Randy Gregory Expected To Retire
In the wake of his Buccaneers release officially taking place on Thursday, Randy Gregory‘s NFL career may well be over. The veteran edge rusher is expected to retire, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. 
Gregory joined the Bucs in April after his brief stint with the 49ers to close out the 2023 campaign. He was dealt to San Francisco following the end of his highly underwhelming Broncos tenure. A five-year, $69.5MM Denver contract signed in 2022 only resulted in three sacks across 10 games played. The Tampa Bay deal represented an opportunity for a fresh start, but it did not work out.
The former second-rounder signed for $3MM, and his Buccaneers pact included a $1.3MM roster bonus. Since Gregory never reported to the team, though, Tampa Bay was in position to collect that payment. The bonus has indeed been paid back, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Between never keeping that money and the $50K in daily fines he accumulated, the Nebraska product’s financial situation was notably worsened during his (essentially) non-existent Tampa Bay tenure.
In June, it was learned Gregory filed a lawsuit against the Broncos and the NFL after being fined more than $500K for the use of a prescription medication containing THC. No developments on that front have taken place in recent months, but today’s news points to Gregory’s ability to add to his career earnings coming to an end. The cause for his ongoing absence remains unknown.
Entering the NFL as a Cowboys second-rounder, Gregory’s most productive season came with Dallas in 2018 (six sacks). The early portion of his career was marred by suspensions, though, and four substance abuse bans left him sidelined for the 2017 and ’19 campaigns. A deal seemed to be in place to remain with the Cowboys in 2022, but that agreement was soon replaced the Broncos one which included the same terms.
If Gregory, 31, does indeed hang up his cleats he will depart the league with 78 combined regular and postseason games to his name. His career earnings check in at roughly $33MM. It would come as a surprise if teams showed interest in him as a free agent given the nature of his Buccaneers exit.
Bengals DE Myles Murphy Facing Multi-Week Absence
The Bengals will be shorthanded on the edge to begin the season. Second-year defensive end Myles Murphy suffered a non-contact injury in practice, and he is now facing a multi-week absence due to a knee sprain. 
[RELATED: Recapping Bengals’ Offseason]
Murphy avoided the worst-case scenario, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network notes. Nevertheless, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds that the Bengals are expecting a recovery timeline of four to six weeks. That should keep the 2023 first-rounder sidelined for at least the first game of the campaign as he looks to carve out a larger role than the one he had as a rookie.
The Clemson product logged a 28% defensive snap share last year, although his usage saw a notable uptick toward the latter half of the season. If Murphy continues that increase in workload once healthy, he could be in line to produce more than the three sacks and six pressures he totaled in 2023. As Fowler notes, though, the Bengals will proceed with caution regarding Murphy’s recovery process.
The 22-year-old had a strong sophomore campaign in college, but his production and consistency took a step back in his junior campaign. Murphy still entered the league with high expectations as the No. 28 pick in his draft class, and he is set to serve as a key member of Cincinnati’s defense when healthy. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard will remain defensive end starters as Murphy recovers.
The Bengals also have Joseph Ossai in place as a young member of their edge contingent. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract, though, and a free agent departure could pave the way for increased reps in Murphy’s case starting in 2025. The latter should be back in the fold without missing too much regular season game time, but his absence will still be felt for the coming weeks.
Patriots Plan To Name Starting QB After Preseason Finale
Three rookie quarterbacks – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix – will start for their respective teams in Week 1. Michael Penix Jr. has Kirk Cousins ahead of him on the depth chart, while J.J. McCarthy‘s debut campaign will consist of rehabbing from meniscus surgery. 
It remains to be seen what the Patriots will do with Drake Maye. The No. 3 pick in April’s draft was seen as more of a project than some of his classmates given his age (21) and the fact he only served as a starter for the past two seasons. With veteran Jacoby Brissett in place as a bridge starter, it came as no surprise Maye entered training camp No. 2 on the depth chart.
After the North Carolina product saw limited usage in New England’s first preseason game, it seemed the team’s plan to employ a patient development plan with him would continue. Maye’s playing time increased last week, though, and Brissett has struggled during training camp and his exhibition game reps. Head coach Jerod Mayo said last week the competition was not over, leaving the door open to Maye landing the Week 1 gig. No final call will be made until after the Patriots’ preseason finale.
“It’s still a competition, and Jacoby is still QB1,” Mayo said (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe). “It’s a competition amongst all the guys on the field, including the quarterback spot. I would say by Monday night, we should know who the quarterback is.”
New England’s preseason will wrap up on Sunday, and both Brissett and Maye will see game time. The former, as Mayo confirmed, is still in place as the top option as things stand, but the latter has impressed with respect to his development so far. As Volin notes, the team’s offensive line and skill-position corps both remain a work in progress, factors which would lend themselves to using Brissett at the start of the year. That could still wind up being the case, but Mayo echoed his satisfaction with how far Maye has come so far.
“We always have to be flexible in regard to the plan,” Mayo added. “Right now, it’s all going the right way, the right direction. I would say his teammates can see that confidence growing as well. Hopefully, it’s just an upward trajectory from here.”
Eagles RT Lane Johnson Addresses Playing Future
Following the 2023 season, Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retired. Those decisions ended the careers for two of Philadelphia’s ‘Core Four’ players, but Brandon Graham and Lane Johnson remain in the fold. 
[RELATED: Mekhi Becton On Track For Starting RG Spot]
The latter made it clear in the aftermath of the Eagles’ wild-card loss that he would not give consideration to retiring. Johnson’s latest comments on his future confirm that stance, although the five-time Pro Bowler is aware his decorated career is winding down. For the time being, at least, he can be penciled into the starting lineup up front.
“I think physically, I can do what [Andrew] Whitworth did and [Jason Peters], I can play until I’m 40,” Johnson said (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “With my movement, you ask coaches, you ask players, I think physically I can do it… I’m thinking two to three more years, realistically. But we’ll see. It’s hard to step away from something you love, and something you’ve done for so long.”
At the age of 34, Johnson has a long way to go if he is to seriously contemplate matching what Whitworth and Peters were able to accomplish. Citing his family as a reason for stepping away from football relatively soon, though, his given timeline would set him up to retire well before reaching the age-40 mark. The two-time All-Pro is under contract through 2026.
Johnson’s deal calls for cap hits ranging between $15.87MM and $18.7MM during that span, and he is owed $20MM each pf the next three years. Option payments are due on September 1 for all three years before the contract voids, a setup which had his future retirement in mind when the pact was worked out last year. The Eagles are set to carry signficant dead money charges after Johnson hangs up his cleats through the addition of void years, but alterations could of course be made depending on his playing future.
The Super Bowl LII winner is among the highest earners for offensive linemen in NFL history, but his continued strong play deep into his career has him positioned to remain an unquestioned RT starter for the next few years. Johnson’s decision on his playing career will likely remain a talking point for him and the Eagles, although for at least the time being retirement may not be a front burner issue.
Seahawks Trade CB Michael Jackson To Panthers For LB Michael Barrett
Thursday has seen its third NFL trade take place. The Seahawks have dealt cornerback Michael Jackson to the Panthers in return for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett. The move has been announced by both teams. 
Jackson is a veteran of five seasons, having spent time with three different teams. The former fifth-rounder was selected by the Cowboys, but his regular season debut came during his rookie season with the Lions. After making a single appearance with Detroit, he played in only one game the following season with the Patriots. Jackson had found a regular role in Seattle over the past three years, though.
The 27-year-old played sparingly during his debut season in the Emerald City, but in 2022 he served as a full-time starter. Logging over 1,000 defensive snaps, Jackson collected 75 tackles, 12 pass deflections and the lone interception of his career. After the Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon with their top pick in last year’s draft, though, Jackson lost his first-team gig. Witherspoon and Riq Woolen will remain in place as starters this season, and Seattle’s latest rookie additions at the CB spot (Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James) will join Artie Burns, who re-signed this offseason.
Jackson agreed to a restructured contract in May, providing him with a six-figure signing bonus. None of his $1.06MM base salary is guaranteed, though, which led to questions about his grip on a roster spot. The pending free agent will have a strong chance of finding a role in Carolina given the team’s need in the secondary. The Panthers have long been mentioned as a candidate to add a corner, and the team made an offer to Stephon Gilmore before he signed with the Vikings.
Carolina traded away Donte Jackson this offseason, leaving free agent pickup Dane Jackson as a key member of the CB room. The latter is dealing with a hamstring injury, and he could begin the season on injured reserve. That ailment drove the Panthers to pursue an addition, and today’s move will meet that goal while marking the rare move of trading a rookie before they have made their debut.
Barrett was selected in the seventh round of this year’s draft, and he will now turn his attention to landing a roster spot in Seattle. Jerome Baker – signed in free agency – is currently on the mend from a hamstring injury of his own, leaving the Seahawks on the lookout for depth. As a Michigan alum, Barrett is a familiar face to head coach Mike Macdonald, who served as the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2021.
Pete Carroll Not Eyeing New Coaching Gig
Pete Carroll intended to remain in his post as head coach of the Seahawks in 2024. Efforts to convince the organization to allow that to take place were unsuccessful, though. 
Set to turn 73 in September, Carroll does not have a role of any kind in place with the Seahawks. Seattle’s power structure now has general manager John Schneider making final decisions on roster-building moves and rookie head coach Mike Macdonald positioned to take over on the sidelines. Carroll has not been in touch with Macdonald or other Seattle staffers, nor is he actively seeking out a new coaching opportunity.
“Well, you know, I get asked a lot, so I’m pretty familiar with answering that I could coach tomorrow,” the Super Bowl winner said during an interview on 93.3 KJR. “I’m physically in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. I’m ready to be ready to do all the activities that I’m doing and feeling really good about it. I could, but I’m not desiring it at this point.”
Carroll’s NFL tenure dates back to 1994, and he took over as head coach in Seattle in 2010. The tenure that followed included a pair of Super Bowl appearances and an overall winning percentage of .606. The past three seasons have not included double-digit wins, though, and the Seahawks made only one playoff appearance during that span. Macdonald will be tasked with overseeing efforts on the defensive side of the ball in particular as the team looks to return to its former successes in that capacity.
While a number of coaches who were left without a position in the 2024 coaching cycle intend to return to an NFL sideline – including, most notably, Bill Belichick – Carroll does not have his eyes on doing so in the short- or long-term future. While circumstances could change, of course, the NFL’s 15th-winnigest coaches’ comments on his situation point to the 2023 campaign being his final one in any coaching capacity.
“We’ll see what happens,” Carroll added. “I’m not waiting on [a new opportunity] at all. I’m going ahead and I got other things that I want to do that I’m excited about, and I’m going to see how all that goes… So, if it’s been 40-something years, 48 years or whatever coaching and that’s it, I feel OK about that.”
Commanders To Trade For Browns K Cade York, Waive K Riley Patterson
Known to be on the lookout for a change at the kicker position, the Commanders have a pair of moves in place. Washington is trading for Cade York, sending the Browns a conditional seventh-round pick, SI’s Albert Breer reports. 
In a corresponding move, the Commanders have released Riley Patterson. That leaves York as the only kicker on Washington’s roster with the start of the regular season looming. The 2022 Browns draftee connected on 75% of his field goal attempts during his rookie season, suggesting he could remain in place over the long term. Struggles last offseason led Cleveland to bring in Dustin Hopkins as competition, however, and the veteran handled kicking duties in 2023.
Hopkins exceled during his debut Browns campaign, and he landed a three-year, $15.3MM extension last month. Cleveland wanted to keep York in the fold last year, and the team’s decision to bring him back this offseason proved that was still the case. Instead of risking the former fourth-rounder on waivers again, though, the Browns have elected to take back minimal draft compensation while moving forward with only Hopkins in place for the time being.
The Commanders had Brandon McManus in the fold earlier this offseason, but allegations of sexual assault made in a civil suit dating back to his time with the Jaguars led to Washington releasing him. That move was followed by the signing of Ramiz Ahmed, who entered training camp as the lone kicker on the roster. Patterson was claimed off waivers at the end of July, though, which led to Ahmed’s release.
Patterson, 24, has seen game action with three teams in his brief NFL career despite going 53-for-59 on field goals to date. He struggled in the Commanders’ first two preseason contests, however, leading head coach Dan Quinn to state another move was being targeted. With one more exhibition contest on the slate, York will have a small window of opportunity to earn the Week 1 gig.
The LSU alum spent time on the Titans’ and Giants’ practice squads last year, but he was not used in the regular season. York’s return to Cleveland has proven to be short-lived, but this Commanders deal will allow him to find a full-time position for the 2024 campaign provided he does not disappoint in the build-up to the season. If he does, Washington’s willingness to move on from kickers quickly would make another change at the position a distinct possibility.
Offseason In Review: Cleveland Browns
Year 2 of the Deshaun Watson era in Cleveland did not go according to plan for team or player in 2023. A lingering shoulder injury limited the high-priced passer to six games and set off a number of changes made in the lineup at the quarterback position. The Browns managed to post a record of 11-6 while relying on Joe Flacco down the stretch and managing a slew of other ailments on offense.
Nick Chubb is among the key players still on the mend for Cleveland as the team looks to improve on a 2023 wild-card berth. Stability on the sidelines and in the front office should help that effort, and the Browns return one of the league’s top defenses. Once again, however, attention will be placed on Watson’s ability to stay on the field and deliver on his fully guaranteed contract. Three years remain on his monster pact, one which is set to carry a record-breaking cap charge in 2024.
Trades:
- Acquired WR Jerry Jeudy from Broncos for 2024 fifth-, sixth-round picks
- Re-acquired C Nick Harris from Seahawks, swapping 2026 Day 3 picks
- Traded T Leroy Watson to Titans for 2024 seventh-rounder
Amari Cooper has delivered during his time in Cleveland, racking up over 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns across the past two years. The five-time Pro Bowler has thus served as a needed No. 1 wideout on his third career team, but finding consistent complementary options has been an organizational priority recently. Elijah Moore was acquired via trade last March, and the same was true of Jeudy one year later. 
The latter struggled to live up to expectations in Denver, with his best campaign coming in 2022 (during which he posted a 67-927-6 statline). Jeudy – alongside fellow Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton – was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate near the past two trade deadlines, but no move was made in either case. The Broncos then set a high trade price on Jeudy — a first-round pick — during the 2023 offseason. The first year with Sean Payton at the helm was beneficial for Sutton’s production much more than it was for Jeudy’s. Months later, the team was willing to move on for a much lower return.
The former first-rounder made it known after his Cleveland arrival that he asked to be dealt ahead of the 2023 campaign. Payton rejected that request at first, but Jeudy repeated it after the campaign, one in which his statistical output took a step back. The fact the Alabama product was entering a contract year at the time of the swap helps explain the underwhelming trade terms from Denver’s perspective. Jeudy quickly worked out a multiyear extension with the Browns, however, eliminating the chance of a free agent departure after his fifth-year option season.
That three-year, $52.5MM deal contains $41MM in guarantees. It ensures Jeudy will remain in place through 2027 and represents a rather notable investment in his ability to develop into at least a consistent starting option. Numerous receiver deals have eclipsed the value of Jeudy’s pact in recent months, but Cleveland is clearly banking on solid play from him with or without Cooper leading the way down the road.
A trio of Cooper, Jeudy and Moore should give the Browns their best WR room since the Watson acquisition. Especially if Chubb misses time early in the campaign, an efficient passing game will be key to the Browns’ success on offense. If Jeudy acclimates well in an environment he chose to enter, the former No. 15 overall pick will be a key contributor in that regard.
Harris played out his rookie contract with the Browns, making 40 appearances and four starts. He departed on the open market by taking a one-year Seahawks deal worth $2.51MM and thus earning the chance to compete for a starting role. Seattle recently signed Connor Williams, however, providing the team with a more experienced option in the middle.
The Browns, meanwhile, have run into injury trouble at center. The latest example of that was backup Luke Wypler suffering an ankle injury in the team’s preseason opener which will require surgery. Harris, 25, will thus return to Cleveland in position to serve as a No. 2 option to Ethan Pocic. The trade saw Harris and a seventh-round pick come back in return for a sixth-rounder.
Free agency additions:
- Jordan Hicks, LB: Two years, $8MM ($4.5MM guaranteed)
- Jameis Winston, QB: One year, $4MM ($4MM guaranteed)
- Quinton Jefferson, DT: One year, $4MM ($3.66MM guaranteed)
- Nyheim Hines, RB: One year, $1.5MM ($850K guaranteed)
- Justin Hardee, CB: One year, $1.38MM ($800K guaranteed)
- Devin Bush, LB: One year, $1.5MM ($500K guaranteed)
- Tyler Huntley, QB: One year, $1.29MM ($470K guaranteed)
- D’Onta Foreman, RB: One year, $1.29MM ($335K guaranteed)
- Tony Brown, CB: One year, $1.13MM
- Giovanni Ricci, TE: One year, $1.11MM
- Cade York, K: One year, $985K
- Wyatt Davis, OL: One year, $985K
Hicks’ arrival will allow him to reunite with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. The pair worked together in Philadelphia at the start of Hicks’ career. The former third-rounder developed into a full-time starter during that span, notching five interceptions in 2016. He turned in a healthy three-year stretch in Arizona before spending the past two seasons with the Vikings.
Hicks was limited to 13 games in 2023, but he still managed a fifth consecutive season with triple-digit tackles. The 32-year-old may not be expected to replicate his production against the pass from his Eagles tenure, but he should handle starting duties with his fourth team. Cleveland’s edge rush and secondary are set to remain strong in 2024. Still, the linebacker position faces questions marks. Hicks should provide dependable first-team play at a reasonable cost.
Bush, by contrast, represents a low-risk, high-reward investment. The former top-10 pick failed to live up to expectations in Pittsburgh, leading to a one-year Seahawks deal last offseason. Bush, 26, played sparingly on defense and was not a key special teams contributor. This season will provide him with another opportunity to carve out a rotational role and thus help his market value, though.
While Joe Flacco expressed interest in a new Browns deal after his surprisingly successful tenure to close out the season, Cleveland explored other backup options. That led to Winston connections quickly developing. The Browns were known to have the former No. 1 pick on their radar ahead of the new league year, although they were joined in that respect by the Titans and Giants.
Winston has continued to express interest in a starting gig despite serving as a Saints backup for most of the past four seasons. The 30-year-old’s last full campaign in a No. 1 role was 2019, when he memorably closed out his Buccaneers tenure with 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. Watson’s history of missed time with the Browns certainly suggests the door could open to notable playing time for Winston this season. In that event, the latter could help his free agent stock considerably with a strong showing. At a minimum, though, the former No. 1 overall pick should provide the team with a veteran backup capable of handling first-team duties over an extended stretch if needed.
Watson and Winston occupy the top two spots on the QB depth chart, and Huntley is in competition with 2023 fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the No. 3 gig. After joining the Ravens as a UDFA, Huntley made a total of 10 starts (including one in the playoffs) across four seasons. That experience led to interest from the Steelers and could give him a leg up on Thompson-Robinson (whose struggles as a rookie helped inform the move to Flacco as starter), but limited guarantees make Huntley’s hold on a roster spot a tenuous one. 
Jefferson spent five of his first seven NFL seasons in Seattle, but he has not managed to find a long-term home in recent years. The 31-year-old played single campaigns with the Bills (2020), Raiders (2021) and Jets (2023) while remaining a regular contributor at every stop. Jefferson set a new career high in sacks last season with six, and he has posted at least three every year since 2018. While his deal pales in comparison to the one Dalvin Tomlinson landed last offseason, Jefferson should be counted on as a key contributor along the interior for Cleveland.
With Chubb’s health and return timeline a question mark, it came as little surprise the Browns made multiple backfield additions. Hines suffered an ACL tear during an offseason jet ski accident, and he missed the 2023 campaign as a result. The chance to reunite with offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey (after working with him in Buffalo) and handle the role of returner appealed to Hines when making his free agent decision. If the former Colts contributor can regain his previous form upon returning to health, he could thrive as a pass-catching specialist and third-phase producer.
Foreman’s path to a roster spot is narrower. The 28-year-old entered training camp in competition with Pierre Strong Jr. for the third spot on the RB depth chart. That role will be in place only until Chubb returns, of course, and neither player has considerable guaranteed money on their contract. Foreman’s 4.2 career yards per carry average could make him an attractive option for outside teams during roster cutdowns if he becomes available, though.
Re-signings:
- Za’Darius Smith, DE: Two years, $23MM ($12MM guaranteed)
- Shelby Harris, DT: Two years, $9MM ($3.99MM guaranteed)
- Corey Bojorquez, P: Two years, $4MM ($2.75MM guaranteed)
- Michael Dunn, OL: One year, $1.29MM ($1.15MM guaranteed)
- Maurice Hurst, DT: One year, $1.8MM ($1MM guaranteed)
- Rodney McLeod, S: One year, $1.38MM ($768K guaranteed)
- James Proche, WR: One year, $1.13MM
- Sam Kamara, LB: One year, $985K
The Browns did not make any major splashes in terms of adding outside free agents, and Smith was the only player listed amongst PFR’s top 50 options on the open market. The three-time Pro Bowler made his return to the AFC North last offseason by taking a one-year Cleveland pact. A former Ravens draftee, Smith remained productive when healthy during his time with the Packers (2019-21, 26 sacks) and Vikings (2022, 10 sacks). A first-team role awaited him upon arrival with the Browns, but his 5.5 sacks were his fewest in a full campaign since 2017.
Nevertheless, Smith landed a notable deal to remain with the Browns. The former fourth-rounder received a signing bonus of nearly $11MM, and he will collect a $2MM roster bonus early in 2025. Smith should be expected to remain Myles Garrett’s main complement, although Ogbonnia Okoronkwo logged a career-high 53% snap share in his debut Browns campaign. The latter posted 4.5 sacks, and continued development could cut into Smith’s playing time and production moving forward.
While Jefferson will take on a notable workload with Cleveland, Harris should also maintain a key rotational role given the team’s decision to retain him through 2025. The 33-year-old’s snap share in 2023 (42%) was his lowest since 2015, and his statistical output took a step back as a result. Harris has starting experience dating back to his time with the Broncos and Seahawks, however, so he will be capable of handling an uptick in usage if injuries or poor play become an issue for Cleveland’s new arrivals on the D-line. 
McLeod was not a full-time starter in 2023, his first season with the Browns. That made this past campaign the first since his rookie year in which he did not start every contest. The 12-year veteran gave thought to retiring after this past season, one in which a biceps injury limited him to 10 games. However, he will carry on for one more year in search of a second Super Bowl ring. McLeod will again offer Cleveland a highly experienced backup behind Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill in 2024.
Bojorquez has spent the past two seasons with the Browns after his time with the Bills and Packers. The New Mexico alum led the NFL in yards per punt during the 2020 season, and while he has not been able to duplicate that feat in recent years he has remained consistent. Keeping Bojorquez in the fold will allow Cleveland to have multiyear continuity on special teams with kicker Dustin Hopkins and long snapper Charley Hughlett still in place for 2024 and beyond.
Notable losses:
- Matthew Adams, LB
- Harrison Bryant, TE
- Geron Christian, T
- Jeff Driskel, QB
- Jordan Elliott, DT
- Joe Flacco, QB
- Mike Ford, CB
- Lonnie Phelps, DE (waived)
- Jacob Phillips, LB
- Sione Takitaki, LB
- Anthony Walker, LB
- Phillip Walker, QB
Flacco first joined the Browns in November, and he made his first start in Week 12. The former Super Bowl MVP’s level of play over the next five weeks (4-1 record, 13 touchdown passes, 90.2 passer rating) quickly put to rest questions about who would serve as starter during the playoffs with Watson sidelined. Flacco was rested for Cleveland’s meaningless regular-season finale, but he was not at his best in the wild-card round. A two-interception game (bringing his total in that department to 10 on the year) ended in a 45-14 loss to the Texans.
In the aftermath of that contest, it appeared a mutual interest existed between team and player for their relationship to continue. To that end, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year was surprised he wound up needing to find a new home in free agency. The Eagles made an offer for what would have been a reunion after Flacco spent part of the 2021 season in Philadelphia. Instead, the team would up trading for Kenny Pickett.
Flacco signed with the Colts to serve as a replacement for Gardner Minshew. Indianapolis will hope to have better health from Anthony Richardson in 2024, something which would keep Flacco in the role of mentor. The 39-year-old has shown, however, that under the right circumstances he can step in on short notice and keep an offense afloat if needed despite his age.
Ravens’ Andrew Vorhees, Daniel Faalele On Track For Starting G Spots
After Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson departed in free agency, finding replacements at both guard spots was a key offseason priority for the Ravens. The team was quiet on the open market up front, a sign of confidence in the holdovers from the 2023 lineup. 
[RELATED: Recapping Ravens’ Offseason]
Andrew Vorhees missed his rookie campaign while rehabbing an ACL tear, but the 2023 seventh-rounder has logged starting reps at left guard throughout training camp. Daniel Faalele – selected as a tackle in the fourth round of the 2022 draft – has likewise received a long look at right guard. With two preseason games in the books, both players appear to have a first-team role locked up.
“I think we’re close,” head coach John Harbaugh said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, when asked about a final call being made at the guard positions (subscription required). “I think we have a pretty good idea and what way it’s trending in different areas. It’s not altogether solidified, but we’re in a good place right now.”
As Zrebiec notes, Vorhees and Faalele got the start during both of Baltimore’s exhibition contests, and the final week of training camp would mark a rather late point in the offseason to experiment with new combinations up front. Free agent pickup Josh Jones has experience at tackle and guard, but his versatility could be put to use as a fill-in option in the event of injuries. 2021 third-rounder Ben Cleveland has seen time at tackle and center this offseason, but he has made only seven starts in his career and appears to be headed for backup duties again in 2024.
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu – who was added in the sixth round of last year’s draft and did not see the field as a rookie – represented another potential competitor for a guard spot. Zrebiec writes that the Oregon alum finds himself on the roster bubble as cutdown season approaches, however. That is another sign Vorhees and Faalele should find themselves working on either side of Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum come the start of the regular season.
Vorhees, 25, won the Morris Trophy in his final college season as the Pac 12’s top offensive lineman. He was also a first-team All-American in 2022, so he will face high expectations this year assuming he returns to full health after the ACL tear. Faalele, by contrast, was added as a long-term project. The 6-8, 380-pound Australian has logged only 356 offensive snaps in two years, and he has not drawn strong PFF reviews with respect to pass protection or run blocking to date. A move inside could help lead to needed development at the NFL level as he enters the final two seasons of his rookie contract.
The Ravens will be without longtime offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris for the foreseeable future due to an unspecified illness. As the team prepares to move forward without him in place, along with Simpson or Zeitler (the latter of whom earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023) along the interior, the play of their replacements will be a key factor in determining the offense’s success. While changes could be made between now and Week 1, Baltimore’s new-look guard tandem appears to be set.
Latest On Raiders’ QB Decision
As expected, the Raiders unveiled their quarterback plan after their second preseason contest. Head coach Antonio Pierce announced on Sunday that veteran Gardner Minshew will handle starting duties to begin the campaign. 
That move ran counter to the way things were shaping up at the start of the offseason. Incumbent Aidan O’Connell worked with the first-team offense during the spring, and Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes the 2023 fourth-rounder threw fewer interceptions during practice than Minshew (subscription required). The latter’s mobility – and the importance of that skillet in OC Luke Getsy‘s system – was a key factor in winning the competition, though.
“There’s a lot of factors, so we feel like Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start, and that’s what we’re going with,” Pierce said when announcing the decision (via Tafur). “His personality is infectious … his leadership is infectious. Things [to improve on], footwork in the pocket, staying on script. There’s some magic about him when he does break the pocket and does his thing, but there’s a lot of times where if the first or second read is there, we got to let it rip.”
O’Connell’s arm strength and accuracy were more impressive during the offseason than Minshew’s, Tafur adds, but not by a large margin. As a result, the former sixth-rounder will get the opportunity to at least kick off the season atop the depth chart. Minshew has 37 starts to his name, including 13 last year when he took over for the injured Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis. His 84.6 passer rating helped keep the Colts in contention for a postseason berth through Week 18, but a more efficient output will be asked of him with the Raiders.
Minshew inked a two-year, $25MM deal in free agency and secured $15MM in guarantees in the process. The Colts were interested in keeping him in the fold as Richardson insurance, but the team was not prepared to match that financial commitment. With $3.16MM of his 2025 salary already locked in, the 28-year-old has a chance of remaining in Vegas regardless of how he performs in his latest QB1 gig.
O’Connell has three years remaining on his rookie contract, so he too should be assured of a roster spot for the foreseeable future (although the Raiders pursued a move up the first-round order during the draft to secure a quarterback and the team has frequently been named as a candidate to make a free agent addition under center next March). The Purdue alum – who drew considerable praise from Pierce after his rookie campaign and through the early portion of the offseason – could still get an opportunity if Minshew were to miss time through injury or struggle in the early going, but losing an open competition obviously represents a discouraging sign for his future starting potential in Vegas.