NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Also tabled for the NFL to consider is this...

PER; PFT

The NFL will double down on sportsmanship next season, executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said Tuesday.

Violent gestures are up 133 percent and sexual taunting is up 52 percent, Vincent said.

The topic was discussed with coaches, General Managers and owners Tuesday.

“It just has no place in the game,” Vincent said. “We have clear video examples we’ll share with the players and about just what it means to be a professional at all times.”

The NFL added language in Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d) to make the “nose wipe” celebration illegal. The gesture, made infamous by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, is a gang sign associated with the Bloods.

Other actions, including but not limited to, a throat slash gesture, simulating firing or brandishing a gun also were cited as examples of specific actions that are prohibited by the unsportsmanlike conduct rule.

"[The nose wipe] has gang connotations; it’s disrespectful,” Vincent said. “It’s just where we are in society. Young men, they come from that era, from that age, and they’ve grown up on social media. If anybody Goggled ‘nose wipe,’ you’ll see the language that is used and where that’s affiliated. I think the players know better. I know they know better.

“We’re focusing on a small fraction [of players], but sportsmanship is important. . . . When you see it, you’ve got to kill it. You’ve got to stop it immediately. Most players don’t want it in the game either.”

 

Meanwhile, owners approved a competition committee proposal to add responsibilities to its replay assist program. The on-site replay official will now be permitted to reverse flags that are thrown for hits to defenseless players, along with fouls for facemask, horse collar, tripping and running into/roughing the kicker.

Those replay officials, however, will not be allowed to add a flag when an obvious foul has gone uncalled.

ESPN
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This one boggles my mind. They can reverse, but cant add a flag? Thats what I thought was the major problem last year when QB's (Darnold) and RB's were blatantly fouled against in key moments of the game and there was NO call. IMO, thats worse than reversals, especially when a boat-load of zebras on the field are not positioned properly to make the correct call.

 

Cowboys reportedly offer to make Micah Parsons highest-paid non-QB; Jerry Jones talks latest negotiations

The Dallas Cowboys are prepared to make three-time All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to All City DLLS.

Owner Jerry Jones and Parsons have agreed to multiple key framework parameters for the deal, according to Jones himself, but it is reportedly awaiting approval from the 25-year-old's agent, David Mulugheta. The team and Mulugheta have reportedly not had any conversations since the NFL Scouting Combine.

"I know that I've spent five, six hours with him myself and had a lot of discussions. Most of the issues are in agreement, and I've discussed it all," Jones said, via The Athletic, at the NFL's annual league meeting on Tuesday. "We obviously don't have an agreement relative to a new contract. Micah is under contract. So we'll see how that goes. It's not uncommon for me to visit directly with players, and in this particular case, that's what I'm doing."

Jones added that he doesn't view Parsons' contract situation as urgent and that "I'd rather pay more and get it right," per The Athletic. He also doesn't see Mulugheta as "a factor here or something to worry about," claiming to not even know his name.

"That's [an agent] not something you should be worrying about. You should be worrying about your ability to make it work, and you you should be worried about what the player does," Jones continued, via The Athletic. "Does he have good enough health? Does he have good enough skill to do what you're paying him the money for. ... The agent doesn't have one thing to do with what we're doing when we get on the football field against a team. Micah does. To the degree I'm involved, I do. The people that have something to do with what we do going forward relative to our fans and football are me and the player, not the agent.

"Frankly, most people that negotiate with me will tell you that it was better off than negotiating with anybody else, Stephen [Jones], or anybody involved. This is not uncommon. I negotiated directly as far back as Emmitt [Smith], Deion [Sanders]. We, by the way, have maintained relationships that have lasted well past their playing days."

So what would making Parsons the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL look like? It would mean Parsons' average annual salary eclipsing the $40.25 million on Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's four-year, $161 million contract.

CBS

 

Cardinals, veteran Calais Campbell agree to one-year deal

Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Calais Campbell has finalized a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Cardinals for his 18th NFL season, the team announced Wednesday.

The one-year deal is for $5.5 million and has a maximum value of $7.5 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

ESPN

 

Trey Hendrickson disappointed by Bengals' stance on contract


Defensive end Trey Hendrickson said Wednesday that he's disappointed and confused by Cincinnati Bengals executive Katie Blackburn's recent comments on his contract talks with the team.

On Tuesday, at the NFL's annual meeting, Blackburn, the Bengals' executive vice president, said of Hendrickson, "I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at. I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he's not, you know, that's what holds it up sometimes. So, you know, it takes him to say yes to something, and also, we have all the respect in the world for him."

Hendrickson, who is looking for a new contract after posting 17.5 sacks each of the past two seasons, expressed his displeasure with those comments Wednesday in an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."

"First off, yesterday was April Fools' [Day] so I was traded to all 31 teams and had like a hundred different contracts. The one thing I was hoping was an April Fools' joke [was those comments]. Called my agent [Harold Lewis], found out it was not, and that was a little disappointing because the communication has been poor over the last couple of months," he said.

Hendrickson said the Bengals have not communicated with his agent directly about his contract, saying that has "been something that's been a little bit frustrating."

"We're on the D-end National Football League Street. The market value for that is going up like it did for wide receivers last year. Where I fit in that road is all up to discretion. We're willing to talk about those things. With the market continuing to go up, I'm not going to apologize for that, because I've been basically asking for the same thing every year, to be solidified as a Cincinnati Bengal for life."

Hendrickson, who is set to enter the final year of his contract, said the team told him in a meeting with his agent last year that something would get done with his contract this year, which he said was reiterated at the scouting combine in February.
"Open line of communication is always open with me and my agent, so if they have anything they'd like to discuss, we've been nothing but willing to listen," he said.

Hendrickson, 31, is coming off his best season in the league. He led the NFL in sacks and was named to the All-Pro team for the first time in his career. Hendrickson also made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight season. However, at $21 million, he ranks 10th among edge rushers in average annual salary, according to OverTheCap.com.

Hendrickson's contract is the final hurdle remaining for the Bengals in an offseason when they also needed to address deals for wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bengals took care of both of their star wide receivers last month, signing Chase to a four-year, $161 million extension and Higgins to a four-year, $115 million contract.

"Through this process, communication, when I say it's been poor, it's been, like, here and there," Hendrickson said. "And respect to Ja'Marr and Tee. I don't want to take anything from all the great things they've accomplished in their careers. They deserve everything that they've gotten, and no doubt in my mind they're going to excel in the National Football League. I have a tremendous respect for both of them. But when it comes to my situation, it would have been nice to know in some ways, like, 'Hey we're going to put you in the queue,' no problem with me."

ESPN
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The Bengals must be the tightest team on the planet.

 

There is some ongoing scuttlebutt that the Bengals could leave Cincinatti if they dont extend their contract with the stadium in June. Hate to hear stuff like this as I still havnt gotten over the Browns bolting to Baltimore. Ought to be a law.

 

From what I hear, it is being overblown, just as the Browns "Leaving Cleveland" is overblown. People outside the Cleveland area don't realize the new site is 15 minutes south.

They might have the stadium across the river in Northern KY... You could see the new stadium from the old stadium. They would still be the Cincinnati Bengals. They are just positioning themselves to broker a better deal. Their dad would roll over in his grave if they moved away from the Cincinnati area completely.

 

Also . . . it's not a stretch to say that a third of the fans that sat in he old stadium drove right past the site of the new one.

 

Cardinals, TE Trey McBride agree to four-year extension

The Cardinals have locked up one of their key young offensive players for years to come.

Arizona announced on Thursday that the club has agreed to a four-year extension with Trey McBride.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McBride will become the highest-paid tight end in league history, earning $76 million with $43 million guaranteed.

McBride, 25, was a second-round pick in 2022 and has become one of the Cardinals’ best players. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2024, catching 111 passes for 1,146 yards with two touchdowns. He also had a 2-yard rushing touchdown on the lone carry of his career.

In 49 career games with 41 starts, McBride has recorded 221 receptions for 2,236 yards with six TDs.

PFT

 

He's had some nice yardage, but only 6 TDs in his career... I'm not sure what they evaluate these days for contracts.

 

Julio Jones hung up the cleats today... officially.

“Today I’m announcing my retirement,” Jones said in a video posted to social media. “It started when I was 8 years old, just a kid in Foley, Alabama. It was an amazing ride.”

Jones, 36, thanked Nick Saban, Matt Ryan, Mike Smith and the city of Atlanta, among others, in his 2-minute, 49-second video.

He played 13 NFL seasons after the Falcons made him the sixth overall pick in 2011, spending 10 years in Atlanta, one in Tennessee, one in Tampa and one in Philadelphia. Jones caught 914 passes for 13,702 yards and 66 touchdowns.

He was first-team All-Pro twice, second-team All-Pro three times and a seven-time Pro Bowler. Jones also was a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team as a member of the Falcons.

in part; PFT

 

This story kinda blew my mind and surprised me...
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NFL nudged Lions to propose change to playoff seeding

For years (actually decades), the Competition Committee has served as the primary generator of potential NFL rule changes. A subtle shift in that approach seems to be developing.

Or, if it already existed, there’s now tangible evidence of it happening.

Case in point. The Lions’ proposal to seed the seven playoff teams in each conference without regard to division championship wasn’t something the Lions formulated during a brainstorming session at team headquarters. The suggestion to make the suggestion came from 345 Park Avenue.

Here’s how it happened, as explained by Jeremy Reisman of PrideOfDetroit.com.

As the winner-take-all, regular-season finale between the 14-2 Vikings and 14-2 Lions approached, Detroit receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown spoke out about the unfairness of the loser having to go on the road to face a division winner with a lesser record.

“It’s crazy,” St. Brown said at the time. “I think the rule should be changed. Obviously if you win the division, you should obviously make a playoff spot, but having a 14-win team having to go on the road is kind of crazy. But I guess I don’t make the rules.”

No, St. Brown doesn’t make the rules. But his comments could have a hand in changing them.

As St. Brown’s remarks went viral, NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent took notice. And, instead of adding the possibility to the agenda of the Competition Committee for the usual bill-becomes-law protocol, Vincent made a phone call to Lions president Rod Wood.

“Troy Vincent from the league reached out to me and said, ‘I tend to agree with [St. Brown],’” Wood said this week at the league meetings. “‘Would you mind partnering with us on making a proposal on that?’ So we made a proposal.”

PFT

 

Source: Bears, CB Kyler Gordon reach 3-year, $40M extension

CHICAGO -- Bears general manager Ryan Poles checked a significant item off his offseason to-do list Sunday.

Cornerback Kyler Gordon, the first player Poles drafted in 2022, agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension with $31.25 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Gordon, 25, is now the NFL's highest-paid slot corner ($13.3 million average annual value) and is tied to Chicago through the 2028 season.

ESPN

 

Last September the Dolphins gave Jalen Ramsey a contract with an AVG of $24M, now they're going to part ways... 'mutual agreement' said the Dolphins GM, Grier. Ramsey had guaranteed moneys and a huge deal. If this trade takes place, a trade before June 1 will trigger a $25.213 million dead-money charge. After June 1, a trade would split the dead money into $6.745 million in 2025 and $18.468 million in 2026. So, why in hell is this even happening? What took place to make this an issue? Seems like this came out of the blue, or 'aqua marine green'.

Moves like this make me think 90% of the members on this site could manage more competently.

 

That's a lot of guaranteed money by mutual agreement 24 million by the Dolphins what the hell happen to cause this?

 

Cam Jurgens agrees to four-year extension with Eagles

The Eagles announced on Monday that they have agreed to a four-year contract extension with Jurgens. Per ESPN, Jurgens stands to make $68 million under the terms of the deal with $39.4 million in guaranteed money.

Jurgens was heading into the final year of his rookie contract, so he is now locked up through the 2029 season.
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Great to see the 'trenches' get paid.

 

Centers are people too.