Month: February 2023

General manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh at the New York Jets Rookie Camp, held at their practice facility in Florham Park, NJ on May 6, 2022. The New York Jets Held Rookie Camp At Their Practice Facility In Florham Park Nj On May 6 2022

Jets investigating all QB options; Derek Carr left ‘strong impression’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Finding a veteran quarterback is the top priority for the New York Jets.

From owner Woody Johnson down the line, the Jets continue to make public their plans to add a quarterback to the roster while not dismissing former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson as a future consideration.

“Our stance on Zach hasn’t changed,” general manager Joe Douglas said. “We still feel like he has a high ceiling.”

One quarterback has already been in the building. Derek Carr, discarded by the Raiders, spent parts of two days at the facility since his release mid-month and will again meet with Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh in Indianapolis this week during the NFL Scouting Combine.

“Highly competitive. On the tape, you see the talent — release, arm talent, accuracy. That was a fantastic visit, really enjoyed spending time with him,” Douglas said Tuesday. “He left a strong impression with everybody.”

Douglas said Carr is “going to be thorough with his process” as a first-time free agent. He said the Jets will spend more time with Carr this week.

Without selling out Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, Douglas made it clear the Jets have checked on another as-yet-unavailable quarterback: Aaron Rodgers.

Gutekunst said Tuesday he hasn’t talked to other GMs about specific players or trades. Douglas said he has “talked to a lot of general managers about a lot of things” but asked to defer anything specific about the Packers to Gutekunst.

Douglas said there is “a lot to like” about Carr, who turns 32 in March. The Jets are also thought to be interested in unrestricted free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, who played for the 49ers during Saleh’s time as the team’s defensive coordinator.

But Rodgers, should he declare he’s open to playing in 2023 and willing to entertain a trade to the Jets, appears to be the apple of Douglas’ eye.

“We’ll be ready to pull the trigger when we have to,” Douglas said, noting total compensation, including draft picks in any trade, were part of the big-picture evaluation. “We look through every scenario. Those are things we’re weighing. We’re looking at every option. That will play a part in the decision.”

The Jets might be ready to fire away on a new deal with All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Douglas said Tuesday the two sides have exchanged multiple proposals and there is joint optimism a contract is feasible.

“We’ve had several good discussions (with his agent) and we feel really good about where we’re at,” Douglas said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM: Justin Fields is starting QB ‘right now’

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Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday that the plan “right now” is for Justin Fields to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2023.

Poles made the comments from the NFL Scouting Combine, one day after reports surfaced that the Bears would shop the No. 1 overall pick this week. But Poles added that he needs to remain faithful to the process of looking at every draft option – including the QBs.

“I think that’s always been the case, we’ve always leaned that way,” Poles said Tuesday about shopping the No. 1 pick. “Because Justin did some really nice things and I’m really excited about where his game is going to go.

“But at the same time, when you sit in our situation, No. 1 overall, you have to do your due diligence. You have to investigate everything. You have to spend time with those guys, just to make sure we’re making the right decision,” he added.

Poles was asked directly if Fields would be the Bears’ starter next season.

“That’s the plan right now. We’re going to do our homework on this class,” Poles said.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said the Bears are still evaluating “everything” but praised Fields’ play last season and his drive to improve.

“All options are open,” Eberflus said. “Right now we leave everything open, and look at all options.”

Eberflus said Fields is focused on improving as a passer.

“The big thing we’ve talked about with him — let’s just take what the defensive gives you, and then move on,” Eberflus said Tuesday.

Playing it cagey allows Poles to potentially drive up the price on trading out of the top pick. And suitors are lining up.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are expected targets of the Indianapolis Colts, who would like to move up from No. 4 to avoid losing out on an elite passer. The Houston Texans own the No. 2 pick and are also in the QB market, as are a number of teams with selections in the top 10 who could be willing trade matches when Poles begins comparing offers.

Poles said “starter conversations” have taken place.

“Nothing specific about players, picks and all that. It’s just interest,” he said.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, US; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson poses for a photo after receiving the award for AP Offensive Player during the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings GM: Justin Jefferson extension a ‘high priority’

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A contract extension for All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson is a “high priority” for the Vikings this offseason, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah confirmed Tuesday.

“I don’t want to be the Vikings’ GM without that guy on our team,” Adofo-Mensah told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “So it’s a high priority. We’ve got to make sure we do it in the order that we can do it in, obviously, given all of our other decisions we have to make.”

Jefferson, 23, is in line for a monster payday after catching 324 passes for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns across 50 games in the first three seasons of his rookie contract.

NFL Network reported the sides discussed a deal worth up to $90 million over three seasons.

Jefferson made his third straight Pro Bowl and was a unanimous First Team All-Pro selection in 2022 after leading the NFL with 128 receptions and 1,809 yards to go along with eight touchdowns in 17 starts. He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

A first-round pick (22nd overall) out of LSU in 2020, Jefferson has consistently downplayed the possibility of a huge contract extension.

“That’s not my decision. It is what it is,” he said in January when asked if he deserved to be the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. “They pay me whatever they pay me. They don’t even really have to give me an extension this year. It is what it is. It’s not really something that I’m really worried about.”

Adofo-Mensah has more of a sense of urgency to get a long-term deal done with his young superstar.

“He’s trying to put the Minnesota Vikings on his back,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He wants to win a championship. When you have people like that in your building, you try everything you can not to let them out.”

Jefferson stands to earn a $2.4 million base salary in 2023 in the final season of his four-year, $13.1 million rookie deal.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) against the Los Angeles Chargers during a wild card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Jaguars rework deals, clear $26M in cap space

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The Jaguars created $26.14 million in 2023 cap space by restructuring three deals, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Jacksonville converted a total of $32.657 million in base salary into signing bonuses for wide receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones and guard Brandon Scherff.

All three players signed free agent contracts with the Jaguars during the 2022 offseason.

Kirk, 26, set career highs across the board with 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight TDs in 17 starts in 2022.

Jones, 27, also established career highs with 82 catches for 823 yards and added five TDs in 16 games (15 starts).

Scherff, 31, started all 17 games for an offense that finished 10th in both scoring and total offense last season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers plan to build around Kenny Pickett

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From searching for the quarterback of the future to replace Ben Roethlisberger one year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a much different position entering the 2023 draft.

The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett 20th overall in 2022. After beginning last season as a backup to Mitchell Trubisky, Pickett proved not only worthy of the starting spot but showed Pittsburgh’s front office he was the team’s franchise quarterback.

“We have our quarterback,” Steelers GM Omar Khan said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“His growth, his leadership. It was so much fun to watch as the season went on. He really gets the guys around him to rally, rally around him. It’s exciting.”

The other plus from a roster-building perspective is Pickett’s salary. While the 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL make $35 million or more, Pickett counts a mere $3.1 million against the Steelers’ salary cap in 2023.

“When a guy is on a rookie contract, there are certain advantages,” Khan said.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) reacts during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Giants to release WR Kenny Golladay

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Wide receiver Kenny Golladay was informed he will be released by the New York Giants on Tuesday, ending the failed free agency experiment after two seasons and 43 total receptions.

Golladay, 29, won’t be cut until the new league year begins on March 15, which saves the Giants nearly $7 million.

Golladay received a $4.5 million bonus in February and cost the Giants a total of $40.4 million for two seasons.

He posted six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown in 12 games in 2022, the second season of a four-year, $72 million deal he signed when former general manager Dave Gettleman was building the roster in 2021.

But Golladay fought knee issues and never found a consistent role under coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons plan to add QB, part with Marcus Mariota

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Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot cleared the path for Atlanta to pursue another quarterback on Tuesday.

Fontenot, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, said he was impressed by rookie Desmond Ridder’s showing in December. But the Falcons plan to add at the position, he said, and Atlanta is diving into options in the draft, free agency and the trade market.

“Ultimately, we’re going to add at the position,” he said. “We’re always going to leave every door open. Whether it’s the (eighth pick) or some other point in the draft, we could definitely bring in a quarterback. We don’t want to box ourselves in.”

The Falcons have the No. 8 pick in the first round and are a projected $75 million below the 2023 salary cap, meaning no contract is too onerous for the franchise to absorb. It’s part of the reason the team is consistently connected to rumors around Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

“If you have a lot of cap space, that means you have a lot of work to do,” Fontenot said.

Ridder, 23, became prominent in the team’s plans at this event last February. Fontenot cited the then-Cincinnati QB as the player who stood out the most in a sea of 330 prospects, and he met personally with 50 prospects along with his scouting staff and coaches.

But if the chance to upgrade at “critical positions” presents itself, Fontenot said the Falcons will investigate those options.

Atlanta officially released Mariota, 29, on Tuesday, Fontenot confirmed.

“We really appreciate Marcus and all the things he did while he was here,” Fontenot said.

–Field Level Media

Bills Josh Allen pauses and looks off before the start of the play. Ty 012223 Josh Allen Pause Bills

Bills chasing explosive playmakers in 2023 draft

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The Buffalo Bills are prioritizing explosive playmakers in the offseason.

General manager Brandon Beane said there are only “a few high-graded guys at the top” in this draft. But he cited the continued growth of 7-on-7 for the depth of this class at defensive back, hybrid defensive back and wide receiver.

“We’re always looking for playmakers, guys that are weapons with the ball for mismatches,” Beane said. “We’ll look at various ways to add playmakers. We are always looking for guys (quarterback) Josh (Allen) can get the ball to, guys that can run after the catch. Those turn into home runs, the big chunk plays. It’s hard to always count on the 10- or 11-play drives.”

Beane said safety Damar Hamlin is “definitely planning to return” to the field in 2023, and Buffalo is counting on him while navigating free agency with Jordan Poyer.

The “premium” placed on game-changing playmakers makes them more difficult to add, Beane said, pointing to the team’s predicament at running back. Devin Singletary is a free agent, but the Bills are discussing retaining him and have confidence that 2022 second-rounder James Cook can handle 15-20 touches per game.

Beane said Allen was nowhere near 100 percent at the end of the season, citing his elbow injury against the New York Jets as a limiting factor down the stretch.

“He wasn’t perfect. He takes hits. But he’s a warrior,” Beane said. “He was able to remove the brace after a few weeks. He’ll be ready to go this offseason. That’s one of the things with Josh, he’s his own worst critic. He’s a competitor. He wants it badly. He wants it more than anyone else.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward (83) makes a catch against Cleveland Browns cornerback A.J. Green (rear) and safety John Johnson III (43) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Browns to release S John Johnson III

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Browns safety John Johnson III will be released by Cleveland before the final year of his three-year contract, per reports.

Johnson signed a $33.75 million deal with the Browns in 2021 and had 162 tackles with four interceptions in his first two seasons in Cleveland.

His base salary was scheduled to more than double from 2022 to ’23, from $4 million to $8.75 million.

The 27-year-old was a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 and had two of his three career 100-tackle seasons with his original NFL team.

The Browns anticipate a shift in personnel to accommodate the style of play preferred by new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Johnson started all 17 games last season with 101 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC quarterback Derek Carr of the Las Vegas Raiders (4) talks with defensive coordinator Ray Lewis against the NFC during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr to meet with Jets, Saints, Panthers at Combine

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Derek Carr plans to keep his free agency window open until he finds the right fit, with plans to meet with multiple teams at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

Carr was released by the Las Vegas Raiders before more than $40 million in his contract became guaranteed on Feb. 15.

He met with general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh in a two-day visit with the New York Jets and also spent time with New Orleans Saints officials this month.

The Athletic and NFL Network reported Carr’s potential suitors include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.

One complication could be teams, including the Jets, waiting for word from the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers about the possibility of a trade.

Carr, who turns 32 next month, has a one-month head start on other unrestricted free agents who cannot sign until the start of the 2023 league year March 15.

In his nine seasons with the Raiders, Carr played for six head coaches, went 63-79 as a starter and led the team to the playoffs twice without a win. He didn’t play in the 2016 season postseason game due to a broken leg.

Carr set franchise records of 35,222 yards and 217 touchdowns. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, including this season when he passed for 3,522 yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

–Field Level Media