NFL News

[Futureshock]

It would be so sweet to do for him what Matt did for Brady



AARON RODGERSQB, GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reports the "worst-kept secret" of the Combine is that Aaron Rodgers will remain with the Packers for 2022.


"Though the back-to-back MVP has yet to officially declare his intentions, it seems inevitable that he’ll be in a Packers uniform next season and beyond, however long that ends up being," is Schneidman's takeaway from the week in Indy. This, of course, is no longer breaking news, but it's good to have further confirmation of which way the wind is blowing. If you are basing Dynasty league decisions off Rodgers ending up in Green Bay or somewhere else, it is time to begin recalculating.

SOURCE: The Athletic
Mar 3, 2022, 3:26 PM

[Futureshock]

JAMEIS WINSTONQB, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Saints GM Mickey Loomis has confirmed re-signing impending free agent Jameis Winston is "an option."


“Jameis is an option for us and we hope we’re an option for Jameis," were Loomis' exact words. With Bruce Arians ruling out a Jameis/Bucs reunion, returning to New Orleans definitely makes the most sense from Winston's perspective, and probably the Saints', as well. The question is if they will pair him with a rookie signal caller as they try to fight their way out of the post-Drew Brees/Sean Payton wilderness. Winston's market is complicated by his recovery from a torn ACL, though he seems to be on pace in his rehab.

SOURCE: Nick Underhill on Twitter
Mar 3, 2022, 3:07 PM

[Futureshock]

JIMMY GAROPPOLOQB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Jimmy Garoppolo is a "name to keep an eye on" in the Steelers' quarterback search.


"All of the options are in the mix for the Steelers," Rapsheet said from Indy, also mentioning free agent Mitchell Trubisky." Rapsheet had a minute-long report where the theme was that the Steelers will search high and low for Ben Roethlisberger's replacement. No. 20, or a trade up from it, will be the epicenter of the Steelers' search, though a caretaker/bridge option like Garoppolo, Trubisky or Marcus Mariota could also be added. We are not lending much credence to reports that the Steelers consider Mason Rudolph a viable 2022 option.

RELATED:

• Pittsburgh Steelers

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Mar 3, 2022, 1:22 PM

[Futureshock]

CHRISTIAN KIRKWR, ARIZONA CARDINALS
ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss believes impending free agent Christian Kirk is going to have a "hot market" after speaking with people at this week's Combine.


The Combine is generally a good week to gauge other teams' interest in upcoming free agents, so this is definitely possible. Kirk is entering his prime at 25 years old and is coming off his best year yet after posting 77-982-5 on 103 targets across 17 healthy games. It was his first full season to date. The free-agent market as a whole doesn't look all that strong, so it wouldn't be shocking to see a bidding war for Kirk. He's probably looking for at least the $12.5 million annually Corey Davis got from the Jets last offseason.

SOURCE: Josh Weinfuss on Twitter
Mar 2, 2022, 5:41 PM

[Futureshock]

CHANDLER JONESLB, ARIZONA CARDINALS
ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss said "it doesn't sound like" impending free agent Chandler Jones will be back with Arizona in 2022.


Jones turned 32 over the weekend and was second on the team with his 10.5 sacks last season, trailing Markus Golden by a half-sack. Jones has spent the last six years in the desert after being acquired from the Patriots, but it sounds like he'll be looking for his third team in two weeks. The Cardinals are currently right up against the salary cap, and Jones is expected to command every bit of $16 million-plus per year on the open market. He'll likely get a short-term deal.

SOURCE: Josh Weinfuss on Twitter
Mar 2, 2022, 5:29 PM

[Futureshock]

Something about Booker seems off to me. I can't quite say why except he never seem to do anything exceptional


DEVONTAE BOOKERRB, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT
Giants released RB Devontae Booker.


Booker, 30 in May, joins fellow veteran TE Kyle Rudolph as Wednesday cuts for new Giants GM Joe Schoen, who is making it a point to trim the fat ex-GM Dave Gettleman left behind. Booker has had a productive past two seasons for the Raiders and Giants, but he's one-and-done in New York after posting 145-593-2 on the ground for the G-Men last season as Saquon Barkley's backup and injury replacement. Booker's release saves the Giants $2.125 million against the salary cap.

... See More
RELATED:

• New York Giants

SOURCE: Dan Duggan on Twitter
Mar 2, 2022, 1:39 PM

[Futureshock]

RUSSELL WILSONQB, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Speaking Wednesday, coach Pete Carroll said the Seahawks have "no intention" of trading Russell Wilson.


Wilson was heavily involved in trade rumors last offseason, and they've picked right back up again headed into this spring. Trading Wilson, however, would essentially be throwing in the towel on the season for the Seahawks. There just aren't capable replacements out there on the free-agent market, and the Seahawks traded their first-round pick in the Jamal Adams deal. The only way Wilson would get dealt is if he tries to force his way out of town, and it hasn't yet gotten to that point. Obviously, any team acquiring Wilson would be sending multiple first-rounders back to Seattle.

SOURCE: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
Mar 2, 2022, 1:25 PM

[Futureshock]

ANDY ISABELLAWR, ARIZONA CARDINALS
Cardinals have given WR Andy Isabella permission to seek a trade.


The Cardinals selected Isabella in the second round of the 2019 draft, but the 25-year-old has produced just 31 receptions for 426 yards and three TDs in 36 career games. With one year left on his rookie contract, Isabella could find interest from a wide receiver needy team, provided the Cardinals asking price is extremely low. He could land a starting role as a Jalen Guyton-style designated field stretcher but is unlikely to be fantasy relevant even if he finds a new home in 2022.

... See More
SOURCE: Marc Bertrand on Twitter
Mar 2, 2022, 12:50 PM

[Futureshock]

MICHAEL GALLUPWR, DALLAS COWBOYS
Yahoo's Charles Robinson reports the Cowboys are "buttoning up a long term deal" with Michael Gallup.


Robinson, citing a source, said the Cowboys "felt it was an either/or" situation with Gallup and Amari Cooper, "and are making Gallup the priority." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that the team is likely to release Cooper before March 20 after three seasons in Dallas. Gallup is working his way back from a January ACL tear that could put his Week 1 status in question. Gallup, entering his fifth NFL season and turning 27 in March, has been a solid producer when given the opportunity. He was the WR18 in PPR points per game in 2019, operating as the Cowboys' No. 2 wideout.

RELATED:

• Amari Cooper

SOURCE: Charles Robinson on Twitter
Mar 4, 2022, 11:36 AM ET

[Futureshock]

AMARI COOPERWR, DALLAS COWBOYS
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Cowboys are "likely" to release Amari Cooper.


Schefter's report comes a day after the Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken speculated Dallas would not retain Cooper in 2022. Cooper's $20 million salary guarantees if he is on the roster March 20, so he will be released before then. Neither team owner Jerry Jones nor his son, Stephen, have publicly supported Cooper after the Cowboys' devastating postseason loss to the 49ers. Outside of a handful of big statistical games over his three years in Dallas, Cooper never lived up to the dominant alpha wideout status the Joneses had expected when they acquired him. Cooper's release would likely mean the Cowboys are leaning toward re-signing Michael Gallup to be the team's No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb. Cooper's absence would leave about 25 percent of the team's targets vacated -- enough to fuel hopes for a true breakout campaign for Lamb in 2022. Cooper, meanwhile, could be a target hog if he lands in an offense without a true No. 1 receiver.

RELATED:

• CeeDee Lamb
• , Michael Gallup

SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 4, 2022, 10:45 AM

[The King]

I wouldn't let Gallup walk. That dude is REALLY good. He can win on the outside vs. anyone.

[Futureshock]

Amari Cooper Not Drawing Trade Interest


March 4th, 2022 at 3:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

When attached to his rookie contract, Amari Cooper commanded a first-round pick in a trade. The Cowboys, who sent the Raiders their 2019 first ahead of the 2018 deadline, are not seeing nearly as much interest now that Cooper is tethered to a high-end receiver deal.

The Cowboys will try to trade Cooper, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes, but the veteran wideout has not drawn much interest. Even with teams having known the pricey wideout’s availability for weeks now, Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson notes teams are not lining up to acquire his current contract (Twitter links). Cooper’s deal runs through 2024 and carries a $22MM cap number for this season. One receiver-needy team informed Robinson it has no interest in Cooper at this price. If no reasonable trade offer emerges, the Cowboys intend to cut Cooper.

In recent years, the draft has begun to provide teams with quality value at receiver, with the past few classes being flush with pass-catching help. With those rookies tied to low-cost deals for at least three seasons, value for players like Cooper — who signed a five-year, $100MM deal in 2020 — diminishes.

The Cowboys moving Cooper off their roster before March 20 saves them $16MM, funds that could be allocated to some of the team’s impending free agents. Cooper’s $20MM base salary becomes fully guaranteed on that fifth day of the 2022 league year. The team is interested in retaining Dalton Schultz, and Robinson adds it weighed Cooper’s cost with the ability to keep Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson and potentially Randy Gregory (Twitter links). Wilson, Gallup’s injury replacement in 2021, joins Gallup and Gregory in being on track for free agency. To go through with this plan, the Cowboys ($13.4MM over the cap) will need to make more moves to free up space.

Gallup potentially being available at a slight discount due to his ACL tear benefits the Cowboys, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes, potentially factoring into the team’s plan. Retaining Gallup would be a cheaper option than keeping Cooper, though losing the latter would stand to put more pressure on CeeDee Lamb, who has benefited from defenses’ attention to Cooper. The Cooper-or-Gallup long-term choice has been on the team’s radar for a while now, and it appears a decision has been made.

Despite having played seven seasons, Cooper is just 27. He would certainly draw extensive interest on the open market. The prospect of the Packers franchise-tagging Davante Adams and the Buccaneers using a second tag on Chris Godwin would enhance Cooper’s value, if the Cowboys indeed release him. Cooper is a four-time Pro Bowler who has posted five 1,000-yard seasons.

[Futureshock]

Giants’ James Bradberry Drawing Trade Interest


March 4th, 2022 at 1:55pm CST by Zachary Links

James Bradberry is garnering trade interest around the league (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The high-priced cornerback was a favorite of GM Dave Gettleman, but the Giants’ new regime may be open to moving him.


[RELATED: Giants To Listen On Barkley]

The Giants signed Bradberry to a three-year, $45MM deal ($32MM guaranteed) in 2020. At the time, he was one of the top free agents on the market. Teams were high on him, even though the analytics weren’t quite as fond. Bradberry, a multi-year starter for the Panthers, was ranked as a middle-of-the-road defender by Pro Football Focus in his walk year.

Bradberry earned a Pro Bowl nod in his first Giants season but he didn’t play up to his contract in 2021. Now on the verge of his 29th birthday in August, the Giants may opt to trade him for draft capital while taking much of his $21.8MM cap hit off of the books. And, as Rapoport notes, a Bradberry deal seems much more likely that a trade of star running back Saquon Barkley.

Despite the down year, Bradberry should still hold interest for cornerback-needy teams. He’s not too far removed from that Pro Bowl 2020, when he posted the lowest passer rating of any CB in the league, per PFF.

[Futureshock]

Bills Permit Cole Beasley To Seek Trade


March 4th, 2022 at 12:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Cole Beasley could be on his way out of Buffalo. The Bills have granted the wide receiver permission to seek a new club (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo), paving the way for a potential trade.


[RELATED: Latest On Trubisky’s Market]

Neither side has offered further comment on the matter, though Beasley and the team reportedly clashed throughout the year. Beasley, who will turn 33 on April 26th, was still productive in 2021 with 82 catches for 693 yards and one touchdown. He also managed 82 catches in 2020, though that was a more efficient campaign — his 82/967 line averaged out to a career-high 11.8 yards per grab. Last year, he had just 8.5 yards per reception, tying his career low.

Beasley has one year to go on his four-year, $29MM pact. As it stands, he’s set to count for $7.6MM against the Bills’ books, but a trade or release would leave the team with just $1.5MM in dead money versus $6.1MM in savings.

That’s a decent chunk of change, one that could be put towards larger expenditures like Rob Gronkowski. The Bills are reportedly interested in signing the 32-year-old as a free agent and he may be open to a move following Tom Brady‘s retirement. It also helps that Gronk is a Buffalo-area native who grew up as a Bills fan. Gronkowski, 32, managed 55 catches for 802 yards last year despite missing five games while injured.

[Futureshock]

Giants Open To Saquon Barkley Trade


March 4th, 2022 at 11:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants’ new regime could be making some serious changes this offseason. When asked about the possibility of trading Saquon Barkley, GM Joe Schoen wouldn’t rule it out.

[RELATED: Giants Asking Shepard To Take Pay Cut]

“I’m open to anything. … I’m not going to say yes to every deal, but I’m going to listen,” Schoen said (Twitter link via Adam Beasley of Pro Football Network).

Barkley was once untouchable. Now, after a string of injuries, the Giants are at least open to dealing him. After being selected No. 2 overall in 2018, Barkley was nothing short of stellar — his historic rookie campaign included 2,028 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns in a full 16-game slate. He had an equally impressive 5.4 yards per touch in 2019, but he missed three games thanks to a high ankle sprain.

Then, in 2020, he was limited to just two games before succumbing to a torn ACL. Barkley managed to play in 13 games this past year, but clearly wasn’t at 100%. He finished with just 593 yards off of 162 carries, good for just 3.7 yards per attempt.

The Giants have already exercised Barkley’s fifth-year option for 2022, but they may prefer to put those dollars elsewhere and target younger options in the draft. Meanwhile, they may be able to save money elsewhere by negotiating a new deal with wide receiver Sterling Shepard.