NFL News

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Fallout From Sam Darnold Trade: Panthers, Jets, Rhule, Draft, Bridgewater


April 5th, 2021 at 7:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Panthers and Jets had discussed a Sam Darnold trade for a bit, the talks centering around a trade that became official Monday heated up last week. Joe Douglas and Scott Fitterer discussed Darnold at Ohio State’s pro day on March 30, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Other teams contacted the Jets on Darnold ahead of free agency, but during the time Douglas and Co. methodically evaluating this year’s draft-eligible quarterbacks, some would-be suitors moved on. By late last week, the Panthers were the last team left standing that would trade for Darnold, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). The Jets sought a package similar to the one the Cardinals received for fellow 2018 top-10 QB Josh Rosen, wanting a second-round pick and another mid-round pick or a player, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. (The Dolphins sent the 2019 No. 62 overall pick to the Cardinals for Rosen.) The Jets also proposed a pick-swap trade that would have sent Darnold and No. 23 to Carolina for No. 8, per Breer. The Panthers shut off that path but agreed to send a 2021 sixth, a 2022 second and a 2022 fourth for the former No. 3 overall pick. The Jets now have nine picks in Rounds 1 and 2 between this draft and next.

Here is more from the latest 2021 QB domino falling Monday:

• Douglas pulled the trigger on a trade more than three weeks away from the draft and did so because Jets brass saw considerable downside in waiting for a better offer. The Jets did not want to lose out on the Panthers’ three-pick proposal, according to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes (Twitter links).
• Perhaps paying customary lip service, Fitterer said (per Person, on Twitter) Monday the Darnold acquisition will not take the Panthers out of the quarterback mix at No. 8 overall. That pick, however, can now be used to help Darnold and accelerate the team’s rebuild. It could also be used as a trade chip. The quarterback-seeking Broncos hold pick No. 9, and at least one of the top five quarterbacks figures to remain on the board by then. A team keen on grabbing one of these QB prospects would seemingly be interested in jumping in front of Denver, should the Broncos stay at No. 9.
• Teddy Bridgewater looks likely to be a one-and-done as a Panther. As a starter, anyway. He could be off to team No. 5 soon. The Panthers will try to collect a mid-round pick for their 2020 starter, Person notes (subscription required). But they have been trying to unload Bridgewater for weeks, Breer adds. Bridgewater is set to carry a $17MM cap number in 2021, and unless a Case Keenum– or Nick Foles-type situation emerges in which Bridgewater agrees to redo his deal to facilitate a trade, the Panthers will have a difficult time unloading that contract.
• A virtual Darnold-Matt Rhule conversation played a role in Monday’s trade. When the Jets interviewed Rhule for their HC job in 2019, he spoke with Darnold. Rhule came away impressed with the quarterback, and Rapoport notes that meeting came into play when Rhule approved this trade (video link).

[edindetroit]

Stole this from a Panthers fan board

Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold racing to see who gets the starting qb job

EyPHFg5WEAAJURT.jpeg

[Futureshock]

Panthers Expected To Trade Teddy Bridgewater


April 5th, 2021 at 4:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teddy Bridgewater‘s time in Carolina may well limited to one season. The Panthers are expected to look to trade their 2020 starter, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).



While Bridgewater’s departure would understandably be expected after the Panthers’ Sam Darnold acquisition, Rapoport adds the team may look to rework the veteran incumbent’s contract. A trade, however, should be regarded as option 1 here. The Panthers gave Bridgewater a three-year, $63MM deal in 2020, bringing in the former Vikings starter to replace Cam Newton. But they made no secret of their desire to upgrade from Bridgewater this offseason.

New Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said the Darnold trade does not preclude the team from keeping Bridgewater, via David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The 49ers are using this stance with Jimmy Garoppolo, though San Francisco could conceivably keep both due to their next quarterback set to be a rookie. A Bridgewater-Darnold QB room sounds less feasible.

It will be interesting to see if the Panthers find a taker. Bridgewater is due base salaries of $17MM and $20MM over the next two seasons, respectively, and a few teams that entered the offseason with clear quarterback needs have moved in other directions. Bridgewater would make sense as a bridge starter (pun unintended) or a high-end backup.

The Broncos are, however, a team that has not addressed its QB situation. And their new GM both indicated the team would add to its Drew Lock-topped depth chart and has a history with Bridgewater. George Paton was in Minnesota’s front office when the team drafted Bridgewater in the 2014 first round. Bridgewater served as the Vikings’ starter from 2014-15 and was on course for a big extension before a severe knee injury sidetracked his career.

Bridgewater, 28, has settled into a role as a safe passer with a low ceiling. He completed 69% of his passes as a Panther last year, when he ranked 17th in QBR in his first season as a full-time starter since 2015, but threw just 15 touchdown passes. In his 2019 starts for the Saints, Bridgewater ranked last in Next Gen Stats’ average intended air yards metric. That said, the Louisville alum has started 49 games and would certainly help a team in need of a stopgap starter or a quality backup.

[Futureshock]

Vikings’ Jeff Gladney Facing Assault Charge


April 5th, 2021 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney turned himself in to authorities on a felony family violence assault charge Monday in Dallas, CBS 11 News reports.

Gladney’s girlfriend alleges the 24-year-old corner struck her with closed fists during an argument, according to CBS 11. This incident occurred Friday outside a Dallas-area apartment complex.

While in a vehicle, Gladney became upset over text messages on his girlfriend’s phone and demanded to see the phone, according to the TV station, which adds that the woman threw the phone out the window. After Gladney stopped to retrieve it, he allegedly pressed the woman’s face toward the phone in order to unlock it. The accuser, 22, alleges Gladney punched her in her stomach, ribs and back. She also alleges that, once she and Gladney were back in an apartment complex, the Minnesota defender strangled her and dragged her across the ground, according to an arrest affidavit. Detectives documented bruises on the accuser.

A warrant went out for Gladney’s arrest April 2, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. He turned himself in at 11:21 a.m. Monday. Gladney faces between two and 10 years in prison if convicted on this charge. While the TCU alum faces NFL discipline as well, his troubles stretch beyond that at this point.

The Vikings, who revamped their cornerback group last year, selected Gladney 31st overall and used him as a starter in 15 games last season. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound defender made 81 tackles and forced a fumble during his rookie season.

[Futureshock]

Good bye Jeff

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Report: Panthers allow Teddy Bridgewater to talk to teams about trade

Posted by Josh Alper on April 6, 2021, 9:03 AM EDT

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After the Panthers announced Monday’s trade for quarterback Sam Darnold, their General Manager Scott Fitterer said that they would find the right place for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater whether it was with the Panthers or another team.

Bridgewater will reportedly be involved in the process of finding that place. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Panthers have given Bridgewater permission to speak to other teams about a possible trade.

There does not appear to be any place in the league where Bridgewater would be a sure starter, but teams like the Broncos, Patriots, and Texans could be in the market for competition for quarterbacks already on the roster. He could also be appealing as a mentor/bridge to teams set to take a quarterback early in this year’s draft or to clubs without an experienced backup.

Rapoport adds that the Panthers are open to keeping Bridgewater, but the signs seem to point in another direction in Carolina.

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Duke Tobin: We’ll see if there are things that can be worked out with Geno Atkins

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 6, 2021, 8:26 AM EDT

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Longtime Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins was set to cost $14.7 million against the salary cap in 2021 before Cincinnati released him last month.

The eight-time Pro Bowler played only eight games while dealing with a shoulder injury in 2020, and was on the field for just 119 snaps.

But with Atkins still on the free agent market, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said there’s a possibility of the former fourth-round pick returning to the franchise.

“Geno is one of the greatest players in franchise history and one of the best defensive tackles of the last decade,” Tobin said on the Bengals Booth podcast, via the team website. “He gave us what he had last year … We’ll see if there are things that can be worked out. If it is, great. If not, I think we’ve got other guys that can fill the role.”

Cincinnati has Mike Daniels, Renell Wren, Josh Tupou, D.J. Reader, and Kahlil McKenzie returning at defensive tackle and signed former Browns DT Larry Ogunjobi in free agency last month.

[Futureshock]

I would be ok with a Atkins signing.

Atkins and Brockers would give us a legitimate front 4 with Okwara and Flowers.

[Futureshock]

Antonio Brown wants the Buccaneers to sign Antonio Brown

Posted by Mike Florio on April 5, 2021, 7:04 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

With Ndamukong Suh becoming the latest Tampa Bay free agent to rejoin the team, the Buccaneers took a social-media victory lap.

“First team to return all 22 Super Bowl starters since 1977,” the team said on Instagram, with the names and numbers of the returning 11 offensive and 11 defensive starters posted.

A member of the 2020 Buccaneers who currently remains a free agent had a response to that message.

“Sign @ab,” said @ab, also known as Antonio Brown.

The Bucs want to sign Brown; last week, coach Bruce Arians said that offers have been made. Brown and the Bucs reportedly aren’t close on a new deal, however.

No other team has been linked to Brown. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly wants Brown in Seattle; the Seahawks have shown no indication that they will pursue him.

Hovering over a potential second season for Brown in Tampa Bay is the lingering civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and rape. Although it isn’t scheduled to go to trial until December, Brown inevitably will give sworn deposition testimony in the case. If he behaves during the deposition the way he behaved in the depositions held in the lawsuit arising from allegations that he trashed a Miami apartment, things could go off the rails for Antonio Brown.

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Aaron Rodgers believes he could host Jeopardy! and continue football career

Posted by Charean Williams on April 5, 2021, 6:57 PM EDT

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Aaron Rodgers has at least one more NFL season in him, and at least one more NFL season with the Packers. But while his NFL future beyond this season is in question, the quarterback would love nothing better than a future of questions.

Rodgers began a two-week stint as the guest host of Jeopardy! on Monday.

He told The Pat McAfee Show on Monday he would love to become the full-time host and would even shave his facial hair if that’s what it took to step into Alex Trebek’s large shoes.

“If that was a (prerequisite) to get the full-time gig,” Rodgers said, “(I would) have no problem with it. No problem.”

However, while a permanent position on the job could help Rodgers control his football future, Rodgers told The Ringer he thinks it’s possible to do both — play football and host Jeopardy! — because the schedules wouldn’t overlap.

“I don’t think I’d need to give up football to do it,” Rodgers told The Ringer. “They film 46 days a year. I worked 187 this year in Green Bay. That gives me, eh—[pauses]—178 days to do Jeopardy! So I feel like I could fit 46 into that 178 and make it work. It would be a dream job for sure, and I’m not shy at all about saying I want the job. That’s how I went into it. I want an opportunity to be in the mix.

“I feel like I bring something different to the stage. I’m the youngest of any of the guest hosts. I’d be the youngest host of just about any major game show. I bring an audience from the NFL, and I feel like I appeal to nerdy people, too, because I was a nerd in high school and got caught in that weird phase of wanting to be a jock and an athlete and also really caring about getting good grades. And at the same time, there’s not many bigger fans of the show than me. I’ve been watching it for years and years and years. I respect the show and appreciate the history of it, and also there’s my background of stepping in for a legend and their footsteps. I feel like all that combined makes me a pretty good candidate.”

In Monday’s episode, a contestant on final Jeopardy! who couldn’t come up with the correct answer instead took a shot at the Packers’ decision to kick a late field goal in the NFC Championship Game.

[Futureshock]

Report: Panthers will exercise Sam Darnold’s fifth-year option

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 5, 2021, 4:48 PM EDT

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After trading for quarterback Sam Darnold on Monday, the Panthers aren’t planning to let him hit free agency in 2022.

Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports Carolina will exercise Darnold’s fifth-year option. Carolina has the choice to do so, as Darnold was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft.

The Panthers gave up a sixth-round pick in 2021 plus a second- and fourth-round pick in 2022 in exchange for Darnold, so it stands to reason that they would like to keep him around for more than one year.

Darnold’s fifth-year option salary is projected to be $18.9 million.

The quarterback has thrown for 8,097 yards with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in 38 starts since entering the league. Darnold completed 59.6 percent of his passes in 2020 for 2,208 yards with nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 72.7 passer rating was last among 35 qualified passers.

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Joe Douglas: Sam Darnold’s NFL story has not been written yet

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 5, 2021, 4:24 PM EDT

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The Jets traded former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold to the Panthers on Monday, signaling their intent to draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall at the end of the month.

New York General Manager Joe Douglas released a statement following the announcement of the trade, thanking Darnold for his contributions to the franchisee over the last three seasons.

“I want to publicly acknowledge the commitment, dedication, and professionalism Sam displayed while with the Jets. He is a tough-minded, talented football player whose NFL story has not been written yet,” Douglas said. “While all these things are true, this move is in the short- and long-term best interests for both this team and him. We thank Sam for all of his work on behalf of this organization and wish him well as he continues his career.”

The Jets received a 2021 sixth-round pick as well as 2022 second- and fourth-round picks from the Panthers in exchange for the quarterback.

Darnold now has a chance to at least beat out incumbent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to start for Carolina in the upcoming season.

[Futureshock]

Dude just couldn't pick up chicks at a bar?



22nd lawsuit is filed against Deshaun Watson

Posted by Mike Florio on April 5, 2021, 3:26 PM EDT

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Attorney Tony Buzbee has said that he has spoken to at least 24 persons who have potential claims against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. A total of 22 have now filed lawsuits against him.

Via the Houston Chronicle, the 22nd lawsuit was filed on Monday.

The unnamed woman, allegedly found by Watson last November on Instagram, claims that she tried to refer Watson to a licensed massage therapist but that he declined. She contends that she ended the massage abruptly after Watson attempted to bring the woman’s hand closer to his penis.

Watson allegedly paid her $250, according to lawsuit, and also required her to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

One person filed a criminal complaint against Watson on Friday. It’s still unknown whether the person who filed the criminal complaint is one of the persons who have sued Watson.

[jaadam4]

Dude just couldn't pick up chicks at a bar?



22nd lawsuit is filed against Deshaun Watson

Posted by Mike Florio on April 5, 2021, 3:26 PM EDT

Getty Images

Attorney Tony Buzbee has said that he has spoken to at least 24 persons who have potential claims against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. A total of 22 have now filed lawsuits against him.

Via the Houston Chronicle, the 22nd lawsuit was filed on Monday.

The unnamed woman, allegedly found by Watson last November on Instagram, claims that she tried to refer Watson to a licensed massage therapist but that he declined. She contends that she ended the massage abruptly after Watson attempted to bring the woman’s hand closer to his penis.

Watson allegedly paid her $250, according to lawsuit, and also required her to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

One person filed a criminal complaint against Watson on Friday. It’s still unknown whether the person who filed the criminal complaint is one of the persons who have sued Watson.

This dude has some deeper issues. He’s one of the best players in the game and he’s forcing insta masseuses into rub and tugs?

[jaadam4]

Vikings’ Jeff Gladney Facing Assault Charge


April 5th, 2021 at 5:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney turned himself in to authorities on a felony family violence assault charge Monday in Dallas, CBS 11 News reports.

Gladney’s girlfriend alleges the 24-year-old corner struck her with closed fists during an argument, according to CBS 11. This incident occurred Friday outside a Dallas-area apartment complex.

While in a vehicle, Gladney became upset over text messages on his girlfriend’s phone and demanded to see the phone, according to the TV station, which adds that the woman threw the phone out the window. After Gladney stopped to retrieve it, he allegedly pressed the woman’s face toward the phone in order to unlock it. The accuser, 22, alleges Gladney punched her in her stomach, ribs and back. She also alleges that, once she and Gladney were back in an apartment complex, the Minnesota defender strangled her and dragged her across the ground, according to an arrest affidavit. Detectives documented bruises on the accuser.

A warrant went out for Gladney’s arrest April 2, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. He turned himself in at 11:21 a.m. Monday. Gladney faces between two and 10 years in prison if convicted on this charge. While the TCU alum faces NFL discipline as well, his troubles stretch beyond that at this point.

The Vikings, who revamped their cornerback group last year, selected Gladney 31st overall and used him as a starter in 15 games last season. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound defender made 81 tackles and forced a fumble during his rookie season.

Bro... you’re f’ed. None of that reads well.