Saints’ Jameis Winston Eyeing Starting Role
Jameis Winston has been in New Orleans since 2020, and his desire to remain with the team has been made clear this offseason. A new Saints contract would tie him to a backup role, however, something which the veteran quarterback has become familiar with in recent years. 
In spite of that, Winston still has his eyes on a No. 1 gig. New Orleans has Derek Carr on the books through 2026, although the team could move on after next season with relative ease. Carr will be in line for the starting role in 2024 at a minimum, so Winston’s intention of re-signing with the Saints will need to be weighed against his desire to lead an offense. He recently spoke about his situation with free agency not far away.
“My goal is to be, and my desire is to be, a Super Bowl-winning starting quarterback in this league,” the former No. 1 pick said in an interview with Kyle Mosley of Saints News Network. “Right now, that doesn’t look like a very clear picture with the New Orleans Saints.”
Winston is a pending free agent after he agreed to a one-year pact last offseason in a move which allowed him to stay in New Orleans. That contract has been restructured, leaving him on track to reach the open market while leaving the Saints with dead cap charges regardless of if he is re-signed or allowed to depart. While Winston’s remarks suggest he would interested in exploring outside opportunities, it would be a surprise if he managed to generate a notable market as a No. 1 option this spring.
The 30-year-old has not played a full season as a starter since 2019, the year of his infamous 33-touchdown, 30-interception campaign with the Buccaneers. Winston would join a host of other veteran signal-callers available as bridge options for teams in the QB market this offseason, many of which are likely to add at the position via the draft in April. New Orleans has Carr as well as 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener on the QB depth chart, and the latter could ascend to the backup role if Winston were to depart. It will be interesting to see how willing Winston is to test the market if a clearer path to a starting opportunity presents itself outside of New Orleans.
Cardinals Part Ways With Dru Grigson
Changes continue to take place in Arizona’s front office. Player personnel director Dru Grigson has parted ways with the team, ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reports.
Grigson began his Cardinals tenure in 2008 after spending time with both the Eagles and the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes in the scouting department. He worked as a scout in Arizona through 2012 before being promoted to scouting director the following season, holding that title for five years.
Grigson’s ascent through the ranks continued when he spent the 2019 and ’20 seasons as assistant player personnel director. That was followed by a single campaign as director of college scouting before taking charge of the player personnel department. After three years in that capacity, Grigson is now out of the organization.
The arrival of general manager Monti Ossenfort last offseason led to the expectation that changes could soon follow in the front office. Indeed, Quentin Harris – who had most recently served as VP of player personnel – is now out as well. He and Grigson began their Cardinals tenures at the same time, and their departures have now taken place within the same week.
While the former has drawn general manager interest in the past, the same is not true of the latter during the past two hiring cycles. As Ossenfort prepares for Year 2 of his time at the helm of the franchise, the Cardinals will have at least a few new faces in the personnel department. Harris and Grigson, meanwhile, will search for new opportunities elsewhere in the NFL.
Browns Not Planning RB Addition; Latest On Nick Chubb
With the new league year not far away, many teams around the NFL have begun restructures and cost-shedding releases to become cap compliant. In the case of the Browns, many have pointed to running back Nick Chubb as a potential cap casualty. 
Chubb has one year remaining on his deal, and he is due a non-guaranteed base salary of $11.78MM for 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler will carry a cap hit of $15.83MM, though, which has resulted in speculation he could be let go in a cost-cutting move. His recovery from a major knee injury is a factor in the Browns’ decision, but Chubb should be expected to remain with the organization.
The team will engage in preliminary discussions on a Chubb extension, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveand.com notes. Talks could commence as soon as the upcoming Combine, she adds, although both sides will no doubt await clarity on his rehab before entering into a multi-year agreement. The Browns expect the 28-year-old back at some point in 2024, and a new deal would ensure he remained in place as a focal point of the offense when healthy.
Given the signs pointing to Chubb being retained, Cabot unsurprisingly adds the Browns will not be in the market for a high-priced RB addition this offseason. A number of intriguing backs are set to hit the market, including Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler and Tony Pollard. Rather than investing in one of them as Chubb insurance, though, Cleveland will lean on internal options. The Browns have Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong in place as candidates for a significant workload in Chubb’s absence if he misses the beginning of the campaign.
Both the Ravens and Texans have been connected to a running back pursuit this offseason, and they will have several choices given the number of backs set to be available. Another veteran in that category is Kareem Hunt, who has spent the past five seasons in Cleveland. Cabot confirms the Browns are not interested in another deal for the former Pro Bowler, though, meaning he could be in store for another lengthy wait on the open market.
The Browns are currently over the cap by a margin of nearly $20MM, though the team has a number of restructure candidates to carve out financial breathing space. Chubb could be one of them, but an extension would lower his 2024 cap hit while marking a sign of confidence from Cleveland that a full recovery is expected. It will be interesting to see how much urgency exists from team and player when talks begin.
Bills WR Gabe Davis Preparing To Depart In Free Agency?
Gabe Davis is one of several pending free agents who could depart the Bills at the start of the new league year. While the deep-threat wideout has long been expected to explore the open market, he recently hinted his time in Buffalo has come to an end. 
Davis showed immediate promise as a secondary pass-catching option during his first two seasons. He posted nearly identical statlines across 2020 and ’21, totaling 70 catches, 1,148 yards and 13 touchdowns during that span. In the latter campaign, the former fourth-rounder delivered an historic performance in the divisional round of the playoffs with 201 yards and four touchdowns.
Consistency has been an issue for the 24-year-old, though, and he has yet to post a catch percentage above 56.5% in his four-year career. As Buffalo continues to seek out a dependable secondary option to complement Stefon Diggs, Davis has made it clear no extension talks have taken place and that he is therefore on track to reach the open market. He recently posted a video reflecting on his time with the Bills; while it does not confirm he will be heading elsewhere, it can certainly be interpreted as a farewell to the franchise.
Buffalo has Diggs under contract though 2027 (although speculation about his satisfaction regarding his situation and his financial outlook have been a major talking point for some time now). The Bills invested a first-round pick in tight end Dalton Kincaid last April, and he delivered an encouraging rookie season. 2022 fifth-rounder Khalil Shakir also took a substantial step forward in production last season, and he could be in line to operate as the team’s No. 2 wideout if Davis were to depart.
The latter is set to join the likes of Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr., Mike Evans, Calvin Ridley and Marquise Brown as free agent wideouts in March (although the franchise tag looms as an option for that list to dwindle between now and the start of the league year). Given Davis’ age and proven ability as a vertical threat, he could very well receive offers the cap-strapped Bills are unable to match. A deal keeping him in Buffalo could still be worked out in the near future, but signs continue to point to a departure this offseason
Cowboys Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag In 2024
The Cowboys are among the teams which have made frequent usage of the franchise tag in recent years. DeMarcus Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Dalton Schultz and Tony Pollard have each played at least one season on the one-year tender in a streak dating back to 2018. That is likely to end in 2024, however. 
David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports the Cowboys are not expected to apply the tag during the current window. Pollard was an obvious tag candidate last offseason, one in which the team moved on from fellow running back Ezekiel Elliott. That move freed up an undisputed No. 1 role for Pollard, who quickly signed his tenure and earned $10.1MM during the season.
The former fourth-rounder received an increased workload in 2023, but his efficiency saw a notable decline. As a result, it would come as a surprise if Dallas elected to tag him again at a cost of roughly $12.1MM. A deal checking in at a lower rate to keep Pollard in the fold would be far more beneficial to the Cowboys’ salary cap situation, something which will be worth watching over the coming weeks.
Prescott is in need of either a restructure or an extension given the $59.5MM cap hit he is slated to carry in 2024. Dallas also has a number of pending free agents, including left tackle Tyron Smith and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who could use up needed cap resources if retained. Both veterans have expressed a desire to re-sign with the Cowboys, who will also have top-of-the-market extensions for wideout CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons to budget for in the near future.
Lawrence and Prescott each wound up agreeing to long-term deals after playing on the tag, while Shultz departed in free agency last offseason. Pollard’s future will be worth monitoring if he does indeed reach the open market. The franchise tag window runs through March 5, but Dallas should not be expected to be active on that front in a departure from recent history.
Ravens S Geno Stone Eyeing Full-Time Starting Role
Safety Geno Stone emerged as a vital element on the backend of the Ravens’ defense in 2023, boosting his free agent stock considerably in the process. His chances of holding down a full-time starting spot in Baltimore are murky, however, which could lead him elsewhere on the open market. 
Stone joined the Ravens as a seventh-round pick in 2020. His tenure included a trip to the waiver wire in his rookie season, and he was claimed by the Texans. The 24-year-old did not see any playing time in Houston, though, and he quickly found himself back with the Ravens. Stone logged eight starts between the 2021 and ’22 seasons, and his workload increased further this past season.
The Ravens declined to tender Stone as a restricted free agent last offseason, but they moved quickly in re-signing him to a one-year deal. That pact carried a cost of $1.76MM, and it proved to be a bargain. Stone saw a snap share of 82% in 2023, and he racked up seven interceptions, nine pass deflections and 68 tackles. Those career-high figures have upped his market value and proven his ability to handle first-team defensive duties.
Baltimore already has fellow safety Marcus Williams on the books through 2026, however. Many of Stone’s starts have come during the time Williams has missed due to injury, though the pair were used simultaneously under ex-defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald at times. Baltimore has fellow safety Kyle Hamilton on his rookie contract, although his versatility could allow the Ravens to use three-safety looks moving forward. In any case, Stone is seeking a full-time starting spot on his next contract, wherever it comes from.
“At the end of the day, Baltimore is always home, but business is business,” the Iowa alum said during an interview on NFL Total Access. “You know that being in this league this long. I’ve been through it all, especially my rookie year. I just want to be somewhere I’m appreciated, you know, who wants me and for me to be a starter, whatever it may be. I just want my value to be there.”
The Ravens currently have just over $5MM in cap space, but a number of impact defenders are set to hit the open market. That group is headlined by defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, who will likely receive the franchise tag in short order. Linebacker Patrick Queen is also a pending free agent, and he and Madubuike profile as higher offseason priorities who will be able to command a higher price once the new league year begins next month.
Given his one year of standout production, Stone will likely be hard-pressed to join the group of 14 safeties averaging at least $10MM per year on his next contract. He will no doubt see a substantial raise from his $4.9MM in career earnings, though, as he eyes a commitment as a first-teamer moving forward. Whether or not that comes from the Ravens will be worth watching as the offseason unfolds.
Saints Restructure C Erik McCoy’s Contract
As has become tradition in recent years, the Saints have a number of moves to make in the build-up to free agency to become cap compliant. The team took another step in that direction Thursday. 
New Orleans converted the base salary and roster bonus of center Erik McCoy into a signing bonus, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. The move frees up $7.18MM in cap space for 2024, but it will add to his cap hits for future years on his through-2027 contract. As NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett adds, the Saints can manufacture roughly $30MM more in immediate breathing space by restructuring their other veterans. Colleague Nick Underhill notes a void year has been added to the deal.
McCoy inked a $60MM extension in September 2022 to ensure he would avoid hitting the market at the expiration of his rookie contract. That deal kept one of New Orleans’ key offensive contributors on the books for the long term, but it added to the list of expensive commitments the team has made amidst its annual salary cap challenges. The former second-rounder already had his deal adjusted last winter.
McCoy played a full campaign in 2023, the first time he did so since 2020. The 26-year-old saw a marked improvement in terms of PFF evaluation, particularly in the run blocking department. He earned a Pro Bowl nod for the first time in his career, proving his value on a O-line which is in need of upgrades at other positions. The center spot is not a question mark for several more years, though, especially given the term remaining on McCoy’s pact.
New Orleans started the day more than $80MM over the cap, so a number of other moves will be needed before the new league year begins next month. The team has already re-worked the contracts of Marshon Lattimore and Jameis Winston, and several other similar decisions will no doubt be made. General manager Mickey Loomis has made it clear a similar approach to those of past years will be followed in 2024; as such, New Orleans will be on track to keep much of its corps intact by racking up future cap commitments.
Latest On Vikings, Kirk Cousins
Today marks the opening of the franchise tag window, but Kirk Cousins‘ contract is not set to expire until after the deadline for teams to apply the tag. He is therefore on track for free agency unless another Vikings agreement can be worked out. 
Cousins looms as one of the key figures in the 2024 free agent class as the most accomplished passer set to reach the open market. A new Minnesota deal could be forthcoming, as a mutual interest exists for a contract to be hammered out. However, SI’s Albert Breer notes the current Vikings regime is not prepared to guarantee Cousins’ next deal in full as its previous one was.
That serves as confirmation of a report from last month which detailed the four-time Pro Bowler’s efforts to receive guaranteed compensation through 2025 during summer extension talks. Minnesota – led in the front office by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah for the past two years – authorized a three-year, $84MM deal in 2018 under Rick Spielman as well as a $66MM extension followed by last year’s restructured pact. The latter agreement set up the team’s current situation, one which will dictate the rest of Minnesota’s offseason and represent a major domino in free agency around the league.
Both Cousins and the Vikings have expressed a desire to continue their six-year relationship on a new deal. Efforts to negotiate one will likely depend in large part on the guarantee figure, as a short-term arrangement should be expected. Cousins is entering his age-36 season and is rehabbing an Achilles tear. That injury put an stop to a promising 2023 campaign, where the former fourth-rounder posted the third highest passer rating (103.8) of his career.
The Vikings do not have an heir apparent under center, and the team has financial considerations such as a new Danielle Hunter contract and a Justin Jefferson mega-extension to take into account if free agency is used to find a Cousins replacement. Breer does add that the sides have spoken recently, and an open line of communication obviously offers the potential of a deal being struck before the new league year begins on March 13.
With the potential exception of Baker Mayfield, Cousins should be able to land the NFL’s largest QB deal amongst veterans this offseason. Minnesota will remain a team to watch closely as talks continue, but it will be interesting to see how strong of a market emerges if financial terms remain a sticking point. The upper limit of Cousins’ guarantee ask will be a key storyline in the coming weeks.
Eagles Add RB Tyrion Davis-Price On Futures Deal
In 2022, Trey Sermon saw his brief 49ers tenure come to an end by joining the Eagles. The same is now true of fellow running back Tyrion Davis-Price. 
The latter signed a reserve/futures contract with Philadelphia on Tuesday, his agency announced. Davis-Price was added in the third round of the 2022 draft, but he was unable to carve out a role in San Francisco. He was waived in December after playing in just one contest. The 23-year-old cleared waivers and finished the season on the 49ers’ practice squad.
The Eagles lost Miles Sanders in free agency last offseason when he joined the Panthers on a four-year, $25.4MM deal. His chief replacement was D’Andre Swift, acquired via trade from the Lions during the draft. Swift earned his first career Pro Bowl nod by rushing for 1,049 yards and five touchdowns. He did not have as large of a pass-catching role as some expected he would, however.
Swift is a pending free agent, as are Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny. Today’s move will thus give the Eagles a young depth option in the backfield as they sort out their direction at the position for the offseason. Davis-Price has logged only 40 carries across seven regular season games. He has yet to record a reception, and he was not used heavily on special teams by the 49ers. The LSU alum thus faces an uphill battle to earn a 53-man roster spot.
Philadelphia now has three backs under contract, including fellow reserve deal signee Lew Nichols and returnee Kenneth Gainwell. Unless one or more of Swift, Scott and Penny are re-signed, the Eagles will no doubt be in the market for an addition at the RB spot. Regardless, Davis-Price will turn his attention to his new home as he looks to establish himself as a full-time contributor.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Addresses QB Pursuit
The Falcons are among the teams to watch on the quarterback market this offseason, either through the acquisition of a veteran passer or a rookie via the draft. A firm course of action has yet to be determined, but the organization has a move of some kind high on the to-do list. 
Atlanta has 2022 third-rounder Desmond Ridder on his rookie contract for two more seasons. The team brought in veteran Taylor Heinicke last offseason on a two-year, $14MM deal to provide insurance, but neither signal-caller lived up to expectations in 2023. The latter can be released in a move yielding nearly $7MM in cap savings and only $2MM in dead cap charges. Regardless of if that happens, though, the Falcons will need to find a starting-caliber option this spring.
“That’s a top priority for us this offseason,” general manager Terry Fontenot confirmed during an appearance on NFL Network’s NFL Report (video link). “We are not going to close any doors. Be it trades, free agency [or] the draft. We’ll make sure we keep an open mind there. We’ll attack it and make sure that we get it right.”
At this point on the NFL calendar, team executives would generally be expected to keep their options as open as possible when making public remarks. Still, it is notable the Falcons are not leaving any avenue off the table with respect to adding a passer. Aside from Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield, few quarterbacks are set to hit the open market who could be worth a lucrative, multi-year investment.
On the trade front, Atlanta has been named as a team which could be a landing spot for Bears QB Justin Fields. Chicago has yet to commit to retaining or dealing Fields, but the latter option would present the Falcons (and other interested teams) with a young passer who could be under team control through at least 2025 via the fifth-year option. Set to pick eighth overall, Atlanta will be out of the range of the top QB draft prospects barring a trade up, but the team will still have options to consider in April.
For the time being, the Falcons have roughly $25MM in cap space. That figure will change during the course of cost-cutting season, but finances should be less of an issue for Atlanta than other QB-needy teams around the league given the inexpensive nature of the incumbent passers. Other roster holes such as receiver and edge rusher will need to be addressed this offseason, but an addition under center remains front of mind for Fontenot and Co. with roughly one month remaining until the new league year.