Tag: Josh Blackwell

Eagles salary cap: Breaking down Philadelphia’s NFL leading $46 million in dead money

With the 2023 NFL offseason underway and the new league year fast approaching, we’re breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles’ $46 million in dead cap space

The NFL offseason is set to officially get underway on March 15, as Philadelphia has 18 players who will hit the open market and one ERFA who’ll be looking to return in some compacity.

Miles Sanders had a Pro Bowl season but could find big money elsewhere, while decisions will need to be made about 8 key contributors on defense.

Players like James Bradberry, Kyzir White, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Javon Hargrave will look for big paydays.

Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire took a look at the teams that owe the most to least dead money ahead of free agency and Philadelphia heads the list, while the Chiefs owe the list according to salary cap figures via Over The Cap.

Bears 2022 CB review: Jaylon Johnson and young players make strides

Our next Bears position review focuses on the cornerbacks, a group of young players who were tested all season but showed progress.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. Up next is cornerback, where young players such as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon made strides throughout the season.

Bears place Teven Jenkins, Michael Schofield, Josh Blackwell on IR

The Bears made several roster moves ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Vikings, which included Teven Jenkins landing on IR.

The Chicago Bears made several roster moves ahead of Sunday’s finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

Chicago placed offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Michael Schofield, along with rookie cornerback Josh Blackwell, on injured reserve Wednesday.

Jenkins exited last Sunday’s game against the Lions after aggravating a neck injury he suffered against the Eagles a couple of weeks prior. Jenkins, a former second-round pick, has been the Bears’ best offensive lineman this season.

After Jenkins went down against the Lions, Schofield replaced him at right guard. Schofield, an eight-year veteran, then suffered a knee injury in the second quarter. Jenkins has served as a key reserve at guard this season.

Blackwell started this season as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was claimed by the Bears, but he didn’t see the field on defense until injuries in the secondary elevated him from special teams contributor to starting cornerback.

In corresponding roster moves, the Bears have signed linebackers DeMarquis Gates and Terrell Lewis and defensive end Jalyn Holmes from the practice squad to the active roster.

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Bear Necessities: Rookie cornerbacks shined against high-powered Bills passing game

Bears CB Kyler Gordon explained how he and fellow rookies Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell shut down Bills stars Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.

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The Bears started three rookie cornerbacks in Saturday’s game against the Bills, featuring top draft pick Kyler Gordon and undrafted free agents Jaylon Jones and Josh Blackwell.

It was a potential recipe for disaster going against one of the league’s best passing offenses featuring Bills quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs.

“We get hype about that,” Gordon said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Before the game we’re all looking at each other, like it’s all rookies. We get to go out here and we get this opportunity to go and show the whole world how we go and how our secondary is. It’s so exciting, so we’re all hyped to do that and we have fun.”

No one saw what came next: The Bears held Allen to 172 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and they held Diggs to just two catches for 26 yards.

“You’ve gotta show up and give him respect, but at the same time they tie their shoes just like us and they had to show us today,” Jones said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I feel like we did pretty good.”

People expected Gordon to be in this position as a second-round draft pick. But for guys like Jones and Blackwell, who went undrafted, watching them step up with guys injured and perform as they have against some of the top talent in the NFL has been impressive.

“To fast forward four months and I’m starting against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, it’s a blessing for sure,” Blackwell said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m humbled to even have this opportunity but I think it’s something that I really worked for and to get that opportunity you’ve just got to make the most of it.

“When you play Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, it’s always fun to have that challenge. Then you play a game like this and it’s like, ‘You know what, I actually do kinda belong. I can play with anybody. That’s arguably one of the best offenses in the league and you learn that you’re more than capable to be in this league.”

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8 takeaways from the Bears’ loss to the Packers

From Luke Getsy’s development as an OC to Alex Leatherwood’s solid debut, here are our takeaways from Bears vs. Packers.

The Chicago Bears dropped yet another game to the Green Bay Packers and were eliminated from playoff contention for the second season in a row. The Bears fell 28-19 after allowing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers back into the game late, unable to secure a win after leading most of the game.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields looked impressive in his return from injury, but two late interceptions halted any hope of a victory. Rodgers and the Packers did enough late to seal the game and for the first time in 100 years, lead the NFL in all-time wins.

Like most of their games this season, the Bears were in it all the way until the end but questionable decision making by the coaching staff and a defense held together by duct tape couldn’t secure the win. Here are our takeaways from Sunday’s loss.

Analyzing the Bears’ new waiver wire additions

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on the 7 new waiver wire additions to the roster.

The Chicago Bears added some new faces to the roster after claiming seven players off waivers last week in offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, defensive tackle Armon Watts, receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, linebacker Sterling Weatherford, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, cornerback Josh Blackwell and tight end Trevon Wesco.

General manager Ryan Poles landed some talented players with plenty of potential as he continues to build his roster.

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on the seven new waiver wire additions to the roster.

Bears DC Alan Williams likes what he’s seen from newcomers Josh Blackwell, Sterling Weatherford

Bears DC Alan Williams praised a couple of Chicago’s new additions in UDFAs CB Josh Blackwell and Sterling Weatherford.

The Chicago Bears added some new faces to the roster claiming seven players off waivers last week.

Among them were four defensive players, including defensive tackle Armon Watts, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, cornerback Josh Blackwell and linebacker Sterling Weatherford.

Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams praised Blackwell, an undrafted free agent out of Duke, for his football IQ and his versatility on defense and special teams.

“He has some familiarity with the defense coming from where he came from,” Williams said. “Special-teams wise, we think he can help us, which it’s, you talked about complementary football, that’s one of three phases that’s important for us to win football games. So we’ll see how he fits in to the mix. We’re not going to pin him into any one position. Today was the first day and we’ll see how that goes down the line.”

Weatherford signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Miami (OH) had an impressive training camp, where he made plays all over the field. He was one of eight players who multiple claims put on him during the waiver process, which also included Wesco and Jonathan.

“We looked at the tape. He hits and he took the ball away in the preseason also,” Williams said of Weatherford. “So if you go, ‘Hey, what profile of guys do you bring in?’ He fits that profile. And so, we talked to his teammates—Dom was happy that he’s here and he said, ‘Coach, he’s one of our guys’, meaning that his DNA is HITS principle DNA. So we’re glad we have him.”

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Grading the Bears’ seven waiver wire signings

The Bears claimed seven players off waivers this week, including Alex Leatherwood and Armon Watts. We grade the new additions:

The Chicago Bears made several roster moves after setting their initial 53-man roster. Following roster cuts, new general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus continued to put their stamp on the roster by claiming seven players off of waivers — the most in the NFL.

Poles and Eberflus inherited a team with limited draft capital and money to spend on free agents. To make matters worse, they changed the offensive and defensive scheme, leaving them with a roster of players who didn’t fit the future vision.

The seven waiver claims this week are additions of players who the front office believes either fit the culture, the scheme or are value picks with upside.

Below we grade the seven new roster additions.

Highlights of every new Bears roster addition

The Bears claimed six players off waivers, including Alex Leatherwood and Armon Watts. Check out highlights of each player:

The Chicago Bears made several roster moves after setting their initial 53-man roster. They claimed six players off of waivers, which was the most in the league.

That included former first-round offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who lasted just one year in Las Vegas before being a surprise cut. Another surprise cut was former Vikings defensive tackle Armon Watts, who comes to Chicago as an upgrade at the nose tackle position.

Chicago also claimed comeback Josh Blackwell, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, linebacker Sterling Weatherford and tight end Trevon Wesco.

In corresponding roster moves, Chicago waived rookie offensive lineman Zachary Thomas, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, linebacker Caleb Johnson and cornerback Duke Shelley. They also terminated the contract of linebacker Joe Thomas and placed receiver Tajae Sharpe on injured reserve.

The Bears have welcomed six new members to the roster. Here are highlights of each of them:

Eagles 16-man practice squad prediction ahead of final roster cuts

Philadelphia Eagles 16-man practice squad prediction ahead of final roster cutdowns

The Eagles are counting down to the Tuesday afternoon deadline in which the organization will have to trim their roster down to 53 players, with a 16-man practice squad to be formed hours afterward.

With changes to the practice squad in recent years, Howie Roseman can have a farm system of versatile players to interchange weekly based on injury, opponent, or roster manipulation.

Of the 16 players allowed on Philadelphia’s practice squad, ten have to be rookies or second-year players, while the remaining six players have no limitations (veterans).

With the Eagles set for afternoon practice, here’s our final prediction for the team’s 16-man practice squad.