HEADLINES

Month: April 2024

Chiefs To Re-Sign DE Mike Danna

April 5th, 2024 at 5:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mike Danna spent more than three weeks in free agency, but he will circle back to the team that drafted him. The Chiefs have a deal in place to keep the young defensive end, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.

A former fifth-round pick who became a starter after the Chiefs cut Frank Clark, Danna has totaled 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons (6.5 in 2023). The Chiefs are keeping him on a three-year deal. The Chiefs gave Chris Jones a monster deal to stay, and they will retain another core D-lineman as well.

Included among PFR’s top 50 free agents (43rd), Danna certainly took his time before finding a deal. Rather than agreeing on a “prove it” pact — which is often the case once April hits — the former Michigan and Central Michigan pass rusher received a multiyear commitment. The deal is worth $24MM, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds $13MM is guaranteed. Considering we are in early April, that represents a nice accord for the contract-year starter.

Although the Chiefs gave Charles Omenihu a two-year, $16MM contract in 2023, they kept Danna in their starting lineup opposite George Karlaftis once Omenihu returned from his domestic violence suspension. Omenihu played a regular role, but the veteran operated as a rotational cog behind Danna. The Chiefs have used Danna, 26, as an inside rusher as well. He will stick around with the two-time reigning champions, who also brought back defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi this offseason.

During Clark’s stay, Danna mostly worked as a backup. Between the 2021 and ’22 seasons, however, the former MAC recruit forced four combined fumbles. Danna’s 21 QB pressures ranked just outside the top 60 last season, though his 13 QB hits were a career high. The 6-foot-2 pass rusher started all four Chiefs playoff games, logging 58 snaps in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII overtime triumph.

Omenihu suffered a torn ACL during the AFC championship game, amplifying Danna’s importance, and the suspension he incurred voids future guarantees. That would give the Chiefs an out on that contract, which calls for a $6.74MM base salary in 2024. The team also used a first-round pick on Felix Anudike-Uzomah, but the local product did not play much as a rookie. With Karlaftis, Danna, Omenihu and Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs are nearly set to run it back at D-end in 2024.

Draft Notes: Odunze, DeJean, Nabers, Chargers, Lions, Bucs, Jags, Steelers

April 5th, 2024 at 5:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

While reports have indicated some teams prefer Malik Nabers to Marvin Harrison Jr., Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline offers a stance that could further muddy the waters among the draft’s top wide receivers. Several teams have Rome Odunze slotted higher than Nabers on their big boards. Although transfers have populated the QB ranks in this class, the top three receivers only played at one school. Odunze starred at Washington for the past two seasons, posting two 1,100-yard campaigns and elevating his stock further last year. He clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, a tenth slower than Nabers ran at LSU’s pro day. Odunze, who booked visits with the Cardinals, Bears and Jets, did not run at his pro day.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound talent ripped off 10 100-yard games last season, including five straight to help the Huskies into the CFP national championship game. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board slots Odunze fifth overall — one spot behind Nabers — while Daniel Jeremiah agrees with the teams that have Odunze higher, ranking the Washington prospect third overall — between Harrison and Nabers. All three could be gone in the top seven or eight choices. This certainly raises the stakes for the Cardinals, who have a glaring WR need and have been linked to a trade-down move from No. 4.

Here is the latest coming out of the draft:

  • In addition to Nabers’ Cardinals visit this week, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe notes he made a trip to Los Angeles to meet with the new Chargers staff. The Chargers having jettisoned Keenan Allen and Mike Williams makes them an obvious team to monitor for one of the top receivers. If the Cardinals trade out of No. 4, L.A. would be positioned to land the draft’s top WR prospect at 5. Of course, the Chargers have also been linked to moving down. And Jim Harbaugh‘s past and some recent comments have made it worth monitoring if the Bolts value a receiver this high.
  • After suffering a broken fibula in November, Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is ready for football work. The highly touted cover man sent a letter to all 32 teams informing them he is cleared for all football actitives, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. DeJean will hold a workout April 8 in Iowa City. Jeremiah ranks the ex-Hawkeyes standout 25th on his big board; Kiper has the 6-1 defender 21st. DeJean, who notched five INTs and three pick-sixes as a sophomore in 2022, left school early despite the injury.
  • The Jaguars are spending some time on other corners in this draft, specifically those from Alabama. They used “30” visits on both Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. The Buccaneers and Lions also met with McKinstry, according to Schultz and the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. The Jags cut two-year starter Darious Williams but replaced him with Ronald Darby, though the latter is 30 and tied to a two-year deal that features a fairly easy out in 2025. Cameron Sutton‘s arrest and ensuing release leaves the Lions in need at corner, despite Detroit having signed Amik Robertson and traded for Carlton Davis. The Bucs trading Davis frees up a spot at corner in Tampa opposite Jamel Dean. Arnold rates higher than McKinstry, who came into last season as a better prospect. Jeremiah ranks McKinstry 36th overall. More visits are likely, considering McKinstry sat out the Combine with a toe fracture but still clocked a 4.47-second 40 time (at Alabama’s pro day) despite not yet undergoing surgery.
  • Nate Wiggins clocked a blazing 4.28 time at the Combine, elevating his stock. The Clemson product visited the Steelers on Thursday, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Chris Adamski. A first-team All-ACC choice who posted two pick-sixes with the ACC program, Wiggins played all three of his college seasons at Clemson. The Steelers releasing Patrick Peterson but added Donte Jackson. The trade pickup’s contract expires after 2024, however, and the 6-foot-1 Wiggins is among those the team is looking into as a longer-term option opposite Joey Porter Jr.

Ole Miss Adds Joe Judge To Staff

April 5th, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots have seen another of their prominent Bill Belichick-era staffers head to the college ranks. Following the exits of Bill O’Brien and Steve Belichick, Joe Judge is also jumping down a level. Ole Miss hired Judge, the school announced.

Judge joined the Lane Kiffin-led program this week. The Patriots had offered Steve Belichick an opportunity to stay, with Brian Belichick still on Jerod Mayo‘s staff. And they had given O’Brien a chance to stay on as well. Although some Bill Belichick-years staffers are still on Mayo’s staff, Judge will leave after his second stint lasted two years. O’Brien is now Boston College’s HC, while Steve Belichick is Washington’s DC.

Judge, 42, has a background with both Belichick and Nick Saban. That past will help land him a job under Kiffin, who was Alabama’s OC from 2014-16. The ex-Raiders HC has been Ole Miss’ head coach since 2020. Judge moved straight from Saban’s staff to Belichick’s; he has been at the NFL level since 2012.

The Rebels are adding Judge, who played in college at rival Mississippi State, as an analyst. Recent NFL HCs or OCs stepping back to the college level took place on Saban’s staff recently, with O’Brien, Brian Daboll and Steve Sarkesian working as Crimson Tide play-callers over the past 10 years. Judge will accept a lesser role at the SEC program.

Working primarily as the Pats’ special teams coordinator during his first stint, Judge flamed out as Giants HC. Late in the 2021 season, Giants ownership had been planning to retain Judge for a third year — after it had fired Ben McAdoo during his second season and Pat Shurmur after Year 2. But a brutal stretch following a Daniel Jones neck injury sank Judge, who went 10-23 as Giants HC; that included a tenure-closing six-game skid.

Bill Belichick rehired Judge and gave him a key role on offense, placing the longtime ST coach in charge of QBs, during a 2022 season that featured Matt Patricia make a strange transition to the team’s primary offensive play-caller. Judge held key input as well, with that being a source of tension for Mac Jones. Holding three Super Bowl rings, Judge joined the expansive list of coaches to fail away from Belichick. He will now have another opportunity to bounce back.

Steelers Will Not Change In-Season Negotiating Policy For Justin Fields, Russell Wilson

April 5th, 2024 at 3:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Arranging an unusual but intriguing quarterback setup by signing Russell Wilson for the veteran minimum and trading a Day 3 pick for Justin Fields, the Steelers have since expressed interest in keeping both QBs beyond the 2024 season. As unrealistic as that may be, the Steelers could have some negotiating to do in the not-too-distant future.

The Steelers have exclusive negotiating rights with Wilson and Fields until March 2025, but the team’s policy with regards to extension talks would not allow it to take advantage of many of these months that could be used to discuss a deal. While many teams negotiate with players during the season, the Steelers do not. Despite the QB talks that could be set to commence to keep one of their passers beyond 2024, the Steelers are not deviating from their policy.

“I think regardless of position, I don’t think those certain policies like that one are going to change,” GM Omar Khan said (via The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly).

Khan was not with the organization when it implemented this policy, with the change coming back in 1994. That marked the salary cap’s debut and it came after some drama — brought on from in-season contract talks — emerged during free agency’s 1993 debut. The Steelers did deals with Rod Woodson and running back Barry Foster in-season in 1993, with Kaboly adding other extension candidates expressed frustration to create tension in the locker room.

The Steelers regularly extend players during the summer, with Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt being recent examples. They also reached a deal with Antonio Brown shortly after the 2017 season, as one year remained on the All-Pro’s second Steelers contract, and re-signed Cameron Sutton to keep him off the market just before the 2021 free agency period. If Wilson or Fields is to be extended, a deal will need to come in one of these windows — almost definitely the latter.

Wilson, 35, has first dibs on Pittsburgh’s starting job, with Mike Tomlin stopping short of guaranteeing the veteran will be under center in Week 1. Though, it is clear Wilson is the favorite. Rumors about another Wilson contract have come out, but the Steelers are planning to see how the veteran quarterback looks in Arthur Smith‘s system before doing another deal. While a midseason extension would make sense, that will not happen. The parties would need to huddle up after the season ends.

The team is not picking up Fields’ fifth-year option, but it views the ex-Chicago starter as a multiyear option. Unless Wilson is out of the picture in 2025, it would make little sense for Fields to recommit to the Steelers. Seeing Fields, 25, usurping Wilson this season is not too difficult based on the former Pro Bowler’s uneven Broncos play. For now, he is on track to begin the season as a backup. Any changes to that would impact the 2021 first-rounder’s second contract, but Fields will almost definitely play out his rookie deal — before potential talks commence — this year.

Texans Remove Final Three Seasons From Stefon Diggs’ Contract

April 5th, 2024 at 3:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 5: One benefit from this unexpected move will come in the form of 2024 cap space. The Texans replaced the Diggs years with three void years, adding a fourth to spread out the wide receiver’s cap hit through 2027. Diggs’ 2024 cap number has dropped to $5.88MM, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. A restructure could have created this cap space as well, and the Texans now have a $16.64MM dead money number — in the event Diggs does not sign an extension before the 2025 league year — staring at them.

APRIL 4: A day after trading for Stefon Diggs, the Texans are making an interesting adjustment to the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s contract. Diggs’ Bills-constructed deal ran through 2027; that is no longer the case.

The Texans are removing the 2025, 2026 and 2027 season from the contract, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. Diggs is now set to become a free agent in 2025. The Texans moved $3.5MM in 2025 guarantees up to 2024, running that amount to $22.52MM. This was a mutual decision, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets.

[RELATED: Texans’ Offer Changed Bills’ Stefon Diggs Plan]

Teams do not exactly make a habit of ceding contractual control, so nixing three years of a high-profile player’s contract represents an unusual development. The Texans will certainly ensure Diggs is motivated to succeed in 2024, as a fourth contract would stand to await him next year. But they now run the risk of losing the six-time 1,000-yard receiver after one season.

Houston does, however, hold exclusive negotiating rights with Diggs until March 2025. The parties could work out another deal. Unless something is already in place, the team has introduced a unnecessary risk into this equation. As SI.com’s Albert Breer notes, Diggs checking in with a $22.5MM cap number would spike his 2025 franchise tag figure north of $27MM. That would make a tag prohibitive for Houston. Because the Texans adjusted Diggs’ deal, they would not be entitled to a compensatory pick if he departs in 2025.

The Bears did not adjust Keenan Allen‘s contract upon trading for the longtime Chargers WR, who drew interest from the Texans. While teams have made trade-and-extend moves for wideouts in the recent past — Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Davante Adams each signed new deals upon being moved in 2022 — those players all had one season left on their previous contracts or, in Adams’ case, were franchise-tagged. Diggs was tied to a four-year, $96MM deal that featured four remaining years, separating this decision from those early-2020s calls.

When the Bills acquired Diggs from the Vikings in 2020, he remained on his Minnesota contract — a $14.4MM-per-year deal that ran through the 2024 season — over his first two Buffalo seasons. The Bills and Diggs huddled up on the above-referenced $24MM-per-year deal in 2022, and the extension years were just set to begin. Diggs, 30, now has an unexpected opportunity to become a first-time free agent next year.

At the time of the trade Wednesday morning, it appears the Texans would have Diggs’ $24MM-AAV contract aligned with C.J. Stroud‘s remaining rookie-deal seasons. Stroud must be kept on a rookie contract through at least 2025. The Texans had the ability to easily escape from Diggs’ deal after the 2024 season. While removing these years could reignite Diggs — who offered a low-wattage conclusion to his 2023 season — a rebound season would also stand to up his value ahead of free agency. That would work against Houston, even if Stroud presents a nice drawing card for the nine-year veteran.

As it stands, the Texans certainly appear confident they will be able to retain Diggs beyond 2024. If not, they sent a Vikings-obtained second-round pick to Buffalo for one year of Diggs, who will turn 31 in November.

Cardinals Hosting WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

April 5th, 2024 at 2:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Closely linked to a trade-down maneuver, the Cardinals have now scheduled visits with all three of this draft class’ top wide receivers. After their “30” visit with Malik Nabers, the Cards have Marvin Harrison Jr. in town Friday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

A Rome Odunze meeting is also on Arizona’s docket. The Cardinals have a chance to acquire considerable future draft capital by trading down from No. 4 overall, but unless they slide down just a few picks (perhaps with the Giants, who sit at No. 6), they will forfeit their access to the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze tier by trading down. This raises the stakes for the receiver-needy team.

Harrison presents an interesting profile. The Ohio State product delivered tremendous on-field production, coming out of a program that has regularly churned out high-level receiver talent in recent years. Harrison also has bucked tradition by not working out for teams during the pre-draft period. After passing on work at the Combine, Harrison also did not perform any drills or run a 40-yard dash at the Buckeyes’ pro day last month. This is highly unusual, but teams are believed to have given the top-flight prospect indications they did not need to see him go through drills during the run-up to the draft.

Rather than training for pre-draft workouts, the second-generation wide receiver talent is taking the atypical step of preparing for an NFL offseason program. With Nabers blazing to a 4.35-second 40 time after moving onto the Harrison tier as a prospect by helping Jayden Daniels to the Heisman, it will be interesting to see if Harrison’s strategy backfires. Though, even if Nabers is the first receiver chosen, Harrison will not need to wait long before he strolls across the draft stage.

While some teams are believed to prefer Nabers, Harrison impressed the Cardinals during his Combine interview. Harrison’s game tape also leaves little doubt about his draft status. Harrison eclipsed 1,200 yards in each of his final two college seasons and caught 14 touchdown passes in both years. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board places Harrison as this class’ No. 3 overall prospect (and top wideout), while Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com offering has Harrison as No. 2 overall prospect. At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, the younger Harrison is much bigger than his Hall of Fame father was during his career.

With quarterbacks widely expected to be chosen in the top three, the Cardinals have a clear opportunity to land this class’ top receiver. The team, which lost Marquise Brown last month, has a glaring need at the position. This draft class houses another deep receiver crop, however, which could convince the Cardinals to trade back — as they did in last year’s first round — to bolster their rebuild.

The Cardinals also hold the No. 27 overall pick, by virtue of their trade-down with the Texans. If the Vikings (No. 11), Broncos (No. 12) or Raiders (No. 13) are to climb up, the Cards could pick up two future firsts. It will be interesting to see if those kind of offers emerge, as that would stand to force the team to consider passing on the Harrison-Nabers-Odunze tier of WR.

Dolphins To Sign DT Teair Tart

April 5th, 2024 at 1:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

Losing two defensive tackles in free agency last month, the Dolphins are in need of some assistance here. While the draft could certainly be an avenue the team chooses to improve post-Christian Wilkins, one reinforcement is en route.

Miami is bringing in D-tackle Teair Tart, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. Tart spent most of his rookie contract with the Titans, though he went from a player who commanded a second-round RFA tender last year to being waived months later. Tart closed out his rookie deal with the Texans.

Although the Dolphins extended Zach Sieler last year, they were not able to come to terms with Wilkins in 2023. That proved costly, with the team’s cap situation impeding a Wilkins tag. Wilkins’ Raiders AAV ($27.5MM) came in $5MM higher than the DT tag price. The Dolphins also lost starter Raekwon Davis, who joined the Colts. The Dolphins have made some low-cost additions to help out Sieler up front; Tart promises to be another.

Tart, 27, will join former Cowboy Neville Gallimore and ex-Bronco Jonathan Harris as UFA pickups along the Dolphins’ D-line. It would certainly seem more will be done in the draft, but Tart brings 36 starts to the table. Operating as Tennessee’s primary nose tackle on a Jeffery Simmons-led D-line, Tart ranked as a top-25 interior D-lineman (per Pro Football Focus) in 2022.

Tart added a career-high eight tackles for loss (in just 11 games) last season, though PFF saw his play slip overall, ranking the run stopper 85th at the position. Over the past two years, PFF also rated Tart as a better pass rusher than run stopper. The Florida International alum, however, is primarily a run defender; 1.5 sacks represent his single-season best.

The Titans made the decision to cut Tart in mid-December, and off-field matters impacted the AFC South team’s call. Season-long issues are believed to have reached a breaking point late last year, Tart was ruled out of the Titans’ Week 15 game for personal reasons. The Texans then claimed the former fifth-round pick, using him as a backup in two games. Tart joined Derek Barnett as a waiver claim aiding Houston’s D-line down the stretch, though the former was inactive for Houston’s two playoff games. The Bengals and Browns submitted claims for Tart in December, but his market did not produce an immediate signing as a free agent.

Saints To Sign LB Khaleke Hudson

April 5th, 2024 at 12:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

APRIL 5: Hudson said (via Matthew Paras of the Times-Picayune) the Commanders did not offer him a contract, with Quinn informing him the team was eyeing a different profile amongst its linebackers. Hudson added, to little surprise, he chose to join the Saints as a result of the opportunity to see defensive playing time it will afford him.

APRIL 4: A special teams mainstay in Washington, Khaleke Hudson enjoyed his biggest opportunity on defense last season. This will lead to another opportunity.

With the Commanders retooling in Dan Quinn‘s first offseason — one that has brought many of the new HC’s former charges to Washington — Hudson will leave for a chance with the Saints. New Orleans is adding the veteran linebacker on a one-year deal, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.

This agreement comes not long after Hudson visited the Steelers. It is not known if the Steelers — who have another ex-Washington linebacker, Cole Holcomb, on their payroll — extended an offer, but Hudson will end up in the NFC South. The Saints are adding a veteran special-teamer and a player who logged eight starts in 2023.

Hudson, 26, is a Michigan alum who started just four games during his first three seasons. The former fifth-round pick played at least 77% of Washington’s ST snaps in each of those years but moved into the starting lineup in the Ron Rivera–Jack Del Rio tandem’s final season. Although this opportunity came for a team careening into last place defensively, Hudson made 74 tackles (five for loss), recorded a sack and broke up two passes.

Pro Football Focus slotted Hudson 51st overall at the position, a mid-pack placement. Following Jamin Davis‘ season-ending injury, Hudson started the Commanders’ final five games, closing with a three-TFL showing in Week 18.

The Saints gave ageless starter Demario Davis another extension last month, and they also added four-year Chiefs starter Willie Gay. With Pete Werner going into a contract year, it would seem Hudson has a backup ceiling as a Saint barring injury. But his run of ST work stands to bolster New Orleans’ third-phase options ahead of Dennis Allen‘s third season in charge.

Falcons Open To Re-Signing Calais Campbell

April 5th, 2024 at 10:26am CST by Adam La Rose

Calais Campbell remains unsigned well after his debut season in Atlanta. The All-Decade defender could still find himself with the Falcons in 2024 if he elects to continue his career, though.

Campbell, 37, joined the team on a one-year deal last offseason. That agreement came amongst questions about his playing future, after his Ravens tenure was brought to an end following three seasons in Baltimore. The six-time Pro Bowler is best known for his work as a D-lineman (especially in the waning stages of his career), but as planned he spent considerable time on the edge with Atlanta. Playing all 17 games in 2023, Campbell totaled 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

Coming off that production, the Falcons are interested in a new deal. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) both he and general manager Terry Fontenot hope to re-sign Campbell. Morris added he has briefly spoken to the former All-Pro already, but a face-to-face conversation would provide him to opportunity to directly pitch the idea of remaining in Atlanta.

“I look forward to get[ting] a chance to sit in front of him because he’s certainly impressive as it gets when he comes to football character,” Morris said. “He’s had an impressive of a career that you can have… I’m looking [forward] to discussing that in farther detail with him at a later date.”

Campbell tied for the team lead in sacks, underscoring his continued ability as he ages but also the Falcons’ need to make additions in the pass-rush department. The former second-rounder reached a well-documented personal goal last season by eclipsing 100 career sacks, but it would come as little surprise if teams viewed him as more of a rotational option moving forward. Campbell logged a 63% snap share, a figure in line with his usage from the past two seasons and his stated plan ahead of the 2023 campaign.

The former Walton Payton Man of the Year winner remained a strong presence against the run last season, recording an 80.2 PFF grade in that regard. He would be expected to continue offering similar play in 2024 if he were to carry on with his career. Campbell’s decision on his future will be a storyline to watch as the offseason continues, but the Falcons – a team currently armed with only $6.3MM in cap space entering the draft – would certainly welcome him back.

Terry McDonough Files Lawsuit Against Cardinals, Michael Bidwill

April 5th, 2024 at 8:53am CST by Adam La Rose

Former Cardinals employee Terry McDonough recently saw his arbitration case against the team and owner Michael Bidwill come to an end. After being awarded $3MM as a result of the Cardinals’ statement made against him last year stemming from his other allegations, the matter could now proceed in court.

McDonough has filed a lawsuit against the Cardinals, Bidwill, the third-party PR firm Counterpoint Strategies and others, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. The suit comes in the wake of an NFL arbitrator ruling the team’s statement against him was “false and defamatory,” resulting in the awarding of punitive damages as well as awards for emotional distress and damages to McDonough’s reputation.

“We are aware of the complaint but have no additional comment as it is an active legal matter,” the Cardinals said in a response to the situation (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).

The arbitration case against Bidwill and the Cardinals did not result in damages owing to the team’s dismissal of McDonough in January 2023. That decision – which ended his 10-year run with the organization during which he served as a high-ranking executive – was argued by McDonough to be retribution for his stance against the usage of burner phones with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim and head coach Steve Wilks (among other allegations). The latter’s own legal situation appears to have a connection to this latest McDonough development.

Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily reports McDonough is prepared to continue his legal action until Wilks succeeds in his involvement in the ongoing Brian Flores-led racial discrimination lawsuit. Wilks became a complainant in that case to argue for wrongful termination stemming from his dismissal after a single season at the helm of the Cardinals in 2018. Portions of the suit will be allowed to proceed in open court, but Wilks’ allegations will be tested in arbitration.

As Jurecki (who has reported other ex-Cardinals staffers received an award in addition to McDonough) notes, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell‘s mentor was Will McDonough. That could grant Terry McDonough, Will’s son, direct access to Goodell and thus help his chances of receiving further compensation from the Cardinals. In any event, this case along with that of Wilks will remain an off-field storyline for Arizona for the foreseeable future.

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