Multiple Teams Contacted Panthers About Brian Burns Trade
Two major trades involving edge rushers took place this week, but Brian Burns was not moved. That comes as little surprise given the Panthers’ stance leading up to the deadline, but it was not for a lack of interest shown from numerous suitors. 
At least five teams were known to be in on Burns, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The list includes both the Bears and 49ers, the clubs which landed high-profile acquisitions in deals with the Commanders. Chicago added (and has since extended) Montez Sweat, while San Francisco bolstered its already impressive defensive line by bringing in Chase Young. With Burns joining that pair as one of the top prizes available amongst edge rushers, both the Bears and 49ers represent logical suitors for the Panthers to have held talks with on a potential deal.
Interest was also shown by the Jaguars, Falcons and Ravens, Schefter adds. Jacksonville was named as a team to watch on the edge front, with a recent report indicating they nearly finalized an offseason deal for Vikings sack artist Danielle Hunter. Despite leading the league in sacks, Baltimore engaged in trade talks about Young, so it comes as no surprise the team also kicked the tires on a potential Burns swap. Atlanta, meanwhile, made a number of changes on defense this offseason, but added production on the edge would have been welcomed (although an intra-divisional trade involving a player at such a premium position in his prime would have no doubt been difficult to pull off).
Of course, the Panthers are no strangers to receiving strong interest in a Burns acquisition. The Rams submitted an offer including two first-round picks last year, and the Bears attempted to include the two-time Pro Bowler in the trade involving the draft’s No. 1 pick. In both instances, Carolina held firm in its commitment to keeping Burns, something which remained in place this year as well.
The 25-year-old has been highly productive during his time with the Panthers, including five sacks in seven games this season. That has helped his market value on a new contract, something which is not close to being worked out. Burns acknowledged before the deadline that talks on an extension are not ongoing, and it remains to be seen when they will resume. A gap in annual value exists between Burns’ camp and the team on what will, in any event, be a massive raise for the Florida State product .
With the franchise tag (projected to check in at $17.4MM if he is classified as a linebacker, or $20.4MM as a defensive end) looming in case no long-term deal is reached, Burns will be counted on as the anchor of Carolina’s edge rush group to close out the season. That is especially true with Justin Houston joining Yetur Gross-Matos on injured reserve. With Carolina still planning to keep Burns in place for the foreseeable future, it will be interesting to see how his situation unfolds in the coming months.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/3/23
Friday’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Khalid Kareem
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Ben Bartch
- Released: OL Coy Cronk
Both Kareem and Bartch were waived on Tuesday. After clearing waivers, the two players have returned to their respective teams on practice squad contracts.
2023 NFL Trades
The 2023 NFL trading period is now over. Dozens of trades — some in the roster-reshaping mold, others executed for depth purposes — ended up coming to pass. Since the NFL moved its trade deadline from Week 6 to Week 8 in 2012, trades have gradually become a more important part of the league’s roster builds.
An argument can be made the NFL should move its deadline deeper into the season, as the MLB, NBA and NHL deadlines come after the midpoint. The NFL moving to a 17-game/18-week slate in 2021, after 43 years at 16 games, also factors into this line of thinking. For now, the league will still force its buyers and sellers to assess their teams fully by Week 8.
To gauge the value of the moves teams have made, here are the trades completed across the league in 2023. (Note: only trades involving veteran players, as opposed to draft-weekend deals only involving picks, are listed here.)
January 31
- Broncos obtain Sean Payton‘s rights, 2024 third-round pick from Saints in exchange for 2023 first-round pick, 2024 second-rounder
The Saints chose defensive tackle Bryan Bresee at No. 29 overall
March 9
- Jets acquire S Chuck Clark from Ravens for 2024 seventh-round pick
March 10
- Bears send Panthers No. 1 overall pick in exchange for No. 9, No. 61, a 2024 first-rounder and 2025 second
The Panthers chose Bryce Young first overall; the Bears traded down from No. 9 to No. 19, drafting tackle Darnell Wright. Trading up from No. 61 to No. 56, Chicago chose cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
March 12
- Dolphins acquire CB Jalen Ramsey from Rams for 2023 third-round pick, TE Hunter Long
The Rams selected outside linebacker Byron Young at No. 77 overall
March 13
- Patriots trade TE Jonnu Smith to Falcons for 2023 seventh-round pick
New England selected defensive back Isaiah Bolden at No. 245
March 14
- Texans obtain G Shaq Mason, 2023 sixth-round pick from Buccaneers for 2023 seventh-rounder
Houston used the No. 230 pick in a package to trade up for center Juice Scruggs in Round 2; Tampa Bay packaged No. 179 to move up for guard Cody Mauch in Round 2
- Giants acquire TE Darren Waller from Raiders for third-round pick
At No. 100, the Raiders drafted wide receiver Tre Tucker
- Colts send CB Stephon Gilmore to Cowboys for 2023 fifth-round pick
The Colts selected running back Evan Hull at No. 176
March 20
- Cowboys give Texans 2023 fifth-round pick, 2024 sixth-rounder for WR Brandin Cooks
The Texans used No. 161 to trade up for wide receiver Tank Dell
March 22
- Jets send WR Elijah Moore, No. 74 to Browns for No. 42
The Jets included No. 42 in the picks package sent to the Packers for Aaron Rodgers; the Browns chose wide receiver Cedric Tillman at No. 74
March 25
- Panthers deal K Zane Gonzalez, 2025 seventh-round pick to 49ers for 2025 seventh-rounder
April 11
- Falcons traded 2023 fifth-round pick to Lions for CB Jeff Okudah
The Lions packaged No. 159 to move up for defensive back Brian Branch in Round 2
April 18
- Rams send WR Allen Robinson, No. 251 to Steelers for No. 234
The Rams agreed to pay $5MM of Robinson’s 2023 salary. At No. 234, the Rams chose cornerback Jason Taylor II; at 251, the Steelers selected offensive lineman Spencer Anderson.
April 24
- Packers send QB Aaron Rodgers, Nos. 15, 170 to Jets for Nos. 13, 42, 207, conditional 2024 second-round pick
Rodgers needed to play 65% of the Jets’ 2023 offensive snaps for the 2024 pick to become a first-rounder; his Week 1 Achilles tear will prevent that from happening. At No. 13, the Packers chose pass rusher Lukas Van Ness; at 15, the Jets took defensive end Will McDonald. At Nos. 42 and 207, Green Bay respectively chose tight end Luke Musgrave and kicker Anders Carlson. The Jets moved down from No. 170, picking up an additional seventh-round pick.
April 29
- Lions deal RB D’Andre Swift, No. 249 to Eagles for No. 219, 2025 fourth-round pick
At No. 219, the Lions chose wide receiver Antoine Green; at 249, the Eagles selected defensive tackle Moro Ojomo
- Saints send TE Adam Trautman, No. 257 to Broncos for No. 195
The Saints chose wide receiver A.T. Perry at No. 195; the Broncos selected center Alex Forsyth at 257
May 12
- Browns send 2024, 2025 fifth-round picks to Vikings for DE Za’Darius Smith, 2025 sixth-, seventh-round picks
May 25
- Jaguars trade K Riley Patterson to Lions in exchange for conditional 2026 seventh-round pick
July 19
- Jets move WR Denzel Mims, 2025 seventh-round pick to Lions for conditional 2025 sixth-rounder
Mims needed to make the Lions’ 53-man roster for the pick to convey. With the Lions cutting Mims with an injury settlement in August, the Jets will not end up receiving a pick in this trade.
August 24
- Cardinals trade LB Isaiah Simmons to Giants for 2024 seventh-round pick
- Cardinals move OL Josh Jones, 2024 seventh-round pick to Texans in exchange for 2024 fifth-rounder
- Cardinals acquire QB Josh Dobbs, 2024 seventh-round pick from Browns for 2024 fifth-rounder
August 25
- Cowboys send 49ers 2024 fourth-round pick in exchange for QB Trey Lance
August 27
- Patriots acquire OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr. from Browns in exchange for Pierre Strong
- Steelers send G Kevin Dotson, 2024 fifth-round pick, 2025 sixth-rounder to Rams for 2024 fourth-, 2025 fifth-round picks
- Vikings deal T Vederian Lowe to Patriots for 2024 sixth-round pick
August 28
- Chargers obtain 2025 seventh-round pick from Browns in exchange for K Dustin Hopkins
- Bears acquire G Dan Feeney from Dolphins in exchange for 2024 sixth-round pick
August 29
- Panthers obtain WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, 2025 conditional seventh-round pick from Chiefs for 2025 conditional seventh
- Giants land DE Boogie Basham, 2025 seventh-round pick from Bills for 2025 sixth-rounder
- Saints send K Wil Lutz to Broncos for 2024 seventh-round pick
- Patriots deal K Nick Folk to Titans in exchange for 2025 seventh-round pick
- Chiefs acquire DL Neil Farrell from Raiders for 2024 sixth-round pick
- Steelers move OL Kendrick Green to Texans for 2025 sixth-round pick
- Cowboys send CB Kelvin Joseph to Dolphins in exchange for CB Noah Igbinoghene
- Broncos trade TE Albert Okwuegbunam to Eagles for 2025 sixth-round pick
September 20
- Rams shuttle RB Cam Akers, conditional 2026 seventh-round pick to Vikings for conditional 2026 sixth-round pick
Akers must tally more than 500 yards from scrimmage to meet the conditional requirement
October 4
- Chargers send CB J.C. Jackson, 2025 seventh-round pick to Patriots for 2025 sixth-rounder
October 6
- Dolphins obtain WR Chase Claypool, 2025 seventh-round pick from Bears for 2025 sixth-rounder
- Broncos deal DE Randy Gregory, 2024 seventh-round pick to 49ers for 2024 sixth-rounder
The Broncos agreed to pay all but the prorated veteran minimum of Gregory’s 2023 base salary
October 10
- Rams trade WR Van Jefferson, 2025 seventh-round pick to Falcons for 2025 sixth-rounder
October 18
- Chiefs acquire WR Mecole Hardman, 2025 seventh-round pick from Jets for 2025 sixth-rounder
October 23
- Eagles trade 2024 fifth-, sixth-round picks, S Terrell Edmunds to Titans for S Kevin Byard
October 30
- Giants trade DL Leonard Williams to Seahawks for 2024 second-round pick, 2025 fifth-rounder
Giants agreed to pay all but the prorated veteran minimum on Williams’ remaining $10MM in base salary
- Eagles send DL Kentavius Street, 2025 seventh-rounder to Falcons for conditional 2024 sixth-rounder
Street must play in at least six games as a Falcon to meet the conditional requirement
October 31
- Bears acquire DE Montez Sweat from Commanders in exchange for 2024 second-round pick
- Cardinals send QB Joshua Dobbs, conditional 2024 seventh-round pick to Vikings for 2024 sixth-rounder
- Jaguars acquire G Ezra Cleveland from Vikings for 2024 sixth-round choice
- 49ers obtain DE Chase Young from Commanders in exchange for 2024 third-round pick
- Browns send WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to Lions in exchange for 2025 sixth-round pick
- Packers move CB Rasul Douglas, 2024 fifth-round pick to Bills for 2024 third-round choice
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/31/23
Here are the NFL’s minor moves for today:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Bears’ practice squad: DT Travis Bell
- Placed on IR: DT Grady Jarrett (story)
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DE Khalid Kareem
Detroit Lions
- Placed on IR: LS Scott Daly
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed to active roster: G Jack Anderson
- Waived: G Ike Boettger
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: OL Ben Bartch
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed off Raiders’ practice squad: LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: TE Tre’ McKitty
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: QB Kirk Cousins (story)
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: WR Kendrick Bourne (story)
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: QB Tommy DeVito
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: T Dennis Kelly, DL Tanzel Smart
- Placed on IR: DT Al Woods (story)
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Anthony Brown
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Cody Thompson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: DL Pat O’Connor
Kareem, who was just activated off of injured reserve, is being waived to make room for defensive end Montez Sweat, acquired by trade this morning. The Bears also announced a practice squad release, indicating a possible return for Kareem on that unit. The Colts are expected to do the same with Boettger.
O’Connor will lose his active roster spot to make room for quarterback John Wolford, whom Tampa Bay officially promoted today in order to ward off interest parties such as the Rams and Vikings, both of whom are experiencing injury issues at quarterback.
Jaguars To Acquire G Ezra Cleveland From Vikings
The Vikings are not expected to trade Danielle Hunter, but they will send another of their contract-year players away. The Jaguars are acquiring fourth-year guard Ezra Cleveland, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. In a corresponding move, Jags announced that 2020 fourth-rounder Ben Bartch has been waived. 
Cleveland expressed interest in a Vikings extension this offseason. Instead, he will relocate to Florida to join the first-place Jags in his contract year. A 2020 second-round pick, Cleveland has been a starter for much of his Vikings career. It will cost the Jags only a sixth-round pick to pry Cleveland from Minnesota, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com tweets. Dianna Russini of The Athletic clarifies that Jacksonville will send a 2024 sixth-rounder which originally belonged to the Panthers.
This transaction comes months after the Vikings and Jaguars moved close to completing a Hunter trade. The sides circled back but settled on Cleveland as the exchange piece. The Boise State alum has started 49 career games, converting from college tackle to NFL guard. He will likely be on track to start opposite Brandon Scherff in Jacksonville. Cleveland will reunite with Jaguars offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, who was previously on the Vikings’ staff.
The Jags will acquire Cleveland despite the experienced blocker having missed the past two games due to a foot injury. From Minnesota’s view, the team has a veteran ready to step in. The team signed four-year Broncos starter Dalton Risner early this season, ending the 2019 second-round pick’s longer-than-expected free agency stay. The Vikes also drafted Ed Ingram in the 2022 second round, installing him at right guard. Minnesota does not have much money devoted to its O-line, but Christian Darrisaw is a clear candidate to join right tackle Brian O’Neill in receiving a big-ticket extension.
The 49ers showed interest in adding Cleveland, Russini’s colleague Matt Barrows reports. San Francisco’s weak point on offense has shown to be their play up front, so it would have come as little surprise if they invested a Day 3 pick in a starting-caliber addition. Instead, the 49ers have turned their attention to a blockbuster defensive add in the form of edge rusher Chase Young.
Jacksonville ranks mid-pack in a number of offensive categories, posting middling numbers both through the air and on the ground. Cleveland’s run blocking PFF evaluations have generally far outweighed his grades in pass protection, though in this season the two are nearly identical. If he can carry over that two-way effectiveness with the Jaguars, he could play a signficant role in another Jacksonville playoff run and boost his free agent stock in the process.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
2023 NFL Cap Space, By Team
The countdown to this year’s October 31 trade deadline continues, and a number of deals have already been made. More will follow in the coming days, though, as contending teams look to bolster their rosters for the stretch run and sellers seek to offload expiring contracts and gain future draft assets. Much will be driven, of course, by each squad’s financial situation.
Courtesy of Over the Cap, here’s a breakdown of every team’s cap space in advance of the deadline:
- San Francisco 49ers: $39.89MM
- Cleveland Browns: $33.99MM
- Arizona Cardinals: $11.1MM
- Cincinnati Bengals: $10.78MM
- Tennessee Titans: $10.55MM
- Las Vegas Raiders: $9.16MM
- Chicago Bears: $9.06MM
- Los Angeles Chargers: $9.05MM
- Indianapolis Colts: $8.78MM
- Minnesota Vikings: $7.96MM
- Green Bay Packers: $7.55MM
- New York Jets: $7.17MM
- Seattle Seahawks: $7.16MM
- Carolina Panthers: $7.07MM
- Dallas Cowboys: $7.03MM
- Baltimore Ravens: $6.83MM
- Atlanta Falcons: $6.76MM
- Detroit Lions: $6.62MM
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $6.42MM
- New Orleans Saints: $4.67MM
- Buffalo Bills: $4.58MM
- Los Angeles Rams: $4.37MM
- Houston Texans: $4.26MM
- Washington Commanders: $3.78MM
- Kansas City Chiefs: $3.7MM
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $3.63MM
- Miami Dolphins: $3.49MM
- New England Patriots: $2.87MM
- Philadelphia Eagles: $2.81MM
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $2.55MM
- Denver Broncos: $1.22MM
- New York Giants: $991K
The 49ers have carried considerable space throughout the season, but general manager John Lynch made it clear last month the team’s intention was to roll over most of their funds into next season. Still, with San Francisco sitting at 5-2 on the year, it would come as little surprise if at least one more depth addition (separate from the Randy Gregory move) were to be made in the near future. 
Deals involving pick swaps for role players dominated the trade landscape for some time, but more noteworthy contributors have been connected to a potential swap recently. One of them – Titans safety Kevin Byard – has already been dealt. That has led to speculation Tennessee is open to dealing other big names as they look to 2024. Derrick Henry’s name has come up multiple times with respect to a deal sending him out of Nashville, but that now seems unlikely.
Several edge rushers are on the market, including Danielle Hunter (Vikings) and one or both of Montez Sweat and Chase Young (Commanders). Hunter nearly found himself with the Jaguars this offseason, and last year’s AFC South winners could be on the lookout for a pass rush boost. A mid-level addition in that regard would come as little surprise. In Minnesota and Washington’s case, however, it remains to be seen if they will be true sellers given their 3-4 records heading into tomorrow’s action.
A number of receivers could also be on the move soon. Both the Broncos’ pair of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton and the Panthers’ Terrace Marshall have been involved heavily in trade talk. Jeudy and Sutton are on the books at an eight figure price tag next season, and the Broncos are unlikely to receive the draft capital they could have at prior points in their Denver tenures. Marshall, by contrast, is in the third season of his four-year rookie contract and could fit more comfortably into an acquiring team’s cap situation. The Panthers have allowed him to seek out a trade partner.
The Cowboys sit in the top half of the league in terms of spending power, but mixed signals initially came out with respect to their interest in making a splash. Owner Jerry Jones has insisted Dallas will not initiate negotiations on a trade, citing his confidence in a 4-2 roster which has been hit by a few notable injuries on defense in particular. Despite having more cap space than most other teams, the Bengals are likewise expected to be quiet on the trade front.
The past few years have seen a notable uptick in trade activity around the league, and it would come as a surprise if that trend did not continue over the next few days. Last-minute restructures and cost-shedding moves would help the teams in need of flexibility pull off moves, though sellers will no doubt also be asked to retain salary if some of the higher-paid veterans on the trade block end up being dealt. Given the spending power of teams at the top of the list, there is plenty of potential for the league’s landscape to change ahead of the stretch run to the playoffs.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/23
Here are the gameday elevations and other minor moves made around the league in advance of Week 8:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Placed on IR: G Elijah Wilkinson
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille, RB Damien Williams,
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: LB Andre Smith
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: WR Tylan Wallace
- Elevated: S DeAndre Houston-Carson, RB Owen Wright
Carolina Panthers
- Elevated: S Matthias Farley, OLB Eku Leota
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DE Khalid Kareem
- Released: T Aviante Collins
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: OT Ty Nsekhe, RB Jordan Wilkins
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: LB Rashaan Evans, TE Eric Saubert
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: WR Tre’Quan Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Brandon Johnson
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Released: LB Cory Littleton
- Elevated: CB D’Angelo Ross
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: DT McTelvin Agim, CB Chris Lammons
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Elevated: CB Tevaughn Campbell
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: S Deon Bush
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Bolton (story)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Alex Erickson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: RB Darrell Henderson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: WR Trishton Jackson
- Elevated: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Elevated: OL Conor McDermott
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: WR Gunner Olszewski (story)
- Elevated: QB Tommy DeVito, OLB Oshane Ximines
New York Jets
- Elevated: WR Malik Taylor, OL Xavier Newman
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: WR Julio Jones
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: CB Kendall Sheffield, WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from suspension: WR Dee Eskridge
- Released: C Joey Hunt
- Elevated: OL Jason Peters
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Eric Garror, DL Jaleel Johnson
- Waived: LB Chance Campbell, CB Shyheim Carter
- Elevated: LB Joe Jones, RB Jonathan Ward
Washington Commanders
- Signed to active roster: FB Alex Armah
- Elevated: CB Tariq Castro-Fields, LB Jabril Cox
Wilkinson’s loss will be notable for the Cardinals, given his status as an entrenched starter at the left guard spot. The 28-year-old joined Arizona on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in free agency after stints in Denver, Chicago and Atlanta. Trystan Colon replaced him in the starting lineup in Week 7, and that will likely continue for the time being. Wilkinson will be out for at least four weeks as a result of the IR move.
Ridgeway has been out since Week 1, his Texans debut. The former 49er joined the Texans in a move which allowed him to continue working under head coach DeMeco Ryans. Ridgeway ended last season on IR, so he will be looking for an extended run of availability in his new home. A veteran of 78 games (and 19 starts), he will aim to carve out a rotational role up front.
Peters was brought in by the Seahawks while they were dealing with injury problems at both tackle spots. Blindside blocker Charles Cross has since returned, so Peters’ most familiar spot will not be available if he is to make his Seattle debut on Sunday. The fact the latter is healthy and in game shape does mean, however, that he will be eligible to play in a 19th NFL season.
Jags Activate DT DaVon Hamilton
OCTOBER 28: Hamilton was activated from IR on Saturday, per a team announcement. The move comes in time for him to make his season debut in Week 8, and with less than one week remaining in his activation window. Even if the 26-year-old is unable to suit up on Sunday, his return will be welcomed by a Jacksonville defensive front which has remained stout against the run in his absence. This move will use up the Jaguars’ first IR activation of the season.
OCTOBER 12: Prior to placing DaVon Hamilton on IR, the Jaguars labeled his back injury a non-football-related medical issue. Doug Pederson revealed no return timetable existed. But the recently extended defensive lineman is now on his way back.
Hamilton returned to Jaguars practice Thursday, starting his 21-day activation clock. Players generally receive return designations earlier in the week. While Hamilton returning on a Thursday does not bode too well for his Week 6 availability, the Jags have until Nov. 2 to pull the trigger on his activation. The Jaguars have not used an IR activation this season.
Jacksonville handed Hamilton a three-year, $34.5MM extension this offseason, displaying confidence in the former third-round pick as a central defensive line cog. The fourth-year D-tackle has been out of action since late in the Jags’ training camp, but he looks to be close to putting this back issue behind him.
Hamilton’s return would strengthen a Jags run defense that already ranks fifth. The team is coming off holding the Bills to 29 yards on the ground. Pro Football Focus graded Hamilton as a top-30 interior D-lineman last season, touting his inside pass-rushing ability while still tabbing him as above average against the run. After working as a spot starter during his first two campaigns, Hamilton moved into the lineup on a full-time basis in 2022, starting 14 contests.
The Ohio State product established new career-high marks in tackles (56) and TFLs (five) in 2022, and he passed on playing out a contract year en route to free agency. To entice him to do so, the Jaguars presented a $20MM guarantee at signing.
The Jags extended both Hamilton and Roy Robertson-Harris up front this offseason, and they have D-tackle Folorunso Fatukasi signed long term as well. The team has made major investments in its front seven, having three cogs signed to veteran deals and three first-rounders (Josh Allen, Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd) in the fold as well. The Jags are on a two-game win streak, having rebounded in London. They are gunning for their first repeat division title since winning the AFC Central from 1998-99.
Jaguars Moved Close To Acquiring Vikings’ Danielle Hunter In Offseason
The Vikings upset the 49ers on Monday and have only three games remaining against teams with winning records. Even without Justin Jefferson for a stretch, the 3-4 team has reason to view a second straight playoff berth as within reach. That would obviously impact the Vikings’ willingness to sell, introducing another Danielle Hunter complication.
Minnesota has until 3pm CT on Oct. 31 to trade Hunter, who leads the NFL with nine sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Pro Bowl edge rusher is in a contract year and cannot be franchise- or transition-tagged next year, due to a contract reworking early in training camp. While the Vikings could lose Hunter for nothing in free agency, he obviously represents a vital part of their defense for the 2023 stretch run.
[RELATED: Vikings Not Expected To Trade Kirk Cousins]
Prior to reaching that August resolution with Hunter, the Vikings discussed him in trades. The Jaguars recently came up as a suitor, and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano ties the AFC South team more closely to the current trade piece, indicating Jacksonville came close to finalizing an agreement to acquire Hunter during the offseason.
The Jaguars make sense as a buyer, having spent heavily to fortify their defense in 2022 and largely standing pat on that side of the ball this offseason. At outside linebacker in Mike Caldwell‘s 3-4 scheme, the Jags have Josh Allen and Travon Walker in place as starters. In a contract year, Allen is on pace for his most productive NFL slate. The former top-10 pick has seven sacks, 14 QB hits and two forced fumbles through seven games. No other Jaguar, however, has more than 2.5 sacks. Walker’s 2.5 QB drops do not completely define his season, as the 2022 No. 1 overall pick does rank 27th with 12 pressures. Allen’s 23 pressures sit second leaguewide.
Jacksonville also rosters underwhelming 2020 first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson, whose fifth-year option the team declined in May. Dawuane Smoot recently made his season debut, coming off a torn Achilles sustained in Week 16 of last season. The two backup OLBs have combined for one sack and five QB hits. Having won four straight, the Jags have solidified their status as the AFC South favorite. They certainly make sense as a team that would be interested in a front-seven upgrade, with Trevor Lawrence still on a rookie contract.
Allen is tied to a $10.89MM fifth-year option, and Smoot is back on a low-cost deal (one year, $3.5MM); Walker and Chaisson are on rookie contracts. The Jags hold just more than $6MM in cap space. A team that would acquire Hunter past Week 8 would owe just more than $5MM. Of course, the Vikings would need to be interested in reopening Hunter trade talks. Prior to their Monday-night upset, however, the Vikes were taking calls on their soon-to-be 29-year-old pass rusher. While the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora expects Hunter to be dealt, the Vikings do face a complicated decision.
After talks with the Jags and other teams fell apart, the Vikings agreed to terms with Hunter one a one-year deal worth $17MM guaranteed. While Hunter’s incentives are classified as not likely to be earned, the three-time Pro Bowler’s torrid pace puts him on track to collecting additional cash. Hunter will receive $1MM for reaching 11 sacks, another $1MM for 12.5 and another $1MM for hitting 14. The former third-round pick posted 14.5 sacks in 2018 and ’19, but he is on pace for more this season.
Minnesota resides in the historically rare position of being unable to tag either of its top two 2024 free agents, with Kirk Cousins‘ 2016 and ’17 tags making a third tag untenable (thanks to the 2006 CBA introducing the 144% bump for a third tag; no team has tagged a player three times since the Jaguars and Rams respectively cuffed Donovin Darius and Orlando Pace in 2005). While Cousins expects contract talks to resume in 2024, Hunter having never hit the open market points to a high risk the Vikings lose the veteran pass rusher for nothing (perhaps a 2025 compensatory pick) next year.
With Bradley Chubb going for first- and fourth-rounders last year, the Vikings will likely be able to do better than the third-rounder that could come their way via the compensatory system. Minnesota’s upset of San Francisco makes it less likely the team becomes a deadline seller, Graziano adds. Still, Hunter’s trade value and the team’s playoff prospects will make for a fascinating decision before next week’s deadline.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/23
Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: CB Quavian White
Carolina Panthers
- Released: OL Justin McCray
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Jordan Wilkins
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: G Chris Glaser, LB Buddy Johnson, G Adam Pankey, TE Eric Saubert
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Jermar Jefferson
- Placed on practice squad IR: RB Mohamed Ibrahim
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock
- Released: S Henry Black
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: QB Nathan Rourke
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DT Mike Pennel
- Released: WR Daniel Arias
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Darius Harris, K James McCourt
- Released: TE John Samuel Shenker, LB Mykal Walker
- Released from practice squad injured list: TE Noah Togiai
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB Blake Lynch
- Released: LB Ty Shelby
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Tommy Kraemer
- Restored from practice squad injured list: LB Ryan Connelly
- Released: TE J.P. Holtz
New York Jets
- Signed: WR Lance McCutcheon
- Released: S Tyreque Jones
New York Giants
- Signed: OLB Justin Hollins
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: DT Noah Elliss, LB Brandon Smith
- Released: CB Mario Goodrich, DB Tiawan Mullen
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Caleb Johnson, TE Scotty Washington
- Released: OL Obinna Eze, TE Noah Gindorff
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Tayler Hawkins
- Released: CB Tre Norwood
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: G Ben Brown, RB Bryant Koback
- Released: WR Cody White
Tennessee Titans
- Released: RB Jacques Patrick
