Vikings To Start Nick Mullens In Week 15
DECEMBER 14: Dobbs will make a Zach Wilson-like drop on the Vikings’ depth chart. After consideration, O’Connell said Hall will be Mullens’ backup against the Bengals on Saturday. Dobbs will act as Minnesota’s emergency quarterback. Hall will reclaim the QB2 job he held near the season’s midpoint, when Mullens’ IR stay moved the BYU product behind Cousins.
A third-string role is not unusual for Dobbs, who worked in this capacity in Pittsburgh for a bit. But he spent much of last season as Jacoby Brissett‘s Browns backup, finishing the year as the Titans’ emergency starter. The latter run put Dobbs in line to back up Deshaun Watson this season. After both his 2023 trades, Dobbs ended up as a starter. After eight Cardinals starts and four with the Vikes, he will take a seat for the time being. Additionally, the Vikings ruled out starting running back Alexander Mattison due to an ankle sprain.
DECEMBER 12: The Vikings, who entered this season with one of the most durable quarterbacks in NFL history, will soon match the Browns for QB1 volume. Minnesota is set to start Nick Mullens in Week 15, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.
Mullens replaced Josh Dobbs in the Vikings’ 3-0 win over the Raiders. While Dobbs fared well when called upon shortly after the midseason trade, he has struggled in recent weeks. Mullens has been with the Vikings since the team added him just before the 2022 season.
Minnesota will go from Kirk Cousins to Jaren Hall to Dobbs to Mullens as its starting quarterbacks this season. The team turned to Dobbs initially due to a Hall concussion and Mullens residing on IR. The team activated the former 49ers UDFA from IR last month, and he will suddenly become a key factor in the NFC playoff race.
A Southern Miss product Kyle Shanahan once used as San Francisco’s primary starter after Jimmy Garoppolo‘s 2018 ACL tear, Mullens has 17 starts under his belt. He has not started a game since 2021, which came about due to both Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum residing in the COVID-19 protocol that December. Mullens, however, made eight starts in both the 2018 and ’20 seasons.
Just before waiving Kellen Mond in August 2022, the Vikings acquired Mullens from the Raiders to back up Cousins. The team re-signed the reserve arm to a two-year, $4MM deal this offseason. That AAV checked in south of many QB2 contracts this offseason, but the Vikings had not needed to worry about an injury to their starting quarterback since Sam Bradford went down in September 2017. Cousins had never missed a game due to injury in his career prior to the Achilles tear he suffered in October. With Mullens already on IR with a back injury, the team trotted out Hall. But it backstopped the fifth-round rookie with Dobbs, acquired from the Cardinals in a deadline-day pick-swap trade.
Following Dobbs’ four-INT showing in a Week 12 loss to the Bears, Kevin O’Connell said the team would revisit its QB hierarchy during the bye week. With Justin Jefferson coming back in Week 14, the Vikings chose to give Dobbs another chance. Amid the only 3-0 game played indoors in NFL history, O’Connell yanked Dobbs and called in Mullens, whose 9-for-13 showing helped the team escape Las Vegas with a game-winning field goal. The Vikings have not decided if Dobbs or Hall will be Mullens’ backup against the Bengals on Saturday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com notes.
Mullens, 28, holds a career 65.4% completion rate. Finishing with an impressive 8.3 yards per attempt as a rookie, Mullens carries a career 7.7 mark in that category. Being at the controls for George Kittle‘s then-record season for tight end receiving yards, Mullens has thrown 27 career touchdown passes compared to 23 interceptions. The Vikings will see how viable the sixth-year vet is outside of Shanahan’s system, though O’Connell’s is also derived from the Shanahans/Gary Kubiak family. The Vikes will Mullens the keys as they attempt to either hold onto wild-card real estate or eclipse the Lions in the NFC North.
Patriots Expected To Move On From Bill Belichick; Chargers On Radar?
DECEMBER 14: Adding to the notion a decision to move on from Belichick was made after the Colts loss, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated opines Kraft and Belichick have discussed their future and the manner in which they will part ways over the past several weeks. Breer’s latest appearance on the Rich Eisen Show also taps Mayo as the heir apparent to Belichick many have labeled him as for some time now (video link). As Breer notes, Mayo’s contract runs parallel to Belichick’s, so a transition from one to the other would not be complicated.
DECEMBER 13: Although the Patriots upset the Steelers in Week 14, the team still holds a 3-10 record. This has easily been Bill Belichick‘s worst season at the helm. The wildly successful HC looks no closer to convincing the Patriots to stay the course for 2024.
Long rumored to be coaching elsewhere next season, Belichick indeed appears to have four games left during his tenure as Patriots HC. Going as far back as the Week 10 loss to the Colts in Germany, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran indicates (video link) ownership had made a decision it would part ways with Belichick at season’s end. Continuing on that road, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano notes a “strong likelihood” exists the Patriots and Belichick will split in 2024.
A recent report pointed to Robert Kraft seeking an amicable solution with Belichick, who has not been linked to retirement. But the owner made comments pointing to a playoff mandate this offseason. Kraft also responded that, after Belichick cited spending as an issue, he has not limited the HC/de facto GM when it comes to adding talent. This cold war of sorts looks almost certain to end soon, and the upcoming transaction has generated interest.
With Belichick under contract through at least 2024, he is positioned to carry trade value for the Patriots. Though, it is not known exactly how much. After one report last week pegged the 71-year-old HC’s value as enough to net New England a first-round pick, another suggested tepid interest would emerge on a market that is expected to be kind once again to younger, offensive-minded candidates.
Unless nothing else can be worked out, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds Kraft is unlikely to fire Belichick. But this does set the stage for one of the most interesting derbies for a coach in NFL history. Bruce Arians became the oldest HC ever hired; he was 66 when the Buccaneers acquired his rights from the Cardinals in 2019. Belichick will turn 72 next year. A team would be eyeing the legendary sideline presence for a shorter-term period, as he aims to break Don Shula‘s career wins record. While the Patriots obviously wanted that to happen in Foxborough, the 2023 team’s persistent struggles are set to make that next to impossible.
Belichick, who has won six Super Bowls as a head coach and two more as a coordinator (with the Giants), should not be expected to land with the Panthers, Fowler adds. Given David Tepper‘s imprint on that franchise since his 2018 purchase, he stands to have a difficult time attracting top-of-the-line candidates. But the Chargers have emerged as a prospective suitor. Some around the NFL are monitoring the Bolts as a Belichick fit, Fowler adds.
The Chargers are almost certain to fire Brandon Staley at the end of (or during?) his third season. Eleventh-year GM Tom Telesco joins Staley on the hot seat, though his ouster is not as certain. It took the Broncos first- and second-round picks (with a third-rounder coming back) to obtain Sean Payton‘s rights this year, and Belichick cost the Pats a first-rounder back in 2000. It only took a late-round pick swap for the Bucs to add Arians, but the Patriots will likely start conversations with a first-round choice. Belichick’s age complicates a trade, however.
It would be interesting to see if Belichick reveals a preference for a team behind the scenes, potentially pointing to the Pats accepting slightly lesser compensation to finalize a peaceful parting. If Belichick shows an interest in a team only to see it not offer what the Patriots are seeking in terms of draft compensation, that could put Kraft to a test. Kraft and Co. will also face a timeline, seeing as the coaching market will heat up in mid-January. Finding a solution during that timeframe will be paramount for the Pats, who will be on track to seek a traditional HC-GM setup, to form a new power structure. Jerod Mayo has been viewed as the top in-house successor option, but given the way the Belichick era is ending, will Kraft want to promote from within?
The Bolts have gone with two short-term coordinators as HCs, in Anthony Lynn and Staley, over their past two hires. While they have been linked to a similar move (in Lions two-year OC Ben Johnson), Belichick would represent quite the zag. On the other hand, pairing Justin Herbert with the modern game’s most successful HC would be an intriguing solution. Herbert’s presence will be a natural attraction for candidates, and Belichick would certainly represent star power for a franchise that has not found its footing in Los Angeles.
NFL Approves 2024 Brazil Game; Nine International Games In Play For 2025
The NFL has officially voted to authorize a 2024 game to be played in Brazil. After months of rumors on this front, Sao Paulo will be the site of one of the league’s international contests next season, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports.
Brazil and Spain had been the candidates for the expansion. While the NFL’s first move into South America represents a significant step, the more notable news item from the league’s Wednesday vote pertains to the 2025 season. A five-game overseas slate is on tap for 2024, but the NFL is considering a major increase in foreign contests soon after.
As many as nine international games could be on the 2025 docket, Rapoport adds. This will include eight dates plus the Jaguars’ agreement to play a London game each year. Considering the league’s international schedule sits at five presently, the football world could be in for quite the expansion in two years. The 2025 plan doubles as the most significant adjustment to the league’s schedule since it launched its international series in 2007.
The Brazil game will take place at Corinthians Arena, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. Corinthians Arena hosted matches in the 2014 World Cup and was one of the venues used during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Sao Paulo being two hours ahead of Eastern Time would not mandate an early-morning game like the European venues do, though it is uncertain when this Brazil matchup will fall on the schedule.
Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal broached the subject of this international expansion for 2025, indicating (via NBC Sports’ Peter King) the NFL is considering adjusting its mandate for teams to play at least one “home” game overseas every four years rather than every eight years. Mexico City will be back in play in 2025, per King, following Azteca Stadium’s renovations. London, Germany and Spain will be on the table to host games. France has emerged as a prospective host nation as well, and the Washington Post’s Mark Maske mentions Australia as a possible host site. Sweden has also been mentioned as a possible host down the line.
With the expanded international slate looking like a go for 2025, the NFL would be on tap to see half its teams play an international game. Considering the logistical issues that come with this and certain teams losing a home game, it will be interesting to see if the league expands further. Placing 16 international games would be the fairest number here, potentially awarding overseas “home” games to the conference assigned to play only eight true home games that season. Though, that might be a tough ask given the hurdles the league encounters when formulating a schedule annually.
No organized opposition stood in place to block this effort for as many as nine international games to be played per year, King notes, adding that the eight non-Mexico City games could be presented as a TV package in the 9:30am ET window. That has served as the window for this era’s batch of Europe-based contests. It appears the NFL, which played zero overseas games in 2020 or ’21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has opened the door to a four-window Sunday in at least half of the 2025 season.
Noise about a team stationed in Europe persists, but no true movement in that direction has taken place in years. But the NFL’s travel itineraries will still look a bit different in 2025.
Baker Mayfield Wants To Re-Sign With Bucs
The Buccaneers will be one of the teams exiting this season with quarterback uncertainty. They have Baker Mayfield on a one-year, $4MM deal, one that came about due in large part to the $35.1MM dead-money hit from Tom Brady‘s expired contract. Mayfield has recovered from a 2022 regression, though he is still three months from free agency.
Tampa Bay is believed to be open to a second Mayfield contract (though, no talks are believed to have taken place), and it is not a lock the quarterback commits to testing free agency now that he has reestablished some momentum. Mayfield said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) he is interested in staying with the Bucs beyond this season.
After ranking last in the NFL in 2022 QBR, Mayfield sits 18th. He rallied the Bucs on a go-ahead scoring drive to topple the Falcons in Week 14, moving Tampa Bay into first place (via tiebreakers) in the again-underwhelming NFC South. The former No. 1 overall pick has thrown 20 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions, forming a strong connection with Mike Evans, who joins him as a free agent-to-be.
It will be interesting to see if Mayfield’s showing will garner first-year OC Dave Canales any HC interest, but for now, the Bucs have a chance at their third straight division title — in a season that was loosely deemed a retooling year due to the void years-driven Brady bill that hit the 2023 cap sheet.
In addition to Mayfield, the Bucs have Evans and Antoine Winfield Jr. as looming UFAs. Playing at an All-Pro level, Winfield will be in position to command a deal in the Jessie Bates neighborhood — should the Bucs let him reach the market. Although the Bucs were able to re-sign DBs Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean after letting each hit free agency, the team may well consider the franchise tag for the former second-round pick. Mayfield would not seem an especially strong tag candidate.
The Bucs’ draft position may also help determine their path with Mayfield. Should Tampa Bay not close out its bid for another division title, its pick could land near the top 10. That would put the team in range to potentially trade up in Round 1 or nab the best non-Caleb Williams/Drake Maye prospect. Tampa Bay defending its NFC South title and landing at No. 19 or below would alter its draft equation.
Mayfield, 28, stands to join Kirk Cousins as a top QB available in free agency. Gardner Minshew and Ryan Tannehill are set to accompany the NFC duo as starter-level arms unsigned beyond this season. Mayfield has done well to earn himself a better market, but there probably will not be many teams looking for free agent QB1s next year — especially if the Bears decide to trade Justin Fields and select a quarterback with their Panthers-obtained pick. Moving parts exist here, but wherever Mayfield ends up in 2024, he should be attached to a higher salary.
Steelers Notes: Tomlin, Sullivan, Pickett
The Steelers’ Mitchell Trubisky-quarterbacked losses to the Cardinals and Patriots are not likely to lead to a Mike Tomlin ouster. The patient organization is not expected to move the 17th-year HC to the hot seat, but some issues with Tomlin’s moves have come up within the building.
As of now, it does not look likely the Steelers will make another in-house promotion to fill the offensive coordinator role. Play-caller Mike Sullivan has next to no chance to follow in Randy Fichtner and Matt Canada‘s footsteps, according to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post.
Although the Steelers received an initial bump with Sullivan calling the shots, it was short-lived. They surpassed 400 total yards for the first time since Week 2 of the 2020 season, but the team has endured ugly home losses in the weeks since. A former Buccaneers and Giants OC, Sullivan is working as the Steelers’ play-caller while Eddie Faulkner — previously the team’s running backs coach — holds the interim OC title. Both Fichtner (who replaced Todd Haley in 2018) and Canada (who replaced Fichtner in 2021) were elevated from QBs coach to OC; Sullivan is unlikely to make the same move. Some of Tomlin’s hiring choices have drawn questions inside the organization, and La Canfora adds it is likely ownership will play a role as Tomlin searches for his next play-caller.
Slow starts and the inconsistent usage of promising former UDFA Jaylen Warren have also confounded some in the team’s building, per La Canfora, but Kenny Pickett‘s status is also worth monitoring. Last year’s No. 20 overall pick has not taken off in his second season, and while he has not had much time to work with Sullivan calling the plays, the Pitt product has underwhelmed based on his draft status. Questions within the organization remain concerning Pickett’s development, JLC adds.
Two years remain on Pickett’s rookie contract, and although the Steelers’ next OC will play the lead role in this development effort, the team has seen its efforts thus far stall. Pickett sits 25th in QBR, after ranking 20th in a low-octane rookie season that did include some promising late-game showings near its conclusion. Pickett has managed only 13 touchdown passes in 24 starts; he has posted just a 6.3-yard average per attempt over his career. It is not yet known if the Steelers want to take the route the 2020 Bears took with Trubisky, acquiring a veteran (Nick Foles) to compete with the scuffling starter. But concern about Pickett’s progress is probably warranted at this point.
Tomlin, 51, did not receive an extension this offseason, but if the Steelers are planning to retain him for 2024 — thus far, all signs point to the affirmative — they will likely hand out another contract before next season to avoid lame-duck status. Once again, the well-regarded HC’s .500-or-better streak is in jeopardy. Trubisky is set to make another start, and the wild-card contender (7-6) is sinking fast.
Even with the Steelers’ penchant for coach stability, Tomlin has generated scrutiny in recent years. The team has not won a playoff game since a touchdown-less triumph over the Chiefs in the 2016 divisional round, losing twice at home since. The Steelers’ status quo may face bigger-picture questions in 2024. How the franchise, which is still positioned in a wild-card spot despite the recent defeats, reassembles pieces may well become pivotal toward Tomlin’s long-term standing.
Commanders To Waive CB Danny Johnson
Danny Johnson has spent his entire career in Washington, being with the team through its two recent name changes. The sixth-year cornerback will now be available for other teams.
The Commanders informed the veteran defender he will be waived, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This comes nine months after the team re-signed Johnson to a two-year, $5MM deal. This cut will cost Washington more than $1MM in dead money.
Washington will fill Johnson’s roster spot with another cornerback. The team claimed Kyu Blu Kelly off waivers from the Packers, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post tweets. A fifth-round Ravens pick this year, Kelly is already on team No. 4. The Ravens, Seahawks and Packers have waived the Stanford product.
Since Johnson re-signed with the team this offseason, significant changes have occurred. Ron Rivera fired DC Jack Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer after a Thanksgiving Day loss. Johnson has been with the team long enough he predates Rivera and Del Rio, however. Among Washington defenders, only Jonathan Allen has been with the team longer. Washington initially picked up Johnson as a UDFA in 2018.
Johnson, 28, has started eight games over the course of his career; four came last season. The 5-foot-9 defender has operated exclusively as a backup this year, though he has played 24% of Washington’s defensive snaps. Johnson’s snap count has tailed off in recent weeks; Johnson has only played more than 11 defensive snaps once since Week 8.
Kelly is six years younger and remains attached to his rookie contract. Three teams have now claimed him. The Seahawks did so in August, and the Packers followed suit in November. Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of ex-Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning cornerback Brian Kelly, has played just one defensive snap over six games this season.
Broncos TE Greg Dulcich Back At Practice
Battling chronic hamstring trouble over his first two NFL seasons, Greg Dulcich has landed on IR four times due to this particular issue. While this has happened twice in 2023, the Broncos have not given up on the pass-catching tight end contributing this season.
Dulcich is back at Broncos practice Wednesday; the team designated the second-year tight end to return from IR, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Dulcich has been out since aggravating his hamstring injury in Week 6. The UCLA product initially suffered the injury in Week 1. Teams can activate a player from IR twice in one season, but both moves go toward the team’s activation total. The Broncos have five IR activations left.
While the Broncos have turned their season around by winning six out of their past seven games, they have not received much production from their tight end position. Adam Trautman‘s precise placement on a touchdown against the Browns notwithstanding, no Denver tight end has surpassed 150 receiving yards this year. In just 10 games last year, Dulcich posted 411.
The Broncos placed Dulcich on IR twice as a rookie, stashing him on the injured list to start his career and moving him back to close the season. While Dulcich stood out on a broken offense in between, his hamstring issues followed him to Year 2. The UCLA product hit IR after Week 1, and after only 11 snaps against the Chiefs in Week 6, he needed to be shut down once again. Dulcich has already missed 17 games through two seasons.
During the Broncos’ first draft after trading a bounty for Russell Wilson, they selected Dulcich with their second pick. Last year’s No. 80 overall choice scored twice and averaged 12.5 yards per catch in 2022, but injuries have obviously marred his career. With Sean Payton having not been in Denver when the team chose Dulcich, the young pass catcher is not off to a good start with the new HC. Payton traded for ex-Saint Trautman during the draft.
Trautman is playing on an expiring contract, and Dulcich has spent much his NFL time rehabbing. These circumstances will likely lead the Broncos making a notable investment in a tight end during Payton’s second offseason in charge. But Dulcich staying healthy to close this season would help his cause. The Broncos have three weeks from today to activate the 6-foot-4 talent.
Beyond Dulcich and safety Caden Sterns, the Broncos have gone through the season healthier than in recent years. The team did lose one of its top edge rushers against the Chargers, but Payton noted Wednesday (via Denver7’s Troy Renck) Nik Bonitto is not a candidate to land on IR. The 2022 second-round pick suffered a knee injury in Week 14.
Dolphins To Sign C Jonotthan Harrison, C Matt Skura
In the wake of Connor Williams‘ ACL tear, Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins would consider outside options. The AFC East leaders will act on that, signing two experienced centers.
The Dolphins are adding Jonotthan Harrison to their active roster and signing Matt Skura to the practice squad. Harrison will take Williams’ roster spot; the Dolphins placed their two-year starting pivot on IR.
The structure of this two-center plan is a bit unusual, considering Skura started eight Rams games last season and Harrison has not played in a regular-season game since 2019. But both will head to Miami as emergency depth options. The Dolphins are preparing to slide Liam Eichenberg from guard to center, where the third-year lineman played in place of an injured Williams in Week 4.
Harrison, 32, has 42 career starts on his resume. Skura, 30, has 73. Both have bounced around over the past few seasons, but the most notable centers available either announced plans to retire recently or were linked to considering it.
Last seeing action with the Jets in 2019, Harrison has journeyed the Eastern Time Zone since. Starting 10 games for the 2019 Jets, Harrison has since joined the Bills, Giants and Falcons. After spending much of last season on Atlanta’s practice squad, Harrison went to camp with the team this summer. The Falcons cut Harrison in August; he has been out of football since. Harrison is best known for his time in Indianapolis and New York. He started 23 games for the Colts and 19 for the Jets.
Skura, who joined a battered Rams O-line during the 2022 season, would seem a more likely candidate to contribute. But he will join Miami’s P-squad. The Ravens used Skura as a four-year starter, deploying him at guard and center. A modest market awaited the former UDFA in free agency, leading him to the Giants in 2021. It took until late September of last year for Skura to land a gig. As injuries decimated the Rams’ front, Skura stepped in and started eight games. Pro Football Focus graded Skura as an adequate pass blocker last season but maligned his run-blocking performance.
The Dolphins, who let backup Michael Deiter walk in free agency, still have Lester Cotton as an interior backup option. But Skura and Harrison are now part of the contingency plan.
Updated 2024 NFL Draft Order
Two different teams have held the No. 1 overall pick in consecutive years since 2017. Amid a radical rebuild effort, the Browns carried the top pick into the 2017 and ’18 drafts. The Jaguars did the same in 2021 and ’22. It is possible the Bears will follow that up in back-to-back years. The big difference here would be the Bears traded the 2023 top choice and may unload the 2024 top pick for another windfall, depending on their evaluation of Justin Fields.
The Bears and Panthers’ March trade, giving Carolina access to Bryce Young, has become a seminal moment for both teams. As it stands now, Chicago holds two top-five picks. The Panthers are 1-12, giving the Bears a two-game lead on the Patriots and Cardinals for the top slot with four games left. Chicago finishing with the first overall selection, providing access to the quarterback of its choice, would create a big-picture decision for a Bears team that already passed on the 2023 quarterback class to stick with Fields — a QB the Ryan Poles regime did not draft. North Carolina’s Drake Maye has declared for the draft, while USC’s Caleb Williams is widely expected to follow suit.
A new Cardinals regime is also evaluating its QB, though Kyler Murray‘s $46.1MM-per-year contract (which runs through 2028) will be much harder to escape compared to Fields’. This creates an interesting scenario that will have teams who do not land two-two draft slots monitoring how Chicago and Arizona proceed. The Patriots are widely expected to pursue a quarterback in the draft, and they are likely to do so without Bill Belichick.
With gridlock forming in the AFC and NFC wild-card races, considerable movement will take place over the next month. The winner of the NFC South will likely lose several spots in the ’24 draft, as the Buccaneers did this year by winning the ’22 division title at 8-9. Here is how the draft order looks going into Week 15:
- Chicago Bears (via Panthers)
- New England Patriots: 3-10
- Arizona Cardinals: 3-10
- Washington Commanders: 4-9
- Chicago Bears: 5-8
- Las Vegas Raiders: 5-8
- New York Jets: 5-8
- New York Giants: 5-8
- Tennessee Titans: 5-8
- Los Angeles Chargers: 5-8
- Atlanta Falcons: 6-7
- New Orleans Saints: 6-7
- Seattle Seahawks: 6-7
- Los Angeles Rams: 6-7
- Denver Broncos: 7-6
- Arizona Cardinals (via Texans)
- Buffalo Bills: 7-6
- Cincinnati Bengals: 7-6
- Green Bay Packers: 6-7
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-7
- Indianapolis Colts: 7-6
- Minnesota Vikings: 7-6
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6
- Houston Texans (via Browns)
- Kansas City Chiefs: 8-5
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 8-5
- Detroit Lions: 9-4
- Philadelphia Eagles: 10-3
- Miami Dolphins: 9-4
- Dallas Cowboys: 10-3
- San Francisco 49ers: 10-3
- Baltimore Ravens: 10-3
Browns Place S Grant Delpit On IR; DE Ogbo Okoronkwo Out For Season
Grant Delpit will become the latest Browns starter set to miss significant time due to injury. Hours after agreeing to an extension, Grant Delpit sustained a groin injury. That will lead the Browns to make a roster move.
The Browns placed Delpit on IR on Wednesday; this transaction will sideline the fourth-year safety for the rest of the regular season. Joining a host of starters out of the mix for the regular season’s remainder, Delpit has already undergone surgery, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com notes. Kevin Stefanski said Delpit will be in play to come back if the Browns make the playoffs.
Cleveland is already without its starting quarterback (Deshaun Watson), running back (Nick Chubb) and top three tackles (Jedrick Wills, Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones). Its defense has been a bit healthier this season, leading to a No. 1 ranking in yards allowed. But Delpit will be out of the mix for the time being. To replace him on their 53-man roster, the Browns signed safety Duron Harmon from the practice squad. The Browns now have 13 players on IR.
In addition to Delpit, the Browns’ defense will take a hit up front. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo suffered a pectoral injury that cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot indicates will knock him out for the rest of the season. The former Rams and Texans defensive end sustained a torn pec, per Cabot. Signed this offseason, Okoronkwo has been a key rotational rusher for the Browns. The fifth-year edge defender has registered 4.5 sacks coming off the bench behind Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.
For Delpit, this injury makes his extension timing rather important. The LSU alum and the Browns completed a rare gameday-morning agreement Sunday, locking the fourth-year defender into a three-year, $36MM deal. Delpit will receive $14.9MM guaranteed at signing, per OverTheCap, and $23.6MM guaranteed for injury. The latter guarantee number only comes into play if Delpit cannot pass a physical once a new league year starts, but locking in nearly $15MM at signing now proves pivotal considering Jessie Bates was the only free agent safety to score a contract worth more than $8MM per year this offseason.
Okoronkwo signed a three-year, $19MM accord in March, coming to Cleveland two months before the Browns traded for Smith. On that contract, Okoronkwo collected $10.8MM fully guaranteed. Given the void years attached, Okoronkwo is prohibitive to release in 2024. With Smith set to become a free agent once again, Okoronkwo moving into the Browns’ 2024 starting lineup alongside Garrett could be in play. But he will need to complete a rehab journey first.
Behind Garrett and Smith, the Browns also have 2022 third-round pick Alex Wright, rookie fourth-rounder Isaiah McGuire and third-year UDFA Sam Kamara. No Browns player behind Garrett has collected more than five sacks. Of the healthy DE options behind the starters, only Wright has even registered one. The Browns also lost defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. for the season this week, completing a rough span on the injury front for the 8-5 team.