LB Shaquille Leonard To Visit Cowboys
NOVEMBER 26: The forward momentum of Leonard to Dallas continues this weekend. According to Calvin Watkins of Dallas Morning News, a source close to the situation has claimed that the veteran free agent linebacker is set to visit Dallas sometime this week. Tuesday has been confirmed as the date for the former All-Pro’s visit, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, as this is the latest in a heap of information that seems to point towards an eventual deal between the two parties.
Leonard would join Rashaan Evans as a veteran linebacker addition to the Cowboys’ defense. Injuries to Leighton Vander Esch and rookie third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown have really thinned out the team’s linebacking corps, and Leonard, even in a limited capacity, would provide some important depth and experience on the defensive side of the ball.
NOVEMBER 23, 3:55pm: ESPN’s Ed Werder reports members of the Cowboys’ defensive coaching staff have encouraged the front office to add Leonard, though the team would consider him a role player rather than a bonafide starter. In a similar vein, Werder adds another interested team is concerned over Leonard’s mobility issues brought on by his back surgeries, a factor which will no doubt hurt his market.
As the list of teams to watch continues to grow, Werder names the Broncos as one which has “shown interest” in a potential deal. That adds Denver to the previous collection of squads (Dallas, Philadelphia and Minnesota) reported to have at least inquired about Leonard, whose choice of team for the remainder of 2023 could provide a major boost to a playoff-bound club in particular.
NOVEMBER 23, 11:13am: While the NFL prepares for its latest round of Thanksgiving contests, one of the top storylines around the league is centered on the future of Shaquille Leonard. The former All-Pro linebacker is available to sign with any team after his time with the Colts came to a sudden end. 
To no surprise, interest has emerged in the 28-year-old, especially since no team put in a claim for him (something which would have required taking on the remainder of his lucrative contract). Leonard is now a free agent as a result, setting up a high-profile midseason market. He is in no hurry to choose his destination for the rest of the 2023 season, though an agreement with a contender should be expected, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes (video link).
The Cowboys and Eagles have emerged as interested parties, but it remains to be seen how much of a push they will make to add Leonard. Indeed, Dallas is simply “kicking the tires” on the three-time Pro Bowler at this point, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reports. The pace of inquiries could slow down Leonard’s decision-making process, but he is not in a hurry to find a new team, The Athletic’s Dianna Russni adds (subscription required).
Injuries have threatened to derail the former second-rounder’s career, which saw him log 1,001 snaps in 2021, his last fully healthy campaign. Back issues limited him to just three contests the following year, and the Colts employed a slow ramp-up period with his playing time in 2023. Leonard took issue with that approach, and his snap share for this season checked in at 70% prior to being let go. While injury concerns will hurt his value on a new deal, Leonard will still be compensated regardless of how his free agent period plays out since there is offset language in his now-terminated five-year, $98.5MM deal (h/t Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated).
Interestingly, Russini names the Vikings as another potential suitor for Leonard. While the Eagles and Cowboys each appear poised to make a postseason run, Minnesota cannot be considered an NFC playoff lock despite their winning streak which ended in Week 11. With quarterback Kirk Cousins out for the year and wideout Justin Jefferson still yet to return to action, the team’s offense faces major questions down the stretch. Defensively, though, Leonard would give a boost in the second level to a unit led by veteran Jordan Hicks. The latter, mentioned in trade talk in advance of the deadline, is a pending free agent.
While nothing appears to be imminent with respect to Leonard reaching agreement on a new deal, he will clearly have a list of choices on a short-term contract in particular. The Vikings outpace both the Cowboys and Eagles in terms of remaining 2023 cap space, but it will be interesting to see how many other teams emerge as contenders to land him for a playoff push.
Drew Brees: “I Would Absolutely Still Be Playing” If Not For Shoulder Injury
Drew Brees‘ illustrious career came to an end with his 2021 retirement, although speculation continued for a time after that regarding his ability to continue playing well into his 40s. If not for a recurring shoulder issue, the future Hall of Famer contends he would still be able to play. 
Brees, 44, appeared on ESPN’s Greeny radio show and made a revelation about his throwing shoulder. Due to the nature of the surgery he had in 2005, he said, he was put “on the fast track to a degenerative shoulder and all kind of arthritic changes.” While he managed to play 20 seasons in the NFL and earn numerous accolades along the way, Brees feels he would be able to still add to his resume if not for the procedure.
“Look, I’ll let you in on a little fact. I don’t throw with my right arm anymore. My right arm does not work. So, when I throw in the backyard right now, I throw left-handed… If I could, I would absolutely still be playing.”
The former Super Bowl MVP hinted at a potential return last spring, but any slight chance on that front was extinguished when it was learned he had undergone another procedure on his throwing shoulder. In spite of that, Brees acknowledged “there might have been a feeler or two” with respect to a potential comeback in the years following his decision to hang up his cleats. Arm strength became an issue in the waning years of Brees’ career, so it would have been unlikely he could have enjoyed his previous success with the Saints or another team over the past few seasons.
The 13-time Pro Bowler nevertheless would have made for an intriguing addition to New Orleans (a team which has struggled to find a long-term successor under center, leading to the decision to add Derek Carr on a lucrative free agent deal this offseason) or another interested party. In the end, his initial 2005 procedure – which affected the end of his Chargers tenure and his free agent market – allowed for one of the best careers authored by an NFL quarterback, but it cut short his ability to remain in the league for as long as he intended.
Patriots Replace Mac Jones With Bailey Zappe At QB
The Patriots’ decision to give Mac Jones another start in the wake of his ongoing struggles has proven to be rather short-lived. Jones has been replaced by backup Bailey Zappe to start the second half of New England’s game against the Giants. 
Throughout the week, it remained unclear which passer would get the nod for today’s contest. An open competition between the two ensued during practice, with Jones earning a slight advantage. It was therefore the 2021 first-rounder who got the nod to begin the game, with the understanding that Zappe could see time as well. After a poor outing in the first half by Jones, a switch has indeed been made.
This marks the fourth time in 2023 that Jones has been lifted from a game, though on the first two occasions the move game late in contests with a lopsided score. In New England’s most recent game, however, Jones was replaced for the final series of the game with a comeback victory still in the cards. That move to Zappe – who was unable to pull off the upset in his extremely limited action – suggested he could unseat Jones as the starter in the near future. The 2022 fourth-rounder could now play his way into a longer look in the No. 1 spot with an encouraging performance against the Giants.
The Patriots trailed New York 7-0 at halftime after allowing a touchdown set up by one of Jones’ two interceptions. The Alabama alum went 12-of-21 for 89 yards in Week 12, continuing his Year 3 struggles. The hire of veteran play-caller Bill O’Brien was seen as a positive development for Jones’ ability to rebound from a poor showing in 2022 and revert to his more encouraging play as a rookie. That has not been the case, though, leading to serious speculation he will not be in place as the team’s starter for 2024, the final year of his rookie contract.
During Zappe’s first drive in relief of Jones, he completed all six of his passes for 38 yards to help set up a touchdown. If that success can be replicated, the Patriots will have an interesting decision to make to close out the season under center. Demoting Jones to backup permanently would likely mark an end to his tenure in New England, especially with the 2-8 outfit in line to have a strong chance at adding a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 draft. For now, though, the level of play delivered by Zappe (who struggled in O’Brien’s system in the training camp and was initially waived during roster cutdowns) will be worth watching closely.
Latest On Browns, QB Joe Flacco
The Browns’ search for a veteran quarterback in the wake of Deshaun Watson‘s season-ending absence resulted in Joe Flacco being added. The latter boasts substantially more experience in the NFL than Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker, the passers he is now competing with on the depth chart. 
While Flacco was signed (to the team’s practice squad, at first) to offer a higher floor as a backup compared to Walker, the veteran will not be in uniform for Week 12. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com notes Flacco will likely find himself second in the QB pecking order relatively soon, but it will again be a Thompson-Robinson-Walker tandem on Sunday. The Browns elected not to make Flacco a gameday elevation, confirming those short-term plans.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski quickly confirmed Thompson-Robinson would continue as the Browns’ starter in the wake of the Flacco signing (h/t ESPN’s Jake Trotter). The rookie has put up far from spectacular numbers in his two starts so far (55% completion percentage, zero touchdowns, four interceptions), but his play in preseason earned him the No. 2 role behind Watson and his familiarity with the offense obviously far outpaces that of Flacco. The latter was Cleveland’s top target for a midseason addition, though.
On that point, Tony Grossi of ESPN 850 reports the Browns were satisfied not only with Flacco’s arm strength but also his mobility. The former Super Bowl MVP was never known for being fleet of foot in his prime, so at the age of 38 expectations in that department will no doubt be tempered. Still, it is notable he managed to draw positive reviews from the team’s evaluation as a street free agent in his bid to continue what is now a 16-year career. It will be interesting to see how quickly Flacco manages to get a look as the backup.
Walker’s performances in that capacity (should he get the opportunity to play in the near future) will of course play a role in Cleveland’s decision at the QB spot. Given his inexperience and level of play so far, Thompson-Robinson also has far from a firm grip on the starter’s role at this point. For at least one more week, though, he will reside atop the depth chart while Flacco’s acclimation period and the changes it could bring about will be a storyline to watch for the Browns’ offense.
Saints Place CB Marshon Lattimore On IR; Derek Carr Clears Concussion Protocol
The Saints’ offense will be without wideout Michael Thomas for an extended stretch after he was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. The same is now true of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. 
The latter was moved to IR on Saturday, per a team announcement. Like Thomas, Lattimore exited the Saints’ loss to the Vikings and was subsequently deemed to have suffered a “signficant injury.” The ankle ailment kept Lattimore out of practice this week, and New Orleans will elect to shut him down during a pivotal point in the campaign. He will be forced to miss at least four weeks as a result of today’s move.
Lattimore’s absence will be acutely felt given his importance to the Saints’ secondary. That unit has helped New Orleans rank seventh in the league in passing yards allowed per game (199); he has also recorded one of the team’s 12 interceptions, a figure which places the team second in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler has had another strong season in 2023 with 48 tackles, eight pass deflections and a 57.4% completion percentage allowed.
Fellow starters Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor will be leaned on more heavily at the CB spot moving forward with Lattimore facing a lengthy injury absence for the second consecutive season. A lacerated kidney and broken ribs led to a 10-game stay on the sidelines last year, though Lattimore did not go on IR in that case. With him now guaranteed to be shelved for at least a medium-term stretch, veteran Isaac Yiadom (who has primarily played on special teams) could be in line to take on a starting role.
In more positive injury news, quarterback Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. He is thus in line to suit up tomorrow after exiting the Saints’ Week 12 game. With the team’s bye week having come and gone, Carr’s throwing shoulder – which was banged up earlier in the campaign – should also be healthier, which could lead to improvement in the passing game on offense. That would be a welcomed development for the 5-5 Saints as they look to maintain their lead in the NFC South down the stretch.
In addition to placing Lattimore on IR, the Saints made defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul a gameday elevation. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed last week to New Orleans’ practice squad, and it comes as no surprise that he will quickly be eligible to make his Saints debut. Fullback Adam Prentice was also elevated to the gameday roster for tomorrow’s contest against the Falcons.
Dolphins’ Jaelan Phillips Suffers Achilles Tear
NOVEMBER 25: An MRI has confirmed that Phillips tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
NOVEMBER 24: The Dolphins’ defense looks to have suffered a signficant loss. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips departed Miami’s Black Friday victory after suffering a non-contact injury which caused him to be carted off the field. 
The Dolphins quickly ruled Phillips out with an Achilles injury. Given the timing of their announcement and the nature of the play in which he went down, fears of an Achilles tear have emerged. The fact the injury took place at MetLife Stadium – which has been the subject of widespread criticism for the number of major injuries suffered there – certainly does not help in that regard.
More is yet to be discovered with post-game testing, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Phillips has been described by a Dolphins staffer as “another MetLife victim.” That points to a signficant absence being in store for the 24-year-old, something which would mark a major blow to his third season with the Dolphins and the team’s pass rush. Phillips posted 5.5 sacks in seven games heading into today’s win over the Jets, and he added another prior to exiting the contest.
The former first-rounder had an injury history dating back to college, having been limited to 10 contests across two seasons at UCLA. After briefly retiring from football, Phillips transferred to Miami and delivered a strong campaign. That helped his draft stock, and optimism for his future as an impact edge rusher increased when he recorded 8.5 sacks as a rookie. Phillips managed to play a full regular season that year, and he did so again in 2022 while collecting seven sacks and taking on a larger snap share. His workload (73% snap rate) in 2023 matched that of last season, meaning he will be difficult to replace moving forward presuming he is forced to miss time.
Bradley Chubb is in place as a starter on the edge for Miami, after he signed a lucrative extension upon his arrival. After being traded midseason by the Broncos in 2022, Chubb has collected 8.5 sacks in 18 regular season Dolphins contests. Emmanuel Ogbah will likely be tasked with filling in for Phillips, something which will mark a signficant jump in playing time for the former. Ogbah has seen a snap share of just 21% this season, and a report from last month lists him as a cut candidate after the campaign.
Ogbah is attached to a $15MM salary in 2023, and the Dolphins would see considerable cap savings by moving on this offseason. The veteran could help his chances of remaining in Miami, or at least boost his free agent stock after being released, with a strong showing down the stretch. The fact he will likely be thrust into a first-team role, however, is a sign of how shorthanded Miami’s pass rush could find itself to close out a promising campaign.
Jets’ Zach Wilson Addresses Benching
The NFL’s first Black Friday matchup will see the Jets move forward with the 2023 version of their post-Zach Wilson offense. The former No. 2 pick has seen his status as starting quarterback removed for the second consecutive season, with Tim Boyle now set to handle first-team duties. 
[RELATED: Aaron Rodgers Remains Intent On 2023 Return]
Wilson was benched in place of Mike White in 2022, as the Jets struggled offensively and the former failed to make the Year 2 jump many young passers experience. He acknowledged that New York’s offense has once again fallen short of expectations in 2023, prompting the team’s decision to drop him to No. 3 on the QB depth chart. Wilson’s remarks on the move indicate he feels he has developed over the course of this season, though.
“It’s a lot different,” the 24-year-old said, via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “Obviously, I wasn’t doing anything well last year. It was well-deserved. I felt like it was deserved in the locker room. But where I’m at right now, it’s like we’re truly struggling as an offense. It’s hard to point the finger at anybody. I hope we can figure things out and I’ll take that if that’s the issue.”
Wilson added that he felt he has not been “scapegoated” for the issues New York’s offense has been dealing with. The unit ranks near the bottom of the NFL in many categories, and the Jets have scored only nine offensive touchdowns in 10 games this season. Wilson has completed less than 60% of his passes while throwing more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six) and losing five fumbles. Those figures have played a large part in New York’s struggles, though other elements – such as an injury-riddled offensive line and play-calling from OC Nathaniel Hackett which has come under scrutiny – have contributed as well.
With Wilson having been demoted for a second straight year, however, it has become increasingly difficult to see him remaining with the Jets no later than the expiration of his rookie contract in 2024. His shortcomings have led to reflections on New York’s decision to draft him in 2021, a move which followed the end of Sam Darnold‘s time at the helm. The latter still had supporters in the organization when the commitment to drafting Wilson was made, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes. Darnold was traded to the Panthers in April 2021, and he signed with the 49ers as a free agent this offseason.
In the wake of benching Wilson, head coach Robert Saleh was unsurprisingly asked about his thoughts on the process of selecting the BYU alum. He responded (via Cimini) simply that he has “shared his thoughts” on the decision with general manager Joe Douglas without going into detail. Saleh has repeatedly given Wilson public votes of confidence, only opening the door to a quarterback swap this past week in the wake of Boyle taking over from Wilson midway through the Jets’ Week 11 loss.
Of course, the organization made its thoughts on Wilson clear by acquiring Aaron Rogers this offseason to supplement a roster believed to be in win-now mode at many positions other than quarterback. With Rodgers under contract for next year, it will be interesting to see how the Jets choose to proceed with Wilson over the coming months in light of his tenure as a New York starter likely having come to an end.
Titans Committed To HC Mike Vrabel
Speculation regarding the NFL coaching cycle in 2024 will no doubt continue to pick up in the coming weeks. One team connected to a potential change by some is the Titans, but it appears highly unlikely a shake-up will be coming. 
Mike Vrabel has emerged as a potential candidate for the Patriots in the event Bill Belichick is no longer in place by the start of the 2024 campaign, a scenario which has been gaining steam throughout the season. Vrabel – who spent much of his playing career in New England and is a highly-regarded staffer within the Patriots’ building – was labeled a ‘home run’ candidate earlier this season with respect to potential Belichick successors.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports the Titans are still fully committed to Vrabel as their head coach (subscription required). That sentiment is shared throughout the organization, she adds, which likely means general manager Ran Carthon – hired this past offseason – is on board with Vrabel remaining in place. Changes in the front office are often accompanied by a shake-up on the sidelines in the NFL, but Tennessee’s decision to avoid such a move in 2023 represented a sign of faith in Vrabel.
The 48-year-old guided the Titans to a winning record in each of his first four seasons at the helm. That included the 2021 campaign in which Tennessee went 12-5 and Vrabel took home Coach of the Year honors. Since then, however, things have taken a turn for the worse. The Titans went 7-10 last season as they saw a lead in the AFC South slip away late, and the 2023 campaign has seen quarterback Ryan Tannehill‘s struggles on the field and in the injury department continue.
With rookie Will Levis now under center, the Titans sit at 3-7 on the year. With a second straight season outside the playoffs on deck, speculation has emerged regarding Vrabel’s job security. He is attached to an extension signed in 2022, however, so with term remaining a major disappointment to close out the year would likely be needed to change the organization’s thinking. Acquiring Vrabel while still under contract would require draft compensation from the Patriots or any other interested team.
While Belichick’s status in New England will be worth watching closely down the stretch, today’s update would seem to take the Patriots out of contention for Vrabel. The latter could prove the Titans’ confidence to be well-founded with a strong showing to close out the year, but for the time being he appears to be safe in Nashville either way.
Ravens Aiming To Retain Justin Madubuike
Justin Madubuike entered 2023 with the potential to boost his free agent stock through a strong performance in the final year of his rookie contract. To say he has done so would be an understatement to say the least. 
The Ravens defensive lineman has enjoyed a breakout campaign this year, essentially upping his market value on an every-game basis. Madubuike has easily surpassed his previous career-high for sacks in a season with 9.5 and counting. That figure leads the team, and he has recorded at least 0.5 sacks in eight consecutive contests.
That production has the 26-year-old in line for a signficant payday this offseason. A report from last month made it clear teams around the NFL expected a notable raise to come Madubuike’s way either on a Ravens extension or a deal from an outside team. The DT market made considerable gains in 2023 with Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons, Daron Payne, Dexter Lawrence and Ed Oliver among the young contributors at the position who landed sizeable second contracts with their respective teams.
Madubuike could very well be next in line to join that group from a financial standpoint. Oliver’s Bills deal carries an AAV of $17MM, while the other four aforementioned players range between $22.5MM and $24MM in that regard. No firm numbers have emerged with respect to an asking price from Madubuike, but to no surprise Baltimore is interested in reaching an agreement. The Ravens hope to retain the Texas A&M product, Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes (subscription required).
Baltimore already made one notable investment in its D-line in 2023, signing Broderick Washington to a three-year, $15.75MM extension in the summer. Madubuike, a fellow 2020 draftee, will be able to command a much larger deal than that if/when he reaches the open market. Working out a long-term agreement with the latter could prove to be a challenge for the Ravens, given the structure of Lamar Jackson‘s mega-contract and its scheduled jumps in cap hits in future years.
Of course, the franchise tag could be an option at Baltimore’s disposal to at least prevent Madubuike from reaching free agency. The one-year tender is projected to cost roughly $20.9MM, a sign of the upward trend the DT market experienced last summer. The Commanders took the franchise tag route with Payne before ultimately working out an agreement. A similar path could be in store for Madubuike and the Ravens, though it will be interesting to see how high his asking price climbs in the wake of his breakout campaign.
No Ongoing Extension Talks Between Cowboys, Dak Prescott
The Cowboys are once again positioned to make a postseason run, in no small part due to the play of Dak Prescott. Dallas’ franchise quarterback is set to be a central storyline this offseason due to his contract situation, but no developments on that front are expected in the near future. 
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has left the door open to in-season negotiations on a new Prescott contract, but since last month the expectation has been talks on another extension will wait until after the campaign. Indeed, no discussions have taken place at this point concerning a re-up, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.
Jones has made it clear numerous times that keeping Prescott in the fold well beyond 2024 (the final year of his current deal) is a priority for the ograniztion. The idea of an extension gained steam this offseason, with multiple restructures having spiked Prescott’s cap hit for next year to an untenable $59.46MM. After earning a four-year, $160MM deal in 2021, the two-time Pro Bowler will again be set up nicely for a lucrative pact.
Prescott, 30, sits in a tie (with Daniel Jones) for 10th in the NFL in terms of annual compensation on his current deal. His next one will move him up the pecking order significantly, especially if his 2023 performance (which includes a career-high completion percentage of 70.1%, along with touchdown and interception rates better than his career averages) can be continued down the stretch. Coming to terms on a second extension will be pricey for the Cowboys, but it will mark one of several major financial priorities.
Dallas has not only Prescott’s contract to sort out, but also new deals for the likes of edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb to work on. The latter two players have had standout campaigns, putting them in line to move at or near the top of the market of their respective positions with their second contracts. Clarity on how much room the team has for Parsons and Lamb in particular is something Dallas has long been eyeing as it pertains to Prescott’s re-up.
The Cowboys are currently projected to find themselves near the bottom of the league in 2024 cap space, though plenty of financial maneuvering is yet to take place until the new league year begins in March. Flattening out Prescott’s cap hit for that season – while ensuring his future in Dallas for years to come – will certainly help in the team’s other efforts to maintain its young corps. It will be interesting to see how much progress will have been made by that point on the NFL calendar.