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AFC East Rumors: Bills, Jets, Douglas, Jackson

March 6th, 2022 at 5:33pm CST by Ely Allen

On Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul made comments that all but guaranteed that an agreement for a new stadium for the Bills will be made soon, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports.

Highmark Stadium (previously Rich Stadium, Ralph Wilson Stadium, and New Era Field) has been the home of the Bills since 1973. The Bills’ current lease on Highmark expires in 2023 and the franchise has been pushing with many government entities to build them a shiny, new stadium. The team has used the very real looming threat that there are plenty of other markets in the country that can support an NFL franchise.

Hochul commented on that threat saying, “That’s why we’re negotiating very intently, to make sure we have the right outcome for this community.” The new stadium will partially be funded by the public to the tune of about $850MM. The Governor claims that a deal will be done by April 1, in time for the annual budget.

Here are a few other rumors from around the AFC East, starting with a couple of notes that keep us in the Empire State:

The Jets are planning to use this offseason to add some weapons to the roster for quarterback Zach Wilson. They currently have Corey Davis and Elijah Moore sitting atop the depth chart. They would love to bring back Braxton Berrios as a fourth-receiver/gadget player and they haven’t yet given up on Denzel Mims. Still, New York will have ample opportunity to add a potential No. 1 receiver to the roster, according to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano. The free agent market is home to many household names like Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson, Mike Williams, and, potentially, Amari Cooper. Players like Calvin Ridley and Cole Beasley have been rumored to be available via trade. The 2022 NFL Draft is also so rich in talented receivers that many believe some first round talent could fall to the second round where the Jets have two high picks, if they don’t choose to take a top prospect like Garrett Wilson or Drake London with the 10th overall pick.
That being said, Vacchiano also reports that, despite their vast spending ability, general manager Joe Douglas has been preaching the maintenance of financial flexibility. Though the Jets rank in the Top 5 in the NFL in salary cap space, Douglas rejected the notion that their $50-60MM in cap space will be dedicated to big spending in free agency. Douglas acknowledged free agency as just one of “a lot of different tools to improve your roster” and pointed to the Bengals as an example of responsible free agent spending. “I think Cincy did great in free agency last year,” he said. “They didn’t blow the doors off in terms of signing super high-priced guys. They brought in guys who fit exactly what they wanted to do.”
According to Mike Giardi of NFL Network, Patriots’ cornerback JC Jackson is likely headed for free agency with some lofty expectations. While Jackson still likes the Patriots, money is a big factor for the 26-year-old. Giardi claims that Jackson is strictly seeking compensation similar to Jalen Ramsey. New England won’t bring that money to the table and it sounds like they won’t be utilizing their franchise tag on Jackson, either. That information could lead to a tag and trade situation if other teams aren’t willing to shell out for Jackson in free agency.

Latest On FA Pass Rushers

March 6th, 2022 at 12:02pm CST by Rory Parks

In the estimation of Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link), the quality and depth of this year’s collegiate class of pass rushers could negatively impact their professional counterparts seeking new contracts. Some of the most notable names in that latter category include the Cardinals‘ Chandler Jones and the Rams‘ Von Miller.

Rapoport believes that Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill genuinely wants to retain Jones (as we heard last month), but the franchise tag value for the four-time Pro Bowler would be roughly $25MM, so that option is not feasible for the Cards. As such, Jones will hit the open market, and given that there has been something of a strained relationship between player and team for several years, he could be playing elsewhere in 2022.

Meanwhile, Rapoport expects the Rams to do everything they can to retain Miller, who is, like Jones, prepared to test the open market. Of course, the reigning Super Bowl champs also have new contracts for Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald on their radar, so GM Les Snead will have his work cut out for him when trying to re-up his prized trade acquisition.

A less heralded (but much younger) option for clubs in need of pass rush help could be Chargers OLB Uchenna Nwosu. As Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports, the Bolts and Nwosu have mutual interest in a new contract, but despite Nwosu’s desire to remain with his hometown team, the money will need to be right. Wilson suggests that the 25-year-old is targeting a contract with an average annual value between $10MM-$13MM, which would seem to be a fair price for an ascending player who put together a strong 2021 campaign — five sacks, eight TFL, 17 QB hits, and an interception — despite playing through a serious labrum injury.

The Colts, Packers, Bills, and Jets are all teams that could have interest in Nwosu, per Wilson. There is a good chance that Green Bay releases Za’Darius Smith, so Nwosu could serve as a Smith replacement in Wisconsin. In a separate piece, Wilson reports that the Jets, like the Chiefs, would be in on Smith should he indeed become a Packers cap casualty.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman is certainly monitoring both collegiate pass rushers as well as the free agent market. When discussing how he is prioritizing his team’s pass rush, Roseman recently said, “I’d be surprised if we didn’t do something there” (Twitter link via Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com). Zach Berman and Bo Wulf of The Athletic (subscription required) believe there is a good chance Philadelphia grabs an edge rusher with at least one of its three first-round picks, especially since they expect Roseman to let DE Derek Barnett depart in free agency.

ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid, Matt Miller, and Todd McShay provide a detailed breakdown of the strong performance put on by the 2022 draft class of front seven players at this year’s scouting combine (subscription required).

Bills Permit Cole Beasley To Seek Trade

March 4th, 2022 at 12:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Cole Beasley could be on his way out of Buffalo. The Bills have granted the wide receiver permission to seek a new club (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo), paving the way for a potential trade.

Neither side has offered further comment on the matter, though Beasley and the team reportedly clashed throughout the year. Beasley, who will turn 33 on April 26th, was still productive in 2021 with 82 catches for 693 yards and one touchdown. He also managed 82 catches in 2020, though that was a more efficient campaign — his 82/967 line averaged out to a career-high 11.8 yards per grab. Last year, he had just 8.5 yards per reception, tying his career low.

Beasley has one year to go on his four-year, $29MM pact. As it stands, he’s set to count for $7.6MM against the Bills’ books, but a trade or release would leave the team with just $1.5MM in dead money versus $6.1MM in savings.

That’s a decent chunk of change, one that could be put towards larger expenditures like Rob Gronkowski. The Bills are reportedly interested in signing the 32-year-old as a free agent and he may be open to a move following Tom Brady‘s retirement. It also helps that Gronk is a Buffalo-area native who grew up as a Bills fan. Gronkowski, 32, managed 55 catches for 802 yards last year despite missing five games while injured.

Latest On Mitchell Trubisky’s Market

March 3rd, 2022 at 10:09pm CST by Ben Levine

Mitchell Trubisky may not be destined for a future career as a backup after all. According to Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com, Trubisky “is creating a lot of buzz,” and teams are pursuing the QB “with the expectation he’ll compete for a starting spot.”

Given what has thus far been a tepid QB trade market, the free agent-to-be is gaining momentum, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. While passer-needy teams’ fanbases would surely not be pleased with a Trubisky addition, the ex-Bears flameout may soon find himself with a true second-chance opportunity as a starter.

The 2017 second-overall pick wore out his welcome with the Bears following four inconsistent seasons. Thanks in part to the roller-coaster regular seasons, his 0-2 playoff record, and his label as a draft bust (especially when you consider that the two other first-round QBs were Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson), Trubisky had to settle for a backup gig in Buffalo in 2021. He really only saw stints in garbage time, completing six of eight passes attempts for 75 yards.

While Trubisky isn’t a sexy name, you can still see the semblance of a capable quarterback when you squint. He had a 29-21 record as a starter, and he tossed 64 touchdowns vs 37 interceptions during his four years in Chicago. Any suitors surely wouldn’t guarantee Trubisky a starting gig, but he would make sense to pair with a rookie or unproven young player.

So which teams will have interest in the 27-year-old? Pauline previously reported that the Steelers would make a run at the quarterback, and one source told the reporter that Pittsburgh “would be a great fit.”

Bills Interested In Rob Gronkowski

March 2nd, 2022 at 3:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Long tethered to Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski has not informed the Buccaneers he is retiring just yet. Another contending team is interested to see if Gronk would continue his career now that his longtime quarterback has retired.

The Bills are interested in adding Gronkowski as a free agent, Tim Graham of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Buffalo discussed a deal with Gronk last year, but the future Hall of Famer opted to rejoin Brady in Tampa for the Bucs’ title-defense season.

Gronkowski, 32, is a Buffalo-area native who naturally grew up a Bills fan. He has also been connected to another AFC team with a young star at quarterback. Gronk mentioned teaming up with Joe Burrow last month. The Bills have their own blossoming QB standout in Josh Allen, and pairing Gronkowski and Dawson Knox would represent a formidable tight end duo alongside the team’s Stefon Diggs-led wideout corps.

Despite missing five games due to injury, Gronkowski was more productive in his second Bucs season. The all-time great surpassed his 2020 numbers by catching 55 passes for 802 yards. Gronk made it through all 20 Bucs games in 2020 and came up big for Brady in Super Bowl LV, catching two touchdown passes in Tampa Bay’s romp. Gronk’s 15 playoff touchdown catches rank only behind Jerry Rice‘s 22 in NFL history.

The Bucs traded for Gronkowski, who unretired after missing the 2019 season, in 2020 and then re-signed him last year as part of their run-it-back effort. Gronk played on a one-year, $8MM agreement. Gronk said in late January he would say no to playing a 12th NFL season, and Bruce Arians said Tuesday it is not certain the two-year Bucs contributor wants to play again (Twitter link via Pewter Report). But Arians noted Gronk has been coming to the team’s facility twice a week for workouts. That and Gronk’s Burrow comments certainly indicate a curiosity in extending his career post-Brady.

NFL To Discuss Potential OT Changes

February 27th, 2022 at 6:49pm CST by Ely Allen

The NFL’s Competition Committee had their first in-person meeting of the offseason today and, according to Judy Battista of NFL Network, proposed changes to the league’s overtime rules are on the agenda. The Committee’s chair, Rich McKay, confirmed as much, claiming there was no question it would be brought up.

Battista continued her reports in a series of tweets. She claims that there will be proposals for the rules to change both for the playoffs only and for regular season and postseason games together.

The argument for changing the rule in the playoffs only are centered around the expectation that the league’s best quarterbacks will be the ones participating in these games, increasing the likelihood that the team that wins the coin toss will score on the first possession of overtime and end the game without the opponent getting a chance to touch the ball. An example of this occurred this past postseason when the Chiefs defeated the Bills on the first possession of overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff round. Unfortunately for fans rooting for a potential rule change, an example of the opposite of the above example happened just a week later. In the AFC Championship game, the Chiefs once again won the coin toss and were granted the first possession of overtime. This time, the Chiefs were forced to go three-and-out by the Bengals’ defense, and Cincinnati went on to win the game on a walk-off field goal.

According to Battista, the Colts have submitted a proposal that would guarantee each team a possession in overtime that would apply to both the regular season and the postseason. The Colts didn’t make the postseason this year but had two regular season games go past regulation. Indianapolis lost both games. An overtime loss to the Titans on Halloween saw both teams possess the ball twice each in overtime, but an October loss in Baltimore saw Lamar Jackson and the Ravens dink-and-dunk their way to a touchdown in overtime that kept the Colts from ever seeing the ball after the fourth quarter.

Battista notes that there is still a ways to go in the discussions for a change to overtime rules. It won’t be discussed by the Committee for another two days. Even when it does come up, it’s not yet known how much support is out there for the potential change. In order for the rule to be adjusted, 24 owners would have to vote in favor of a change to the rule. That’s a high bar to pass, but something worth keeping an eye on as discussions proceed.

Coaching Notes: Ravens, Colts, Bills, Browns

February 24th, 2022 at 10:15pm CST by Ben Levine

Ken Norton Jr. is heading to the NCAA. The long-time coach is expected to join UCLA as their new linebackers coach, reports Bruce Feldman of The Athletic (via Twitter).

Norton Jr. started his coaching career with USC, but he’s been in the NFL since 2010. After winning three Super Bowl rings as a player, Norton Jr. added another championship to his resume as the Seahawks linebackers coach. After five seasons in Seattle, Norton Jr. was defensive coordinator for three years with the Raiders and four years with the Seahawks (second stint).

Norton Jr. was let go by Seattle following the 2021 campaign. Now, he’ll be joining Chip Kelly’s staff in Los Angeles.

More coaching notes:

The Ravens announced that they’ve officially promoted Anthony Weaver to be their assistant head coach/defensive line coach. Weaver had a long coaching stint with the Texans, culminating in him serving as their defensive coordinator in 2020. The 41-year-old joined the Ravens last year as their defensive line coach/run game coordinator.
Former NFL safety Mike Mitchell is joining the Colts staff as an assistant secondary coach, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic (on Twitter). Mitchell had a 10-year playing career, including a one-year stint with Indianapolis. The Colts are also hiring Nate Ollie as their defensive line coach, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). Following two seasons with the Eagles, Ollie spent last season as the Jets assistant defensive line coach.
Bills secondary coach John Butler got a promotion, adding the role of defensive passing game coordinator to his title, according to Wilson. The veteran has spent the past four seasons as the secondary coach in Buffalo. The Bills also confirmed a number of additional hires, including Kyle Shurmur (defensive quality control coach), Nick Lacy (strength and conditioning assistant coach), Marcus West (assistant defensive line coach), Jaylon Finner (defensive quality control coach), Cory Harkey (assistant special teams coach), and Austin Gund (fellowship coach).
The Browns are expected to promote offensive assistant T.C. McCartney to tight ends coach, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The 32-year-old has bounced around the NFL a bit during his coaching journey. After spending the 2019 campaign as the Broncos quarterbacks coach, McCartney spent the 2020 season as an offensive assistant on the Browns.

Bills Re-Up Siran Neal

February 23rd, 2022 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills and Siran Neal have agreed to a new three-year deal, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The new pact — worth up to $10.9MM — will keep the special teams standout in Buffalo for years to come. Before the new contract, Neal was set to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Neal entered the league in 2018 as a fifth-round draft pick of the Bills. The safety out of Jacksonville State has since appeared in 64 games while spending much of his time on special teams. All in all, he’s got 83 career tackles, four tackles for loss, two QB hits, one sack, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

He’s been a reliable presence for the Bills, having missed just one game over the last four years. And, since ’18, he’s suited up in six playoff games for Buffalo, tallying seven tackles and one sack in those contests.

With Neal’s contract taken care of, the Bills will turn their attention to more pressing matters, including a potential new deal for cornerback Levi Wallace. Wallace, a former UDFA, has started in all of his games since 2018. This year, he was more crucial than ever as the Bills were forced to play without Pro Bowler Tre’Davious White in the second half of the season.

Bills Add Assistant From D-II Ranks

February 22nd, 2022 at 10:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bills are adding Jaylon Finner to their staff, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com. Formerly the safeties coach at Division II Texas A&M Commerce, Finner will work as a defensive assistant in Buffalo.

Bills LBs Coach Bob Babich To Retire

February 19th, 2022 at 2:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bills linebackers coach Bob Babich intends to retire after nearly 40 seasons on the sidelines, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. Babich has been with Buffalo since the start of Sean McDermott‘s tenure in 2017.

While Babich settled onto the position coach tier during the latter part of his career, he enjoyed two tenures as an NFL defensive coordinator and a six-year stay as North Dakota State’s head coach. Bob Babich’s son, Bobby, is on track to become Buffalo’s next linebackers coach, per Wilson.

A college coach from 1984-2002, Babich broke into the NFL as linebackers coach with the 2003 Rams and trekked to Chicago under Lovie Smith a year later. Smith promoted Babich to assistant head coach in 2006, the Bears’ most recent NFC championship-winning season, and the latter was Chicago’s DC from 2007-09. Babich was with the Bears throughout Smith’s nine-year Windy City tenure.

Babich, 60, later became Jacksonville’s DC, overseeing that unit during the first three seasons of Gus Bradley‘s HC run. The Jaguars fired him following the 2015 slate, but he resurfaced to help McDermott’s Bills rebuild, one that included key contributions from linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds.

Bobby Babich has been the Bills’ safeties coach since 2018. During that time, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer have operated as one of the NFL’s top back-line duos in recent memory. The younger Babich came to Buffalo after a three-year stay as Cleveland’s DBs coach.

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