Tag: 2022 NFL Offseason

Bleacher Report says Rayshawn Jenkins has the Jags’ worst contract entering offseason

Jenkins was given a four-year, $35 million deal last offseason, good for one of the Jags’ top salaries.

Jacksonville opted to avoid big moves in free agency last time around, making value signings instead of large, splashy contracts. The success of that decision has been dubious, though, as the team still handed out relatively hefty contracts to players who were just average, at best. Cornerback Shaquill Griffin, for example, wasn’t bad this season, but he made nearly $14 million to not record an interception.

However, perhaps the worst deal made last offseason was the signing of Rayshawn Jenkins. The safety had a promising start to his career with the Chargers, and Jacksonville rewarded him with a four-year, $35 million contract. That’s a noteworthy deal for a safety — the third-biggest on the Jags’ roster (in terms of his cap hit), to be exact. And according to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, Jenkins’ deal is the worst on the entire team right now.

With Urban Meyer at the helm last season, the Jaguars went on a spending spree in free agency. They brought in several free-agent veterans who were good but not great.

Rayshawn Jenkins was among those. Coming off his second season as a starter for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Jags signed him to a deal that cost them little in the first year but will now balloon up to around $10 million per year for the next three years.

The problem is that Jenkins wasn’t nearly as good this season. In his final season with the Chargers, he gave up just 5.7 yards per target and an overall passer rating of 78.0 when targeted. This year, those numbers rose to 8.5 yards per target and a passer rating of 96.9, per Pro Football Reference.

Jenkins was the 71st-graded safety by Pro Football Focus this year. The early returns on this move have not been good.

Jenkins’ season ended prematurely due to injury, but it was still shaping up to be a statistically average year for the veteran. When you consider the success that third-round pick Andre Cisco had when he saw the field this season (and even Daniel Thomas at times), it’s not entirely unlikely that Jenkins finds his starting spot in jeopardy heading into 2022.

That could make him a potential trade candidate if he didn’t have such a large deal, but his sizable contract paired with his relatively pedestrian level of production in 2021 make his stock fairly low as a trade asset. Jenkins totaled 73 tackles (one for loss) with three passes deflected but no interceptions in his first season in Jacksonville.

Luckily for the Jaguars, the lack of big contracts on the team makes his deal manageable, and the team is still projected to be among the league’s leaders in available cap space this offseason. But if the Jags want to avoid a repeat of last season’s results, they need to make more impactful free-agent decisions than they did last time around.

Ron Rivera won’t be at the Senior Bowl

Ron Rivera will not attend the Senior Bowl, but the front office and select coaches will represent Washington. It’s not a big deal.

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

In a wide-ranging interview with Scott Abraham of WJLA ABC 7News Wednesday, Washington head coach Ron Rivera stated he would not be present at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

This came as a surprise to some with Washington’s dire need at quarterback, and five of the top NFL draft prospects present in Mobile, Alabama, for Senior Bowl week.

Relax.

Rivera has his handpicked front office, which includes general manager Martin Mayhew, Marty Hurney, Eric Stokes and Chris Polian, so Washington will be heavily represented in Mobile. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner and quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese will also likely be present.

There’s really nothing for Rivera to do at the Senior Bowl. He will be able to watch film of the practices and watch the game. Washington’s front office did plenty of leg work on each of the top college quarterbacks throughout the 2021 college football season. Washington knows what these passers can do on the field; now, it’s about seeing them against other draft-eligible players, working with an NFL coaching staff.

“We are going to go down to the Senior Bowl, and when I say we, our scouting department will be down there, and specific coaches will be down there,” Rivera said.

That led to Abraham asking Rivera if he was attending:

“No,” Rivera replied. He explained further.

When I’m going to do something, I’m going to try to do it as private as possible and away from everybody. I don’t need distractions. I want to be able to focus in on specific guys. There’s a lot of things that we need to do, and right now, this is all about information gathering. You go someplace where everyone else is, and your conversations are going to be guarded. Their answers are going to be guarded. So, I don’t want to miss the opportunity when I’m sitting down with these guys; I want candidness, I want as open as possible. We went through this at one point in 2011, when I was in Carolina, and the approach we took was everything we did with those candidates that were coming out was just us. We were the entire focus of his attention, and he was the entire focus of our attention.

Rivera’s answer leads me to believe he is working furiously behind the scenes to land a veteran quarterback while his staff continues its work on the college passers. After the Senior Bowl, Rivera will convene with his front office and coaches and finalize their plan to attack the quarterback position.

The head coach will still have plenty of opportunities to sit down with the draft-eligible passers. First, you have the NFL scouting combine, and then you have select visits, where prospects can visit Washington’s team headquarters.

I wouldn’t worry too much about Rivera not attending the Senior Bowl.

Washington signs former first-round pick to reserve/future contract

Washington signed veteran corner D.J. Hayden to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

The Washington Football Team continues to add to the offseason roster. On Wednesday, Washington announced it had signed veteran cornerback D.J. Hayden to a reserve/future contract. Hayden is now a member of Washington’s offseason roster and will look to earn a spot on the 53-man roster in training camp.

Washington initially signed Hayden in December while the team was battling a COVID-19 outbreak. Starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III each missed time with COVID-19, and Jackson missed the season’s final three games due to injury.

Hayden was activated for two games late in the season as a COVID replacement, and he played four snaps on defense in a Week 16 loss at Dallas.

A first-round pick of the then-Oakland Raiders in 2013, the 31-year-old Hayden has spent time with the Raiders, Lions and Jaguars. Teams don’t often sign experienced veterans like Hayden to reserve/future contracts. Still, depending on what Washington does at cornerback in the offseason, he has an opportunity to make the opening-day roster. Washington opened the 2021 season with six cornerbacks, although Troy Apke was exclusively used on special teams.

Washington’s top three corners — Fuller, Jackson and Benjamin St-Juste — are all under contract for 2022.

Ron Rivera names 2 priorities he looks for in a quarterback

Ron Rivera looks for two things in a quarterback outside of the obvious.

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

If you ask an NFL head coach what he looks for in a quarterback, you will probably get similar answers from each one. Most NFL coaches prioritize accuracy and decision-making in an NFL quarterback.

Over the years, some of what coaches desire in a quarterback has changed a bit. While the NFL has adapted to more of the spread concepts from the college game, NFL coaches like quarterbacks with more athleticism.

In a recent appearance on the “John Keim Report” podcast, Washington coach Ron Rivera spoke about the two most important traits he looks for in a quarterback. Rivera named decision-making and quick-twitch.

While some would say quick-twitch refers to “freaky” athleticism, Rivera defines it differently.

By quick-twitch, what we mean is if ‘I see what I need to see, I’m making a decision now, and I have the ability to get it out.’ Some guys it takes a little bit, ‘ok I see but now I get my body into the position, now I got to take this long delivery,’ whereas, ‘hey, I see it, I throw it.’

Rivera talked about mobility and how important it is but used Tom Brady as an example.

You look at Tom Brady, you see how Brady gets it. The team’s best pass rusher lines up to the left side of their offense, the ball gets snapped, Tom doesn’t stand in the pocket, he starts drifting away from his left side, going to his right, so he’s working away from that pass rusher. And then he delivers the ball, so it’s just enough pocket awareness, mobility to say ‘ok if they’re going to line their best pass rusher up over here to this side when I take that snap I’m going to start filtering myself to my left.’

This is a perfect description from Rivera. Tom Brady isn’t a mobile guy. No one would ever describe him that way, but his pocket awareness and ability to maneuver in the pocket are partially why he is the greatest quarterback of all time.

Studying this upcoming draft class will be fascinating, and seeing how these quarterbacks stack up concerning the traits Rivera desires in a quarterback.

ESPN predicts Washington to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason

Could Jimmy Garoppolo be an option for Washington 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 Football Team is expected to make a bold move at quarterback this offseason. Acquiring Aaron Rodgers is a pipe dream for not only Washington but likely the rest of the league, too.

Even if Rodgers stays in Green Bay, other veteran passers could be on the move. Seattle superstar Russell Wilson would be a home run for Washington if the Seahawks moved on from him. Then there is Derek Carr of the Raiders. Washington would likely be interested in Carr if Las Vegas chooses to go in a different direction.

Then, there is always Deshaun Watson, which is also doubtful for different reasons.

So, if Washington strikes out on all of the top potential options, is there another veteran who could start in 2022?

Absolutely, and his name is Jimmy Garoppolo. According to a recent ESPN article in which several league executives and insiders predict 10 bold moves this offseason, one of those moves is Washington trading for Garoppolo.

Here’s what ESPN said of Washington acquiring Garoppolo from the 49ers:

“I have some concerns about Garoppolo outside of the Kyle Shanahan offense, but Washington has some in-breaking stuff that would be similar,” the exec said. “It wouldn’t be as much of an issue if you can define throws for him.”

I don’t get the sense a return for Garoppolo would be that pricey, either. Some teams believe you shouldn’t have to give up a first-round pick for him because it’s known that San Francisco is probably ready to play Lance, thus hurting its leverage. Plus, his $24 million salary on the last year of his deal must be reworked. But Garoppolo has played well enough to garner at least a strong Day 2 pick.

This is sure to be a polarizing topic.

Is a Washington trade for Garoppolo realistic? Yes, I could see it, although I don’t necessarily believe he’s the answer. Many believe head coach Ron Rivera prefers a veteran, which would be a positive for Garoppolo. And it shouldn’t cost too much in compensation, meaning Washington should still be able to hang onto its premium draft picks.

What if Washington traded for Garoppolo and still selected a passer in the first or second round? Someone like Liberty’s Malik Willis. It would help Washington contend in 2022 and still have an eye toward the future. And, if Garoppolo plays well, that’s a good problem for Washington.

The 49ers went big on Trey Lance last April, and he’s the future in San Francisco. Garoppolo has proven in 2022; he can still play.

Garoppolo will start for someone in 2022 — and he should. Will it be in Washington? There are worse options. The problem for Washington fans is Garoppolo isn’t a splashy move. Fans are set on making a splash.

If Washington acquired Garoppolo this offseason, the quarterback position would be in solid hands for 2022.

 

These 37 Eagles are under contract for 2022 NFL season

These 37 #Philadelphia #Eagles are under contract for 2022 #NFL season #FlyEaglesFly #NFLFreeAgency

The NFL playoffs are still ongoing, but for the teams like the Eagles, Cowboys, and Cardinals, the focus will now shift towards the all-important 2022 offseason.

While the new league year is still weeks away, it’s never too early for an evaluation of the talent on the roster and who’ll likely stay or go. Philadelphia currently has 37 players under contract for 2022, and a huge decision that’ll need to be made on or by Jason Kelce.

Here’s a look at the Eagles who are currently under contract on the roster heading into free agency.

Washington lands a different franchise quarterback in Sporting News mock draft

Washington lands a passer in this new mock draft, but it’s not Matt Corral.

[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 Football Team will be in the quarterback business in 2022. Washington will likely be aggressive in seeking a veteran quarterback before the 2022 NFL draft, but if that pursuit fails, then it’s all about landing one of the draft’s top passers.

Recent mock drafts have already connected Washington with Matt Corral of Ole Miss. A new mock draft by Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News is out, and he has Washington going with a quarterback at No. 11 — just not Corral.

Iyer’s mock draft has two quarterbacks off the board in the first nine picks, with Malik Willis going No. 6 to the Panthers and Corral going No. 9 to the Broncos.

Who does that leave Washington with? How about Pitt’s Kenny Pickett:

Washington got some flashes from Taylor Heinicke while Ryan Fitzpatrick’s bridge season was a total injury washout. But it cannot move forward and expect to tap fully into its promising passing game without a confident franchise QB made for a big market. Pickett has surged into first-round consideration with other big-name QBs fading thanks to outstanding play, which made the Panthers a formidable ranked offensive-minded power in the ACC. He has natural deep-ball accuracy and football intelligence. He also has that underrated Joe Burrow-like swagger.

You have to like this move if you’re Washington. Pickett falling to No. 11 is almost a perfect scenario. He’s the most polished quarterback in this year’s class, and the extra year he stayed in college he really blossomed as a quarterback.

There is a lot to like about Pickett’s game. He is an underrated athlete, with a plus arm. He’s accurate and continues to improve. Yes, his trajectory sounds a bit like Burrow, but let’s not get too carried away.

If Kenny Pickett is the pick for Washington in April at No. 11, the franchise should be happy. Of course, a lot can and will happen long before then.

 

 

Washington rolls over $4 million in cap space for 2022

Washington will carry some of its unused cap space into 2022.

The Washington Football Team is in good financial shape to pursue a franchise quarterback in the offseason. On Monday, Washington’s financial position got a bit stronger.

Field Yates of ESPN released every team’s rollover cap space from 2021 into 2022, and Washington rolls over $4 million. Nine NFL teams rolled over more cap space into 2022 than Washington, including division rival Philadelphia, which carries over $16 million into 2022.

According to Over the Cap, Washington has $42.6 million in cap space for 2022. It’s unclear if that number includes the aforementioned $4 million. Some of Washington’s cap space for 2022 went to recently re-signed left tackle Charles Leno, who received a three-year contract extension. Leno will count $8.5 against WFT’s salary cap in 2022.

From all indications, Washington coach Ron Rivera will be aggressive in his pursuit of a quarterback, whether it be via trade, free agency, or the NFL draft. Washington has plenty of cap space the ability to add more if needed.

2022 NFL offseason: Important dates for the Jaguars

Here are the dates to remember for the 2022 NFL offseason.

As Jacksonville enters a crucial offseason following a 3-14 season, there’s a lot of work to be done. This team needs to find a replacement for coach Urban Meyer, who was fired 13 games into his first season, and the Jaguars also have to find a way to add talent to the roster to aid in the development of second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, both through free agency and the draft.

The league has released its full calendar of important 2022 offseason dates, and here are the key ones that Jags fans will need to keep an eye on over the next few months.

Eagles among teams with the highest salary-cap rollover into 2022 offseason

#Philadelphia #Eagles among teams with the highest #NFL salary-cap rollover into 2022 offseason

Howie Roseman had his work cut out for him last offseason from a salary cap standpoint, but the Eagles’ current salary cap woes are now improving and looking good heading into 2022.

The 2022 salary cap will have a floor of about $208 million, and it could rise even more depending on how things shake in regards to the 17th game and trickledown from the recent TV deals.

ESPN’s Field Yates took a look at what NFL teams rolled over in cap room and the Eagles saved $16.4 million to add to the estimated $14 million that they’ll have available when the new league year begins.

There will be looming roster decisions to be made to help the Eagles get back to some semblance of fiscal comfort, and the potential for $30 million more to be freed up if Philadelphia makes moves or restructure the deals for Fletcher Cox, Brandon Brooks, and others.

[listicle id=662177]

[lawrence-related id=662358,662347,662300,662203]