NFL News

[Futureshock]

Bill Belichick has shopped Mac Jones this offseason

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2023, 11:16 AM EDT

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No, things aren’t going well between Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Mac Jones.

Following the posting of the item regarding the lingering tension between coach Bill Belichick and the 2021 first-rounder, more information has trickled in.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Belichick has shopped Jones to multiple teams during the 2023 offseason.

The full list of potential destinations isn’t known. The teams mentioned as potential destinations were the Raiders, Texans, Buccaneers, and Commanders.

Obviously, a trade hasn’t occurred yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. A team hoping to draft a quarterback could pivot to Jones, if that team doesn’t get the guy it wants.

The Raiders are the ones to keep watching. Jimmy Garoppolo‘s contract lands in the low-end of middle class for starters, and Jones has two years left under a slotted rookie deal, before his fifth-year option would apply.

Complicating the situation is the fact that owner Robert Kraft seems to be a big fan of Mac Jones.

“I’m a big fan of Mac,” Kraft told reporters last week. “He came to us as a rookie. He quarterbacked in his rookie season and did a very fine job I thought. We made the playoffs. I think we experimented with some things last year that frankly didn’t work when it came to him, in my opinion.”

While Kraft continues to defer to Belichick when it comes to running “my football team,” Kraft may not be thrilled about the prospect of parting ways with Jones. And Kraft seems to be sympathetic to frustrations that trace to the failed offensive experiment in 2022, with Matt Patricia serving as the coordinator.

[Futureshock]

Oh...Okay.... Burner phones? Is this The Wire?


Former Cardinals executive Terry McDonough accuses owner Michael Bidwill of cheating

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2023, 3:21 PM EDT

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His team has been accused of being cheap. He’s now accused of being a cheat, among other things.

Via ESPN.com, former Cardinals executive Terry McDonough has accused Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill of “gross misconduct, including cheating, discrimination, and harassment” in an arbitration proceeding filed Tuesday with Commissioner Roger Goodell.

McDonough contends that he and former Cardinals coach Steve Wilks were instructed to use burner phones to communicate with former Cardinals G.M. Steve Keim during Keim’s five-week suspension in 2018 for extreme DUI.

McDonough contends that he still has the phone that was used. He says he objected to using the burner phone, but that his objection was overruled.

“In response to McDonough’s objection to the illicit burner phone scheme, Bidwill cursed at, berated, and formally reprimanded McDonough, and ultimately demoted him — irrevocably damaging the trajectory of McDonough’s 34-year career in the National Football League,” the arbitration filing contends. “Bidwill also subjected McDonough to bullying, mocking, harassing and abusive behavior.”

McDonough claims that Bidwill “created an environment of fear for minority employees.”

The Cardinals responded strongly to the accusations.

“We are reluctantly obliged to provide a public response along with broader context for some disappointing and irresponsible actions by Terry McDonough,” Jim McCarthy, an external public relations adviser to the Cardinals, told ESPN.com. “Claims he has made in an arbitration filing are wildly false, reckless, and an opportunistic ploy for financial gain.

“Our position was consistent with many efforts we’ve made to accommodate Terry during his time with the team, despite difficulties in his personal life and his often volatile demeanor toward colleagues. That’s why we are saddened to see that Terry is now lashing out at our organization with disparagements and threats that are absurdly at odds with the facts. This unnecessary and vindictive action by Terry was intended to malign his co-workers, our owner Michael Bidwill, and our team with outlandish accusations.”

The team admits burner phones were used, but contend that Bidwill took “swift action” when becoming aware of it, directing that the phones be collected and the communications ceased.

McDonough claims his opportunities for advancement disappeared after he refused to go along with the burner-phone scam.

That could be the most that’s ever learned about the arbitration, until it ends. Goodell, or whoever he assigns to handle the arbitration, will likely require the parties to cease public commentary. The grievance will then play out secretly in a forum that is necessarily rigged in favor of the teams, since the teams employ and compensate the person ultimately responsible for the decision.

UPDATE 3:29 p.m. ET: The Cardinals have forwarded to PFT their full response to the allegations. It can be seen here.

[Futureshock]

Brock Purdy: I have to “hammer away” at footwork this offseason

Posted by Josh Alper on April 5, 2023, 7:02 AM EDT

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It will be some time before 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy can resume throwing after having right elbow surgery, but there are things he can work on before he has the green light to fire things up with his arm.

During an appearance on Fox Sports 910, Purdy was asked about areas he’s targeting for improvement as he heads into his second NFL season. Purdy’s answer focused on his feet rather than his arm.

“Starting with the cons, just footwork,” Purdy said, via NBCSportsBayArea.com. “Being on time, every concept has its own timing. There were times last year where you could just tell I was still getting used to things, even when I was playing, the time of a slant with Brandon Aiyuk compared to Deebo Samuel, they’re two different types of routes. So getting used to that kind of thing, that’s something I have to hammer away at in the offseason.”

Purdy’s footwork was good enough to help him complete 67 percent of his regular season passes after taking on the starting job and any improvement on that front would certainly be a welcome development for San Francisco.

[Futureshock]

They're definitely hitting defense early and often in the draft... They have 10 total picks, with 5 in the top 82. Like the Lions...

Seahawks see “a lot of work to do” on defense without much money to do it

Posted by Josh Alper on April 5, 2023, 6:41 AM EDT

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The Seahawks have added the likes of defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, safety Julian Love, defensive tackle Jarran Reed, and linebacker Bobby Wagner to their roster in free agency, but those moves haven’t filled all of the holes on the defensive side of the ball.

Head coach Pete Carroll said that the team still has “a lot of work to do” to build out their defense, but their ability to address those needs will be impacted by their cap position. The team created a little breathing room by rescinding their tender on restricted free agent safety Ryan Neal last week — Neal is set to sign in Tampa — but they have to set money aside to sign draft picks and Carroll said that means the team will be looking for players prioritizing fit over the biggest possible payday.

“This will be more of a recruiting process than anything, and I’ll need the players to really help us on that as well as the coaches,” Carroll said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “But we’ve got some spots that we’ve got to fill, and they’re going to be crucial. I’m hoping some guys will see that this is a great opportunity for them to come in and be part of something really good.”

The Seahawks made the playoffs last year and they’re set to add a pair of first-round picks later this month, so they have some selling points to use as they try to finish up their roster building for the coming season.

[Futureshock]

John Elway’s role with Broncos officially ends

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2023, 10:50 PM EDT

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John Elway spent more than a decade with the Broncos as a player. It ended.

He then spent more than a decade with the Broncos as an executive. That has ended, too.

Via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Elway no longer has any contractual role with the team.

The Broncos confirmed to Tomasson that Elway’s contract expired at the start of the new league year in March. Most recently, he was an outside consultant to G.M. George Paton.

Elway, who played from 1983 through 1998, returned in 2011, as the person in charge of the football operations under the three-person trust that managed the franchise after Pat Bowlen stepped aside for health issues. The move raised eyebrows, given that Elway had no experience in the management of a football team.

Elway proved himself quickly, adding pass-rusher Von Miller and tight end Julius Thomas in Elway’s first draft. He also signed cornerback Chris Harris Jr. as an undrafted free agent.

The key acquisition came a year later, when Elway lured quarterback Peyton Manning to town. Manning’s presence sparked a pair of Super Bowl appearances and a walk-off Super Bowl win, similar to Elway, who exited with two in a row.

After Manning retired, the Broncos regressed. They haven’t been back to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50, the longest drought for any Super Bowl champion.

Elway basically stepped aside for Paton after the 2020 season, even though Elway carried the title of president of football operations into 2021.

Last year, the Walton-Penner group bought the team from Bowlen’s estate, after the Bowlen heirs were unable to agree on which of them would take control of the franchise.

[Futureshock]

Interesting....


Yes, there were rumors of Kirk Cousins to the 49ers at the Scouting Combine

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2023, 7:35 PM EDT

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I’ve yet to write it here. Given that it’s being attributed to me pretty much everywhere else because I said it somewhere (maybe on PFT Live, maybe elsewhere), I might as well type it up and hit “publish.”

At the Scouting Combine, there were rumors of a potential trade that would have sent Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to the 49ers.

Cousins has been linked to San Francisco from the moment Kyle Shanahan became the head coach. Kyle served as offensive coordinator in Washington when Kyle and his father, Mike, drafted Cousins in 2012. And Kyle has admitted that he planned to sign Cousins in 2018, with the 2017 trade for Jimmy Garoppolo derailing that intention.

Obviously, it didn’t happen. Cousins restructured his contract with the Vikings. And the 49ers added Sam Darnold to a depth chart that includes Brock Purdy and Trey Lance. At this point, a trade of Cousins would result in a $38.75 million cap charge for the Vikings — nearly twice the $20 million for which Cousins currently counts.

The more likely outcome would be the 49ers finally pursuing Cousins when he becomes a free agent in March 2024. That will depend on whether Purdy or Lance become the entrenched starter over the course of the next 11 months. And whether the Vikings finally decide to move on from a guy who has been good enough, but not quite great.

[Futureshock]

Brett Favre’s lawyers continue effort to get him dismissed from Mississippi welfare case

Posted by Mike Florio on April 4, 2023, 7:14 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre continues to be a defendant in a civil suit aimed at recovering misspent welfare funds in Mississippi. His lawyers continue to try to get him dismissed from the case.

Via the Associated Press, Favre’s lawyers filed fresh paperwork on Monday aimed at getting the claims against him thrown out.

Favre’s attorneys argue that there is “no legal, factual, or moral basis” for the claims. Favre’s lawyer claims that he is being targeted “solely to attract publicity for improper political purposes.”

Favre faces no criminal charges, and he has denied any wrongdoing. He has been connected to the welfare scandal through $5 million he allegedly attempted to secure for a volleyball stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, $1.7 million he allegedly tried to finagle for the development of a concussion treatment drug, and $1.1 million he allegedly received for speaking engagements and similar activities. (Favre paid back the $1.1 million after the situation came to light.)

The question continues to be whether he knew where the money came from. He insists he didn’t. Text messages from Favre arguably suggest otherwise.

Favre also has filed multiple civil lawsuits alleging defamation due to statement made regarding his alleged role in the welfare-fund scandal, against Mississippi auditor Shad White and media personalities Pat McAfee and Shannon Sharpe.

[Futureshock]

Ryan Neal to sign with the Buccaneers

Posted by Charean Williams on April 4, 2023, 6:33 PM EDT

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Free agent safety Ryan Neal has agreed to terms with the Buccaneers on a one-year deal, Jordan Schultz of theScore.com reports.

Neal, 27, had a tender from the Seahawks as a restricted free agent, but the team withdrew the tender last week. That made him an unrestricted free agent.

He would have received the lowest-level tender of $2.627 million if he had signed it before the Seahawks revoked it.

The Seahawks signed Julian Love to go with Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams at the position, leading to them moving on from Neal.

Neal had 66 tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble last season.

The Bucs lost safeties Mike Edwards (Chiefs) and Keanu Neal (Steelers) this offseason. They had only Antoine Winfield Jr. and Nolan Turner on their roster at the position before Neal’s agreement.

[Futureshock]

Aaron Patrick lawsuit could lead to a class-action targeting artificial surfaces

Posted by Mike Florio on April 5, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT

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Last year, Broncos linebacker Aaron Patrick suffered a torn ACL due to a sideline collision at SoFi Stadium in a Monday night game against the Chargers. He filed a lawsuit seeking fair compensation for his injuries. His action could have much bigger ramifications for the NFL.

Patrick’s case, filed against the NFL, ESPN, the Rams, the Chargers, and other entities, was moved from state court to federal court by the NFL and the Chargers, under the argument that the dispute falls within the scope of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and that Patrick should be required to see relief through the CBA’s internal grievance procedures.

Patrick has argued that the claim has nothing to do with any aspect of the CBA, and that it’s a standard and basic “slip-and-fall” lawsuit arising from the question of whether the owners and operators of the premises on which a football game is played have responsibility to make the field reasonable safe.

Here’s where an otherwise boring question of federal labor-law preemption becomes potentially compelling. If Aaron Patrick prevails on this argument, the door could be opened for a class action against the owners and operators of every NFL stadium that utilizes artificial turf, with an argument that fake grass creates unreasonable risk of injury for those who play football on it.

It wouldn’t be an easy argument to make. But the possibility of such an attack on artificial surfaces currently is being contemplated. It would be an aggressive and creative way to use the legal system to force the NFL and its teams to provide safer playing surfaces for the men who play the game.

[Futureshock]

Steve Wilks’s lawsuit against Cardinals says “there is evidence” Steve Keim was involved during his “so-called suspension”

Posted by Mike Florio on April 5, 2023, 10:30 AM EDT

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When reading about former Cardinals executive Terry McDonough’s allegation that burner phones were used to communicate with former Cardinals G.M. Steve Keim during his five-week suspension in 2018 for extreme DUI, something sounded familiar.

With the benefit time to have my aging brain properly activate, I now remember what it is.

In his lawsuit against the Cardinals alleging racial discrimination, former Cardinals coach Steve Wilks referred to Keim as being “supposedly suspended.”

“[T]here is evidence of Mr. Keim’s input and participation during his so-called suspension,” Wilks alleged in his complaint against the Cardinals.

That evidence may be the burner-phone scheme that McDonough claims owner Michael Bidwill required McDonough and others (including Wilks) to communicate with Keim via the burner phones. McDonough contends, among other things, that Wilks expressed to McDonough discomfort with the burner-phone scheme.

The Cardinals don’t deny that burner phones were used. They contend that, when Bidwill became aware of the situation, he “took swift action” to end the communications.

Ideally, the internal grievance process will get to the truth. Whether those truths are shared with the rest of us remains to be seen. That’s one of the benefits of all 32 NFL teams utilizing a secret, rigged, kangaroo court for resolving claims made by contractual employees.

[whatever_gong82]

My, how the mighty have fallen!! The New England Patriots are just another NFL team now, despite beating the Lions 29-0 last year. They can't even win the AFC East anymore, with Buffalo the top dog in that division now, and the Dolphins being way more competitive for the first time since the end of the Jimmy Johnson era. And even the Jets are promising.


In Belichick’s pursuit of glory, nothing is off the table, even idea of trading Mac Jones

By Jeff Howe
6h ago

Bill Belichick’s long-term goal is directly tied to the execution of his short-term vision.

As he chases Don Shula’s all-time wins record, Belichick’s Patriots must show immediate improvement during the 2023 season. Because it remains to be seen if the former can happen in New England without the latter.


That’s why virtually nothing should be off the table this offseason, including the idea of improving at quarterback.

It remains unclear if Belichick actually assessed Jones’ potential trade value this offseason while speaking to other teams. However, a source close to the situation noted that offseason personnel conversations typically runs the gamut of every player of substance — every coach and general manager wants to know who is available and how valuable they are.



If Belichick happened to be talking to an executive or head coach of a quarterback-needy team, it’d actually be more surprising if Jones’ name didn’t come up. Jones is coming off a rocky second season amid a mountain of offensive chaos, and rival teams have recognized the Belichick-Jones relationship requires improvement. In that sense, teams should view Jones as a realistic trade candidate.



But on Tuesday, several high-ranking executives from quarterback-needy teams in both the AFC and NFC told The Athletic the Patriots never approached them with the idea of trading Jones. While it’s impossible to be privy to every conversation, particularly the more casual talks at league events, it’s at minimum an indication Belichick hasn’t planted a “for sale” sign in Jones’ front yard and texted the Zillow link to his entire contact list.


If the Patriots were actually making Jones a readily available commodity, it’d be logical to speak with teams that had an obvious hole at quarterback. The 2021 first-round pick would have a decent share of trade value, too, because he had a productive first season and remains under team control for at least three more seasons, including the fifth-year option.


And while Jones had his struggles in 2022, rival team evaluators consistently told The Athletic throughout the season the offense was so inconsistent and out of sync that the quarterback had no chance to succeed like he did as a rookie under an established coordinator like Josh McDaniels. So again, if Jones were viewed as a more readily available commodity, there’d be interest.



That’s partly why it would have made sense for Belichick to explore his trade value this offseason, even if it was only in a subtle and quiet capacity.



Belichick has 329 career regular-season and playoff victories — second behind Don Shula’s 347 — and Patriots owner Robert Kraft last week repeated his urgency to get back into the playoffs. Two years ago, Kraft volunteered his frustration with the Patriots’ recent drafting. Last year, he lamented another year without a postseason win. They’re now at four years and counting.



It’s felt for a while now Belichick would need to do enough next season for Kraft to give him a shot to chase the record in 2024. This is the first time in Kraft’s 29-year tenure that the Patriots have gone four consecutive seasons without a playoff win, so the team’s power structure has entered unprecedented territory together.

continued..

[whatever_gong82]

So far, that urgency seems to have informed how Belichick has approached the offseason; and the first wave of decisions involved some of his closest friends and confidants. Belichick rehired Bill O’Brien at offensive coordinator. Matt Patricia, the play-caller last season, won’t have the same job if he decides to return. Joe Judge is back but in a different role.

The personnel has turned over, too. They opted for more explosion in the slot with JuJu Smith-Schuster over Jakobi Meyers, and they traded tight end Jonnu Smith before adding Mike Gesicki. They’re building the running game around Rhamondre Stevenson and have quietly shown interest in adding another blue-chip back in the draft.


As for Jones, let’s walk through what the strategy behind exploring a trade might be. And remember, if those conversations happened, it’s unclear when they might have taken place.

If Belichick believed a more proven veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo gave the Patriots a better chance to contend for the AFC East title in 2023, it’d be sensible to see what they could get in return for Jones. Kraft certainly wouldn’t stand in the way of changing the financial dynamics at quarterback.



But obviously, that didn’t happen, as Garoppolo joined the Raiders. And the Patriots won’t be pursuing Lamar Jackson, as The Athletic reported last week, so the veteran market apparently wasn’t a solution after all.

There’s also a disconnect between Belichick and Jones that must be reconciled. Both sides have to be willing to compromise to strengthen their connection in 2023.




As that factor relates to a potential trade, though, use history as a guideline. Belichick was ready to unload safety Lawyer Milloy in 2003, wide receiver Randy Moss in 2010, linebacker Jamie Collins in 2016 and Garoppolo in 2017 for a wide range of reasons — and those are just four of numerous examples — and the trades were quickly consummated. If Belichick were truly done with Jones based on any lingering disconnect, the coach would have already found a buyer and pivoted toward a new quarterback. Belichick’s track record suggests a trade would have happened quickly.



So the idea of trading Jones now doesn’t make nearly as much sense as it might have a month ago. The Patriots have expected Jones to hold off Bailey Zappe this offseason, so a trade would therefore weaken the top of the depth chart. And with the 14th pick later this month, it’s shaping up as a long shot they’ll be in range for the draft’s top four quarterbacks — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson — while the perceived fifth-best quarterback, Hendon Hooker, is recovering from a torn ACL and wouldn’t help Belichick win in 2023.



Maybe, just maybe, Levis or Richardson falls far enough the Patriots can make a play if they think either is an upgrade. And if that happens, perhaps Jones becomes expendable.



Moving Jones now, with no obvious veteran solution at the ready or a clearcut path to an answer in the draft, would put the Patriots in legitimate danger of backsliding from last season’s 8-9 record. An outcome like that could cause Kraft to seriously evaluate the head coaching position for the first time in nearly a quarter century.


Belichick’s actions to this point have shown that he believes the Jones-O’Brien ticket will give the Patriots enough to improve in 2023. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t explored alternative measures to reshape the roster this offseason.



Jeff Howe is the NFL National Insider for The Athletic. A native of Lowell, Mass., and a UMass graduate, he previously covered the New England Patriots from 2009-21. Howe, who has been with The Athletic since 2018, is the author of “If These Walls Could Talk: New England Patriots.” Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffphowe

[Futureshock]

Tyreek Hill plans to be Chiefs’ “worst enemy” in 2023 game

Posted by Josh Alper on April 6, 2023, 7:02 AM EDT

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Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill‘s long-term view includes a retirement date, but he isn’t planning to be out of the game before the 2023 season plays out.

That means he is set to be in uniform when the Dolphins travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a game against the Chiefs later this year. It is the first time that Hill is scheduled to face the Chiefs since last year’s trade sent him from Kansas City to Miami and he said on Sports Radio 810 that he plans to be a major thorn in the side of his former team.

“Chiefs Kingdom, when the Miami Dolphins come to Arrowhead Stadium this year, guess what we gonna do?” Hill said. “Guess what we gonna do? I hate to say it, man. I hate to throw up the peace sign against y’all. I hate to do it, but guess what? I’m gonna be y’all worst enemy that day. I’m gonna be y’all worst enemy that day.”

The NFL is expected to release the schedule for the coming season in May and the Dolphins’ trip to Kansas City will be one of many headline games we’ll be watching for once it is unveiled.

[Futureshock]

Panthers assistant GM Dan Morgan plans personnel shift for new 3-4 defense

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 6, 2023, 3:49 AM EDT

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New Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is installing a 3-4 base defense after Carolina previously ran a 4-3, and Panthers assistant general manager Dan Morgan is at work making sure the personnel matches the scheme.

Morgan, who played linebacker for the Panthers for seven seasons and has worked in personnel for various NFL teams for 13 years, told the Charlotte Observer he likes the opportunities to bring in different kinds of athletes in the Panthers’ new defense.

“This is the first time from a scouting perspective that the team I’m scouting for is actually a 3-4,” Morgan said. “So I’ve been a 4-3 guy this whole time. So, for me, it’s kind of exciting to be in this 3-4 hybrid. I feel like different players and different body types can fit in this defense then kind of what we’re used to.”

The Panthers will take a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but in later rounds they’ll be looking to bolster their defense, and Morgan believes the scouting staff can now look at a wider range of athletes.

“In a 4-3, I feel like it’s a lot more specific about what you want, in terms of like a one-technique or a three-technique, and then your edge players,” Morgan said. “But in this defense, I feel like you can have some different body types, and have more versatile players in his defense. From a scouting perspective, I’m really excited about that.”

Morgan identified defensive lineman Shy Tuttle, whom the Panthers signed away from the Saints in free agency, as an ideal fit in a 3-4 front.

“Coming into our new defense with Ejiro, we’re getting guys for our scheme,” Morgan said. “And I think in our new scheme, [Tuttle] is going to be able to play a lot of different positions along our front. And then, along with that . . . the biggest thing that stands out on tape with him is his toughness and his motor to the football, and the way that he plays the game.”

Panthers fans will love it if Morgan can find players who play the game like Morgan himself did.

[Futureshock]

Tyreek Hill wants to play three more seasons and “call it quits” to “go into the business side”

Posted by Charean Williams on April 5, 2023, 10:09 PM EDT

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Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill has played seven seasons. He has four years left on his contract but only the next two have guaranteed money.

Hill, 29, has shown no sign of slowing down.

He remains one of the fastest — if not THE fastest — players in the NFL, and he earned his fourth All-Pro honor last season with career highs in catches (119) and receiving yards (1,710).

Yet, Hill already is looking toward the end of his career.

He appeared on the podcast of former Chiefs teammates Anthony Sherman and Gehrig Dieter on Sports Radio 810 WHB this week and revealed he has a retirement plan.

“I’m going for 10, man,” Hill said. “I’m going to finish out this contract with the Dolphins, man, and then I’m going to call it quits. I want to go into the business side. I want to do so many things in my life, bro.”

Hill said he wants to coach but “not for long.”

“So, I really want to get into like the gaming space,” Hill said. “I really want to get huge in that and that’s kind of what I’m doing right now. I’m using my platform, creating a gaming team [Soul Runner Gaming], which isn’t launched yet. It should launch by the end of this month. I’m going to just sign like different content creators, different athletes. I’ve just been working that, talking to different sponsors.”

Hill is due $1.165 million in base salary this season with a $12.823 million cap and a $19.55 million base salary in 2024 with a $31.07 million cap hit.