Patriots Name Jacoby Brissett Starting QB
The Patriots have landed on a starting quarterback with one week remaining until the start of the regular season. Jacoby Brissett will get the nod for Week 1, head coach Jerod Mayo announced on Thursday. 
“I have decided Jacoby Brissett will be our starting quarterback this season,” the first-year head coach said when confirming the decision (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “As an organization, we’re 100% behind Jacoby.”
The 31-year-old returned to New England this offseason on a one-year, $8MM contract in free agency. That pact gave the team a veteran capable of serving as a bridge starter, but after trading away Mac Jones it was clear the Patriots would draft a quarterback in April. Turning aside considerable trade interest for the No. 3 pick, the team remained in place and selected Drake Maye. The North Carolina product will begin his NFL career as a backup given today’s news.
To no surprise, Brissett entered training camp atop the depth chart with Maye acclimating to the pro level in general and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt‘s scheme in particular. His success in doing so allowed him to surpass Bailey Zappe as the team’s backup, and continued development over the course of the summer created a genuine competition for the QB1 gig. Mayo noted on multiple occasions during the preseason that Maye closed the gap on Brissett, and he acknowledged earlier this week that the rookie had been the team’s better performer during their exhibition contests. Brissett’s experience will see him take the reins for at least the beginning of the campaign, though.
Jones had an encouraging rookie season, but his play dropped off significantly over the past two seasons. Dealing him to the Jaguars allowed for a fresh start for the former first-rounder, but he left the Patriots in need of a new long-term investment at the position. Maye had a more impressive 2022 campaign than he did last year, but his age and upside could allow him to serve as a starter for the long term. As is the case with many rookies, of course, Maye could still find himself in the lineup midway through his first season.
“I think it’s important to remember, what’s good for the team today may not be good for the team weeks down the line,’ Mayo added. “I think the challenge is you want to win every single game now, but also you’re trying to build something special. So to me, that was a challenge.”
On the books through at least 2027 (with the potential for another season via the fifth-year option), Maye will have plenty of opportunities to cement himself as New England’s starter. For the time being, however, the Patriots’ offense – a unit which has seen a number of new arrivals in the pass-catching corps and faces questions up front – will be led by Brissett. The veteran’s free agent stock will be determined by his play when on the field and how long into the 2024 season he will be able to maintain his place atop the depth chart.
Chiefs, JuJu Smith-Schuster Agree To Deal
AUGUST 28: This second Smith-Schuster deal with Kansas City will be for the veteran minimum, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets. As an eighth-year player, that checks out to $1.21MM. As expected, this is a one-year contract.
AUGUST 26: JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s tenure with the Patriots did not go to plan, but he will spend the 2024 campaign looking to rebuild his value with a familiar team. The veteran wideout is signing with the Chiefs, as first reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz. 
Smith-Schuster spent the 2022 campaign in Kansas City after his five-year Steelers spell. His first Chiefs deal carried a value of $3.76MM on a one-year accord as he looked to earn a long-term investment on the open market the following season. The 27-year-old had the second most productive season of his career with Kansas City (78 catches, 933 yards), earning himself a payday from the Patriots.
Looking to add at the receiver spot, New England made a three-year, $25.5MM commitment to Smith-Schuster. Expectations were high for the former second-rounder, but he was dealing with a knee injury for much of the campaign. Playing at less than 100% – and as a member of one of the league’s least-productive offenses – he only managed a statline of only 29-260-1. That left Smith-Schuster as a cut candidate, and earlier this month the Patriots did indeed move on despite his 2024 base salary ($7MM) being fully guaranteed.
Kansas City’s latest Super Bowl win came in spite of inconsistent play at the receiver position, so it came as little surprise the team’s offseason was defined in large part by efforts at bolstering the position. Marquise Brown was added on a one-year deal in free agency, while Xavier Worthy was selected in the first round of the draft. Brown could be sidelined for the start of the season through injury, though, and uncertainty looms regarding a potential suspension being levied against Rashee Rice. Regardless of what happens on that front, Smith-Schuster will represent another, familiar option in the passing game.
Kadarius Toney – who has one year remaining on his rookie contract – is known to be on the Chiefs’ roster bubble. Reuniting with Smith-Schuster is certainly not a positive sign for his ability to avoid being cut or traded in the next two days, but it remains to be seen how Kansas City will proceed. For Smith-Schuster, meanwhile, another low-cost deal no doubt awaits him but he has the potential to again boost his market with a strong Chiefs campaign.
Bengals Expect WR Ja’Marr Chase To Play In Week 1
Ja’Marr Chase does not have a deal in hand, but he is not expected to miss regular season time as a result of extension negotiations. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Tuesday the team’s No. 1 wideout is expected to play in Week 1. 
“It’s been good just to have our full complement of weapons out there,” Taylor said (via the team’s website). “I think it gives you the visual of what it’s going to look and feel like for us. It’s been good to get him back in the mix the last couple of days. He’s looked great. Same Ja’Marr I’m used to. The plan will be to continue to practice with him.”
Chase had been engaged in a training camp hold-in, but he recently returned to practice. No updates emerged on the extension front Tuesday, although an agreement could still be reached in time for the start of the season. If that does not wind up being the case, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year will start the campaign while under contract for two more seasons.
The Bengals picked up Chase’s 2025 fifth-year option last year, a move which has him on track to earn $21.82MM that season. A long-term accord will cost much more, and while the Bengals have named the LSU alum their top remaining financial priority (since Joe Burrow‘s extension has been taken care of), the team appears to be willing to wait until next offseason to finalize a long-term deal. Chase himself is reportedly open to doing so, and today’s update would make it no surprise if he paused contract talks at least once the season kicked off.
The receiver market has seen another upward shift this offseason, with Chase’s former college teammate Justin Jefferson landing $35MM per season on his Vikings deal. That pact stood in a tier of its own for several months (especially in terms of guarantees) until CeeDee Lamb signed a Cowboys extension yesterday. That deal carries an AAV of $34MM and includes $100MM in guarantees.
A Chase deal will likely include similar terms, although a recent report stated that multiple teams around the league expect him to command the most lucrative receiver deal in history – something which would require surpassing Jefferson’s accord. Chase’s resume includes three Pro Bowls and one second-team All-Pro nod, and especially if Tee Higgins departs next offseason as expected, he will be Cincinnati’s top pass catcher by a wide margin. Regardless of if he has an extension on the books by that point, it appears Chase will have suited up for the 2024 campaign without issue.
WR Tim Patrick Expected To Join Lions
Tim Patrick was let go by the Broncos earlier today after no trade partner could be found. The veteran wideout has not needed to wait long to find his next home, however. 
Patrick is expected to sign with the Lions, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will be a practice squad agreement at first with the plan being to move him to the active roster in short order. That move has become increasingly popular around the NFL as it pertains to veteran additions, and in Patrick’s case it will allow him to compete for a notable receiving role in Detroit.
The 30-year-old missed all of 2022 and ’23 due to ACL and Achilles tears, respectively. Those major ailments led to questions about his roster status with the Broncos moving forward, but upon returning to full health he seemed to have a spot lined up in Denver. It was learned yesterday, however, that the team was shopping him in an effort to work out a trade. After no deal on that front materialized, Patrick was among the Broncos’ final cuts.
The former UDFA played with Denver from 2018-21. Over the final two years of that stretch in particular, he established himself as a full-time starter and impact producer. Patrick totaled 1,476 yards and 11 touchdowns during his last two Broncos campaigns, but after missing the past two seasons altogether it would have been fair to wonder if he would have drawn early interest in free agency. The Lions have proven that to be true.
Detroit’s passing game is set to once again be led by All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and record-breaking tight end Sam LaPorta in 2024. While former first-rounder Jameson Williams is positioned to take on the WR2 role, the Lions’ depth has been a talking point since Josh Reynolds departed (to the Broncos, as it turned out) in free agency. Donovan Peoples-Jones was let go, creating a vacancy in the receiving corps. Patrick will spend the coming weeks attempting to fill it.
Bears Drop Roster To 53
The Bears have set their initial 53-man roster. Here is the full breakdown of the moves they made on Tuesday ahead of the cutdown deadline in addition to releasing veteran quarterback Brett Rypien:
Released:
- FB Khari Blasingame
- WR Collin Johnson
- TE Stephen Carlson
- OL Aviante Collins
- DL Byron Cowart
- CB Greg Stroman
- S Adrian Colbert
- S Tarvarius Moore
Waived:
- QB Austin Reed
- TE Brenden Bates
- OL Theo Benedet
- OL Jake Curhan
- DL Jamree Kromah
- DL Dashaun Mallory
- LB Micah Baskerville
- DL Carl Jones Jr.
- DB Leon Jones
- DB Reddy Steward
- DB Ro Torrence
- LS Cameron Lyons
- P Corliss Waitman
Placed on IR:
- WR Dante Pettis
Placed on IR (designated for return):
- OL Larry Borom
- DE Jacob Martin
With Rypien out of the picture, it will be interesting to see if Reed is kept the organization with a practice squad deal. For the time being, Chicago’s only passers are Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. It comes as no surprise those two were kept on the 53-man roster, of course, but it neither Rypien nor Reed are available in the next few days, the Bears will be in the market for a depth addition.
Waitman was one of two punters in place during the offseason, so the decision to cut him means fourth-round rookie Tory Taylor has won the gig. Waitman, 29, played for the Steelers in 2021 and the Broncos the following season. He led the NFL in punts during his full campaign in Denver, but he did see any regular season action in 2023. Waitman signed a futures deal in the winter, the Taylor selection suggested he would need to find a new home once roster cuts took place.
Borom and Martin were not named to the initial 53-man roster, per a new role for 2024. Teams may designate two players to return from IR before naming their rosters, although they are still required to miss at least the first four games of the season. In Pettis’ case, on the other hand, today’s move confirms he will be sidelined for the entire campaign.
Falcons Reduce Roster To 53
Here are the Falcons’ Tuesday moves which brought the team’s roster to 53 ahead of the cutdown deadline:
Released:
- CB Dane Cruikshank
- T Julien Davenport
- DE Demone Harris
- CB Kevin King
Waived:
- WR Chris Blair
- CB Natrone Brooke
- RB Spencer Brown
- WR Dylan Drummond
- LB Milo Eifler (injury designation)
- DT Prince Emili
- TE John FitzPatrick
- WR O.J. Hiliare
- CB Anthony Johnson
- DT Zion Logue
- DT LaCale London
- WR Jesse Matthews
- LB Kenny Oginni
- CB Jayden Price
- OL Andrew Stueber
- S Tre Tarpley
- CB Josh Thompson (injury designation)
- DT Tommy Togiai
- RB Carlos Washington
- OL Barry Wesley
Placed on IR (designated for return):
Taylor Heinicke was widely believed to be on the trade block, and it would have come as little surprise if the veteran passer had been released. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in April. Those two are set to handle starting and backup duties in 2024 (and beyond, if things go according to plan), which suggested Heinicke was expendable. Instead, he will prepare for a second season with the Falcons.
King’s efforts to return to regular NFL action included a contract with the Falcons in March. The former Packers corner sat out the 2022 season while rehabbing multiple injuries. Last year, an Achilles tear forced him to miss another campaign. He was unable to carve out a roster spot in Atlanta, but as a vested veteran he will immediately hit free agency without needing to pass through waivers.
A number of recent draftees are included in the list of players being waived. As a former UDFA, Blair does not meet that criteria but his inclusion is a surprise. The 26-year-old was a standout in the preseason, and ESPN’s Marc Raimondi notes Atlanta is interested is retaining him via the practice squad. The same will no doubt be true of Logue, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.
Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR without naming them to the 53-man roster. A number of teams have taken advantage of that new rule today, and in Atlanta’s case it means Hellams will not occupy a spot for the time being. The earliest he can be activated is Week 5.
Panthers Set Initial Roster
The Panthers made a number of moves on Tuesday to get their roster down to 53. Carolina moved rookie running back Jonathon Brooks to the reserve/NFI list, likewise sidelining edge rushers D.J. Wonnum and Amare Barno for the start of the year via a reserve/PUP designation. Carolina also moved on from wideout Terrace Marshall after failing to find a trade partner. Cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Sam Franklin will begin the year on injured reserve, but they have been designated for return and will not count on the opening 53-man roster.
Here are the team’s other moves ahead of the cutdown deadline:
Released:
- G Ike Boettger
- RB Mike Boone
- S Rudy Ford
- TE Jacob Hollister
- TE Jesper Horsted
- TE Jordan Matthews
Waived:
- DT Junior Aho (injury designation)
- DT Ulumoo Ale
- G Jack Anderson
- LB Aaron Beasley
- CB Dicaprio Bootle
- G Mason Brooks
- S Alex Cook
- T Jeremiah Crawford
- CB Willie Drew
- OLB Kenny Dyson
- TE Feleipe Franks
- T Ricky Lee
- OLB Derrick McLendon
- CB Quandre Mosely
- DT Walter Palmore
- WR Sam Pinckney
- QB Jack Plummer
- RB Jaden Shirden
- DT TJ Smith
- T Tyler Smith (injury designation)
- WR Mike Strachan
- OLB Luiji Vilain
- CB Chris Wilcox
- LB Chandler Wooten
Placed on IR:
Ford signed as a free agent earlier this month, giving the Panthers another option at the safety position. That spot has seen considerable turnover this offseason, and Ford could find himself being brought back on a practice squad deal. Failing that, the veteran of 86 games and 21 starts will aim to land a gig with a new team ahead of Week 1.
Choosing to move on from four tight ends is a strong sign of confidence in the trio still on the 53-man roster, a group which includes two recent draft additions. Ja’Tavion Sanders (fourth round, 2024) and Tommy Tremble (third round, 2021) will be joined by veteran Ian Thomas at the position this season, the first with Dave Canales in place as head coach.
While Jackson and Franklin are eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, Davis and Gill are not. They will be sidelined for the entire 2024 campaign as a result of today’s decision. Bother players are pending free agents, and their respective injuries will of course hinder their market value next spring.
Vikings Waive S Lewis Cine
Known throughout the offseason to be on the Vikings’ roster bubble, Lewis Cine has indeed been let go. The third-year safety was released on Tuesday, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Minnesota held trade talks regarding Cine, Fowler adds. To little surprise, however, no suitor was found and as a result the Georgia alum will hit the waiver wire. It will be interesting to see if any teams put in a claim knowing it is now no longer necessary to acquire him using draft capital.
Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that “several teams” showed interest in Cine earlier today. That could lead to a number of potential suitors submitting a waiver claim. The priority for waiver moves is determined by 2023 regular season standings for cutdowns through the first three weeks of the regular season. In the event Cine, 24, were to go unclaimed, he would become a free agent.
After a strong college career, expectations were high for Cine entering the NFL. The final first-round pick of the 2022 draft class was limited to just three games during his rookie season due to a broken leg, though. Last season, he only made seven appearances and logged just eight defensive snaps while playing a special teams role. Minnesota has a number of other safeties ahead of Cine on the depth chart, and instead of another campaign in a minor capacity he will turn his attention to a fresh start.
Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum are among the players set to log a heavy workload on the backend for the Vikings this season. Cine will be in a new setting by Week 1 as he attempts to carve out a defensive role and live up to his draft stock.
Bills To Acquire CB Brandon Codrington From Jets
Tuesday has seen an intra-AFC East trade take place between the Bills and Jets. Buffalo is acquiring cornerback Brandon Codrington from New York, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Day 3 picks will be swapped in 2026 as part of the agreement. 
Codrington established himself as a strong option in the return game during his college career. He spent four seasons and five years at North Carolina Central, sitting out the pandemic-affected 2020 campaign. The 5-9, 185-pounder served as a punt and kick returner during his time there, earning All-MEAC honors multiple times. In 2021, his success as a punt returner landed him a spot on the HBCU All-American team.
Codrington joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent this offseason. That move allowed him to showcase his third phase abilities at the NFL level, but the presence of Xavier Gipson hurt his chances of landing on New York’s 53-man roster. Instead of being waived, he will now head to Buffalo while the Jets receive draft compensation in return.
The Bills intended to use Nyheim Hines as their top returner last year, but a jet ski accident resulted in a torn ACL and sidelined him for the entire season. Ty Johnson led the team with eight kick returns in 2023, and he is still in the fold. Buffalo’s top punt returner (Deonte Harty) departed in free agency, however, so Codrington could aim to fill that vacancy with his new team while also providing depth in the secondary.
Codrington is owed a base salary of $795K in 2024, and the Bills comfortably have enough cap space to absorb that figure. No guarantees are present in the pact, meanwhile, so the Jets will not take on a dead money charge as a result of the trade.
Eagles To Release WR Parris Campbell
Parris Campbell joined the Eagles in free agency, but he has not made the team’s initial roster. The veteran wideout is being released, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 
Campbell spent his first four seasons with the Colts, struggling through injuries from 2019-21. In the final year of his rookie pact, though, he managed to remain healthy and record a 63-623-3 statline. That production did not earn him an extended stay in Indianapolis, but the Giants took a flier on him last year.
The Ohio State product’s one-year New York tenure did not go according to plan, and for the final five weeks of the season he found himself a healthy scratch. To no surprise, Campbell moved on in free agency, and his Eagles accord gave him another opportunity to carve out a depth role. He signed for the league minimum, so Philadelphia’s only dead money charge from today’s move will stem from the $168K signing bonus Campbell received.
The Eagles are set atop the receiver depth chart with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Both players signed big-money extensions early this offseason, one which has been dominated by a slew of monster deals at the position. Philadelphia lost Quez Watkins in free agency, and Campbell had the opportunity to take his place as a rotational option the passing game. After the team acquired Jahan Dotson via trade from the Commanders, however, that spot will likely now go to the 2022 first-rounder. With Dotson in the fold, Campbell will hit the open market.
After a season featuring only 20 scoreless receptions, Campbell will likely have to wait until after teams have set their rosters and practice squads before finding a new gig. At the age of 27, though, he could draw some interest as a bottom-of-the-depth-chart option in advance of Week 1.