NFL News

[jaadam4]

I think Indy will make a play for Cousins. This actually might be good with all of the QB movement. Its a terrible year for QBs but if someone falls in love with Willis or Pickett we might be able to trade down after all

[froot loops]

Those Viking fans might want to get rid of Cousins but they ought to look around and see what Washington had to give up for a guy like Wentz. Or for that matter what the Broncos gave up for Wilson. Wilson was bad last year.

[chemiclord]

I think Indy will make a play for Cousins. This actually might be good with all of the QB movement. Its a terrible year for QBs but if someone falls in love with Willis or Pickett we might be able to trade down after all

Well, and now we get to the OTHER reason why it is so hard to trade down, and why the Lions almost assuredly won't. Getting good value for a pick that high is nigh impossible, especially since the teams that might be interested in trading up would require the Lions to be willing to slide quite a ways down, which they probably won't be inclined to do unless a bunch of future picks were included in the deal.

[edindetroit]

A Diva and a Narcist.

Aaron Rodgers is once again playing word games

Posted by Mike Florio on March 8, 2022, 8:14 PM EST

Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers‘s penchant for precision in language became obvious last year, when he deliberately obfuscated his vaccination status by saying “yeah, I’ve been immunized” and playing gotcha with reporters who failed to ask a follow-up question premised on the possibility that Rodgers was playing word games regarding whether he’d gotten his shots. He clearly was playing word games.

He’s doing it again. His Twitter post announcing his plan to play for the Packers in 2022 quibbles with the notion that he “signed” a new contract, and with the report that it’s a four-year, $200 million deal.

“Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up; YES I will be playing with the [Packers] next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I ‘signed.’ I’m very excited to be back,” Rodgers wrote.

First of all, no one reported that Rodgers actually “signed” the contract. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media (the first non-McAfee person to report the news) said that Rodgers “agreed to terms.” This means there’s a deal, but that the paperwork has yet to be signed. It’s not uncommon to say that a player has “agreed to terms” before he actually puts pen to paper. So his decision to take issue with the technicality that he hasn’t “signed” is technically inaccurate, because no one said he did.

Second, as to the terms of the agreement, there’s often an inaccuracy or two between the initial reports and the official terms. Reported as a four-year, $200 million contract, it’s apparently a four-year, $200 million extension, making it (perhaps) a five-year, $226.47 million contract. Or maybe there’s some other minor issue, a rounding error or whatever. Regardless, Rodgers got paid — and the details eventually will be precisely known.

Looking at it more broadly, WHY DOES HE CARE? He’s staying in Green Bay. Surely, he’s not staying without a new contract that reduces his $46.66 million cap number. Why does he have to be “that guy” and take issue with meaningless details?

It serves only to confuse Packers fans, who will now wonder whether truly he has agreed to remain with the team beyond 2022, and whether the team has secured any cap relief at all.

A cynic would say that Rodgers was simply looking for attention after having his decision to return leapfrogged by the news that the Broncos traded for Russell Wilson, along with the not-so-subtle suggestion that Wilson was Plan A, not Plan B, for Nathaniel Hackett’s new team. Regardless, it’s entirely possible that Rodgers can be both one of the great quarterbacks of all time and extremely petty. His decision to take issue with stupid details about his inevitable new deal with the Packers makes him the GOAT, when it comes to worrying about meaningless details.

A Diva and a Narcist walk into a bar...

[Cody_Russell]

The Vikings 1st RD pick is #12 overall. If they’re in love with Willis or Pickett, I think it makes some sense to move up to secure him.
Panthers at #6 overall is the spot where I can realistically see a QB being drafted. If the Panthers don’t trade for Watson or sign whoever, they’re desperately looking for a QB.
While I would of course love a trade down, I’m not sure if #2 is the spot where a team needs to move up for a QB. #5 overall seems like the sweet spot.
My trade down proposal a few months ago was with the Jets. Saleh and the Jets wanting to target one of the pass rushers. Now? Maybe it doesn’t make sense because we have discovered the DE/Edge depth to be great in this draft.
From the Lions perspective. I think it’s possible they might be willing to move down quite a bit. Is there much difference between the prospect they would get at #2 vs #12? Thibodeaux vs Sauce Gardner? I like Thibodeaux more, but it’s not a great difference IMO.

Not to talk too much about the draft in the NFL News thread… You guys bring up a good idea that Cousins is another QB that could be on the move in the near future. This year or next.

[jaadam4]

They’re also saying that Pete Carrol will use those Denver picks to make a play for Deshaun Watson.

[Futureshock]

To be honest the team around him, especially the OL, deteriorated immensely too. You can only go so far with having DL on your OL.

(on R Wilson)

[Futureshock]

A Diva and a Narcist walk into a bar...

After passing the mirror...

[Futureshock]

Report: Other NFC West teams interested in Bobby Wagner

Posted by Josh Alper on March 10, 2022, 12:00 PM EST

Getty Images

The Seahawks will face quarterback Russell Wilson when they take on the Broncos during the 2022 season and they could have a reunion on tap with linebacker Bobby Wagner as well.

They might even have multiple reunions with Wagner. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that there has been significant interest in Wagner since he was released by the Seahawks this week and that the three other NFC West teams are among those who have interest in the veteran linebacker.

Jourdan Rodrigue of TheAthletic.com reports that the Rams are indeed interested in Wagner, but notes that the price tag would be in the range of $4 million to $5 million.

If there is robust interest in Wagner, it seems likely he could wind up making more than that but the prospect of returning to his own time to play for the reigning champs could be intriguing.

[Futureshock]

Commanders are expected to release Landon Collins

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 10, 2022, 11:27 AM EST

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Another veteran defender is set to hit the open market.

Per multiple reports, the Commanders are set to release safety Landon Collins.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the move comes after Collins and Washington were unable to agree to a restructured contract.

Collins was set to make $11.5 million in base salary with a $4.2 million bonus in 2022. His release will save $6.5 million against the cap but would carry a $9.6 million dead cap charge. That makes him a candidate to be released with a post-June 1 designation, which would spread out that dead cap charge to future years.

Collins signed a six-year, $84 million deal with Washington in March 2019.

In three seasons with Washington, Collins started 35 games. He recorded 81 tackles with seven tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and a pair of interceptions in 2021.

Collins spent his first four seasons with the Giants, who selected him in the second round of the 2015 draft.

[Futureshock]

Which teams are realistic options for Deshaun Watson?

Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2022, 11:24 AM EST

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On Friday, much will potentially be learned about the criminal cases pending against Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Quite possibly, the door finally will swing open for a trade.

As we previously have reported, multiple teams are willing to trade for Watson without the 22 civil cases pending against him resolved. The current impediment continues to be the possibility that Watson will be indicted on one or more felony charges, and then placed on paid leave pending the resolution of the prosecution. (Last season, the Panthers were willing to trade for him despite the criminal investigation, but Watson wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.)

If the grand jury does not indict Watson on felony charges, he could be traded when the new league year begins next week. So which teams would be interested?

As we previously explained, he could be looking at a suspension even without criminal charges, under the Ben Roethlisberger precedent. Thus, whoever gets Watson may not get him for several weeks of the regular season.

Still, it’s not a one-year move but a 10-year effort with Watson. So which teams should be watched? Here’s our list.

Panthers: They’re desperate to find a franchise quarterback. As mentioned above, they were willing to do the deal last year, with no clarity as to his various legal entanglements. That said, the tenuous status of coach Matt Rhule should give Watson pause, given that he possibly would have a new coach as soon as next year.

Seahawks: In 2017, Watson had a spectacular game in Seattle. He believes he suffered his torn ACL during that performance, with the ligament fully ripping apart at practice four days later. Now, the Seahawks have an obvious need at quarterback. They have the assets to get a deal done, given the Russell Wilson trade. However, does Watson see Seattle as a place where he can contend sooner than later? The team is clearly in rebuilding mode.

Eagles: Linked at times to Watson chatter last year, it never seemed that Watson was interested. Maybe he should be. The Eagles made it to the playoffs in 2021, and in a depleted NFC they could become a significant contender — especially with Watson at quarterback. And they could stick with Jalen Hurts (or Gardner Minshew) during a short-term suspension.

Vikings: If they find a trade partner for Kirk Cousins, Watson is the only available upgrade. However, they’d need a reliable bridge quarterback during a potential suspension. Kellen Mond doesn’t seem to be ready to play.

Buccaneers: Even without Tom Brady, the Bucs can contend at a high level. It makes plenty of sense, and it definitely would close the door on a Brady return. (He’s not coming back to the Buccaneers, anyway.)

Steelers: Although former Bucs quarterback Shaun King continues to push the idea that Watson is interested in the Steelers, the force of the all-caps “ARE NOT” interested report from Wednesday suggests that the source goes as high in the front office as possible.

Cardinals: If the Cards and Kyler Murray are at a contractual impasse, why not swap Murray for Watson? It would make plenty of sense for everyone, if Houston would be ready to pay Kyler big money.

[Futureshock]

Could Colts make a trade for Kirk Cousins?

Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2022, 9:37 AM EST

USA TODAY Sports

The Colts have a very good team. They currently have no clear option at quarterback. So what will they do?

The first name to emerge was Jimmy Garoppolo. But he’s basically a less athletic, albeit more popular with his teammates, version of Carson Wentz.

The problem for the Colts is that there aren’t many great options, as evidenced by Washington’s willingness to trade real assets for Wentz, and to absorb the full amount of his contract for 2022 — more than $28 million. There’s one guy who possibly is available, and who frankly would find himself in a better place to thrive if the deal happens.

Kirk Cousins.

He’s under contract with the Vikings through 2022, with a fully-guaranteed salary of $35 million. His cap number ($45 million) means that he can’t be franchise tagged in 2023. (Well, he can be franchise tagged. But it would cost more than $64 million to do so.) Absent an extension, it would become a one-year rental, potentially, for the Colts.

Given the one-year-at-a-time nature of the modern NFL, one year may be enough. With a very good offensive line, which would give Cousins time to get the ball to the open man, a great running back in Jonathan Taylor, and an excellent defense, Cousins could make the Colts surprisingly competitive. The only dip between the two franchises comes at the receiver position, where Cousins would be losing Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

Cousins has shown no inclination to extend his deal with Minnesota. Nor should he. Maybe he would do so for the Colts. That would make him more attractive, and more valuable in trade.

Another possibility would be for the Colts to agree to a low base trade package for 2022, with a kicker if the Colts re-sign Cousins in 2023.

The problem for the Vikings becomes replacing Cousins. Although plenty of Vikings fans are ready to move on by seeing Cousins move out, who’s next for Minnesota? The only clear upgrade for 2022 would come from a trade for Deshaun Watson.

For the same reasons the Colts may be willing to go all in with Cousins for a year, the Vikings may be, too. While it’s not ideal to not have the starting quarterback under contract beyond the current season, the Vikings made this bed when extending the deal.

Although Cousins could make a lot of sense for the Colts, it simply makes no sense for the Vikings to trade him without a clear alternative.

[Futureshock]

Darius Leonard notes Colts have had five different quarterbacks in his five seasons

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 10, 2022, 4:29 AM EST

USA Today

Stability at the quarterback position has eluded the Colts in recent years.

Indianapolis linebacker Darius Leonard, who was drafted by the Colts in 2018, noted on Twitter after the news that Carson Wentz will be traded to the Commanders that the Colts will be on their fifth different quarterback in Leonard’s five seasons.

“Here we go again! About to be 5 years with the Colts and 5 different QBs! Thank you Carson for everything this year my guy! Wish you nothing but the best,” Leonard wrote.

The Colts had Andrew Luck as their starting quarterback in Leonard’s rookie year of 2018, Jacoby Brissett in 2019, Philip Rivers in 2020, Wentz in 2021 and now a quarterback to be determined in 2022.

For Colts General Manager Chris Ballard, finding a quarterback who can last longer than one year is job No. 1 this offseason.

[Futureshock]

Is that my baby daddy? Where's Maury? This is just too funny...

25-year-old woman sues Jerry Jones, alleging that he is her father

Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2022, 8:20 PM EST

Getty Images

A man who lives by the motto that there’s no such thing a bad publicity has some more bad publicity.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who largely has managed to avoid widespread scrutiny for a cheerleader voyeurism scandal that resulted in the team finding that no wrongdoing occurred but paying out a $2.4 million settlement, has been sued. The plaintiff, via the Dallas Morning News, is a 25-year-old woman who contend that Jone is her biological father.

The lawsuit was filed six days ago in Dallas County, Texas. Alexandra Davis contends that Jones and her mother had a relationship in the mid-1990s, resulting in her conception. She also claims that Jones and Cynthia Davis reached a settlement that required Jones to financially support the mother and child, in exchange for a promise to not publicly identify Jones as her father.

Alexandra Davis seeks a finding that she’s not legally bound by the agreement, if she were to attempt to prove that Jones is her father. She also wants a declaration from the court that the settlement agreement should be unenforceable under Texas law.

All parties declined comment to the Dallas Morning News.

Alexandra Davis, 25, was born on December 16, 1996. Per the report, genetic testing determined that the husband of Cynthia Davis was not Alexandra’s father.

The situation occurred while Jones owned the Cowboys, but the allegations suggest no violation of league rules or policies. If anything, it becomes a delicate personal matter for Jones, who has been married since 1963.

[Futureshock]

The comments on that story are gold Jerry. Gold I tell ya!