Falcons Open To Re-Signing Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell remains unsigned well after his debut season in Atlanta. The All-Decade defender could still find himself with the Falcons in 2024 if he elects to continue his career, though.
Campbell, 37, joined the team on a one-year deal last offseason. That agreement came amongst questions about his playing future, after his Ravens tenure was brought to an end following three seasons in Baltimore. The six-time Pro Bowler is best known for his work as a D-lineman (especially in the waning stages of his career), but as planned he spent considerable time on the edge with Atlanta. Playing all 17 games in 2023, Campbell totaled 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
Coming off that production, the Falcons are interested in a new deal. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) both he and general manager Terry Fontenot hope to re-sign Campbell. Morris added he has briefly spoken to the former All-Pro already, but a face-to-face conversation would provide him to opportunity to directly pitch the idea of remaining in Atlanta.
“I look forward to get[ting] a chance to sit in front of him because he’s certainly impressive as it gets when he comes to football character,” Morris said. “He’s had an impressive of a career that you can have… I’m looking [forward] to discussing that in farther detail with him at a later date.”
Campbell tied for the team lead in sacks, underscoring his continued ability as he ages but also the Falcons’ need to make additions in the pass-rush department. The former second-rounder reached a well-documented personal goal last season by eclipsing 100 career sacks, but it would come as little surprise if teams viewed him as more of a rotational option moving forward. Campbell logged a 63% snap share, a figure in line with his usage from the past two seasons and his stated plan ahead of the 2023 campaign.
The former Walton Payton Man of the Year winner remained a strong presence against the run last season, recording an 80.2 PFF grade in that regard. He would be expected to continue offering similar play in 2024 if he were to carry on with his career. Campbell’s decision on his future will be a storyline to watch as the offseason continues, but the Falcons – a team currently armed with only $6.3MM in cap space entering the draft – would certainly welcome him back.
Terry McDonough Files Lawsuit Against Cardinals, Michael Bidwill
Former Cardinals employee Terry McDonough recently saw his arbitration case against the team and owner Michael Bidwill come to an end. After being awarded $3MM as a result of the Cardinals’ statement made against him last year stemming from his other allegations, the matter could now proceed in court. 
McDonough has filed a lawsuit against the Cardinals, Bidwill, the third-party PR firm Counterpoint Strategies and others, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes. The suit comes in the wake of an NFL arbitrator ruling the team’s statement against him was “false and defamatory,” resulting in the awarding of punitive damages as well as awards for emotional distress and damages to McDonough’s reputation.
“We are aware of the complaint but have no additional comment as it is an active legal matter,” the Cardinals said in a response to the situation (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
The arbitration case against Bidwill and the Cardinals did not result in damages owing to the team’s dismissal of McDonough in January 2023. That decision – which ended his 10-year run with the organization during which he served as a high-ranking executive – was argued by McDonough to be retribution for his stance against the usage of burner phones with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim and head coach Steve Wilks (among other allegations). The latter’s own legal situation appears to have a connection to this latest McDonough development.
Mike Jurecki of Arizona Football Daily reports McDonough is prepared to continue his legal action until Wilks succeeds in his involvement in the ongoing Brian Flores-led racial discrimination lawsuit. Wilks became a complainant in that case to argue for wrongful termination stemming from his dismissal after a single season at the helm of the Cardinals in 2018. Portions of the suit will be allowed to proceed in open court, but Wilks’ allegations will be tested in arbitration.
As Jurecki (who has reported other ex-Cardinals staffers received an award in addition to McDonough) notes, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell‘s mentor was Will McDonough. That could grant Terry McDonough, Will’s son, direct access to Goodell and thus help his chances of receiving further compensation from the Cardinals. In any event, this case along with that of Wilks will remain an off-field storyline for Arizona for the foreseeable future.
Ravens Did Not Attempt To Retain LB Patrick Queen
As expected, a number of free agents have departed the Ravens this offseason. Last year’s top seed in the AFC faced the prospect of losing a number of starters, and linebacker Patrick Queen was among those who quickly found a new home on the open market. 
The 2023 Pro Bowler signed with the division-rival Steelers on a three-year deal which was agreed to on the second day of the negotiating period. Queen’s pact carries an annual average value of $13.67MM, the fifth-highest figure in the league amongst inside linebackers. After 2024, though, the deal is essentially set up as a year-to-year agreement, marking a surprising lack of long-term security for the second-team All-Pro.
Especially against that backdrop, it is also noteworthy the Ravens remained consigned to the idea of Queen leaving on the open market. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes Baltimore “made no effort this offseason” to retain the 24-year-old (subscription required). The team had a number of other priorities to deal with, and as one of the top free agents on the defensive side of the ball Queen was positioned to command a large market. Even though he worked out a relatively small deal (at least in terms of upfront guarantees), the Ravens clearly turned their attention elsewhere.
Of course, three key decisions made by the team signaled an end to Queen’s time in Baltimore. The Ravens acquired Roquan Smith midway through the 2022 campaign, inking him to a $20MM-per-year deal shortly thereafter. That contract remains at the top of the LB market, and making a similar commitment to Queen would have proven to be a steep financial challenge. Baltimore also elected to decline Queen’s fifth-year option last spring, a move which fell in line with the other linebackers from the 2020 class but nevertheless set up 2023 as a walk year.
Lastly, Baltimore selected Trenton Simpson in the third round of last year’s draft. That provided the team with a potential Queen successor, and Simpson is indeed currently positioned to take over as a starter alongside Smith. The latter is on the books through 2027, but the Ravens could of course use the 2024 draft to add a depth option at the linebacker spot.
Queen will face substantial expectations as a key member of the Steelers’ defense moving forward, and annual contests against Baltimore will provide fodder for storylines centered on him. While it is little surprise he will be suiting up for a new team in 2024, the Ravens will see Queen at least twice next season after conceding his departure well before free agency.
Eagles To Bring Back CB Avonte Maddox
Roughly one month ago, the Eagles released Avonte Maddox in a cost-shedding move. That decision came with the prospect of a reunion later in the offseason, something which has now come to pass. The veteran corner has agreed to a new, one-year Philadelphia deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Maddox – whom Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football notes visited the Saints as a free agent – was on the books for the 2024 season before he was cut, but he was due to carry a cap charge of $9.68MM. That figure helped inform the Eagles’ decision to at least temporarily move on, but reports indicated the parties could work out a new arrangement at a lower cost. Given today’s news, that has no doubt taken place.
The 28-year-old has 64 games and 38 starts to his name, all with the Eagles. Maddox has proven himself to be a capable contributor in the slot when on the field, but injuries have been an issue during each of the past two seasons. In 2023, a torn pectoral muscle forced him onto injured reserve and limited him to just four regular season contests. Maddox will now be able to compete for a starting role during training camp, but at a minimum he could serve as an experienced backup.
The Eagles entered Thursday in better cap shape than most other teams around the NFL. With over $31MM in available funds, the team could easily have afforded bringing Maddox back in addition to a lucrative move on the free agent market. Of course, the team has already been active in the secondary by bringing back C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year deal. The latter could step in as a safety or slot corner after the team recently extended Reed Blankenship.
Improvements in the secondary were seen as a priority for the Eagles after the team’s defense played a key role in their late-season collapse. It came as little surprise when trade acquisition Kevin Byard was released, but veteran corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry are still in place as cornerback starters. The upcoming draft will provide Philadelphia with the opportunity to add young options at that spot, but Maddox will be in the fold for at least one more season.
Jets’ Haason Reddick Addresses Trade From Eagles
Haason Reddick was the subject of trade speculation leading up to free agency. When the Eagles inked Bryce Huff to a lucrative deal, signs increasingly pointed to Reddick playing out the remainder of his contract with a new team. 
That was confirmed last week when the Jets acquired Reddick for a conditional 2026 draft pick. The value of that selection (a third-round pick which can become a second-rounder) will depend on the 29-year-old’s playing time and sack production, but expectations will be high for both he and the Jets in 2024. Reddick spoke about the deal during an introductory press conference.
“I believe I have a lot left in the tank. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. That’s pretty much that,” the two-time Pro Bowler said (via NFL.com). “I feel like when I don’t have any more left to give, I’ll retire. Until that point, I’m going to continue to try to play my best ball.
“As far as the Eagles go, though, it wasn’t about what [is] left in the tank or anything like that. It’s a business, and sometimes hard decisions have got to be made, even if you don’t like them.”
Reddick was granted permission to seek a trade, but he quickly clarified his desire to remain with the Eagles on a new deal. No agreement on an extension could be worked out, though, something which furthered speculation he would be dealt and no doubt informed Philadelphia’s decision to hand Huff a deal worth just over $17MM per year. One year remains on Reddick’s pact (a three-year, $45MM agreement which gave the Eagles a top sack producer at less than market value), and it will be interesting to see if a long-term arrangement with New York can be worked out.
For the coming campaign, at least, Reddick will give the Jets an accomplished sack artist. The former first-rounder has notched between 11 and 16 sacks in each of the past four seasons, but New York will be his fourth team in the past five years. Reddick will help his free agent stock with another strong season if he proves to be a one-and-done with the Jets, but in any case his remarks confirm he intends to continue playing for years to come with New York or another team.
Bears Host QB Caleb Williams, DE Dallas Turner, T Tyler Guyton
As the draft continues to draw closer, NFL teams are turning their attention to visits with prospects on their radar. In the case of the Bears, that process included a trio of noteworthy names in position to be selected at or near the top of the board meeting with the team. 
[RELATED: Bears To Host WR Rome Odunze]
Quarterback Caleb Williams was among the prospects which met with Chicago on Wednesday, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That comes as no surprise, as the 2022 Heisman winner has long been the presumed selection at No. 1 overall. Especially with Justin Fields having been traded, Williams is on track to hear his name called first and immediately take on starting duties for the Bears.
Breer adds that Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner and Oklahoma offensive tackle Tyler Guyton also met with the Bears’ brass yesterday. The former is widely regarded as the top prospect at his position in the 2024 class, one which is generally dominated at the top of the board by players on the offensive side of the ball. Turner – who won the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 to go along with first-team All-American honors – is firmly on the top-10 radar.
Turner has already been linked to the Falcons, a team in need of edge rush help. Atlanta owns the eighth overall pick, while Chicago’s second selection is set at No. 9. In the event Turner were to make it past the Falcons, he would could be a reasonable target for a Bears defense seeking to find a complement for 2023 trade acquisition Montez Sweat. The latter is attached to the four-year, $98MM deal he signed upon arrival in the Windy City, so a starter-level addition on their rookie contract would be a financially sound one on the part of the Bears.
Guyton, meanwhile, is one of many offensive tackles which have been expected to come off the board some time in Round 1. Some prospects at the position have received better evaluations, but the former TCU transfer possesses intriguing athletic upside. Guyton played all-but exclusively at right tackle with the Sooners, a position which the Bears addressed during the first round of last year’s draft (Darnell Wright). Guyton could be viewed as a developmental option capable of transitioning to the blindside, though.
While the Bears control the very top of the board, their decision at No. 9 will of course be dictated in part by those of the teams around them in the order. Their evaluation of potential targets over the next few days could signal their intentions with the first post-Williams selection.
Browns Sign CB Justin Hardee
The Browns’ special teams have received a boost. Veteran cornerback Justin Hardee was signed on Tuesday, per a team announcement. 
Hardee has seen a total of two defensive snaps over the past four seasons, with his contributions coming all-but exclusively on special teams. The 30-year-old gunner has excelled on kick and punt coverages during his career, which began with a four-year run in New Orleans. Following his time with the Saints, Hardee signed with the Jets on a three-year, $6.75MM deal.
The former UDFA served as New York’s special teams captain during his time there, including the 2022 season which resulted in a Pro Bowl nod. Hardee made 14 special teams tackles that year, the second-highest total of his career. A hamstring injury interrupted his 2023 campaign, however, limiting him to 11 contests.
Instead of re-upping with the Jets, Hardee has elected to join his hometown team. He is originally from Cleveland and attended Glenville High School before his college career, which took place at Illinois. Hardee will now look to continue working as a special teams ace, something which has allowed him to remain in the league for 107 combined regular and postseason NFL games.
In addition, Hardee will of course be able to serve as a depth option in the secondary. Cleveland has a strong CB trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome set to serve as starters. Hardee will line up as a second-team option in that capacity while providing his new team with considerable third phase experience.
Vikings Issue Three-Week Suspension To OC Wes Phillips
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips recently pleaded guilty to a careless driving charge stemming from a December DWI arrest. He has now received team discipline as a result of the matter.
Phillips has been given a three-week suspension from the Vikings, as detailed by Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The ban will take effect immediately, keeping him sidelined for the beginning of Minnesota’s offseason program. Phillips will be eligible to return in time for the start of the draft.
As Goessling adds, the length of the suspension matches that which players receive for first infractions in DWI cases. As a result, the league is unlikely to issue any further punishment in this instance. Phillips will now be forced to miss the early stages of the Vikings’ offensive playbook installation – something of particular interest given the absence of quarterback Kirk Cousins – as well as the team’s final draft preparations including in-person evaluations of prospects.
Phillips, 45, is set to begin his third season his current role. He worked on the Rams’ staff from 2019-21, serving as the team’s tight ends coach. When Kevin O’Connell was hired to become the Vikings’ head coach, Phillips followed him from Los Angeles to Minnesota. The latter’s current posting is his first OC gig (one which does not include play-calling duties) at the college or NFL level.
The Vikings posted a top-eight finish in both total and scoring offense in 2022, but Cousins’ Achilles tear resulted in a step back last offseason. Regardless of whether or not a new signal-caller is drafted later this month, the unit will be worth watching closely in 2024. Phillips will be a key member of the efforts to rebound on offense, but he will be away from the team temporarily.
Chiefs To Host RB J.K. Dobbins
The Chargers recently hosted running back J.K. Dobbins on a free agent visit, but they are not the only AFC West team showing interest. The Chiefs will bring in Dobbins today, per his agency (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
Dobbins entered the offseason as one of several notable running backs on the market. To little surprise, many other producers at the position quickly landed a deal while the former Ravens starter remains unsigned. Dobbins’ career has been defined by a pair of major ailments: the major knee injury suffered in the 2021 preseason which included an ACL tear and the Achilles tear which ended his 2023 campaign in Week 1.
When on the field, though, the 25-year-old has proven to be an effective rusher. Dobbins averaged six yards per carry in his rookie season, one in which he took over from Mark Ingram as Baltimore’s lead back midway through the campaign. That led to high expectations ahead of 2021, but the injury sidelined him well into the 2022 season. A cleanup procedure produced another absence, but upon return Dobbins proved to still be efficient (5.7 yards per carry in eight games).
The Ohio State product would represent a high-upside addition to Kansas City’s offense, a unit which has seen former first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire‘s rookie deal expire. The latter remains unsigned, as does veteran Jerick McKinnon. Kansas City still has Isiah Pacheco on the books for two more years, and he and Dobbins would comprise a low-cost backfield provided the former second-rounder was forced to sign a ‘prove-it’ deal in the wake of his availability issues.
The Ravens lost 2023 touchdown leader Gus Edwards to the Chargers, who have a familiar offensive coordinator in Greg Roman. Baltimore has added Derrick Henry, a move suggesting Dobbins could be forced to head elsewhere on his second contract. With multiple suitors now in play, it will be interesting to see how much of a market he is able to generate and if a deal is worked out before the upcoming draft. Pending the Carson Wentz agreement becoming official, Kansas City currently has $6.5MM in cap space.
Terry McDonough Awarded $3MM In Arbitration Case Against Cardinals
Almost exactly one year ago, former Cardinals employee Terry McDonough filed an arbitration claim against Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill accusing his former employer of cheating and gross misconduct. That process has now concluded with McDonough’s accusations of defamatory claims against the Cardinals resulting in an arbitration award. 
The Cardinals have been ordered to pay McDonough $3MM, as detailed in a 62-page decision from arbitrator Jeffrey Mishkin (via ESPN’s Tisha Thompson). In response to McDonough’s original arbitration filing – which stemmed from allegations of using burner phones during then-GM Steve Keim‘s suspension (and McDonough’s subsequent demotion and dismissal upon taking issue with it) – the Cardinals released a statement which accused the longtime executive of spousal abuse and neglect of his disabled adult daughter.
Mishkin’s findings describe that statement as “false and defamatory,” adding that Bidwill and the Cardinals defamed McDonough “with malice.” The latter will receive $150K for damages to his reputation, $600K for emotional distress and $2.25MM in punitive damages. Per the ruling, McDonough had initially been seeking eight-figure sums for the harm done to his reputation, lost future earnings and emotional distress along with between $60 and $90MM in punitive damages.
“Despite what we consider to be a fundamentally unfair arbitration process, Terry McDonough is the first person ever to win against an NFL owner,” McDonough’s attorney said in a statement. “Why the NFL has not held Michael Bidwill accountable remains a mystery.”
On that point, Arizona Football Daily’s Mike Jurecki reports Bidwill has, in fact, been found responsible and that the true figure the team will be ordered to pay out will be higher than $3MM. Jurecki adds other employees beyond McDonough have been awarded six figure settlements by Mishkin’s decision. Further updates on those fronts will thus be worth watching for.
Per Thompson, the ruling dismissed claims of unlawful retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy on the part of Bidwill and the Cardinals. For that reason, no financial award was given with relation to McDonough’s termination in January 2023. That ended his 10-year tenure with the organization, which included positions as high ranking as VP of player personnel. McDonough was a finalist for the 49ers’ general manager position in 2017, finishing as a runner-up to John Lynch. He has not been on the radar for a GM vacancy since, and it will be interesting to see how his career arc is affected by the conclusion of this process.
Responding to the arbitrator’s ruling, the Cardinals released the following statement: “We are pleased with the arbitrator’s decision dismissing all of Terry McDonough’s employment claims and finding that there was nothing improper about his dismissal from the team. As for Mr. McDonough’s other claim, we respect the arbitrator’s determination that our initial statement went too far. We accept responsibility for that statement and are grateful that the arbitration is now resolved.”