Extra Points: Bennett, Kaepernick, Goodell
Did Martellus Bennett quit on the Packers after Aaron Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone? That was the feeling in Green Bay, according to one source who spoke with Ryan Wood of USA Today. Wood also indicates that the Packers took Bennett’s decision to retire after the season as a sign that he was already checked out and that may have led the team to release him here in November.
Bennett, one of the most sought-after free agents of the offseason, is now available for any team to claim off of waivers. It is expected that he will go unclaimed, but teams may consider signing him once he is available as a free agent.
While we wait to see how that plays out, here’s from around the NFL:
- NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart says contract negotiations with commissioner Roger Goodell have been “productive [and] amicable” and he expects “that they’ll be wrapped up soon,” (Twitter link via Lindsay Jones of USA Today). Lockhart also noted that owners voted, 32-0, to authorize the compensation committee to negotiate a five-year contract extension with Goodell (Twitter link via Mark Maske of The Washington Post). Of course, that unanimous vote includes Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who is reportedly threatening to sue the NFL over the pending Goodell deal. Goodell is said to be “furious” about Jones’ actions, but Lockhart tells reporters that is not the case.
- Colin Kaepernick attorney Mark Geragos will have the leeway to ask NFL owners about a great deal in the collusion case, as detailed by Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. His line of questioning could include past high-profile disciplinary cases including the Ezekiel Elliott investigation, Deflategate, and Ray Rice. Meanwhile, those in the know like retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman (now one of the top arbitrators in California) say that Geragos is a force to be reckoned with.
- The NFL says that Kaepernick recently declined an invite to meet one-on-one with Goodell, but Geragos says that’s not the case (link via Robinson). “We responded immediately [to the Oct. 31 invite] that Colin would be happy to attend,” Geragos said of a personal meeting with Goodell. “Because of the grievance we asked that a mediator be present. A mediator would ensure that the discussions were productive and confidential and not used as a public relations stunt or prop by the league. Colin’s proposal was rejected.” Lockhart, meanwhile, says the lawyer’s claim is “disingenuous.”
AFC Notes: Browns, Gordon, Jets, McCown
Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was asked this week about whether he wants to continue his career in Cleveland. He didn’t exactly give a straight-on answer.
“I’m here to help the team win, that’s my first priority,” Gordon said (video link via ESPN.com). “Being the best football player I can be, that comes first and foremost. Anything else after that, I have no control over. I’m here to help this team win and I’ll do that the best way I know how.”
With the trade deadline in the rear view mirror, we know that Gordon will be in Cleveland at least until the end of the year. The Browns are working to get the newly-reinstated receiver ready in time for their Week 13 clash against the Chargers. If he plays well, it’s possible that the Browns could shop him to interested teams.
Here’s more from the AFC:
- Jets GM Mike Maccagnan won’t rule out bringing Josh McCown back as the starting quarterback in 2018. “We’re just midway thorugh this season. We’ll see how the rest of this season plays itself out. But again, I can only speak very highly of what Josh has brought to this organization not only as a player, but as a person,” the GM said (via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY). Next year, McCown will be 39 years old. Although he is playing well this year, it would be surprising if the Jets do not try and upgrade the quarterback position to better position themselves for the future. If McCown would be willing to sign another one-year deal with something similar to his $5MM base, however, he could once again serve as a “bridge” to whoever the Jets’ next signal caller will be.
- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told Sirius XM that right tackle Jake Fisher has an irregular heartbeat that will need a procedure to be corrected (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell). Lewis added that doctors recommend no contact sports for a while. Fisher was placed on the NFI list on Wednesday but did not disclose his condition at the time.
East Notes: Giants, McAdoo, McDaniels, Dolphins
Has Ben McAdoo lost control of the Giants? Two unnamed players told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that McAdoo is no longer the right coach in New York.
“McAdoo has lost this team,” one of the anonymous players said. “He’s got going 80 percent on Saturdays before we get on a plane to play a game, it’s wild. Changed our off day. He’s dishing out fines like crazy. Suspended two of our stars when we need them most. Throws us under the bus all the time. He’s ran us into the ground and people wonder why we’ve been getting got.”
The Giants are 1-7 heading into Sunday’s game against San Francisco.
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- If the Giants fire McAdoo, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY speculates that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will be among those considered for the job. If GM Jerry Reese is also canned, the Giants could move to put together an ex-Pats tandem of Scott Pioli and McDaniels. Of course, it will take a lot to lure McDaniels away from New England where he might be the eventual successor to Bill Belichick. Besides McDaniels, Vacchiano lists Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, Alabama coach Nick Saban, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Eagles OC Frank Reich, Stanford coach David Shaw, and Lions DC Teryl Austin as other names to keep in mind.
- The Jay Ajayi trade was puzzling to some within the Dolphins organization, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears. One Dolphins person who in the locker room frequently said he never saw malcontent behavior from Ajayi.
- Practice squad quarterback Brandon Doughty was passed over for a promotion a couple of weeks ago when the Dolphins signed David Fales as a backup. But, the team made it up by giving him a raise from $7,200/week to $15,200/week, Jackson writes. “It was a good raise,” Doughty said, adding he appreciated it. “He put his money where his mouth is. He said he wanted a veteran backup with experience. At the end of the day, you want to be on the 53.” Doughty is in his second year with Miami.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has threatened to sue the NFL over Roger Goodell‘s pending extension.
Saints’ Delvin Breaux Done For Year
Cornerback Delvin Breaux will remain on injured reserve this year, Saints coach Sean Payton tells reporters. This was the expected news after Breaux suffered an undisclosed setback in practice last week. 
In October, the Saints designated Breaux to return from IR. He began practicing on Oct. 20, triggering a three-week window for the team to place him on the 53-man roster. His new issue will reportedly require an extra 3-6 weeks of recovery, so the Saints simply could not have him tie up a roster spot for that long.
Breaux was stellar in 2015, grading out as a high-end starter per Pro Football Focus’ metrics. Although he could not deliver an encore in 2016, the Saints were very much looking forward to getting him back on the field to see what he could contribute.
Breaux’s three-year UDFA contract with the Saints will expire after the season. The former CFL standout was hoping to to use this season as a platform year to cash in, but he’ll have to prove himself in workouts instead.
Colts Cut CB Vontae Davis
The Colts have cut Vontae Davis, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The defensive back will be subject to waivers since the league’s trade deadline has passed. 
It has been a perplexing couple of weeks for Davis. First, Davis was withheld from Sunday’s game against the Texans for reasons that were not exactly clear. The Colts swore up and down that Davis’ absence was not injury-related. Afterwards, there were conflicting reports. Some indicated that the Colts were covering up Davis’ previously unreported groin injury. There was also talk that Davis had been demoted from the starting lineup and was not taking the news well. Then, on Wednesday night, we learned that Davis’ season is likely over thanks to the aforementioned groin issue.
Given everything going on with the 29-year-old, we’re not expecting another team to claim him and the final year of his four-year, $36MM contract. Once he passes through waivers, Davis will still have to determine whether he wants to go through with season-ending surgery and teams will have to figure out whether it’s worthwhile to bring him into the locker room after things deteriorated so quickly in Indianapolis.
If he doesn’t get the surgery, the Bills might be one team to keep in mind for Davis. Buffalo showed interest in acquiring the veteran before the trade deadline, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter).
Although Davis’ entire body of work has been impressive, he has looked like a shell of himself over the last season-and-a-half. He currently rates as the NFL’s No. 94 cornerback out of 117 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus. Last year, PFF had Davis as one of the ten worst qualified corners in the league. It’s a major drop for a player who earned an excellent 95.1 overall score in 2014 and followed it up with a strong 81.9 mark in ’15.
NFC West Notes: Seahawks, Richardson, Cards
Paul Richardson is finally healthy and the Seahawks are thrilled to see him playing up to his potential.
“It is really fun to see him so confident now,” coach Pete Carroll said (via Tim Booth of The Associated Press). “He has just grown so much. He has been very level-headed about it as well in his work habits and everything. His mentality has been great, but you can see the confidence is really just coming out of him.”
The wide receiver leads Seattle with five touchdown receptions, including two TDs and 105 yards receiving in Seattle’s win over the Texans two weeks ago. With another four catches, he’ll match his career-best of 29 receptions from his rookie season in 2014. After the season, Seattle will have to figure out how to keep Richardson in the fold when his rookie deal expires.
Here’s more from the NFC West:
- A return is still possible for rookie running back T.J. Logan, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians tells reporters (Twitter link via Darren Urban of the team website). Logan will try to field punts next week with a brace on and “see where he’s at.” As of this writing, the Cards have their two IR-DTR spots available to be used. If they burn one on Logan, it will officially rule out a return for either David Johnson or Carson Palmer.
- 49ers defensive end Tank Carradine practiced on Wednesday, kickstarting his path to return from IR (Twitter link via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports). With Carradine and Ronald Blair back in action, the Niners have now used both of their IR-DTR spots for the year.
Packers Cut TE Martellus Bennett
The Packers have cut tight end Martellus Bennett, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move comes days after Bennett announced that he is considering retirement after the 2017 season. According to the NFL’s transactions wire, the Packers dropped the tight end with a “Failure to Disclose Physical Condition designation.”
Bennett, 30, joined the Packers on a three-year, $21MM deal in the spring. The Packers may look to recoup some of that money. To date, the Packers have paid out about $8MM to the tight end.
He was great with the Patriots in 2016, but he was unable to replicate that production in Green Bay. His Packers tenure ends after he hauled in just 24 receptions, 233 yards, and zero touchdowns in seven games.
It’s not immediately clear whether Bennett will look to continue his career or if he’ll get a head start on retirement.
“After conversations with my family I’m pretty sure these next 8 games will be the conclusion of my NFL career,” Bennett wrote on social media in late October. “To everyone who has poured themselves and time into my life and career. These next games are for you. Thank you.”
If Bennett does seek employment, he’ll become the hottest property on the midseason free agent market. Despite his struggles in 2017, he’s just one year removed from hauling in 55 receptions for 701 yards and seven touchdowns for the Patriots.
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones To Sue NFL?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a bone to pick with Roger Goodell and he’s not letting up anytime soon. Jones is threatening to sue the NFL and some of his fellow owners over talks to extend Goodell’s contract, two people with direct knowledge of the situation tell Ken Belson of the New York Times. 
Last week, Jones informed the owners on the league’s compensation committee that he has hired famed lawyer David Boies to represent him. The majority owners of the Chiefs, Falcons, Giants, Patriots, Steelers, and Texans all serve on the committee. Jones has effectively shoehorned his way into the group, though he does not carry a vote since he is not an official member.
Goodell’s extension was reported to be near completion months ago. It has been greatly delayed, however, and Jones appears to be the driving force behind the roadblock. The Cowboys owner is livid at Goodell over the pending six-game ban of Ezekiel Elliott and he is determined to make him pay.
NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Gathers, Redskins
Here’s a look at the NFC East:
- Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers still has yet to return to practice and may not return from IR as initially planned, Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News writes. Gathers is still recovering from a head injury and concussion he suffered in mid-August following a helmet-to-helmet collision. Unfortunately, he has still not been cleared to practice and that’s not a good sign for his chances to play this year. In the preseason, Gathers turned some heads by catching seven passes for 106 yards and two scores.
- Former Chiefs and Falcons defensive end Tyson Jackson will work out for the Redskins on Wednesday afternoon, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Redskins have been looking into front four depth as of late – they also tried out Jaye Howard and Cam Thomas in late October.
- If signed, Jackson could help to fill in for Redskins defensive lineman Arthur Jones after he dislocated his shoulder. He “could miss time,” coach Jay Gruden says (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s John Keim). Wide receiver Brian Quick, meanwhile, is in the concussion protocol.
Browns’ Joe Thomas On Future, Raise
Last week, the Browns gave injured offensive tackle Joe Thomas a pay bump for both this year and next year. The gesture was appreciated by the veteran, but he tells Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal that he is still undecided about his future. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Thomas’ Q&A with Ulrich:
On whether his declaration that he doesn’t “want to go out like this” means that he’ll play in 2018:
I’ve told everybody that I’m going to sit down kind of after the season and take my time and make a decision when you’re in a little bit better mental state. Because right after you get hurt, your emotions are up and down, and during the season is a hard time to kind of make serious decisions on your career. So the offseason will be a time when I make a decision on that, but I think that [feeling] will certainly play into it. 
But on the other hand, you don’t get to choose how things end. Everybody wants the Jerome Bettis — what I mentioned in that column — where you go to your hometown, you win the Super Bowl and you ride off into the sunset. That’s the dream, but 1 in 100,000 players get to realize that. Even Brett Favre, you look at how he ended his career, losing the NFC Championship Game and getting hurt. What a great career, and he wanted to have that moment where you win the Super Bowl and you ride off into the sunset, but in the NFL, you don’t get to pick your exit strategy for the most part.
So if you do decide to come back and you say, “I don’t want to go out getting injured,” well, there’s no guarantee you’re not going to get injured again. So you have to be realistic about the possible outcomes of everything.
On the pay raise:
It’s just the way that the team shows their love and appreciation for you…The conversation came up about two years ago actually. So they’ve been talking about giving me a market adjustment for my contract since I did sign it so long ago [in 2011] and since I’ve tried to go about my business as well as I possibly can, representing the organization, playing as well as I can, trying to be a team player, and they felt a market adjustment was not only good for me, of course, but good for them, good for their business, because when you reward players when you don’t have to, that sends a message to the locker room that says, “If you do the right things and you put yourself on the line for this team, we’ll reward you, even if you’re under contract.”
Because in the NFL, it’s a one-sided contract. When the team is ready to get rid of you, they just cut you if you’re not playing up to your contract. If you’re outplaying your contract, your only possibility of getting your raise or a market value adjustment is to either make a huge stink, demand a trade or hold out. I told them that’s not the type of person I am. So I think they realized it’s the right thing to do, and it sends a good message going forward to the rest of the players in the locker room.
On whether the Browns can turn things around after the failed A.J. McCarron trade:
In the NFL, winning cures all, and when you lose, it makes everything worse, and it magnifies all the little things that go on in every building. But you only make a big deal about it when the losing is attached to it. For us, it’s just a matter of turning things around and start getting some W’s. I don’t think it’s necessarily any big issue or any different than any other NFL front office. It’s just a matter of getting those wins.