HEADLINES

Week In Review News & Rumors

5 Key Stories: 7/10/22 – 7/17/22

July 17th, 2022 at 4:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

With the deadline for franchise-tagged players passing on Friday, it was an important week on the NFL’s offseason calendar. Here’s a quick recap of the top headlines from the past seven days:

  • No Progress Made Between Bengals, Bates: The most contentious situation of the four which were in the spotlight leading up to the deadline was that between the Bengals and safety Jessie Bates. It came out on Friday that no inroads had been made regarding a long-term contract, something made more significant by the fact that Bates hasn’t signed his $12.9MM tender. He has also been public about not playing on the tag in 2022, so the threat of a training camp holdout looms large.
  • Late Brown Extension Push Falls Short: Circumstances were rather similar between the Chiefs and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Kansas City did, however, make a late run at finalizing a long-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler, offering a pact which would have vaulted him to the top of the o-line market in terms of annual average compensation. A lack of guaranteed money later on in the proposed contract led to talks breaking off, though, meaning that Brown will be tied to a 2022 salary of $16.7MM if/when he signs the tag. Just like Bates, Brown could hold out from training camp without financial penalty.
  • TEs Schultz, Gesicki Set To Play On Tags: Unlike Bates and Brown, tight ends Dalton Schultz and Mike Gesicki had already signed their one-year tenders, valued at $10.93MM, by the time the deadline passed without either landing a long-term contract. No substantive talks had taken place between the Cowboys and Schultz in weeks, so this was the expected outcome in his case. For Gesicki, he will enter the season after little negotiation took place regarding a new deal, facing competition from Tyreek Hill for targets in the Dolphins’ new-look offense.
  • Texans Settle 30 Watson-Related Suits: While the decision on Deshaun Watson’s league discipline continues to be contemplated, the Texans reached settlement agreements with 30 women who either had made, or were planning to make, claims against the team for its role in their former QB’s alleged sexual misconduct. The team made it clear that doing so does not constitute an admission of guilt, and that it feels no further investigation into their actions will be necessary. The news has no bearing on Watson’s (presumed) impending punishment, or the four remaining civil suits he faces.
  • Incognito Headlines Retirees: Three veterans ended their careers within a short span, including All-Pro tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Super Bowl-winning corner Jason McCourty. Another player who hung up his cleats was Richie Incognito, who chose to end his career as a member of the Raiders. The 39-year-old missed all of last season due to health issues, putting an end to his up-and-down, controversial NFL tenure. A four-time Pro Bowler (including three straight all-star seasons in Buffalo), Incognito missed multiple other campaigns for various reasons, making him one of the league’s most polarizing figures. He’ll finish with more than $32MM in career earnings.

5 Key Stories: 7/3/22 – 7/10/22

July 10th, 2022 at 5:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here’s a quick recap of some of the top headlines from around the NFL this past week:

  • Browns Send Mayfield To Panthers: It took longer than all parties involved expected it to, but the Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers on Wednesday. The Browns received a conditional fifth-round pick in return, showing how much of a depreciated asset the former No. 1 overall pick had become this offseason. Mayfield reduced his salary by $3.5MM to facilitate the deal, while the Browns will absorb $10.5MM of his fifth-year option cost of $18.9MM. The swap marks the second consecutive offseason involving a top-three QB from the 2018 class for the Panthers, as they acquired Sam Darnold last year. The team plans on keeping both signal-callers in 2022.
  • Raiders Hire New President: Continuing a decades-long line of historic personnel hires, the Raiders made Sandra Douglass Morgan the new team president. The former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman becomes the first Black woman to hold that title in the NFL. The move comes amidst another round of workplace misconduct allegations against the franchise, which Morgan has already acknowledged. “I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” she said in a letter to team employees. She replaces Dan Ventrelle as president, after the veteran exec claimed he was fired in May as a result of his decision to alert owner Mark Davis to the presence of a hostile workplace environment.
  • Miller Nearly Chose Cowboys, Rams Over Bills: Von Miller gave the Bills a significant boost to their pass rush when he signed in Buffalo on a six-year, $120MM deal. Before doing so, he had an offer on the table from the Cowboys equal to the one Randy Gregory backed out of (five years, $70MM). Looking back, the future Hall of Famer said “I would have taken less to go to Dallas because it’s Dallas. But I wouldn’t take that much less.” At one point, he was also “90%” sure of staying in Los Angeles, after his Super-Bowl winning run with the Rams. Instead, he will try to earn a third ring with a third different franchise.
  • Steelers Not Prepared To Top $20MM For Johnson? One of the top storylines this offseason has been the skyrocketing WR market, and the deals 2019 draftees have signed to continue driving up the cost of young stars at the position. In the case of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers aren’t expected to offer an extension valued at $20MM per season – the benchmark several receivers, including non-Pro Bowlers, have reached or eclipsed in recent months. If the team has reached a price point it is unwilling to extend beyond, the sense that 2022 could be the 26-year-old’s final campaign in Pittsburgh will only grow.
  • Murphy To Step Aside In 2025:  The Packers will have a new president in three years’ time. Mark Murphy confirmed that, as required by the clubs by-laws, he will be retiring in 2025, ending a tenure of sustained success for the franchise. Included in that stretch is the team’s fourth Super Bowl title, adding to Murphy’s personal collection of rings dating back to his playing career. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Packers president,” he wrote to fans. “I plan on making the last three years as successful as possible, with multiple Super Bowl championships!”

5 Key Stories: 6/26/22 – 7/3/22

July 3rd, 2022 at 5:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Even in the quietest part of the offseason, there were still some significant developments around the NFL. Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s top headlines:

  • Watson Hearing Concludes: The top offseason storyline in the league reached another critical stage, as the hearing presided over by Sue Robinson concluded after three days. Her decision on whether Browns QB Deshaun Watson will be suspended – and if so, for how long – will be the next step in this process, and could be delayed by a matter of weeks. Any appeals process (which would be administered by commissioner Roger Goodell or his appointee) would then follow, and have drastic consequences on Watson, the Browns and, given the precedent it could set, any players who find themselves in a similar situation in the future.
  • McLaurin Signs Extension With Commanders: The offseason was building towards Terry McLaurin signing a lucrative extension in Washington, and he did just that by inking a three-year deal. The pact carries an average annual value of $23.3MM, and includes a signing bonus of $28MM. With the new contract in hand, McLaurin will see significant guaranteed money, while still being eligible for another significant deal at the age of 30.
  • Mayfield Dispels Talk Of Browns Reconciliation: With a Watson suspension looming, many have pointed to Baker Mayfield as the Browns’ best QB option in 2022. He remains on the roster, as trade talks have sputtered throughout the offseason, but the fences between himself and the team still aren’t likely to be mended. “I think it’s pretty obvious the mutual decision on both sides is to move on,” he said, when asked about the possibility of rescinding his trade request to play out the final year of his contract in Cleveland. Finding a trade partner could still remain challenging for the team, though.
  • 49ers Nearing Samuel Extension?: With McLaurin (and fellow 2019 draftee A.J. Brown) having signed big-money extensions, attention will turn even more so to the 49ers and Deebo Samuel. It was reported that, as trade talk cools around the highly-productive ‘wide-back,’ the team is “expected to continue working toward” a new deal with Samuel. In that event, he could find himself under contract by training camp later this month, presumably joining the $20MM-per-year WR club as many others have already done this offseason along the way.
  • Texans Facing First Watson Suit: The civil litigation filed against Watson has been well-documented, and, even after 20 of those suits were settled, will remain a significant storyline into, quite possibly, next offseason. Another development related his case, though, was the news that the first lawsuit related to his conduct while with the Texans was filed against the franchise itself. A statement from plaintiff’s attorney Tony Buzbee suggested that many others could follow, claiming that “the overwhelming evidence collected indicating that the Houston Texans enabled Watson’s behavior is incredibly damning.”

5 Key Stories: 6/12/22 – 6/19/22

June 19th, 2022 at 8:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

In case you missed some of the top stories around the NFL this past week, here’s a quick recap:

  • Watson’s Camp, NFLPA Expecting Lengthy Suspension: A final decision is looming with respect to league discipline being handed down to Browns QB Deshaun Watson, and all parties involved expect a “significant” suspension to be announced. Watson is facing 24 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, and recent reports have shed more light on the scale of his actions. The Browns committed significant draft capital and a fully-guaranteed $230MM contract to acquire him, but it appears to be very much in doubt that he will see the field in 2022.
  • Steelers Extend Fitzpatrick: As expected, Pittsburgh made a long-term deal with All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a top priority. New general manager Omar Khan got a deal finalized with the 25-year-old, which will make him the league’s highest-paid safety ($18.4MM per year) when it kicks in. He is set to play on the fifth-year option in 2022, but he is now on the books for another four years beyond that.
  • Snyder Won’t Testify To House Oversight Committee: Commanders owner Dan Snyder will not be appearing before the House Oversight Committee to testify about the workplace culture of the team, something which has been the subject of a lengthy investigation. A letter sent from his attorney explains that Snyder is unavailable for the scheduled date of his attendance, June 22, and states that he would be willing to testify at another time.
  • Browns, Panthers Still Discussing Mayfield Trade: It has long been known that QB Baker Mayfield will be on his way out of Cleveland soon, leading to plenty of speculation that he will end up in Carolina. The two sides have continued trade talks involving the former No. 1 pick, which date back to the draft. Some members of the Panthers’ front office would still prefer acquiring Mayfield to the alternative of a Sam Darnold–Matt Corral pairing, but finances remain the largest hurdle to overcome to get a deal done.
  • Ravens Resume Contract Talks With Jackson: With Lamar Jackson back at the Ravens’ facility for mandatory minicamp, he was able to resume contract talks with GM Eric DeCosta. The former MVP is expected to play on the fifth-year option this season, with little progress being made to date on negotiations for a long-term extension. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to have your say on how this situation will turn out by voting in PFR’s latest poll, which can be found here.

5 Key Stories: 4/3/22 – 4/9/22

April 10th, 2022 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look back at the week that was in the NFL:

  • Texans Re-Up Brandin Cooks: On Thursday, the Texans re-upped Brandin Cooks on a brand-new two-year extension. The deal — worth roughly $40MM with $36M in guarantees — takes the standout wide receiver off of the trade market following weeks of speculation about his future. Previously, Cooks was set to earn $12.5MM in base salary this season, the final season of his five-year, $81MM extension from 2018. Now, he’ll build on his work in Houston, where he’s topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two years.
  • Saints Acquire First-Round Pick From Eagles: With a few weeks to go before the draft, the Saints moved up two spots in the first round. The Eagles received pick Nos. 18, 101, and 237, plus a 2013 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. In exchange, the Saints get No. 16 overall, plus No. 19 and No. 194 in this year’s draft. New Orleans now has additional ammo in this year’s draft, while Philly can potentially plan for a move in a 2023 draft that is expected to feature a better crop of quarterbacks.
  • Ravens Re-Sign Calais Campbell: Calais Campbell is staying with the Ravens after agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $16.5MM. The deal also contains $6MM in guaranteed money, locking in much of what could be his final NFL contract. While Campbell left the door open to retirement, he later confirmed that he wanted to stick around for at least another season. “It just felt like the right move,” Campbell said. “I feel like we started something special and we have unfinished business there.”
  • Eagles Meet With Tyrann Mathieu: Tyrann Mathieu is still on the market, but the Eagles might bring his free agency to an end. Although they re-signed Anthony Harris, the Eagles have an opening alongside him at safety. Mathieu could take over at Rodney McLeod‘s long-held spot, but it’d cost the Eagles much more than Harris’ one-year, $2.5MM deal.
  • Dwayne Haskins Dead At 24: Former Ohio State standout and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins died after being run over by a truck over the weekend. The quarterback, who would have turned 25 in May, enjoyed an extraordinary run with the Buckeyes and parlayed his success into a first-round selection. After two years in Washington, Haskins spent the 2021 season with the Steelers. “I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.”

5 Key Stories: 12/27/21 – 1/1/22

January 2nd, 2022 at 1:11pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • NFL Legend John Madden Passes Away: Late last week, NFL legend John Madden passed away at the age of 85. Madden, of course, is one of the most iconic NFL personalities of all time, evolving from Hall of Fame coach to famed broadcaster to the face of the sport’s most popular video game franchise. “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.”
  • Jaguars Kick Off HC Search: The Jaguars requested interviews with Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and DC Dan Quinn, Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett, and experienced HCs Doug Pederson and Jim Caldwell. Quinn has since declined the opportunity for an early interview, but he could still chat with the Jags at a later date.
  • Colts Reached Out To Rivers: Colts head coach Frank Reich recently asked Philip Rivers if he’d be interested in coming out of retirement. Even though Rivers has left the door open to an eventual return, it doesn’t sound like the 40-year-old is interested in filling in for Carson Wentz. In his lone Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio.
  • Giants’ Joe Judge Likely To Return: The Giants reportedly plan to stay patient with head coach Joe Judge, even as they wrap up another losing season. For his part, Judge says he’s still committed to turning things around in New York. “I’ve said this from the beginning: I’m not interested in having some kind of quick flash,” Judge said. “I’m not interested in shortcuts. I’m not interested in quick fixes. I want to do this the right way. When I took this job I made it very, very clear that I was only going to do this if we’re all committed to doing this the right way. And that’s something that’s been very clear from ownership on down.”
  • Roethlisberger Addresses Likely Steelers Exit: Ben Roethlisberger has not publicly committed to retiring after the season, but Monday’s matchup with the Browns will almost certainly be his final home game with the Steelers. On Thursday, Big Ben addressed the speculation and seemingly acknowledged the end of his 18-year Pittsburgh run. As of this writing, Roethlisberger sits 24th in QBR for this season.

5 Key Stories: 12/20/21 – 12/26/21

December 26th, 2021 at 12:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

5 Key Stories: 12/6/21 – 12/12/21

December 12th, 2021 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • Demaryius Thomas Dead At 33: Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passed away last week, just shy of his 34th birthday. Beloved by his teammates, Thomas captured a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in 2015 before moving on to the Texans and Jets later in his career. On the field, he’ll be remembered for his exceptional performances in orange and blue. He ranks second in Broncos history in receiving yards (9,055) and receiving touchdowns (60) with more playoff receptions (53) than any other player in franchise history.
  • Seahawks’ Wilson Open To Trade: Here we go again. According to multiple reports, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Broncos, Giants, and Saints. The Giants — currently slated to have two top-10 picks in the 2022 draft — have the resources to get a deal done. The Saints and Broncos would surely be interested in the seven-time Pro Bowler, but they have significantly less draft ammo to offer.
  • Ravens’ Humphrey Done For Year: Marlon Humphrey was shut down for the year after suffering a torn pec. His loss was felt immediately last Sunday against the Steelers — without the star cornerback, the Ravens opted for a two-point conversion instead of an extra point to tie the game. When that failed, the Ravens lost 20-19 and ceded ground in the competitive AFC North. This hasn’t been the 25-year-old’s best season, but he still ranked as the 27th best cornerback in the NFL this year, according to Pro Football Focus.
  • Seahawks’ Adams Done For Year: Less than a year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum, Jamal Adams is set for a similar rehab odyssey in 2022. The Seahawks safety is out for the season with yet another major left shoulder injury, his second inside of eleven months. Adams’ absence weakens the Seahawks’ D while potentially improving the Jets’ draft outlook. Thanks to the blockbuster Adams trade, the Jets own the Seahawks’ 2021 and 2022 first-round picks.
  • Titans Activate Julio Jones: After an extended absence, the Titans welcomed Julio Jones back to the roster. Finally healed up from his hamstring injury, the legendary wide receiver took the field on Sunday to face the Jaguars.

5 Key Stories: 11/28/21 — 12/5/21 

December 5th, 2021 at 7:28pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • Big Ben Expected To Retire: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to call it a career after this season. Roethlisberger has outlasted both Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, but Father Time has clearly caught up to him. His QBR ranked just 24th in the league through ten starts and, even after today’s win over the Ravens, it’s clear that he’s lost a step. As of this writing, Roethlisberger sits eighth all time in touchdown passes with the sixth-most passing yards in NFL history.
  • NFL Suspends AB: The Buccaneers lost wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Mike Edwards to suspension this week when both players were found to have violated league protocols. They’ll be eligible to return after three games, but head coach Bruce Arians says Brown might not be inserted into the lineup straight away. It’s possible that Brown could face legal consequences for his phony vaccination card and, even if he isn’t charged, the Bucs want to know that Brown is mentally prepared for the playoffs.
  • CMC Done For Year: Christian McCaffrey was placed on injured reserve for the second time this year, automatically ruling him out for the rest of the season. CMC previously missed five games with a hamstring injury. This time around, it’s an ankle injury that’ll require multiple months of rehab. Between the last two years, McCaffrey has appeared in just ten games for the Panthers. In 2019, his last healthy campaign, he made a push for Chris Johnson‘s single-season scrimmage yardage record. Now, his ’21 season ends with just 442 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus 37 catches for 343 yards and one receiving TD.
  • Panthers Fire OC Joe Brady: The injuries haven’t helped, but the Panthers were also unhappy with offensive coordinator Joe Brady. On Sunday, the Panthers fired the 32-year-old and replaced him with senior offensive assistant Jeff Nixon. Ranked just 28th in total offense, the Panthers will look for better results next week when they take on the Falcons.
  • Seahawks Sign Peterson: Adrian Peterson is back, this time with the injury-battered Seahawks. Seattle inked the legendary running back to a practice squad deal last week before quickly elevating him to the varsity squad. On Sunday, Peterson became the first player in NFL history to score a rushing touchdown with six different teams. That TD wound up being a difference-maker as the Seahawks beat the Niners 30-23.

5 Key Stories: 11/14/21 – 11/21/21

November 21st, 2021 at 4:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • Bears’ Mack Done For Year: Khalil Mack‘s season is over. The Bears hoped to get their All-Pro pass rusher back on the field after a bit of rest, but doctors recommended foot surgery instead. It’s a frustrating setback considering the 30-year-old’s hot start to the year. Through six games, Mack tallied six sacks, putting him on course for a vintage double-digit campaign. Without Mack and longtime defensive leader Danny Trevathan (also done for the year), the Bears fell to the Ravens today for their fifth-straight loss.
  • Ravens, Jackson Not Close To Extension: The Ravens haven’t made much progress on a new deal with Lamar Jackson, setting the stage for a tense winter. Jackson, 25 in January, is earning just $1.78MM in base salary this season. Next year, he’ll make roughly $23MM by way of the fifth-year option. After that, the Ravens can cuff Jackson with the franchise tag, but they want to avoid a Dak Prescott scenario. Ultimately, those protracted negotiations wound up costing the Cowboys many millions more over the long haul.
  • Eagles’ Dallas Goedert Signs Extension: A few weeks after trading Zach Ertz to the Cardinals, the Eagles cemented Dallas Goedert’s status as their long-term TE1. Goedert inked a brand new four-year deal worth approximately $59MM, making him one of the three highest-paid TEs in the game. The deal, which also includes $35.7MM guaranteed, marks a massive bump from his current $1.24MM salary. In terms of new money, Goedert trails only George Kittle ($15MM/year) and Travis Kelce ($14.3MM) at tight end.
  • Eagles, Maddox Agree To Deal: The Eagles also re-upped cornerback Avonte Maddox with a three-year extension worth $22.5MM. The new deal furnishes Maddox with $13.3MM in guarantees while keeping him under club control through the 2024 season.
  • Torn ACL For WFT’s Young: You didn’t need a medical degree to diagnose Chase Young‘s non-contact injury. On Monday, Washington confirmed that the defensive end is done for the year with a torn ACL. Young, the No. 2 overall pick last year, finished 2020 with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and 7.5-sacks. This year, he’ll be capped at just 1.5 sacks and 25 total tackles.
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