NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are "in negotiations ... for what is expected to be a short-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL." Rapoport adds that Rodgers still hasn't decided if he'll continue playing in 2022 or if he wants to stay with the Packers. But the fact that the 2 sides are negotiating sure makes it seem like Rodgers will be back in Green Bay. That'd also mean that WR Davante Adams is very likely to return to the Packers.
Broncos GM George Paton said he’s had “really good discussions” with impending free agent RB Melvin Gordon. Paton added that he’d “like” to have Gordon back — no surprise given the veteran’s strong 2021. Gordon earned a top-10 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus and held up well on 231 touches, missing only 1 game. Denver’s currently flush with cap space, so the team has the means to bring Gordon back for year 3. Of course, such a move would hurt Javonte Williams, who’s currently being drafted as an RB1.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that QB Dak Prescott underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Described as a "clean-up," the procedure was done on his left shoulder. Said McCarthy: ”It's not a concern. We have no concerns. He is doing well." Prescott will be a full-go for offseason activities, but this news is certainly worth filing away. Prescott finished as the QB6 last year, missing only 1 game.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic believes free agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling will “probably” be “too expensive” for Green Bay to re-sign. Schneidman calls MVS’s production “too sporadic” for the anticipated cost. In 2021, the 27-year-old popped for games with 22 and 21 PPR points. But he remained unreliable on a weekly basis and missed time with back and hamstring injuries. Spotrac expects Valdes-Scantling’s free agent deal to be roughly $24 million over 3 years.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan says "it seems likely" that the Giants will decline the 5th-year option on QB Daniel Jones' rookie contract when that decision comes up this May. Raanan works the Giants beat and surely has more insight into the team's thoughts on Jones than we do. But this reads like a guess/assumption on his part rather than a report. It's certainly fair to say that the early returns haven't been great, and exercising the option would guarantee Jones a little more than $20 million for 2023. That could be a particularly big number for a Giants team currently strapped for cap space. Fortunately, we'll get the answer to this question well before the coming season starts. And Jones remains in line to at least start for the Giants in 2022. Jones told Raanan this week that new HC Brian Daboll has sought the QB's input in designing the offense.
Broncos GM George Paton told The Denver Post that WR KJ Hamler is a "long shot" to participate in spring OTAs. Hamler suffered an ACL tear back in Week 3, so it's not surprising that he isn't trending for early workouts. We'll see about his status for training camp and beyond. In addition to the knee, though, Hamler must compete with a crowded offense for targets. It's tough to envision him becoming much of a 2022 factor in redraft fantasy football leagues.
Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman writes that the “NFL stage was far too big” for rookie WR Amari Rodgers. That certainly shows in his production. A 3rd-round pick, Rodgers totaled only 4 catches in 16 games while handling 31 returns. Schneidman doesn’t believe Rodgers will have a “substantial role” in 2022 unless this WR corps undergoes a major overhaul. Prior to the quiet year 1, Rodgers exited Clemson on the shorter side (5’10) and never profiled as a downfield threat. He’s not a recommended pick in early best ball drafts.
The Panthers and TE Ian Thomas have agreed to a 3-year, $16.5 million contract with $8 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a surprisingly hefty deal for a guy with just 54 catches and 2 TDs over the past 3 seasons. Thomas had more snaps blocking than in a pass route last year and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor in 2022.
49ers QB Trey Lance "was probably further behind than people realized," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. "Trey Lance is greener than people realize, Trey Lance is going to need more work than people realize." Schefter added that QB Jimmy Garoppolo is not a lock to get traded this offseason. "Garoppolo unquestionably is one of the most popular and respected players in your locker room. Players love playing with him. You have him under contract this year at a very friendly $25 million cap number. And if you play with him this year and you lose him after this year, you're going to get a third-round compensatory pick back in return. So are you better playing this season with Jimmy while getting Trey the training he still needs, or are you better trading Garoppolo for a two, a four and a six? What's the better alternative?" We're still expecting Garoppolo to be dealt this offseason and for Lance to be San Francisco's 2022 starter. But this is a reminder that that's not guaranteed -- and that there will likely be ups and downs for Lance if he does take over.
Citing team sources, league insider Adam Caplan said on the Inside The Birds podcast that the Bears “felt” Allen Robinson “lost his long speed” last year. It's an interesting nugget, although it's clear the Bears' old ragime (led by HC Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace) wasn't the best at evaluating talent. Caplan also said Chicago planned to move Robinson more into the slot in 2021 — but they failed to find anyone to take his place outside. The former Jag still played 31.6% of his snaps in the slot, up from 25.4% in 2020. A lingering hamstring injury and an inability to mesh with the QBs led to an ugly 38-410-1 line in 12 games. Only 29 (in August), Robinson, a free agent, could be in for a bounce-back year if he finds the right home.
Rams WR Odell Beckham announced Tuesday that he underwent successful surgery on his torn left ACL. It's good news that he was able to get the knee repaired just a couple of weeks after the Super Bowl and likely means that there was no damage to other ligaments. Beckham is still up against it to be ready for the start of the 2022 season, but we'll keep a close eye on his rehab.
NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe considers Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki a “viable candidate” for the franchise tag. Gesicki, 26, just set career highs in catches (73) and yards (780). He’d surely garner plenty of interest on the open market. But the Dolphins — projected to have the most cap space league-wide — can easily retain Gesicki’s services. We’ll see if new HC Mike McDaniel considers Gesicki a fit for an offense that emphasizes blocking out of TEs/WRs.
Chris Burke of The Athletic writes that the Lions “are not cutting Jared Goff … [and] they’re probably not trading him either.” Goff is set to count ~$31 million against Detroit’s ’22 cap, and moving on just doesn’t make sound financial sense for them or a potential suitor. GM Brad Holmes said the following after the regular season (per The Athletic): “Jared, I can’t say enough about his resiliency — and I’ve been talking about it at length. You guys [the media] have heard me talk about it all of the time about just the mental toughness and the physical toughness and his resiliency. That’s why he fit from the very get-go.” Ultimately, Goff is just a QB3 in early best ball drafts.
Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun Times writes that TE Cole Kmet “simply hasn’t been a game-changer, so unless there’s clear evidence that suggests he’ll get there next season, that position goes on the [offseason] shopping list.” Indeed, 2022 is probably a make-or-break year for Kmet. Last season, he failed to find the end zone and ranked mid-pack in yards per catch and yards per target. We’ll see if Chicago adds a veteran or mid-round rookie. For now, consider Kmet no more than a TE2 in early best ball drafts.
WR Michael Gallup is "recovering well" from his torn ACL, according to insider Doug Kyed, and the "current expectation" is that he'll be back to 100% by August. That'd be about 7 months after his injury -- a relatively quick recovery. We'll keep an eye on Gallup's progress this offseason. And we'll see where he signs when he hits the free-agent market next month.
Speaking on The Players Club Podcast, Jags RB Travis Etienne provided an update on his injured foot. Recall that he suffered a Lisfranc injury last preseason. “My foot is doing much better,” Etienne said. “Really just got back into the gym for the first time and I’m squatting for the first time this past week. So that’s been good and I’ve been running for a while now. I’m kind of getting to that 80% to 85% range.” Etienne should be fully healthy for the offseason program, where he’ll look to impress new HC Doug Pederson. James Robinson, meanwhile, might not return until training camp (or later) following a December Achilles’ tear. Etienne snagged 85 balls over his final 2 years at Clemson, so there's reason to believe he'll deliver as a PPR asset.
Beat writer Joe Buscagila of The Athletic believes the Bills “should” spend a “Day 2 or early Day 3 pick” on a RB. Buscagila points out that the current Bills staff has typically favored a 1-2 punch. Zack Moss took a step back after a promising rookie year. Devin Singletary, meanwhile, impressed with career highs in yards, TDs and receptions. He enters the offseason as Buffalo's clear lead back -- just note that he enters the final year of his rookie deal. GM Brandon Beane also spoke this offseason about adding more speed to the offense, and such a move could come in the form of a new RB. “I’m always looking for speed,” Beane said in January. “You’d love to have a (run after catch) guy that you can get the ball to and he can turn a five-yard pass into a 60-yard touchdown. We talked about speed here. You can never have enough of that. So we’ll continue to look for various ways.”
The Saints are sticking with OC Pete Carmichael, according to multiple reports. The team interviewed other candidates but ultimately decided for continuity with Carmichael, who's been with the team since Sean Payton arrived in 2006. Payton, of course, has been the mastermind of New Orleans' offense, so Carmichael has questions to answer.
According to Ellis L. Williams of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers “remain high” on 2nd-year WR Terrace Marshall. Williams writes that the team views Marshall as a good “outside target, slot receiver or zone-busting in-breaking target.” We simply didn't see it in 2021. Marshall garnered only 30 season-long targets (catching 17) and was a healthy scratch 4 times. Still, only 22 in June, it’s too early to give up on the LSU product. Marshall is essentially a no-risk pick in early 2022 fantasy drafts.
Bengals HC Zac Taylor said Wednesday that QB Joe Burrow sprained his right MCL in the Super Bowl. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that Burrow will not need surgery. The injury shouldn't be a factor in 2022, but we'll keep an eye on it.
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