NFL 2023 - Off-Season Player Updates/Discussion

[A11dAtP0w3R]

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports the Buccaneers will release Leonard Fournette.​

This will pencil in Rachaad White as the starting running back for 2023 and the Buccaneers don't appear to have a ton of resources to chase another back. Cutting Fournette will save the Bucs about $3.5 million in cap space while adding $5 million dead money to their cap. Fournette turned 28 in January and is likely to find a new role elsewhere this offseason, but it would be surprising if it was anywhere near as good as what he had with Tom Brady in 2021.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Titans GM Ran Carthon said Ryan Tannehill "is a Titan and he will be a Titan."​

The Titans have been pretty close to the vest throughout this process, so there's probably still a slim chance that they move on from Tannehill, but this quote would seem to paint Tannehill as likely to be their starting quarterback in 2023. It's a fair stance given how productive Tannehill has been while healthy, and he's probably one of the 20 best quarterbacks in the league at this point. The Titans appear unlikely to bottom out with Tannehill under center so long as he stays healthy. It's also possible the Titans get Tannehill to take a salary cut to make room for them to chase more free agents.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Texans GM Nick Caserio said "we'll do what's best for the team moving forward" when asked about a Brandin Cooks trade.​

This is one of Caserio's stock answers, but it's probably telling that he didn't mention any kind of negotiation or contact that could lead to Cooks returning since the Texans hired DeMeco Ryans. There aren't many available wideouts on the trade market that will be better than Cooks -- it's a list that may begin and end with DeAndre Hopkins. The complicating factor for the Texans will be Cooks' fully-guaranteed $18 million salary in 2023.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Chiefs draft a WR in the first round surely... Hard to imagine being confident enough in Toney (injury history) and Moore (did bugger all as a rookie) heading into next season

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said both Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore "will probably have bigger roles" next season.​

With both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman hitting free agency, most of the beat reporter buzz has been that the Chiefs will likely have to choose between the two of them. Toney and Moore figure to have expanded roles. It would probably make the most sense to let Hardman walk since the Chiefs sort of shoehorned Toney into his role to begin with. It's also possible that the Chiefs do more with both of these players in the screen game with Clyde Edwards-Helaire reportedly a candidate to be traded and Jerick McKinnon also hitting free agency.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

The Associated Press' Steve Reed reports Derek Carr is meeting with the Panthers at the NFL Combine.​

Carr is slated to speak with multiple QB-needy teams during the Combine. He's been connected to the Jets and Colts, and with Sam Darnold atop the current Panthers depth chart, Carolina would make sense as a landing spot for Carr. He would represent a marked upgrade for D.J. Moore and the rest of the Panthers' pass catchers.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said "I don't know" when asked if Joe Mixon would be on the 2023 Bengals.​

Cutting Mixon would save $7.3 million in cap space. The Bengals would also be temporarily operating without both of their main backs from last year with Samaje Perine currently a free agent. This has the feel of the Bengals getting ahead of a running back's decline years, as Mixon played fairly well last season and would undoubtedly be one of the top backs on the market. It still does make plenty of sense with Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins deserving major extensions.

 

[AJ_2000]

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said "I don't know" when asked if Joe Mixon would be on the 2023 Bengals.​

Cutting Mixon would save $7.3 million in cap space. The Bengals would also be temporarily operating without both of their main backs from last year with Samaje Perine currently a free agent. This has the feel of the Bengals getting ahead of a running back's decline years, as Mixon played fairly well last season and would undoubtedly be one of the top backs on the market. It still does make plenty of sense with Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins deserving major extensions.

Bit of a surprise. Can't stand the character of Mixon but on field had been pretty good. Especially when you look at Buffalo, no fun game other than Allen, and how limiting it can be. $7m seems like a small price to pay to keep you offense dynamic.

Bengals have a history of not paying people. It will be interesting to see what they do with the other offensive talent that's going to come to the end of their deals.

 

[AJ_2000]

The Associated Press' Steve Reed reports Derek Carr is meeting with the Panthers at the NFL Combine.​

Carr is slated to speak with multiple QB-needy teams during the Combine. He's been connected to the Jets and Colts, and with Sam Darnold atop the current Panthers depth chart, Carolina would make sense as a landing spot for Carr. He would represent a marked upgrade for D.J. Moore and the rest of the Panthers' pass catchers.

Can't be a serious option if it's a meet and greet at the combine.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Bit of a surprise. Can't stand the character of Mixon but on field had been pretty good. Especially when you look at Buffalo, no fun game other than Allen, and how limiting it can be. $7m seems like a small price to pay to keep you offense dynamic.

Bengals have a history of not paying people. It will be interesting to see what they do with the other offensive talent that's going to come to the end of their deals.

Agree, nothing wrong with Mixon and im sure hell have some team happy enough to pay him. If they plan on taking a Bijan or Gibbs in the draft it makes a lot more sense.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Can't be a serious option if it's a meet and greet at the combine.

Hopefully they are meeting with him to tell Carr to stop calling us, we aren't interested.

Jets and Saints had meetings with him again at the combine also.

 

[AJ_2000]

Hopefully they are meeting with him to tell Carr to stop calling us, we aren't interested.

Jets and Saints had meetings with him again at the combine also.

I thought he went to NY for the big pitch

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

I thought he went to NY for the big pitch

He did, follow up interviews.

 

[Jatz]

Where's Mariota off to back up next?

 

[Inspecta Gadget]

Another 12 mil in cap space thank you very much

 

[rumply]

Where's Mariota off to back up next?

Could see him backing up Hurts, not the worst idea.

 

[rumply]

 

[Jatz]

Sounds like he's going to be ultra successful in the league.

 

[rumply]

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Im holding fire for now... but the gun is in the holster locked and loaded.

Panthers coach Frank Reich said Derek Carr is still in his prime and "there's still a good, five-year window" for Carr.​

Carr met with the Panthers this week. According to Reich, the interview went well. Though Reich spoke highly of the veteran passer, he also noted that the team has not ruled out any option at quarterback, including trading up in the draft to select a rookie. The Panthers currently hold the No. 9 pick. They only have Matt Corral and Jacob Eason on the roster at quarterback. Getting a fresh start in Carolina, it would make a lot of sense for Reich to handpick a young quarterback to be the team's future, even if that means sending some draft capital to trade up.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he "continues to be optimistic" about signing Lamar Jackson to a contract extension.​

Baltimore and their former MVP quarterback have been at odds surrounding a new contract for months. Both sides have leaked various details of the deals supposedly offered and turned down. A recent report from ESPN stated Jackson is looking for more than what Deshaun Watson got from the Browns. Watson was given a $230 million deal that was fully guaranteed. DeCosta also said the team will consider placing a tag on Lamar, though he and the front office have not decided on which tag they will use. It sounds like all options are currently on the table for Baltimore. For Ravens fans hoping to keep their quarterback in town, there's still plenty of hope, even if it will cost Baltimore a pretty penny.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Speaking Wednesday, Chargers GM Tom Telesco told reporters, "Keenan Allen isn't going anywhere."​

Allen has a $21.7 million cap hit in 2023, which puts the Chargers in a difficult position cap-wise. Given that Allen is entering his age-31 season, there has been natural speculation that the Chargers would part ways with him and potentially look to add a receiver in the draft. However, the giant flaw in this plan is that Justin Herbert was clearly struggling to connect with his weapons in 2022 whenever Allen was out of the lineup. In a perfect world, the Chargers would be able to retain Allen as a reliable outlet for Herbert and add a weapon in the draft. However, the Chargers also have concerns along the offensive line and on defense and are well over the salary cap. They have some tough decisions and contracts to restructure in the coming months. If Allen stays in Los Angeles, it will likely be on a reworked contract.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Speaking on whether he had any concerns about QB Tua Tagovailoa's durability, Dolphins GM Chris Grier told reporters, "I can't lie and say no."​

Grier went on, "But it's not something that’s going to make us afraid to do something long-term." Per NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, Grier then raved about Tagovailoa's growth, work, and bond with HC Mike McDaniel." Grier's perception of Tagovailoa's durability is of immediate relevance because the Dolphins have two months to pick up the quarterback's fifth-year option. Even with Tua's concerning concussion history, it remains exceedingly likely that he plays in Miami in 2024 and beyond after a breakout season in Mike McDaniel's offense in 2022.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Speaking Wednesday, 49ers GM John Lynch told reporters that the team will have to consider signing a veteran quarterback.​

Lynch was asked specifically about Tom Brady, who was briefly his teammate. Lynch noted that he texted Brady, congratulating him on his remarkable career. However, while Brady is unlikely to unretire for the second offseason in a row, the 49ers' interest in a quarterback is still highly notable. Heading into the NFC Championship game, the 49ers looked to be great shape at the position, with Brock Purdy capably executing the offense and Trey Lance on track to return in early 2023. However, with the uncertainty surrounding Purdy's torn UCL and a championship-level roster, the 49ers are understandably looking to ensure that they have contingencies in place at the most valuable position in sports. Unless the 49ers bring in a big name—which is unlikely—Trey Lance will be a heavy favorite to open the season as the starter. However, with a veteran signing, he will have far less job security than most fantasy-viable quarterbacks. Lance is currently going in the ninth round of best ball drafts.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Speaking to the media at the Combine, Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon replied, "I'm not sure" when asked if WR DeAndre Hopkins would play for the team in 2023.​

The full quote was, "I'm not sure; we are evaluating everyone. I know this—he's a premier receiver you have to have a plan for (to defend). He limits you with how you have to play defense. … He's a valuable asset for us." With a new regime taking over in the desert, rumors have swirled that the Cardinals will look to trade Hopkins this offseason. Still, it's possible that Nuk ultimately plays in Arizona if the market isn't there for him. Releasing Hopkins would save the Cardinals $8.2 million over two years, but they would eat $22.6 million in dead cap. Hopkins is entering his age-31 season but played very well last year and is unlikely to be cut outright. However, given how weak the free agent wide receiver class is, it's likely another team will eventually strike a deal for his services.

 

[Jatz]

Speaking Wednesday, 49ers GM John Lynch told reporters that the team will have to consider signing a veteran quarterback.​

Lynch was asked specifically about Tom Brady, who was briefly his teammate. Lynch noted that he texted Brady, congratulating him on his remarkable career. However, while Brady is unlikely to unretire for the second offseason in a row, the 49ers' interest in a quarterback is still highly notable. Heading into the NFC Championship game, the 49ers looked to be great shape at the position, with Brock Purdy capably executing the offense and Trey Lance on track to return in early 2023. However, with the uncertainty surrounding Purdy's torn UCL and a championship-level roster, the 49ers are understandably looking to ensure that they have contingencies in place at the most valuable position in sports. Unless the 49ers bring in a big name—which is unlikely—Trey Lance will be a heavy favorite to open the season as the starter. However, with a veteran signing, he will have far less job security than most fantasy-viable quarterbacks. Lance is currently going in the ninth round of best ball drafts.

I hear Carson Wentz is available

Maybe not veteran in terms of number of years in the league but certainly veteran with the number of teams he's been on in the league.