NFL Clubs Think Tony Romo Will Play Again?
Most NFL teams are under the impression retired quarterback Tony Romo will play again, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report, who indicates clubs think Romo’s return to the league could happen “sooner” rather “than later.”
Romo, of course, announced his retirement last month and subsequently signed on to become CBS’ lead football commentator, replacing Phil Simms alongside Jim Nantz. Any comeback attempt, then, would likely be precipitated by a club — probably a contender — suffering an injury at the quarterback position. Indeed, several decision-makers tell Freeman that if their signal-caller goes down in the near future, Romo will be “will be one their first phone calls.”
Although he did retire, the 37-year-old Romo didn’t officially rule out an eventual return to the NFL, instead opting to say he was “99%” retired and cautioning observers to “never say never” to the possibility of a comeback. More importantly, the Cowboys chose to release Romo following his retirement announcement, meaning Dallas no longer holds Romo’s rights. If he does decide to re-enter the league, Romo will be free to choose his next team unfettered.
It’s not difficult to see why NFL teams will try to lure Romo out of retirement if the need for a quarterback strikes, as the only free agent passers with any sort of starting experience are Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III. Romo, clearly, boasts a more successful track record than either of those options or the rest of the available quarterback class, which includes the likes of Shaun Hill, Zach Mettenberger, and Dan Orlovsky.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/31/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The Saints have re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes, according to Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Barnes had just been released yesterday, but was fully expected to be brought back into the fold quickly, as he was cut simply to accommodate the one-day contract of retiring wideout Lance Moore. Of course, the 35-year-old Barnes is no stranger to being yanked on and off the New Orleans roster, as the Saints signed him four separate times in 2016. Despite that lengthy transactional history, Barnes never appeared in a game for New Orleans last year.
- The Panthers have signed tight end Wyatt Houston and waived fellow tight end Desean Smith with an injury settlement, the club announced today. Houston, a 2017 undrafted rookie free agent, originally signed with the Chiefs earlier this year, but was soon waived after the club’s rookie camp. In his final season at Utah State, Houston managed 36 receptions for 331 yards and two touchdowns. Smith, meanwhile, had just signed with Carolina two weeks ago. Like Houston, Smith is a 2017 UDFA, but the LSU product is now back on the free agent market after agreeing to a settlement with the Panthers.
- The Buccaneers announced that they’ve waived defensive end Deondre Barnett and linebacker Paul Magliore in order to make room for defensive ends Tavaris Barnes and Sterling Bailey, each of whom’s signing was reported on Tuesday. Both Barnett (UCF) and Magliore (Appalachian State) were undrafted free agents whom recently signed with Tampa Bay.
Jaguars Sign Rookie OL Cam Robinson
The Jaguars have agreed to terms with second-round offensive tackle Cam Robinson, the club announced today.
In need of offensive line help, Jacksonville moved up in the second round in order to acquire Robinson. Having already drafted LSU running back Leonard Fournette fourth overall, the Jaguars shipped the No. 187 pick to the Seahawks for the right to move up one spot, shifting their selection from No. 35 to No. 34.
For now, Robinson is Jacksonville’s starting left tackle while veteran Branden Albert sits out team activities. The Jaguars acquired Albert from Miami in March, but he’s not attending practice session as he holds out for a new contract. As such, Robinson would likely line up on Blake Bortles‘ blindside if the season began today. If Albert does report, Robinson could see time at right tackle or guard.
The Jaguars have now inked six members of their seven-man draft class, with only third-round cornerback Dawuane Smoot remaining unsigned.
Free Agent Devon Still Nearing Full Health
Free agent defensive lineman Devon Still is nearing full health as he recovers from an October Lisfranc operation, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who suggests Still “will have options” once he’s medically cleared.
Still, 27, only played 25 defensive snaps for the Texans in 2016 before going down with injury. A former second-round pick, Still has never lived up to his draft billing, as he’s never started a game during his career due to health issues and lack of effectiveness. Of course, Still has dealt with plenty in his off-field life, as his daughter Leah battled cancer until announcing in 2015 she was cancer-free.
Capable of playing in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, Still is part of a free agent defensive interior group that also includes Sen’Derrick Marks, Jared Odrick, Dan Williams, Arthur Jones, and Vance Walker, among others.
Chiefs Worked Out LB Jamari Lattimore
The Chiefs worked out free agent linebacker Jamari Lattimore today, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Chiefs Sign Marcus Rush]
Kansas City is searching for inside linebacker depth, as veteran Derrick Johnson is coming off the second torn Achilles of his career, while Ramik Wilson, who fared well in 11 starts a year ago, is still relatively inexperienced. Other options on the Chiefs’ roster currently include Justin March-Lillard, Terrance Smith, and D.J. Alexander. Earlier this year, Kansas City took a look at free agent Rey Maualuga, but no deal came out of the meeting.
Lattimore, 28, has spent time with three clubs — the Packers, Jets, and Bills — since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Although he’s appeared in 64 career games, Lattimore has largely served as depth and a special-teamer, as his only starts (9) came with Green Bay from 2013-14. Lattimore didn’t make Buffalo’s final roster after signing with the club last March, and never landed another deal during the 2016 campaign.
Bears Reverse Course, Won’t Waive QB Connor Shaw
The Bears announced earlier today that they had waived quarterback Connor Shaw in order to create a roster spot for wide receiver Victor Cruz. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that fellow quarterback Mark Sanchez suffered a knee injury today, and the team subsequently rescinded the waiver.
Chicago, of course, has revamped its quarterback room this offseason: not only did the Bears sign two free agent signal-callers in Mike Glennon and Sanchez, but they moved up in the draft to select North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky at No. 2 overall. With Glennon and Trubisky set to take most of the practice reps over the next few months, the Bears likely didn’t see the need to carry a fourth quarterback on the roster.
The Bears originally acquired the 25-year-old Shaw off waivers from the Browns last summer. Shaw, who has one career start under his belt, subsequently broke his leg during the preseason and spent the entire 2016 campaign on injured reserve.
Shaw will now see third-string reps during OTAs as Sanchez recovers from his injury. Sanchez has only appeared in 15 games over the past three seasons, including a pair of appearances with the Cowboys in 2016. Over that span, the 30-year-old veteran has completed almost 64-percent of his passes for 3,127 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun Times reports (via Twitter) that Sanchez is expected to be ready for training camp.
Free Agent QB Thad Lewis Medically Cleared
Free agent quarterback Thad Lewis has been medically cleared as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered last August, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who suggests Lewis will generate interest on the open market.
Lewis, 32, signed a one-year deal to serve as a backup for the 49ers last year, but went down before he ever took the field during a regular season contest. A career reserve, Lewis has spent time with seven different NFL clubs since entering the league in 2010. He hasn’t seen action since the 2013 campaign, which was Lewis’ most productive season to date. That year, Lewis started five games for the Bills and completed 59.2% of his passes for 1,092 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Now that he’s been medically authorized to play, Lewis joins a free agent quarterback market that also includes the likes of Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III, Zach Mettenberger, Dan Orlovsky, Austin Davis, and others.
Steelers Sign Safety Daimion Stafford
The Steelers have signed safety Daimion Stafford and long snapper Kameron Canaday, the club announced today. Pittsburgh also waived punter A.J. Hughes.
Stafford, 26, was part of a four-man Titans safety rotation in which each player played roughly half the club’s defensive snaps (Stafford sat at 57.2% on the year). In that time, Stafford posted 51 tackles, one sack, and one interception while grading as the league’s No. 63 safety among 90 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
With the Steelers, Stafford will slide into a reserve role behind starters Mike Mitchell and Sean Davis, and will also likely contribute on special teams. In 2016, Stafford saw action 48.3% of Tennessee’s special teams plays, a clear indication that he’s a valuable asset in that phase of the game.
Canaday, meanwhile, is likely a camp body for the Steelers, who had already released veteran long snapper Greg Warren earlier this offseason. Pittsburgh used a sixth-round selection on Colin Holba in this year’s draft, so he figures to act as the club’s long snapper once the season gets underway.
Lions To Waive FB Michael Burton
The Lions are waiving fullback Michael Burton in order to create roster space for newly-signed running back Matt Asiata, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link).
Burton, 25, had essentially been Detroit’s starting fullback since being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, but Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter reduced the use of a traditional fullback after taking over as the club’s play-caller midway through that ’15 campaign. As such, Burton appeared in 15 games a season ago, but didn’t record any starts and played only 95 offensive snaps. He’s earned positive grades from Pro Football Focus during his career, however, and also contributes on special teams.
Because he’s not a vested veteran, Burton will go through the waiver process, and could be claimed by a club more apt to deploy a fullback in its offense. If he’s not claimed, Burton will become a free agent.
49ers Working Out Safety Jairus Byrd
The 49ers are auditioning free agent safety Jairus Byrd today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Byrd will take part in a workout along with a group of other defensive backs, per Schefter.
While San Francisco currently boasts one starting caliber safety in Eric Reid, the club’s other safety position is a bit more murky. Jimmie Ward, a former first-round pick who’s spent his career playing nickel corner, is expected to transition to free safety for the 2017 campaign. Other safeties on the 49ers’ depth chart include Jaquiski Tartt, Don Jones, and Vinnie Sunseri, with the latter two being almost exclusively special teams players.
Byrd, 30, certainly never lived up to the six-year, $54MM contract he inked with the Saints prior to the 2014 campaign, but there’s reason to think he can still be an effective player. On 900 defensive snaps last season, Byrd posted 82 tackles, two interceptions, and three passes defensed while grading as the No. 47 safety among 90 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. 2016 also marked the first time Byrd, a former All Pro, had played the entire 16-game slate since 2012.
A free agent since being released by New Orleans in February, Byrd’s visit with the 49ers will be the first known meeting he’s taken since hitting the open market.