Josh Gordon Wants To Play In 2020
Josh Gordon is hoping to break out of NFL limbo. Currently under an indefinite suspension, the wide receiver wants to play in 2020, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.
Gordon spent last year with the Patriots and Seahawks. In December, he was slapped with an indefinite suspension for his latest violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse. The league also flagged him for performance-enhancing substances. This was Gordon’s sixth’s suspension from the league office, so he could be facing an uphill battle.
The new CBA, with eased language against recreational drugs, could work in his favor. If Gordon can convince Roger Goodell to give him another chance, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
Last year, Gordon had seven catches for 139 yards in five games for the Seahawks. Coach Pete Carroll has been a huge supporter of Gordon and the wide receiver recently hinted that he’d be interested in a return, so that’s a situation worth monitoring.
Patriots’ Joe Thuney Signs Franchise Tender
Done deal. On Thursday, offensive lineman Joe Thuney inked his one-year franchise tag tender with the Patriots, according to agent Mike McCartney (on Twitter).
For weeks, we heard that the Patriots were unlikely to retain Thuney. Then, this week, they threw everyone a curveball by assigning him the franchise tag. Initially, many speculated that Thuney would be a tag-and-trade candidate, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The Patriots are already discussing a long-term deal with the 27-year-old, so it sounds like he’s in their plans for 2020 and beyond.
With the deal signed, Thuney is slated to earn $14.8MM in 2020. The two sides can continue talks on a potential extension up until the summer deadline for franchise tagged players. If they can’t reach an accord by then, they’ll have to wait until after the 2020 season to pick things up again.
Bengals To Sign Mackensie Alexander
The Bengals have agreed to sign former Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. He’ll get a one-year, $4MM deal from the club – a pact that could prove to be a solid value for Cincy.
Alexander had his meniscus trimmed in January, a procedure that probably impacted his market. But, before that, he was enjoying a productive season. Alexander registered 38 tackles and five passes defensed in 13 games. Unfortunately, the injury kept him out of the Vikings’ postseason.
The Vikings secondary will look totally different in 2020. This month, they’ve lost Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Jayron Kearse in addition to Alexander. Meanwhile, we’re waiting to see how things shake out with Anthony Harris.
Giants To Sign Nate Ebner
The Giants have agreed to sign special teams ace Nate Ebner, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Ebner is just the latest free agent to depart from the Patriots and he’ll find a familiar face in head coach Joe Judge when he arrives in New Jersey.
Ebner, who has a background in rugby, has been with the Pats since 2012. He voiced a desire to stay but, ultimately, the two sides weren’t able to come to terms on a new deal.
“That would be the best thing, I think, when you consider my entire career has been here,” Ebner said recently when asked about the possibility of re-signing. “I’ve got some true friendships here. … But right now it’s out of my hands, so we’ll see what happens.”
The former sixth-rounder has won three Super Bowl rings across eight years in New England.
Rams Discussing Todd Gurley Trade
The Rams are in discussions about a possible trade involving Todd Gurley, PFT’s Mike Florio (via Twitter) hears. It’s not immediately clear which teams are in on the talks, but there are plenty of possible fits for the supremely talented running back. 
Of course, there are some complications involved in any Gurley trade. First, there’s his lingering knee injury, which has limited his effectiveness. There’s also the matter of his contract – Gurley is signed through 2023 thanks to his four-year, $57.5MM extension.
Gurley, 25, was the NFL’s offensive player of the year in 2017 and notched 40 touchdowns between ’17 and ’18. Last year, the two-time All-Pro averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and just 6.7 yards per reception. In total, he gained 1,064 yards last year, the lowest total of his career.
The notion of a Gurley trade was unthinkable just a few years ago. Now, after the Rams went 9-7, all options are on the table.
The Buccaneers – who have landed Tom Brady – could be one possibility for Gurley.
Latest On Buccaneers, Tom Brady
Yes, it’s true: Tom Brady has agreed to join the Buccaneers. But, as of this writing, the deal has not been signed, because Brady has not been able to take a physical yet due to the league’s travel restrictions, Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter) hears.
Still, this only seems to be a temporary hitch. Everyone is on the same page, Jeff Darlington of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears, and Brady is working to get a physical from a doctor in New York. Ideally, the physical would be conducted by the Bucs’ team doctors, but all parties involved are willing to make things work under these unprecedented circumstances.
We’ll keep track of the latest updates on Brady and the Bucs here:
- The Brady effect has been huge for the Bucs’ free agency hopes. Since Brady agreed to go to Tampa, “an unexpected high number of players have reached out to the Buccaneers to let them know they want to join,” sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). This, perhaps, will give the Bucs extra motivation to get a deal finalized by the end of business on Thursday. Free agents are rapidly flying off of the board and they’ll want to capitalize before their top targets are spoken for.
Lions To Sign S Jayron Kearse
Early this morning, the Lions agreed to sign former Vikings safety Jayron Kearse to a one-year, $2.75MM deal, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Kearse will be a part of the Lions’ new-look secondary, one that must figure out how to contain the pass without the services of Darius Slay.
[RELATED: Lions Trade Darius Slay To Eagles]
Late last week, Kearse took to social media to announce that he did not want to come back to the Vikings this season. He got his wish. Unfortunately for him, he might not be able to suit up for his new team when the season begins in September – a DWI arrest may result in discipline from the NFL. And, per the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, he could see a longer ban and a steeper fine.
The Lions have moved fast to remake their defense this week, adding safety Duron Harmon, linebacker Jamie Collins, cornerback Desmond Trufant, and defensive tackles Nick Williams and Danny Shelton. Among those leaving Detroit: Slay, linebacker Devon Kennard, and DTs Damon Harrison, A’Shawn Robinson, and Mike Daniels.
Lions To Trade Darius Slay To Eagles
The Lions and Eagles have reached agreement on a trade that will send cornerback Darius Slay to Philly, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Eagles will send a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick to the Lions and give Slay the lucrative new contract he has been seeking. 
The two sides discussed a possible trade prior to the deadline last season, but were unable to come to terms. Talks picked up steam on Wednesday, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) noted.
The Eagles will give Slay a three-year, $50MM contract extension with $30MM guaranteed, according to Rapoport (Twitter link). The new deal places Slay at the top of the cornerback market; the salary is commensurate with his talent, unlike his previous deal. Slay outperformed his four-year, $48MM contract as the market advanced and he was unhappy about the prospect of playing out that final year.
Slay, 29, notched 46 tackles and two interceptions last year en route to his third straight Pro Bowl. The advanced metrics weren’t high on his work, but he’s fared much better in previous seasons. In 2018, for example, Slay ranked 23rd among 112 eligible CBs. And, in 2017, he graded out as one of PFF’s best as he hauled in a league-leading eight interceptions.
The deal leaves the Lions with a major hole to fill, but their reloaded draft stockpile should help. The deal will bring them the Nos. 85 and 166 overall picks in the draft and they now own five of the top 85 picks. Their first pick comes at No. 3 overall and they could stretch their ammo even further by trading down.
Way back on Monday, March 16th (it’s been a long week), Byron Jones became the league’s highest-paid cornerback by signing a five-year, $82.5MM deal with the Dolphins. That mantle now belongs to Slay, who clocks in with an average annual value of $16.67MM.
Seahawks Shopping Tedric Thompson
Seahawks free safety Tedric Thompson has been given permission to seek a trade, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). He adds that if they’re able to swing a deal, it’ll likely be for a late-round draft pick. 
Thompson saw his 2019 season cut short by a shoulder injury. Before that, he started in all six of their games and came away with two interceptions. Meanwhile, the advanced metrics were not high on his performance. At the time, Thompson was a bottom-five safety in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
The Seahawks did better in coverage without Thompson in the lineup, thanks in part to midseason trade pickup Quandre Diggs. Despite flashes of big-play ability, Thompson has not been consistent over three years with Seattle and he no longer fits into the club’s plans.
As it stands, Thompson is set to earn $2.3MM in 2020. If they don’t find a taker for him, they could release him instead to save $2.1MM.
Rams To Re-Sign Andrew Whitworth
The Rams are set to re-sign Andrew Whitworth on a three-year deal, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. At the age of 38, the new contract should allow him to play out the rest of his career in L.A.
In the buildup to free agency, the Rams have been consistently confident about their odds of keeping the veteran.
“I think we’re pretty confident. I think you feel pretty good about it,” head coach Sean McVay said recently. “He still played a really high level last year. His impact isn’t exclusive to just playing the left tackle position. He does a lot of really good things in terms of the mentorship that he provides. … He’s a part of the plan and definitely want to try to get him back.”
Whitworth’s deal is believed to be for more than $10MM per year, Pelissero reports (on Twitter). In fact, it’s the most lucrative deal for a non-quarterback over 35 in NFL history, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweeting Whitworth agreed to a three-year, $30MM pact. This accord comes with $12.5MM fully guaranteed. This comes in slightly off his 2017 Rams contract — three years, $36MM — but it’s nonetheless impressive for a 38-year-old non-QB.
Whitworth played for the first eleven seasons of his career with the Bengals. Over his time in Cincinnati, Whitworth earned a reputation as one of the best-left tackles in football. Furthermore, he rarely missed a game. From 2009-2016, Whitworth started all but 2 games for the Bengals.
After joining Los Angeles three seasons ago, Whitworth has maintained his good health (missing just 1 game), but his play has begun to tail off. While he still graded out as an above-average tackle, per Pro Football Focus, and received the 28th highest grade of 81 qualified players, Whitworth received the lowest grade since his rookie season.