Bengals To Extend K Evan McPherson
Bengals conversations with Evan McPherson have produced a deal ahead of the kicker’s contract year. The parties came to terms on an extension that will tie McPherson to Cincinnati through 2027, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reports.
McPherson agreed to a three-year, $16.5MM deal that Garafolo indicates will include $10MM in new money in Year 1. This is the most Year 1 money a kicker has secured on a three-year deal, for those keeping track. This frontloaded contract makes McPherson the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid kicker, with the deal’s structure undoubtedly appealing to the young specialist.
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This extension has been rumored for months, so it is not exactly surprising the Bengals have completed a deal in a low-cost market. The NFL’s highest-paid kicker (Harrison Butker) is attached to a $6.4MM-per-year number. McPherson’s second contract will come in at fifth, tied with Graham Gano at $5.5MM AAV.
Memorably kicking game-winning field goals to help the Bengals upset the Titans and Chiefs to reach Super Bowl LVI, McPherson has shown considerable promise. Though, he has yet to make 85% of his field goals during a regular season. He checked in at 83.9% last year, seeing his 50-plus-yard accuracy wane a bit. After making 14 of 16 50-plus-yard tries from 2021-22, the former fifth-round pick was just 7 of 12 from long range last season.
Still, McPherson is 19-for-19 in the playoffs, covering two postseasons, and is just 25. This extension gives him a clear path to becoming a long-term Bengals kicker.
The Browns were eyeing McPherson in the 2021 draft, leading them to Cade York a year later. The Bengals ended up taking the Florida product to replace Randy Bullock, their kicker of four seasons. This extension will take McPherson through Year 7, though he will need to remain in good form following 2024 to stay on the deal. Given the frontloaded structure and low rate this contract brings, the Bengals would be able to get out of it rather easily after this year. Considering how the team prioritized the agreement, however, a separation is unlikely for the foreseeable future.
Dak Prescott Not Setting Deadline For Cowboys Extension
A number of NFL execs are questioning Jerry Jones‘ strategy with Dak Prescott, and the quarterback coming off his first All-Pro season resides in an excellent position ahead of a contract year. But the Cowboys still hold exclusive negotiating rights with their ninth-year starter, giving them some time — even as criticism has come the team’s way for waiting this long.
Prescott also appears open to holding extension talks in-season. The longtime Dallas QB1 will not set an artificial deadline here, seemingly open to going up to free agency next year in negotiations with his team.
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“I’m not putting that much thought into hoping it gets done now, hoping it gets done in a couple of weeks, during the season or whenever it happens,” Prescott said, via ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. “I just know conversations are on the right way.
“I enjoy being a Cowboy 1,000 percent, enjoy living in Dallas, enjoy everything about it. But this is a business. Conversations are going well, but I’m thankful to be where I am right now and that’s here.”
This is not the first time Prescott has publicly alluded to the business component here. As the Cowboys are unable to trade their starter or apply the franchise tag — with a $55.13MM 2024 cap number and a looming $40.13MM dead money hit factoring into this equation as well — Dak is believed to have asked for a deal that would break the current NFL AAV record of $55MM. A $60MM-per-year deal has been floated during this lengthy process as well, as the Cowboys would face the prospect of losing their starter for merely a 2026 compensatory pick next year.
Prescott, 31, has continued to insist he wants to stay in Dallas. Though, he did reference other standout passers leaving their initial teams. COO Stephen Jones also recently said the ball was in Dak’s court, suggesting the Cowboys have made an offer. Players have set negotiating deadlines in the past, and it is interesting Prescott is open to talking with the team during the season. He could further boost his leverage by refusing to do so, creating two deadlines — Week 1 and the start of free agency — during a process that would stand to see other teams enter the mix if this drags on long enough.
The Cowboys finally hammered out their initial Prescott extension early in a third offseason of negotiations. Though, the sides were unable to talk during his 2020 franchise tag season. After being unable to extend their QB in 2019 and tagging him in 2020, the team agreed to a player-friendly accord just before a second Prescott tag would have hit the cap sheet in March 2021. Prescott’s past of shrewd negotiating is certainly relevant again, even as he continues to say the right things about his latest round of Dallas talks.
Browns Extend Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
AUGUST 16: This contract’s base value checks in at $37.5MM, per OverTheCap. At $12.5MM per year, Owusu-Koramoah becomes the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker. Of the $25MM guaranteed, $20MM is locked in at signing, with the Browns stretching full guarantees into 2026. The team guaranteed its top linebacker $6MM for 2026.
Cleveland used four void years to keep Owusu-Koramoah’s cap hits low. None of the ILB’s cap figures are higher than $8.5MM on this deal, though as of now the team would take on more than $17MM in dead money if the player is not extended again before the 2028 league year.
AUGUST 14: Already carrying big-ticket contracts at the other four positions on defense, the Browns will reward their top linebacker. Looming as an extension candidate for a bit now, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is no longer in a contract year.
The Browns came to terms with the fourth-year linebacker on a three-year deal worth up to $39MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. Owusu-Koramoah secured $25MM guaranteed on this deal, one that makes him one of the league’s highest-paid off-ball LBs.
Cleveland has Myles Garrett, Dalvin Tomlinson, Denzel Ward and Grant Delpit on lucrative second contracts, with the team also finding room to re-sign Za’Darius Smith this offseason. Linebacker had housed lower-end contracts on this payroll, but after the Browns led the NFL in pass defense in Jim Schwartz‘s first season as DC, they are rewarding a three-down linebacker. The former second-round pick is now signed through the 2027 season.
Owusu-Koramoah, 24, appeared on Cleveland’s extension radar this offseason. The Notre Dame alum has emerged as the team’s central presence on its defensive second level, as various other pieces have come and gone around him in recent years.
While the “up to” phrase is notable here, Owusu-Koramoah receiving $25MM guaranteed places him fifth among off-ball LBs — behind only Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Fred Warner and Matt Milano. The Browns have now surpassed the Eagles with 13 $10MM-per-year players (h/t Grand Central Sports Management’s Brad Spielberger), moving into the NFL lead.
Named a Pro Bowler as an alternate last season, Owusu-Koramoah played a lead role in the Browns’ defense igniting under Schwartz. Despite operating primarily as a non-rush linebacker (though, he is an effective blitzer), Owusu-Koramoah registered 20 tackles for loss. Not only did that pace all traditional linebackers by five, the total ranked fourth across the NFL. The speedy defender totaled 101 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in a breakthrough third season. Pro Football Focus slotted Owusu-Koramoah 18th among ILBs in 2023.
This is not the best period to excel as a traditional linebacker, as the market has cooled a bit. Perennial Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley and Jaguars tackling machine Foye Oluokun took pay cuts (in exchange for increased guarantees) this offseason, leaving only six players earning more than $11MM at this position. Owusu-Koramoah becoming No. 7 would reflect the Browns’ belief he can thrive in this scheme for years.
More impressively, last year’s emergence came after a 2022 Lisfranc injury. The Browns saw promising work from JOK over his first two seasons, as injuries piled up at the position, with four forced fumbles coming from 2021-22. Losing Sione Takitaki in free agency, the Browns are aiming to pair their LB centerpiece with veteran Jordan Hicks. Wednesday morning’s agreement firmly places Owusu-Koramoah as a pillar alongside the above-referenced D-linemen and DBs in a suddenly strong defense.
49ers In Talks With Trent Williams’ Camp
Brandon Aiyuk‘s hold-in, creating a will-they/won’t-they trade dynamic now involving the Steelers, has overshadowed 49ers training camp. But the team has also been without a much more accomplished starter since reporting. Trent Williams‘ holdout persists.
The 49ers cannot waive fines levied to Williams for missing camp practices, as the holdout left tackle is not tied to a rookie contract. The future Hall of Famer has accumulated more than $1MM in fines during his holdout, but the 49ers are not shutting down the prospect of adjusting his six-year contract.
“We’re having a lot of discussions with his agent,” Shanahan said, via 49ersWebZone.com. “Trent’s not here right now, obviously not at camp. I believe he’s in Houston, but I’m not sure. But we’re talking with his agent a lot, and hopefully, we can figure it out. As I’ve said the whole time, I am optimistic we will, but, of course, the sooner, the better.”
A recent report indicated the 49ers should be expected to address Williams’ deal in some way. It would surprise if a true extension came to pass, as Williams is 36 and signed through the 2026 season. Significant movement took place on the tackle market this offseason, with Tristan Wirfs and Christian Darrisaw raising the ceiling at left tackle and Penei Sewell coming in with a deal that established a new tier among right tackles. Williams has been the NFL’s first-team All-Pro LT for the past three seasons and is making an effort to secure better terms as a result.
The 49ers moving some of Williams’ future money into 2024 could be an option here, with incentives also potentially in the equation. Williams landed a then-tackle-record $23MM AAV when he signed a six-year, $138.1MM deal in 2021. The former Washington top-five pick, however, took a risk the market would move again by signing for such a lengthy term. Of course, Williams — who once engaged in a memorable stalemate with Washington, leading to the San Francisco trade — may have viewed a future holdout as an option when he signed the six-year contract.
A wide talent gulf exists between Williams and the other four 49ers O-line starters. The team, which has some notable payments to other stars on its roster, has opted to keep costs low everywhere else on its offensive front. The 49ers lost both games (not counting a Week 18 matchup in which the team rested starters) Williams did not finish last season, and the 15th-year veteran certainly seems to recognize his value to the team.
Williams, who is tied to a $20.1MM base salary on a contract that has seen its guarantees paid out, is testing the 49ers’ resolve. Though, given his importance, it should not be expected — at least, not just yet — that the 49ers would dare go into the season without their standout left tackle.
Giants Sign FB Jakob Johnson
Brian Daboll added former Raiders and Patriots offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo to the same position this offseason. The veteran assistant will soon see one of his former charges in the mix, though not necessarily as a blocker up front.
The Giants are bringing in fullback Jakob Johnson, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Johnson overlapped with Bricillo during the past two seasons (in Las Vegas) and was in New England during each of Bricillo’s three seasons there. The team waived tight end Tyree Jackson with an injury designation to clear a roster spot.
Johnson, 29, signed two one-year Raiders contracts; he initially arrived in Vegas after the Patriots non-tendered him as an RFA in 2022. He started 14 games with the Raiders and 20 as a Patriot. Johnson has certainly proven he is a viable NFL role player, though the Giants adding a fullback this close to the season is an interesting development.
The team already added a blocking tight end this offseason, signing Chris Manhertz shortly after his Broncos release. Johnson was one of only 10 fullbacks — as this position has been declining in relevance for a while — to see more than 180 offensive snaps last season. He logged 186 with the Raiders in 2023 but topped 300 each season from 2020-22.
Following Josh McDaniels‘ firing, Johnson yo-yoed between the Raiders’ practice squad and active roster. It is possible the Giants will view the sixth-year vet as an option for their 16-man P-squad this season. The team is fairly thin at tight end, having lost Darren Waller to retirement, and saw backup running back Tyrone Tracy suffer an ankle injury earlier this week. Tracy, however, only suffered a low ankle sprain, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, and is week-to-week.
Jim Harbaugh Interested In Adding Colin Kaepernick To Chargers’ Staff
AUGUST 16: As expected, Harbaugh confirmed Kaepernick will not be part of this year’s Chargers staff. Although the former 49ers coach has been a consistent Kaepernick backer, he also indicated (via the Associated Press) no playing opportunity will come from the Bolts. The new Chargers HC mentioned he has eyed his former quarterback as a coach dating back to his Michigan days. Seeing as Harbaugh already hired a few of his former 49ers, this is probably a fit to monitor beyond 2024.
“I have thought that for a long time. Just the respect that I have for the football mind he has and the football man that he is,” Harbaugh said of Kaepernick as a coach. “Al Davis saw something in me that made him think I would be a good coach, and I see those same qualities in Colin. If it is something he chooses.”
AUGUST 14: Colin Kaepernick‘s attempt to return to the NFL as a player is almost definitely over. No team signed the former Super Bowl starter during the eight offseasons since his 49ers separation, with a 2022 Raiders workout potentially being the free agent quarterback’s final true tie to a team.
But Jim Harbaugh has long been a backer. The new Chargers HC coaxed by far the best football of Kaepernick’s career, moving him into the 49ers’ starting lineup in 2012 and seeing the elevation lead to a Super Bowl XLVII berth and then another journey to the NFC championship game a year later. As Michigan’s HC in 2022, Harbaugh invited Kaepernick to throw as the Wolverines convened for their spring game. With Kaepernick now 36, Harbaugh is considering him for his coaching staff.
Kaepernick coaching connections have not surfaced, though this would be an interesting way for the former starter to return to the league years after his protest against police brutality and racial inequality keyed an NFL exile. Harbaugh said he has spoken with his former charge about a coaching position.
“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh said, via USA Today’s Jarrett Bell. “He’d be a tremendous coach, if that’s the path he chose. … We talked a little bit about it. He’s considering it. He was out of the country. He said he was going to get back to me. We haven’t reconnected since then. That was early, early in the year.”
This conversation took place shortly after Harbaugh was hired in January, Bell adds. The gap here would seemingly pour cold water on the prospect of Kaepernick following former teammates NaVorro Bowman, Jonathan Goodwin and Will Tukuafu onto Harbaugh’s first Chargers staff. Bowman signed on to be the Bolts’ linebackers coach.
It would not appear Kaepernick would have been brought in as QBs coach, as the Bolts made a point to rehire former Justin Herbert mentor Shane Day for that role. The 49ers’ starting center during the early part of Kaepernick’s career, Goodwin joined Harbaugh’s staff as an offensive assistant with an emphasis on QBs. That in itself is an interesting hire, as Goodwin — who last played in the NFL in 2014 — has no prior experience as an NFL assistant or full-time college staffer. It is worth wondering if this was the role Harbaugh had in mind for Kaepernick had he shown interest.
A 2011 second-round pick, Kaepernick arrived during Harbaugh’s first offseason in San Francisco and started 39 games during the HC’s time with the team. Kaepernick’s play declined post-Harbaugh, as the 49ers’ fortunes worsened. In the years since, the former dual threat has obviously been known more for his inability to return to the NFL. Last year, Kaepernick wrote a letter to Jets GM Joe Douglas about a backup gig following Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear.
As of July 2023, Kaepernick was still hoping to return as a player. He appears to still be aiming for a last-ditch re-emergence, telling Sky Sports recently he is still training in hopes one of the league’s owners would sign off on an opportunity. Given how much time has passed since Kaepernick’s March 2017 49ers separation, a return seems unrealistic.
It would, of course, be interesting if Kaepernick abandoned this path and reunited with Harbaugh as a coach. Harbaugh told Bell that Kaepernick’s divisive reputation would not be an issue that impeded a Chargers hire. As of now, it does not look like anything is in motion here.
Falcons To Sign S Justin Simmons
No Matt Judon extension is complete, but the Chris Lindstrom restructure will make way for another key payment. Justin Simmons‘ recent Falcons visit will produce a deal.
Atlanta is bringing in the longtime Denver safety starter on a one-year, $8MM accord, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. This will give the Falcons an elite safety duo, with Simmons — a four-time All-Pro — set to team with Jessie Bates. Former Simmons Broncos teammate Su’a Cravens, now with CBS Sports Central, initially reported this deal would come to pass. Raheem Morris and Falcon defenders Bates, AJ Terrell and Grady Jarrett joined Simmons for dinner during his visit, with veteran reporter Jordan Schultz indicating this helped seal the deal.
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Simmons will receive $7.5MM fully guaranteed, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Of course, guarantees on this contract are less important due to vested veterans’ salaries locking in just before Week 1. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe labels this a one-year, $7.5MM pact that features a $500K incentive for a first-team All-Pro nod.
Still, Simmons does far better than a veteran-minimum deal after a lengthy free agency stay. The former Broncos defensive centerpiece — released in March in a Broncos cost-cutting move — will have a chance to create a 2025 market for himself, and the Falcons will have exclusive negotiating rights with the ninth-year veteran until March.
Since Simmons’ 2016 NFL debut, no one has more interceptions than the former third-round pick. The Boston College product snared 30 in Denver. Four of those came off Patrick Mahomes, though team success eluded the seven-year Denver starter. Drafted two months after the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 win, Simmons soon toiled for a franchise that struggled to replace Peyton Manning. As the Russell Wilson trade did not pan out, Simmons and Patrick Surtain led in keeping the Denver defense afloat. Simmons has camped on the All-Pro second team, landing there four times since 2019.
Although Simmons played under Vic Fangio and Ejiro Evero, he will instead land in Atlanta. Morris worked with Evero in Los Angeles, which should make a quicker acclimation process possible for the 30-year-old defender. Simmons had said he wanted to sign with a contender. While the Falcons have not qualified as such since midway through the Dan Quinn years, they have operated aggressively to change that this offseason. Kirk Cousins‘ arrival spearheaded the effort, and Simmons will join Judon in helping Atlanta attempt to snap a postseason hiatus. The Falcons’ drought has lasted almost as long as the Broncos’, with the 2017 divisional round doubling as the team’s most recent playoff outing.
Simmons led the NFL with six interceptions in 2022, helping keep the Broncos in close games amid their maddening Wilson-Nathaniel Hackett season, and his return from injury last year — after the Dolphins’ 70-20 demolition — coincided with a midseason turnaround. Also intercepting five passes during the 2020 and ’21 seasons, Simmons will join a Falcons secondary that just received a strong Bates debut. The ex-Bengal intercepted six passes and forced three fumbles in his first Falcons slate (Simmons forced five fumbles over the past two years). Bates is tied to a four-year, $64MM deal — one that checked in just higher than Simmons’ 2021 Broncos extension.
Given his age, Simmons is unlikely to come too close to a future deal in the ballpark of the one he inked three years ago (four years, $61MM). But he played three years on that contract and collected franchise tag money in 2020. Simmons can push his career earnings past $70MM on this Falcons pact.
The Falcons have former second-round pick Richie Grant under contract, but part-time starter DeMarcco Hellams sustained a significant ankle injury recently. Although Grant has started 32 career games — including 15 last season — this addition stands to reduce his role. It should be expected the Falcons will trot out a Bates-Simmons pair in a secondary that still includes Terrell’s rookie contract.
After the Saints brought in the accomplished safety for a meeting early in training camp, the Falcons will instead swoop in. It will now be interesting to see if they hammer out an agreement with Judon, who spent his final months in New England angling for new terms.
Offseason In Review: Tennessee Titans
Barely a year after firing GM Jon Robinson, Amy Adams Strunk pulled the plug on the second high-profile staff extension she authorized back in 2022. Firing Mike Vrabel does not bring a full-on reset for the Titans, but the owner has given GM Ran Carthon the keys. The second-year decision-maker set out to load up his roster around Will Levis‘ rookie contract, leading to some high-priced free agency moves.
As the Titans look to pick up the pieces following a down (and injury-riddled) past two seasons, they also said goodbye to one of the greatest players in team history. With Derrick Henry gone, the Titans — who fired Robinson in December 2022 — have stripped their offense of nearly all the previous GM’s investments. This is Carthon’s show now, and the Titans will attempt to justify their Levis confidence this season.
Coaching/front office:
- Fired Mike Vrabel after six seasons, hired Brian Callahan as HC replacement
- Added Jaguars’ Nick Holz as offensive coordinator, Ravens’ Dennard Wilson as DC
- GM Ran Carthon now holds full roster control; team promotes Chad Brinker to president of football ops
- Browns let Bill Callahan out of contract, allowing him to join son as Titans’ O-line coach
- Retained Vrabel staffers Chris Harris, Justin Outten
- Hired Raiders interim OC Bo Hardegree, requested HC interview with Antonio Pierce
The Vrabel-Carthon-Adams Strunk partnership soured fast. Although Carthon said he was not in the meeting when Adams Strunk decided to fire Vrabel, the GM benefitted in the form of full roster control. Vrabel had maximized some moderately well-regarded Titans rosters, leading the team to four straight winning seasons and three playoff berths. Tennessee was believed to have a trade chip due to Vrabel’s standing in the game, but in not wanting to see trade talks impede an immediate coaching search, Adams Strunk went through with a much-discussed firing.
Adams Strunk had signed Vrabel and Robinson to extensions shortly after the 2021 season; she will be paying two HCs and two GMs for the foreseeable future. For all of Vrabel’s accomplishments — which includes a Coach of the Year honor, an AFC championship game venture, two division titles and a No. 1 seed — he butted heads with the team’s owner last season.
Carthon’s role became an issue for the coach, who suggested to Adams Strunk she name the ex-49ers exec assistant GM. Vrabel preferred former interim GM Ryan Cowden. This surely did not go over well with Carthon, even though he attempted to distance himself from the firing (however, a report of a rift surfaced late last year). Adams Strunk also considered firing Vrabel after the 2022 season, and she balked at the HC’s request for roster control.
Not exactly pleased with Vrabel’s trip to Foxborough during the Titans’ bye week last season (to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame), Adams Strunk took a risk by jettisoning one of the NFL’s most respected leaders. But Vrabel’s inability to land another HC job during this year’s cycle undoubtedly affected his stock. He will join ex-mentor Bill Belichick on the 2025 coaching carousel. At 49, Vrabel may have a better chance of landing another gig.
The Titans’ Pierce effort did not get off the ground, and Callahan — after five seasons as a non-play-calling OC — became the pick soon after. An extension of the Sean McVay coaching tree (due to being a Zac Taylor lieutenant), Callahan played a central role in a Bengals ascent that included back-to-back AFC championship game appearances for the first time in franchise history.
Vrabel operated as a CEO coach; Adams Strunk’s next hire will have more in-game control. The former Joe Burrow mentor will have his first chance to call plays this season, injecting some uncertainty into the Titans’ proceedings. But they have one of the architects of a quality NFL turnaround. Adams Strunk will hope hiring Callahan, 40, will unlock some levels for a scuffling offense. Taylor being able to retain his coordinators (Callahan, Lou Anarumo) for five seasons was interesting given the team’s resurgence, but after being on the interview circuit for a bit, Callahan will get to work on what looks like a more difficult project, with Levis nowhere near the level of prospect Burrow was.
Wilson stands as the team’s top assistant. This gig comes a year after the Eagles passed over their secondary coach for DC, leading him to Baltimore. Mike Macdonald parlayed the Ravens’ No. 1-ranked defense into an HC job; three of his lieutenants — Wilson, Zach Orr and Anthony Weaver — landed DC positions. A DBs coach since 2015, Wilson paid his dues and will have a shot to be the top defensive voice in a team’s building. Meanwhile, Callahan’s play-calling role will limit Holz’s reach.
Wilson, 42, has a history with Carthon; both were in the Rams organization from 2015-16. Wilson then spent time with the Jets and Eagles, the second of his Philadelphia seasons a Super Bowl campaign. He then helmed Kyle Hamilton to an All-Pro season and Geno Stone to a breakout year.
Holz, 40, has traveled a less conventional path. He bounced between the quality control level and assistant wide receivers coach with the Raiders from 2012-21. After a year as UNLV’s OC, Holz reentered the NFL as the Jags’ pass-game coordinator. Not present for Trevor Lawrence‘s late-season surge in 2022, Holz instead rode an uneven Jags 2023 season into this gig. This hire did not garner much attention, but Holz’s lack of experience as an NFL position coach is notable.
Dot-connecting made predicting the next Titans O-line coach rather easy, though it took the Browns letting Bill Callahan out of his contract to make a reunion with his son possible. The Callahans have never coached on the same staff previously. One of the game’s best O-line coaches, Bill Callahan helped turn the Browns’ front into an elite unit and will now take over the development of first-rounders Peter Skoronski and JC Latham. This will mark a pivotal chapter for the former Raiders HC, who is now 68.
Trades:
- Acquired franchise-tagged CB L’Jarius Sneed, No. 252 from Chiefs in exchange for No. 221, 2025 third-round pick; agreed to terms with CB on four-year, $76.4MM extension ($51.5MM guaranteed)
- Obtained OL Leroy Watson from Browns for No. 227
Several teams checked on Sneed, whom the Chiefs allowed to seek a trade upon franchise-tagging him. Keeping with its Andy Reid-era approach of not extending or re-signing cornerbacks, Kansas City prioritized a Chris Jones windfall over a Sneed re-signing. Despite Sneed enjoying a borderline dominant contract year, the Chiefs were unable to land too much. The prospect of a team then needing to extend the former fourth-round pick at a high rate dented the trade value, though the team did ultimately collect a Day 2 pick for a player it counted on as a starter during both Super Bowl-winning seasons.
The report of the trade being finalized came shortly after a separate assessment indicating the Titans had cooled on Sneed. Tennessee was indeed one of the initial suitors, being aggressive here despite having given Chidobe Awuzie a hefty contract two weeks earlier. The Sneed deal came after the Titans had met with Tre’Davious White, who ended up with the Rams. The Titans’ early-round CB investments under Robinson either left in free agency after inconsistent tenures (Adoree’ Jackson, Kristian Fulton) or have seen injuries harpoon their careers (Caleb Farley). Carthon decided to start fresh, adding two new boundary starters in March.
One of the Chiefs’ run of CB discoveries under Steve Spagnuolo, Sneed allowed just a 51% completion rate as the closest defender (at 4.8 yards per target) and a 56.2 passer rating. The Louisiana Tech alum did not yield a touchdown last season, playing an elite level for a Chiefs team suddenly unable to rely on its star-studded offense. Sneed’s advanced coverage numbers were not as flashy during his 2021 and ’22 starter slates, but he might be the top CB find during the Chiefs’ Reid era.
The Titans rewarded the 27-year-old defender with the highest guarantee at signing among corners. Sneed’s guarantee checks in $7MM north of the next-closest CB, but his AAV ($19.1MM) sits eighth. Sneed did well to secure guarantees into Year 3, which will make it difficult for the Titans to get off this contract — should the versatile DB not pan out in Nashville — until 2027. With experience outside and in the slot, Sneed gives the Titans options. Sneed will probably stick on the boundary considering the season he just put together in that role, with former second-rounder Roger McCreary still in place in the slot.
Free agency additions:
- Calvin Ridley, WR. Four years, $92MM ($46.98MM guaranteed)
- Lloyd Cushenberry, C. Four years, $50MM ($26MM guaranteed)
- Chidobe Awuzie, CB. Three years, $36MM ($19MM guaranteed)
- Tony Pollard, RB. Three years, $21.75MM ($10.49MM guaranteed)
- Kenneth Murray, LB. Two years, $15.5MM ($7.49MM guaranteed)
- Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL. One year, $4MM ($3.58MM guaranteed)
- Quandre Diggs, S. One year, $3MM ($2.75MM guaranteed)
- Mason Rudolph, QB. One year, $2.87MM ($2.7MM guaranteed)
- Tyler Boyd, WR. One year, $2.4MM ($1.2MM guaranteed)
- Jamal Adams, S. One year, $1.29MM ($1.15MM guaranteed)
- Geron Christian, T. One year, $1.25MM ($250K guaranteed)
- Nick Vannett, TE. One year, $1.21MM
Knowing he had a rookie-scale QB contract to build around, Carthon proceeded to increase the talent level — no matter the cost — by adding the top players at multiple positions. Overpays may well be present among this class, but the Titans had seen many of their starters become unreliable in recent years — due largely to injuries. Although Levis is far from a sure thing, the Titans’ free agency plan is dependent on the rookie making strides and this contract complementing FAs’ guaranteed salaries over the next two years.
Ridley was not the first of the free agents to sign, but his contract generated the most attention. Lurking as a Jaguars-Patriots duel formed for the former first-rounder’s services, the Titans came in with a deal that surprised many. With Mike Evans re-signing with the Buccaneers before free agency and the Colts tagging Michael Pittman Jr., WR-needy teams spent. The Gabe Davis and Darnell Mooney $13MM-per-year contracts illustrate that.
The Titans were determined to pay up for a more proven commodity, though Ridley’s age and inconsistent past somewhat undercuts his two 1,000-yard seasons. That did not end up mattering in this market; Ridley secured the fourth-most guaranteed money at signing among WRs.
Leaving the Falcons for mental health reasons early during the 2021 season, Ridley then incurred a full-season gambling suspension. This drained a chunk of his prime, and although he has only finished four NFL seasons, the 2018 first-rounder will turn 30 this year. The Titans only guaranteed two of Ridley’s base salaries, which will make a 2026 escape doable in the event this is indeed a regrettable overpay.
With DeAndre Hopkins again battling knee trouble, the Titans need Ridley to build on the 1,016-yard showing he delivered last season in Jacksonville. Ridley working out also would provide the Titans a bonus, as it cost the Jags third- and fifth-round picks to secure one season of the veteran wideout. For a Titans team having some experience with bad receiver decisions this decade (Julio Jones, A.J. Brown), this is certainly a gamble. But a case can also be made Ridley has room for growth after posting a 1,000-yard year following effectively two missed seasons.
Contract Structure An Issue For Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase?
More than two weeks into training camp, Ja’Marr Chase has not practiced. The star Bengals wide receiver’s hold-in also included a missed practice this week, via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby. Two years, however, remain on Chase’s rookie deal. The Bengals have time here, as much as Chase wants to force the issue.
Although the Bengals could have waived fines had Chase staged a true holdout from the beginning of camp, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes the fourth-year wideout needed to show up to collect a $3.81MM training camp roster bonus. Rather than a holdout leading to fines scrapped (potentially) due to Chase being on his rookie deal, he would not have been able to recoup the bonus had he held out. Seeing as Chase has yet to cash in on a monster second contract, showing up for camp by Day 3 — when the bonus was due — was seemingly a non-decision.
More significantly, the Justin Jefferson contract has changed an already-booming receiver market. Chase wanted to wait for his college teammate to cash in, as it would stand to improve his terms, and the Vikings gave their All-Pro weapon a record-smashing $88.7MM guaranteed at signing and $110MM guaranteed in total. That has undoubtedly affected the Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb negotiations and has likely bled into the 49ers’ talks with Brandon Aiyuk. Chase is younger than both and may end up the closest to Jefferson when these first-rounders are all signed.
Mike Brown said earlier in camp the Bengals view Chase as their second-best player and one the team would “bend over backwards” to sign, though the owner stopped short of saying an extension was likely this year. The owner/nominal GM alluded to no deal happening this year, but Chase is seemingly trying to force the team’s hand. The former No. 5 overall pick is tied to only a $1.1MM base salary (plus the aforementioned bonus) this year.
The Bengals exercising Chase’s fifth-year option, however, gives them two more years of control. Two other teams — the Eagles and Dolphins — broke with precedent by signing first-round receivers (DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle) to extensions with two years of control remaining, but the Bengals are more traditional in how they operate.
While the Bengals paid Joe Burrow a year early, most teams with franchise-caliber first-round QBs do so. The team waited until just before A.J. Green‘s fifth season to pay him back in 2015. The Bengals also relented on contract structure for Burrow, authorizing guaranteed salary beyond Year 1. The Bengals traditionally only include the signing bonus as a post-Year 1 guarantee, as Orlando Brown Jr.‘s 2023 agreement showed recently. They might need to make an exception for Chase, but ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano brings this matter up as one that will pertain to the negotiations with the three-time Pro Bowler.
The Bengals would rather address this matter in 2025, Graziano adds, and SI.com’s Albert Breer offers that Chase may ultimately be OK with that route as well. Lamb and Aiyuk will likely have second contracts by then, providing a clearer roadmap for the new market. The Bengals may need to find a guarantee compromise with Chase, as Jefferson’s numbers are out of step with the market. Lamb and Aiyuk, however, figure to provide a bridge between Jefferson’s fully guaranteed figure and the next-closest number (Tyreek Hill‘s $54MM).
Chase and Jefferson were communicating during the latter’s Minnesota negotiation, Breer adds, so it stands to reason the Cincinnati target will seek a similarly structured contract. The Bengals are one of the few teams who still proceed this way in terms of guarantees, and Graziano adds this has caused issues with players they have attempted to sign in the past.
A report indicating the team has bristled at the notion it will need to change its guarantee policy for non-QBs sets the stage for a complicated negotiation. While Chase’s rookie deal points to this showdown taking place in 2025, this issue will certainly come up as the team’s top weapon angles for Jefferson-level terms.
Bills Place WR Chase Claypool On IR
AUGUST 15: As expected, the Bills have reached an injury settlement with Claypool, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. This will send the former second-round pick back into free agency, though the terms of the settlement will dictate when he can sign. This settlement will allow Claypool to play this season, but his stock has nosedived since some early-career promise.
AUGUST 13: Not standing out in a crowded Bills receiver competition, Chase Claypool will exit this derby early. Buffalo placed the big-bodied wide receiver on IR on Tuesday.
The Bills dropped Claypool from their 90-man roster and added wideout Deon Cain. The latter joins Monday addition Damiere Byrd among wideouts competing for back-end roster spots or practice squad gigs in Buffalo. Additionally, Buffalo placed quarterback Shane Buechele on IR. This move will officially bring Ben DiNucci onto the team’s active roster.
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This does not necessarily end Claypool’s season. Depending on the nature of his injury, the fifth-year receiver can catch on elsewhere and play in 2024 via an injury settlement. But Claypool’s career has trended in the wrong direction for a bit. He has not been the same player since his initial Steelers seasons, and the Bills will continue to look for players to round out their new-look wideout group.
A toe injury sends the 26-year-old target to IR. Assuming this is not a season-ender, the terms of a likely injury settlement will dictate when he can join another team. Though, ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg notes the former second-round pick has missed most of Buffalo’s training camp. The Bills, who made several free agent moves at this position during an offseason that featured Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis leaving, will now evaluate the likes of Byrd and Cain as part of an evolving receiver battle.
Buffalo added Claypool, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to its roster this spring. Hollins is believed to be on steady ground, while Samuel is a roster lock based on the terms of his contract. Khalil Shakir and second-round pick Keon Coleman also will be regulars for this Bills edition, leaving the rest of the contingent to vie for backup gigs.
Claypool, who signed with the team shortly after the draft, is coming off an unremarkable Dolphins season. That came after an unproductive Bears stint. The 238-pound Notre Dame alum topped 850 receiving yards in each of his first two years, catching nine touchdown passes as a rookie. Maturity issues have dogged Claypool, who still totaled 451 yards during a 2022 season in which he fetched the Steelers the No. 32 overall pick in a trade. The Bears could only land a late-round pick swap in a Dolphins deal last September. Claypool caught eight passes for 77 yards in 2023.
Aiming to be the Bills’ third-string quarterback behind Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky, Buechele sustained a neck injury that will take him out of that equation. A 2021 Chiefs UDFA, Buechele who played at SMU and Texas, Buechele joined the Bills’ practice squad in August 2023 and received a reserve/futures deal in January. DiNucci is now the team’s third-string option.