Tag: Ian Rapoport

Vonn Bell lays out his plans, hopes for first run at free agency

New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell laid out his plans for his first shot at free agency in 2020 during an interview with Ian Rapoport.

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Many key members of the New Orleans Saints starting lineup are readying to test the market in free agency this offseason, including all three quarterbacks (Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater will be unrestricted free agents, while Taysom Hill’s situation gives the Saints more control) and two-time Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat. But the defense figures to take the heaviest hits, with starters such as defensive tackle David Onyemata, linebacker A.J. Klein, cornerbacks Eli Apple and P.J. Williams, and safety Vonn Bell each headed for free agency.

Bell appeared on the RapSheet + Friends podcast with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport to discuss his plans for his first contract extension. The starting strong safety missed three games with injury late in December but still finished the year having played the fifth-most defensive snaps (871), just trailing defensive end Cameron Jordan (876). He otherwise didn’t miss a snap all season except for a handful of plays back in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, remaining on the field for 98.3% of plays.

When asked what his hopes for as he prepares to test the market, Bell answered that he’d love nothing more than to return to the Saints. But he also acknowledged that it’s possible he ends up joining a squad. And if he had his pick, he’d want to join an established winner: “You always want to go to a contender, someone who has great culture. You want a chance at the big dance.”

It’ll be fascinating to see where Bell lands. He finally broke out in his fourth season, having previously played as a part-time starter in 2018 (splitting time with Kurt Coleman) as well as 2017 and 2016 (next to Kenny Vaccaro). Bell led the NFL’s defenders with 5 fumble recoveries last year and also logged his first career interception. Weakside linebacker Demario Davis was the only teammate to record more solo tackles (87) than Bell (63).

The market is very much in flux for safeties who aren’t ball hawks, however. While playmakers like Eddie Jackson, Kevin Byard, and Tyrann Mathieu each reel in $14 million or more per year, box safeties like Bell who are steady tacklers but more sporadic in producing turnovers (such as Tony Jefferson, Tashawn Gipson, and Eric Reid) top out closer to $8.5 million. While Bell did turn in a good year for the Saints and should be rewarded for his efforts, it’s not likely he’ll be resetting the market for strong safeties. But even that may be more than the Saints are willing to commit to him with a logical replacement already on hand in dynamic rookie C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

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Report: No decision yet on QB Philip Rivers’ future

Quarterback Philip Rivers’ future with the Los Angeles Chargers is “up in the air”.

The realms of social media outburst earlier today after Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer said on The Herd With Colin Cowherd that the Los Angeles Chargers have moved on from quarterback Philip Rivers.

It appears that Glazer’s comment was more opinionated, rather than him reporting it.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Chargers have not made a decision regarding Rivers and his future with the team hours after Glazer said that. Rapoport said that the veteran’s future with the Chargers is “up in the air”.

Los Angeles is still working through their options right now. Those options include finding a new quarterback, franchise tagging Rivers, or allowing him to walk in free agency and see what offers he can get from other teams.

The franchise tag is a one-year deal that holds the player’s rights with a team. This prevents that player from becoming a free agent. If they can’t reach a deal, the tag gives the team the ability to keep that player – and work out a deal before the regular season.

What the future holds for the 38-year old remains to be seen. Rivers said that he wants to play in 2020, even if it is with another team. He recently moved his family from California to Florida, which has led to some believing that it is the end of an era.

No matter the direction the Chargers go, they need to start preparing for the future at the position.

Since they hold the No. 6 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Los Angeles is in a prime spot to grab a quarterback, with someone like Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert or Utah State’s Jordan Love.

Andrew Berry to return to Browns becoming youngest GM in NFL history

As Andrew Berry is set to return to the Cleveland Browns’ front office, he has become the youngest general manager in the NFL at 32 years old.

As Andrew Berry is set to return to the Cleveland Browns’ front office, he has become the youngest general manager in the NFL at 32 years old.

Andrew Berry to return to Browns becoming youngest GM in NFL history (Brownswire)

As Andrew Berry is set to return to the Cleveland Browns’ front office, he has become the youngest general manager in the NFL at 32 years old.

As Andrew Berry is set to return to the Cleveland Browns’ front office, he has become the youngest general manager in the NFL at 32 years old.

WATCH: Panthers will reportedly look to trade Cam Newton in March when he’s healthy

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system.

The Panthers new regime added LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady as its offensive coordinator earlier this week.

After the Tuesday announcement, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system. Rapoport made it clear that he didn’t see it happening … but not for lack of ability, rather lack of opportunity.

“My belief, my understanding, is that the Panthers will look to trade Cam Newton when he is healthy,” Rapoport said. “We don’t know for sure when he’s going to be healthy. He had surgery with hopes of being healthy in March. That is the goal, for him to be healthy then and for them to seek a trade with him regardless.”

30-year-old Newton’s Lisfranc injury ended his 2019 season, he underwent surgery on that left foot in December. Given the contract situation, Newton is only playing for $18 million dollars in 2020 if he stays in the current contract with the panthers as things stand. Rapoport says he sees the franchise having a hard time re-upping Newton’s contract and that the Panthers will likely start new.

While it’s not an earth-shattering report, it does indicate that things in Charlotte are heading the direction many suspected during the season that they might.

NFL Network’s Rapoport says ‘understanding is,’ Panthers will look to trade healthy QB Newton in Mar

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system.

NFL Network’s Rapoport says ‘understanding is,’ Panthers will look to trade healthy QB Newton in Mar

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked in a radio interview about quarterback Cam Newton fitting into new head coach Matt Rhule and Brady’s system.

Report: Vikings WR Adam Thielen ‘should play’ vs. 49ers

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen injured his ankle in Wednesday’s practice as the team was preparing to take on the 49ers.

Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen injured his ankle in Wednesday’s practice as the team was preparing to take on the 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Thielen is officially listed as questionable, but on Friday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Thielen ‘should play’ on Saturday.

While, we’ve seen players who have missed games after many thought they ‘should have played,’ it seems extremely unlikely that Thielen would miss a game like this, especially after how good he was last week against the Saints.

We’ll know 90 minutes before the game whether or not Thielen is active or not.

Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks feared to have torn ACL

The Seattle Seahawks fear linebacker Mychal Kendricks tore his ACL on Sunday, which would keep him out of Sunday’s wildcard game.

The injury bug continues for the Seattle Seahawks, who may have lost SAM linebacker Mychal Kendricks to a torn ACL, according to a tweet from NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

Kendricks left Sunday night’s game against the 49ers in the third quarter, limping off the field. He did not return.

“We did not get test results back from him yet, but he did sprain his knee,” Carroll said on 710 ESPN’s Pete Carroll show on Monday morning. “We’ll have to find out. We don’t know the extent of it yet.”

Kendricks already missed two games this season with a hamstring injury, but has been a key part of the defense when healthy. In 14 games this year, all starts, Kendricks recorded 71 combined tackles, three sacks, four passes defended and one interception.

Kendricks would be replaced by rookie Cody Barton, who filled in for him after he departed. The absence of Kendricks would certainly be felt on Sunday against the Eagles in Philadelphia, where Seattle will look to improve on a 3-12 record in road playoff games.

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WATCH: Marshawn Lynch heads to Seattle to discuss possible Seahawks return

Per reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, former Seahawk Marshawn Lynch is heading to Seattle to meet with the team about a return

The Seattle Seahawks are in desperate need of a running back after losing both Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Prosise (broken arm) for the rest of the season Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

So, per reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, former Seahawk Marshawn Lynch is heading to Seattle to meet with the team about a return:

Mike Garafolo reported on Twitter: “The #Seahawks are badly in need of RB help and would welcome the chat about a return. We’ll see where this goes today.”

Lynch hasn’t suited up since October 2018, when he suffered a groin injury with the Oakland Raiders. Beast Mode was a fan favorite with the Seahawks, helping the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl championship and racking up four of his five career Pro Bowl nods during his six seasons there.

Seattle Times reporter Bob Condotta says the team is likely to sign at least two running backs, and that C.J. Anderson and Robert Turbin are also in the mix.