Tag: John Wolford

Jaguars make practice squad moves, add QB John Wolford

Jaguars make practice squad moves, add QB John Wolford

The Jaguars made six practice squad moves Tuesday, signing quarterback John Wolford, punter Matt Haack and long snapper Tucker Addington and releasing offensive lineman Jerome Carvin, defensive end Joe Gaziano and cornerback Tyler Hall from the unit.

Wolford, who starred at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville from 2010-14, once held the state of Florida’s all-time high school passing records for yards (10,621) and touchdowns (126). He went on to throw for 8,794 yards with 59 touchdowns and 41 interceptions in four seasons at Wake Forest.

An undrafted free agent in 2018, Wolford originally signed with the New York Jets but was released before the regular season began.

Wolford was drafted by the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football that November and threw for 1,617 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games during the AAF’s lone season.

Wolford re-entered the NFL after the AAF suspended operations in April 2019, signing with the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent four seasons backing up quarterbacks Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. He completed 61-of-104 passes for 626 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions over seven games and four starts.

Wolford signed with Tampa Bay’s practice squad before the 2023 season and joined the Buccaneers active roster last November. He re-signed with the Buccaneers this offseason but was released in August.

Haack joins the Jaguars as an insurance plan for starting punter Logan Cooke, who, according to head coach Doug Pederson, was dealing with soreness in his left knee after Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Haack has punted 453 times with a 44.7-yard average in his eight-year NFL career, over four seasons with the Miami Dolphins and one-season stints with the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. He has pinned 169 punts inside the 20-yard line and recorded 26 touchbacks.

The Giants released Haack on Nov. 5 after he made four appearances for New York, punting 21 times.

Addington returns to Jacksonville after briefly playing for the Jaguars during the 2023 preseason. He has also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins since entering the NFL in 2022. He has appeared in 10 games and recorded one tackle.

Report: Panthers ‘changed course’ on plan to add veteran QB

According to The Athletic, the Panthers have “changed course” on the plan to add veteran QB John Wolford to their practice squad.

Well, it seems like the Carolina Panthers won’t be adding a fourth quarterback to the building after all.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the team has “changed course” on their plan to sign veteran passer John Wolford to their practice squad. The 28-year-old, who has previous ties to head coach Dave Canales, was reportedly set to join the group last week.

Wolford spent the 2023 campaign as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Canales served as the offensive coordinator. And it was no secret that Canales took quite the liking to him.

“John’s fantastic,” he said of Wolford on the Pewter Report Podcast last summer. “He’s for sure – hands down – the smartest guy in the room. It’s not even close. He’s funny. He’s constant … I just love being around him. I heard great things about him through [Seahawks offensive coordinator] Shane [Waldron, who came from the Rams] and so when we had an opportunity to bring him in, he and I had a great conversation, and he came in and killed it.”

Prior to his one-season stint for the Bucs, who released him during roster cuts last week, Wolford spent four years with the Los Angeles Rams. He appeared in seven games with four starts between 2020 and 2022.

Person also noted that the team now plans to use what would have been Wolford’s spot on another position.

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Panthers updated 17-man practice squad entering Week 1

The Panthers added some interesting faces to their practice squad over the past few days.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales is bringing in a familiar face, at least to him.

As first reported by Joe Person of The Athletic this past Friday, the Panthers signed quarterback John Wolford to their practice squad. The 28-year-old veteran was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past season, when Canales served as the team’s offensive coordinator during their NFC South championship campaign.

Wolford spent four years with the Los Angeles Rams as well, crossing paths with a few current Carolina coaches including defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

The Panthers also officially added wide receiver Deon Cain, offensive lineman Brandon Walton and former track star Praise Olatoke—who will account as the 17th member of the group by way of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

So, let’s give you an updated look at the team’s practice squad . . .

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Panthers reportedly signing familiar veteran QB to practice squad

Panthers HC Dave Canales may be bringing in a favorite of his.

The Carolina Panthers may be filling out their practice squad with someone very familiar to head coach Dave Canales.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the team is set to sign quarterback John Wolford to round out the 16-man group. The 28-year-old veteran spent the 2023 campaign under Canales, when he served as the offensive coordinator for the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Canales took quite a liking to Wolford during their year together in Tampa, as he praised the Wake Forest product for his high football IQ very early on in their working relationship.

“John’s fantastic,” Canales said on the Pewter Report Podcast last summer. “He’s for sure – hands down – the smartest guy in the room. It’s not even close. He’s funny. He’s constant … I just love being around him. I heard great things about him through [Seahawks offensive coordinator] Shane [Waldron, who came from the Rams] and so when we had an opportunity to bring him in, he and I had a great conversation, and he came in and killed it.”

Wolford has appeared in seven regular-season games, including three starts for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. In all, he’s passed for 626 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.

He will be the second quarterback on Carolina’s practice squad, joining rookie Jack Plummer.

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Bucs announce initial 53-man roster

The Buccaneers’ initial 53-man roster is now set.

The Buccaneers finished cutting down their roster to the 53-man limit on Tuesday, giving fans their first look at the 2024 squad:

There were few surprises in the Bucs’ journey to the final 53. Long snapper Zach Triner was the longest tenured player to be released. The only other cut veterans with previous experience in red and pewter were quarterback John Wolford and tight end David Wells.

While the Bucs will roster fewer undrafted rookies this year, cornerback Tyrek Funderburk and wide receiver Kameron Johnson made the initial cut. Overall, the 2024 roster resoundingly favors Tampa Bay’s drafted players. 36 players on the Bucs’ roster were drafted by Tampa Bay. Only two Bucs starters signed with the team as free agents: QB Baker Mayfield and guard Ben Bredeson.

There may be tweaks to the roster in the coming days as waived players from other rosters are claimed, though the Bucs are unlikely to make more than a move or two if any at all. The bigger next step for the Bucs front office is filling out the practice squad, which should be complete before the end of the week.

Mac Jones pushes forward in Jaguars’ 20-7 preseason win over Bucs

Mac Jones pushes forward in Jaguars’ 20-7 preseason win over Bucs

There were more combined punt yards (553) than offensive yards (542) in Jacksonville’s 20-7 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday night, a feat that perhaps should have been expected as the Jaguars and Buccaneers sat their starters for Week 2 of the 2024 preseason.

Mac Jones started at quarterback for the Jaguars with Trevor Lawrence and most of the first-team offense sidelined following joint practices with the Buccaneers this week.

In over a half of playing time, Jones completed 16-of-23 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, with long scoring throws to wide receivers Parker Washington in the second quarter and Brevin Easton in the fourth.

Jacksonville went 8-of-11 on third down with Jones behind center, with only two failed conversions in his half as a starter. One was dropped by wide receiver Elijah Cooks on a crossing route, well past the line to gain and near midfield.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson complimented Jones for his showing during the game. His competition for Jacksonville’s backup quarterback role, C.J. Beathard, played in the second half but exited early with a groin injury, leading to Jones’ reinsertion and second score of the night.

“I think he’s doing some good things. He’s staying composed,” Pederson said of Jones during an in-game interview with Brent Martineau of Action Jax Sports.

“We missed a big third down that would have been great to get but I think he’s seeing the field, he’s making good strong accurate throws and I believe he’s playing well.”

Beathard went 5-of-7 for 40 yards, taking three sacks but adding 10 yards over two rushes.

12 different Jaguars receivers caught a pass with Austin Trammell leading the team in receptions (four) and yards (75).

Defensively, defensive ends Breeland Speaks and Joe Gaziano, the latter of which signed with the Jaguars Friday, and defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo produced Jacksonville’s biggest impact plays against the pass, with one sack apiece.

Jacksonville’s coverage team played soundly, too, limiting Tampa Bay passers Kyle Trask and John Wolford to just 4.8 yards per attempt combined.

The Buccaneers averaged a solid 4.8 yards per rushing attempt but largely abandoned the running game into the second half.

Jacksonville will wrap up its preseason on the road next week, with the Jaguars heading to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

Should the Bucs pick a QB in the 2024 NFL draft?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might want to invest in a long-term backup plan at quarterback with a late-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have the same exact quarterback room for the 2024 season that they had last year, bringing valuable continuity to the game’s most important position.

But should they start planning for the future?

Baker Mayfield is back on a new three-year contract extension, securing the starting spot for the foreseeable future. Kyle Trask is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, while veteran John Wolford is back on a one-year deal as the third-stringer.

Trask, a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has barely touched the field, and hasn’t shown the Bucs anything that would warrant a contract extension after the 2024 season. Wolford is a fantastic veteran presence to have in the room, especially considering his knowledge of the offense from his time with Liam Coen when both were with the Los Angeles Rams.

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bucs want to replace Trask with a long-term project, they could find a late-round pick to fill that role, and this year’s draft class should give them some intriguing options.

Tennessee’s Joe Milton III would be an ideal candidate, thanks to his impressive physical tools that give him tons of upside. He still needs some refinement, which will require patience at the next level, but investing a Day 3 pick into his lofty potential wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Bucs.

Mayfield will be the starter for at least the next couple of years, but if Tampa Bay wants a long-term backup plan beyond Trask and Wolford, Milton could be a strong fit.

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Bucs agree to terms with QB John Wolford

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back reserve quarterback John Wolford on a new contract

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back another familiar face to their quarterback room, agreeing to terms with John Wolford on a new contract.

Wolford was the Bucs’ third-string quarterback last year behind Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, and it looks like he’ll be back to man that same role in 2024. He’s got experience with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, as they both spent time together with the Los Angeles Rams.

The news was first reported by a pretty solid source, Bucs general manager Jason Licht himself.

After a solid season that ended two rounds into the playoffs, the Bucs are bringing back all three of their quarterbacks from the 2024 campaign now that Wolford is back in the mix.

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Tampa Bay waives DL Pat O’Connor

The move is a corresponding one to make way for Bucs QB John Wolford on the active roster.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making room for their QB3.

Tampa Bay signed quarterback John Wolford to the active roster on Monday to avoid him being poached by the Los Angeles Rams, and that move had to come with a corresponding roster move. The Bucs made that move today, waiving veteran defensive tackle [autotag]Pat O’Connor[/autotag]. Should O’Connor go unclaimed on waivers, he can return to the Bucs practice squad after being signed back.

O’Connor was used frequently as a special teams player in prior years with the team, but he didn’t make the initial 53-man roster. He was elevated to the 53-man roster from the practice squad earlier in the year but has been a healthy scratch in Tampa Bay’s last three games.

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Bucs sign QB John Wolford to active roster

The Los Angeles Rams attempted to sign Wolford Tuesday, but he informed them he’d rather stay in Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers are signing practice squad quarterback John Wolford to their 53-man roster after the Los Angeles Rams attempted to sign him, according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman.

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported earlier that the Rams attempted to sign Wolford, but his preference was to stay in Tampa per Russini. Wolford was with Los Angeles from 2019 to 2022, starting four games in that span. With injuries impacting quarterback rooms across the league, the Bucs could not afford to lose depth, particularly as Baker Mayfield is dealing with a knee contusion.

The Bucs already have 53 players on the active roster so a corresponding move will be incoming. A likely move will be to cut defensive lineman Pat O’Connor, who was himself activated off the practice squad in late September but has not been active since Week 4.

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