Week In Review News & Rumors

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

• The drama between Aaron Rodgers and the Packers continues. Lately, there’s been speculation that the quarterback could opt out of the season, saving him millions in fines should he choose to skip 2021. However, that’s not likely to happen. The deadline for Rodgers and the rest of the NFL players will come this week, on July 2.
• The Jets made a serious upgrade to their offensive line this week, signing longtime Washington starter Morgan Moses to man the right tackle position. Ron Rivera & Co. chose cap room over having the veteran, but the Jets got him at a reasonable rate — it’s a one-year, $3.6MM deal with incentives that can take him up to $5.3MM. According to Pro Football Focus, 2020 might have been Moses’ best year yet — he placed top-20 for tackles, up from so-so scores across 2017-2019. Barring any surprises, he’ll start at RT across from Mekhi Becton with George Fant and Chuma Edoga coming off the bench.
• The Steelers also continued their offensive line shakeup, parting ways with longtime guard David DeCastro. In his place, they signed former Pro Bowler Trai Turner. Turner, 28, comes to Pittsburgh with 89 career starts, making him the most senior member of the offensive line. The Steelers saved about $8MM by cutting DeCastro and spent ~$3MM to ink Turner. DeCastro, by his own admission, is still struggling with a chronic ankle issue. If Turner is healthy, it’s a clear win for the Steelers — they’ll have upgraded their interior while pocketing about $5MM in savings.
• Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard hasn’t backed down from his contract demands. He’s “dug in,” per one report, even though he has four years to go on his contract. Last year, Howard graded out as the second-best corner in the league, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Meanwhile, his $15MM AAV places him as just the sixth-highest paid cornerback in football, one spot behind teammate Byron Jones.
• The Browns also have some business to take care of with Baker Mayfield, but they’ve yet to exchange figures. For what it’s worth, both sides are preaching patience. Besides, Mayfield would be comfortable waiting — fellow draft classmates Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson could be on the verge of $40MM/year extensions, raising the roof on his own asking price.

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

• Aaron Rodgers wants out, and he’s said to be eyeing the Broncos, Raiders and 49ers. Still, those familiar with Rodgers’ thinking are split on whether he’s heading for divorce with the Packers. Rodgers has reportedly refused to play for GM Brian Gutekunst, but even that notion has been challenged by old teammate James Jones. Meanwhile, the Browns won’t get into the Rodgers mix, preferring to stick with the younger Baker Mayfield instead.
• The Broncos are set to go another season without high-priced right tackle Ja’Wuan James. On Tuesday, James suffered a torn Achilles tendon, which puts his $10MM base salary in jeopardy and leaves the team with a major hole to fill on the offensive line. After passing on Rashawn Slater in the draft, the Broncos are scouring what’s left of the open market. For James, this may cap his Denver tenure at just 63 total snaps.
• The Lions inked center Frank Ragnow to a record extension, making him the highest-paid center in NFL history. Ragnow will receive $70MM in total with $25.5MM fully guaranteed, vaulting him ahead of Chargers center Corey Linsley for the richest contract at the position. Ragnow has started every game for the Lions ever since he was taken with the No. 20 overall pick in 2018, save for three missed games due to injury.
• Kerryon Johnson was cut by the Lions, but he didn’t make it to free agency. Instead, the Eagles swooped in to claim the once-promising Auburn product. As a rookie, Johnson averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in ten games. If he can put his history of knee trouble behind him, he could be a solid contributor alongside starter Miles Sanders.
• The Dolphins bounced Bobby McCain late last week, nixing the final two seasons of his four-year, $27MM deal. The 2015 fifth-rounder started in 55 of his 87 games for Miami, collecting seven interceptions and four sacks along the way. However, he ranked just 55th out of 94 qualified safeties last year, per Pro Football Focus. Now, he’ll hit the free agent circuit and meet with the Washington Football Team.

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

Titans, Derrick Henry Reach Deal: They took it right up to the buzzer, but they got it done. With less than an hour to go before the deadline, the Titans inked running back Derrick Henry to a four-year, $50MM deal with $25.5MM guaranteed. At $12.5MM/year, Henry is now the fifth-highest paid RB in the NFL. More importantly for Henry, he effectively has two full years of the deal guaranteed. 

Chiefs, Chris Jones Hammer Out Extension: Henry was just one of two players to agree to terms before the deadline. The other was Chiefs standout defensive tackle Chris Jones, who returns on a four-year, $80MM deal with $37MM guaranteed at signing. Among interior D-linemen, Jones now sits third in guaranteed money and fourth in fully guaranteed funds. It was a sharp turnaround from just a couple weeks ago, when Jones hinted at a potential holdout via social media.

Jaguars Receive Trade Offers For Yannick Ngakoue: The Jaguars got another batch of trade offers for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, but none of them were to their liking. The disgruntled defensive end isn’t necessarily stuck in Jacksonville, however – the Jags still have the option to trade him at a later date, and Ngakoue’s willingness to play out the year on his current deal could help facilitate a deal down the line.

Browns Give Myles Garrett Record Extension: On Wednesday, the Browns officially made Myles Garrett the league’s highest-paid defensive player. The five-year, $125MM deal guarantees Garrett a whopping $100MM in total, including $50MM at signing. Garrett’s resume isn’t at the same level as Khalil Mack‘s just yet, but he’s roughly five years younger than the Bears superstar. Last year’s ugly incident sidelined Garrett for the home stretch of the season, but he’s expected to get back to form this year. In 2018, the former No. 1 overall pick registered 13.5 sacks and 29 QB knockdowns.

Jason Peters Returns To The Eagles: Jason Peters is back with the Birds. This time around, the legendary tackle will try his hand at guard to help replace the injured Brandon Brooks. The 38-year-old doesn’t have much experience on the interior, but the Eagles don’t think it’ll take long for him to get the hang of it.

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

Jets’ Jamal Adams Demands Trade: Jamal Adams wants out. After dropping some pretty big hints on social media, the Pro Bowl safety told the Jets to trade him. He also listed out the teams that he’d be willing to play for, a list that includes the Chiefs, 49ers, Cowboys, Ravens, Eagles, Texans, Seahawks, and Buccaneers. For now, the Jets say that they have no intention of trading him, but Adams could force their hand. Adams’ camp reportedly wants the Jets to give him a deal worth $20MM per year to make him the league’s highest-paid defender. But, depending on the team he’s with, he’s willing to put extension talks on hold. 

Cowboys’ Dak Prescott To Sign His One-Year Tender: Dak Prescott is set to sign his one-year tender, which will pay him upwards of $31MM for the coming year. Now, the two sides will work to hash out a long-term arrangement. They’ve got until July 15 to ink a deal, one that would likely make him the richest player in the NFL.

Zeke Elliott Among NFL Players To Test Positive For COVID-19: Players on the Texans and Cowboys – including Ezekiel Elliott – tested positive for COVID-19. The Rams, Broncos, 49ers, and Buccaneers have also players diagnosed with the coronavirus and it’s believed that roughly a third of the league’s teams had at least one player test positive. The NFL still intends to go forward with the season, though they’re less optimistic about having fans in the stands.

Josh Gordon Applies For Reinstatement: Josh Gordon formally requested reinstatement from the league office. The 29-year-old has been working out in Seattle with his fingers crossed and it’s safe to say that teams will reach out to him if he’s cleared to play. Of course, it’s not a given that he’ll be allowed to retake the field, given his track record with Roger Goodell.

49ers Sign Kyle Shanahan To Extension: The Niners’ head coach inked yet another six-year deal. With the new arrangement, Kyle Shanahan is now tied to SF through the 2025 season.

A look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories over the past week:

Dalvin Cook To Wage Holdout: Dalvin Cook won’t show up for team activities until he receives a “reasonable” deal from the Vikings. The fourth-year running back is still waiting for talks to actually get underway and the clock is ticking fast. For now, Cook is is set to make just $1.3MM in 2020. In the past, the Vikings have not been shy about handing out extensions. However, the sky-high comp of Christian McCaffrey‘s deal coupled with Cook’s own injury history may have the Vikings feeling skittish. 

Antonio Brown Pleads No Contest To Criminal Charges; Antonio Brown pleaded no contest to criminal charges stemming from his January scuffle with a delivery driver. Now that AB has avoided jail time for that incident, he’s dropping hints that an NFL deal could be just around the corner. A deal may or may not be imminent, but Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson says that he would “love” to play with Brown and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson hasn’t been shy with his affection either.

Jamal Adams Frustrated With Jets: Jamal Adams took to Instagram last week to congratulate Myles Garrett on the start of his contract talks with the Browns and let the world know that he’s less-than-thrilled with the Jets. Adams says the Jets told him that they’d put an offer on the table in January. Now, it’s June, and the Pro Bowl safety still hasn’t received their proposal.

Teams Viewing Logan Ryan As Nickel CB?: Logan Ryan‘s prolonged journey through free agency makes a little more sense now. Ryan, who is said to be seeking $10MM per year, is being seen as more of a slot man than a high-caliber outside corner by some teams. For reference, Lions corner Justin Coleman leads the way for inside specialists at $9MM/year on average, and Ryan wouldn’t be likely to top that if he’s pigeonholed as a nickelback. The Jets and the Dolphins have shown interest in Ryan, but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent on either front.

NFL Cancels In-Person June Minicamps: The NFL confirmed that teams will not be permitted to hold in-person minicamps this month. This was, more or less, the expected move. The league is also weighing a shorter preseason with two exhibition games rather than the usual four.