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Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/24

July 24th, 2024 at 10:00pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Placed on active/NFI list: T Gottlieb Ayedze, WR Shaquan Davis
  • Placed on active/PUP list: S Sydney Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

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.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/24

July 22nd, 2024 at 7:52pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Waived-injured: WR Jared Wayne

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

  • Signed: WR Kevin Austin Jr.

New York Jets

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/21/24

July 21st, 2024 at 8:52pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor transactions to wrap up this final weekend before training camps begin:

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Latest On Extension Talks Between Lions, Taylor Decker

July 20th, 2024 at 10:27am CST by Ben Levine

While the Lions spent much of the offseason handing out lucrative, long-term pacts to their top players, one key member of the squad is still heading into the final year of his contract. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker is an impending free agent, and while it’s been relatively quiet on the extension front, there’s optimism the former first-round pick will continue to stick around Detroit.

[RELATED: Lions, LT Taylor Decker Discussing Extension]

According to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, Decker’s camp “seemed encouraged” by early extension talks. We heard back in April that the two sides had opened negotiations, but there haven’t been any developments over the past few months.

Rogers notes that GM Brad Holmes has “every intention” of keeping his core together, and that sentiment would surely include Decker. The 16th-overall pick in the 2016 draft has played under a number of regimes during his time in Detroit, starting all 112 of his appearances in eight seasons.

Pro Football Focus has always graded Decker as an above-average OT, but the veteran had his best showing in 2023. The 30-year-old graded ninth among 81 qualifying offensive tackles, and he continued a five-year stretch of ranking in the top-30 at his position.

Decker is heading into the final year of his second career contract. Following the completion of his rookie pact, Decker inked a five-year, $70MM extension with the Lions. The lineman has fallen out of the top-10 average annual values at his position (he now ranks 12th), and he’ll probably stick around his $15MM AAV on his next deal. Rogers suggests the two sides will eventually land on a two-year extension for the long-time offensive tackle. With Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell having inked lucrative extensions this offseason, Detroit’s front office will have to get a bit creative as they manage their future cap sheets.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown Suffered Serious Oblique Injury In 2023

July 13th, 2024 at 9:54am CST by Ben Levine

Amon-Ra St. Brown took his production to another level in 2023. After finishing the 2022 campaign with 1,256 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, the Lions wideout completed the 2023 season with 1,539 yards and 10 scores. This performance helped earn him both a first-team All-Pro nod and a lucrative four-year, $120MM extension from Detroit.

While everything seemingly went St. Brown’s way in 2023, the former fourth-round pick revealed on the recent Netflix Receiver series that he dealt with serious injury issues throughout last season. This included tearing his oblique “completely off the bone,” as passed along by Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com.

The injuries started popping up in Week 2, when St. Brown suffered a toe issue against the Seahawks. He was still in the lineup for Week 3, finishing with nine catches for 102 yards, but the wideout revealed that he suffered an oblique injury in that contest that he initially believed was a simple hip pointer.

“I’ve had a hip pointer before, so I thought it was a hip pointer,” St. Brown said (via Alper). “Maybe it’s just a little bruise. And I’m like, ‘Damn, my toe’s still hurting at this point. Now I have this oblique injury.’”

Despite describing his pain as eight or a nine out of 10 heading into Week 4, the wideout still showed up against the Packers, collecting 56 yards and a touchdown. A subsequent MRI revealed the true extent of his oblique injury, forcing St. Brown to miss his team’s Week 5 win over the Panthers. The receiver returned in Week 6 and proceeded to top 100 receiving yards in four-straight games, and he appeared in at least 85 percent of his team’s offensive snaps in all but two games down the stretch.

The Lions have a lot more money invested in St. Brown heading into the 2024 campaign, and with the organization having established themselves as one of the NFC’s true contenders, the team may not be as eager to have their star play through injuries. Of course, that will be easier said than done in 2024, especially with Josh Reynolds no longer around. The offense will be relying more on Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond next season, so the Lions may find it difficult to keep the offense rolling if their top receiver is sidelined.

Largest 2024 Cap Hits: Offense

July 12th, 2024 at 10:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

The NFL’s salary cap ceiling was expected to see a large increase this offseason, but estimates proved to be on the low side. A record-setting jump resulted in a cap of $255.4MM for teams to work with.

That has resulted in new waves of spending at a few positions, with quarterbacks and receivers seeing continued growth at the top of the market. Last offseason offered a strong chance of the league seeing at least one $40MM-plus cap charge, but the Browns avoided such a scenario with a Deshaun Watson restructure. Owing to that move – and the lack of further adjustments this spring – however, Watson’s financial impact is set to grow considerably this season.

Here are the league’s top cap charges on offense leading up to training camp:

  1. Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $63.77MM
  2. Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $55.13MM
  3. Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $49.5MM
  4. Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $49.12MM
  5. Daniel Jones, QB (Giants): $47.86MM
  6. Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): 37.01MM
  7. Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $32.4MM
  8. Trent Williams, LT (49ers): $31.57MM
  9. Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $31.32MM
  10. Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $30.36MM
  11. Cooper Kupp, WR (Rams): $29.78MM
  12. Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $29.75MM
  13. Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $29.55MM
  14. Deebo Samuel, WR (49ers): $28.63MM
  15. Chris Godwin, WR (Buccaneers): $27.53MM
  16. Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $27.21MM
  17. Joe Thuney, LG (Chiefs): $26.97MM
  18. Geno Smith, QB (Seahawks): $26.4MM
  19. Laremy Tunsil, LT (Texans): $25.86MM
  20. Davante Adams, WR (Raiders): $25.35MM
  21. Quenton Nelson, LG (Colts): $25.2MM
  22. Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $25MM
  23. Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $24.73MM
  24. D.K. Metcalf, WR (Seahawks): $24.5MM
  25. Christian Kirk, WR (Jaguars): $24.24MM

Watson’s figure will shatter the NFL record for the largest single-season cap charge if no adjustments are made in the coming weeks. The hits for Prescott, Murray, Stafford and Jones also would have set a new benchmark if not for the Browns passer, a sign of the QB market’s continued upward trajectory. Cleveland is set to remain in a similar situation for the next three years as Watson plays out his fully guaranteed $230MM deal.

Prescott’s future is one of several important questions the Cowboys need to answer relatively soon. With CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons due for second contracts, an extension for the three-time Pro Bowler will need to take into account future commitments. While Prescott has considerable leverage (via no-tag and no-trade clauses), he joins Jones in facing an uncertain post-2024 future in the NFC East.

The latter saw the Giants make an effort to trade up for a quarterback in April and he reacted in an understandable manner. Jones’ $40MM-per-year 2023 extension remains the dominant storyline surrounding the team, and a decision on retaining him or moving on will need to be made prior to a potential out early next offseason. Murray’s performance this fall will likewise be worth watching; he has received consistent praise from head coach Jonathan Gannon, but he will aim to put together a fully healthy season following 2023’s truncated campaign.

Stafford and the Rams have a mutual desire to continue their relationship, but he is seeking guarantees beyond the 2024 campaign. The 36-year-old’s representatives have been in discussion on a resolution during the offseason, although even in the absence of one a training camp holdout is not expected. The likes of Mahomes, Jackson and Allen retain a place in the top 25, and the same will no doubt be true of Burrow for years to come.

Of the receivers listed, only Hill is known to be actively pursuing a new deal. The 30-year-old once led the receiver market with a $30MM AAV, a figure inflated by non-guaranteed money at the end of the pact. With the bar having been raised to new heights this offseason, Hill could join teammate Jaylen Waddle in securing a new payday. Since the team has a Tua Tagovailoa extension on the horizon, however, Miami could hesitate on the Hill front.

It come as little surprise that Williams tops the list for offensive linemen. The 11-time Pro Bowler has been mentioned in retirement rumors before, but playing to age 40 is now a goal. Meeting it could require future contract adjustments. Samuel’s future in the Bay Area was a talking point this offseason as the team attempts to keep Brandon Aiyuk in the fold. One of the high-profile wideouts may be playing for a new team for the first time in their career in 2025.

Elsewhere along the O-line, Moton and Taylor demonstrate the value seen at the right tackle spot in recent years. Given the developments of the guard market this offseason, though, the likes of Thuney and Nelson will have competition for spots on the list in future years. Similarly, the non-Hill wideouts could easily be surpassed in the future with a further additions set to be made (particularly by Lamb, Aiyuk and Ja’Marr Chase) at the top of the ever-increasing market.

Goff joined the $50MM-per-year club on his third NFL deal, whereas Cousins continued to add to his impressive NFL earnings by joining the Falcons. If healthy, the latter could prove to be an effective pickup for a team aiming to return to the postseason (while quieting questions about a transition to Michael Penix Jr. under center). Smith also has plenty riding on this season with a new Seahawks coaching staff in place which incrementally arrived at the decision he will serve as the starter in 2024.

Lions LB Jack Campbell Expected To See Increased Workload; Team Eyeing Hybrid Role For Derrick Barnes

July 12th, 2024 at 4:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions made Jack Campbell the first inside linebacker to come off the board in last year’s draft. The No. 18 pick did not, however, enter his rookie season with a starting defensive role in hand.

Veteran Alex Anzalone enjoyed a career year in 2023, racking up 129 tackles and three sacks. Derrick Barnes, meanwhile, saw time at inside linebacker but also on the outside. Campbell had a notable role in the group with a 59% defensive snap share, but a larger workload should be coming his way in 2024.

The 23-year-old is expected to take on a Day 1 starting spot this season, as noted by team reporter Tim Twentyman. Campbell wound up making 12 starts in the regular season (along with two more during the Lions’ run to the NFC title game), but a full-time spot alongside Anzalone would represent an uptick in usage. He amassed 95 tackles and a pair of sacks as a rookie, although his play in pass coverage leaves plenty of room for improvement.

Campbell allowed a completion on 25 of 31 targets last season, surrendering a passer rating of 128.2 and a pair of touchdowns as the nearest defender. Developing in that regard would allow the Iowa product to earn further trust from Detroit’s coaching staff. The likes of Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Malcolm Rodriguez are also still in the fold for Detroit, though, and they could take on third-down responsibilities in Campbell’s place if need be.

Twentyman also notes Barnes saw reps at both inside and outside linebacker this spring, meaning he could continue to be used in a variety of ways moving forward. The 2021 fourth-rounder saw time in a rotational capacity during his first two seasons, but in 2023 he logged a 68% snap share. Barnes translated that into 81 tackles and eight pressures, and Campbell settling into an every-down role on the inside could allow him to further expand his versatility.

The Lions ranked second against the run last season, and with considerable continuity in the linebacking core a repeat of that showing should be expected in 2024. Campbell and Barnes are each positioned to play a notable role in that effort, and their showings during training camp will be worth watching closely.

WR Josh Reynolds On Lions Departure, Broncos Deal

July 11th, 2024 at 12:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Reynolds enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023 with the Lions, but he found himself on the move in free agency this offseason. The veteran receiver joined the Broncos on a two-year deal, something he recently addressed.

Reynolds posted 4o catches and 608 yards with Detroit last season; both of those figures represented the second-highest totals of his career. He also matched a personal best with five touchdowns. That production kept him on the Lions’ radar, but the team did not submit a market-level contract offer. As a result, Reynolds ultimately signed in Denver on a pact with a base value of $9MM.

“[It’s] business,” the 29-year-old said of the Lions not making a stronger push to re-sign him this offseason (via Jon Heath of Broncos Wire). “It’s a business, but you know, I think I’m at where I’m supposed to be at, and I’m excited.”

The Broncos traded away Jerry Jeudy as part of their re-tooling at the receiver spot. Tim Patrick remains in the fold, as does Courtland Sutton (although in the latter case a contract standoff is currently taking place). Denver also has 2023 second-rounder Marin Mims along with fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin in place as targets for the team’s revamped QB room. Reynolds will aim to carve out a role as part of that group, and he noted the appeal of playing under head coach Sean Payton as a key factor in signing with Denver.

“It was kind of a lot,” the Texas A&M product added when speaking about the reasons why he joined the Broncos. “I think the main decision was that I’ve always admired Sean Payton from afar. I was excited to see what that offense looked like.”

Denver struggled under Nathaniel Hackett for less than a full season in 2022, and Payton’s arrival brought about a slight improvement. The team finished 19th in scoring last year, but a step forward in passing efficiency in particular will be needed in Payton’s second year at the helm. With Russell Wilson no longer in the fold, all eyes will be on which signal-caller earns the Week 1 nod once training camp and the preseason commences. For Reynolds, though, 2024 will mark the opportunity to establish himself as a key receiving option and a strong fit in Payton’s scheme.

Lions S Kerby Joseph Addresses Hip Rehab

July 11th, 2024 at 11:34am CST by Adam La Rose

Kerby Joseph suffered a hip injury in Week 2 of the 2023 campaign. The ailment led to a pair of missed games before the third-year Lions safety returned to action for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

Joseph underwent offseason surgery, and he expressed an expectation of being healthy in time for training camp. The 23-year-old missed spring practices while rehabbing, but his latest comments on the matter confirm he has returned to full health. He should be able on the field once camp opens later this month as a result.

“Oh, for sure. That hip ain’t nothing,” Joseph said during an appearance on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Last year, I played through the injury. It was there, but I feel 10 times better now, so I just can’t wait to get out there with the guys.”

The former third-rounder has established himself as a key member of Detroit’s secondary, starting 32 of 35 combined regular and postseason games. Joseph totaled 82 tackles and four interceptions during his rookie campaign and matched those numbers exactly last season. He has added 19 pass breakups during that span, and his coverage statistics improved considerably from 2022 to ’23.

The Lions will welcome Joseph back into the fold as the team looks to integrate a number of new faces in the secondary. Additions at the cornerback spot were made via trade, free agency and the draft in an attempt to take needed steps forward against the pass in 2024. Brian Branch – who has spent plenty of time at slot corner early in his career – is expected to receive extended looks at safety this summer. Joseph may have a new running mate on the backend in 2024 as a result, but in any event he will be at full strength by the start of the campaign.

The NFL’s Longest-Tenured GMs

July 10th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL’s general manager ranks featured some key shakeups this offseason. One of the longest-tenured pure GMs in the game, Tom Telesco, lost his Chargers seat 11 years in. The Raiders, however, gave Telesco a second chance. He now controls the Las Vegas roster. Only Telesco and the Jaguars’ Trent Baalke reside as second-chance GMs currently.

Two long-serving personnel bosses also exited this offseason. The Patriots’ decision to move on from 24-year HC Bill Belichick gave Jerod Mayo a head coaching opportunity but also resulted in Eliot Wolf belatedly rising to the top of the team’s front office hierarchy. A former Packers and Browns exec, Wolf held decision-making power through the draft and kept it on an official basis soon after. While John Schneider arrived in Seattle with Pete Carroll in 2010, the latter held final say. Following Carroll’s ouster after 14 seasons, Schneider has full control.

[RELATED: The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches]

The Commanders changed GMs this offseason, hiring ex-San Francisco staffer Adam Peters, but Martin Mayhew received merely a demotion. The three-year Washington GM, who worked alongside Peters with the 49ers, is now in place as a senior personnel exec advising Peters. Rather than look outside the organization, Panthers owner David Tepper replaced Scott Fitterer with Dan Morgan, who had previously worked as the team’s assistant GM.

Going into his 23rd season running the Saints, Mickey Loomis remains the NFL’s longest-serving pure GM. This will mark the veteran exec’s third season without Sean Payton. An eight-year gap now exists between Loomis and the NFL’s second-longest-tenured pure GM.

As the offseason winds down, here is how the league’s 32 GM jobs look:

  1. Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys): April 18, 1989[1]
  2. Mike Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): August 5, 1991[2]
  3. Mickey Loomis (New Orleans Saints): May 14, 2002
  4. John Schneider (Seattle Seahawks): January 19, 2010; signed extension in 2021
  5. Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles): January 29, 2010[3]; signed extension in 2022
  6. Les Snead (Los Angeles Rams): February 10, 2012; signed extension in 2022
  7. Jason Licht (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): January 21, 2014; signed extension in 2021
  8. Chris Grier (Miami Dolphins): January 4, 2016[4]
  9. John Lynch (San Francisco 49ers): January 29, 2017; signed extension in 2023
  10. Chris Ballard (Indianapolis Colts): January 30, 2017; signed extension in 2021
  11. Brandon Beane (Buffalo Bills): May 9, 2017; signed extension in 2023
  12. Brett Veach (Kansas City Chiefs): July 11, 2017; signed extension in 2024
  13. Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay Packers): January 7, 2018; agreed to extension in 2022
  14. Eric DeCosta (Baltimore Ravens): January 7, 2019
  15. Joe Douglas (New York Jets): June 7, 2019
  16. Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns): January 27, 2020: signed extension in 2024
  17. Nick Caserio (Houston Texans): January 5, 2021
  18. George Paton (Denver Broncos): January 13, 2021
  19. Brad Holmes (Detroit Lions): January 14, 2021: agreed to extension in 2024
  20. Terry Fontenot (Atlanta Falcons): January 19, 2021
  21. Trent Baalke (Jacksonville Jaguars): January 21, 2021
  22. Joe Schoen (New York Giants): January 21, 2022
  23. Ryan Poles (Chicago Bears): January 25, 2022
  24. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Minnesota Vikings): January 26, 2022
  25. Omar Khan (Pittsburgh Steelers): May 24, 2022
  26. Monti Ossenfort (Arizona Cardinals): January 16, 2023
  27. Ran Carthon (Tennessee Titans): January 17, 2023
  28. Adam Peters (Washington Commanders): January 12, 2024
  29. Dan Morgan (Carolina Panthers): January 22, 2024
  30. Tom Telesco (Las Vegas Raiders): January 23, 2024
  31. Joe Hortiz (Los Angeles Chargers): January 29, 2024
  32. Eliot Wolf (New England Patriots): May 11, 2024

Footnotes:

  1. Jones has been the Cowboys’ de facto general manager since former GM Tex Schramm resigned in April 1989.
  2. Brown has been the Bengals’ de facto GM since taking over as the team’s owner in August 1991.
  3. The Eagles bumped Roseman from the top decision-making post in 2015, giving Chip Kelly personnel power. Roseman was reinstated upon Kelly’s December 2015 firing.
  4. Although Grier was hired in 2016, he became the Dolphins’ top football exec on Dec. 31, 2018
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