Broncos Likely To Let Matt Paradis Test Market
Although the Broncos have been in contact with the agent for center Matt Paradis, they’re likely to let the pending free agent hit the open market in order to test his value, according to Mike Klis of 9News.
Paradis is one of the best centers in the NFL, but there are a few complicating factors regarding his free agency. For one, he’s coming off a fractured fibula that ended his season in early November. While he’s already ahead of schedule and should be ready for the 2019 regular season, Paradis’ injury will be something interested clubs will monitor. Additionally, Paradis is older than than typical free agent given that he entered the league at age-25 — he’ll be 29 years old when free agency opens and 30 by October.
But Paradis will undoubtedly be the most coveted free agent center on the open market, as the only other starting-caliber pivot scheduled to reach free agency is the Chiefs’ Mitch Morse. For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus ranked Paradis as the second-best center in the NFL last season, while Paradis finished 13th. Financially, the center position is currently topped by Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen, who landed a $10.5MM annual average last offseason.
If Paradis signs elsewhere, the Broncos will likely use Garett Bolles, Ronald Leary, and Connor McGovern on the left side of their line, with pending free agent Billy Turner — who has discussed an extension with Denver — likely playing either right guard or right tackle.
Giants Still Likely To Franchise Landon Collins
Despite all the noise surrounding pending free agent safety Landon Collins, the most likely outcome remains him being franchise-tagged by the Giants, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Collins cleared some personal items out of his Giants locker on Wednesday, and at least one report suggested he’s not expecting to return to New York. However, just because the Giants haven’t expressed any interest in extending Collins for the long-term doesn’t mean the club doesn’t want to retain him for at least 2019.
Big Blue can keep Collins around for at least one more season via the franchise tender, which will cost roughly $11.2MM for safeties. Collins, however, has been adamant that he’s not in favor of receiving the tag, and he may even be willing to sit out spring and summer practice sessions in order to prove his point. If the Giants do franchise Collin, they’ll have until July 15 to hammer out an extension.
Collins, a second-round pick in the 2015 draft, has been a full-time starter for the Giants since entering the league. A two-time Pro Bowler, Collins posted 96 tackles, four passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 2018 while grading as the NFL’s 39th-best safety, per Pro Football Focus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/21/19
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed to one-year deal: S Damian Parms (had been scheduled to become exclusive rights free agent)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: CB Elie Bouka
2019’s Major NFL Coaching Changes
Because most NFL coaching changes happen in January, those moves can often be overshadowed by the postseason and – subsequently – the major moves that teams makes in free agency. However, those coaching changes shouldn’t be overlooked.
A year ago, 24 of the league’s 32 teams made changes to at least one of their head coach, offensive coordinator, or defensive coordinator spots, and many of those hirings turned into major stories throughout the 2018 season. New head coaches Matt Nagy and Frank Reich led the Bears and Colts, respectively, to the postseason during their first go-rounds in charge, while new Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur leveraged his one-year stint as a play-caller to become the next Packers head coach.
Which new coaches could make a similar impact this year? We may have to wait to find out, but there are certainly plenty of candidates. The full breakdown of 2019’s major coaching changes from around the league is below:
Head coaches:
- Arizona Cardinals: Hired Kliff Kingsbury to replace Steve Wilks.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Hired Zac Taylor to replace Marvin Lewis.
- Cleveland Browns: Hired Freddie Kitchens to replace Hue Jackson / Gregg Williams (interim).
- Denver Broncos: Hired Vic Fangio to replace Vance Joseph.
- Green Bay Packers: Hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy / Joe Philbin (interim).
- Miami Dolphins: Hired Brian Flores to replace Adam Gase.
- New York Jets: Hired Adam Gase to replace Todd Bowles.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hired Bruce Arians to replace Dirk Koetter.
Offensive coordinators:
- Arizona Cardinals: Will not hire an OC to replace Mike McCoy / Byron Leftwich (interim).
- Atlanta Falcons: Hired Dirk Koetter to replace Steve Sarkisian.
- Baltimore Ravens: Promoted Greg Roman to replace Marty Mornhinweg.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Hired Brian Callahan to replace Bill Lazor.
- Cleveland Browns: Hired Todd Monken to replace Freddie Kitchens.
- Dallas Cowboys: Promoted Kellen Moore to replace Scott Linehan.
- Denver Broncos: Hired Rich Scangarello to replace Bill Musgrave.
- Detroit Lions: Hired Darrell Bevell to replace Jim Bob Cooter.
- Green Bay Packers: Hired Nathaniel Hackett to replace Joe Philbin.
- Houston Texans: Promoted Tim Kelly to fill vacant position.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Hired John DeFilippo to replace Scott Milanovich.
- Miami Dolphins: Hired Chad O’Shea to replace Dowell Loggains.
- Minnesota Vikings: Retained interim OC Kevin Stefanski to replace John DeFilippo.
- New York Jets: Hired Dowell Loggains to replace Jeremy Bates.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hired Byron Leftwich as pass game coordinator/play-caller to replace Todd Monken.
- Tennessee Titans: Promoted Arthur Smith to replace Matt LaFleur.
- Washington Redskins: Promoted Kevin O’Connell to replace Matt Cavanaugh.
Defensive coordinators:
- Arizona Cardinals: Hired Vance Joseph to replace Al Holcomb.
- Atlanta Falcons: Will not hire a DC to replace Marquand Manuel.
- Chicago Bears: Hired Chuck Pagano to replace Vic Fangio.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Hired Lou Anarumo to replace Teryl Austin / Marvin Lewis (interim).
- Cleveland Browns: Hired Steve Wilks to replace Gregg Williams.
- Denver Broncos: Hired Ed Donatell to replace Joe Woods.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Hired Steve Spagnuolo to replace Bob Sutton.
- Miami Dolphins: Hired Patrick Graham to replace Matt Burke.
- New England Patriots: Will hire Greg Schiano to replace Brian Flores.
- New York Jets: Hired Gregg Williams to replace Kacy Rodgers.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hired Todd Bowles to replace Mike Smith / Mark Duffner (interim).
Special teams coordinators:
- Atlanta Falcons: Hired Ben Kotwica to replace Keith Armstrong.
- Buffalo Bills: Hired Heath Farwell to replace Danny Crossman.
- Cleveland Browns: Hired Mike Priefer to replace Amos Jones.
- Detroit Lions: Hired John Bonamego to replace Joe Marciano.
- Green Bay Packers: Hired Shawn Mennenga to replace Ron Zook.
- Miami Dolphins: Hired Danny Crossman to replace Darren Rizzi.
- Minnesota Vikings: Hired Marwan Maalouf to replace Mike Priefer.
- New Orleans Saints: Hired Darren Rizzi to replace Bradford Banta / Mike Westhoff.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hired Keith Armstrong to replace Nate Kaczor.
- Washington Redskins: Hire Nate Kaczor to replace Ben Kotwica.
Other 2018 OCs, DCs with new jobs:
- Atlanta Falcons: Hired former Chiefs DC Bob Sutton as a senior assistant.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Hired former interim Buccaneers DC Mark Duffner as a senior defensive assistant.
- Cleveland Browns: Hired former Cardinals DC Al Holcomb as run game coordinator/linebackers coach.
- New York Jets: Hired former Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter as running backs coach.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Hired former Dolphins DC Matt Burke as a defensive assistant.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Hired former Bengals DC Teryl Austin as a senior defensive assistant/secondary.
- San Francisco 49ers: Hired former Broncos DC Joe Woods as passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hired former Jets DC Kacy Rodgers as defensive line coach.
- Washington Redskins: Re-assigned former OC Matt Cavanaugh as a senior offensive assistant.
Jets Keeping 3-4 Defense In Place
The Jets are surprisingly keeping their 3-4 defense in place even after hiring Gregg Williams — who’s historically run 4-3 fronts — as their new defensive coordinator, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.
Gang Green has deployed a 3-4 look dating back to 2006, and the club still believes that scheme is the best fit for its current personnel. Additionally, new head coach Adam Gase hired Williams in part due to the latter’s ability to utilize multiple, hybrid defenses, so it’ll be up to the veteran defensive play-caller to mix up formations with regularity.
On a macro level, the contrasts between 4-3 and 3-4 defenses are less important than ever. The Jets faced three or more wide receivers on more than 75% of their defensive plays in 2018, per Warren Sharp. On those plays, New York was typically deploying nickel and dime packages that not only put more defensive backs on the field, but allowed for four down linemen.
As Costello, notes, however, the Jets’ decision to retain their 3-4 defense could have implications for the team’s free agent and draft strategy. Ever in need of edge rushers, New York can now continue to target outside linebackers who have the ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. And a player like pending free agent defensive end Henry Anderson — a better fit in a 3-4 than a 4-3 — now remains on the table as the Jets attempt to improve their front seven.
Broncos Plan To Move On From DT Domata Peko
The Broncos are unlikely to re-sign veteran defensive tackle Domata Peko, according to Mike Klis of 9News. Denver has told Peko and his camp that it won’t attempt to re-up the 34-year-old during the opening stages of the free agent period.
While Peko isn’t going to be priority for Denver, it does sound as though there’s a glimmer of hope that he could return to the Mile High City. If the Broncos aren’t able to find enough defensive linemen in free agency, they might be open to re-signing Peko at a later date, per Klis. That, of course, would depend on whether Peko himself was able to find a new team on the open market.
Peko is wrapping up a two-year, $7.5MM deal that he signed with the Broncos in 2017 after spending the first 11 years of his career with the Bengals. Over the past two seasons, Peko has only missed two games, racking up 44 tackles (eight for loss) during that time frame. In 2018, Pro Football Focus ranked Peko as the No. 39 interior defender among 112 qualifiers.
If Peko leaves, the Broncos’ remaining defensive lineman will include Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, and DeMarcus Walker. Zach Kerr is an unrestricted free agent, while Shelby Harris is headed for restricted free agency.
Extra Points: Panthers, Bucs, Kwon, Dolphins
The Panthers have hired former Alabama assistant Jake Peetz as their new running backs coach, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Carolina announced that Peetz’s predecessor, Jim Skipper, will retire after spending six seasons with the club. Peetz, 35, worked for the Raiders from 2015-17, serving as quarterbacks coach during his final campaign in Oakland. He was briefly rumored to be an offensive coordinator candidate in Indianapolis under presumptive head coach Josh McDaniels in 2018, but that never occurred after McDaniels spurned the Colts. Peetz will lead a Panthers backfield that was dominated by Christian McCaffrey — who played 91% of the team’s offensive snaps — last year.
Let’s take a look at a few more coaching notes from around the NFL:
- Impending free agent linebacker Kwon Alexander has already met new Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians and wants to re-sign with Tampa Bay, as he told WDAE-FM (link via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). Alexander doesn’t think the Bucs’ likely shift to a 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles would be a hindrance to his play. “Man, I’m a baller, period,” Alexander said. “I’m going to get to the ball whatever scheme it is. If it’s 4-3, 3-4, I know how to make plays and that’s what I’m going to do if I’m in there.” From a contractual standpoint, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com recently reported that Tampa Bay had no intention of paying Alexander $10MM per year even before he tore his ACL last October.
- Panthers free agent linebacker David Mayo recently underwent sports hernia surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery, reports Joe Person of The Athletic (Twitter link). As of yet, there’s been no timeline reported for Mayo’s return to full health. A fifth-round pick in 2015, Mayo hasn’t been much of a factor on Carolina’s impressive linebacker unit, playing only 307 defensive snaps over four years. But he’s been extremely reliable on special teams. Mayo has played on at least 60% of the Panthers’ ST snaps in all of his NFL seasons, and has ranked either first or second in Panthers’ special teams snaps in each of the past three years.
- Alabama special teams/offense analyst Brendan Farrell will join the Dolphins as an assistant special teams coach, per Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com. Miami is attempting to rebuild its special teams staff after losing longtime coordinator/associate head coach Darren Rizzi to the Saints earlier this year. Farrell will work under Danny Crossman, the former Bills’ ST coach who joined the Dolphins earlier this month. Farrell previously served as the special teams coordinator at Northwestern State.
AFC Notes: Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Broncos
The Jets have “massive buyer’s remorse” after signing cornerback Trumaine Johnson a five-year, $72.5MM deal last offseason, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. Johnson, who had been franchise-tagged by the Rams in both 2016 and 2017, is now the NFL’s second-highest paid corner behind only Josh Norman. While he may not have played like a No. 1 CB last season, Johnson’s numbers were much improved from 2017. After ranking as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 60 corner in 2017, Johnson finished 24th in PFF’s grades last year. Football Outsiders, meanwhile, ranked Johnson as a bottom-10 corner in success rate in 2017, but 30th in 2018. Gang Green can’t realistically exit the Johnson contract until after the 2019 campaign.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- The Steelers appear set to explore the trade market for wide receiver Antonio Brown, but the return for the superstar may not be as lucrative as Pittsburgh hopes. Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (video link) surveyed multiple NFL executives and reached the conclusion that the Steelers are likely to receive something in the neighborhood of a third-round pick in exchange for Brown. While he’s still among the NFL’s best pass-catchers, Brown is heading into his age-31 season and will be due north of $15MM in 2019. Additionally, it’s fair to wonder if some rival clubs are skeptical of Brown given his recent off-field antics. Earlier today, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert made it clear that he won’t simply give Brown away.
- Speaking of embattled Steelers, kicker Chris Boswell is likely to face competition in training camp following a down 2018 campaign, as Colbert indicated to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). Boswell only converted 65% of his field goal attempts last season, a percentage that ranked him 30th among kickers. He’s due a $2MM roster bonus on March 15, and the Steelers are presumably willing to pay that total given that Colbert says Boswell will be at training camp.
- Cornerback Jimmy Smith could be a potential cap casualty as the Ravens move forward this offseason, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Smith is scheduled to count for nearly $16MM on Baltimore’s salary cap in 2019 (the highest figure on the club and second-highest among NFL corners), is now 30 years old, and has missed 13 games over the past three season due to injuries and a suspension. The Ravens have plenty of cornerback depth to withstand the loss of Smith (Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey, Tavon Young), but he’s still playing at a high level.
- The Broncos have begun negotiations with offensive lineman Billy Turner, and he may be the sole member of Denver’s unrestricted free agent class that will reach an agreement before the start of the new league year, writes Mike Klis of 9News. A former third-round pick of the Dolphins, Turner signed for $2MM last offseason and should receive a salary bump this year. He played 76% of the Broncos’ offensive snaps a year ago, and could return either as a starter or a valuable reserve in 2019.
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/20/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Waived: LB Thurston Armbrister
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Artavis Scott (was scheduled to become an exclusive rights free agent)
Raiders Nearing Deal To Play In Oakland For 2019
The Raiders are nearing a deal that will allow them to play in the Oakland Coliseum for at least one more season, according to Phil Matier of the San Francisco Chronicle. An announcement is unlikely to be made this week, tweets Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal, but it could come next week.
The Raiders are expected to pay a $7.5MM fee to play in the Coliseum in 2019, a price tag that has been agreed upon for some time. Additionally, the deal will come with an option that would let the Raiders spend the 2020 campaign in Oakland, as well. Per Matier, that option is something of an insurance policy, a fail-safe in case the Raiders’ Las Vegas stadium isn’t ready by its scheduled 2020 launch date.
Reports emerged in late January indicating the Raiders would stay in the Bay Area for 2019, and the club reportedly reached an agreement to play in San Francisco’s Oracle Park, the home of MLB’s Giants. That accord ran into issues, however, as the 49ers refused to waive their territorial rights to the San Francisco area.
The NFL, meanwhile, reportedly preferred the Raiders share the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium for the 2019 campaign. While the Niners and the Raiders discussed the viability of such a setup, it’s not clear how serious the discussions were, per Matier.