CB Michael Carter No Longer In Jets’ Long-Term Plans?
Just before last season, the Jets raised the slot cornerback market’s ceiling by extending Michael Carter. The team proceeded to fire Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas in the weeks that followed. That looks to be a telling sign regarding the team’s cornerback plans.
Although Carter’s three-year, $30.75MM contract runs through 2027, he has not played particularly well since signing it. And the former fifth-round find may be a trade candidate. The Jets having drafted Azareye’h Thomas in the third round this year and then traded for Jarvis Brownlee last month, pointing ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini to mention Carter as a trade chip under the Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn regime.
It appears “the writing is on the wall” for Carter in New York, per Cimini. Drafting two Michael Carters in 2021, the Jets bailed on the former fourth-round running back (now a Cardinal) a while ago. Moving the fifth-year corner would make for a more notable transaction due to the latter’s contract, but the Duke product has struggled on this $10.25MM-per-year deal.
The Jets had viewed Carter as their entrenched slot corner upon signing him to the extension, a deal that was rumored during the 2024 offseason. Carter’s deal also helped D.J. Reed see the writing on the wall, with the team’s Sauce Gardner boundary sidekick hitting free agency and signing with the Lions. The Jets replaced Reed with Brandon Stephens, making them the only team — thanks to Gardner’s $30.1MM-per-year deal this summer — with three eight-figure AAVs at corner. But Carter’s snap share has declined since an injury-plagued 2024.
A herniated disk in Carter’s back accompanied an ankle injury last year, and his snap share declined to a career-low 32% during Jeff Ulbrich‘s interim HC stretch. Carter had logged between 64 and 74% of New York’s defensive snaps from 2021-23, solidifying himself as an extension candidate. Missing two games already this season, he has played 53% of Gang Green’s defensive snaps but has struggled under Glenn and DC Steve Wilks.
Pro Football Focus ranks Carter outside the top 100 among CB regulars thus far, and he has allowed a whopping 19.5 yards per target and 13 yards per completion. Although we are dealing with a small sample size, the 26-year-old slot staple is trending in the wrong direction for a rebuilding team. Brownlee has also logged 35 slot snaps early in his Jets tenure.
Breece Hall represents a prime trade chip due to contract-year status, and Carter’s recent play has undoubtedly reduced his value. While Saleh (49ers) and Ulbrich (Falcons) are running defenses elsewhere, the Jets may not land much for Carter despite his deal presenting an acquiring team with two more full seasons of control. If Gang Green moves on before the deadline, it would see roughly $7MM in dead money come from the swap.
With a new regime running the show, some Saleh/Douglas-era pieces will not fit. At 0-6, the Jets have naturally been linked to selling. The list may expand beyond Carter and Hall, as draft capital will be prioritized early in a lost season.
Broncos Place OL Matt Peart On IR, Promote OL Calvin Throckmorton
For a second straight week, the Broncos will move their starting left guard to IR. After placing Ben Powers on the injured list with a biceps injury, the Broncos are sliding Matt Peart off the 53-man roster.
A knee malady will send Peart to IR, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. They are moving veteran O-lineman Calvin Throckmorton to the 53-man roster from the practice squad in a corresponding move, Klis adds. Denver will also bump special-teamer J.T. Gray to the roster from the Ravens’ P-squad, with Klis adding linebacker Garret Wallow is heading to IR.
Peart is believed to have suffered the injury on the third play of the Broncos’ London-based matchup against the Jets, per Klis. Peart struggled in the game, committing three penalties (including two holding infractions), but was playing hurt. An otherwise healthy Broncos O-line will need to make another adjustment at left guard.
Re-signed this offseason, Peart became the next man up for Powers — who had not missed a game during his Broncos tenure until the London trip. The team still has some options here, including Throckmorton. A former Saints spot starter, Throckmorton lined up with New Orleans’ first-stringers in 20 games from 2021-22. This included 14 starts during Sean Payton‘s 2021 New Orleans finale. Throckmorton, however, has played in only three games since joining the Broncos in 2024.
Denver uses former UDFA Alex Palczewski as its sixth O-lineman in jumbo packages, but he is a swingman as well. The team also has backup center Alex Forsyth, who lost the 2024 center competition to Luke Wattenberg, as an option now that Peart is out of the picture for at least four games. The Broncos hope Powers will be back before the regular season ends, but they will need to make another switch for the foreseeable future.
A former Giants third-round pick, Peart worked mostly as a backup during his New York rookie-deal stay. He has started at both guard and tackle in Denver, having re-signed on a two-year, $7MM deal. None of Peart’s 2026 money is guaranteed.
Although Gray comes via the Baltimore taxi squad, he played for Payton in New Orleans. Obtained as a 2018 UDFA, Gray soared to three All-Pro teams in seven years as a Saints special-teamer. This included four seasons with Payton at the helm. Technically a DB, Gray earned first-team All-Pro acclaim as a special-teamer in Payton’s final Saints season (2021). Gray and Throckmorton add more ex-Saints to Payton’s third Broncos roster, which includes tight ends Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull, fullback Adam Prentice, defensive linemen Malcolm Roach and Jordan Jackson and kicker Wil Lutz as ex-New Orleans presences on Denver’s 53.
Lions Sign CB Kendall Fuller
After facing the Chiefs with a skeleton crew at cornerback — to the point increased base defensive looks were deemed necessary — the Lions are adding an experienced piece to help.
Kendall Fuller is joining the team on a practice squad deal. This is Fuller’s first chance since the Dolphins released him in February. A veteran with extensive outside and slot experience, Fuller had joined the Dolphins on a two-year, $15MM deal in 2024 but was the first domino to fall in what has been a Miami cornerback overhaul.
The Lions played the Chiefs with only Amik Robertson healthy among their top six corners. As could be expected, Detroit struggled to contain Kansas City’s aerial attack in a 30-17 loss. The Lions have D.J. Reed and Ennis Rakestraw on IR, while Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox remain on the active roster. Rock Ya-Sin, who had moved to safety this offseason but offered positional versatility based on his CB past, needed to be used as a full-timer Sunday night. Arnold is not believed to be out too long, but he might not be ready for Week 7.
Fuller, 30, joins the Lions after they had offered Michael Davis a spot on their practice squad last week. Davis joined the Saints’ active roster instead. After auditioning for the Colts last week, Fuller has that gig.
Considering Detroit’s depth problem at the position right now, Fuller could see game action soon. The Lions have an interesting Buccaneers matchup ahead, with Tampa Bay somehow even more depleted at receiver — down Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka — than Detroit is at corner. It is not certain Evans and Egbuka miss that game, but the other two are set to.
The Dolphins used Fuller as a full-timer last season, continuing his run as a regular starter during a career previously spent in Washington and Kansas City. Being part of the Alex Smith trade in 2018, Fuller started for the Super Bowl LIV-winning Chiefs in 2019 before returning to Washington on a four-year, $40MM deal. Fuller played out that contract and impressed during his 2023 platform year, though his Dolphins pact came in short of where most envisioned. We ranked Fuller 19th on our 2024 top 50 free agent list.
Last season, Fuller played 11 games. Two concussions sidelined the nine-year veteran, who also sustained a knee injury last year. Fuller was one of the top unsigned CBs, though, having logged 104 career starts. Pro Football Focus viewed Fuller as a mid-pack CB last season, ranking him 75th among regulars at the position. Before his quality Commanders contract year, the 5-foot-11 cover man nabbed two pick-sixes in 2022.
The Lions also waived safety Loren Strickland from their 53-man roster while signing offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and defensive lineman Chris Smith back to their P-squad.
49ers’ George Kittle Has Chance At Week 7 Return; November Reemergence Targeted For Brandon Aiyuk
Once again battered by injuries, the 49ers have still managed to reach 4-2 despite a spree of setbacks for the second straight season. Pro Bowlers Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Nick Bosa have missed time, and the Fred Warner loss deals a blow the team has not previously encountered.
On the team amid the 2020 and 2024 injury waves, Warner has missed one career game. The All-Pro linebacker has crafted a Hall of Fame-caliber resume during the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan-era surge, but he will undergo surgery Wednesday and joins Bosa in being out for the season. The 49ers are eyeing trades on defense, but their offense is starting to look healthier (even if Jauan Jennings is playing through a significant rib injury).
[RELATED: 49ers Expected To Inquire On Trey Hendrickson Trade]
While Purdy’s status remains murky, Kittle is nearing a return. Shanahan does expect (via 49ers reporter Briana Jeannel) the All-Pro tight end will be designated for return from IR ahead of the Falcons matchup. This would allow the 49ers a ramp-up period, but Shanahan added (via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco) the hope is Kittle returns for Week 7.
Although the 49ers’ injury trouble is again mounting, they are not in bad shape yet in terms of IR activations. The team has either seen key players suffer season-ending injuries (Bosa, Warner) or remain on the active roster in week-to-week setups (Purdy, Jennings, Ricky Pearsall). The 49ers did place starting guard Ben Bartch on IR, and he is eligible for activation this week. It is uncertain if Bartch will join Kittle in being designated for return.
Kittle went down with a hamstring injury in Week 1. The likely Hall of Fame-bound pass catcher suited up for 15 games last season and did not miss any time due to injury in 2023. Playing in at least 14 games in 2021 and ’22, Kittle has not missed this much time in a season since being part of the 49ers’ spate of maladies in 2020. He missed eight games that season, suffering a sprained knee and fractured foot during San Francisco’s 6-10 season.
With Pearsall on the active roster, the 49ers are moving closer to full strength after seeing both their top two receivers go down early this season. San Francisco’s true No. 1 receiver, however, remains on the reserve/PUP list. Brandon Aiyuk‘s timetable has been pushed back a bit. Week 6 was floated months ago as a loose return window, but that has come and gone. Shanahan has now mentioned Week 10 as an updated window (via Maiocco) but stopped short of providing a firm timetable.
Out since October 20, 2024 with an ACL tear, Aiyuk has been in rehab mode after the tear was not deemed clean. Joining Kittle in suffering an injury shortly after an offseason extension, Aiyuk has been unable to build on the second-team All-Pro season he produced in 2023. John Lynch said in late September the sixth-year veteran was “not close” returning, but Shanahan’s update does provide a semi-positive sign a reemergence near the midseason point is still in play.
Like the IR-return process, the 49ers would have a 21-day period to observe Aiyuk in practice before activating him. Given the length of Aiyuk’s rehab process, it would surprise if he suited up the week he was designated for return. It should be expected, based on this timeline, Aiyuk would be in the PUP-return window soon. But the 49ers will continue to make do with a ravaged receiver depth chart for the time being. Though, Kittle’s return will help the passing attack considerably while Aiyuk hits the recovery homestretch.
Titans Part Ways With Bill Callahan; Bo Hardegree To Remain Play-Caller
Expected to resign after the Titans fired Brian Callahan, offensive line coach Bill Callahan — Brian’s father — is indeed out in Tennessee. The Titans and the elder Callahan are going their separate ways, interim HC Mike McCoy announced Tuesday.
The Titans will split O-line coaching duties between Scott Fuchs and Matt Jones. Fuchs had been Bill Callahan’s assistant O-line coach, while Jones resides as an offensive assistant on the Titans’ staff. The Bill Callahan split was certainly anticipated given his son’s exit after just 23 games, and other teams are expected to pursue the well-regarded O-line coach.
[RELATED: The NFL’s Interim Head Coaches Since 2000]
Although Mike McCoy has an extensive history calling plays and is now in a position to reinstall himself in that role, the veteran coach will keep quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree as the play-caller, McCoy said (via Titans.com’s Jim Wyatt). Brian Callahan gave Hardegree — the Raiders’ interim OC in 2023 — the call sheet ahead of Week 4.
McCoy served as the Chargers’ play-caller during his four-year run in San Diego, landing that job after calling plays for an explosive 2012 Broncos attack (in Peyton Manning‘s first year with the team). McCoy was also at the controls when the Broncos pivoted to a more Tim Tebow-friendly offense midseason in 2011, but the experienced staffer will work as a CEO HC to start his interim Titans run.
Bill Callahan, 69, has been in coaching since 1978. While his highest-profile jobs have come as the head coach of the Raiders (2002-03) and Nebraska (2004-07), he has settled in as one of this era’s top offensive line coaches. Helming a top-tier O-line in Cleveland earlier this decade, Callahan also worked with the Cowboys when Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin helped DeMarco Murray to the 2014 rushing title. He was on Jay Gruden‘s Washington staff from 2015-19, eventually taking over as interim HC when Gruden was fired early in te 2019 season.
The Titans reunited the Callahans, marking their first run as coaches on the same staff. It did not go well. A bizarre Cardinals collapse gave the Titans their only win this season, and the team ranks 31st in scoring and 32nd in yardage through six games. Pro Football Focus ranks Tennessee’s O-line — one housing three former first-round picks (Peter Skoronski, Kevin Zeitler, JC Latham) to go with high-priced free agents Dan Moore Jr. and Lloyd Cushenberry) — 26th in Bill Callahan’s second season. Fuchs, who joined the Titans last year after three seasons at Kansas, will join Jones — a Mike Vrabel holdover who previously spent four seasons as Tennessee-Martin’s O-line coach — in attempting to improve the unit.
McCoy did not mention other staff changes. The Titans plan to give their new interim HC “every opportunity,” per president of football ops Chad Brinker (via ESPN.com’s Turron Davenport) to stick as head coach. This has become an extraordinarily rare route for teams to take. Only the Raiders have made this move over the past seven years, and their decision to elevate Antonio Pierce to full-time HC backfired. Prior to Pierce’s ascent, Doug Marrone (Jaguars) was the most recent staffer to move from interim coach to the full-time leader. He did so in 2017.
McCoy, 53, went 27-37 as Chargers HC. The team made the playoffs in his 2013 debut, which featured a Philip Rivers Comeback Player of the Year season despite the QB not being injured previously, but did not return over his final three seasons. McCoy returned to Denver for an OC one-off (2017) and was a Cardinals OC one-and-done during Steve Wilks‘ short stint leading the way. After spending three years out of the NFL, McCoy resurfaced with the 2022 Jags under Doug Pederson. Brian Callahan hired him in March.
Ravens Release S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
C.J. Gardner-Johnson is beginning to take a Diontae Johnson-like journey around the NFL, right down to joining and then leaving the Ravens. Baltimore is releasing the veteran safety from its practice squad.
This may be more of a fit-related transaction, however, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicating Gardner-Johnson’s agent viewed the team’s addition of Alohi Gilman as an impediment for his client. Gardner-Johnson’s agent said the well-traveled defender is looking for a “clearer path to play.”
The Ravens have struggled mightily on defense this season, but the team does have some safety options. Gilman joins All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and first-round pick Malaki Starks. While the rookie has struggled to open his debut season, the Ravens have plenty invested at safety between the fully guaranteed first-round contract and Hamilton’s market-shifting extension.
Gilman has also been a regular starter for years, and he played 83% of Baltimore’s defensive snaps in the team’s Week 6 matchup; this included a starting assignment less than a week after being acquired.
The Gilman-for-Odafe Oweh trade came on the same day the Ravens signed Gardner-Johnson to their practice squad. The latter transaction marked a bounce-back opportunity for Gardner-Johnson, who had been jettisoned by two teams since March. Like Johnson last year, Gardner-Johnson joined the Ravens after two teams moved on. Less than a year after the Ravens suspended the increasingly mercurial wideout and then waived him, they will wrap Gardner-Johnson’s tenure at a week.
Being traded from Philadelphia to Houston as part of a trade that sent Kenyon Green to the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson received his Texans walking papers three games into the season. The Texans used Gardner-Johnson as a three-game starter. Like Johnson in 2024, the trash-talking DB requested a trade out of his second stop of the year. The Texans instead cut him, as they did Johnson shortly after claiming him. Green is also gone from Philly, making the March swap a lose-lose trade. The former first-round guard is on the Ravens’ practice squad, representing an interesting fallout from the Eagles-Texans trade.
Gardner-Johnson, 27, has been traded twice and been part of four teams. The Saints dealt him to the Eagles in a contract year, and after some confusion about a return to Philly, CJGJ ended up in Detroit as a 2023 free agent. The Eagles re-signed the former fourth-round pick and deployed him as a starter, leading to a second six-interception season in three years as the team mounted a championship run. Gardner-Johnson is a 64-game starter; he will look for a path that allows him to add to that total.
The NFL’s Interim Coaches Since 2000
This century’s 25th season brought three head coach firings; its 26th now includes two, with the Titans canning Brian Callahan early in his second season and the Giants ending Brian Daboll’s fourth season early. This will increase the NFL’s count of head coaching Mikes to six, as Mike Kafka joins Mike McCoy on the interim HC level. Dozens of in-season firings have preceded these this century.
While interim coaches generally do not make it past partial seasons with their respective teams, a handful have done so in modern NFL history. Since 2000, 12 interim HCs have transitioned to a full-time role with their respective franchises. The Raiders ended a seven-year drought by elevating Antonio Pierce to the full-time HC post this year. Here are the league’s 21st-century interim coaches:
2000
- Dick LeBeau, Cincinnati Bengals; replaced Bruce Coslet on Sept. 25, 2000
- Dave McGinnis, Arizona Cardinals; replaced Vince Tobin on Oct. 23, 2000
- Gary Moeller, Detroit Lions; replaced Bobby Ross on Nov. 6, 2000
- Terry Robiskie, Washington; replaced Norv Turner on Dec. 4, 2000
LeBeau and McGinnis were promoted to head coaches. LeBeau coached the Bengals through the 2002 season; McGinnis was with the Cardinals through 2003.
2001
- Mike Tice, Minnesota Vikings; replaced Dennis Green on Jan. 4, 2002
Minnesota named Tice, who took over with one game to play during the postponed 2001 season, its full-time head coach in 2002; he stayed in that post through the 2005 season.
2003
- Wade Phillips, Atlanta Falcons; replaced Dan Reeves on Dec. 10, 2003
2004
- Jim Bates, Miami Dolphins; replaced Dave Wannstedt on Nov. 9, 2004
- Terry Robiskie, Cleveland Browns; replaced Butch Davis on Nov. 30, 2004
2005
- Dick Jauron, Detroit Lions; replaced Steve Mariucci on Nov. 28, 2005
2007
- Emmitt Thomas, Atlanta Falcons; replaced Bobby Petrino on Dec. 12, 2007
2008
- Jim Haslett, St. Louis Rams; replaced Scott Linehan on Sept. 29, 2008
- Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders; replaced Lane Kiffin on Sept. 30, 2008
- Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers; replaced Mike Nolan on Oct. 20, 2008
The Raiders elevated Cable to full-time status; he coached the team through the 2010 season. Singletary rose to San Francisco’s full-time HC post and was in place through 2010, when he was fired in-season.
2009
- Perry Fewell, Buffalo Bills; replaced Dick Jauron on Nov. 17, 2009
2010
- Jason Garrett, Dallas Cowboys; replaced Wade Phillips on Nov. 8, 2010
- Leslie Frazier, Minnesota Vikings; replaced Brad Childress on Nov. 22, 2010
- Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos; replaced Josh McDaniels on Dec. 6, 2010
- Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers; replaced Mike Singletary on Dec. 26, 2010
Frazier landed the Vikings gig and held that role through the 2013 season. The Cowboys’ change marks the outlier on this list. Garrett remained Dallas’ head coach through the 2019 campaign. Tomsula technically counts toward the 12 interim HCs who became head coaches for that team, but he did not receive that opportunity for several years. Tomsula moved back to his 49ers D-line coach position and later took over as their head coach for one season in 2015.
2011
- Mel Tucker, Jacksonville Jaguars; replaced Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29, 2011
- Todd Bowles, Miami Dolphins; replaced Tony Sparano on Dec. 12, 2011
- Romeo Crennel, Kansas City Chiefs; replaced Todd Haley on Dec. 12, 2011
Crennel received his second head coaching opportunity in 2012 but was fired following that season, a 2-14 Chiefs campaign.
2012
- Aaron Kromer, Joe Vitt, New Orleans Saints
Each served as a Saints interim HC during Sean Payton‘s suspension.
2013
- Wade Phillips, Houston Texans; replaced Gary Kubiak on Dec. 6, 2013
2014
- Tony Sparano, Oakland Raiders; replaced Dennis Allen on Sept. 29, 2014
2015
- Dan Campbell, Miami Dolphins; replaced Joe Philbin on Oct. 5, 2015
- Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans; replaced Ken Whisenhunt on Nov. 3, 2015
- Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles; replaced Chip Kelly on Dec. 29, 2015
The Titans handed the reins to Mularkey in 2016. Despite a 2017 playoff berth, Mularkey was axed after his second full-time season.
2016
- John Fassel, Los Angeles Rams; replaced Jeff Fisher on Dec. 12, 2016
- Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars; replaced Gus Bradley on Dec. 18, 2016
- Anthony Lynn, Buffalo Bills; replaced Rex Ryan on Dec. 27, 2016
Marrone moved up to the Jags’ full-time HC position and remained in that role through the 2020 season.
2017
- Steve Spagnuolo, New York Giants; replaced Ben McAdoo on Dec. 4, 2017
2018
- Gregg Williams, Cleveland Browns; replaced Hue Jackson on Oct. 29, 2018
- Joe Philbin, Green Bay Packers; replaced Mike McCarthy on Dec. 2, 2018
2019
- Bill Callahan, Washington; replaced Jay Gruden on Oct. 7, 2019
- Perry Fewell, Carolina Panthers; replaced Ron Rivera on Dec. 3, 2019
2020
- Romeo Crennel, Houston Texans; replaced Bill O’Brien on Oct. 5, 2020
- Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons; replaced Dan Quinn on Oct. 11, 2020
- Darrell Bevell, Detroit Lions; replaced Matt Patricia on Nov. 28, 2020
2021
- Rich Bisaccia, Las Vegas Raiders; replaced Jon Gruden on Oct. 11, 2021
- Darrell Bevell, Jacksonville Jaguars; replaced Urban Meyer on Dec. 16, 2021
2022
- Steve Wilks, Carolina Panthers; replaced Matt Rhule on Oct. 10, 2022
- Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts; replaced Frank Reich on Nov. 7, 2022
- Jerry Rosburg, Denver Broncos; replaced Nathaniel Hackett on Dec. 26, 2022
2023
- Antonio Pierce, Las Vegas Raiders; replaced Josh McDaniels on Nov. 1, 2023
- Chris Tabor, Carolina Panthers; replaced Frank Reich on Nov. 27, 2023
- Giff Smith, Los Angeles Chargers; replaced Brandon Staley on Dec. 15, 2023
The Raiders hired Pierce to be their full-time head coach.
2024
- Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets; replaced Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, 2024
- Darren Rizzi, New Orleans Saints; replaced Dennis Allen on Nov. 4, 2024
- Thomas Brown, Chicago Bears; replaced Matt Eberflus on Nov. 29, 2024
2025
- Mike McCoy, Tennessee Titans; replaced Brian Callahan on Oct. 13, 2025
- Mike Kafka, New York Giants; replaced Brian Daboll on Nov. 10, 2025
Bengals Contacted Several Teams On QBs; Cincinnati Considered Derek Carr
The Bengals went from throwing support behind Jake Browning to frantically seeking an outside upgrade. Joe Flacco became that option, being sent across Ohio early this week in a Day 3 pick-swap exchange.
Prior to landing on Flacco — a development that surprised the Browns — the Bengals looked into many reserve QBs around the league and one who recently wrapped his NFL career. In addition to calling the Eagles on Sam Howell and the Seahawks on Drew Lock, the Bengals contacted the Texans on Davis Mills, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
[RELATED: Flacco Hail Mary Comes At Key Point On Bengals’ Timeline]
A long-hesitant franchise regarding the acquisition of players via in-season trades, the Bengals also made a call on Derek Carr. Rapoport indicates the recently retired passer became part of Cincinnati’s search. Had this progressed, the team would have needed to make a deal with the Saints for Carr’s rights. Like they did with Sean Payton when he stepped away in 2022, the Saints hold Carr’s rights after his mid-offseason retirement.
Carr did not enter the offseason assured of retaining his starting job. Kellen Moore took over in New Orleans, leading to rumors about a QB change — even in the event Carr kept playing. Two years remained on his Saints contract. Carr was not open to a pay cut on the four-year, $150MM deal and remained in the Saints’ plans for several weeks between Moore’s arrival and the post-draft retirement decision. As of September, Carr has not slammed the door on returning. But with the Saints needing compensation, that introduced a wrinkle they may have kept the 11-year veteran in retirement.
This certainly would have presented an interesting opportunity for Carr, as the Bengals paid up to retain their high-end Ja’Marr Chase–Tee Higgins duo this offseason. Carr struggled to stay healthy in New Orleans, running into a few injuries. Most notably, a shoulder malady sustained in 2023 plagued him and ultimately led the ex-Raider to retirement. Should health circumstances improve, that could conceivably change the equation. Carr did gauge the trade market this offseason. But Carr is 34, limiting his window. During the summer, a report also indicated the former playoff starter is not likely to return to the league.
The Bengals made calls to teams with three quarterbacks and those with viable practice squad options, Rapoport adds. Mills obviously remains in the Texans‘ plans, having signed a one-year extension that moves his contract through 2026 in September. The Texans also rebuffed trade inquiries on Mills in 2023, keeping he and Case Keenum behind C.J. Stroud that season. A 2021 third-round pick, Mills has played his entire career in Houston. The team replaced him as their primary starter via the Stroud selection but still values him in the QB2 post.
Cincinnati did not inquire about Giants veterans, Kirk Cousins or Ryan Tannehill. In not making Tannehill part of their QB search, the Bengals wanted a player who had been active recently, Rapoport adds. Tannehill has not played since the 2023 season, when the Titans benched him for second-round rookie Will Levis. Tannehill had been connected to the Vikings early this offseason and later came up for the Raiders following Aidan O’Connell‘s injury, but the 37-year-old passer remains out of football.
Flacco, 40, will make a start despite being acquired Tuesday afternoon. The Bengals sent Flacco cutups on his flight from Cleveland, per Rapoport, as he was getting up to speed in Zac Taylor‘s offense by Tuesday night. With the Browns giving Flacco two weeks to prepare before his first start with the team in 2023, today’s shorter-notice Packers matchup presents a daunting assignment. For the foreseeable future, however, the Bengals will have Flacco at the controls.
Joe Flacco Hail Mary Comes At Key Point On Bengals’ Timeline
Joe Flacco has enjoyed one of the more eventful late-prime periods for a non-star-level quarterback in NFL history. Despite going six years between appearances as a non-injury-related Week 1 starter and then being removed from that role four games into the season, The 40-year-old passer has now been traded three times will be asked to save a Bengals season careening off course.
Moreover, the Bengals -- after trading a 2026 fifth-round pick for Flacco and a sixth -- are entrusting a key stretch on their timeline to a player a largely dysfunctional organization just benched. The Browns backup-turned-Bengals starter will be asked to keep hopes alive while Joe Burrow rehabs. Cincinnati faces the ignominious reality of missing three straight playoff brackets during Burrow's late 20s.
As Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson have brought their respective franchises near-automatic postseason entry codes this decade, the Burrow era -- due to injuries and roster management -- is nearing a 2-for-6 start in terms of postseason qualification. That is, if Flacco cannot turn his own season around.
This promises to be one of the more interesting in-season QB acquisitions in many years, as the NFL's second-oldest active QB will go from being demoted by a team eyeing the 2026 draft class at the position to a division rival carrying historically elite weaponry. Jake Browning was squandering the receiver arsenal the Bengals deviated from their previous plan to pay. Plenty of subplots are present as Flacco begins a second in-season Ohio rescue effort.
Jaguars Place TE Brenton Strange On IR
OCTOBER 10: Strange’s quad injury also affected his hip and includes a ligament tear, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. He will not need surgery, but he is expected to miss at least five weeks. That would sideline Strange until Week 12 or beyond with the hopes of returning late in the season to help the Jaguars make the playoffs for just the second time in seven years.
OCTOBER 7: Following one of their biggest wins of the Trevor Lawrence era, the Jaguars will lose a key pass catcher for a while. They are placing Brenton Strange on IR, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets.
Strange suffered a quad injury, one NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo expects to keep him out for roughly a month. That would align with an IR-return timeline. The team’s top tight end has been a key part of its 4-1 start, making some contributions during its 31-28 win over Kansas City on Monday night. He caught his lone target for 22 yards before injuring his hip late in the first half.
The Jaguars gave Strange a vote of confidence upon releasing Evan Engram early this offseason. While Engram has battled injuries during an unremarkable start in Denver, Strange has fared well to start the season. Strange has 20 receptions for 204 yards, posting three games with at least 45 yards during the Jags’ surprising start.
As part of a Jaguars pass-catching group that features high-profile wide receivers Brian Thomas and Travis Hunter, Strange leads the team in receptions. He’s tied for second in targets (24) and yards. His 73.8 percent snap share easily paces all Jaguars tight ends. Johnny Mundt (34.5) and Hunter Long (23.4) are next in line, though they’ve combined for just nine catches and 58 yards. Quintin Morris has almost exclusively played on special teams.
The Jaguars will now have to go at least four games without their No. 1 tight end. With the Jaguars’ bye coming in Week 8, Strange won’t be eligible to return until a Week 11 meeting with the Chargers on Nov. 16. For now, they’ll go forward with Mundt, Long, and Morris as their options at the position.
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.