Bruce Arians Discusses Coaches, New Role, TE Options
Bruce Arians has made it clear that his decision to step down as Buccaneers head coach wasn’t because of tension with his franchise quarterback. Rather, Arians has continually mentioned his desire for a clear succession plan when it came to the coaching staff, and he saw a golden opportunity to pass on the reigns to Todd Bowles.
“No it really wasn’t hard,” Arians said during a recent appearance on the “Eye Test For Two” podcast (h/t to JoeBucsFan.com). “[Winning a championship is] great, but succession was really, really big for me. It didn’t happen in Arizona. It meant the world to me to make sure 34 families had jobs beyond February. The Super Bowl wasn’t guaranteed, there’s nothing guaranteed, but now our guys have 5-year contracts. Todd’s got a 5-year deal and all the assistant coaches are set for the future.
“I was probably done anyway, so why not do it now? I know a lot of people think the Hall of Fame is the end-all, be-all and if it happens, that would be the most unbelievable thing to be able to wear a gold jacket. But this meant more to me personally.”
When Arians stepped away from his gig, it was assumed that the move was influenced by Tom Brady‘s decision to renege on his retirement and return for the 2022 campaign. Both sides have said that wasn’t the case, and Arians even said he would have reconsidered had he known Brady’s intentions before making his own decision. Passing on the job to Bowles seemed like a natural move, especially with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich still around to direct the offense.
With Arians no longer roaming the sideline, the long-time coach has transitioned into more of an advisory role. When Arians stepped down, his new role was described as “Senior Football Consultant.” The former coach indicated that he’ll still be interacting with both the coaches and the players, and he’ll naturally be able to take on a lesser role when it comes to game day:
“It’s a ‘What do you think?’ job,” Arians said. “Everybody asks me what do I think and they know they’re getting a brutally honest answer, whether it be [owner] Joel Glazer, [general manaher] Jason Licht, Todd Bowles or Byron Leftwich. It’s been fun going to practice, watching and learning some more, watching us change, looking at the new guys. Man, that draft class is going to be a home run. Looking forward to getting to camp.
“That’s the beauty of my job. I get to be in the locker room, get to be around the coaches every day and still have a big hand in the draft. The relationships were always the biggest thing for me. Building a new team, watching the new guys come in. Now, Sundays might be different sitting upstairs. I might be able to still holler loud enough to cuss out the refs from up there.”
Since he’ll no longer be responsible for devising a game plan, Arians will have more of an opportunity to contribute to team building. One of his more pressing issues will be figuring out how to proceed following tight end Rob Gronkowski‘s decision to retire. Fortunately, Arians doesn’t sound too worried about the team’s depth at the position.
“It’s a step back, that’s for sure,” Arians said. “[H]e’s a Hall of Fame player. But I really like the room right now. I love the young kids we’ve got in there and Cam Brate’s a good veteran player that Tom really trusts. Now, he’s not Gronk. That size and what he brings as a blocker and receiver I think is unmatched. You don’t replace that guy, but we also have Codey McElroy … I think it’s time for him to break out as a receiver.”
Dolphins Notes: Running Backs, Offensive Line, Tagovailoa
The Dolphins were busy reworking their running backs depth chart during the offseason. After signing the likes of Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel, and Raheem Mostert, the team didn’t have much room for another veteran. Speaking to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, running back Duke Johnson said Miami never offered him a contract in free agency.
The veteran had a productive five-game stint with the Dolphins in 2021. After making a name for himself in the passing game, Johnson averaged 66 rushing yards per game…a leap from his 23.6-yard career mark. The 28-year-old RB ultimately finished the campaign with 371 yards from scrimmage and three scores on 75 touches. The organization initially expressed interest in re-signing Johnson following the season, but Mike McDaniel’s hiring ultimately changed the team’s plans.
“They just wanted to go in a different direction,” Johnson said. “I figured McDaniel wanted his guys; Raheem Mostert is one of his guys. I know the nature of the business. No hard feelings.”
Johnson ended up landing a one-year deal with the Bills in March.
More notes out of Miami…
- When the Dolphins signed Connor Williams this offseason, it was expected that the lineman would slide in at left guard. However, ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques writes that Williams is now the front runner to start at center. The 25-year-old trained at the position throughout the offseason to help improve his versatility, and it seems like it worked. Incumbent starter Michael Deiter is still in the picture, but Louis-Jacques opines that the starting center gig is Williams’ to lose.
- ESPN’s Todd McShay recently opined that 2022 is a prove-it year for Tua Tagovailoa, and if the QB fails, the Dolphins are in a good position to pursue one of next year’s top QB prospects. Jackson quickly dismisses that notion, however. In the hypothetical where Tagovailoa does fail and the Dolphins decide to pivot next offseason, their various assets may not be enough to pull off a trade. While the Dolphins have an extra first-round pick thanks to a trade with San Francisco, Jackson writes that few teams would be interested in bailing on a franchise quarterback for a platter of middling firsts…especially when the majority of the teams that could be in contention for a top pick would all have their own QB issues.
- When asked which AFC team had the best offseason, PFR readers ranked the Dolphins third. Besides their blockbuster acquisition of wideout Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins also brought in offensive tackle Terron Armstead, extended cornerback Xavien Howard, and re-signed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. The Broncos finished first in the poll, with the Raiders finishing second.
Extension Candidate: Tremaine Edmunds
While the Bills quickly extended Josh Allen for more than $250MM last offseason, another first-round pick from that 2018 draft class remains unsigned. Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is heading into the final year of his five-year rookie pact, but there hasn’t been much reported progress regarding an extension.
Following a 100-plus-tackle season as a rookie and Pro Bowl nods in both 2019 and 2020, Edmunds seemed to be setting himself up for a sizable deal. The linebacker was still productive in 2021, but he finished with a career-low 108 tackles and only one QB hit. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance this past season, ranking him 61st among 87 eligible linebackers (although, for what it’s worth, the site has never been a fan of Edmunds).
2022 will ultimately be a key year when it comes to Edmunds’ earning potential. The 24-year-old was graded as one of the league’s better run-stopping linebackers, but he was among the worst in coverage, so an improvement in that area could good a long way in Edmunds securing a hefty contract. The linebacker’s coaches have also been focused on improving the player’s big-play ability; through 61 career games, Edmunds has four interceptions (half coming in his rookie season), two forced fumbles (both coming in his rookie year), and 5.5 sacks (including zero in 2021).
“I think – and he knows this – you want more splash plays,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier recently told Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News. “You want those big plays in ball games. That play he made against the Texans, the interception he came up with, that was a huge play in that ballgame. It really helped propel us along the way to a really good performance. And more plays like that.”
So what could Edmunds expect for his next contract? Two linebackers selected in the second round of the 2018 draft inked massive extensions with their teams. Darius Leonard got five years, $99.25MM ($52.5MM) from the Colts, but he’s firmly established himself as one of the top players at the position. Harold Landry signed a five-year, $87.5MM ($52.5MM guaranteed) deal with the Titans, but Edmunds hasn’t come close to matching Landry’s pass-rushing prowess. Either the player’s camp or the Bills could be waiting to see how negotiations unfold for Bradley Chubb and/or Roquan Smith; both linebackers were off the board before Edmunds in 2018.
If the LB franchise tag remains around $18MM next offseason, then that could be a logical route if the two sides don’t seem destined for an extension. The player is also set to make a bit less than $13MM in 2022. An extension worth $15MM per year seems to make sense from a financial standpoint, but it’d be a bit surprising if either side was willing to compromise on that number right now…the Bills could be eyeing a discount with the risk of paying $18MM in 2023, while Edmunds may not be willing to settle for a, say, four-year deal worth $60MM when he has the potential to make much more following a strong 2022 campaign.
Fortunately, while Edmunds may have to wait until the end of the season to sign his next deal, his head seems to be in the right place.
“Obviously, you think about it a little bit, but I can’t control that,” Edmunds said in early June (via Fitzgerald). “All I can control is how I come out each and every day, and just work. All that kind of stuff, you kind of just put it on the top shelf and do the stuff that you’ve been doing this whole time.”
Bears LB Matthew Adams Arrested
Bears linebacker Matthew Adams was arrested earlier this week. According to Patrick Finley and David Struett of the Chicago Sun Times, Adams was arrested on Thursday night in Chicago and charged with “misdemeanor illegal gun possession and possession of a high-capacity magazine and metal-piercing bullets.”
According to the report, police were investigating a car that was reported stolen. Adams was spotted near the vehicle and later told police the car was his. Following a search, the guns were found.
Per Finley and Struett, possession of a high-capacity magazine and metal-piercing bullets is “municipal code violation” in Chicago. Adams has a license for the guns that isn’t usable in Illinois. He has a court hearing on August 24.
“Earlier this morning, we were made aware of an incident involving the arrest of Bears linebacker Matthew Adams,” the team said in a statement yesterday morning (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin on Twitter). “We are in the process of gathering more information. We will refrain from making any further comment at this time.”
Adams was a seventh-round pick by the Colts in 2018, and he ended up spending four seasons in Indy. He eventually settled into a special teams role, and he collected 55 tackles across 58 regular season contests. He inked a one-year deal with Chicago this offseason, following former Colts defensive coordinator (and current Bears head coach) Matt Eberflus. As the Sun Times points out, this is the second Bears acquisition to get arrested this offseason; receiver Byron Pringle (who has a connection to new Bears GM Ryan Poles) was arrested in February for “reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.”
Latest On 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo
There’s some good news on the Jimmy Garoppolo health front. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter), the 49ers quarterback “remains on schedule” as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
[RELATED: Panthers Concerned About Jimmy Garoppolo’s Health?]
Per Fowler, Garoppolo’s throwing timetable hasn’t changed. Coach Kyle Shanahan recently said that the veteran QB is expected to start throwing in the next weeks, and Fowler says that the early-July target date is still on track.
The timing of this news is not-so-curious considering a recent report surrounding the Panthers’ wariness of Garoppolo’s injuries. Of course, while any suitor for the QB would want their acquisition to be healthy in time for the regular season, there’s a good chance that the Panthers are also queasy about Garoppolo’s long list of additional injuries. The 30-year-old also underwent thumb surgery this offseason, and he’s missed time in his career thanks to a torn ACL and a high ankle sprain.
2021 was actually one of Garoppolo’s “healthier” seasons, although he still battled through ailments while starting 15 games. The former Patriots draft pick finished the campaign having completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 3,810 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while going 9-6 as a starter. He also started each of San Francisco’s three playoff games, although his completion percentage dropped to 58.1 percent and he tossed two touchdowns vs. three interceptions while battling those aforementioned injuries.
Garoppolo is attached to a $24.2MM base salary, and considering the presence of Trey Lance and the 49ers apparent desire to turn to the former third-overall pick, the Panthers have no reason (nor, obviously, no desire) to take on that amount of money in a potential trade. Matt Barrows of The Athletic recently opined that the 49ers should consider eating part of the QB’s salary as they look to move him off the roster. If the Panthers are indeed choosing between Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield, that salary savings could go a long way in determining which QB is traded.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara Facing Civil Lawsuit
With a six-game suspension looming, Saints running back Alvin Kamara is also facing a civil lawsuit. A source tells Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that the man who Kamara allegedly punched in Las Vegas will sue the NFL player for financial damages.
[RELATED: Alvin Kamara Bracing For Six-Game Ban]
Kamara was charged with felony battery following an altercation in Las Vegas during Pro Bowl weekend. Video surveillance showed Kamara punching Darnell Greene eight times following an argument, with Greene being knocked unconscious and sustaining an orbital bone fracture. The victim’s impending lawsuit is seeking compensatory damages based on those injuries.
Florio pointed out yesterday that the NFL’s personal conduct policy calls for a six-game suspension for felony battery. That battery charge could also land Kamara on paid leave, which would result in some roster uncertainty for the Saints as they navigate through training camp and the preseason.
For what it’s worth, Kamara quickly questioned Florio’s report on Twitter. As we’ve seen many times, these ordeals can drag out for months or seasons, so there’s no guarantee that Kamara ends up missing any games due to suspension in 2022.
The five-time Pro Bowler collected 1,337 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 13 games last season. The Saints welcomed back Mark Ingram last season, but the team isn’t rostering much experienced depth behind the veteran RB. Holdovers Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington could see increased reps if Kamara is out of the lineup.
Bears Sign Second-Round CB Kyler Gordon
The Bears have inked their top draft pick to a contract. The team announced that they have signed second-round Kyler Gordon to his four-year rookie contract.
The Bears traded off their 2022 first-round pick in order to acquire QB Justin Fields during the 2021 draft, so they were armed with the No. 39 selection heading into the 2022 selection show. The front office ended up using their top pick on the Washington cornerback, and for good reason.
Gordon was a standout during four seasons with the Huskies. In 33 games, the defensive back collected 98 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, 14 passes deflected, and a pair of forced fumbles. He earned first-team all-Pac 12 honors in 2021 after finishing with 46 tackles.
The rookie cornerback is expected to start opposite Jaylon Johnson at cornerback. If Gordon hits a rookie wall, he could see some competition from the likes of Kindle Vildor or Duke Shelley.
With the signing, the Bears have now signed 11 of their 12 draft picks. Second-round safety Jaquan Brisker is the only rookie to remain unsigned.
Eagles DE Brandon Graham Discusses Future
Brandon Graham is coming off an Achilles injury that limited him to only one-plus game last season. Naturally, the injury has led to questions about the defensive end’s future in the NFL, but the veteran made it clear that he’s still got something left in the tank.
“I’m here right now, I’ve got another opportunity,” Graham said during an appearance on JAKIB Media’s “Sports Take” show (via Adam Hermann of NBC Sports Philadelphia). “It’s the last year on my deal, they’re gonna honor me for this year, and whatever role it is man just enjoy it. Because you didn’t have football last year, you had time with the kids, and you still got one year left of the football if that’s what you choose to do. And I’m like, man, I’m about to enjoy it.”
Graham also mentioned playing three more seasons, which would mean he intends on playing 15 total professional seasons. Of course, considering the veteran’s track record, that’s not out of the realm of possibility. Prior to the 2021 campaign, Graham had only missed a single regular season game since the 2012 season. He’s also managed to remain productive; he actually earned his first career Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after finishing with 46 tackles and eight sacks.
While 2022 will be his age-34 season, Graham sounds confident that he can return to full strength. And if the Eagles aren’t willing to keep him on the roster beyond this upcoming season, the defensive end believes he can still be productive elsewhere.
“You know what? I would,” Graham said when asked if he’d be willing to play elsewhere. “But it would only be probably for a year. The kids are together right now and they’re settled, so that always – I know they wouldn’t up and leave right away – so being away from them and the family, that would only probably last a year. We’d see how it works out, but I’d probably end up playing 14 [years] instead of 15. My goal is to finish on 15 if I could, as an Eagle.”
The 2010 first-round pick has spent his entire career in Philly. He signed a one-year extension with the organization last offseason that would keep him with the Eagles through the 2022 campaign.
Latest On Steelers DT Larry Ogunjobi
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi joined the Steelers earlier this week, and it sounds like the organization is confident the acquisition will be on the field when practices resume. Ogunjobi underwent Lisfranc surgery this offseason but is expected to be ready for training camp, reports Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Steelers, DT Larry Ogunjobi Agree To Deal]
This isn’t a huge surprise; if the Steelers sensed there were any lingering issues with the player’s foot, it’s unlikely he would have passed their physical. Still, considering Ogunjobi’s ordeal this offseason, it’s still a positive development.
Ogunjobi suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Bengals’ wild-card win over the Raiders. He hit free agency following the season, and he eventually found a suitor in the Bears, agreeing to a three-year, $40.5MM deal. However, the foot injury forced him to fail his physical, and the contract was ultimately nixed. That botched deal seemed to hang over the defensive tackle for the much of the offseason; while he did land a workout with the Jets, it was otherwise quiet on the Ogunjobi front until he landed his deal with the Steelers.
The former third-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Browns, starting 47 of his 60 games while collecting 180 tackles and 14.5 sacks. He inked a one-year deal with the Bengals last offseason and had one of the most productive seasons of his career. In 16 starts, the the 28-year-old collected 49 tackles and a career-high seven sacks.
Meanwhile, we’ve got some details on Ogunjobi’s deal with Pittsburgh. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the defensive tackle got a one-year contract that can be worth up to $8MM. It’s uncertain what incentives Ogunjobi will have to meet, but considering his foot issues, there’s a good chance it’s tied to games played.
Chiefs WR Josh Gordon On Roster Bubble?
Josh Gordon is on the roster bubble in Kansas City. ESPN’s Adam Teicher writes that “it’s difficult to see a place” for Gordon on the Chiefs roster.
The Chiefs have seen plenty of turnover at wide receiver this offseason, with Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, and Marcus Kemp all out of the picture. The team reworked their depth chart via free agency (JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling) and via the draft (second-round pick Skyy Moore), and that trio of wideouts will make up most of the Chiefs’ WR depth. The Chiefs are also still rostering Mecole Hardman, who is another presumable lock to make the roster.
While the Chiefs will obviously roster more than four receivers, Teicher opines that Gordon’s lack of special teams production makes him a long shot to make the squad. Instead, the Chiefs could pivot to a WR with more versatility. Teicher points to Daurice Fountain as a candidate for that fifth receiver spot, but the Chiefs are also rostering the likes of Corey Coleman, Justin Watson, and Gary Jennings (among others).
“They all bring something different to the table and that’s the unique part about it,” offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy told reporters (via Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star). “I think there’s going to be a lot of diversity because everybody presents something different, so it’s going to be new. It’s going to be exciting.”
Gordon restarted another NFL comeback when he joined the Chiefs last September. He eventually made his way on to the active roster and ended up starting seven of his 12 games with Kansas City, hauling in five receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown. Gordon hasn’t seen time in 16+ games since his rookie year in 2012, and considering his continued suspensions, Gordon seemed like he’d be hard pressed to make Kansas City’s roster in 2022. Of course, many of us thought the same in 2021, and he ended up getting into a dozen games for the Chiefs.