Broncos Planned To Trade Jerry Jeudy Regardless Of WR’s Request
Preying on a Broncos team that sorely missed its No. 2 cornerback (Riley Moss) during a historic revenge game, Jerry Jeudy‘s return to Denver went quite well — for the wide receiver, at least. Although the Browns were unable to hold on for an upset win, the fifth-year wideout’s 235-yard performance marked the most receiving yards anyone has compiled against a former team.
The Broncos sent Jeudy to the Browns for fifth- and sixth-round picks in March, cutting the cord after the talented but unreliable receiver had come up in trade rumors since the 2022 deadline. Jeudy said later in the offseason he requested to be dealt, but the Denver Post’s Troy Renck indicates the Broncos would have moved on regardless of the WR’s wishes.
Denver dropped its asking price considerably from 2023 to ’24. The team had hoped for a first-round pick in exchange for the wideout during the 2023 offseason, setting a second-round asking price for Courtland Sutton last year as well. The best offer that came in for Jeudy last year involved a package believed to include third- and fifth-round picks. The Broncos fielded that at the 2023 deadline but stood pat, doing so despite sitting 3-5 at the time.
Denver was midway through a five-game win streak at that point, and the team did not opt to sell. That midseason recovery (after a 1-5 start) dropped the Broncos out of the Caleb Williams–Jayden Daniels–Drake Maye sweepstakes, but the team has seen immediate promise from No. 12 choice Bo Nix, who has launched an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign despite a receiving corps that has seen a drop-off from Jeudy at WR2.
Drafted during John Elway‘s final year at the controls, Jeudy showed high-end route-running chops but struggled to make a consistent impact in Denver. He topped out at 972 receiving yards in a season — a 2022 campaign that featured a wildly disappointing Russell Wilson–Nathaniel Hackett partnership. Much of Jeudy’s consistency issues can be traced to quarterback problems the Broncos experienced during the Alabama alum’s tenure. Jeudy said as much last week before lighting up a Moss-less secondary, albeit not faring especially well against Patrick Surtain when the two matched up. Jeudy (880 yards, three TDs) is on track for his first 1,000-yard season, one restrained early by the Browns’ refusal to bench Deshaun Watson despite woeful play.
The Broncos also may have received a better offer than what the Browns proposed this offseason, as the Jets are believed to have proposed a deal including a Day 2 pick for Jeudy, who was heading into his fifth-year option season at the time. During an offseason in which Woody Johnson is believed to have impeded then-GM Joe Douglas on a few occasions, the Jets owner reportedly nixed the AFC East team’s proposal. That led to the Broncos selling low, and the Browns now have Jeudy on what looks like a team-friendly contract. Days after the trade, Cleveland gave Jeudy a three-year, $52.5MM deal that came with $41MM fully guaranteed.
Jeudy’s issues in Denver aside, the team would appear to have finally found a quarterback capable of meshing with his skillset. The Nix-Jeudy partnership never was, of course. The Broncos opted to move on early — rather than wait to see how their QB plan shook out — by trading Jeudy before free agency and then assembled a low-cost WR corps alongside Sutton.
The Broncos have seen seventh-round rookie Devaughn Vele show early promise, with ex-Nix Oregon teammate Troy Franklin also integrated into the offense. The team added Josh Reynolds on a two-year, $9MM deal but saw him land on IR with a finger injury; Reynolds suffered minor injuries in a shooting soon after. The team had hoped Marvin Mims would rise into the Jeudy role, but the 2023 second-round pick has been more gadget player than regular starter. That said, Mims has displayed recent improvement — as evidenced most recently by his 93-yard score Monday night.
It can be argued the Broncos would have been wise to give Jeudy another chance, but the relationship had certainly soured by then. The Browns traded Amari Cooper in October, clearing the way for Jeudy to be their lead wideout to close this season. Denver will likely seek to upgrade its pass-catching group this offseason, as Sutton — who joined Jeudy as a trade-rumor mainstay — is 29 and set for a 2025 contract year while Vele is one of the older rookies in recent NFL history; the Utah alum will turn 27 this month.
Vikings Open Practice Windows For K Will Reichard, LS Andrew DePaola
DECEMBER 3: Both Reichard and DePaola have officially returned to practice. Their practice windows are now open ahead of being activated as early as Week 14.
DECEMBER 2: The Vikings are hoping to get their main special teamers back this week. According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, head coach Kevin O’Connell told the media that both kicker Will Reichard and long snapper Andrew DePaola will have their 21-day practice windows opened this week. 
A sixth-round rookie out of Alabama, Reichard was having an impressive first year in the NFL before landing on injured reserve. Reichard had converted 14 of 16 field goal attempts, including four of five from beyond 50 yards, and recorded a long of 58 yards. He also converted all 23 of his extra point attempts, a big ask for a player in their first season of dealing with the yardage jump of an extra point from college to NFL football. Reichard tried to battle through a quad issue last month before ultimately landing on IR.
Minnesota is in no rush to bring Reichard back before he’s ready. John Parker Romo has filled in admirably for Reichard in the interim four games, hitting on 11 of 12 field goal attempts with a long of 55 yards, though he has missed one of his eight extra point attempts. The team likely feels confident letting Romo continue to fill the kicking duties until Reichard can return with no risk of reinjury.
At long snapper, the Vikings will also be looking to return an All-Pro in DePaola. The veteran has been in Minnesota since the 2020 season and finished as a second-team All-Pro selection last year after being first-team in 2022. 37-year-old Jake McQuaide has been filling in since DePaola was placed on IR following hand surgery. After three practice squad elevations, the team was forced to sign him to the active roster for this past week’s game, so in order to make room for DePaola on the 53-man roster, McQuaide will likely need to be waived.
Once the Vikings make the official designation for the two specialists to return to practice, it will open the 21-day window for each player in which they can return to practice in an attempt to officially show they can be activated from IR. If either player is unable to return following the 21 days, they will be returned to IR and be unable to get activated for the remainder of the season.
WR Diontae Johnson Facing Uncertain Ravens Future
The Ravens were among the teams which made a receiver addition ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Diontae Johnson from the Panthers. The sixth-year veteran was happy to move on from Carolina after less than one campaign with the team, but it remains to be seen how long he will remain in Baltimore. 
Johnson had a number of receivers ahead of him on the WR depth chart upon arrival with the Ravens. Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman have operated as starters, while Nelson Agholor and Tylan Wallace have been more involved than Johnson over the past several games. In five games since joining Baltimore, the former Steelers Pro Bowler has only managed one catch on five targets with no uptick in usage in sight.
“At this time, I’m going to have to wait just to clarify it,” head coach John Harbaugh said when asked about Johnson’s future (via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley). “There’s some moving parts there that we’re going to have to figure out and explore and just see where we’re at. I know that’s not the answer you want, but that’s the best I can do in fairness to everybody right now.”
Johnson dressed for the Ravens’ Week 13 loss to the Eagles, but even with Bateman suffering a knee injury he did not log a snap during the game. The 28-year-old represented a low-cost rental since he is a pending free agent and the Panthers retained most of his remaining 2024 salary to pull off the deal. Expectations were therefore low from the beginning, but Johnson’s lack of usage coupled with Harbaugh’s remarks have led to questions about his Baltimore tenure ending even before the regular season concludes.
Bateman’s knee injury is not believed to be serious, and with the Ravens on their bye in Week 14 he may be recovered in time for the team’s next game. Provided he and Flowers remain healthy, Johnson will be set to continue as a complementary option on an offense which also relies on tight end Mark Andrews in the passing game and Derrick Henry on the ground. As Baltimore considers roster moves over the coming days, it will be interesting to see if more clarity emerges in Johnson’s case.
Ryan Poles To Lead Bears’ HC Search
In the wake of Matt Eberflus‘ firing, Ryan Poles’ status briefly became a talking point. The latter is nevertheless set to remain in place as general manager of the Bears through the team’s upcoming head coaching search. 
“Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears and he will remain the general manager of the Chicago Bears,” president Kevin Warren confirmed on Monday (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “I am confident in Ryan. My belief is strong in Ryan.”
[RELATED: Latest On Bears’ Play-Calling Changes]
Warren noted that Poles – in place since 2022 – will be Chicago’s “point person” during the process of finding Eberflus’ replacement. The Bears went 14-32 with Eberflus at the helm, and a distinct lack of success in close games played a key role in the decision to make the franchise’s first in-season coaching change. Poles specifically mentioned the handling of late-game situations as being a factor in Eberflus’ firing (h/t Adam Jahns of The Athletic).
Poles’ tenure has featured a rebuilding effort at a number of positions, including the decision to reset under center this offseason. Justin Fields was traded away before Chicago used the No. 1 pick (acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Panthers the previous spring) on Caleb Williams. The rookie’s play this season has been up and down, but it has shown signs of improvement since Thomas Brown took over as offensive play-caller. Brown is now interim head coach, and strong reviews from within the organization could give him a realistic chance at landing the full-time gig.
Still, the Bears will of course look at outside candidates as well. A long list of staffers with an offensive background could be on the team’s radar over the coming months, and to no surprise Poles named (via Cronin) a development plan for Williams as a central aspect of any candidates’ chances of being hired. Helping Williams reach his potential will be crucial as the Bears look to find stability at the QB spot and elsewhere in the organization.
Questions have been raised about whether or not Warren is truly leading the way for the Bears in terms of key decisions. During his Monday remarks, Warren did say (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) that Poles will have the final call on the upcoming head coaching hire. That decision will nevertheless be a collaborative one this winter with Chicago looking for a long-term solution on the sidelines.
Falcons Not Benching Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins endured one of the worst games of his career on Sunday, throwing four interceptions in a Falcons loss. Atlanta will continue with the veteran under center, however. 
“That guy has carried us this season,” head coach Raheem Morris said of Cousins, via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall (subscription required). “He has done such a marvelous job that it’s hard to throw that guy under the bus after what he’s done for us. We will bounce back, we will bring him back and we’ll be ready to go.”
The Falcons are currently riding a three-game losing streak. Over that span, Cousins has not thrown a touchdown pass while continuing to struggle with turnovers. The big-ticket free agent now leads the NFL in interceptions (13) and his 90.8 passer rating is his lowest mark since 2014. Atlanta sits in a tie atop the NFC South at 6-6, but remaining ahead of the Buccaneers will require improved play down the stretch.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180MM deal on the open market in a move which marked the end of his six-year Vikings tenure. The 36-year-old has been healthy this season, a welcomed development after his 2023 campaign ended with an Achilles tear. Cousins entered the year with assurances he would remain atop the depth chart for his first Falcons season even in the event of struggles like those he has endured lately.
Given Atlanta’s decision to select Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the draft, however, questions have lingered about when any potential QB swap could take place. Penix – who was not the team’s initial target on draft night – has made two regular season appearances late in lopsided games to date. The Washington product is under team control through at least 2027 (with the potential for an additional season via the fifth-year option).
Cousins, meanwhile, is owed a fully guaranteed $27.5MM base salary for next season, ensuring he will be on the roster through at least the end of the 2025 campaign. If the Falcons continue their current slide, further questions will no doubt be asked with respect to the four-time Pro Bowler’s status atop the depth chart. For now, though, no move on that front is being considered.
Jets Sticking With Aaron Rodgers; Woody Johnson Wanted QB Benched On Multiple Occasions?
In the final stage of a wildly disappointing season, the Jets have dropped to 3-9. They have not seen their Aaron Rodgers trade come close to meeting expectations, and the now-41-year-old quarterback is not believed to be in the team’s plans beyond this season.
It would then be understandable if the sides reached a resolution of sorts, as Rodgers has played through injuries separate from his Achilles — an injury that defined his 2023 season — for much of this year. An IR placement or outright benching emerged as a potential solution here, but interim HC Jeff Ulbrich pushed back on that coming out of a bye week. After a loss to the Seahawks, the Jets are not changing course.
Ulbrich announced Monday (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) that Rodgers will remain the team’s starter for its Week 14 game — and for the season’s remainder. Ulbrich was less definitive when asked about his starter following the Jets’ Week 13 loss but returned to form today by indicating Rodgers can still play at a “high level.” The interim boss also indicated Rodgers’ decorated resume is part of the conversation here.
Rodgers said in mid-November he wanted to keep playing beyond 2024, comments in line with his previous New York-era stances, but walked that back last week by noting he was not yet sure. The increasingly outspoken QB also said he wanted to play for Ulbrich in New York again next season, though he stopped short (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) of ruling out playing for another coach in 2025. Considering how poorly the Jets have fared, Ulbrich has next to no chance of returning as their HC. The team has already brought in The33rdteam.com’s Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman to run the upcoming searches, one that will undoubtedly tab outside HC and GM hires.
This is potentially the least amount of leverage Rodgers has held in his NFL career. After being given considerable power upon being traded to New York, Rodgers has not shown much of his MVP-level form. That continued Sunday, when the 20th-year veteran missed a wide-open Garrett Wilson for a score and then threw a pick-six to Leonard Williams on the ensuing play. Likely on his way out after two Jets seasons, Rodgers profiles as a lame duck.
The Jets appear prepared to eat the second-most dead money for a single player in NFL history ($49MM) next year to start fresh. For what it’s worth, Ulbrich attributes (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) much of Rodgers’ struggles this season to the injuries he has sustained. Rodgers has battled hamstring, knee and ankle maladies this season. Though, he was off Gang Green’s injury report in Week 13.
Rodgers’ Achilles tear and spate of nagging issues this season will naturally affect his chances of playing in 2025. Interest may well emerge for a diminished version of the four-time MVP, but a free agency foray is highly unlikely to approach the level of interest Tom Brady did when he hit the market ahead of an age-43 season in 2020. That and maybe Warren Moon‘s 1997 free agency bid (when the former Oilers and Vikings starter joined the Seahawks before his age-41 campaign) are about the only parallels to what a Rodgers FA effort may look like.
As for this season, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds Woody Johnson may not have confined his calls for a Rodgers benching to merely the post-Week 4 effort. Johnson making another push for the high-priced passer to be benched for Tyrod Taylor would obviously be notable, as it certainly increases the likelihood Rodgers is off the Jets’ roster next year. It also could point to ownership again intervening at QB late this season.
Although a recent report attempted to pour cold water on the drama between Johnson and Rodgers, the 77-year-old owner has taken considerable heat for impeding former GM Joe Douglas during the final year of his run. Johnson’s outsized role figures to be a key topic when interviews for the Jets’ GM and HC positions begin.
Interim HC Thomas Brown, DC Eric Washington To Call Plays For Bears
With the departure of former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, Chicago was forced to do some shuffling of the coaching staff just weeks after the firing of former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron necessitated some shuffling of its own. 
Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported today that, with Thomas Brown continuing his in-season ascension from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator to interim head coach, wide receivers coach Chris Beatty has been named the team’s new offensive coordinator. Beatty, who just started coaching in the NFL in 2021 as the Chargers’ receivers coach, had reportedly been very involved in the passing game since Brown had taken over offensive play-calling duties from Waldron.
While Beatty will officially get his first offensive coordinator title in the move, Brown will retain play-calling duties as interim head coach. This is the second season in a row that Brown has taken over play-calling duties for a fired boss and the second season in a row in which his head coach has been fired. Last year, Brown didn’t call plays as offensive coordinator of the Panthers until then-head coach Frank Reich ceded the duties to him shortly before losing his job.
After Waldron was fired for putting up only 27 points in the three weeks prior, the Bears have scored 19, 27, and 20 points in the three games with a Brown-led offense. He’ll continue calling plays for Caleb Williams and company for the remainder of the year.
Similar to Brown’s situation in Carolina last year, Eberflus also held play-calling duties before getting fired. Those defensive play-calling duties will now officially be passed down to defensive coordinator Eric Washington, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Washington got his first defensive coordinator gig for the Panthers in 2018, but near the end of the season, then-head coach Ron Rivera took over play-calling duties from Washington. He retained his coordinator role in 2019, but Rivera continued calling plays until his midseason dismissal.
Right now, I think it’s safe to say that none of Brown, Beatty, or Washington will be favorites to retain their roles at the moment. With Chicago investing in a new start behind their No. 1 overall draft pick, Williams, they’ll likely search for a coaching staff that works best around him, like Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who mentored Williams at USC.
Still, all three coaches have five weeks to show exactly what they have to offer in their current roles. Brown has been interviewing for a number of head coaching jobs around the NFL in the past several years and finally has a chance to audition for teams looking to fill the position this offseason. Beatty’s young coaching career in the NFL has a chance to continue escalating with this new coordinator experience, and Washington has finally received a second chance at calling defensive plays. Five weeks is plenty of time to set some new narratives.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/24
Monday’s minor transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: DT Ruke Orhorhoro
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed to active roster: LB Shaka Heyward
- Waived: WR Trenton Irwin
Cleveland Browns
- Signed to active roster: DT Jowon Briggs
- Elevated: WR Kadarius Toney, WR Michael Woods
- Waived: QB Bailey Zappe
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: G Nick Gargiulo
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: RB Kene Nwangwu
- Waived: RB Israel Abanikanda
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: WR Parris Campbell
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: P Trenton Gill
Washington Commanders
- Activated from reserve/suspended list: CB Kevon Seymour
- Signed to active roster: K Zane Gonzalez
The Falcons get the second-round rookie, Orhorhoro, back from injured reserve for the closing stretch of the season. The Clemson-product has seen minimal time in his first NFL season, rotating in for only four games so far, but Atlanta will take whatever help it can get on a defense that is dead-last in the league with only 15 sacks on the year.
Zappe was signed off the Patriots’ practice squad following Deshaun Watson‘s placement on IR. Jameis Winston has performed admirably in relief of Watson, and the team must have confidence in second-year backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson behind him.
Shenault continues to struggle to find a place on an NFL offense, but he did carve out a role as a strong kick returner in Seattle this year. That added ability may help him find another roster spot soon.
Gill is the second punter the Buccaneers have waived this year. Gill’s yards per punt average of 43.3 currently ranks for 33rd in the NFL.
Seymour has served the league’s six-game suspension for violating its performance-enhancing drugs policy and is now able to return to the field.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/2/24
Today’s practice squad updates:
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Andrew Parker Jr.
- Released: LB Joe Giles-Harris
49ers To Open S Talanoa Hufanga’s Practice Window, Place RB Jordan Mason On IR
As injuries once again define a 49ers NFC title defense, the team still has some silver linings in the form of defenders reentering the equation. Talanoa Hufanga is on his way back.
Down with a wrist injury for months, Hufanga is set to practice this week, Kyle Shanahan said. After rehabbing the ACL tear sustained on Thanksgiving night last year, Hufanga suffered a significant wrist malady that limited him to just two games thus far this season. The 49ers, however, had not ruled him out. Now in the IR-return window, the All-Pro safety has three weeks to return.
With Hufanga joining Dre Greenlaw in a return window from an injured list, Jordan Mason is heading to IR. The Christian McCaffrey backup suffered a high ankle sprain Sunday night, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The 49ers lost McCaffrey to another injury — a PCL issue — that is expected to shut him down. Mason is now out until at least Week 18, leaving rookie Isaac Guerendo as the 49ers’ lead back for the foreseeable future.
Hufanga, who is in a contract year, will not be 100% if he returns to action. Shanahan said (via the Bay Area News Group’s Cam Inman) the standout DB still needs support for his injured wrist. With a potential free agency run coming, Hufanga will attempt to give it a go. Counting last season’s three playoff games, the former fifth-round pick has missed 20 of the 49ers’ past 22 contests.
Conflicting reports emerged earlier this season about whether Hufanga would return. An October offering suggested the 49ers were not counting on him to return, but the team had not ruled it out. San Francisco will at least see how he looks in practice. The injuries to Hufanga and Greenlaw played a key role in the 49ers falling just short in an overtime Super Bowl loss last season; for the first time since Hufanga’s November 2023 ACL injury, both will be back at work. Though, this comes at a dire point for a team in one of the worst Super Bowl hangovers in recent memory. A three-game losing streak has dropped the 49ers to 5-7.
The 49ers already played without All-Pros Nick Bosa, Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk on Sunday night. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who is playing through an ankle fracture, left the game as well. Recently extended cornerback starter Deommodore Lenoir missed Week 13, while Brock Purdy returned after missing Week 12 due to injury. McCaffrey joins Mason in heading to IR, and Shanahan said defensive tackle Kevin Givens suffered a pectoral tear and will join the RBs on the injured list.
Beating out Elijah Mitchell for the backup running back job, Mason became a vital piece for the 49ers during McCaffrey’s Achilles rehab. The former UDFA held the NFL rushing lead for a short span this season, producing three 100-yard games over his first four. He paces the 49ers with 789 rushing yards and three TDs. Mason can be retained beyond this season, as the Georgia Tech alum is eligible for restricted free agency next year. Mitchell is on season-ending IR.
He of a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash at this year’s Combine, Guerendo has shown flashes as a Mason backup. The third-round pick is the only healthy back on San Francisco’s 53-man roster right now, a situation that will see changes made soon. Patrick Taylor is the only RB on the team’s practice squad.
Givens has been with the 49ers for six seasons, working as a rotational player for most of that time. He has a career-high 3.5 sacks this season but will join DT Javon Hargrave among the expanding 49ers’ IR contingent. Playing out a $2MM deal, Givens is among the many 49ers defenders headed toward free agency.