NFL News

[Futureshock]

Arthur Blank confident Matt Ryan, Julio Jones will be Falcons in 2021

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 4, 2021, 4:53 PM EST

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The Falcons are coming off a 4-12 season, they have a new coach and G.M., and quarterback Matt Ryan turns 36 this offseason and is slated to have a $40.9 million salary cap hit. Given those facts, it’s understandable that some have asked whether the Falcons will move on from Ryan this year.

But Falcons owner Arthur Blank says that’s not happening. Asked by Andrew Siciliano on NFL Network whether Ryan will be back, Blank said he will — and then Blank added, unprompted, that wide receiver Julio Jones will be back as well.

“I’d be shocked, completely shocked if he is not. It really has nothing to do with his contract. Matt has played at a very high level for us since 2008 when we drafted him,” Blank said. “Matt can still play at a very high level so we expect him to be a Falcon next year, fully. Same question was raised regarding Julio Jones and we expect Julio to be a Falcon next year and play at a very high level as well. . . . They’ll both be with us.”

Blank said smart franchises have transition plans, noting that the Chiefs drafted Patrick Mahomes and kept him on the bench for a year behind Alex Smith. So with the fourth overall pick, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Falcons draft Ryan’s heir apparent. But in 2021, Ryan and Jones will be in Atlanta.

[Futureshock]

Report: Eagles getting calls on Carson Wentz

Posted by Mike Florio on February 4, 2021, 3:38 PM EST

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Here’s the latest [insert team name] is getting inquiries about a trade for [insert player name].

It’s news, but if’s not, that the Eagles are getting phone calls regarding quarterback Carson Wentz, as reported by NFL Media. This time of year, teams make and take calls about a wide range of players who are, who may be, and who aren’t available in trade.

The Eagles plan to eventually create a plan for the quarterback position. Wentz could be reinstalled as the starter. Jalen Hurts could be given the job. Or there could be a true and complete open competition (not the perfunctory “a core value is competition” thing that coach Nick Sirianni recently mentioned).

The Eagles could choose to trade Wentz if someone gives them an offer they won’t refuse. The Eagles also could choose to trade Hurts — and the Eagles undoubtedly have gotten calls about him, too. (It’s not known whether, in response, they listened or hung up the phone.)

A Wentz trade would wipe out $25.4 million in fully-guaranteed compensation from Philly’s book. A trade before March 19 would avoid another $15 million in full guarantees vesting. That’s $40.4 million that would be shifted to a new team.

A trade also would spark a dead-cap charge of $33.819 million, which is actually lower than the $34.67 million cap charge Wentz currently carries in 2021.

The Eagles have positioned Wentz as a player they want to keep. And maybe they do. If they don’t, acting like they do — while also making sure it’s publicly known that the phone is ringing — becomes the best way to get value for Wentz in lieu of giving up a second-round pick to unload Brock Osweiler (like the Texans did in 2017) or two first-round picks and a third-round pick both to get Matthew Stafford and to get rid of Jared Goff (like the Rams will do on March 17).

It’s possible if not likely that giving up Stafford gave the Lions a one and a three — and that taking Goff gave the Lions a second first-round pick. The Eagles, who seem to think Wentz can recover from a poor 2020, surely wouldn’t trade Wentz unless they get acceptable net value for him. However, they would avoid more than $40 million in guarantees by moving on now. There’s inherent value in that, regardless of what they’d get from Wentz’s new team.

If any real negotiations will happen (specifically with a team like the Colts), it’s important for both sides to keep that dynamic in mind. Indeed, if the Eagles eventually give up Wentz for something significantly less than what the Lions got for Stafford, the Eagles would be quick to point out that, in reality, this was a Goff trade in Stafford clothing.

[Futureshock]

Goodell: We have option for 17-game season, but will continue to talk

Posted by Josh Alper on February 4, 2021, 3:05 PM EST

USA TODAY Sports

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is usually on stage by himself at his annual Super Bowl press conference, but this has been an unusual season and his meeting with the media from Tampa was unusual as well.

Goodell was joined by NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith in the final minutes and the two men discussed the high level of cooperation they needed to have in order for the season to play out amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooperation has rarely been the default option for their two organizations, but both men said they have become closer as they’ve “worked together to find solutions.”

Goodell signaled that will continue after the season as well. He was asked about whether the league will implement a 17-game schedule for the 2021 season. The league has the ability to implement that change under the Collective Bargaining Agreement agreed to this year and NFL Media reported late last year that it will happen, but Goodell said it’s something to consider after the Super Bowl.

“We are looking at the 17-game schedule,” Goodell said. “We’ve already agreed to that in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. There’s still more work to be done on that. Once the game is done, we’ll turn our focus a little bit more to that. Even though we have that option, we’re going to continue to talk.”

NFL owners approved a scheduling plan for a 17-game season at their last meeting. It would be an interconference game with each division’s teams, i.e. AFC East vs. NFC West, matched up based on the previous year’s standings.

[Futureshock]

Will the Saints be able to afford Jameis Winston?

Posted by Mike Florio on February 4, 2021, 9:29 AM EST

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The Saints want to keep quarterback Jameis Winston. Whether they’re able to do that is a different issue.

Making the media rounds on Wednesday for Zebra Technologies, coach Sean Payton praised Winston and made it clear that the Saints want him back.

“[O]ur exposure to Jameis was fantastic,” Payton said on PFT Live. “I know he’s a free agent, but he’s someone I think we’re really excited to work with. Now, that means we’ve got work to do still. I think he feels the same way. I feel pretty good about that.”

The work they need to do relates to finding a way to put a football team on the field. According to OverTheCap.com, the Saints have the worst cap situation entering 2021. If the salary cap ends up in the range of $180 million, the Saints based on current commitments will exceed it by more than $100 million.

Of that amount, more than $22 million will count under the name “Drew Brees.” That’s the reckoning relating to the annual effort to kick the salary-cap can into future years. And the worst year for the Brees reckoning to arrive is the year when the cap shrinks.

That doesn’t mean the Saints won’t be able to work it out with Winston. But it will require some heavy financial lifting elsewhere on the roster, especially since quarterback Taysom Hill will (absent a new deal) have a cap number of $16.159 million in 2021.

That’s more than $38 million devoted to the quarterback position, without Winston under contract. That could compel the Saints to ride with Taysom Hill. Which may not be a horrible thing.

“I thought he had a fantastic season,” Payton said, regarding Hill. “Not just when he was in [the quarterback] role, but he’s one of our better football players, period. He’s explosive. There’s a physicality that he brings when he’s in the lineup, either at quarterback or running back or in a receiving mode.”

Still, Payton clearly has a high opinion of Winston.

“Everything from his leadership, his arm strength, his film in Tampa,” Payton said. “His last season, obviously he had a ton of turnovers, but there are so many things I think he does well. Often times, coaches can be guilty of [saying] ‘here’s what he doesn’t do well,’ and we harp on those things. Our job will be to really highlight and try to do the things that our players do extremely well. It’s amazing how someone can be in your division and you might think you know the player to some degree and obviously you don’t have the same intimate knowledge relative to personally learning. Then when he’s in your building, maybe how different a guy is. He was a fantastic leader for our team. Very supportive and loyal in that room. I think close with the quarterbacks. Coming in just his first year, I think he endeared himself to his teammates. He’s a tremendous worker and he’s got a ton of talent. He made a great impression on us.”

With Brees and Hill making a great impression, literally, on the team’s salary cap, keeping Winston will take some work. Especially if another team with cap space to spare decides to consider signing Jameis Winston.

[Futureshock]

The price for Wentz is probably more to their liking


CARSON WENTZQB, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES


NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Eagles have been fielding calls for disgruntled QB Carson Wentz.


Rapoport and Mike Garafolo mention the Colts directly, although there are reportedly "others" inquiring about Wentz, too. This report obviously leaked from Philadelphia's organization since its the only side privy to this type of information. Even so, the Eagles would be stuck with $34 million in dead money if it actually were able to move Wentz. It at least makes sense to pick up the phone and gauge interest for the 28-year-old since Matthew Stafford recently garnered a haul including two future first-round picks. Whether or not GM Howie Roseman actually parts with Wentz remains to be seen.

RELATED:

• Indianapolis Colts

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Feb 4, 2021, 11:47 AM

[Futureshock]

RICHARD SHERMANDB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS


In a podcast interview with Cris Collinsworth and impending free agent Richard Sherman, Raiders coach Jon Gruden hinted at having interest in signing Sherman.


It was basically tampering on Gruden's behalf, as coaches and executives aren't permitted to speak with free agents until two days prior to the start of the new league year, which is in mid-March. But Gruden wasn't biting his tongue. “Richard Sherman, if you are a free agent, which there is a rumor you are, we are looking for an alpha presence in our secondary,” Gruden said. “Somebody that could play this Hawk 3-press technique with the read step. If you’re available and interested, maybe you and I can get together at some point off-air.” The Raiders need secondary help in the worst way and just hired DC Gus Bradley, who coached Sherman in Seattle and will be installing the defense Sherman has played in throughout his career. Turning 33 next month, Sherman isn't expected back in San Francisco.

RELATED:

• Las Vegas Raiders

SOURCE: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
Feb 3, 2021, 3:30 PM

[Futureshock]

SAM DARNOLDQB, NEW YORK JETS


ESPN's Adam Schefter thinks Sam Darnold could be worth a late first-round pick if traded.


This is not a report saying Darnold will fetch a late first-round pick, nor is it a report that Darnold will in fact be traded. Rather, it's his speculation after seeing what teams were offering for Matthew Stafford. The Jets haven't publicly shopped Darnold yet, but they certainly will be in the mix for Deshaun Watson if the Texans are willing to listen. Darnold, 24, has a career 6.6 yards per attempt average through three Adam Gase-led seasons. He hasn't played like a first-round pick under the worst circumstances, but 24-year-old quarterbacks with his pre-draft pedigree don't hit the market often. What the Jets do with their $63 million cap space and No. 2 overall pick is a leading offseason storyline.

SOURCE: Haberman & Middlekauff on YouTube
Feb 2, 2021, 9:44 PM

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Darnold is ok. If this were 10+ years ago I would be really down with us going for him. But in today's game I really want someone that can escape the D and get that 1st at any moment and in any down and distance.

[Futureshock]

DEREK CARRQB, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS


Las Vegas Review Journal's Vincent Bonsignore writes "multiple teams" are expected to pursue a trade for Derek Carr.


The Raiders "figure to at least listen", especially if offers include multiple first-round picks. Carr's contract is very tradable for both parties. He'd only cost the Raiders $2.5 million in dead cap if traded, and the acquiring team would have Carr for two years at about $20 million per season, all non-guaranteed. Carr finished eighth in expected points added (EPA) per dropback last season and will only be 30 years old in 2021. Bonsignore lists the Colts, Bears, Patriots and Washington as potential suitors, along with the Texans if Deshaun Watson is actually available. If Carr is dealt for draft picks instead of players, the Raiders could turn to Marcus Mariota, who is due $11.4 million this upcoming season, as their short-term answer. But the big dream certainly is to flip Carr and the Raiders' own first-round picks into Watson.

SOURCE: Vincent Bonsignore on Twitter
Feb 2, 2021, 7:27 PM

[The King]

I'm so glad we acted on the Stafford deal. Look at all the QB about to flood the market. It's going to cause prices to drop. We really nailed the timing of that deal.

FYI, I think the Eagles would have to dump Wentz like LA had to dump Goff. Wentz is terrible.

[BJK]

SAM DARNOLDQB, NEW YORK JETS


ESPN's Adam Schefter thinks Sam Darnold could be worth a late first-round pick if traded.


This is not a report saying Darnold will fetch a late first-round pick, nor is it a report that Darnold will in fact be traded. Rather, it's his speculation after seeing what teams were offering for Matthew Stafford. The Jets haven't publicly shopped Darnold yet, but they certainly will be in the mix for Deshaun Watson if the Texans are willing to listen. Darnold, 24, has a career 6.6 yards per attempt average through three Adam Gase-led seasons. He hasn't played like a first-round pick under the worst circumstances, but 24-year-old quarterbacks with his pre-draft pedigree don't hit the market often. What the Jets do with their $63 million cap space and No. 2 overall pick is a leading offseason storyline.

SOURCE: Haberman & Middlekauff on YouTube
Feb 2, 2021, 9:44 PM

__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Darnold is ok. If this were 10+ years ago I would be really down with us going for him. But in today's game I really want someone that can escape the D and get that 1st at any moment and in any down and distance.

Not sure how much of Darnold you’ve seen, but he’s a much better athlete than people realize. He’s not just a drop back passer who’s some sort of statue in the pocket. Beyond being a star QB at San Clemente HS, he was a 20+ point scorer in basketball. He is absolutely capable of scrambling to pick up extra yards and has great movement ability to throw out of waggles, bootlegs, etc. Not sure if he is in the Jets’ long term plans or not, but he at least has the requisite athletic ability to operate in a “Shanahan” WCO that LaFleur is going to run with the NYJ.

[The King]

The problem with Sam is he's due for an extension soon. Did Gase ruin him? I also like him as a player, but he doesn't have a very high ceiling. He's sort of in that Goff range of QB.

[BJK]

The problem with Sam is he's due for an extension soon. Did Gase ruin him? I also like him as a player, but he doesn't have a very high ceiling. He's sort of in that Goff range of QB.

The salary decision is definitely a big one, so it makes sense for them to explore Watson (obviously) or “re-start the clock” with a rookie this year. Not sure whether Gase ruined Darnold or not, but he’s young enough to be a worthwhile reclamation project with the right coach. Seems like a good gamble for the Colts under Frank Reich.

[Cody_Russell]

Wentz trade talk is heating up. Has to be the Colts or Jets, right?
Interested to see how this trade compares to the Goff-Stafford trade...

Colts because HC Frank Reich.
Jets because GM Joe Douglas.

[BJK]

Wentz trade talk is heating up. Has to be the Colts or Jets, right?
Interested to see how this trade compares to the Goff-Stafford trade...

Colts because HC Frank Reich.
Jets because GM Joe Douglas.

Got to think it’ll be the Colts (if anyone).

[Cody_Russell]

Wow, Bears might be the team.
This would remind me of when the Bears unexpectedly traded up for and drafted Trubisky.