Adam La Rose | Pro Football Rumors

Bucs, LT Tristan Wirfs Agree To Extension

By Adam La Rose | at August 6, 2024 10:28 am

AUGUST 6: Wirfs will receive $52.24MM of his new guarantees locked in at signing, as detailed by OvertheCap. His $25MM roster bonus and $26MM 2025 base salary will provide significant cash flow early in the pact, which includes another $26MM in salary locked in for 2026 on the fifth day of the 2025 league year. The extension lowers Wirfs’ cap hit for this season to $6.61MM, though that figure will check in at more than $31MM every year from 2025-28.

AUGUST 1: Tristan Wirfs‘ financial future has been settled. The All-Pro tackle reached agreement on a five-year, $140.6MM Buccaneers extension on Thursday, as first reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz. The move is now official, per a team announcement.

This monster pact includes $88.24MM in guarantees, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds. Wirfs is still on the books for the coming season via his fifth-year option, so today’s deal means he is under contract through 2029. This agreement checks the final major piece of business off Tampa Bay’s offseason to-do list.

The likes of Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. each secured big-money deals this year to keep them with the Buccaneers. The latter – as expected – became the league’s highest-paid safety with his extension. Wirfs’ deal checks in at an AAV of $28.12MM, which moves him to the top of the pecking order for left tackles. Bucs general manager Jason Licht made it clear this past weekend the 25-year-old would likely take the top spot financially for at least blindside protectors, and that has now taken place. Wirfs has also moved ahead of Penei Sewell, who earlier this offseason became the top earner for right tackles.

Wirfs attended training camp in anticipation of an agreement being worked out, but he did not take part in team drills prior to the deal being finalized. The Iowa alum said progress was being made, though, so the expectation remained that he would soon have a long-term accord in hand. That is now the case, so Tampa Bay’s subsequent practices can now have the team’s full offense on hand.

For the first three seasons of his career, Wirfs manned the right tackle spot and delivered strong results. The former No. 13 pick earned Pro Bowl invitations in 2021 and ’22, adding a first- and second-team All-Pro nod during that time. Tampa Bay moved on from veteran left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason, paving the way for Wirfs to switch to the blindside. That transition went well, as the latter added another Pro Bowl to his resume and cemented himself as the anchor of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

When taking into account the $18.24MM Wirfs was already guaranteed to earn in 2024, his total scheduled compensation is just under $159MM. This is the most lucrative contract in franchise history, one which ensures Wirfs will be in place for the foreseeable future. Tampa Bay will aim for a fourth straight NFC South title in 2024, and he will no doubt play a major role in determining whether or not a return to the postseason ensues.

The Buccaneers entered Thursday with roughly $25MM in 2025 cap space. That figure will change drastically once Wirfs’ deal is officially on the books, but absorbing his scheduled cap hits should be feasible for the time being. After a trip to the divisional round of the playoffs, several members of the team’s nucleus are now set to remain in place as the Bucs attempt to improve on their 2023 performance. Wirfs’ accord will now, in turn, serve as the new standard for future tackle mega-deals.

11 comments Newsstand Tampa Bay Buccaneers Transactions Tristan Wirfs

Lions CB Emmanuel Moseley Suffers Torn Pec

By Adam La Rose | at August 6, 2024 8:53 am

Emmanuel Moseley‘s second Lions campaign has been dealt a blow well before Week 1. The veteran corner has suffered a torn pec, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Moseley is now out indefinitely, and while he recovers Detroit’s new-look CB room will have its depth tested. Making additions via free agency, trade and the draft this offseason, the Lions prioritized the position after their pass defense was an area of weakness in 2023. Efforts on that front also included retaining Moseley on a one-year, $1.13MM deal.

The short-term, low-value nature of that accord is of course due to the fact the 28-year-old only made one appearance in 2023. Moseley made his Detroit debut in Week 5 after recovering from his 2022 ACL tear only to suffer the exact same injury (albeit on the other knee). That ailment hurt his market value, but the Lions remained willing to keep him in the fold despite making a number of additions in the secondary.

Detroit signed Amik Robertson and traded for Carlton Davis during the spring. Those moves were followed up by starting off the draft with back-to-back cornerback selections (Terrion Arnold in the first round, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second). Moseley, a veteran of 33 starts during his tenure with the 49ers, was one of several contenders for the starting slot corner role. With Davis and Arnold projected to play on the perimeter, the first-team spot on the inside at the start of the year will likely now go to either Rakestraw or Robertson.

Moseley will be a candidate to start the campaign on the reserve/PUP list. Players who begin the season with that designation must remain sidelined for at least four weeks, but using it would leave open the possibility of the former UDFA returning to action at some point. Attention will once again turn to rehab in Moseley’s case as the Lions move forward without him for the time being.

4 comments Detroit Lions Emmanuel Moseley

Offseason In Review: Baltimore Ravens

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 9:31 pm

With Lamar Jackson’s extension taken care of, the Ravens entered the 2023 season with renewed expectations. For the second time since Jackson took over as a full-time starter, Baltimore earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the superstar quarterback took home the MVP award. The team’s run came to an underwhelming end with a home loss to the Chiefs in the AFC title game, however.

In the months following that defeat, the Ravens have endured a number of notable departures at all levels of the organization. Changes on the field, along the sidelines and in the front office will leave Baltimore depending on several new faces in 2024. Many members of the team’s core remain in place, though, and as such the Ravens can be counted as a contender in the AFC North and beyond.

Trades:

Sent RT Morgan Moses, 2024 fourth-round pick to Jets for 2024 fourth-, sixth-round selections

Moses entered the offseason as a cut candidate, so it comes as little surprise he will not be back for 2024. Baltimore was able to add draft capital by sending him back to New York. The 33-year-old served as the Jets’ right tackle starter for 2021, a role he is set to reprise upon his return. The deal cleared $5.5MM in salary for the Ravens, though the team’s setup at the RT spot is one of several questions up front during training camp.

Moses has remained durable throughout his career; the three games he missed in 2023 were the most he was sidelined for since his rookie campaign (2014). The former third-rounder drew strong Pro Football Focus reviews for the fourth consecutive year last season, and he will be expected to provide consistent play in his second Jets stint. His ability to do so will determine his market in free agency next March on a New York re-up or a pact allowing him to join another new team.

Free agency additions:

Derrick Henry, RB: Two years, $16MM ($9MM guaranteed)
Chris Board, LB: One year, $1.29MM ($1.15MM guaranteed)
Deonte Harty, WR: One year, $1.29MM ($1.15MM guaranteed)
Eddie Jackson, S: One year, $1.5MM ($1MM guaranteed)
Josh Jones, OL: One year, $1.79MM ($665K guaranteed)
Keith Kirkwood, WR: One year, $1.13MM
Deadrin Senat, DL: One year, $1.13MM
Josh Tupou, DT: One year, $1.13MM
Ka’dar Hollman, CB: One year, $1.01MM

General manager Eric DeCosta made it abundantly clear during the offseason running back additions would be a priority, and the 2024 free agent crop presented him with several options to choose from. Baltimore emerged as one of several suitors for Saquon Barkley, but it came as no surprise inside or outside the organization Henry was the team’s ultimate acquisition. In terms of pedigree, the latter comfortably represents the most notable new face brought in this offseason.

In the time since Jackson’s rookie campaign (2018), the league’s preeminent dual-threat quarterback ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards. Across that same span, Henry leads the NFL in production on the ground – by a margin of over 1,750 yards. The longtime Titan was named as a target of trade interest for the Ravens ahead of the 2023 deadline. An agreement was reportedly reached, with Tennessee’s ownership vetoing the trade.

Titans GM Ran Carthon has offered a denial on that point, but mutual interest existed between Henry and the Ravens in the build-up to free agency. The two-time rushing champion was also linked to the Cowboys, but Dallas’ decision to allow Tony Pollard to depart was not followed up by a Henry offer. The team was not active on the veteran market until a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott after the draft.

While Henry was surprised to not be on the Cowboys’ radar, he echoed the interest he had dating back to 2023 when reflecting on his Baltimore free agent process. The 30-year-old will receive all but $1MM of his guaranteed money this season, a sign of hesitancy on the Ravens’ part to make a long-term commitment. Henry has led the NFL in carries during each of his last four healthy campaigns, and he is positioned for a heavy workload once again in his new home.

Expectations will nevertheless be high for team and player with Baltimore having made by far the most high-profile backfield addition of the Jackson era. Henry’s acclimation to his new environment will be a critical factor in the Ravens’ ability to remain among the league’s most productive offenses.

As he foreshadowed, Eddie Jackson hit free agency after being let go by the Bears. He needed to wait until just before the start of training camp to find a deal, joining a number of veteran safeties in spending a long time on the open market. Another one – Jamal Adams – visited the Ravens, but he ultimately signed in Tennessee before Jackson was added.

The latter has started each of his 100 career games, but he will be competing for the No. 3 safety role in Baltimore. The Ravens used three-safety looks a number of times last year, and the departure of Geno Stone created a vacancy for the role behind Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton on the depth chart. Jackson, 30, struggled in coverage last season but former Bears teammate Roquan Smith endorsed his arrival in Baltimore. He will aim to parlay a change of scenery into a return to his previous form.

Board and Harty suffered a similar fate with their former teams this offseason, with both having been released in cost-cutting moves. The Patriots’ new regime does not value special teams as much as the previous one, and that stance paved the way for Board, 29, to return to the Ravens. A starting linebacker spot is not in play for Board, but he can reprise the integral third phase role he previously held with the team. Harty – a Baltimore native – earned All-Pro acclaim for his work in the return game during his rookie year (2019), and he is positioned to serve as the Ravens’ top returner.

Re-signings:

Kyle Van Noy, OLB: Two years, $9MM ($5.25MM guaranteed)
Nelson Agholor, WR: One year, $3.75MM ($3.75MM guaranteed)
Malik Harrison, LB: One year, $2.74MM ($2.74MM guaranteed)
Josh Johnson, QB: One year, $1.38MM ($1.15MM guaranteed)
Arthur Maulet, CB: Two years, $4MM ($500K guaranteed)
Brent Urban, DL: One year, $1.38MM ($25K guaranteed)
Daryl Worley, S: One year, $1.21MM
Ar’Darius Washington, S: One year, $985K

The Ravens have avoided big-money free agent additions along the edge during DeCosta’s tenure at the helm. Jadeveon Clowney joined Van Noy as a veteran brought in on a low-cost deal last offseason. The former matched his career high in sacks with the Ravens in 2023, while the latter set a new personal mark (nine) in only 14 games played and while logging just a 52% defensive snap share. Retaining at least one was a key 2024 priority.

Van Noy has remained consistent wherever he has played recently, totaling at least five sacks in each of the past five seasons (a stretch including three teams). The 33-year-old will have some stability during the latter stages of his career as he looks to replicate his success from 2023. Young options along the edge will face high expectations for Baltimore moving forward, but Van Noy will have a key role to play as well.

Agholor joined the Ravens on a one-year deal last offseason, but the presence of void years made an extension necessary for him to be retained through 2024 without dead money charges accruing. The former first-rounder operated as a complementary option in the receiving corps (one which, per usual, was not a unit built on a high-volume passing attack). Agholor’s 77.8% catch percentage in 2023 was by far the best of his career, and he should remain in a rotational capacity behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman on the WR depth chart for at least one more year.

Josh Johnson has had multiple stints with the Ravens as part of his whirlwind tour around several levels of pro football. The 38-year-old will occupy the backup role in 2024, positioning him for regular season game action in the event Jackson misses time. Johnson has made six appearances since 2021, with his lone start in that span coming during his most recent Ravens tenure.

Not unlike Van Noy, Maulet established himself as a veteran exceling in his role to a greater degree than expected during his debut Baltimore campaign. The former UDFA matched his career highs in pass deflections (five) and sacks (two) last year despite missing three games and logging a higher snap share on special teams than on defense. The Ravens have a number of other cornerback options on the perimeter and in the slot, but Maulet should manage to remain a regular contributor in the latter capacity for at least the short-term future.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR (post-June 1 cut)
Tyus Bowser, OLB (released)
Jadeveon Clowney, OLB
Ronald Darby, CB
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Devin Duvernay, WR
Gus Edwards, RB
Tyler Huntley, QB
Sam Mustipher, C
Tyler Ott, LS
Del’Shawn Phillips, LB
Patrick Queen, LB
John Simpson, G
Geno Stone, S
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
Kevin Zeitler, G

Queen’s free agent departure came as little surprise considering the Ravens’ decision to decline his fifth-year option last offseason. That move, in turn, came after Roquan Smith inked an extension which – at $20MM per season – remains the league’s most lucrative for inside linebackers. Queen moved into fifth in the position’s pecking order with respect to AAV on his Steelers pact, a deal which is essentially a one-year investment for now based on guaranteed money.

Considering the lack of upfront money a Queen investment required, it was somewhat noteworthy the Ravens did not attempt to keep him in the fold. The 2023 second-team All-Pro later said he accepted less money to join Pittsburgh, citing a desire to sign with a contender. Linebackers being at the heart of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry is nothing new, of course, but that fact will no doubt add a layer to the latest intra-divisional matchups between the teams.

Baltimore will move forward with Smith and 2023 third-rounder Trenton Simpson as starters in the middle this season. The latter has a tall task in terms of replicating Queen’s production from last year – 133 tackles, three sacks, 10 QB pressures – and he only logged notable defensive time during a meaningless Week 18 game as a rookie. Simpson’s success in tandem with Smith will go a long way in determining if the decision to move on from Queen pays off.

With both Dobbins and Edwards departing, Baltimore’s backfield will look much different moving forward. DeCosta expressed a willingness to retain at least one member of the pair, but they each wound up signing with the Chargers. Edwards missed the 2021 season altogether, and the same was true of Dobbins. Injuries were a problem for much of the former second-rounder’s tenure, and his Week 1 Achilles tear spelled the end of his time in Charm City. 2023 UDFA Keaton Mitchell flashed potential as a rookie, but he is expected to miss the start of the season while rehabbing an ACL tear. Particularly in the fall, then, Baltimore will be short on running back options.

John Simpson joined Queen on PFR’s top 50 free agent list, although he did not do nearly as well as some of his fellow guards on the open market. His decision to join the Jets nevertheless created a notable vacancy considering his stronger-than-expected play at left guard in 2023. The 26-year-old will be expected to remain a first-team option in New York after he held down a full-time starting role during his lone Ravens season.

Baltimore enjoyed consistent play at right guard over the past three seasons, proving Zeitler’s 2021 addition to have been a worthwhile one. He earned his first career Pro Bowl nod last year (his 12th in the NFL), and replacing his play against the pass and the run will be a challenge. The Ravens discussed re-signing Zeitler, but he ultimately joined the Lions after they were unable to retain guard starter Jonah Jackson.

Competition for both guard spots, along with the right tackle position, will be a key storyline in the summer and through the start of the campaign if no suitable in-house options are found. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (no stranger to missed time through injury) and center Tyler Linderbaum are currently the only locks up front for the Ravens.

Stone played primarily on special teams prior to the 2023 season, one in which he demonstrated his ability to contribute on defense. The former seventh-rounder racked up seven interceptions and nine pass deflections, earning himself a two-year Bengals deal in the spring. Many veteran safeties have needed to wait well into the summer (and counting) to land a contract. Stone, however, has spent the offseason preparing for full-time starting duties for the first time in his career.

As of March, a mutual interest existed with Clowney on working out a new agreement. The former No. 1 pick has been a journeyman since his Texans tenure came to a close, and strong production (9.5 sacks, 23 pressures, two forced fumbles) helped him draw interest from outside teams. The South Carolina product eventually joined the Panthers, and the fact he did so on a two-year deal means he could enjoy a degree of late-career stability. The Ravens have few known commodities along the edge, meanwhile, and Clowney’s absence could be acutely felt if the team’s remaining contributors are unable to match his statistical output.

Like Zeitler’s deal, Beckham’s contained void years. As a result, both will account for dead money on Baltimore’s cap sheet in 2024. The latter arrived with great fanfare given the $15MM guaranteed he signed for last offseason in a move supported by Lamar Jackson. Beckham remained mostly healthy and set a career high in yards per catch (16.1) with Baltimore, but he operated in a complementary role before publicly acknowledging his impending departure. That will be the case this season with the Dolphins while he occupies a place on a depth chart featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Extensions and restructures:

Extended franchise-tagged DT Justin Madubuike on four-year, $98MM deal ($48.5MM guaranteed)
Extended WR Rashod Bateman on two-year, $12.87MM deal ($4.5MM guaranteed)
LT Ronnie Stanley agreed to $7.5MM pay cut

In the lead-in to free agency, it was clear the Ravens would not have the cap space needed to make a major outside addition. That is the case during most years, but in 2024 in particular it was due to the fact Madubuike would require a monster long-term deal (or at least a franchise tag) to be retained. To little surprise, Baltimore applied the one-year tender – valued at $22.1MM – in early March to prevent him from reaching free agency.

Just as fellow defensive lineman Broderick Washington was last offseason, Madubuike was a key retention priority. The latter delivered a perfectly timed breakout season in 2023, recording at least a half sack in a record-tying 11 consecutive games. The 26-year-old shattered his previous bests in sacks (13) and quarterback hits (33) en route to a Pro Bowl invitation and a second-team All-Pro nod. Well before his standout campaign ended, it was clear keeping Madubuike in the fold would be one of the Ravens’ top offseason priorities.

The defensive tackle market has erupted over the past two years, with 13 players at the position now attached to $21MM or more in annual compensation. Madubuike’s deal does not compare to the pact Aaron Donald was playing on prior to his Rams retirement, and its value and guarantees fall well short of Chris Jones’ new Chiefs contract. Still, the former third-rounder managed to slightly outgain Quinnen Williams in locked in compensation after his Jets re-up served as the benchmark for 2023 extensions along the D-line.

Baltimore’s defense led the league in sacks last season, and with few established options in the edge department, production from the interior will be crucial once again. Madubuike will be counted on to duplicate his success in both the short- and long-term future as one of the team’s largest financial commitments on either side of the ball moving forward.

Bateman had a brief stay on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp last year. As a result, he became ineligible for the fifth-year option, leading to the extension agreement. The Minnesota alum was caught off guard by the offer, but his decision to take it has him in line to put together a strong fourth season in Baltimore. Doing so would help Bateman live up to his draft stock and serve in at least a consistent complementary role in the passing game.

The former No. 27 overall pick’s most productive season to date was his rookie campaign (46 catches, 515 yards). He has not been on the field as often as that year when healthy, though, and in 2023 he averaged only two receptions per game. Bateman has dealt with multiple injuries early in his career, although he enters 2024 with a clean bill of health. Remaining available through the campaign and taking on an increased workload could produce the desired results for team and player through at least the 2026 season.

Over the first four years of his career, Stanley served as a foundational member of Baltimore’s offensive line. That stretch included the 2019 campaign in which he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Ankle and knee injuries have proven to be an issue since then, however. The former top-10 selection was limited to seven games across the 2020 and ’21 campaigns, leading to questions about his long-term future in Baltimore.

The past two seasons have been better from a health standpoint, with 11 and 13 games played. Still, it came as little surprise a notable pay cut (and accompanying reduction in cap hit) took place in a move which made 2025 a void year. Stanley, 30, does not intend to retire any time soon and he hopes to remain in Baltimore well beyond this season. A strong showing would allow him to recoup lost money via bonuses and incentives ahead of a potential first trip to free agency in his career.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 62: Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington) (signed)
Round 3, No. 93: Adisa Isaac (EDGE, Penn State) (signed)
Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets): Devontez Walker (WR, North Carolina) (signed)
Round 4, No. 130: T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State) (signed)
Round 5, No. 165: Rasheen Ali (RB, Marshall) (signed)
Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets): Devin Leary (QB, Kentucky) (signed)
Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets): Nick Samac (C, Michigan State) (signed)
Round 7, No. 250: Sanoussi Kane (S, Purdue) (signed)

The back of the first round saw quite a bit of movement, and the Ravens had the opportunity to be involved in that regard. The team received eight trade offers for the No. 30 selection, but instead of moving down the board Wiggins was added to the secondary. He may not see much playing time right away, but he should manage to log a heavy workload in relatively short order.

Marlon Humphrey has remained a full-time starter for the past five years, but he missed five contests in 2021 and another seven last year. Brandon Stephens emerged as a genuine boundary corner option in 2023 with a career-low 80.6 passer rating allowed in coverage and 11 pass deflections. One year remains on his rookie contract, though, and another strong showing in 2024 could price him out of Baltimore.

Especially in that scenario, Wiggins would step into a first-team role. The 6-1, 175-pounder served as a starter over the past two seasons, displaying his athleticism and ball skills (three interceptions, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles). Questions have been raised about Wiggins’ frame at the pro level, but the first-team ACC product’s speed and fluidity in coverage should allow him to at least handle sheltered coverage assignments early on. By 2025, it would not surprise to see him handling significant defensive duties.

Troy Fautanu was one of the Day 1 prospects the Ravens hosted on a pre-draft visit, providing an indication the team was prepared to add along the offensive line fairly early. Fautanu was among the eight tackles off the board by Baltimore’s pick, though, and as a result adding up front became a Day 2 priority. Rosengarten was widely believed to be on the 49ers’ radar with the No. 63 pick, so the Ravens would not have had the chance to add him any later in the draft.

Rosengarten worked as the Huskies’ blindside protector by working at right tackle blocking for southpaw quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He is in contention to start as a rookie on the right side, and success in that role could set him up to succeed Ronnie Stanley at left tackle as early as next offseason. As Baltimore undergoes a transition at three starting O-line spots, dependable play opposite Stanley will be critical.

The 2024 draft offered a number of receiving options, and Lamar Jackson gave his input on a number of prospects. Baltimore waited until Day 3 to add a pass-catcher, though, bringing in Isaac before that point. Penn State’s edge rush was led by first-rounder Chop Robinson, but Isaac contributed as well. The latter is regarded as a stronger run defender than the former, and in 2023 he set a career high with 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.

Former first-rounder Odafe Oweh is still in place on the edge, as is 2022 round two selection David Ojabo. Injuries have prevented Ojabo from seeing the field much to date, but he could be healthy in time for Week 1. In that event, Isaac could be relegated to rotational duties during his rookie season.

Other:

Promoted Zach Orr to defensive coordinator, replacing Mike Macdonald
Joe Hortiz joined Chargers as general manager
Dennard Wilson took Titans’ DC gig
Anthony Weaver joined Dolphins as DC
Exercised OLB Odafe Oweh’s 2025 fifth-year option ($13.25MM)
Signed 22 UDFAs

Macdonald returned to the Ravens’ staff in 2022 after a single season working under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. His performance last season put him squarely on the head coaching radar as Baltimore led the league in points allowed (16.5 per game), sacks (60) and takeaways (31). No team had ever taken the top spot in all three of those categories during a single season.

The 37-year-old’s first head coaching opportunity will come in Seattle as he aims to steer the Seahawks back to the postseason at the start of the post-Pete Carroll era. Macdonald will have a major vacancy to fill on the West coast given Carroll’s accomplishments. His Ravens departure has likewise led to questions about the feasibility of adequately replacing him, though.

Orr’s playing career took off in 2016 with second-team All-Pro honors. A congenital neck condition, however, sidelined the former UDFA. The abrupt end to his playing days was followed by a shift to coaching. At 31, Orr becomes the league’s second-youngest active DC as he attempts to join the line of Ravens defensive coordinators who have been promoted from within.

Orr served as an analyst from 2017-20 in Baltimore before his lone season spent in a different organization. The North Texas alum worked as Jacksonville’s outside linebackers coach in 2021, but the end of the Urban Meyer era paved the way for a return to Charm City the following year. After a pair of seasons working under Macdonald, Orr will take on play-calling responsibilities for the first time at the college or NFL levels.

Of course, the Ravens’ decision to promote Orr was made easier given the loss of both Wilson and Weaver. The former spent a single campaign in Baltimore, coaching the team’s defensive backs in 2023. Cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Geno Stone were among the players who enjoyed career years under him, and expectations will be high for Wilson in Tennessee. Maintaining their strength in the secondary will similarly be a tall task for the Ravens.

Weaver had one season of play-calling experience during his time with the Texans in 2020 before his three-year run in Baltimore. The last two seasons of that span included the title of associate head coach, but Orr was considered more likely to be tapped for the DC gig. The latter had the option of taking the same role with the Packers, but his decision to remain with the team he played for has him lined up for a critical debut season as a coordinator.

Hortiz’s Ravens tenure began in 1998, and over the years he established himself as a key member of the front office. The 48-year-old spent considerable time in the scouting department before being promoted to player personnel director in 2019 and serving as a critical DeCosta assistant. Hortiz drew GM interest in previous years, and with DeCosta set to remain in place for the foreseeable future he will take on a new challenge in 2024. Among Baltimore’s other notable front office departures was college scouting director David Blackburn – he of a 17-year Ravens stint – joining the Commanders as part of Washington’s organizational overhaul.

Oweh displayed major athletic upside in college, although his final season at Penn State did not include any sacks. His NFL production has fluctuated, with his five sacks as a rookie being matched in 2023. Van Noy remaining in place will give the 25-year-old an experienced teammate once again, but the presence of young and unproven edge rushers (namely Ojabo and 2023 fourth-rounder Tavius Robinson) elsewhere on the depth chart in terms of returnees will leave plenty of weight on Oweh’s shoulders.

The latter would help his value tremendously with a breakout campaign, given the nature of the edge market. A long-term extension near the top of the position’s financial pecking order would check in at a much higher rate than that of the option price. Of course, Oweh has a long way to go to consider landing even $15-20MM per year on a second contract with the Ravens or another team. Incremental growth in 2024 would prove the team’s decision to retain him for two more seasons to be a sound one, though.

Top 10 cap charges for 2024:

Lamar Jackson, QB: $32.4MM
Marlon Humphrey, CB: $22.88MM
Marcus Williams, S: $18.03MM
Ronnie Stanley, LT: $17.05MM
Mark Andrews, TE: $16.91MM
Roquan Smith, LB: $13.5MM
Justin Madubuike, DT: $11MM
Patrick Mekari, OL: $6.35MM
Justin Tucker, K: $5.8MM
Patrick Ricard, FB: $5.16MM

Jackson and Smith are among the players set to have their cap hits notably jump in 2025, though their futures in Baltimore are of course not in doubt. The same may not be true for Humphrey, who has battled injuries in recent years and seen his production suffer as a result. The 28-year-old has three years left on his contract, but no guaranteed salary is in place beyond 2024. His financial situation will no doubt depend on his health and performance over the coming months.

Considering the exodus of talent and experience at all levels in the organization, not to mention the depth of competition in the AFC North, it is difficult to envision the Ravens matching 2023’s regular-season success this year. A reliable offensive line could nevertheless allow Henry to remain one of the league’s more productive backs, and a strong rookie season as a coordinator from Orr would be expected to translate to continued success on defense. Overall, health from Jackson and the rest of Baltimore’s core should leave the team in contention for a deep postseason run as the two-time MVP once again attempts to overcome past playoff defeats.

3 comments Baltimore Ravens Offseason In Review PFR Originals

Chiefs, K Harrison Butker Agree To Extension

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 9:15 pm

One item from the Chiefs’ remaining extension to-do list has been checked off. Kansas City has reached agreement on a deal making Harrison Butker the league’s highest-paid kicker, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds this pact will be four years in length and carry a value of $25.6MM. $17.75MM of that total is guaranteed. Butker was set to enter the final year of his pact, but today’s move means he will be tied to Kansas City through the 2028 campaign.

Kansas City’s top extension priorities have been laid out, with general manager Brett Veach naming center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick Bolton as players he hopes to keep in place beyond 2024. It remains to be seen what happens with the members of that trio, but in any case Butker’s Chiefs tenure will continue for the foreseeable future.

The 29-year-old entered the league as a Panthers seventh-rounder in 2017, but his only appearances have come with Kansas City. Butker sports an accuracy rate of 89.1% on field goal attempts, and a 94.5% mark on extra points. This new pact carries an annual average value of $6.4MM, which moves Butker ahead of Justin Tucker in the position’s pecking order. The Ravens All-Pro and the Eagles’ Jake Elliott were previously the only kickers attached to a $6MM AAV.

Butker led the NFL in attempts in 2017 and ’19, topping the league in made field goals during the latter campaign. The Georgia Tech alum has demonstrated his leg strength on a number of occasions, and his 62-yarder in 2022 was the longest made field goal in the NFL. His accuracy rate that season (75%) was the lowest of his career, but he rebounded last year by going 33-for-35 in the regular season. Butker also made all 19 of his playoff kicks.

The Chiefs have been the league’s elite on offense during much of the Patrick Mahomes era, with the future Hall of Fame quarterback obviously being at the heart of that success. Butker has played his part by remaining consistent throughout his career, though, achieving an accuracy rate of at least 88.9% on field goals in six of his seven seasons. He was due to receive $3.84MM in 2024 on his previous deal, but now he has a raise and long-term security in hand.

29 comments Kansas City Chiefs Transactions Harrison Butker

Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Reinstated From Gambling Suspension

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 6:10 pm

6:10pm: Uwazurike has released a statement (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):

“I am grateful to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to resume my NFL career. I’ve learned from this situation and taken steps to ensure it will never happen again.

“It is a privilege to play in the NFL, and I hope others can learn from my mistake. I will not take this second chance for granted and am fully committed to making a positive impact with the Broncos both on and off the field.”

12:30pm: Eyioma Uwazurike is back in the fold as of Monday. The Broncos defensive lineman has been reinstated from his 2023 gambling suspension, per a league announcement. He will take the roster spot vacated by safety Caden Sterns, who will be traded or waived today.

[Offseason In Review: Denver Broncos]

Uwazurike was among the many players hit with a ban last summer, one which ultimately lasted 54 weeks. An investigation into the 26-year-old’s wagering revealed he placed bets on five Broncos games during his rookie season as part of a wider pattern of FanDuel action which included bets made on Iowa State contests in 2021 when he played for the Cyclones.

Further review from the league office as well as the state of Colorado and Arapahoe County District Attorney took place recently. Uwazurike was first eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24, but that probe was ongoing at the time. For that reason, he remained unable to take part in team activities until the investigation concluded. As detailed by Mike Klis of 9News, no charges have been filed, clearing the way for Uwazurike to return to action.

Given the year-long absence, the former fourth-rounder’s contract tolled in 2024. As a result, Uwazurike still has three years remaining on his rookie pact. He made eight appearances as a rookie, totaling 17 tackles and two quarterback pressures. With Denver’s training camp well underway, he will now turn his attention to carving out a roster spot on a new-look defensive front.

The Broncos saw the departure of Mike Purcell and Jonathan Harris this offseason while bringing in Malcolm Roach and Angelo Blackson via free agency. Denver also traded for John Franklin-Meyers during the draft, giving the team a number of new options along the defensive interior to pair with Zach Allen and D.J. Jones. Uwazurike will compete for playing time as a member of that group while attempting to avoid any further gambling-related issues.

2 comments Denver Broncos Transactions Eyioma Uwazurike

Matt Judon Addresses Training Camp Absences, Patriots Contract

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 4:49 pm

Matt Judon did not take part in New England’s training camp practices last Monday, and he was away from the team the following day. Conversations with the team’s top decision-makers has followed, but the veteran edge rusher does not appear to be any closer to a contract resolution.

Judon has taken part in each of the past four practices while he continues to seek out a new contract. One year remains on the four-time Pro Bowler’s current pact, and he is due $7.5MM in total compensation. That falls well short of the value of edge rushers with the production Judon has provided in New England (32 sacks in 33 games). His biceps injury limited him to four contests in 2023, though, something which has hurt his leverage in contract talks.

“We have a market, it’s set by the highest [paid] guy, then everybody falls in line until the next person is up to break that contract,” the soon-to-be 32-year-old said when addressing his situation publicly on Monday (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “Coming from the season I had, I was injured mostly all season, so that’s not really where my market is. But like I said, I don’t think it’s $6.5 [million, his scheduled base salary].”

New England’s front office is now led by Eliot Wolf, and his first offseason at the helm has been defined by a long list of players receiving new deals and extensions. Christian Barmore, Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers and, most recently, Davon Godchaux are among the defenders to land a Patriots contract this offseason. Judon is believed to have received at least one offer from the team on a restructure or extension, though he has denied that.

The former fifth-rounder did not speak about his social media remarks during his Monday availability, nor did he go into detail about where things currently stand on the contract front. Judon will continue taking part in practices to avoid fines, and he has expressed a willingness to play out the final season of his pact as currently constructed after last year’s holdout. He made it clear, however, that a deal allowing him to continue in New England remains the target, pending how the team’s front office proceeds.

“Like I told you all before, I would pay myself and we’d never talk about it,” he said. “But it’s not up to me. I told you all I wanted to stay here the rest of my career.”

3 comments New England Patriots Matt Judon

Broncos Waive S Caden Sterns

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 4:06 pm

4:06pm: No trade was worked out for Sterns, Klis notes. As a result, he will hit the waiver wire. If no team submits a claim in the next 24 hours, he will be a free agent.

10:02am: Caden Sterns was set to play out the 2024 season as a pending free agent for the Broncos. The fourth-year safety will instead need to find a new home in the coming weeks.

Sterns has been informed by the Broncos of their intention of waiving him, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The 24-year-old will hit the wire once that move officially takes place. If he goes unclaimed, Sterns will be free to sign with an interested team. A trade will first be sought out, per Mike Klis of 9News. If a partner on that front cannot be found, Sterns will be let go.

The former fifth-rounder has shown potential when on the field, particularly during his rookie season. Sterns totaled a pair of interceptions and five pass deflections in 2021. He nearly matched both of those figures the following year, but he did so in only five games played. Availability has been an issue for Sterns, and he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.

The Texas alum began training camp on the active/PUP list, but he was cleared to return to practice in late July. Today’s news is not an encouraging sign with respect to Stern’s health at the moment. As a result, he may find himself on the market for a stretch as teams consider adding him prior to roster cutdowns. If he does land with a new squad in the relatively near future, however, the Broncos’ turnover at the safety position this offseason will continue.

Denver moved on from Justin Simmons in the spring, and the NFL’s interceptions leader since 2016 has still yet to sign with a new team. The Broncos also released Kareem Jackson late in the 2023 campaign after his second suspension of the season. Jackson recently signed with the Bills in an attempt to continue his career. Now that Sterns will not be in the fold, a number of new faces will be counted on for the 2024 season.

The Broncos added Brandon Jones in free agency, and the team re-signed P.J. Locke. Those two are set operate as starters this season, but the absence of Sterns will lead to questions about depth behind them. Barring an addition, Denver will rely on the likes of J.L. Skinner and Delarrin Turner-Yell as special teams contributors counted on to take on defensive snaps in the event of injury to Jones and/or Locke. The Broncos have roughly $7.7MM in cap space, so a modest safety investment to replace Sterns would be feasible.

6 comments Denver Broncos Caden Sterns

Bengals DE Cameron Sample Suffers Torn Achilles

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 1:55 pm

Cameron Sample will be sidelined for the entire 2024 season. The fourth-year Bengals defensive end has suffered an Achilles tear, head coach Zac Taylor confirmed on Monday.

The injury occurred during Friday’s practice, and Sample was carted off the field. Today’s news means he will be unavailable for the campaign, something of particular importance for his financial future. Sample, 25 in September, is a pending free agent. This injury will no doubt hurt his market value.

The former fourth-round pick has been a regular on defense during his Cincinnati tenure, making 47 appearances in the regular season and another six in the playoffs. Sample has only made three starts in that time, but his absence will still be felt along the edge for the Bengals. The Tulane alum has collected 58 tackles and five sacks while maintaining a steady snap share in each of the past three years.

The Bengals will move forward with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard as starters along the edge. Sample’s injury will leave the team relying more heavily on the likes of Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy. The former has struggled to stay healthy and productive in the NFL so far, but he is confident in a breakout campaign in 2024, the final year of his rookie contract. The latter, meanwhile, will look to build off his three-sack debut Cincinnati campaign from last season.

The remainder of training camp along with the preseason will provide players like 2022 seventh-rounder Jeff Gunter, sixth-round rookie Cedric Johnson and UDFA Justin Blazek with the opportunity to land a roster spot in Sample’s absence. If Cincinnati deems a late-summer free agent addition to be necessary, the team has over $19MM in cap space to work with. Yannick Ngakoue, Carl Lawson and Charles Harris are among the top veterans still on the market.

2 comments Cincinnati Bengals Cameron Sample

Vikings’ Jordan Addison Facing DUI Charges

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 1:13 pm

Jordan Addison was arrested last month on suspicion of DUI. The second-year Vikings receiver is now facing charges and a likely NFL suspension stemming from that incident.

Addison faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with blood-alcohol content over California’s legal limit (0.08%), as detailed by Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Addison was arrested on July 12 in Los Angeles after being found asleep at the wheel of his Rolls-Royce while on a highway. The charges were filed on July 31.

Per Goessling, Addison has a court date of October 7 in Los Angeles. If convicted, he could face up to six months in prison, though his arraignment will provide him with the opportunity to enter into a plea agreement. The 22-year-old could face a three-game personal conduct policy suspension from the NFL. That is the standard length for bans related to first offenses involving alcohol.

Selected in the first round of the 2023 draft, Addison entered the league with high expectations. Minnesota moved on from veteran Adam Thielen last offseason, paving the way for the Pitt and USC alum to take on a notable role right away. Addison racked up 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 70 receptions as a rookie, and he will be slated to remain a starter whenever he is first eligible to play in 2024.

Presuming Addison is hit with a three-game suspension, the Vikings’ receiver depth beyond Justin Jefferson will be tested. The team has the likes of Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor and Trent Sherfield in place as complementary options after K.J. Osborn departed in free agency this spring. Tight end T.J. Hockenson returning to full health in time for September would compensate for Addison’s absence, but as Hockenson continues to rehab a torn ACL his Week 1 availability remains in the air.

In his remarks related to the DUI arrest, Addison has stated a willingness to accept whatever discipline is handed down by the league. It remains to be seen what (if anything) that will amount to, but this latest development suggests a brief suspension should be expected in his case.

19 comments Minnesota Vikings Jordan Addison

Chiefs Eyeing Extensions For C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, LB Nick Bolton

By Adam La Rose | at August 5, 2024 11:11 am

The Chiefs have been busy this offseason with respect to retaining in-house players from the 2023 Super Bowl-winning team. Three key contributors remain as extension priorities ahead of Week 1.

Maintaining a strong trio along the interior offensive line in particular is a top goal for Kansas City. The team is eyeing extensions for center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith before the start of the campaign, as detailed by The Athletic’s Nate Taylor (subscription required). Both players are entering the final year of their rookie contracts; that is also true of linebacker Nick Bolton, whom Taylor notes is on the Chiefs’ extension list.

“They are three really good players and they’re fantastic people,” general manager Brett Veach said of the trio (via Taylor). “Throughout this camp, hopefully, we’re able to get more than one done. It’s just going to be a systematic approach and exchange of communication. We would want nothing more than for them to be here (long term) and I’m sure they would want nothing more than to be here.”

Humphrey established himself as a top center prospect during his college career, and he has served as a full-time starter since his rookie campaign. The Oklahoma alum was PFF’s top-ranked player at his position during each of his first two seasons in the league, and he drew the fourth-best evaluation in 2023. Humphrey should therefore have a strong chance at topping the center market on a new deal, something which would entail an AAV of $13.5MM or higher.

Smith was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school, but his college tenure was marked by injuries and blood clot issues. The Tennessee alum’s draft stock took a hit as a result, but things have gone according to plan at the NFL level so far. Smith, 25, has missed only one contest to date with Kansas City. PFF has slotted him between 10th and 15th amongst qualifying guards every year, so he too could command a major raise on his next contract and potentially price himself out of Kansas City.

The guard market has surged in recent years. 2024 saw the number of players earning an average of $20MM or more increase to four, and the Eagles’ Landon Dickerson leads the way at $21MM per season. Given the gap between the guard and center positions, a Smith accord could check in at a higher price tag than a Humphrey extension. The Chiefs’ left guard, Joe Thuney, has two years remaining on his contract and is set to carry a cap hit of just under $27MM in 2024 and ’25.

While that figure will factor into Kansas City’s offensive line planning, it will also need to be taken into account for Bolton. The team’s second-round selection in 2021 has been productive from the start of his Chiefs tenure, reaching triple-digit tackles in each of his first two seasons. Bolton was limited to eight regular season games in 2023 due to a wrist injury, but he was healthy in time for Kansas City’s postseason run.

Willie Gay signed with the Saints this offseason, and his departure created a vacancy in the starting lineup. Drue Tranquill was retained on a three-year deal, though, and he and Bolton will be counted on to remain productive in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense. The latter will help his market value with another productive season in 2024 on a new Kansas City accord (unless an extension is worked out shortly) or one taking him to a new team on the open market.

Taylor names kicker Harrison Butker as another extension candidate for Kansas City. The 29-year-old is set to earn $3.84MM in 2024, the final year of his current deal. A raise could be on tap given his consistency during his Kansas City tenure, although considerable resources will of course be needed to keep as many members of the Humphrey-Smith-Bolton trio as possible. It will be interesting to see how many deals the Chiefs – currently projected to have roughly $13MM in 2025 cap space – work out before the offseason comes to a close.

0 comments Kansas City Chiefs Creed Humphrey Harrison Butker Nick Bolton Trey Smith

Headlines

Author: Adam La Rose