Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/24
Today’s minor transactions to close out the weekend:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Shayne Simon
- Waived (with injury designation): DE David Ugwoegbu
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Jacob Hollister
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from active/NFI list: T Trent Brown
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Faion Hicks
- Waived: S Dyshawn Gales
- Released from IR: C Brian Allen
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Gary Brightwell, TE Chris Myarick
- Waived: RB Lorenzo Lingard, TE Josh Pederson
Washington Commanders
- Signed: DT Taylor Stallworth
- Waived: CB Christian Holmes
The Browns were looking forward to stashing Allen’s starting experience as a reserve lineman on the interior. Unfortunately, he suffered a calf injury that ended his season before it even began. Only on a one-year contract anyway, Allen will now get a head start on the free agency he would’ve faced at the end of this season.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson will not be coaching his son, Josh, this season, it appears. The 26-year-old tight end appeared in three games under his father in 2023.
Browns Have Not Extended Paul DePodesta; Team Still Foresees Long-Term Relationship
Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta was hired by the team in 2016 after a lengthy run in Major Leage Baseball front offices. Though his hire was an unconventional one, DePodesta has clearly gained the favor of Cleveland ownership.
In 2021, we learned that DePodesta was given a five-year extension the prior season, a deal that ran through the 2024 campaign. At the time, his contract term matched those of head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, both of whom were hired in 2020.
Upon the announcement of the extension, owner Jimmy Haslam noted the logic of having his top power brokers on deals of the same length, saying, “it lines up with [Berry and Stefanski]. That makes all the sense, and we’re super excited about that. Paul’s going to be with us for a significant amount of time. Paul’s not the type, you don’t need to announce something on Paul’s behalf, but he’s going to be with us for a significant amount of time.”
The Browns have earned a playoff berth in two of the first four seasons of the Berry/Stefanski partnership, and despite the much-criticized acquisition and extension of quarterback Deshaun Watson, the club has a talented roster that has the makings of a championship contender. Berry and Stefanski were rewarded with new deals in June, though DePodesta — who also has a significant role in personnel matters and who recommended the current GM/HC pairing to Haslam — is still under contract for just one more year.
That does not mean, however, that the relationship will end at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Speaking at a recent training camp practice, Haslam said, “we’re working through the situation with Paul. It’s a little bit different because he lives in San Diego, but we’re comfortable Paul will remain with us in some very important fashion for the long term” (via Kelsey Russo of the team’s official website).
It therefore sounds like an extension for DePodesta is still in the cards, and it would not be surprising if his contract again matches the Stefanski and Berry deals in the near future.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/1/24
Here are Thursday’s minor moves from around the league:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: QB Nathan Rourke, TE Jordan Thomas
- Waived: QB John Paddock, WR Daylen Baldwin
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: TE Curtis Hodges
- Placed on IR: TE Stephen Sullivan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson
- Placed on IR: LB Charlie Thomas
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/NFI list: RB Blake Watson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Jake Burton, DL Pat O’Connor
- Placed on IR: G Netane Muti
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Marquez Callaway
- Waived/injured: TE Tommy Hudson
Rourke joins a third team this year. The Patriots waived the former CFL quarterback in May, and the Giants — after claiming him — moved him off their 90-man roster shortly after Daniel Jones received full clearance. Rourke spent most of last season with the Jaguars, catching on with the Pats late in the year. He will try to stick on a Falcons team with three QBs — Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr. and Taylor Heinicke — already rostered. Heinicke expects to be jettisoned before Week 1, with the Falcons planning to keep two QBs on their active roster. Though, the veteran could have a place on Atlanta’s practice squad.
This will mark a third Callaway Saints stint. Utilized frequently during a 2021 season that featured zero Michael Thomas participation and brought back in 2023 after the Broncos and Raiders cut him, Callaway returns days after a Steelers departure. The former UDFA, who has a 698-yard 2021 season on his resume, played in three Saints games last season but did not make a catch. This comes at an interesting point, at least, with the Saints having moved on from OC Pete Carmichael en route to a Klint Kubiak hire.
Sullivan suffered a quadriceps injury, per the Panthers. The 2020 Seahawks seventh-round pick, who reunited with ex-Seattle assistant Dave Canales this offseason, has been with the Panthers for the past three seasons.
Browns RB D’Onta Foreman Hospitalized
1:05pm: X-rays and a CT scan have both come back negative, per the team’s latest update on Foreman’s situation. He is expected to be released from hospital later this afternoon as a result.
11:07pm: Browns practice produced a frightening scene on Thursday. Running back D’Onta Foreman was taken to hospital after suffering a neck injury. 
“During practice today, Browns RB D’Onta Foreman sustained a direct blow to the head that resulted in neck pain,” a team statement reads. “The Browns athletic training staff deployed their standard emergency action procedures to immobilize Foreman. He was taken to an ambulance and is being transported via helicopter to a Medical Center in Roanoke, VA to undergo further medical evaluation. Foreman had movement in all his extremities.”
Veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson adds Foreman is alert, an encouraging sign for his status. The 28-year-old has spent the offseason competing for a roster spot in a Browns backfield which will likely not have Nick Chubb available at the start of the season. Foreman signed a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March in a bid to play for a fifth career team.
He and Pierre Strong entered camp in danger of being cut as Cleveland proceeds with the likes of Jerome Ford and Nyheim Hines in the backfield while awaiting Chubb’s return. Foreman is a veteran of 52 games, with his best campaign coming as a member of the Panthers in 2022. He rushed for 914 yards and five touchdowns that year, but he logged a much smaller workload last season in Chicago.
Ford is positioned to handle lead back duties until Chubb is healthy, and Hines has established himself as a capable pass-catching and returner option. With those backs seemingly locks for a roster spot, missed time will be critical in Foreman’s case. His progress in recovering from today’s injury will be worth watching closely as he hopes to avoid any serious ailment to his head or neck.
Browns Still Open To Amari Cooper Extension
While the Browns recently came to a temporary contract resolution with wideout Amari Cooper, the organization isn’t closing the door on a long-term partnership. During an appearance on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, Browns GM Andrew Berry revealed that the team would still consider a Cooper extension.
[RELATED: Browns, WR Amari Cooper Agree To Restructured Deal]
“I think everybody here understands what Amari means to this organization,” Berry said (via 92.3 The Fan on X). “He’s been a big part of our success. We were glad we were able to resolve the situation. Nothing that we’ve done would preclude us from extending him.”
As part of his restructured contract, Cooper received a raise of up to $5MM (via incentives), and he also had his $20MM salary for 2024 guaranteed (with $10MM being paid as a signing bonus). That seemingly placated Cooper’s camp after the wide receiver no-showed mandatory minicamp. Still, the revised contract didn’t do anything to resolve Cooper’s pending free agency, as the wideout is still attached to an expiring contract for the 2024 campaign.
Cooper is heading into the final season of a five-year, $100MM pact he signed with the Cowboys back in 2020. Years later, the going rate for top-end WRs has topped a $30MM average annual value. Cooper’s de facto one-year, $25MM resolution would still only rank eighth at the position in AAV, so we can assume the receiver isn’t looking to break the bank on his next deal.
Cooper would be hard pressed to secure a $25MM AAV on his next contract, but he might not be far off. Heading into his age-30 season, Calvin Ridley managed to garner a four-year, $92MM deal. Cooper’s free agency will come ahead of his age-31 season, but he also has a much longer track record of success than Ridley. Cooper seems destined to find a deal worth at least $20MM per year, and he could come in around Ridley’s $23MM AAV.
The Browns acquired Jerry Jeudy this offseason and gave the WR a three-year, $52.5MM deal, so while the Browns may be open to a Cooper extension, it’s uncertain if it’d be financially realistic. Even if Cleveland isn’t willing to pony up for Cooper’s services, the wide receiver surely won’t be lacking for suitors.
Browns Place OL Brian Allen On IR
The Browns’ interior offensive line depth has been dealt a blow well before the start of the season. Brian Allen was placed on injured reserve Monday, per a team announcement. 
Allen has been dealing with a calf injury since the third day of training camp, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes. The ailment is obviously a serious one, as today’s move means Allen will not play in 2024. The 28-year-old signed with the Browns after the draft in a bid to put together a healthy campaign on a new team.
Allen started each of his appearances with the Rams from 2019-22, but injuries hindered his Los Angeles tenure. The former fourth-rounder missed the 2020 campaign altogether, and he was limited to five games (and no starts) last season. To little surprise, he was released by the Rams in a move which set up his Browns arrival.
Cleveland’s offensive line was decimated by injuries in 2023, so added depth across the board was welcomed in the offseason. Allen has exclusively played at center during his career, but he did take practice reps at guard prior to suffering the injury. Now, the Browns’ plans along the interior will no longer include him for 2024. The team still has Ethan Pocic in place as a starter in the middle, along with the well-regarded tandem of Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio at guard.
Allen’s Cleveland contract was a one-year accord, as could be expected given his injury issues during his Rams tenure. His attention will now return to rehab in anticipation of free agency next spring. After another full season spent on the sidelines, though, it is safe to assume his market will not be strong once he returns to full health. In a corresponding move, the Browns signed guard Zach Johnson.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/24
Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: G Zack Johnson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Deontay Burnett, WR Kelvin Harmon
Denver Broncos
- Activated from active/PUP list: S Caden Sterns
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Malik Jefferson
- Placed on IR: Michael Badgley (story)
- Placed on active/NFI list: OL Christian Mahogany
- Waived with injury settlement: OL Matt Farniok
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton
- Waived: QB Gavin Hardison
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Chandler Brewer
- Waived: G Nouri Nouili
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Adrian Martinez, CB Kendall Sheffield
- Waived: Ben Bryant, CB Nehemiah Shelton
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Frank Darby
- Waived: CB Kemon Hall
Martinez had a productive dual-threat career in college, scoring 96 total touchdowns during his time with Nebraska and Kansas State. He joined the Lions as a UDFA last spring, but he did not survive roster cutdowns. Martinez did not see any NFL game action, but he recently boosted his stock in the UFL. The 24-year-old earned league MVP honors while leading the Birmingham Stallions to the championship. Martinez compiled a combined 17:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio and led the league with 588 rushing yards.
The top of New York’s depth chart is set with Aaron Rodgers and Tyrod Taylor, but rookie Jordan Travis opened training camp on the NFI list as he continues to recover from the leg injury which ended his Florida State career. Martinez’s arrival (and the corresponding departure of Bryant) will allow him to see limited reps for at least a brief period. He could be a practice squad candidate if Travis returns to health in time for the fall, but a strong showing in training camp and/or the preseason could make him an attractive option for other teams.
AFC North Notes: Browns, Faalele, Steelers
The Browns wrapping their Amari Cooper negotiations without an extension places Jerry Jeudy as the team’s long-term centerpiece at wide receiver. The recent trade acquisition, who received $41MM guaranteed at signing, is locked in through 2027. Cooper, 30, received $5MM in incentives but is positioned to play for a new contract this season.
In guaranteeing Cooper $20MM in 2024 — money he was almost definitely going to see once his salary became guaranteed in early September — the Browns moved $18.79MM of his salary into a signing bonus, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes, with two void years added. If Cooper is not extended by the start of the 2025 league year, the Browns would incur a $22.6MM dead money hit. For 2024, however, Cleveland created $15MM in cap space, per Spotrac. Despite skipping minicamp, Cooper said he was not considering a training camp holdout.
“Honestly, it wasn’t really about money,” Cooper said, via the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling. “It was more so in the language of my contract when I signed a five-year deal with the Cowboys. Only two years is guaranteed. This is the last year of that deal, but it isn’t guaranteed until the week of the first game.”
This agreement seems a small victory for a player of Cooper’s caliber, especially after the former first-rounder established a new career-high in receiving yards (1,250) to help a depleted offense last season. The Browns have an added motivation to extend Cooper before next March now, with the looming void year-driven cap penalty working in his favor.
Here is the latest from Cleveland and the rest of the AFC North:
- Greg Newsome began Browns camp on the active/NFI list, and Kevin Stefanski shed some light on why. The fourth-year cornerback underwent hamstring surgery Thursday, and cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes the team hopes to have him back by Week 1. Newsome landing on the NFI list as opposed to the PUP list indicates he sustained the injury away from the team’s facility. Stefanski did not specify when the injury occurred. Dalvin Tomlinson, who is on the Browns’ active/PUP list, is set for arthroscopic knee surgery Friday. The team hopes, per Easterling, the veteran DT is back by Week 1. Tomlinson and the Browns decided this week surgery would be necessary. Both players were key starters for Jim Schwartz‘s No. 1-ranked defense last season.
- Third-year Ravens O-lineman Daniel Faalele‘s best shot to start this season may come at right guard. Despite being a tackle fill-in during his first two seasons, the 6-foot-8, 380-pound blocker is being given extensive work at RG, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec (subscription required). Faalele is primarily competing with Ben Cleveland and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu at RG, per Zrebiec. John Harbaugh said the Ravens will move O-linemen around during camp, as Cleveland saw tackle reps this offseason, but the 17th-year HC confirmed the team is giving Faalele a shot to be a rather tall guard early in camp. It would also not surprise to see Faalele be given a shot at right tackle, where he played 157 snaps last season. Baltimore needs three new O-line starters after guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson leaving in free agency and the team trading Morgan Moses to the Jets.
- Eddie Jackson‘s Ravens deal is a one-year pact worth $1.5MM, Wilson notes. The longtime Bears starter received $1MM guaranteed. While this is a steep reduction from Jackson’s previous Chicago extension (four years, $58.4MM), he is far from the only experienced safety to accept a significant pay cut this offseason.
- Tyler Matakevich‘s Steelers contract will be worth the veteran minimum, Wilson adds. The ninth-year linebacker will be due $1.21MM in base salary, but the team has not guaranteed its former seventh-rounder anything.
Kevin Stefanski To Remain Browns’ Play-Caller In 2024
Although the Browns hired a new offensive coordinator and other staffers in an effort to design an offense more suited to Deshaun Watson‘s skillset, the team is not changing its play-caller.
Kevin Stefanski said Thursday he will call plays for the Browns this season. Despite Stefanski carrying the play sheet during his first four seasons in Cleveland, some uncertainty existed whether he would continue to do so after hiring ex-Bills play-caller Ken Dorsey as OC. Dorsey will follow Alex Van Pelt as a non-play-calling Browns OC.
[RELATED: Browns Extend Kevin Stefanski, Andrew Berry]
The Browns have succeeded intermittently with Stefanski calling plays, and the recently extended coach most recently displayed his chops by guiding the 2023 team to the playoffs after numerous injuries — including Watson’s season-ending shoulder malady — impacted their offense. Stefanski steered late-season free agency pickup Joe Flacco to Comeback Player of the Year acclaim, doing so without the services of Nick Chubb and the team’s top three tackles for much of the season.
The Bills fired Dorsey midway through his second season as their play-caller, giving way to Joe Brady. Buffalo’s Josh Allen-driven offense had run into some issues during a midseason swoon, one the team rebounded from en route to the AFC’s No. 2 seed. That said, Dorsey guided the Bills to No. 2 rankings in scoring and total offense in 2022. This came despite Allen playing through injury for much of that season.
Stefanski collecting the Coach of the Year award in 2020, after Baker Mayfield bounced back from a woeful 2019, came after he called plays in Minnesota in 2019. Cleveland’s current HC carries more experience than Dorsey, by a significant margin, calling plays. As the Browns make some changes on offense, the unit’s maestro will not change.
Cleveland took a significant step back in 2021, as Mayfield played hurt ahead of an awkward transition to Watson, and their high-priced quarterback has not come especially close to justifying the historic trade cost. Stefanski, however, coaxed a solid Jacoby Brissett stretch in 2022. The fifth-year Browns HC must continue to make it work with Watson, whose $230MM guaranteed contract runs through 2026. While Dorsey carries experience and would be the next man up, Watson will be continue communicating with Stefanski in the huddle.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/24
Wednesday’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Reverted to IR: OL Carter O’Donnell
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Zack Bailey
- Waived: G Ryan Coll, P Ryan Sanborn
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Jeremiah Martin, T Chim Okorafor
- Waived: LB Caleb Johnson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, T Giovanni Manu, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, CB Amik Robertson, WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Activated from active/PUP list: S Brian Branch, DE Marcus Davenport
- Waived (with failed physical designation): G Matt Farniok
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR Jayden Reed
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: WR Laquon Treadwell
- Placed on active/NFI list: DT Raekwon Davis
- Placed on active/PUP list: CB Chris Lammons
- Waived: WR Xavier White
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Keelan Doss, OL Corey Luciano
- Waived (with injury designation): G Jake Johanning
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR DeWayne McBride
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from active/NFI list: WR Chris Olave
- Activated from active/PUP list: DE Chase Young
Philadelphia Eagles
- Placed on active/NFI list: T Gottlieb Ayedze, WR Shaquan Davis
- Placed on active/PUP list: S Sydney Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on active/NFI list: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
- Placed on active/PUP list: LB Cole Holcomb, DE Dean Lowry
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Drake Jackson
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: G Ilm Manning
- Activated from active/NFI list: CB DJ James, CB Nehemiah Pritchett
- Released: G Tremayne Anchrum
Washington Commanders
- Activated from active/NFI list: DT Johnny Newton
- Placed on active/PUP list: DE Efe Obada
In New Orleans, Young has officially made the comeback from offseason neck surgery, passing his physical today alongside Olave, who is no stranger to offseason injuries.
Treadwell will join his eighth team in nine years after only making one catch in five games with the Ravens last season.
Brown is working his way back from an ACL tear that he suffered in the final game of his rookie season last year, so it’s no surprise that he will start the offseason on PUP.