Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/21
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: G Ben Cleveland
- Placed on IR: S DeShon Elliott
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: S Brandon Wilson
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: CB Herb Miller
Denver Broncos
- Activated from PUP: CB Duke Dawson
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: TE Brock Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DB Myles Dorn
New England Patriots
- Waived: OL James Ferentz
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: LB Chase Hansen
Seattle Seahawks
- Designated for return: WR Dee Eskridge, CB Nigel Warrior
Cardinals, Cowboys Pursued Von Miller
The Rams weren’t the only team in pursuit. The Cardinals and Cowboys also chased Von Miller before the trade deadline, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. 
[RELATED: Rams Talking Extension With Von Miller’s Camp]
Miller is on track for free agency this spring, so the Cowboys and Cardinals could get another shot at him soon. However, the Rams are working diligently to make sure that can’t happen — they’re already discussing a new deal for the 11th-year pro.
“We’re actually looking at this from a standpoint of how soon can he help us, can he help us if we’re fortunate enough to continue going and make the 2021 tournament, how can he help us there,” Rams GM Les Snead said last week. “And then there’s a long-term vision for Von as well.”
The Cardinals surely could have used the future Hall of Famer after losing defensive end J.J. Watt to injury. Now, they’ll have to see him on the other side of the ball, with their first meeting in Week 14. The Cowboys, who don’t have the Rams on the regular season docket, clearly lacked pressure against the Miller-less Broncos today.
Miller, 32, has 110.5 sacks to his credit, more than any other active player in the NFL. He’s only notched 4.5 sacks so far this year, and he won’t dress for tonight’s game against Tennessee, but he can start adding to that total next week against SF.
Saints Called On Broncos’ Teddy Bridgewater
The Broncos received inquiries on Teddy Bridgewater before last week’s trade deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). Pelissero also hears that the Saints — Bridgewater’s one-time employer — were among those with interest.
[RELATED: Saints Stick With Trevor Siemian]
Bridgewater, of course, remains with the Broncos as their QB1. His squad is now 5-4, following today’s win over the Cowboys.
Bridgewater, who came to Denver via an April trade with Carolina, would have been a logical fit for the Saints after Jameis Winston‘s season-ending injury. But, for one reason or another, the two sides couldn’t agree to terms. The Saints have since installed Trevor Siemian as their starter and he’s likely to keep the job heading into Week 10, despite the final outcome of today’s game against the Falcons.
Bridgewater beat out former second-rounder Drew Lock in this summer’s quarterback competition, and he led Denver to a 3-0 start to the 2021 campaign. Things sagged in the middle, but they’re now back above .500 and riding a two-game winning streak.
It’s worth noting that Bridgewater, 29 this week, will be out of contract in March. With Jameis Winston also on course for free agency, the Saints could aim for a reunion with Bridgewater in the offseason.
Multiple Teams Offered 3 First-Rounders For Deshaun Watson
“Multiple” clubs offered packages including three first-round picks and two third-round picks for Deshaun Watson, according to sources who spoke with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Pelissero did not specify which teams made those offers, though the Dolphins and Panthers were said to be among the quarterback’s most serious suitors. 
[RELATED: Dolphins GM Chris Grier On Deshaun Watson]
The Eagles and Broncos were also connected to the embattled Texans quarterback, though Denver GM George Paton says he did not have talks with Houston in the leadup to the deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s James Palmer). Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was bullish on acquiring Watson, but he backed out due to Watson’s still ongoing legal matters. The same goes for Panthers owner David Tepper, per Pelissero.
The key takeaway is that Texans GM Nick Caserio nearly got his asking price, despite everything going on with Watson. If and when Watson’s suits are resolved, the Texans should have the leverage to get a similar haul — unless the NFL hits Watson with a substantial suspension.
For now, Watson will remain in Houston and earn the remainder of his ~$10MM salary for 2021. Depending on how things go from here, the multiple-time Pro Bowler could have a new NFL home before the 2022 draft.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/6/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: WR Greg Dortch, DL Josh Mauro, CB Kevin Peterson, LB Joe Walker, TE David Wells
- Placed on IR: DL Rashard Lawrence
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, DL Anthony Rush
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: P Lachlan Edwards, S Myles Hartsfield, WR Willie Snead
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: CB Mike Ford
- Promoted: DL Jonathan Harris, G Austin Schlottmann, LB Barrington Wade
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from IR: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Promoted: QB Blake Bortles
Houston Texans
- Promoted: S Jonathan Owens
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: WR Laquon Treadwell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: WR Marcell Ateman
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: WR Maurice Ffrench, CB Kiondre Thomas
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: LB Vince Biegel, WR Kirk Merritt
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: DE Kenny Willekes
New England Patriots
- Promoted: WR Kristian Wilkerson
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on IR: QB Jameis Winston (story)
- Promoted: DT Josiah Bronson, WR Kevin White
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, OLB Trent Harris
- Activated from IR: OLB Elerson Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: WR John Hightower, RB Jordan Howard
- Activated from IR: TE Tyree Jackson
Tennessee Titans
- Released: OLB John Simon
- Activated from IR: OL Aaron Brewer, LB Jayon Brown
- Promoted: RB D’Onta Foreman, DB Chris Jones
- Placed on IR: FB Khari Blasingame
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: DT Treyvon Hester
- Released: OL Aaron Monteiro
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Cassius Marsh
- Released: RB Chris Thompson
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DE Bradlee Anae
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Caleb Wilson
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Auzoyah Alufohai, RB Ryquell Armstead
Houston Texans
- Signed: DL Chris Smith
Los Angeles Rams.
- Signed: WR Warren Jackson
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Pharoh Cooper
Rams Have Discussed Extension With Von Miller’s Camp
Von Miller is due to be a first-time free agent in March and may be headed for a third NFL team at that point. But the Rams, who traded for the 11th-year pass rusher Monday, figure to factor into that equation. They have already broached the topic of Miller being in Los Angeles beyond this season.
GM Les Snead said Tuesday he has spoken with Miller’s representatives about an extension, via ESPN.com’s Lindsey Thiry. The Broncos are paying $9MM of the $9.7MM remaining on Miller’s current contract, but the Rams surrendered second- and third-round picks in the 2022 draft — a price well north of where anyone else was willing to go. That points to the team viewing Miller as more than a rental.
“We’re actually looking at this from a standpoint of how soon can he help us, can he help us if we’re fortunate enough to continue going and make the 2021 tournament, how can he help us there,” Snead said. “And then there’s a long-term vision for Von as well.”
Los Angeles has Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd signed, respectively, to $22.5MM- and $16MM-AAV contracts. Although many changes will take place, the Rams are projected to again be near the bottom in cap space. Cap constraints, however, have not exactly deterred them from making impact moves previously during the Snead regime. The team also has the matter of what will likely be a monster Matthew Stafford extension; the MVP candidate’s Lions-constructed deal runs through 2022. A Stafford deal could free up some money, though the prospect of Miller staying in L.A. for his age-33 season and beyond will largely hinge on his performance down the stretch.
Miller’s 110.5 sacks are the most among active players, and the future Hall of Famer sits at 4.5 this season. The Broncos engaged the Rams on the prospect of a Miller trade, Snead said, and the negotiations took place shortly after the teams agreed on a lower-profile deal that sent linebacker Kenny Young to Denver.
“[Broncos GM] George [Paton] reached out at the end of the week and we just couldn’t take on, based on what we’ve done in the past with our cap situation, just can’t take on Von Miller, so that’s when we discussed what it would take from each side,” Snead said of the trade talks. “I think as they were analyzing their situation, we were analyzing ours and we came up with what we felt like was something that was good for the Rams and the Broncos.”
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/2/21
We’ll keep track of today’s taxi squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson, LB Tahir Whitehead
- Released: OL Koda Martin, TE Ross Travis
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: WR Marvin Hall
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Jake Fromm, WR Tanner Gentry
- Signed: OL Jacob Capra, WR Austin Proehl
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: QB Josh Love
- Released: WR Devin Smith
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DL LaCale London
- Released: G Dareuan Parker
Denver Broncos
- Released: CB Rojesterman Farris
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Kurt Benkert
- Signed: DL Abdullah Anderson
- Released: LB Aaron Adeoye
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: LB Paddy Fisher
New York Jets
- Signed: S Natrell Jamerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: K Josh Lambo, DT Khalil Davis
- Released: DL Chris Slayton
Washington Football Team
- Signed: G Zack Bailey, RB Wendell Smallwood
- Released: RB Jonathan Williams
Broncos GM: Two Other Teams Called On Von Miller
The Broncos’ post-Peyton Manning decline led to Von Miller landing in trade rumors ahead of recent trade deadlines, and first-year GM George Paton pulled the trigger this year by sending the future Hall of Fame edge rusher to the Rams on Monday. Other teams showed interest, but the Rams won out.
Two other teams called the Broncos on Miller, Paton said Tuesday (via The Athletic’s Lindsay Jones, on Twitter). However, the Rams are believed to have made by far the best offer. The other interested franchises did not offer the Broncos anything of substance for Miller, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. This essentially put Paton to a decision on keeping the decorated sack artist for the stretch run and considering another extension or taking Los Angeles’ offer of two 2022 Day 2 picks — which came after the Broncos agreed to pay most of Miller’s prorated base salary.
Trade discussions began in earnest Friday and wrapped up Sunday night, Paton said (via The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, on Twitter). Miller met with Paton, John Elway and CEO Joe Ellis on Monday morning. Paton said he wanted to “do right by” Miller, the Broncos’ all-time sack leader and by far the team’s longest-tenured player.
The eight-time Pro Bowler will now join Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd on the Rams’ front seven and catch on with a 7-1 team. Miller missed the Broncos’ Week 8 game against Washington, which featured the team’s second-string edge rushers faring well, but is not believed to have suffered a serious injury in Denver’s Week 7 loss in Cleveland.
Miller, 32, is in the final months of the six-year, $114.1MM extension he signed with the Broncos at the 2016 franchise tag deadline. The Rams will have exclusive negotiating rights with Miller ahead of free agency, but they already have Donald and Floyd signed to big-ticket contracts. Being cuffed via the fifth-year option in 2015 and franchise-tagged in ’16, Miller has never been a free agent. His upcoming Rams performance will go a long way in shaping his 2022 market. Miller has 4.5 sacks this season, though none have come since Week 4.
After acquiring Miller and Matthew Stafford, the Rams now are without first- and second-round picks in 2022. While the Rams dealt the Broncos a third as well, the Lions hiring previous Rams college scouting director Brad Holmes as GM brought Los Angeles back an additional third-rounder in next year’s draft.
As for the Broncos, the 4-4 team is still without Bradley Chubb. Miller and Chubb each ran into significant injuries during their three-plus seasons together, and the duo last finished a game together in September 2019. Paton hopes Chubb can return after Denver’s Week 11 bye, NFL.com’s James Palmer adds (on Twitter). Chubb, who missed most of the 2019 season with an ACL tear, has undergone two ankle surgeries this year. Denver, which has lost both starting inside linebackers for the season, used Malik Reed and seventh-round rookie Jonathon Cooper as outside linebacker starters in Week 8. Recent trade acquisition Stephen Weatherly collected a sack in rotational duty.
Broncos Place Noah Fant On Reserve/COVID-19 List
Beset by injuries to their pass-catching group all season, the Broncos appear likely to be without their starting tight end this week. They placed Noah Fant on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
If vaccinated, Fant will need to test negative twice two days apart to return to the team. If unvaccinated, the third-year target faces steeper return protocols. Going into the season, the Broncos were one of the leaders on the vaccine front. Fant indeed tested positive, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
This stands to deal another blow to a Broncos team that has seen three of its aerial weapons miss extensive time this season. Jerry Jeudy missed six games because of a high ankle sprain, and K.J. Hamler has missed the past five due to his ACL tear. Fant’s backup, Albert Okwuegbunam, missed three games with a hamstring injury.
A first-round pick in 2019, Fant is a bit off his 2020 pace (62 receptions, 673 yards). But the Iowa product has still been a key part of Denver’s passing attack. Fant has 37 catches for 320 yards and three touchdowns this season. Okuegbunam would be in line to take over as the team’s top tight end against the Cowboys should Fant miss the game. Okwuegbunam returned to action in Week 8.