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AFC East Notes: Reddick, Jets, Maye, Bills

October 30th, 2024 at 12:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

Haason Reddick made his Jets debut last week, bringing an end to one of the longest holdouts in many years. Reddick pushed for a multiyear deal, believing the Jets reneged on their pledge to conduct true extension talks with him during the offseason. The Jets, however, had maintained they were not willing to discuss a long-term deal before their trade pickup began work in their defense. This led to a months-long standoff, being one of the contributing factors to the Jets’ 2-6 record. Reddick, who returned to the Jets after receiving an incentive-laden boost, played 26 defensive snaps as a backup in Week 8.

The Jets had made Reddick an offer to sweeten his 2024 compensation before the season started, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport noting the team’s proposal included $20MM for this year. The revised offer would have allowed the veteran edge rusher to recoup the fines he lost during training camp, though it is not known if this was a true raise from the $14.25MM salary he was due to make or another incentive package. Reddick, 30, turned that money down and continued to seek a trade. He has since regrouped with the Jets and will aim to secure solid terms as a 2025 free agent, but this holdout probably did not help him on that front.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • The Jets have until Tuesday to trade Mike Williams, and all signs are pointing to a separation. No move is expected to occur until after the Jets’ Thursday-night Texans matchup, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Gang Green has been linked to shopping Williams since even before the Davante Adams trade, and the effort began in earnest after the team acquired the ex-Aaron Rodgers Green Bay target. Williams, 30, has generated interest from the Steelers, Saints and Chargers and likely among other teams as well. The Jets falling to 2-7 would make them surefire sellers, but for now, they are waiting to see the market crystallize and holding onto the trade chip.
  • Before Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich stripped Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties, Robert Saleh had informed the second-generation Jets OC he would be demoted. Prior to the since-fired HC’s directive, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes Hackett and Todd Downing had split game-planning responsibilities. They are continuing to do so, though it is now Downing who has final say on what goes in the game plan and what does not. The Jets are 0-3 with Downing calling plays, however, and remain in the same place they were (25th) in terms of scoring offense at the time Hackett was demoted.
  • As could be expected, the Jets are almost certain to pass on Ulbrich as the full-time HC if the team misses the playoffs, The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt offers. Considering Ulbrich is 0-3 in the interim role, it would take a dramatic turnaround to convince the organization to not go with an outside hire — as every team but the Raiders has since 2017 — rather than remove their current leader’s interim tag.
  • David Edwards has bounced back from a concussion-marred 2022 and a 2023 season spent as a Bills backup. Stepping in as Buffalo’s starting left guard this season, as the team moved Connor McGovern to center after cutting Mitch Morse, Edwards has played well. The former Super Bowl LVI starter has outperformed McGovern at the LG spot, per The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, who adds Edwards could be moving toward an extension if he keeps this up. Pro Football Focus ranks Edwards just 44th among guards, but the 27-year-old blocker has started every game — after being a 17-game backup in 2023 — and has provided value on a two-year, $6MM deal.
  • Drake Maye is indeed in concussion protocol. Jerod Mayo confirmed that status Wednesday, making the No. 3 overall pick iffy for the Patriots‘ Sunday matchup against the Titans. A hit to the back of Maye’s head during a first-quarter scramble led Jacoby Brissett back into action in Week 8.

Patriots Shopping Multiple Receivers, Not Interested In Trading Jonathan Jones

October 29th, 2024 at 10:41pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Patriots made their first trade deadline move on Monday, sending edge rusher Josh Uche to the Chiefs for a sixth-round pick, and New England may have more moves in store as November 5 approaches.

The Patriots are “fielding calls on corners and receivers,” per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, with Tyquan Thornton and K.J. Osborn as the wideouts of interest.

New England has already been shopping Thornton for a few weeks, and Osborn may be frustrated after his playing time dropped in recent weeks. He is the more proven receiver after recording at least 500 receiving yards in each of the last three seasons for the Vikings, but he’s only averaging 27.3 yards per game this year as part of a struggling Patriots offense with turnover across the offensive line and under center. Osborn would also be an affordable acquisition for nearly any team; he is owed just over $1MM in salary and per game roster bonuses across the rest of the season.

Thornton also has just over $1MM of salary remaining this season, and he is under contract for 2.24MM in 2025, though that is not guaranteed. He has just four catches for 47 yards this season, but his speed is undeniable after a 4.28-second 40 yard dash at the Combine in 2022. He could be an affordable, speedy addition to a team that believes they can still get the best out of the 24-year-old.

New England is not interested in trading veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones, according to Breer, despite the fact that the 31-year-old Jones is a pending free agent who does not fit in the team’s long-term roster plans. Jones is set to earn $5M for the rest of 2024, making him a pricier acquisition for a team in need of secondary help. If the Patriots aren’t looking to trade him, Jones is unlikely to leave New England this season unless he requests a trade.

Instead of selling players, the Patriots could be buyers at the deadline despite their 2-6 record. After their Week 8 victory over the Jets, New England is “monitoring the trade market to potentially add talent,” per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

The Patriots are specifically looking to upgrade at wide receiver, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle. Several offensive and defensive linemen are on injured reserve, forcing the Patriots to cycle multiple units in the trenches on both sides of the ball this year. However, sacrificing significant draft compensation for short-term upgrades in a losing season would be a surprise for a Patriots regime that seems committed to rebuilding under head coach Jerod Mayo and first-round quarterback Drake Maye.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/24

October 29th, 2024 at 8:13pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the most recent practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Vikings cut Gaskin from their active roster on Tuesday, but as a vested veteran, he did not need to pass through waivers before re-signing to Minnesota’s practice squad. Gaskin played in the Vikings’ first five games this season, but has not appeared since October 6. His familiarity with the offense could lead to activations from the practice squad if Minnesota needs running back depth.

Herndon will join the Saints after playing in Jacksonville for six seasons, with 83 total appearances and 34 starts for the Jaguars since 2018. The veteran cornerback only started five games over the last two years, but played in 15 games for almost 900 snaps as a rotational member of the Jaguars’ secondary. His experience could lead to quick elevations from the practice squad once he learns the Saints’ defense.

The Commander signed the 30-year-old Hart to give them more depth at offensive tackle. The veteran has 67 starts and 98 total appearances over his eight-year career, though he hasn’t played in the NFL since a 2022 stint with the Bills.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/29/24

October 29th, 2024 at 7:37pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest transactions from around the NFL:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Murray suffered a torn pectoral in the Bears’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday, thinning out Chicago’s offensive line depth. He played 37 snaps at left guard in Week 5 in relief of an injured Tevin Jenkins, who left Sunday’s game with another injury. After full participation in practice last week, Larry Borom should be ready to be activated from injured reserve to reinforce the Bears’ offensive line before Week 9.

The Texans officially played Diggs on injured reserve after tests confirmed a season-ending ACL tear, a non-contact injury that occurred in Houston’s Week 8 victory over the Colts. With Nico Collins already on IR, C.J. Stroud will turn to Tank Dell and Dalton Schultz to keep the offense afloat until Collins returns. Diggs’ injury could heavily affect his market in free agency after requiring the Texans to remove the final three years of his contact to facilitate his trade from the Bills.

Sutton is eligible to play for the first time this year after serving an eight-game suspension for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended after he was arrested for domestic battery by strangulation in March, leading to his release by the Lions. The Steelers then signed him to a one-year deal in June before the league handed down his suspension in July, forcing Pittsburgh to turn to Beanie Bishop at nickel.

Chiefs Acquire Josh Uche From Patriots

October 28th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Uche is indeed on the move. The fifth-year edge rusher is being traded from the Patriots to the Chiefs, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Kansas City will send New England a 2026 sixth-round pick, Rapoport adds. That level of compensation comes as little surprise given Uche’s status as a pending free agent. He was a healthy scratch yesterday, an indication that a trade was possible. After the Patriots elected not to pull of a trade in his case last year, he will now be on the move.

Nearing the end of his rookie contract last year, Uche drew trade interest and the Pats nearly worked out a deal ahead of the deadline. Instead, he remained in place and ultimately re-signed on a one-year deal. That pact included a base salary of only $1.3MM, and with much of that total already being paid out this will be a very low-cost addition on the Chiefs’ part. The league’s only remaining undefeated team will now have another rotational option along the edge.

Uche’s best year came in 2022 when he posted 11.5 sacks. Considering he only logged a snap share of 38% that season, expectations were raised for continued production or at least a heavier workload moving forward. Neither has turned out to be the case, with the Michigan product totaling five sacks since the start of last season and logging a similar snap count to the earlier portion of his career. He will be viewed as a third-down specialist upon arrival with Kansas City.

The Chiefs have of course continued to rely on Chris Jones as a foundational contributor in the pass-rush department. Along the edge, the team has Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu along with recent draftees George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Uche will aim to carve out a role as part of that group while attempting to boost his free agent stock. For Kansas City, meanwhile, this move marks another midseason addition (following the DeAndre Hopkins trade) as a third straight Super Bowl title is sought.

The Chiefs entered Monday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space, so any further moves could be challenging unless they were also of the short-term, low-cost variety. Kansas City has been linked to pursuing a cornerback in the wake of Jaylen Watson‘s (likely season-ending) injury, and it will be interesting to see if anything happens at that position before the November 5 deadline.

Kansas City currently sits 22nd in the NFL with 15 sacks through seven games. Improving in that department could provide a notable boost to the league’s No. 5 scoring defense, and Uche will look to chip in on that front. At 2-6 on the year, meanwhile, New England could be a team to watch from a seller’s perspective regarding further moves.

Patriots Open To Further Trades

October 28th, 2024 at 3:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Despite yesterday’s win, the Patriots sit at 2-6 on the year. As a result, the team can comfortably be placed in the seller’s category, something confirmed by today’s decision to deal away Josh Uche to the Chiefs.

That trade yielded a 2026 sixth-round pick, and adding further draft capital represents a logical goal ahead of the November 5 trade deadline. Indeed, Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini report New England is open to making additional trades. Giardi adds one or two veterans can be expected to be on the move over the coming days.

Uche’s name was again in trade talk – as was the case last season – not long before he was dealt on Monday. Among the other candidates to be traded are defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who was linked over the weekend to a potential 49ers deal. While the veteran run-stuffer would provide a notable boost on early downs to San Francisco’s D-line, he inked a Patriots extension this offseason which guaranteed his salaries for 2024 and ’25. Godchaux does not expect to be dealt.

A more realistic spot to look for trade candidates would likely be the receiver room. Kendrick Bourne has also been connected to the 49ers (his former team), but he too would prefer to remain with the Patriots past the deadline. Bourne is under contract through 2026, but none of his salary after this year is guaranteed. In terms of pure rentals, K.J. Osborn represents a potential target. The former Viking has seen his usage dwindle since the start of the year, and he is likely among the team’s wideouts who is frustrated with his current situation.

As ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes, the Patriots have additional late-round draft picks for each of the next two years. Adding more valuable selections appears to be the plan for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and Co. before the deadline, and it will be interesting to see how much of a market develops over the coming days.

Patriots’ Josh Uche Inactive For Week 8

October 28th, 2024 at 10:39am CST by Adam La Rose

Josh Uche is once again the subject of trade speculation as the November 5 deadline approaches. As uncertainty looms over his future, he found himself inactive for the Patriots’ Week 8 contest.

[RELATED: Davon Godchaux Surprised By Trade Rumors]

“It was just a healthy scratch and we also [aim] to put the best team out there that gives us the best chance to win,” head coach Jerod Mayo said when addressing the decision (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald).

Uche, to little surprise, is drawing trade interest. That was also the case last year, and the Patriots came close to working out a deal which would have sent him to a new team for the remainder of his rookie contract. Instead, the former second-rounder stayed in New England before signing a one-year deal to keep him in place for 2024. Uche had appeared in the Patriots’ first seven games, recording a pair of sacks and five pressures.

It will be interesting to see if the Michigan product’s benching is an indication of a trade being worked on. As Kyed notes, Uche is viewed as New England’s top trade candidate based on his status as a pending free agent who would not be expensive to acquire. His base salary for the year is only $1.3MM, so nearly every team in the league could easily absorb the prorated remainder of that figure in a trade.

Uche had a strong season in 2022 with 11.5 sacks, but he has not developed into a three-down contributor for New England. Any team pursuing a deal would no doubt view him as a third-down specialist capable of chipping in on a rotational basis. A part-time workload is usually in store for Anfernee Jennings, who took on additional snaps in Uche’s absence. He would be in line for an increased role moving forward in the event a trade involving Uche were to be worked out.

Patriots DT Davon Godchaux Addresses Trade Speculation

October 27th, 2024 at 7:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Davon Godchaux‘s name emerged in trade talk this weekend, even though he is under contract through 2026. The eighth-year defensive tackle spoke about the matter after the Patriots’ Week 8 win.

“Yeah, I was shocked, but at the end of the day, this is a business,” Godchaux told Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald when asked about his status as a potential 49ers target. “I’m sure some guys think they could be on the team for a long time, and something happens. This is the business of the NFL. This is what we signed up for.”

The 2024 offseason saw New England’s new organizational leaders (de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo) commit to retaining several Bill Belichick-era players. That was particularly true on defense, although in Godchaux’s case he did not see his desire for a new deal met quickly. In the wake of Christian Barmore landing a big-ticket extension, the former Dolphin changed his outlook regarding his approach to negotiations. Godchaux participated to an extent during training camp after making his desire for a new deal public.

In the end, team and player reached agreement on a two-year, $18MM deal. Godchaux did not have any guaranteed money remaining on his previous contract, but his new one included a $10MM signing bonus and locked in his salaries for 2024 ($1.65MM) and 2025 ($4MM). As a result, the 29-year-old is not a rental, something which of course is the case for many players who are dealt midseason.

“I’m happy to be here,” Godchaux added. “I’m here. Right now, I’m here where my feet are, and I’m here with New England Patriots. I’m happy to be here.”

New England’s come-from-behind win on Sunday only improved the team to 2-6, so it would come as no surprise if a seller’s stance were to be adopted ahead of the November 5 deadline. Contending teams looking to shore up their run defense could show interest in Godchaux, but his remarks make it clear he does not expect to be moved.

2024 NFL Cap Space, By Team

October 27th, 2024 at 7:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the trade deadline nearing, more player movement can be expected during the coming days. Of course, a key factor in any deals will be the financial situation for contenders aiming to bolster their rosters for the second half of the campaign.

Courtesy of Over the Cap, here is an updated look at each teams’ cap space:

  1. San Francisco 49ers: $54.13MM
  2. Cleveland Browns: $45.16MM
  3. New England Patriots: $36.61MM
  4. Las Vegas Raiders: $34.59MM
  5. Detroit Lions: $27.53MM
  6. Washington Commanders: $23.44MM
  7. Dallas Cowboys: $20.75MM
  8. Arizona Cardinals: $19.44MM
  9. Tennessee Titans: $18.26MM
  10. Jacksonville Jaguars: $17.12MM
  11. Green Bay Packers: $13.96MM
  12. Indianapolis Colts: $11.11MM
  13. Philadelphia Eagles: $10.36MM
  14. Minnesota Vikings: $9.48MM
  15. Cincinnati Bengals: $8.98MM
  16. Pittsburgh Steelers: $8.93MM
  17. Seattle Seahawks: $8.19MM
  18. Atlanta Falcons: $8.16MM
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7.83MM
  20. Los Angeles Chargers: $7.72MM
  21. Chicago Bears: $6.14MM
  22. Houston Texans: $6.01MM
  23. New York Jets: $5.1MM
  24. Miami Dolphins: $5.02MM
  25. Baltimore Ravens: $4.36MM
  26. Buffalo Bills: $2.37MM
  27. Kansas City Chiefs: $2.35MM
  28. New Orleans Saints: $2.15MM
  29. Los Angeles Rams: $1.91MM
  30. Denver Broncos: $1.77MM
  31. New York Giants: $1.51MM
  32. Carolina Panthers: $1.12MM

Just like last year, the 49ers find themselves with considerable cap space to work with. The team has several reasons to roll over as many funds as possible into the offseason, however, with Brock Purdy eligible for an extension and the likes of Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir and Talanoa Hufanga on track for free agency. Major investments including a commitment beyond 2024 would thus come as a surprise.

San Francisco is among the teams to watch regarding an addition, and major injuries on both sides of the ball could lead to a stop-gap solution being targeted. The 49ers may also be open to moving away players before the deadline, though, with Ward being named as potential candidate to be dealt. Sitting at 3-4, the team’s bid to return to the Super Bowl has not gone as planned to date, but a notable midseason addition could certainly change things.

Having lost Aidan Hutchinson until at least the Super Bowl, the Lions have an obvious need along the edge. Replacing his production with any one addition will not be feasible, but bringing in at least a rotational option would not come as a surprise. Indeed, Detroit has been involved in the edge market with respect to showing interest in some of the veterans who could be on the move.

That list no longer includes Haason Reddick, but the Lions have also been connected to Za’Darius Smith. The Browns have already moved Amari Cooper, so it would come as little surprise if the team were to deal away the three-time Pro Bowler in a move which would allow him to return to the NFC North. Smith certainly seems to be open to a trade, and Detroit would easily be able to absorb the remainder of his $1.2MM 2024 salary.

While Smith could be on the move, fellow Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett is (understandably) seen as untouchable. That is also the case for Raiders start Maxx Crosby, with owner Mark Davis making it clear a trade will not be considered before or after the deadline. Even though the Titans have been active already on the trade front, they too will not entertain a deal involving two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. While talks have taken place related to Cooper Kupp, the Rams do not expect to move on from the former Super Bowl MVP.

The receiver position remains one to watch even with Davante Adams (Jets), Cooper (Bills) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs) already joining new teams. As the Panthers consider selling off pending free agents, Diontae Johnson could be available for a mid-round pick. In the case of the Jaguars, Christian Kirk is still a candidate to be dealt (although he is not a pending free agent). Teams like the Steelers and Chargers have yet to add a pass-catcher, but they have shown interest and could pull off a move in the coming days.

WR Notes: Kirk, Thielen, Rams, Chiefs, Pats

October 27th, 2024 at 11:07am CST by Sam Robinson

Diontae Johnson is viewed as the most likely receiver domino to fall between now and the November 5 trade deadline, but Christian Kirk continues to be a name to monitor. The Jaguars wideout was mentioned as a player drawing interest earlier this month, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that has continued, naming the seventh-year veteran alongside Johnson in terms of the receivers who have generated the most trade buzz following the Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins swaps.

Kirk brings an element Johnson does not, as he is signed through 2025. Playing on the four-year, $72MM pact that received scrutiny at the time, the Jags slot receiver now merely sits 25th in receiver AAV. Kirk’s 2022 free agency deal helped ignite the WR market that year, and another boom took place this offseason to render the Jacksonville deal an upper-middle-class pact. Kirk is 27 and attached to a $14.5MM base salary, which will be an issue for teams, as more than $7.5MM will remain for an acquiring team post-Week 8.

Although Kirk’s per-year number has dropped considerably on an exploding market, the Jags do have both Evan Engram and Gabe Davis signed to eight-figure AAVs. They also used a first-round pick on Brian Thomas Jr. this year. Kirk served as Trevor Lawrence‘s most trusted target in 2022 and ’23; as Thomas has shown considerable promise, Kirk has caught 25 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown this season.

Here is the latest from the WR ranks:

  • Add Adam Thielen to the list of Panthers potential trade chips at receiver. While Johnson is likely to go and Jonathan Mingo is viewed as a player who may not be a long-term fit, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport mentions Thielen as a candidate to be on the move as well. This would add up, as Thielen is 34 and tied to a through-2025 contract that does not have any guarantees remaining for next season. Thielen topped 1,000 yards for a woeful Panthers team last season, residing as Bryce Young‘s clear-cut top target. The ex-Viking’s follow-up effort, however, included an IR stay for a hamstring injury. Carolina has not yet activated the 12th-year veteran from IR. Injuries and age will limit Carolina’s return, but the three-time 1,000-yard pass catcher would only be owed barely $2MM if acquired before the deadline.
  • Tutu Atwell‘s role will diminish with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back. The diminutive Rams receiver indeed saw his snap share on offense plummet from 78% in Week 7 to 12% Thursday night. Atwell has shown flashes for the Rams, but he has not delivered extended stretches of reliability. Los Angeles did not have the former second-round pick among its top three receivers during last season’s stretch run, and ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop notes he is unlikely to be extended before his contract expires in March. This could make Atwell a trade candidate, though given the Rams’ back-to-back wins and their WR health issues, it would make more sense for the team to hang onto the contract-year player.
  • It could be a while before Skyy Moore returns to the Chiefs. Andy Reid said (via The Athletic’s Nate Taylor) this week the former second-round pick will need to have his core muscle injury “fixed”; the defending Super Bowl champions placed Moore on IR this week. Viewed as a starter to open last season, Moore could not hold up in that role and did not factor into Kansas City’s six-game win streak to close the year. While playing more due to the injuries to Marquise Brown and Rashee Rice early this season, Moore does not have a catch in 2024.
  • The Patriots made Javon Baker a healthy scratch last week, marking the third straight game that has happened for the rookie. Baker appeared to miss or show up late for a team function in London, as ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss mentions an itinerary “hiccup” took place to help lead the fourth-round pick to the sideline once again. Baker could have a path up New England’s depth chart if Kendrick Bourne and/or K.J. Osborn are moved, but he has played in just two games as a rookie. Baker is active for Week 8.
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