Tag: 2020 free agency

Celtics’ Danny Ainge sheds light on draft plans, but mum on free agents

Team President Danny Ainge shed some light on the Boston Celtics offseason plans in the draft, but had to stay tight-lipped on free agency due to league rules.

Boston Celtics team president Danny Ainge met with the media Thursday morning to talk about the end of the 2019-20 NBA season, as well the team’s plans for the offseason among several topics, and those plans for the future were among the most popular talking points of the press.

Asked about the bigger questions on everyone’s minds — namely, All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum’s potential contract extension and the status of possible free agents Gordon Hayward and Enes Kanter — Ainge declined to say much due to team rules that prohibit front office employees from having such discussions ahead of free agency.

I can’t have a conversation yet with Jayson, Gordon or Enes or anybody … until we get to [when] the rules allow us to have conversations,” explained the Celtics chief.

“Jayson knows how much we like him,” he added. “We have a good relationship [and] Jayson likes it here, so I’m confident that we’ll be able to work something out in the summer this offseason.”

And should Tatum ink that extension and Hayward opt-in to the final year of his current deal as many are expected, the team’s payroll will get very expensive in a hurry.

Asked if Boston is prepared to spend time as a taxpaying team in order to compete for titles, Ainge responded in the affirmative.

“Yeah, we’re anticipating being in the tax next year,” he explained. “We’ve been prepared for that for the last couple of years as we build this team. So we’re prepared to do that.

The Celtics will also have something of a roster crunch with seven rookies from 2019-20 on a 17-man roster (counting two-way slots) with up to four incoming picks to select prospects in need of roster spots.

Meaning consolidatory trades of contracts or picks are going to be needed if players are not to be cut outright.

Would this make Boston more disposed to make deals to move picks or prospects?

“You take all those things into consideration when you’re drafting [prospects], Ainge explained.

“Typically, you want to draft for the best player, [and] not worry about positions. But, we’ve all heard that rhetoric before — that’s true. But there are times when you need to draft for specific needs. And especially when you’re drafting in the positions that we’re drafting this year and with the draft that we have this year.”

This comment could signal that the Celtics have their eye on a prospect or two to help shore up their rotation on the cheap, especially long-term.

With so much money invested — or about to be invested — in the starters, cheap supporting cast to fill out the margins is going to be important to Boston’s future.

And while bench depth still clearly matters, finding potential long-term replacements at point guard and center are also considerations the Celtics may be including in their draft calculus.

“We’ll take into consideration all of the above,” added Ainge, “all of the players on our roster and what our needs are, who the best players are.”

The Celtics president also hinted drafting and stashing a player too young or undeveloped could also be a potential target, such as international prospects Aleksej Pokusevski or Theo Maledon.

Whichever way Ainge and company go in the offseason, what we do know is that it’s going to be an expensive roster no matter what ends up shaking out at the top, and that there’s going to be a shuffling — if not changing — of the guard near the bottom of the rotation.

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EDGE Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions

Adam Schefter is reporting that EDGE rusher Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions today.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that EDGE rusher Jabaal Sheard is visiting the Detroit Lions today.

“Sheard, who has been waiting for the right opportunity and deal, is visiting with the Lions for a potential reunion in Detroit with HC Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn,” Schefter said per source. “They all won a Super Bowl together in New England.” 

Sheard (6-3, 268) was originally selected in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Browns and started all four of his years in Cleveland. He joined the Patriots for the 2015 and 2016 seasons, then went on to join the Indianapolis Colts for the next three years before entering free agency.

In 2017, Sheard played outside linebacker — similar to the Lions JACK position — and registered 5.5 sacks. In 2018, the Colts switched to a 43 scheme, and Sheard shifted to defensive end, registering 5.5 and 4.5 sacks the last two years.

If the Lions were to bring in Sheard, he would shift around different spots on the defensive front, likely ranging between JACK and the 4i-technique, in a similar way the Lions deployed Austin Bryant last season.

Could Adrian Peterson be the best old running back in NFL history?

At age 35, Adrian Peterson looks to extend his career with the Lions. He could make history in the process.

The running back position has become one of the more fungible in recent years, and it’s a young man’s position. The exceptions to that latter rule are few and far between, but we do have one potential example in our midst heading into the 2020 NFL season. In 2019, future first-ballot Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson ran 211 times for 898 yards and five touchdowns for Washington. That was the third-most rushing yards in a season for a 34-year-old back, behind John Riggins’ 1,347 in 1983, and Frank Gore’s 961 in 2017.

Running backs who manage over 1,000 yards at age 35? There’s Riggins with 1,239 in 1984, and John Henry Johnson with 1,048 for the 1961 Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s it. That’s the list. Not that Peterson will gain 1,000 yards in Detroit’s stable of backs, but the Sunday news that he signed a one-year deal with the Lions is… interesting. It reunites Peterson with Darrell Bevell, who was Peterson’s offensive coordinator in Minnesota from 2007 through 2010. But it doesn’t likely get Peterson anywhere near the playoffs, unless quarterback Matthew Stafford has an All-Everything season, and head coach Matt Patricia can improve his defense from front to back.

It does, however, give the Lions an older player with much more in the tank than you might assume. Last season, Peterson had the highest yards per carry rate (4.3) since his 2015 season, when he led the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. He may not be able to get the carries to blast past 1,000 yards now, but his advanced metrics show a player with a lot to offer.

At least one former Detroit running back was impressed.

Per Pro Football Focus, Peterson caused 37 broken tackles on his 211 rushing attempts last season, which ranked 13th in the league and put him ahead of Sony Michel, Austin Ekeler, Raheem Mostert, and Melvin Gordon III. Peterson also had 12 carries of 15 or more yards last season, which ranked sixth in the league, tying him with Ezekiel Elliott. His 25 plays of 10 yards or more was also Top 10 overall. Peterson’s yards after contact of 3,0 yards per carry was pretty pedestrian, and his Success Rate of 47% was middle of the pack, but as we are veering into “Not bad for an older guy” territory, that’s not awful. Peterson ranked 24th in DVOA and 27th in DYAR, which is again… not bad for an older guy.

What Peterson can do in the right system is to create explosive plays with his vision, contact balance, agility, and understanding of defensive concepts. The second-level burners aren’t quite what they once were, but they’re still there. Washington ranked 18th in Adjusted Line Yards last season, so he didn’t get a ton of help in that regard, and as the Lions ranked 20th in ALY in 2019, he’ll have to create at a similar level with his new team.

The good news is, he can still do that.

This 32-yard run against the Cowboys in Week 17 out of a formation that even Stanford or Wisconsin would call a bit heavy shows Peterson ambling through an eight-man box with some fairly impressive moves.

And this 10-yard Week 15 touchdown against the Eagles shows that Peterson still knows how to create his way out of dead ends.

Well, about that. Peterson gained just 27 yards on 10 carries against the Lions in Week 12, but he did also grab a 22-yard play on a quick release pass from Dwayne Haskins, and he was able to push the pile once in a while.

There was also a lot of this. Peterson isn’t going to beat a quick linebacker or safety to the edge as he used to nine times out of 10, just so we’re clear.

So, just because Adrian Peterson isn’t what he used to be doesn’t mean that he can’t still be effective. Based on his 2019 tape, he’s got some pretty effective strategies to… if not beat Father Time, at least to keep the grumpy old man at bay. We don’t yet know how and how often the Lions will deploy him, but make no mistake — Adrian Peterson is still a pretty decent distance from the end of the road.

Titans acquire amazing, inconsistent force in Jadeveon Clowney

The Titans acquired prized free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney. Which version of him are they getting?

Early Sunday morning, it was made about as official as it was going to get before it actually happened — edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney intends to sign a one-year deal with the Titans that will pay him more than $12 million for the 2020 season.

So, we’re probably talking about a deal that gives the veteran a bit more than $12 million base, with up to $15 million if performance incentives are met. The wisdom of waiting to “cash in” in a 2021 season in which the salary cap is estimated to drop to $175 million per team due to 2020 revenue shortfalls is a separate matter, but we’ll see how that goes.

That aside, It’s a nice bump for a Titans team that made it all the way to the AFC Championship game without a true sack artists. Harold Landry led the team with nine sacks and 51 total pressures, and while Landry is a player on the rise, he hasn’t quite put it all together yet in a week-to-week-package. Lineman Jurrell Casey was the team’s second-best pass-rusher last season, but Casey was traded to Denver back in March. They’re also taking a one-year, $9.5 million flyer on former Falcons pass-rusher Vic Beasley, but Beasley hasn’t been That Guy since he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in 2016.

The Titans did not name an official defensive coordinator to replace the legendary Dean Pees, who retired after the 2019 season. But outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen is one guy in charge of the pass rush, and one assumes head coach Mike Vrabel, whose history with Clowney has already been illustrated, will have a voice in how this all works as well.

The Texans, Clowney’s first NFL team, traded him to Seattle last September 1 as part of Bill O’Brien’s “Everything Must Go!!!” fire sale, and the estimation was that with the Seahawks, Clowney would be used less as a multi-gap “spinner,” and more as a pure edge defender.

“He’s a rare football player,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said after the deal was made. “He’s got special skills that most guys just don’t have – It’s great quickness, his reaction time, the length that he can use, his ability to run, his instincts. He’s made a lot of plays in the backfield over the years. Instinctive plays, penetrating and causing problems, and we plan to allow him to do that in our scheme. It’ll fit really well with what we’re doing. We saw a really great fit, whether it’s early downs or third down stuff. He’s pretty much got what you’re looking for.”

But what about the sacks, you may ask? Because when talking about what Clowney brings to the field, that always comes up. Over his six NFL seasons, Clowney has just 32 sacks. That’s less than half of the total Chandler Jones, who leads the league with 78.5 sacks from 2014 through 2019, has put up. You’re going to have a hard time convincing anyone who’s box score scouting that he’s worth more than $12 million for a season — I mean, Vic Beasley has 37.5 career sacks, and he was an afterthought in the Titans’ plans, at least in public perception.

And it’s not like Clowney’s total pressures reveal a top-tier effectiveness hidden in pedestrian sack totals, as is the case with some pass-rushers.

Clowney is a different cat. You have to watch the tape and hope you’ll get the guy making superhuman plays all over the place, as opposed to the Seahawks end who struggled at first in a new system, and faded down the stretch with a core injury. His official sack total was 4.5 including the postseason, and Pro Football Focus had him with 58 total pressures. Za’Darius Smith of the Packers led the league with 105 total pressures, so again, it isn’t as if Clowney’s sitting on some hidden statistical value.

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Earl Thomas to Cowboys? McCarthy cites locker room ‘fit’ when asked about free agents

The Dallas head coach said he’s ‘very confident’ with the team’s current roster, but said that the free agent safety’s name has come up.

After an extensive reshuffling of the deck in Dallas following the 2019 season, the current Cowboys franchise has been attempting to settle in and make the most of the crazy hand that’s been dealt to the entire league in the form of the coronavirus.

Now, less than three weeks before opening day, a wild card has been tossed onto the table. And while Mike McCarthy may simply be playing things close to the vest, the coach made it sound on Monday like he may be just as happy to stand pat when it comes to Earl Thomas.

Reports after the coach’s Monday morning Q-and-A session with media indicate that Thomas’s name did, in fact, come up in conversation within the Cowboys front office after his release by Baltimore over the weekend.

“We read the news, too,” McCarthy stated.

McCarthy cautioned, though, not to read too much into the seven-time Pro Bowler being discussed internally, as any newly-available player would be expected to be looked at, even as a matter of course.

Said McCarthy:

“We had a chance to have a thorough personnel meeting just two days ago. We’re very confident in where we are as far as the 80-man roster. As far as any prospect that’s available, those are more conversations for Jerry, Stephen, and Will McClay as far as looking at that situation. So I have nothing really to report.”

Is that a bluff? Maybe.

Or maybe not.

McCarthy did give a possible hint as to why Thomas hasn’t already been signed by the Cowboys, a team he’s had a very public flirtation with for three years and the club he’s been most consistently (and loudly) linked to since things went south for him in Seattle.

“I think the most important question you need to ask,” McCarthy offered, “is, ‘How does a player fit into the locker room?'”

At 31, Thomas assuredly isn’t the same player, skillwise, that he was during the Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” heyday, but he likely still has something left in the tank and could be a veteran asset to the right organization. Being unceremoniously sent packing, though, by both Pete Carroll and John Harbaugh, considered to be among the most player-friendly coaches in the league, may be a significant red flag to any club thinking of kicking the tires.

Thomas may be worth the gamble for some team out there. And maybe the Cowboys end up pushing all their chips to the center of the table and going all in. But just because there’s an ace up for grabs doesn’t mean it necessarily goes with the hand they’re trying to win with.

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Film Room: Why Reggie Ragland is a perfect fit in the Lions scheme

With training camp practices on the horizon, it’s time to take a second look at LB Reggie Ragland and project how he will be used in the Lions scheme.

All offseason you’ve heard the expression, “Reggie Ragland is a perfect fit in the Detroit Lions scheme”, but I’m not sure I realized how good a fit he was until I dug deeper into his game film.

As a MIKE linebacker coming out of Alabama in 2016, Ragland (6-2, 252) gained Top-50 notoriety as an instinctive player who could line up at almost every linebacker spot on the field regardless of scheme, but his lack of athleticism and coverage skills would likely keep him out of the first round.

Sure enough, that scenario played out and the Buffalo Bills traded up to the 41st pick selected Ragland. They immediately plugged him into a starting at inside linebacker role in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 scheme, but an unfortunate ACL injury cost him his rookie season before it even began.

To make matter worse, Ryan was fired mid-season, replaced with Anthony Lynn who was let go at seasons end, and the Bills turned to Sean McDermott (their current coach) who runs an entirely different defensive scheme. It didn’t take long to realize Ragland wasn’t a fit in McDermott’s 43 scheme and he was traded to Kansas City during the Bills’ 2017 training camp.

Just three games into the Chiefs season, Ragland earned a starting role at inside linebacker and he would go on to start 10 games in 2017. In 2018, the Chiefs moved on from Derrick Johnson and asked Ragland to take on a bigger role. While he started 15 games, he struggled without Johnson, and his exclusively off-the-ball role proved not to be an ideal fit.

Here’s a look at where Ragland lineup pre-snap in 2018 via ESPN’s Seth Walder using Next Gen Stats:

In 2019, the Chiefs switched from defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s 34 scheme to Steve Spagnulo’s 43 under scheme, and Ragland once again looked like the odd man out. To his credit, Ragland took the demotion in stride and worked his way into a rotational role, starting seven of the 14 games he played.

A new set of roles and responsibilities came with the scheme change and the Chiefs asked Ragland to spend less time strictly off-the-ball, and more time at the line of scrimmage stopping the run and pass-rushing.

Here’s a look at how his pre-snap role changed, via Walder:

To get a better understanding of the plots, here are four snaps from the first series Ragland played in the Super Bowl. In the first picture, he lines up at what would be the WILL in the Lions scheme — keep an eye on No. 59:

In this next picture, he is at the WILL at the LOS (line of scrimmage) outside the left tackle’s shoulder:

Here the Chiefs switched to a traditional 43 and Ragland lined up at the SAM:

In this final shot, he is once again at the WILL, but lined up (and blitzed) the B-gap:

Based on my film study of how the Lions used their linebackers in 2019, Ragland’s pre-snap plot chart looks very similar to how the Lions used Christian Jones — only with a bit more experience at MIKE:

It’s easy to see why Ragland’s versatility was so appealing to Lions coaches and how he fits in with this current linebacker group and scheme.

With the addition of Jamie Collins, the Lions appear to be shifting towards a more positionally fluid linebacker group. A quick glance back at the chart above and you can see Jahlani Tavai and Jones should have no problems adapting, giving the Lions at least four positionally fluid linebackers — with Ragland likely fourth among that group.

Working against Ragland making the Lions 53-man roster is the Lions’ love of Jarrad Davis, as well as Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Miles Killebrew’s special team dominance. If Davis can expand his role, he will join Collins, Tavai, and Jones as the top-4 options on the depth chart, leaving Ragland to battle Reeves-Maybin and Killebrew for one of the final one or two spots.

In my pre-training camp 53-man roster projection, I had the Lions keeping only five off-the-ball linebackers and sided with Reeves-Maybin over Ragland and Killebrew based on the Lions special teams preferences.

But, after giving more consideration to the Lions scheme, and relooking back at how Ragland can be deployed, I am starting to lean towards the Lions keeping six linebackers — with Ragland being the clear best defensive option.

By keeping Ragland, the Lions would enter the season with two MIKE linebackers (Tavai and Davis), two versatile WILL linebackers (Jones and Ragland), two developmental JACK linebackers (Julian Okwara and Austin Bryant), and the multipurpose Collins to roam through all three positions.

Things are far from settled, and Ragland is just as likely to beat out Reeves-Maybin for the Lions fifth linebacker spot as he is to lose the sixth spot to Miles Killebrew, but Ragland is such a perfect fit for the Lions scheme, it’s hard to bet against him.

Report: Warriors prioritizing backup point guard spot over the offseason

According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors will prioritize the backup point guard spot over the offseason.

After years of Stephen Curry and Shaun Livingston forming a consistent one-two punch at the point guard position in Golden State, 2019-20 served as a change for the Warriors.

Livingston’s retirement paired with Curry’s hand injury left the Warriors backcourt thin. Without Curry and Livingston, shooting guard Damion Lee alongside two rookies filled in for Golden State’s longstanding point guard duo.

During the Warriors’ 2019-20 campaign, Lee, Jordan Poole, Ky Bowman and Draymond Green handled point guard responsibilities for Steve Kerr. With a healthy squad in place, Lee and Green will shift to their primary position leaving Poole and Bowman as the only players behind Curry on the depth chart.

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With two NBA sophomores filling out the second point guard unit, the Warriors could eye a new addition to the backcourt in the offseason. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the backup point guard position will be a priority for Golden State’s front office.

Via The Athletic:

Sources indicate that backup point guard will be one of the front office’s offseason roster priorities.

In the 2020 free agent pool, Fred VanVleet, Mike Conley and Goran Dragic headline the point guard group. When it comes to potential backup guards, Kris Dunn, Emmanuel Mudiay, Michael Carter-Williams and Austin Rivers could be possible options.

If the Warriors decide to add a point guard in the draft, LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes, Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton, Charleston’s Grant Riller and San Diego State’s Malachi Flynn could fit behind Curry as they continue to develop early in their career.

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While 22 teams are on display in Orlando, the Warriors can use their extended offseason to study the backup point guard market. Once the NBA Lottery takes place in August, the Warriors will have a better idea of where they can land a point guard in the draft.

With a depth spot behind Curry available, Poole and Bowman will have the chance to battle with a veteran free agent or a top-draft pick.

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NBA free agency dates, replacement player rules revealed

The NBA has set dates for the league’s annual signing moratorium and free agency periods, as well as clarifying replacement players rules .

More news about the NBA’s coronavirus-impacted calendar was released Saturday as the league circulated a memo on the dates of the NBA’s annual signing moratorium and free agency signing periods, according to the Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds.

The memo relates that teams will be allowed to speak to free agents two days after the recently-announced date of the 2020 NBA Draft, which will take place on the 16th of October.

The moratorium begins at 12:01 PM ET on October 19th, continuing until noon on October 23rd, with teams being allowed to negotiate with free agents six hours in advance of that deadline, as has been the case in previous seasons.

The first two-thirds of October could be one of the busiest chunks of any NBA season calendar in history.

The 2020 NBA Draft early entry withdrawal date is set for October 6th, and a potential Game 7 of the 2020 NBA Finals at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida could potentially fall as late as October 13th.

Following this, the draft itself is on the 16th, with the moratorium starting just days later.

Rules about replacement players were also clarified by the memo.

“Starting July 1 and going through the end of the seeding games, expected to be Aug. 14, substitute players can be signed to take the place of someone who falls into those categories,” explained Reynolds. “If a player tests positive for coronavirus after the seeding games end, teams would still be allowed to replace them — but only with someone who has three years or less of NBA service.”

Teams with open roster spots will also begin being able to sign open roster spots as soon as this Tuesday, and may continue doing so until June 30th.

Should the Lions sign WR Taylor Gabriel?

Exploring the idea of the Detroit Lions signing wide receiver Taylor Gabriel as a speed slot/deep threat for the 2020 season.

This is the latest piece in a new series of articles at Lions Wire exploring the remaining 2020 free agent pool, looking for potential upgrades to the Detroit Lions’ roster.

In this edition, we examine the question: should the Lions sign WR Taylor Gabriel?

Let’s take a closer look at the biggest questions surrounding a Lions-Gabriel marriage and if it is in the best interest of both parties to get a deal done.

Why is Taylor Gabriel still a free agent?

Undrafted out of Abilene Christian, Gabriel jumped on the scene as a rookie in Cleveland but took a step back his sophomore year. He was released by the Browns and claimed by the Falcons where he parlayed his productivity into a big contract with the Chicago Bears in 2018.

After a career year in his debut season with the Bears, two major concussions (the third and fourth of his career) cost him almost half the 2019 season. Couple that with a career-low in production when he was on the field and it’s not overly surprising the Bears felt he wasn’t living up to his sizable contract, eventually releasing him in a cost-cutting move.

As with many NFL players with starting experience who are still free agents at this time, the COVID pandemic, and team’s inability to give extensive medical checks, likely played a factor in why he remains unsigned. In total, over his six-year NFL career, he has missed 11 games as a result of concussions, which has likely raised red flags.

How would Gabriel fit on the Lions roster?

Gabriel is an explosive receiver capable of lining up in the slot as a gadget player as well as a deep threat who can take it to the house on any given play.

The Lions offense relies on a vertical threat to stretch the field and last season Marvin Hall filled that role to perfection, averaging an insane 37.3-yards per reception in 2019. He will be the front-runner for this role in 2020 and will likely be challenged by recently converted wide receiver/All-Pro return man Jamal Agnew.

While the Lions have two terrific speedsters in Hall and Agnew competing, both have concerns. Hall’s season was cut short in Week 12 after suffering a season-ending foot injury, while Agnew has only minimal (32 career snaps) experience on offense.

Photo credit to Kent Platte @Mathbomb on Twitter

If the Lions were to go after the 29-year-old Gabriel, he would likely be competing as a role-playing WR4 working against Hall and Agnew, but not slotted to be a heavy contributing role.

What’s the anticipated price tag?

Gabriel’s contract with the Bears averaged $6.5 million a season, almost double the total amount he made his first four years in the league. But at this point in the offseason, Gabriel’s price has likely come down significantly, how much though is not clear.

As far as the Lions are concerned, there is little chance they would be willing to pay anything close to the contract Gabriel got with the Bears, especially when they have two in-house options making significantly less: Hall’s cap hit in 2020 is $825,000 and Agnew’s is $889,594.

The real unknown here is, would Gabriel be willing to sign a vet minimum deal that would put him in the same price range as Hall and Agnew, or is he planning on holding out for a bigger payday?

Should the Lions pursue Gabriel?

Stylistically yes, as Gabriel would fit into the Lions scheme very well and could potentially fill an important role in 2020.

The two big factors that would keep the Lions from inking him to a deal would be concerns surrounding his concussion history and what type of payday he is asking for.

Erik’s Conclusion

The Lions currently have a dozen wide receivers on the roster and while starters Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, and Danny Amendola, as well as rookie Quintez Cephus, seem like roster locks at this time, there is room for another impact skill player or two at the position.

If Gabriel can pass a medical exam and is willing to sign a deal close to the vet minimum, the Lions should absolutely bring him in as competition for Hall, Agnew, and others on offense.

Should the Lions sign QB Cam Newton?

A new series of articles at Lions Wire exploring the remaining 2020 free agent pool for potential upgrades to their roster. First up, should the Lions sign QB Cam Newton?

This is the debut piece in a new series of articles at Lions Wire exploring the remaining 2020 free agent pool, looking for potential upgrades to the Detroit Lions’ roster.

First up, should the Lions sign QB Cam Newton?

Let’s take a closer look at the five biggest questions surrounding a Lions-Newton marriage and if it is in the best interest of both parties to get a deal done.

Why is Cam Newton still a free agent?

Newton (age 31) was released by the Carolina Panthers this offseason after back-to-back seasons that were cut short due to injury, a contract averaging over $20 million, and a new front office/coaching staff that wanted to go in a different direction.

Newton remains a free agent for several reasons, the most notable being teams difficulty in giving him a physical due to the COVID-19 restrictions. After coming off shoulder surgeries in March of 2017 and January of 2019, as well as a Lisfranc (foot) surgery in December of 2019, Newton has several concerning issues for a quarterback that makes an impact with both his arm and feet.

As restrictions lighten and teams begin to explore more free agents with lingering medical concerns, Newton will undoubtedly begin getting phone calls, but his opportunities for a starting role are all but gone.

How would Newton fit on the Lions roster?

Let’s be clear, this is Matthew Stafford’s team and he is the starting quarterback.

If the Lions brought in Newton, it would be for a reserve role, as a player with starter-level ability, if Stafford were to go down with an injury. Newton would compete with Chase Daniel and David Blough for the number two role and if Newton is indeed healthy, he would be the favorite for the top reserve role.

Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s attacking vertical west-coast scheme would fit Newton’s skill set very well and if Newton was given the opportunity to get regular-season snaps, there is a real possibility he would parlay it into Teddy Bridgewater-like 2019 season — getting a new contract and starting role in 2021.

What’s the anticipated price tag?

When Newton was released in March, he was expected to command a 1-year contract totaling somewhere around $15-17 million with less than $10 million guaranteed.

But now that the draft is over and virtually all the starting (and most backup) quarterback roles across the league have been filled, the price tag for veteran signal-callers is plummeting.

The most recent notable quarterback contracts for former starters looking for a reserve role are Jamies Winston (Saints) with a $2.8 million cap hit in 2020 with $1.1 guaranteed and Andy Dalton (Cowboys) with a $3 million cap hit in 2020, all of it fully guaranteed.

Newton may hold out for more, but every day that passes, his contract potentially goes down even further. If Newton stands firm on a higher price tag, it’s possible he may have to wait for a team with an injury at quarterback to come calling in a desperate situation.

Should the Lions pursue Newton at that price?

If Newton is willing to sign a one year deal in the $3 million range, the Lions should be interested, even after giving Daniel a 3-year $13.05 deal. The Lions have faith in Daniel as a reserve but he just isn’t on Newton’s level as a player.

The Lions have the cap space to carry all three, and with Stafford’s recent injury history, carrying two backups that total $5 million in cap space in 2020 is reasonable.

Would Newton be receptive to the Lions?

While the Lions should give Newton’s agent a call and try to get him in for a physical, they may not be as high on his wish list as some other franchises, due to Stafford’s hold on the starting job.

“The thought process has been all along that Newton wants to be a starter,” Ian Rapoport recently reported on NFL Network. “He does want to be a starter, former MVP, he should be a starter but the reality is that there just aren’t any starting jobs available, so now — maybe a little bit of a shift in philosophy here — my understanding is that Cam Newton has not ruled out taking a backup job in the right situation. It remains to be seen where and when that will be, but obviously, Newton is still unemployed and really only has two choices: take a potentially prime backup job right now or wait until another starter gets injured, which may or may not come.”

So do the Lions have a “prime backup job”?

According to Draft Kings, the New England Patriots lead the way in the betting odds to land Newton, followed by the Cardinals, Steelers, Titans, and Washington in a four-way tie for second, then the Ravens, Rams, and Seahawks are also ahead of the Lions who are tied for ninth with the Broncos and Jaguars.

Erik’s Conclusion

General manager Bob Quinn is known for his due diligence and chances are that he has, at the very least, explored the idea of adding Newton to the Lions. As Newton’s price tag drops, the Lions may very well reach out, but at the end of the day, Newton probably has a few more options he’d likely explore before returning that call to Allen Park.

My assumption is Newton would rather land in a spot where he could compete for a starting role — as opposed to in Detroit where his only path to a starting role would be via an injury to Stafford — and I wouldn’t be surprised if he landed with the Patriots where he could compete with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer for the starting job.