NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Being a Browns fan, I would gladly live with 4 years of purgatory cap fixing for a Lombardi. They have a recent one and have an opportunity to get another before their window closes. I would be doing EXACTLY what they are if given the chance. These moments are few and far between for those teams that don’t get lucky to find their HOF QB in the 6 th round of the draft.

 

Report: Deshaun Watson eliminates Browns from consideration

Deshaun Watson is less torn than he was last night.

With four teams all making impressive offers to Watson over the past few days, Watson is having a hard time deciding where he wants to play. So he’s instead eliminating them, starting with the Browns.


Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Browns have been informed that they’re out of the running.

That leaves the Saints, Panthers, Falcons, and the theoretical possibility that someone else will get involved in the pursuit of Watson.

There’s no timetable for a final decision. For a team like the Falcons, however, time is of the essence.

PFT

 

Baker Mayfield wants out.

 

I won't say it works against the level playing field, but the automatic voids really do make a sham of the cap rules, or at least the intent of the cap rules. The intent was to have signing bonuses amortized during the life of the contract. The auto-void years fall outside of that period. The contract itself point blank states that the contract will end at a specified date and that those extra years will not be honored.

 

After losing tight end C.J. Uzomah, the Bengals have added a tight end in Hayden Hurst.

Hurst agreed to terms with the Bengals on a one-year contract, his agents announced.

The Ravens liked Hurst so much coming out of South Carolina in 2018 that they drafted him with the 25th overall pick that year — passing on Lamar Jackson, whom they would later draft 32nd overall. But Hurst didn’t become quite the player the Ravens thought he would, and they traded him to Atlanta in 2020.

In Atlanta Hurst proved to be a reliable pass-catcher, though not much of a big-play threat. The Bengals will hope he can develop a good rapport with Joe Burrow and perhaps show off more of the talent that once made him a first-round pick.

PFT

 

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts has the same agent as Watson. Earlier today, Pitts tweeted "It's about to get scary in Atlanta" but then deleted it.

 

Allen Robinson agrees to deal with Rams

The Rams have added a big piece to their offense as they try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson will be the latest big name to join the NFC West club. Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that it is a three-year, $46.5 million deal that includes $30.7 million in fully guaranteed money.


Robinson missed five games and only caught 38 passes in the games he did play last season, but the Rams clearly think his drop in production was related to the Chicago quarterback situation.

Robinson’s arrival may be a sign that the Rams will not be bringing Odell Beckham Jr. back after signing him during the 2021 season. Beckham tore his ACL in the Super Bowl, but the Rams still talked about bringing him back for another year.

That may not remain the case with Robinson joining Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Van Jefferson on what will be a strong wide receiver depth chart either way.

PFT

 

Za'Darius Smith no longer signing with Ravens, remains a free agent

Za'Darius Smith isn't headed back to Baltimore, after all.

The veteran pass rusher is no longer signing with the Ravens and remains a free agent, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

On Wednesday, Smith was reported to be returning to Baltimore, his first NFL team prior to joining the Packers, on a four-year, $35 million deal, but, as has become a trend (see: Randy Gregory and J.D. McKissic) this offseason, has since had a change of heart.

In his first two seasons in Green Bay -- 2019-20 -- Smith was a Pro Bowler who racked up 26 sacks, but he was sidelined by injuries for all but one game in 2021 and was given his Green Bay release ahead of the free agency period.

Returning to the Ravens made for a feel-good story as Smith emerged in Baltimore in 2018 with a then-career-best 8.5 sacks that led him to sign a huge four-year, $66 million pact with the Pack.

Alas, a different story is being told by Smith with this latest plot twist.

NFL.com

 

My guess: Deshaun Watson ends up with the Panthers.

The Saints and Falcons would be interesting places for him, and the accountants and GMs could potentially figure out creative ways to restructure his contract and other contracts to get him on the roster. But for both teams, fitting in Watson would make it nearly impossible for them to add those pesky little details like good blocking, good receivers, and a solid running game to help support him.

If I'm his agent, I'm pounding that into his skull right now. Look at Atlanta's total rushing yards last season. Then look at the sacks and QB hits each of the last two seasons. And then look at the receivers on the roster.

If he actually WANTS to step into that situation, the league should immediately demand a drug test.

 

So now they have a disgruntled Baker. Im sure the thought is deal him but does the market go up or down on him after Watson chooses. I mean if im one of the teams left out of the watson sweepstakes i know baker

If Watson ends up in Atl where does Ryan end up? Doubt they would deal him to the panthers or saints who are qb needy.

 

Wow and WTF!?!

Reports: Packers trading Davante Adams to Raiders



The Packers no longer have to worry about getting receiver Davante Adams signed to a long-term deal. They do have to worry about replacing him.

Green Bay is sending Adams to the Raiders, according to multiple reports. The Packers will receive two 2022 draft choices in return, including the Raiders’ first-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.


The sides already have worked out a contract, with Adams becoming the highest-paid receiver in the league. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports it’s a five-year, $141.25 million deal, giving him an average of $28.25 million.

Adams reportedly told the Packers earlier this week he won’t play on the franchise tag this season. The Packers and Adams had until July 15 to work out a long-term deal but were far apart on a deal, prompting the quiet talks with the Raiders.

Adams already has purchased a house next to his new quarterback, Derek Carr, in Las Vegas, per Rapoport.

Adams, 29, has made five consecutive Pro Bowls and two All-Pros.

His departure leaves Aaron Rodgers without his favorite receiver.

In 30 games over the past two seasons, Adams has 238 receptions for 2,927 yards and 27 touchdowns.

PFT

 

The Bears are signing receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, Jeff Howe of TheAthletic.com reports.

St. Brown signed not long after the Bears lost free agent Allen Robinson to the Rams. St. Brown follows Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy from Green Bay.


Former Packers offensive lineman Lucas Patrick also signed with the Bears this offseason.

St. Brown was a sixth-round choice of the Packers in 2018, and he played 37 games with 10 starts in his career in Green Bay.

He has 37 receptions for 543 yards and a touchdown in his career, including nine catches for 98 yards last season.

St. Brown has seen action on 846 offensive snaps and 172 on special teams.

PFT

 

Wonder how drama queen A aron will react

 

Que juju to the packers rumors as well as seeing a tweet from antonio brown telling the packers to sign him

 

So, here's why I say it runs against the idea of parody:

Like many other systems in the NFL meant to increase parody, it's actually another lever that good, organized teams can properly push on. Meanwhile, teams that can't get their stuff together (overturning staff, poor talent evaluation) end up on the wrong side of it again and again. Now, I get it - that's why good teams are good, and vice versa - but if the system can be manipulated to this extent, and it's SUPPOSED to foster parody... that system is failing.

The same can be said for compensatory picks, which were meant to even the field for teams losing talent, giving them the opportunity to get more. Instead, the teams that can properly evaluate talent and build rosters are the ones who end up with more picks each year, just furthering the divide.

The NFL has a lot wrong with it. I think the cap system, as it stands now, is clearly one such issue. But, hey... I'm not a billionaire signing the checks.

 

At least he can't be a terror to the Vikings and the NFC North Aaron Rodgers main men first there was Jordy Nelson then there was Davante Adams who's going to be his main man now?

 

I'll go the other direction. Good, well-managed organizations AVOID going that route entirely rather than using it to gain a competitive advantage. From a risk management perspective, it's simply a bad move that hurts your chances of long term success.

The most important thing about the NFL's version of the salary cap is that with one small exception (the veteran minimum benefit rule, which is becoming less significant every season), every dollar that actually gets paid to a player will end up counting against the cap. You can use funky accounting to shift it from year to year - in either direction - but sooner or later every dollar ends up counting. That still fits with the notion of parity, because if you move $20 million of this year's cap to next year, then next year you will have $20 million less cap space than every other team in the league.

I certainly agree that the cap system has issues though. A big part of it is that it was meant to guarantee revenue sharing with the players. But it ends up being disproportionate, with the players hitting free agency in the years when the cap gets the biggest boosts taking in a huge chunk of the bounty. Unfortunately, back in 2010-2011 DeMaurice Smith would never have gone for a system based on more profit-sharing and lower salaries, even though it would have been a huge benefit for far more of the NFLPA membership than the previous system or what we ended up with after the lockout.



Compensatory picks is an entirely different discussion with a different set of issues. Personally, I think that system works as it should, especially when you keep in mind that it works hand in hand with (and as a vital part of) free agency. As you say, the teams that can properly evaluate talent are the ones who benefit the most. But... isn't that the way it should be?

Sometimes people claim that teams "game the system" with the comp picks. But you only get those picks after other teams have raided your roster in free agency. So if you evaluate talent well and build a good roster, you end up with players that other teams want. When they sign elsewhere as free agents, you've lost good players. Then you have to wait an extra season before you get comp picks to help offset that loss. And then you have to work to develop those 3rd round or later comp pick prospects into good players.

That's not exactly an even exchange. You certainly wouldn't base your organizational strategy around getting comp picks.

 

Byron Pringle headed to Chicago



The Bears lost free agent receiver Allen Robinson to the Rams on Thursday. They since have agreed to terms with two receivers as they seek to replace him.

Earlier, former Packers receiver Equanimeous St. Brown agreed to terms with the Bears. Now, Byron Pringle is joining him in Chicago.


Adam Schefter of ESPN reports Pringle will sign a one-year, $6 million deal that includes $4 million guaranteed.

General Manager Ryan Poles is familiar with Pringle from their time together with the Chiefs.

Pringle caught 42 passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games last season.

Darnell Mooney and Dazz Newsome are the only other receivers on the Bears’ roster who caught a pass last season. So Poles still has work to do at the position.

PFT

 

JuJu Smith-Schuster headed to Kansas City

AFC West teams are in an arms race. A day after the Raiders added Davante Adams in a trade with the Packers, JuJu Smith-Schuster announced on social media he is headed to the Chiefs.

“I am going to play with a future Hall of Fame quarterback, . . . with one of the best to ever do it,” Smith-Schuster told Taylor Bisciotti of NFL Media. “My goal as a player is to win, so I’m going to Kansas City with the hopes of winning a Super Bowl.”


Smith-Schuster will sign a one-year deal, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

He is another weapon for Patrick Mahomes, who missed Sammy Watkins last season after the wideout left for Baltimore. Smith-Schuster joins a talented group of skill position players that includes tight end Travis Kelce and receiver Tyreek Hill.

Smith-Schuster returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal for 2021 but dislocated his surgery, requiring surgery in October. He played only five games, catching 15 passes for 129 yards, but he did return for the postseason loss to the Chiefs.

PFT