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AFC West Rumors: James, Waller, Hobbs, Waitman

August 31st, 2022 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Back in June of 2021, Ravens offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James filed a grievance against the Broncos seeking $15MM consisting of his 2021 and 2022 salaries of $10MM and $5MM, respectively. James has reportedly settled with his former team and will receive $1.09MM, according to Charean Williams of NBC Sports.

The grievance stems from a torn Achilles that James suffered while working out away from the Broncos’ facility during the 2021 offseason. He missed out on a $9.85MM guaranteed salary that Denver claimed was only guaranteed for injuries sustained at the team facility.

James has not played since the injury and is currently listed as the backup to Baltimore’s starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley. Ravens fans are hoping not to have to see James come in, but, historically, Stanley has only played in two games since signing a contract extension in October of 2020.

Here are a few more rumors from the AFC West, starting with two rumors out of Sin City:

  • Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels told reporters that star tight end Darren Waller returned to practice today, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN. Waller had missed six practices since mid-August due to a hamstring injury. Adding Waller back to the mix gives Las Vegas a dangerous array of pass catchers with Waller and receivers Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow.
  • After the trade yesterday that sent former second-round pick Trayvon Mullen to Arizona and with Darius Phillips not making the initial 53-man roster, Raiders nickel cornerback Nate Hobbs is finally set to move to an outside cornerback gig, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. The team’s coaches have long been boasting of their plans to move Hobbs around on defense, and they now have a prime opportunity to see what he can do on the outside of the secondary.
  • The Broncos surprised quite a few when punter Sam Martin failed to make their initial 53-man roster. Instead, Denver will move forward with former-Steelers punter Corliss Waitman. General manager George Paton attempted to defend the cut by telling reporters that the move was not a reflection of contracts but one of abilities, according to Troy Renck of Denver 7. Martin has been a starting punter since being drafted in the league back in 2013 by the Lions. He had signed a three-year, $7.05MM contract to join the Broncos and was headed into the final year of the deal set to make $2.25MM. Martin reportedly refused to take a pay cut for the 2022 season and Denver now will rely on the leg of Waitman, who holds an $825K cap hit. According to Paton, though, the $1.4MM cap room cleared by cutting Martin had nothing to do with it. Also according to Paton, Waitman, who has two games of NFL play under his belt, simply beat out the veteran kicker with 139 games of NFL experience. Broncos fans will get to judge for themselves when they see Waitman’s regular season debut in a Broncos uniform in Seattle on Monday Night Football.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

August 31st, 2022 at 3:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s AFC West transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Denver Broncos

Re-signed:

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Released from IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: 

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Broncos To Place TE Greg Dulcich, CB Michael Ojemudia On IR

August 30th, 2022 at 4:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two Russell Wilson auxiliary weapons will not be available to start the season. While Tim Patrick will be down throughout 2022 after tearing an ACL early in training camp, George Paton confirmed Tuesday (via Denver7’s Troy Renck, on Twitter) rookie tight end Greg Dulcich will begin his season on IR.

The placements of Dulcich and cornerback Michael Ojemudia on short-term IR — which will sideline each for the season’s first four games — will allow the Broncos to bring back nose tackle Mike Purcell and tight end Eric Tomlinson, according to the second-year Denver GM. Both veterans were included among the Broncos’ cuts Tuesday.

A hamstring injury dogged Dulcich for most of training camp. The UCLA product suffered a setback early in camp and did not play in the Broncos’ preseason games. The team made Dulcich a key part of its 2022 draft, adding him with its second pick this year. With Albert Okwuegbunam going into a contract year, Dulcich could profile as the Broncos’ tight end of the future. But the team has not seen much from the Day 2 investment yet.

Ojemudia suffered a dislocated elbow in the Broncos’ second preseason game. This injury followed Jonas Griffith‘s elbow dislocation in the team’s preseason opener. Griffith is not slated to go on IR and could be ready for Week 1. For Ojemudia, this marks more of the same. The 2020 third-round pick missed most of last season with a hamstring injury. He was vying for the team’s top outside backup cornerback job behind starters Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby.

A former Alliance of American Football cog, Purcell has been with the Broncos since 2019. The veteran nose tackle has started 23 games in that span, though injuries have intervened over the past two years. Purcell, 31, had signed a three-year, $14.8MM extension in 2020 but saw the Broncos bring in a high-priced replacement in D.J. Jones this offseason. A blocking tight end, Tomlinson spent much of the past two seasons with the Ravens. He joined Dulcich as the Broncos’ tight end newcomers this year.

Broncos Pare Roster Down To 53

August 30th, 2022 at 3:49pm CST by Sam Robinson

After trading Malik Reed to the Steelers, the Broncos finished off their moves to reach the NFL’s 53-man roster max Tuesday. Here is how the team reached that number:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on IR:

Some John Elway-era defensive lineman have been swapped out for George Paton acquisitions. Purcell, a three-season Broncos starter whom the team extended in 2020, is the most notable. But former third-round pick Agim joins the former Alliance of American Football success story in being moved off Denver’s roster. Agim heads to waivers; Purcell is a vested veteran.

After helping Denver stabilize its run defense upon arrival in 2019, Purcell missed half the 2020 season due to injury and missed time in 2021 as well. The Broncos added D.J. Jones in free agency and drafted two D-linemen — Eyioma Uwazurike (Round 4) and Matt Henningsen (Round 6) — this year.

Muti was seeing first-string action this offseason but was the underdog to beat out Quinn Meinerz at right guard. The former Fresno State-developed sixth-rounder also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery recently. Hinton, whom the Broncos turned to upon losing all their QBs to the reserve/COVID-19 list against the Saints in 2020, contributed as a receiver last season. The Broncos kept rookie UDFA wideout Jalen Virgil over Hinton. He could be back in Denver via the practice squad. The Broncos signed Tomlinson this offseason but also brought back Eric Saubert. The team drafted Greg Dulcich in the third round as well. Those two join Albert Okwuegbunam and Andrew Beck on the team’s 53-man roster.

Broncos To Release QB Josh Johnson

August 30th, 2022 at 11:28am CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos look to be going with a younger backup quarterback, with Mike Klis of 9News reporting (via Twitter) the team is releasing veteran Josh Johnson.

While this is old hat for Johnson, one of American sports’ great journeymen, Klis adds the Broncos would like him back on their practice squad. Johnson returning to Denver would mean a de facto spot as the team’s third-string quarterback. Brett Rypien remains on Denver’s roster as Russell Wilson‘s backup.

Despite Johnson’s historically nomadic journey — a sojourn that has passed through four leagues (NFL, United Football League, Alliance of American Football, XFL 2.0) — and age (36), the Broncos signed him early in free agency. The one-year, $1.22MM deal only guaranteed Johnson $100K.

Rypien has been with the Broncos since arriving as a 2019 UDFA, having made one start (in 2020) and attempted 42 regular-season passes.

Johnson does not have to pass through waivers; he can stay in Denver if he chooses. Teams can begin setting practice squads Wednesday afternoon. Although Johnson would make sense as a third QB for the Broncos, he does have a history of changing teams. For those curious, here is Johnson’s journey, in full: Buccaneers, 49ers, Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL), Browns, Bengals, 49ers again, Bengals again, Jets, Colts, Bills, Ravens, Giants, Texans, Raiders, Washington, San Diego Fleet (AAF), Lions, Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL), 49ers again, Jets again, Ravens again, Broncos.

Broncos To Trade OLB Malik Reed To Steelers

August 30th, 2022 at 10:58am CST by Sam Robinson

The top fill-in starter for Von Miller and Bradley Chubb over the past three seasons, Malik Reed has a new home. The Broncos are sending the veteran outside linebacker to the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Denver will collect a late-round pick for the contract-year linebacker. While Reed has been a productive pass rusher, the Broncos made some moves this offseason to bolster that position. The depth acquired made Reed expendable, it appears.

After the Broncos traded the best pass rusher in team history (Miller) at last year’s deadline, they went to work in adding to that position this offseason. The team signing Randy Gregory and used its top draft choice (No. 64 overall) on Nik Bonitto. Denver also moved 2021 inside linebacker starter Baron Browning to the edge, and NFL.com’s James Palmer adds (via Twitter) the team is high on the former third-round pick after the training camp he put together at the new position.

A Reed trade has also loomed as a possibility for months due to his arrival before George Paton became the Broncos’ GM. Chubb is now the only OLB left from the John Elway regime, with the Broncos also rostering 2021 seventh-rounder Jonathan Cooper. Though Cooper’s spot may not be completely safe. Chubb and Gregory’s injury issues still may prompt the Broncos to prioritize depth at the position. But they felt enough depth was present to unload Reed, who will have a clearer role in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers, who cut edge rusher Genard Avery earlier this month, have featured an OLB need for a bit now. They traded Melvin Ingram last year, creating a void behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Reed stands to play the same role he did in Denver, though Miller and Chubb’s injuries often simply made him a starter.

A 2019 UDFA, Reed has registered 13 sacks over the past two years. Since 2019, the Nevada alum has made 34 starts. One season remains on the 26-year-old OLB’s contract; the Broncos tendered Reed at the original-round level as an RFA this year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/22

August 29th, 2022 at 4:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teams have until 3pm Tuesday to slash their rosters from 80 to 53 players. Here are the Monday moves teams are making en route to doing so. The list will be updated throughout the day.

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Broncos To Release P Sam Martin

August 29th, 2022 at 11:18am CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos will bail on Sam Martin‘s contract after two seasons. They are releasing the veteran punter Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Martin had been competing with Corliss Waitman for Denver’s punting gig. Money looks to have motivated this transaction, however.

Martin’s three-year contract carried a $2.25MM base salary for 2022. The Broncos will pocket that amount by cutting their incumbent punter, who had no guarantees remaining in his three-year, $7.05MM deal. That money was behind this release, per 9News’ Mike Klis, who notes the team was informed Sunday that Martin would not accept a pay cut (Twitter link).

Martin’s 46.0-per-punt average ranked just 18th in the NFL last season, despite playing in Denver’s friendlier punting confines. The former Lions punter, who is going into his age-32 season, should still generate interest on the market.

This move also comes after the Titans released former Broncos punter Brett Kern, putting two veteran punters in free agency. Both were vested veterans, passing them through waivers.

Waitman, 27, has just two games’ worth of NFL experience. Both came in 2021 for the Steelers. Pittsburgh waived Waitman in January, leading to a Denver claim. It could well lead to the South Alabama alum being the Broncos’ Week 1 punter. Waitman is only set to make $825K this season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/27/22

August 27th, 2022 at 5:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Today’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

New Orleans Saints

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Kevin White

San Francisco 49ers

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Austin Mack

Geno Smith Named Seahawks Starting QB

August 27th, 2022 at 9:09am CST by Ben Levine

It’s Geno Time in Seattle. After last night’s preseason game, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced that Geno Smith will be the team’s starting quarterback in Week 1.

[RELATED: Seahawks Still Eyeing Jimmy Garoppolo?]

Following the offseason trade of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks have spent training camp and the preseason evaluating who will guide their offense in 2022. Smith, who’s been the team’s backup over the past two seasons, was going against Drew Lock, who was acquired from the Broncos in the Wilson trade. While Lock is younger and has more recent starting experience, Smith always seemed to be the favorite for the starting gig considering his familiarity with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s system, and this was reflected in him taking first-team snaps throughout the preseason.

Lock further lost some ground when he was forced to miss the Seahawks second preseason game while he was sidelined with COVID. He didn’t do much to help his case when he returned to the field for last night’s preseason finale, tossing three interceptions. Carroll informed the team after the contest that Smith would be the starting QB to start the season, and he later passed on the information to reporters.

“We really put him up against the competition, and Drew took his shot at him all the way throughout,” Carroll said (via ESPN’s Brady Henderson). “Those guys … they have gotten along beautifully, they’ve supported one another throughout. They really couldn’t have done that better and in more classy, great competitor fashion. They know that they need each other and all that, and they did it right.

“But Geno, he knows our stuff and he does really well and he understands it and he can manage everything that we’re doing and he’s good about the football. He’ll give us the best chance to play great football right off the bat.”

Smith started three games last season while filling in for Wilson, going 1-2 while tossing five touchdowns vs. one interception. He hasn’t had a full-time starting gig since 2014, when he went 3-10 in 13 starts for the Jets. Lock, meanwhile, got 21 starts for Denver over the past three years, going 8-13. Following a 2020 campaign where he tossed a league-high 15 interceptions, the 25-year-old was limited to only three starts (all losses) in 2021.

Considering the uninspiring track record of Smith and Lock, it remains to be seen if Seattle would pursue an upgrade. Mostly, if Jimmy Garoppolo eventually shakes loose in San Francisco, you’ve got to wonder if the Seahawks would jump at the opportunity to add him. Plus, assuming Jimmy G would need some time acclimating himself to the offense, Carroll could still stick with his declaration that Smith would be his early-season starter.

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