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Chiefs, Broncos Interested In Josh Jacobs

August 5th, 2023 at 10:42pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders are running out of time to convince Josh Jacobs to report to the team, and rival organizations are already preparing for the possibility that the running back could be a late addition to the free agent pool. According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Chiefs and Broncos are “among the teams interested” in Jacobs if he has his franchise tag rescinded.

[RELATED: Josh Jacobs Hasn’t Reported To Raiders Camp]

As Florio notes, there are five options for the Raiders and Jacobs at the moment. The running back could simply accept his $10.1MM franchise tender, or the two sides could agree to an “enhanced deal” that offers more money (similar to Saquon Barkley and the Giants) or a promise to not tag him next offseason. Jacobs could also decide to sit out games, or the front office could try to find a taker via trade.

The fifth scenario would see the Raiders rescind the franchise tag, which would make Jacobs a free agent. As Florio notes, the player is “aware of the possibility and unconcerned about it.” While the running back would be hard pressed to recoup the $10.1MM on the open market, Jacobs would be fine taking the best deal from a contender.

So, in comes the Chiefs and Broncos. Kansas City would fit the bill of a contender, and they could offer Jacobs a role atop their depth chart. That spot is currently held by 2022 seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco, who had 960 yards from scrimmage as a rookie before adding another 262 yards in the postseason. The Chiefs are also rostering pass-catching RB Jerick McKinnon and former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but Jacobs obviously brings a stronger resume than any of those three backs.

It’s a stretch to describe the Broncos as a surefire contender, at least heading into the regular season. However, Florio notes that the organization would be a fit “at the right price.” Former second-round pick Javonte Williams is prime to lead the depth chart, but the running back is recovering from a torn ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner. The Broncos also added Samaje Perine as insurance, but Jacobs would obviously provide a more established alternative to Williams.

Of course, the Chiefs, Broncos, and any other suitor would have to wait on the Raiders to blink and rescind the franchise tag. As Florio notes, this scenario wouldn’t allow Jacobs to maximize his overall value, but it would allow the player to stand on “principle” as running backs continue to navigate their declining market value.

Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu Handed Six-Game Suspension

August 4th, 2023 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs will be without one of their defensive ends for a while. Charles Omenihu received a six-game suspension Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Omenihu, who signed with the Chiefs in March, was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in January. While Omenihu played out the season with the 49ers, he will be in line to miss a chunk of his first Chiefs campaign.

Suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Omenihu will be eligible to complete Kansas City’s training camp and preseason. But he will not be able to rejoin the team until Week 7. The Chiefs signed the former 49ers auxiliary rusher to a two-year, $16MM deal. This suspension puts the $8.6MM guaranteed Omenihu received at risk.

The arrest occurred after a woman told police her boyfriend, Omenihu, pushed her to the ground during an argument. The 25-year-old defender was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail. This came days before the NFC championship game. With the NFL still conducting its investigation, Omenihu played 38 defensive snaps in the 49ers’ loss to the Eagles. The arrest also did not do too much to minimize Omenihu’s market, with it requiring an $8.6MM guarantee — more than Leonard Floyd or ex-Chief Frank Clark received when they eventually found new homes — to complete the signing. But this suspension could void that guarantee.

The Chiefs have not been afraid to take risks on players with checkered pasts, as the Clark trade and Tyreek Hill draft choice best illustrate. The Chiefs also gave cornerbacks DeAndre Baker and Damon Arnette their first opportunities after off-field incidents led to each becoming available. Clark, who had a domestic violence incident in his past prior to his NFL career, played four seasons with the Chiefs but found himself a cap casualty this offseason. Received a two-game suspension last year after being arrested twice on gun charges in 2021, Clark played four seasons with the Chiefs following the 2019 blockbuster trade. Clark has since signed with the Broncos.

Since acquiring Omenihu from the Texans before the 2021 trade deadline, the 49ers used him as one of their Nick Bosa sidekicks. Omenihu recorded 1.5 sacks during the 2021 postseason and dropped Geno Smith twice during the 49ers’ wild-card win over the Seahawks last year. During the 2022 regular season, Omenihu registered 4.5 sacks and totaled 16 quarterback hits. When the suspension ends, he will be expected to team with recent first-round picks George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah on Kansas City’s Chris Jones-fronted defensive line.

Carlos Dunlap served as Clark’s top D-end complementary piece in Kansas City last season. With an Omenihu ban long expected, the Chiefs may be considering re-signing the 13-year veteran. Dunlap joins Jadeveon Clowney, Robert Quinn and multiple ex-Chiefs — Justin Houston and Melvin Ingram — as the top edge defenders available. The defending Super Bowl champions also roster Mike Danna, a 2020 fifth-round pick who tallied five sacks last season, as a veteran piece alongside its recent first-round investments.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/2/23

August 2nd, 2023 at 7:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are today’s minor transactions from around the league:

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Waived: WR Ed Lee

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Moseley reportedly had a small clean-up procedure on his knee the other day as he continues to come back from last year’s ACL tear. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, it doesn’t appear to be a major setback, and head coach Dan Campbell expects Moseley back on Monday.

The news on Harris’s retirement comes from KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, who reports that the two sides “are parting ways as (Harris) plans to retire.” If this is truly the end of the road for Harris, then the transaction puts a cap on a five-year career that saw Harris rack up 11 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits in the NFL.

Turk was urgently brought on as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma to compete with free agent addition Jake Bailey, formerly with the Patriots. The punter competition may be over quickly as Bailey is the only punter on the roster now.

Trice, the Steelers’ first of two seventh-round picks this year, suffered a non-contact injury at camp yesterday. His placement on injured reserve indicates that his rookie season has unfortunately come to an end before it had the chance to begin.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/31/23

July 31st, 2023 at 8:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

  • Signed: CB Lorenzo Burns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed: CB Anthony Witherstone
  • Placed on IR: LB Isaiah Moore

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Derrick Gore is probably the most intriguing signee on the list, with the running back having seen time in 11 games for the Chiefs in 2021. He finished that season with 361 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns, but he didn’t have a chance for a followup performance in Kansas City. After landing on IR in late August last year, he was ultimately released by the Chiefs. Gore caught on with the Saints and spent the majority of the 2022 season on their practice squad.

Yasir Durant is another Chiefs product, with the lineman getting into 11 games for Kansas City in 2020. He appeared in seven games for the Patriots in 2021 before spending most of last season on the Saints practice squad. He’ll be taking the roster spot previously held by Christian DiLauro, who got into five games for the Titans and Broncos over the past two years.

Darius Harris will be joining the Raiders following a career year in Kansas City. After being limited to only 11 games through his first two seasons in the NFL, Harris got into all 17 games for the Chiefs last year, including four starts. The former UDFA finished the year with 43 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and he added another five tackles in three playoff games. One of Harris’s strongest performances of the 2022 season came against the Raiders when he had 10 tackles and a sack.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/30/23

July 30th, 2023 at 7:20pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor moves around the league to wrap up the weekend:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Igwebuike, the former safety-turned-running back, likely won’t have a role in a crowded running backs room that currently includes rookie top-ten pick Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, and Cordarrelle Patterson. He does have some experience on kick return, where he could compete with Patterson and Avery Williams for a role.

The Rams added some quality, experienced depth today in Freeman. While he’s failed to reach the success he found as a primary backup in his first two seasons, Freeman should have plenty of tread on the tires at only 27 years old with minimal usage over the past three years. Behind starter Cam Akers, Los Angeles only has second-year Kyren Williams and rookie sixth-rounder Zach Evans, so bringing in an experienced backup like Freeman should be beneficial.

The Giants add two depth pieces back to their beat-up receiving corps. Getting them back into the fold will be beneficial for training camp. Meanwhile, across the way, new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will get to work with his old teammate, Cobb, once again.

The retirement of Pottebaum comes as a bit of a shock so early into camp. The Iowa-product was a part of Pittsburgh’s small, seven-man undrafted free agent class this year. Not only that, but heading into camp, Pottebaum was also the only fullback listed on the roster. He was in attendance for the Steelers’ first week of training camp, as well, but now appears to be on his way out. This doesn’t leave Pittsburgh completely high and dry as the team was already exploring the option of utilizing tight end Connor Heyward in a role more similar to what he played in college. Heyward could earn a much larger role in his sophomore season by taking on a few more snaps at fullback.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/27/23

July 27th, 2023 at 7:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed: WR Ty Scott

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Signed: CB Isiah Brown
  • Waived/injured: CB Jordan Perryman

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: LB Blake Lynch

New York Giants

  • Signed: DT Kevin Atkins

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

Ben Burr-Kirven was a fifth-round pick by the Seahawks back in 2019, and he transformed into a key special teamer through his first two seasons in the NFL. However, he suffered a knee injury during the 2021 preseason that ended up wiping out that entire season. The issues persisted in 2022, and after spending that year on PUP, he was ultimately released in March. Coach Pete Carroll apparently reversed course and ended up bringing back the linebacker.

“He’s in a little bit of an experimental mode,” Carroll said earlier this year (via the team’s website). “The surgeries that he has had and the process he is going through, he is making progress. He’s always in the weight room with us. He’s always here working with a tremendous mentality. The nerve issues, really intricate stuff going on, so he’s had to have a really good attitude about it to stay in the fight and he is. He’s planning on getting back out there. So, we are going to give him every chance. If he can do it, this is going to be the place that he does it.”

Xavier Henderson was released today with an injury settlement, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post (via Twitter). The undrafted free agent landed on the physically unable to perform list earlier this week.

WR John Ross Retires

July 26th, 2023 at 9:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

John Ross delivered a memorable performance at the Combine, but his pro career is coming to an end after an inability to translate his skillset to the NFL. The former top-1o was placed on the reserved/retired list by the Chiefs on Wednesday, per the wire.

The 27-year-old entered the league with substantial expectations after he ran a record-setting 4.22 second 40-yard dash at the Combine in 2017. His speed helped make him the ninth overall selection in that year’s draft, with the Bengals selecting him ahead of a group of other prospects headlined by Patrick Mahomes. Ross was the third and final receiver taken in that year’s first round (behind Corey Davis and Mike Williams).

Ross battled injuries through much of his Cincinnati tenure, and he played only 27 games with the Bengals. The Washington alum’s best season came in 2019, when he recorded 506 yards and three touchdowns despite only getting into eight games. The rest of his Bengals stint saw him haul in only 23 catches for 227 yards in 19 games across three campaigns, although he did score a career-high seven touchdowns in 2018.

Following a 2020 season where he was limited to only three games thanks in part to a foot injury, Ross hit free agency. He ended up catching on with the Giants on a one-year deal, catching 11 passes in 10 games for his new squad.

After not getting into a game during the 2022 season, Ross signed a futures contract with the Chiefs back in January. He was set to compete for a roster spot before his sudden decision to retire.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney Undergoes Knee Surgery

July 25th, 2023 at 1:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

On the first day of training camp, Kadarius Toney suffered a knee injury which puts his availability for the beginning of the regular season in doubt. The Chiefs wideout underwent surgery to address the issue, head coach Andy Reid said on Tuesday.

Toney suffered the injury while returning a kick on Sunday before practice began. His resultant procedure was aimed at cleaning up cartilage in his knee, Reid added (Twitter link via Nate Taylor of The Athletic). The news represents the latest in a string of injury setbacks for the 24-year-old, who was acquired via trade last year in a disappointing end to his Giants tenure.

The former first-rounder played only 12 games in New York, battling hamstring issues along the way. Those followed him to Kansas City, and an ankle injury threatened to keep him out of Super Bowl LVII. The Florida product was able to suit up, though, and he played a pivotal role in the championship game. Toney scored one fourth-quarter touchdown and set up another with a long punt return. Now, however, his Week 1 availability is in doubt.

“There’s a chance for the first game,” Reid said when detailing Toney’s situation. “We’ll just have to see how the recovery goes with him. But I mean he’s bound and determined he’s going to be there for the first game. We’ll see how it goes” (h/t ESPN’s Adam Teicher).

The Chiefs lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to the Patriots and Jets, respectively, during the offseason. That has led to increased expectations for Toney in his first full season in a Kansas City offense known for amplifying the strengths of its pass-catchers (especially those with the kind of speed the latter posses). This week’s setback will limit (if not eliminate) his ability to practice during the summer, however, which could impact his effectiveness upon his return.

Chiefs’ Chris Jones Seeking $30MM Per Season?

July 24th, 2023 at 10:41am CST by Adam La Rose

The contractual status of Chris Jones is the top talking point for the Chiefs at the start of training camp. The All-Pro defensive tackle is holding out while attempting to secure a new deal, one which would move him back up the pecking order in terms of annual compensation at the position.

Jones has one year remaining on his four-year, $80MM deal but an extension has been on Kansas City’s radar for some time now. To little surprise, the expectation remains that the 29-year-old is aiming to be the league’s second-highest paid D-tackle, behind only Aaron Donald. The gap between the two would shrink considerably if Jones were to get his way.

The four-time Pro Bowler is seeking an annual average salary of $30MM, writes Nate Taylor of The Athletic (subscription required). The reworking of Donald’s Rams deal from last year upped his AAV to 31.67MM, so a raise for Jones allowing him to essentially draw even with him would be quite noteworthy. It would also complicate the cap situation for the defending champions, who have premised their financial moves on retaining stars such as Jones, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce without making them the highest-paid at their respective positions.

“We really don’t think about it in the context of, ‘Who is the highest-paid player?” Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt said when asked about the Jones situation. “We think about it in the context of the Chiefs — and what’s best for the organization, not only this year but as we go forward. One of the challenges is the salary cap. It makes it tough to keep a championship team together.”

The DT market has seen a dramatic shift this offseason, with young performers in particular landing lucrative second contracts from their respective teams. Quinnen Williams (Jets), Jeffery Simmons (Titans), Dexter Lawrence (Giants) and Daron Payne (Commanders) have all inked extensions worth between $22.5MM and $24MM per season. Jones – who matched his career high with 15.5 sacks in 2022 and played a central role in the Chiefs’ latest Super Bowl victory – has shown a willingness to miss out on team activities in an attempt to retake the No. 2 spot ahead of that group.

The Mississippi State alum skipped Kansas City’s mandatory minicamp in the spring, subjecting himself to fines in the process. He will also incur a mandatory $50K fine for each training camp day which he misses amidst his contract dispute. A resolution may remain elusive if he intends to hold firm on his asking price, and if the Chiefs (who would likely see a notable increase in 2023 cap space by working out an extension) maintain their stance on Jones’ valuation.

Chiefs DT Chris Jones Begins Camp Hold-Out

July 22nd, 2023 at 4:37pm CST by Ely Allen

Following a season in which he ranked as the league’s top interior defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Chris Jones has been seeking a new, top contract from the Chiefs. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Jones “did not report with the rest of the team to training camp” today as “the two sides remain ‘far apart’ on a new deal.”

A former second-round pick out of Mississippi State, Jones set himself up beautifully coming out of his rookie deal by delivering two strong seasons in 2018 and 2019. Kansas City resorted to a franchise tag before eventually agreeing to extend Jones on a four-year, $80MM contract. Once again, the Chiefs began exploring the option of an extension early in the offseason this year. Jones hasn’t made it any easier for the team as, once again, he’s delivered one of the best performances of his career the season before a contract year.

In the years since Jones’s second contract, the defensive tackle market has markedly improved. In anticipation of an eventual negotiation, Jones skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp, costing himself approximately $100K in fines. At that point, it became clear that Jones was willing to pay to make his point, but a hold-out of training camp still seemed a long way away, considering the options limited by the 2020 CBA. The most drastic measure expected at the time was a potential hold-in, wherein Jones would attend training camp but not participate to his full ability.

Jones’s expectations weren’t unrealistic. Despite being ranked as the best, he wasn’t necessarily seeking to out-earn Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Donald’s contract is leaps and bounds ahead of the next-closest competition, so Jones sought to, at least, become the league’s second highest-paid defensive tackle. An interview with general manager Brett Veach made it sound like conversations were going well, indicating that things would likely get done “right before (or) right during the first start of camp,” a sentiment echoed by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington who thought it “likely” that the two sides would reach an agreement before camp.

Apparently, Jones agrees with the “start of camp” as a time to get things done. Holding out of training camp shows just how serious Jones is about not playing out the last year of his contract. According to Field Yates of ESPN, each day that Jones misses will leave him subject to almost $50K of fines.

Perhaps, if the Chiefs and Jones were closer in their negotiations, Jones wouldn’t be taking such drastic measures, but a camp hold-out truly emphasizes how far apart the two sides are. If Jones is going to incur daily fines, he’s going to expect a deal that makes those fines inconsequential.

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