Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham To Join Pats’ Practice Squad
AUGUST 30: The Patriots will retain Zappe, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, who reports the second-year passer will be part of New England’s practice squad. Ditto Cunningham, who will make this a rare two-quarterback P-squad, Schefter adds. Though, Cunningham could certainly be used in myriad capacities. While the Pats are still on the hunt for a veteran option, they will attempt to continue developing the former record-setting Western Kentucky QB.
AUGUST 29: For the second straight day, the Patriots have parted with a depth quarterback. Bailey Zappe has been waived, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The same is true of rookie UDFA Malik Cunningham, notes colleague Tom Pelissero. 
These moves certainly constitute more of a surprise than New England’s decision to cut Trace McSorley yesterday. The latter was in line to sit no higher than third on the QB depth chart, and the Patriots – like many other teams around the league – appeared set to carry only two passers on their active roster. They will do so, but for at least the time being it remains to be seen who their backup will be come Week 1.
With McSorley, Zappe and Cunningham all off the roster, New England’s QB room currently begins and ends with Mac Jones. The latter is in place as the undisputed starter – after head coach Bill Belichick notably declined to confirm that over the course of an offseason in which tension between the two was widely publicized. Any further moves at the position will now be worth watching closely.
Jones regressed in 2022 after New England entrusted Matt Patricia and Joe Judge with leading the team’s offense. That pair has been replaced by Bill O’Brien, whose return to the organization has led to expectations for improvement from Jones individually and the passing game as a whole. Zappe would have been expected to remain a part of that process, though that could still be the case if he goes unclaimed and resorts to the practice squad.
The 2022 fourth-rounder made four appearances (and a pair of starts) during his rookie campaign, drawing praise for his performances and posting a 2-0 record. A controversy briefly appeared to exist between Zappe and Jones, a 2021 first-rounder. The latter finished out the campaign, though, and he will carry on in the starter’s role to begin an important campaign which will go a long way in determining his future in the organization.
Cunningham played quarterback at Louisville, producing sizeable numbers in the run game in particular. He went undrafted, but secured a notable guarantee from the Patriots to head to New England as a developmental prospect. The 24-year-old spent time as a receiver in training camp, and his success in the summer seemed to assure him of a roster spot in some capacity. The decision to move on from McSorley pointed toward Cunningham having a better chance at the QB3 spot, but that is now in question.
The Patriots will likely be aiming to sneak Zappe through waivers, but such a strategy with a recent draftee carries a notable degree of risk. An outside addition could be coming as well – one would become necessary if both Zappe and Cunningham were to be claimed – so New England will remain a team to watch at quarterback position. On that point, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes that the Patriots hope to retain Zappe, while Colt McCoy (who was surprisingly released by the Cardinals yesterday) is a veteran on their radar.
Dolphins Trade CB Noah Igbinoghene To Cowboys For CB Kelvin Joseph
An all-cornerback swap has taken place amidst today’s roster fluctuations. The Dolphins are sending Noah Igbinoghene to the Cowboys in exchange for Kelvin Joseph, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Igbinoghene came to Miami facing high expectations as a first-round pick in 2020. A converted receiver, he was always considered a long-term project, but his size and athleticism suggested considerable potential at the NFL level. The 23-year-old has not been able to establish himself with the Dolphins, however, and he found himself on the roster bubble this offseason.
The Auburn product played a full season as a rookie, but he made just 16 appearances in the two years since then. Igbinoghene totaled 29 tackles and one interception during his underwhelming time in South Beach, and now he will receive a fresh start with one year remaining on his rookie contract. The Dolphins have Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, Eli Apple, Kader Kohou and second-round rookie Cam Smith remaining at the CB spot.
The Cowboys are similarly set at the top of their depth chart with the recently-extended Trevon Diggs and former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore headlining their corners. Igbinoghene will attempt to carve out a depth role in Dallas, and in doing so secure a future beyond 2023 with the team. Joseph was not able to do so during his two-year stint with the Cowboys. The former second-rounder made 26 appearances, and three starts, during his time in Dallas.
Joseph, 22, was connected to a shooting incident last spring, but by July he had been cleared of criminal wrongdoing. That off-the-field news opened the door to an improved season as part of Dallas’ strong secondary, but the Kentucky product was used almost exclusively on special teams. Similar usage will likely await him in Miami, especially once Ramsey has recovered from the knee surgery which will cost him time in the regular season.
Dolphins, Christian Wilkins Fail To Reach Extension Agreement; DT Drew Trade Interest
The Dolphins, like all other teams around the league, have primarily been focused on roster cuts ahead of today’s deadline for 53-man rosters to be set. That would have represented a logical point to work out a new deal for defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, but such a development has not taken place. 
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Wilkins and the Dolphins failed to hammer out an extension on Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Guarantees represent a sticking point in talks, he adds, with multiple offers being turned down. A clear market has been established for DTs on their second contract this offseason, with a number of high-profile players at the position signing similar deals.
The likes of Quinnen Williams (Jets), Jeffery Simmons (Titans), Dexter Lawrence (Giants) and Daron Payne (Commanders) have each inked extensions averaging between $22.5 and $24MM per season. Their deals contain nearly identical figures (ranging from $46MM to $47.8MM) fully guaranteed at signing. The top of the market has thus been clearly defined, and those pacts have no doubt been used as a baseline during negotiations on the Wilkins front.
The latter – who has posted 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 33 tackles for loss over the course of his four-year Dolphins tenure – is due to earn $10.75MM in 2023 on the fifth-year option. A signficant raise will be needed to keep him in Miami beyond this year, even if the team views Wilkins as being closer in value to fellow 2019 draftee Ed Oliver, who inked a $17MM-per-year extension with the Bills this offseason.
Optimism had been expressed that Wilkins would have a deal in place for the start of the season, but with that not being the case the Clemson alum is in the process of a hold-in. In spite of that, his short-term future in Miami is not in question. Schefter adds that teams called about Wilkins’ availability, but they were informed he is not on the market. Neither the Dolphins nor the 27-year-old himself is interested in exploring a move elsewhere at this point.
That bodes well for future negotiations, but today’s development lessens the chances of a deal being worked out before the start of the season. Miami has plenty of other decisions to make with respect to roster tinkering, but a foundational member of their defense is still not officially in the picture beyond 2023 as things currently stand.
Titans Trim Roster To 53; RB Hassan Haskins Placed On Commissioner’s Exempt List
The Titans have made a number of moves which have allowed them to set their initial 53-man roster. Here is the full breakdown:
Waived:
- LB Chance Campbell
- DB Shyheim Carter
- DT Michael Dwumfour
- DB Eric Garror
- WR Tre’Shaun Harrison
- DB Steven Jones
- DB Tyreque Jones
- WR Mason Kinsey
- T John Leglue
- DB Armani Marsh
- DE T.K. McLendon
- WR Racey McMath
- TE Thomas Odukoya
- T John Ojukwu
- DE Sam Okuayinonu
- RB Jacques Patrick
- WR Reggie Roberson
- T Andrew Rupcich
- LB Thomas Rush
Released:
- DT Trevon Coley
- DT Jaleel Johnson
- LB Ben Niemann
- DT Kyle Peko
- TE Kevin Rader
- G Jordan Roos
Waived/injured:
Placed on Reserve/PUP list:
- CB Caleb Farley (story)
Placed on Commissioner’s Exempt List:
Haskins had been placed on IR yesterday, meaning he will be sidelined for the season. The 2022 fourth-rounder’s future with the team is now murkier, however, given today’s placement on the Exempt List. Haskins – who was arrested on an aggravated assault charge in June – will need to apply for reinstatement to be eligible to return when healthy.
McMath has logged 14 appearances in Tennessee across his two seasons with the team. The former sixth-rounder will lose out on a roster spot in the Titans revamped receiving corps, which will of course be led by free agent signing DeAndre Hopkins. McMath would represent a prime practice squad candidate if he goes unclaimed, something which, given his lack of offensive playing time and production, can be expected.
Letting go of Coley, Johnson and Peko (at least for now) will leave the Titans thin along the defensive interior. That trio has combined to play 147 games in the NFL, representing plenty of experience the team will be without to start the season. Plenty of Tennessee’s success will be determined by the play of Jeffery Simmons and his fellow D-line starters, but they will be leaned on heavily in the absence of veteran backups.
Bengals Reduce Roster To 53, Place T La’el Collins On Reserve/PUP List
The Bengals have worked their way down to the 53-man roster limit. Here are the moves made on Tuesday to finalize their initial squad:
Released:
- TE Tanner Hudson
- CB Sidney Jones
- WR Stanley Morgan
- QB Trevor Siemian
- WR Trent Taylor
- S Michael Thomas
Waived:
- OT Hakeem Adeniji
- TE Devin Asiasi
- TE Nick Bowers
- S Larry Brooks
- G Ben Brown
- DE Owen Carney
- WR Malachi Carter
- P Drue Chrisman
- S Yusuf Corker
- DT Domenique Davis
- CB Allan George
- C Nate Gilliam
- DE Jeff Gunter
- LB Shaka Heyward
- WR Mac Hippenhammer
- WR Shedrick Jackson
- DE Raymond Johnson III
- LB Keandre Jones
- G Jaxson Kirkland
- WR Kwamie Lassiter II
- LB Jaylen Moody
- LB Tyler Murray
- HB Jacob Saylors
- QB Reid Sinnett
- TE Christian Trahan
- RB Calvin Tyler Jr.
Placed on reserve/PUP list:
Placed on IR:
- DT Tautala Pesefea Jr.
- CB Marvell Tell III
Collins will miss at least the first four weeks of the season given his PUP designation. The former Cowboy signed a three-year, $21MM deal in free agency last offseason to operate as Cincinnati’s right tackle starter. His play in his debut season was underwhelming, however, and that role will belong to Jonah Williams this season, unless the latter misses time or Collins usurps him on the depth chart. A knee injury is to blame for Collins’ missed time, per the team.
Both Pesefea and Tell will miss the entire season, as is the case for all players placed on IR before being named to the initial 53-man roster. They will either remain with the organization during the campaign, or be released via an injury settlement which would allow them to find a new opportunity elsewhere.
Jones represents a more experienced cut than most of the other players let go. The former second-rounder has 57 games and 27 starts to his name, and he split his time between the Seahawks and Raiders last season. Moving on from Jones further signals the team’s intention of relying on younger options like Cam Taylor-Britt and rookies DJ Turner and DJ Ivey in the secondary.
Losing Adeniji (unless he clears waivers and is retained via the practice squad, as will no doubt be the case for many of the players listed above) would leave the Bengals thin along the O-line, especially in light of the Collins news. The 2020 sixth-rounder has experience at multiple positions up front, but his level of play has been a contributing factor in the team’s urgency in pursuing free agent blockers in recent years.
Jets To Release QB Tim Boyle
With the top two spots on their quarterback depth chart accounted for, the Jets will at least temporarily move on from Tim Boyle. New York is releasing the veteran signal-caller, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. 
Boyle has four years of regular season play to his name, all of which has come within the NFC North. He was with the Packers in 2019 and ’20, and his time there was followed up by one-year stints with the Lions and Bears. Boyle signed with the Jets in April, as the team sorted through its efforts to land a high-end veteran starter.
That goal was achieved with the Aaron Rodgers trade later that month, a move which moved the latter into the starting role. New York still has former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson in place, and he will reside as the team’s backup during Rodgers’ time in the Big Apple – something which is likely to last for at least the 2023 and ’24 campaigns. With those two in the intermediate-term plans, Boyle will be left on the outside of the roster bubble.
Fowler does note that Boyle will likely be a practice squad candidate if he no other teams show much interest in him while sorting out their own roster decisions. That would allow the 28-year-old to remain in New York as the team begins what is expected to be a window of Super Bowl contention. Boyle, who has started three of his 17 appearances, would represent relatively experienced depth if needed as a fill-in for Rogers or Wilson.
A number of quarterbacks similar to Boyle have found themselves on the waiver wire or free agency recently, however, so a number of teams around the league could be in the market for depth additions under center. Clubs willing to carry three passers on their initial 53-man rosters could be interested in players like Boyle, which would give him an opportunity to avoid a taxi squad situation.
Chiefs To Acquire DT Neil Farrell From Raiders
While dealing with a high-profile absence along the defensive interior, the Chiefs are turning to a division rival for depth. Kansas City is acquiring defensive tackle Neil Farrell from the Raiders in return for a sixth-round pick, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Farrell was a fourth-round selection for Vegas last season, making him one of the initial draftees under general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. His time with the team will prove to be very short lived, however, consisting solely of a rookie season during which he played nine games. Farrell was used in a rotational capacity, logging 158 defensive snaps.
The LSU alum recorded 12 tackles and a pair of quarterback hits during the season, making him one of several members of the Raiders’ front seven who failed to make much of a statistical impact. Moving on so quickly in his pro career – and in particular, by shipping him to Kansas City – is certainly surprising. Vegas will incur a dead money charge of $180K in each of the next three seasons, while seeing annual cap savings of between $870K and $1.1MM over that span.
The Chiefs have been without All-Pro Chris Jones during the offseason, and he recently spoke about the possibility of his holdout extending into the regular season. One year remains on Jones’ deal, but he is seeking a considerable raise on another multi-year Chiefs pact. This move will give the defending champions another depth option at the DT spot, but it could also represent an acknowledgement that Jones may not be in the lineup by Week 1.
In any case, Farrell will join a Chiefs team which also has Derrick Nnadi and Danny Shelton in place along the defensive front, along with sixth-round rookie Keondre Coburn. The Raiders will move forward with a group led by Jerry Tillery, John Jenkins, Bilal Nichols, Adam Butler and rookie third-rounder Byron Young as they look to take a needed step forward on defense in 2023.
Patriots To Trade K Nick Folk To Titans
Not long after it was learned Nick Folk could be on the move, the veteran kicker is indeed on his way out of New England. The Patriots are trading him to the Titans, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Colleague Tom Pelissero adds that Tennessee will send back a 2025 seventh-round pick. 
Earlier today, Folk was reported to be on the trade block with the Patriots needing to make a decision at the kicker position. It has now been made, and fourth-round rookie Chad Ryland will serve as Folk’s successor. For the Titans, meanwhile, this move will presumably bring their 2023 kicking carousel to a halt.
Tennessee relied on Randy Bullock for each of the past two seasons, and the veteran delivered performances in line with his career averages during that time. He was one part of the team’s notable cap purge in the offseason, however, which left an opening for younger, less expensive option in the kicking game. The team’s attempts to find a replacement had not fared well until today.
Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff each had an opportunity to win the kicking gig during the offseason, but they were both waived once Michael Badgley had been brought in. The latter’s Titans deal continued a whirlwind offseason which saw him sign a deal with, then be released by, the Lions and Commanders. He struggled upon arrival in Tennessee, so the Titans followed the same path of quickly cutting bait with Badgley. As a result, they entered today without a kicker on the roster.
Folk, 38, spent the past four seasons in New England. His strong, consistent performances with the team led to multiple contracts, but they were not enough to stop the Patriots from investing a fourth-round pick in Ryland this April. The latter will face the task of carrying on Folk’s track record of success while providing a long-term answer at the position.
This trade will incur a dead cap charge of just $585K for the Patriots while creating $2.2MM in cap space. For the Titans, meanwhile, Folk’s $1.69MM base salary will prove to be money well spent if he can deliver a 2023 performance similar to the ones he had in New England.
Colts To Release DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Al-Quadin Muhammad‘s reunion with the Colts has proven to be rather brief. The veteran defensive end has been released, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 
Muhammad began his career with the Saints, but his best years came in Indianapolis. Between 2018 and ’21, he played 64 games, logging 25 starts. The 28-year-old took on full-time starting duties in his final season with the team, and his increased playing time resulted in a career-high six sacks and 13 quarterback hits.
The former sixth-rounder parlayed that into a two-year Bears deal on the open market. The deal allowed him to follow former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to Chicago with the latter taking over as head coach. Things did not go according to plan for either party this past season, though.
Muhammad recorded only one sack with the Bears as a member of the team’s highly underwhelming edge rush contingent. It thus came as no surprise that he was released ahead of free agency, leaving him on the open market for the second straight offseason. A return to the Colts seemed to give him the opportunity to regain at least a depth role with his former team, but his ability to do that will now need to come via the practice squad if he is retained.
The Colts have former first-rounder Kwity Paye and free agent addition Samson Ebukam set to start on the edge this season, with the likes of Tyquan Lewis and Dayo Odeyingbo in place as key reserves. Muhammad could find himself amongst the latter contingent at some point in the season if he begins the campaign on the taxi squad and is later elevated to the active roster. For the time being, however, his future is uncertain.
Commanders To Release C Tyler Larsen
A regular with the Commanders for the past two seasons, Tyler Larsen will only be able to continue his time with the team via the practice squad. The veteran center is being released, reports Ben Standig of The Athletic. 
Standig notes that Larsen is a candidate to be brought back, and his missed game time due to injuries should limit the interest shown by other teams. The 32-year-old has been held to 18 appearances across his two seasons in Washington, but he has made 11 starts in that span. Even a temporary absence would thus be felt along the Commanders’ new-look offensive line.
The center position was brought into doubt with Chase Roullier dealing with multiple injuries over recent years. He was released as a result, and has since retired. His absence left a notable vacancy for a starting position up front, something Larsen filled to close out the 2022 campaign. Washington used both free agency and the draft to acquire new options in the middle, however.
Nick Gates is in line to serve as a first-teamer after signing a three-year, $16.5MM deal in March. The ex-Giant has experience at guard, but he served as New York’s starter at center in the 2020 season, one where he logged a 100% snap share. The Commanders added competition for Gates in the form of third-rounder Ricky Stromberg. With Larsen out of the picture (at least for now), that pair will work at the pivot to start the season.
Larsen was set to play on the veteran’s minimum this season, making his contract an easy one to move on from for Washington. The Commanders will save $940K via his release, while incurring just $153K in dead money. The two parties may not have to wait long to reunite, as players cut on Tuesday are eligible to be brought back as early as Wednesday.