Tag: 2022 NFL Offseason

Chiefs begin Phase 3 of NFL’s offseason workout program Wednesday

The #Chiefs begin Phase 3 of the offseason workout program on Wednesday. Find out what that entails here:

The Kansas City Chiefs jumped into Phase 3 of the offseason program on Wednesday, May 25.

The team kicked off the first phase of the offseason workout program back on April 18 with voluntary strength and conditioning training. For the past three weeks, the team has been in Phase 2, which reintroduces on-field workouts, group instruction and drills.

Now, the team is transitioning into Phase 3, which will last for the next four weeks and gets us that much closer to “real” football. This phase includes voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp.

Here is what Phase 3 entails, via the NFL’s offseason workout press release:

“Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp, noted below, must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program”

The Chiefs had strong attendance to start Phase 2 of the offseason program, but Phase 3 typically has a few absences throughout. Players who are still working through contract issues, such as Orlando Brown Jr., could stay away from voluntary workouts for the time being. It’s also not uncommon for star players like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones to be in and out of OTAs.

The first of three sessions of OTAs for Kansas City begins on Wednesday. They’ll have a total of 10 OTA practices spread out over three sessions, plus a mandatory minicamp in the middle of next month. You can find the dates for each of those workouts here.

[listicle id=130175]

The NFL players reportedly holding out of voluntary OTA team workouts this spring

Here are the biggest names sitting out voluntary spring workouts so far.

The NFL preseason is roughly three months away. That doesn’t mean teams aren’t preparing now.

May marks the start of voluntary official team activities (OTAs) to help franchises prepare for the upcoming season and get recently-added players acclimated to their new surroundings. These low-impact practices are more of a table read for a sitcom script than a full dress rehearsal, generally serving as a way to unite a team rather than explore the depths of its playbook.

Some players will exercise the “voluntary” nature of these workouts and skip OTAs either for personal reasons or as part of a contract dispute. Missing early workouts isn’t a big deal on its own, but could set the stage for a protracted battle between a team and an unhappy star. Or it could just be a little extra rest for a veteran who knows the franchise inside and out.

These are the biggest names who are sitting out 2022 OTAs so far.

Chiefs began Phase 2 of NFL’s offseason workout program Monday

The #Chiefs began Phase 2 of the offseason workout program on Monday. Find out what that entails here:

The Kansas City Chiefs jumped into Phase 2 of the offseason program on Monday, May 2.

The team kicked off the first phase of the offseason workout program back on April 18. After two weeks or so of voluntary strength and conditioning training, Phase 2 is officially beginning in Kansas City. This phase will go on for the next three weeks, leading to voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at the end of the month.

Here is what Phase 2 entails, via the NFL’s offseason workout press release:

“Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as ‘perfect play drills,’ and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.”

The Chiefs are also permitted to hold their rookie minicamp during Phase 2. It can be held either on the weekend of May 6-8 or May 15-17. It sounds like the team has scheduled their rookie minicamp for the first weekend of May, but they’ve yet to confirm. Rookies get a little bit of extra time with the coaching staff during this period, helping them catch up on what they’ve missed and acclimate to life in the NFL.

Several players reported to team facilities for the first time this offseason, including some of those who were down in Texas with Patrick Mahomes, like WR Josh Gordon. He reported that it was a great first day.

[listicle id=129154]

Commanders re-sign center Keith Ismael

The Commanders retained center Keith Ismael, who signed his exclusive-rights free agent tender.

Keith Ismael accepted and signed an exclusive rights tender with the Washington Commanders Tuesday, according to the league’s transaction wire.

The reserve center was drafted out of San Diego State in the 2020 NFL draft by Washington in the 5th round (156 overall).

You may recall that during the morning of Day 3 of the 2020 draft, Washington traded unhappy Trent Williams to San Francisco for a 2020 third-round pick (74 overall) which Washington used to draft cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. Also included in the deal was the fifth-round pick (156) which Washington used to select Ismael.

Ismael signed a 4-year $3.61 million dollar rookie deal and appeared in 8 games his rookie season, seeing only 34 special teams snaps and 4 offensive snaps.

However, the former Aztec was released on August 31, 2021, as the preseason was concluding, but brought back to the practice squad before the regular season began.

When Chase Roullier’s season ended against Denver in week 8 (Oct 31, 2021) Ismael was elevated to the roster, on Nov. 4, appeared in 10 games, starting 5 games at center.

The Commanders had offered Ismael the exclusive rights tender in mid-March. Ismael is thus agreeing to sign, report and again compete for a roster spot. He does offer some “position-flex” as Coach Ron likes to call it, in that he can play both center and guard.

Every move the Jets have made so far this offseason

From splashy free agent signings to overlooked coaching hires, here is every move the Jets have made so far this offseason:

The Jets went into the offseason with a lot of needs and made a lot of necessary moves in an attempt to fix those problems before the 2022 NFL draft.

Some issues remain, but Joe Douglas spent noticeably in free agency, pouncing on team-friendly deals with players that perfectly fit the system and culture he and Robert Saleh are trying to build in their second year together. The Jets also had a few coaching changes, among other moves.

Here, we recap every move the Jets made this offseason.

Commanders re-sign kicker Joey Slye

Washington brings back kicker Joey Slye on a two-year deal.

The Washington Commanders released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins on Oct. 20 last season. Hopkins, who had been Washington’s kicker since Sept. 2015, struggled with consistency, and head coach Ron Rivera felt it was time for a change.

That led the Commanders to Chris Blewitt, which was an epic mistake. Blewitt made only two of his five field-goal attempts, as all three misses were blocked.

Fortunately for Washington, Robbie Gould of the San Francisco 49ers returned from an injury on Nov. 2, and the Niners released his temporary replacement, Joey Slye. The Commanders released Blewitt and signed Slye.

Slye was outstanding but suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 12 win over the Seattle Seahawks and missed several weeks. He returned late in the season and picked up where he left off. Overall, Slye made all 12 of his field-goal attempts, including one from 56 yards out, in six games for Washington.

Slye connected on nine of his 10 point-after attempts as his only miss was blocked.

The Commanders placed a tender for 2022 on the restricted free agent last month. On Monday, Washington rewarded Slye with a two-year deal worth $5 million, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Originally an undrafted free agent from Virginia Tech in 2018, Slye has kicked for the Giants, Panthers, Texans and 49ers, enjoying success at each stop, but mainly as an injury fill-in. Now, Washington views Slye as the guy moving forward.

 

Commanders strongly deny latest allegations

The Commanders offer a strong response to the latest allegations.

It’s been another hectic several days for the Washington Commanders. Last week, the Washington Post released a report suggesting Washington had committed alleged “financial improprieties.” The Commanders denied any wrongdoing.

The supposed “improprieties” were discovered during Congress’ investigation into the organization’s toxic workplace culture.

Over the weekend, A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports broke a story alleging Washington withheld ticket revenue from the 31 other NFL teams. NFL laws say every team must share 40% of its ticket sales.

As expected, the Commanders answered the latest accusations through a team spokesman via the Washington Post.

There has been absolutely no withholding of ticket revenue at any time by the Commanders. Those revenues are subject to independent audits by multiple parties. Anyone who offered testimony suggesting a withholding of revenue has committed perjury, plain and simple.

At this point, it’s important to remember that these are currently only accusations. We’ll keep you posted on any new updates regarding Congress’ investigation into the Commanders.

 

Commanders will host Ohio State WR Chris Olave for top 30 visit

The Commanders will host Ohio State WR Chris Olave for one of their top 30 visits.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Washington Commanders could use some help at wide receiver for new quarterback Carson Wentz. Terry McLaurin is a star, but Curtis Samuel’s health is a concern, and Dyami Brown still must prove he belongs in the NFL.

With the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Washington is in a position to take one of the draft’s top wide receivers. Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave and USC’s Drake London are expected to be the first three wideouts selected. One or two could be gone by No. 11, but the Commanders will still be in a position to land an impact receiver.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera doesn’t go to many pro days, but he was present in Columbus, Ohio, last week for Ohio State’s pro day. And Rivera was spotted talking to Olave.

We’ve learned Washington will use one of its 30 pre-draft visits for Olave, per Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors.

Olave will remind Washington fans of McLaurin. He is super fast, runs precise routes and catches everything. He is also a respected teammate, something Rivera cherishes.

Olave would be a solid choice for Washington at No. 11.

Olave is the second known top 30 visit for the Commanders, who will also host Texas A&M Jalen Wydermyer. Wydermyer is not considered a first-round prospect but could go on day two or early on day three.

Could the Commanders have the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2022?

Analytics expert has Washington as having the easiest strength of schedule in 2022.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://washingtonfootballwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Washington Commanders could use a break. After playing arguably the NFL’s most challenging schedule in 2021, facing elite passers such as Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Josh Allen, to a late-season COVID-19 outbreak and plenty of off-field drama, the 2022 schedule could bring some good news.

According to one of the NFL’s foremost analytics experts, Warren Sharp, his model indicates the Commanders have the easiest 2022 strength of schedule — as of now.

Sharp has Washington having the most manageable schedule using projected win totals, while the Kansas City Chiefs have the most difficult schedule.

The Eagles are No. 3, while the Cowboys are No. 6 and the Giants come in at No. 8. The NFC East will play the AFC South and NFC North in 2022, bringing down the division’s strength of schedule. The AFC South has the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, two of the worst teams in the NFL in 2021.

The NFC North features the Packers, Bears, Lions and Vikings. The Packers were the only NFC North team to finish above .500 in 2021.

Washington’s 17th game is against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland went 8-9 last season.

If Washington’s defense can get back on track and new quarterback Carson Wentz resembles the player from 2017, the Commanders could be a bounce-back candidate in 2022.

More troubling allegations have emerged against the Washington Commanders

More trouble for Washington owner Daniel Snyder.

For the second time this week, troubling allegations have emerged against the Washington Commanders. A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported Saturday that Washington kept ticket revenue that was supposed to be shared with the other 31 teams.

The House Oversight Committee uncovered the new allegations during its current investigation into the widespread sexual harassment in the workplace. Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported alleged financial improprieties by the Commanders during the same investigation. Washington responded to the new allegations.

NFL bylaws state that every team is required to pass along 40% of ticket sales from each home game to the NFL, which then distributes the profits to the visiting teams.

Per Perez, the Commanders and the NFL learned about these allegations in recent weeks. It isn’t clear how long this went on, or if this is directly connected to the Washington Post’s report of financial improprieties.

If these allegations prove to be true, could this be what ends owner Daniel Snyder’s tenure? While the other owners have overlooked Snyder’s other transgressions, this one directly impacts the other owners.

Of course, the allegations must be proven. As of this writing, Washington has yet to respond.