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Jets Rumors: Rodgers, Adams, Becton

August 5th, 2023 at 5:46pm CST by Ely Allen

No matter who’s calling the offense, a team with Aaron Rodgers behind center is going to be influenced by his presence. The Jets appear to be no different as new wide receiver Allen Lazard called the Jets’ system “the Aaron Rodgers offense.” Rodgers backed off that claim a bit in a press conference a couple weeks ago, but he clearly has some influence.

“Well, listen, I’m not going to say it’s ‘my’ offense,” Rodgers told the media. “It’s one I’ve had success in, for sure, but back in 2020, it was a conglomeration of what Matt (LaFleur) wanted to run, what (Nathaniel Hackett) had run in the past, and what I had run in the past. So, we just fit together. And this is kind of an offshoot of that with maybe a little more West Coast flavor to it. But this is really Hackett’s offense that I’ve been able to collaborate with him on. And I love it, but there is a lot of teaching, for sure.”

LaFleur was calling plays as head coach during the period Rodgers was referring to, during which he won back-to-back MVP awards. Hackett was the offensive coordinator, though, at the time. Now reunited with Hackett, Rodgers and his old coordinator appear to be picking up where they left off, collaborating on an offense that has won awards in the past.

Here are a few other rumors surrounding Gang Green in training camp:

  • The Jets have a potential starter breaking out in training camp as Tony Adams makes a push to start at free safety. An undrafted rookie out of Illinois last year, Adams surprised when he made the roster in 2022. A year later, he’s on track to start, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post. Last year Lamarcus Joyner spent most of the season starting next to Jordan Whitehead but didn’t do much to impress at the position. After free agent addition Chuck Clark tore his ACL, a starting spot opened up in the defensive backfield. New York signed free agent Adrian Amos as an immediate remedy to the loss of Clark, but it appears that Adams is well on his way to beating him out for the starting job at free safety to start 2023.
  •  In a report this week, Costello’s colleague at the Post, Ryan Dunleavy, speculated that offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is starting to veer further from “fighting for a starting job” and closer to “fighting for a roster spot.” He may have confirmed as much by changing his stance on sticking at left tackle and allowing some run at right tackle, where the Jets are looking for a starter. He would almost certainly be second string behind free agent addition Billy Turner on the left side of the line, but he has a chance to compete for the job on the right side. Dunleavy claimed that Becton was scheduled to get about 20-25 snaps in the Hall of Fame game this past week and that, if he struggled, New York might begin to wonder just how many tackles they can keep on the roster. Unfortunately, Becton left the game after only seven snaps, citing caution while playing on turf. If he can earn a starting spot through the rest of the preseason, Becton should have a chance to prove he’s finally healthy and ready to contribute. If not, he may find himself looking for a new team.

Injury Updates: Mitchell, Vikings, Becton

August 4th, 2023 at 9:50pm CST by Ely Allen

The past few years in San Francisco have seen a procession of running back injuries. One such player who has been at the center of that issue the past two years is third-year back Elijah Mitchell. Unfortunately, Mitchell isn’t in quite in the clear going into Year 3 for the 49ers. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Mitchell has suffered an abductor strain that will hold him out for a bit.

Injuries have been a bit of an issue for Mitchell to start his career. While playing as an injury replacement in his rookie year for Raheem Mostert, Mitchell was forced to miss six games due to injury himself. Things went further downhill in his sophomore season as he suffered a sprained MCL in the first game of the season. He was able to return in mid-November, but by the time he was back, Christian McCaffrey had arrived and staked his claim atop the depth chart. Mitchell would only play in five games last year.

Now, for the first time in his career, Mitchell will not be expected to carry the weight at running back. With McCaffrey firmly leading the group, Mitchell should be able to take his time coming back from the strain. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media that Mitchell should be back “in a week.” While that’s an encouraging timeline to hear, Mitchell’s injury history warrants a bit of cautious optimism from fans.

Here are a few other injury updates from around the league:

  • We saw Saints linebacker Andrew Dowell land on injured reserve earlier this week. Thanks to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, we now know that he was placed on the injured list after suffering a torn ACL. After only missing one game in the past two seasons, Dowell is now likely to miss the entire 2023 season.
  • Another player who unfortunately went down with a torn ACL this week is Vikings defensive lineman James Lynch, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Lynch was a tied for the fourth-most snaps on the defensive line for Minnesota last year, a defensive line that is also playing without Dalvin Tomlinson this year. Lynch has missed games in each year of his young career, but 2023 will see him miss the entire season.
  • After only two years in the league, Seahawks edge rusher Darrell Taylor has already established himself as a main contributor on the Seattle defense with 16.0 sacks over his first two seasons. According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, Taylor showed up to practice on Thursday with his left arm in a sling. Head coach Pete Carroll informed the media that he was dealing with a sprained shoulder. A recovery timeline was not provided.
  • The Seahawks held a scrimmage tonight and saw two rookies sustain injuries in the simulated game. The team’s injury woes in the running backs room continue as rookie seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh suffered what Carroll is calling a sprained knee, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Luckily, they will be getting another rookie rusher back, as Carroll told the media that second-round rookie Zach Charbonnet will return “full-go” following the team’s off day tomorrow. The other rookie to go down with an injury was undrafted cornerback Andrew Whitaker. The diagnosis is unclear, but Whitaker was carted off the field after sustaining an injury in the contest, according to Condotta.
  • Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton missed the entire 2022 season after suffering an avulsion fracture in his right kneecap. The veteran made his return to the field in last night’s Hall of Fame game but left after only playing seven snaps. He reported today that, while he didn’t feel like there was any setback with his surgically repaired knee, he decided to be overly cautious with playing on turf, according to Andy Vasquez of NJ.com. In recent years, many non-contact injuries have been attributed to turf fields around the league. With this in mind, Becton got a good sense of where his knee was at and decided to work the rest out in practice. The team plans to test him more as camp progresses and the season draws nearer.

Latest On Jets, RB Dalvin Cook

August 3rd, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

AUGUST 3: As the wait for Cook’s ultimate decision continues, one could be made in the coming days. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that talks between Cook and the Jets are “expected to accelerate” after tonight’s Hall of Fame Game. It will be interesting to see how willing New York is to stick to its price point, especially if its interest is as limited as Costello reported yesterday. The Jets’ next preseason contest is August 12, leaving plenty of time for a deal to be hammered out or, perhaps, for different suitor to make a renewed push.

AUGUST 2: This offseason has certainly brought some public free agency derbies. Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins‘ stays on the market have not quite matched Dalvin Cook‘s for transparency, with the ex-Vikings running back keeping fans abreast of his situation at nearly every turn.

Cook’s Sunday Jets visit became known three days in advance, and a day after it surfaced, the veteran running back made multiple media appearances — on Good Morning Football and on the Dan Patrick Show — to discuss his upcoming Jets visit and to indicate around five teams were still interested in signing him. This process did not go over well with some in the Jets’ building, Brian Costello of the New York Post notes.

The Jets would have preferred this visit not leak three days out, per Costello, who posits the running back likely provided advance notice of the Big Apple trip to convince another team to increase its offer. If that is the case, the Dolphins would seemingly fit the profile of a team Cook is attempting to send a message to via the Jets. Cook is a Miami native who has received an offer from the Dolphins, and he has described a return to Miami as “a perfect fit.”

While the Jets are interested, the visit being leaked well in advance reminds of the Beckham situation. Beckham’s Jets meeting became known days early, and the injury-prone standout’s Aaron Rodgers friendship was discussed often before the scheduled meeting. But the Ravens came in with a $15MM guarantee before OBJ’s Jets visit came to pass. That kind of money will not be thrown around for Cook, but he is not yet a Jet. The four-time 1,100-yard rusher continues to be display patience.

As it stands, mixed messaging is coming out about the Jets-Cook fit. No deal came together during the talented back’s highly publicized visit — one soon set to be chronicled on Hard Knocks (presuming the Jets, who protested their present casting on the long-running HBO show, allow said footage to be aired). They are also believed to view Cook as important insurance as Breece Hall finishes his recovery from ACL surgery. Costello, however, does not get the sense the Jets are overly interested and predicts the Pro Bowl back will sign elsewhere.

While the five-team rundown of Cook suitors has not fully unveiled itself, the Patriots have been the other team consistently connected here. The Pats have brought Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson to Foxborough, but no signings have taken place. Pierre Strong resides as the most likely Rhamondre Stevenson backup. The team’s persistent inquiries into outside help do point to genuine interest in upgrading behind their starter.

The Jets and Pats fits would involve playing alongside (or clearly behind) an ascending rookie-contract back. Cook has long said he wants to land with a contender that houses a clear RB need. The Dolphins used a third-round pick on Devon Achane, but it might be difficult for the veterans they brought back — Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Myles Gaskin — to play ahead of Cook regularly. But the Dolphins have not moved much since being the initial Cook favorites.

Joe Tippmann Not In Mix For Jets’ C Job?

August 2nd, 2023 at 11:50am CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets did not make Connor McGovern a high priority this offseason, waiting until just before the draft to re-sign him. A three-year Jets center starter, McGovern signed a one-year deal worth $1.92MM.

Although McGovern may eventually be asked to step aside for second-round pick Joe Tippmann, that point might not come in Week 1. McGovern and veteran Wes Schweitzer are the top two players battling for the job, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes (on Twitter).

Pegged as a player set to make a push to start going into camp, Tippmann is running third in this competition. Robert Saleh said the team would like to have a winner here after its second preseason game. Seeing as the winner in this competition will be the center on the highest-profile Jets team in over a decade, this matchup takes on a bit more importance. The Jets have big question marks at both tackle spots, and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker is coming back after a triceps tear ended his second season. The team’s first-string center will obviously play a critical role on the team’s first Aaron Rodgers-piloted offense.

The Jets chose Tippmann 43rd overall. That draft status suggests the Wisconsin product will be asked to start, but the AFC East may feature two O-lines with Connor McGoverns in first-string roles (the Bills signed the former Cowboys guard in March). This would, of course, not be new territory for the elder of the NFL’s blocking McGoverns; the Jets have used the former Broncos draftee as their starting center throughout the 2020s.

McGovern, 30, missed just two games over the course of the three-year, $27MM deal the Jets authorized in 2020. This year’s center market featured several free agents re-signing for lower-end money. Ethan Pocic (Browns), Jake Brendel (49ers), Garrett Bradbury (Vikings) and Bradley Bozeman (Panthers) returned to their respective teams. While this quartet all received between $4MM and $6MM per year to re-sign, it left McGovern with fewer opportunities. The Jets guaranteed the veteran starter just $1.25MM.

Pro Football Focus graded the Mizzou alum as a top-10 center in each of the past two seasons, but despite GM Joe Douglas being in power when the Jets initially signed McGovern, the team made it a priority to select Tippmann early. They also gave Schweitzer a bigger contract, signing the ex-Atlanta and Washington interior O-lineman to a one-year, $5MM deal in March. That pact came with $3.17MM guaranteed. That contract suggests an even matchup with McGovern, despite the latter’s experience in New York.

Schweitzer, who will turn 30 next month, has made 60 career starts. Twenty-four of those came in Washington. PFF rated Schweitzer 27th among centers last season, though he only played in seven games due to a lengthy concussion-induced absence. The advanced metrics site rated Schweitzer as a top-10 guard in 2021, however. The loser of the competition could represent interior O-line depth alongside Tippmann’s heir apparent role, but New York’s tackle situation complicates that from a numbers perspective.

Aaron Rodgers Addresses Pay-Cut Decision, Jets Future

August 1st, 2023 at 9:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Aaron Rodgers has gone from being “90% retired” to regularly talking about playing multiple seasons with the Jets. The Packers and Jets briefly discussed a trade term of a 2025 Green Bay pick going to New York in the event Rodgers retired after the 2023 season, but no traction emerged in that direction. As of now, at least, it does not sound like that will end up being relevant.

The 19th-year quarterback said he is expecting this to be a “few-years partnership,” via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. The future Hall of Famer’s thinking has moved considerably from a retirement lean before the winter darkness retreat. After keeping the Packers in suspense about his plans in recent offseasons, Rodgers is hoping to extend his career into at least 2024.

In his first press conference with the Jets, Rodgers stopped short of saying he would play beyond this season. Now, he is back to a place where he would like to play well into his 40s. Rodgers, 39, had previously said this was a goal. But during his final few years with the Packers, that talk fizzled. In September 2022, Rodgers made a point of saying he will not follow Tom Brady‘s lead by playing until age 45. But that still leaves some wiggle room for the four-time MVP.

“I want play a few more years and it’ll be five after that,” Rodgers said, alluding to the Hall of Fame’s waiting period. “Who knows what’s going to happen in eight or nine years? That’s a long way off.” Rodgers also said, “I’m taking it one year at a time. Yeah, I’d love to play as long as I can, as long as it’s fun, as long as my body feels good, as long as they want me.”

The long-QB-starved Jets sent the Packers a 2023 second-round pick and swapped first-rounders this year. If Rodgers plays 65% of the Jets’ snaps this season, the Packers will receive Gang Green’s 2024 first. Previously citing the assets the Jets gave up in his reasoning for now eyeing multiple seasons in New York, Rodgers has since agreed to trim roughly $35MM in guarantees on the contract he agreed to in 2022.

Coming after Quinnen Williams‘ extension freed up cap space for the Jets, Rodgers’ surprising decision leaves the team with $15.9MM — 11th as of August 1. Rodgers’ pay cut has helped the Jets stay in the lead for Dalvin Cook, who visited the team Sunday.

“I thought it was important they knew how committed I was. And in my conversations with Joe [Douglas], he has made it very clear the vision for the football team,” Rodgers said, via NBC Sports’ Peter King. “You probably agree with this. This year, compared to like 2005, the amount of transactions that happen now with guys getting cut and the amount of trades — way more than before. Big names move at the trade deadline now. I wanted to make sure that if somebody valuable came available that we’d be able to get him. I’m very happy with the contract. I feel great about it.”

Rodgers’ April Packers restructure left a whopping and untenable $107MM cap hit on the Jets’ 2024 payroll. That number is now down to $17.16MM; Rodgers counts for just $8.89MM on New York’s 2023 cap sheet. The Jets used the increasingly popular void-years tactic in this restructure. Four void years are in the contract, with those coming after a $35MM roster bonus due in 2025. The guarantees cover Rodgers through 2024. A $63MM dead-money penalty sits on the Jets’ payroll in 2026; that number is $28MM north of the dead-cap hit the Buccaneers are currently navigating after Brady’s retirement.

While this might not be the final Jets-Rodgers transaction, the high-profile trade acquisition is squared away for now. The two-year, $75MM arrangement came about quickly, via ESPN’s Dianna Russini, though it remains interesting Rodgers was willing to move down to a $37.5MM-per-year number so soon after becoming the first NFLer to clear the $50MM-AAV bar. Rodgers has already earned more than $305MM as a pro.

“I feel great about what I’m making,” he said, via Cimini. “It wasn’t really a negotiation, like back and forth, me starting at 50 and them starting at 20 and meeting somewhere. It was an easy conversation, much of it between me and Joe, just talking about the state of the team and the opportunities that could be out there — that are out there now, that could be out there.”

AFC East Notes: Becton, Diggs, Dolphins

August 1st, 2023 at 4:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

His place as one of the NFL’s most injury-prone players notwithstanding, Mekhi Becton made some pointed comments when insisting he was a left tackle in May. This forced Robert Saleh to address said comments. Several weeks after predicting he would return to his former spot and win the job, the fourth-year blocker now said (via the New York Post’s Brian Costello) he would be fine playing right tackle again. Becton, who has missed 33 straight regular-season games, said he underwent the wrong surgery to repair his September 2021 knee injury. He indicated he was not fully healed when he went down again, shortly after being moved to right tackle, during the Jets’ 2022 training camp. Becton, who missed time during this year’s camp with more knee trouble, has returned to the field and is expected to play in a limited role in Thursday’s preseason opener, Saleh said.

Duane Brown, 37, has been viewed as the favorite to win the Jets’ left tackle position. But the 16th-year veteran, who underwent shoulder surgery this offseason, remains on the team’s active/PUP list. Billy Turner had received first-team left tackle reps in front of Becton earlier in camp, though the ex-Packers and Broncos right tackle has also been working on the right side with Max Mitchell.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

  • The Bills have made a concerted effort to put Stefon Diggs questions in their rearview mirror. The Pro Bowl wide receiver said he is not angling for more say in the team’s play-calling. “For me to just want more say in the offense, it’s crazy because I play receiver,” Diggs said recently. “I don’t care what play is called. I can’t get up there and say, ‘Call this.’ It’s a lot of outlandish, obvious things where people [are] throwing out there or people were saying as far as my role.” A report suggested Diggs was unhappy with his role in Buffalo’s offense. Although Diggs did not say what caused Sean McDermott to send him home from a minicamp day, the ninth-year veteran has since said he was never at odds with Josh Allen and said he and the Bills are on good terms. Diggs’ $24MM-per-year contract runs through 2026.
  • Although it would seem Mike White had a virtual guarantee to become the Dolphins‘ backup quarterback, he entered camp in a battle with 2022 third-stringer Skylar Thompson for the gig. White signed a two-year, $8MM deal ($4.5MM guaranteed) in March, and the Dolphins were believed to be enamored with the ex-Jet as Tua Tagovailoa insurance. Thompson has extended a promising offseason into training camp, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, who adds last year’s QB3-turned-emergency starter is being given a legitimate opportunity to become the backup. Considering Tagovailoa’s injury history, Miami’s QB2 post stands as one of the league’s most important reserve spots.
  • Daron Payne, Jeffery Simmons, Dexter Lawrence and Quinnen Williams have signed long-term deals this offseason, creating a fairly set price range for the Dolphins as they negotiate a Christian Wilkins extension. While the team wants to extend the fifth-year D-tackle and is optimistic on doing so, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes no significant momentum has developed in these talks. Wilkins is tied to a $10.75MM fifth-year option salary. The sides have been talking for months.
  • Dolphins target Cedrick Wilson Jr. has been connected to trade rumors. Multiple reports indicated the team was willing to part with Wilson, who signed a three-year deal worth $22.1MM in March 2022. Dolphins GM Chris Grier said the team is not shopping Wilson, despite reports to the contrary, and the sixth-year receiver said (via Jackson) he is not seeking a trade. Wilson’s $5MM guarantee for 2023 will complicate a trade; the Dolphins would save $7MM by moving him. Wilson did not live up to his contract last year, totaling 136 receiving yards in 15 games. While Trent Sherfield is no longer in the mix, the Dolphins have added Chosen Anderson and Braxton Berrios this offseason.

Teams View Jets As Dalvin Cook Favorite; Dolphins See RB As Luxury?

August 1st, 2023 at 2:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

When the Vikings commenced with their Alexander Mattison backfield promotion, the Dolphins were believed to be the frontrunners for his predecessor. But since Dalvin Cook‘s release, the Jets have been the landing spot other teams have expected.

Cook has said roughly five teams are in the mix, but other clubs have heard the Jets have been the team the veteran running back has wanted to land with all along, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Considering the Jets also are the only team to have met with Cook, it is safe to call them the frontrunners.

[RELATED: Latest On Patriots’ Cook Interest]

The accomplished back is also not seeking a one-year deal to merely re-establish his value in an effort to hit free agency on time next year. Considering where the RB market is and the crowded free agent class that could form in 2024, Cook is seeking a deal that will give him some 2024 money now. The current UFA wants some guarantees for next year, per Breer, though it is not known how much locked-in 2024 cash it would take for Cook to sign.

The Titans gave DeAndre Hopkins a two-year deal last month, but the contract — one with $10.98MM guaranteed at signing — will allow them to cut bait fairly easily after this season. Cook, who is entering his age-28 season, may need another team to show serious interest to secure favorable terms from the Jets. As of now, the Dolphins are viewing Cook as a luxury pickup, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.

A Miami native, Cook has spoken with the Dolphins. The team has made an offer as well, but the Jets have stepped up in the weeks since that proposal became known. The team is eyeing Cook as high-end Breece Hall insurance, per Breer, and the pay cut Aaron Rodgers took is probably a significant driver here as well. The Jets missed out on Odell Beckham Jr. due to a strong Ravens offer, but they have added a few veteran free agents on offense. Hall is believed to be on track to return from his October 2022 ACL tear in Week 1, though Cook would allow the former second-round pick a smoother onramp back to action. Considering the Jets’ narrow window with Rodgers, it makes sense they want to cover all bases at the skill positions.

Cook would seemingly have a better chance to be a true lead back in Miami, with no Hall-like presence there. But the Dolphins have made several RB commitments this offseason. They re-signed regulars Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, along with Myles Gaskin, and used a third-round pick on Texas A&M speedster Devon Achane.

“Dalvin is a tremendous athlete and football player and has been a productive player in this league. That’s why everyone is looking at him. People would love to have him,” Dolphins GM Chris Grier said during a Sirius XM interview (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson). “Whether it works out with us or anyone, we’re just very happy with the group we have and we’re moving forward with that group.”

Grier also went on to praise the above-referenced Dolphins RB quartet, along with holdover Salvon Ahmed. While Cook has said he would be a perfect fit with the Dolphins and Fowler adds the team would “love” to have him, Miami does not seem as eager to complete this signing compared to the interest coming from New York.

Latest On Dalvin Cook’s Jets Visit

July 31st, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Ben Levine

By all accounts, Dalvin Cook‘s visit with the Jets went well. However, the free agent running back ended up leaving New York without a deal. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter), Cook is traveling home to Florida after spending all day Sunday visiting the Jets.

[RELATED: Jets To Meet With Dalvin Cook]

Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini (on Twitter), Cook “enjoyed” his visit with the Jets yesterday and “there’s still mutual interest” in adding the All-Pro running back to the roster. Cimini also cautions that Cook continues to mull his options before making a final decision. Cook previously mentioned that he didn’t have any other visits on his docket. Josina Anderson adds (on Twitter) that the Jets didn’t “sense an immediate rush from Cook’s side” to immediately agree to a contract.

Interestingly, we’ll soon get an extensive look at Cook’s visit with the Jets. Per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter), the Hard Knocks crew followed the free agent RB for the entirety of his visit. The first episode of the series is set to air next Tuesday on HBO.

While the Dolphins were initially considered the favorites in the Cook sweepstakes, the Jets have come on strong in recent weeks, with the running back hinting that New York could ultimately be his landing spot. Aaron Rodgers’ recently restructured deal opened up a significant chunk of cash, and the Jets could immediately use those funds to lure the long-time Vikings RB.

After his rookie campaign ended with a torn ACL, the door remains open for Breece Hall to be ready to go to start the regular season. Still, the Jets haven’t been shy about adding depth at the skill positions, and a hypothetical Cook signing would likely result in a two-headed monster at the RB position (vs. one of the players emerging as a clear-cut bell cow).

Speaking of Hall, coach Robert Saleh said yesterday that he remains optimistic about the player’s availability for Week 1 (via Cimini on Twitter). The head coach added that Hall could be cleared for practice in a couple of weeks. Hall is currently stashed on the PUP as he continues to recover from his knee injury.

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.

Dalvin Cook Receiving Interest From “About Five” Teams

July 29th, 2023 at 1:34pm CST by Ely Allen

JULY 29: Cook went on ESPN today to discuss his visit plans prior to tomorrow’s date with the Jets. According to Rich Cimini of the network, Cook confirmed tomorrow’s plans but claimed that, as of right now, no other visits are in the books. He did say that “thing are definitely heating up,” and a Patriots visit has been rumored for a couple days now, so there’s a chance he could be shipping up to Boston in the coming days, as well.

As for the Jets, Cook pointed to their roster as a factor that piqued his interest. The team, the coaching staff, and the prospect of playing in an offense with Rodgers all certainly contributed to his desire to take tomorrow’s visit. It will be interesting to see if he comes away from New York tomorrow with a new deal or not.

JULY 28: Since being released by the Vikings back in early-June, veteran running back Dalvin Cook has been a bit hush-hush about his free agency. Rumors and speculations have come from all over without any hint of how much was true, but today, during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Cook informed Patrick that “probably about five” teams have shown legitimate interest in acquiring his talents.

As soon as Cook was released, early speculation was pointed at his hometown Dolphins and the Broncos. It was established fairly soon after that Denver was unlikely to bring Cook aboard. The team apparently felt confident in a 1-2 punch of the recovering Javonte Williams and career-RB2 Samaje Perine. There seemed to be quite a bit of back and forth between Cook and Miami, but in the end, the Dolphins never gave Cook an offer worth taking.

As the weeks rolled on with no deal, two other AFC East teams entered the fold as the Jets and Patriots began to show interest. Both teams have been active in adding new talent this offseason. The Patriots added JuJu Smith-Schuster to their wide receiving corps and seemingly finished second in the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes. Adding Cook to a backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson could be extremely attractive for new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

New York added wide receivers Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb to a corps that already rostered Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis. All these weapons were brought in to provide new quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a strong offensive cast. They do have a solid, if not unproven, group of running backs in Breece Hall, Michael Carter, and rookie Israel Abanikanda. Adding a veteran like Cook could be beneficial for the room, but it certainly isn’t a necessity. Cook is set to visit the Jets this Sunday.

So, who are the five teams? Assuming the Broncos, who ruled themselves out early, aren’t on the list, the Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots should make up three of those teams. The fourth AFC East team, the Bills, was mentioned as a possibility as Cook entertained the idea of playing with his little brother, James, according to Zach Dimmitt of Sports Illustrated.

It’s unclear who the fifth team would be. Our early speculations listed the Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Commanders as early possibilities, but no serious interest has been reported from any of these teams. Regardless of who the fifth suitor happens to be, it still seems like there is at least an 80 percent chance that Cook ends up in the AFC East.

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