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Hue Jackson “Pushed Hard” For QB Trade This Offseason?

October 31st, 2017 at 11:50am CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to the 49ers snagging Jimmy Garoppolo for a second-round pick that’s likely to fall at the top of Day 2, the Browns were the team most connected with the former Patriots backup this offseason. And Hue Jackson may have been a key driver behind that Garoppolo-to-Cleveland buzz.

The second-year Browns coach “pushed hard” this offseason for the team to trade for Garoppolo or former Bengals charge A.J. McCarron, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. Jackson felt Garoppolo could be a big part of a turnaround from Cleveland’s 1-15 season, Cabot reports, and made Tom Brady‘s then-backup his primary offseason target.

Cabot adds the Patriots would have traded Garoppolo to the Browns for “the right offer,” which the longtime Browns reporter notes would have had to include at least one first-round pick. The Browns had two of those going into the draft and ended up with three first-round selections while also carrying multiple second-round picks in April after making the Brock Osweiler trade.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the Browns offered a second-round pick for Garoppolo, with Cabot adding the team did not go further on Day 2 of this draft to make the necessary offer to the Pats. Browns executive VP Sashi Brown said going into the draft the team was not interested in trading for a veteran quarterback.

Kyle Shanahan and Garoppolo spent time together when the current 49ers coach worked as the Browns’ OC in 2014, and Shanahan told cleveland.com at this year’s Super Bowl he had Garoppolo ranked high among the draftable 2014 passers during his one-year stay in northeast Ohio. Shanahan did not want Johnny Manziel, whom the Browns drafted, nor did he prefer Teddy Bridgewater. However, the short-term Browns play-caller did like Derek Carr and Tom Savage, per Cabot.

When the Patriots and Browns could not agree on terms for Garoppolo, Jackson pivoted to McCarron, Cabot reports. But Jackson viewed the current Bengals backup, whom he coached for two seasons in Cincinnati, as a stopgap until the Browns could land their long-term solution.

Cabot wonders if McCarron would be in play by today’s 3pm CT deadline but reports it would have likely taken at least two second-round picks to pry him from the Bengals this offseason. McCarron is under contract through the 2018 season.

Extra Points: Vikings, Zeke, Williams, Lynch

October 29th, 2017 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sam Bradford does not have a return timetable after making a brief cameo in Chicago earlier this month. The Vikings quarterback is still experiencing knee pain, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). However, Minnesota may be set to finally have some quarterback depth again after its Week 9 bye. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to come off the PUP list after the bye, and Rapoport expects him to immediately compete with Case Keenum for the Vikes’ starting job. A mostly Keenum-led team this season, the Vikings lead the NFC North after their win over the Browns on Sunday. Bridgewater reclaiming his job might be a bit tricky considering where the team is in the standings and how long it’s been since the fourth-year passer was at the controls. But a Bridgewater return gives the Vikings options they don’t currently have with Bradford still on the mend.

Here’s the latest from around the league.

  • Ezekiel Elliott did not travel with the Cowboys back to Dallas on Sunday night, instead trekking to New York for his seminal court date, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Elliott did not attend his previous hearing with New York’s Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans earlier this month. The Cowboys star back rushed for more than 100 yards for a second straight week and has five touchdowns over the past two games but could see his suspension go into effect as early as next week if Monday goes poorly for his side.
  • Trent Williams is hoping the Redskins‘ bye week gives him time to heal his knee injury, but the Washington tackle isn’t certain that will do the trick, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Williams said earlier this month he’s hoping to put off surgery until after the season but revealed Sunday (via Keim) some doctors have told him that’s a six- to nine-month rehab process. Calling this a deep bone bruise, Williams added other medical personnel have said he can go the rest-and-recover route. So this bye week will be critical for the status of Washington’s injury-ravaged offensive line.
  • Speaking of left tackle injuries, Joe Staley suffered an orbital bone fracture Sunday. But the 11th-year 49ers edge blocker received a bit of good news, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reporting (via Twitter) no surgery will be required. Still, this could end any Staley trade speculation and keep him in San Francisco for another full season.
  • Paxton Lynch is no longer on the Broncos‘ injury report, and the second-year quarterback could be in uniform Monday night for the first time this season, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The Broncos have not received much help from their offense the past three games and have fallen to 3-3. The team obviously would be interested in getting its 2016 first-rounder on the field at some point, but Trevor Siemian won the job in the preseason. However, if the Broncos slink out of the playoff race as a result of a brutal upcoming schedule — the Chiefs, Eagles and Patriots represent Denver’s ensuing three games — Lynch could be summoned for a full-on audition.
  • Devon Still is considering retirement. The former Bengals rotational defensive lineman told TMZ he plans to decide in a couple of weeks if he will pursue a shot at another opportunity or not. The 28-year-old interior defender is currently a free agent, having last played with 2016 Texans. The Jets cut Still in August.
  • T.Y. Hilton is rumored to be on the trade block. Florio hears from multiple sources the NFL’s reigning receiving-yardage leader is available. Florio opines a future Hilton-type talent could come out of a mid-round draft pick, allowing the Colts — now run by a decision-maker in Chris Ballard who did not draft the sixth-year wide receiver — to offload Hilton’s $13MM-AAV contract and improve the roster with the savings.

NFC Notes: Vikings, Bridgewater, Redskins

October 23rd, 2017 at 3:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings are wary of exposing Teddy Bridgewater to the slippery turf in London next week, sources tell Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The QB says he’s ready to go, but Minnesota is taking the cautious approach and waiting until the post-bye game in Week 10 to put Bridgewater on the roster. Of course, the Vikings may still have a tough choice to make when it comes to whether they will actually put him on the field. Case Keenum has looked sharp since stepping in for Sam Bradford, so the team could opt to continue with him as the starter.

  • Now that Duane Brown is back with the Texans, the best available left tackle is now Will Beatty, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com opines (Twitter link). He notes that Beatty “recently” worked out for the Saints, but it’s not clear if that is in reference to his mid-September workout or if he had a more recent audition for New Orleans. Rapoport notes that the Saints had some offensive line injuries on Sunday, so he could be a fit for them now.
  • Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who has been dealing with a knee injury, is pushing to play against Philly on Monday night (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com). Washington is hoping that Breeland will be somewhat close to 100% as Josh Norman is sidelined with a rib injury.
  • Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised if Leon Hall is back with the 49ers in the wake of K’Waun Williams‘ quad injury. The veteran was released by SF last week after earning two game checks, though he appeared in zero games.

Teddy Bridgewater Eyeing Week 10 Return

October 22nd, 2017 at 2:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater are targeting a Week 10 return for the fourth-year signal-caller, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).Teddy Bridgewater (vertical)

Bridgewater, of course, is currently on the physically unable to perform list after suffering a devastating knee injury during 2016 training camp, but he’s impressively battled back and is set to return to the field. The NFL’s PUP rules require a player to be activated within three weeks of initiating practice (which Bridgewater did last Wednesday), so Week 10 is actually the latest Bridgewater can come back.

“I’m very confident. I wouldn’t go out on that practice field if I wasn’t,” Bridgewater said last week. “I definitely believe I’ll play this year. It’s going to take some grit. That’s just the mindset.”

The fact that the Vikings will likely wait until the last possible week before activating Bridgewater speaks to the patience the club is practicing with its recovering quarterback, as Rapoport indicates. But it also sets up a situation where Minnesota could be choosing between Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, and Case Keenum under center. Bradford is expected to play again this season, while Keenum has performed admirably in relief of Bradford in five starts.

Reports on Bridgewater’s status have been positive through a half-week of practice, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com writes. Physically, Bridgewater appears larger and has added mass in his upper body, which is especially noticeable given that his slight stature was a predraft concern. Additionally, Bridgwater’s arm has “wowed” onlookers during his time on the field, per Pelissero.

Latest On Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater

October 19th, 2017 at 7:05pm CST by Ben Levine

After suffering a career-threatening knee injury in 2016, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is confident he’ll see the field this season. The signal-caller returned to practice on Wednesday, and he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that he “didn’t feel rusty at all.”

Teddy Bridgewater (vertical)“I’m very confident. I wouldn’t go out on that practice field if I wasn’t,” Bridgewater said (via NFL.com’s Marc Sessler). “I definitely believe I’ll play this year. It’s going to take some grit. That’s just the mindset.”

The quarterback also told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he could have practiced several weeks ago had he been eligible to come off the injured reserve (Twitter link). After having torn his ACL last August, there were some reports stating that Bridgewater’s career could be in jeopardy. Instead, the 24-year-old ultimately returned to the field in less than 14 months. Bridgewater was officially cleared to practice earlier this week.

Sam Bradford was acquired by Minnesota last season and has filled in admirably during Bridgewater’s absence. Last season, the former first-overall pick completed a league-leading 71.6-percent of his passes for 3,877 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He completed 32 of his 43 attempts for 382 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions in two games this season, but he’s struggled through injuries for much of the campaign. Case Keenum has been solid filling in, throwing for 1,134 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

While the Vikings may not be eager to rush Bridgewater back this season, there’s no denying he’d be vying for the starting gig in 2018. Bridgewater’s last full season came in 2015, when he threw for 3,231 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The former first-rounder also ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries.

Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater Cleared To Practice

October 16th, 2017 at 10:25am CST by Zachary Links

Teddy Bridgewater will soon be able to return to the field. The Vikings quarterback has been cleared to practice, Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com hears (on Twitter). He got the green light from the very same doctor who performed the surgery on his dislocated knee. Teddy Bridgewater (vertical)

Bridgewater suffered a gruesome knee injury last August and missed the entirety of the 2016 season. At the time of the injury, it wasn’t certain when he would return or even if he would able to. After more than a year of difficult rehab work, Bridgewater is on the verge of being able to play.

Whether Bridgewater actually gets to see the field this season will depend on a few factors. Vikings starter Sam Bradford has been sidelined for the last game-and-a-half with a knee injury, but backup Case Keenum has proven to be a capable fill-in. If Bradford returns to full health or Keenum continues to roll, Bridgewater might not get the chance to take the field in 2017. However, he could be called upon if one or both QBs cannot get the job done.

Bridgewater will begin practicing on Wednesday. If the Vikings take Bridgewater off the PUP list, they will trigger a three-week window before having to decide whether to place him on the active roster or park him on injured reserve. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that the team expects to activate him this week or next week.

NFC Notes: Vikings, Ngata, Seahawks

October 15th, 2017 at 11:33am CST by Rory Parks

The Vikings are facing a quarterback crossroads, as are the quarterbacks themselves. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Sam Bradford traveled to New York late this past week to begin Regenokine treatments in hopes of getting inflammation out of his ailing knee (the treatment involves drawing blood, spinning it down, and re-injecting it into the knee over the course of a few days). He is doing everything he can to ease the pain in his knee, but the fact that he missed three games due to the injury and then was pulled in the second quarter of last week’s contest is obviously not a good sign. In fact, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports said today that Bradford’s knee situation is worse than people know (Twitter link).

Teddy Bridgewater, meanwhile, will receive an important checkup tomorrow. He is eligible to begin practicing this week, and the physical will determine whether that is feasible. Sources close to Bridgewater say he is ready to go, and if he is, in fact, activated from the PUP list this season, Rapoport says his contract will not toll, which means he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If he is not activated, the contract will toll and he will remain under club control through 2018.

Now for more from the NFC:

  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press says it is possible that DT Haloti Ngata, whose contract expires at the end of the year and who suffered a season-ending bicep injury last week, returns to the team in 2018. However, Birkett believes it is more likely that the longtime star retires.
  • The Seahawks are making a concerted effort to improve their O-line via trade, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, who says the team is focused on landing disgruntled Texans star Duane Brown. We heard last week that the Texans intend to retain Brown, but that could always change if Seattle’s offer is strong enough.
  • The 49ers released NaVorro Bowman earlier this week, and Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the team will continue to look to trade and/or release some of its long-term veterans over the next couple of weeks as it embarks on a full-fledged youth movement.
  • The 49ers will carry $4.774MM of dead money on the books in 2018 following Bowman’s release, but they will save all $9.45MM of his 2018 pay, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
  • Rapoport believes the Saints may be in the trading mood after failing to trade for Bowman, and he says the team could consider trading LB Hau’oli Kikaha (Twitter link). Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune, however, suggests (via Twitter) that is not likely.

Teddy Bridgewater Likely To Return Week 7

September 25th, 2017 at 8:01pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list beginning in Week 7, and a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Bridgewater will be “ready to go” at that time.Teddy Bridgewater (vertical)

Bridgewater, who suffered a gruesome knee injury last August and missed the entirety of the 2016 season, would give Minnesota another option at quarterback, a position that’s already been affected by health questions this year. Sam Bradford, whom the Vikings acquired in the wake of Bradford’s injury, posted one of the best performances of his career in Week 1, but has since missed two games while dealing with his own knee issue.

Case Keenum has filled in for Bradford against the Steelers and Buccaneers, and played extremely well in Week 3 against Tampa Bay, completing 75% of his passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. While Bridgewater’s own health isn’t a given going forward, his presence would give the Vikings three competent players under center if Bradford can return.

If Bridgewater can return, any questions about his contract status would be avoided. If he’d been forced to miss the 2017 campaign, the final year of his rookie deal may have tolled, preventing him from becoming an unrestricted free agent next spring. If he can make it back to the field, however, Bridgewater should hit the open market in 2018 after the Vikings declined his fifth-year option.

Sam Bradford Inactive For Week 2; Teddy Bridgewater Could Return Midseason

September 17th, 2017 at 11:03am CST by Rory Parks

Vikings QB Sam Bradford is officially inactive for today’s game against the Steelers, which means that backup Case Keenum will get the start in his stead. Kyle Sloter, who was promoted from Minnesota’s practice squad earlier this week, will serve as Keenum’s backup.

Teddy Bridgewater

This is tough news for the Vikings, as Bradford was terrific in the team’s Week 1 victory over New Orleans and had seemingly established a strong rapport with top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Bradford is dealing with swelling, pain, and discomfort in the same left knee that had been repaired for torn ACLs in 2013 and 2014, and while he was briefly on the field for warmups today, he did not stay for long and did not test his knee much, if at all (as Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network tweets). Although Keenum has a 9-7 record as a starter over the past three seasons, Minnesota needs Bradford if it wants to make a playoff push. Kinkhabwala does report (via Twitter) that the Vikings are hopeful that Bradford will return next week.

In some good news for the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) reports that Teddy Bridgewater will be ready to play by midseason. Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury last year and is currently on the PUP list, but his return could be a boon for Minnesota, particularly if Bradford struggles with his health.

It was not too long ago that Bridgewater was considered the quarterback of the future in Minnesota, but his knee injury precipitated the team’s trade for Bradford and led to questions about whether Bridgewater would even be able to continue his career. While it is impossible to predict if he will xhibit the same level of ability he did prior to the injury, at least he appears to be on the right track at the moment.

Vikings’ 53-Man Roster Set

September 2nd, 2017 at 4:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Vikings made their mandatory cuts to pare their roster down to the 53-man ceiling. Here are the rearrangements Minnesota made to set its regular-season roster.

Cut:

Placed on IR:

Placed on Reserve/PUP list:

Placed on Reserve/NFI list:

Placed on Reserve/Suspended list:

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