Steelers CB Cameron Sutton Issued Eight-Game Suspension
The NFL’s investigation into Cameron Sutton has concluded, and it has resulted in a suspension. The Steelers cornerback has been issued an eight-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, as noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will not appeal the suspension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Sutton was the subject of an arrest warrant which was issued in March on the charge of domestic battery by strangulation. The 29-year-old was a member of the Lions at the time, having played in Detroit for 2023 on a $11MM-per-year deal. One day after news of the warrant broke, the Lions released him.
More than three weeks after the warrant was issued (which was well before it became public knowledge), Sutton surrendered to police. The Lions had advised him to do so, and since then he has seen misdemeanor battery charges resolved by entering a pretrial diversion program. As past disciplinary decisions have shown, however, players do not need to be convicted of crimes to face punishment under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Shortly before the draft, Sutton took part in a free agent visit with the Steelers, the team with which he spent the first six years of his career. No further developments on that front took place for several weeks until, in June, the parties agreed to a one-year deal. Sutton was set to earn the veteran minimum on his Pittsburgh accord, so being suspended without pay for the campaign’s opening eight weeks will lower his earnings considerably.
A third-round pick in 2017, Sutton logged just two starts across his first three seasons in the league. The Tennessee alum has been a mainstay on his teams’ defenses since then, though, logging over 1,000 snaps in 2021 and doing so again during his single Lions campaign last season. That experience will give Pittsburgh a starting-caliber option in the secondary during the second half of the year.
The Steelers have Joey Porter Jr. in place as a perimeter starter, and the same will likely be true of trade acquisition Donte Jackson. Sutton has primarily played on the boundary during his career, but he has experience in the slot and could find himself there upon returning to Pittsburgh’s lineup once his suspension has been served. A depth addition this summer could now be on the team’s radar knowing they will be shorthanded in the secondary, however.
The Steelers’ bye week falls on Week 9, meaning the earliest point at which Sutton could make his debut would be during the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Commanders.
Patriots To Hold Open K Competition Between Chad Ryland, Joey Slye
The Patriots selected Chad Ryland in the fourth round of the 2023 draft as Nick Folk‘s successor. The latter was ultimately traded to the Titans in a sign of confidence for the rookie. 
While Folk delivered a strong season which landed him a new Tennessee contract, Ryland endured an inconsistent debut campaign. The 24-year-old connected on just 16 of 25 field goal attempts, including five of 10 kicks between between 40 and 49 yards. Ryland only missed one of his 25 extra point tries, but it came as no surprise when the Patriots added a veteran competitor this offseason.
New England signed Joey Slye in May shortly after he was released by the Jaguars. Jacksonville already had Riley Patterson in the fold before becoming one of the teams which drafted a kicker, leading to the decision to let go of Slye. The 28-year-old is a veteran of 78 games spent with four different teams, including a stint in Washington which ran from midway through the 2021 campaign through the end of last season.
Slye has a career accuracy rate of 82.3%, a figure buoyed by the 12-for-12 start to his Commanders tenure. He saw his success rate dip over the past two seasons, though, and he will need a strong showing this summer to cement the Patriots’ kicking role. As team reporter Paul Perillo notes, both Ryland and Slye will have the opportunity to win the position during training camp and the preseason in what is “expected to be a true competition.”
Perillo adds that Slye was the more accurate of the two during OTAs and minicamp, but summer practices and exhibition games will provide plenty of further chances for Ryland to gain an advantage. The latter is on the books for the next three years via his rookie contract, and he would be subject to waivers if New England elected to keep Slye on the active roster instead of him. Ryland could be a developmental practice squad candidate if no outside team showed interest, though.
Slye’s deal is worth the veteran minimum, and releasing him during the summer would create $1.28MM in cap savings without any dead money accruing. Neither contender for the kicking gig therefore has much in the way of security, so their performances in the coming weeks will be crucial.
S Tashaun Gipson Aims To Play In 2024, Will Not Appeal PED Suspension
Tashaun Gipson‘s free agent stock took a hit last week when he was issued a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy. The veteran safety will not appeal the ban, but he still intends to play in 2024. 
“During this offseason I took a supplement one time, which I thought to be completely safe and well within any of the NFL’s policies,” a statement from Gipson reads. “It was in no way related to performance, training, or gaining an advantage of any kind at any time. I have competed at this level for a long time, and have nothing but respect for the game and the fraternity of players in it.
“The NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances is clear, and I take full responsibility for anything I put into my body. It is with great disappointment that I accept this suspension, and I do so knowing that I have never even attempted to cheat the game. I look forward to returning for my 13th NFL season and helping a team compete for a championship.”
Gipson, 33, spent the past two seasons with the 49ers. He remained a full-time starter during that time, as he has each year since his rookie campaign. San Francisco elected to remain patient with him and allow him to decide on his playing future, something which was in doubt even before the news of his suspension. His comments make it clear, however, that retirement is not under consideration.
While the former Pro Bowler will be sidelined for the first six contests of the regular season, he is eligible to sign with an interested team at any time. Hindering his value is the depth of other veteran defensive backs still on the market leading up to the start of training camp, most (if not all) of whom will represent a more attractive option to suitors. Nevertheless, Gipson should generate a market of some kind amongst teams which do not make other additions in the secondary this summer, something which would allow him to meet his goal of playing a 13th NFL campaign.
Latest On Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland
The Cowboys have Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence atop the edge rush depth chart, but the team has made recent draft investments at the position to add complementary options behind them. That effort included the selection of Marshawn Kneeland this spring.
Dallas added Kneeland in the second round of April’s draft, matching the Round 2 selection of Sam Williams in 2022. The latter has served in a rotational capacity to date, but he could take on an increased workload this season. With Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler having followed Dan Quinn from Dallas to Washington, the defensive end pecking order will look somewhat different in 2024.
That should open up playing time for Kneeland in a depth capacity. The Western Michigan product is fourth on the depth chart behind Parsons, Lawrence and Williams, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News writes. That comes as little surprise given his inexperience, although his college success suggests he could handle at least an early-down role during his rookie campaign. Kneeland racked up 148 tackles (including 27.5 for loss) between 2020 and ’23 with the Mustangs.
That stretch included relatively underwhelming sack production, however. Kneeland totaled 13 sacks in his college career, and his largest statistical outputs came in 2021 and ’23 with 4.5. The 6-3, 267-pounder profiles as a strong run defender and carrying that skillset over to the NFL level should allow him to carve out a rotational role in certain defensive packages.
Lawrence is entering the final year of his contract, while Parsons is on the books through 2025 (although he is one of multiple high-profile extension priorities for the Cowboys). Williams has two years remaining on his rookie contract, and a strong showing this season could put him on the radar for an extension keeping him in the fold for years to come. Kneeland has plenty of time to establish himself as a regular contributor with the Cowboys, but for the time being he is not in line for a heavy workload.
Lions CB Terrion Arnold On Track For Starting Role
Improving in the secondary was a priority for the Lions this offseason, and as a result the team has several new faces in place at the cornerback position. Trade acquisition Carlton Davis is, to no surprise, expected to handle a first-team defensive role in 2024. The other perimeter starting spot is yet to be determined. 
The second cornerback spot will be a key position to watch during training camp, and Detroit has a number of contenders for the spot. As could be expected, though, the early favorite appears to be first-round rookie Terrion Arnold. During OTAs and minicamp, it was Davis and Arnold who handled the majority of reps with the starting defense, as noted by team reporter Tim Twentyman.
The Lions made Arnold the second corner off the board on Day 1 of the draft, moving up the order to acquire him. The Alabama product enjoyed a stellar 2023 campaign, leading the SEC in interceptions with five and adding 12 pass deflections. Arnold earned first-team All-SEC and All-American honors while surpassing teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry as a more highly regarded draft prospect.
The Lions used the second selection on a cornerback as well, adding Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 61 overall. The Missouri product will look to carve out a role during his rookie campaign, and he could compete with free agent signing Amik Robertson for playing time in the slot. On that note, Brian Branch is likely to split his time between the slot and safety this season, something which will have a notable effect on how the likes of Rakestraw and Robertson are used.
Twentyman names Emmanuel Moseley as another contender for a first-team perimeter role. The 28-year-old’s debut Lions campaign was cut short by an ACL tear, but he re-signed on a one-year deal in March. Moseley has 33 starts to his name dating back to his time with the 49ers, and he therefore represents an experienced alternative to Arnold as a first-team option. Questions remain about his health and his ability to return to his previous form, though, which could leave Arnold as the preferred option at the start of the campaign.
The Lions ranked 27th against the pass in 2023, and improving in that area would go a long way in helping the team repeat its 2023 success. How the cornerback pecking order is determined this summer will be a key factor in those efforts, making it an interesting storyline to follow.
RBs D’Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong On Browns’ Roster Bubble?
Attention related to the Browns’ backfield will continue to be directed toward Nick Chubb while his rehab from multiple knee surgeries continues. It is unclear when he will be back on the field, and as training camp approaches Cleveland will have a number of contenders for depth running back spots. 
Jerome Ford – who took on starting duties after Chubb’s injury – is in line to reprise his RB1 workload until Chubb is back in the fold. The Browns also have Nyheim Hines in place as a pass-catching and returner option. After missing all of 2023 due to an ACL tear, Hines is hopeful to be on the field in time for the start of training camp. Cleveland has other backs on the roster, and their fates will be determined over the course of the summer.
Specifically, D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong could find themselves competing for one roster spot. Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal writes that Chubb’s health will be a key factor in determining how many running backs the Browns keep in the fold to begin the campaign. If the latter misses time in the fall, Foreman and Strong could survive roster cuts. If he is healthy by Week 1, however, keeping both in the fold (in addition to Ford and Hines) may not be feasible.
Strong was acquired via trade from the Patriots last summer, and he played sparingly on offense in Cleveland. The 2022 fourth-rounder logged a notable workload on special teams, though, and his third phase abilities could help him secure a spot. Foreman, on the other hand, has a longer track record of production in the backfield. The 28-year-old has played 52 games with four different teams, and his most productive campaign came in 2022 with the Panthers (914 rushing yards, five touchdowns).
Foreman signed a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March, and he is set to carry a cap hit of $1.15MM this season. That is slightly higher than Strong’s cap charge, and the latter is on the books through 2025. Releasing Foreman would create $818K in cap savings, although his track record could make him an attractive option to outside teams looking to add him via the waiver wire. Plenty is still to be determined separate from Chubb’s health, and Foreman and Strong’s showings this summer will be worth monitoring.
Patriots’ Josh Uche Changes Agents
The Patriots have made it a priority to retain several players this offseason, and that includes Josh Uche. The fifth-year edge rusher could have tested the market in free agency, but instead he took a one-year deal to remain in New England in 2024. 
Uche had more lucrative offers waiting from outside suitors, but the 25-year-old elected to play on a prove-it contract worth a base value of $3MM. He can earn up to $8MM via incentives, and reaching them would also position him as one of the more attractive free agents in 2025. Perhaps keeping that in mind, Uche recently changed representation.
The Michigan alum now has Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, as noted by ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Rosenhaus initially represented him at the start of his career, but that was not the case by the time he took his one-year Patriots deal. Now, a change back to Rosenhaus has taken place ahead of a 2024 campaign which will have significant financial implications for Uche.
The former second-rounder enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, posting 11.5 sacks. He remained a rotational player this past season, though, and his pass rush production took a step back (three sacks, 15 pressures). Uche – who has not developed into a strong run defender at the NFL level – has logged snap shares between 30% and 38% in each of his Patriots campaigns, and it will be interesting to see if he earns an increased workload this season under Jerod Mayo.
Leading up to the 2023 trade deadline, Uche drew considerable interest and the Patriots nearly worked out a deal. He later made it clear he wished to remain in New England, something which will be the case for at least one more season. Uche’s performance as a pending free agent for the second time in his career will be worth watching closely, and he will approach another Patriots deal or one sending him to a new team with a familiar face representing him.
DT Alim McNeill On Lions’ Extension Radar; No Deal Imminent
The 2024 Lions offseason has been defined in large part by big-ticket extensions handed out on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and right tackle Penei Sewell all signed deals which will keep them in Detroit for the foreseeable future. 
Several other candidates for extensions remain, though. Among those is Alim McNeill, who has developed into a mainstay along the Lions’ defensive line (a unit which added D.J. Reader in free agency). The 24-year-old is set to enter the final season of his rookie contract, making him eligible for a new deal. The degree to which he has progressed so far likely has him on the team’s extension radar, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
McNeill’s play in 2024 will go a long way in determining his value on a new Lions pact, and Pouncy adds Detroit’s plans with other pending free agents (such as left tackle Taylor Decker and cornerback Carlton Davis) will likely depend on how things play out with McNeill. The latter served in a rotational capacity during his rookie campaign, but in the two years since then he has developed into a notable pass-rushing presence from the interior.
The NC State alum recorded five sacks and 13 pressures last season despite being limited to 13 contests by an MCL injury. McNeill returned in time for the playoffs, adding a sack and three QB hits as the Lions progressed to the NFC title game. Another productive campaign in 2024 – a year in which the Lions expect to take a step forward in the front seven – would put him line to join the growing list of young defensive tackles who have secured notable paydays on their second contracts. A quartet of players in that regard (Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence, Daron Payne) inked deals averaging between $22.5MM and $24MM per year last offseason.
Christian Wilkins, Justin Madubuike and Derrick Brown landed similar extensions of their own this spring, providing McNeill and the Lions with plenty of comparable pacts should they negotiate one. However, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes that no deal is considered imminent at this time. Team and player may elect to wait until next offseason to evaluate the situation and engage in talks on what could be a very lucrative second deal.
“I’m just working,” McNeill said (via Birkett) when asked about a potential extension. “I’m head down, whatever happens, happens. I’m just – I still have to play good to set myself up to even get any of that, so I’m [not] worried about that right now.”
Despite the investments made on offense via the Goff, St. Brown and Sewell extensions, the Lions are currently on track to have considerable cap flexibility next offseason. A large portion of it could be needed to keep McNeill in the fold if he delivers a productive season in 2024 and positions himself to become one of the league’s top earners at the defensive tackle spot.
5 Key Stories: 6/30/24 – 7/7/24
The past few days have seen several key developments take place around the NFL. In case you missed any of the top stories from this week, here is a quick recap:
- Vikings’ Jackson Dies At 24: Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson was involved in a car accident which resulted in his death as well as that of two of his former high school teammates. Jackson was 24. The car he was a passenger in collided with another during an incident early Saturday morning, and investigators believe alcohol was a “contributing circumstance” in the accident. A third vehicle was also involved, but no other injuries were suffered. Jackson spent time at community college before playing at Alabama and ultimately transferring to Oregon. He earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023 and was selected by Minnesota in the fourth round of April’s draft.
- Jaguars Finalize 30-Year Jacksonville Lease: The future of the Jaguars has been a talking point in the past, but the team’s long-term outlook will keep it in Duval County. Jacksonville City Council approved a 30-year lease with the Jags, something which will put to rest questions about potential relocation. The team’s EverBank Stadium will be renovated as part of the long-term project which will ensure stability from an organizational standpoint. The Jaguars have played regular season games in London dating back to 2013, and their formal international arrangement is set to continue for years to come. With nothing imminent regarding European expansion, though, midseason games at Wembley Stadium are set to remain the only instances of Jacksonville playing overseas.
- Patriots, Tavai Reach Extension Agreement: After three seasons in New England (including two as a starter), linebacker Jahlani Tavai agreed to a deal constituting a notable raise. The pending free agent worked out a three-year Patriots extension with a base value of $15MM. The pact can max out at $21MM, but in any event this deal is worth far more per season than the $1.88MM Tavai was due to earn in 2024. The 27-year-old made a career-high 110 tackles last season while remaining a core special teams contributor. Tavai is one of many in-house players Eliot Wolf and the Patriots have kept in the fold via new deals or extensions this offseason, and he figures to remain a key role player for years to come.
- Hill Seeking Dolphins Extension: Confirming previous reports on the matter, Tyreek Hill publicly confirmed he is aiming for a Dolphins extension. The five-time All-Pro once led the way in terms of AAV amongst receivers at $30MM. That figure (which is artificially inflated by the non-guaranteed $43.9MM base salary due in the final year of the pact) has since been surpassed during the most recent wave of monster extensions at the position. Miami has taken part in that process, retaining Jaylen Waddle on a $28.25MM-per-year pact which will keep him in place for years to come. Hill, 30, is under contract for three more years, including two with guaranteed compensation. How the team proceeds knowing that term remains will be interesting to monitor.
- Gipson Issued Six-Game Suspension: Tashaun Gipson is one of many veteran defensive backs who is still unsigned, but his free agent status is different than that of his peers. The 33-year-old was issued a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. Gipson’s playing future was already in doubt this offseason, with the 49ers remaining patient and allowing him to determine if he wished to continue his 12-year career. San Francisco used Gipson as a full-time starter over each of the past two years, but if anything the team will no doubt be less likely to entertain a new deal knowing he will miss the opening of the 2024 campaign. Opportunities from other suitors could likewise be few and far between until the fall.
Patriots CB Alex Austin On Track For Increased Role?
Christian Gonzalez should be able to start the 2024 season at full health, something which would be a welcomed development in the Patriots’ secondary. The team’s top pick in last year’s draft is set to handle a starting role, and the same should be the case for veteran Jonathan Jones. 
Plenty of uncertainty is currently present elsewhere on New England’s cornerback depth chart, though, leaving plenty of playing time up for grabs. One name to watch during training camp could be Alex Austin based on his Patriots stint last year and his usage in the spring. The 2023 Bills seventh-rounder did not survive roster cuts, and he was claimed off waivers by the Texans in August.
Austin made three appearances with Houston before ultimately being let go in November. The 23-year-old immediately caught on with the Patriots, and he saw time in five games to close out the campaign. With the team struggling on the injury front in the secondary, Austin logged a defensive snap share of at least 57% for four straight contests. The Oregon State alum registered two pass breakups and allowed five completions on 16 targets in coverage. He re-signed in March, allowing him to compete for notable playing time this offseason.
As noted by team writer Paul Perillo, Austin logged a number of first-team reps during the spring while playing opposite Gonzalez on the perimeter. The latter played almost exclusively on the boundary during his rookie season, and that has also been true of Jones over the past two seasons. Jones – a veteran of 115 games with the Patriots – also has experience in the slot, however, and a strong summer showing from Austin could push him to the inside.
Perillo adds that Marcus Jones and Shaun Wade are also in contention for increased workloads, particularly in the slot. How they fare during training camp will play a role in determining the team’s overall secondary plans. If Austin can continue to impress, though, he could find himself handling first-team duties or at least seeing rotational defensive snaps during his first full New England campaign.