Category: Free Agency

Browns non-committal on the future of RB Nick Chubb

With Nick Chubb set to hit free agency, the Browns remain coy on his future

Star running back is set to become a free agent after seven years with the Cleveland Browns.

General manager Andrew Berry was asked about Chubb’s future in Cleveland, and he was non-committal as he always is when speaking about personnel and the inner workings of the franchise. Here is what Berry had to say on Chubb’s future:

“Those are all decisions we have to work through in next several weeks. We love Nick. He’s going to be a Ring of Honor player for us. Short term, something we have to work through over next several weeks.”

It is hard to figure that the Browns do not get something done with Chubb, however. The star running back wants to retire in Cleveland, he will be fiscally reasonable after back-to-back season-ending injuries and is a core locker room guy for the Browns.

This one doesn’t seem too difficult to “work through” with one of the cornerstone pieces of the franchise over the past seven seasons.

Carolina Panthers 2025 free agents

With the 2024 regular season now over, let’s take a look at the Panthers’ upcoming free agents:

The Carolina Panthers wrapped up their 2024 campaign with a 48-38 win, walking off the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 18.

But which players might have taken their final snap with the Panthers on Sunday?

As we enter Carolina’s offseason, here are the team’s 2025 free agents:

  • QB Andy Dalton
  • RB Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
  • RB Mike Boone
  • RB Velus Jones Jr. (RFA)
  • WR David Moore
  • WR Deven Thompkins
  • WR Dan Chisena (RFA)
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Feleipe Franks (RFA)
  • TE Stephen Sullivan
  • OL Brady Christensen
  • OL Cade Mays (RFA)
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DL LaBryan Ray (ERFA)
  • DL DeShawn Williams
  • DL Raequan Williams (ERFA)
  • OLB Cam Gill
  • ILB Shaq Thompson
  • ILB Chandler Wooten (RFA)
  • CB Mike Jackson
  • CB Caleb Farley
  • CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • S Xavier Woods
  • S Jordan Fuller
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Nick Scott
  • K Eddy Piñeiro
  • P Johnny Hekker
  • LS JJ Jansen

*RFA = Restricted free agent
*ERFA = Exclusive rights free agent

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Panthers HC Dave Canales talks about CB Mike Jackson’s upcoming free agency

Panthers HC Dave Canales on CB Mike Jackson: “He’s exactly the type of people we want to be here with the culture, the attitude and the professionalism.”

Cornerback Mike Jackson wasn’t on our radar only three weeks prior to the start of the 2024 regular season. Heck, he wasn’t even on the Carolina Panthers’ roster at that point.

But the veteran defender, in the midst of what’s been a pleasantly surprising campaign, might have made himself an offseason priority for the organization.

While wrapping up Wednesday’s practice, head coach Dave Canales talked about Jackson—who is set to become a free agent this spring. Canales was asked if he hopes to see the 27-year-old back in the fold for 2025.

“I mean, we’ll look at all the guys and evaluate that,” he replied. “He’s done a fantastic job. I think Jaycee [Horn] and Mike are like the No. 1 tandem in terms of pass breakups per attempts.

“So, he’s certainly come up big for us in a few games. Think about the Saints game—fourth-down play he makes to end the game. I think about the Cardinals game—two knockdowns with Marvin Harrison Jr. over there on the right side. And kinda Rolodexing just some of the different ways he’s showed up. Sweet TFL (tackle for a loss) in the game last weekend, where they had a toss crack for minus three.”

The Panthers acquired Jackson in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks back on Aug. 22. Carolina sent Seattle linebacker Michael Barrett, their 2024 seventh-round pick, in exchange for the experienced corner—something they desperately needed heading out of the summer.

Jackson has gone on to start in each of the team’s 16 games this season, amassing 72 combined tackles, an interception and a career-high 14 passes defensed.

Canales continued.

“And just the style of him, the consistency of Mike,” he added. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s exactly the type of people we want to be here with the culture, the attitude and the professionalism.”

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NBA Intel: Lakers, Warriors, Nets, Thunder, Bulls, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, Raptors, Clippers

HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on top trade candidates, including De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Cam Johnson, and D’Angelo Russell. Plus, reporting on what’s next for the Lakers, Warriors, Nets, Thunder, Grizzlies, Pistons, Pelicans, Raptors, Clippers, and more from Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto.

With New Year’s upon us, there could be leftover fireworks in January and early February heading into the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

Thus, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on top trade candidates, including De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Zach LaVine, Cam Johnson, and D’Angelo Russell. Plus, reporting on what’s next for the Lakers, Warriors, Nets, Thunder, Grizzlies, Pistons, Pelicans, Raptors, Clippers, and more.

Is Kirk Cousins ‘Manna from Heaven’ for the Browns?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler thinks that Kirk Cousins may just be Cleveland’s way out of the Watson disaster

As the short Atlanta Falcons chapter of the career of Kirk Cousins comes to a close, the obvious connection to the Cleveland Browns will not go away.

The Browns will be looking for a new quarterback to bring in as the Deshaun Watson experience appears to be over whether he is on the roster in 2025 or not. That leaves the Browns looking for an answer at the quarterback position, and likely a shorter-term one short of landing Sam Darnold in free agency.

Cousins, benched for rookie first round pick Michael Penix Jr. due to subpar play less than one year into the massive three-year deal he signed, is set to be released by the Falcons this offseason as he does not have a tradeable contract. This means he will be able to choose his next team once again this offseason.

One analyst, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to connect the dots between Cousins and his former offensive coordinator in Minnesota, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Fowler goes as far as to call Cousins “Manna from Heaven” for the Browns considering what his cap cost may be.

Comparing this situation to Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers after his release from the Denver Broncos, Fowler states that Cousins can be had for around the veteran minimum based on his age, play after returning from his achilles injury, and the amount of guaranteed money he would still be making from the Falcons.

There are certainly better options than the 36-year-old Cousins, but if the Browns do not want to spend big money hunting Sam Darnold or draft either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, then Cousins may just be their best option for the short-term to help them get out from underneath of the Watson contract.

Should the Ravens have an interest in Shaq Barrett after he’s waived by Dolphins?

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins plan to waive former Pro Bowl pass rusher Shaq Barrett on Thursday.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins plan to waive former Pro Bowl pass rusher Shaq Barrett on Thursday.

Schefter reported that he will be eligible to play for another team this season only if he clears waivers on Friday.

Barrett last played in the 2023 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in March, then retired in July before applying for reinstatement in November.

Barrett’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter that the edge rusher “is in great shape and would be ready to play immediately” for another team.

Barrett, 32, spent the first five years of his career with the Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowl 50. He later spent five years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won a second Super Bowl.

The veteran pass rusher has 59.0 career sacks and would help a Ravens team looking to make a deep playoff run.

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Commanders receiver room could be much, much different in 2025

This group could look drastically different in 2025.

Eric Sully over at Commanders Realm tweeted on Christmas Eve regarding how many Commanders receivers were under contract for 2025.

While Commanders general manager Adam Peters signed many free agents and made many differing roster moves, the one thing often noted was that many new players agreed to come and play under a one-year arrangement.

Jahan Dotson, the 2022 first-round draft choice, was traded away, freeing Washington from his contract and obligation in a fifth-year option.

Sully pointed out Tuesday that the Commanders will be pretty free in 2025 regarding their receivers’ room. In fact, the Commanders only have three receivers under contract for next season.

The only Washington pass catchers under contract for 2025 are Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffery and tight end Ben Sinnott. Consequently, only two receivers and one tight end guaranteed for next season would normally cause great concern.

However, in this instance, the Commanders might have leverage over the receivers. The Commanders have Jayden Daniels. Daniels will draw the interest of many receivers league-wide next Spring.

Many thought Jamison Crowder was finished and had lost much of his punt return skills. However, in in the last two weeks, Crowder has demonstrated that he can still get open,, and Jayden Daniels apparently has confidence in his abilities.

Noah Brown has shown enough ability that he will draw interest from other teams. Dyami Brown has shown promise all four seasons, but it simply hasn’t materialized as hoped. Olamide Zaccheaus has had flashes as well, but is it enough to result in Peters signing Zaccheaus to a multi-year deal?

K.J Osborn was claimed off waivers from the Patriots, but he only has two weeks to make enough impression to be brought back next season.

The fan base has gotten attached to the receivers group, but Peters won’t bring back the entire group. He will have the leverage, because of Daniels, to be able to sign a couple of free agents (receivers) in the offseason.

On the surface, only three under contract for 2025 is concerning; however, isn’t it nice to have an actual general manager these days?

 

NFL analyst predicts Eagles will sign away Commanders defensive leader

Could the Eagles attempt to steal one of the Commanders’ top defensive players from this season?

It’s the Commanders’ bye week, but earlier this week, speculation emerged that the Eagles would pursue and sign one of their top defensive players away from the Commanders.

It is no secret to Commanders fans that GM Adam Peters signed many players on one-year deals. You can’t blame him; he inherits a roster full of holes. Wisely, Peters put most of his free agents in contract years with one-year deals, and as a result, he has seen much benefit on the field.

Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. is one of those contract-year free agents who has performed well for the Commanders. Fowler was with head coach Dan Quinn in Atlanta in 2020 and then again with Quinn in Dallas for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In fact, their relationship dates back to when Quinn recruited Fowler to the University of Florida and coached him there.

With four games remaining this season, Fowler has already totaled his second-highest sack total in his nine-year career, with 8.5 in 2024. He will be a free agent next off-season.

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report has publicly stated that he sees the Eagles signing a pass-rushing defensive end, and he believes Fowler is one they will aggressively pursue.

Graham (Brandon) is expected to retire at the end of the year, and Josh Sweat is an impending free agent. While Nolan Smith could take over as the starter moving forward, the defense could still use some pass-rush help. That’s where Fowler comes in, as he’s been having a strong campaign with 8.5 sacks this fall heading into the weekend. While the 30-year-old who turns 31 in August has never been much of a run defender, he can get after the quarterback with over 50 career sacks.

In addition to Fowler generating 8.5 sacks, he also has 19 solo tackles, 11 assists, 11 tackles for a loss, and 10 quarterback hits. Fowler leads the Commanders in sacks and tackles for a loss.

Fowler could demand a pay raise from the Commanders next off-season. If the Commanders don’t aggressively sign him and grant him a good raise, other teams looking for one or two years could swoop in and steal him from them.

But again, this is clearly speculation by Holder of Bleacher Report, a result of his reporting on the Eagles. Commanders Wire is simply informing Commanders fans of what is being circulated about the team.