NFC West Notes: Austin, Gannon, Cards, Conner, Hawks, Curl, Rams, 49ers
While Arthur Smith is heading to the college ranks (as Ohio State’s OC) after Mike Tomlin‘s resignation, longtime Steelers DC Teryl Austin landed another NFL gig. Austin is taking over as a senior assistant with the Cardinals, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. This is a return Arizona trip for Austin, who was on Ken Whisenhunt‘s staff with the Cardinals previously. The three-time NFL DC served as Cardinals DBs coach from 2007-10, being part of the franchise’s Super Bowl XLIII team. Now 61, Austin — who interviewed for the Commanders’ DC job — will join Mike LaFleur‘s staff to provide experience under 32-year-old DC Nick Rallis.
Here is the latest from around the NFC West:
- Shortly before Week 18, a report indicated Jonathan Gannon was likelier to return for a fourth season than be fired. But the Cardinals axed their HC after a 3-14 season. Considering the step back from an 8-9 2024, it didn’t seem off base to fire Gannon. But those in the organization were surprised Michael Bidwill cut the cord, per ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss, who adds others around the league were caught off-guard by that ouster. Gannon landed HC and DC interviews following his firing and ended up as the Packers’ defensive boss. Arizona retained Rallis, though multiple candidates dropped out of their hiring process, under new HC Mike LaFleur.
- The Cardinals’ James Conner pay cut comes out to a one-year, $3MM deal that KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes contains $2.1MM guaranteed. Conner signed a two-year, $19MM extension in 2024 but missed most of last season due to injury. The $2.1MM guarantee number does not exactly lock in the 10th-year veteran for 2026, especially with the Cards changing staffs, but the longtime Arizona starter will have a shot.
- The Seahawks lost several Super Bowl starters but retained two by re-signing Rashid Shaheed and Josh Jobe. Shaheed’s three-year, $51MM contract includes $34.7MM guaranteed; of the latter total, $23MM is guaranteed at signing (per OverTheCap). None of that guarantee covers 2027, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets. Shaheed’s $11.74MM 2027 base salary is guaranteed for injury; it shifts to a full guarantee five days after Super Bowl LXI. That gives Seattle a potential early out, as this contract is structured like Sam Darnold‘s and Cooper Kupp‘s. As for Jobe, his three-year, $24MM pact, $9.25MM is fully guaranteed. Wilson adds $14.25MM is guaranteed in total, with $5MM of his $6.49MM 2027 base salary also becoming guaranteed five days after Super Bowl LXI.
- Jaylen Watson joins ex-Chiefs teammate Trent McDuffie with the Rams, who gave the multiyear Kansas City CB2 a three-year, $51MM contract. Of Watson’s $34MM guaranteed, $26.5MM is locked in at signing (per OverTheCap). The Rams are giving Watson an $11MM guarantee on his 2027 base salary ($13.99MM), according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The remaining $2.99MM shifts to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2027 league year. Elsewhere in the L.A. secondary, Kamren Curl‘s three-year, $36MM deal includes $18.75MM guaranteed at signing (per OverTheCap). Of Curl’s $11.6MM 2027 base salary, Wilson notes $7MM is fully guaranteed. The rest shifts from an injury guarantee on Day 3 of the ’27 league year. Curl will be due a $3.43MM roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2028 league year, Wilson adds.
- Shifting back to the Cardinals, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin notes their Kendrick Bourne contract includes $6.5MM fully guaranteed. Initially reported as an $11.47MM deal, Bourne’s base value is $10MM (via OverTheCap). As for D-tackle Roy Lopez‘s Arizona return (for two years and $10.5MM), Wilson adds the veteran received $1MM of his $3.47MM 2027 base salary guaranteed for injury. That shifts to a full guarantee on Day 3 of the 2027 league year.
- The 49ers identified their replacement for tight ends coach Brian Fleury, who left to take the Seahawks’ OC job. Cameron Clemmons will slide from assistant O-line coach to that spot, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco notes. Previously the Raiders’ assistant O-line coach, Clemmons has been on the 49ers’ staff since 2024. San Francisco is also adding Kent State O-line coach Angel Matute to their staff, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets.
Seahawks To Re-Sign CB Josh Jobe
Losing Coby Bryant to the Bears during today’s frenzied transaction spree, the Seahawks also have Riq Woolen unattached from their Super Bowl secondary. Seattle is, however, bringing back one member of its DB cadre.
Josh Jobe is re-signing with the Seahawks on a three-year, $24MM deal, veteran insider Jordan Schultz tweets. Jobe became a regular starter for Seattle last season and, unlike Woolen, was acquired during Mike Macdonald‘s HC stay.
In PFR’s Seahawks Offseason Outlook, I mentioned Jobe as the most likely DB to stay due largely to his arrival under Macdonald. The former Eagles draftee landed in Seattle as a practice squad player in August 2024, and the Seahawks developed him into a starter. Jobe started 15 games last season, which turned out to be a breakthrough year for the corner’s value.
PFR’s No. 40-ranked free agent, Jobe logged career-high 818 defensive snaps (and starting more games than Woolen – 15-7). He allowed a measly 49.5% completion rate as the closest defender last season. Among boundary corners with at least eight starts, that ranked ninth leaguewide. Jobe, 27, only has two career INTs but closed last season with 12 passes defensed while making key contributions during Seattle’s Super Bowl run.
Woolen landed in trade rumors before last year’s deadline, potentially pointing to Seahawks confidence they could retain Jobe. While cap space wasn’t an issue for the reining champs entering free agency, big-ticket extensions are likely coming for Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks let Kenneth Walker defect to the Chiefs, who authorized more than $14MM per year for the Super Bowl LX MVP. Jobe represents a midlevel CB investment, but he will be expected to complement Witherspoon and a to-be-determined third corner next season.
Seahawks Have Not Held Talks With Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen
After capping off the 2025 season with a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, Seahawks safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen are among their notable contributors heading for free agency. Despite playing key roles for the champs, Bryant and Woolen recently revealed that they had yet to engage in contract talks with the team, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
The Seahawks and Bryant discussed a new deal before the season. Nothing came together then, but there is no animosity on Bryant’s part. He said last week that he “would definitely love to be here,” per Condotta. It’s fair to say the 26-year-old’s asking price has gone up in the past few months, though.
A Seahawk since they chose him in the fourth round in 2022, Bryant is fresh off his first season as a full-time starter. The former Cincinnati Bearcat played 15 games in the regular season and notched career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (seven). Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 28th among 91 qualifying safeties.
On the heels of a 66-tackle regular season, Bryant added another 10 (and two more PDs) over three playoff victories. A return to Seattle is now up in the air, but if he reaches the open market in March, Bryant will be among the most sought-after safeties available.
Bryant’s potential departure would not leave the back end of the Seahawks’ defense in dire straits. They would still have Julian Love, Ty Okada and the versatile Nick Emmanwori, who excelled as a rookie, as options. Okada is unsigned for now, but as an exclusive rights free agent, the Seahawks won’t have any trouble retaining him. The same can’t be said for Bryant, who will cash in after playing for a relative pittance on his rookie contract.
Woolen, another of general manager John Schneider‘s draft steals, joined the Seahawks as a fifth-rounder in 2022. As a rookie out of UTSA, Woolen burst on the scene with a league-leading seven interceptions. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod then, his lone 17-game season to date, but Woolen hasn’t gotten a second invite.
While Woolen went on to start in 29 of 30 appearances from 2023-24, he came off the bench in nine of 16 games in 2025. With his playing time diminishing, multiple pre-deadline reports identified Woolen as a trade candidate. He wound up staying put and finishing the regular season with 41 tackles, 12 passes defensed and a career-low one pick.
Woolen, who chipped in eight tackles and four PDs in the postseason, was on the field for 49 of 71 defensive plays in the Super Bowl. That may go down as his last game with the Seahawks.
Seattle is facing further uncertainty at cornerback, where Josh Jobe is also unsigned. Jobe ate into Woolen’s playing time over a career-high 15 starts in 2025, but the latter has the more impressive resume. That might make it “easier for the team to keep Jobe,” Condotta writes. The Seahawks may end up retaining one of them, but keeping both appears unlikely, especially with No. 1 corner Devon Witherspoon eligible for a big-money extension this offseason.
Seahawks Re-Sign CB Josh Jobe
Josh Jobe handled a considerable jump in workload with the Seahawks in 2024, and it has landed the cornerback a new Seattle agreement. Jobe re-signed on Thursday, his agency announced.
The 26-year-old was a restricted free agent, but instead of being tendered he has a new agreement in place. Jobe was a special teams mainstay during his first two NFL seasons, which came in Philadelphia. When he was waived during roster cutdowns this August, though, he quickly joined the Seahawks.
That move paved the way for a notable role on defense. Jobe handled a 65% snap share in 2024, logging six starts in his 10 appearances. During that time, the former UDFA notched the first interception of his career along with 37 tackles and seven pass deflections. In coverage, Jobe allowed a completion percentage of 56% and only one touchdown as the nearest defender.
Those figures point to a future as at least a valuable rotational member of the secondary for the Alabama product moving forward. Seattle’s cap situation has changed considerably in recent days, with a number of releases – including that of Tyler Lockett – taking place. The team is cap compliant as a result with the room to make at least some free agent additions next week. Some of the available funds will go toward keeping Jobe in place.
Seattle has Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen attached to their rookie contracts, and they are set to remain starters at the cornerback spot moving forward. Jobe will figure into the position’s rotation once again in 2025 as a candidate to take on a notable defensive workload if needed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/24
Here are today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Dallas Cowboys
- Reinstated from suspension: DE Sam Williams
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Abraham Beauplan
Green Bay Packers
- Designated for return from injured reserve: RB Marshawn Lloyd
Houston Texans
- Reinstated from suspension, one-game roster exemption granted: DE Mario Edwards
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated from practice squad: DE Jonah Williams
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated from practice squad: LS Tucker Addington, OT Jackson Carman
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: CB Josh Jobe
- Claimed off waivers: NT Brandon Pili
- Placed on injured reserve: S K’Von Wallace
Williams completed his three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He remains on injured reserve after a season-ending knee injury suffered during training camp.
Edwards served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy and is now eligible to be reinstated to the Texans’ active roster. Houston requested and received a one-game roster exemption to give Edwards an additional week to practice with the team before being added back to the 53-man roster.
Seahawks Activate George Fant From IR
The Seahawks have activated George Fant from injured reserve, making the veteran offensive tackle eligible to play on Sunday for the first time since injuring his knee in Week 1.
Fant signed a two-year, $9.1MM deal with the Seahawks this offseason to start at right tackle with Abraham Lucas beginning the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list after offseason knee surgery. Fant started in Week 1, but played just 13 snaps before exiting the game with a knee injury. Seattle held him out for Week 2 before ultimately deciding that an IR stint was necessary.
Stone Forsythe finished Week 1 at right tackle and took over the starting job through Week 6, when a hand injury forced him onto injured reserve as well. Rookie Michael Jerrell struggled in two subsequent starts at right tackle, allowing four pressures in both games, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Fant will likely retake his starting role after his activation, but another week or two of practice could yield a return for Lucas, as well. Fant’s performance this week could be crucial for his chances to retain his spot at right tackle for the rest of the season.
To make room for Fant on the roster, the Seahawks placed nose tackle Cameron Young on injured reserve with a knee injury. Young appeared in just one game for Seattle this season with just three total snaps. He appeared in 16 of the Seahawks’ games last year and will now be sidelined until at least Week 13.
The Seahawks also used standard practice squad elevations on cornerback Josh Jobe and wide receiver Cody White. Seattle elevated Jobe from the practice squad for their last two game, playing him for 116 snaps on defense. With his third elevation this week, Jobe will have to be added to the 53-man roster to play again in Seattle this year. White, meanwhile, is set to see his first NFL action since 2022 when he was with the Steelers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/24
Saturdays minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:
Arizona Cardinals
- Elevated: DL Ben Stille, CB Divaad Wilson
Atlanta Falcons
- Elevated: CB Natrone Brooks, DE Demone Harris
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from IR: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
- Elevated: CB Bump Cooper Jr.
- Placed on IR: CB T.J. Tampa
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: DT Eli Ankou, WR Jalen Virgil
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: RB Travis Homer, DE Jacob Martin
- Elevated: S Tarvarius Moore
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed to active roster: CB Amani Oruwariye
- Elevated: RB Dalvin Cook (story)
- Placed on IR: TE John Stephens (story)
Denver Broncos
- Elevated: LB Kwon Alexander, G Calvin Throckmorton
Detroit Lions
- Elevated: OLB Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: CB Robert Rochell
Houston Texans
- Elevated: FB Troy Hairston
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Montrell Washington
Las Vegas Raiders
- Elevated: QB Carter Bradley, TE Justin Shorter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Elevated: WR Jaylen Johnson, WR Jalen Reagor
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Ochaun Mathis
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: S Ugo Amadi
- Elevated: WR Equanimeous St. Brown, S Roderic Teamer
- Waived: RB Jordan Mims
New York Jets
- Elevated: OL Alec Lindstrom, S Jarius Monroe
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from IR: WR Ainias Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: S Adrian Amos, K Anders Carlson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: S Jerrick Reed II
- Elevated: CB Faion Hicks, CB Josh Jobe
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: WR Rakim Jarrett
- Elevated: QB Michael Pratt
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: CB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, WR Mason Kinsey, T John Ojukwu
- Elevated: RB Joshua Kelley, QB Trevor Siemian
- Placed on IR: T Jaelyn Duncan
- Waived: OLB Caleb Murphy
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/19/24
Today’s minor moves and standard gameday practice squad callups:
Carolina Panthers
- Signed to active roster: DT T.J. Smith
- Elevated: OLB Shaq Lawson, LB Shaquille Quarterman
- Waived: C Andrew Raym
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: WR Jaelon Darden
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: DL Pat O’Connor
- Elevated: DE Isaac Ukwu, TE Shane Zylstra
Green Bay Packers
- Elevated: FB Andrew Beck
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/suspended list: DE Denico Autry
- Elevated: FB Troy Hairston, CB Desmond King
Indianapolis Colts
- Elevated: LB Liam Anderson, CB Kelvin Joseph
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: WR Alex Bachman
- Elevated: TE Justin Shorter, WR Kristian Wilkerson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released: S Tony Jefferson
Los Angeles Rams
- Elevated: CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Miami Dolphins
- Signed to active roster: QB Tim Boyle
- Elevated: CB Nik Needham, LS Matt Overton
- Placed on reserve/NFI list: LS Blake Ferguson
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: TE Robert Tonyan
- Waived: WR Trishton Jackson
- Elevated: DE Jalen Redmond, OLB Bo Richter
New England Patriots
- Elevated: LB Ochaun Mathis
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: TE Anthony Firkser
- Elevated: S Jalen Mills, CB Kendall Sheffield
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/PUP list: S Sydney Brown
- Elevated: OL Jack Driscoll
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
- Elevated: WR Brandon Johnson, RB Jonathan Ward
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: K Anders Carlson, S Jaylen Mahoney
Seattle Seahawks
- Elevated: CB Faion Hicks, CB Josh Jobe
Autry was hit with a six-game PED suspension in July, leaving the Texans without a key figure along the defensive line. The free agent pickup could have suited up by means of Houston using his one-week roster exemption; instead, he has been activated in time for Week 7. Autry, 34, posted a career-high 11 sacks last season and he will look to make an immediate impact during his Texans debut. Especially with Mario Edwards having been issued a four-game suspension of his own earlier this week, he should have a notable role right away.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/24
PFR’s practice squad rundown, signaling we are indeed close to games that count, begins Thursday. Here is how teams began to handle their 16-man P-squads.
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Jordan Murray, DL PJ Mustipher, OL Luke Tenuta
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Monty Rice, OL Elijah Wilkinson
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Ja’Tyre Carter, WR Jalen Coker, TE Feleipe Franks, LB Thomas Incoom, DE Tarron Jackson, DT Jayden Peevy, S Demani Richardson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Chris Glaser, DL Sam Roberts
- Released: DB Quindell Johnson, DL Dashaun Mallory
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: G Tashawn Manning, RB Kendall Milton, DT Justin Rogers, DE Isaiah Thomas
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Gary Brightwell, WR Tulu Griffin, TE Cameron Latu, TE Blake Whiteheart
- Released: LS Rex Sunahara
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Amani Oruwariye
Detroit Lions
- Released: S C.J. Moore
Houston Texans
- Signed: T Braeden Daniels, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Xavier Johnson, S Mark Perry, QB Kedon Slovis
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim, DE Titus Leo, TE Sean McKeon, G Atonio Mafi, K Spencer Shrader
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Blake Hance, S Matthew Jackson, WR Louis Rees-Zammit
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: TE Justin Shorter
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: S Tony Jefferson, C Sam Mustipher, TE Eric Tomlinson
- Released: CB Robert Kennedy
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: RB Zach Evans
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: QB Tim Boyle
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: T Ricky Lee, RB Zavier Scott
- Released: WR Jeshaun Jones, RB DeWayne McBride
New England Patriots
- Signed: DE Brevin Allen, G Jerome Carvin, DT Trysten Hill, C Bryan Hudson, G Michael Jordan, WR Jalen Reagor
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: T Austin Deculus, TE Treyton Welch
- Released: TE Mason Fairchild
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Art Green, DT Elijah Garcia, CB Duke Shelley
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: OL Brett Toth
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Anthony Averett, FB Jack Colletto, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Thomas Graham Jr., LB Marcus Haynes, DL Jacob Slade, RB Jonathan Ward, TE Rodney Williams
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Terrace Marshall, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: CB Josh Jobe, LB Tyreke Smith
- Released: T Raiqwon O’Neal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: C Avery Jones, T Lorenz Metz, WR Ryan Miller, WR Cody Thompson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DL James Lynch
Washington Commanders
- Signed: LB Jalen Graham, CB Bobby Price
Slovis went to camp with the Colts, joining the team as a UDFA this year. Houston placed Case Keenum on IR and released Tim Boyle, who is now the Dolphins’ P-squad QB. Slovis, who played at USC, Pittsburgh and BYU in college, is now the Texans’ de facto third-stringer.
Shelley has 11 career starts — with the Bears and Vikings — on his resume. He joined the Raiders last year but ended up with the Rams, playing in 11 games as a backup. The Giants have spent time searching for a cornerback answer, having not been too satisfied with their Cor’Dale Flott–Nick McCloud CB2 competition. New York did not make any waiver claims at the position Wednesday.
Reagor, who played for the Patriots last season, is back after being released earlier this week. The former Minnesota first-rounder played in 11 New England games last season, returning a kick for a touchdown. Latu joins the Browns after being a 49ers cut. The 2023 third-round pick missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Jefferson is back with the Bolts hours after being released.
Eagles Cut Down Roster To 53 Players
The Eagles are hoping to rebound from a disappointing end to their 2023 campaign. Before they can do that, the team had to make some tough roster decisions as they got down to 53 players. The team announced the following moves:
Released:
- LB Oren Burks
- WR Parris Campbell
- OL Nick Gates
- OL Matt Hennessy
- WR John Ross
- OL Brett Toth
Waived:
- OL Gottlieb Ayedze
- OT Anim Dankwah
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price
- TE Kevin Foelsch
- DT Gabe Hall
- WR Griffin Hebert
- DE Tarron Jackson
- TE E.J. Jenkins
- CB Josh Jobe
- OLB Terrell Lewis
- C Dylan McMahon
- CB Zech McPhearson
- RB Kendall Milton
- DT P.J. Mustipher
- RB Lew Nichols
- OL Jason Poe
- TE Armani Rogers
- S Andre Sam
- LB Brandon Smith
- CB Shon Stephens
- OT Laekin Vakalahi
- WR Austin Watkins
Waived/injured:
- WR Jacob Harris
- WR Joseph Ngata
- S Caden Sterns
Placed on IR (designated for return):
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam (story)
- WR Ainias Smith (story)
Placed on reserve/PUP:
After carrying only four wideouts on their initial 53-man roster in 2023, the team is carrying five WRs heading into 2024. Still, some notable names earned their walking papers today. Parris Campbell is only two years removed from a 63-catch season with the Colts, but the wideout was limited to only 20 receptions with the Giants in 2023. John Ross continues to get opportunities by virtue of his first-round billing, but the former ninth-overall pick hasn’t seen the field since a 10-game showing with the Giants in 2021.
Oren Burks missed a chunk of the summer with an injury, but his release is still a bit of a surprise. The former third-round pick spent the past two seasons with the 49ers, where he started eight of his 32 appearances. The veteran has also made a name for himself on special teams, where he’s averaged more than 277 snaps per season.