Texans To Sign DT Byron Cowart
Byron Cowart will join a second team this offseason. The former Patriots starter caught on with the Chiefs in March, but the defending champions quickly cut him. The Texans will take a flier.
Houston is signing Cowart, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. Best known for being a full-time starter with New England in 2020, Cowart has not started a game since. He spent last season with the Colts. Texans GM Nick Caserio was with the Patriots when they drafted Cowart in the 2019 fifth round.
Cowart saw an injury derail his 2021 season. The Patriots stashed the 300-pound defender on their reserve/PUP list to start the season but later allowed his return-to-practice period to expire. That ended his season, and the Pats moved on just before training camp began last year. The Colts picked up Cowart and used him as a backup in 17 games. He made 12 tackles (two for loss) during a season in which he played 227 defensive snaps.
Pro Football Focus did not rank Cowart highly last year, slotting him outside the top 100 among interior D-linemen. He will aim to bounce back with a rebuilding team. The Colts claimed Cowart’s rookie deal last summer, but after the Chiefs bailed on a veteran agreement, the former Maryland and Auburn D-lineman will attempt to stick on a veteran contract in Houston.
The Texans have added some D-tackle help this offseason, signing Sheldon Rankins and ex-DeMeco Ryans 49ers charge Hassan Ridgeway. The team also returns Maliek Collins, who signed during Caserio’s first offseason. The Texans, however, did not draft an interior D-lineman.
Matt Ryan To Become Broadcaster; QB Open To Resuming Playing Career
MAY 18: It does not sound like Ryan would take another QB gig just because it was offered. In an interview addressing his recent decision to join CBS, the former MVP said the fit would need to be perfect for him to play a 16th season.
“This situation, all the stars would have to [align],” Ryan said during a Sirius XM Radio appearance (via NFL.com). “I’ve just learned, at least during my experience in the 15 years I’ve played, to just not shut any doors.”
Ryan not filing retirement papers will keep him in line for the $12MM the Colts owe. He joins Colts predecessor Carson Wentz and Teddy Bridgewater as starter-level QBs available, but at this point, it sounds more likely than not Ryan will focus on broadcasting.
MAY 15: Matt Ryan has found the next football chapter of his life, albeit without fully closing the door on his first one resuming at some point. The veteran quarterback announced on Monday that he will be joining CBS as a studio and game analyst in 2023 (Twitter link). 
The 37-year-old added, however, that “this is not a retirement post.” He will obviously remain on the lookout for opportunities to join a team as a player again, something which his one-year stint with the Colts suggests would be unlikely at this point. Ryan was released in March in an expected move following a forgettable performance by he and the team on offense. He is due $12MM from the Colts in 2023.
“It is truly an honor to join this exceptional team at CBS Sports,” a statement from Ryan reads. “I have been blessed to have incredible teammates throughout my career and I am fortunate that will continue here working with and learning from the very best in the industry.”
The 2016 MVP enjoyed a 14-year stint with the Falcons, which included Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as well as a Super Bowl appearance. Ryan slowed down following Atlanta’s loss in the title game, however, and he was traded to Indianapolis last offseason. The Colts initially viewed him as a multi-year solution under center, despite his age, but their evaluation changed dramatically during the campaign.
Ryan found himself in and out of the lineup as the Colts pivoted from Frank Reich to Jeff Saturday as head coach. Overall, he went just 4-7-1 while posting a 14:13 touchdown-to-interception ratio. That confirmed the Colts’ need to go in a new direction once again at the QB position, which ultimately landed them Gardner Minshew in free agency and then Anthony Richardson in the draft.
Knowing his time in Indianapolis was likely to come to an end, Ryan stated after the season that he still viewed himself as being capable of playing at the NFL level. With the post-draft wave of free agency well underway, though, numerous starting- and backup-caliber signal-callers have found new homes. Ryan has not been involved in that player movement, helping lead to this decision to transition away from the field in the next phase of his football career.
Giants Sign Round 1 CB Deonte Banks
The highest Giants cornerback pick in seven years, Deonte Banks is now under contract. The No. 24 overall pick agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets.
Banks’ contract — worth $13.58MM due to his draft slot — will be fully guaranteed. The deal contains a fifth-year option, which the Giants will need to decide on by May 2026. For the foreseeable future, however, the Maryland product will be attached to this deal.
Although the Giants put in considerable work on this year’s lot of first-round-caliber wide receivers, they saw all four chosen from Nos. 20-23. GM Joe Schoen made an attempt to trade up into receiver territory, with Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison believed to be on the team’s radar. Once those pass catchers ended up going off the board — to the Ravens and Vikings at Nos. 22 and 23, respectively — the Giants decided to trade up one spot (via the Jaguars) to take Banks.
Just as he later did with the Bills during their trade talks, Jaguars GM Trent Baalke made Schoen confirm the Giants’ trade-up move was not for an offensive lineman. (The Jags eyed Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison, whom they eventually took after both trade-down moves.) The Giants also expressed concern the Ravens would take Banks (video link). Baltimore represented one of Banks’ many pre-draft visits.
One of the teams to bring in Banks for a pre-draft visit, the Giants will make him the centerpiece of their cornerback plan. The team released James Bradberry shortly after the 2022 draft and has current No. 1 corner Adoree’ Jackson going into a contract year. As of now, no extension plans are in the works re: Jackson, who is set to play out his three-year contract this season. With Banks possibly signed through 2027, he will be expected to commandeer a starting job this year.
Banks bounced back from a shoulder injury that ended his 2021 season after two games, but the 6-foot cover man emerged as a Terrapins starter as a true freshman in 2019. Banks held up against potential 2024 top-five pick Marvin Harrison Jr. last season, helping limit the Ohio State superstar to five receptions for 68 yards and no touchdowns. Banks broke up two passes in that game and blocked an extra point. For the season, Banks totaled eight pass breakups and an interception.
The Giants used a first-round pick on eventual bust Deandre Baker in 2019 but last chose a corner higher than Banks seven years ago (Eli Apple, at No. 10 overall). The team will need Banks to perform better than each to justify this investment. The team played without both its boundary corners — Jackson and Aaron Robinson — for much of last season. Robinson was lost for the year due to an early-season knee injury. Banks will be expected to surpass the former third-round pick on the Giants’ depth chart this season.
Jets, Carl Lawson Agree To Reworked Deal
A Carl Lawson contract adjustment will create considerable cap space for the Jets. Going into the final year of his deal, the veteran defensive end will now be tied to a partially incentivized structure in 2023.
The Jets will create $12.7MM in cap space by reworking Lawson’s contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Previously due a nonguaranteed $15MM in base salary, Lawson will now be tied to a $9MM paragraph 5 number. But $8MM of the new total is guaranteed, Yates adds.
Although this represents a salary reduction, Lawson can make $3MM back via incentives. The Jets signed the former Bengals fourth-rounder to a three-year, $45MM deal in 2021. Thursday’s move bumps the Jets to nearly $19MM in cap space. Lawson’s cap number will now check in at $3MM, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini adding (via Twitter) the contract now contains void years. Four void years are now present, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. This would stick the Jets with a dead-money cost if they do not re-sign Lawson before the 2024 league year.
This marks a bit of an interesting call, considering Lawson’s status as the Jets’ most proven edge rusher. The team’s D-line setup hinges on the seventh-year veteran, who anchors an edge group now featuring two recent first-round picks in Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald. Lawson finished with seven sacks last season, adding 24 quarterback hits in his first year back from a summer 2021 Achilles tear.
Robert Saleh indicated earlier this offseason Lawson’s status was secure, despite the $15.4MM in cap savings the Jets would have collected by moving on a year early. Given Lawson’s production, he did not seem in danger of not earning the $15MM in base pay — a number that would have been guaranteed once he landed on the Jets’ 53-man roster for Week 1 — but Cimini notes the Jets deemed the $15.7MM cap number too high (Twitter link). Rather than push the team to an impasse, Lawson will collect come guaranteed dough early.
Lawson led Jets edge players in sacks last season, though Quinnen Williams‘ 12 paced the team overall. Lawson’s return made a considerable difference in the Jets vaulting from last defensively in 2021 to fourth place last year. The 27-year-old pass rusher has yet to produce a 10-plus-sack season as a pro, but he has compiled four seasons of at least 20 QB hits. He stands to be one of the top edges available in free agency next year, should the Jets not come back to the table regarding an extension before the 2024 legal tampering period begins.
Thursday’s move also lays some groundwork for Aaron Rodgers‘ expected restructure, one that will increase the future Hall of Famer’s 2023 cap number. The recently acquired quarterback is tied to just a $1.2MM cap hit this year and a monstrous $107.6MM number in 2024. The Packers restructured Rodgers’ deal on his way out, and Jets GM Joe Douglas was surprised by how that came to pass. The team will hope Rodgers comes back for a 20th season next year, but an obvious contract adjustment will need to take place before that happens.
Latest On Potential Commanders Sale
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and John Keim recently reported on a prospectus drafted by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and its advisers. The “Harris” of that group is in reference to 76ers co-owner and potential buyer of the Commanders, Josh Harris. Harris and company drafted the 43-page document, titled “Commanders Investment Opportunity” and marked as “Privileged & Confidential,” to help pitch potential limited partners to buy into the deal with Harris. 
The reason this seems unfamiliar is because, in the past, buyers of franchises have historically been able to afford the purchase without the help of limited partners. As franchise prices continue to skyrocket, though, it should be expected that what has become known as an unnecessarily complicated financial agreement will be become the new norm.
In the document, Harris paints the picture of a future for the Commanders that includes boosted attendance, increased ticket sales and sponsorship revenue, and even a new stadium. There are almost certainly specific plans to address these assignments, but the report focuses on Harris’s assertion that the mere removal of current ownership should greatly assist in propelling the franchise towards those end goals.
Harris argues that the recent spiraling in attendance, ticket sales, and sponsorship revenue are all direct consequences of “allegations against current ownership.” He points out that the franchise has, historically, ranked among the best in the league for local revenue metrics and attendance, and that, with new ownership, opportunities will arise to help restimulate and drive local revenue. Harris predicts that the potential new ownership will more than double this year’s local revenue ($173MM) by the 2031-32 season, quoting estimates of $380MM or $466MM if the team were to build a new stadium.
On that front, Harris offers both the idea of auctioning off naming writes as an instant opportunity for cash as well as hope that FedEx Field may soon be vacant. Soon is a relative term, as the prospectus offers 2031 as a moving date, much later than recent executive rumors of 2027-28, when the team’s current contract expires. It mentions that the new stadium could be built on its current site or at the site of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium near the Capitol but proposes that Virginia may offer the best incentives. A stadium bill had been passed in the Virginia House and Senate before the infamous allegations killed the bill before it could get to the governor.
The prospectus did its job of helping Harris to pool together multiple limited partners and make his bid, but the complications of the situation do not stop there:
- It’s been reported plenty that the NFL finance committee has several points of contention with the current Harris-Commanders deal. One of the reported issues, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, is a reported “earnout” incentive in the deal. The “earnout” is reportedly a structure that would provide the seller, Dan Snyder, with “a deferred payment of an amount contingent on the franchise reaching specified financial benchmarks.” Its inclusion has been tabbed as one of many markers of an unusually complex agreement.
- The Commanders face further turbulence as the sale continues to stall. Jhabvala and Maske report that the team has been fined $425K by the District of Columbia and required to “refund more than $200K in deposits to D.C. ticket holders.” This punishment is reportedly part of a settlement reached with the office of D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb. Schwalb told The Post that the team “improperly held on to security deposits that it was required to return…misused those moneys…knowingly used the security deposit for purposes it wasn’t supposed to use the money for…(and) knowingly made it unnecessarily difficult for fans to get their money back.” Despite agreeing to the settlement, the team denies all the allegations listed above by Schwalb, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
- Lastly, in a bit of an older report from Maske and Jhabvala, legal representatives of more than 40 former Washington employees have urged for an added stipulation to the sale. The attorneys have asked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league’s team owners to prohibit Snyder “from suing his accusers who participated in the investigations as a provision of the sale of the franchise.” In a letter sent to Goodell, the attorneys requested that Goodell and company include “a contractual provision that forbids Mr. Snyder from initiating litigation against any of the individuals who participated in the various investigations into the team, including but not limited to” the 40-plus clients they represent. Due to Snyder’s “well-earned reputation for being vindictive and litigious,” the group fears retaliation for their clients’ participation.
Poll: Which Team Has Improved Most This Offseason?
Although several starter-caliber veterans remain unsigned, NFL teams have largely taken their big swings this offseason. Be it through free agency, the trade market or the draft, franchises have updated their rosters in hopes of improving in 2023.
Any conversation of 2023 improvement efforts probably needs to start with the Jets. Thanks to the Sacramento Kings’ playoff advancement, the Jets hold major North American sports’ longest postseason drought — at 12 years. After missing on a few rookie-contract QBs in the time since their last playoff run, the Jets now have Aaron Rodgers. The six nationally televised games on Gang Green’s docket illustrate Rodgers’ impact on the team’s perception, and although the four-time MVP will turn 40 before year’s end, he has made the Jets a free agency destination of sorts. The team added ex-Rodgers Packer wideouts Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, with those moves coming after the addition of safety Chuck Clark via trade.
As the Jets stands to be a factor in the one of the deepest conferences in recent memory, the Dolphins added Jalen Ramsey via trade and will pay Vic Fangio upwards of $4.5MM to run their defense. Miami will bank on Tua Tagovailoa health and showed faith in the oft-scrutinized passer by picking up his fifth-year option two months early.
The Ravens took their biggest steps yet — in the Lamar Jackson era, at least — to strengthen their receiving corps, keeping Odell Beckham Jr. from a Big Apple return (via a $15MM guarantee) and drafting Zay Flowers in the first round. The Browns bolstered their receiving corps as well, trading for Elijah Moore and drafting Cedric Tillman in Round 3. Cleveland also has now added two edge rushers — with Jadeveon Clowney not expected back — in Za’Darius Smith and Obo Okoronkwo to complement Myles Garrett. Cincinnati may have made the biggest outside addition in the AFC North, signing Orlando Brown Jr., though the team did lose both starting safeties (Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell) in free agency. The Steelers added two likely O-line starters, in Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo, and made changes at cornerback by signing Patrick Peterson and drafting Joey Porter Jr.
The returns from this year’s top AFC South headlines likely will not emerge until the mid-2020s, but the Texans, Colts and Titans drafted hopeful long-term QBs (C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis). Houston also gave up a bounty to move back into the top three for Will Anderson Jr.
Making Nathaniel Hackett just the third HC since the 1970 merger to be fired before his first season ended, the Broncos paid up — both in terms of draft capital and salary — to add Sean Payton. They also spent heavily to better protect Russell Wilson, signing Ben Powers and Mike McGlinchey. The latter will be Denver’s 11th Week 1 right tackle in 11 years. The Raiders added Tyree Wilson in Round 1, but the team’s Derek Carr-to-Jimmy Garoppolo transition injects considerably more injury risk into their equation.
Darren Waller going from Las Vegas to New York provided the centerpiece of the Giants’ hopeful pass-game upgrade, which includes a few midlevel wide receiver investments. The team added likely starters in cornerback Deonte Banks and center John Michael Schmitz. Dallas brought in Pro Bowlers Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore via trade, and Mike McCarthy will dust off his play-calling chops after Moore’s Chargers exit. The Eagles drafted two more Georgia defenders (Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith) in Round 1 but lost Javon Hargrave and both coordinators.
Few position groups received more attention than the Lions’ secondary. The rising team added Cameron Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley and second-rounder Brian Branch. This came after Jameson Williams‘ six-game gambling ban and after two first-round picks (Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell) receiving positional value-based criticism. While the Bears collected future assets from the Panthers in the Bryce Young swap, they pried D.J. Moore from Carolina and added two likely O-line starters in Nate Davis and Darnell Wright.
Carolina stopped its QB carousel with the Young move, and Frank Reich will be tasked with developing the atypical prospect. The Panthers also lured Ejiro Evero from the Broncos, despite Denver’s interest in retaining its DC. Though, the team’s receiving situation — now featuring Adam Thielen and DJ Chark — may take multiple years to fix post-Moore. The rest of the NFC South will also include new Week 1 starting QBs. The Saints made the second-most notable veteran quarterback addition this year — in giving Carr what amounts to a three-year, $100MM deal — and will hope this brings the QB stability Drew Brees‘ retirement stripped away two years ago.
While the 49ers lost another coordinator (DeMeco Ryans) to a head coaching job, they gave new DC Steve Wilks superior D-line talent via Hargrave’s $20MM-AAV deal. With the Colts taking Richardson at No. 4, the Seahawks doubled down on the recently re-signed Geno Smith by beginning this year’s receiver run with Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20. Seattle also zagged from its Pete Carroll–John Schneider M.O. by taking cornerback Devon Witherspoon at 5. This and the Dre’Mont Jones contract headlined a big year for Seahawks defensive investments.
What other teams deserve mention here? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Which team has improved most this offseason?
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Chicago Bears 12% (563)
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New York Jets 10% (474)
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Detroit Lions 9% (418)
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Philadelphia Eagles 7% (308)
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Seattle Seahawks 6% (293)
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Pittsburgh Steelers 6% (266)
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Houston Texans 5% (213)
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Cleveland Browns 4% (166)
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Green Bay Packers 3% (158)
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Atlanta Falcons 3% (156)
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New York Giants 3% (148)
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Dallas Cowboys 3% (130)
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Baltimore Ravens 3% (120)
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Miami Dolphins 3% (118)
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Minnesota Vikings 3% (117)
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New England Patriots 2% (108)
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Denver Broncos 2% (103)
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San Francisco 49ers 2% (96)
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Carolina Panthers 2% (92)
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Kansas City Chiefs 2% (84)
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Indianapolis Colts 2% (79)
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New Orleans Saints 2% (74)
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Las Vegas Raiders 1% (57)
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Washington Commanders 1% (51)
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Cincinnati Bengals 1% (49)
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Los Angeles Rams 1% (39)
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Buffalo Bills 1% (35)
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Tennessee Titans 1% (24)
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Jacksonville Jaguars 0% (22)
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Los Angeles Chargers 0% (20)
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Arizona Cardinals 0% (19)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0% (16)
Total votes: 4,616
Coaching Notes: Raiders, Castillo, Colts
The Raiders have made four new additions to their coaching staff for the offseason, naming their Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellows. On offense, Las Vegas will be mentoring Torrey Gill. On defense, Jamie Sharper and Troy Vincent Jr. will be joining the staff. Lastly, Matt Willis was hired with a focus on special teams.
Gill is currently an offensive graduate assistant at Oregon State. He’s previously coached wide receivers at New Mexico State and Whittier College after playing the position at Itawamba Community College and NAIA Tabor College.
Sharper is former Super Bowl champion linebacker for the Ravens who spent time with the Texans and Seahawks, as well. He just finished the 2022 XFL season where he worked as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for the DC Defenders. He previously worked as a scouting intern for Houston before serving as linebackers and defensive line coach for Georgetown.
Vincent is the son of NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent. His career has thus far consisted mainly of roles in Georgia high school football.
Willis is a former NFL wide receiver who spent time with the Ravens, Broncos, and Lions. He’s had two other stints with the fellowship, working with the Bears in 2017 and 2018.
Here are a few other rumors from around the NFL:
- The Commanders have made some minor adjustments to their offensive staff, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Juan Castillo, who was hired to coach tight ends despite his wealth of experience with the offensive line, has been working more with the offensive line at camp recently. They expect that he will be “toggling between the two positions” under the new title of run-game coordinator. The current assistant offensive line coach, Travelle Wharton, is expected to be promoted to offensive line coach, while Todd Storm will remove the “assistant” from his title to become tight ends coach.
- Colts head coach Shane Steichen has added a new assistant to his staff, according to Mike Chappell of FOX59/CBS4 Sports. The staff now rosters Charlie Gelman, who will serve as game manager.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/23
Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: P Daniel Whelan
- Waived: CB Benjie Franklin
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Jordan Murray
- Waived: P Joe Doyle
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Willie Taylor III
- Placed on IR: WR Jaylon Moore
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Tyler Hudson, S Jaiden Woodbey
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Scott Lashley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Hakeem Butler
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: TE Alize Mack
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/17/23
The only NFL rookie to sign his four-year contract today:
Green Bay Packers
- TE Tucker Kraft (third round, South Dakota State)
Kraft helped lead the Jackrabbits to an FCS National Championship last year. The 2022 season was a bit down for him statistically after a breakout junior season, but over his last two years in Brookings, Kraft caught 92 balls for 1,121 yards and nine touchdowns. He figures to work alongside Packers second-round rookie Luke Musgrave out of Oregon State to replace the production of Robert Tonyan, who signed with the division rival Bears this offseason.
Broncos Sign Third-Round LB Drew Sanders, Wrap Draft Class Deals
The Broncos did not have many draft choices this year, but they will have all their picks under contract before OTAs begin. Third-round linebacker Drew Sanders agreed to terms on his rookie deal Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.
After Denver traded into the back of the second round for Oklahoma wideout Marvin Mims, the team stuck with its No. 67 draft slot — obtained in a 2022 deal with the Colts, who traded up for safety Nick Cross — to select Sanders. The Arkansas prospect will be tied to a four-year deal worth approximately $5.7MM.
Sanders transferred from Alabama to Arkansas in 2022 and came through with strong sack production — especially for an off-ball linebacker. The 6-foot-4 defender totaled 9.5 sacks as a junior last year, pairing that eye-catching number with 103 tackles. Sanders skipped the Razorbacks’ Liberty Bowl game to prepare for the draft and will be expected to carve out a key role on Sean Payton‘s first Broncos team.
After cutting ties with Super Bowl 50 ILB starter Brandon Marshall in 2019, the Broncos have not devoted much in the way of resources to the off-ball linebacker spots. They do have both their starters from last season — Josey Jewell, Alex Singleton — attached to similar contracts. Tied to a two-year, $11MM pact, Jewell — a former fourth-round pick — is going into a walk year. The Broncos re-signed Singleton (three years, $18MM), but the former UDFA is heading into his age-30 season.
The Broncos have not made a notable edge defender investment this offseason; the team released 2022 trade acquisition Jacob Martin last week. Randy Gregory, Baron Browning and 2022 second-rounder Nik Bonitto remain in place as Denver’s top OLBs. With Gregory missing much of last season, the Broncos may be in the market for one of the many veteran edge defenders still available. The team’s situation also opens up a potential hybrid role for Sanders, who forced three fumbles last year.
Here is how the Broncos’ draft class turned out:
- Round 2, No. 63 (from Chiefs through Lions): Marvin Mims, WR (Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 67 (from Colts): Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 83 (from Seahawks): Riley Moss, CB (Iowa) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 183 (from Lions): JL Skinner, S (Boise State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 257 (from Saints): Alex Forsyth, C (Oregon) (signed)