NFL News

[Mainevent]

Commanders would make sense for Carr.

[Whitley]

A whole lot, and I don't like anything about what they have to offer.

If it was the Raiders, Falcons, or Panthers, I would like to see what they have to offer, but I'm not in the slightest interested in Washington's potential packages.

In the PFN simulations, Washington has offered their first, second this year and their #1 and usually a #2 or #3 next year. I don't always take it (depends on the board) but it does get consideration.

[froot loops]

I think Wentz could be a good backup option in Detroit, but there are always whispers about his personality that you would shy away from.

[ghandi]

In the PFN simulations, Washington has offered their first, second this year and their #1 and usually a #2 or #3 next year. I don't always take it (depends on the board) but it does get consideration.

That would be pretty tempting, especially if Carter and Anderson are off the board at 6......If thats how it plays out, and one of the teams in top 10 that want a QB cant beat it, the Lions should probably take it....Really this 6th pick is like playing with house money...no one expected the Rams to fall this far in one season and be picking 6th in this draft....If the Lions can parlay that into 2 firsts and 2 seconds/thirds that would be smart dealing I think.

[Futureshock]

Wentz looked to have a bright future but was never the same after he hurt his knee at Philly.

I thought he would be special but he emerged from that injury a different QB. Less. Much Less. It's kind of sad

[Futureshock]

Commanders would make sense for Carr.

Would also make sense for Detroit if Carr went to WAS. Takes a QB option off the table to a team that we don't want to drop that far down to.

[Futureshock]

Secret loan becomes focus of federal probe of Commanders

Posted by Mike Florio on February 28, 2023, 10:11 AM EST

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Allegations of withheld security deposits from season-ticker holders and diverted ticket sales to avoid giving the other teams their cut sparked a review of the financial habits of the Commanders. A secret $55 million loan discovered along the way may be the thing that brings the house down for Daniel Snyder.

Don Van Natta, Jr. of ESPN.com lays out the various facts and circumstances surrounding a transaction that he become the “primary focus” of federal prosecutors in Virginia.

The loan (technically a line of credit) initially emerged as an issue in the arbitration pursued by Snyder’s former minority partners.

The problem, for Snyder, traces to the notion that the loan was obtained without express approval of the team’s board of directors. Bank of America, which made the loan, repeatedly asked for proof of board approval. But board approval never was provided.

Per the ESPN.com report, a lawyer representing the team eventually admitted that approval does not exist.

Once the loan became an issue in the arbitration, the NFL reportedly pushed for the parties to submit the dispute to mediation, where it was resolved.

“Three billionaires — not a few whistleblowers — alleged to the NFL arbitrator that their partner had possibly committed bank fraud,” an unnamed source with firsthand knowledge of the proceedings told Van Natta. “This is jail time type of fraud. The NFL owes them as much of a fair shake as it owes Snyder. And the league had no interest in finding out what happened. They buried it and didn’t investigate it and covered it up.”

That makes this loan a major potential problem for Snyder. It also could become a problem for the league, if/when the prosecutor explores whether any effort to conceal potential “bank fraud” creates a crime of its own.

[Futureshock]

Falcons cut Marcus Mariota

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 28, 2023, 10:02 AM EST

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Marcus Mariota‘s stint with the Falcons is finished after one year.

The Falcons announced this morning that they have released Mariota.

That’s no surprise, given that cutting Mariota saves $12 million on the Falcons’ salary cap, and given that Mariota did not play well last season.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Mariota is only 29 years old and might still have a future in the NFL, but so far his career has been a disappointment. He’s likely to fit somewhere with a team that wants a veteran backup.

[Futureshock]

Brian Gutekunst: Until we speak with Aaron Rodgers, all options on table

Posted by Josh Alper on February 28, 2023, 9:45 AM EST

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Aaron Rodgers is out of the darkness, but he still hasn’t shed any light on his plans for the 2023 season.

That was the message from Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst on Tuesday. Gutekunst said that he has not spoken to Rodgers at length since the end of Green Bay’s season and that the team is hopeful about getting word from the quarterback about his thoughts before free agency gets underway on March 15.

Gutekunst referenced the need to hear those thoughts when asked if the Packers want Rodgers back for another year.

“He’s a great player, but until we have those conversations, I think all options are on the table,” Gutekunst said, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. “We need to have those conversations. We want what’s best for the Green Bay Packers, what’s best for him so we’ll get to that coming up.”

Gutekunst said the team believes Jordan Love is ready to be the starting quarterback, but it still remains to be seen if the Packers will be moving in that direction for the 2023 season.

[Futureshock]

Bears hire Luke Steckel as assistant offensive line coach

Posted by Josh Alper on February 28, 2023, 9:09 AM EST

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The Bears are adding Luke Steckel to their coaching staff.

A Tuesday announcement from the team brings word that Steckel will be the assistant offensive line coach on Matt Eberflus’ staff.

Steckel spent the last two seasons as the Titans’ tight ends coach and he was on the Titans staff since 2013 in a variety of roles. The team announced he was moving to run game analyst after moving Tony Dews from running backs coach to tight ends coach earlier this month, but that role appears to have been of less appeal than the job in Chicago.

Steckel interviewed for the Chargers’ offensive coordinator opening earlier this offseason, but the team wound up hiring Kellen Moore.

[Futureshock]

Report: Panthers, Saints, Jets set to meet with Derek Carr at Combine

Posted by Josh Alper on February 28, 2023, 7:03 AM EST

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Word on Monday night was that free agent quarterback Derek Carr will meet with a handful of teams at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week and he’s familiar with a couple of those teams already.

Carr has already visitied with the Saints and Jets and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that he will be meeting with both of those teams again. Carr is also reportedly going to meet with the Panthers and could add other teams to the list.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich said last week that the team was “really not ready” to say if a meeting with Carr was in the cards, but there is a clear need for a quarterback in Carolina.

Carr’s brother said last week that the free agent process will be a long one and the wait for word about Aaron Rodgers‘ plans may be tied to any developments that will take place with Carr’s own search for a new place to play in 2023.

[Futureshock]

Expected

Commanders place franchise tag on Daron Payne

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 28, 2023, 3:57 AM EST

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As expected, the Commanders have placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne.

The Commanders made it official and franchised Payne this morning, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. That means Payne has the option to sign for a fully guaranteed $18.937 million for the 2023 season. He also has the option to negotiate a long-term deal with the Commanders, and to negotiate with other teams, although if he signed with another team that team would have to send the Commanders two first-round draft picks or work out another trade agreement with the Commanders.

Payne is the first player to get the franchise tag so far this offseason.

Payne was the 13th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and was a Pro Bowler last season. He has only missed one game in his five-year NFL career.

[Futureshock]

Tension reportedly rise between Daniel Snyder, other owners

Posted by Mike Florio on February 27, 2023, 11:31 PM EST

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As Commanders owner Daniel Snyder considers selling the team, or not selling the team, tensions reportedly are on the rise between Snyder and other owners.

The Washington Post, in an item that confirms multiple reports that Snyder is blocking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos from bidding on the team, reports that Snyder has now demanded that other owners indemnify him against any future legal liability and expenses if he sells the team.

The Commanders issued a statement regarding the item on Monday night.

“The story posted tonight by the Washington Post regarding the transaction process involving the Washington Commanders is simply untrue,” the team said.

Per the report, Snyder’s request for indemnification has angered some owners. It also reportedly has angered Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Post also reports that owners would attempt to force Snyder to sell the team, if he doesn’t do so voluntarily. The report also points out that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is trying to broker a deal that would result in Snyder selling his team and moving on.

The basis as to any indemnity for Snyder isn’t clear. Obviously, any potential team-related liabilities would be handled as part of the sale of the team. By simply selling the team, what potential legal entanglements necessitating potential indemnity could arise?

If the report is true, it may be nothing more than an effort by Snyder to get something in exchange for doing what the league wants him to do.

Ultimately, maybe he’ll just sell the team to Bezos. In confirming that Snyder is currently keeping Bezos from bidding on the team, the Post acknowledges the possibility that it’s simply a leverage play by Snyder, aimed at getting more money from Bezos.

[Futureshock]

Third quarterback rule, onside kick alternatives among proposed rules changes by NFL teams

Posted by Josh Alper on February 27, 2023, 5:09 PM EST

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There was word this weekend that a team was proposing making roughing the passer penalties subject to review and that’s not the only change being proposed this offseason.

Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports that the Rams were the team to make that roughing proposal and that a handful of other proposals are on the table for the Competition Committee and league to consider. They include a reprise of the proposal for an onside kick alternative.

The NFL tabled discussion on proposals to allow teams to try a fourth-and-15 play rather than an onside kick in the past and Maske reports that it is up for discussion again. The XFL has implemented the rule and St. Louis pulled off a conversion to propel themselves to a win this season.

Also up for consideration are a return of the rule allowing teams to dress a third quarterback for use in an emergency. That was expected after the 49ers were down to no healthy quarterbacks in their NFC Championship Game loss to the Eagles.

There is also a proposal regarding the number of challenges available to a team that is successful in the ones they make during a game, but no particulars of that proposal are currently available.

[Futureshock]

NFL health and safety officials recommend expanded use of Guardian Caps

Posted by Josh Alper on February 27, 2023, 2:03 PM EST

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When the NFL released injury information from the 2022 season, it showed that the number of concussions in the preseason were down and one of the reasons cited for that drop was the use of Guardian Caps during training camp practices.

The caps were worn over helmets by offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends through the second preseason game and the league said those groups realized a 52 percent drop in concussions over the same time period from 2021. The 2023 season could see a broader use of the caps.

NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller said on Monday, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post, that the league’s health and safety officials are recommending expanded use of Guardian Caps. The expansion would be in the groups of players who wear them as well as to the amount of time that they are worn during practice sessions.

Some players and coaches have expressed negative views of the Guardian Caps, but it does not look like they will be going away anytime in the future.