Tyree Wilson Suffers Knee Sprain; Raiders Eyeing Edge Rush Addition
The Raiders’ pass rush was already shorthanded to begin the campaign, and the unit was dealt another blow on Sunday. Tyree Wilson suffered a knee sprain during the team’s loss to the Chargers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Rapoport notes Wilson’s knee is intact. While further testing is yet to take place, that is an encouraging sign the worst-case scenario has been avoided. Nevertheless, Wilson could be in line for missed time, something which would exacerbate the absence of Malcolm Koonce. A knee injury suffered during practice this week landed Koonce on injured reserve, and he is in danger of missing the entire 2024 campaign.
Wilson was in line to handle an increased workload in the wake of Koonce’s injury. The 2023 seventh overall pick logged a 44% snap share as a rookie, although his production fell short of expectations. Wilson totaled 3.5 sacks, a stark contrast to the eight Koonce managed while operating opposite Maxx Crosby. Missed time will halt Wilson’s development, although a long-term absence may not be in store for him.
Given the injuries suffered along the edge, though, Vegas will likely be in the market for an addition. Head coach Antonio Pierce said on Monday general manager Tom Telesco is “working on” bringing in depth options at the defensive end spot (h/t Vic Tafur of The Athletic). It would come as no surprise if free agent workouts including some of the top veterans on the market were to take place over the coming days.
Carl Lawson, Yannick Ngakoue, Romeo Okwara and Shaq Lawson are among the most experienced edge defenders who are unsigned at the moment. The Raiders currently have nearly $28.5MM in cap space, so a short-term addition would certainly be feasible. How the team proceeds will no doubt be heavily influenced by Wilson’s prognosis, but Vegas will be worth watching in the near future with respect to a signing aimed at providing depth.
Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell To Miss Time
Week 1 produced a loss on the scoreboard and the depth chart for the Jaguars. Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that cornerback Tyson Campbell will miss time due to a hamstring injury. 
Pederson did not offer a firm recovery timeline, but the fact he is already slated to miss regular season action is of course an unwanted development for Jacksonville. Campbell was one of several players to receive a long-term extension this offseason, landing a four-year, $76.5MM deal. The pact is the most lucrative one for corners who have yet to receive a Pro Bowl nod.
Being without Campbell for any stretch will therefore represent a notable blow to Jacksonville’s secondary. The 24-year-old has started all but one of his career games, serving as a key contributor against the pass over the course of his rookie contract. He totaled six interceptions and 30 pass deflections across his first three years in the league, and expectations are high for continued production moving forward.
That effort will be paused in 2024 while Campbell recovers. It would come as no surprise if the Jaguars were to proceed with caution given his importance to the secondary, but any missed time will be acutely felt. Jacksonville surrendered 319 passing yards against the Dolphins on Sunday, and the team’s secondary will be shorthanded while he is sidelined, meaning more underwhelming performances could be on hand. The Jags have games against the Browns, Bills, Texans and Colts on tap before a London contest versus the Bears.
Jacksonville has free agent addition Ronald Darby along with the likes of Jarrian Jones, Deantre Prince and Montaric Brown available as cornerback options. Darnell Savage – also added in free agency this year – is in place as a slot corner, but Campbell’s injury will compound the loss of Darious Williams after he was released. Further updates on Campbell’s situation will be worth monitoring closely.
Jets To Sign KR Kene Nwangwu
Not long after a visit with the Jets, Kene Nwangwu has found a new opportunity. The running back/return specialist is signing with New York, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. 
This will be a practice squad deal, Pelissero adds. Nwangwu enjoyed success in the return game during his three-year stint with the Vikings to begin his career. He did not survive roster cuts, however, as Minnesota elected to go in another direction on special teams.
That led to the Saints putting in a claim on Nwangwu. The 26-year-old appeared to be in place to handle return duties for New Orleans as a result, but one day later he was waived with an injury designation. Before the end of Week 1, he has now landed another chance to carve out a role. The Jets hosted Nwangwu last week, and that process quickly proved to be worthwhile.
New York dealt undrafted rookie Brandon Codrington to the Bills ahead of the roster cutdown deadline after he had an impressive showing in the return game during the preseason. That move came as little surprise given the presence of Xavier Gipson. The 23-year-old scored a punt return touchdown in Week 1 last year and averaged 23.2 yards per return while running back kickoffs.
Gipson is still in place as the Jets’ primary returner, but Nwangwu will give the team another option in that regard. The latter has scored three kick return touchdowns in his career, and he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2022 for his third phase success. Nwangwu could also serve as backfield depth if needed with the Jets, but any regular action he sees will no doubt primarily come on special teams.
Buccaneers CB Bryce Hall Suffers Fractured Fibula, Dislocated Ankle
11:55am: When speaking to the media, head coach Todd Bowles said Hall’s injury may well be season-ending. He has already been ruled out for Week 2, but a much longer absence than that is in store.
8:59am: The Buccaneers won their season opener on Sunday but their secondary suffered a notable blow in the process. Cornerback Bryce Hall was carted off the field Sunday with an air cast, and he is in line for a lengthy recovery process. 
Hall suffered a fractured fibula in addition to a dislocated ankle, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. No timeline for his return is in place, but a long spell on the sidelines should obviously be expected. Hall served as a part-time starter while playing out his rookie contract with the Jets, and he logged a rotational role during his Buccaneers debut.
The 26-year-old’s heaviest defensive workloads came early in his New York tenure, but the additions of D.J. Reed and Sauce Gardner relegated him to a backup role. Hall primarily played on special teams during the 2022 campaign (during which he was limited to just five games) and he only logged 138 defensive snaps last year. That was again matched by notable third phase responsibilities, but it came as little surprised when he departed in free agency. The former fifth-rounder took a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum to join the Bucs.
Tampa Bay’s cornerback room lost Carlton Davis when he was traded to the Lions. That move created a vacancy along the perimeter for a starting spot opposite Jamel Dean, and Hall was a candidate to fill it on at least a part-time basis. How the team proceeds moving forward will depend in large part on the health status of other cornerback options after the position was hit hard by injuries during Week 1.
As ESPN’s Jenna Laine notes, starter Zyon McCollum suffered a concussion before backup and core special teamer Josh Hayes went down. Those injuries were followed by Hall’s, forcing safety Christian Izien to take over as a boundary corner. The 2023 UDFA served as Tampa Bay’s starter at slot corner last season, a position which is now set to be occupied by third-round rookie Tykee Smith. Depending on the extent of the injury situation, undrafted rookie Tyrek Funderburk may see playing time in Week 2.
Head coach Todd Bowles said (via Laine) further testing will be needed before a decision is made regarding any corner additions being made from outside the organization. Regardless of if that happens, though, Hall should not be expected to be in the Tampa Bay lineup any time soon.
Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson Suffers MCL Sprain
Jake Ferguson exited the Cowboys’ season-opening win on Sunday, but he has avoided the worst-case scenario on the injury front. The third-year tight end is not expected to miss considerable time (if any), as first reported by WFAA’s Ed Werder. 
[RELATED: Recapping Cowboys’ Offseason]
Ferguson – who offered an encouraging update on his status Monday – is nevertheless in danger of being sidelined for a brief stretch. Tests revealed he is dealing with an MCL sprain as well as a bone bruise, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He is therefore considered week-to-week at this point, although ESPN’s Todd Archer confirms Ferguson is still a candidate to play in Week 2.
After a relatively quiet rookie season, Ferguson took a notable step forward in production last year. Dalton Schultz‘s successor posted 761 yards and five touchdowns on 71 receptions in 2023. Expectations are high for a repeat of that output this campaign, one in which CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks remain atop the receiver depth chart. Quarterback Dak Prescott will stay in place for years to come, but one of his top targets may be temporarily unavailable.
Dallas beat Cleveland 33-17 on Sunday, with Ferguson registering three catches on five targets. The 25-year-old earned a Pro Bowl nod for his production last year, and a similar showing in 2024 would set him up well for an extension in March. Two years remain on his rookie contract, though, and Micah Parsons headlines the list of Cowboys in line for a new deal during the 2025 offseason.
If Ferguson misses time, Lamb and Cooks will be positioned to remain focal points in the passing game. At the tight end spot in particular, Dallas will turn to Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford for an increased offensive workload if required. In relatively short order, though, Ferguson should be back to full health.
Jets’ D.J. Reed To Test Free Agency In 2025
The Jets’ secondary will play a key role in the team’s ability to deliver on expectations in 2024. That unit includes Michael Carter for the foreseeable future, and the same will no doubt be true of Sauce Gardner. Whether or not fellow corner D.J. Reed stays with New York beyond the coming season will not be learned for several months, however. 
Reed is a pending free agent as he prepares to play out the final season of his three-year, $33MM contract. That pact has proven to offer solid value from the Jets’ perspective, as the 27-year-old has served as a full-time starter and consistent contributor in coverage. With a Gardner mega-extension looming as early as next spring, though, Reed confirmed he will test the market in March before deciding on his next move.
“I’m going to go to free agency,” the Kansas State product said (via ESPNs Rich Cimini). “I’m focused on just handling my business, taking it one game at a time, ultimately winning, getting to the playoffs, making a push for a Super Bowl run, and then just seeing what happens after that.”
Reed hinted in June that he would wind up in free agency after playing out the 2024 season. As of that point, no extension talks had taken place, and no updates on that front have emerged since. The Carter deal makes him one of three slot corners averaging over $10MM per season, and a new pact for Gardner will move him near or atop the pecking order for outside players. Patrick Surtain and Jalen Ramsey moved the top of that market to (and then slightly beyond) $24MM per year, giving Gardner a target on his extension.
Keeping Carter and Gardner in the fold will make it challenging to also retain Reed. The former fifth-rounder has recorded one interception and one forced fumble during each of his Jets campaigns, adding 21 pass deflections during that time. Reed allowed two touchdowns and nearly identical passer ratings (81.9, 81.6) in coverage across the past two years, and a similar campaign is expected in 2024.
Another steady season would boost Reed’s stock and generate a market of outside suitors. He has expressed a desire to re-sign with the Jets, but that will not happen before he gauges his value as a free agent.
Cowboys, Dak Prescott Agree To Extension
The Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott have finally pushed their negotiations past the finish line. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report, Dallas and Prescott have agreed to a stunning four-year, $240MM extension that will make Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history. 
Schefter notes that all but $9MM of Prescott’s deal is guaranteed, which speaks to the inordinate amount of leverage that the three-time Pro Bowler wielded in this process. His $231MM in guaranteed money is $1MM more than Deshaun Watson received in his highly controversial deal with the Browns several years ago. And, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com observes, Prescott’s guarantees — which include a record $80MM signing bonus — are $60MM higher than the next highest sum of guaranteed money ever handed out on a four-year contract.
[RELATED: Jerry Jones Addresses QB’s Record-Breaking Contract]
Throughout the offseason, questions lingered about whether or not the Cowboys would be able to work out deals with Prescott, wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons while saving the cap flexibility to make other moves. An otherwise quiet offseason revolved around negotiations on the Prescott and Lamb fronts in particular. The latter wound up cashing in on a $34MM-per-year extension which (like the former) will keep him in Dallas through 2028. Lamb did not reach the top of the receiver market, but Prescott has taken his position to new financial heights.
A $60MM AAV has long been a possibility, especially given the nature of the quarterback mega-deals worked out over the past two years and the position Prescott found himself in. No-tag and no-trade clauses were included in his previous pact, and Dallas was set to deal with a $55MM cap charge in 2024 in the absence of an extension coming into play. That was also the case for the dead money charge (roughly $40MM) in 2025 which would have been on the team’s cap sheet had Prescott departed in free agency next spring.
Both the 31-year-old himself and owner Jerry Jones made a number of public remarks in the build-up to today’s news. Continuing this relationship well past 2024 was a mutual goal, although Prescott hinted at testing the market on more than one occasion. Jones indicated in the spring he preferred to let the QB and WR markets take further shape before serious negotiations with Prescott and Lamb’s camps took place. That approach has yielded agreements for both, albeit along a less-than-ideal timeline given the missed time from training camp in one case and the run up to an artificial Week 1 deadline in the other.
Jones stated he would be on board with Prescott negotiations continuing into the regular season, but a late push by all parties involved yielded progress. That left the door open to an eleventh-hour agreement, although with Saturday night coming and going it appeared one would no longer be possible. In the end, however, Prescott is now on the books for the foreseeable future as he tries once again to guide the Cowboys to deep playoff run.
Dallas has posted a 12-5 record in each of the past three years, failing to convert that into postseason success in every instance. Head coach Mike McCarthy is entering a lame-duck year in no small part due to the Cowboys’ underwhelming defeat to the Packers during the wild-card round last season. Jones has routinely praised the former Green Bay Super Bowl winner, hinting he could be retained past the coming campaign depending on how things go. Prescott – who led the league in touchdown passes during McCarthy’s first year as offensive play-caller – will be expected to duplicate his success from 2023 for several more seasons.
Parsons (whose resume includes two first-team All-Pro honors, one second-team nod and three Pro Bowl invites) no doubt would have been a higher organizational priority if not for Prescott and Lamb entering the offseason as pending free agents. With both of their pacts now taken care of, attention will turn to Parsons’ level of play in his fourth campaign. The 25-year-old will set himself up for a major payday with another productive campaign in 2024, but Dallas’ cap outlook has of course been considerably altered in recent weeks.
Today’s deal (and, more specifically, the massive guarantee commitment) confirms Prescott will remain a Cowboy for most, if not all, of his career. His legacy remains linked to the franchise’s ongoing Super Bowl drought, but the next several years will offer an opportunity to break through in the postseason. It will be interesting to see, meanwhile, how the quarterback market shakes out in the near future with the top of the pecking order changing once again.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Poll: Which First-Time Head Coach Will Fare Best In 2024?
The 2024 coaching cycle produced eight hires around the NFL. Raheem Morris (Falcons), Jim Harbaugh (Chargers) and Dan Quinn (Commanders) are each in place as head coaches after previously serving in that role with past teams. The other five are making their coaching debuts this weekend. 
Dave Canales ended a lengthy tenure with the Seahawks in 2023 when took over as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. That was his first opportunity as a play-caller at the college or NFL levels, and Tampa Bay did not rank among the league’s elite in terms of passing production. The team was also last in rushing yardage, but overall the Buccaneers outperformed expectations in 2023. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was among the many in-house players who landed a contract keeping him in Tamp Bay this offseason.
That came in no small part from the former No. 1 pick’s career highs in yards (4,044) and touchdown passes (28) under Canales. Expectations will be high for another NFC South title in 2024 for the Bucs, but the opposite will be the case in Carolina as Canales begins his first head coaching gig. The 43-year-old helped stabilize Mayfield’s career in Tampa Bay after doing the same with Geno Smith in Seattle. Canales will now be tasked with overseeing Bryce Young’s development.
Selected first overall last April after the Panthers’ blockbuster trade to acquire the top pick, Young struggled mightily in 2023. The same was true of many other aspects of the organization, of course, and head coach Frank Reich was fired midway through his first season as head coach. General manager Scott Fitterer was dismissed this offseason, with Dan Morgan being promoted as his replacement. He and Canales are at the helm of a long-term rebuild, but at least slight improvement from last year’s 2-15 campaign will be expected in 2024.
Antonio Pierce has slightly more experience than his fellow first-year coaches. The Raiders gave him the interim HC title after Josh McDaniels was fired midway through his second season in Vegas. Owner Mark Davis was in a similar situation when Rich Bisaccia took on interim duties in 2021. Davis allowed Bisaccia to depart, a move he has since expressed regret over.
Instead of repeating that move this year, Davis tapped Pierce for the full-time gig. Many players publicly endorsed the former Pro Bowl linebacker after he guided the team to a 5-4 record down the stretch. Efforts to land a quarterback in the first round of the draft were unsuccessful, so training camp saw incumbent Aidan O’Connell and free agent pickup Gardner Minshew compete for the starting gig. Neither passer impressed, and the veteran will begin the year atop the depth chart based largely on his experience.
The Raiders added Christian Wilkins to a defensive front already featuring Maxx Crosby, and the team’s defense will be leaned on heavily amidst questions in the passing game. Vegas’ rushing output without Josh Jacobs in the backfield will also be worth watching as Pierce looks to lead the Raiders to a postseason return or at least offer a reason for long-term stability on the sidelines.
Jerod Mayo was known to be the Patriots’ heir apparent to Bill Belichick well before the six-time Super Bowl winner parted ways with the organization. Belichick’s departure came about after the third year with Mac Jones in place at quarterback wound up as a disaster. Sweeping changes on offense were made in the offseason, although a number of players brought in during Belichick’s tenure were retained. 
That will leave Mayo – who spent his entire eight-year playing career in New England – with several familiar faces on defense in particular (except, notably, Matt Judon). The 38-year-old spent much of his first training camp overseeing a quarterback competition between veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye. The latter will begin his career on the bench, but as the No. 3 pick in April’s draft and the more productive passer during the preseason he is expected see the field in relatively short order.
The 2024 campaign will be measured in large part by Maye’s development, but the degree to which the Patriots’ offensive line and receiving corps progress will be worth watching as well. Mayo and first-year de facto GM Eliot Wolf‘s roster is not expected to compete in the AFC East, but a step forward from the end of the Belichick era would provide optimism moving forward.
Pete Carroll attempted to remain in place at the helm of the Seahawks in 2024, but the team moved forward with finding his replacement. Mike Macdonald, 36, is the only head coach younger than Mayo and he represents a candidate to enjoy a lengthy tenure in the Emerald City just as Carroll did. Macdonald spent the 2022 and ’23 seasons serving as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator, boosting his stock considerably during that time.
Baltimore led the NFL in points allowed, sacks and takeaways last year. That unprecedented feat put him on the head coaching radar despite his age and the fact many younger head coaches tend to have a background on the offensive side of the ball. New OC Ryan Grubb will take charge of Seattle’s offense while Macdonald focuses on orchestrating a defensive rebound. The Seahawks have ranked no better than 22nd in total defense over the past five years.
Seattle finished 9-8 last season, and quarterback Geno Smith is among the core players still in place from Carroll’s final campaign. If Macdonald can guide the team to a better finish on defense, a postseason berth could very well be within reach. The NFC West figures to remain highly competitive, though, so his first year at the helm will feature several challenges if a return to the playoffs is to take place.
Brian Callahan joined Zac Taylor’s original Bengals staff in 2019 and he worked as offensive coordinator for five years. That gig did not include play-calling responsibilities, but Callahan drew head coaching interest before landing the Titans’ position. Tennessee moved on from Mike Vrabel after a second straight losing season, and Callahan will be tasked with developing quarterback Will Levis in his place. 
The 2023 second-rounder made nine starts during his rookie campaign after taking over from Ryan Tannehill. Levis’ ability to progress will be Tennessee’s top storyline as he takes charge of a unit which now features Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Tony Pollard and multiple new starters along the offensive line. Callahan’s ability to fit those new elements into the offense and maximize Levis’ potential will determine much of the team’s short- and long-term outlook.
The Titans went 6-11 last year and the AFC South includes three other teams which have young passers; all of them posted better records than Tennessee in 2023. Ran Carthon enters his second season as general manager, and the team’s new regime will be tasked with moving forward with a new core compared to the Vrabel era. Callahan is a central figure in that effort, and Levis’ first full campaign atop the depth chart will be worth watching closely as Callahan handles play-calling duties.
Which staffer do you think will have the best campaign in 2024? Cast your vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section.
Tom Brady Faces Restrictions As Announcer; Latest On Ownership Stake
SEPTEMBER 8: We are once again hearing that Brady’s ownership stake in the Raiders could soon be approved. Mark Maske of the Washington Post said at the end of last month that the matter could be put to a vote at the next owners meeting in October, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com echoed that sentiment this morning.
Rapoport also noted that the vote could be pushed to the December labor seminar and Special League Meeting, but in any event, the expectation is that Brady will land approval as a minority owner in 2024.
AUGUST 31: The 2024 season will mark the beginning of Tom Brady‘s broadcasting career. The seven-time Super Bowl winner will operate as FOX’s lead color commentator, a role which has led to questions stemming from his pending purchase of a minority stake in the Raiders. 
[RELATED: Richard Seymour To Join Brady As Raiders Minority Owner]
Brady worked out an agreement to join Mark Davis as one of the Raiders’ owners last May, but that deal has yet to be approved by the NFL. The purchase price is not believed to be point of contention anymore; rather, the issue of a potential conflict of interest remains as a sticking point amongst a number of the league’s other owners. Steps have been taken to allow Brady to operate as a broadcaster but with unique restrictions attached.
The 47-year-old will not be allowed to enter the facilities of teams other than the Raiders, nor will he take part in production meetings leading up to the games he calls, the NFL announced this week (h/t ESPN’s Seth Wickersham). Those meetings are commonplace during the days leading up to broadcasts and involve in-person conversations with players and coaches from both teams. Preventing Brady from being a part of that process should keep him from being able to use his position to provide a competitive advantage to the Raiders.
The future Hall of Famer – who inked a 10-year, $375MM deal with FOX and took a year off after his playing career ended to prepare for the transition to broadcasting – will also be subject to the league’s gambling and tampering policies even though he is not yet officially an owner. The criteria affecting Brady will take effect immediately, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press confirms. Brady will be allowed to call Raiders games, and while on the air for those contests (and all others) he will be bound by the league rules which prohibit public criticism of officials and other teams.
No other member of the FOX staff will be subject to the rules Brady will need to abide by. Precedent for such restrictions exists based on Greg Olsen‘s initial time spent with the network as a broadcaster. Olsen’s earliest work as a color commentator came while he was still a player with the Panthers. Upon retirement, he took on full-time broadcasting work, becoming FOX’s lead analyst until this season, when Brady will replace him as Kevin Burkhart’s partner.
No firm timeline exists for when Brady’s ownership deal will be approved; that process still sits with the NFL’s finance committee. Once the agreement is put to a vote for all owners, at least 24 of 32 will need to give it the green light for him to formally join the ownership ranks. The league’s decision to implement restrictions on his broadcasting tenure could be a sign that approval will come about sometime in 2024, though.
Dak Prescott Cowboys Extension Still Possible Before Week 1
On the eve of their season opener, it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will reach agreement on a Dak Prescott extension. Team and player are negotiating a deal to continue their relationship beyond the 2024 campaign. 
Recent updates on the situation have noted progress at the bargaining table, with an agreement reportedly being reached with respect to the length of a new contract. Value and guarantee structure will be key points of contention as in any high-profile negotiation, and Sunday represents an artificial deadline for an extension to be in place. In the latest development on this story, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports there is a “small chance” the Cowboys and Prescott will get a deal over the finish line in time.
While a final agreement is not in place, DLLS’s Clarence Hill Jr. confirms the sides are still negotiating at this point with a very small window of time remaining. Owner Jerry Jones said last week a deal does not need to be signed by the start of the regular season, although teams generally prefer to get contract work done in time for Week 1. Prescott is currently slated to carry a cap hit of over $55MM in 2024, a figure which could be lowered on a long-term pact. The 31-year-old will leave Dallas with a dead money charge of more than $40MM if he departs as a free agent next spring.
Both Prescott and Jones have made clear their desire to avoid that, although the three-time Pro Bowler has also noted the multitude of longtime starting quarterbacks who have played for multiple teams during their careers. Prescott appeared to be open to negotiations continuing into the season, but he has since clarified he is not the one primarily responsible for whether or not that happens. Given the efforts made to reach an eleventh-hour agreement, it is clear all parties involved are interested in achieving clarity in advance of the season starting.
CeeDee Lamb inked a four-year extension averaging $34MM per season this summer, and edge rusher Micah Parsons will be in line for a deal putting him at or near the top of his position’s market during the 2025 offseason. Prescott could very well move to the top of the quarterback pecking order on his next deal, either on another Dallas extension or a contract sending him to a new team in March. The latter scenario being eliminated is still possible with mere hours remaining until the Cowboys’ season starts.