Latest On Jets QB Zach Wilson, Unsigned Rookie Contract
Zach Wilson is one of two unsigned first-round picks, and we’re now learning why the Jets franchise quarterback has yet to ink his rookie contract. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the No. 2 pick and the organization are in a staring contest over “cash flow and offset language.”
Specifically, the front office is hoping to “defer millions in signing bonus money” to 2022. Normally, top-two picks get all their signing bonus money up front; Florio cites Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, Washington defensive end Chase Young as recent examples who received their signing bonuses within 30 days of inking their respective rookie deals.
In fact, the Jets organization paid 2018 No. 3 pick Sam Darnold his entire signing bonus 15 days after his signing (Twitter link). Of course, as Florio notes, Joe Douglas can simply argue that it was Mike Maccagnan‘s regime that agreed to that arrangement.
Surely, one of the sides will blink. Presumably, it will be the Jets, who wouldn’t want to do anything to upset their franchise cornerstone before he’s even stepped on the field. Further, Wilson wouldn’t be in training camp without a deal, meaning the organization will be forced to move forward with James Morgan and Mike White as their top options. Assuming the organization wants to take a step forward in 2021, that scenario presumably wouldn’t sit right with anyone.
The Chargers inked first-round pick Rashawn Slater earlier today, leaving Wilson and 49ers quarterback Trey Lance as the only unsigned first-round picks.
Dolphins CB Xavien Howard Requests Trade
Xavien Howard wants out of Miami. The All-Pro cornerback revealed on Instagram this evening that he’s requested a trade from the Dolphins (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Twitter).
This trade demand follows Howard’s previous decision to skip mandatory minicamp in pursuit of a new contract. We recently heard that the defensive back was “dug in” on the contract issue, and it was anticipated that he’d stay away from the organization until the situation was resolved. Instead, the apparent standoff has evolved into a full-blown trade request.
In his statement, Howard said the “business side of the NFL proves organizations don’t always have a player’s best interest at heart,” citing the extension that he didn’t “feel comfortable” signing a few years ago. Howard also noted that he’ll continue to attend training camp to avoid any fines.
“We wanted things to work out with the Dolphins, and brought solutions to the table – like guaranteeing more money – that we felt were win-wins for both sides,” Howard continued. “These were proposal of adjustments that wouldn’t just make me feel more respected, but were also cap friendly. But the Dolphins refused everything we proposed.
“That is why I don’t feel the organization has dealt with me in good faith. I don’t feel valued or respect by the Dolphins. Just like they can take a business-first approach, so can I…That’s why I want to make it clear that I’m not happy and have requested a trade.”
Howard is coming off a tremendous season, intercepting a league-leading 10 passes (the second time in three seasons he has paced the NFL in INTs), and grading out as the second-best CB in the league per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Though the five-year, $75MM pact Howard signed with the Dolphins in 2019 made him the highest-paid corner in the league at the time, his $15MM AAV is now the sixth-highest mark in football (one spot behind teammate Byron Jones, who is not as good as Howard but who was lucky enough to sign his free agent contract one year later). We learned late last month that Howard was seeking a deal that would at least exceed his teammate’s contract.
Howard’s situation is different than standard contract standoffs considering he has four years remaining on his contract. Whereas a player with one or two years left on his deal would be an easy candidate for a renegotiated pact, a player with Howard’s term would be eyeing a practically unprecedented reworking. Head coach Brian Flores seemed to hint at that “unique situation” back in June.
“After one year, it’s honestly something that hasn’t been done before,” Flores said of Howard’s then-request for a new contract. “Not saying we’re drawing a line in the sand, but different players set the market every year.”
While the Dolphins would surely rather have Howard in uniform, not all is lost, as teams would surely be willing to trade for a player of his caliber. We’ve already heard that the Saints could be a potential landing spot, and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets that the Cowboys previously reached out about the cornerback.
Texans Release WR Donte Moncrief
With the Texans set to begin camp tomorrow, the team is already making some roster changes. The team released wideout Donte Moncrief with a non-football injury designation, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
Moncrief spent the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, including a 2015 campaign where he hauled in a career-high 733 yards. Since leaving for the Jaguars in 2018, the veteran has spent time with five different organizations (including Houston).
He joined the Jets right before the start of the 2020 season, but he was released in October without having appeared in a game with the team. He ended up getting picked up by the Patriots, and he proceeded to appear in six games for New England, compiling 19 yards from scrimmage.
Moncrief was signed by the Texans back in March, and it was believed he’d add another veteran presence to the receivers room. However, even with the impending trade of Randall Cobb, Moncrief may have found himself squeezed off the roster by recent acquisition Anthony Miller. The team is also rostering the likes of Brandin Cooks, Keke Coutee, Isaiah Coulter, Andre Roberts, and rookie Nico Collins.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/21
We’ve collected today’s minor moves below:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: DL Ryan Bee
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Justin Hardy, WR Jon’Vea Johnson
- Waived: DB Rojesterman Farris, WR Khalil McClain
Denver Broncos
- Signed: C Brett Jones
- Released: C Patrick Morris
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (from Titans): DT Bruce Hector
Minnesota Vikings
- Reverted to reserve/NFI list: DT Jaylen Twyman
New York Jets
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Valoaga
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DT Anthony Zettel
- Waived: WR Andy Jones
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DE Bunmi Rotimi
- Waived: TE Deon Yelder
- Waived/injured: DE Jalen Jelks
Packers WR Allen Lazard Signs ERFA Tender
While the Packers pursue a trade for one wideout, another Packers receiver inked their deal today. Wide receiver Allen Lazard signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender today, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Packers, Texans Discussing Randall Cobb Trade]
The wideout was slapped with the tender earlier this offseason. The ERFA deal ties Lazard up for another year.
After going undrafted out of Iowa State in 2018, Lazard has spent the majority of his three-year career with the Packers. Following a breakout campaign in 2019, the receiver put up similar stats in 2020, albeit in six fewer games. Lazard ultimately finished last season having appeared in 10 games (nine starts) with 33 receptions for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He also came up big during the postseason, hauling in seven receptions for 158 yards and a touchdowns in two contests.
With Aaron Rodgers seemingly recommitted to playing next season in Green Bay, it remains to be seen how much they’ll do to add to their receivers corps. For instance, earlier today we learned that the organization was pursuing former Packers wideout Randall Cobb via trade. At the moment, Lazard joins a grouping (includeing Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, and Devin Funchess) that’s battling for targets behind Davante Adams.
Latest On Packers OT David Bakhtiari
David Bakhtiari‘s 2020 campaign came to an end when he suffered a torn ACL in late December.While the All-Pro offensive lineman naturally wants to be in the lineup for Week 1, he acknowledged that he’s more focused on getting back to full health.
“This is my first time going through this, so I’m just going to attack every day, try to hit every benchmark I can,” Bakhtiari said (via Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal). “And once ‘Doc’ can check me off, I can check myself and I can go out there and not only perform and protect myself but perform at the level that the Packers need me to, I think that’s where you’ll see me return, on that date.”
The start of the 2021 season will mark about eight months since the All-Pro lineman suffered the injury, which would definitely be a bit quick for a return from an ACL injury. The Packers surely wouldn’t want to do anything to compromise the health of the three-time Pro Bowler and five-team All Pro (including two first-team nods), especially following another successful season in 2020 where he ranked as the second overall offensive tackle by Pro Football Focus.
Plus, besides preserving the future health of one of their best players, the team also invested some big money in keeping Bakhtiari in Green Bay. Back in November, the team signed the 29-year-old to a whopping four-year, $92MM contract, making him one of the highest-paid linemen in league history. Both sides slightly reworked that contract earlier this offseason, but the move merely pushed some money down the road, helping the Packers’ 2021 cap sheet.
Assuming Bakhtiari is sidelined for the start of the 2021 season, the Packers have a handful of options that they could turn to at left tackle. Billy Turner played both tackles spots in 2020, and he’ll presumably start at one of the two positions to begin the season. Opposite him, the team could temporarily turn to the likes of fourth-round rookie Royce Newman or fifth-round rookie Cole Van Lanen.
Latest On Free Agent DL David Irving
It’s been more than two months since David Irving was released by the Raiders, and the veteran defensive lineman is still looking for his next gig. Speaking with reporter Aaron Wilson, the free agent said that his next team will be adding a motivated, talented player.
“I want to show people who David Irving really is,” the 27-year-old said (via Wilson on Twitter). “I’m a fighter. I want to dominate, and it’s a different mindset. I’m feeling explosive and I’m ready for anything that comes by way. I’m ready to play and I can’t wait to play football again.”
After getting reinstated by the NFL from his indefinite suspension back in October, Irving ended up catching on with the Raiders for the 2020 campaign. He spent time traveling between the active roster and the practice squad, and he ultimately saw time in two games for Las Vegas, collecting four tackles while playing in only 4-percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
He ended up re-signing with the Raiders back in February, but the team released him only a few months later. Before re-upping with Vegas, Irving also worked out for the Colts and Lions, so there weren’t a lack of suitors at the beginning of the offseason.
While more interest may develop, Irving is nearly four years removed from his last season of consequence. The 6-foot-7 pass rusher did log seven sacks in eight games with the Cowboys in 2017; that has likely continued to generate interest. Since then, he’s only seen time in four NFL games, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll get another shot in the NFL.
Browns Sign WR Anthony Schwartz, Finalize Draft Class
And just like that, the Browns have finished signing their draft class. After signing cornerback Greg Newsome II, the team completed the signing of their rookies by inking third-round receiver Anthony Schwartz to his pact (per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot on Twitter). The four-year deal is worth $4.86MM.
[RELATED: Browns Sign First-Round CB Greg Newsome II]
Schwartz made a name for himself as a high school athlete, setting a number of sprint records. He ultimately joined Auburn to play football, and he saw time in 33 games across three seasons with the Tigers, hauling in 117 receptions for 1,433 yards and six touchdowns. Thanks to his explosive speed, Cleveland selected the wideout in the third round (No. 91) of the draft.
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry sit atop the depth chart in Cleveland, but Schwartz could find himself generating some offensive snaps if he can beat the likes of Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins, and KhaDarel Hodge. There’s also a chance the rook contributes on special teams, although he’d have to beat out Peoples-Jones and D’Ernest Johnson for those roles.
With the signing, the Browns have officially inked all eight of the draft picks:
Round 1: No. 26 Greg Newsome II, CB (Northwestern)
Round 2: No. 52 (from Panthers) Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 3: No. 91 (from Saints) Anthony Schwartz, WR (Auburn)
Round 4: No. 110 (from Eagles) James Hudson, OT (Cincinnati) (signed)
Round 4: No. 132 Tommy Togiai, DT (Ohio State) (signed)
Round 5: No. 153 (from Lions) Tony Fields II, LB (West Virginia) (signed)
Round 5: No. 169 (from Rams) Richard Lecounte III, S (Georgia) (signed)
Round 6: No. 211 Demetric Felton, RB (UCLA) (signed)
Browns Sign First-Round CB Greg Newsome II
Another first rounder has put pen to paper. Browns first-round cornerback Greg Newsome II has inked his rookie contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The No. 26 pick in the draft will get the standard four-year contract worth $12.75MM.
Newsome had a standout career at Northwestern, starting 18 games and guiding the Wildcats to a pair of Big Ten title games. After earning first-team All-Big-Ten honors in 2020, the defensive back declared for the draft. While Newsome was the fourth cornerback off the board, that was still good enough to warrant a first-selection.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback is a strong candidate to start opposite Denzel Ward in Cleveland, although Greedy Williams will give the rookie a run for his money as the veteran looks to return from a season-long shoulder ailment. No matter what role Newsome ends up playing, he’s ready to contribute however he can.
“My goal honestly is just to do whatever I can to help the team win,’’ Newsome said (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). “Obviously, I would love to start at corner. I think any corner in the room would love to be a starting corner. At the end of the day, if I am helping the team win, that is all I can ask for.”
Newsome was the 29th first-round pick to ink their rookie contract, although his delay was inevitabl3 after switching representation earlier this offseason. Following the signing, the only unsigned first-round picks are Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (No. 2), 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (No. 3), and Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (No. 13).
Cowboys Work Out CB Holton Hill
The Cowboys are already sniffing around at replacements for Rashard Robinson. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that cornerback Holton Hill worked out for the Cowboys today. However, Clarence Hill of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram tweets that the defensive back left Dallas without a deal.
[RELATED: Cowboys Cut CB Rashard Robinson]
Hill, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Texas, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Vikings. The defensive back saw time in 16 games (three starts) as a rookie, finishing with 36 tackles, seven passes defended, and an interception while appearing in 36-percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Unfortunately, Hill has only seen time in 12 games since that time, collecting 37 tackles, one sack, and four passes defended. His 2019 campaign was limited by a pair of suspensions, while his 2020 campaign was limited thanks to a stint on injured reserve. The 24-year-old was ultimately waived/injured by the Vikings in December.
With Robinson set to miss a pair of games thanks to suspension, the Cowboys moved on from the defensive back last week. The team is currently rostering eight cornerbacks, a relatively modest number heading into camp, so it’s not a surprise that they’re pursuing options at the position.