Year: 2023

Teams Showing Interest In Commanders’ Chase Young, Montez Sweat

OCTOBER 25: At least one offer has come in for Sweat, according to Jhabvala, but no known proposals have arrived for Young. The Commanders had viewed Weeks 7 and 8 as critical for their deadline plans, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the team has given the impression it wants to retain Young despite his lack of a contract beyond this season. The 3-4 team losing to the favored Eagles could end up swaying the organization’s trade plans before the Halloween deadline. As of now, however, the Sweat-Young duo remains in place.

OCTOBER 24: As the trade deadline approaches, one of the key questions surrounding the Commanders is how they will proceed with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Both edge rushers are due for a new contract in the offseason, and their names have come up in trade speculation.

Washington is not actively looking to move either player, but reports have indicated offers will be considered if they check in near the team’s (as of yet unknown) asking price. Of course, that would require sufficient interest on the part of other teams which would be willing to not only pay a notable price in draft capital in a trade, but also make a long-term financial commitment.

On that point, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that “several identifiable teams” are prepared to pull off a trade for Young or Sweat and retain them via a long-term deal. Both former first-rounders have been full-time starters during their time in the nation’s capital, though Young’s tenure has been underwhelming in large part due to injuries. The former No. 2 pick has suited up for five games this year, however, and racked up five sacks and 18 QB pressures to date. Those figures have him on track to surpass his production from his Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2020.

Sweat, meanwhile, has put up nearly identical stats this year (5.5 sacks, 17 pressures) while remaining a key component of Washington’s defensive front. That unit already has two major commitments, of course, in the form of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Young and Sweat will each need lucrative second contracts starting in 2024; the former had his fifth-year option declined in the spring, while the latter is playing out his option this year ($11.5MM).

Many expect the Commanders to simply retain both Young and Sweat through the deadline and attempt to re-sign at least one of them ahead of free agency. As Sam Fortier and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post note, outside executives don’t foresee teams preparing much of a trade offer for either player given their status as a rental. Deadline deals often seen aging veterans moved to contenders for a postseason run, but an exception amongst pass rushers emerged last year when the Broncos dealt Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins for a haul including a first-round pick.

That deal was immediately followed by Chubb inking a five-year, $110MM deal in Miami, making his acquisition a long-term investment. It will be interesting to see if a team demonstrates a willingness to pull off a similar trade-and-sign arrangement in the case of Young and/or Sweat in the coming days.

Latest On Panthers, Brian Burns; Team Still Interested In Adding WR

Leading up to the 2022 trade deadline, the Panthers received a monster offer for Brian Burns. Clinging to their all-in period, the Rams offered two first-rounders and a third for the ascending edge rusher. With neither of those firsts coming in 2023, the Panthers turned down the proposal and committed to hammering out an extension.

Despite extensive talks this offseason, no Burns extension is in place. The Panthers have the 2019 first-round pick tied to a $16MM fifth-year option salary and will have the franchise tag at their disposal next year. Burns’ status with Carolina beyond this season is in doubt, however, and trade rumors are following the Pro Bowl edge once again.

The lack of progress between Burns and the Panthers could lead to a trade, and GM Scott Fitterer is believed to have taken calls on the team’s top pass rusher. Those inquiries do not look to have produced an offer anywhere close to what the Rams proposed last year, with ESPN.com’s David Newton noting Burns interest has been somewhat scarce this time around.

The Panthers do not want to deal Burns, and Newton adds a first-round pick would be required for the team to move on. The Rams’ offer may end up becoming a significant “what if?” in recent Panthers history, especially if the organization moves on before the Oct. 31 deadline for a lesser package. But hurdles exist on the way to an extension agreement.

Both sides want to come to terms on an extension, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, but enough of a gap exists here to cause legitimate concern no deal will come to pass. If the prospects of a re-up are bleak enough, the Panthers may consider reversing course and moving on from Burns. The Ron Rivera-era investment has continued his pace this season, notching four sacks and posting nine QB hits in six games.

Burns, 25, and the Panthers began negotiations back in June. Even that appeared a bit late, considering the Florida State alum became extension-eligible in January 2022. A deal near the Bradley ChubbMaxx Crosby level ($22-$24MM) was viewed as a potential Burns sweet spot, but these negotiations had not progressed by training camp. Burns initially said he did not want to miss any time due to his contract, but be backtracked by staging an unusual hold-in effort after he had already begun practicing. But Burns’ 11th-hour move did not produce a deal. The Panthers are open to negotiating in-season, though Burns confirmed the talks never came close to producing a deal before Week 1.

In addition to wielding the leverage that came from the Panthers turning down the Rams’ monster offer, Burns’ camp also could use the fact he was kept out of the Bears trade this March. Chicago brought up Burns and Derrick Brown, but Fitterer successfully kept both rookie-contract pass rushers out of the deal. This led to D.J. Moore‘s inclusion. While the Panthers made an effective commitment to Burns by turning down trade overtures in October 2022 and this past March, that could prove costly from a financial standpoint — especially with Nick Bosa boosting the edge defender market in September.

Bosa’s new deal came in a whopping $6MM north of T.J. Watt‘s previous edge-record AAV ($28MM). With Bosa at $34MM per year, it is logical to expect Burns’ asking price to have gone up. With the NFL’s third- and fourth-highest-paid edges — Joey Bosa ($27MM per year) and Myles Garrett ($25MM) — more accomplished than Burns, Carolina’s hesitancy is also understandable. The sides do not have to reach an agreement by the trade deadline, though that would provide some finality. But if no confidence exists the parties will come to terms in the future, Burns would be one of this year’s top trade pieces available.

Additionally, the Panthers are still believed to be targeting a wide receiver. They make for perhaps the league’s strangest buyer, being the only winless team remaining, but La Canfora adds the team continues to eye weaponry. The Panthers have not seen much from their non-Adam Thielen wing of targets, and with Bryce Young also offering an inconsistent start, it is logical for the team to be looking around for help.

The Panthers are open to moving Terrace Marshall, and while their prime window to augment their receiving corps may come next year, the previously rumored receiver interest persists days ahead of the deadline. Marshall said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) his role decrease has impacted the recent trade request.

Commanders Designate DT Phidarian Mathis For Return

The Commanders did not have much of a chance to deploy their set of Alabama alums at defensive tackle last season. Phidarian Mathis, a 2022 second-round pick, was lost for the season in Week 1. After another injury during training camp this year, Mathis encountered another delay.

But the team is on track to have Mathis back soon. The Commanders designated him for return from IR on Wednesday, starting a 21-day activation window. Mathis not being activated in that time would result in a season-ending IR stay, but considering last year’s No. 47 overall pick returned to practice after last September’s meniscus tear, he should be expected to return following a late-summer calf malady.

Mathis did not land on Washington’s active/PUP list in July, which made an IR move necessary since he had already begun practicing with the team. The Commanders have used one of their eight allotted IR activations this season, moving defensive end Efe Obada back to the 53-man roster. It would appear Mathis will join Obada soon, but things have changed a bit on Washington’s D-line since Mathis last appeared in a game.

Although Mathis worked as a backup behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne to start last season, 2022’s No. 47 overall pick was viewed as a potential Payne replacement. Contract talks between Payne and the Commanders did not produce a deal ahead of the 2018 first-rounder’s fifth-year option season, and with Allen inked long term, Payne entered his contract year in limbo. But he delivered his best season in 2022, registering a career-high 11.5 sacks. Washington franchise-tagged Payne in March and extended him soon after, starting a spree of D-tackle deals this offseason.

With both Payne and Allen signed to lucrative extensions, Mathis does not have a near-future road map to the starting lineup. Still, Mathis represents a potential high-end rotational option behind Washington’s longtime DT duo. The meniscus tear occurred four plays into Mathis’ career, but his return in time for training camp brought a positive development.

Washington heads into the trade deadline with a similar question at defensive end compared to its 2022 D-tackle quandary, with neither Montez Sweat nor Chase Young signed beyond this season. The team wants to hold onto both players but features a foggy outlook on the edge. Mathis’ presence offers additional security inside, however, and the team should find out more about the second-year DT’s capabilities soon.

Teams Calling Broncos On Patrick Surtain

The Broncos have a number of veterans who could be of interest in trades. Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Garett Bolles, Justin Simmons and Josey Jewell reside among them. But Patrick Surtain may sit multiple tiers above his teammates as a potential trade chip.

Although previous reports have indicated the Broncos have no interest in moving their All-Pro cornerback, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes teams have called about the third-year defender. Surtain is signed through 2024, but the former top-10 pick will be locked down through 2025 once the Broncos pick up his fifth-year option by May.

[RELATED: Latest On Broncos’ Deadline Plans]

Then-rookie GM George Paton faced criticism after passing on Justin Fields at No. 9 overall in 2021, but the Surtain investment has doubled as the veteran exec’s best move with the Broncos. The second-generation NFL cornerback has been a revelation in Denver, sliding in as one of the league’s best defensive players. Surtain, 23, finished last season as a first-team All-Pro. While both Chris Harris and Aqib Talib earned that distinction in Denver in the years since Champ Bailey‘s retirement, neither was a candidate to become the NFL’s highest-paid corner. Surtain moved into that territory last season and remains the team’s cornerstone piece to start Sean Payton‘s HC tenure.

It is logical for teams to contact the Broncos on Surtain, seeing as they are 2-5 and starting a new era. Paton remains, but Payton is widely viewed as the top power broker in Denver now. Payton was in place when the Saints extended Marshon Lattimore; New Orleans paid Lattimore in September 2021, at the start of his fifth season. Surtain will become extension-eligible in January, though the Broncos having him under team control (via the fifth-year option) may delay a payment until 2025. Regardless of when Surtain is paid, he stands to become one of the NFL’s richest defenders.

Should the Broncos reverse course and consider dealing away their top player, a Jalen Ramsey-like package may be necessary to move the needle. The Rams sent the Jaguars two first-rounders for Ramsey in October 2019, ending a standoff between the fourth-year corner and the Jags. It cost the Buccaneers first- and fourth-rounders to acquire Darrelle Revis in 2013. In a different era (for running back value, at least), Denver needed to send Washington only running back Clinton Portis for Bailey and a second-round pick. That trade occurred in March 2004. Bailey spent 10 seasons in Denver, which added Harris near the end of the Hall of Famer’s run and signed Talib shortly after cutting Bailey. Surtain effectively took the baton soon after Harris’ exit and, barring a trade, should be expected to anchor Payton’s defenses beyond 2023.

Cardinals Waive S K’Von Wallace

For the second time this year, K’Von Wallace has landed on the waiver wire. Despite Wallace following Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis from Philadelphia to Arizona, the Cardinals cut the fourth-year defender Tuesday.

Wallace failed to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster in August, but the Cardinals offered him another opportunity via a waiver claim. Arizona also deployed Wallace as a full-time player from Weeks 2-6; the 2020 fourth-round pick played 100% of the Cardinals’ defensive snaps in that span. But Budda Baker‘s return affected Wallace’s standing in Arizona.

Baker missed the Cardinals’ Week 2 game and landed on IR soon after. The team activated Baker from IR ahead of Week 7, and while Wallace suited up, he did not play a defensive snap against the Seahawks. The Cardinals kept Wallace on the bench despite safety Jalen Thompson missing a second straight game. Tuesday’s transaction points to Cards confidence Thompson, who has missed time with a hamstring injury, returning soon. Arizona also activated rookie cornerback Garrett Williams from the reserve/NFI list last week, creating some secondary depth that was not present during Wallace’s starter run.

The Cardinals signed Qwuantrezz Knight off the 49ers’ practice squad upon placing Baker on IR; Knight remains with the team, joining Joey Blount as Arizona’s backup safeties.

It was kind of a numbers issue,” Gannon said, via AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban. “He played some meaningful snaps for us but some guys are getting healthy for us now and everyone is rolling in that room and we are honestly a little heavy there.”

This marked Wallace’s first extended run as a starter, though the Eagles did use him as a three-game starter in 2020 and ’21. He topped out at a 22% defensive snap share during that period, however. Wallace’s 393 defensive snaps this year are by far a career high. His 43 tackles are also second on the Cardinals. Pro Football Focus, though, ranks Wallace outside the top 65 among safeties. The fourth-year defender will hit free agency if unclaimed by the 3pm CT deadline Wednesday.

Chiefs WR Justyn Ross Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge

OCTOBER 24: It turns out Ross is facing two misdemeanor charges. The young wide receiver is accused of domestic battery and property damage of less than $1K, KMBC’s Andy Alcock reports. This incident involved Ross’ ex-girlfriend, and a judge granted her request not to have any contact with the accused wideout, per KSHB’s David Medina.

Dispatch audio reveals the alleged victim told a 911 operator Ross was “dragging her through the house and has torn up the house,” according to TMZ, which adds Ross allegedly broke the woman’s phone. Ross pleaded not guilty today and has another court date set for Dec. 4.

OCTOBER 23: Second-year Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross is facing a felony charge after a Monday arrest, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Ross was arrested today in Shawnee, Kansas.

Booked into the Johnson County Jail, Ross was hit with a charge of criminal damage more than $25K. The Clemson alum has a Tuesday court date on tap. Ross, 23, is in his second season with the Chiefs, who added him as a UDFA following the 2022 draft.

Once viewed as a high-end prospect, Ross saw a neck injury while at Clemson sidetrack his career. After a breakthrough freshman season, the 6-foot-4 pass catcher missed the 2020 campaign but returned in 2021. Though, his performance that year did not move the needle toward a draft investment. Ross also missed all of his rookie season due to a foot injury.

The Chiefs have encountered persistent struggles establishing consistency among its receiving corps, but Ross has not been looked to as an answer often. Ross has played just 81 offensive snaps this season, catching three passes for 34 yards during his first run as an NFL wideout. Given his status as a backup who primarily contributes on special teams, Ross could certainly see this latest hurdle become an issue.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/23

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Released: CB Quavian White

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/24/23

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Promoted: TE Blake Whiteheart

Atlanta Falcons

Houston Texans

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Roster gymnastics at quarterback continues for the Patriots, who will again take the chance no one will claim Cunningham. New England waived the rookie UDFA in August and stashed him on its practice squad, and ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss notes that is likely to happen again — provided no team claims him. The Pats promoted the Louisville product earlier this month, but after playing him in Week 6, they sat him in Week 7. Although the Patriots designated Flowers for return from IR on Oct. 4, they will cut ties with their former starter rather than use a roster spot on his activation by Wednesday.

The Giants have now added two running backs this week, with Jackson following Jashaun Corbin‘s return from the Panthers’ practice squad. Injuries to Gray and Gary Brightwell led to these moves. Gray sustained a calf injury in Week 7, leading the Giants to insert veteran Sterling Shepard as their punt returner. Shepard muffed a punt that led to the Commanders’ only score. Peart had operated as a backup tackle. He joins Andrew Thomas‘ initial replacement, Joshua Ezeudu, on IR. Guard Shane Lemieux is also on IR.

The Texans initially released Littleton due to roster-reorganizing purposes, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, but the offseason pickup remains in the team’s plans. Houston cut Littleton to make room for waiver claim Myjai Sanders, but after waiving cornerback D’Angelo Ross on Monday, the team is re-signing the veteran linebacker. Littleton, 30, played sparingly in the Texans’ six games this season, logging only 17 defensive snaps.

NFL Reduces Kareem Jackson’s Suspension To Two Games

Kareem Jackson will not end up missing a month of time because of his spree of illegal hits. After being handed a four-game suspension Monday, the veteran Broncos safety has seen his appeal reduce the ban.

The 14th-year vet’s appeal effort will trim the suspension to two games, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. This will sideline Jackson for the Broncos’ rematch against the Chiefs and a Week 10 Bills tilt. Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA to hear the appeal, made the Tuesday ruling.

Although Jackson will be back sooner, he has still offered an unusual update to his career via this pattern of illegal hits. A Jackson penalty after a hit on a sliding Jimmy Garoppolo helped the Raiders hold off the Broncos in Week 1. Jackson was not ejected for that hit, but he has been tossed twice this season. The former cornerback’s end zone hit on Logan Thomas led to a Week 2 ejection, and that likely factored into officials’ decision to toss Jackson after another personal foul — for a hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave — on Sunday. After coming into the season known for making the successful transition from corner to safety in Denver, the 35-year-old defender added a notable chapter to his NFL legacy in what could well be his final season.

The Broncos initially brought in Jackson in 2019, giving him a three-year deal worth $33MM. Jackson played two seasons on that contract, and despite Denver cutting bait on the contract in 2021, the former first-round pick has agreed to one-year accords in each of the past three offseasons. He is currently attached to a $2.67MM deal that includes a $2.52MM base salary. This reduced suspension will cost Jackson just more than $279K. The nine-year Texan has started 68 games for the Broncos.

While Justin Simmons has long resided as the Broncos’ top safety, Pro Football Focus has graded Jackson as a top-20 player at the position this season. He has intercepted two passes, including a game-clinching pick of Justin Fields in Week 4. Simmons remains healthy going into the Kansas City rematch, but Denver is now down his top two sidekicks. The team lost regular contributor Caden Sterns for the season in Week 1. For the season’s first month, the Broncos were also without fourth-year backup P.J. Locke. But Locke, who made a game-sealing interception to close out the Broncos’ Week 7 win over the Packers, is off IR and in place to start alongside Simmons. Second-year cog Delarrin Turner-Yell, who started two games in place of Simmons this season, remains in the equation as well.

Panthers Place S Jeremy Chinn, OLB Yetur Gross-Matos On IR, Activate G Austin Corbett

Coming out of their bye week, the Panthers have made a number of injury-related moves. The team announced on Tuesday that safety Jeremy Chinn and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos have been placed on injured reserve. The same is true of tight end/special teamer Giovanni Ricci.

As a result of the move, all three players will be forced to miss at least four weeks. In Chinn’s case, a quadriceps injury is expected to keep him sidelined for longer than that, so today’s move comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract, but the injury likely took him off the board with respect to trade interest from outside teams.

Gross-Matos is dealing with a hamstring injury which has been deemed serious enough to interrupt an encouraging season. The former second-rounder has posted 2.5 sacks through six games, only one short of matching his career high. He has added three tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures despite seeing a drop in playing time compared to last year. Starters Brian Burns and Justin Houston will be counted on more heavily in the edge department given Gross-Matos’ absence. Ricci has a shoulder injury, per ESPN’s David Newton.

In more positive news, the Panthers activated guard Austin Corbett from the PUP list. This marked the final week of his 21-day return window, so today’s move was needed to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. The 28-year-old suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last year, and has been rehabbing ever since. His return will be welcomed on an offensive line which has used three different starters at both left and right guard this season. Corbett indicated (via Newton) that he may not suit up for Week 8 despite being brought back onto the roster. That move will did use up any of Carolina’s seven remaining IR activations, but bringing back Chinn, Gross-Matos and Ricci will.

To fill the other roster spots opened up by the IR moves, the Panthers have signed edge rusher Luiji Vilain off the Vikings’ practice squad. The 25-year-old Canadian has made four regular season appearances since signing in Minnesota as a UDFA. Likewise, Carolina has added offensive lineman Brett Toth from the Eagles’ taxi squad. The latter has made one start across his 17 total games played, all with Philadelphia.