WR DeSean Jackson Considering Retirement
It’s been quiet on the DeSean Jackson front this offseason, and the veteran wideout may be considering retirement. During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Ashley Nicole Moss, Jackson admitted that he might hang up his cleats.
“I’m not really sure if I’m going to play next year or not,” Jackson said (via NFL.com’s Grant Gordon). “I know I announced and said I was going to play. It’s just really at this point where I’m at in my life, it’s gotta be the right fit.”
Jackson was also asked what would qualify as “the right fit,: with the receiver noting that any suitor would need to feature a “great quarterback.” Jackson even mentioned a potential reunion with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who coached Jackson when the two were in Philly.
“Chiefs may be one,” said Jackson. “The Browns. Russell Wilson in Denver. Green Bay … we’ll see for sure.”
The three-time Pro Bowler joined the Rams last offseason. However, after hauling in only eight catches in seven games, Jackson asked for and was granted his release. He later caught on with the Raiders, and while his receptions-per-game average slightly increased, he still put up similar yardage per game. He ultimately saw time in nine games (four starts) for Las Vegas, hauling in 12 receptions for 233 yards and one touchdown. He also had a single 26-yard reception in the postseason.
DE Cameron Malveaux Announces Retirement
Cameron Malveaux is calling it a career. The veteran defensive end announced on Twitter that he’s retiring.
“For many years I have dedicated my life solely to the game of football,” Malveaux wrote (h/t to Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). “I am grateful for every single opportunity I was given from God to compete and make my childhood dreams come true. Through all of the many ups and downs football has changed my life for the better. After much time and consideration, I have decided it is time to step away from this game. As hard of a decision it was to make, I know it’s time to move on.”
Despite going undrafted out of Houston in 2017, Malveaux managed to stick around the NFL for five seasons. He had stints with the Dolphins, Cardinals, Chiefs, Washington, 49ers, Browns, and Eagles. He saw time in 18 total games, collecting a pair of sacks.
The 27-year-old joined the Eagles practice squad in September. He ended up getting into three games for Philly, collecting three tackles and two QB hits. In those three games, he saw time in 33 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Bears To Sign Julién Davenport
Julién Davenport is heading to Chicago. The veteran offensive tackle is signing with the Bears, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Bears Sign WR David Moore]
The 2017 fourth-round pick out of Bucknell spent the first two seasons of his career with the Texans, including a 2018 campaign where he started 15 games. He was included in the Dolphins/Texans Laremy Tunsil trade in 2019, and he started eight games during his first season in Miami. However, despite dressing for every game, he was limited to only five percent of his team’s offensive snaps in 2020.
The lineman spent the 2021 season in Indy, and he started four of his nine games for the Colts. The 27-year-old also had a part-time role on special teams.
2021 second-round Teven Jenkins currently sits atop the Bears depth chart at left tackle, and he’ll likely get the first shot at the starting gig. Davenport will provide some veteran competition, with 2020 seventh-round pick Lachavious Simmons also vying for a role.
Bears Sign WR David Moore
The Bears have added players on both sides of the ball. The team announced that they’ve added receiver David Moore and cornerback Greg Stroman on one-year contracts.
Moore is a notable name, having appeared in 50 games in time with the Seahawks, Broncos, and Packers. He had a productive stint in Seattle, collecting 1,254 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns between the 2018 and 2020 seasons. He split the 2021 season between Denver and Green Bay, seeing time in only three games.
In Chicago, Moore will likely continue to see a role on special teams. He’ll be joining a receivers room that features Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, Isaiah Coulter, Nsimba Webster, and Dazz Newsome.
Stroman was a seventh-round pick by Washington in 2018, and he saw time in 15 games as a rookie. Since that season, the defensive back has only seen the field for five games. He split the 2021 campaign on the Bears and Rams practice squads, and he didn’t end up appearing in a game.
Buccaneers, Tom Brady Haven’t Discussed Extension
Tom Brady is locked in as the Buccaneers quarterback in 2022, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stick around for 2023.
[RELATED: Latest On Dolphins’ Pursuit Of Tom Brady]
There were recent whispers that Brady considered joining the Dolphins as both a minority owner and their starting quarterback. While it sounds like Brady’s committed to Tampa Bay for the upcoming campaign, his pending free agency has naturally led to speculation about whether he could eventually continue his career elsewhere.
When speaking with reporters today, general manager Jason Licht said he hasn’t had any discussions with Brady about an extension, and he hasn’t talk with the quarterback about Miami’s pursuit.
“No, we haven’t had those discussions,” said Licht (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine). “The only discussions I’ve had, we’ve had, with Tom has been, he came back and we’re excited about this year and we’re excited to get going.”
And what did the executive make of the recent chatter connecting Brady to the Dolphins?
“I make of it — chatter, just like you said,” Licht said. “We’re focused on putting our team together here with the draft, and we’re all excited, we’re all in lockstep here — Tom, Todd [Bowles], myself, Byron [Leftwich], the entire coaching staff — on this season.”
Of course, we wouldn’t expect Licht to say anything about the Dolphins’ reported pursuit of Brady. However, it is notable that the two sides haven’t discussed an extension. Brady will be 45 by the start of the next season, and after having flirted with retirement this offseason, the quarterback’s lame-duck contract could just be an indication that he’ll hang it up following next season. However, if you adjust that tinfoil hat a bit, you could argue that the future Hall of Famer’s one-year contract provides the Dolphins with another path to pursue him in 2023.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/19/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OL Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi
Los Angeles Rams
- Waived: C Drake Jackson
Free Agents
- Retired: OT Brad Seaton
Despite never seeing time in a regular season NFL game, Seaton stuck around around the league for five years. The Villanova product was a 2017 seventh-round pick by the Titans, and he later had two stints with the Buccaneers and a stint with the Browns. The 28-year-old opted out of the 2020 campaign, and he missed the entire 2021 season with an injury.
RFA/ERFA Tender Signings: 4/19/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender signings from around the NFL:
RFAs
Signed:
- Colts: WR Ashton Dulin
- 49ers: OL Daniel Brunskill
- Falcons: WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- Seahawks: G Phil Haynes
- Steelers: LB Marcus Allen
ERFAs
Signed:
- Commandeers: C Keith Ismael
- 49ers: WR Jauan Jennings
- Lions: S Juju Hughes, RB Godwin Igwebuike, OT Matt Nelson
- Rams: QB John Wolford
- Seahawks: WR Penny Hart, DT Bryan Mone, LB Tanner Muse, S Ryan Neal, CB John Reid, LB Jon Rhattigan, C Dakoda Shepley
Rams, WR Cooper Kupp Continue To Talk Extension
Cooper Kupp‘s next contract with the Rams could reset the market at wide receiver. While we haven’t heard much on that front this offseason, head coach Sean McVay acknowledged today that the organization has had “good dialogue” with the receiver regarding a future deal (per Stu Jackson of the team’s website on Twitter).
“Those are things that are still at the forefront of our thoughts,” McVay said in regards to extensions for Kupp and defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Kupp also discussed a potential extension with reporters today while attending voluntary OTAs. The wideout said he’s seeking “fair” money, but he also said that he’s not “trying to beat anybody or compare myself to anybody” (per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue on Twitter). Kupp did acknowledge the rapidly rising receiver market, saying he’s excited for his peers’ “life-changing” money (via Rodrigue).
The Super Bowl MVP has two years remaining on a contract which is set to pay him just over $14.5MM per season. We heard back in March that the front office was zeroing in on an extension with Donald and would then pivot their focus on Kupp. The 28-year-old wideout had a historic season in 2021, and he’s established himself as the top player at his position.
Tyreek Hill‘s recent deal with the Dolphins makes him the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in terms of annual salary ($30MM) and guarantees ($72.2MM). Davante Adams‘ deal with the Raiders is still the most lucrative non-QB contract in NFL history, with the wideout having the potential to earn $141.3MM. Kupp could easily double his salary while still providing the Rams with a bit of a discount.
Eagles Eyeing Andre Roberts
The Eagles are eyeing some reinforcement on special teams. According to Geoff Mosher and Adam Caplan of the Inside The Birds podcast, the Eagles have interest in special teams ace Andre Roberts.
Despite the 2021 campaign being Roberts’ 12th NFL season, the veteran still put forth one of his best professional seasons. Roberts split the season between the Texans and Chargers, finishing with a league-leading 1,010 kick return yards. Roberts also added 20 punt returns en route to a second-team All-Pro nod. Per Caplan, the Chargers were interested in bringing Roberts back, but the organization wasn’t willing to offer much in guaranteed money.
Roberts has earned three Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro recognitions throughout his career, thanks in part to six special teams touchdowns. He’s also been relatively productive on offense, including a 2012 season where he had 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. However, in the past five seasons, Roberts had only collected 223 total yards from scrimmage.
Jalen Reagor was the primary punt returner for the Eagles last season, but the team leaned on a committee for kick returns. Each of Reagor, Kenneth Gainwell, and Quez Watkins had at least eight kick returns, with the trio combining for 530 return yards.
Saints Re-Sign Dwayne Washington
Dwayne Washington is staying in New Orleans. The team announced today that they’ve re-signed the veteran running back and special teamer. It’s a one-year deal for the six-year veteran.
A 2016 seventh-round pick, Washington spent the first two seasons of his career with the Lions, including a rookie season where he collected 327 yards from scrimmage. Washington hasn’t come close to replicating those offensive numbers since, but he’s still established an NFL career thanks to his special teams prowess.
Since joining the Saints organization in 2018, Washington has appeared in more than half of his team’s special teams snaps. He’s collected 15 tackles in his four years with New Orleans, and he’s returned six kickoffs for 99 yards. He’s also had a small role on offense, collecting 50 touches for 263 yards from scrimmage.
It’ll probably be more of the same next season for the 27-year-old. Washington will likely be buried on the depth chart behind Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram, and Tony Jones Jr., but he’ll continue to be relied on for special teams.