Category: Bama in NFL

5 ideal landing spots for former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson

Former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson was recently released by the Chicago Bears. Roll Tide Wire lists five ideal landing spots for Jackson.

Last week, the Chicago Bears decided to part ways with former Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. Jackson spent his entire NFL career in Chicago and will now join a new team for the first time in his NFL career.

A reunion does not seem likely at this point in time. By making the move, the Bears were able to clear up a lot of cap space. Meaning Jackson’s time in the Windy City has likely come to an end. He could return to the team down the line, but he will suit up elsewhere next season.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at five ideal landing spots for Jackson.

5 ideal landing spots for RB Josh Jacobs in free agency

If Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs hits NFL free agency, here are five teams that could be a good fit.

There is a chance that former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs does not return to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders do not plan to place the franchise tag on Jacobs, but the two sides have been working towards a new contract.

The two sides have been unable to agree on a long-term deal for a while now. Jacobs played the 2023 season under the team’s franchise tag.

There appears to be interest from both sides in keeping him with the franchise, but the clock is ticking and Jacobs could soon be a free agent.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at five ideal landing spots for Jacobs if the two sides decide to part ways.

REPORT: Raiders, Jacobs ‘inching towards a deal’ as NFL free agency looms

Recent reports reflect that the Las Vegas Raiders and star RB Josh Jacobs are making progress on a deal to avoid free agency.

Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs will not be franchise-tagged by the Las Vegas Raiders over the 2024 offseason after playing last season under the tag. Though this would allow the star running back to test free agency, there’s a chance the team can sign him to a new deal before he gets the opportunity.

According to a recent report from Tony Pauline of SportsKeeda, there has been some progress from both sides.

“Word late Tuesday night was the Las Vegas Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs were inching their way towards a deal which will keep the former first-round pick with the team,” writes Pauline. “Nothing is imminent but there’s a lot riding on the line – not only for the Raiders and Jacobs but also for the rest of the class of potential free-agent running backs.”

Jacobs, who was a first-round selection by the Raiders in 2019, had a rather limited season in 2023 after having a strong 2022. Last season, he played in 13 games and totaled 805 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 233 carries. He also managed to add 296 receiving yards on 37 receptions, though he was targeted 54 times.

Despite the lackluster numbers, Jacobs remains one of the best running backs in the league and should warrant a quality contract. As the March 13 start to free agency inches closer, the clock starts to tick a little bit faster on the negotiations.

The Raiders need to decide whether they want to give him a deal Jacobs is happy with to lock him down, or if they want to go a different route and possibly draft a ball-carrier. For Jacobs, he’s clearly interested in staying with the team; but should he be able to meet with other teams, there would surely be serious interest from around the league, including some from contenders looking for a game-changing running back.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Josh Jacobs and other former Alabama players in the NFL throughout the 2024 offseason.

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DeVonta Smith shocks Cam Newton with response to Iron Bowl rivalry

While on Cam Newton’s podcast, former Alabama WR DeVonta Smith says that even without Saban it will never be Auburn’s time.

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith let out a chuckle and a hilarious comeback when former Auburn football star quarterback Cam newton told Smith that now might be Auburn’s time

Newton stated “I think it’s our time now,” referring to Auburn being the leading football team in the state now that head coach Nick Saban has retired.

The former Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver laughed and responded by saying, “Ain’t gonna never be y’all’s time.” Newton seemed rather surprised by Smith saying this, but it’s safe to say most Crimson Tide fans feel the same way.

New head coach Kalen DeBoer will now have to take over the Alabama program, which comes with dealing with the in-state rival. The first Iron Bowl for DeBoer should be a memorable one.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

New 2024 NFL mock draft: Yates’ debuts Round 1 Alabama prospects

ESPN NFL Draft expert first-round mock prediction includes three former Alabama players

The 2024 NFL Draft will be a historic one as it will include the final batch of [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] draft products. His run during his tenure with the Crimson Tide will never be matched as he has produced a first-round pick every year for the last 15 years and a staggering 44 total first-round picks. Even though the draft is still about two months away, Pro Days and the Combine will be upon us before you know it and it’s getting to be that time of the year.

Draft experts are already widely regarding this draft as one of the best ones in recent memory, especially at the quarterback position. ESPN Insider and NFL Draft Analyst Field Yates currently projects that Alabama will have three former players elected in the first round of this year’s draft.

The first Alabama player Yates expects to come off of the board is EDGE [autotag]Dallas Turner[/autotag] as he says, “Turner became an instant star at Alabama when he recorded 8.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2021, and he could have a similar ascension in the NFL. With his unique burst, length and power to rush the passer, he has a skill set that translates well to the pro level.”

Two picks later Yates expects CB [autotag]Terrion Arnold[/autotag] to be selected saying, “Arnold snagged five interceptions and broke up 12 passes in 2023 as a key member of Alabama’s defense. He plays through the ball in coverage, consistently making receivers earn their catches. Arnold also has a self-confidence to his game that shows up on his tape in a positive way.

Finally, Yates projects OT [autotag]JC Latham[/autotag] to be the last first-round pick of Nick Saban’s legendary career. Yates says of the monster tackle, “Lathatm is on the short list for the strongest player in the class, as the imposing right tackle consistently puts opponenets on the ground in the running game. The value of the right tackle position is getting closer to that of the coveted left tackle spot — a team has used a top-10 pick selection on a future right tackles for three straight years.”

I agree with Yates assesment that all three of those guys will be first-round picks, but I was surprised he did not include [autotag]Kool-Aid McKinstry[/autotag] on the list. I would be apalled if Kool-Aid is available on day two of the draft.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

ESPN NFL Nation reporter Gutierrez predicts the Raiders to franchise tag Josh Jacobs

ESPN NFL reporter predicts that the Las Vegas Raiders will franchise tag Josh Jacobs again in 2024

In just the last five years, the Las Vegas Raiders have relocated cities, hired and fired head coaches, changed starting quarterbacks and faced loads of off-the-field turmoil. However, the one consistent piece during all of this change has been former Alabama running back [autotag]Josh Jacobs[/autotag]. Although the Raiders and Jacobs’s relationship has been rocky, he has been the lone bright spot on a team that hasn’t won a Playoff game since 2002.

The Raiders declined to pick up Jacobs’s fifth-year option back in April of 2022, so in the off-season of 2023, they had to franchise tag him to prevent him from hitting the free agency market. Now, ESPN NFL Nation reporter Paul Gutierrez is reporting that he thinks Jacobs is in line to receive the tag again this off-season.

Gutierrez says of the situation, “The Raiders went down this road last season by tagging the reigning All-Pro, and he responded by not signing his tag and sitting out Las Vegas’ entire offseason program, training camp and the preseason before agreeing to a one-year deal worth $11.791 million, $1.7 million more than the original tender. Jacobs had the worst season of his career (805 rushing yards, 3.5 yards per carry, 6 TDs, 13 games), so the Raiders might not have to use the estimated $12.4 million tag on him and could probably get him back on a cheaper deal. Especially since he said he would be all-in if the Raiders made Antonio Pierce the head coach, which they did. “

As a fan of Jacobs, I would definitely like to see him stay in Las Vegas because it is a place where he was the NFL rushing champion in 2022 and has found a ton of success. But, I also know that running backs don’t last long in this league so hopefully he can sign a long-term deal and secure generational wealth even if he has to leave Vegas.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Former Alabama safety Nick Perry to join Seattle Seahawks as member of defensive coaching staff

Former Alabama safety Nick Perry will be joining the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff as a defensive assistant. Perry previously coached for the Atlanta Falcons.

Former Alabama safety Nick Perry began his NFL career as a player before ultimately deciding to go down the coaching route. According to Matt Zenitz, Perry appears to be headed to Seattle to become a member of the Seahawks defensive coaching staff.

Perry spent the first two seasons of his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Alabama. Following the 2017 season, he became a defensive analyst.

After two seasons as a defensive analyst, Perry joined the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant defensive backs coach. He became an assistant wide receivers coach for the 2023 season.

Now, all signs point toward Perry joining Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff in the Pacific Northwest. He will not be the only member of the Seahawks coaching staff with ties to Alabama. The Seahawks recently hired former Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its former players in the NFL.

Expert shares what went wrong for Mac Jones

What soured the relationship between Mac Jones and the New England Patriots? One expert shares details.

Filling Tom Brady’s shoes as the quarterback of the New England Patriots was going to be a tall task for whoever the franchise tabbed as its next starting quarterback. Fresh off of an undefeated season, a national championship win, and a Heisman Trophy ceremony appearance, [autotag]Mac Jones[/autotag] was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 2021 draft.

After making a Pro Bowl appearance in his rookie season, things began to trend in the wrong direction for Jones in Foxborough. Jones has been in and out of the lineup as he has had to split time with Bailey Zappe after poor performances and a divided locker room.

The Patriots parted ways with longtime head coach Bill Belichick this off-season and hired Jerod Mayo, the team’s linebacker coach. With a changing of the guard, there are no guarantees as to what will happen at the quarterback position moving forward, especially with a high-end pick in this year’s draft. However, NFL Senior Reporter Albert Breer predicts that Jones’s time as the quarterback of the Patriots has come to a close.

“It’s not that I think Jones is a lost cause. It’s that his cause in New England is lost,” writes Breer. “It’s really hard to live down your history with an NFL team, and Jones’s with the New England Patriots is not good. He was drafted 15th and hasn’t come close to living up to his slot. He was good as a rookie, and regressed badly since. He was well-liked early on, but, over time, lost support in the building. And the quarterback room he was in the last two years got toxic, to the point where Bailey Zappe, as a rookie, sometimes watched tape in the receiver room.”

If New England does decide to move on from Jones, he will likely get another opportunity with a different franchise. On a team with some talent in the receiving room, I could see Jones thriving.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Chicago Bears release former Alabama S Eddie Jackson to open up cap space

Former Alabama Safety Eddie Jackson released by the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected [autotag]Eddie Jackson[/autotag] in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft (No. 112 overall) and he’s been noting short of a home run for the franchise. The former Alabama standout was a First-team All-Pro in 2018 and made two Pro Bowl appearances during his time in the Windy City.

In Jackson’s seven years with the Bears, he started all 100 games he played in. Unfortunately today, Chicago released Jackson as well as Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair in a plan to save around $21.5 million in cap space. The Bears now have the third most cap space of any team in the NFL as well as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s a sad day in Chicago as Eddie was beloved, but it’s a parting that will likely benefit both sides as Chicago continues to look towards the future while Jackson will have the chance to join a contending team.

Jackson will be on a roster come next fall and will have no shortage of suitors. In his 100 career NFL games, he has posted 459 total tackles, 44 passes defended, 15 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Kansas City Chiefs sign former Alabama defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs to a futures contract

Former Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs has signed a futures contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Buggs joined the Chiefs practice squad toward the end of the regular season.

Former Alabama defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs was a member of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs this past season. The Mississippi native will remain with the Chiefs organization for the forseeable future after signing a futures contract with the team on Tuesday.

A futures contract is a contract that secures an NFL player to a team for the future. That player is not under contract until the start of the following league season, however.

For Buggs, this is a good opportunity for him to catapult his career. The former JUCO standout has spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions over the course of his NFL career.

In five seasons, Buggs has recorded 89 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks. In 56 games played, Buggs has made 23 starts.

It will be interesting to watch and see how Buggs’ professional career ensues in Kansas City. This seems like a good opportunity for him at this stage in his career.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow hte latest regarding the Alabama football program and its former players in the NFL.