in this clip tweeted out by Leighton Glodek of StrictlyFootball. Luckily, it appears that Burks and the Titans dodged a bullet as an MRI revealed that he only suffered an LCL sprain, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The knee injury will cause Burks to miss time, but he won’t be forced to miss the significant amount of time he would’ve had to miss with a ligament tear. Rapoport estimates that Burks will be out for “a few weeks.” It’s unclear if that means he’ll be ready to suit up for Week 1 of the regular season or if he’ll miss the first few weeks of the year.

This continues a less than ideal start to Burks’s NFL career after missing six games with injuries as a rookie. Due to that injury history, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Titans ease him back to the field slowly to ensure that whenever he does make his return, it will be for the long run.

If Burks is forced to miss regular season time, newly acquired star wideout DeAndre Hopkins will only see more early targets as a result. Behind Hopkins, the Titans have a lot of young, inexperienced receivers that they need to get going. Chris Moore, who had a breakout season with the Texans last year, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who started 17 games for the Titans in 2022, are the most veteran receivers who likely are on the field right now with Hopkins with the first-team offense. Past those three, second-year fifth-round pick Kyle Philips is expected to take a larger role in his sophomore season.

The team’s depth at wide receiver is virtually nonexistent, so losing Burks for any amount of time is a brutal loss for the offense. Tennessee will be hoping to see Burks back on the field in time for the regular season and will be hoping to see him take the next step from an average rookie year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/16/23

August 16th, 2023 at 8:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

Waived from IR with injury settlement: DE Jalen Redmond

Denver Broncos

Signed: RB Dwayne Washington
Reverted to IR: K Elliott Fry
Waived: DT Forrest Merrill

Detroit Lions

Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Trey Quinn

Green Bay Packers

Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Jeff Cotton

Kansas City Chiefs

Reverted to IR: CB Anthony Witherstone

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: CB Matt Hankins
Waived/injured: CB Kemon Hall

New York Giants

Reverted to IR: T Devery Hamilton
Waived/injured: LB Troy Brown

New York Jets

Waived/injured: CB Javelin Guidry
Waived from IR with injury settlement: QB Chris Streveler

San Francisco 49ers

Released from IR with injury settlement: DE Darryl Johnson

Tennessee Titans

Signed: DT Michael Dwumfour
Waived: OLB Zach McCloud

Fry goes unclaimed on the waiver wire after being waived with an injury designation yesterday by the Broncos. This could mean that Brett Maher won’t be able to run away with the job to replace longtime kicker Brandon McManus this year. With Fry remaining on the roster, Maher will need to stay sharp in order to stay the only active kicker on the team’s depth chart.

Guidry is expected to undergo surgery after injuring his knee in a joint practice with the Buccaneers today, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The Jets will hope he lasts through waivers as he has impressed so far in camp. If he does, New York will likely revert him to injured reserve in order to keep him on the roster.

Falcons Place IOL Matt Hennessy On IR

August 16th, 2023 at 7:14pm CST by Ely Allen

Not having practiced since late July, third-year interior offensive lineman Matt Hennessy will head to injured reserve in Atlanta, according to Falcons digital managing editor Scott Bair. Hennessy has been dealing with an unspecified injury since then, one that will apparently require a stay on IR.

This continues what has been an up-and-down start to Hennessy’s NFL career thus far. After getting drafted in the third round out of Temple in 2020, Hennessy was used sparingly as a rookie, appearing in 13 games but only starting the final two of the season at center. With Alex Mack in San Francisco the following year, Hennessy took over as a full-time starter for the Falcons in 2021. Overall, Hennessy put forth a strong performance, boosted by elite run-blocking while struggling in pass protection.

Last year, the team decided to employ 2021 fourth-round pick Drew Dalman at the starting center spot after a training camp position battle, playing Hennessy only on special teams. A Week 9 injury placed starting left guard Elijah Wilkinson on IR, allowing Hennessy back into the starting lineup. A knee injury would force Hennessy onto IR for the next six weeks before he would eventually come back to start the final two games of the season.

Head coach Arthur Smith has said that Hennessy’s issue is related to something he was dealing with last year, so it’s possible that late-season knee injury is continuing to trouble him. In his absence, second-round rookie Matthew Bergeron has been consistently handling first-team duties for the Falcons. Hennessy entered camp as the team’s starting left guard but with the expectation that he would need to hold off Bergeron for the role.

The injury has not only opened the door to opportunity for Bergeron, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, second-year backup center Ryan Neuzil has benefitted, as well. While playing at left guard since losing the starting center job, Hennessy was still the top option to replace Dalman at center, should he succumb to injury. Hennessy’s chronic absence due to his own injury, though, has allowed Neuzil to work his way up the depth chart, making him the preferred option over Hennessy in certain injury situations.

It’s fortunate that the Falcons have such strong options to deal with Hennessy’s absence as it looks like he will be out for some time. According to another report from Ledbetter, Hennessy is expected to undergo surgery for his injury that will require a recovery period of 6-7 months, likely sidelining him for the entire 2023 season. If Hennessy is out for the year, that opens the door for Bergeron to start at left guard and Neuzil to solidify his role as the team’s top backup center.

In addition to the new roster spot opening up in Atlanta due to Hennessy’s move to IR, the Falcons filled the roster spot opened yesterday by linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji‘s placement on IR. According to Josh Alper of NBC Sports, Atlanta signed defensive lineman Delontae Scott to the roster today. A former undrafted free agent out of SMU, Scott has spent time in Green Bay, Pittsburgh, and Carolina over his first three years in the league. He provides some camp depth on defensive line for the rest of the preseason.

Patriots To Sign Ezekiel Elliott

August 16th, 2023 at 3:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 16: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that Elliott’s base compensation actually consists of $1.55MM in salary and a $600K signing bonus. To no surprise, much of the maximum $6MM value is tied to incentives for availability, playing time and production.

Elliott will earn $50K weekly in roster bonuses, and he can see further payments based on scrimmage yards totals. Bonuses in that regard are staggered at $300K increments, and can reach up to $1.5MM in the unlikely event he records 1,475 yards of offense (which would be his highest total since 2019). Playing time incentives are also included, and they max out at the 70% snap threshold, something Elliott is likewise doubtful to reach serving as Stevenson’s backup. As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler can be expected to see modest earnings in 2023 as he aims to build his 2024 free agent value.

AUGUST 14: The first major domino on the veteran running back market has fallen. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to sign with the Patriots on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the pact includes a base salary of $3MM and a $1MM signing bonus.

For some time now, New England has seemed to be the most logical destination for the former rushing champion. Elliott’s only official visit was with the Patriots, though the team has also shown interest in other veteran backs. The parties will now enter into an agreement as he looks to rebuild his value in a backup role. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that New England’s offer had been on the table for a matter of weeks, but it was “tweaked” yesterday.

The Patriots were connected for a stretch with Dalvin Cook, but finances led them to turn their attention to Elliott. Still, the team was believed to have a firm price point in mind which it was not prepared to exceed in a buyer’s market at the RB position. The same reportedly held true for other interested parties. Aside from Elliott, New England also kicked the tires on Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson; the latter two will need to look elsewhere for an opportunity given today’s news.

Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an expected end when he was released in a cost-shedding move. A return to Dallas to serve as a low-cost compliment to Tony Pollard remained a possibility to varying degrees during the offseason. The most recent update on that front, though, indicated a reunion was unlikely. Elliott, 28, will now join a new NFL team for the first time in his career.

The Patriots saw 2021 fourth-rounder Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as a capable lead back last season. He recorded 1,461 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns, figures he will aim to replicate in 2023. The team was thin on experience behind Stevenson, though, and Elliott will provide a boost in that regard. The latter averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season as he was used increasingly as a short-yardage specialist. Doing so in New England could make him an effective secondary option in the ground game, though he also has considerable starting experience should Stevenson miss time.

Improvements through the air are expected for New England with quarterback Mac Jones entering his third year, new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in place and a number of alterations having been made to the pass-catching corps. Production in the running game will still be a crucial element of the team’s ability to return to the postseason, however, and Elliott will have a role in that regard. Succeeding in it will help his new team along with his free agent value come next offseason.

Dolphins LT Terron Armstead Aiming To Play Week 1

August 16th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Terron Armstead has been at practice for a few weeks after being activated from the PUP list. The Dolphins left tackle is not a lock to have ramped up in time to play in the season opener, however.

Armstead underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this offseason, and his recovery from the procedure has him up against the clock to return to playing shape in time for Week 1. That process is ongoing, and the 32-year-old is well aware that he has plenty of work to do to be available when needed. He is encouraged by the progress he has made recently, though.

“I’m still getting ready. I don’t feel like I’m fully ready yet for the regular season, but we don’t have a game yet,” Armstead said, via the team’s website. “Still working through that process. Trying to get more reps to get more game-ready and get my body feeling optimal. Just get it as good as possible to go out and play some ball.”

The longtime Saints blindside blocker is entering the second season of his five-year, $75MM contract with Miami. He earned a fourth Pro Bowl nod in his debut Dolphins season, playing a critical role on the team’s new-look offensive line. That unit has seen further changes this offseason with the additions of Isaiah Wynn and Dan Feeney, but Armstead will again be counted on as the anchor of the Dolphins’ offensive front when on the field.

“We had an initial plan,” the latter added when asked about his current practice schedule. “But as we go and things kind of pop up or need more work in this area, less work in this area. So just playing it like that. I’ve been around for a long time now, so I know what’s needed to get prepared. I feel like it’s time to ramp up some more.”

If Armstead does miss time, Miami has a number of options to choose from as a spot-starter at the left tackle spot. None would be expected to deliver the same level of play, however, so the progress he continues to make in the coming days and weeks will be worth watching closely.

NFC North Rumors: Tom, Bears, Vikes, Lions

August 16th, 2023 at 1:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

This offseason, Zach Tom loomed as a challenger for either the Packers‘ center or right tackle spots. While it is not known just yet where the second-year blocker will end up, it looks like his playing time will increase. Tom is going to end up starting, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic notes (subscription required). A fourth-round pick out of Wake Forest, Tom started five of the nine games he played last season and saw time at four of the five O-line positions (all but center). Tom did start at center for the Demon Deacons, however, playing there and at left tackle in college. Former second-round pick Josh Myers has been the Packers’ primary center over the past two seasons. Should Tom land at right tackle, Yosh Nijman — whom the team gave a second-round RFA tender this offseason — would be on track to be a backup.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

The Bears‘ running back race is still too early to call, but The Athletic’s Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain posit that Khalil Herbert is the current frontronner. David Montgomery‘s top backup last season, Herbert flashed when available. The former sixth-round pick averaged 5.7 yards per carry, helping the Bears lead the league in rushing. With Montgomery now in Detroit, the Bears have held a three-man competition — between Herbert, UFA pickup D’Onta Foreman and fourth-rounder Roschon Johnson — to replace him. Even if Herbert wins the starter gig, Chicago’s run-oriented attack will likely require regular workloads from multiple backs.
Veteran running back Mike Davis stopped through Minneapolis for a recent Vikings workout, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Minnesota, which is all set to complete a Dalvin Cook-to-Alexander Mattison transition, recently auditioned Kareem Hunt as well. Beyond Mattison, the Vikings roster Ty Chandler (2022, Round 5) and DeWayne McBride (2023, Round 7) as their top backfield options. Davis, 30, spent last season with the Ravens but did not carve out much playing time — even for a team reeling at running back. He fared better with the Panthers and Falcons in 2020 and 2021, respectively, combining for 1,145 rushing yards in that span.
Byron Murphy played a versatile role for the Cardinals, lining up in the slot and outside. The Vikings are planning to capitalize on Murphy’s slot experience, with ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert noting the free agency pickup will move inside when the team shifts to its nickel package. With nickel and dime sets now more common than base alignments, Murphy should be expected to see plenty of slot work in Minnesota.
A 2022 second-round pick, Andrew Booth has not made a strong case to move into the starting lineup alongside Murphy. The Clemson product is running Akayleb Evans, a 2022 fourth-rounder, along with Joejuan Williams and rookie third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon. Williams and Blackmon look to be competing for the CB3 role, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis adds, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling notes the rookie is believed to be ahead of the former Patriots second-rounder. Evans, who played 162 defensive snaps last season, has spent the most time with the first team of this group. The Vikings have rebooted at corner, letting both Patrick Peterson and slot Chandon Sullivan walk in free agency.
Danielle Hunter‘s reworked deal calls for a $20.95MM cap hit, and although this is now a contract year for the veteran defensive end, two void years remain on the deal (Twitter links via Goessling and ESPN’s Field Yates). Hunter’s $3MM in incentives are classified as not likely to be earned, per Goessling. The void years would leave the Vikings with a $14.9MM dead-money hit if they do not re-sign Hunter before the 2024 league year begins. Void years led to the Vikings taking a $7.5MM dead-money hit when Dalvin Tomlinson left in free agency this year.
While Teddy Bridgewater secured $2.5MM guaranteed from the Lions, GOPHNX.com’s Howard Balzer tweets the veteran QB’s Lions deal is worth $3MM in base value. The Lions used a void year, keeping the cap number at $2.66MM.

Panthers Place WR Damiere Byrd On IR

August 16th, 2023 at 12:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Returning to the Panthers this offseason, Damiere Byrd no longer appears in the team’s plans. The Panthers placed the veteran wide receiver on IR on Wednesday.

The team moved Byrd off its 90-man roster in order to sign defensive back Collin Duncan, a rookie out of Mississippi State. Byrd suffered what Frank Reich called a significant hamstring injury, one that will sideline the well-traveled pass catcher for at least eight weeks. Byrd will require surgery, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.

With the Panthers moving Byrd to IR now, only an injury settlement — which would relocate him from Carolina’s IR to free agency — would allow him to play this year. Byrd could resurface once recovered from this malady, but he will be on the shelf for an extended period. Waiting on Byrd to recover — ahead of a potential in-season IR stay — would have required Carolina to use one of its 53-man roster spots. Instead, Byrd is out of the picture.

The Panthers, who rostered the 5-foot-9 speedster from 2016-18, brought him back on a one-year, $1.32MM deal that included just $153K guaranteed. Since leaving Charlotte back in 2019, Byrd had been with the Cardinals, Patriots, Bears and Falcons. He spent one season with each team over the past four years but was competing for a backup role with the Panthers.

With Carolina readying to use Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Jonathan Mingo as its starters, Byrd was battling for one of the team’s final receiving spots. Terrace Marshall is assured of a job, with Laviska Shenault likely still in the team’s plans as well. Byrd, 30, averaged 20.8 yards per catch last season (13/268) with the Falcons last year. His best year came in New England, when Cam Newton — Byrd’s QB during his first Carolina stint — targeted him regularly during a 47-catch, 604-yard season.

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