Tag: OTAs

Jul 22, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball during the New York Jets Training Camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers: ‘No restrictions’ at OTAs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will be ready when the New York Jets begin their offseason training activities on May 20.

Coach Robert Saleh said Friday that the 40-year-old quarterback will have “no restrictions” eight months after Achilles surgery.

After a celebrated tenure with Green Bay, Rodgers’ 2023 Jets debut ended after just four snaps with a torn left Achilles.

Saleh confirmed that Rodgers is on track to participate in “phase three” of OTAs, a four-week period when teams can hold 10 practices with non-contact, 11-on-11 work.

“Once phase three hits, we’re not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can’t do with him,” Saleh told reporters Friday at the start of a two-day rookie minicamp.

Rodgers participated in practices on a limited basis during the final month of last season.

“The guy can still sling it,” Saleh said, per ESPN. “Obviously, he’s still working through his rehab, but there are no issues on the trajectory on which he’s going.”

Rodgers passed for 59,055 yards, 475 touchdowns and 105 interceptions in 230 games (223 starts) for the Packers from 2005-22, compiling a record of 147-75-1. He made 10 Pro Bowls and led Green Bay to a Super Bowl XLV victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Jets’ quarterback room also includes veteran Tyrod Taylor and rookie Jordan Travis, drafted in the fifth round last month out of Florida State.

–Field Level Media

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks to the media during a press conference on the first day of the off season for the Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Monday January 8, 2024

Report: Joe Burrow eyes mid-May return to full activities

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow has his sights set on a full return to football activities by mid-May, ESPN reported Sunday.

Burrow, whose season began with a right calf injury and ended with a torn wrist ligament in Week 11, expects his return to come as the team begins organized team activities. That would include full throwing sessions.

“I think middle of May is when I am expecting to kind of be cleared for full contact and everything. Over the next month [to] month and a half, we’ll kind of decide all those things,” Burrow said Sunday.

The quarterback, taken first overall by the Bengals in 2020, said the time frame nearly matches previous off-season schedules, when he wouldn’t start throwing until the team’s OTAs.

In his four seasons, Burrow has completed 68 percent of his passes for 14,083 yards and 97 touchdowns in 52 games. He led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, when he led the league with a 70.4 percent completion rate.

In September, Burrow signed a five-year contract extension worth $275 million. The $55 million average annual value is the highest recorded in the NFL.

The Bengals finished last season 9-8, last in the AFC North, and missed the postseason after consecutive runs to at least the conference title game.

–Field Level Media

Hazy conditions from the wildfires in Canada are seen around MetLife Stadium after the New York Giants canceled their organized team activities (OTA's) due to air quality issues on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Giants cancel practices due to poor air quality

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Giants canceled their remaining organized team activities for Thursday and Friday in East Rutherford, N.J., due to air quality concerns stemming from the Canadian wildfires.

The Giants initially planned to work indoors on Thursday before the team called an audible after a haze made its way inside the fieldhouse.

“We just felt it was the right thing to do,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “We’ll let this settle out and come back next week (for minicamp).”

The Giants conclude their offseason program with mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

May 4, 2023; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson speaks during a press conference at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson misses first day of OTAs

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback and newly minted highest-paid player in NFL history Lamar Jackson missed the first day of OTAs on Monday, but he is expected to report this week.

It’s unclear why Jackson wasn’t there Monday. OTAs are voluntary. Jackson has also missed the team’s voluntary workouts.

The Ravens are implementing a new offense under new offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

Jackson signed a five-year contract worth $260 million days ahead of the NFL draft. The deal included $185 million in guaranteed money.

Jackson missed the final five games of the 2022 regular season, plus the wild-card playoff loss at Cincinnati, with a knee sprain. It was the second straight season in which his season ended with an injury. He missed the final four games in 2021 due to a ankle injury.

In 12 games last season, Jackson threw for 2,242 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also led the Ravens in rushing with 764 yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson has played in 70 games (61 starts) since the Ravens selected him with the last pick of the first round in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 12,209 yards with 101 touchdowns and 38 interceptions. He has run for 4,437 yards and 24 scores.

He has a 45-16 record as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Saints TE Foster Moreau set for OTAs after cancer diagnosis

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Tight end Foster Moreau is gearing up for organized team activities with the New Orleans Saints next week despite a cancer diagnosis 60 days ago.

Moreau said last week he has a very positive prognosis for a full and healthy recovery from treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said on Monday that opens the door to Moreau being on the field with teammates next week.

Allen said all parties are leaning on medical professionals to guide their decision.

“Dr. (John) Amoss felt really positive about not only the treatment plan, but also his recovery and his ability then to participate,” Allen said. “So I really don’t anticipate that to be a challenge that we’re going to have to deal with. Obviously it’s a serious medical condition, so you don’t ever want to take that lightly.”

Allen said it was “absolutely” a possibility when pressed on Moreau participating next week. Amoss made the cancer discovery during Moreau’s free agent visit with the Saints.

The first scheduled OTA session for the Saints is May 23.

“We’ve only had (Moreau) here for a couple of days, but I like the addition. I like the person, I like the player,” Allen said. “He’s got some versatility, he can play both in-line and the move position. He’s smart, he’s tough, he has a lot of the characteristics that we look for in a Saints player. I like the fact that (quarterback) Derek (Carr) has some familiarity with him.”

When he signed his three-year, $12 million contract with the team last week, Moreau was wearing a Team Gleason “No White Flags” shirt and New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson’s Jordan 1 Low “Voodoo” sneakers while putting pen to paper. The shirt honors the charity foundation managed by former Saints star Steve Gleason and his family.

Moreau, 26, spent his first four seasons with the Raiders, and he will be reunited in New Orleans with Carr, who spent nine seasons with the Raiders. Moreau stepped away from football in March after revealing his diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

According to ESPN, the New Orleans native and former LSU player has received a positive prognosis for his cancer recovery and is planning to play in 2023.

Moreau recorded 33 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (14 starts) with Las Vegas in 2022. In 61 career games (34 starts), he has 91 catches for 1,107 yards and 12 scores. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft out of LSU.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy talks to the media during a press conference at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: NFL sanctions Cowboys, Mike McCarthy for OTA violations

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL pushed back at the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday for getting too physical in their organized team activities (OTAs) for a second consecutive year, according to ESPN and NFL.com.

The league reportedly took away one OTA practice from the Cowboys for 2023, and head coach Mike McCarthy received a fine. ESPN reported that McCarthy was forced to pay $100,000.

OTAs are required to be non-contact, but the Cowboys were found to have broken that rule last year, too. The NFL fined the Cowboys $100,000, fined McCarthy $50,000 and forced the team to give up one OTA session due to the same issue. This year, the team reportedly was not fined.

The San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars also were penalized for violating OTA rules last year, while the Chicago Bears had one June OTA session taken away this year following a violation in May.

The Cowboys concluded this month’s OTAs on Thursday.

McCarthy said, “Everything we wanted to accomplish in the offseason was completed, and really the focus turns to their individual five-week plan.”

–Field Level Media

May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in attendance during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Kyler Murray skips Cardinals’ OTAs

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Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray is skipping the team’s volunteer organized team activities this week, according to reports.

The move was expected as Murray and the Cardinals are at a standstill on talks about a contract extension.

The offseason between Murray and Arizona has included Murray scrubbing all references to the team from his social media at one point, and his agent later releasing a statement of more than 1,000 words saying Murray wanted a new contract.

Murray has never asked for a trade, which is good since Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said last month that there’s “zero chance” of that happening.

Murray is scheduled to make about $5.5 million in 2022, the fourth year of his rookie contract.

The Cardinals picked up the fifth-year option on Murray’s rookie contract late last month. The move guarantees Murray $29.7 million in 2023.

It also allows the two sides more time to negotiate a long-term deal.

In 2021, Murray passed for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, and he also rushed for 423 yards and five touchdowns last season.

Murray made his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round and his performance wasn’t good. He completed 19 of 34 passes for only 137 yards and two interceptions in a 34-11 loss.

In three seasons, Murray has a 22-23-1 record as a starter. He has passed for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, while rushing for 1,786 yards and 20 scores in 46 starts.

The Cardinals selected Murray No. 1 overall in 2019 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer claps as his players transition between drills on the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field during the Jacksonville Jaguars mandatory veterans minicamp session Monday morning, June 14, 2021. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Jki 061421 Jaguarsveterans 1

Reports: 49ers, Cowboys, Jags dinged for OTA violations

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The Jacksonville Jaguars were fined $200,000 and the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys were each fined $100,000 for violating NFL rules about organized team activities, ESPN and NFL Network reported Thursday.

New Jaguars coach Urban Meyer was fined $100,000 while 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy were levied $50,000 fines. In addition, according to the reports, each team had to forfeit a certain amount of OTA practice time, either this year or for 2022.

The precise violations were not made public.

The Jaguars released a statement saying that the club is “vigilant about practicing within the (Collective Bargaining Agreement) rules and will re-emphasize offseason training rules as they relate to contact. We are looking forward to the start of training camp later this month.”

OTAs are held during the offseason and are typically run at a lower speed and intensity. Players are only allowed to wear helmets, shorts and jerseys — no pads — in accordance with the CBA.

–Field Level Media

Feb 4, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Patrick Mahomes expected to participate in OTAs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is on track to participate in organized team activities, multiple media outlets reported on Friday.

Mahomes has been working his way back from offseason surgery to repair a turf toe injury in February. The 25-year-old had the procedure days after guiding the Chiefs to a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, in which they fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mahomes, who previously said he was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, is expected to take part in a limited capacity when the Chiefs begin OTAs on Tuesday. He reportedly will take on a larger role during the team’s mandatory minicamp.

Mahomes played through the turf toe injury, which was sustained in the playoffs during Kansas City’s victory over the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round in January.

Mahomes was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2018 before his consecutive Super Bowl seasons, including a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV.

Mahomes has a 38-8 career regular-season record as a starter in four NFL seasons, all with the Chiefs. Last year, he completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards with 38 touchdowns and six interceptions. For his career, he has a 66 percent completion rate with 14,152 passing yards, 114 TD passes and 24 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

June 5, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones stretches with the team during minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL announces offseason program dates for all 32 teams

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The NFL announced the dates Thursday for the offseason workout programs for each of the 32 teams.

Still, it is unclear how many players will attend the voluntary portion of the program — the OTAs. They players on about 20 teams have indicated they won’t attend voluntary OTAs due to continuing concerns about safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases. Phase One (April 19-May 14) has been extended this year from two to four weeks, with activities limited to strength and conditioning, virtual meetings and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two (May 17-21) has been reduced from three weeks to one week. The phase allows for on-field workouts, including individual player instruction and drills, “perfect play” drills, and drills and plays conducted with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players. Players on one side of the ball may execute a play, but players on the opposite side of the ball may not make contact.

In Phase Three (May 24-June 18), teams can conduct in-person meetings and classroom instruction subject to COVID-19 testing and other protocols. Teams may hold a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity without live contact.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows for one mandatory minicamp for veterans and a rookie football development program.

The dates for each team’s offseason workout program are as follows. They are tentative and subject to change.

ARIZONA CARDINALS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

ATLANTA FALCONS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 14-17
Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

BALTIMORE RAVENS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

BUFFALO BILLS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-2, June 4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

CAROLINA PANTHERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

CHICAGO BEARS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

CINCINNATI BENGALS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14

CLEVELAND BROWNS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

DALLAS COWBOYS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1, June 3-4
Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

DENVER BRONCOS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-2, June 4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

DETROIT LIONS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 14-17
Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

GREEN BAY PACKERS
offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-2, June 4, June 7-8, June 10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-15

HOUSTON TEXANS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 7-9

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 8-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 7-9

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 2-4, June 7-8, June 10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-16
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

LOS ANGELES RAMS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

MIAMI DOLPHINS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-26, June 1-3, June 7-8, June 10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

MINNESOTA VIKINGS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-26, June 1-3, June 8-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

NEW YORK GIANTS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 2-4, June 14-15
Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

NEW YORK JETS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-8, June 10-11
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 7-9

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 14-17
Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1-2, June 4, June 7-8, June 10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24, May 26-27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 14-17
Mandatory minicamp: June 7-9
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

TENNESSEE TITANS
OTA offseason workouts: May 24-25, May 27, June 1, June 3-4, June 7-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-16

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
OTA offseason workouts: May 25-27, June 1-3, June 8-10
Mandatory minicamp: June 15-17
Rookie minicamp: May 14-15

–Field Level Media