DeAndre Hopkins Leaves Titans Without Deal
JUNE 13: Adding further to Howe’s Monday report of Hopkins’ Patriots visit, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets that it will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. That two-day window will provide New England with an opportunity to outbid the Titans, and potentially convince the three-time All-Pro to avoid taking any further visits with interested teams. Plenty of attention will no doubt be paid to the Patriots’ actions in the coming days and their willingness to use their financial advantage relative to other Hopkins suitors.
JUNE 12: DeAndre Hopkins left his Titans visit without a deal. According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter), “no deal was struck” between the free agent wideout and the Titans.
[RELATED: DeAndre Hopkins To Visit Patriots]
After “spending hours with the players and staff,” Hopkins left the Titans facility this evening. Thanks to Hopkins’ Instagram, we learned that the wideout apparently attended a concert at Nissan Stadium during his visit in Tennessee. His meeting “apparently went well,” per Russini, but the receiver intends to take more visits with teams before making a final decision.
Considering Tennessee was first on Hopkins’ free agency tour, it’s not shocking that he left Tennessee without a deal. It doesn’t sound like Hopkins has enough suitors to spark a true bidding war, at least one that could approach the $15MM salary that he’s seeking. The Titans were probably responsible with their financial offer to the receiver, and it would have required a significant pay day to get Hopkins’ signature this afternoon.
We learned last week that the Patriots were next on the list of Hopkins’ visits. Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets that the wideout is still planning to visit New England but the exact “logistics on the timing” are still being worked out. New England is currently sitting with almost twice as much effective cap space as Tennessee (per OverTheCap.com), and their financial advantage could come in handy if they’re only competing with the Titans for the free agent’s services.
If Hopkins does end up in New England, many assumed he’d take the roster spot from one of the team’s current receivers. ESPN’s Mike Reiss isn’t so sure. He notes that the organization has been bringing offseason signing JuJu Smith-Schuster along slowly, and sources tell the reporter that 2022 second-round receiver Tyquan Thornton is “managing a soft-tissue-related injury.” While a hypothetical Hopkins signing may still lead to one of the team’s notable WRs earning their walking papers during the preseason, it could at least buy someone like Kendrick Bourne or DeVante Parker some extra time to carve out a role.
Elsewhere, Hopkins’ former team may have a bit more financial wiggle room than we anticipated. Per veteran reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter), the Cardinals’ were left with $21.078MM in dead cap following Hopkins’ release. It was originally reported that the dead cap money was around $22.6MM.
Cardinals Work Out C Chase Roullier
The Cardinals got a look at a veteran center today. The team worked out free agent offensive lineman Chase Roullier, per Matt Lombardo of Heavy.com (on Twitter). Darren Urban of the team’s website passed along the news (via Twitter).
After being limited to only 10 games with Washington over the past two years, Roullier watched as the Commanders added Nick Gates in free agency and Ricky Stromberg in the third round of the draft. Shortly thereafter, Roullier earned his walking papers, with the Commanders saving a significant chunk of the player’s upcoming $8.3MM (2023) and $8.7MM (2024) base salaries.
When healthy, Roullier was one of the most dependable centers in the NFL. After starting seven of his 13 appearances as a rookie, the former sixth-round pick started all 46 of his appearances between 2018 and 2020. In each of those three seasons, Pro Football Focus graded Roullier as an above-average center, culminating in him being ranked sixth (among 36 qualifiers) in 2020.
The center inked a four-year, $40.5MM contract with Washington prior to the 2021 campaign, and he appeared to take it to another level after signing the deal. Through eight starts, Roullier was graded as PFF’s fourth-best center, but a fractured fibula ended his season prematurely. The 29-year-old managed to return for the start of the 2022 campaign, but a torn MCL ended his season after only two games.
Hjalte Froholdt is the most experienced of the Cardinals’ current options at the center position. Lecitus Smith could be an option after appearing in 10 games (two starts) as a rookie, while fourth-round guard Jon Gaines could also swing over to the center spot if needed. None of those options can probably match the upside of Roullier, assuming full health.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 6/12/23
Today’s late-round rookie signings:
Los Angeles Rams
- DL Desjuan Johnson (seventh round, Toledo)
Johnson earned the moniker of Mr. Irrelevant after being selected with the No. 259 (and final) pick of the 2023 draft. The defensive lineman was especially productive over his final two seasons at Toledo, combining for 135 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in 27 games. He’s the first member of the Rams’ draft class to ink their four-year rookie contract.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/12/23
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: WR Brandon Smith
- Released: WR Auden Tate
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: DT Jalen Dalton
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Justus Tavai
- Waived: CB Tae Hayes
The Cardinals are swapping out receivers. Brandon Smith spent a few years on the Cowboys practice squad before joining the XFL this past February. He ended up catching eight passes for 118 yards and one touchdown in four games with the D.C. Defenders. Auden Tate, meanwhile, spent four years with the Bengals before spending much of last season of the Eagles practice squad. He has 12 catches in 35 career games.
Justus Tavai was cut by the Patriots last week, but the brother of Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai is back on the roster. That will come at the expense of Tae Hayes‘ roster spot. The cornerback spent much of last season on New England’s practice squad, getting into a pair of games with the big-league team.
Patriots DT Lawrence Guy Seeking New Deal
One of the Patriots’ longest-tenured players was a no-show at the first day of mandatory minicamp. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, defensive tackle Lawrence Guy didn’t report to the Patriots on Monday and is reportedly seeking a reworked deal.
Per Reiss, Guy wants to redo the four-year, $11.5MM deal ($24MM max value) he signed with the Patriots during the 2021 offseason. The veteran has since changed agents and is hoping to adjust his contract following what sources described as “a challenging negotiation.” Guy is set to earn $2MM this season and could earn up to another $3.5MM via incentives. The defensive tackle has no remaining guaranteed money on his contract.
Bill Belichick didn’t explicitly mention Guy’s holdout today, but he noted that the team was “working through a couple things” when it came to player absences. Per Reiss, Guy would see his daily fines balloon to almost $50K if he isn’t in the building by Wednesday.
This is a bit of a surprising development for one of the team’s few remaining Super Bowl champs. Guy spent the previous six seasons in New England, earning a spot on the organization’s All-2010s Team after starting 60 of his 62 regular-season games between 2017 and 2020.
This past season, Guy started all 14 of his appearances, finishing with 46 tackles, two sacks, and five QB hits. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance, ranking him 89th among 127 qualifying interior defenders while giving him the lowest grade of his career.
Guy wasn’t the only Patriots player not in attendance today. Per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com (on Twitter), left tackle Trent Brown also didn’t show up for the first day of minicamp. However, his absence isn’t money-related; Brown’s flight from Texas was cancelled due to weather, delaying his trip to New England.
Dolphins DT Zach Sieler Seeking New Contract
Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler is set to earn an affordable $2.5MM this upcoming season, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that he’s looking for a raise. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, “it’s no secret” that Sieler is seeking a new contract.
[RELATED: Dolphins Continue To Talk Extension With DT Christian Wilkins]
Back in 2020, Sieler inked a three-year extension with Miami that will last through the 2023 campaign. At the time, the defensive lineman didn’t have much of a track record. In the two years after being selected in the seventh round, he got into nine games with the Ravens and Dolphins. He inked the extension only a few months into his first full season in Miami, and he’s more than outperformed that pact since that time.
Over the past three seasons, Sieler hasn’t missed a game for the Dolphins, starting 32 of his 50 appearances. Over that span, the 27-year-old has compiled nine sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 26 QB hits. This past season, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 21 interior defender (among 127 qualifying players), with the site giving him particularly high grades for his run defense.
Sieler was absent from optional OTAs but ended up showing up for this week’s mandatory minicamp. While Sieler and agent Drew Rosenhaus could have played hard ball with the Dolphins, there’s a chance they bide their time while the organization focuses on more urgent matters.
As Jackson notes, the Dolphins may have to make some tough decisions when it comes to re-signing Sieler. The front office has been negotiating with Christian Wilkins’ camp for weeks, and that final number will ultimately cut into the cash available for the rest of the defensive line. Wilkins is set to earn $10.7MM in 2023.
Jets QB Zach Wilson Discusses Demotion
If things go as planned for the Jets in 2023, Zach Wilson will not have a significant role. The former second-overall pick is now the definitive backup to Aaron Rodgers, and while he acknowledged that he’d much rather be the starter, he understands the reality of the situation.
“Yeah, I mean, of course, I would like to be the guy, so at first you’re not always happy about that,” Wilson said of his demotion (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini). “But I’m extremely psyched that, out of any quarterback you could’ve brought in, it was him.
“I can’t be bitter with the situation. I didn’t perform well and you have to take situations as they come.”
As Cimini notes, Wilson had a preexisting relationship with Rodgers, having visited the future Hall of Famer this offseason before trade talks took off. He’ll now be serving as the backup to his childhood idol, and Wilson believes the experience playing behind Rodgers will only benefit his career moving forward.
“I think right now I’m having a ton of fun, more fun than I’ve had,” he said. “And I think that’s just the quarterback room, being with Aaron. I think it’s feeling like every single day there’s so much to learn. It’s like every day I just learned 10 different things about playing quarterback position.”
After going 3-10 as a starter during his rookie season, Wilson found himself in and out of the lineup in 2023. He ultimately finished the season with a modest 5-4 record in nine starts, but Wilson’s performance did little to help the Jets’ cause. He completed only 54.5 percent of his passes while tossing six touchdowns vs. seven interceptions.
Wilson told reporters that the Jets were completely transparent during their pursuit of Rodgers, and it sounds like the QB2 has taken his demotion in stride. Coach Robert Saleh said he gives his young signal-caller a “ton of credit” for what must be a “very humbling” situation. Wilson will face a bit of competition during camp, with Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler competing for backup reps.
This Date In Transactions History: Patriots Sign Tim Tebow
Bill Belichick has certainly earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to roster machinations, but he raised a few eyebrows when he made a surprise signing on this date in 2013. On the eve of mandatory minicamp that year, Tebowmania made its way to Foxborough when the Patriots signed quarterback Tim Tebow.
At that point of his career, Tebow wasn’t far removed from his standout 2011 campaign. That year, Tebow went 7-4 in his 11 starts with the Broncos, and he even helped guide Denver to a playoff win. Of course, there were still plenty of pundits who questioned if Tebow could actually succeed as a starting NFL quarterback. Despite the solid record as a starter, Tebow only completed 46.5 percent of his passes that season, but he predictably showed much more promise on the ground, where he ran for 660 yards and six scores.
The Broncos decided to go all-in for the 2012 campaign, adding Peyton Manning to the mix. Tebow was ultimately shipped off to the Jets, where he started two games while mostly serving as a backup and wildcat alternative to Mark Sanchez. Tebow was cut by New York the following April.
The market wasn’t all that hot for Tebow, leading to him remaining unsigned for a couple of months. Then, the Patriots made the sudden signing on June 10, 2013. While the transaction certainly took many by surprise, it made some sense. For starters, the move reunited the QB with Josh McDaniels, who Tebow had his most NFL success under when the two were in Denver.
Secondly, there wouldn’t be any pressure for Tebow to play a major role in New England; he was never going to supplant Tom Brady, and most reporters opined that he would likely slide in third on the depth chart behind Ryan Mallett. The Patriots have been known to get creative with some of their personnel, so beyond serving as a back-of-the-depth-chart, wildcard option, there was some hope that the organization would try him out at some skill positions.
Finally, the stingy Patriots didn’t need to make any financial commitment to Tebow, which perhaps played a role in them tolerating the media circus that accompanied. While Tebow technically inked a two-year contract with the organization, it contained no guaranteed money and was mostly based on playing-time incentives.
Tebow’s stint in New England didn’t end up lasting all that long. He got into a pair of preseason games for the Patriots, with his 36.7 percent completion rate ranking last among all qualifying players. He was picked off twice and sacked a number of times, although he did manage to shake loose for 91 rushing yards on 16 attempts.
“It’s not just one game [that matters],” Belichick said following Tebow’s underwhelming preseason finale (via ESPN), “although every game is important. But the body of work, the camp, the rate of improvement, the ability to do the things that players are going to be asked to do at their respective positions [also matters].”
Whatever Tebow was showing Belichick off the field, it wasn’t enough to keep his job. Tebow was among the Patriots’ final cuts during the preseason, with the QB tweeting that he would “remain in relentless pursuit of continuing [his] lifelong dream of being an NFL quarterback.”
The Patriots rolled forward with only two QBs on the roster for the 2013 campaign, and Brady ended up taking every snap at the position that season. While the Tebow signing is ultimately just a footnote in the story of the Brady/Belichick Patriots, the signing may have given us a clue that the organization was considering future options at QB outside of Mallett, a former third-round pick. Indeed, during the 2014 NFL Draft, the Patriots ended up selecting Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round.
As for Tebow, the signal-caller would get a few more NFL opportunities before all was said and done. He spent the 2015 preseason with the Eagles, and during the 2021 preseason, he caught on with Urban Meyer as a tight end in Jacksonville. Still, he hasn’t seen the field since 2012.
Cowboys Likely To Add Kicker Before Training Camp
The Cowboys will have a new kicker this season, but that player might not yet be on the roster. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, owner Jerry Jones acknowledged while “nothing is imminent,” the Cowboys will “likely” add a kicker before training camp (per the team’s website).
Jones added that the front office has “a lot of options and are looking for more” as they navigate the position going forward. The team turned back to Brett Maher in 2022 following two years with Greg Zuerlein at the position. Maher was more than serviceable during the regular season, connecting on 90.6 percent of his field goal attempts (29 of 32) and 94.3 percent of his extra point tries (50 of 53).
However, the wheels fell off during the postseason. Maher missed four XP tries during the Cowboys’ win over the Buccaneers, and he missed another during the team’s loss to Tampa Bay. The Cowboys didn’t re-sign Maher, who remains a free agent.
At the moment, the team’s only kicker is Tristan Vizcaino. The journeyman has reportedly looked good during OTAs but has a limited track record. Vizcaino has appeared in 10 games in stints with the 49ers, Chargers, Cardinals, and Patriots, connecting on 11 of his 12 FG attempts and 15 of his 20 XP attempts.
While the free agent options at kicker are limited, Stephen Jones noted that the Cowboys could look to alternative sources to fill the hole on the depth chart.
“That’s one of the great things about these leagues (XFL, USFL),” Jones said (via Jon Machota of The Athletic), “it gives you an opportunity to watch these kickers, just like we found (KaVontae) Turpin last year. Certainly (vice president of player personnel) Will (McClay) and his staff are doing a great job of evaluating the guys. Got a couple guys that we think are of interest, and see where we end up. … Whoever is not on a team that we can look at, we’re looking at to improve.”
Dolphins Inquired On RB D’Andre Swift
The Dolphins have been heavily connected to Dalvin Cook, but that wasn’t the first time the team considered bringing in an experienced running back. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (and via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques), Miami inquired about D’Andre Swift before the RB was traded from the Lions to the Eagles.
[RELATED: Vikings To Release RB Dalvin Cook]
Swift’s production in Detroit didn’t match Cook’s Pro Bowl-caliber stats in Minnesota, and the 24-year-old certainly wouldn’t match the upside of the soon-to-be free agent. Still, the running back would have provided the Dolphins with an intriguing option in the backfield. Despite finding himself in and out of the starting lineup, Swift averaged more than 900 yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns during his three seasons in Detroit.
Swift was ultimately traded to the Eagles for a fourth-round pick, and the Dolphins ended up pivoting to Texas A&M running back Devon Achane in the third round. Swift is only owed $1.7MM in the final year of his rookie contract.
It was assumed the Achane pick would be the end of the team’s major moves at the position. Both Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. seem locked into roster spots after leading Miami’s rushing attack in 2022. Former starter Myles Gaskin is also still around (albeit with a non-guaranteed contract).
Still, the team appears to be the front runner for Cook when the running back is cut by the Vikings tomorrow. The Dolphins discussed Cook with the Vikings in March, and the team was listed as a potential landing spot last week. We heard earlier today that the veteran RB was “very much intrigued” by playing for his hometown team, so it might not take long for a deal to come to fruition. Earlier today, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson tweeted that Cook’s next deal probably won’t come close to the $10.4MM he was set to earn in Minnesota, but we can assume that the Pro Bowler will still require a heftier contract than what’s owed to Swift in 2023.