NFL 2022 - Off-Season Player News and Updates

[Exe Gesis]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Russell Wilson "wants to explore his options" this offseason.​

Wilson hasn't demanded a trade but wants to see whats out there. With two years remaining on his contract and a no-trade clause, Wilson can control where he goes, but there's not many teams that can offer a better supporting cast and chance at winning who need a quarterback. It's a similar situation to last year, one that could end with Wilson returning to Seattle. The Seahawks have no plans to trade Wilson and are proceeding as if he'll be their quarterback in 2022.

SOURCE: NFL Network
Jan 16, 2022, 9:11 AM ET

 

[Exe Gesis]

Ben Roethlisberger has likely retired from football, after 18 years of impeccable QB play. He said post-game his future will be about being the best husband and father he can be, so probably retires. Can't see another team picking up his services for tens of millions for a season.

-------------

Although Ben Roethlisberger did not make any definitive statements about retiring, he’ll presumably hang up his cleats fifth on the NFL’s all-time passing yardage list (63,721) and fourth in NFL postseason history (5,776). He also ranks eighth all-time in passing touchdowns (416) and third in fourth-quarter comebacks (40), joining Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks in league history to have thrown for 50,000 yards with at least two Super Bowl wins. Roethlisberger’s twilight years were not easy on the eyes but he’ll be remembered for his 50 franchise records under center well before anyone recalls his career in the 21st century. Even though Roethlisberger never picked up a First Team All-Pro honor or any major awards throughout his 18-year career, he will undoubtedly have a bust in Canton in five years' time.

 

[Big Unit 30]

Source: Seahawks good to go with Carroll in '22

Pete Carroll's job security as Seahawks coach was not discussed during an end-of-season meeting with owner Jody Allen and general manager John Schneider last week, a source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

www.espn.com.au

 

[Exe Gesis]

Jaguars rolling more than $25 million into 2022 cap, Giants carrying just $13K​

Posted by Josh Alper on January 17, 2022, 3:54 PM EST

The salary cap for the 2022 NFL season is expected to jump to around $208 million, which is a jump of over $25 million from last season for all of the teams in the league.

Some teams will be working with an even bigger jump. Teams can roll over unused salary cap space from one season to the next and the Jaguars are going to be adding the most of any team in the league.

Field Yates of ESPN reports that the Jags are rolling more than $25.7 million into next year’s cap. The Eagles are next up with more than $16.4 million and the Broncos, Browns, and Seahawks will all carry over more than $10 million.

Those amounts will be adjusted after accounting for incentives and bonuses that players achieved during the season. That will also be the case for teams on the other end of the spectrum, although there’s not much to claw back from the Giants.

They are set to carry just $13,986 over into next season’s cap, which isn’t a lot for the team’s next General Manager to work with in their first season on the job.

 

[J Shuttlesworth]

 

[Exe Gesis]

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Na, not with his injury history. Completely different.

 

[Brasher]

Other than the Shanahan connection which is now 5 years on, there is little in common between Cousins and Jimmy G. Yes Cousins has been more durable but Jimmy G just wins.

 

[Brasher]

Jaguars rolling more than $25 million into 2022 cap, Giants carrying just $13K​

Posted by Josh Alper on January 17, 2022, 3:54 PM EST

The salary cap for the 2022 NFL season is expected to jump to around $208 million, which is a jump of over $25 million from last season for all of the teams in the league.

Some teams will be working with an even bigger jump. Teams can roll over unused salary cap space from one season to the next and the Jaguars are going to be adding the most of any team in the league.

Field Yates of ESPN reports that the Jags are rolling more than $25.7 million into next year’s cap. The Eagles are next up with more than $16.4 million and the Broncos, Browns, and Seahawks will all carry over more than $10 million.

Those amounts will be adjusted after accounting for incentives and bonuses that players achieved during the season. That will also be the case for teams on the other end of the spectrum, although there’s not much to claw back from the Giants.

They are set to carry just $13,986 over into next season’s cap, which isn’t a lot for the team’s next General Manager to work with in their first season on the job.

The Eagles, 2021 season playoff team, 3 2022 1st round draft picks and loads of cap space, playing the NFC East should really be thinking about their QB situation. They are in a pretty awesome positon but need to decide that they are all in on Hurts or is there a better proven option available.

Risk is they squander their enviable position due to not stabalising the QB situation.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Reckon Jimmy G has resurrected his stock with what hes done this season. First, not bitching about the Lance move, being a good teammate, and then what hes done at QB to have the Niners where they are today.

He may not be a gunslinger like Cousins but I reckon he'll have a market for himself in 2022. For sure he will be someone's who has a good stable D and run game

 

[Brasher]

Reckon Jimmy G has resurrected his stock with what hes done this season. First, not bitching about the Lance move, being a good teammate, and then what hes done at QB to have the Niners where they are today.

He may not be a gunslinger like Cousins but I reckon he'll have a market for himself in 2022. For sure he will be someone's who has a good stable D and run game

Haven't you heard? Jimmy is the only NFL QB that throws interceptions.

 

[drd23]

Haven't you heard? Jimmy is the only NFL QB that throws interceptions.

I see you've decided to take the "Chism defending Trevon Diggs" approach to defending Jimmy

 

[Brasher]

I see you've decided to take the "Chism defending Trevon Diggs" approach to defending Jimmy

LOL....Jimmy can fend for himself!

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Diggs owes Jimmy a nice bottle of champagne for over throwing Aiyuk and sparing him what's left of his dignity when he got destroyed on that route.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Stop it Carolina, just ****ing stop it, you've lost all your trading for a QB privileges. Rhule should be forced to eat his shitburger and play the year with Darnold

The Athletic's Chad Graff said the Broncos, Panthers, and Steelers are the most likely trade partners for Kirk Cousins this offseason.​

Cousins is entering the final year of his bloated deal with the Vikings, who recently cleaned house after Cousins and the Vikings underperformed for the past couple seasons. If the Vikings can find a team willing to take on Cousins' entire $35 million salary cap hit (16.8 percent of a team's cap space for 2022), Minnesota might receive a couple day three draft picks in exchange, Graff said, comparing the deal to the Chiefs trading Alex Smith to Washington in 2018. A trade for Cousins, 33, would likely be far too splashy a move for the hyper-conservative Steelers organization, and the Panthers could barely afford the transaction because they're on the hook for Sam Darnold in 2022. That leaves the QB-starved Broncos, a team that should move heaven and earth to land a viable quarterback to pair with their excellent pass catchers and running backs. A desperate Denver team could hold its nose and take the hit to bring Cousins aboard.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said the team is "open" to trading the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.​

It's the second time Caserio has hinted the team might part ways with their first rounder. The team has plenty of draft capital with which to work -- nine picks in total. They have their first rounder, along with second and third round selections, as well as a third-rounder from the Saints. "From an asset allocation, from a salary cap structure, from resources," Caserio said at a press conference last week. "Players in the building to externally, opportunities that might be available for us in free agency. To, right now we have the third overall pick, or whatever that is. Whether or not we stay at three, that's a whole separate discussion. But we'll talk about the draft a little bit later." Whether the Texans deal the third overall pick will be a major storyline in the lead up to the 2022 draft.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Texans general manager Nick Caserio said it's "more than likely" Deshaun Watson won't play for the Texans again.​

Watson's future remains uncertain as the quarterback faces more than 20 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. The Dolphins are reportedly out on the Watson sweepstakes after firing Brian Flores. Other teams are understandably hesitant to pay the price for Watson while his legal status is up in the air. The Texans seem set on giving Davis Mills a shot under center after a passable rookie season in a talent-depleted Houston offense. Watson will be the subject of nonstop offseason rumors and reporting as he was in 2021.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Dont believe it for a second...

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly believes "all signs point" to Mason Rudolph as the Steelers' starting QB in 2022.​

A rookie class bereft of elite quarterback prospects and a free agent QB pool without a standout name could mean the Steelers will be stuck with Rudolph for at least one season. In three years in Pittsburgh, Rudolph has shown he's not a long-term answer under center. He's completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with a middling 6.2 adjusted yards per attempt over 17 regular season appearances (including 10 starts). Rudolph was embarrassing in his Week 10 start against Detroit, a 16-16 tie in which Pittsburgh managed one touchdown -- and 4.8 yards per pass attempt -- against the porous Lions defense. Rudolph as the team's starter would represent a severe downgrade for every pass catcher in the Steelers offense. Ultimately, we find it very hard to believe the Steelers won't find a different solution.

 

[Brasher]

Stop it Carolina, just ******* stop it, you've lost all your trading for a QB privileges. Rhule should be forced to eat his shitburger and play the year with Darnold

The Athletic's Chad Graff said the Broncos, Panthers, and Steelers are the most likely trade partners for Kirk Cousins this offseason.​

Cousins is entering the final year of his bloated deal with the Vikings, who recently cleaned house after Cousins and the Vikings underperformed for the past couple seasons. If the Vikings can find a team willing to take on Cousins' entire $35 million salary cap hit (16.8 percent of a team's cap space for 2022), Minnesota might receive a couple day three draft picks in exchange, Graff said, comparing the deal to the Chiefs trading Alex Smith to Washington in 2018. A trade for Cousins, 33, would likely be far too splashy a move for the hyper-conservative Steelers organization, and the Panthers could barely afford the transaction because they're on the hook for Sam Darnold in 2022. That leaves the QB-starved Broncos, a team that should move heaven and earth to land a viable quarterback to pair with their excellent pass catchers and running backs. A desperate Denver team could hold its nose and take the hit to bring Cousins aboard.

WTF? If Cousins had an ounce of morality about him he would go to the Vikings and offer to have his contract extended and restructured. Making him a more tolerable roster component for the Vikings or more tradable.

I read somewhere that since the salary cap era no QB has won a SB when taking more than 15% of their team's total cap space. The one exception is Steve Young but he won a SB with a grandfather contract (and in those days the 49ers were a little liberal in how player salaries were paid).

 

[Brasher]

Dont believe it for a second...

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly believes "all signs point" to Mason Rudolph as the Steelers' starting QB in 2022.​

A rookie class bereft of elite quarterback prospects and a free agent QB pool without a standout name could mean the Steelers will be stuck with Rudolph for at least one season. In three years in Pittsburgh, Rudolph has shown he's not a long-term answer under center. He's completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with a middling 6.2 adjusted yards per attempt over 17 regular season appearances (including 10 starts). Rudolph was embarrassing in his Week 10 start against Detroit, a 16-16 tie in which Pittsburgh managed one touchdown -- and 4.8 yards per pass attempt -- against the porous Lions defense. Rudolph as the team's starter would represent a severe downgrade for every pass catcher in the Steelers offense. Ultimately, we find it very hard to believe the Steelers won't find a different solution.

Massive smokescreen as leverage in a trade. Remove the perception of need.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Lerentee McCray faces felony charge of fleeing police​

Posted by Josh Alper on January 18, 2022, 5:19 PM EST

Jaguars linebacker Lerentee McCray was arrested in Florida on Sunday morning after a high-speed pursuit that began when he allegedly refused to pull over for officers.

McCray faces a second-degree felony charge of fleeing/eluding police with disregard of safety to person or property and he was also cited for speeding. He was booked into Lake County Jail and released after posting a $5,000 bond.

“We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information,” the Jaguars said in a statement, via ESPN.com. “We have no further comment at this time.”

A Fruitland Park Police Department police report says an officer initiated a traffic stop early on Sunday morning after observing a vehicle going 88 mph in a 50 mph zone, but the driver did not stop after making “an expletive hand gesture using their middle finger.” A pursuit reportedly reached speeds over 100 mph before officers called off the chase.

McCray was eventually found by officers in Tavares, Florida after coming to a stop and being found in what the report says appeared to be an “altered mental status.” He was taken to a hospital before being taken into custody.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

with the way he finished the season and his first round stock I think someone definitely gives him more than the 1.5-3m reported, reckon it will be more like 5m

Seahawks Break Silence on RB Rashaad Penny’s Uncertain Future​

From a potential contract standpoint, Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is peaking at just the right time. Penny will hit free agency this offseason after the Seahawks declined the running back’s fifth-year option during the last offseason.

The former first-round pick has largely been underwhelming since arriving to the NFL as a highly-touted prospect out of San Diego State. Penny has battled multiple injuries throughout his career but closed the season as one of the best NFL rushers statistically over the final month.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recently made it clear that he wants to re-sign Penny despite declining the fifth-year of his deal last offseason. Carroll had an interesting response when asked if Penny was back in the team’s plans for next season.

“I don’t think he was ever out of plans,” Carroll responded during his December 26 press conference after the Seahawks’ loss to the Bears. “We were just trying to get him back [healthy]. …I don’t even know where we are in that [his contract]. He looks really good. Yeah, he looks really good playing ball, and we need him on our team.”

Penny’s market will be very interesting for two key reasons: the rusher’s injury history and the overall declining value of running backs. Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe estimates that Penny could command a “potential contract of one or two years at around $1.5 to $3 million a season most likely.”

Rolfe sees the Seahawks’ NFC West rival Cardinals as a potential threat to sign Penny away from Seattle. The other potential landing spots for Penny on Rolfe’s list included the Falcons, Bills and Dolphins.

Heading into Week 18, Penny has 96 carries for 559 yards and five touchdowns with the majority of this production coming in the last four games. Penny played in a total of 13 games during the previous two seasons combined. The Seahawks running back admitted he considered retiring from the NFL as he dealt with significant injuries.

“Mentally [an] emotional rollercoaster. I mean days where you just be like, should I continue to play football?” Penny revealed during a December 12 press conference. “And then other days where you just be like, I got to go in and do what’s best for me. Man, it’s been hard, you know, hamstring strains, calf strains, but I just put my head down and I just kept moving forward. And you know, I think that’s enough.

“That’s advice to anybody who’s in the league and battling injuries and it’s not going the way you really want it to go, but just keep putting your head down and just keep moving forward. The next day is always a new, brighter day and that’s how I always look at things.”

With the team’s RB1 Chris Carson coming off significant neck surgery, the Seahawks must address the position this offseason even if Penny re-signs with Seattle. Yet, Penny could have every opportunity to compete to be the team’s lead back in 2022 if the two sides are able to reach a new deal this offseason.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Penny earned himself a big contract. Seahawks should throw themselves at his feet.

The Seahawks have for many years run their workhorse lead back into the ground, prematurely ended them, i cant remember the names but there were several before Carson too, same thing, work them to major injury

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Penny earned himself a big contract. Seahawks should throw themselves at his feet.

The Seahawks have for many years run their workhorse lead back into the ground, prematurely ended them, i cant remember the names but there were several before Carson too, same thing, work them to major injury

The Dolphins should be very interested.

 

[Exe Gesis]

NBA referees condemn Dak Prescott’s recent comments about fans throwing items at officials​

Posted by Mike Florio on January 18, 2022, 6:38 PM EST

The NFL hasn’t said anything about Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s comments that condoned, if not welcomed, the throwing of items by fans at game officials. The NFL Referees Association hasn’t said anything, either.

Chiming in, surprisingly, is the NBA Referees Association.
“The NBRA condemns the comments by Dak Prescott condoning violence against game officials,” the NBRA said on Twitter. “As an NFL leader, he should know better. We encourage the NFL to take action to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future.”

Prescott hasn’t walked back his comments. On Monday, Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said there’s no place in the game for throwing items at officials.

Jones is right. It’s a criminal act, and it could injure the intended target of the attack, or a bystander. Technology exists to spot those who engaged in such conduct. They should be identify, and they should be banned from any further NFL events.

Prescott should also find a way to send a clear message to fans that they should not, under any circumstances, throw objects at anyone.