Panthers Not Considering QB Change
Week 2 produced another loss featuring a dismal offensive performance by the Panthers. When asked about a potential quarterback change, however, head coach Dave Canales gave a public vote of confidence in starter Bryce Young. 
“Bryce is our quarterback,’ Canales said (via ESPN’s David Newton). “We’re going to continue to shore up and fix the things we need to fundamentally, from a scheme standpoint, all those things.”
Young started all but one game during his rookie season, one in which Frank Reich was fired midway through his first year as head coach. The target of Carolina’s blockbuster move up the draft order for the No. 1 pick struggled across the board, throwing nearly as many interceptions (10) as touchdowns (11) and taking 62 sacks. The Panthers finished 2-15, but the terms of the Young trade left them without their Day 1 selection in 2024.
Aiming to take needed steps forward on offense, the Panthers dismissed general manager Scott Fitterer and hired Canales as a coach capable of overseeing Young’s development. The 43-year-old impressed during a lengthy tenure in Seattle, and his work with Geno Smith landed him the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator gig last year. Canales helped Baker Mayfield enjoy the best statistical season of his career in a number of respects and put himself on the head coaching radar as a result.
Carolina made a pair of big-money additions along the offensive line during free agency (guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis) while also bringing in a number of new faces at the skill positions. An emphasis was placed on the run game to help ease the burden on Young, but the Panthers currently rank just 29th in production on the ground so far. A step forward in passing efficiency would help compensate for that, but Young’s performances in the NFL to date have offered few signs that will be taking place soon.
The Alabama product has mustered 245 scoreless passing yards with a 55.4% completion percentage through two games, throwing three interceptions during that span. While Young has scored a rushing touchdown, his showings individually and those of the Panthers as a whole have left plenty to be desired. The team has scored only 13 points across the past four games dating back to the end of the 2023 campaign.
Andy Dalton resides as Carolina’s backup signal-caller. The 36-year-old racked up 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns during his lone start last season, and with 170 games of experience he would likely offer considerably more stability under center than Young as things currently stand. Calls for major changes on offense will no doubt continue if Young still struggles, but for at least the short term Canales is set to maintain the status quo at the QB spot.
Community Tailgate: Haason Reddick’s Jets Holdout
Haason Reddick’s situation remains one surrounded by uncertainty. The Pro Bowl edge rusher has been away from the Jets throughout the offseason with the exception of his introductory press conference on April 1. 
The past two seasons saw Reddick cement his status as one of the most productive players at his position, as he racked up 27 sacks in 34 games. That brought his total since 2020 to 50.5, fourth-most in the league during that span. Once it became clear no Philadelphia extension would be in play, though, the team allowed him to seek out a trade. Reddick preferred to remain with the Eagles, but he was dealt to the Jets for a conditional third-round pick.
That selection can become a second-rounder based on his playing time and production, but it would come as a surprise if he hit either threshold as things currently stand. The soon-to-be 30-year-old received an extension offer from the Jets prior to the trade taking place, but that was below market value.
Signs indicated team and player would be willing to continue negotiating after the introductory presser, with New York being particularly amenable to tacking on incentives to the 2024 portion of Reddick’s contract. No progress has been made on that front, however, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Rich Cimini note an agreement of any kind is not considered imminent at this time.
Reddick’s camp expected the Jets to circle back to extension talks during the summer, during which he remained away from the team. The matter of his absence has become a central sticking point in this situation; New York has insisted negotiations will only take place once the Temple product reports, while he continues to wait for discussions on a resolution to resume. With neither side willing to budge, this saga took another turn last month.
Again looking to find a suitor willing to meet his desired contract terms, Reddick asked for a trade from the Jets in August. To little surprise, general manager Joe Douglas immediately shot down the request, although the weeks following that move have not yielded any new developments. Reddick has still not attended the facility, leading to New York retaining him on the reserve/did not report list. Douglas has remained consistent in his messaging that contract talks can and will take place once the holdout ends.
In the meantime, Reddick’s financial penalties for his absence continue to accumulate. Mandatory daily training camp fines – which, since he is not attached to a rookie contract, cannot be waived – have reached $4.5MM at this point, while he has also lost a portion of his signing bonus. The former first-rounder lost out on a $792K game check last week, and that will remain the case today and for each contest moving forward until a resolution is found. Reddick’s original base salary for the year ($14.25MM) did not vest ahead of Week 1 since he is still not on the Jets’ active roster, and his earning power as a free agent has no doubt taken a hit this offseason.
Still, his return to the field – which may not take place in 2024 – would be welcomed on a Jets team which lost Bryce Huff (to the Eagles) in free agency and dealt John Franklin-Myers during the draft. Reddick is viewed as having a three-down skillset, something which differentiates him from Huff, so he could occupy a notable role for New York if he were to end his holdout. As the cases of Le’Veon Bell (2018) and Trent Williams (2019) demonstrate, however, players have been known to skip out entire campaigns in the past.
Chris Jones continued his efforts to land a new Chiefs accord into Week 1 last year. Kansas City lost the season opener, and a new agreement was in place before Week 2. Reddick has continued his holdout past that point, and while his agent has been in contact with Douglas, no direct communication with the team has taken place. No end is in sight as a result, although things could of course change rather quickly.
Reddick’s contract will toll in the event he skips out on the entire campaign. That would leave him under team control with the Jets and thus eliminate the possibility of landing a market-level free agent contract in 2025. As CBS Sports’ Joel Corry notes, no exact deadline is in place for him to report to accrue a season in 2024, although doing so before the trade deadline would help ensure he manages to hit the open market during the spring (unless, of course, a Jets extension comes to pass in the near future). Until any movement happens in on either side of this situation, speculation will continue.
How do you see the Reddick holdout proceeding? Will a resolution allowing him to play in New York this season take place, or will another outcome (specifically a trade to a new team or his absence spanning the entire campaign) come to bear? Give your thoughts in the comments section below.
Latest On Micah Parsons’ Approach To Cowboys Extension
Both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb landed monster Cowboys extensions ahead of Week 1. Micah Parsons was eligible for a second contract during the offseason, but to little surprise he did not engage in serious contract talks during the summer. 
Parsons has made it clear to the Cowboys’ front office that no extension talks will take place during the regular season. The 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year’s attention is focused on another campaign with standout production, something which would help his bargaining power. Parsons is also well aware of where the edge market as a whole currently stands, though.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms Parsons is prepared for a lengthy wait to secure his second contract. Part of the negotiating process will depend on what happens with the league’s other contracts at the top of the position’s market. As Rapoport notes, both T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett could hammer out new deals with their respective teams next offseason; Watt’s Steelers pact runs through 2025 and does not include guaranteed salary for its final year. Garrett is on the books though 2026, and he too does not have guaranteed salaries beyond the current year.
Watt and Garrett have seen their deals surpassed in terms of annual average value over the past two years. Nick Bosa inked a 49ers extension averaging $34MM per year in 2023, while this past offseason saw Josh Hines-Allen (Jaguars) and Brian Burns (Giants) slot second and third in terms of AAV. If market corrections are made for some of the top veterans seeking to adjust their deals next spring – coupled with an increase in the salary cap ceiling, of course – Parsons could be positioned to command a massive raise.
To little surprise, Rapoport notes Parsons is expected to surpass Bosa as the league’s top earner amongst edge rushers once his deal is in place. Bosa took the title of the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback with his deal and held it until Justin Jefferson landed a Vikings pact with a $35MM AAV. Parsons, 25, was tied in June to an asking price which would move him to the top of the pecking order for non-QBs. It would not surprise if he angled for such a pact, although the Cowboys’ deals for Prescott and Lamb met their desired terms in both cases.
Dallas’ ability to handle the cap implications of Prescott, Lamb and Parsons on monster pacts will be challenging moving forward. The likes of Zack Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence are pending free agents, so they too will need new commitments if they are to be retained beyond the current season. Needless to say, the Parsons negotiating process will be an interesting storyline for the Cowboys in particular and the league as a whole once it begins.
Packers’ Jordan Love Aiming For Week 5 Return
The Packers are relying on Malik Willis under center in Week 2 while Jordan Love recovers from his MCL sprain. Injured reserve is not under consideration, and as a result a return to action within four weeks is possible. 
In the latest update on Love’s status, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the second-year starter is aiming to be back in place for Week 5 (video link). The injury is not as serious as it originally appeared, Rapoport adds, which is a positive sign. Love initially appeared to be facing a three-to-six week recovery timeline, so Week 5 would represent the best-case scenario in terms of taking the field.
Willis only made three starts during his three-year Titans tenure, all of which took place during his rookie campaign. The former third-rounder did not develop as hoped in Tennessee, but he was surprised he found himself on the move shortly before the start of the campaign. Willis, 25, spent the build-up to the regular season attempting to learn head coach Matt LaFleur‘s scheme and he will be counted on to operate the offense for a short-term period. Sean Clifford – who like Michael Pratt was among the Packers’ roster cuts – is in place as the team’s backup.
Love faced questions about his viability as Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers successor ahead of last season. After an inconsistent start to the 2023 campaign, the 25-year-old put up strong numbers down the stretch and through the postseason. In spite of his limited experience, Love joined a number of other young passers in securing a monster extension this offseason. He is now attached to a $55MM AAV, a figure which put him in a tie for the lead in that respect until Dak Prescott‘s new Cowboys deal was worked out.
Given the size of the commitment made by Green Bay to Love, the team will no doubt prefer to take a cautious approach with his return. Success with Willis at the helm could help the Packers elect to sit Love an extra game or so, but even without that their starting signal-caller should be back in relatively short order.
Packers Unlikely To Exercise LB Quay Walker’s Fifth-Year Option?
In 2022, the Packers double-dipped in terms of adding former Georgia defenders during the first round of the draft. The team’s first selection in that effort – linebacker Quay Walker – appears to have work to do to ensure his tenure with the organization continues beyond 2025. 
Walker stepped into a starting role right away, and he racked up 121 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a rookie. While his run defense was poorly rated by PFF, his work in coverage drew a strong evaluation. That situation reversed last year, as Walker’s completion percentage and passer rating allowed took a step back compared to the 2022 season. In the early stages of his third campaign with the Packers, Walker faces the prospect of having his fifth-year option declined next spring.
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes it is currently “pretty iffy” with respect to the Packers exercising the option. Walker would currently be in line for $16.12MM in compensation for 2026 if the option were to be picked up, per Over the Cap. That figure would jump to $22.64MM in the event Walker were to earn a Pro Bowl nod this season, something which would take place through a step forward in his development. The 24-year-old had a productive start to the campaign with 11 tackles in Week 1.
Green Bay has continued to invest considerable draft capital at the linebacker spot not long the Walker addition. Edgerrin Cooper (regarded by many as the position’s top prospect in 2024) was selected in the second round, and Ty’Ron Hopper was taken with one of the team’s two third-round picks. Both were primarily used on special teams during their NFL debuts, but Cooper in particular has the potential to become an impact defender at the second level. For at least the coming season, though, much will still be expected of Walker.
Recent history around the league has seen linebackers devalued regarding fifth-year option decisions. 2020 draftees Isaiah Simmons, Kenneth Murray, Jordyn Brooks and Patrick Queen all had their options declined. Likewise, this past spring saw Zaven Collins and Jamin Davis (both of whom were drafted as off-ball linebackers who have since seen time as edge rushers) had their options turned down, although Collins did receive a Cardinals extension last month. The Packers elected not to exercise cornerback Eric Stokes‘ 2025 option, a move which came as no surprise.
A pair of decisions on that front will be made after the 2024 season. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt saw a major uptick in playing time last year, and he posted 5.5 sacks. A similar campaign would make him a logical candidate to be kept through at least the 2026 campaign given the surging value of the DT market. Whether or not the same approach will be taken with Walker will be an interesting storyline to follow as the season progresses.
Bills LB Terrel Bernard Suffers Pec Strain
SEPTEMBER 14: When speaking about the injury, head coach Sean McDermott confirmed (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg) Bernard is facing a multi-week absence. A decision has yet to be made regarding an IR stint, however. As expected, McDermott added that Spector will be counted on as Bernard’s replacement moving forward, setting him up for a signficant workload over at least a short-term span.
SEPTEMBER 13: Terrel Bernard exited Buffalo’s win on Thursday night, and he is now set to miss multiple games. The third-year linebacker avoided the worst-case scenario, however. 
Bernard’s pectoral injury has proven to be a strain rather than a full tear after further testing, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. As a result, the 25-year-old is facing a recovery timeline of roughly one month. While that represents positive news in one sense, it makes Bernard a candidate for injured reserve and leaves Buffalo’s linebacking corps even thinner for the time being.
Matt Milano suffered a biceps tear one month ago, sidelining him indefinitely. The All-Pro hopes to return at some point during the year, but being without him (especially after he missed much of 2023) constitutes a notable challenge for the Bills’ second level. Bernard was set to remain a key figure on defense after he logged a full-time starting role last year and collected 143 tackles. The former third-rounder will miss a minimum of four weeks if he is placed on IR, though.
2022 seventh-round selection Baylon Spector stepped in for Bernard on Thursday, and he collected 10 tackles. Spector totaled only 15 appearances during his first two seasons in the league, playing primarily on special teams. A major uptick in playing time could be in store for the Clemson product over the coming weeks with Bernard on the mend as the Bills sort out their remaining linebacker options.
The team also has 2023 third-rounder Dorian Williams in place; he started only two games as a rookie but has already matched that total this season. Williams has seen a 77% defensive snap share so far in 2024, a steep increase from his workload last year. With Milano (who was designated for return during roster cutdowns) and now Bernard out of the picture, Buffalo will rely more on Williams, Spector and the likes of Nicholas Morrow, Edefuan Ulofoshio and Joe Andreessen at the LB position.
Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Concussion; Dolphins To Make QB Addition
Thursday’s night’s contest saw the Dolphins’ record drop to 1-1 but the main takeaway was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa exiting the game with a concussion. Miami’s franchise passer has a history of head injuries, and this latest one will lead to a depth move being made. 
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said after the game that Tagovailoa – who went down late in the third quarter during a scramble which produced a collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin – will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. Tagovailoa’s history with head injuries is a factor which will be taken into consideration when evaluating his recovery process, which does not have a timeline at this point. McDaniel added he and Tagovailoa will speak later today.
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After a college career which included several ailments (one of which was a concussion), the Alabama product dealt with at least two more concussions during the 2022 campaign. That cost him five combined regular and postseason games and led to signficant changes to the NFL’s concussion protocol. The 26-year-old’s ability to progress through the protocol will now be critical as he and the team evaluate his rehab. Until more is known about Tagovailoa’s condition, no decision regarding an IR stint will be possible.
In the meantime, Miami will move forward with Skylar Thompson under center. The 2022 seventh-rounder served as third-stringer behind Mike White last season, one in which Tagovailoa remained healthy. White was let go during roster cutdowns this summer, however, paving the way for Thompson to operate as QB2 in 2024. He will be counted on to lead the offense moving forward, but the team is now eyeing an addition to serve as healthy depth.
“The team and organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said during a Friday press conference (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “There’s a reason he is our backup quarterback. We will bring in someone. I’m expecting Skylar is the next man up.”
Chiefs Place Marquise Brown On IR; WR To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
10:05pm: Brown has officially be moved to IR. When addressing his situation, head coach Andy Reid said Brown’s recovery timeline is now “months not weeks” (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). That ensures he will miss more than the four-week minimum as Kansas City moves forward without Brown in the fold for the foreseeable future.
11:03am: Marquise Brown‘s SC joint injury will further delay his Chiefs debut. The veteran wideout is being placed on injured reserve, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
The move comes after testing revealed Brown’s injury has not healed correctly, Schultz adds. To ensure a proper recovery, the free agent pickup will undergo a procedure on Monday. Moving to injured reserve will guarantee at least a four-week absence after Brown already missed Kansas City’s season opener.
The 27-year-old suffered the injury in mid-August, and his initial recovery timeline left his Week 1 availability in doubt. He appeared to be making progress, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently reported Brown did not suffer a broken bone. That differentiates his situation from that of Tyreek Hill in 2019 when he suffered a similar injury, but in spite of that Brown will be sidelined for a notable stretch.
The Oklahoma product managed a 1,000-yard season during his third and final Ravens campaign, but his stint in Baltimore generally fell short of expectations. After asking to be dealt, Brown spent the 2022 and ’23 campaigns in Arizona. He saw his yards per reception average dip to 10.9 across that span, but he was still viewed as one of the top vertical options in the receiver free agent market. Kansas City inked him to a one-year deal with a base value of $7MM. Another $4MM is in place via incentives, but Brown’s ability to reach those will be impacted by his extended absence.
Adding at the receiver spot was an offseason priority for the Chiefs, and they followed up the Brown signing by moving up on Day 1 of the draft and selecting Xavier Worthy. The 40-yard dash record-holder had a strong NFL debut by scoring a pair of touchdowns, and he will be counted to remain an impact player in the passing attack. Kansas City also has Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster in place on the depth chart.
Brown will be sidelined for the four games remaining until the Chiefs’ bye week. He will be eligible to return after that point, though bringing him back into the fold will use one of the team’s eight allotted IR activations.
Falcons Host LBs Kwon Alexander, Rashaan Evans, Josh Woods
In search of veteran linebacker depth, the Falcons hosted three veterans at the position on Friday. Kwon Alexander, Rashaan Evans and Josh Woods visited the team, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. 
Atlanta has Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen in place atop the depth chart at the position, but the team is thin on experienced options beyond those two. Former UDFA Milo Eifler was waived/injured during roster cutdowns, while Nate Landman has been limited during practice this week. His absence would create the need for at least a rotational option on defense along with a special teams contributor.
Alexander is familiar with the NFC South, having spent time with the Buccaneers and Saints. He also played for the 49ers and Jets prior to his Steelers contract signed last season. The 30-year-old made nine appearances and two starts in Pittsburgh before an Achilles tear ended his campaign. Alexander has not been connected to any suitors since, but news of his visit is a strong sign he is now healthy.
Evans served as a full-time starter in 2022 with the Falcons after a four-year run in Tennessee. The former first-rounder made a career-high 159 tackles during his Atlanta campaign, but his usage saw a notable drop last year with the Cowboys. Evans, 28, was let go by Dallas in late December after an arrest for marijuana possession. He could step back into a notable role upon returning to the Falcons, though.
With 66 combined regular and postseason appearances, Woods is the least experienced member of the trio. He has made only eight starts at the NFL level, but seven of those came last year with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old’s 61 tackles in 2023 were by far the most of his career after he primarily handled special teams duties with the Bears and Lions.
The Falcons have fifth-round rookie JD Bertrand in place as an option after he played 23 special teams snaps in Week 1. If a more experienced linebacker is targeted, though, it would come as no surprise if one of the three players hosted on Friday were to land a deal. Atlanta currently has roughly $10.8MM in cap space.
Lions DT D.J. Reader To Play In Week 2
D.J. Reader is set to make his Lions debut during Week 2. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Friday that the veteran defensive tackle will be available on Sunday. 
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Signs pointed in that direction recently, so it comes as no surprise Reader will make his Lions debut against the Buccaneers. The 30-year-old missed considerable time during training camp while rehabbing the torn quad which ended his 2023 campaign. Reader was activated from the reserve/PUP list in late August, though, removing the need for him to miss the first month of the season with a PUP designation during roster cuts.
Reader practiced on a limited basis last week, but it came as no surprise he and the team opted for a cautious approach. The former Texan and Bengal was a full participant this week, and he is therefore in line to handle a notable workload along the defensive interior. Reader is confident he has recovered in full after a lengthy rehab process.
“Feel really good about where I’m at,” he said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “Mentally, a lot tougher than I was just going through it. It’s just, it’s one of those injuries… It can really get you down and have you fighting that wall for a while… I’ve got a good group of people around me, good spirits and just been able to really work through.”
During his time in Cincinnati, Reader remained a full-time starter and served as an effective run stopper. He is expected to translate that early-down success to the Motor City while playing on a two-year contract. That pact carries a maximum value of $27.25MM, but only $7.4MM of that figure is fully guaranteed. Much of Reader’s future with the Lions beyond 2024 will thus depend on his ability to return to his previous form over the coming months as he aims to play a key role on one of the NFC’s presumed contenders.