Tag: Blake Lynch

Chiefs release standout LB, re-sign speedy WR

According to a report, the Kansas City #Chiefs made two roster moves on Tuesday.

According to a report from NFL insider Aaron Wilson on Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs released linebacker Blake Lynch and re-signed wide receiver Montrell Washington to their practice squad.

On December 30, Lynch signed a practice squad contract with the Chiefs, and he was elevated to Kansas City’s active roster before the defending Super Bowl champions’ Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

On the same day that Lynch initially joined the team, Washington was released from the Chiefs’ practice squad after a nearly season-long tenure in Kansas City.

Now, after the Chiefs’ blowout loss to Denver on Sunday, both players are back where they started.

Lynch was Kansas City’s highest-graded player during the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup against the Broncos and should be a hot commodity as he enters free agency.

It is unknown if Washington will be elevated to Kansas City’s active roster at any point during the playoffs, but his familiarity with Andy Reid’s offense could be a boon for the Chiefs if injuries affect their depth at the wide receiver position.

PFF: Rising LB receives Chiefs’ highest grade in Week 18 loss to Broncos

An up-and-coming linebacker was the #Chiefs’ highest-graded player in Kansas City’s Week 18 loss to the Denver #Broncos.

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a blowout loss to the Denver Broncos in their final game of the regular season on Sunday.

Head coach Andy Reid rested Kansas City’s starters ahead of the playoffs and gave his backups a chance to prove themselves in an inconsequential setting.

Though the final score of the matchup did not indicate an impressive performance from the defending Super Bowl champions, a few of the Chiefs’ second and third-string players made the most of their opportunity against Denver’s starters.

Linebacker Blake Lynch, who recently signed a practice squad contract with Kansas City, was elevated to see action against the Broncos and put together a standout performance despite the Chiefs’ loss.

According to the experts at Pro Football Focus, Lynch earned a grade of 87.3 during Kansas City’s matchup against Denver, which was the highest mark among all Chiefs players.

Though Lynch is not expected to see the field during Kansas City’s impending playoff run, the former Baylor Bear may have his number called if one of the Chiefs’ starting linebackers is injured.

Chiefs sign ex-Raiders LB, terminate Super Bowl LVIII champion WR

The Kansas City #Chiefs signed former Las Vegas #Raiders LB Blake Lynch, and terminated the practice squad contract of WR Montrell Washington.

After clinching the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs with a Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs signed linebacker Blake Lynch to their practice squad.

To make room for Lynch, the team terminated the practice squad contract of veteran wide receiver Montrell Washington, who played a role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII championship last season.

The Chiefs announced their decision to sign Lynch and part with Washington on Monday, December 30.

Lynch, who played collegiately at Baylor University, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has spent the last four years on practice squads, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Washington was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2022 NFL draft after an outstanding career at Samford University, where he earned FCS All-American honors in 2021.

The addition of Lynch to the practice squad is expected to provide some much-needed depth for Kansas City’s linebacking corps ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 18 matchup against the Broncos on January 5.

48 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 48

We continue our countdown to the start of the 2023 season by looking at everyone who’s worn No. 48 for the Minnesota Vikings.

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 48 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

With 48 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 48 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

Former Baylor LB among 6 players Panthers bring in on Monday

In addition to holding tryouts for five players on Monday, the Panthers brought former Baylor LB Blake Lynch in for a visit.

Now that the Carolina Panthers have fired head coach Matt Rhule, are the pipelines from both Temple University and Baylor University set to be dismantled?

It seemed that way, at least early on. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow and assistant special teams coach Ed Foley, longtime staffers of Rhule, followed their leader out the door last week. Heck, former Owl Robbie Anderson just got the boot today.

But one Bear just squeaked through to Charlotte, as linebacker Blake Lynch made a visit to the Panthers on Tuesday. Lynch played three seasons, and three different positions, under Rhule at Baylor.

A holdover from the previous regime led by Art Briles, the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder transitioned from wide receiver to safety to linebacker between 2017 and 2019 with Rhule. He would later go undrafted, however, and sign with the Minnesota Vikings on April 28, 2020.

Lynch played in 20 games for Minnesota in 2020 and 2021. He totaled 47 tackles, 2.0 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

Carolina, additionally, held tryouts for five players on the afternoon—running back Spencer Brown, defensive linemen Delontae Scott and Raequan Williams and linebackers Joel Iyiegbuniwe and Dorian O’Daniel.

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Patriots host free agent LB Blake Lynch for workout

The Patriots hosted linebacker Blake Lynch on Tuesday.

The New England Patriots hosted free agent linebacker Blake Lynch for a workout on Tuesday, per Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson and Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed.

Lynch most recently played for the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared in four games as an undrafted rookie in 2020. He made more of an impact last year, appearing in 16 games with six starts and had a good year statistically, recording 35 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.

The Patriots need depth at the linebacker position, as the team continues to struggle with defending against the run. Green Bay made that a huge part of their game on Sunday, totaling 199 rushing yards. The Baltimore Ravens rushed for 188 yards the week before.

It remains to be seen if Lynch will provide relief for a struggling position. The good news is the Patriots are making a real effort to address it.

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Seahawks worked out three more free agents on Friday

On Friday, Seattle brought in three more free agents – including two linebackers.

The Seahawks keep churning the free agent pool looking for depth at linebacker. They don’t seem to be finding what they’re searching for, though. Earlier is week the team brought in five free agents for tryouts, including three off-ball linebackers. They didn’t sign any of them, though.

On Friday, Seattle brought in three more free agents – including two linebackers. Here’s a quick review of who came in.

Stock up, stock down from the Vikings’ loss to the Lions

Here is the stock report from the Vikings’ Week 13 loss:

The Vikings had high expectations before the year.

Minnesota loaded up in 2021 free agency. The team kept most of the pieces from a high-octane offense in 2020. The Vikings looked to be among one of the two best teams in the NFC North in 2021.

While Minnesota may be the second-best team in its division, the Vikings have failed to meet other perceived goals. Minnesota sits at 5-7. On Sunday, the Vikings were on the losing end of their biggest disappointment of the season thus far: an upset defeat to the Lions.

Minnesota needs to find out what went wrong. Here is the stock report:

Vikings roster bubble: Which players helped their case recently?

Here are some Vikings players on the roster bubble who have helped their case recently:

Minnesota trimmed its roster down to 80 players recently. As the offseason, progresses, the Vikings will have more tough decisions to make.

The Vikings have another important cut date approaching: Aug. 31, when they have to whittle the active roster down to 53 players.

That date will be an important one for a lot of the players on this list. Vikings Wire looked at those who could be on the roster bubble right now, and tabbed a few Minnesota players who have helped their case as of late.

Here is the list: