Teddy Bridgewater Clears Concussion Protocol
Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater has cleared the concussion protocol, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). With that, the veteran passer will start Denver’s Week 5 matchup against the Steelers this afternoon.
Bridgewater, acquired in an April trade with the Panthers, bested Broncos’ 2019 second-rounder Drew Lock in this summer’s quarterback competition, and he led Denver to a 3-0 start to the 2021 campaign. The three teams he defeated — the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets — boasted a combined 0-9 record going into last week, so the early-season success for Bridgewater and the Broncos came with something of an asterisk, but the QB and his team did exactly what they needed to do against weaker competition.
Their winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Ravens last week, a game that Bridgewater was forced to leave early due to a concussion. Prior to that, he completed seven of 16 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Although Bridgewater did not do much in his time on the field, Lock’s relief performance did nothing to make head coach Vic Fangio think twice about turning the reins back over to his QB1 as soon as he cleared protocol. Lock appeared indecisive and could not generate any momentum, finishing 12 of 21 for 113 yards and an interception. Denver ultimately lost by a 23-7 score.
It is still unclear whether Bridgewater will have one of his top receiving weapons, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, joining him on the field in Pittsburgh today. Sutton, who rolled his ankle at practice on Thursday, will be a game-time decision, per Schefter.
AFC East Notes: Bills, Mims, Tua
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that the Bills need to address their stadium situation in the near future to keep the club in western New York, and Bills ownership remains committed to that goal. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports hears from team and league sources that owners Terry and Kim Pegula have not even investigated the possibility of moving the team to a different city. Instead, the Pegulas continue to work towards building a new stadium near the current one.
The Pegulas will push for the issue to become a top priority for state and local government, and they are optimistic that the recent change in New York leadership will help their pursuit. New governor Kathy Hochul has strong ties to western NY and good relationships with many members of the Buffalo organization who would be working on the project, and as of now, the sense is that the Bills will be staying put.
Now for more from the AFC East:
- Much has been made of Denzel Mims‘ future with the Jets and whether the second-year wideout could be a trade candidate, but Rich Cimini of ESPN.com hears that Mims is not going anywhere, which jibes with a recent report from the NFL Network. Indeed, as Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv writes, Mims is going to get a real opportunity to shine when Gang Green takes on the Titans this afternoon. Head coach Robert Saleh said Mims “is going to get some opportunities. Hopefully he takes advantage of them. We’re expecting him to.”
- Cimini adds that, at this point, WR Jamison Crowder is the most likely player on the Jets‘ roster to be traded in the coming weeks. Although safety Marcus Maye could theoretically be on the move — his agent recently tweeted that Maye will be recovered from his ankle injury by the trade deadline, a clear attempt to drum up interest — his salary could be prohibitive for many clubs. Maye will still be owed another ~$6MM for 2021 by the time the trade deadline rolls around.
- Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is eligible to come off IR for the team’s October 17 matchup with the Jaguars, and he will be ready to return to action by that date, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Of course, it remains to be seen if Tagovailoa — who is dealing with multiple fractured ribs — will be reinserted into the starting lineup at that time, or if Miami will continue to roll with Jacoby Brissett. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson trade rumors continue to swirl.
Joe Judge: No “Radical Changes” Expected Yet
The Giants are off to an 0-3 start, and one of the biggest sources of angst for frustrated fans is offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Second-year HC Joe Judge showed he wasn’t afraid of making an in-season firing when he sacked O-line coach Marc Colombo last November, but Judge is not ready to make a similar move just yet.
When asked about Garrett’s job security, Judge said, “[w]e’re going to stay consistent with what we’re doing and keep improving as a team. here’s a lot of things we’ve got to clean up coaching-wise, execution-wise. We’re going to stay on track with it and make sure we get those things right before we make any radical changes” (via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv).
Despite scoring the second-fewest points in the league in 2020, New York retained Garrett largely because the club did not want young QB Daniel Jones to have to adapt to a third OC in his third year in the league. And, though Garrett has been heavily criticized for his scheme and play-calling, Jones has performed well over the first three games of the season.
The No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 draft has completed over 65% of his passes for 782 yards and has thrown two touchdowns without throwing a pick. He has also rushed for two scores. His efforts represent one of the few bright spots in what is shaping up to be another disappointing year for the Giants.
Of course, if the team does not experience a major reversal of fortunes, then it would be shocking to see Garrett and GM Dave Gettleman brought back for 2022 (if they even make it to the end of this season). But for now, it sounds as if Garrett will keep his post for at least a while longer.
Chiefs Could Promote Josh Gordon For Week 5
When the Chiefs take on the Bills in their Week 5 showdown next Sunday, they may have Josh Gordon accompanying them. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Gordon, who just signed with Kansas City’s practice squad earlier this week after being reinstated by the league, has looked terrific in his first few days with his new club.
Now 30, Gordon’s career has been marred by a number of suspensions related to substance abuse. To his credit, he has persisted in his efforts to battle his demons and play football at the game’s highest level, and the Chiefs — who are obviously loaded with offensive talent but who do not have a receiver with Gordon’s ever-tantalizing combination of size and speed — are hoping that his latest comeback will stick.
Per Rapoport, Gordon has picked up KC’s offense quickly, and that has allowed him to flash in practice. It does not sound like he has lost much speed, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes said, “He’s a big receiver. Even if he’s covered, he’s not covered. You can kind of throw it up there and he can make plays.”
The Chiefs are 1-2, but their offense has not been the issue. Mahomes is generally playing up to his usual standards, and the club has put up over 30 points per game. Still, more firepower can never hurt, and if Gordon can perform at a level even close to his ceiling, the league’s most exciting offense would become that much more difficult to defend.
Gordon’s last game as a member of the Seahawks came in December 2019. His signing is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward transaction, but Kansas City could start reaping some of those rewards as soon as next week.
Steelers Not Considering QB Change
After a promising Week 1 victory over the Bills in Orchard Park, the Steelers have lost two in a row. And the struggles that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went through in the second half of last year have persisted into the 2021 campaign, leading some to wonder if Pittsburgh will bench its franchise icon.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, head coach Mike Tomlin is not considering a QB change — yet. La Canfora adds that the decision to make or not make such a move lies solely with Tomlin, who will not face any pressure from ownership in that regard. But Tomlin could be feeling pressure from other members of the organization, many of whom reportedly believe that a change is essential.
The Steelers started the 2020 season 11-0, and while that always felt like a bit of a mirage, Roethlisberger’s performance was at least good enough to support the club’s suffocating defense. The six-time Pro Bowler posted QB ratings of at least 98.7 in eight of his first nine games, but things went south after that. Over his final seven games, including a disastrous wildcard loss to the Browns, Roethlisberger’s rating eclipsed 100.0 only once, and his inability to push the ball down the field was a big reason for that.
As La Canfora observes, Roethlisberger is barely averaging six yards per pass attempt in his last eight contests. Plus, his lack of mobility is not only making it difficult for new OC Matt Canada to run the type of offense he wants, it is also exposing the holes of a suspect O-line and making life more difficult for the running game.
Backup Mason Rudolph has not exactly lit the world on fire during his nine professional starts, but he might at least be a better fit in Canada’s scheme. So while Roethlisberger’s job is safe for now, the 39-year-old may need to show a significant improvement to avoid being benched during Pittsburgh’s Week 7 bye.
He and the Steelers will try to get back on track in a difficult matchup against the Packers at Lambeau Field this afternoon.
Cowboys Move Micah Parsons To DE
The Cowboys could not resist selecting Micah Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2021 draft, despite their existing depth at linebacker. Parsons was widely regarded as the best off-ball LB in this year’s class, but recent losses along Dallas’ D-line have forced the team to move its top draft choice to DE, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes.
The club’s top pass rusher, DeMarcus Lawrence, will be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks due to a broken foot, and fellow DE Randy Gregory has found himself on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leading to an immediate need for reinforcements. Luckily, one of Parsons’ key attributes is his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks, and the Cowboys trained him as a designated pass rusher during offseason workouts.
Depending on how long Parsons remains at defensive end, and how successful he is in his new role, the transition could theoretically impact Dallas’ future plans. Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is eligible for free agency following the 2021 campaign since the Cowboys declined his fifth-year option, and Gregory is also in his platform year. Dallas does not plan to entertain extension talks with either player during the season. Plus, free agent acquisition Keanu Neal is being deployed as a linebacker, and LB Jaylon Smith is signed though 2025, though the Cowboys could get out of his contract after this season if they choose.
In short, there are a lot of ways Dallas could go with respect to its front seven. Obviously, the expectation is that Parsons will eventually move back to the position that he was drafted to play, but a successful stint as a DE could change things and will only enhance his value.
In related news, Terence Steele is expected to get the nod at right tackle while La’el Collins is serving his five-game suspension (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPN.com).
Latest On Broncos Ownership, Peyton Manning’s Involvement
The Broncos may or may not be up for sale in the near future. The lawsuit filed by two of deceased owner Pat Bowlen‘s daughters was dismissed by a joint motion over the summer, which seemed indicate that a resolution as to the future of the team had been agreed upon. However, Broncos CEO Joe Ellis has not yet indicated whether one of Bowlen’s seven children (most likely youngest daughter Brittany Bowlen) will become the franchise’s next controlling owner, or if the club will be sold.
“Regarding the future of the Denver Broncos’ organization, our No. 1 priority remains a timely, responsible and orderly determination of ownership,” Ellis said recently. “There are no changes with the operation of the team, which is completely focused on a successful 2021 season.”
As Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, many club owners and other sources in the league believe the Broncos will be sold within the next year. The team is expected to net a cool $4B or so, which would be split among Bowlen’s children, and given the very public battle over controlling ownership, investors have been gearing up for a potential sale for some time.
Former Denver QB Peyton Manning, who was already said to be eyeing a role within the organization, has been in touch with several ownership groups, according to La Canfora. The NFL icon is reportedly interested in both a minority ownership stake as well as a role in the management of the team. Broncos exec John Elway would also like to stay with the franchise even if it’s sold.
Of course, Manning will have no shortage of opportunities to get back into the league, so it remains to be seen if a share of the Broncos and a voice in the club’s operations will be the route he chooses. Plus, the estate of previous owner Edgar Kaiser claims Bowlen gave Kaiser the right of first refusal if the team went up for sale again, which could obviously complicate matters.
One way or another, it does not sound as if high-profile, non-football candidates like Jay-Z and Jeff Bezos will be involved in this particular transaction.
Buccaneers Have Contacted Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman‘s July arrest put quite a damper on his market, but things are starting to heat back up. Several days ago, we heard that the 49ers remain interested in a reunion with the five-time Pro Bowler, and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reported this morning that multiple teams have reached out to Sherman recently.
One of those teams is the Buccaneers, who lost starting CB Sean Murphy-Bunting to a dislocated elbow in Week 1. Murphy-Bunting is now on IR and his return date is uncertain, so Tampa’s interest in a proven commodity like Sherman is certainly understandable.
It probably goes without saying, but nothing is imminent between Sherman and the Bucs at this point, as Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. However, ESPN’s Ed Werder says the two sides could engage in more serious discussions this week, depending (perhaps) on how Tampa’s current crop of CBs holds up against the Falcons this afternoon (Twitter link). Regardless, Sherman will probably need a week or two of practice to be ready for game action.
Pelissero offers more details on Sherman’s legal matter. Although two of the five charges he is facing were said to include a “domestic violence element,” police say that Sherman never physically assaulted anyone. A source close to the player himself says Sherman — who pleaded not guilty to all charges — has been doing magnetic therapy and speaking with a therapist.
Also, Sherman is back down to 195 pounds, which is where he was during his halcyon days in Seattle. He gained 15 pounds following his 2017 Achilles tear, and he played at that slightly elevated weight throughout most of his three-year tenure with the 49ers.
Of course, there is the potential for league discipline. The NFL is monitoring the criminal case but is unlikely to take any action until the legal process has run its course. So even if Sherman is available to play as soon as he signs, he could be hit with a suspension later on, perhaps at a critical juncture of the season. Indeed, Sherman is facing a driving under the influence charge, and the league’s substance-abuse policy calls for a minimum three-game ban for a first DUI offense.
For his part, Sherman expects to see the field at some point in 2021. Given the renewed interest in his services, it looks like he could be right.
Saints Tried To Trade For Kyle Fuller
The Saints’ search for veteran cornerback help this offseason was well-documented. After making Janoris Jenkins a cap casualty in March, New Orleans was connected to free agent Richard Sherman and would-be trade candidate Xavien Howard. The club also signed Brian Poole and Ken Crawley (both now on IR), Prince Amukamara (later cut), and KeiVarae Russell (currently on the practice squad).
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Saints also tried to pry Kyle Fuller away from the Broncos. Fuller signed with Denver this offseason after being released by the Bears, and the Broncos also added Patrick Surtain II in the first round of the draft. So New Orleans (among other clubs) believed Denver GM George Paton may have surplus depth that he would be willing to deal from, but Paton rebuffed all comers.
It’s unclear exactly what the Saints were offering, but Rapoport says the team was particularly aggressive in its pursuit. RapSheet adds that GM Mickey Loomis also had his eye on Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore, but he does not indicate if Loomis actually made an offer to the Pats. Ultimately, of course, New Orleans was able to swing a trade for Texans CB Bradley Roby, who will make his Saints debut today.
In hindsight, Paton probably did the right thing. With free agent signee Ronald Darby now on IR, the Broncos are grateful to have some CB depth.
Cardinals, Chandler Jones Have Not Talked Extension Since July
In Week 1 of the 2021 season, Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones did everything in his power to prove to the world that he still has plenty of gas left in the thank. The 31-year-old battered the Titans’ O-line for a whopping five sacks and two forced fumbles, thereby announcing a full and triumphant return from a biceps tear that ended his 2020 campaign prematurely.
Of course, 2021 is the final year of Jones’ current contract, and Arizona’s apparent unwillingness to give him a new deal has been bothering him since at least the 2020 offseason. He skipped minicamp and even requested a trade this year in an effort to force the issue, but the Cardinals (understandably) did not want to grant his trade request. GM Steve Keim did indicate earlier this month that he would continue discussing the matter with Jones’ agent and that he would like Jones to finish his career in the desert.
However, it does not sound like Keim is willing to make anything close to the type of commitment that Jones wants. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Cardinals have only offered a one-year extension at this point, and that proposal included a $14MM base salary for 2022, plus $1.5MM in incentives. It included a meager $4.5MM in fully-guaranteed money, and given that Jones’ 2021 pay of $15.5MM is already a below-market rate, Jones was quick to reject the offer.
Jones’ agent, Ethan Lock, went on to say that the Cardinals’ proposal was made in July, and that there have been no talks since.
“The July 21 offer, the only one [the Cardinals] have made to date, was rejected without hesitation,” Lock said. “Since then, I have read that the parties are continuing to talk about an extension – that is incorrect. There have been no talks. None. In fact, the Cardinals have not engaged in any meaningful negotiations about extending Chandler during this entire period.”
Obviously, Jones is not going to post five sacks every game. But if he continues performing at close to his usual Pro Bowl level, Keim will have a tough decision to make, and he can expect plenty of phone calls from rival clubs as we get closer to the trade deadline.