Long-Term Seahawks Commitment Unlikely For Geno Smith
Geno Smith attempted to work out an extension this summer, but it quickly became clear the Seahawks were not interested in doing so. As a result, the veteran quarterback is set to play out the 2025 campaign the final season of his three-year, $75MM deal worked out last spring. 
That pact calls for $25MM in compensation for the 2025 campaign, including a $10MM roster bonus set to kick in shortly after the start of the new league year in March. With none of Smith’s base salary for the year guaranteed, a window of opportunity exists for Seattle to move on if the team decides to do so. While that would represent a surprise, another multi-year commitment should also not be expected at this point.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson writes a long-term pact near the top of the QB market is much less likely than another deal aimed at providing more stability in the immediate future. A short-term deal which allows Smith to increase his 2025 earnings with new guarantees would be a reasonable approach given the extent to which he has succeeded in filling a role atop the QB depth chart over the past three years.
Questions surrounded Seattle’s future at the position after the Russell Wilson trade, but Smith has proven to be a capable replacement with a resume now featuring the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022 and Pro Bowl nods for each of the past two seasons. The West Virginia product has seen a slight downturn in passer rating (88.9) along with an underwhelming touchdown-to-interception ratio (13:12) this year with the Seahawks struggling up front and with respect to the ground game. Still, Seattle sits atop the NFC West with a 7-5 record and a second playoff berth in the past three years is therefore a distinct possibility.
Strong play down the stretch would help Smith’s case to secure at least an upgraded compensation package over the short term. His $25MM AAV ranks 19th amongst quarterbacks, although age is of course a factor working against the 34-year-old on that front. A move toward the top of the market (which is now $60MM per season) would require a massive raise, but an incremental one – via new guarantees and/or incentives – could be feasible but still challenging for a Seahawks team currently projected to be over the cap next season. Former Commanders draftee Sam Howell is under contract for next year, but he will no doubt still be seen as a backup option by Seattle at this point.
Smith said in October he plans on playing 20 seasons in the NFL. Reaching that mark will require multiple new contracts down the road, the first of which could be worked out this winter. How negotiations on that front proceed will be a key storyline for the Seahawks if they look to retain Smith but also leave the door open to a successor in the not-too-distant future.
Dak Prescott Endorses Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy
2024 has long seemed like a lame duck season for Mike McCarthy, but nothing is certain at this point with respect to how the Cowboys will proceed on the sidelines. McCarthy has received praise on more than one occasion from owner Jerry Jones, including recent remarks leaving the door open to a new contract. 
While Jones will obviously have the final say on whether or not McCarthy is retained for 2025, the former Packers Super Bowl winner also has the support of quarterback Dak Prescott. A hamstring injury has left Prescott on the mend since he underwent surgery last month, and his absence has further hindered on offense which was not performing well when he was healthy earlier in the year. Despite Dallas’ 2024 struggles, Prescott offered a public endorsement of McCarthy staying in place on a new contract.
[RELATED: Zack Martin To Miss Rest Of Season]
“I believe in him wholeheartedly,” Prescott said (via Yahoo! Sports’ Jori Epstein). “I don’t want to necessarily get into the nuts and the screws of it all obviously, but I think he definitely deserves a chance — another contract and a chance to coach this team amongst more influence. ‘On his terms’ may be a good way to say it.”
On the latter point, McCarthy himself said his level of influence with the Cowboys outweighs that of when he was with the Packers (h/t DLLS’ Clarence Hill Jr.). That represents an interesting comment in the wake of Prescott’s remarks, but it is nevertheless notable Dallas’ franchise passer is on board with maintaining continuity on the sidelines. Prescott will be expected to rebound from his showings in 2024 when he his back on the field next season, regardless of what the Cowboys’ coaching staff looks like.
McCarthy guided the team to a 6-10 record during his first season at the helm, followed by three consecutive 12-5 campaigns. Over the stretch, Dallas failed to advance past the divisional round, and last year’s lopsided home defeat to the Packers resulted in a one-and-done playoff appearance. That game, Jones has publicly acknowledged, played a role in his decision not to work out an extension with McCarthy ahead of the 2024 campaign. Dallas now sits at 5-7 with a playoff berth not seen as a realistic possibility.
Prescott landed a $60MM-per-year extension just before the start of the season, and he is on the books through 2028 as a result. His future is not in question, whereas McCarthy’s status will be interesting to follow once the 2024 campaign comes to a close. It will be interesting to see how much weight Prescott’s endorsement carries when Jones decides what to do on the coaching side this winter.
Cowboys’ Zack Martin To Undergo Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
9:43pm: Martin is “dealing with a degenerative condition” in his ankle, per David Moore of The Dallas Morning News, fueling speculation that he has played his last snaps in the NFL.
Martin’s ankle had bothered him dating back to last season and flared up during training camp this year. The Cowboys tried to manage the injury, but it worsened in November. Martin originally planned to sit out two games and return in Week 14, but his ankle did not respond to his usual treatment regimen after Week 11. It became clear that Martin could not maintain his All-Pro level of play for the rest of the year. With Dallas all but eliminated from the playoffs, surgery became the best option, as it would give Martin a head-start on his recovery if he chooses to return in 2025.
Martin has previously hinted that the 2024 season would be his last, and his lasting ankle injury may provide additional reason to believe that he will retire after this year.
11:30am: Zack Martin suffered an ankle injury in Week 11, and it will keep him out of the Cowboys’ lineup for the rest of the year. The future Hall of Fame guard will undergo season-ending surgery, head coach Mike McCarthy announced on Thursday. 
Martin operated as a full-time starter during his 10 appearances in 2024, his 11th season with Dallas. The 2010s All-Decade team member has been a staple along the interior offensive line throughout his career, but there is a chance this news marks the end of his NFL playing tenure. Martin admitted this past summer he will give thought to retirement following the 2024 campaign.
The 34-year-old is a pending free agent, and in the event he were to hang up his cleats the Cowboys would face the challenging task of finding a replacement. In the immediate future, Dallas will continue with a shorthanded unit up front including former undrafted rookie T.J. Bass seeing time at guard. The team sits at 5-7 on the year, and news of Martin being gone the rest of the way adds further to the likelihood of the season ending without a postseason berth.
While Martin’s Cowboys tenure has not included a deep playoff run, his career features a long list of individual accolades. The former first-rounder has received nine Pro Bowl invitations and he has landed on nine total All-Pro lists (seven first-team, two second-team). Only in 2020 – when he was limited to just 10 games – did Martin not add to those figures. That will likely be the case again for 2024.
As the Cowboys prepare to make a number of key financial decisions this offseason, Martin’s future will be a central storyline for the franchise. The Notre Dame product has started all 162 of his appearances, operating as a consistent figure up front while other blockers have cycled through. Adding new options up front has been a draft priority in recent years, with Tyler Smith being selected in 2022 and fellow starters Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe being added this past April.
Finding a long-term right guard option would be a target this offseason if Martin were to retire. A decision on that front may not be made for several months, but it could take into account the lengthy rehab process which will await him once his operation takes place.
Eric Bieniemy Seeking 2025 NFL Return
Eric Bieniemy spent this past season in the college ranks, but he has his eyes on a new opportunity at the pro level. The veteran coach will not return to UCLA in 2025, and he instead hopes to land an NFL gig. 
Bieniemy took a job with the Bruins in February, but he will not remain in place. The sides are moving on, as first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger. UCLA ranked 117th in total offense this year, as Dellenger notes, something which could hinder Bieniemy’s stock in the 2025 coaching cycle.
“Eric and UCLA mutually parted ways today as previously planned,” a statement from Bieniemy’s agent reads in part (h/t Tom Pelissero of NFL Network). “He’s still getting paid by the Commanders. After interviewing for head coaching jobs last year, he wanted to stay active and busy… The plan was always to return to the NFL in 2025, and he’s looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”
The 55-year-old had a stint at UCLA before his first NFL opportunity came in 2006 with the Vikings. That tenure (as the team’s running backs coach) was followed by two years as Colorado’s offensive coordinator. Bieniemy returned to the NFL ranks in 2013 with the Chiefs, spending time at first as the team’s RBs coach and – from 2018-22 – as OC. Head coach Andy Reid repeatedly campaigned for Bieniemy to receive a head coaching gig, but his interviews with a number of interested parties did not yield a hire.
In 2023, Bieniemy took the Commanders’ offensive coordinator gig, giving him the opportunity to call plays (unlike his Chiefs tenure). Washington ranked near the bottom of the league in many categories that year, and sweeping changes were made on the sidelines. Head coach Ron Rivera was fired as expected, and Bieniemy was among the candidates who interviewed for the chance to replace him. In the end, the Commanders went with Dan Quinn as head coach and Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, leaving Bieniemy in need of a different opportunity for the 2024 season.
Now that his one-and-done second stint at UCLA is over, attention will once again turn to Bieniemy’s NFL coaching stock. Two OC changes have been made this season, with the Raiders firing Luke Getsy and the Bears moving on from Shane Waldron (and shortly thereafter tapping his replacement, Thomas Brown, as interim head coach). A full-time hire could come from outside the organization in one or both cases, and a number of other vacancies will no doubt open up in the near future (to say nothing of the HC openings which will be in place this winter). Bieniemy will once again be a name to watch as the 2025 hiring cycle unfolds.
Texans, TE Brevin Jordan Agree To Extension
Brevin Jordan was on track for free agency, but that will no longer be the case. The fourth-year tight end worked out a Texans extension on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
This will be a one-year deal, meaning Jordan will remain in Houston for the 2025 campaign. His season was brought to an early and abrupt end by a Week 2 ACL tear, something which threatened to hinder his value on the open market. Instead, Jordan’s immediate future is now secure.
Selected in the fifth-round of the 2021 draft, Jordan has served as a key rotational figure on offense throughout his time in Houston. The 24-year-old’s role in the passing game remained consistent through his first three seasons, averaging just over 25 targets, 17 catches and 175 yards per year. That production includes five total touchdowns along with a career-best 12.9 yards per reception from 2023, so expectations were high for a step forward this season.
The ACL tear has left Jordan on the sidelines for the rest of the year, but the Texans do of course still have Dalton Schultz in place as a pass-catching option at the TE spot. The former Cowboy inked a new deal this offseason, and as a result he is on the books through 2026. Today’s move will give Houston added continuity with not only Schultz but also Jordan in place for next year.
Given the timing of the latter’s injury, he will have a strong chance of being available for the start of the 2025 campaign; Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that is indeed expected to be the case. If Jordan can manage to remain healthy next year, he will have the opportunity to boost his free agent stock while remaining in a familiar environment.
Bengals LB Logan Wilson Undergoes Knee Surgery, Likely To Miss Remainder Of Season
The Bengals have struggled on defense while dealing with multiple injuries this season, and the unit will be further shorthanded the rest of the way. Linebacker Logan Wilson underwent a cleanup procedure on his knee Thursday morning, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. 
As a result of the surgery, Wilson is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The news deals another blow to a Bengals defense which already sits near the bottom of the league in several defensive categories. Improving on that side of the ball would be key to any potential playoff push, but the chances of that taking place will drop without Wilson in the fold.
The 28-year-old managed to take part in each of Cincinnati’s first 11 games, but he was sidelined for the team’s first contest after the bye. Wilson is now in position to miss the Bengals’ five remaining games, something which will leave them without a full-time starter at the second level of their defense. Wilson’s 104 tackles rank second on the team, and replacing his production down the stretch (which also includes a pair of forced fumbles) will be challenging.
The Wyoming product landed an extension last summer, and instead of playing out the final season of his rookie pact as a pending free agent he secured $36MM on a four-year deal. Given the terms of that contract, expectations have remained high for Wilson, who has been a mainstay on defense for the Bengals since his rookie season. The 2023 campaign saw him register a new career high in tackles, and prior to going down this season his 90.0 PFF run defense grade stood out on an otherwise poor Cincinnati unit.
Now, Wilson’s attention will turn to recovery in advance of the 2025 campaign. Sitting at 4-8 on the year, the Bengals face a steep path to a wild-card spot and with a defense already ranking 22nd against the run, regression in that department can be expected knowing the former third-rounder will be unavailable. Germaine Pratt is set to remain a starter at the LB spot moving forward, while Akeem Davis-Gaither – who made a season-high 13 tackles on Sunday – represents an option to replace Wilson over the rest of the season.
Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair Issued Three-Game Suspension
DECEMBER 4: Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension has been upheld by hearing officer Ramon Foster. Foster, a former Steelers offensive guard from 2009-19, was jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA and declined to give Al-Shaair any leniency after his hit on Lawrence virtually ended the quarterback’s season.
DECEMBER 3: A decision has been made on a suspension for Azeez Al-Shaair. The Texans linebacker has received a three-game ban, the NFL announced on Tuesday. Al-Shaair will appeal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL,” a letter from NFL VP of football operations Jon Runyan reads in part. “Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
As Runyan’s letter notes, Al-Shaair’s history of personal fouls in recent years played a role determining the length of the ban. This will be the 27-year-old’s first NFL suspension, one which many felt could be handed down in the wake of his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. After the play, Al-Shaair was involved in a brawl which led to multiple players (including himself) being ejected from the game, which was another factor in the league’s suspension decision. The FAU product has since publicly apologized for his actions.
Lawrence was carted off the field following the hit, and he is now in concussion protocol. That has left his availability for the remainder of the season, while in Al-Shaair’s case today’s news will leave him sidelined until Week 18. If he were to win his appeal though, the ban would be reduced which would open the door to a return earlier in the Texans’ remaining schedule. The team’s bye will take place in Week 14 before a stretch where Houston will look to secure the AFC South.
Al-Shaair has been a full-time starter in 2024, his first season as a Texan. The former UDFA spent four seasons with the 49ers, playing under DeMeco Ryans during that time. After a single campaign with the Titans, Al-Shaair signed a three-year deal with Houston which allowed him to reunite with Ryans. He has posted 68 tackles and pair of sacks to date, and replacing that production will be challenging for the Texans over the near future.
Sitting at 8-5 on the year, a divisional title is firmly within reach for Houston. The team is on track to reach the postseason as a result, and even if Al-Shaair’s appeal is unsuccessful he will be available once the playoffs begin.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Russell Wilson
The Steelers opted for a complete overhaul of the quarterback position this offseason, signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields. Both passers are pending free agents, and it remains to be seen if each member of the pair will be retained for 2025. 
In Wilson’s case, though, his time in the lineup has certainly strengthened his case for a new Pittsburgh deal. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner endured an underwhelming two-year tenure with the Broncos, leading to his release this offseason (during which Denver took on a dead money charge of $85MM). The Steelers added him on a veteran minimum pact, positioning him to operate as a low-cost Kenny Pickett replacement.
Fields started the Steelers’ first six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury. Once the latter was healthy, head coach Mike Tomlin made the unilateral decision to insert him into the starting lineup. Pittsburgh went 4-2 with Fields at the helm, but Wilson was seen as having a higher ceiling in the passing game in particular. That has proven to be true to date, as highlighted most recently by his 414-yard outing against the Bengals in Week 13.
Overall, Wilson has led the Steelers to a 5-1 record as a starter, posting a 10:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio along the way. His 104.3 passer rating is his highest since 2020, and maintaining his current level of play would help his value on a new Pittsburgh deal this offseason or one sending him to a new team. Retaining Wilson is a priority for Pittsburgh, but an agreement on that front will only be reached after the campaign.
In the event the 36-year-old does get the opportunity to test the market, he could face a wide range of offers. Executives who communicated with CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones were split when polled about what a Wilson offer would look like this offseason. Projections in terms of annual average value ranged from roughly $10MM on the low end to $35MM on the high end. How he and the Steelers perform over the coming weeks will obviously be key in determining Wilson’s earning potential.
The top of the QB market has seen considerable growth in recent years, and Dak Prescott‘s latest Cowboys deal made him the first $60MM-per-year player in NFL history. Eight other passers are attached to a deal averaging at least $51MM per season, while six sit between $40MM and $46.1MM. Given his age, Wilson should be expected to check in at a tier below those markers, but the likes of Geno Smith (Seahawks) and Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) have parlayed strong seasons into healthy veteran pacts in the middle class of established starters.
Mayfield played on a one-year, $4MM pact with Tampa Bay in 2023 before landing a three-year, $100MM contract this offseason. Wilson is not in an identical situation given his age and his Broncos compensation, but he too could turn an impressive showing on a new team into a medium-term commitment and a raise. With Wilson and Fields combining to account for only $4.44MM on Pittsburgh’s cap sheet this year, a notable spike in that figure should be in store if continuity is sought under center.
Sam Darnold took a one-year Vikings pact as a potential springboard to a lucrative deal elsewhere, and his success in Minnesota has him on track to be the top quarterback in the 2025 free agent market. Wilson could join him as an older option for teams not in position to add a first-round passer in the draft or those seeking a bridge starter to partner with a developmental QB. Fields could also represent an intriguing free agent candidate in the event he were to depart.
The Steelers have not managed to find a long-term Ben Roethlisberger replacement since his retirement, and Wilson will likely not serve in that capacity far beyond 2025 even if he is retained given where he is in his career. Still, he could be an intriguing free agent in the event the Steelers were to allow him to test the market.
WR Diontae Johnson Facing Uncertain Ravens Future
The Ravens were among the teams which made a receiver addition ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Panthers. The sixth-year veteran was happy to move on from Carolina after less than one campaign with the team, but it remains to be seen how long he will remain in Baltimore. 
Johnson had a number of receivers ahead of him on the WR depth chart upon arrival with the Ravens. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have operated as starters, while Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace have been more involved than Johnson over the past several games. In five games since joining Baltimore, the former Steelers Pro Bowler has only managed one catch on five targets with no uptick in usage in sight.
“At this time, I’m going to have to wait just to clarify it,” head coach John Harbaugh said when asked about Johnson’s future (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.”
Johnson dressed for the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Eagles, but even with Bateman suffering a knee injury he did not log a snap during the game. The 28-year-old represented a low-cost rental since he is a pending free agent and the Panthers retained most of his remaining 2024 salary to pull off the deal. Expectations were therefore low from the beginning, but Johnson’s lack of usage coupled with Harbaugh’s remarks have led to questions about his Baltimore tenure ending even before the regular season concludes.
Bateman’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, and with the Ravens on their bye in Week 14 he may be recovered in time for the team’s next game. Provided he and Flowers remain healthy, Johnson will be set to continue as a complementary option on an offense which also relies on tight end Mark Andrews in the passing game and Derrick Henry on the ground. As Baltimore considers roster moves over the coming days, it will be interesting to see if more clarity emerges in Johnson’s case.
Ryan Poles To Lead Bears’ HC Search
In the wake of Matt Eberflus‘ firing, Ryan Poles’ status briefly became a talking point. The latter is nevertheless set to remain in place as general manager of the Bears through the team’s upcoming head coaching search. 
“Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears and he will remain the general manager of the Chicago Bears,” president Kevin Warren confirmed on Monday (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “I am confident in Ryan. My belief is strong in Ryan.”
[RELATED: Latest On Bears’ Play-Calling Changes]
Warren noted that Poles – in place since 2022 – will be Chicago’s “point person” during the process of finding Eberflus’ replacement. The Bears went 14-32 with Eberflus at the helm, and a distinct lack of success in close games played a key role in the decision to make the franchise’s first in-season coaching change. Poles specifically mentioned the handling of late-game situations as being a factor in Eberflus’ firing (h/t Adam Jahns of The Athletic).
Poles’ tenure has featured a rebuilding effort at a number of positions, including the decision to reset under center this offseason. Justin Fields was traded away before Chicago used the No. 1 pick (acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Panthers the previous spring) on Caleb Williams. The rookie’s play this season has been up and down, but it has shown signs of improvement since Thomas Brown took over as offensive play-caller. Brown is now interim head coach, and strong reviews from within the organization could give him a realistic chance at landing the full-time gig.
Still, the Bears will of course look at outside candidates as well. A long list of staffers with an offensive background could be on the team’s radar over the coming months, and to no surprise Poles named (via Cronin) a development plan for Williams as a central aspect of any candidates’ chances of being hired. Helping Williams reach his potential will be crucial as the Bears look to find stability at the QB spot and elsewhere in the organization.
Questions have been raised about whether or not Warren is truly leading the way for the Bears in terms of key decisions. During his Monday remarks, Warren did say (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) that Poles will have the final call on the upcoming head coaching hire. That decision will nevertheless be a collaborative one this winter with Chicago looking for a long-term solution on the sidelines.