NFL News

[Futureshock]

Guess who else?

Report: Eagles give Darius Slay permission to seek trade

Posted by Josh Alper on March 10, 2023, 10:25 AM EST

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The Eagles may be losing James Bradberry as a free agent next week and their other starting cornerback could be on the move this offseason as well.

Dianna Russini of ESPN reports that the team has given Slay permission to talk to other teams about a trade. The report notes that the Eagles still hope to find a way to keep Slay in the fold.

A new contract would probably be the route to making that happen. Slay is headed into the final year of his current deal with a $17 million base salary and a cap hit of just over $26.1 million.

Slay came to the Eagles in a 2020 trade with the Lions and he’s played 48 games with them over the last three seasons. He made a pair of Pro Bowls while recording 166 tackles, seven interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He returned one interception and both fumbles for touchdowns. Slay also started all four of the team’s playoff games the last two years.

Bradberry is joined by several other key free agents on defense, so it was shaping up to be an offseason of major change in Philadelphia already. A Slay trade would make for an even bigger shift for the NFC champions.

[Futureshock]

They're pretty dense down there...


Bobby Slowik’s comments about Jimmy Garoppolo are textbook tampering

Posted by Mike Florio on March 10, 2023, 6:17 AM EST

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The NFL whacked the Texans on Thursday for a fairly obvious salary-cap violation. The NFL also could smack Houston for a textbook breach of the tampering rules.

On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik acknowledged that the Texans are considering the possibility of signing 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

“We have a process that we go through, Jimmy is obviously a part of that process,” Slowik said.

Every team tampers. Every single one. It usually doesn’t happen so blatantly.

And this is as blatant as it gets. Garoppolo remains under contract with the 49ers. Another team cannot publicly express interest in signing him.

The NFL is grossly inconsistent when it comes to enforcing the rules regarding tampering. In this case, it’s not a major violation; the 49ers clearly don’t want to re-sign Garoppolo, who is heading to the open market for the first time in his career.

Still, other teams that have been punished for tampering may be upset if the Texans get a pass. The Dolphins didn’t get a pass for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton last year; Miami lost a first-round pick. In 2016, the Chiefs lost a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick for speaking directly to Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin during the two-day window during which negotiation with agents are permitted.

“We appreciate the opportunity to make our appeal on this matter, and we acknowledge the minor reduction in fines imposed,” owner Clark Hunt said after an appeal upheld the draft-pick punishment but reduced the fine. “However, we continue to believe that the facts of this case combined with the league’s inconsistent enforcement of its tampering policies do not warrant the most severe penalty for player-related tampering in league history.”

If the NFL doesn’t punish the Texans for tampering with Garoppolo, Hunt’s point will be underscored. Even if tampering happens all the time (and it does), it rarely happens so clearly and obviously.

[Futureshock]

Sounds like the old tip of confidence, right before the rug is pulled from underneath the feet...


John Schneider, Pete Carroll praise Geno Smith’s perseverance and work ethic

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 10, 2023, 4:28 AM EST

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Seahawks General Manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll spent Thursday praising quarterback Geno Smith, who shocked the NFL world by having by far his best year in his 10th NFL season in 2022, and who has now signed a new contract to remain the Seahawks’ starting quarterback.

Schneider called Smith an inspiration to everyone in the building and to people across the country who have followed his career.

“I want to thank Geno,” Schneider said. “Geno, I want to let you know what an inspiration you’ve been to men, women, young, old, all around the country. Lessons about faith, perseverance, work ethic, being a good person. Watching you last year was awesome and I know you’re super excited about the future. So thank you to you. Thank you for working with us.”

Carroll said Smith, who backed up Russell Wilson for three years before becoming the Seahawks’ starter last year, was the leader Seattle needed in 2022.

“There were a lot of years when Geno had to sit there waiting,” Carroll said. “The story that has been unveiled about believing in yourself and confidence and trust and never giving up, it’s a vivid illustration to see this happen. He always knew, we just had to let it out. That’s what you did, Geno. You always knew that you could do this, and when it happened and the opportunity was there for you to take over the reins, you handled it so flawlessly. We were grateful to watch it happen. It was a blast. We need to win a couple more games, we know that, we need to do a little bit better, but we still did a lot and you accomplished a tremendous amount.”

The Seahawks may still draft a quarterback and move on from Smith a year from now, but even if 2023 is Smith’s final season as the Seahawks’ starter, he has already accomplished more in Seattle than anyone thought possible when he arrived as a backup who had to compete just to make the roster. Smith has persevered.

[Futureshock]

We'll see how "true" you Ram fans are around here...

Rams have gotten calls from other teams about nine players

Posted by Charean Williams on March 9, 2023, 11:12 PM EST

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Rams General Manager Les Snead referred to what his team is undergoing as a “remodel” rather than a “rebuild.” He mentioned quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald as “pillars” and “weight-bearing walls.”

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, wide receiver Allen Robinson and linebacker Leonard Floyd conspicuously were absent from Snead’s list. Snead was asked whether the Rams are seeking to trade the three players.

“I’m going to keep the specifics of those in-house because time will tell,” Snead said. “I know we’ve communicated with a lot of our players, those included. We’re trying to assess situations, figure out how to get under the cap, what’s the best way to do that. In this year, it’s been interesting with those players. It’s based on probably the dynamics of the league.

“We’ve had calls on a lot of our players, probably other places trying to figure out what are we doing big picture and things like that. It’s been a busy offseason discussing players. The nice thing is other teams would like to have a lot of our players, but at this point we don’t want to give away all of our good players.”

Snead said the Rams have “probably taken calls on nine players” this offseason. He would not say whether Stafford was one of the nine, but he surely was.

“Y’all can figure out the rumors of them,” Snead said. “Usually it’s some of your better players. I can say every now and then you get a surprise and someone might be interested in one of your younger players. I always give the example, in the past, [offensive tackle] Joe Noteboom was always one. We got calls on him every year based on him being our third tackle and other teams thought he could be their starting tackle. So I’ve given that example in the past. But I’ll keep the sensitivity of the specifics in-house until we get to next week and see how all this plays out.”

The Rams are $16 million over the 2023 salary cap before the release of linebacker Bobby Wagner, which will save them $5 million.

[Futureshock]

Seahawks open communication with Bobby Wagner about a possible return

Posted by Charean Williams on March 9, 2023, 10:30 PM EST

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Seahawks General Manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll were mum last week about a possible reunion with Bobby Wagner. The Rams announced they will release the linebacker after one season.

On Thursday, Schneider acknowledged the Seahawks have been in contact with Wagner, who was granted permission from the Rams to speak with other teams.

“We’ve been able to talk to Bobby now and address some of those things, so it’s worked out great,” Schneider said in his weekly interview with Seattle Sports 710 AM, via Corbin Smith of SI.com. “We’re going to be in communication as we go along throughout free agency now.”

Wagner played 10 seasons with the Seahawks before the sides unceremoniously parted ways.

Wagner learned of the Seahawks’ plan before they informed him of his release, something Schneider and Carroll have apologized for. Wagner has said he wished the Seahawks would have handled it differently.

Wagner ranks as one of the best players in franchise history with eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro honors.

He showed no sign of regression last season in Los Angeles, earning second-team All-Pro. Wagner made 140 tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups and 10 quarterback hits in 17 games.

The Seahawks are in need of linebacker help with Jordyn Brooks working his way back from a torn ACL and Cody Barton scheduled for free agency. They currently have $30.53 million in cap space.

“We had a great, awesome, frank conversation, so he knows where we are, and we know where he’s at,” Schneider said. “We have so much respect for him personally and professionally, so we were able to talk through some things and yeah, we know where it’s going.”

[Futureshock]

Seahawks can escape Geno Smith contract after one year, $28 million

Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2023, 8:48 PM EST

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It was broadcast to the world as a three-year, $105 million contract. In reality, it can be as short as one year and $28 million.

In a structure similar to the contract the Raiders gave to Derek Carr a year ago — a contract the Raiders tore up after one season and $25 million — the Seahawks can move on from quarterback Geno Smith after one year and $28 million.

Although the initial indications were that the contract fully guaranteed $40 million at signing, the truth is (per a source with knowledge of the deal) that the number is only $27.3 million. The remaining $12.7 million becomes fully guaranteed in February 2024. And the Seahawks can cut him before then.

If they keep Smith beyond 2023, he gets another $22 million for 2024 and $25 million for 2025. As noted by Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, the incentive package comes in the form of escalators based on his performance in 2023 and 2024 — and the triggers are tied to his 2022 performance.

For each of five categories that he beats (yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, passer rating, and wins), Smith gets $2 million. If he exceeds his 2022 performance as to all five, he gets another $5 million.

So he can bump his 2024 salary by up to $15 million based on what he does in 2023, and he can increase his 2025 salary by up to $15 million based on what he does in 2024.

He had a strong 2022, making it harder to improve. He threw for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdown passes, completed 69.8 percent of his throws, generated a passer rating of 100.9, and won nine games.

Also, because the payments are escalators and not incentives, he only gets the money if the team actually keeps him. If, for example, he barely beats his 2022 performance in 2024 in all five categories and in turn bumps his salary to a non-guaranteed $42 million in 2025, that could actually work against him when the team decides whether to bring him back.

The contract also keeps the Seahawks firmly in play for drafting a rookie quarterback, whether with the fifth overall pick or a later selection. If they get someone they love in the draft, Geno’s stint as the Seattle starter could end at two seasons.

[Futureshock]

Sauce Gardner hints at “package deals” if Jets land Aaron Rodgers

Posted by Mike Florio on March 9, 2023, 7:14 PM EST

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The Jets would like to acquire quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cornerback Sauce Gardner would like that to happen.

Via Zack Rosenblatt of TheAthletic.com, Gardner had something interesting to say on a livestream about the situation. Appearing with receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, Sauce said that, if Rodgers joins the Jets, “It’s package deals all over. I can’t tell y’all who, but just know.”

It’s unclear what Gardner meant, but it’s possible that he’s referring to one or more of the various players Rodgers has said he’d want the Packers to keep for Rodgers to stay — tight end Marcedes Lewis, receiver Randall Cobb, tackle David Bakhtiari, receiver Allen Lazard, and tight end Robert Tonyan.

All but Bahktiari will be free agents next week.

Earlier this week, Gardner joked that, if Rodgers becomes a Jet, Gardner won’t intercept him in practice, and he’ll burn the cheesehead Gardner wore after the Jets beat the Packers in Green Bay.

The Jets also may be burning through some cash and cap space to bring some of Rodgers’s Green Bay teammates to town.

[chemiclord]

"They" can SAY Stafford is on the trade block.

Whether he actually is, and if someone is willing to take on that contract if he actually is, is another matter entirely.

[Futureshock]

Odell Beckham’s workout scheduled for Friday in Arizona

Posted by Charean Williams on March 9, 2023, 7:13 PM EST

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The NFL’s Thursday personnel notice brought news that free agent receiver Odell Beckham would work out for teams. Multiple reports since have added the where and when.

Beckham’s workout will take place Friday in Arizona, and the Giants are among the teams planning to attend, Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports.

It will allow Beckham a chance to prove he is 100 percent physically.

He missed all of last season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022.

Beckham visited the Cowboys, Giants and Bills in December but declined to work out, and no one signed him.

He is eligible to sign with any team at any time, having become a free agent in March 2022.

[Futureshock]

Report: Za’Darius Smith asks Vikings for release

Posted by Josh Alper on March 9, 2023, 4:57 PM EST

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Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith signed a three-year deal with the Vikings last year, but he’s reportedly hoping to move on after just one season in Minnesota.

Smith tweeted a thank you message “to Skol Nation for an amazing season & experience” in 2022, which looked like it might be a response to the Vikings releasing him in order to clear cap space. Releasing Smith would free up over $12.1 million.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, however, Smith’s release is just wishful thinking at this point. Rapoport reports that Smith told the team he wants to be released and that the Vikings have rebuffed that request for the time being.

Smith initially agreed to a deal with the Ravens last year, but wound up signing with the Vikings after backing out of that agreement. He had 44 tackles, 10 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble in 16 starts.

The Vikings have already released linebacker Eric Kendricks, wide receiver Adam Thielen could be headed out the door, and other veterans could be on their way out, so things will look different in Minnesota whether the Vikings give Smith what they want or not.

[Futureshock]

"They" can SAY Stafford is on the trade block.

Whether he actually is, and if someone is willing to take on that contract if he actually is, is another matter entirely.

Les Snead indicates Rams won’t trade Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp or Aaron Donald

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 9, 2023, 3:20 PM EST

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With the Rams still over the salary cap and the new league year less than a week away, General Manager Les Snead has some moves to make. But he says those moves won’t include getting rid of quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp or defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Snead compared the job he’s doing on the Rams’ roster right now to remodeling a house and not bulldozing a house, and he called Kupp, Donald and Stafford “weight bearing walls” who holed that house up, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of TheAthletic.com.

Despite talk of a Stafford trade, Snead said the team still views him as its franchise quarterback.

“We’re going to definitely rely on Matthew, he’s definitely one of our pillars,” Snead said. “He’s definitely someone we’re going to rely on.”

Other expensive veterans could be on the way out, with Leonard Floyd, Jalen Ramsey and Allen Robinson among those likely to be elsewhere soon. But the Rams aren’t tearing everything down.

[chemiclord]

Well, a team's statement right now is worth slightly less than fuck all as well. Snead can say he's not going to move Stafford, but if someone gives him a "wow" offer...

This time of year is full of so much misdirection and bullshit from all angles that I sometimes think reporters would be better served just taking a month's vacation from the NFL starting in mid-February, and coming back on the first day of Free Agency. They wouldn't miss anything actually important.

[ghandi]

35 years old coming off his worst season, huge cap number, and injuries taking a toll to where his wife would like him to retire soon? I would think the Rams would beg any team to take him....I dont think they would even ask that much in return, just take the contract off their hands.

[froot loops]

This diehard Rams fan is extremely pleased that the kings of LA can say flags fly forever! The Vegas Raiders have an old flag that anyone under 60 cannot remember.

[Futureshock]

Iam and do