New York Jets News & Rumors

Jets Re-Sign C Connor McGovern

April 26th, 2023 at 10:52am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 26: McGovern, who signed a three-year deal worth $27MM in 2020, will be attached to a much cheaper Jets pact this season. Gang Green brought back its center on a one-year, $1.92MM deal, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic tweets. The Jets will guarantee the veteran snapper $1.25MM, and Rosenblatt adds no incentives are included in the contract.

APRIL 24: The Jets will have a familiar face in the middle of the offensive line in 2023. The team announced on Monday that they have re-signed center Connor McGovern.

The 29-year old began his career in Denver, where he showed the ability to play at both center and guard. He had an offer to remain in Denver, but it was withdrawn after they landed Graham Glasgow in free agency in 2020. That left McGovern free to head elsewhere, and he landed in New York on a three-year, $27MM deal.

Over the course of that contract, the former fifth-rounder has been a mainstay up front for the Jets, starting all 48 games he appeared in. That includes being on the field for every snap of the 2022 campaign, a feat not matched by any other lineman on the team, as the rest of New York’s group up front suffered a multitude of injuries. McGovern delivered a solid if unspectacular performance last season, earning an overall PFF grade of 69.6, the third-highest mark of his career.

In a free agent class featuring a few different experienced options up front – along with his namesake, who ultimately signed with the Bills last month – McGovern was expected to have a viable market from the Jets and other center-needy teams. The fact that he was still available this late into free agency demonstrates the degree to which that wasn’t the case, but a reunion with the Jets was always considered a logical development.

With McGovern in place, New York’s interior O-line is set with guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker also on the books. The tackle spot could see an addition during the first round of this week’s draft, as the team looks to add more stability and depth up front after being hit hard by injuries last season. Regardless of whether or not they do so, though, they will have consistency and familiarity under center.

Latest On Jets’ First-Round Plans, Corey Davis’ Future With Team

April 26th, 2023 at 10:05am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets are more likely than not to give up their 2024 first-round pick for Aaron Rodgers, considering the future Hall of Famer has played at least 65% of the Packers’ offensive snaps in 13 of the past 15 seasons. That will increase the pressure on the organization to nail its first-round pick this year.

Moving down from No. 13 to No. 15 via the Rodgers swap, the Jets are being connected to both tackles and a wide receiver. The organization has done considerable homework on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, per Matt Miller of ESPN.com, though he also views the Ohio State prospect as a candidate to go in the Jets’ old draft slot. A report this week indicated the Packers — they of zero first-round receiver picks since Javon Walker in 2002 — are believed to be interested in Smith-Njigba.

Taking a receiver so early would be a risky move for a team with a glaring tackle need, but the Jets obviously found a gem in former Smith-Njigba teammate Garrett Wilson at No. 10 last year. That move came after the Jets were connected to just about every potentially available wideout via trade. Smith-Njigba profiles as a slot weapon, and the Jets have moved on from both Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios this offseason. JSN has taken some heat for seeing an early-season hamstring injury essentially end his junior year, but a standout sophomore season — during which he compiled 1,606 yards — far more than Wilson or Chris Olave in 2021 — has him as a strong option to be the first receiver taken in this draft.

The Jets signed Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman, but they also chased Odell Beckham Jr. The team still could be readying to add Randall Cobb, but doing so after drafting a receiver at No. 15 might not make much sense — Rodgers’ wish list notwithstanding. Sitting as the potential odd man out, Corey Davis also remains on Gang Green’s roster. The Jets were expected to cut Davis if they signed Beckham, but with the Ravens winning that derby, Davis (and a $10.5MM base salary) linger. His Jets fate may depend on how the team proceeds in the early rounds.

“Corey is selfless; Corey is an unbelievable worker; he’s a great professional for some of our young guys to look up to and model their approach, their work ethic to this game,” Jets GM Joe Douglas said this week. “And look, we all know that there is a business aspect to football, but Corey is a valued member of this team and this franchise.”

Rodgers famously spent most of his Packers career without a first-round wideout to target. The Jets adding another to the equation would likely mean a Davis exit. The team would save $10.5MM by releasing the former top-five pick at any point this offseason.

Prior to the Rodgers trade, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini offered a Broderick Jones connection (Twitter link). The Jets hosted the former Georgia left tackle, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the team gave the one-year Bulldogs starter positive feedback during that meeting. Dropping to No. 15 opens the door to the Patriots, who hold the No. 14 pick and have a tackle need, taking a potential Jets target. The Pats also hosted Jones on a pre-draft visit. Before the Jets parted with the 13th pick, NBC Sports’ Peter King had them drafting Jones as well. SI.com’s Albert Breer sends Smith-Njigba to the Jets.

It will be interesting to see if the Jets’ Rodgers trade terms lead to Jones being out of reach. If Jones is off the board, Tennessee’s Darnell Wright could become a Jets consideration. Wright has experience at both left and right tackle, having made 27 starts on the right side and 13 at the more glamorous spot. The Jets have Duane Brown going into his age-38 season and Mekhi Becton a true wild card, given his knee trouble. Scouts Inc. rates Wright 18th overall, slotting the ex-Volunteers starter as this draft’s fourth-best O-lineman.

Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski figure to be off the board by the time the Jets’ pick arrives. The Jets drafting an O-lineman in Round 1 would make three such investments in four years for Douglas, who took Becton in 2020 and Alijah Vera-Tucker in 2021.

Jets GM Talks Rodgers Trade, Compensation, Zach Wilson

April 25th, 2023 at 8:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Aaron Rodgers-to-Jets trade is all but official. According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter), the future Hall of Fame quarterback will be introduced at a press conference tomorrow afternoon. Rodgers himself acknowledged the impending move, writing a farewell to Packers fans on Instagram this evening (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo on Twitter).

Meanwhile, Connor Hughes of SNYtv hinted on Twitter that we’ll soon learn the details of Rodgers’ reworked contract with the Jets, potentially as soon as tomorrow. During his press conference today, Jets general manager Joe Douglas indicated that there had been “positive” discussions between the Jets front office and the quarterback’s representatives.

Douglas touched on a number of additional subjects during his press conference today, mostly related to the acquisition of the former MVP. We’ve compiled some of the notable soundbites below (h/t to the team’s website):

On the process of negotiating with the Packers after Rodgers stated his desire to play for the Jets:

“You never want to get too far ahead of yourself. Really, you felt honored back a few weeks ago when Aaron said he wanted to be a New York Jet. You felt honored, you felt good. That’s what Robert [Saleh] has been able to do here so that a player like Aaron Rodgers wants to be here.”

On the draft compensation the Jets sent to Green Bay, a swap of first-round picks (which Douglas acknowledged was one of the final components of the agreed-upon deal, per Cimini on Twitter):

“Obviously, we’re comfortable with how this deal shaped. I don’t think anyone ever walks away from a negotiation where you feel like you won everything in terms of what’s gone back and forth. But ultimately, our goal from the beginning was to add Aaron to the team, so we were able to get that. We agreed to terms yesterday and we’re just excited to bring him here.”

On their decision to pair their youthful roster with a 39-year-old quarterback:

“He’s not very far removed from back-to-back MVPs. You still have someone that maybe didn’t play at 100 percent [health-wise] throughout the year but still performed at a high level. … His relationship with Nathaniel [Hackett] and some of the other players that are on the team, we feel obviously that it’s an adjustment when you’re somewhere for 18 years. But we feel with the people we have in place, he can get comfortable quickly.”

On former second-overall pick Zach Wilson, who will now serve as Rodgers’ backup:

“I feel like this is going to be a great thing for Zach. Zach’s ceiling is unlimited. No one works harder, no one loves ball more than Zach Wilson, and him having the opportunity to really shadow and be with a first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback every day, every hour he’s in the building, that’s a great opportunity and a great experience.”

Jets, Packers Agree On Aaron Rodgers Trade

April 24th, 2023 at 11:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

After several weeks of negotiations, the Jets and Packers agreed to a deal Monday. Aaron Rodgers is heading to the Big Apple for a picks package that includes first-rounders changing hands, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports (on Twitter).

Fifteen years after it took only a conditional third-rounder for the Jets to land Brett Favre, the latest future Hall of Fame Packers QB fetched the NFC North franchise a much bigger haul. Here are the trade terms:

Packers receive:

2023 first-round pick (No. 13 overall)
2023 second-round pick (No. 42)
2023 sixth-rounder (No. 207)
2024 conditional second-round pick, which can become a first if Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ offensive plays this season

Jets receive:

Rodgers
2023 first-round pick (No. 15)
2023 fifth-round pick (No. 170)

As part of this trade agreement, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) Rodgers is expected to sign a revised contract to help the Packers’ cap. As it stands now, a trade would tag the Pack with $40.3MM in dead money. The adjusted contract is expected to keep the trade from becoming official for a bit, and Brian Gutekunst said (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman) the deal is not yet final and that he has not yet spoken with Rodgers. But with the terms agreed to, this weeks-long process is near the goal line. The sixth-year Packers GM said the expectation is this will be official before the draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

As it stands now, the Jets will owe Rodgers a $58.3MM bonus this year. It is not known how a restructure would affect the Jets’ cap, but as of now, Rodgers would be set to count barely $15MM on the AFC East team’s 2023 payroll.

This represents an interesting trade package for the Packers, as the deal does not contain any protection for the Jets if Rodgers retires after this season. At the very least, Green Bay will receive two additional second-rounders for Rodgers. The Canton-bound QB has played at least 65% of the Packers’ offensive snaps in all but two of his 15 seasons as a starter (excepting 2013 and 2017). That points to the Packers receiving the Jets’ 2024 first-rounder. Although Gutekunst said recently it would not require a first-round pick for the Packers to unload Rodgers, it looks more likely than not this deal will lead to a future first coming back to the Pack.

Rodgers met with the Jets in early March and expressed interest in joining the team soon after. The Jets also met with Derek Carr, but the Saints came in with a big offer to ramp up the pressure on Gang Green to come away with the four-time MVP. Rodgers’ current contract — a $50.3MM-per-year deal agreed to in March 2022 — runs through 2025.

While Rodgers said years ago he would love to play into his 40s, the legendary passer has flirted with retirement for a bit now. It should not be considered a lock Rodgers plays more than one season with the Jets; he said he was 90% retired going into his much-discussed darkness retreat. Favre retirement No. 2 occurred after one Jets season; an even brighter spotlight figures to be on the 2023 Jets as a result of the trade for Favre’s successor.

Shortly after signing Mecole Hardman, the Jets dealt Elijah Moore to the Browns. Armed with two second-rounders, the Jets used the first of those in this trade. They will enter this draft with a pick two spots down in Round 1, but ahead of this pivotal Rodgers-led season, Gang Green still has first- and second-round picks with which to bolster their roster.

Although rumors about this latest Jets-Packers QB blockbuster not being done by the draft circulated, this will cut the cord ahead of the team’s first offseason with Jordan Love in the starter’s spot. Talks intensified late last week, per Schefter and ESPN’s Rich Cimini, and continued into the weekend. It is safe to say the Jets will top their 2022 total of primetime games (one) this season. While the Packers’ number figures to dip, Love’s effort to follow one of the game’s all-time greats will certainly generate considerable attention as well.

In January, Gutekunst deferred to Rodgers’ four MVPs when asked if the longtime starter or Love gave the 2023 team a better chance to win. Rodgers expected to be welcomed back to Green Bay, but as the offseason progressed, this relationship — which produced a 2021 fracture that included a Rodgers trade request — encountered more turbulence. After the Packers traded up for Love in 2020, Rodgers said the prospect of him finishing his career with the Packers no longer appeared certain. The Love pick did precede back-to-back MVPs — both seasons featuring new Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett in a non-play-calling OC role — and Rodgers deciding he wanted to play the 2022 season in Green Bay. But after a disappointing season, trade winds blew again.

Rodgers, 39, is coming off a down year. He finished 26th in QBR and saw his counting stats dip across the board. But the veteran passer was playing through injuries. A broken thumb and a rib malady affected Rodgers, who was also playing without Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. While second-round pick Christian Watson showed late-season promise, a Watson-Romeo Doubs–Allen Lazard troika represented a considerable step down from Rodgers’ previous receiving corps. This led to the Packers falling from back-to-back No. 1 seeds to 8-9 and out of the playoffs, inviting more questions about Rodgers’ Wisconsin future.

The Packers have Love tied to only one more year of low-wage salaries, with their latest extended QB transition mostly preventing them from building around the valuable rookie-QB contract, but the team will finally gauge the Utah State alum’s viability as a long-term starter. The Packers must decide on Love’s fifth-year option — worth $20.27MM — by May 2. Love has thrown 83 career passes. His lone start of consequence — a November 2021 Arrowhead Stadium tilt — did not go well, but the Packers are believed to have seen substantial growth in 2022. That said, the team going from Rodgers to Love invites tremendous risk. After a 6-10 starter debut in 2008, Rodgers — one of the greatest players in franchise history — proved the Packers right. Will Love do the same?

While Love is still an unknown commodity, the Jets had seen enough from Zach Wilson. The former No. 2 overall pick entered his rookie and sophomore NFL seasons unchallenged for the starting role, but after failing to make strides in his second season, Wilson landed on the bench after holding a much-improved Jets defense back. Mike White‘s injury issues moved Wilson back into the starting lineup late last season, but the BYU product’s future as a Jets contributor is very much in doubt. After White left for Miami, Wilson remains in place as a backup, but his future as a Jets starter — this early-career redshirt effort notwithstanding — is probably over. Two years remain on Wilson’s rookie contract.

The Wilson-to-Rodgers upgrade will be massive, regardless of the latter’s 2023 form. Rodgers is a 10-time Pro Bowler who piloted the Packers to five NFC championship games and a Super Bowl XLV win. The Packers generated steady criticism for not achieving enough with Rodgers under center, but the team largely eschewed free agency during the bulk of Ted Thompson‘s GM tenure. Gutekunst proved more active, but his 2022 receiver plan constrained the superstar QB.

The Jets have operated aggressively, adding Lazard and Hardman at receiver (and pursuing Odell Beckham Jr.), and trading for safety Chuck Clark. Rodgers has begun recruiting for his new team, making a pitch to Calais Campbell, who ultimately signed with the Falcons. But it should not be expected the Jets are done adding veterans around their biggest QB name in at least 15 years. Like the Buccaneers were with Tom Brady and the Broncos with Peyton Manning, the Jets can safely be classified as “all in” around their QB prize.

They were not on the radar when Rodgers initially asked to be traded. The Broncos loomed as the most likely destination, but while the Packers could have obtained more in a 2021 or 2022 trade with Denver, a Hackett reunion will instead transpire in New York. Denver being unable to land Rodgers led the team to Russell Wilson and Hackett — after a disastrous partnership — becoming the third HC since the 1970 merger to be fired before his first season ended. Hackett will have a fascinating bounce-back opportunity.

After whiffing on Wilson and not hitting on other first-round QBs (Mark Sanchez, Sam Darnold), the Jets committed to finding a veteran and acquired the biggest name available. But this introduces high stakes. The jobs of Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas, after the team ended last season on a six-game losing streak, may well be tied to Rodgers’ 2023 success. The Jets, however, stand to be a factor in a loaded AFC. This Rodgers-in-New York period promises to be one of the most interesting partnerships in NFL history.

Packers, Jets Resume Aaron Rodgers Talks

April 23rd, 2023 at 10:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

More than one month has passed since Aaron Rodgers went public with his desire to play for the Jets in 2023. That led to the widespread belief a trade would soon follow, but neither New York nor Green Bay has operated with much urgency to finalize a move.

After a period without talks taking place, the two sides have resumed negotiating (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). That comes as no surprise, with the upcoming draft being frequently mentioned as a logical deadline for a price (and the handling of Rodgers’ contract, which includes a $58.3MM bonus owing sometime in 2023) to be agreed upon. The first or second day of the draft could very well see a deal come to fruition, depending on the nature of the draft capital which ends up being exchanged.

That has remained the sticking point throughout this process, with the Packers reportedly being willing to accept an offer not involving a first-round pick for the four-time MVP. The Jets have, understandably, been hesitant to part with a Day 1 pick this year or next for a 39-year-old player, though that factor could complicate the situation to the point where conditional selections are included in the final deal.

Green Bay remains hopeful that a 2024 first-rounder could be coming their way, but in the immediate future it remains likely that New York will part with at least one of their second-rounders. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that one of the Jets’ Day 2 selections (Nos. 42 and 43) is still at the heart of the agreement, most of which is in place. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic corroborates that notion, adding that a trade finalized during this week’s draft will all-but assuredly include at least one of New York’s first three selections (subscription required).

The Jets could be well-positioned to add further to their new-look offense (built in no small part with the assumption that Rodgers will be at the helm soon) especially if one of the class’ top tackles are still on the board at No. 13. Their decision to move on from wideout Elijah Moore generated their extra second-rounder, and keeping one would allow them to add another notable rookie to an already strong roster. The team’s window to compete in a crowded AFC would obviously accelerate if Rodgers were indeed to head to the Big Apple for one or more seasons.

Rapoport adds that nothing is imminent at this point, but hope exists on both sides that a trade can cross the finish line this week. Such a development would put an end to one of the league’s top offseason storylines, and represent a crucial inflection point for each franchise for at least the short-term future.

Growing Certainty Jaxon Smith-Njigba Will Be First WR Drafted

April 23rd, 2023 at 6:37pm CST by Ely Allen

There are a number of wide receivers with first round grades, including TCU’s Quentin Johnston, USC’s Jordan Addison, Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt, and Boston College’s Zay Flowers. All have their pluses and minuses and can bring different things to an NFL offense. But, for a number of reasons, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is starting to run away with the title of WR1 in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

Smith-Njigba is a true slot receiver, spending almost 90% of his time at Ohio State on the inside. He makes up for a lack of size and top end speed with agility, body control, and strong hands. Despite being a Buckeye for the past three years, he only has one full season of production at the college level, after missing 10 games with a hamstring injury last year.

He benefitted in that full season from having first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave surrounding him. Still, Smith-Njigba outperformed both players in 2021, with 95 receptions, to Wilson’s 70 and Olave’s 65, and 1,606 receiving yards, to Wilson’s 1,058 and Olave’s 936. He didn’t have as many receiving touchdowns as Wilson (12) or Olave (13), but he still managed to find the end zone nine times.

The Eagles, holding the 10th overall pick, have reportedly been doing some last-second research on wideouts, according to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, specifically doing homework on Smith-Njigba. The Jets are another team to watch here. New York would prefer to take a top offensive tackle prospect, but if none are available, it’s hard to see Smith-Njigba slipping past them at No. 13. The Cowboys have also shown some recent interest in the wide receivers of the draft, but at No. 26 overall, Smith-Njigba isn’t likely to be around.

Regardless of where he hears his name called, it’s becoming more and more apparent that Smith-Njigba is establishing himself as one of the best, if not the best, pass catching prospect in the draft. If Pauline is correct, Smith-Njigba could find himself catching passes from Jalen Hurts or Aaron Rodgers next September.

NFC South Notes: Campbell, Maye, Sanders

April 23rd, 2023 at 11:48am CST by Rory Parks

Defensive lineman Calais Campbell has accomplished a great deal in his NFL career, though he has never won a Super Bowl ring. So it came as something of a surprise when the six-time Pro Bowler, who is entering his age-37 season, agreed to sign with the Falcons in March after the Ravens made him a cap casualty. After all, Atlanta has not made the playoffs since 2018 and will be starting Desmond Ridder — a 2022 third-round choice who made just four starts in his rookie campaign — at quarterback.

Still, when this offseason arrived, the Falcons had free agency money to spend for the first time in the Terry Fontenot/Arthur Smith era, and they have been especially aggressive in bolstering their defense. Jessie Bates, Mike Hughes, Kaden Elliss, and David Onyemata were signed, and as Mike Rothstein of ESPN.com writes, adding those talents and a player like Campbell supports the message that Fontenot and Smith want to convey: that Atlanta is ready to compete and is a prime destination for high-end talent.

Campbell acknowledged that the uncertainty of the NFC South played a role in his decision (Twitter link via Rothstein), and he believes that the Falcons will indeed contend for a playoff spot in 2023. He spoke glowingly of his meetings with Smith, Fontenot, and new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, and he also watched tape of Ridder. All of that turned the Falcons from a team that was not on Campbell’s radar into the team for which he eschewed an extended free agency courtship.

Now for more from the NFC South, starting with several more items on Campbell and the Falcons:

Campbell said that more teams were interested in his services in 2023 than during his free agency stay in 2022, which ultimately concluded with a new deal with Baltimore. He also said he was “close” to signing with another club this year before agreeing to terms with the Falcons, though that mystery team did not make him feel the same way Atlanta did. In addition to his meetings with the Jaguars and Falcons, he had visits with the Jets and Bills on the docket, and he told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson during an episode of The Crew podcast that Aaron Rodgers — who is expected to join the Jets in the near future — texted him and implored him to sign with Gang Green (Twitter link via Ari Meirov of The33rdTeam.com).
As Campbell explained in the above-referenced podcast, the Jets tried to get a deal done with him even before his would-be visit with New York, so perhaps they were the team that he nearly picked over the Falcons. And, per Rothstein, another factor that worked in the Falcons’ favor is that Atlanta plans to use him as a “true D-end,” meaning that he will line up on the edge on first and second downs.
Saints safety Marcus Maye was arrested in September on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm. As Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk wrote last month, those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence. As most NFL fans know by now, the absence of criminal charges does not mean that a player will avoid league punishment, but since the time of Williams’ report, nothing has emerged on that front.
Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25MM contract with the Panthers in March, a deal that features $13MM in guaranteed money. Sanders indicated that the presence of Duce Staley, whom Carolina recently hired as its assistant head coach & running backs coach, was a big reason for his decision to join the Panthers (Twitter link via ESPN’s David Newton). Sanders spent the first four years of his career (2019-22) with the Eagles, and Staley was Philadelphia’s assistant head coach and running backs coach for the first two of those seasons.

Poll: Who Will Acquire DeAndre Hopkins?

April 21st, 2023 at 5:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

A second DeAndre Hopkins trade could transpire soon — perhaps by next week’s draft — and while the Cardinals wide receiver is a bit past his peak, he could impact the Super Bowl LVIII chase if sent to a contender. Will a team come through with a trade?

Hopkins, 31 in June, has loomed as a departure candidate for nearly a year; he is believed to want to land with a contender. The Cardinals have not ruled out retaining the accomplished wideout, but that does not appear the likely conclusion. This does not appear to be an acrimonious split.

“I’ve had a lot of interaction with Hop. He’s been great. Good discussions back and forth,” Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said (h/t GoPHNX.com). “Hop’s proven to be a good player in this league, and he’s obviously a very talented player. Productive conversations with Hop, but going to keep those between us.”

Hopkins’ second Texans contract ran (five years, $81MM) ran through the 2022 season. While the Cardinals scrapped that deal upon acquiring the former All-Pro in 2020, the extension the sides agreed to tacked on two extra years to Hopkins’ contract. The Cards gave Hopkins $42.75MM fully guaranteed, and the two-year, $54.5MM bump ended up impacting the receiver market in 2022. Now, that contract calls for a $19.5MM base salary. Hopkins’ cap number sits at $29.9MM on Arizona’s payroll.

Although Hopkins previously said he would be open to adjusting his contract to facilitate a trade, the Cardinals have not received big offers. Some teams believe they Arizona be forced to release the 11th-year veteran, and a few have been connected as a destination for the Clemson alum.

A potential AFC duel probably should be mentioned first. The Chiefs have been connected to the big-bodied wideout for several weeks now, being tied to both he and Odell Beckham Jr. Now that OBJ is a Raven, the Chiefs — who lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman — are running short on options. Kansas City has Marquez Valdes-Scantling in place as its most reliable receiver, though Kadarius Toney provides more upside (and considerably more risk). Andy Reid‘s team bowing out of a Smith-Schuster sweepstakes that ended in an $8.5MM-per-year Patriots deal points to the Chiefs waiting out a Hopkins release. If Hopkins were available in free agency, the Chiefs’ Reid-Patrick Mahomes setup presents receivers a compelling pitch.

The other team Hopkins sounded receptive to playing for, the Bills already roster a high-variance boundary wideout (Gabe Davis) and can use Stefon Diggs across the formation. But they were mentioned as an early suitor. The Bills’ Von Miller move showed the urgency Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are operating with, and while Diggs’ $24MM-AAV contract would be a complication regarding a Hopkins acquisition, the Bills certainly make sense as a free agency suitor — as acquiring a five-time Pro Bowler would stand to bolster their receiving corps and impede a Chiefs upgrade.

While the Cardinals look to be working with Hopkins’ camp here, his PED suspension voided the no-trade clause in his contract. That would open the door to more options, depending on the compensation offered. The Ravens just outbid the Jets and Giants for Beckham, and a report from ex-GM Michael Lombardi (Twitter link) indicated Lamar Jackson wanted the team to add OBJ and Hopkins. The Ravens have chased receivers for years. Their run-heavy offense has steered some — including Smith-Schuster — away, but they convinced Beckham to sign up to reunite with OC Todd Monken. The team does not have another notable receiver contract on its payroll, though Jackson’s $32.4MM franchise tag poses a problem.

The Giants lurked in the Beckham pursuit, offering an incentive-laden deal, and have either re-signed or added a host of slot receivers this offseason. New York has also done extensive homework on this draft’s receivers, being closely connected to adding one of the first-round-caliber targets. The team did pursue Jerry Jeudy and Brandin Cooks previously. Jets interest probably does not need to be explained much. Expected Jets QB Aaron Rodgers placed Beckham on his wish list, and the team has already added Hardman and Allen Lazard. If the Jets were willing to add Beckham, they are probably open to Hopkins.

Hopkins’ most recent podcast appearance pointed to less interest in being dealt to the Jets or Patriots compared to a Bills or Chiefs landing, and Bill O’Brien — who traded Hopkins when working as the Texans’ GM — coming to New England certainly would create an awkward fit. But if Matt Patricia and Darius Slay can work together again, just about any NFL relationship is salvageable. The Pats discussed Hopkins with the Cards earlier this offseason.

While the Cardinals having shopped Hopkins and discussed him in trades for months, it sounds like the rebuilding team will move on. If the team — which would eat $21.1MM in a pre-June 1 trade, without any contract adjustments — does not receive the offer it wants, is an unexpected reunion completely off the table? Aside from the aforementioned suitors, is there another team who could make a play here?

Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.

Who will acquire DeAndre Hopkins?

Buffalo Bills 27.20% (981 votes)

Kansas City Chiefs 26.54% (957 votes)

Another team (specify in comments) 13.14% (474 votes)

Baltimore Ravens 12.87% (464 votes)

He will stay with the Cardinals 8.21% (296 votes)

New York Giants 7.43% (268 votes)

New York Jets 4.60% (166 votes)

Total Votes: 3,606

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/20/23

April 20th, 2023 at 6:39pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s only minor move:

New York Jets

Signed RFA tender: DE Bryce Huff

Initially an undrafted pass rusher out of Memphis, Huff will have another year in New York to try and establish a role on the Jets defense. Huff made his presence known after making the 53-man roster as a rookie in 2020 and working himself into the rotation at defensive end. He continued to work hard, earning six starts to open 2021 before a back injury landed him on the inactive list for seven weeks. Since the injury, Huff’s role has been scaled back a bit, but he continues to produce, racking up 3.5 sacks in limited time last year. He’ll be back for Gang Green in 2023 to continue to contribute on defense and special teams.

Jets Targeting Training Camp For Mekhi Becton Return

April 20th, 2023 at 5:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Continuing to hold out hope for Mekhi Becton to return to action, the Jets are not expected to have the young tackle participating in offseason workouts. After the avulsion fracture Becton suffered during the Jets’ 2022 training camp, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini notes the fourth-year blocker should not be expected to participate in either OTAs or minicamp.

Becton went down during an August 8 practice, but after a second knee surgery since his previous injury — in September 2021 — the Jets are not rushing the former first-round pick back. And the Louisville product is on track to be ready for training camp.

In addition to moving toward a recovery, Cimini adds Becton has lost more than 40 pounds during this rehab effort. Becton’s weight has been a concern since the start of his career. He has been linked to weighing more than 400 pounds at points during his Jets tenure, but Cimini indicates that scrutinized number now sits around 350. The Jets moved Becton to right tackle before that injury, but their tackle situation will probably change early in the draft.

Last season brought an avalanche of Jets tackle injuries. After Becton went down, the player paid handsomely to fill in — Duane Brown — suffered a shoulder injury that required a season-opening IR stay. Brown later underwent surgery but is planning to a play a 16th season. The Jets later lost George Fant for much of the season; Fant remains a free agent. The team lost Max Mitchell to a hereditary blood-clot issue in early December. The 2022 fourth-round pick started five games last year, joining Conor McDermott and Mike Remmers as emergency options. Remmers and McDermott are no longer on the team, but Cimini adds Mitchell has recovered.

Connor McGovern joins Fant in being unsigned. Vera-Tucker will return to guard, after spending time at right tackle due to the team’s injury troubles there, with Laken Tomlinson entrenched at the other guard spot. Due to the questions the Jets face at tackle, ESPN.com’s Todd McShay notes it is “close to a lock” the Jets bolster this position with their No. 13 overall pick. While the Packers are still believed to want a first-rounder from the Jets for Aaron Rodgers, the team’s No. 13 pick this year is not expected to change hands.

As Becton has played one game over the past two seasons, virtually no chance exists the Jets will pick up his fifth-year option. The Jets have a long-term need at left tackle, with Brown set to turn 38 this year, and cannot exactly count on Becton staying healthy. Mel Kiper Jr. sends Georgia tackle Broderick Jones to the Jets at No. 13, a move that would mark the team’s third first-round O-line pick in four Joe Douglas drafts.

Becton showed considerable promise as a rookie, but injury and fitness issues have hounded him since. He represents an interesting wild card for the Jets, who are searching for O-line stability with a Rodgers trade imminent.

Load More Posts