Broncos To Eliminate One QB From Starting Competition
During OTAs and minicamp, the Broncos allowed all three of their quarterbacks to take reps with the first-team offense. Each of returnee Jarrett Stidham, trade acquisition Zach Wilson and first-round rookie Bo Nix continued to spend time with the starters during the opening week of training camp, but that three-man race will soon be thinned to two. 
“The rotation has been pretty consistent,” head coach Sean Payton said (via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). “I think that will begin to change a little bit as we get into the next week and a half to two weeks… We’ve kind of been in this pretty consistent pattern and I think it’s hard for that to stay the same throughout all of camp.”
Giving additional reps to the Week 1 starter is a logical approach, although Payton and his staff have not given a firm indication of which signal-caller is the likeliest to start the season atop the depth chart. What is known at this point, to no surprise, is that Nix will not enter the year as QB3. The competition for at least a backup role will thus come down to Stidham and Wilson.
The former has familiarity with Payton’s system dating back to last year, leaving him ahead of the latter in the pecking order. Indeed, Tomasson notes Wilson is the likeliest to drop out of the rotation once a switch is made. The 24-year-old failed to establish himself as a starter with the Jets, ultimately finding himself being dealt to the Broncos for a swap of Day 3 picks. Indications from last month pointed to Wilson having ground to make up on Stidham, and the limited opportunities both have had so far would make it unlikely a signficant change has taken place in that respect.
Wilson would need to clear waivers (unlike Stidham) if he were to finish camp at the No. 3 spot. Going that route would create $2.7MM in dead money, a consideration which could allow Wilson to remain on the 53-man roster. Recent rule changes have, on the other hand, made it easier to elevate passers from the practice squad to the emergency third-string role on gamedays. That could sway Payton to carry only two passers and stick with Nix and Stidham (in one order or the other) during the fall.
Plenty of time remains before the Broncos’ preseason schedule, something which will offer another opportunity for the team’s QB competition to be evaluated. By that point, only two contenders will likely still be in the running for the Week 1 nod.
QB Ryan Tannehill Received Interest, Not Actively Seeking Deal
Ryan Tannehill is one of the free agents who did not manage to find a new home at the start of training camp. When speaking about his situation, the veteran quarterback confirmed interest was shown earlier this offseason, but nothing is currently imminent. 
“Nothing really felt right through free agency and through that, I had a lot of peace with it,” Tannehill said on The Athletic’s Scoop City podcast (audio link). “Nothing outstanding jumped up, so I just said, ‘Hey, I’ll take a step back, and if something comes up on down the road.'”
The 36-year-old was a consideration for the Steelers once they hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. Pittsburgh ultimately committed to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, though, and Tannehill has not been connected to any suitors since then. While he is open to landing on a new team, he is not urgently seeking out a landing spot for the 2024 campaign.
“Whether that’s training camp, maybe a guy goes down on a team and [the team] gives me a call, you never know what’s going to happen,” Tannehill added. “But at the same time, [I’m] not waiting on pins and needles for that call, right? I’m enjoying where I’m at, enjoying where my feet are at, where my family life is. If something comes up, then fantastic, I’ll jump wholeheartedly into it. But at the same time, [I’m] not clearly just waiting on that.”
The former Dolphins first-rounder spent six years in Miami, topping 4,000 yards twice before being slowed by injuries and traded to the Titans. Tannehill’s lone Pro Bowl nod came in 2019, and he enjoyed three campaigns as the team’s starter after that season. As expected, though, second-rounder Will Levis took over starting duties after Tannehill was sidelined midway through last year and remained atop the depth chart after he was healthy.
Tannehill will not be back in Tennessee, a team which signed Mason Rudolph in free agency and still has 2022 third-rounder Malik Willis in the fold. Many other teams around the league are essentially set with respect to the top two spots on their QB depth charts, even if competitions for the starting gig will take place over the coming weeks. As a result, an injury or unforeseen drop-off in performance may be needed for Tannehill suitors to emerge.
It very much remains to be seen what he will end up doing between now and the start of the campaign. Tannehill’s comments demonstrate he is comfortable without a deal in hand as things currently stand, however, so no updates to his situation should be expected for the time being.
Jason Licht: Buccaneers ‘Optimistic’ Tristan Wirfs Extension Will Be Finalized Soon
The Buccaneers’ offseason has included a number of big-money deals being worked out to keep several members of the team’s core intact. The final main piece of business left to take care of is a monster extension for left tackle Tristan Wirfs. 
The All-Pro is set to collect $18.24MM in 2024 on his fifth-year option. A long-term deal will cost far more, and Wirfs has a strong chance of resetting the market at his position. Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht confirmed as much in his latest comments on the matter. He also repeated his desire to have a deal in place as soon as possible.
“I’m optimistic that it hopefully will be soon,” Licht said of a Wirfs extension during an appearance on WDAE radio (audio link). “I was on with WDAE talking about Antoine [Winfield Jr.] saying, ‘Hey, the guy deserves to be highest-paid [safety].’ And I would say the same thing for Tristan.
“So we’re working very diligently to see how we can do that, you know, so it can help both sides, as well. So it doesn’t hurt our future so we can still continue to win, but we can reward him.”
Winfield did indeed move to the top of the safety pecking order when he inked a four-year, $84.1MM extension in May. Licht expressed confidence a deal would get done on that front while acknowledging Winfield’s value on a long-term pact, something which was firmly in the team’s plans. He has similarly maintained a stance that Wirfs, 25, will have a new pact in place by the start of the 2024 campaign.
A report came out shortly after the Winfield deal indicating Tampa Bay and Wirfs’ camp were not close to a deal being worked out. Licht’s remarks suggest progress has been made, however, and Wirfs could soon be atop the list of compensation in terms of at least blindside blockers. Left tackle contracts are now led by the Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw at $26MM per season. The most lucrative tackle pact of any kind is that of Penei Sewell, who is attached to an AAV of $28MM after signing a Lions extension.
Wirfs began his career on the right, but the departure of Donovan Smith last offseason led to him switching to the blindside. The Iowa product earned his third career Pro Bowl nod in 2023, showcasing his effectiveness on either side of the line. Wirfs reported to training camp and has participated despite not having an extension in hand, but that may change in the relatively near future.
Giants Have Not Considered Trading WR Darius Slayton
Darius Slayton is in position to play a sixth season with the Giants in 2024, but this offseason has included questions about his future. The veteran receiver stayed away from New York during the spring as part of an effort to land a new deal. 
No extension talks took place, but in the end the sides reached a compromise. Slayton agreed to return to practice with new incentives being added to his pact, one which expires after this campaign. The 27-year-old has led the team in receiving during four of his five seasons, but recent draft additions – particularly Malik Nabers – threaten to cut into his role on the Giants’ offense moving forward.
Against the backdrop of a reduced target share, Slayton recently made it clear he would have welcomed a trade sending him elsewhere ahead of his walk year. No such move will be taking place, however, as general manager Joe Schoen confirmed. The pair had a discussion on the matter, and both sides are prepared for at least one more year together.
“When he came in, we had a conversation, and [a trade] was never an option,” Schoen said (via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News). “He was a free agent two years ago, and 32 teams had a chance to get his services, and he came back here. And I believe we gave him the best deal at the time, and it was a two-year deal. And we had a good conversation, and he understood where we were, and I understood where he was coming from. And we put it to bed when he showed up in the spring.”
Nabers, along with 2022 second-rounder Wan’Dale Robinson and 2023 third-round selection Jalin Hyatt, represents competition for Slaton in terms of playing time and targets in the Giants’ offense. The latter has been a consistent option in the passing game for years, but his 50 receptions and 770 yards from 2023 represented career highs. As New York looks to take a needed step forward during a make-or-break campaign for quarterback Daniel Jones, Slayton will be joined by other intriguing pass-catchers.
The former fifth-rounder’s free agent stock will be dictated in large part by his performance in 2024. Slayton could seek a new team for the first time in his career if he does see himself surpassed on the depth chart by one or more of the Giants’ recent additions, but for now his future is not in doubt.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/24
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Deontay Burnett, WR Kelvin Harmon
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/PUP list: S Caden Sterns
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
- Placed on IR: Michael Badgley (story)
- Placed on active/NFI list: OL Christian Mahogany
- Waived with injury settlement: OL Matt Farniok
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton
- Waived: QB Gavin Hardison
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Chandler Brewer
- Waived: G Nouri Nouili
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, CB Kendall Sheffield
- Waived: Ben Bryant, CB Nehemiah Shelton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Frank Darby
- Waived: CB Kemon Hall
Martinez had a productive dual-threat career in college, scoring 96 total touchdowns during his time with Nebraska and Kansas State. He joined the Lions as a UDFA last spring, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Martinez did not see any NFL game action, but he recently boosted his stock in the UFL. The 24-year-old earned league MVP honors while leading the Birmingham Stallions to the championship. Martinez compiled a combined 17:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the league with 588 rushing yards.
The top of New York’s depth chart is set with Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but rookie Jordan Travis opened training camp on the NFI list as he continues to recover from the leg injury which ended his Florida State career. Martinez’s arrival (and the corresponding departure of Bryant) will allow him to see limited reps for at least a brief period. He could be a practice squad candidate if Travis returns to health in time for the fall, but a strong showing in training camp and/or the preseason could make him an attractive option for other teams.
Bills’ Von Miller Healthy Ahead Of 2024 Season
The 2023 campaign began with expectations for continued production in the case of Von Miller. The future Hall of Famer’s Bills career got off to a strong with eight sacks in 11 contests during the 2022 campaign, but it was abruptly ended by an ACL tear. 
Miller spent last offseason rehabbing, and on multiple occasions he expressed confidence in his knee’s status. The two-time Super Bowl winner had already rebounded from an ACL tear earlier in his career, and managing to do so again would have provided Buffalo with a key contributor along the edge. In the end, though, Miller suited up for 12 contests and had by far the least impactful season of his career. When reflecting on the year, he admitted playing was not the best decision.
“I wanted to be out there and play,” Miller said (via ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). “If I was 50%, like, nobody was going to stop me from going out there… But the truth, just being honest with you guys, my knee wasn’t at a place where I could go, and I could move, and I could do the things that I wanted to do. I mean, I could play, but that was just about it.”
Miller was held without a sack and recorded only three tackles in 2023, a major step back from his 2022 totals and a highly underwhelming return on investment from the Bills’ perspective. The 35-year-old remains attached to the six-year, $120MM deal he signed in 2022. He did accept a pay cut this spring as part of Buffalo’s financial maneuvering, but delivering better production would be critical for the team’s pass rush (and allow him to recoup money via incentives).
Repeating the positive sentiment he shared earlier this offseason, Miller added that he is now “feeling normal,” an encouraging sign for his health outlook. The former Bronco and Ram’s best 2023 showings came at the end of the regular season and Buffalo’s two playoff games, and remaining healthy through training camp could set him up for a rotational role to kick off the coming campaign. The Bills still have projected starters Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa in place at the defensive end spot; the former had his 2025 fifth-year option picked up, while the latter was retained on a two-year deal in March.
Buffalo did lose Leonard Floyd in free agency, though, and Miller returning to his previous form could help offset that departure. Another All-Pro season on Miller’s part should not be expected, of course, but he is at least optimistic 2024 will include a notable step forward in terms of effectiveness compared to last year.
Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa Agree To Extension
Training camp participation will no longer be an issue for Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins quarterback has agreed to a four-year, $212.4MM extension, as first reported by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
Many of the league’s QB mega-deals have been five years in length, making this extension slightly unique. It is the most expensive four-year investment in league history with an average annual value of $53.1MM, third highest amongst signal-callers. Rapoport adds Tagovailoa will receive $167.1MM guaranteed.
Given the 26-year-old’s injury history, questions have been raised this offseason regarding how much of a long-term commitment the Dolphins would be willing to make. Full details are not yet known, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports this deal is a three-year accord in terms of practical guarantees. As a result, Tagovailoa will be in place atop Miami’s QB depth chart through at least the 2027 campaign.
Team and player in this case expressed a desire in February for a deal to be worked out in relatively short order. Miami dealt with a number of other priorities in the months since, then, however, and talks continued through to this week. Tagovailoa was largely a non-participant in spring workouts, a departure from his normal offseason routine. The Alabama product made it clear he was acutely aware of the surging market value of quarterbacks on their second contracts, something which applies to him. Tagovailoa was already on the books for 2024 via his $23.17MM fifth-year option.
Using one or two franchise tags after this season would have been an option had the Dolphins taken a hardline stance at the negotiating table, but they have instead made a long-term commitment. Tagovailoa put up career highs in a number of categories in 2023, a campaign in which he crucially managed to remain healthy. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) and earned his first career Pro Bowl nod while helping the team to an 11-6 record and a postseason berth. Needless to say, expectations for a repeat of that success (and beyond) will be in place moving forward.
Miami inked receiver Jaylen Waddle to a $28.25MM-per-year deal this spring, and teammate Tyreek Hill is angling for a raise as well. Keeping that tandem in place while also retaining Tagovailoa in the fold has been an overarching goal for the organization during the offseason, one in which the likes of Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt departed via free agency. It remains to be seen what happens with Hill, but now Waddle and Tagovailoa’s futures have received clarity.
The latter rejected at least one extension offer prior to today’s blockbuster accord being finalized (something which came as little surprise considering Miami’s initial unwillingness to offer a market-value pact). A report from earlier this week indicated Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were not as close to working out a deal as Jordan Love and the Packers were. Instead, Miami has managed to get negotiations across the finish line before Green Bay. This deal will serve as another blueprint for the Packers and Love to follow with seven quarterbacks now occupying the $50MM-per-year club.
Tagovailoa reported to training camp on time, but he barely participated during the first day of practice. That was followed by a total on-field absence yesterday, a sign that an extended period of uncertainty regarding his availability could extend for days or longer. The former No. 5 pick took every first-team rep in Friday’s practice, though, a development which certainly makes sense given the fact a monster deal has now been agreed to.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has been in place for the past two years, having been hired in large part to maximize Tagovailoa’s potential. The pair have worked well together so far, and 2023’s productive (albeit inconsistent) showings on offense offered a glimpse of what could be possible down the road. Now, the McDaniel-Tagovailoa partnership will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
Rams To Sign CB Jerry Jacobs
Jerry Jacobs has found his next home early in training camp. The veteran cornerback is set to sign with the Rams, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Jacobs took a number of visits this offseason, but that did not include any known ones with Los Angeles. Of course, the Rams’ secondary has recently been dealt a blow with Derion Kendrick suffering an ACL tear. Jacobs will now step in and attempt to carve out a defensive role in Kendrick’s absence.
After three seasons with the Lions, Jacobs did not receive an RFA tender. That left him free to explore other opportunities, and he took visits with the Falcons and Vikings in May. Neither of those produced a deal, nor did his meeting with the Panthers earlier this week. With Kendrick going down, though, a new opening emerged and Jacobs will have the chance to compete for a starting spot or at least part-time defensive duties alongside the likes of Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White and Cobie Durant.
The 26-year-old has made 29 starts, including 12 last season. Jacobs posted a career high in interceptions (three) and tackles (55) in 2023, although his coverage statistics were worse than in years past. Detroit made additions at the cornerback spot via free agency, trade and the draft this offseason, leaving Jacobs in need of a new home. The Arkansas alum could prove to be a cost-effective addition if he manages to remain healthy and earn playing time in Los Angeles, though.
The Rams entered Friday with roughly $8.3MM in cap space, allowing for an addition such as this one. The Jacobs deal will no doubt be a one-year investment, one which will allow him to boost his free agent stock ahead of next offseason. If he fits in with Los Angeles, his arrival could prove to be a notable summer pickup.
Omar Khan Expects Cameron Heyward To Remain With Steelers ‘For Years To Come’
One year remains on Cameron Heyward‘s contract, something which has led to speculation about his Steelers future. The three-time All-Pro wants a two-year extension to finish his career in Pittsburgh, but no agreement on that front is imminent. 
When speaking to the media, general manager Oman Khan noted that no deals are close with respect to retaining any in-house players. The list of candidates for a new contract obviously includes Heyward, whose scheduled $16MM base salary is not guaranteed. The 35-year-old is set to carry a cap hit of over $22MM, and an extension could lower that amount. Team and player have not made progress in negotiations, but Khan remains confident a departure will not take place.
“Last year you know, we had a rough stretch there but I’m confident the way he works and you know Cam the the person the player obviously and I have no doubt that Cam has a lot of football,” Khan said (via the team’s website). “I think Cam has a lot of football left in him, and I expect him to be here for years to come.”
Heyward has made it clear at multiple points this offseason his preference would be to remain the Steelers, the only organization he has played for during his 13-year career. He has also publicly acknowledged his willingness to sign with a new team in 2025, however, and that possibility will remain if no deal can be worked out prior to the start of the campaign. The six-time Pro Bowler’s latest comments confirm the stance he has taken in recent months.
“Am I confident?” Heyward said (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “I don’t like to go either way with that because you get your hopes up and something doesn’t happen. I’m just going to focus on being the best player I can be. This team needs my leadership and production and I look forward to doing it.”
Heyward was limited to 11 games and only a pair of sacks last year as he dealt with a groin injury. Offseason surgery has led to renewed expectations for the 2024 campaign, but much of his value will depend on his ability to return to his previous form. Pittsburgh has made draft investments along the defensive interior in recent years, though Heyward should still handle a heavy workload this season. Questions linger regarding his future, but he is currently focused on at least one more training camp in Pittsburgh.
“I’m not going to get my hopes up either way,” Heyward added. “I’m not going to put stock in that. I’ll focus on the things I can control. I can be productive. I can be healthy. If they believe in me, if I can play more, so be it. If they don’t, I’ll go somewhere else.”
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Addresses HC Mike McCarthy’s Status
The Cowboys’ Thursday media availability allowed team officials to provide updates on the contract statuses of players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. Head coach Mike McCarthy also faces an uncertain future beyond 2024, however. 
McCarthy was retained following Dallas’ wild-card loss to the Packers, but it soon became clear he would not receive an extension. 2024 is thus the final year of his contract, and to little surprise owner Jerry Jones was asked about the decision to set McCarthy up for a lame-duck campaign. When giving a reason why no new deal was offered, Jones simply replied “Green Bay” (h/t Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News).
The Cowboys’ latest postseason exit came about via an underwhelming home loss to McCarthy’s former team. It was not sufficient for the 60-year-old to be let go, but Jones’ remark confirms a rebound will be needed to ensure he remains in place for 2025 and beyond. Dallas has gone 12-5 in each of the past three seasons, all of which have come during McCarthy’s tenure. The former Super Bowl winner will be counted on to deliver a playoff breakthrough in 2024, but Jones praised him when addressing his situation.
“Mike has shown me that I want to have him and he’s qualified and he’s excellent and the players are excellent and he’s shown me that he could be our coach for years to come, Jones said (via Watkins). “He sits next to me in the draft. I really call on him a lot. If you can’t get along with Mike McCarthy, you can’t get along.”
McCarthy admitted earlier this week that his contract status is “a challenge,” and the Cowboys have plenty of work still to do on the contract front over the coming weeks. The team will nevertheless be expected (at least, internally) to replicate the regular season success of the past three years and in doing so set up a potential postseason run. Coming up short will no doubt lead to increased speculation regarding McCarthy’s job status and the potential of Jones allowing his contract to expire similar to Jason Garrett in 2019.
Bill Belichick has been connected to joining the Cowboys or Eagles next offseason if one or both NFC East teams move on from their coaches. Jones repeated his praise of the six-time Super Bowl winner during the press conference, but for the time being attention will be paid to McCarthy’s performance during what could be his final campaign in Dallas.