Bengals Could Target QB Addition
Neither Jake Browning nor Trevor Siemian have run away with the Bengals QB2 gig, a job that’s becoming increasingly important considering Joe Burrow‘s questionable status to start the regular season. Head coach Zac Taylor admitted that the organization could add another quarterback to the mix, but he also cautioned that introducing an outside QB to Cincy’s system could be difficult with only weeks remaining until the regular season.
“I think anything’s feasible,” Taylor said (via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.). “But at the same time, there are a lot of nuances to our offense when you’re asking that guy to learn that quickly and be able to operate it in a game, it’s a challenge. It’s a challenge in any system. I think it’s a challenge in our system. These guys, I like where they’re headed mentally with our system. I like where they’re headed physically in terms of operating with the urgency and the communication that we want, and the accuracy.”
As Dehner Jr. writes, the Bengals may need an outside QB to “win games the first month of the season,” and that free agent acquisition might not have enough time to pick up the offense. Further, the front office isn’t in a position to spend big on a backup quarterback, which probably eliminates some of the big names remaining in free agency.
One of the most realistic targets for the Bengals could be Brandon Allen, who spent the past three years as Burrow’s backup. The quarterback signed with the 49ers earlier this offseason, but he’s the clear QB4 on a depth chart that also includes Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, and Sam Darnold. Assuming Allen is cut loose, he’d fit the low-cost, system-familiar option that the Bengals could be seeking.
Of course, the easiest route is for one of the Bengals’ in-house options to turn into a definitive backup to Burrow. As Dehner Jr. notes, Browning has had his ups and downs during the preseason, but he’s still had a better showing than his veteran teammate. The former Vikings UDFA has spent almost two years in the Bengals organization, and Taylor said that the experience gives Browning an upper hand.
“Jake has now been here for several years,” Taylor said. “He understands the system and how you want to operate it. That’s an advantage he’s had from the jump. I think his urgency has continued to increase lately. I really like that. He does a great job just as a leader. Guys believe in him and as he moves around and operates there is a confidence there that guys have. You see that from Trevor as well. Jake, you can see why he’s had a really successful high school career, a really successful college career and he’s getting these opportunities in the league to fight his way up a depth chart really has been the story of his career.”
We heard earlier this month that Burrow is “progressing as he should” in his return from a calf sprain. Recent reports indicated that the Pro Bowler should be good to go for Week 1, but the Bengals will proceed with the utmost caution as they pursue another AFC crown.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/21/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Stevie Scott
- Released: P Matt Haack
- Waived/injured: OL Lachavious Simmons
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived/injured: WR Frank Darby
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: G Garrett McGhin
- Placed on IR: OT Tommy Doyle (story), DE Shane Ray
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: DT Marquan McCall
Chicago Bears
- Placed on IR: S Adrian Colbert
- Waived/injured: TE Jared Pinkney
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from PUP: TE Mitchell Wilcox
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Josh Hammond
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Marvin Pierre
- Placed on IR: TE Tyler Davis
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Juwan Green
- Waived/injured: WR Kekoa Crawford
- Released from IR: DB Anthony Witherstone
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB James Blackman
- Waived/injured: CB Tino Ellis
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived: LB Curtis Weaver
New Orleans Saints
- Released from IR: OL Scott Lashley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Aron Cruickshank, LB Kuony Deng
- Waived/injured: WR Hakeem Butler, WR Cody White
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: RB Brian Hill
- Waived: DL Tomasi Laulile
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Sal Cannella
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: S Richard LeCounte
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL Trevon Coley
Brian Hill comes to San Francisco with 48 career games under his belt. He had a career year for the Falcons back in 2020, compiling 664 yards from scrimmage in 16 games. The RB has bounced around the NFL a bit since, spending time with the Titans, Browns, and 49ers (two stints). Following stints in the CFL and XFL, the 27-year-old will now add some depth to a San Francisco running backs room that already includes Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Jeremy McNichols.
Trevon Coley started 29 games for the Browns through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he’s struggled to stay on the field since. The defensive lineman got into seven games for the Colts in 2019 and (most recently) six games for the Cardinals in 2020. In total, the 29-year-old has 100 career tackles and 3.5 sacks on his resume.
Adrian Colbert won’t play for the Bears in 2023 after being placed on IR, although there’s a chance he’s cut loose and allowed to play for another squad. The veteran safety has played in 41 career games, starting 22. He’s been limited to only 14 games since the 2020 campaign, including a two-game stint with the Bears in 2022.
Saints’ Jimmy Graham Arrested In California
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was arrested last night in California, according to a statement from the team (via Twitter). TMZ Sports was first with the news. The Saints are currently in California preparing for tomorrow’s preseason game against the Chargers.
[RELATED: TE Jimmy Graham Addresses Saints Reunion]
In their statement, the Saints attributed the incident to a “medical episode.”
“New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham experienced a medical episode last evening, which resulted in him becoming disoriented,” according to the statement. “He was taken into custody by local authorities and transported to a local hospital for evaluation for what Dr. John Amoss believes to be a likely seizure and spent the night under medical supervision and testing. Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is overseeing his care at this time. He was released this morning and is with the team as they continue preparations for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.”
Per the TMZ report, officers responded to a call regarding a “suspicious person acting erratically.” Police found Graham “wandering in traffic” near a Southern California resort, and when officers attempted to arrest the athlete, Graham resisted.
The NFL veteran was ultimately arrested for “suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer.” Both of those charges are misdemeanors. Graham has since been released from custody and the incident is under investigation.
After going unsigned during the 2022 season, Graham signed a one-year deal with the Saints in late July. The deal reunited Graham with the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2010 draft. The tight end ultimately spent five years in New Orleans, hauling in 51 touchdowns in 78 games. Graham has since had stints with the Seahawks, Packers, and Bears. He most recently got into 15 games (six starts) for Chicago in 2021, finishing with 14 catches for 167 yards and three scores.
Graham was already facing an uphill battle to make the Saints’ roster. The team already has three clear TEs atop the depth chart, including incumbent Juwan Johnson, free agent addition Foster Moreau, and Swiss Army Knife Taysom Hill. We’ll see how last night’s incident impacts his roster status.
Latest On Packers’ Kicker Issues
Packers rookie kicker Anders Carlson already finds himself on the hot seat, but the Packers gave him a vote of confidence yesterday. After Carlson struggled during training camp and the team’s preseason opener, Brian Gutekunst said it’s natural for a young kicker to struggle, with the GM pointing to former kicker Mason Crosby.
“We believe in him, we think he has a lot of talent, he’s done some really good things since he’s been here. You guys have seen his leg strength, his power. I really like the way the ball elevates off his foot,” Gutekunst said Friday (h/t to Packers Wire). “But you have to find a way to get to a more consistent level. One thing…there’s not a lot of patience sometimes when there needs to be.
“Mason had some multiple times while he was here where he was in some really bad spots, some struggles, and I always thought Ted [Thompson, former GM] gave him a pretty long leash and he always came out of it. I think that’s important, especially for young players to get that patience, that leash to get there. But at some point, when this stuff becomes real, it becomes different.”
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (via Twitter), the organization has no intention of bringing in competition at the position, meaning the job is still Carlson’s. Of course, things can change quickly, and a poor outing during tonight’s preseason game could change the Packers’ thinking.
The brother of Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, Anders had a productive career at Auburn, earning second-team All-American honors and a first-team All-SEC nod in 2020. After connecting on 20 of his 22 field goal attempts during that 2020 campaign, Carlson converted 26 of his 38 attempts (68 percent) between 2021 and 2022. Despite the drop in accuracy, the Packers still selected him in the sixth round of this past year’s draft, making him the replacement for Crosby, who spent the past 16 years in Green Bay.
Carlson looked good early during his preseason debut, connecting on his first four kicks. However, he later missed a pair of extra point tries, and the kicker reportedly continued to struggle during practice this week. The Packers are especially confident that Carlson can shake off his funk, with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia noting that Green Bay specifically targeted the kicker for his mental fortitude.
“I’ll go back to his mental makeup has a lot to do with why we drafted him, why we like him and why we think his future is going to be bright for him,” Bisaccia said.
Eagles Release CB Greedy Williams
The Eagles have made a handful of roster moves this morning, including releasing cornerback Greedy Williams (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter). The team also released punter Ty Zentner and waived/injured wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland, defensive tackle Noah Elliss, and cornerback Zech McPhearson.
With five new roster openings, the Eagles have signed defensive tackles Robert Cooper, Marvin Wilson, and Caleb Sanders and linebackers Tyreek Maddox-Williams and Quinton Bell.
Williams spent the first four seasons of his career with the Browns. The second-round pick started all 12 of his appearances as a rookie, but after missing the 2020 season with a shoulder injury, the defensive back found himself in and out of the lineup following his return. He started eight of his 16 appearances in 2021, and he was limited to only one start in 11 games this past season.
The 25-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Eagles this offseason. As Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan tweets, Williams is owed $600K of the $1.35MM contract he inked with Philly.
Zentner’s release doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The Kansas State product was added as an undrafted free agent during the offseason and was expected to provide some competition at the position. This move likely means that Arryn Siposs will serve as the Eagles’ punter for a third-straight season.
Among the team’s additions, Bell has the most NFL experience. The 2019 seventh-round pick got into five games with the Buccaneers in 2020, although he didn’t record a stat. He’s spent much of the past two years with the Falcons organization, getting into four games while splitting his snaps between defense and special teams.
As for the trio of waived/injured players, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that the Eagles expect all three players to clear waivers and revert to injured reserve. While Cleveland, Elliss, and McPhearson wouldn’t be able to play for Philly during the 2023 campaign, the Eagles would retain their rights.
Latest On Commanders Extension Talks, Front Office Moves
The Commanders have a number of players heading into contract years, including Montez Sweat and Chase Young. We previously heard that the team’s talks with Sweat were on hold following Josh Harris‘ purchase of the team, but Ron Rivera hinted that extension talks with impending free agents could soon resume.
[RELATED: Commanders’ Montez Sweat Extension Plans On Hold]
Speaking to reporters (including ESPN’s John Keim), the Commanders head coach revealed that the coaching staff and front office continues to prepare for negotiations as ownership settles.
“There’s a lot to do,” Rivera said. “To assume anything will happen immediately is unfair; they are still learning and understanding us. We’re still talking with them and trying to get things lined up and in order.”
While the two pass rushers are the most notable players with expiring contracts, the Commanders have other extension-worthy players. This grouping includes running back Antonio Gibson, cornerback Kendall Fuller, and wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
Among the team’s impending free agents, Sweat seems like the most likely to re-sign. Keim previously noted that the Commanders would like to extend the edge rusher. Young’s future with the team is in question after the organization declined the former second-overall pick’s fifth-year option. The Commanders will presumably let Young play out the 2023 campaign before deciding how to proceed.
While the team may be taking their time with player extensions, the Commanders have been busy adding to their front office. With Harris officially taking over the organization, the owner has made his first splash, hiring Craig Fischer as CFO (per Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske of the Washington Post). Meanwhile, former Atlanta Hawks COO/MetLife Stadium visionary Thad Sheely has been brought on as a consultant, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Jhabvala adds (on Twitter) that Sheely has been brought in to advise “on real estate and stadium matters.”
Patriots Notes: Judon, Gesicki, Cunningham, Flowers
We’ve got more details on Matthew Judon‘s reworked deal with the Patriots, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The pass rusher’s revamped contract includes “more 2023 guarantees and upside” for one of New England’s top defenders.
Specifically, Judon got a $7MM signing bonus while seeing his 2023 base salary drop from $11MM to $7MM. His 2023 incentives increased from $500K to $3MM while his $1MM in per-game bonuses stay the same. That all results in a cap hit of $16.44MM.
More simply, Judon got an effective $3MM raise in his 2023 base pay (which is reflected in the $7MM signing bonus, not the base salary) and a $2.5MM raise via incentives, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter).
As we noted earlier this month, Judon had some of his 2024 money pushed up to 2023, setting the stage for more drama next offseason. In a telling sign, Volin points out that the last time the Patriots accommodated this type of cap machination was in 2020 with Stephon Gilmore. New England ended up trading the star cornerback the following year.
More notes out of New England…
- One of the Patriots’ biggest offseason acquisitions suffered an injury during practice this week. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter), Mike Gesicki suffered a “mild dislocated shoulder.” Despite the injury, Rapoport notes that there’s hope the tight end will be active for Week 1. Following a five-year stint with the Dolphins to begin his career, Gesicki inked a one-year deal worth up to $9MM with New England this offseason. The veteran is expected to often play alongside fellow TE Hunter Henry in the Patriots’ offense this season.
- Veteran offensive lineman Riley Reiff signed with the Patriots this offseason, and while he’s destined for a role in the starting lineup, it remains to be seen exactly where he slots in. As Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald writes, Reiff has played both right guard and right tackle during camp. The 34-year-old’s role probably won’t be solidified until we get clarity on some of the Patriots’ other linemen, including Michael Onwenu (PUP), Calvin Anderson (NFI), Kody Russey (injured) and Cole Strange (injured).
- Undrafted rookie QB Malik Cunningham impressed during training camp and the Patriots’ first preseason game, and Volin writes that the organization has no choice but to roster the Louisville product as a third QB behind Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. As Volin notes, the Patriots signed Cunningham with the hope that he could be “another Julian Edelman” and transform from college quarterback to NFL wideout. Cunningham mostly worked with receivers in the spring, but Volin observes that the rookie has taken more and more reps under center and has clearly supplanted Trace McSorley as the organization’s third QB.
- Trey Flowers‘ second stint in New England will see him playing on a $1.165MM salary ($50K guaranteed), per Yates (on Twitter). The veteran defensive end can earn another $510K in per-game bonuses, plus a potential $825K in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives. This leads to a max value of $2.5MM, and Flowers will be attached to a $1.285MM cap hit.
Lions WR Jameson Williams To Miss Rest Of Preseason
It doesn’t sound like we’ll see Jameson Williams again until the middle of October. The Lions wideout suffered a hamstring injury this week that will keep him out of the team’s remaining preseason contests, according to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News.
[RELATED: NFL Suspends Lions WR Jameson Williams]
Williams placed a bet on a non-NFL game while at the Lions facility, resulting in a six-game ban to begin the season. That means we won’t see the second-year wideout again until October 22 at the earliest. As Rogers writes, the Lions were planning to “douse” Williams with preseason snaps in anticipation of his absence, but an injury this week will limit the wideout to only one preseason contest. Williams had a pair of catches during Detroit’s preseason opener against the Giants.
The receiver was spotted grabbing his hamstring after running a deep route at practice on Wednesday. As Rogers points out, it was Williams’ other hamstring that forced him to miss a handful of practices during the early part of training camp. The injury provides an interesting wrinkle when considering the player’s impending suspension. Rogers writes that NFL rules require Williams to be away from the team for the first three weeks of his six-game ban. This means the player wouldn’t be able to receive treatment for his hamstring, although the organization is reportedly “exploring an exemption.”
Williams will now be missing crucial developmental reps that he didn’t get in 2022. The first-round pick was still rehabbing from a torn ACL at this time last year, and that recovery ended up extending through the first 11 games. Williams managed to return for six games, with the rookie garnering only 78 offensive snaps.
While the injury is discouraging, Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn’t believe it will have a massive impact on Williams’ development.
“As long as he stays on top of the mental portion of it, you can get a lot out of the mental work,” Campbell said (via Rogers). “If he grinds on that, takes care of the hamstring, we’ll take it as it comes.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/23
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OT Trevor Reid
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Davion Taylor
- Waived/injured: LB Buddy Johnson
- Released from IR: TE Jake Tonges
Denver Broncos
- Reverted to IR: DE Forrest Merrill
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Tyler Adams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR: WR DJ Turner
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from PUP: DT Austin Johnson
- Reverted to IR: CB Kemon Hall
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Aaron Dykes
- Waived: K Jack Podlesny
New York Jets
- Signed: CB Nehemiah Shelton
- Released: RB Damarea Crockett
- Released from IR: OT Yodny Cajuste
- Reverted to IR: CB Javelin Guidry
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released from IR: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR: CB Anthony Averett
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Montrae Braswell, NT Matthew Gotel, WR Justin Marshall
- Waived: TE Noah Gindorff, RB Wayne Taulapapa
- Waived/injured: WR Ra’Shaun Henry
Players placed on injured reserve during training camp or the preseason can’t be activated during the 2023 campaign. However, if they’re released from IR (often via an injury settlement), they’re free to sign and play elsewhere. For instance, Anthony Averett will surely be a player who can catch on with a new squad. The cornerback has seen time in 51 games (27 starts), collecting 114 tackles, three interceptions, and 23 passes defended. He had a career season in 2021 with the Ravens, starting all 14 of his appearances while chipping in 54 tackles, 11 passes defended, and three picks. He spent the 2022 season with the Raiders, starting six of his seven appearances while dealing with a pair of IR stints. He caught on with the 49ers earlier this month.
Among today’s signings, Davion Taylor is an intriguing addition to the Bears linebackers room. The former third-round pick spent the first two seasons of his career with the Eagles, including a 2021 campaign where he started six of his nine appearances while compiling 41 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. A knee injury ended that breakout campaign early, and he spent most of the 2022 season on the Eagles’ practice squad.
Details On Dalvin Cook’s Contract With Jets
Dalvin Cook‘s contract with the Jets was reported as a $7MM pact with $8.6MM upside. We’ve now got specific details on the contract from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, and if Cook is hoping to cash in, he’ll need to stay active and productive.
[RELATED: Jets To Sign RB Dalvin Cook]
As Florio details, $5.92MM of Cook’s contract is tied to him not being on the reserve/suspended list, protecting the organization in case the running back faces NFL punishment stemming from a domestic violence lawsuit. As Florio plainly explains it, the Jets can save more than $400K for each game that Cook misses due to suspension.
Specifically, the $8.6MM upside includes $1.2MM in per-game bonuses (~$70K per game) and $4.72MM in 53-man roster bonuses (~$277K per week). That latter total is paid out as long as Cook is on the 53-man roster (regardless of whether he’s active or inactive), injured reserve, or the physical unable to perform list. That $4.72MM amount is also guaranteed if Cook is released by the organization, although the hypothetical guaranteed money would be void if the running back is suspended.
For what it’s worth, head coach Robert Saleh didn’t sound all that worried about a suspension for his new running back.
“No, we’re not concerned,” Saleh said (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini on Twitter). “We will see how all of that stuff goes, but at this moment we are not concerned.”
Cook doesn’t only have to remain on the roster in order to earn his maximum contract, as $1.6MM is tied to incentives. The RB can earn $400K for topping 1,250 yards from scrimmage and another $400K for eclipsing 1,500 yards from scrimmage. If Cook hits that 1,250-yard mark, he can earn an additional $205K for each playoff win. Total that all up (the $5.92MM in roster bonuses coupled with Cook’s guaranteed $1.08MM base salary), and that results in Cook’s $8.6MM deal.