Tag: free agent

Saints 2024 undrafted free agent will sign with St. Louis Battlehawks

This 2024 Saints rookie free agent will be heading to the UFL, joining the St. Louis Battlehawks ahead of the spring league’s 2025 season:

One of the members of the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 undrafted free agent class will be joining the UFL, as defensive lineman Kyler Baugh has signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Baugh played college football at Minnesota before signing a standard rookie contract with New Orleans that guaranteed him just $25,000.

Baugh was on three different rosters in 2024, starting off with the Saints during the offseason, then moving on to the New York Giants, and ending his year on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.

His contract with the Falcons to remain on their practice squad expired, and he was not one of the 17 players they signed to a reserve/future contract either, which allowed him to complete this move. He would not get a chance to play during the 2024 season, and only played a small amount during the preseason. Going to the UFL will give Baugh the opportunity to work towards some more time on the field, and give coaches a chance to see what he can do.

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Russell Wilson unfazed by uncertain Steelers future ahead of playoffs

Russell Wilson remains focused on the playoffs despite his uncertain future with the Pittsburgh Steelers, emphasizing living in the moment.

Mr. Unlimited’s time in Pittsburgh may indeed be limited. That is, of course, if Russell Wilson struggles to help his team achieve their first playoff win in almost 3,000 days in the Wild-Card round of 2024’s NFL playoffs. However, the Steelers’ signal-caller isn’t worried about his next contract and is only focused on one thing: beating Baltimore.

With Wilson scheduled to be a free agent in 2025, this Saturday’s playoff game between the Steelers and Ravens will have huge implications for his payday and his future with the Black and Gold. On Wednesday, reporters asked the Steelers quarterback whether he feels he has more at stake personally in this game.

Wilson highlighted poise and maturity in his response—exactly what the Steelers need out of their leader: “I just always think about the moment. I’m not really worried about down the road or anything like that.” He left the situation open-ended, stating, “That [his future contract] always handles itself.”

Russ may not acknowledge it, but he may very well be playing for his 2025 future with the Steelers. Will Wilson be able to hold off the Steelers from believing in Justin Fields to carry their franchise for years to come?

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Former Saints linebacker named ‘best Christmas gift’ for Eagles

An ex-New Orleans Saints linebacker was named a top ‘Christmas gift’ players in NFL after his breakout year with the Philadelphia Eagles:

The New Orleans Saints had a former draft pick leave after a disappointing four seasons with the team and he became a star after joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

In searching for the best surprise players of the 2024 season, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin named linebacker Zack Baun one of the top ‘Christmas gifts’ of the year for the Eagles.

Here is what Benjamin had to say about Baun:

Signed to a one-year deal after four seasons as a reserve with the Saints, his physicality and sideline-to-sideline marks have anchored a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense.

During his time with New Orleans, the team struggled to figure out exactly what they wanted out of him. Of course, the path to playing time at linebacker was tough with Demario Davis and Pete Werner ahead of him, but it wasn’t until his last year with the team that he started to break out.

He had 88 career tackles with two sacks and six tackles for a loss. He was never anything more than a depth piece in the rotation.

In typical Saints fashion, though, Philadelphia has turned the 27-year-old into a star in his first season away from New Orleans. He has 145 total tackles, a league-leading 92 solo tackles, with 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.

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Steelers among betting favorites to sign Odell Beckham Jr.

Could Odell Beckham Jr. join the Pittsburgh Steelers? Betting odds from Bovada suggest it may be possible as the AFC playoff race heats up.

Could recently released WR Odell Beckham Jr. don the Black and Gold as the 2024 season comes to a close? Bovada, a popular betting site, certainly believes so, as the Pittsburgh Steelers are currently tied for the second-highest odds of landing the former All-Pro wide receiver.

The Steelers are tied with the Baltimore Ravens at +280 odds to sign Beckham, while the Los Angeles Rams, the current favorites, have +225 odds at landing him.

With major concerns surrounding the Pittsburgh wide receiver room, worsened by star WR George Pickens’ recent hamstring injury, the Steelers landing Beckham may not be so far-fetched.

Realistically, Beckham could easily thrive as a WR2 or WR3 in today’s NFL, and his connection with QB Russell Wilson would make the Steelers’ offense even more dangerous.

Steelers WRs Mike Williams and Calvin Austin haven’t done enough to inspire confidence that they can step up in Pickens’ absence, but Beckham would provide a welcome veteran presence as the AFC playoff picture begins to take shape for the Black and Gold.

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WATCH: Micah Hyde makes his return to Bills practice

WATCH: Micah Hyde makes his return to Bills practice

The Buffalo Bills brought back an old friend on Wednesday as they signed safety Micah Hyde to the practice squad.

Many Bills fans and media were thinking about a potential reunion in the back of their minds after general manager Brandon Beane alluded to keeping the door open way back in March. Now, it has finally happened, and the former team captain joins while the Bills are riding a seven-game win streak into Week 14.

Although head coach Sean McDermott has tempered expectations for the two-time All-Pro, the Bills are glad to have him back home for one final push.

Watch Hyde’s return to Bills practice on Thursday below:

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.

Insider believes Najee Harris is unlikely to re-sign with Steelers

Ray Fittipaldo said that while Najee Harris’ play has been great this season, the odds of him re-signing remain low.

Najee Harris has been one of the best running backs in the NFL this season, ranking seventh in rushing yards with 592 on 4.4 yards per carry.

But in the eyes of Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, Harris is unlikely to be back in Pittsburgh next year.

While making an appearance on “The Joe Starkey Show,” Fittipaldo was asked if Harris’ numbers were enough for Pittsburgh to re-sign the running back.

Much to the dismay of Steelers fans, Fittipaldo stated: “The guy is having a great season, but when you decline the option in May, I think, you know, eight, nine times out of 10, you’re not gonna go do business with that guy when the season ends.”

He was, of course, referencing how Pittsburgh declined to pick up Harris’ fifth-year option, which would allow him to hit free agency in 2025.

Could Harris force the Steelers to acknowledge his elite performance in his contract year, ultimately earning himself a big payday with the team? Or will Pittsburgh instead choose to re-sign the potentially cheaper option in RB Jaylen Warren?

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Report: Former Wisconsin Badger to have option declined, become free agent

Report: Former Wisconsin Badger set to have option declined, become free agent

The Washington Wizards are declining to pick up former Wisconsin Badger Johnny Davis’ team option for the 2025-26 season, according to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins.

That means Davis, who joined the Wizards as the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft, would become an unrestricted free agent.

Related: Big Ten basketball power rankings entering 2024-25 season: A first look at the expanded conference

This news doesn’t come as a huge surprise as Davis continues to struggle to establish his position at the NBA level. The shooting guard is currently playing just 5.3 minutes per game for a Wizards team that again projects to finish near the bottom of the league.

Those 5.3 minutes per game, albeit just three games into the 2024-25 season, also include averages of 0.7 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists on 25% shooting. Those numbers are all down from his totals from the 2023-24 season — a year that saw him appear in a career-high 50 games at the NBA level.

Davis is currently listed on the Wizards depth chart behind rookies Carlton Carrington and Kyshawn George, veterans Corey Kispert and Jared Butler, and others. That, again, for a team that currently ranks No. 30 in ESPN’s latest power rankings.

Davis’ career-long NBA averages include 13 minutes per game, 3.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.3 steals on 39% shooting and 28% from three. That is in 81 total games over two-plus seasons in the league.

The Wizards can still re-sign the former Badger star once he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Give his diminished role with the organization, it’s hard to see that becoming the case.

A change of scenery could be what’s necessary for the 2022 AP Big Ten Player of the Year and First-Team All-American. This will be a story worth monitoring with few former Badgers currently playing at the NBA level.

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ESPN suggests Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline

If they keep losing, ESPN suggests the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young?

If they keep losing, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler suggested the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young? That would be the clearest signal Mickey Loomis could send that his team is going in the tank, but you can’t imagine that’s something head coach Dennis Allen would sign off on.

Still, never say never. Teams like the Detroit Lions are desperate for a pass rusher after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg. Here’s the case for dealing Young at the Nov. 5 trade deadline from ESPN:

Graziano: What about Chase Young? The Saints really like the guy and could be interested in signing him to a long-term deal, but if they check in and don’t feel good about their chances of doing that, could he be on the move for the second deadline in a row?

Fowler: That’s not a bad call. Young signed a one-year deal with New Orleans in hopes of parlaying it into a new contract with the team. With the Saints sitting at 2-4, perhaps the organization would listen to offers closer to the deadline. I’d be mildly surprised if anything happens. Young garnered a third-round pick in last year’s trade from Washington to San Francisco, and now that he’s fully healthy and playing productive snaps, I would surmise New Orleans wouldn’t accept anything less in a deal, if it even considers it.

It feels unlikely. While they haven’t reflected it on the weekly depth chart, Young has replaced Cameron Jordan in the starting lineup. Young has taken almost all of the snaps from the right defensive end spot, with Carl Granderson playing ahead of Jordan on the left side. He’s become a critically important player for the Saints up front.

Young may not have the sacks (1.5 in 6 games) but he generates a ton of pressure and demands attention from the offensive line. His 25 quarterback pressures at Pro Football Focus rank ninth-most at defensive end. Granderson has had 26 pressures, which are fourth-most. Jordan ranks 49th with 11.

If you read the writing on the wall and look at the salary cap sheet, it sure looks like the Saints are hoping Young can be the long-term replacement for Jordan. This could be the last year for No. 94 if he chooses to retire and start a full-time career in football media. Jordan’s cap hit next year is over $20 million but just $9 million of it is guaranteed. The math is pretty simple there.

Still, Young will be a free agent in 2025, and the best compensation the Saints could hope for if he leaves is a third-round pick in 2026. It’s certainly possible things deteriorate so badly this season that they decide to trade him, get a third rounder (or better) a year sooner, and then restart the search for Jordan’s replacement. But it sure would be more convenient if that guy were already in the building making plays across from Granderson.

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Veteran free agent running back reportedly will visit the Chiefs on Tuesday

Free Agent running back Kareem Hunt reportedly will visit the Kansas City #Chiefs on Tuesday | @EdEastonJr

The unfortunate news of Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks is a significant blow to the team’s offense. In response, general manager Brett Veach could be entertaining the possibility of bringing back a former Chiefs draft pick and Pro Bowler this week.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs are bringing in free agent running back Kareem Hunt for a visit on Tuesday. Hunt, who last played for the Cleveland Browns, was unsigned during the offseason and could potentially reunite with the franchise where he saw the most success. The 29-year-old finished the 2023 season with 135 carries for 411 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games.

Hunt earned All-Rookie and Pro Bowl honors in the 2017 season after being drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft. He won the rushing title that season with 1,327 yards while displaying versatility in the passing game. Since playing for the Browns in recent seasons, he’s served as a third-down running back alongside starter Nick Chubb.

Pacheco’s fibula injury could make this reunion official, as the Chiefs still consider running backs Carson Steele, Samaje Perine, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (once he’s available from injured reserve) as options.

During his two years in Kansas City, Hunt was believed to be a mainstay of the franchise as a running back. However, due to off-the-field issues, he was released in November of the 2018 season.