MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Lane Johnson praises Eagles QB Jalen Hurts' poise, says he 'demands respect'

When the 2022 season begins, Lane Johnson will have been the Philadelphia Eagles' starting right tackle for a full decade. He has run the gamut of quarterbacks to protect.

The team's current QB, Jalen Hurts, has flashed potential through 19 starts since wresting the job from Carson Wentz in 2020, but he's still developing as a passer. From Johnson's viewpoint, Hurts is approaching that growth in a fashion that's worthy of admiration.

"He just carries himself with a lot of poise. I mean, he demands respect," Johnson told MJ Acosta-Ruiz on NFL Total Access. "Just the way he approaches day-to-day activity, how he trains, what he does in the film room. And he's a great motivator. He's a great leader. (He's) super behind the scenes, even during summer, he's connecting with a lot of the guys. Lot of receivers. Doing 7-on-7. Just doing typical work to prepare. I know he's excited about the new guys that we have that we drafted and acquired over the offseason, and really just getting ready to go to work."

Those new acquisitions that Johnson mentioned -- led on the offensive side by wide receiver A.J. Brown, with cornerback James Bradberry highlighting the new faces on defense -- have garnered buzz as the season inches closer. Last week, running back Miles Sanders went as far as to say that it feels like he's on an all-star team.

Asked about the mounting hype, Johnson was careful to share a more measured evaluation, but he did acknowledge Philadelphia's infusion of talent.

"When it comes down to it, you have to approach every day with an aggressive mindset," Johnson said. "You have to stay in the moment and not look too far ahead because when you do that teams can easily beat you. You can be easily beaten. So, the name of the game is focus. Yeah, I feel like we do have a great roster, but at the end of the day, we still have to go play."

All-star team or not, Philly has put the pieces in place to help Hurts stack success coming off an uneven 2021 campaign.


The third-year signal caller threw for 3,144 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year, adding another 784 yards and 10 scores on the ground. His mobility will continue to be a thorn in the side of opposing defenses, but a trio of Brown, wideout DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert is among the best the league has to offer.

As for how Johnson fits into the equation, the lineman didn't allow a single sack last season, according to PFF. If Johnson continues to keep his young quarterback clean, Jalen Hurts has everything at his disposal to transform his behind-the-scenes leadership into lofty results.

NFL.com

 

Browns agree to trade Baker Mayfield to Panthers



Baker Mayfield has been linked to the Panthers ever since the Browns traded for Deshaun Watson and a deal sending the quarterback to Carolina is finally in place.

NFL Media reports that the Panthers will send a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Mayfield. The pick can convert to a fourth-rounder based on playing time and the trade won’t become official until Mayfield takes a physical in Carolina.


There was also some contractual wrangling involved in getting the deal done. Mayfield was set to make $18.8 million this season and questions about how much the Browns would pay had been an obstacle to earlier discussions. Cleveland will pay $10.5 million of Mayfield’s salary and the Panthers will pay him about $5 million with Mayfield agreeing to a pay cut to help facilitate the deal

Mayfield will become the likely starter in Carolina and that means he’ll be in line to face the Browns in Week 1. It remains to be seen if Watson will be available for that game and we know Mayfield won’t be an option to take his place.

PFT

 

Reports: Panthers do not intend to trade Sam Darnold



The Panthers brought in the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft on Wednesday, acquiring quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Browns.

They already had the No. 3 overall pick from the same draft in Sam Darnold. It doesn’t look like they’re going to give him up anytime soon.


According to multiple reporters on the Panthers beat, Carolina has no intention of trading Darnold after adding Mayfield.

That sets up a potential competition between Mayfield and Darnold to be the Panthers’ QB1 to open the season. But with Mayfield coming in on July 6, Darnold clearly isn’t seen as a long-term solution.

Darnold got off to a hot start with the Panthers in 2021 but cooled off quickly before missing time due to injury. He ended the season 4-7 as a starter, having completed 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,527 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Darnold also rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns but had nine fumbles.

With the word getting put out by the Panthers that they have “no intention” to trade Darnold, a team could potentially swoop in and present an offer Carolina can’t refuse. But there hasn’t been any chatter about a team being interested in Darnold to this point. Given his performance over his first four seasons, it’s understandable that he would not have much of a market.

Darnold is slated to make $18.86 million in 2022 — the same as Mayfield before the Panthers’ newest QB agreed to a pay cut to facilitate the trade.

PFT

 

37M to 2 average QB’s when clearly Christian McCafferty is their best player. And they drafted Matt Corral, what a mess!

 

Isn’t that better than guaranteed money and three first rd picks for a QB most likely to be suspended

 

yes but The Browns are The Browns. Even whackadoo Jarvis Landry jumped that leaking ship.

 

The Browns don’t know how to run their organization. They wasted 6 first rd picks to get Garrett and Watson. They could have had Mahomes and Watt and 4 first rd picks to build a great team, instead it’s just the same old crap. They just need to be careful where the dog craps them so they don’t get stepped on.

 

You keep beatng that drum. Browns , Steelers play each other twice... hope you like to eat crow, lol. It could happen you know.

From your perspective as a Steelers fan... you should be happy the Browns, in your opinion, dont know how to run a football team, but when the Steelers lose to them, doesnt that make it really twice as bad, at least?

 

I don’t want to work, I just want to bang on my drum all day

 

Baker Mayfield trade makes Jimmy Garoppolo the next quarterback to move

The 2022 offseason involved not one but two quarterbacks who were waiting to be traded by teams that no longer want to keep them. With the Browns trading Baker Mayfield to the Panthers, that leaves 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as the next quarterback to move.

The situations have some similarities, but multiple key differences. Garoppolo’s $25 million compensation package isn’t guaranteed. He could be squeezed even more aggressively than Mayfield was to cut his pay, given that Garoppolo eventually could be cut and, after he passes a physical post-shoulder surgery, have no cash in hand for 2022.


Also, the relationship between the 49ers and Garoppolo hasn’t cratered, like the relationship between the Browns and Mayfield had. The 49ers can bring Garoppolo to camp. They can keep him in bubble wrap while waiting for trade offers. (Garoppolo definitely shouldn’t play along with that; however, his “nice guy” reputation likely will be used against him by the 49ers, forcing him to make things ugly by insisting to practice and play in August, if the 49ers try to keep an oft-injured quarterback out of harm’s way while waiting for a quarterback elsewhere to get injured.)

The question continues to be whether Garoppolo will force the issue, the same way that Mayfield seemed prepared to do. It’s even more important that Garoppolo get some certainty, given the possibility that the 49ers will squat on his rights until the regular season approaches before cutting him, making it very difficult to get a competitive offer from teams that already have set their depth charts.

Like Mayfield, Garoppolo needs to get things resolved before training camp opens, so that he can best position himself to win the starting job and have a successful season. The 49ers, if they want too much in trade, could complicate the situation. The financial angle becomes delicate as well, with Garoppolo undoubtedly being expected to reduce his pay — and with the 49ers possibly being expected to pick up some of the tab.

The 49ers actually may now feel even more emboldened to wait for a quarterback injury, given that they no longer have to worry about the team that loses a quarterback calling the Browns about Mayfield. (Of course, the 49ers now have to worry about the team that loses a quarterback calling the Panthers about Sam Darnold.) That makes it even more important for Garoppolo to take the Niners by the nuggets and insist that he be traded or released before training camp opens.

PFT

 

The only way he's a 49er is if he eats half that contract. Most likely, he's cut as soon as he passes a physical.

 

Im wondering where he might end up... ?

 

I agree, I don't think a team takes on that contract just for the right to have him on the team for one season. The 49ers have to cut him. Then the teams can fight over signing him to a 2-3 year contract. I'm sure he can muster a $20M/year deal if they are convinced his shoulder is ok. THAT is the real question here, where is he in his rehab? If he won't be ready for training camp, he won't be on any rosters until he can pass that physical with flying colors.

 

All ive seen is that he is cleared to 'begin throwing soon' and that news is a couple weeks old. Ive read he will have to be evaluated once he does attempt throwing and thats why its quiet on the Jimmy G front... no one really knows, not even Jimmy, if he can play at 100% yet.

 

You realize we had this conversation a few months ago and you told me there is no way they cut him, right?

 

49ers and Garoppolo have a great relationship. There are no secrets or misconceptions there. And I don't believe the 49ers ever realistically thought there would be a trade market for him but they had to try.

I could see a scenario where Jiimmy came back as a backup on a 1yr, 8Mish deal to give him a chance to get healthy for 2023 free agency. And he would be a great backup and mentor to Lance. He would embrace the role.

 

I don’t know why he gets so dissed. Jimmy G is better than at least half of the starting QBs in the league

 

Cant stay healthy

 

I could have sworn his contract had a high number guaranteed in 2022, but I looked it up and they only lose like $1.5M if they cut him, saving over $25M. I don't remember the conversation, I'll admit, but with those numbers, I don't see how they can't. I don't know that anyone is trading for that contract.

 

Which teams should be considering a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo?



Over the weekend, we put together a list of the full universe of teams that should be considering the possibility of trading for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Now that the Panthers have landed Mayfield, 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo becomes the next veteran signal-caller to potentially land with a new team.

So which teams should be considering making a play for Garoppolo? Here’s our attempt to identify the full list of franchises, in no particular order — whether he’s traded or eventually released.


The Browns.

If the Browns lose Deshaun Watson to a full-season suspension, they need to decide whether to go with Jacoby Brissett or someone else. Garoppolo could be the someone else. The key becomes the financial side of the equation and San Francisco’s trade expectations. With the Browns getting a fifth-round pick in 2024 that can become a fourth-round selection, the 49ers shouldn’t be looking for much more.

The Steelers.

If rookie Kenny Pickett won’t be ready, the question becomes whether Garoppolo would be better than Mitch Trubisky. Many would say that, despite Garoppolo’s inability to get the 49ers over the top, he is.

The Falcons.

All due respect to Marcus Mariota, but Jimmy Garoppolo seems like a better option, if the goal is to win games in 2022 and not simply let nature take its course en route to a top draft pick in 2023.

The Lions.

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Jared Goff? Advantage Garoppolo.

The Seahawks.

It’s still not clear whether they had any real interest in Baker Mayfield. Is Garoppolo better than Geno Smith or Drew Lock? Probably. Would the 49ers and Seahawks do that deal? Not likely, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented for a quarterback to be traded to a division rival (Donovan McNabb, Drew Bledsoe come to mind).

The Saints.

As mentioned in conjunction with Mayfield, the Saints were one of the teams pursuing Deshaun Watson. Is Garoppolo a better option than Jameis Winston? The Saints would have to make that assessment.

The Texans.

Plenty of connections exist between Garoppolo and the Texans executives who worked in New England when Garoppolo was there. Is he better than Davis Mills? Yes. The question is whether the Texans prefer to let Mills try to find a ceiling that could be higher than Garoppolo’s.

The 49ers.

Keeping Garoppolo has always been an option. Would they do it at $25 million for 2022? That would be foolish. Could they work out a new deal now with the understanding he’ll take less, potentially earn some of it back if he plays, and become a free agent in March? He’d have to want to do that. Comments he made earlier this year would suggest that he doesn’t.

The Dolphins.

We meet again, TuAnon. Is Garoppolo currently better than Tua? That’s the question. And new coach Mike McDaniel, who worked with Garoppolo in San Francisco, likely has seen enough from both to know the answer.

However it plays out, the sooner it’s resolved, the better for Garoppolo. He needs to have a chance to get ready for the 2022 season. He needs to flip that $25 million non-guaranteed salary into something that has some real money behind it.

PFT