Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb Offers Yet To Reach $33MM Per Season
AUGUST 16: Lamb and the Cowboys spoke over the phone on Thursday in another attempt to finalize an agreement, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. His update confirms the team’s best offer is under $33MM per season, but it would be enough to surpass A.J. Brown‘s new Eagles pact ($32MM AAV) for second in the receiver pecking order. Notably, Watkins adds that the 25-year-old’s exact asking price is still not known. With no firm deadline in place on a Prescott resolution, efforts to end Lamb’s holdout will no doubt continue in the immediate future.
AUGUST 15: As training camp continues, attention for the Cowboys is still aimed at negotiations on the Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb fronts. The latter is holding out as he seeks out a deal near the top of the receiver market, but Dallas has yet to reach that level on an extension offer. 
Lamb was previously connected to an asking price which would make him the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback, but that may not be necessary to get a deal over the finish line. Justin Jefferson set the market with a $35MM-per-year Vikings extension, and any Lamb accord will no doubt come close to that figure. However, Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Cowboys’ offers to date have yet to reach an AAV of $33MM.
The latest update on the matter pointed to a Lamb extension being closer than a Prescott one, but Hill’s report confirms there is still work to be done for either to be finalized. Lamb skipped offseason workouts and has accumulated daily fines (which can be waived) by remaining absent from training camp. Owner Jerry Jones‘ comments about Lamb’s ongoing absence drew a quick social media response from the All-Pro, but efforts are ongoing to work out an agreement.
“We’re conscientiously working to get something done,” Jones confirmed (via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry). “I don’t want to say anything is progress, but it’s ongoing and that’s just the nature of what you have when you’ve got an agreement and you’re still working to get a new one.”
Jefferson’s pact includes nearly $89MM in guarantees, and a similar figure will likely be a target for Lamb on a long-term pact. The next-highest locked in figure for wideouts is Tyreek Hill‘s new Dolphins pact ($54MM), so Lamb will look to bridge that gap. The Oklahoma alum cemented his status as one of the league’s top receivers and the focal point of Dallas’ offense in 2023 by posting a franchise record-breaking 135-1,749-12 statline.
Of course, any monster investment made in Lamb needs to have a Prescott deal (which could top $55MM per year) and a future Micah Parsons extension in mind. The Cowboys’ 2024 hopes will rest heavily on the play of that trio, but uncertainty continues to loom over its members’ long-term futures. In Lamb’s case in particular, it will be interesting to see if traction is gained by subsequent Dallas offers in the coming days.
Bills LB Matt Milano Suffers Torn Bicep
For the second straight year, Matt Milano is facing a lengthy absence due to injury. The All-Pro Bills linebacker suffered a torn bicep during practice earlier this week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
As a result of the injury, Milano is out indefinitely. Schefter notes Milano will undergo surgery with the hope of being able to return at some point during the campaign. For the foreseeable future, however, Buffalo will need to make alternate arrangements at the linebacker spot.
Milano suffered a fractured leg as well as a knee injury in Week 5 of the 2023 season, ending his availability for the year. That injury left the Bills without a full-time starter at the second level of their defense through the playoffs and well into the 2024 offseason. The 30-year-old made progress in his rehab to the point he was able to participate on a limited basis during minicamp in June. Milano had been taking part in training camp while preparing to return to regular season action, but his attention will now once again turn to recovery.
Buffalo was set to rely heavily on Milano in 2024. The former fifth-rounder has spent his entire career with the Bills, starting 74 of his 90 games. He racked up three interceptions, 11 pass deflections and 99 tackles in 2022; those totals earned him a Pro Bowl invitation in addition to his All-Pro nod. Especially with Tremaine Edmunds having departed in free agency, the Bills were counting on Milano to remain a key member of their defense in 2023.
His absence was acutely felt, and the same will no doubt be true in 2024. Buffalo still has Terrel Bernard in the fold, and he served as a full-time starter last season. Buffalo also has 2023 third-rounder Dorian Williams on the depth chart; after logging a special teams workload as a rookie, Williams may now be thrust into a starting role. Other linebacker options include free agent signings Nicholas Morrow and Deion Jones, as well as fifth-round rookie Edefuan Ulofoshio. Of course, replacing Milano’s unique skillset with any one player will be challenging.
The Boston College alum signed a two-year, $28.33MM extension last offseason. Milano is thus under contract through 2026, although no guaranteed salary is in place after the coming year. Another major injury will lead to an on-field absence felt by the team, but it could also lead to efforts to restructure his deal and lower his future cap hits. In any event, Milano’s 2024 debut will be much later than anticipated.
Giants To Release DB Jalen Mills
Jalen Mills was placed on the non-football injury list in July, preventing him from taking part in the Giants’ training camp. The veteran defensive back is no longer in the team’s plans, but he could find a deal in advance of the regular season. 
Mills is being released from the NFI list, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He adds the 30-year-old has now recovered from the calf strain he was dealing with, and as a result he could draw attention as a free agent. Once his release becomes official, Mills will be eligible to sign with an interested team (rather than having to clear waivers).
Beginning his career as a corner with the Eagles, the former seventh-rounder has also seen time at safety. Mills spent the past three seasons with New England, serving as a regular on defense. He saw his playing time drop considerably from 2021 to ’22 and then again last year, though. Mills quickly agreed to terms on a one-year Giants pact aimed at helping to fill the void created by Xavier McKinney‘s departure.
That contract only contained $468K in guarantees, so releasing Mills will not carry major financial implications for the Giants. The team’s attention will remain focused on finding a safety partner for Jason Pinnock in the starting lineup, an ongoing competition between Dane Belton and second-round rookie Tyler Nubin. Belton appears to have the have the inside track on a first-team gig, although plenty can change over the coming weeks.
Mills is a veteran of 106 games and 83 starts. He logged a 90% defensive snap share as recently as 2021, so he could be counted on to at least handle a rotational role in the secondary upon finding a new team. It will be interesting to see if his market takes shape right away, or if he will need to wait for roster cutdowns at the end of the month to determine his next move.
Steelers Have Brandon Aiyuk Trade Agreement Worked Out; 49ers Extension Offer Also In Play
10:00pm: While an Aiyuk-to-Pittsburgh remains in play, it sounds like a trade hasn’t been completed because the 49ers believe they can convince the wideout to stick in San Francisco. Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers and Aiyuk’s camp aren’t “that far apart on a deal.” The reporter notes that the 49ers have improved their offer in recent days, and it “has always” been the player’s preference to stick with San Francisco.
12:50pm: Brandon Aiyuk may still find his way to Pittsburgh, but the possibility of a long-term San Francisco deal also exists. A trade agreement has been worked out between the teams, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Rapoport adds that the Steelers are “in a good place” with respect to an extension for the All-Pro wideout. The 49ers also have a standing offer to Aiyuk which would allow him to stay in the Bay Area for 2024 and beyond, however. That offer has not yet been accepted.
As the waiting game continues, Aiyuk will have the option of choosing to take a multi-year 49ers deal or, failing that, the 49ers will be in position to authorize the trade. Terms on an extension will be critical, of course. The Steelers have not yet been willing to reach $30MM per season on a deal; that has also been the case for San Francisco. Whereas trade terms had not yet been sufficient from the 49ers’ perspective, though, today’s update points to a Steelers acquisition once again being a distinct possibility.
Rapoport’s report does not specify what Pittsburgh has offered, but the package set to head to the Bay Area will no doubt be noteworthy. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette repeats his previous reporting, though, that no Steelers players are involved. Both the Patriots and Browns had deals worked out, and those agreements would have sent Aiyuk to a new team. The 26-year-old nixed a reported deal which would have yielded Amari Cooper and a pair of draft picks for the Niners, given his preference not to play in Cleveland or New England. Pittsburgh has long been known to be a destination Aiyuk is interested in.
As the Athletic’s Dianna Russini confirms, the Steelers have been waiting on the trade front for days. Pittsburgh does not have a veteran receiver to offer in a trade (at least, not one of Cooper’s caliber). George Pickens is the centerpiece of the team’s passing attack as it currently stands, with Diontae Johnson having been traded away this spring. That move – coupled with the release of Allen Robinson – has led to speculation the Steelers could add a receiver, and an Aiyuk acquisition would certainly mark a major move for their offense.
Late last month, general manager Omar Khan said no deals at the receiver position were being explored. Interest in Aiyuk has erupted since then, with the former first-rounder’s trade request not sparking progress on a 49ers extension agreement. Aiyuk has long been tied to an asking price around $30MM per year, a mark four receivers are currently attached to. It will be interesting to see if San Francisco’s most recent offer reaches that point, or if the Steelers are prepared to up their latest one to get a trade over the finish line.
As the Jets’ situation with Haason Reddick proves, working out a trade without a firm extension in place can be highly problematic for the acquiring team. One year remains on Aiyuk’s rookie deal, and he is due $14.12MM in 2024 on the fifth-year option. A long-term deal will no doubt be worth roughly double that figure, perhaps more. Which team he plays on during his next pact remains to be seen, however.
Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy To Undergo Knee Surgery
J.J. McCarthy has been dealing with knee soreness over the past few days, and he is now set to miss time. The Vikings rookie passer will undergo surgery, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
This procedure will be aimed at dealing with a meniscus issue, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network add. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has since confirmed a torn meniscus in the right knee. The outcome of the surgery will determine how long McCarthy is sidelined for. Today’s update confirms that free agent signing Sam Darnold is atop the quarterback depth chart for the time being.
Of course, Darnold was on track to operate as Minnesota’s starter to open the campaign. The former No. 3 pick entered training camp as QB1, and he is a veteran of 56 starts capable of serving as a bridge option while McCarthy develops. The latter has impressed so far in his acclimation to the NFL level, but going under the knife will halt his development at an important juncture.
McCarthy was one of six quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year’s draft, but questions have been raised regarding his ceiling as a pro passer. The Michigan product helped the team to an undefeated season and a national title in 2023, though his arm was not always a central element in the team’s success. Spending time on the sidelines in Minnesota to begin his career represented a logical plan, but that will now take place as a matter of necessity.
The Vikings saw Kirk Cousins depart in free agency, ushering in a new era under center for the team. Minnesota reportedly preferred to keep Cousins in the fold to help develop his eventual replacement, although re-signing the 35-year-old may have changed the team’s draft approach on Day 1. In the end, the Vikings wound up moving up to No. 10 overall and selecting McCarthy after failing to trade up to the third overall spot to secure Drake Maye.
A decision on which type of surgery will be undertaken will be made at the start of the procedure, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. McCarthy’s recovery timeline is therefore uncertain at this point, but his focus will now turn to rehab while Darnold likely receives a multi-week run at the helm of the offense to start the campaign. Attached to a one-year, $10MM deal, Darnold’s free agent stock will depend on his performance in Minnesota. Today’s development paves the way for any questions about McCarthy surpassing him on the depth chart to be delayed.
WR Tavon Austin Retires
Tavon Austin‘s time in the NFL has come to an end. The veteran receiver and returner announced his retirement on Tuesday. 
The 34-year-old has not played since 2021, but he continued to draw interest over the past two years. Workouts in October 2022 as well as last September did not produce agreements, however. With the start of the 2024 campaign approaching, Austin will turn his attention toward his post-playing days.
“I wasn’t sure if I was ready to give up football,” the former first-rounder’s statement reads in part, “and it has been one of the most challenging decisions I’ve ever made. But after an incredible ten years, I’m retiring from the NFL… Football didn’t always love me back, but it will always be my first love! I will forever cherish the time I spent in the NFL… Just like my seasons, they come to an end, and it’s time for me to enter my next chapter in life.”
Austin entered the league with high expectations as a No. 8 overall pick of the Rams. His most productive season as a receiver came in 2016 when he posted 509 yards and three touchdowns. While his output on offense did not live up to expectations, he did carve out a notable role as an impactful returner. His third phase contributions helped land him on the PFWA’s All-Rookie team in 2013.
The West Virginia alum racked up at least 1,009 all-purpose yards in three of his first four seasons, returning one punt for a touchdown each season from 2013-15. Austin was dealt to the Cowboys ahead of the 2018 season, but his two-year tenure with the team did not produce a regular role on offense. That remained the case in 2021 during his stint with the Jaguars.
Austin caught on with the Bills in the summer of 2022, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. That resulted in a brief period on the team’s practice squad, but in October he was let go. Free agency has not produced a deal since that time, marking an end to his NFL tenure. Austin will depart the league with 118 combined regular and postseason games to his name and roughly $41MM in career earnings.
Jaguars Activate DL Arik Armstead
Arik Armstead missed the beginning of training camp while recovering from a torn meniscus suffered midway through the 2023 campaign. The veteran defensive lineman is now able to return to practice, however; Armstead was activated from the PUP list on Tuesday, per a team announcement. 
[RELATED: Recapping Jaguars’ Offseason]
The longtime 49er spent his first nine seasons in the league with San Francisco. Armstead was set to play out the final year of his deal in 2024, but the 49ers’ efforts to have him accept a pay cut were unsuccessful. As a result, the team moved forward with his release, setting up a notable free agent spell. Armstead drew interest from multiple teams, but he ultimately decided to join the Jaguars.
The 30-year-old landed a three-year, $43.5MM deal featuring $28MM in guarantees. Armstead will thus be expected to play a key role along the defensive interior for his new team. Jacksonville is set atop the depth chart on the edge with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, but the team sought out a D-lineman to pair with DaVon Hamilton when negotiating with Armstead. The latter is a veteran of 97 starts.
Armstead recorded five sacks last season despite being limited to 12 games. That was the third time in his career he posted at least five sacks, and making an impact in the passing game would be key in the Jaguars phase of his career. The former first-rounder has posted between 11 and 18 quarterback hits in five of the past six seasons; duplicating that production should be expected provided he can remain healthy.
With two preseason games remaining, the Jaguars will have multiple opportunities to have Armstead see game reps before the campaign kicks off. Even if he is limited to training camp work, though, he will have time to get up to speed in time for Week 1.
Cowboys OL Chuma Edoga Likely To Miss Regular Season Time
The Cowboys’ depth along the offensive line could be tested early in the season. Veteran Chuma Edoga is dealing with a toe injury suffered in the preseason opener, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports. 
As a result, Moore notes Edoga is likely to begin the season on injured reserve. In that event, the 27-year-old would be forced to miss at least the first four weeks of the campaign. First-round rookie Tyler Guyton will be on track to handle starting duties on the blindside, and losing Edoga (who will not need surgery, per Moore) for a stretch will add more pressure on Guyton to perform right away.
Head coach Mike McCarthy noted on Tuesday that Guyton, to little surprise, will work with the starters in the wake of Edoga’s injury. He added (via Moore’s colleague Calvin Watkins) that Matt Waletzko will continue at right tackle with Asim Richards getting backup reps on the blindside. The latter will prepare for the swing tackle role to begin the season as Edoga begins a lengthy rehab process.
Dallas saw Tyron Smith depart in free agency, ending his 13-year tenure with the franchise. The 2010s All-Decade member served as an effective left tackle when healthy, but the addition of Guyton set up a short- and long-term investment at the position. Guyon primarily played at right tackle during his time at Oklahoma, but his athletic upside led many to expect he would be capable of making the move to the left at the NFL level.
Of course, Guyton succeeding at left tackle would allow for 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith to remain at guard. The Cowboys prefer to keep the Pro Bowler on the inside, and strong play at left guard would help ease the acclimation period for Guyton and fellow rookie Cooper Beebe, who is set to take over from Tyler Biadasz at center. Losing Edoga could increase the chances of Smith moving back to tackle if needed, though.
Edoga played in all 18 regular and postseason games for the Cowboys in 2023, his debut campaign in Dallas. That included six starts, and the 27-year old saw time at left tackle and left guard. He drew a 61.4 PFF grade, roughly in line with his previous evaluations. That level of play landed Edoga a new one-year Cowboys deal, but his 2024 debut will likely be delayed.
Eagles Activate DB Cooper DeJean
The Eagles’ new-look secondary should be at full strength in time for the start of the regular season. Second-round rookie Cooper DeJean was activated from the active/NFI list on Tuesday, per a team announcement. 
Philadelphia’s ability to improve against the pass compared to 2023 will be key factor in the team’s success this season. DeJean figures to have a role in that regard, even if he does not earn a starting gig right away. The Iowa product has experience at both corner and safety dating back to his college career, one which ended with a fractured fibula. That ailment delayed his pre-draft workouts but it did not do much damage to his stock. He had been rehabbing a hamstring injury prior to today’s activation.
DeJean was selected with the No. 40 pick, Philadelphia’s second selection (and one which the team traded up to acquire). The first was used on cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, who is likely to handle first-team duties during his rookie campaign. Mitchell is capable of playing on the boundary opposite Darius Slay or in the slot, a spot typically reserved for Avonte Maddox. James Bradberry remains in the fold, but he is transitioning from corner to safety.
The Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason, and he is set to log a heavy workload at safety. Philadelphia also has Mekhi Garner and Sydney Brown at that spot, although they are all dealing with injuries for the time being. Caden Sterns was added this weekend, so DeJean will have plenty of competition for playing time if he is used at safety upon returning to action.
The All-American racked up seven interceptions and 13 pass breakups over the past two years, demonstrating his production when healthy. DeJean will now have a brief stretch to prepare himself for his NFL debut in Week 1. He indicated (via PHLY’s Zach Berman) the Eagles’ third preseason game is a realistic target to return to action in advance of playing at full health in September.
Jets’ Haason Reddick Requests Trade
As his training camp holdout continues, Haason Reddick has clearly not made progress on contract talks with the Jets. The Pro Bowl edge rusher has requested a trade, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. 
Reddick was acquired via trade from the Eagles earlier this offseason with the expectation an extension would be worked out. That has not come to fruition, though, and the 29-year-old has remained absent from his new team while seeing a resolution. Progress on a short-term fix – via incentives being added to the one year remaining on Reddick’s existing pact – was reportedly being made in late July, but today’s news certainly suggests otherwise.
[RELATED: Reddick Expected Jets To Revisit Extension Talks]
As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports confirms, no contract talks have taken place between the Jets and the former first-rounder to date. New York is not prepared to negotiate with a player who has – contrary to the team’s expectations – not attended any workouts since being acquired. As a veteran, Reddick has accumulated mandatory daily fines by holding out. That endeavor has cost him over $1.8MM so far, and the Jets could also go after a portion of his signing bonus. In the event a trade were to be worked out, though, those financial matters would become a moot point from the team’s perspective.
Of course, the Jets would be hard-pressed to find a suitor for Reddick given his status as a pending free agent. New York sent Philadelphia a conditional third-round pick to acquire him after it became clear the Eagles would not make the long-term commitment Reddick was seeking on a new deal. The Jets reportedly made an extension offer before the trade was finalized, but a short-term arrangement (via a restructure) represented the more logical approach from New York’s perspective. Both avenues have failed to bring Reddick into the team’s facility, leading to a new phase in this saga.
The Temple product is due $15MM this season (not taking into account the fines he has racked up) as a pending free agent. Reddick has posted at least 11 sacks in each of the past four seasons, so he could command a lucrative deal on the open market next spring. Concerns over his age would be a factor in free agency, though, not to mention the drama which has ensued over his Eagles exit and delayed Jets arrival (if one does end up taking place).
Given the draft capital included in the trade and the assurances received that Reddick would be in attendance for mandatory minicamp and/or training camp, it would come as a surprise if the Jets sought out a trade partner. If they did, however, a market could exist – at least on a rental basis – given his production with the Cardinals, Panthers and Eagles. Reddick would presumably handle a starting role on any new team, as he is expected to with New York (a team which lost Bryce Huff in free agency). It will be interesting to see how the Jets proceed knowing he now wants another move. As expected, general manager Joe Douglas has confirmed in a statement Reddick’s request will not be met.
With the regular season approaching, a resolution of some kind will need to be made relatively soon in this case. Reddick would forfeit game checks on a weekly basis if he continued to sit out while a member of the Jets. His holdout lasting the entire season would lead to his contract tolling, making it an extremely unlikely outcome. As progress on contract talks remains a factor to watch closely, though, the prospect of a trade is now an element to be taken into consideration. How this plays out will be a key storyline for the Jets in the build-up to a highly anticipated 2024 campaign.