Latest On Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy
The Broncos are positioned to once again play the role of sellers at the trade deadline. That could lead to a few noteworthy players heading out of the Mile High City, including wideout Jerry Jeudy. 
The former first-rounder has routinely found himself in trade talk in recent years, despite insistence from the Broncos he has never been shopped in a potential deal. Denver was connected to an asking price of a first-round pick for Jeudy during the offseason, and it remains unlikely the team would land a haul that lucrative at this point. The 24-year-old is on the books for the remainder of 2023 as well as next year on the fifth-year option.
The Broncos’ decision to pick up Jeudy’s option – a move which locked him into a guaranteed salary of $12.99MM – appears to be a sticking point in trade talks. Adam Caplan of Pro Football Network reports that interested teams have no issue taking on Jeudy’s remaining compensation for this year (a prorated portion of his $2.68MM base salary), but that his option for next year is serving as a “deterrent.”
The Alabama alum entered the league with considerable expectations as the No. 15 pick in the 2020 draft, but things have not entirely gone according to plan. Jeudy, like several other Broncos wideouts, has battled injuries during his time in Denver, and when healthy he has posted less-than-spectacular numbers. A career high in catches (67), yards (972) and touchdowns (six) offered a glimpse of what he could produce with new head coach Sean Payton at the helm. However, the 2023 campaign has seen him record more than 52 yards in a game only once so far, and he has yet to find the end zone.
Both Jeudy and fellow receiver Courtland Sutton are among the Broncos’ trade chips leading up to the October 31 trade deadline. Denver is prepared to listen to offers on any number of contributors (including, of course, those whose arrival predates that of Payton and general manager George Paton). The willingness of contending teams to make a commitment not only for the rest of this year but also 2024 in Jeudy’s case will be worth watching in the coming days and weeks.
NFL To Delay HC Interviews Until After Divisional Round
OCTOBER 17: The NFL will greenlight this in-season rule change, with SI.com’s Albert Breer reporting it passed 32-0. HC-seeking teams will not be able to meet with candidates in-person until after the divisional round. This will present fewer candidates with complex itineraries — like the one DeMeco Ryans navigated ahead of the 49ers’ divisional-round matchup with the Cowboys earlier this year — and allow for these assistants to focus on their teams’ postseason matchups.
This rule only applies to coaches on other teams’ staffs, with unemployed coaches and college coaches free to meet with teams earlier. This field-leveling attempt by the league will also see internal candidates not subject to this rule change, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
OCTOBER 16: The hiring process for NFL head coaches could again be delayed starting with the 2024 cycle. The league is giving thought to pushing back in-person interviews with candidates still under contract until after the divisional round of the playoffs, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. 
Making such a move official – which could happen as soon as this week’s league meetings in New York – would give head coaching candidates an extra week before potentially lining up a move to a new team following their current club’s elimination. As things currently stand, in-person interviews cannot take place until after the wild-card round of the postseason.
As Jones notes, virtual interviews would still be allowed prior to the end of the divisional round under the proposed changes. Coaches not under contract, along with in-house candidates, could also be brought in for in-person interviews at any time as teams gauge their options before the start of the new league year in March. Owners are expected to vote on the proposed changes in the coming days.
Passing them would lengthen the overall hiring process, something which has already taken place since the 2021 alteration which pushed in-person interviews back. The current changes under consideration would still leave the issue of certain candidates taking time during preparation for conference championship games to meet with their prospective new employers, but the pool of staffers for which that would be the case would at least again be decreased.
Jones adds that the alterations being considered would apply only to head coaches, not to general manager interviews. It remains to be seen if the requisite support is in place to push through the proposal, but the league sent a memo to all teams last year detailing the money spent on fired coaches and executives, a potential deterrent to rushed hiring processes. Those may become lengthier by a margin of one week as early as 2024.
Patriots, Josh Uche Have Not Discussed Extension
The Patriots’ edge rush contingent was dealt a major blow when Matt Judon suffered a torn bicep which has landed him on IR and threatens to keep him out for the rest of the year. New England has had to rely on Josh Uche as a result, but the latter’s time with the organization could be nearing an end. 
Uche and the Patriots have not held talks on a contract extension, reports Henry McKenna of Fox Sports. The 25-year-old is playing out the final year of his rookie contract, meaning he is due to reach free agency in March. Unlike many recent Patriots draftees, Uche has a case to warrant a new deal with New England in large part based on his 2021 production.
The Michigan alum held a rotational role during his first two seasons, and he totaled only four sacks in that span. Only a slight uptick in usage (38% defensive snap share) last year produced a major spike in production, however. Uche racked up 11.5 sacks, 14 QB hits and 25 pressures in 2021, leading to increased expectations for this season and the chance he would become a rare Day 2 selection to earn a second contract from the team.
The last Patriot second-rounder to be retained beyond their rookie pact was Rob Gronkowski, a sign of New England’s struggles developing homegrown playmakers over several years. Uche could have cemented his status as a top financial priority with a strong Year 4 in the league, but he has managed only a pair of sacks so far and one since the season opener. Tackling issues and struggles in coverage have contributed to a PFF grade of 63.2 this year, a major step back from last year’s evaluation.
Sitting at 1-5 and facing major questions about the short- and long-term direction the organization will be headed in, the Patriots could find themselves as sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. Uche could provide at least a depth option for contenders in search of help on the edge, and his age and status as a rental could yield a market for his services. With Judon’s contract set to expire after 2024, though, the Patriots would have incentive to retain Uche on a multi-year pact in the hopes of repeating last season’s success.
The latter has a base salary of just over $1.34MM this year, so a prorated portion of that figure would be easy for an acquiring team to absorb in a trade. If Uche remains in New England for the rest of the season, though, it will be interesting to see what kind of production he can provide and how willing team and player will be to discuss a new contract.
Jets’ Aaron Rodgers Resumes Throwing
The Jets pulled off one of the season’s most noteworthy upsets in Week 6 with a win over the Eagles, but a signficant development took place before kickoff. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took part in a throwing session with Jets personnel, as detailed by Andy Vasquez of NJ.com. 
Rodgers was not on crutches and planted on his left foot – the one in which he suffered a torn Achilles four snaps into the campaign – while throwing. That came 32 days after he underwent surgery to repair the injury, one which is traditionally seen as being season-ending. The 39-year-old has expressed a plan to return in time for the end of the 2023 season, however, and Sunday’s development marked another noteworthy step in his recovery.
Foregoing the traditional procedure used to repair Achilles tears, Rodgers’ surgery consisted of a ‘speed bridge‘ being used. That relatively new technique carries the potential for players to return to action much quicker than in previous years, and has helped lead to speculation Rodgers could follow through on his goal of recovering in time for the playoffs. It remains to be seen how the Jets will fare through the remainder of the remainder of the season, though, which will no doubt inform his chances of suiting up in the intermediate future.
Head coach Robert Saleh has remained firmly committed to backup Zach Wilson, and the Jets have not made inquiries into many veteran passers. Indeed, only Tim Boyle has been added to date, with Wilson showing signs of improvement in recent weeks. New York has won two straight games while still leaning heavily on its defense and Breece Hall-led run game, bringing the team’s record to 3-3. Plenty of work remains to be done to put the Jets in playoff contention, but a scenario where Rodgers (whom ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes remained on the sidelines and in communication with the team’s coaching staff on Sunday) is able to return could be in play down the road.
“I’m one of those guys searching, like, ‘Is he supposed to do this?'” Saleh said during a Good Morning Football appearance. “I’ve coached Richard Sherman, who was coming off his Achilles. I’ve got friends who have had Achilles injuries, and what he’s doing, according to them, is absolutely ridiculous. For him to be walking already, I wouldn’t put anything past him… He is willing himself to return faster than what you’re supposed to be.
“We’re leaving the door open for him but it’s amazing to see how hard he’s been working and the intent at which he’s been doing it” (h/t NFL.com’s Kevin Patra).
Rodgers agreed to a reworked contract before the start of the season which saw him take a substantial pay cut in terms of guaranteed money he was initially due. He is still in line to earn $38MM next season, however, and he has expressed a willingness to play at least two seasons in New York. That goal hit a massive roadblock in Week 1, but the four-time MVP continues to make progress in his rehab process which could allow him to see the field before the 2024 season.
Vikings DE Marcus Davenport Facing Multi-Week Absence
Marcus Davenport‘s Vikings tenure has run into renewed injury trouble. The veteran edge rusher is dealing with a high ankle sprain and is likely facing a four-to-six week absence as a result, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. 
The news makes Davenport a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, something which would sideline him for at least four weeks. The 27-year-old was limited to just four snaps across Minnesota’s first three games this season, his first with the Vikings. Davenport inked a one-year, $13MM deal including $10MM guaranteed in free agency.
That pact resulted in high expectations for the former Saints first-rounder, who has contributed when healthy in 2023. Davenport posted one sack in each of his two full games, adding four quarterback hits and a pair of tackles for loss in that span. The injury suffered during Minnesota’s Week 6 win over the Bears forced him to be carted off the field, though, and it threatens to cost him signficant time through the middle portion of the campaign.
The Vikings entrusted Davenport with a starting role to help offset the Za’Darius Smith trade and provide a complimentary presence to Danielle Hunter. The latter was mentioned in frequent trade speculation this offseason, but he ultimately signed a revised one-year pact which provided a raise compared to his original 2023 compensation. Both Hunter (who has his own track record of lengthy injury-induced absences) and Davenport are set to hit free agency in March, so an extended stretch without the pair in place could hinder not only the team’s edge rush but also their respective markets come the spring.
Hunter has posted a league-leading eight sacks so far, but Minnesota will need to find a new bookend for at least the short term while Davenport (who was unable to play a full season in any of his five years in New Orleans) recovers. Former fourth-rounder D.J. Wonnum – who ranks tied for second amongst Vikings edge rushers with two sacks – could be in line for an increased workload with Davenport not in the fold. Minnesota also has 2021 third-rounder Patrick Jones and undrafted rookie Andre Carter in place as depth options in the pass-rush department.
Panthers’ Frank Reich Cedes Play-Calling Duties To OC Thomas Brown
In the wake of a sixth straight loss to open the season, the Panthers will have a new voice leading the offense on the sidelines. Head coach Frank Reich has ceded play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets. 
Reich took charge of guiding Carolina’s offense when he was hired as head coach, a move which led to optimism about the team’s ability to find long-term success on that side of the ball with rookie quarterback Bryce Young and Co. He made it clear on several occasions, however, that he would hand over play-calling duties at some point in the not-too distant future with a well-respected assistant in the form of Brown in place. With Carolina now on the bye week, that time as come.
A report from yesterday indicated Reich would carry on with the current arrangement for the time being, but Week 6 produced another underwhelming performance on offense. The Panthers managed just 188 yards through the air and went a combined 5-for-19 on third and fourth down in a 21-point loss to the Dolphins. Conversations within the organization had led to questions about the team’s ongoing struggles putting up points, something which foreshadowed today’s move. However, Reich confirmed on Monday that this decision was his, not one imposed from the front office.
Brown, 37, has been named as one of the league’s top up-and-coming offensive minds for a few years now. He spent nine years in the college ranks (including three as the University of Miami’s OC) before joining Sean McVay‘s Rams staff in 2020. Brown served as a running backs, and, later, tight ends coach during his time in Los Angeles and he held the title of assistant head coach for his final two years there. His Panthers hire signaled the possibility of handling play-calling duties at the pro level for the first time, and he will now guide the team’s offense moving forward.
Carolina currently sits 23rd in the league in both total and scoring offense, so the team has plenty of room for improvement after the bye. Brown will look to help Young, the top pick in April’s draft, take a step forward from the generally underwhelming start in the NFL he has had so far. Doing so would likely get the team in the win column, and help the front office evaluate a unit which, with the notable exception of veteran wideout Adam Thielen, has not seen signficant production amongst its skill-position group.
A strong showing from Brown on the sidelines would also, of course, help his and Reich’s standing in the organization and quell a perceived need from owner David Tepper to make personnel changes early in the franchise’s latest chapter. Plenty of attention will be on Brown as he looks to prove the confidence placed in him to be well-founded.
Bears Hire Phil Snow As Defensive Assistant
Since the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams, the Bears have been shorthanded on the sidelines. Head coach Matt Eberflus recently acknowledged a search was ongoing for an experienced staffer on that side of the ball, and that process has produced a hiring. 
Phil Snow has been brought in as a senior defense assistant, Eberflus announced on Monday. The latter will retain play-calling duties, which he took on after Williams stepped away from the organization following what is believed to have been inappropriate activity. Snow will, however, meet the requirements Eberflus laid out regarding his ideal candidate with respect to experience and familiarity with multiple different schemes.
“I think you try to find a guy that has both,” Eberflus said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, when asked about having a background in the Bears’ current scheme along with ones not used by the current staff. “Because he has to have some similarities because he knows the scheme but also has different experiences to think outside the box, which brings new, fresh perspective in. So, I think both things are always good.”
Snow, 67, spent the past two-plus seasons as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator. He shared time at the college level with Matt Rhule at both Temple and Baylor, so it came as no surprise that they were hired together in 2020. In response to Rhule’s disappointing run in Carolina, however, he was fired just over one year ago and Snow was also let go. The Panthers posted mediocre numbers in many categories under Snow, though the team did rank second in total defense in 2021.
In the aftermath of Williams’ departure, many pointed to Rod Marinelli as a potential fill-in option for the remainder of the season. As Eberflus mentioned at the start of the search process, though, the 74-year-old is content in retirement and was not a consideration for the position. Snow, who also has NFL experience with the Lions, will instead take on the task of assisting a Bears defense which has plenty of room for improvement.
The 1-5 outfit has fared well against the run so far, allowing less than 90 yards per game on the ground. Overall, however, the team ranks 29th in points (29.3) and 25th in yards (357) yards surrendered per contest. Eberflus’ defensive background has led to criticism of Chicago’s performance with him in charge, though he still has the backing of ownership and the front office. Improvement in the coming weeks would still be welcomed with respect to his job security, of course, and it will be interesting to see if Snow can assist on that front.
David Montgomery Expected To Miss Time
The Lions improved to 5-1 on the year with a victory yesterday, but the team’s ground game could be significantly shorthanded for at least a brief stretch. Running back David Montgomery‘s rib injury is likely to lead to missed time, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press notes. 
Montgomery was forced to exit the Lions’ Week 6 win, and he was unable to return. X-rays came back negative, and further testing will no doubt be needed to determine a firm return timeline. Dan Campbell said Monday (via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers) the starting back is dealing with a cartilage issue. Any missed game action for Montgomery would be noteworthy, especially given the hamstring issue fellow back Jahmyr Gibbs is battling.
The latter has missed the past two games due to his injury, and the Lions would be well-suited to proceed with caution with the first-round rookie. Going without both Gibbs and Montgomery for any length of time would leave Detroit’s offense without two of its most important contributors, and threaten to unbalance one of the league’s most efficient offenses.
The conclusion of Sunday’s game offered a glimpse of a pass-heavy Lions attack would look like over the course of a full contest, with Craig Reynolds receiving the bulk of RB snaps and plenty being asked of quarterback Jared Goff. The latter set a new season high in pass attempts (44) and yards (353) while leading the team to victory. Detroit sits seventh in passing yards per game, but the strength of the team’s rushing attack has played a central role in their No. 4 rank regarding both scoring and total offense.
The status of both Montgomery and Gibbs will be worth watching closely as the week progresses, and either being able to suit up in Week 7 will be a welcomed development. In the case of the former (who inked a three-year, $18MM deal in free agency), though, it appears that will not be the case.
Steelers Designate WR Diontae Johnson, RB Anthony McFarland For Return
The Steelers could soon have reinforcements available on offense. Both wideout Diontae Johnson and running back Anthony McFarland returned to practice on Monday, per a team announcement. 
[RELATED: Steelers Not Moving On From OC Matt Canada]
Both players have been on injured reserve since Week 2, a move which guaranteed at least a four-week absence. The fact they have each started practicing at the first available opportunity is an encouraging sign for their availability as soon as this Sunday. Today’s move opens their three-week window to be activated and avoid reverting to season-ending IR.
A hamstring injury forced Johnson to miss the past four weeks, but he has been confident he would be able to return following the team’s bye. That seems likely given his immediate return to the practice field, and suiting up in Week 6 would be a welcomed development for a Steelers offense which is in need of improvement. Johnson has led Pittsburgh in receiving yards the past three years, and he has received at least 144 targets in each of those campaigns.
The 27-year-old has produced one 1,000-yard season in that span (1,136 in 2021), and he has been a consistent presence in the team’s passing game since his rookie year in 2019. That helped earn him a two-year, $36.71MM extension last offseason as Pittsburgh made the rare move of re-upping a homegrown receiver. Johnson will regain his starting spot upon return alongside George Pickens and Allen Robinson, and he will aim to end his touchdown-less streak which lasted all of 2022 and continued in his season debut of this year.
McFarland, on the other hand, will likely have a more challenging path to playing time when he is activated. The Maryland product sits firmly behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on the RB depth chart, and the latter two should be expected to carry the load moving forward. Once Johnson and McFarland are officially brought back, the Steelers will have six IR activations remaining.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones Endorses QB Dak Prescott, HC Mike McCarthy
The Cowboys are set to play the final game of Week 6 tonight, a contest against the Chargers which will be the team’s first opportunity to rebound from their lopsided loss to the 49ers last Sunday. Questions have been raised regarding Dallas’ offense in particular, but owner Jerry Jones remains confident in the unit. 
During a regular appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Jones acknowledged the poor showing on the Cowboys’ part in their 42-10 loss. The performance did not, however, give him reason to consider taking play-calling duties away from head coach Mike McCarthy or doubts about quarterback Dak Prescott‘s standing as Dallas’ undisputed starter.
“We have, in my mind — make no mistake about it — we have a quarterback that can get us there,” Jones said, via Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano. “I feel very strongly there. [And] we have coaching on both sides of the ball that can get us there.”
Monday will be a noteworthy contest not only given the Cowboys’ aim to bounce back on offense, but the fact that the Chargers have Kellen Moore at the helm of their offense. The latter was let go this offseason after four years as Dallas’ offensive coordinator, a stretch during which the team led the league in scoring twice. That decision paved the way for McCarthy to take on play-calling duties, and he has enjoyed mixed results so far. The Cowboys have had a strong rushing attack, something which has helped them rank sixth in the league in points per game, but struggles through the air have the team sitting only 19th in total offense.
In spite of that, Jones confirmed that no consideration has been given to taking play-calling duties away from McCarthy and handing them to new OC Brian Schottenheimer. That represents the latest vote of confidence in McCarthy, who has routinely faced questions about his job security in the wake of postseason disappointments over the past two years. Both he and Prescott have the full backing of Jones moving forward.
“I’m saying that it’s capable of being there,” the latter added when asked further about the offense. “Since Kellen Moore left, have we gotten this team in a place that can do better than we did against the 49ers? You bet we have. Should we change at this juncture back to where we were last year? No, we should not.”