NFC North Notes: Lions, Packers, Bears
Matthew Stafford hasn’t had a particularly productive campaign in 2018, and the Lions have struggled to a 3-6 record while ranking just 9th in offensive DVOA. But that doesn’t mean Detroit will have any interest — or opportunity — to move on from its veteran quarterback this offseason, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. “You’ve got as much chance of getting rid of Matthew Stafford as the Baltimore Ravens did of Joe Flacco prior to next year, because there was no way they were ever getting rid of Joe Flacco because of the way his contract was structured until 2019 at the earliest,” says former agent and current CBS.com contributor Joel Corry. Stafford signed a five-year, $135MM extension in 2017 that included a $50MM signing bonus. That bonus is prorated through 2021 at a rate of $10MM annually, meaning it will be virtually impossible for the Lions to cut Stafford before 2020. Among the 25 signal-callers that have attempted at least 250 passes this season, Stafford ranks just 15th in passer rating and 20th in adjusted net yards per attempt.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- One of Stafford’s weapons, wide receiver Marvin Jones, went down with a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Bears, but tests showed the Lions pass-catcher’s ACL and MCL are both intact, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. However, Jones did suffer a bone bruise and is now considered day-to-day. It’s unclear if Jones will be able to play against the Panthers in Week 11, but Detroit needs all the receivers it can find (having already traded Golden Tate to the Eagles earlier this month). If Jones can’t go, fellow wideouts Bruce Ellington, Brandon Powell, and T.J. Jones would see more work behind starter Kenny Golladay. Marvin Jones, currently in his third season with the Lions, has posted 35 receptions, 508 yards, and five touchdowns this year.
- Speaking of injuries, the Packers will be without several of their key players when they face the Seahawks on Thursday night. Per Schefter (Twitter link), wide receiver Randall Cobb, linebacker Nick Perry, cornerback Kevin King, and safety Kentrell Brice will not make the trip to Seattle. Cobb’s absence means rookie pass-catchers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown will continue to see more work alongside Davante Adams, while Perry will be replaced by Kyler Fackrell and Reggie Gilbert. King, meanwhile, didn’t play in Week 10, leaving cornerback snaps to to Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, and Bashaud Breeland.
- The Bears did not try to re-sign guard Tom Compton this past offseason, the veteran tells Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. “No,” he said. “They were pretty up front about that.” Compton wound up signing with the Vikings for less than he made with the Bears in 2017. After earning $1.85MM on a one-year deal with Chicago, he inked a one-year, $900K deal with Minnesota. Originally signed to be a backup, Compton was thrust into the starting lineup after Nick Easton suffered a season-ending injury in August.
- In case you missed it, the Lions placed starting right guard T.J. Lang on injured reserve, meaning his season is now over due to a neck injury.
Dolphins Audition QB Paxton Lynch
The Dolphins worked out free agent quarterback Paxton Lynch on Wednesday, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
Lynch has tried out for a number of teams — eight, at last count — since being cut by the Broncos earlier this year but has yet to land a contract. Miami could be an interesting destination, however, as the club only has two healthy quarterbacks in Brock Osweiler and David Fales. Presumptive starter Ryan Tannehill is tentatively projected to return in Week 12, but his health has been anything but a certainty throughout his career.
Lynch, the 26th overall selection in the 2016 draft, was beaten out twice for the Broncos’ starting quarterback job by former seventh-round pick Trevor Siemian. In two years with Denver, Lynch managed to start only four games, completing 61.7% of his passes for 792 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. Among the 52 quarterbacks who attempted at least 125 passes during those two seasons, Lynch ranked 41st in passer rating and 46h in adjusted net yards per attempt.
Miami also auditioned wide receivers Tavarres King and Tre McBride today, per Balzer, but given that the club signed pass-catcher Brice Butler (who was also part of the workout), King and McBride don’t seem likely to land with the Dolphins.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Leonard Johnson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Tre’Von Johnson
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Ramon Humber
Oakland Raiders
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Saeed Blacknall
Washington Redskins
- Waived: CB Joshua Holsey
Colts Audition Jalen Collins, Dontae Johnson
Free agent cornerback Jalen Collins was reinstated by the NFL earlier today after serving a 10-game suspension, and he’s already landed an audition. Collins worked out for the Colts on Wednesday, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. Indianapolis also looked at fellow defensive back Dontae Johnson, per Howard Balzer (Twitter link).
Collins has already faced multiple league-imposed bans during his brief NFL career, and his most recent 10-game suspension was actually his second of that length. While Collins’ previous bans were reportedly due to performance-enhancing drug use, it’s unclear what caused his latest suspension. However, as Matt Miller of Bleacher Report notes (via Twitter), Colts general manager Chris Ballard has never been afraid to target players with off-field issues.
Still only 25 years old, Collins flashed potential in parts of two seasons with the Falcons (2015-16). A former second-round pick, Collins started eight games for the Falcons and played in 24. He also started all three of Atlanta’s games in the 2016 playoffs, including Super Bowl LI.
Johnson, 26, spent four seasons (including one as a starter) with the 49ers before latching on with the Bills earlier this year. He played in only one game with Buffalo before being cut, but he’s hit the workout circuit since, auditioning for the Lions, Browns, and Dolphins.
5 Key NFL Stories: 11/4/18 – 11/11/18
Le’Veon won’t play in 2018. A 2019 franchise tag for Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell would cost more than $25MM, so that tender isn’t an option for Pittsburgh. Bell doesn’t need to accrue another season to reach free agency next spring, so he’s not expected to report by Tuesday’s deadline, meaning he won’t play during the 2018 campaign. The transition tag is still in play for Bell next year, but that option wouldn’t give the Steelers any compensation if Bell leaves via free agency.
The short saga of Dez in New Orleans. Dez Bryant waited until November to find the right fit after being released by the Cowboys earlier this year, and inked a one-year contract with the Saints last week. But his stay on the club’s active roster didn’t last long, as the veteran wideout devastatingly tore his Achilles during his first practice with New Orleans. The Saints, who could pursue Bryant again in 2019, could now turn their more immediate attention to Brandon Marshall, who also worked out last week.
Falcons add Bruce Irvin. The Raiders released Irvin just after the NFL’s trade deadline, perhaps with the hope that another team would claim him and his contract. No other club had interest in doing that, but Irvin quickly landed a one-year pact with his hometown Falcons. While other teams, including the Patriots and Steelers, reportedly offered Irvin more money, he chose to head to his native Atlanta. Because his deal with Oakland didn’t contain offset language, Irvin will get to double-dip, meaning he’ll collect nearly $10MM this season.
Redskins lose…everybody. Injuries are hitting Washington’s offensive line hard for the second consecutive year. Already without starting left tackle Trent Williams as he recovers from a thumb injury, the Redskins placed guards Brandon Scherff and Shawn Lauvao on injured reserve last week (wide receiver Paul Richardson was lost for the season, too). To help account for those absences, Washington signed a trio of journeyman offensive linemen in Austin Howard, Jonathan Cooper, and Luke Bowanko.
John Harbaugh’s seat gets hotter. Reports last week indicated Harbaugh could be on the outs given Baltimore’s disappointing season, and today Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated Harbaugh and the Ravens are likely to mutually part ways after the 2018 season. The Ravens will be minting a new general manager (Eric DeCosta) next season, so a change at head coach could also make sense. Harbaugh could have the option to start rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson down the stretch, but Joe Flacco‘s recent injury may be less serious than originally thought.
Bills QB Josh Allen Expected To Return In Week 12
Bills quarterback Josh Allen missed four games while dealing with an elbow injury, but he’s expected to be available when Buffalo returns from its bye in Week 12, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
Allen felt as though he could have played against the Jets this week, per Schefter, but Buffalo decided to hold out its first-round signal-caller, figuring that allowing Allen to regain full health over the club’s bye is the correct decision. Instead, the Bills turned to journeyman Matt Barkley, who didn’t have any trouble against New York, posting 232 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-10 rout of the Jets.
Allen, the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, hasn’t had much talent to work with this season, as Buffalo’s skill players and offensive line leave much to be desired. In six games (five starts), Allen has completed 54% of his passes for 832 yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. Among quarterbacks with at least 130 attempts this season, Allen ranks dead last in both passer rating and adjusted net yards per attempt. Allen has contributed on the ground, though, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and scoring three times via rush.
When the Bills return from bye, four of their final six games will come within the AFC East. Buffalo will face the Jaguars, Dolphins, Jets, Lions, Patriots, and Dolphins again to close out the 2018 campaign.
PFR Originals: 11/4/18 – 11/11/18
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- After running back Ameer Abdullah was waived by the Lions, I asked PFR readers if he’d be claimed, and if so, by whom. Roughly 20% of voters believed the Eagles — who are now missing both Jay Ajayi and Darren Sproles — would pick up Abdullah off waivers, but it was actually the Vikings, who already boast Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray in the backfield — who added the ex-Detroit runner.
- Zach Links asked PFR readers if Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell would report by next Tuesday’s deadline, and an overwhelming majority of respondents said no. Those voters, of course, appear likely to be correct, as subsequent reports have indicated Bell will sit out for the rest of the season. Pittsburgh won’t use the franchise tag on Bell in 2019 given that it would cost more than $25MM, but the club could still use the transition tender.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/11/18
Today’s workout updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):
Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions
- WRs Chad Hansen, Tanner McEvoy, Hunter Sharp; TEs Khari Lee, Marcus Lucas, Tyrone Swoopes; CB Denzel Rice
Oakland Raiders
49ers Pursued DE Bruce Irvin
The 49ers “went hard” after free agent Bruce Irvin after he was released by the Raiders, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link). Irvin ultimately signed with the Falcons, but San Francisco was one of roughly 10 clubs that inquired on the veteran defensive end, per Maiocco.
Irvin on Wednesday told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com both the Steelers and Patriots offered him more than the $1.5MM he’ll collect from Atlanta, while reports also indicated the Seahawks expressed interest in adding Irvin. But the 31-year-old preferred to return home to his native Atlanta, so any other proposals weren’t all that attractive.
On paper, the 49ers are something of a curious fit for Irvin, as they’re certainly not in contention for a playoff berth with a 2-7 record. San Francisco, which ranks eighth in adjusted sack rate but just 17th in pressure rate, also has a young crop of rushers available on the edge, including Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas, so Irvin wouldn’t have been looking at a full complement of snaps.
However, if the 49ers believe they’ll need additional edge defenders in 2019, they may have been interested in signing Irvin for something of a trial run. Irvin should already be familiar with San Francisco’s scheme (it’s similar to the defense he ran with the Seahawks earlier in his career), but the 49ers could have gotten a chance to see how he fits into the club’s front. Irvin only signed a one-year deal with the Falcons, so San Francisco could certainly target him when he hits the open market again next spring.
East Notes: Dolphins, Patriots, Obi, Eagles
Although Ryan Tannehill won’t be available when the Dolphins face the Packers this weekend, he’s expected to return to action after Miami’s Week 11 bye, head coach Adam Gase told reporters today (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Tannehill hasn’t played since Week 5, as a shoulder injury has forced the Dolphins to turn to backup Brock Osweiler, who’s posted a 2-2 record with Tannehill on the shelf. Miami has been reticent to release any sort of timeline on Tannehill’s recovery to this point, so the mere fact that the club has highlighted a possible return date is seemingly good news.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- When the Patriots signed defensive back Obi Melifonwu earlier this week, they actually inked him to a two-year deal through 2019, reports Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. While Melifonwu will only earn minimum base salaries over the next two seasons, he did receive $100K guaranteed in 2019. Given his experience level, Melifonwu would have been an exclusive rights free agent next spring, meaning New England could have kept him at little cost. But as Volin notes, the fact that the Patriots added guarantees to Melifonwu’s deal indicates they had competition for the ex-Raider (the Cowboys, Chiefs, and Saints also worked out the former second-rounder). Melifonwu can collect a $25K workout bonus, a $30K Week 1 roster bonus, and $125K in per-game roster bonuses next season.
- The XFL has hired former Bills general manager Doug Whaley as its senior vice president of football operations, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Whaley led Buffalo’s front office from 2013-17, but never the club never made a postseason appearance under his leadership. After interviewing for both the Browns and Packers general manager positions earlier this year, Whaley took on a gig as the director of scouting for the NFLPA’s Collegiate Bowl. For what it’s worth, the XFL isn’t scheduled to get under way until 2020, so Whaley could conceivably return to the NFL before then.
- While the Eagles ultimately made only one trade (swinging a deal for Lions receiver Golden Tate), it sounds like the Birds may have targeted other positions before last week’s deadline. “You try to see if there’s a [defensive back] out there,” Philadelphia head coach Doug Pederson said today, per Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). “You maybe see if there’s another pass rusher out there and then what are you giving up as a team?” The Eagles recently lost 2017 first-round pick Derek Barnett for the rest of the year, so adding another edge defender certainly wouldn’t have been out of the question.