Falcons, WR James Washington Agree To Deal
James Washington‘s efforts to land an NFL deal have produced an agreement. The veteran wideout is set to join the Falcons, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. 
Washington did not record a reception in his pair of Cowboys contests during the 2022 season. He was out of the league altogether last year, but he made it clear earlier this month he intended to join a new team. After reportedly being on the radar of multiple interested teams, he will spend the rest of training camp in Atlanta.
The 28-year-old’s Dallas tenure did not go as planned, but it was preceded by four years in Pittsburgh. Between 2018-21, Washington showed his potential as a deep threat by averaging 14.2 yards per reception. He totaled 1,629 yards and 11 touchdowns on 114 catches, and he will aim to regain that form with the Falcons. Atlanta’s receivers coach – Ike Hilliard – served in that role with the Steelers during Washington’s last two years in Pittsburgh.
The Falcons’ WR depth chart is once again topped by 2022 first-rounder Drake London. The former No. 8 pick has been a focal point of the team’s passing attack so far, and that is expected to continue in 2024 with Kirk Cousins at the helm. The Falcons added Darnell Mooney in free agency, and the former Bear is slated to handle a starting role. Washington will be competing for a rotational spot alongside the likes of trade acquisition Rondale Moore, veteran returner Ray-Ray McCloud and incumbent KhaDarel Hodge.
Atlanta entered Monday at the bottom of the league in terms of cap space (roughly $3.5MM), so this Washington accord will not be a lucrative one. That comes as no surprise, of course, but he will now have the opportunity to earn a 53-man roster spot with a new team.
WR Mike Evans Considered Texans, Chiefs Before Re-Signing With Buccaneers
Mike Evans appeared set to reach free agency this offseason, something which would have allowed him to entertain outside offers and consider departing the Buccaneers for the first time in his career. Instead, he chose to remain in Tampa Bay on a frontloaded two-year deal. 
The record-breaking wideout may have been the top player on the market at his position had he reached free agency. Doing so was a consideration, and Evans had a pair of potential destinations in mind before ultimately staying put. While speaking to Sara Walsh and Gerald McCoy of NFL Network, he named the Texans and Chiefs as teams he contemplated joining.
“I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking Houston, Kansas City,” the 30-year-old said when recounting his decision-making process (video link). “I love [Patrick] Mahomes’ game. I’m thinking those two teams. And I’m obviously thinking the Bucs.”
Evans is a native of Galveston, Texas, and he played collegiately at Texas A&M. Joining his hometown team would have been logical, especially considering the emergence of C.J. Stroud as the Texans’ quarterback of the present and future. The team had ample spending power in free agency, and a major receiver addition was made (by acquiring Stefon Diggs via trade from the Bills). Signing Evans would have provided Stroud with a different veteran target in his second NFL campaign.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, were among the many teams connected to an Evans pursuit. Kansas City struggled to find production at the receiver position in 2023, and making additions was a key offseason priority. Marquise Brown was added in free agency before the selection of Xavier Worthy during the first round of the draft. Both speedsters offer a much different skillset than Evans, but the latter would have been a welcomed addition for the defending champions based on his pedigree.
Evans is the only player in NFL history to record 1,000 or more receiving years in each of his first 10 seasons. He will aim to carry on that streak while continuing to play with Baker Mayfield and Co. in Tampa Bay. Remaining in the only home he has had throughout his decorated tenure carried obvious appeal for Evans – a player who has greatly benefitted from his previous Bucs pacts in a financial sense.
“I mean, I’ve been here my whole career,” he added. “It would’ve been extremely hard, if I hit free agency, to leave here. But this is where my family knows. My kids were born here. My wife’s been here a long time.”
Tampa Bay will attempt to repeat as NFC South winners in 2024, and Evans will play a big role in those efforts. His production over the next two years will influence his next financial decision on yet another Bucs re-up or a deal sending him elsewhere.
Panthers S Sam Franklin Suffers Broken Foot
Sam Franklin is set to miss at least some time in 2024. The Panthers safety suffered a broken foot during Saturday’s training camp practice, head coach Dave Canales said on Monday. 
Fortunately, Canales added (via Joe Person of the Athletic) Franklin is expected to be back at some point in the season. The 28-year-old has been in Carolina since 2020, logging nine starts. He has not been a regular first-team option on defense, but he has proven to be a highly effective special teams contributor. Being without Franklin for a portion of the campaign will particularly hinder the Panthers’ third phase performance.
The former UDFA re-signed in Carolina on a one-year deal this offseason, and another strong special teams campaign and/or an uptick in defensive usage would have gone a long way in helping his market value. Instead, he will spend the rest of the summer recovering while aiming to minimize the time he misses in the regular season. The Panthers will move forward with Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott in place at the safety position.
When Woods (along with fellow 2023 starter Vonn Bell) missed time through injury last season, Franklin took on a notable defensive role. The latter recorded a career-high 30 tackles in 2023, adding his first interception. Bell was released, but the signings of Fuller and Scott make it likely Franklin will be relegated to special teams duties once he is healthy.
Carolina is near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space at the moment with just over $6MM available. Any moves made to replace Franklin will need to be low-cost investments as a result, but further details on his recovery timeline will no doubt provide clarity on how the team proceeds.
Texans DE Denico Autry Issued Six-Game PED Suspension
Denico Autry will miss the opening portion of the 2024 campaign. The Texans defensive end released a statement confirming he has received a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. 
Autry’s statement indicates he inadvertently ingested a banned substance while taking a prescription medication. The 34-year-old does not have a history of using performance-enhancing drugs, but this ban will keep him sidelined for the start of his Texans career. Autry will not appeal the suspension.
The former UDFA began his career with the Raiders, logging 18 starts during his four seasons with the team. Autry then kicked off his tour of the AFC South with a three-year Colts stint. In Indianapolis, he served as a full-time starter and racked up 20 sacks. From 2021-23, he played for the Titans and remained an integral member of the team’s pass rush.
Autry recorded 9.0, 8.0 and 11.5 sacks during his Tennessee campaigns before landing in Houston. The Mississippi State product signed a two-year Texans deal this offseason, and in doing so provided the team with another established producer off the edge. Houston’s offseason included the free agent departure of Jonathan Greenard, but he was replaced in the starting lineup by Danielle Hunter.
The latter will pair with 2023 third overall pick Will Anderson in anchoring Houston’s pass rush. Autry was expected to play a large role in that regard as well, but his season debut will now be delayed. The former UDFA will forfeit $1.5MM in salary, $500K in lost signing bonus compensation along with $177K in weekly roster bonuses, as detailed by Spotrac. In addition, Autry’s remaining 2024 salary ($3MM) will no longer be guaranteed.
The Texans also have the likes of Derek Barnett, Jerry Hughes and Dylan Horton along the edge. During the first six games of the season in particular, they will be counted on to step up. Autry will first be eligible to make his season debut in Week 7 against the Packers.
Colts DE Samson Ebukam Suffers Torn Achilles
Samson Ebukam was sidelined in practice yesterday with what has proven to be a season-ending injury. The Colts defensive end suffered an Achilles tear, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
Ebukam joined the Colts on a three-year deal last March, leading to high expectations in Indianapolis. The 29-year-old certainly delivered, setting a new career high with 9.5 sacks. That figure more than doubled his previous personal watermark, and he was positioned to remain a key figure along the edge in 2024. Now, his attention will turn to rehabbing ahead of 2025.
Indianapolis also has former first-rounder Kwity Paye in the fold for at least two more campaigns after electing to pick up his fifth-year option this spring. Paye has taken a step forward in terms of production during each of his three seasons to date, and Ebukam’s absence will add further to the expectations of a breakout in 2024. The Colts also return Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo at the defensive end spot.
Those players will be joined by first-round rookie Laiatu Latu this season. The latter was the first defender selected in the draft, going at No. 15 overall. The Colts’ depth ahead of him limited expectations for his debut campaign, but losing a full-time starter in Ebukam will no doubt lead to an increased workload for Latu. Injuries were a concern for the UCLA alum coming out of college, but he will now be counted on to remain healthy this year and serve in at least a rotational capacity.
Indianapolis finished fifth in the league in sacks last season with 51. The team’s remaining depth on the edge – along with the continued presence of DeForest Buckner along the interior – should allow for another strong campaign in that respect in 2024. Losing Ebukam for the campaign will deal a blow to the starting lineup, however. He will now prepare for a lengthy recovery period ahead of a potential walk year in 2025.
Vikings To Sign DB Bobby McCain
In need of depth in the secondary, the Vikings are set to bring in Bobby McCain. The veteran defensive back has a deal in place with Minnesota, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
McCain has spent nine seasons in the NFL across three teams. His first stint came in Miami, which included time spent under then-head coach Brian Flores. The latter is now the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, and he will have a familiar face in the fold during training camp. McCain will use the coming weeks attempting to carve out a spot on Minnesota’s defense (or at least a special teams role).
The 30-year-old spent a pair of seasons as a full-time starter in Washington. Across the 2021 and ’22 campaigns, McCain logged just over 2,000 snaps while seeing considerable time at safety. He also saw time at slot corner, however, and his path to a 53-man roster spot in Minnesota could be at the CB position. With that said, Flores indicated – via Schefter’s colleague Kevin Seifert – McCain will start out at safety with the potential to also spend time in the slot or on the perimeter.
McCain was released by the Commanders last offseason (as he was at the end of his Dolphins tenure), paving the way for a one-year Giants contract. The former fifth-rounder was used heavily on special teams during his brief New York tenure, but he saw just 19 defensive snaps. He was let go in December and remained unsigned until now. McCain will face plenty of competition for a safety role alongside Harrison Smith, but he could earn a depth spot as a corner considering the Vikings’ losses at that spot recently.
Rookie Khyree Jackson died in a car accident this offseason, and Mekhi Blackmon suffered an ACL tear last week. That has left the team short on available contributors in the secondary, and head coach Kevin O’Connell recently said (via Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune) the Vikings would look into further free agent options. Minnesota already signed Duke Shelley, and he will now join McCain in competing for a roster spot.
The latter is a veteran of 131 games and 87 starts, and his familiarity with Flores could allow him to secure playing time on his newest team. Minnesota entered Monday with just over $19MM in cap space, so an underwhelming showing from McCain would still allow for further depth moves in the secondary to be made if necessary.
Buccaneers, LT Tristan Wirfs Making Progress On Extension Talks
As their training camp continues, attention for the Buccaneers continues to be paid to the status of extension talks with left tackle Tristan Wirfs. No deal is imminent, and the All-Pro’s training camp participation will be affected until an agreement is reached. 
Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed on Monday that Wirfs is not taking part in team drills without an extension in hand (h/t Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). Team and player are still negotiating “in good faith,” though, as Bowles notes. Wirfs added he and Bowles discussed his level of training camp involvement prior to a deal being struck, as detailed by Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.
Encouragingly, Wirfs also said progress has been made on the negotiating front, a sign that an agreement could be in place relatively soon. General manager Jason Licht‘s most recent comments on the matter similarly expressed optimism a deal will be signed in short order. Tampa Bay has taken care of a number of important pieces of business this offseason, but Wirfs remains as a key extension priority.
The Iowa product is due $18.24MM in 2024 as a result of the team’s decision to pick up his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will, of course, check in at a much higher rate. Licht acknowledged Wirfs’ candidacy to become the league’s highest-paid left tackle (or perhaps the top earner at either tackle spot), meaning a deal averaging $26MM or $28MM – perhaps more – should be expected. Licht made similar comments about safety Antoine Winfield Jr. before he signed an extension moving him to the top of that position’s market.
Wirfs established himself as one of the league’s top right tackles to begin his career. The release of left tackle Donovan Smith last offseason led to Wirfs moving to the blindside, however. That transition went well, and it resulted in the third Pro Bowl nod of his four-year career. As a foundational member of the Bucs’ offense, a long-term accord should await him in the near future.
Tampa Bay is currently projected to have nearly $26MM in 2025 cap space, flexibility which should allow for a Wirfs extension to be worked out. Based on the stance of team and player, he should be back to full training camp participation relatively soon.
Browns Place OL Brian Allen On IR
The Browns’ interior offensive line depth has been dealt a blow well before the start of the season. Brian Allen was placed on injured reserve Monday, per a team announcement. 
Allen has been dealing with a calf injury since the third day of training camp, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. The ailment is obviously a serious one, as today’s move means Allen will not play in 2024. The 28-year-old signed with the Browns after the draft in a bid to put together a healthy campaign on a new team.
Allen started each of his appearances with the Rams from 2019-22, but injuries hindered his Los Angeles tenure. The former fourth-rounder missed the 2020 campaign altogether, and he was limited to five games (and no starts) last season. To little surprise, he was released by the Rams in a move which set up his Browns arrival.
Cleveland’s offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2023, so added depth across the board was welcomed in the offseason. Allen has exclusively played at center during his career, but he did take practice reps at guard prior to suffering the injury. Now, the Browns’ plans along the interior will no longer include him for 2024. The team still has Ethan Pocic in place as a starter in the middle, along with the well-regarded tandem of Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio at guard.
Allen’s Cleveland contract was a one-year accord, as could be expected given his injury issues during his Rams tenure. His attention will now return to rehab in anticipation of free agency next spring. After another full season spent on the sidelines, though, it is safe to assume his market will not be strong once he returns to full health. In a corresponding move, the Browns signed guard Zach Johnson.
Rams, Matthew Stafford Reach Contract Resolution
JULY 28: Stafford’s deal is now officially in place, per Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport. $5MM has been accelerated from a future year into 2024, meaning he will receive $36MM this season. In addition, a guaranteed $4MM roster bonus has been added for 2025. Stafford has thus met his goal of acquiring new locked in compensation while also receiving a raise up front.
JULY 23: Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached with Matthew Stafford on a new contract. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback will be in attendance at training camp. 
McVay did not go into specifics with respect to financial terms, but he noted (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) today’s agreement is not an extension. As a result, Stafford remains under contract through the 2026 campaign. Only one more year remained on the pact with guaranteed salary, so this restructure presumably includes new locked in compensation.
It became known during the draft that Stafford was seeking guarantees beyond 2024. The 36-year-old delivered a healthy and productive season last year, putting to rest thoughts of a trade sending him out of Los Angeles or (for at least the time being) speculation about retirement. McVay confirmed Stafford would remain in place for the coming campaign atop the QB depth chart after the team’s postseason exit. That will be the case for 2024 and potentially beyond, depending on the structure of the new arrangement.
Stafford’s camp had been in communication with the Rams about a resolution, so today’s update comes as little surprise. The latest report on the matter indicated the longtime Lions signal-caller would not engage in a training camp holdout even if a deal had not been agreed to. That has now become a moot point, and team and player will turn their attention to the 2024 season.
The Rams’ youth movement at a number of positions led to lessened expectations last year, but Stafford helped guide the team to the wild-card round. Taking one or more steps further than that in 2024 would prove his $31MM salary to be worthwhile, and staying healthy would make today’s investment in his finances for 2025 and/or ’26 a reasonable decision as well. The details of today’s move will be worth watching for as the Rams prepare for life after Aaron Donald on the field and from a financial perspective.
5 Key Stories: 7/21/24 – 7/28/24
With training camps opening around the league, a number of big-ticket extensions were finalized in recent days. Not every player eligible for a new deal has one in hand at this point, though, leading to a few high-profile holdouts. In case you missed any of the top developments from the past week, here is a quick recap:
- Packers Extend Love, Clark: Green Bay’s first few training camp practices did not involve quarterback Jordan Love taking part as he and the team continued to negotiate an extension. Shortly after reports indicated progress was being made, the parties agreed to a four-year, $220MM deal. Love, 25, parlayed his strong second half showing from last year into an accord including a practical guarantee of just over $140MM which will keep him in place through 2028. The 2020 first-rounder now sits in a tie for the lead in terms of annual average compensation ($55MM). Prior the Love deal, the Packers finalized a three-year, $64MM extension with Kenny Clark. The latter is positioned to remain the focal point of Green Bay’s defensive interior, as he has been for much of his eight-year career. Clark earned his third Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after recording a personal best seven sacks, and continued production will be expected of him for years to come.
- Dolphins Finalize Tagovailoa Extension: Hours before the Love deal was in place, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins reached agreement on another QB mega-deal. Miami’s starter is set to collect just over $212MM in new money on his extension, one which is believed to consist of a three-year commitment in terms of guaranteed compensation. Tagovailoa is therefore set to remain in place through 2027 at a minimum as he aims to duplicate his 2023 success. While staying healthy for a full campaign, the 26-year-old led the league in passing and received his first Pro Bowl invitation last season. Miami will be counting on continued health and production under center while attempting to achieve more consistency on offense and take a step forward from last year’s wild-card exit. Tagovailoa will be a central aspect of those efforts for the foreseeable future.
- Darrisaw Agrees To Market-Topping Vikings Deal: Two years remain on Christian Darrisaw’s rookie contract with the Vikings opting to pick up his fifth-year option this spring. Team and player worked out a long-term arrangement well before free agency, though, agreeing to a four-year extension worth $104MM. The $26MM AAV of the pact moves Darrisaw (who will collect at least $43.73MM in guarantees) to the top of the pecking order amongst blindside protectors. Penei Sewell’s Lions deal is the most lucrative tackle contract in the league, but Darrisaw will be counted on to remain a foundational member of Minnesota’s offensive core for the long-term future. The 25-year-old is on the books through 2029.
- Jaguars Extend Campbell: Jacksonville worked out extensions for quarterback Trevor Lawrence and edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen earlier this offseason, and cornerback Tyson Campbell became the latest to secure a long-term investment. The latter signed a four-year, $76.5MM extension, making him the highest-paid corner amongst those without a Pro Bowl appearance. Campbell has been a full-time starter during his three years as a Jaguar, and his ball production from 2021-22 helped his value considerably. The 24-year-old struggled in coverage last year in particular, but the team has nevertheless ensured he will remain a key member of the secondary for the long-term future. The Jags are aiming to bounce back from last season’s second half collapse, and Campbell’s performance in 2024 will go a long way in determining their success in that regard.
- 49ers’ Williams, Cowboys’ Lamb Staging Training Camp Holdouts: A few veterans have elected to skip the beginning of their respective teams’ training camps and incur daily fines along the way. Haason Reddick (Jets) is one of them, as is 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. Three years remain on the latter’s contract, but he is now seeking a raise. Williams, 36, has performed as expected during his four San Francisco campaigns, earning first-team All-Pro honors each of the past three years. The future Hall of Famer is due over $77MM over the next three years, but none of his remaining salaries are guaranteed. CeeDee Lamb, meanwhile, has followed through on his expected approach of skipping camp until he secures a monster extension. Dallas has other financial priories, but getting Lamb on the books at or near the top of the WR market is a key one. The Cowboys have a new offer in place, so a resolution could be reached soon.