Category: Free Agency

Vikings named as likely landing spot for free agent QB

What about the backup option for J.J. McCarthy? They won’t be bringing back Sam Darnold, but could there be a free-agent fit?

The Minnesota Vikings are set at quarterback for the foreseeable future. Immediately, they are rolling with Sam Darnold and are now 8-2 with him as the man under center. Long-term, they have J.J. McCarthy, who the team remains fully committed to after seeing what he could do in his lone preseason game in August.

What about the backup option for J.J. McCarthy? They won’t be bringing back Sam Darnold, but could there be a free-agent fit?

On Thursday, the New York Giants released quarterback Daniel Jones after benching him in favor of Tommy DeVito before their Week 12 game. Jones was the sixth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and never found consistent success in New York.

Could the Vikings and Kevin O’Connell be a fit for another former New York quarterback reclamation project?

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Sunday morning that the Vikings and Ravens were the two teams likely to attempt to sign Jones after he clears waivers. Jones could make sense for the team to use as a backup behind J.J. McCarthy next season at a much cheaper rate than most other quarterback options.

Sam Darnold has played his way into a bigger contract as a starter so with his expected departure, the team needs a reliable option.

Jarrett Allen Q&A: Cavs 15-0 start, Donovan Mitchell, Kenny Atkinson, Conference Finals expectations

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen spoke with HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto about Cleveland’s historic start to the season, what Donovan Mitchell’s extension meant for the city and the team’s future, how Kenny Atkinson has changed, reuniting with several former Nets teammates and coaches in Cleveland, his goals, and his Thanksgiving event.

After helping the Cavaliers achieve the second-best start to an NBA regular season ever with a 15-0 record, Jarrett Allen helped the Cleveland community begin the holiday season with a terrific start.

Allen hosted his eighth annual Meals + Math Thanksgiving event and provided 25 children from Urban Community School and their families with groceries while teaching kids about math and budgeting.

Following the event, Allen spoke with HoopsHype about Cleveland’s historic start to the season, what Donovan Mitchell’s extension meant for the city and the team’s future, how Kenny Atkinson has changed, reuniting with several former Nets teammates and coaches in Cleveland, his goals, and more on his Thanksgiving event.

Ravens sign former All-Pro cornerback to the practice squad

Baltimore Ravens sign former All-Pro cornerback Desmond King to the practice squad

The Ravens are 7-4 and preparing for a huge Week 12 matchup against John Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers.

With Baltimore dealing with injuries and uncertainty in the secondary, Aaron Wilson reports that the team signed free-agent defensive back Desmond King to the practice squad.

King was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft and earned All-Pro honors in 2018 as both a defensive back and a punt returner.

King signed to the Texans practice squad this summer after being released during the 53-man roster cuts to end training camp.

Last season, King spent time with the Texans after getting cut by Pittsburgh and contributed 47 tackles, one sack, and two passes defended in seven games for the AFC South champion.

During his career, King has played for the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Texans, and Steelers, recording 473 career tackles, nine interceptions, seven fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, 35 passes defended, and 9 1/2 sacks with 2,413 return yards and five total touchdowns.

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WATCH: First look at HBO’s Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North

HBO released the initial trailer for Hard Knocks In-Season with the AFC North featuring the Ravens, Bengals, Browns and Steelers

The AFC North is the most challenging division in the NFL. The season started with four potential 2024 playoff teams and tons of storylines. As HBO’s Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historical division, fans will now have an up-close look.

For the first time since its debut, the award-winning docuseries goes behind the scenes of an entire NFL division for the first time. Warner Brothers Discovery made the announcement back in June.

HARD KNOCKS: IN SEASON WITH THE AFC NORTH will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season, as well as a playoff run for the division-winner and any AFC North Wild Card teams. The 18-time Emmy®-winning series will deliver its signature all-access coverage as it follows the Mike Tomlin-coached Pittsburgh Steelers, who have never been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the history of the series, as well as coach John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens, coach Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals, and coach Kevin Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will share the “Hard Knocks” spotlight with Derrick Henry, Ja’Marr Chase, Myles Garrett, TJ Watt, and an array of other AFC North star players.

It will debut Tuesday, December 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2025. HBO released the first trailer on Tuesday, and it looks as intense as the action presents.

Baltimore was the first team featured on the original “Hard Knocks” training camp series 2001. Since then, the Bengals have appeared twice, in 2009 and 2013, and the Browns in 2018, while the Pittsburgh Steelers will be making their debut appearance. Storylines to watch will include Patrick Queen’s arrival in Pittsburgh and the renewed Steelers-Ravens rivalry.

Contract disputes in Cleveland, Deshaun Watson’s return and subsequent injury, Russell Wilson’s debut, Justin Field’s arrival, and Joe Burrow’s return are just the tip of the iceberg of storylines and interesting subplots.

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Should the Ravens have an interest in adding Joe Douglas to the front office?

Baltimore should have an interest in bringing Joe Douglas back to the Ravens front office after he was fired by the New York Jets

The Ravens are always diligent about having a solid front office and player personnel group, and a former architect could be available. Joe Douglas was fired by the New York Jets on Tuesday after amassing a 30-64 record as the team’s general manager.

The move comes several weeks after the team fired head coach Robert Saleh following a 2–3 start. Saleh finished his tenure in New York with a 20–36 (.357) regular season record overall.

The Jets requested permission to interview Douglas and hired him over then-Chicago Bears Assistant Director of Player Personnel Champ Kelly, New Orleans Saints Director of Pro Scouting Terry Fontenot, Minnesota Vikings Assistant General Manager George Paton, and Seattle Seahawks Director of Player Personnel Scott Fitterer.

Before joining the Jets in 2019, Douglas was a longtime scout with the Baltimore Ravens before becoming an executive with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles. Douglas began his NFL career in the Ravens personnel department in 2000 and worked there until 2015.

Douglas joined the Eagles franchise in 2016 and was responsible for running the Eagles draft board and scouting department, turning the latter into the best in the NFL.

Douglas quickly developed a reputation around the league as a critical cog in Howie Roseman’s front office while playing a role in constructing the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII-winning team and the deep roster for the 2019 season.

Douglas drafted Derek Barnett and Andre Dillard for the Philadelphia Eagles while he was the team’s general manager from 2017–2019.  Rasul Douglas, Dallas Goedert, Josh Sweat, and Jordan Mailata are just a few of the players that Douglas played a part in the Eagles’ drafting.

Douglas amassed a dismal 30-64 record since taking over as Jets GM and could return to Philadelphia or Baltimore in the offseason.

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Carolina Panthers players who are free agents in 2025

With the trade deadline now behind us, let’s take a look at the Panthers who are set to become free agents following the 2024 season:

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The 2024 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and it didn’t go without a few moves from the Carolina Panthers.

Last week, the team shipped off wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens in a trade involving a late-round pick swap for the 2025 draft. And yesterday, in a much more favorable return, they sent fellow receiver Jonathan Mingo over to the Dallas Cowboys.

So now that those departures are official, we could start looking ahead towards free agency for quite a few more.

Here are Panthers whose contracts are set to expire following the season:

  • QB Andy Dalton
  • RB Chuba Hubbard (Signed four-year extension)
  • RB Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
  • WR David Moore
  • WR Jalen Coker (ERFA)
  • TE Tommy Tremble
  • TE Ian Thomas
  • TE Feleipe Franks (RFA)
  • OL Brady Christensen
  • OL Cade Mays
  • C Austin Corbett
  • DL LaBryan Ray
  • DL DeShawn Williams
  • DL Jonathan Harris
  • DL Raequan Williams (ERFA)
  • OLB Charles Harris
  • OLB Thomas Incoom
  • OLB Cam Gill
  • ILB Shaq Thompson
  • CB Mike Jackson
  • CB Lonnie Johnson Jr.
  • CB Anthony Brown
  • S Xavier Woods
  • S Jordan Fuller
  • S Sam Franklin Jr.
  • S Nick Scott
  • S Demani Richardson (ERFA)
  • K Eddy Piñeiro
  • P Johnny Hekker
  • LS JJ Jansen

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

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Bills sign defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Phillips

Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Phillips

One key reason why it is so challenging for teams to agree to trades at the deadline is that they have concerns with new players learning their scheme quick enough.

When you bring back old friends, that isn’t much of a problem.

The Bills announced that they signed defensive tackles Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips on Wednesday after standing pat at the trade deadline.

Jefferson was released by the Cleveland Browns and Phillips was released by the Dallas Cowboys. Both releases came this week. Buffalo jumped on the opportunity to get familiarity and depth in the middle of their defensive line.

Jefferson and Phillips have both specialized at pressuring the QB in their long careers.

Jefferson, now in his ninth season, was with the Bills in 2020 when the team went to their first AFC Championship since 1994. He started four games that campaign but was largely misused while trying to fill in for defensive tackle Star Lotulelei who opted out that offseason.

He found much more success over the past three seasons. From 2021 to 2023, he recorded 16 sacks and 42 QB hits across 34 starts with three different teams. Last year with the Jets, he had six sacks and posted a Pro Football Focus pass rush grade of 73.2 which was 32nd-best among all interior defenders.

Jefferson hasn’t performed to that level with the Browns this year, but he hopes to build on what he and the Bills started in 2020.

While Jefferson is back for his second stint in Buffalo, Phillips is looking forward to his third. He was a member of the Bills from 2018-2019 and also from 2022-2023. He is now in his 10th season.

Phillips has had success in the past with the Bills, racking up an impressive 9.5 sacks with the team in 2019. He hasn’t been as productive in recent years, and only appeared in two games while recording one tackle for the Cowboys this year. He started nine games for Buffalo last year, totaling 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five passes defensed.

Both Jefferson and Phillips fill a dire need for the Bills after defensive linemen DeWayne Carter and Dawuane Smoot both recently landed on injured reserve.

The two already have a good feel for the defensive scheme in place from their time with the team in the past, and they should be able to get up to speed quickly.

Defensive tackle Eli Ankou has emerged in recent weeks for the Bills after being elevated from the practice squad, but McDermott loves to rotate his defensive linemen and try to keep fresh bodies attacking the opposing QB.

With Ankou, Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, DaQuan Jones, and Zion Logue, the Bills add a couple veteran interior pass rushers to the mix.