Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill Denies Abuse Allegations
The latest round of allegations against Chiefs star Tyreek Hill may put his football future in jeopardy. However, in a four-page letter sent to the NFL by his lawyer, the wide receiver strongly refuted the allegations against him. 
“[Hill] categorically denies he has ever ‘punched’ his son in the chest or anywhere on his body, or otherwise touched him in the chest in a mean-spirited manner or as a form of discipline,” the attorney wrote (via ESPN.com).
Through his lawyer, Hill denied having any role in his son’s fractured arm. The attorney also noted that the injury to Hill’s three-year-old boy was ruled to be an accident when he was examined at the hospital. Hill’s letter to the league also refuted Crystal Espinal’s recorded allegation that their son is “terrified” of him.
Recently, local investigators closed their investigation into Hill, citing a lack of concrete evidence. However, damning audio of a conversation between Hill and his child’s mother may have breathed new life into the case. Some reports indicate that the investigation has been re-opened. Meanwhile, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) hears that might not be true – at least, not yet.
For now, Hill remains barred from all Chiefs team activities.
Cardinals Decline Nkemdiche’s Option
The Cardinals are declining defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche’s fifth-year option, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The option would have been worth $7.690MM and guaranteed for injury only, but the Cardinals did not feel comfortable enough to pull the trigger. 
Nkemdiche is coming off of the best season of his career after notching 45 sacks in ten games (six starts). While he showed some promise, Nkemdiche has struggled to stay healthy since being selected with the No. 29 overall pick in 2016. He suited up for just 15 games in his first two seasons and last year’s campaign ended with a torn ACL in December. But, given his physical tools, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Nkemdiche having a bounce back year in 2019 and setting himself up for a huge payday next March.
Jaguars’ Yannick Ngakoue Leaves Workouts
Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue reported to the Jaguars for the start of the club’s voluntary workouts. However, he stopped showing up after a few days, according to Mike Florio of PFT. 
Ngakoue is entering a contract year, so it seems likely that his absence is contract related. The 2016 third-round pick is set to make just $2.025MM, making him criminally underpaid given his production. Over the last three years, Ngakoue has racked up 29.5 sacks, and he should be in line for a monster payday if he keeps up the good work in 2019. Presumably, Ngakoue wants to lock in those dollars today rather than playing out the season.
The going rate for quality young edge rushers continues to skyrocket. Recently, Frank Clark inked a five-year, $105MM deal with the Chiefs after coming over fro the Seahawks. Days prior to that, Demarcus Lawrence signed a similar deal to stay with the Cowboys.
Ngakoue isn’t the only notable absence from Jaguars camp. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith also haven’t been on hand for voluntary workouts.
Derrick Johnson Retires From NFL
Linebacker Derrick Johnson is retiring from football, according to 610 Sports Radio. But, before he officially hangs ’em up, he’ll sign a one-day contract to go out as as member of the Chiefs. 
Johnson, 36, was a key cog in the Chiefs’ defense from 2005 through 2017. He leaves the game as the Chiefs’ all-time leading tackler, with 1,262 career stops to his credit. Since entering the league as a first round pick, Johnson suited up in 182 games for Kansas City with 169 starts. In 2018, the Chiefs made the difficult decision to allow Johnson to leave in free agency.
“Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Derrick Johnson,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement last year. “His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive defensive players to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league. Over the last 13 seasons, Derrick represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity and class, and he will always be a part of our Chiefs family.”
After that, Johnson hooked on with the Raiders, but his second act didn’t go as planned. Johnson appeared in six games (one start) for the silver and black, amassing just 17 tackles. In October, the Raiders granted his request for release, but he did not sign with another club in the 2018 season.
Johnson’s one-day deal comes on the heels of running back Jamaal Charles‘ own ceremonial contract to retire as a member of the Chiefs.
Panthers Decline Vernon Butler’s Option
The Panthers announced that they have declined their fifth-year option on defensive tackle Vernon Butler. The former first-round pick is now slated for unrestricted free agency after the 2019 season. 
The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option of every first round pick from Cam Newton (2011 draft) all the way through 2015. Today, that streak ends with Butler’s extra year being turned down.
Butler was drafted No. 30 overall under the Dave Gettleman administration. The Panthers had high hopes for the Louisiana Tech product, but he’s amassed just 45 tackles and two sacks as a bench player over the last three years. And, last year, Butler was a healthy scratch for two straight games. In short – the decision to turn down Butler’s additional year was widely expected.
NFL teams have until Friday to make the call on the fifth-year options for 2016 first-round picks, but most clubs have already made their decisions.
49ers To Decline Joshua Garnett’s Option
The 49ers will not pick up their option on guard Joshua Garnett, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). This was expected – thanks to injuries, Garnett has not lived up to the expectations laid out for him when the Niners used a late first-round pick on him in 2016. 
Garnett missed all of 2017 after undergoing knee surgery and only saw action as a reserve in seven games last year. Given his underwhelming performance and injury history, the Niners were not about to trigger his $10.350MM option for 2020, which they would have been stuck with if he was unable to pass a physical heading into next year.
The Stanford product started in 11 of his 15 games as a rookie, but even then, his performance was underwhelming – Garnett racked up penalties and didn’t excel in run blocking or pass blocking. The good news is that the team says Garnett is finally healthy, so this year could be an opportunity for the 25-year-old to turn a corner and boost his value before hitting the open market.
Jets Decline Darron Lee’s Option
No surprise here, but the Jets will decline the 2020 fifth-year option on linebacker Darron Lee, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Lee, who has been a rumored trade candidate for a long time, is on course for unrestricted free agency following the 2019 season. 
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has been working hard to push the idea that Lee is still in the team’s plans, but it’s hard to believe him at this point. Earlier this offseason, the Jets added free agent linebacker C.J. Mosley on five-year, $85MM contract, making the underperforming Lee expendable. Now, Lee’s 2020 option – which would have been guaranteed for injury only – has been declined. Lee very much remains a trade candidate and he’s a name to keep an eye on between now and September.
Lee tallied 94 tackles and three sacks in 2017, but he took a step back in 2018, finishing with 74 tackles and no sacks in 12 games. To his credit, Lee did compile a career-high three interceptions last year, but he also missed four games due to a substance abuse ban.
Marshawn Lynch Open To Raiders Return
Maybe Marshawn Lynch isn’t dead set on retirement after all. The running back – who hung up his cleats just days ago – would be open to a Raiders return if the team wants him back, Steve Wyche of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. 
[RELATED: Lynch Retires For Second Time]
A Lynch return made some degree of sense in the wake of Isaiah Crowell‘s (likely) season-ending injury. However, the Raiders moved fast on Wednesday by re-signing Doug Martin. Now, the Raiders running back room feels crowded once again with Martin, rookie Joshua Jacobs, Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, and DeAndre Washington under contract.
But, even if he’s not a fit for the Raiders in 2019, one has to wonder whether Lynch would entertain the idea of playing elsewhere. The 33-year-old is certainly past his prime, but he has averaged a respectable 4.3 yards per carry for the Raiders over the last two years and would add toughness to any backfield.
For his career, Beast Mode owns five Pro Bowl nods, one First-Team All-Pro selection, and a Super Bowl ring.
Bills To Decline Shaq Lawson’s Option
Shaq Lawson is on track for unrestricted free agency following the 2019 season. The Bills will not pick up the defensive end’s fifth-year option, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
Lawson, a 2016 first-rounder, was a trade/cut candidate last offseason, though he ultimately remained with the club. He performed reasonably well despite the uncertainty, compiling four sacks for the second year in a row across 14 games (six starts). Lawson also set a career-high in defensive snaps, and graded out as an above-average edge defender, per Pro Football Focus, but ultimately didn’t do enough to coax the Bills into picking up his pricey option for 2020.
In the draft, the Bills added top defensive tackle prospect Ed Oliver in the first round to further bolster their front seven. Next year, they could be in the hunt for edge help.
You can keep track of all fifth-year option decisions for 2016 first round picks by going here.
Titans To Decline Jack Conklin’s Option
The Titans will not pick up Jack Conklin‘s 2020 option, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). This was not necessarily the expected outcome for the former First-Team All-Pro. 
The 24-year-old (25 in August) started in every possible game in his first two seasons in the league. However, things turned a bit in the Titans’ divisional round loss to the Patriots following the 2017 season. Conklin’s torn ACL sidelined him for the offseason plus the first three games of 2018. Then, Conklin landed back on IR in December of last year.
In between the maladies, Conklin was not as sharp as his rookie self. Reading between the lines, it sounds as though the Titans have doubts about how well Conklin can recover from his knee injuries and concussions.
Last year, Conklin graded out as the 45th ranked tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. That positions Conklin as a starting-caliber tackle, but not an elite one, making his would-be $12.866MM salary for 2020 a bit too rich for the Titans’ blood.