Lions To Pursue Seahawks GM John Schneider
The Lions are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new GM. In addition to three in-house candidates and myriad external options, including a few high-profile targets, the club is expected to make a run at Seahawks GM John Schneider, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
Schneider has long been considered one of the best executives in the game, and he and Pete Carroll have forged a remarkably productive GM-HC tandem since they came to Seattle in 2010. Under their leadership, the ‘Hawks have compiled a 111-63-1 record, five division titles, two NFC championships, and a Super Bowl.
But Carroll, not Schneider, has final authority over all personnel decisions. That means that a club like the Lions could interview Schneider if it offers him full control (though as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes, it may not be quite that simple, and Detroit may need to send compensation to Seattle if it wants to hire Schneider away). Plus, while Carroll signed a long-term extension several months ago that will run through the 2025 campaign, Schneider is only under contract through the 2022 draft, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. Rapoport says that, in addition to Detroit, Schneider is expected to get a call from at least one other team,
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says the Lions would also be interested in Steelers GM Kevin Colbert. Colbert has gone year-to-year with Pittsburgh for awhile, but that’s because he wants to leave open the possibility of retirement. He plans to be back with Pittsburgh in 2021, so it looks like another one-year pact is on the horizon.
Vikings assistant GM George Paton, who has been a fixture on the GM rumor mill in recent years, is also on the Lions’ radar, per Rapoport, and there is a new and interesting connection between Minnesota and Detroit. Paton’s boss, Rick Spielman, is the brother of new Detroit exec Chris Spielman, who is expected to have an integral role in the Lions’ search process.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/2/21
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Christian Kirk
- Promoted: DL Stacy McGee, LB Terrance Smith, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted: WR Chris Rowland, WR Devin Gray, TE Jared Pinkney
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Nate Brooks, QB Tyler Huntley
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Tyler Kroft; Kroft contracted the coronavirus
- Promoted: TE Nate Becker, CB Dane Jackson, DE Mike Love, RB Antonio Williams
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: LB Clay Johnston, T Aaron Monteiro, QB Tommy Stevens
- Placed on IR: CB Troy Pride
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: DB Xavier Crawford
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Mike Daniels
- Promoted: LB Keandre Jones, DT Kahlil McKenzie, CB Winston Rose
Cleveland Browns
- Signed off Jets’ practice squad: G Blake Hance
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Karl Joseph
- Promoted: G Cordell Iwuagwu, LB Montrel Meander, T Alex Taylor
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from IR: DB Steven Parker
- Promoted: DT Walter Palmore, T William Sweet
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: WR K.J. Hamler
- Promoted: LB Josh Watson
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: DT Danny Shelton
- Promoted: C Evan Brown, DT Albert Huggins, S Bobby Price
- Waived: DL Frank Herron
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on IR: David Bakhtiari (story)
- Promoted: G Ben Braden, DL Brian Price
Houston Texans
- Promoted: OL Greg Mancz, WR Steven Mitchell
- Placed on IR: OL Brent Qvale
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: S Ibraheim Campbell, T Jared Veldheer
- Activated from IR: TE Noah Togiai
- Waived: WR Marcus Johnson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on IR: WR Collin Johnson
- Promoted: WR Terry Godwin, OL Tre’vour Wallace-Simms
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from IR: S Jeff Heath
- Promoted: LB James Onwualu, OL Erik Magnuson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: DB John Brannon
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: QB Bryce Perkins
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: S Nate Holley, WR Marcus Kemp, QB Reid Sinnett
- Waived: FB Chandler Cox
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: CB Tae Hayes, Cordrea Tankersley, DE Eddie Yarbrough
New England Patriots
- Placed on IR: RB Damien Harris
- Promoted: TE/DL Rashod Berry, CB Michael Jackson, LB Cassh Maluia, OL Ross Reynolds, CB D’Angelo Ross
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: FB Michael Burton, RB Latavius Murray, S D.J. Swearinger, RB Dwayne Washington; Murray and Washington are close contacts of COVID-positive Alvin Kamara (story)
- Promoted: LB Andrew Dowell, TE Garrett Griffin, CB Grant Haley, LB Chase Hansen, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, RB Tony Jones Jr., WR Tommylee Lewis
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Kyler Fackrell, CB Madre Harper
- Promoted: P Ryan Santoso
- Placed on IR: FB Elijhaa Penny
- Waived: QB/WR Joe Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: G Greg Van Roten
- Waived: K Sam Ficken
- Promoted: LB Noah Dawkins, LB Sharif Finch, LB Brady Sheldon, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: S Blake Countess, DE Joe Ostman, T Prince Tega Wanogho
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Eric Ebron, LB Cassius Marsh
- Promoted: WR Deon Cain, T Anthony Coyle, TE Kevin Rader, K Matthew Wright
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: G Tom Compton
- Promoted: DT Josiah Coatney, WR Jordan Matthews, K Tristan Vizcaino, OL Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Flowers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Damarious Randall, T Brandon Shell
- Promoted: G Alex Boone, RB Alex Collins, WR Penny Hart
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: CB Herb Miller, DL Benning Potoa’e
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Brett Kern
- Promoted: LB Brooks Reed, K Sam Sloman
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Dontrelle Inman
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/30/20
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Sam Koch
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: S Ronnie Harrison
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Braden Smith
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on IR: DE Clelin Ferrell
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Daryl Worley
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Jalen Richard
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Groy; Groy remains on IR
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: LB Micah Kiser
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Riley Reiff
New England Patriots
- Waived: TE Jordan Thomas
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB La’Mical Perine; Perine tested positive for the coronavirus
- Placed on IR: OL Josh Andrews
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: KR Jaydon Mickens
- Placed on IR: RB Kenjon Barner
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Waived: T Jordan Mills
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Ravens): S Geno Stone
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Jordan Glasgow
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Nicholas Morrow
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from IR: OL Bobby Evans
- Waived: CB Dee Virgin
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: TE Kyle Rudolph
- Promoted: G Kyle Hinton
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Ryan Griffin
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Charlie Woerner
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Ronald Jones
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: K Stephen Gostkowski, P Brett Kern
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/29/20
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad shuffles here, so be sure to check back later for all the new updates:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Trayvon Henderson
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DB Josh Hawkins
- Placed on practice squad IR: CB Alexander Myres
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: S Ibraheim Campbell, DT Rob Windsor
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Brandon Dillon
New England Patriots
- Waived: G Earl Watford
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Christian Kuntz, G John Leglue
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: CB DeMarkus Acy, DT Myles Adams
Washington Football Team
- Released: RB Michael Warren
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/20
Here are Saturday’s practice squad decisions:
Chicago Bears
- Activated from practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Manti Te’o
Dallas Cowboys
- Placed on practice squad injured list: CB Saivion Smith
Detroit Lions
- Signed: P Arryn Siposs
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: RB Troymaine Pope
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: K Taylor Bertolet
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cody Hollister
- Activated from practice squad reserve/COVID-19 list: P Trevor Daniel
- Signed: LB Nate Orchard
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/20
Here are Thursday’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers from Vikings: CB Mark Fields
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: G Hjalte Froholdt
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: DB Rashaan Gaulden, LB Javin White
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: LB B.J. Bello, DE Jessie Lemonier, S Jaylen Watkins
- Waived: RB Troymaine Pope
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Devonta Freeman; Freeman remains on IR
New York Jets
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: NT Folorunso Fatukasi
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Austin Walter
Washington Football Team
- Placed on IR: S Deshazor Everett
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/15/20
Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Placed on IR: QB Trace McSorley
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Dez Bryant, DB Geno Stone
- Promoted: TE Eric Tomlinson
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers from Browns: RB Dontrell Hilliard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Ben Bartch
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Derwin James; James remains on IR
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: CB Kris Boyd
- Activated off IR: CB Mark Fields
New Orleans Saints
- Claimed off waivers from Raiders: G Patrick Omameh
New York Giants
- Waived: CB Brandon Williams
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed off Washington’s practice squad: C Ross Pierschbacher
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed off Chiefs’ practice squad: OL Danny Isidora
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: CB Kristian Fulton
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: P Bradley Pinion, K Ryan Succop, LS Zach Triner
Vikings Work Out K Chandler Catanzaro
Dan Bailey has missed seven kicks over his past two games, and the Vikings are looking into a potential replacement. They worked out Chandler Catanzaro on Tuesday.
The Vikings signed Bailey shortly after then-rookie Daniel Carlson‘s tough day in Green Bay during a September 2018 tie game. Bailey fared worse Sunday in Tampa, missing three field goals and an extra point. Against the Jaguars in Week 13, Bailey missed three kicks. His misses in Florida impacted the NFC playoff race, elevating the Cardinals to the No. 7 spot and dropping the Vikings to 6-7.
Catanzaro, however, has not kicked since the 2018 season. The Buccaneers cut him midway through that slate, but the Panthers used him as a Graham Gano replacement in four games. Catanzaro is best known for his three-year Cardinals run from 2014-16; he also kicked in 16 games for the 2017 Jets.
The free agent’s career 83.8% field goal make rate sits nearly 3% behind Bailey’s career mark (86.0), but the former Cowboys specialist certainly has weakened his standing with the Vikings after his two most recent showings. This season, Bailey has missed six field goals. He exited Week 14 with what would be a career-worst 66.7% connect rate.
If the Vikings began giving Catanzaro COVID-19 tests Monday, he could kick in their Week 15 game. Players must pass six days’ worth of coronavirus tests before suiting up with new teams. The Vikings released kicker Tristan Vizcaino from their practice squad Tuesday, clearing the way for another potential Bailey replacement to be added.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/15/20
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: LB Chris Orr
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DT Bruce Hector
Denver Broncos
- Signed: RB/FB Jeremy Cox
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: DL Brian Price
- Activated off practice squad IR: RB Dexter Williams
- Released: OT Ryan Pope
- Placed on practice squad IR: DL Delontae Scott
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Chris Covington
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: Brandon Wright
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: S Curtis Riley
- Released: K Tristan Vizcaino
San Francisco 49ers
- Released: DT Willie Henry
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
Tennessee Titans
- Placed on practice squad IR: LB Tuzar Skipper