Teams Unwilling To Meet Raiders’ Davante Adams Asking Price Absent Salary Retention
A resolution to the Davante Adams situation could be coming soon, but the Raiders may well need to make a concession on one of two fronts. The team is asking for a package involving a second-round pick in an Adams trade, and Vegas hopes to avoid retaining any of his remaining 2024 salary.
If the Raiders are to have their asking price in terms of draft capital met – something they are reportedly insistent on – a lower financial cost will be needed for an acquiring team. Veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports teams interested in adding Adams view it as “unrealistic” to send a Day 2 pick to Vegas while also taking on the remainder of Adams’ salary. That figure would sit at $11.92MM if a deal were to be worked out this week without any retention. 
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms Adams’ trade market will likely force the Raiders to eat some of the six-time Pro Bowler’s outstanding compensation before a deal is made. Vegas obviously prefers to avoid doing so, but with nearly $27MM in cap space the team has the flexibility to take that route provided it becomes conditional for a swap to take place. A number of suitors are in place, but the field of contenders could widen if the financial cost of an Adams acquisition were to be lowered.
As expected, the Jets and Saints are at the top of the list regarding teams to watch in this case, with New Orleans having been the most aggressive in the pursuit of an agreement. A weekend report stated Adams has concerns about quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ future in New York beyond 2024, something which could factor into a reunion between the two. Adams is under contract through 2026, but the absence of guaranteed money after the current year essentially makes him a rental as things stand.
If the three-time All-Pro were to work out an extended stay with a new team, a restructure would be necessary. That, in turn, would no doubt include at least some guaranteed money being added for 2025 while lowering his future cap hits. With Adams, 31, running out of time to land future big-money contracts, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports predicts his financial outlook will be a key factor in determining where he lands (in addition to trade terms being worked out between the Raiders and an acquiring team, of course).
Robinson adds Adams is no longer viewed as highly in league circles as he once was. The Fresno State product topped 1,100 yards five times from 2018-23, and his 69.7 yards per game average this season nearly falls in line with his career average. Still, his age and the hamstring injury which sidelined him for the past two games – but is expected to fully healed in time for Week 6 – threaten to limit how much teams like the Jets or Saints (in addition to other potential suitors like the Steelers, Bills, Ravens and Commanders) are willing to commit.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said the situation has not changed regarding Adams’ health or his trade status (video link). Keeping in line with his previous stance on the matter, he declined to comment on the reasoning behind Adams’ trade request from last week, something which emerged amongst reports Vegas was making contact with other teams. Whether or not an agreement is worked out with one of them shortly remains a major midseason storyline.
Browns’ Deshaun Watson Settles Civil Suit
Deshaun Watson‘s performance on the field has not lived up to expectation, but his most recent legal situation has been resolved. The civil suit filed against the Browns quarterback last month has been settled, as first reported by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 
“We have now resolved our client’s claim with Deshaun Watson,” a statement from Tony Buzbee (the attorney representing the alleged victim) reads. “The settlement is confidential.”
Watson is alleged to have committed sexual assault against the plaintiff in October 2020. The case is not connected to the other civil suits Watson faced in advance of his debut Browns campaign, but it was signficant since it raised questions about its potential to result in a new suspension. Such a move on the NFL’s part could have created an avenue for Cleveland to void the remaining guarantees owed to Watson, who denied the allegations.
As Florio notes, however, the fact the plaintiff has reached a settlement agreement all-but guarantees she will not speak with the league as part of any NFL investigation. The accuser was originally set to participate in a league probe into the matter, but doing so would have been voluntary. Given today’s news, building a case strong enough to issue a second suspension under the personal conduct policy will be challenging for the league, making further discipline unlikely.
Watson is under contract through 2026, and he is owed $92MM after the current season. The former Texans Pro Bowler was acquired via a blockbuster trade for a package involving three first-round picks, and his fully-guaranteed pact allowed Cleveland to win a bidding war which took place against the backdrop of a looming suspension. After returning from his 2022 ban (which lasted 11 games), Watson posted underwhelming numbers. That remained the case for much of last season, one which was cut short by a shoulder injury.
By nearly any statistical measure, the 29-year-old has been the league’s worst signal-caller so far in 2024. That will not lead to a benching, nor is head coach Kevin Stefanski considering a change in offensive play-calling. Attention will be aimed at the extent to which Watson can rebound on the field, but even if that does not take place a hypothetical pathway to moving on from the remainder of his contract no longer seems to be viable.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/24
Here are the minor moves made around the NFL on Monday:
Arizona Cardinals
- Received one-game roster exemption: WR Zay Jones
Atlanta Falcons
- Designated for return from IR: LB Nathan Landman
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed (off Falcons’ practice squad): G Andrew Stueber
Cleveland Browns
- Received one-game roster exemption: DT Mike Hall
Green Bay Packers
- Released: CB Robert Rochell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Opened practice window: S Sydney Brown, WR Ainias Smith
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: G Kyle Hergel
- Placed on IR: OL Shane Lemieux
- Elevated: S Johnathan Abram, LB Isaiah Stalbird
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on IR: OLB Markees Watts
Tennessee Titans
- Designated for return from IR: LB Cedric Gray
Both Jones and Hall were issued suspensions under the personal conduct policy leaving them sidelined for the first five weeks of the season. Their roster exemptions will allow them to make their debuts in Week 6, but after that point a corresponding move will be needed for them to be permanently activated to their respective 53-man rosters.
Lemieux served as New Orleans’ starting center in Week 4 after being promoted from the practice squad. He stepped into a first-team role in place of Erik McCoy, who is dealing with a groin injury. Losing Lemieux for at least the next four games will deal another blow to the Saints’ O-line. Connor McGovern was added to the mix recently, but Lucas Patrick has received the nod at center to begin the team’s Week 5 matchup.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/24
Monday’s taxi squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Armani Rogers
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: K Spencer Shrader
- Released: CB Gregory Junior
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LB Anthony Pittman
- Released: S Andre Chachere
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Tanner Knue
- Placed on IR: WR Cody Thompson
Joe Flacco Only Received Offer From Colts?
Joe Flacco made his first Colts start on Sunday, and his performance carried over from his surprising run with the Browns last season. The 39-year-old passer’s Cleveland success did not lead to a strong free agent market, however. 
After the Colts’ 37-34 loss, Flacco informed CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala the Colts were the only team which made an offer during the spring. A report from March indicated the Eagles had made an offer for the former Super Bowl MVP to return to Philadelphia. Flacco served as the Eagles’ backup for a brief stretch in 2021, but he did not see any game action.
Since then, he spent time with the Jets and Browns, taking over as Cleveland’s top option not long after he was merely added as veteran insurance under center. Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending shoulder injury eventually resulted in Flacco making five starts at the end of the campaign. He averaged 323 passing yards per game during that stretch, throwing 13 touchdowns. The longtime Ravens starter wanted to remain in Cleveland for the current season as part of his goal of playing for the next two years. As was recently confirmed, though, the Browns did not make an offer to Flacco.
Cleveland has Watson on the books through 2026, and despite his struggles he will remain atop the depth chart. Jameis Winston was added to fill the role of veteran backup, a decision which left Flacco free to move on. The latter took a one-year, $4.5MM pact to head to Indianapolis on the open market. The Colts were interested in retaining Gardner Minshew after he served as the team’s starter for much of last season, but he received a more lucrative deal from the Raiders than Indianapolis was prepared to offer.
When taking into account Flacco’s relief performance in Week 4 following Anthony Richardson‘s hip injury, he has amassed five touchdowns without an interceptions along with a 70% completion percentage. Flacco has averaged nearly nine yards per attempt and posted a 115.6 passer rating during that brief stretch. Continuing that impressive output would not be expected over an extended period, and Richardson could be back to full health in time for Week 6.
Last year’s No. 4 pick has struggled to date, but he will retain starting duties once healthy. If Flacco is called upon again, though, he could continue to guide the team’s offense effectively and help his 2025 market value in the process.
Panthers C Austin Corbett Out For Season
Injury issues continue to plague Austin Corbett. The seventh-year offensive lineman tore his biceps in Week 5, Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Monday. As a result, he is out for the remainder of the campaign. 
Corbett remained mainly healthy through the start of his NFL career, and he managed to suit up for all 17 games during his debut Panthers season (2021). In Week 18 of that year, however, he suffered an ACL tear which led to missed time the following campaign. The 29-year-old briefly returned to action in 2023, but an MCL injury once again sidelined him for the long haul and limited him to only four games.
Earlier in his Carolina tenure, Corbett operated as a guard. That position was a point of emphasis for the Panthers this offseason, though, with both Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis landing big-ticket deals on the open market. As a result, Corbett was moved to center ahead of the final year of his contract. That resulted in starts in the middle for each of the team’s first five games this year.
Corbett was charged with one sack and three pressures allowed by PFF in 2024, resulting in a grade of 62.9. That figure marks a rebound from that of last season but it falls short of his best evaluations, including his debut Carolina campaign as well as his time with the Rams. The former second-rounder will now turn his attention to recovery ahead of his next free agent spell, and his market value will of course take a hit given today’s news.
Not much has gone right on offense for the Panthers this year, though the team does rank mid-pack in terms of rushing yards per game (111). Carolina will no doubt remain committed to the ground game with Andy Dalton at quarterback moving forward, but the team’s offensive line will require a change for the rest of the year.
49ers Place DE Yetur Gross-Matos On IR
OCTOBER 7: Gross-Matos is unlikely to be ready when first eligible, with Kyle Shanahan confirming Monday (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) the free agent pickup underwent surgery that will sideline him for four to eight weeks.
OCTOBER 5: The 49ers’ defense has encountered another notable injury. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve Saturday, per a team announcement. 
A knee injury will keep the free agent pickup sidelined for at least the next four games. Gross-Matos was inactive for the season opener, but he handled a regular defensive workload during each of the following three games. His absence will compound the injuries San Francisco is already dealing with in the front seven in particular.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely out for the remainder of the season due to a partial triceps tear. Along the edge, 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson was shut down for 2024 back in August, after he was unable to recover from the knee injury which limited him to eight games last year. Jackson’s absence paved the way for Leonard Floyd and Gross-Matos to handle a notable workload in their respective debut 49ers campaigns.
The latter began his career in Carolina. He played out his rookie contract while spending time as both a base end and a stand-up outside linebacker. Gross-Matos served as a full-time starter in 2022, and his 4.5 sacks that year marked a career high. He inked a two-year, $18MM pact in free agency in a bid to return to a permanent starting role. The former second-rounder logged a 46% snap share without recording a sack in his first three San Francisco contests. It will be several weeks until he returns to action and has the opportunity to make more of a statistical impact.
In the meantime, Floyd will continue handle starting duties alongside Nick Bosa on the edge. Floyd also signed a two-year pact during the spring, and the 32-year-old came to the Bay Area with high expectations after logging at least nine sacks in each of the past four seasons. He has only registered one so far, but with Jackson and now Gross-Matos out of the picture the Bosa-Floyd tandem will be leaned on heavily in the pass-rush department. Notable production from those two would help the 49ers overcome at least some of their injury problems as they look to improve from a 2-2 start.
Raiders Bench QB Gardner Minshew
Gardner Minshew received the backing of Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce earlier in the season, but a quarterback change has indeed been made partway through the team’s Week 5 matchup. 
Minshew began the game completing 12 of 17 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown. He threw an interception when the Raiders were close to scoring a touchdown, however, with Broncos corner Patrick Surtain returning it 100 yards for a Denver score. Minshew then tossed another pick late in the third quarter, and Vegas’ next possession had Aidan O’Connell in at quarterback. He completed 10 of his 20 passing attempts for 94 yards and an interception of his own as the Raiders fell to the Broncos, 34-18.
Pierce declined to name a Week 6 start immediately after the loss, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, but the mid-game switch indicates that a long-term change at quarterback is under consideration.
O’Connell had an encouraging finish to his rookie season in 2023, having been inserted into the lineup once Pierce was promoted to head coach on an interim basis. O’Connell received praise from the head coach during the offseason, but the Raiders gave Minshew a two-year, $25MM pact in free agency to serve as a bridge starter mentoring a rookie or a veteran capable of handling full-time starting duties. Neither passer ran away with the QB1 gig this summer, and it was Minshew who got the nod for the beginning of the campaign.
Through Vegas’ first four contests, the 28-year-old completed a career-high 70.7% of his passes. That resulted in an average of only 219 yards per game, though, and Minshew threw as many touchdowns (three) as interceptions. Struggling in the turnover department today – something which was a factor in him landing the starter’s role in the first place – has exacerbated the ongoing questions about Minshew’s status atop the depth chart. For a brief stretch, at least, O’Connell will get the opportunity to lead the Raiders’ offense.
Of course, that unit does not have All-Pro wideout Davante Adams in place for time being, and a trade sending him elsewhere could be finalized in the coming days. The likes of first-round rookie tight end Brock Bowers and veteran receiver Jakobi Meyers will handle the build of Vegas’ pass-catching work provided Adams does end up being dealt ahead of the trade deadline. With or without him, a strong showing by O’Connell, 26, could allow him to take over as the starter moving forward.
The Purdue product is attached to his rookie contract through the 2026 campaign, while Minshew’s deal includes $3.16MM guaranteed for next year. Both signal-callers should remain in the fold regardless of how the rest of this season plays out, but an extended O’Connell evaluation period could now be in store.
Raiders’ Davante Adams Likely To Recover In Time For Week 6; Latest On Trade Market
OCTOBER 6: Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Press-Gazette confirms the Steelers are among the teams which have called about Adams’ availability. As he notes, though, it remains to be seen how much interest Adams would have in heading to Pittsburgh and committing to the necessary contract adjustments for a deal to become feasible. Adams does not have a no-trade clause or other official leverage in determining his destination, meaning the Steelers remain in play as a suitor; whether they become a serious contender to swing a trade remains to be seen, though.
OCTOBER 5: Davante Adams will not play on Sunday as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. That process has doubled as the intensification of his trade market, with several suitors being linked to an agreement with the Raiders. 
Vegas is insisting on a trade price of a second-round pick and more to move on from the All-Pro wideout. Retaining some of his salary could take place to make that possible, but Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes multiple league executives view that price as “exorbitant.” Even with a lesser financial acquisition cost, teams could be hard-pressed to part with signficant draft capital for player whose non-guaranteed salaries in 2025 and ’26 would essentially make him a rental, something a number of suitors view him as.
A long-term commitment in Adams would, on the other hand, especially make sense if it were to come from the Jets or Saints. Those teams have long been at the top of the list of teams mentioned as landing spots for the 31-year-old, whose preference would be to reunite with Aaron Rodgers. A deal sending him to New Orleans and thus reconnecting him with Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams is also on the radar, though, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Adams has “concerns” about Rodgers’ willingness to remain with New York beyond 2024 (subscription required).
While several reports still tap the Jets as the frontrunner in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the Saints have been the most aggressive suitor to date. New Orleans does not have the necessary cap space to swing an Adams acquisition, and the team is (as per usual) on track to require several cuts and restructures to attain compliance next offseason. Taking on Adams’ contract now and in the future would be a challenge, though bringing him into the fold could prove to be highly impactful in the NFC South race.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports, to little surprise, the Raiders’ preference would be to avoid retaining any portion of Adams’ outstanding base salary (roughly $13.5MM at this point). That could limit the number of suitors unless the asking price in terms of draft compensation were to come down, but many are still in contention as things stand. The Commanders may be among them, but even if not the Steelers, Ravens and Bills have made inquiries as well. Russini adds Pittsburgh – connected to non-Adams trade targets as well – is making an “aggressive” offer, although no deal with any team is considered imminent.
As for Baltimore and Buffalo, Robinson notes a second-rounder is too high of an asking price for a deal to receive serious consideration. The Ravens, per Schefter, have not been in contact with the Raiders for several days. The Cowboys will be without Brandin Cooks for at least four games, but the team has made it clear fitting Adams into its financial planning would be a tall order. 49ers general manager John Lynch‘s latest comments on a potential pursuit of the six-time Pro Bowler, meanwhile, suggested San Francisco is an unlikely destination. The same may well be true of the Chiefs, but they are positioned to test the Raiders’ stance on taking the best offer given their need for a receiver.
Rapoport’s piece notes Adams is likely to be healed in time for Week 6. Trade talks should heat up in the coming days, he and Schefter add, so further developments on this ever-evolving front can be expected. November 5 looms as the trade deadline, and as such the Raiders can still afford to be patient while attempting to cultivate the best market possible over the near future.
Colts G Will Fries To Undergo Leg Surgery
Will Fries was carted off the field during the Colts’ Week 5 loss to the Jaguars. A long-term absence is in store for the fourth-year guard as a result. 
Fries is set to undergo surgery tonight in a Jacksonville hospital, as noted by Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star. No immediate prognosis is in place, but the severity of the ailment – a tibia fracture in his right leg – is clear. A move to injured reserve should be expected, and it will be interesting to see if Fries will be able to return at some point late in the year.
The 26-year-old’s absence (regardless of how long it winds up being) will be acutely felt up front for the Colts. Fries made only three appearances during his rookie season, but he made nine starts the following year and took on a permanent first-team role in 2023. Last year resulted in another career-best PFF grade, and he landed the 32nd-best evaluation for guards.
Through the early portion of the current campaign, Fries has exceled in the ground game in particular. The former seventh-rounder entered Week 5 as PFF’s second-highest rated guard, and continuing that strong play would have been key for him individually and the Colts as a team. As a pending free agent, today’s injury threatens to hinder Fries’ market value on a second Indianapolis contract – something which could be challenging to afford given the investment already made in fellow guard Quenton Nelson – or one sending him to a new team.
The Colts were already without center Ryan Kelly for Sunday’s contest, and losing Fries thrust another inexperienced blocker into the mix. Dalton Tucker, an undrafted rookie, took over at right guard in place of the Penn State product, and he could occupy a starting role for the foreseeable future. The outcome of Fries’ surgery and his prognosis will be worth watching for closely.