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C.J. Gardner-Johnson Addresses Eagles Exit; Buccaneers, Ravens Showed Interest

September 7th, 2023 at 11:38am CST by Sam Robinson

Despite multiple seasons as an upper-echelon slot cornerback and tying for the NFL lead with six interceptions in his first year as a full-time safety, C.J. Gardner-Johnson only scored a one-year deal worth $6.5MM this offseason. The Lions have the ex-Aaron Glenn Saints pupil as a rental of sorts.

This season will be about re-establishing value for Gardner-Johnson, and while the fifth-year DB expressed interest in staying in Detroit on a longer-term deal (via the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett), he offered more information on his Philadelphia exit.

When Gardner-Johnson signed with the Lions, a report indicated the Eagles had made him a multiyear offer. Gardner-Johnson, 25, was said to have been angling for more money from the Eagles, who were rumored to be interested in retaining him. During an offseason in which the Eagles rebooted at both safety and linebacker, Gardner-Johnson said he was informed the team was going in a different direction. Rather than accept a Lions offer over an Eagles proposal, CJGJ insisted no firm Philly proposal came his way, Birkett adds.

Gardner-Johnson instead said someone in the Eagles’ front office told him the team was moving on. The timing here could be notable. The Eagles had discussed trading Darius Slay, and other teams showed interest in James Bradberry. Days into free agency, however, the Eagles regrouped with Slay — en route to an extension on March 16 — and had agreed to re-sign Bradberry two days earlier. While prioritizing their older corners, the defending NFC champions eventually let Gardner-Johnson walk. Gardner-Johnson’s Lions deal came to pass on March 19.

“[My] DB coach even know why I was pissed off that whole week,” Gardner-Johnson said of his free agency stay. “I got the front office telling me they’re not going to pay me. And I’m not trying to think about money, I’m just trying to think about ball, but when you just throw a subliminal out of nowhere … ‘Play your hardest; we’re not going to pay you.’ … Well, all right, what does that come from?”

Carrying understandable animosity toward the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson also said a Saints staffer told him he would not be in their plans at safety just before the team sent him home ahead of the August 2022 trade to the Eagles. Known as much for his instigation tactics as his play, the brash cover man also drew some level of interest from the Buccaneers and Ravens, Birkett adds. The Ravens hired ex-Eagles DBs coach Dennard Wilson, whom Sean Desai beat out for Philly’s DC gig.

Gardner-Johnson is set to begin his Lions season as a safety alongside Kerby Joseph. While rumors of the former fourth-round pick moving back to the slot under Glenn circulated in May, Brian Branch commandeered that job during training camp. The Lions infused their secondary with talent this offseason, one that also included additions of Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley.

Gardner-Johnson would be open to another Detroit deal but noted the team has other priorities ahead of him. Jared Goff is signed through 2024, but the team has engaged its quarterback in extension talks. Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s contract year also looms in 2024, while guard Jonah Jackson is going into a platform campaign this season. Jackson joins Goff in having talked to the Lions about a deal. Penei Sewell also stands to be in the Lions’ extension plans, though the right tackle can be controlled through 2025 via the fifth-year option, with Birkett adding cornerback Jerry Jacobs may be on the extension radar as well.

This year’s safety market did not take off for anyone except Jessie Bates, who signed a four-year, $64MM Falcons deal. No other safety scored even an $8MM-AAV pact, putting Gardner-Johnson in an interesting place with regards to a 2024 free agency bid. But he will attempt to use this season to command a nice guarantee on his third NFL contract.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/6/23

September 6th, 2023 at 7:45pm CST by Ely Allen

Minor moves from around the league as we prepare for tomorrow’s season opener:

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived from IR with injury settlement: LB Vi Jones

Chase Daniel Announces Broadcasting Gigs

September 5th, 2023 at 7:18pm CST by Ben Levine

It sounds like Chase Daniel is apparently calling it a career. The veteran quarterback announced today that he’s transitioning into broadcasting, seemingly putting an end to his NFL career.

Despite serving as the Chargers backup quarterback last season, Daniel worked as an in-studio analyst with NFL Network. Now, he’ll be co-hosting a show on the same network, along with hosting a podcast via The Athletic and an “upcoming NFL/College football season” on an unknown network

“I’m going to be as real [and] as authentic as possible [and] give you guys insight to what it’s truly like to be in the NFL,” Daniel wrote on Twitter. “What conversations are like inside the locker room, what it’s like in that first team meeting, [and] all my experiences thru 14 years.”

Despite going undrafted out of Missouri in 2009, the quarterback managed to put together a 14-year NFL career. While he spent more than a decade in the league, Daniel only earned five starts throughout his career, going 2-3.

He spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles serving as Justin Herbert‘s backup. In five appearances across two seasons, Daniel completed eight of his 12 pass attempts for 52 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers will be rolling with 2019 fifth-round pick Easton Stick as their primary backup heading into the 2023 campaign.

In total, Daniel got into 74 career games in stints with Washington, the Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, Bears, Lions, and Chargers. He’ll finish his career with 1,746 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Lions Notes: LBs, Gibbs, Branch

September 3rd, 2023 at 12:44pm CST by Rory Parks

The Lions had two picks in the first round of the 2023 draft, and they used both of them on non-premium positions. Detroit selected running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick and added inside linebacker Jack Campbell with the No. 18 selection.

As the first off-ball ‘backer taken in the draft, it was fair to expect that Campbell would immediately be inserted into the starting lineup alongside veteran Alex Anzalone, who signed a three-year, $18.75MM deal in March to remain with the Lions. However, it became clear that such an assumption was a bit premature. 2021 fourth-rounder Derrick Barnes impressed during OTAs, while Campbell acknowledged that he was perhaps trying to do too much in his first taste of the pros (via Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website).

“I came in and I felt like maybe I was pressing a little bit early on,” Campbell said yesterday. “But right now, I’m just trying to settle down. My personality type I like to make sure everything is perfect. I just need to understand that mistakes are going to happen and as long as I’m playing fast everything is going to work out.”

While Barnes has earned the starting job next to Anzalone, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn made it clear that the team’s top four LBs — a group that also includes 2022 sixth-rounder Malcolm Rodriguez — will see plenty of action. Campbell showed off his tackling ability in Detroit’s preseason slate, and given the club’s investment in him, it is certainly possible that his snap share will increase as the regular season unfolds.

Gibbs, meanwhile, split first-team training camp reps with free agent acquisition and former division rival David Montgomery and will start the year as the pass-catching complement to Montgomery (he will likely get his fair share of carries as well). Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson told reporters, including Twentyman, that, “we might use Gibbs in some ways that people don’t quite think we might,” though it’s unclear exactly what that means. Most are already expecting Gibbs to line up as a receiver, but perhaps he could line up as a quarterback in the Wildcat formation (or maybe, with the season set to kick off on Thursday against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Johnson is simply engaging in a little misdirection).

Another rookie, Brian Branch, has secured the starting nickel corner job, per Twentyman. The second-round pick out of Alabama began taking first-team reps at the position after C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a knee injury early in training camp, and he immediately impressed. GM Brad Holmes, who engineered a trade-up to land Branch, said that the team had a first-round grade on the defensive back.

“He fits who we are, so you don’t know exactly how quick it’s going to turn on, but we’re not surprised that he’s making the plays because he’s doing, really a lot of the same things that he did at Alabama,” Holmes said.

Branch’s emergence will presumably allow the team to move Gardner-Johnson to safety, where he thrived with the Eagles in 2022.

Lions Keeping “Open Dialogue” With Jared Goff, Jonah Jackson

September 2nd, 2023 at 10:01am CST by Ben Levine

The Lions continue to pursue extensions with two key players. General manager Brad Holmes revealed yesterday that the organization has had “good dialogue” with quarterback Jared Goff and offensive lineman Jonah Jackson regarding long-term deals.

“We’ve kept open dialogue with their agents in camp and I think the transparency has been good, so we’ll see how it goes,” Holmes said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

We heard earlier this offseason that the organization could consider an extension with their quarterback, although there’s not a whole lot of urgency to sign Goff right now. The veteran still has two years remaining on his contract worth around $26MM per season. Goff had one of the strongest seasons of his career in 2022, tossing 29 touchdowns vs. seven interceptions while guiding Detroit to their first winning record since 2017.

Detroit seemed to put a Goff succession plan in place by drafting Hendon Hooker in April. The rookie will begin the season on NFI while he continues to rehab from a torn ACL. The 2023 campaign will presumably be a redshirt campaign for the rookie, so Goff’s job is likely safe for at least two more seasons.

There’s a bit more urgency when it comes to Jackson, as the lineman is set to hit free agency following the 2023 season. The former third-round pick has started all 45 of his appearances since entering the NFL. Jackson earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 after ranking 24th among 82 eligible guards on Pro Football Focus.

The lineman took a small step back in 2023, finishing 27th among 77 eligible guards. He missed a handful of games to begin the season with a finger injury. Back in June, we heard that the Lions were expected to engage Jackson in extension talks.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/23

September 1st, 2023 at 7:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Teams continue to tinker with their taxi squads in the aftermath of roster cutdowns. Here are Friday’s updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR T.J. Luther
  • Released: WR Thyrick Pitts

New York Giants

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/31/23

August 31st, 2023 at 9:21pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed: WR Kaden Davis, OL Marquis Hayes

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/31/23

August 31st, 2023 at 8:38pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a busy roster deadline day on Tuesday, teams continue to reshuffle their rosters. Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Placed on IR: TE Stephen Sullivan

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

The Ravens brought back a trio of veterans to their 53-man roster. Brent Urban is probably destined for the biggest role, with the veteran lineman serving as the top backup to Broderick Washington at defensive end. Urban got into 16 games for Baltimore last season, collecting 21 tackles and one sack. Veteran QB Josh Johnson will slide behind Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on the depth chart, and Kevon Seymour will continue his role as a key special teamer.

The Cardinals are temporarily losing some production with offensive lineman Dennis Daley and linebacker Myjai Sanders being placed on IR. Daley joined the Cardinals on a two-year deal this offseason after starting 15 of his 17 appearances for the Titans in 2022. Sanders had a productive rookie campaign, with the third-round pick collecting 23 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.

Julian Okwara has turned into a productive pass-rushing option in Detroit. The former third-round pick has collected seven sacks over the past two seasons, but he’ll now be sidelined for the start of the season while recovering from a knee injury suffered during in the preseason finale.

Lions To Bring Back QB David Blough

August 31st, 2023 at 11:00am CST by Sam Robinson

Although Jared Goff is going into his third season as the Lions’ starter, Detroit has seen some quarterback turnover in recent days. Teddy Bridgewater joined the team late in the summer, and previous backup Nate Sudfeld landed on season-ending IR. Hendon Hooker landed on Detroit’s reserve/NFI list.

This leaves the Lions in need at the position — for the time being, at least — and a familiar face will step in. David Blough is re-signing with the Lions on a practice squad deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Blough, who went to training camp with the Cardinals before his Tuesday release, was with the Lions from 2019 until his release last year.

Joining the Lions via trade from the Browns before his rookie season, Blough started five games in place of Matthew Stafford that year. The Purdue alum/Hard Knocks featured cast member backed up Stafford in 2020 as well and then started two games in relief of Goff in 2021. The Lions made a QB2 change after cutdown day last year, cutting Blough to sign Sudfeld. The latter was not needed for any starts last season and is now out out of the picture due to the knee injury.

After joining the Cardinals’ practice squad, Blough became a surprise late-season starter for the reeling team. Blough, 27, is 0-7 as a starter in his four-year career. He returns to Detroit after a new Arizona regime made a number of changes at quarterback.

With Kyler Murray on the reserve/PUP list, the Cardinals released Colt McCoy and traded for Joshua Dobbs. After carrying five quarterbacks in training camp, the Cards have only Dobbs and fifth-round rookie Clayton Tune on their active roster.

Titans Release Michael Badgley; K Joins Lions’ Practice Squad

August 30th, 2023 at 6:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 30: Badgley’s whirlwind offseason will wind up taking him back to where it began. He is part of the Lions’ initial practice squad, as the team announced on Wednesday. That could give him the opportunity to reclaim his role as Detroit’s kicker if Riley Patterson falters or suffers an injury. Failing that, another chance could arise during the campaign which entices him to once again depart the Motor City.

AUGUST 27: After moving on from their other two kickers, the Titans paved the way for Michael Badgley to win their kicking job. That has not taken place, however; the team announced on Sunday that he is among their preliminary roster cuts.

Badgley enjoyed a strong finish to the season in Detroit last season, and that earned him a new deal with the Lions. He quickly found himself being released, however, which led him to Washington in a bid to beat out Joey Slye for the Commanders’ kicking gig. That did not take place, and the Titans became Badgley’s third team this offseason.

Tennessee waived Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff in the wake of signing Badgley. That seemed to give the latter a clear opportunity to find a home to at least begin the 2023 season, but he struggled upon arrival in camp practices. The 28-year-old then converted three of four field goal attempts in the Titans’ preseason finale. Those performances were not sufficient to earn him the job, and the Titans again find themselves in the market for an addition at the position in the build-up to the season.

Given today’s move, the team does not currently have a kicker on the roster. After two seasons of Randy Bullock handling kicking duties, it thus remains unclear who will have those responsibilities when the 2023 campaign begins. Bullock – like a number of veteran kickers – remains unsigned at the moment, but interest will pick up in the near future as teams sort out their rosters.

In addition to moving on from Badgley, the Titans announced that defensive back L.J. Davis, receiver Gavin Holmes, offensive linemen Zack Johnson and James Murray, as well as tight end Justin Rigg have been waived. Many more moves will be needed in the coming days to finalize the team’s 53-man roster.

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