Jordan Love Will Not Participate In Packers’ Training Camp Without Deal
Jordan Love and the Packers have yet to reach agreement on an extension. To little surprise, the ascending quarterback will not take part in training camp practices before a deal is in hand. 
Love’s camp informed Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Sunday that he would not take the field until an extension agreement is reached (h/t Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal). Love will engage in a hold-in by attending camp and choosing not to take part in drills. The increasingly common strategy avoids fines being incurred, something which is the case for holdouts.
“I think so, but you never know,” Gutekunst said (via Wilde) when asked if a deal could be finalized in the near future. “We’re working really hard to get that done. It’s really important for us.”
Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms both parties remain confident an agreement will be worked out shortly. Finances (as opposed to factors such as guarantees, term and cashflow) are believed to be the biggest remaining issue in this case as the Packers weigh the risks of a Love investment after less than one strong season of production against the cost of waiting for him to up his value further. When speaking publicly on Monday, Gutekunst noted (via Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette) the cap implications of a mega-deal is the primary cause in the ongoing delay.
Teams with major QB commitments on the books are indeed forced to make a number of important decisions at other positions. The Packers will still have a cost-effective offense at the receiver and tight end positions given their recent draft additions even when Love (due $10.5MM in salary this year) signs his next pact, but remaining flexible beyond 2024 is a major consideration on the team’s part. Nevertheless, Gutekunst’s remarks point to Love being the next signal-caller to land a lucrative new deal.
The 2020 first-rounder has long been expected to land an AAV above $50MM despite only taking over as starter at the start of last season. His strong finish to the campaign has put him firmly in Green Bay’s long-term plans, and both team and player remained hopeful an agreement would be in place before today. That has not proven to be the case, but Love remaining sidelined for practices could provide further incentive to get a deal over the finish line.
Bengals To ‘Try Hard’ To Complete Ja’Marr Chase Extension
With the deadline having passed for franchise tag recipient Tee Higgins to sign a long-term deal, he will play out the 2024 campaign ahead of an expected free agent departure next offseason. By that point, fellow Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase will likely have an extension in place. 
The latter has played three years in the NFL, making him eligible for a second contract. With Cincinnati having made the obvious decision of picking up his fifth-year option, Chase is on the books through 2025. A multi-year commitment at or near the top of the receiver market is in the team’s plans, though.
When speaking to the media on Monday, Bengals owner and de facto GM Mike Brown said the team will “try hard” to ensure quarterback Joe Burrow is able to continue playing with his former LSU teammate for years to come (h/t Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer). Brown labeled Burrow as priority No. 1 for the franchise, something demonstrated by his $55MM-per-year extension signed last offseason. Chase, per Brown, is No. 2 on that list.
In spite of that remark, Brown notably added (via ESPN’s Ben Baby) a Chase mega-deal is not likely to be hammered out this summer. He said “the die has probably been cast” regarding an agreement not coming together until next offseason. It will be interesting to see if that stance alters negotiations once training camp opens.
The 24-year-old earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, and he has received a Pro Bowl nod in each of his three Bengals campaigns. Chase has seen the market move to new heights this offseason, with Justin Jefferson landing $35MM per year on his Vikings accord. That pact – which Chase waited to be finalized before taking part in Bengals negotiations – is the most expensive one ever given to a non-quarterback. Chase skipped OTAs, but he did participate in mandatory minicamp, suggesting he could elect to avoid a training camp holdout this week.
Brown also confirmed (via Conway) Cincinnati is hoping to work out an extension with kicker Evan McPherson. The 2021 fifth-rounder has had a consistent start to his career, putting him on the radar for a multi-year deal keeping him in the fold beyond 2024. McPherson, 25, resides in a division featuring three of the highest-paid players at the position. Justin Tucker (Ravens), Dustin Hopkins (Browns) and Chris Boswell (Steelers) are among the nine kickers attached to a deal averaging at least $5MM per year. The Bengals would likely need to make the Florida product a member of that group to keep him in place him via a second contract.
With almost $38MM in projected cap space for next offseason, Cincinnati has the flexibility to retain a number of impactful in-house players. Chase and McPherson are logical candidates for new deals, and it will be interesting to see if one or both have extensions in hand by the time the regular season starts.
Bengals Not Seeking CB Addition
A number of veteran cornerbacks are still available, but the Bengals are not currently in the market for an addition. When speaking to the media on Monday, player personnel director Duke Tobin expressed confidence in the team’s incumbent options. 
“I like what we’ve got there,” Tobin said (via Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network). “We’ve got young guys that can run and cover, who have a lot of upside to them. We’ve got some new guys working in there, and it will be exciting to see how they do. Do I feel like we have an immediate need for a veteran to make our team? No.”
Cincinnati struggled against the pass last year, and improving the secondary was deemed an offseason priority. That led to a number of moves at the safety position, but major additions at the cornerback spot were not made. The Bengals have two starting spots locked up in the form of 2022 second-rounder Cam Taylor–Britt on the perimeter and veteran Mike Hilton in the slot.
The other boundary corner role will come down to DJ Turner or Dax Hill. The former struggled in coverage as a rookie while the latter has not fit in as planned at safety. Hill transitioned to corner this spring, and training camp will offer the Bengals an opportunity to evaluate his progress. Cincinnati has a number of relatively inexperienced corners further down the depth chart, so adding one of the options still on the market would give the team insurance at the position.
The likes of Stephon Gilmore, Xavien Howard, Adoree’ Jackson and Patrick Peterson have yet to find a new home, though that will likely change in the near future. Many veterans sign deals at the onset of training camp, and waiting a few weeks could leave the Bengals short on options to choose from if a signing is deemed necessary. For now, however, Cincinnati will move forward with attention focused on the Turner-Hill competition.
Vikings Place T.J. Hockenson On PUP List; TE Ahead Of Schedule In Rehab
T.J. Hockenson saw his first full Vikings season cut short by ACL and MCL tears. The Pro Bowl tight end will begin training camp on the active/PUP list as he continues to rehab, the team announced on Monday. 
That move comes as little surprise. The injury occurred in December, and more than one month elapsed before Hockenson’s surgery took place. Players placed on the active/PUP list can be activated at any time, but Minnesota will no doubt proceed with caution regarding his recovery. Hockenson’s rehab process has been positive to date, though.
“T.J. will begin training camp on the PUP list,” head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed when speaking to the media on Monday (video link). “He’s well ahead of schedule from a standpoint of some of the benchmarks on his rehab. T.J., looking back at the offseason program, did not miss really a day outside going to see his surgeon in Los Angeles. He was here every single day and that continued through the summer.
“The significant injury that it was, we want to make sure to follow our plan to when T.J. gets on the field and continues to do more and more throughout training camp, and hopefully at some point when he’s ready to go we want to make sure everything is done the right way for T.J., because he’s such a significant part of our organization.”
Upon trading for Hockenson midway through the 2022 season, Minnesota has seen the expected return from a production standpoint. The 27-year-old signed an extension last August averaging $16.5MM per season, and he posted a 95-960-5 statline in 15 games prior to the injury. Hockenson is under contract through 2027, so his long-term health is an obvious priority for team and player in his case. As things stand, though, he could find himself back on the field earlier than expected.
Latest On Bears, OL Teven Jenkins
In June, Teven Jenkins made it known attempts from his camp to pursue a Bears extension were unsuccessful. His latest comments on the matter provide further clarity on the timing of a potential deal being worked out. 
The fourth-year offensive lineman said on Monday (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) the Bears informed his agents any potential extension would take place no earlier than the team’s bye week. As a result, Jenkins will be a pending free agent in 2024 through at least Week 7. Plenty will depend on his level of play as he continues to operate along the interior.
Jenkins entered the league with the expectation of being able to serve as a right tackle starter. He struggled in that role, but moving to guard allowed him to take a notable step forward. The 26-year-old was PFF’s third highest-rated guard in 2022, and he ranked 14th last season, one in which he missed the first four games of the campaign. Jenkins (who took snaps at both left and right guard in 2023) would up his market value with another strong showing this fall.
Chicago has 2022 fifth-rounder Braxton Jones in place on the blindside with 2023 10th overall pick Darnell Wright at the right tackle spot. The former has two years remaining on his rookie deal, while the latter can remain under team control through 2027 via the fifth-year option. Pairing those two with a Jenkins extension would ensure stability up front for the Bears.
Jenkins in particular and the team as a whole will face expectations on an offense featuring a new quarterback (Caleb Williams) and several acquisitions at the skill positions (led by running back D’Andre Swift and receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze). The play of the offensive line will be key, of course, and Jenkins’ financial future will be determined if he continues his strong guard play and convinces the Bears to make a multi-year commitment in him.
Chicago is currently projected to have over $47MM in 2025 cap space, so affording a second Jenkins contract should be feasible. If the team elects not to extend the Oklahoma State alum, he could look to benefit from the upward trajectory of the guard market in free agency.
G Greg Van Roten To Visit Giants
Among the players meeting with prospective teams at the onset of training camps is Greg Van Roten. The veteran guard has a visit lined up with the Giants, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
This summit will take place today, veteran insider Josina Anderson adds. Van Roten, 34, is among the most experienced offensive linemen still on the market with 110 games under his belt. He served as a full-time starter with the Raiders last season, logging over 1,000 snaps at right guard.
Van Roten did not sign with Vegas until last May, inking a one-year, $1.6MM deal. That proved to be a team-friendly accord considering his career-high PFF grade of 75.3. The former UDFA’s value presumably saw an increase as a result, but he remains unsigned. Van Roten visited the Seahawks in April before Seattle elected to add Laken Tomlinson along the interior.
A native of Rockville Center, New York, Van Roten would be returning to familiar territory if he were to join the Giants. He played for the Jets in 2020 and ’21, then spent the following campaign with the Bills. A return to first-team duties on a permanent basis during his one-and-done Raiders stint could allow him to compete for a starting gig in New York.
The Giants have considerable room for improvement along the O-line compared to last season. Left tackle Andrew Thomas is positioned to remain the anchor of the unit, and 2023 second-rounder John Michael Schmitz is on track to remain in place at center. The right tackle position (in the wake of Evan Neal‘s struggles) as well as both guard roles are up for grabs during training camp, however. Van Roten would join the likes of Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor as new faces up front if he were to sign. The Giants currently have roughly $11.5MM in cap space.
Latest On Eagles HC Nick Sirianni
Plenty of attention will be paid to how the Eagles fare at the start of 2024 given the way in which last season ended. Success in rebounding from a second-half collapse and a wild-card exit (or a lack thereof) will of course have implications for head coach Nick Sirianni. 
The 43-year-old guided Philadelphia to a 14-3 record and a trip to the Super Bowl in 2022. For that reason, it came as something of a surprise his job security was a talking point at times this offseason despite the poor end to the ’23 campaign. Sirianni was retained, but major changes on his staff were deemed necessary for him to remain in place for a fourth season.
Diving deeper into this situation, Dianna Russini noted on The Athletic’s Scoop City podcast that Sirianni had “100 percent” control over the Eagles’ offense during Brian Johnson‘s tenure as offensive coordinator. The latter was fired at the end of the season, one during which (as Russini adds) Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts did not always mesh well with one another on a personal level and issues related to a conservative, run-first approach emerged. Sirianni publicly admitted to the offense’s shortcomings down the stretch in 2023 and said he would take a step back with respect to his influence moving forward.
Russini notes that Sirianni was never truly in danger of being fired, but he did not have free reign when hiring the replacements for Johnson and DC Sean Desai. General manager Howie Roseman “had his hands all over every decision” this offseason, per Russini. Notably, that included the hiring of Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio as offensive and defensive coordinators. Veteran coaches – especially those with a winning percentage as strong as Sirianni’s .667 mark – are typically able to make such staff changes without heavy front office influence.
Much of the Eagles’ offensive success in 2024 will depend on how Moore fares in his next offensive coordinator posting. The 35-year-old spent four seasons with that title in Dallas before a single campaign at the helm of the Chargers’ offense. If Moore can prove to be an effective Shane Steichen replacement, Sirianni could afford to take a less involved approach on that side of the ball. Of course, improvement in the secondary in particular will also be needed as Fangio – who hopes to complete his storied NFL career in Philadelphia – takes control of the defense.
It would come as no surprise if a repeat of last season’s drop-off following a 10-1 start resulted in further changes along the sidelines. As a result, Russini predicts Sirianni will “probably” be on a relatively short leash entering the 2024 campaign. With Bill Belichick looming as a potential replacement, Sirianni’s job status will be worth monitoring closely.
Dolphins To Host DE Yannick Ngakoue
Shaquil Barrett‘s retirement has left the Dolphins in search of help along the edge at the start of training camp. Miami will bring in Emmanuel Ogbah for a visit today, but he is not the only free agent who will receive a look. 
Yannick Ngakoue will also visit the Dolphins today, as confirmed by agent Drew Rosenhaus (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). The 29-year-old remained on the free agent market well into the summer last year, though he still managed to secure a $10.5MM Bears deal. Ngakoue’s value took a hit considering how the 2023 campaign played out.
The former second-rounder was a full-time starter for 13 games in Chicago until a season-ending ankle injury shut him down. Ngakoue was limited to four sacks, making 2023 the first season in his career during which he failed to record at least eight. The journeyman (who is certainly not known for his run defense) hoped to find a new home before training camp, but this will be his first known free agent visit.
The Bears were not active along the edge during free agency, leading some to believe a reunion with Ngakoue could be in the cards. General manager Ryan Poles recently expressed confidence in Chicago’s incumbent defense ends, however, so any additions may need to wait until training camp is well underway. Ngakoue is one of many free agents who could step into at least a depth role if a Miami agreement were to be worked out.
The Dolphins have Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips atop the depth chart, but both are rehabbing the injuries which ended their respective 2023 seasons. Depth early in the season will be critical if one or both are unable to suit up for Week 1. Barrett was on track for a notable workload as a result before he elected to hang up his cleats. Now, Calais Campbell and any addition made in the coming days will join rookies Chop Robinson and Mohammed Kamara as Miami’s edge options for the summer.
Like Ogbah, Ngakoue will no doubt be forced to take a deal worth far less than his previous one when he signs with a new team. The Dolphins have just over $12MM in cap space, so a contract for either one should be feasible.
Bengals Sign First-Round T Amarius Mims, Complete Draft Class Deals
The final member of the 2024 draft class is on the books. Bengals first-rounder Amarius Mims signed his rookie contract on Monday, per a team announcement. 
[RELATED: Recapping Bengals’ Offseason]
This pact is worth $15.37MM full guaranteed over four years. That figure includes a $7.99MM signing bonus. Mims will be under team control through at least 2027, but like all Day 1 picks a fifth-year option could keep him in the fold for another season beyond that.
Jonah Williams departed in free agency, and right tackle was a key area of need for Cincinnati. As planned, the team sought out a short-term option at the position by signing Trent Brown to a one-year deal. To little surprise, though, several first-round prospects were considered in the lead-in to the draft. One of those was Mims, whom the Bengals selected at No. 18.
The 6-7, 340-pounder flashed considerable upside during his time at Georgia. More established options on the depth chart along with injuries severely limited his playing time, however. Mims got his first starts during the 2022 College Football Playoffs before logging three game at right tackle to begin the 2023 campaign. An ankle injury required tightrope surgery and left him sidelined for much of the season, threatening to hurt his draft stock.
Mims’ potential nevertheless allowed him to become a top-20 selection, and he will enter the NFL with high expectations. On the books in time for Wednesday (Cincinnati’s first training camp practice), Mims will spend the summer competing with Brown for the first-team RT gig. The team’s preference would likely be a redshirt rookie campaign given his lack of game reps in college, but Mims’ performance over the coming weeks will dictate how early he sees the field at the NFL level.
Here is a final breakdown of Cincinnati’s draft class:
- Round 1, No. 18: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49: Kris Jenkins Jr. (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 80: Jermaine Burton, WR (Alabama) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 97: McKinnley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Erick All (TE, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149: Josh Newton (CB, TCU) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 194: Tanner McLachlan (TE, Arizona) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 214: Cedric Johnson (DE, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 224 (from Cardinals through Texans): Daijahn Anthony (DB, Mississippi State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 237: Matt Lee (C, Miami) (signed)
Texans Sign RB Cam Akers
8:03pm: Akers’ Sunday tryout in Houston was a successful one as Wilson follows up his earlier report with an update that Akers has been signed by the Texans. After 15 starts in just over three years with the Rams and short stint in Minnesota, Akers now joins the Texans backfield for a third opportunity. He’ll now compete with Dare Ogunbowale and rookie sixth-round pick Jawhar Jordan for a backup role behind Mixon and Pierce.
In addition to Jackson and Williams, Wilson reports that Akers was joined in his workout by Ke’Shawn Vaughn. A former third-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Vaughn failed to catch on in Tampa Bay before spending part of last year on the Patriots’ practice squad.
1:40pm: The Texans have been busy in recent days with respect to investigating a backfield addition. Houston’s efforts on that front continued Sunday. 
The team hosted Cam Akers on a workout, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The former Ram and Viking is among the players looking to find a new home as training camps open around the league. Houston also brought in veteran Deon Jackson and undrafted rookie Miyan Williams earlier this week.
Devin Singletary departed in free agency this year, and the Texans were suitors for a number of high-profile backs on the market. In the end, the team swung a trade with the Bengals for Joe Mixon and signed him to a new deal. The soon-to-be 28-year-old will thus handle lead back duties for the foreseeable future. 2022 fourth-rounder Dameon Pierce remains as a backup option.
Houston has nearly $19MM in cap space, so a move at the running back spot (or any other position) is certainly feasible. Akers, 25, should not be an expensive option for the Texans or any other interested team. Following the end of his Los Angeles tenure, he was dealt to Minnesota. The Florida State alum made just six appearances with the Vikings before he was sidelined with the second Achilles tear of his career.
To little surprise, Akers – who showed promise when healthy before falling out of favor with Sean McVay – remains unsigned deep into the offseason. He recently underwent a physical, and a report from earlier this month suggested the Vikings would be open to re-signing him if he passed. The fact that Akers is still available (and visiting other teams) is a sign he failed the physical or that Minnesota has moved on to other options. In any event, he will attempt to latch onto a roster in Houston or elsewhere in the coming days.