Dolphins To Consider Extension For TE Durham Smythe?
The 2018 draft class will be in line for extensions this offseason. In Miami, that means there will be plenty of focus on the future deals for Jerome Baker and Mike Gesicki. However, another player who could end up garnering a long-term fontract is tight end Durham Smythe, per Adam Beasley and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
The reporters note that an extension for Smythe “would not be surprising.” After all, the 25-year-old has continually received praise from his coaches for his versatility, especially as a blocker. Plus, the former fourth-rounder proved that he could be an actual offensive weapon in 2020, an important development for a young and emerging Dolphins squad.
Smythe caught only 13 receptions through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he put up bigger numbers in 2020. The tight end ultimately started 13 of his 15 games, hauling in 26 receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Smythe also saw consistent time on special teams, collecting seven tackles.
Beasley and Jackson also briefly preview the potential negotiations for Baker and Gesicki. If the two players aren’t extended, they’ll hit free agency during the 2022 offseason. The reporters opine that the organization could ultimately use the franchise tag on Gesicki, adding that it’s unlikely that the organization would go that route with Baker. Either way, the organization will have plenty of financial flexibility, especially this offseason; the reporters estimated that Miami will have around $34MM to spend.
Eagles Claim CB Shakial Taylor
The Eagles have claimed a player from a division rival. The team announced that they’ve claimed cornerback Shakial Taylor off of waivers from the Giants.
The 24-year-old was acquired by the Giants last offseason, and he ultimately opted out of the 2020 campaign with a high-risk designation. The Giants initially attempted to waive the cornerback, but he eventually reverted to their reserve list for the entire season. The Giants ended up waiving Taylor earlier this week.
The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Kansas has also spent time with the Colts and Broncos. He saw time in five games for Indy during his rookie campaign, collecting seven tackles and one pass defended. He garnered a three-year, $1.76MM deal from the Broncos during the 2020 offseason, but he was cut by the time prior to the preseason.
Taylor will have some familiarity with the Eagles, as he played under current defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon during the duo’s time in Indy. Gannon previously served as the Colts cornerbacks coach.
Lions Expected To Franchise WR Kenny Golladay?
You could make a good argument that Kenny Golladay is the top free agent wideout, but there’s a chance he won’t even make it that far. Multiple sources have told CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora that the Lions will ultimately slap Golladay with the franchise tag.
It would make sense for the Lions to follow that route, especially from a financial perspective. As La Canfora notes, the going rate for a player of Golladay’s caliber is probably around $19MM. The franchise tag is expected to come in around $16MM, which is a significant discount on a Pro Bowler. Plus, if the Lions commit to a full rebuild and clear house, franchising and subsequently trading Golladay would garner the front office some extra draft assets.
On the flip side, Golladay probably won’t be too thrilled about having to settle for the franchise tag, especially after he was unable to work out an extension with the organization during the 2020 season. The Lions have also hired a new coaching staff, revamped their front office, and traded franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, an indication that they may be bottoming out before becoming contenders. While Golladay hasn’t been a headache during his tenure in Detroit (he even said that he’d welcome a return), the wideout would have non-financial reasons to not be thrilled with his situation.
The 2017 third-round burst onto the scene during his sophomore campaign, and he followed that up with a Pro Bowl campaign in 2019, hauling in 65 receptions for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns. Injuries limited Golladay to only five games in 2020, with the 27-year-old compiling 20 receptions for 338 yards and two scores.
Eagles Complete Coaching Staff
Nick Sirianni‘s staff in Philly is just about complete, and Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer has passed along the long list of coaches on Twitter. Among the notable, unreported hirings are running backs coach/assistant head coach Jemal Singleton, defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, and linebackers coach Nick Rallis.
Following a long collegiate coaching career, Singleton has consistently worked in the NFL since 2016, spending time with the Colts, Raiders, and Bengals. He spent the past two years in Cincinnati, helping guide a running backs room that was led by Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard. This offseason, he briefly accepted a role as special teams coordinator and running backs coach the University of Kentucky before opting for Philly’s offer. He’ll be looking to help the Eagles find their first 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2014.
Following a brief playing career, Rocker has served as a defensive line coach for almost three decades. Besides a three-year stint with the Titans, Rocker has spent most of his coaching career in the collegiate ranks, including a 2020 campaign where he served as the defensive line coach for South Carolina. The 54-year-old has coached a number of future first-round picks, including DeMarcus Ware, Jamaal Anderson, Nick Fairley, and Peria Jerry.
Rallis, 27, just completed his fourth year of coaching and his third with the Vikings. During his stint in Minnesota, he worked his way up from assistant linebackers coach to defensive quality control coach.
This Date In Transactions History: Chargers Extend HC Anthony Lynn
Oh, how much can change in a year. On this date literally last year, the Chargers officially signed head coach Anthony Lynn to a one-year extension that would keep him in Los Angeles through the 2021 season. If you’ve been following along at home since the end of the regular season, Lynn is no longer the head coach of the Chargers.
Let’s recap where the Chargers were on February 13, 2020. The team was coming off an ugly 5-11 campaign, the worst record of Lynn’s (then) three seasons with the team. Naturally, the head coach found himself on the hot seat, but the organization quickly killed that narrative by handing Lynn a one-year extension. The vote of confidence made a bit of sense; Lynn had some success during his first two years at the helm, guiding the Chargers to a 21-11 record and a playoff victory. Plus, as GM Tom Telesco noted following the 2019 season, the team’s abysmal play shouldn’t have been attributed to coaching. Rather, the 2019 Chargers dealt with a long list of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play from Philip Rivers.
Of course, in hindsight, the one-year extension should have been the writing on the wall. If the organization was truly committed to their head coach, they would have given him a lengthier extension. Instead, they effectively made the 2020 campaign a “prove-it” season for Lynn (or, if the organization hadn’t ultimately fired him, they basically just delayed his lame-duck status for one year). In other words, the front office was clearly already preparing for a potential coaching change when they handed Lynn his extension last year.
The Chargers would get off to a brutal 3-9 start to begin the 2020 campaign, with six of those losses being decided by less than a touchdown. Naturally, those close losses landed on the lap of the head coach. Despite a four-game winning streak to end the season and incredible play from rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, Lynn was fired by the Chargers back in January.
It didn’t take long for Lynn to find another gig. After discussing a role with the Seahawks, the 52-year-old ended up joining the Lions as the offensive coordinator on Dan Campbell‘s new staff. The Chargers pivoted to a defensive-minded coach to replace Lynn, hiring Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to be the 17th head coach in franchise history.
On this date in 2020, maybe there was some optimism that Lynn could end up sticking around in Los Angeles (although the comment section of our article tells a different story). In reality, it was a clear sign that the Chargers were already planning for a future with a different head coach.
Falcons Add Chris Olsen To Front Office
Chris Olsen is joining the Falcons front office. The team announced on Friday that they’ve hired the executive to be their new senior director of football administration. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports that Olsen signed a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option.
“Chris is widely respected across the entire league for his knowledge of the game and the business, and the work he has accomplished to this point in his career,” said Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot. “On top of that, he is a great human being and teammate and we are excited for him to join the Falcons organization. We look forward to what we can accomplish and build together.”
Olsen previously spent more than a decade with the Texans organization, with his responsibilities including contract negotiations and salary cap planning. The executive served under several GMs, and he briefly led football operations following the firing of Brian Gaine. As Wilson notes, Olsen was responsible for some of the larger deals in Texans history, including J.J. Watt‘s $100MM deal. Olsen is expected to serve a similar role in Atlanta.
After earning a master’s degree in sports management from Springfield College, Olsen served as the manager of labor operations with the NFL management council from 1999 through 2006. In this role, he assured that all teams were in compliance with the CBA and the salary cap, and he served as a liaison to the NFLPA regarding contract disputes.
Jaguars Director Of Sports Performance Chris Doyle Resigns
A day after joining the Jaguars staff, Chris Doyle has announced his resignation. The Jaguars announced last night that the embattled coach has resigned as their director of sports performance.
“Chris Doyle came to us this evening to submit his resignation and we have accepted,” said a statement from Jaguars coach Urban Meyer and GM Trent Baalke. “Chris did not want to be a distraction to what we are building in Jacksonville. We are responsible for all aspects of our program and, in retrospect, should have given greater consideration to how his appointment may have affected all involved. We wish him the best as he moves forward in his career.”
The hiring led to immediate backlash after it was announced on Thursday. During his time as the strength coach at the University of Iowa, Doyle was accused of making racist remarks and belittling players, and he left the school with a $1.1MM separation agreement last summer. Doyle has continued to deny any “unethical behavior,” while Meyer indicated that Doyle’s presence of his staff wouldn’t be an issue.
On Friday evening, the Fritz Pollard Alliance denounced the Jaguars and Meyer for the hiring, noting that Doyle’s “conduct should be as disqualifying for the NFL as it was for University of Iowa.”
“Urban Meyer’s statement, ‘I’ve known Chris for close to 20 years’ reflects the good ol’ boy network that is precisely the reason there is such a disparity in employment opportunities for Black coaches,” their statement said (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco).
Doyle had been with Iowa since 1999, and he established himself as one of the highest-paid strength coaches in the country. Following his ouster, he received 15 months salary and benefits from the school.
This Date In Transactions History: Browns Sign Kareem Hunt
Two years ago today, the Browns made a controversial move that has (so far) paid off for the organization. On February 11, 2019, Cleveland announced that the signing of running back Kareem Hunt.
From an on-the-field perspective, the move made plenty of sense. Hunt ran for 1,327 yards as a rookie in 2017, and he followed that up with a 14-touchdown season in 2018 despite playing in only 11 games. The talent was (and still is) undeniable. Hunt also had a relationship with former Browns GM John Dorsey that dated back to their stints in Kansas City.
From an off-the-field perspective, the move was divisive. At the time of the signing, Hunt was under investigation for three separate 2018 events — most notably an incident captured on video that showed him shoving and kicking a woman at a Cleveland complex. Hunt was released by the Chiefs following the release of the video. That transaction took place before the NFL could react, and following his signing with Cleveland, Hunt was promptly placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.
The literal signing also proved to be a topic of contention. Hunt inked a one-year deal that could be worth up to $1MM. This was an increase from the $678K he was set to make with Kansas City in 2019. While a subsequent suspension would reduce any salary, Hunt still took home more money than if he had been retained by his former team.
Hunt was ultimately banned for the first eight games of the 2019 season, and he was reinstated by the league in early November. He naturally slid in as a backup behind Nick Chubb, who would soon complete a Pro Bowl season that saw him rush for 1,494 yards and eight touchdowns. Hunt ultimately appeared in eight games (three starts) for the Browns in 2019, collecting 464 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
The running back was slapped with a second-round tender after the season, and he ended up getting a two-year, $13.25MM extension from the organization this past September. Hunt saw a much larger role during his second season in Cleveland, compiling 1,145 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. Hunt also saw time in two playoff games, collecting three total touchdowns. The running back remains under contract through the 2022 season, which is especially relevant considering Chubb’s impending free agency after next season. While the two-headed monster should return in 2021, Cleveland’s backfield could look a whole lot different in 2022.
Hunt’s past continues to make him a controversial figure, and both the player and the Browns will have a tough time shaking this notion as long as Hunt’s in Cleveland. Still, when coupling the player’s production with the future flexibility he’ll provide, there’s no doubting that the move has worked out for Cleveland.
RB Leonard Fournette Discusses Future With Buccaneers
Following a playoff run that saw him score four total touchdowns, Leonard Fournette could be eying a pay increase in 2021. However, when all is said and done, the running back would like to stick with the Buccaneers.
[RELATED: Buccaneers Interested In Re-Signing Leonard Fournette]
“We’ll see,” Fournette said during an appearance on ESPN (via Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com). “Right now, I’m just enjoying the process right now with this W with this organization and my team. You never know what the future holds for me right now, you know? I wound up ending on a great note. I’d love to be back. We’ll have to talk to my agent and see what they’re talking about.”
The former fourth-overall pick was unceremoniously let go by the Jaguars at the end of the 2020 preseason. He ultimately had to settle for a one-year, $2MM deal with Tampa Bay, and he served as Ronald Jones‘ backup during the early parts of the season. Fournette filled in as starter in Week 15, and he didn’t let go of that role through the rest of the season and playoffs. He brought his best during the postseason, collecting four scores and 448 yards from scrimmage in four games.
Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, and Kenyan Drake sit atop the free agent market, but Fournette could easily slide into that second tier of free agent running backs. It’s conceivable that the Buccaneers could look to pay up for Fournette’s services; Ronald Jones only has a year remaining on his contract, leaving 2020 third-rounder Ke’Shawn Vaughn as the only long-term answer at the position. On the flip side, the Buccaneers may find it’s more responsible to pursue ring-chasing veterans instead up paying up to retain Fournette.
Britt Reid No Longer With Chiefs
WEDNESDAY: A clarification on this matter emerged Wednesday evening. Reid’s administrative leave only applied through the end of his contract, which Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes has expired (Twitter link). Reid is no longer with the Chiefs. Reid has been with the Chiefs throughout his father’s eight-year tenure as head coach.
TUESDAY: The Kansas City Chiefs announced this evening that they have placed outside linebackers coach Britt Reid on administrative leave (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter). This comes after last week’s car accident that left five-year-old Ariel Young in critical condition.
“We remain in the process of gathering information on the incident, and we will continue to assist local authorities as requested,” the statement read. “Our focus remains on Ariel Young and her family. We have reached out to the family to offer our support and resources to them during this difficult time, and we will continue to pray for her recovery.”
At the scene of the crash, an officer detected “a moderate odor of alcoholic beverages” on Reid, as well as his “bloodshot and red” eyes. Reid had admitted to having two or three alcoholic drinks and taking prescription Adderall before the accident.
The son of head coach Andy Reid, the younger Reid didn’t accompany the Chiefs to Tampa Bay for their eventual Super Bowl loss. Following the game, the head coach spoke for the first time about the auto crash.
“My heart goes out to all those who were involved in the accident, in particular the family with the little girl who’s fighting for her life,” Reid said (via ESPN’s Adam Teicher). “I can’t comment on it any more than what I am here. So the questions you have, I’m going to have to turn those down; but just from a human standpoint, my heart bleeds for everybody involved in that.”
The eighth-year Chiefs assistant has encountered legal issues in the past. Reid previously served five months in prison for a 2007 road rage incident and pleaded guilty to DUI and drug charges in a separate 2008 incident.