NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Report: Dalvin Cook weighing multiple offers

Dalvin Cook hit the market 18 days ago. He remains unsigned.

But he remains unsigned of his own choosing apparently.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media told Rich Eisen that Cook has “multiple offers ” with around a half-dozen teams having expressed interest. Pelissero mentioned the Jets, Broncos, Patriots and Dolphins as possible landing spots.

Cook said last week that he is willing to be patient, with no timetable for a decision on his next team. Besides getting paid and going to a team that’s going to “ground and pound” with him as a “three-down back,” Cook wants to play for a contender.

“I’m looking for somebody that’s ready to go win ,” Cook told Adam Schefter. “I can be the piece to go help somebody to turn the page of go win and turn the franchise to go get a Lombardi Trophy. That’s all I want. I want to hold that trophy up, kiss it one time. That’s all I’m looking for right now.”

Pelissero expects somebody to sign Cook to a “significant” contract. The four-time Pro Bowler was due to make $11 million in base salary in 2023 and count $14.1 million against the Vikings’ cap.

Cook, 27, has four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, rushing for 5,024 yards the past four years with 43 touchdowns.

He underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 14 in hopes of ending chronic separations.

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NFLPA hires Lloyd Howell as Executive Director

The NFL Players Association has its new executive director.

Lloyd Howell was elected today by the NFLPA’s Board of Player Representatives.

Howell will succeed DeMaurice Smith, who has held the job since 2009.

Sources have told PFT recently that NFL players have been in the dark about the process for selecting the next head of their union. It wasn’t even clear if the NFLPA’s Constitution allowed it to select a new executive director without first giving the membership a list of 2-4 top candidates, with at least 30 days’ notice.

Howell was most recently the CFO at Booz Allen Hamilton. His candidacy to lead the NFLPA had not been reported publicly, and there has been no word on what his top priorities for the union will be.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Colts kick returner Isaiah Rodgers is expected to receive a year-long suspension for violating the league’s gambling protocol.

Schefter said Rogers would be among a handful of NFL players who would be suspended for the 2023 season after running afoul of the league’s gambling policy. Many players and coaches have said this offseason that they were not aware of the NFL’s prohibition against gambling as sports gambling is legalized in states across the US. Rodgers has appeared in 45 games as a pro, including 10 starts, nine of which came last season. He’s listed as a cornerback on the Colts depth chart.

 

DeVante Parker agrees to three-year deal with Patriots

The Patriots haven’t signed DeAndre Hopkins, but they have come to an agreement on a contract with another wide receiver.

DeVante Parker is the receiver in question and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that he has agreed to terms on a new three-year deal with New England. Parker is set to make up to $33 million with with $14 million in guarantees and per-game roster bonuses.

Parker had been signed through this season with a base salary of $5.7 million.

Parker joined the Patriots last season after spending seven years with the Dolphins. He had 31 catches for 539 yards and three touchdowns while appearing in 13 games.

The Patriots visited with Hopkins earlier this month and oddsmakers have installed them as the favorites to sign him, but no deal has been struck. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Tre Nixon, and Malik Cunningham are the other wideouts currently on the roster.

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Didn’t see that one coming. So long to thoughts of Nuk in NE. Parker better stay healthy.

 

Lions to win the NFC North is one of the NFL’s most popular bets this offseason

The Lions are widely viewed as a team on the rise, and plenty of bettors are putting their money behind that belief.

Data released by BetMGM shows that the NFC North is the division that has had the most bets of all the division futures this offseason, and the Lions have been the most-bet team in the league to win their division, both in terms of the number of bets placed on the Lions and the total money wagered on the Lions to win the NFC North.

At +140, the Lions are the favorites to win the division. The odds may continue to shift in Detroit’s direction as more bets come in, as so far about 70 percent of all the money wagered on the NFC North title has been bet on the Lions winning it.

The other teams favored to win their divisions are the 49ers at -165, Chiefs at -165, Jaguars at -165, Eagles at -110, Bengals at +120, Saints at +125 and Bills at +130.

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A lot of people with money to burn, I guess. Go ahead, just keep over-looking the Vikings... I dont mind.

 

Forty years ago today, Joe Delaney died while trying to save three drowning children

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Forty years ago today, Chiefs running back Joe Delaney laid down his life for three total strangers.

June 29, 1983. A trio of boys got into a man-made pond at a park in Delaney’s home state of Louisiana. They struggled. Delaney did not hesitate to try to help.

“I can’t swim good, but I’ve got to save those kids ,” Joe Delaney said as he headed for the water. “If I don’t come up, get somebody.”

One of the boys made it to safety. Two others drowned. Joe Delaney drowned, too, leaving behind a wife and three young daughters.

He was only 24. He had played two years in the NFL, with the Chiefs. He rushed for 1,121 yards as a rookie. He had several years of football, and many decades of life, still in front of him.

Here’s the original Associated Press story regarding Joe Delaney’s death.

Every year on June 29, we remember what Joe Delaney did. Few could ever act with such selflessness. Joe Delaney did.

We honor him every year on this day because, every year we do it, he hear from multiple people who were not aware of Joe Delaney’s story. It shouldn’t be that way. The NFL and/or the Hall of Fame should come up with a proper and permanent tribute to a man who did something few ever do.

In 2020, the diver who retrieved Joe Delaney from the pond successfully lobbied for a permanent memorial to Delaney at Chennault Park in Monroe, Louisiana.

“It’s never left my mind,” Marvin Dearman said at the time. “Basically, he died in my arms, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten.”

We’ll never forget it, either. Every June 29, we’ll mention what Joe Delaney did.

His courage should be remembered, celebrated, and emulated. Emulated not in the extremely rare moments of a suddenly emerging life-and-death situation, but in smaller and less consequential challenges that pop up on a regular basis. Joe Delaney’s sacrifice provides a clear example of the importance of doing the right thing, whatever the cost.

Far more often than not, the cost of doing the right thing is far less than the price Joe Delaney paid. Delaney’s example should provide a constant inspiration to embrace the cost of doing the right thing, especially when it’s far less than the sacrifice Joe Delany made.

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The last two paragraphs, written by; Mike Florio, is some of the best personal opinions Ive ever heard him say. I whole-heartedly agree with him here.

 

The Lions might look good on paper what makes them think the Vikings will take a step back?I don't get it the Bears and I hate to say it the Packers also these teams will be greatly lmproved the Lions better avoid the damn injury bug

 

Ya... the injury thing is open to all teams and very critical, need some good luck, strength and conditioning. I see the Lions as a force to be reconned with and they improved their defense to go along with that explosive offense... they should be real good. I kinda get why they are the talk of the NFL's NFC North, but the Vikings are going to be better also. If the Purple team gets even one iota better on defense (which I believe they are and will) they have a top 10 offense, in my opinion. ESPN ranked the Vikings as the #6 offense as far as explosive weapons go, even after the loss of Thielen and Cook. Bottom-line and only a purple glasses wearing opinion, the Vikings who won the North should still be considered the team to beat and if any team in the North can do that, the Lions have the best chance with no disrespect to the Bears or Packers.

 

They are the team to beat the Vikings there the Champs of the NFC North not the Lions sorry you are not the Champs of the NFC North to be the Champ you have to beat the Champ

 

Colts cut Rashod Berry and Isaiah Rodgers after gambling suspensions

 

Patriots, Ja’Whaun Bentley agree to two-year extension

For the second day in a row, the Patriots have signed a player to an extension.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley has agreed to a two-year extension with New England.

The deal is worth a maximum of $18.75 million and includes $9 million fully guaranteed.

A fifth-round pick in 2018, Bentley has played his entire career with the Patriots. He started all 17 games last season, recording 125 tackles with 3.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, six QB hits, and an interception.

On Wednesday, the club agreed to a three-year deal with receiver DeVante Parker. But the team is still pursuing free agent DeAndre Hopkins.

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Hey, NBC... Am I supposed to know what position Bentley plays??? lol. I know he's on defense, but I dont know where, lol.

 

Cam Heyward wonders how much Ravens offense will change

Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward has faced the Ravens many times over his career and he’s curious to see what the offense will look like this year.

The Ravens made significant changes to the unit by hiring offensive coordinator Todd Monken, signing veteran free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr. and drafting receiver Zay Flowers in the first round. They also signed quarterback Lamar Jackson to a long-term deal and he’s been talking about putting up big numbers through the air in the team’s new scheme.

Heyward has seen the moves and heard the talk about more passing , but he said on the 3 & Out podcast that he’s still wondering exactly what it is going to look like when the Ravens take the field.

“They had a recipe for success and they were doing it without Lamar for half the year,” Heyward said. “It’s going to be different for them, but I’m wondering if there’s going to have to be a mixture of both. Whether it’s staying on the same page as you had last year, or adding some things, adding some wrinkles, because that running game is second to none.”

Heyward and the Steelers will get a chance to get a read on the new-look Ravens before their first chance to face them. The two teams are set to play in Pittsburgh in Week Five.

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Miles Sanders: It sucks to be a running back right now

Running back Miles Sanders signed a multi-year deal with the Panthers as a free agent this offseason, but that isn’t stopping him from joining the chorus of players at the position decrying the way the league values them.

Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard haven’t been able to land long-term contracts after being franchise-tagged early in the offseason, which has been taken by other backs as an eye-opening commentary on how little the league thinks they’re worth. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Sanders said it’s a “big topic” and that there’s “nothing that we’re doing wrong” to contribute to an artificially-deflated market.

“You want to franchise tag and create a certain market for running backs just because you have this way of thinking that they only last three or four years,” Sanders said. “I think it’s B.S., honestly. Almost every running back is underpaid right now. I don’t know what it’s gonna take. That’s a topic that needs to be brought up a little more because it sucks to be a running back right now, honestly.”

Sanders is set to make $25.4 million over the life of his four-year deal with the Panthers and he said that the situation for running backs “makes me hungrier” to “force a new contract” at some point down the road. Recent trends suggest that would be an unlikely development, but Sanders should get plenty of chances to thrive for the Panthers this fall.

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The NFL on Thursday announced four players have been suspended for violating the league's gambling policy.

Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry of the Indianapolis Colts and free agent Demetrius Taylor are suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.

Nicholas Petit-Frere of the Tennessee Titans is suspended for the team's first six regular-season games of the 2023 season for betting on non-NFL sports at the club facility.

Rodgers, Berry and Taylor can petition for reinstatement at the conclusion of the 2023 season. The Colts waived Rodgers and Berry following the announcement of their indefinite suspensions.

"We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the determination that these players violated the league's gambling policy," said Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a statement following the release of Rodgers and Berry. "The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations."

Rodgers issued a statement on June 5 saying he takes "full responsibility" for his actions.

The gambling policy prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility, per the league.

"We have been made aware of Nick's suspension by the league," the Titans said in a statement Thursday. "We believe in Nick and know that he has deep respect for the integrity of the game and our organization. We will continue to emphasize to our players the importance of understanding and adhering to league rules and policies."

Thursday's news is the latest in what has become a string of offseason gambling suspensions in 2023. On April 21, the league suspended Lions receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill and safety C.J. Moore, and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney for violating the NFL's gambling policy.

Despite the league's efforts to inform each and every player of its gambling policy, more than a few have violated it in the last calendar year. Most clubs have deemed their errors in judgment as cause for termination: Only Petit-Frere, Williams and Toney remain with their clubs after being suspended.

The causes for gambling-related suspensions have ranged from players who placed wagers on their own teams while not participating (e.g., Calvin Ridley bet on his Falcons teammates while recovering from injury in 2021, resulting in an indefinite suspension in 2022), to players who have not abided by the league's prohibition of betting on non-NFL sports while at the club facility. Ridley has since been traded to Jacksonville, reinstated by the league and is expected to return to action with the Jaguars in 2022.

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I dont know if anyone has noticed, but ESPN has been on a 'fire everyone' kick as of late...

Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young, Todd McShay, Keyshawn Johnson and Suzy Colber just got recently axed. Their treating their football crew as if they were NFL RB's.

 

Panthers coach Frank Reich mentioned WR Jonathan Mingo when asked to name his spring standouts.


From the Athletic’s Joeseph Person, Reich didn’t drop many names when talking about the top performers in spring practices, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly that Mingo was one of the players he brought up. The No. 39 overall pick, Mingo (6'2/220) has a combination of size and speed that could be nightmare fuel for opposing corners. He went for 861 yards and five scores as a senior. Barring a surprise DeAndre Hopkins signing, Mingo looks like a good bet to take the field on three-receiver sets as a rookie. Person also noted that he “looked fluid running the short crossing routes that are expected to be a fixture in Reich’s offense.” With Adam Thielen showing signs of a decline in 2022 and D.J. Chark being a role-player, the door is open for Mingo to pace the Panthers in targets as a rookie.

 

Budda Baker wants contract that shows he’s in Cardinals’ long-term plans

Safety Budda Baker reported to Cardinals minicamp earlier this month and he plans to be at training camp next month, but that doesn’t mean he’s satisfied with where things stand with the team.

Baker requested a trade earlier in the offseason and he has no guaranteed money left in the final two years of his deal with the team. His agent David Mulugheta told Mike Garafolo of NFL Media that his client would like his contract addressed in a way that shows Baker is a “long-term part of their future plans.”

When Baker signed his current deal, he was the highest-paid safety in the league. Mulugheta said that Baker is not looking to reclaim that spot in any new deal with the Cardinals.

Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort said this month that the team will “continue to keep our discussions and line of communication open” with Baker. We’ll see if that results in any new agreement before the team gets to training camp in a few weeks.

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I didnt know the Cardinals even had a plan.

 

Brian Callahan: This is best offensive line we’ve had since I joined the Bengals

The Bengals have put a lot of effort into finding the right players to protect quarterback Joe Burrow and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan thinks they’ve hit on the right combination.

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. joined the team as a free agent this offseason and Jonah Williams is now ticketed for right tackle after initially requesting a trade in the wake of Brown’s arrival. Left guard Cordell Volson should improve on a good rookie season and center Ted Karras and right guard Alex Cappa give the Bengals a pair of experienced starters on the interior.

“I think it’s safe to say it’s the best group from top to bottom that we’ve had in our time here,” Callahan said on the Locked on Bengals podcast, via SI.com. “I just feel really good about the direction we’re headed, the players we’ve added and the players that we have.”

The Bengals have veteran depth in players like La’el Collins, Max Scharping, and Cody Ford as well, so they should be able to weather some storms up front without springing too many leaks that would endanger Burrow’s availability.

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Thats news Joe Burrow can use!