HEADLINES

Year: 2023

Roger Goodell Extended Through 2027

October 18th, 2023 at 9:51am CST by Sam Robinson

The long-rumored Roger Goodell contract extension is now official. The NFL announced the longtime commissioner is now signed through 2027, a development that has been in the works for a while.

Goodell, who has been in the commissioner role since succeeding Paul Tagliabue in 2006, is set to pass his predecessor and become the NFL’s second-longest-tenured leader. Pete Rozelle‘s 29-year run may be out of reach for Goodell, who is 64, but this latest extension will allow for the polarizing leader to pass the two-decade mark.

The deal will officially run through March 2027, according to the league’s compensation committee. Goodell took over in August 2006. The league has become a more popular entity during Goodell’s tenure, and two lengthy CBAs have been ratified under his watch. While the current commissioner has taken persistent heat — largely for his handling of off-field punishment — the NFL remains the country’s most popular sport by a substantial margin.

This contract may well be Goodell’s last, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter indicating some believe the commissioner will walk away following its completion. For what it’s worth, Goodell did not confirm he would retire after this contract. Tagliabue retired at 65; Rozelle stepped down at 63. Owners had been discussing Goodell’s extension for several months. It loomed on the agenda during league meetings in March and May, but with December the next window to complete the deal, this week’s owners meetings provided the setting for Goodell’s latest re-up.

Goodell’s current contract was set to expire after the 2023 season, with that deal being signed in 2017. After another round of monster TV agreements came to pass during Goodell’s previous contract, owners obviously saw no reason to rock the boat now. Over the course of this new deal, Goodell appears prepared to groom a potential successor. Jim Irsay said in May that Goodell will have the opportunity to help the owners form a candidate list and have input as to whom the league should choose. Goodell also said splitting the commissioner role into two parts, one a CEO-type role and the other dealing more closely with the on-field component, has emerged as a talking point among owners and NFL officials.

Ahead of Goodell’s December 2017 extension, Jerry Jones waged an extensive battle to impede that deal from coming to pass. This came amid a messy back-and-forth that resulted in then-reigning rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott being suspended after a lengthy legal fight. Jones has come back around on Goodell; the Cowboys owner announced Wednesday this latest extension is done.

Goodell’s tenure has seen player safety measures expand exponentially and the NFL begin playing games annually — save for the 2020 and ’21 seasons impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic — in Europe. During his previous extension, Goodell oversaw the completion of a CBA that is in place through the 2030 season. This marked the second decade-long CBA to be ratified during Goodell’s tenure, though the 2020 agreement passed by a slim margin. The latest round of TV deals also have the salary cap back on the rise. The pandemic led to only the second cap reduction in league history, dropping in 2021 as a result of the fanless or fan-limited (depending on the city) 2020 season. Last year, however, restored cap growth.

The NFL managed to complete a full 2020 season, which the other major American sports leagues did not. Granted, the NFL’s slate did not start until the pandemic was several months in, but the league made major changes to its schedule — moving games to Tuesdays and Wednesdays at points — to ensure its completion. The reserve/COVID-19 list became a regular designation, with expanded practice squads and IR flexibility — league components that remain in place — coming about largely because of the pandemic. The 2020 CBA also ushered in a seventh playoff team per conference and a 17th regular-season game, highlighting a run of changes to the game in recent years. Goodell will attempt to further solidify his legacy on what could be his final contract.

Vikings Place OLB Marcus Davenport On IR, Activate KR Kene Nwangwu

October 18th, 2023 at 9:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter–Marcus Davenport edge-rushing partnership hit a snag with a Davenport injury. That will lead to a paused season for the free agency pickup.

The Vikings placed Davenport on IR on Wednesday, shelving the former Saints first-rounder until at least Week 11. Davenport is battling a high ankle sprain. In addition to the Davenport transaction, the Vikings activated running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu from IR and designated wide receiver Jalen Nailor for return from IR.

While Nwangwu represents Minnesota’s first IR activation this season, Davenport will be on track to join him later. The Vikings gave Davenport a one-year, $13MM deal this offseason, bringing him in to replace Za’Darius Smith. This move led to uncertainty at Minnesota’s edge positions, with Smith remaining on the roster for several weeks ahead of a trade to Cleveland. While Smith is now part of a top-tier Browns defense, the Pro Bowler has yet to record a sack. Davenport, who notched a half-sack despite playing 15 games last season, has two through six Vikes contests.

Davenport, 27, and Hunter are together for now, but the Vikings’ edge situation is not settled from a long-term standpoint. Neither starter is signed beyond 2023, and Hunter profiles as one of this season’s top trade candidates. The ninth-year Viking has eight sacks thus far, pacing the NFL. Davenport’s injury weakens the Vikings’ pass rush and likely prevents them from dealing the 2018 first-rounder. The Vikes did make a seller’s trade involving an edge rusher three years ago, trading Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens. But Davenport’s injury probably squashes his market, with the trade deadline Oct. 31.

The team considered Hunter trades this offseason, and with Kevin O’Connell‘s squad starting 2-4, it will be interesting to see if the defending NFC North champions consider moving on. But Hunter may still be in Minnesota’s long-term plans. For Davenport, this injury hurts his chances of putting quality production on film for a potential 2024 free agency push. It also hurts Davenport’s hopes of showing he can provide consistency. His up-and-down New Orleans tenure led to a “prove it” deal in March.

Nwangwu returned to practice Oct. 11. The Vikings have not used the third-year back much in the backfield, but the Iowa State alum has been one of the NFL’s best kick returners during his career. Nwangwu is the only NFLer to have tallied three kick-return touchdowns since the start of the 2021 season. Nyheim Hines is the only other player with even two kick-return scores. Nwangwu, 25, will stand to give the Vikings a boost on special teams.

Latest On Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy

October 17th, 2023 at 9:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos are positioned to once again play the role of sellers at the trade deadline. That could lead to a few noteworthy players heading out of the Mile High City, including wideout Jerry Jeudy.

The former first-rounder has routinely found himself in trade talk in recent years, despite insistence from the Broncos he has never been shopped in a potential deal. Denver was connected to an asking price of a first-round pick for Jeudy during the offseason, and it remains unlikely the team would land a haul that lucrative at this point. The 24-year-old is on the books for the remainder of 2023 as well as next year on the fifth-year option.

The Broncos’ decision to pick up Jeudy’s option – a move which locked him into a guaranteed salary of $12.99MM – appears to be a sticking point in trade talks. Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network reports that interested teams have no issue taking on Jeudy’s remaining compensation for this year (a prorated portion of his $2.68MM base salary), but that his option for next year is serving as a “deterrent.”

The Alabama alum entered the league with considerable expectations as the No. 15 pick in the 2020 draft, but things have not entirely gone according to plan. Jeudy, like several other Broncos wideouts, has battled injuries during his time in Denver, and when healthy he has posted less-than-spectacular numbers. A career high in catches (67), yards (972) and touchdowns (six) offered a glimpse of what he could produce with new head coach Sean Payton at the helm. However, the 2023 campaign has seen him record more than 52 yards in a game only once so far, and he has yet to find the end zone.

Both Jeudy and fellow receiver Courtland Sutton are among the Broncos’ trade chips leading up to the October 31 trade deadline. Denver is prepared to listen to offers on any number of contributors (including, of course, those whose arrival predates that of Payton and general manager George Paton). The willingness of contending teams to make a commitment not only for the rest of this year but also 2024 in Jeudy’s case will be worth watching in the coming days and weeks.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/17/23

October 17th, 2023 at 9:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: OT Jalen McKenzie
  • Released: WR Malik Flowers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/23

October 17th, 2023 at 9:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed off Giants practice squad: S Alex Cook

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles

Patriots Designate CB Jack Jones For Return

October 17th, 2023 at 7:50pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots defense has been hit hard by injuries, but the team will soon be getting some reinforcement. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, New England has designated cornerback Jack Jones for return from IR.

The 2022 fourth-round pick showed flashes as a rookie, compiling 30 tackles and two interceptions (including a pick-six on Aaron Rodgers). Jones landed on injured reserve late during his rookie campaign thanks to a knee injury, and he was later suspended by the Patriots for undisclosed reasons.

Jones suffered a hamstring injury prior to Week 1 that ultimately required him to be placed on injured reserve. It took more than the minimum four weeks for the cornerback to return to the practice field, and the Patriots will now have 21 days to activate Jones from IR.

Considering New England’s current struggles at the position, the team will likely make that activation sooner than later. Rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez is out for the season after suffering a torn labrum, and promising sophomore Marcus Jones is also on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Making matters worse, veteran Jonathan Jones missed a handful of games and has played through an ankle injury over the past few weeks.

Considering the losses the Patriots have faced at the position, the front office went out and acquired old friend J.C. Jackson from the Chargers. After debuting with the Patriots in Week 5, Jackson played in 96 percent of New England’s defensive snaps in Week 6.

Ravens Cut RB Kenyan Drake From Practice Squad

October 17th, 2023 at 7:00pm CST by Ben Levine

Kenyan Drake‘s stint with the Ravens has come to an end. Baltimore has released the veteran running back from the practice squad, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Drake got into 12 games (five starts) for the Ravens in 2022, mostly out of necessity following injuries throughout their backfield. Following a brief stint in Indy, Drake landed back in Baltimore in late-September following J.K. Dobbins‘ season-ending injury.

The running back earned a pair of promotions during his second stint with the Ravens. He had three touches for 31 yards in Week 3, but a crucial fumble led to limited snaps when he next appeared in Week 5.

Undrafted rookie Keaton Mitchell is now healthy and on the active roster. With Gus Edwards and Justice Hill leading the depth chart, Drake would have been hard pressed to earn a promotion in the coming weeks. The Ravens also still have veteran Melvin Gordon and rookie Owen Wright on the practice squad, so Drake wasn’t even the first option if Baltimore does suffer another injury at the position.

There’s a chance the 29-year-old running back finds a new home before the season is done. Drake isn’t all that far removed from a 2020 campaign where he topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 10 touchdowns, and he still averaged 4.5 yards on his 126 touches in 2022.

Cardinals Waive OLB Myjai Sanders

October 17th, 2023 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Steve Keim’s final draft as Cardinals GM featured a third-round pick spent on Myjai Sanders. The edge rusher will not end up playing under the Monti Ossenfort–Jonathan Gannon regime.

The Cardinals waived Sanders on Tuesday. This move comes after the team tried to find a trade partner, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The Cardinals recently designated Sanders to return from IR, though they have not activated him. His Day 2 contract is now free to be claimed.

Sanders was productive during his rookie season, collecting 23 tackles and three sacks in 13 games (four starts). He saw time in about 30 percent of his team’s defensive snaps during the 2022 season, and there was some hope he’d take a step forward during his sophomore campaign.

Instead, the linebacker found himself falling down the depth chart, and a hand injury ultimately kept him on the shelf for the start of the 2023 season. It sounds like Sanders is just about ready to return to the field, but there wasn’t a spot for him in a deep Cardinals OLBs room that features Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, Victor Dimukeje, Cameron Thomas, Jesse Luketa, and BJ Ojulari.

The Cardinals have been quick to move on from Keim’s 2022 draft class. Sanders is now the third 2022 third-round pick to get cut by the team, with the linebacker joining cornerback Christian Matthew and offensive lineman Lecitus Smith.

NFL To Delay HC Interviews Until After Divisional Round

October 17th, 2023 at 4:23pm CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 17: The NFL will greenlight this in-season rule change, with SI.com’s Albert Breer reporting it passed 32-0. HC-seeking teams will not be able to meet with candidates in-person until after the divisional round. This will present fewer candidates with complex itineraries — like the one DeMeco Ryans navigated ahead of the 49ers’ divisional-round matchup with the Cowboys earlier this year — and allow for these assistants to focus on their teams’ postseason matchups.

This rule only applies to coaches on other teams’ staffs, with unemployed coaches and college coaches free to meet with teams earlier. This field-leveling attempt by the league will also see internal candidates not subject to this rule change, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

OCTOBER 16: The hiring process for NFL head coaches could again be delayed starting with the 2024 cycle. The league is giving thought to pushing back in-person interviews with candidates still under contract until after the divisional round of the playoffs, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.

Making such a move official – which could happen as soon as this week’s league meetings in New York – would give head coaching candidates an extra week before potentially lining up a move to a new team following their current club’s elimination. As things currently stand, in-person interviews cannot take place until after the wild-card round of the postseason.

As Jones notes, virtual interviews would still be allowed prior to the end of the divisional round under the proposed changes. Coaches not under contract, along with in-house candidates, could also be brought in for in-person interviews at any time as teams gauge their options before the start of the new league year in March. Owners are expected to vote on the proposed changes in the coming days.

Passing them would lengthen the overall hiring process, something which has already taken place since the 2021 alteration which pushed in-person interviews back. The current changes under consideration would still leave the issue of certain candidates taking time during preparation for conference championship games to meet with their prospective new employers, but the pool of staffers for which that would be the case would at least again be decreased.

Jones adds that the alterations being considered would apply only to head coaches, not to general manager interviews. It remains to be seen if the requisite support is in place to push through the proposal, but the league sent a memo to all teams last year detailing the money spent on fired coaches and executives, a potential deterrent to rushed hiring processes. Those may become lengthier by a margin of one week as early as 2024.

Rams Reunite With Darrell Henderson, Add Myles Gaskin Off Vikings’ Practice Squad

October 17th, 2023 at 4:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

4:05pm: Henderson’s path back to the Rams’ 53-man roster is no longer as smooth as it looked. In addition to moving Freeman up on a full-time basis, the Rams are signing Myles Gaskin off the Vikings’ practice squad, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. A four-year Miami contributor, Gaskin caught on with the Vikings after an August Dolphins release. Gaskin, who led the Dolphins in rushing in 2019 and ’20, has played in one Vikings game this season.

2:35pm: Stung by running back injuries, the Rams will complete a reunion to help the cause. With Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers injured, Darrell Henderson is coming back to the Rams.

The Rams are adding Henderson to their practice squad. The former third-round pick, who played for the team from 2019-22, has not been on a roster since last season. In addition to bringing back Henderson, the Rams are signing Royce Freeman to their 53-man roster. Freeman had played in three Rams games this season, doing so as a practice squad elevation. Sean McVay said Monday both Williams and Rivers would miss time; Rivers is an IR candidate after suffering a PCL sprain.

Henderson worked as the Rams’ starter for much of their 2021 Super Bowl-winning season, but injuries and a COVID-19 contraction slowed his momentum and led to Sony Michel and then Cam Akers taking over the starting role. Henderson suffered a thigh injury late in the 2021 season, and after the COVID bout, he sustained an MCL sprain. While the Rams activated Henderson for Super Bowl LVI, he has not recaptured the momentum from the ’21 regular season.

With Akers and the Rams at odds early during the 2022 season, Henderson filled in as a seven-game starter. But the Rams encountered a number of offensive line injuries and were eventually playing without Matthew Stafford. Henderson finished his abbreviated 2022 with 283 rushing yards (4.0 per carry); the Rams waived him in late November. While the Jaguars stepped in with a claim, they moved on without using Henderson in a regular-season game. Summer workouts for the Patriots and Colts did not lead to a signing.

Henderson, 26, produced back-to-back 600-yard rushing seasons from 2020-21. Akers became the Rams’ go-to back down the stretch in 2020, but after he suffered an Achilles tear in July 2021, the eventual championship team rolled with a Henderson-Michel duo. Zach Evans came into Tuesday as the only healthy back on Los Angeles’ 53-man roster. Freeman will now join him, though Henderson certainly is familiar with McVay’s system and would make sense as a roster elevation for Week 7.

Freeman, 27, joined the Rams just after this year’s training camp. The former Broncos third-round pick, whom Phillip Lindsay displaced as a starter during each’s rookie year (2018), spent last season with the Texans. Houston re-signed Freeman, a 2021 waiver claim, but did not use him much on offense. Freeman has not eclipsed 200 rushing yards in a season since 2019. The Rams cut Freeman after this preseason slate but kept him on their practice squad, rolling with first- or second-year backs on their active roster following the September Akers trade. Evans has taken four handoffs this season; all of Freeman’s 2023 snaps have come on special teams.

Load More Posts