Roger Goodell To Retire In 2024
Roger Goodell has himself a new five-year extension. And this deal, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart says, will be his last. In 2024, Goodell will step aside and the NFL will appoint a new commissioner. However, Goodell himself claims he hasn’t “made any determinations” on whether this will be his last contract as commissioner, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com.
Goodell has earned hundreds of millions of dollars as commissioner – not counting his new $200MM deal – and dealt with countless headaches, so it’s no surprise to hear that he has a retirement date in mind. In what is likely a concession towards Jerry Jones, Goodell will not receive post-retirement benefits (via Dan Kaplan of Sports Business Journal, on Twitter) and 90% of his new contract will be incentive-based.
The commissioner must now focus on guiding the league through the next round of CBA negotiations and fixing his legacy. The NFL’s domestic abuse issues brought a great deal of scrutiny on the league office and Goodell’s attempts to counterbalance that with harsh punishments have not always been well received. He also drew fierce criticism for his handling/bungling of the Patriots’ Deflategate scandal.
It may be hard for Goodell to win fans back, but he has about six years to replace those bad memories with good ones. Then again, it’s not necessarily Goodell’s job to win fan approval. Some would say that a large part of Goodell’s job is to be the fall guy for the owners’ controversial decisions.
Packers’ Aaron Rodgers Medically Cleared
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been medically cleared in time for Week 15, as Rodgers himself indicated on Instagram. Green Bay hasn’t yet activated Rodgers for Sunday’s game against the Panthers, but that formal transaction will likely be made in the near future.
Nearly every report from Green Bay had indicated Rodgers was progressing extremely well in his recovery from a broken collarbone, but his clearance was not a foregone conclusion. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported earlier today, the Packers’ medical staff uses an abundance of caution with respect to injuries, so although Rodgers was pushing to play this weekend, the club wanted to ensure his long-term health.
Now that he has returned, Rodgers not only offers a boost to the Packers’ postseason chances, but reshapes the NFC playoff picture as a whole. Given the strength of the NFC, there’s no guarantee Green Bay will earn a postseason berth even if it wins out to finish with a 10-6 record. But two consecutive victories with backups signal-caller Brett Hundley under center have given the Packers a fighting chance, and Rodgers certainly has the All Pro ability to push Green Bay into the playoffs.
The Packers will face three NFC opponents — the Panthers, Vikings, and Lions — over the next three weeks, and they’ll likely need to win each of those contests in order to secure a playoff slot.
Latest On Aaron Rodgers’ Potential Return
Although Aaron Rodgers is eligible to return to action this weekend, there’s no guarantee the longtime Packers quarterback will be on the field when Green Bay faces Carolina in Week 15, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports.
Rodgers, who returned to practice this week and underwent a CT scan on Monday, is pushing to return Sunday after recovering from a broken collarbone. The Packers are still in the playoff hunt thanks to two consecutive victories, and Rodgers has now been sidelined for the eight weeks mandated by the NFL’s injured reserve rules. But while everything is in motion for a Rodgers return, Green Bay could still opt not to clear the All Pro signal-caller for Week 15.
Rodgers’ collarbone isn’t fully healed, and while many players are able to function at 80%, the Packers are “notoriously conservative” when it comes to playing injured players, per Rapoport. That cautious nature is enhanced ten-fold when the discussion turns to Rodgers, a franchise icon who is arguably the best player in the NFL. As such, Green Bay’s medical staff is facing a “risk/reward” decision on whether to activate Rodgers for the next three regular season weeks.
For the record, reports of Rodgers’ progress have been nothing but positive. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Rogers had been “slinging it around and throwing with great velocity” while linebacker Clay Matthews indicated Green Bay made a mistake by placing Rodgers on injured reserve in the first place. Rapoport, too, hears that Rodgers has been “seriously impressing” during practice sessions.
Given the strength of the NFC, the Packers could be hard-pressed to earn a postseason berth even if they win out to finish with a 10-6 record. If Rodgers is able to return, he’ll lead Green Bay against the Panthers, Vikings, and Lions over the next three weeks.
Eagles Not Interested In Colin Kaepernick
Despite losing starting quarterback Carson Wentz to a torn ACL, the Eagles are not interested in signing free agent Colin Kaepernick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).
Scheme fit, salary, and other on-field factors don’t seem to play much of role in Philadelphia’s stance, per Rapoport, who indicates that it’s Kaepernick’s collusion lawsuit against the NFL that is dissuading the Eagles (and likely other clubs) from inking Kaepernick. The lawsuit, which alleges that the league’s owners have conspired to keep Kaepernick out of the NFL, was reportedly filed with the hope that it would lead to the termination of the current collective bargaining agreement. If the Eagles were to sign Kaepernick, he would withdraw the suit, his agent confirms to Rapoport.
Kaepernick, of course, originated kneeling during the national anthem as a form of silent protest during the 2016 season, and has since been unable to land an NFL contract. While Kaepernick certainly doesn’t fit every offense in the league, it’s difficult to argue that his social activism hasn’t played at least some role in his failure to earn a roster spot.
With Wentz soon heading to injured reserve, the Eagle will have only two quarterbacks on their roster: Nick Foles, who will become the club’s new starter, and Nate Sudfeld, who has never attempted a pass in the NFL. Philadelphia does not currently have a quarterback on its practice squad.
Eagles Place Carson Wentz On IR
The Eagles have officially placed quarterback Carson Wentz on injured reserve. This was the expected outcome after the Eagles learned that Wentz suffered a torn ACL. 
[RELATED: Eagles’ Sidney Jones To Practice This Week]
For now, Nick Foles will take over at quarterback with Nate Sudfeld as his backup. Despite some calls for the Eagles to consider the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Tony Romo, it doesn’t appear that they’ll make a splashy signing. In fact, they might not add anyone to the QB depth chart. In the 48 hours that have passed since Wentz’s injury, the team has not scheduled a signal caller for a workout.
The Eagles are a mortal lock for a first-round bye and have a high probability of claiming the top seed in the NFC, but they no longer seem quite as fearsome without the former No. 2 overall pick under center. We’ll get a better idea of what Foles is capable of when the Eagles face the Giants on Sunday.
Redskins Place TE Jordan Reed On IR
The Redskins placed tight end Jordan Reed on injured reserve, according to a team announcement. Running back Byron Marshall and linebacker Chris Carter are also headed to IR. 
[RELATED: Redskins’ Su’a Cravens To Return]
Reed has long been considered one of the league’s top talents at the tight end position. Unfortunately, he has been plagued by nagging injuries and concussion issues. Since entering the league in 2013, Reed has appeared in only 52 regular season games out of a possible 80.
Reed’s true break out season came in 2015 when he had 87 catches for 952 yards and 11 scores (all career highs) in 14 games. In the following offseason, the Redskins rewarded him with a five-year extension worth $46.5MM. In order for Reed to make that deal worthwhile for Washington, he’ll have to find a way to stay on the field. He’s slated to return in 2018 with a cap number of $10.3MM. In theory, the Redskins can save $4.9MM by releasing him, but that would be a surprising move on their part.
As we learned over the weekend, Carter will undergo surgery to repair a broken fibula in his right leg. Marshall, meanwhile, has been dealing with a hamstring issue.
In related moves, the Redskins promoted linebackers Otha Peters and Pete Robertson as well as running back Kapri Bibbs from the practice squad. To replenish the taxi squad, they signed running back Dare Ogunbowale, linebacker Alex McCalister, and safety Orion Stewart.
RG3 Claims He Nearly Signed With Ravens
Robert Griffin III wasn’t able to land an NFL contract this year, but he says he was close. In an appearance on ESPN, RG3 said that he almost wound up playing for the Ravens (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). The quarterback added that he has had “interesting offers” from other teams as well. 
It’s not clear exactly how close the Ravens were to signing Griffin, despite his claims. In July, it was reported that the Ravens considered bringing Griffin in for a workout, but those plans were said to be 86’d. At that stage of the offseason, there was some uncertainty about Joe Flacco’s health. Fortunately for Baltimore, Flacco has started all 13 games so far and Ryan Mallett – who was shaky in training camp – has remained on the bench.
Given the lack of overall interest in Griffin this past year, we’re not expecting a booming market for his services in 2018. However, a few teams will probably be willing to kick the tires on him if he can demonstrate that he is healthy.
If the NFL market lags, he could always consider a CFL stint. North of the border, his rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Steelers Formally Place Ryan Shazier On IR
The Steelers announced that they have placed Ryan Shazier on the reserve/injured list. This was the expected move after Shazier suffered a serious spinal injury earlier this month. 
Shazier recently underwent spinal stabilization surgery. He’s currently focused on his overall recovery and it will be a while before we get a read on his football future.
“Unfortunately Ryan will not be able to contribute on the field during the remainder of this season,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “However, even off the field Ryan will continue to be one of our team leaders. We know his spirit and positive outlook will help him to continue in his recovery, as well as serve as an inspiration to our team.”
Shazier, 25, has been a staple of the Steelers’ defense since being drafted as a first-round pick in 2014. Last year, the linebacker earned his first ever Pro Bowl nod. This year (prior to his injury) he set a new career high with 89 tackles.
We here at PFR wish Shazier the best in his recovery.
Redskins’ Su’a Cravens To Return
Redskins safety Su’a Cravens is coming back. On Tuesday morning, the safety’s agent released a statement announcing that Cravens will return to football in 2018. 
“My client suffered from Post Concussion Syndrome and, under the care of Dr. Michael Collins as the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Su’a has undergone targeted treatment and rehabilitation. He is now asymptomatic and cleared to return back to all things football. Su’a is excited and looking forward to the 2018 NFL season and the many years to follow,” agent Fadde Mikhail wrote.
Noticeably absent from Mikhail’s statement is any mention of the Redskins. Right now, it’s unclear whether the Redskins want Cravens back. The team had high hopes for Cravens this year, but he decided to retire days before the season opener. He later reversed that decision, but the Redskins held him out for the entire season by placing him on the reserve/left squad list.
Cravens, a second round pick in the 2016 draft, played as something of a hybrid linebacker in 2016. He wound up playing on 36.5% of Washington’s defensive snaps while playing primarily in coverage. Through ten games (three starts), Cravens recorded 22 tackles, one sack, one interception, and five passes defensed, all while grading as the league’s No. 27 linebacker, per Pro Football Focus. This year, he was set to focus more on the secondary.
Kenny Britt Becomes Free Agent
Former Browns wide receiver Kenny Britt has gone unclaimed on waivers (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). He is now a free agent and eligible to sign with another team immediately. 
In his first act as Browns GM, John Dorsey released Britt. The Rutgers product was regarded as one of this offseason’s top free agents, but he failed to produce in Cleveland. The Browns erased him from the roster, but they could not erase their financial obligation to the mercurial wide receiver. Since no one claimed Britt on waivers (as expected), the Browns are still on the hook for $10.5MM in total.
No one wanted to take on Britt’s four-year, $32.5MM contract, but he could be an intriguing low-cost addition for playoff teams. The Patriots have a history of going for ex-Rutgers players and they use a receiver like Britt in the wake of multiple injuries to their WR group. Britt may be perceived as a threat to the balance of the locker room, but Bill Belichick has successfully gambled on unusual personalities in the past.
Britt had just 18 catches for 233 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns. However, he’s just a year removed from a 1,000+ yard season with the Rams.