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NFC North Notes: Bears, Lions, Davis, Vikes

November 7th, 2024 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Questions about Matt Eberflus‘ status have emerged once again, as the Bears have lost two straight — the first of which featuring one of the more shocking endings in franchise history — to drop to 4-4. Eberflus fended off firing rumors to receive another chance this year, though he hired a new offensive staff upon being retained. Eberflus did not necessarily enter the season with the kind of playoffs-or-bust mandate Robert Saleh faced in New York, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs writes, but it is fairly clear the Bears will again need a good second half for the defense-minded coach to feel comfortable.

Eberflus is 14-28 as a coach, though his first season — a 3-14 campaign — featured a gutted roster early in a rebuild. Ryan Poles did not conduct the search that produced Eberflus, being hired only two days before the HC. But the GM is probably a better bet to outlast the coach, should this season go south. Poles and team president Kevin Warren are aligned in their vision, Biggs observes, pointing to the prospect of Poles being given the chance to hire a second coach. Poles would obviously have a greater influence in the Bears’ HC hire a second time around, should a 2025 change take place.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • John Cominsky went down with an MCL tear early in training camp, but the Lions waited until setting their 53-man roster to place the defensive lineman on IR. Cominsky is still in the mix to return at some point for the NFC North leaders, though Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers notes no reemergence is expected during the regular season. Cominsky is only in play to return if/once the Lions make the playoffs.
  • Elsewhere along the Lions’ front seven, Josh Paschal is on the way back after undergoing a recent treatment. The former second-round edge rusher needed to have a noncancerous mass removed. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of skin cancer in 2018, Paschal has needed yearly scans; his latest led to a two-game absence due to the mass needing to be removed, via DetroitLions.com’s Tim Twentyman. Paschal, who worked as a Lions starter in the two games before the hiatus, did not go on IR and is expected to return in Week 10. He will now be joined by trade pickup Za’Darius Smith, and a big role could await as both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are out for the regular season’s remainder.
  • Jamin Davis spent time as an edge defender during his final season with Washington, but in Green Bay, the former first-round pick has returned to his initial NFL role. The Packers have the 2021 draftee working as an off-ball ‘backer, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman notes. The Pack added Davis to their practice squad but have yet to elevate him for a game. Green Bay drafted two linebackers on Day 2 this year, though as a 36-game Washington starter from 2021-23, Davis now represents Green Bay insurance and perhaps an intriguing rebound piece.
  • Placed on IR due to an ankle injury, Luke Musgrave will not be back for a while. The second-year tight end ultimately needed surgery, Matt LaFleur said recently. LaFleur indicated the hope is Musgrave can return later this season. A second-round pick, Musgrave has seen 2023 third-rounder Tucker Kraft become the Packers’ top tight end. Musgrave also missed six games as a rookie, though he remains in the Packers’ IR-return puzzle for this season.
  • After coming up in trade rumors before the deadline, Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah ended up staying with the team. Minnesota did, however, end up discussing Asamoah with teams, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Some degree of interest existed, but the former third-round pick does not have a role on defense right now. Asamoah has yet to start an NFL game, despite having been in the league for three seasons, further limiting his trade value.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/24

November 6th, 2024 at 7:21pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Gross-Matos was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on October 5, sidelining him for San Francisco’s last four games. He now has 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added back to the activ roster or revert to season-ending IR. He signed a two-year, $18MM contract with the 49ers in the offseason but struggled with his new team with just one tackle in 81 snaps across three appearances.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

We don’t have a reason for Moreland’s suspension yet, but we know that it will last three weeks. He hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but if a team were to sign him, he wouldn’t be available for three games.

Vikings To Place K Will Reichard On IR; Team To Add K John Parker Romo, LS Jake McQuaide

November 5th, 2024 at 1:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Perfect on field goals until Sunday night, Will Reichard will see his rookie season interrupted by injury. After battling through a quad issue in Week 9, the Vikings kicker is headed to IR, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.

The Vikings are bringing in John Parker Romo, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, and making an injury-driven long snapper change. With Andrew DePaola going down, Garafolo adds Jake McQuaide is coming aboard.

This will mark some noticeable changes for the Vikes, who saw DePaola go down with a hand injury that will require surgery. McQuaide will stay in the NFC North, having made his previous two career stops with the Lions and Bears. Chicago released McQuaide from its practice squad last week.

A sixth-round pick out of Alabama, Reichard started his season 14 of 14 — including a 4-for-4 connect rate from 50-plus yards. He missed two kicks Sunday night, doing so as the quad injury hindered him. The Vikings, who moved on from three-year kicker Greg Joseph this offseason, will turn to Romo while the rookie recovers.

Prior to adding Romo, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the Vikes worked out Tristan Vizcaino. Randy Bullock was also at this audition, per KTSP’s Darren Wolfson. The Giants released Bullock this week; he had been serving as their Graham Gano fill-in.

Romo is 27 but has yet to kick in an NFL game. Like McQuaide, he has a past in Detroit and Chicago — along with New Orleans — but spent time with the Vikings this offseason. Minnesota, however, waived the former UDFA in July. Having kicked at three schools (Central Arkansas, Tulsa, Virginia Tech over a six-year period), Romo kicked in the XFL in 2023. That marks his only regular-season game experience since college. That figures to change soon.

This is poised to be McQuaide’s first action this season. A 10-year Rams veteran who snapped in Super Bowl LIII, McQuaide caught on with the Cowboys in 2021. After two Dallas seasons, the now-36-year-old snapper played for the Lions last year. This will mark a third straight season of part-time duty for McQuaide, who caught on with Detroit midway through last season and played just four games with Dallas in 2022.

Trade Rumors: Panthers, Thielen, Texans, Steelers, Slayton, Giants, Dolphins, Vikings

November 4th, 2024 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Adam Thielen ripped off his third 1,000-yard season last year but did so for a 2-15 Panthers team. Although the Panthers notched their second win of the season, they are certainly not expected to sniff playoff contention this season. Thielen’s name has come up in trade rumors, and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the 34-year-old receiver’s camp would like to catch on with a contender to close out this season. The Panthers are open to more seller’s moves, after their Diontae Johnson trade. While Carolina has some players in mind for post-2024 work, Thielen’s three-year, $25MM contract and age would make him a cut candidate next year.

Going down with a hamstring injury early this season, Thielen is in the IR-return window. That could affect his trade availability, but the possession target said (via ESPN.com’s David Newton) he expects to return in Week 10. That would obviously align with Tuesday’s deadline. It would cost the Panthers roughly $11MM — spread out between this year and next — to trade Thielen, but that would be unlikely to deter the rebuilding team if it received an offer. The Panthers’ Johnson return checked in low enough it caught plenty of attention, and with the team picking up some of the traded WR’s tab, it would not surprise if a team paid some of Thielen’s remaining money (roughly $2.4MM) to facilitate a swap.

Any player cut beyond the deadline is subject to waivers, something that could come up if the Panthers hold onto the veteran past Tuesday. Here is the latest from the market:

  • Teams still interested in adding receivers include the Steelers and Texans, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero said during a Rich Eisen Show appearance. Pittsburgh’s interest in adding a WR piece has been well known for months, and Thielen is on the radar after Christian Kirk talks fell through. While conflicting reports are coming out of Houston. The AFC South leaders have been linked to both standing pat following the Stefon Diggs injury and then exploring the market. Pelissero predicts the Steelers’ odyssey will conclude with a receiver added by Tuesday’s deadline.
  • Unless Courtland Sutton is moved months after the Broncos rejected a third-rounder from the 49ers for him, Darius Slayton may be the top name available. Regardless of the reported high price the Giants have set on the sixth-year wideout, Breer adds the team has looked into trading both he and Azeez Ojulari for a bit now. Both are in contract years for a 2-7 team, with Ojulari generating extensive interest. The Cardinals were in on Ojulari, but they filled their OLB need with Baron Browning today. Also looking for EDGE help, the Falcons have checked in as well. Neither Slayton nor Ojulari want to be dealt, but the Giants are in position to strongly consider moving each. Slayton also suffered a concussion Sunday, which stands to impact his status as a trade chip. The Steelers are believed to be interested in the four-time Giants receiving leader.
  • The NFL features a high number of two-win teams (nine), something that could lead to more deals over the next 23-plus hours. But the 6-2 Vikings are also believed to be open to dealing away a piece. Minnesota linebacker Brian Asamoah should be considered a trade candidate, per Breer, as the Vikings have some LB depth in Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace, Kamu Grugier-Hill and hybrid player Andrew Van Ginkel. A former third-round pick, Asamoah has never started an NFL game and would not net much in a trade.
  • The Dolphins are one of those two-win clubs, having lost on a 61-yard Bills game-winning field goal in Week 9. Miami may still not be overly interested in selling, with Drew Rosenhaus indicating during a WSVN interview (h/t the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson) the team has been looking into helping this year’s roster over the past few weeks. Miami having lost its past two games with Tua Tagovailoa healthy could contribute to this deadline approach, and Breer adds backup linebacker Duke Riley looms as a candidate to be dealt. But the team has made several big-ticket extension moves — including the Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle deals this offseason — in recent years, decisions that would stand to influence whether selling at the midseason point is prudent.

Vikings LS Andrew DePaola To Undergo Hand Surgery

November 4th, 2024 at 3:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Andrew DePaola is facing at least a short-term absence. The veteran long snapper is dealing with a hand injury which will require surgery, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Monday.

A stint on injured reserve is likely as a result, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes. Moving DePaola to IR would ensure at least a four-game absence and require a fill-in for a notable stretch. DePaola did not miss a game over any of the past three seasons; his last injury was suffered in 2020, his debut Vikings campaign.

During his time in Minnesota, the former Buccaneer, Bear and Raider has found stability. DePaola earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2022, and he landed a new contract in the wake of that success. The 37-year-old proved to be a worthwhile investment, as he secured a second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation as well as a second-team All-Pro nod last season.

The Vikings do not have a long snapper on their practice squad at the moment, so an addition over the coming days should be expected. The Vikings have just under $8MM in cap space, so a move aimed at replacing DePaola will not affect the team’s financial outlook or any potential trades made ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s deadline. The Rutgers product is under contract through 2025.

Minnesota kicker Will Reichard suffered a quad injury during the team’s Sunday night win over the Colts, leaving his outlook for Week 10 in question. The Vikings therefore face the possibility of having to replace two-thirds of their kicking battery for the short term.

Vikings Activate Dalton Risner From IR

November 2nd, 2024 at 4:22pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Vikings have activated guard Dalton Risner from injured reserve ahead of their Week 9 tilt with the Colts, giving them more options along their offensive line as they contend with Christian Darrisaw‘s season-ending injury.

Darrisaw’s absence has left a hole at left tackle in Minnesota, with the team trading for Cam Robinson to fill the void last week. But Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell declined to name Robinson his new starter ahead of Week 9, according to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Blake Brandel, who won the left guard job after Risner injured his back in training camp, made three starts at left tackle in 2022 with 273 total snaps at the position across five games. He could slide back outside with Risner retaking his spot at left guard, where he started 11 games for Minnesota last year.

“I feel great about having Dalton available,” O’Connell said Friday, per Goessling. “He knows he’s got my confidence and he’ll be ready to go when called upon.”

The Vikings could also call upon veteran David Quessenberry to start at left tackle if they want to maintain their current offensive line unit but don’t feel that Robinson is ready to start.

However, the swift move by Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to acquire Robinson in the wake of Darrisaw’s injury suggests that Minnesota intends to slide him into the starting lineup as quickly as possible. Ideally, he would be a one-for-one replacement for Darrisaw without forcing any other changes across the offensive line.

The Vikings also placed defensive lineman Taki Taimani on injured reserve, opening a roster spot for Risner’s activation. Minnesota also used a standard practice squad elevation on defensive lineman Jalen Redmond for Week 9.

Vikings Activate T.J. Hockenson For Week 9

November 1st, 2024 at 1:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Vikings have officially activated T.J. Hockenson from the reserve/PUP list, setting up the Pro Bowl tight end to make his 2024 debut against the Colts on Sunday night.

Hockenson tore his ACL in December 2023, ending his year and sidelining him into the 2024 season. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft averaged a career-high 6.3 receptions and 64.0 yards per game in his first full season in Minnesota before his injury. He was traded to the Vikings by the Lions at the 2022 deadline and earned a four-year, $66MM extension after quickly assimilating to head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s offense.

Hockenson’s return will be a massive boost to a Vikings squad that has lost their last two games after starting the season 5-0. Star left tackle Christian Darrisaw injured both his ACL and MCL in Week 8, requiring season-ending surgery that will place more pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold.

Hockenson won’t make up for Darrisaw’s absence as a blocker, but he will join Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones to round out one of the best pass-catching corps in the NFL. 2022 seventh-rounder Jalen Nailor has been a pleasant surprise in Minnesota this year, recording 32.7 yards per game and three touchdowns as a tertiary target for Darnold with little receiving contributions from his tight ends.

Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt have combined for just 165 yards on 21 receptions this year. Hockenson should easily surpass their 23.6 yards per game average and add a more dynamic threat to the Vikings offense.

Jaguars Trade LT Cam Robinson To Vikings

October 30th, 2024 at 4:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 30: As expected, the Jaguars will pick up much of Robinson’s tab. They are paying just more than $7MM of Robinson’s remaining 2024 base salary, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. This leaves the Vikings with around $2MM of the left tackle’s salary, along with $59K per game in roster bonuses.

OCTOBER 29: For a second straight year, the Jaguars and Vikings have a deal in place involving an offensive lineman at the trade deadline. Cam Robinson is set to replace Christian Darrisaw.

The Vikings will act swiftly, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reporting they are acquiring the longtime Jaguars left tackle in exchange for unspecified draft compensation. This comes a year after the Jags acquired Ezra Cleveland from the Vikings. Here are the terms of the trade:

Vikings receive:

  • Robinson
  • Conditional 2026 seventh-round pick

Jaguars receive:

  • Conditional 2026 fifth-round pick

The 2026 fifth can upgrade to a fourth for the Jaguars based on playing time, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling. The conditional seventh the Vikings are receiving can be removed from the trade based on playing time as well, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter adds.

This will wrap an eight-season run for Robinson in Jacksonville. The former second-round pick, however, is in a contract year and is not a candidate to be franchise-tagged. Like Kirk Cousins, Robinson was a two-time tag recipient and is on track for free agency. This trade sets up Robinson as a clear rental, with Darrisaw expected to reclaim his blindside post in 2025. In the short term, though, the 5-2 Vikings will prepare to have Robinson protecting Sam Darnold‘s blind side.

It is not exactly common for a starting left tackle to be available at the deadline, and Doug Pederson had thrown cold water on more seller’s trades — following the Jags’ agreement to send Roy Robertson-Harris to the Seahawks — taking place. But the Jags have dropped to 2-6 and lost Christian Kirk for the season during their most recent defeat. Jacksonville also has some LT insurance in Walker Little, who is also in a contract year.

Tuesday’s agreement certainly signals the Vikings believe they have a contending team, despite their back-to-back losses, as they just extended Darrisaw at a top-market rate. Darrisaw signed a four-year, $104MM deal to stay in Minnesota long term, but he will not reenter the Vikes’ on-field equation until next season. The fourth-year blocker went down with an unspecified knee injury — one that will require season-ending surgery — in Week 8. The Vikings losing their top O-lineman already played a role in one loss, and the team will take advantage of Darrisaw’s injury occurring before the trade deadline.

Robinson, 29, had been the Jags’ LT starter since his rookie season. He is attached to a three-year, $52.75MM extension — agreed to during his second offseason on the franchise tag. No restructures have taken place on this contract, keeping Robinson’s 2024 base salary at $16.25MM. While roughly $9MM remains on that deal, the Jaguars are probably picking up some of the eighth-year blocker’s tab. The Vikings entered Tuesday with $9.5MM in cap space.

Robinson has made 91 career starts, including seven of the Jags’ eight games this season. Pro Football Focus has the Alabama alum rated 32nd among tackles this season; Darrisaw stood 10th before his injury. While Robinson does not have a Pro Bowl on his resume and is not regarded quite on Darrisaw’s level, he had done enough to be tagged twice and earn an upper-crust extension. Though, Darrisaw’s payday helped drop Robinson down that position list. Robinson entered this season as the NFL’s 10th-highest-paid LT.

The Jags have now separated from both Robinson and four-year RT starter Jawaan Taylor in two years. Jacksonville opted to tag Evan Engram over Taylor in 2023, letting him walk toward a mammoth Chiefs deal — one that has not panned out. The Jags drafted Anton Harrison in the 2023 first round and have been playing him at right tackle. It will be interesting to see how the sudden sellers proceed at this position moving forward, as Urban Meyer-era draftee Little is playing out his second-round contract. But Little, who has 18 career starts (most of them replacing an injured or suspended Robinson), will have a chance to boost his free agency value during this season’s second half.

Robinson missed a chunk of the Jags’ run to the 2022 divisional round, having suffered a meniscus tear, and received a four-game PED suspension last summer. Robinson also sustained another knee injury, one that led him to IR for a stint, last season. The recent injuries bring risk for the Vikings, but as quality LTs are not exactly flooding the trade market, Minnesota will roll the dice on Robinson staying healthy.

It cost the Jags only a sixth-round pick to acquire Cleveland, as they resided as buyers at the 2023 deadline. Jacksonville then re-signed Cleveland before the legal tampering period. Robinson will be on track to hit the market for the first time. He will need to excel in a new scheme to solidify his place as one of the 2025 FA market’s top options. Before that, the veteran will aim to help the Vikings in a loaded NFC North.

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