Ravens LB Patrick Queen Addresses Extension Talks
As was the case with each of the other middle linebackers selected in the first round of the 2020 draft, Patrick Queen did not have his fifth-year option picked up this spring. As a result, his future with the Ravens beyond this season is in doubt. 
Baltimore has expressed a desire to retain Queen past the 2023 campaign, and the 24-year-old has reciprocated that sentiment. However, the Ravens have trade deadline acquisition Roquan Smith on the books with a five-year, $100MM contract signed not long after his arrival, giving the team one major financial commitment at the position. A potential Queen replacement was also added via the draft in the form of third-rounder Trenton Simpson.
Those moves have led to the belief that Queen will price himself out of Baltimore if he delivers a strong season in his walk year. The record-setting Smith extension and the Simpson addition could have been a contributing factor to Queen’s offseason decision to scrub the Ravens from his social media accounts (a common sign of frustration with contract situations), but it was instead a lack of progress on extension talks which caused that course of action, as he recently revealed.
“There were talks and then some stuff fell through,” the LSU alum said, via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic (subscription required). “Obviously, you get upset. I’m probably going to be gone. That’s, at least, what I was thinking in my head. I’m thinking that I’m gone. Everybody reacts out of emotion to certain things.”
As Zrebiec notes, Queen’s mindset has shifted in a more positive direction since talks broke down, and he was a full participant in training camp. Still, it is difficult to imagine the Ravens making a second eight-figure-per-year commitment at the LB spot, something which will be required if Queen builds off his improved play late last year following Smith’s arrival. As a result, the former represents a logical trade candidate, but no consideration has been given to moving on before a potential free agent departure.
“I got to the point where I was like, ‘Look at who is on your team. Look at how they’re treating you. They’re not about to trade you.’ There were never trade talks or anything,” Queen confirmed. “It was always, ‘We believe in you, you’re our guy.’ It just fuels you and it makes you want to play well. Looking at everybody on the team, you have the chance to do something special here. Why not?”
Expectations will be high for Queen and the Ravens this season, and his individual performance will go a long way in determining his free agent value. They will also no doubt have an effect on the team’s willingness and ability to re-engage in negotiations for what could be a very lucrative second contract.
Texans Waive DT Roy Lopez
After two seasons as a regular along the Texans’ defensive interior, Roy Lopez is now eligible to find a new home. Houston waived the former sixth-rounder from injured reserve, as noted by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. 
Lopez, who has been dealing with a strained hamstring, negotiated a four-week injury settlement as part of the move which will see him hit the waiver wire on Monday. If he goes unclaimed, he will be free to sign anywhere as a free agent. Wilson adds that the 26-year-old is drawing interest from multiple teams, so he will likely not need to wait long to find a new home.
The Arizona product has logged 29 starts across his 33 appearances in Houston. With snap shares of 46% and 48% during that time, his absence will certainly be noticeable this season on a new-look Texans defense. DeMeco Ryans‘ squad has seen a number of changes take place along the defensive interior, including the arrivals of Sheldon Rankins and Hassan Ridgeway in free agency. Their presence will go a long way in making up for Lopez’s lost playing time.
The latter has recorded similar production in each of his two campaigns to date, totaling 67 tackles (including 11 for loss), two sacks and nine QB pressures. Those numbers has not resulted in high PFF evaluations so far, however, with tackling issues representing a cause for poor overall grades. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how many teams are prepared to put in a waiver claim on Lopez or show interest in adding him via free agency.
Of course, a reunion with the Texans could still be possible, but that would require Lopez remaining on the open market for the course of the four-week period. Houston also moved on from offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland via an injury settlement, after the latter suffered an adductor strain.
Vikings Sign WR N’Keal Harry To Practice Squad
N’Keal Harry was let go by the Vikings not long before last week’s roster cutdowns. The former first-round receiver is back with the organization, however. Harry has signed with Minnesota’s practice squad, per a team announcement. 
After suffering an injury in warmups before a preseason contest, the Vikings waived Harry with an injury designation. The 25-year-old went unclaimed, to no surprise, and he was not picked up on any teams’ active rosters or taxi squads as a free agent. Given today’s news, he can now resume his role as a developmental project for the Vikings.
Harry entered the league with high expectations as a Day 1 selection, but his time with the Patriots did not produce consistent production. The Arizona State alum’s best year came in 2020, when he posted a 33-309-2 statline. His playing time fluctuated in New England, though, and injuries have hindered his development.
Chicago traded for him last summer in an effort to revive his career and give the team some upside in its receiving corps. An injury delayed his Bears debut, however, and Harry was limited to seven games played and only seven receptions. His latest deal with an NFC North outfit could see him elevated to the active roster on gamedays depending on Minnesota’s depth chart at the receiver spot.
Starting roles are in place for Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn, as well as first-round rookie Jordan Addison. If healthy, Harry could play his way into a complimentary role if he remains in the Vikings’ organization long enough. Of course, he will be free to sign with another team’s active roster while he remains on Minnesota’s taxi squad, though.
In a corresponding move to the Harry signing, undrafted rookie center Alan Ali was released from the practice squad.
Panthers Place OLB Marquis Haynes On IR; Latest On Brian Burns
The Panthers’ edge rushing contingent will be shorthanded to start the season. The team announced on Monday that Marquis Haynes has been placed on IR. He will be sidelined for at least four weeks as a result. 
Haynes has served in a backup role throughout his his five-year tenure in Carolina. The 29-year-old saw an uptick in usage last season, though, logging a 41% snap share. He translated that increased workload into career highs in sacks (five), pressures (16) and QB hits (13). His absence will thus be felt by a Panthers team looking to improve on the edge in 2023.
Carolina was long connected to additions to its pass-rushing contingent, and it thus came as no surprise that veteran Justin Houston was signed in August. The four-time Pro Bowler inked a one-year deal including $6MM guaranteed, giving the Panthers a complimentary option opposite Brian Burns. Houston led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last season, and production anywhere near that level would make his addition a worthwhile one. Haynes’ absence will likely lead to a larger-than-expected workload for the 34-year-old early in the campaign.
With that said, Haynes had been dealing with a lingering back injury through the summer. Head coach Frank Reich said the team had been expecting the former former fourth-rounder to miss Week 1, so today’s news comes as little surprise. It is signficant, however, given the uncertainty surrounding Burns’ availability for the team’s regular season opener.
The latter has been with the team throughout training camp as talks continue on a multi-year extension. Burns remains hopeful that something will be worked out in the near future, but Reich confirmed on Monday that the 25-year-old did not take part in practice due to a personal matter. With his financial future beyond 2023 uncertain, questions have been raised about whether or not Burns will suit up for Week 1.
On that point, Reich said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) that he is unsure if Burns is willing to start the campaign without a deal in hand. Especially if he misses time to try and leverage an extension, the loss of Haynes early in the campaign will be acutely felt by the Panthers’ defense.
Bill Belichick Addresses Patriots’ Decision To Waive Bailey Zappe, Claim Matt Corral
The Patriots were busy reshaping their quarterback depth chart last week, including the surprising decision to waive 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe. The risk paid off and Zappe was retained via the practice squad, but he has new competition for the backup QB role. 
New England claimed former Panthers draftee Matt Corral off waivers, filling the vacancy at the position on the team’s active roster. Given the lack of time Corral has had to acclimate to the Patriots’ offense, however, questions have been raised about his readiness to dress as the backup for Week 1. When speaking publicly on the matter, head coach Bill Belichick confirmed that no decision has been made yet on that front.
“All roster decisions are based on what we feel like’s best for our football team,” Belichick said, via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. “There’s a number of things involved there. But glad to have Bailey to continue to work with him. Still think he’s a good, young, developing player, and so we’ll keep working with him.”
Zappe made a pair of starts in place of an injured Mac Jones last season, and his play (along with perceived tension between Belichick and the latter) led to speculation about a potential QB competition in the summer. Instead, Zappe struggled this offseason while adapting to new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien‘s system, one which is catered to Jones’ strengths. Belichick’s remarks confirm Zappe is still in the team’s long-term plans, however.
As for Corral, little can be said with certainty given his lack of playing time. The Ole Miss product missed his entire rookie season due to a Lisfranc injury, and he has yet to make a regular season appearance as a result. Corral was in Carolina’s plans, but they will move forward with first overall pick Bryce Young and veteran Andy Dalton under center.
“We’ll take a look at him and see how it goes,” Belichick added during a WEEI appearance (via Kyed’s colleague Andrew Callahan). “[Corral] had a very good career at Mississippi, and hasn’t really had a lot of chances to do much in the last two years; was injured and missed some time. But [he] had a good preseason, so we’ll see how it goes. Look forward to working with him.”
Belichick added praise for Jones, who is entering a critical third year as the team’s starter. A healthy and productive season as the No. 1 would make much of the Corral-Zappe situation a moot point, but each of the latter two passers will have plenty to prove over the course of the 2023 campaign as well.
TE Kyle Rudolph To Retire
As foreshadowed earlier this offseason, Kyle Rudolph is bringing his playing days to a close. The veteran tight end informed the Score’s Jordan Schultz that he will retire as a member of the Vikings. 
In July, Rudolph made clear his plans to try his hand at broadcasting this season, something which signaled his intention of hanging up his cleats. He will be a member of NBC’s Big Ten coverage in the fall, something he considered in large part as a result of the network’s existing relationship with his alma mater, Notre Dame. Today’s new confirms the end of Rudolph’s 12-year career.
The former second-rounder spent his first 10 years in Minnesota, immediately establishing himself as a full-time starter. Rudolph was a mainstay during his time with the Vikings, earning a pair of Pro Bowl nods and posting 4,488 receiving yards. The latter figure ranks 11th in franchise history and second to only Steve Jordan at the tight end position.
He was released in 2021, a move which began a pair of one-year stints elsewhere in the NFC. Rudolph inked a two-year deal with the Giants, but his time in New York lasted only half that long. His production (26 receptions, 257 yards, one touchdown) was enough for Tom Brady to recruit him in 2022 as one of several veterans to join the Buccaneers during their three-year run with him at the QB position. Rudolph played nine games in Tampa Bay, but made only three catches during his time there.
As a result, he garnered little (if any) interest on the open market, leading to his decision to head to the broadcast booth. That move is now official, and Rudolph will leave the field with just under $60MM in career earnings. Schultz adds that the Vikings plan to officially honor the 33-year-old around the time of their Week 3 contest against the Chargers.
Giants Restructure QB Daniel Jones’ Contract
In need of financial wiggle room to start the season, the Giants have created some by re-working their franchise quarterback’s pact. Daniel Jones has agreed to a restructure which sees $8.42MM of his 2023 salary converted into a signing bonus, per ESPN’s Field Yates. 
[RELATED: Reviewing Giants’ Offseason]
As a result of the move, Jones’ cap hit for this season has dropped from $21.8MM to $15.4MM. That will give the Giants some much-needed breathing room, as they entered Monday 29th in the league in cap space. On the other hand, it increases the burden of the 26-year-old’s deal in future years, with his cap hits for the next three years ballooning to $47.1MM, $41.6MM and $58.6MM.
New York made a massive investment in Jones just before the deadline to apply franchise tags, inking him to a four-year, $160MM deal. That paved the way for a Saquon Barkley franchise tag, and gave the team cost certainty under center for the foreseeable future. With up to $22MM available in cap savings available next year via another restructure, though, Dan Duggan of the Athletic notes that further adjustments to the Duke alum’s contract down the road should be expected.
Jones faces substantial expectations going into 2023, his second season under reigning Coach of the Year Brian Daboll. The former No. 6 pick put up new career highs in a number of categories last year, and with a new pass-catching corps led by Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller in place, further progression would help justify his contract. It would also make subsequent restructures easier to authorize in light of the other financial priorities the Giants have to address in the near future.
Barkley, along with defensive tackle Leonard Williams, cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and safety Xavier McKinney are among the players set to hit free agency at the end of the 2023 campaign, and important decisions will need to made with respect to the price point the team is willing to set to retain each of them. Jones will be in the fold for years to come, though, especially given the financial downside the Giants would face if they were attempt to move on from him in the near future.
Chiefs, DT Chris Jones Not Close To Deal
The Chiefs’ title defense begins on Thursday, but it remains to be seen if they will have Chris Jones available for Week 1 or any point early in the campaign. Plenty of progress still needs to be made for an agreement to be reached between team and player in this situation. 
Jones, who has one year remaining on his current pact and is due a base salary of $19.5MM in 2023, has been absent from the team throughout the offseason. That has resulted in a major accumulation of fines during the summer and the chance of just over $1MM in missed game checks per week if he continues to hold out. Jones, 29, has previously suggested he is willing to remain on the sidelines until Week 8, the latest point at which he can return to the field with a year of service time accruing.
Talks on an new deal have have ramped up recently, and the team remains confident that one will be worked out to some point. As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports, however, the sides are still at an impasse and Jones is therefore absent for today’s practice. That points further to the the All-Pro being sidelined for the season opener and adding to his financial penalties. Jones has already racked up approximately $2MM in fines and missed out on a $500K workout bonus, and little clarity exists with respect to when he will be back in the fold.
Confirming the uncertainty on the team’s part, head coach Andy Reid said, “You’re never sure how it’s going to work out. You deal with too many people in this type of thing. These things can go any direction. I don’t want to spend too much time on it. We had 90 guys in the offseason that I was making sure were going in the right direction, and now we’re getting ready to play a game. That’s how I go about it” (h/t Dave Skretta of the Associated Press).
Jones has been seeking a deal similar (if not larger) in value to Aaron Donald‘s market-resetting extension signed last offseason. The $31.67MM AAV of that pact comfortably exceeds what the numerous extension-eligible DTs landed in recent months on their own deals, and the Chiefs are reportedly willing to offer Jones a contract which would place him in the vicinity of the other second-tier earners at the position. The four-time Pro Bowler, by contrast, is thought to be seeking a deal putting him behind only Donald in the pecking order.
In an informative breakdown of the situation, Over the Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald details the fact that the value of extension offers depend on whether or not they are viewed through the lens of new money or strictly total compensation including what is already owed. In Jones’ case, the former approach (which is standard in the NFL) yields an AAV of $27.5MM regarding the Chiefs’ reported three-year offer and a figure of $32.5MM per year with respect to the counter-offer of the same length.
Kansas City’s defense will look much different on the interior presuming Jones does indeed miss regular season action in 2023. Time has likely run out for Week 1 participation at this point, but his negotiations on an extension will no doubt remain a talking point well after Thursday’s contest if no deal is reached.
Latest On Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet
Seattle’s running back depth chart saw a number of changes this offseason with former former first-rounder Rashaad Penny and special teamer Travis Homer each departing in free agency. Their absences will be filled in large part by a pair of rookies. 
Despite having 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year runner up Kenneth Walker in the fold, Seattle elected to use a pair of selections on backs in April. That included taking Zach Charbonnet in the second round, a move which has led to the expectation of immediate playing time. The latter does indeed appear poised to have a defined role as a rookie.
Walker is the undisputed early-down back, but Charbonnet could see considerable usage as a pass-catcher. As the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta notes, the 22-year-old is in line to work on third downs given his skillset. Head coach Pete Carroll suggested that Charbonnet could handle all passing-down work, something which would give the team a young tandem at the RB spot and limit seventh-round rookie Kenny McIntosh and returnee DeeJay Dallas to special teams duty.
Charbonnet’s strengths in the passing game were named by Carroll as part of the reason he was targeted by the Seahawks in the draft. Only top-12 picks Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs heard their names called before Charbonnet amongst running backs, after he was named an All-American in 2022 for his production at UCLA. His two-year stint with the Bruins came after one at Michigan of the same length, but it was much more noticeable on the statsheet.
The 6-1, 220-pounder recorded 2,496 yards (at an average of 6.3 per carry) and 27 touchdowns on the ground at UCLA. He added 61 catches for 581 yards during his time there, which helped cement his status as one of the top backs in the 2023 class. If he can replicate his success through the air in particular at the NFL level, he will no doubt see the field early and often during his time with the Seahawks.
LB Will Compton Retires
After being out of the NFL last season, Will Compton has decided to hang up his cleats. The veteran linebacker announced on Sunday that he has retired at the age of 33. 
Compton spent his first five seasons in Washington, and it was there that he saw most of his defensive playing time. The former UDFA started 33 games in the nation’s capital, including 25 between the 2015 and ’16 seasons. He eclipsed the 100-tackle mark in the latter campaign, but his stats fell off significantly after that as he worked as a backup and special teamer.
The Nebraska product bounced around the league following his time in Washington, alternating between the Titans and Raiders over a four-year span. He started only seven combined games during that span, but he established himself as a valuable special teams contributor along the way. Compton’s Vegas release last January led to a lengthy stay on the open market, though he personally announced a deal which would have seen him join the Falcons midway through the campaign.
No such agreement was ever finalized, however, and he spent the full 2022 campaign away from teams’ active rosters. Compton has not been able to find a deal this offseason as well, so he will now move on from his playing days. His time as a co-host of the popular Bussin’ With the Boys podcast is likely to continue, though, giving him a ongoing connection to the NFL.
“I truly can’t put into words how grateful I am for this game and the people who have been on this journey with me,” Compton wrote in his retirement message. “Thank you all so much.” He will leave the game with just under $6.5MM in career earnings.