NFL Contract Details: Singletary, Jones, Peat

May 27th, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on recent new contracts around the NFL:

Devin Singletary, RB (Giants): Three years, $16.5MM. We had a number of details on Singletary’s contract in our original report, especially noting that the veteran rusher would have the ability to earn up to $3MM in incentives. Thanks to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, we now know how he can earn around $1MM of those incentives. $625K will be available based on his performance; Singletary can earn $125K for reaching 1,100 combined rushing and receiving yards, an additional $250K for 1,200 yards, and another $250K for 1,300 yards. The remaining $325K of the amount previously mentioned would come from playing time. Singletary can earn $125K for playing 56 to 65 percent of New York’s offensive snaps and an additional $250K for playing 66 percent or more.
Zay Jones, WR (Cardinals): One year, $2.25MM. In our original post, we noted that Jones’ deal will be worth up to $4.25MM. OvertheCap.com lists his contract value at the $2.25MM amount listed about. The deal has a guaranteed amount of $1.15MM consisting of $650K of his 2024 base salary (worth a total of $1.41MM) and a $500K signing bonus. Jones can also earn a per game active roster bonus of $340K for the season.
Andrus Peat, OL (Raiders): One year, $2MM. We didn’t see much in initial reports on Peat’s deal with Las Vegas on salary, but thanks to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, now we know that his contract will be for the $2MM-figure noted above. Underhill also tells us that Peat’s deal will include a guaranteed amount consisting entirely of a $450K signing bonus.

Packers’ Jordan Love Expected To Approach Top Of QB Market?

May 27th, 2024 at 5:52pm CST by Adam La Rose

Jordan Love entered the 2023 season having been handed the reins of the Packers’ offense despite his inexperience. With a bridge deal in hand, he delivered a strong second half of the campaign in particular, earning the team’s trust as a long-term solution under center.

The 2020 first-rounder posted a 96.1 passer rating in 2023, finishing second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes. That production helped lead the team to the divisional round of the postseason, and it certainly helped his leverage at the bargaining table. Talks on a Love extension are ongoing, and an agreement can be finalized at any time.

Four quarterbacks reset the market last offseason, each signing monster second contracts. That quartet (Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts) were recently joined by Jared Goff on his new Lions pact. Any new deals for ascending or established franchise passers therefore come with the expectation they will carry an annual average value at or above $50MM. Despite Love’s relative inexperience, he too could be positioned to reach that plateau.

In a recent installment of The Insiders, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that it is a matter of “when” not “if” Love becomes one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks on his next contract. Colleague Mike Garafolo adds the Utah State alum is expected to wind up “in Burrow territory” regarding compensation (video link). The Bengals Pro Bowler sits atop the market with a $55MM-per-year deal, and it would certainly be noteworthy if Love were to sign a similar one.

The latter started only one game during his first three seasons in the league. Green Bay’s decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers paved the way for Love to take over, and his one-year extension took the place of his fifth-year option. That agreement could not be extended until May 4, but with that date having come and gone the parties are free to hammer out a long-term accord. If the Packers view 2024 as a preview of Love’s prime, a deal near the (current) top of the market could prove to be a sound investment.

This offseason is expected to see a fresh wave of mega-deals at the QB spot. Any or all of Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa could ink deals whose value is based on the contracts signed last summer and the historic jump in the salary cap witnessed in 2024. Waiting until after that has taken place could put Love in position to secure more on a deal (this offseason or later) than what the Packers could offer now.

On the other hand, the fact the 25-year-old has made only 20 combined regular and postseason starts (throwing 16 interceptions in that span) could give the team pause. Love endured growing pains early in the 2023 campaign, and his decision-making in certain playoff situations showed there is room for improvement in that regard. He is currently set to receive $11MM in 2024, but that figure will rise considerably once his next contract is in place even if the Packers manage a more modest agreement.

Green Bay has Sean Clifford in place as a backup quarterback, and the team selected Michael Pratt in the seventh round of this year’s draft. They will provide developmental options for years to come, but the Packers have already publicly endorsed a lucrative Love deal. When that is worked out – and the figures it includes – will be a key storyline to follow.

LB Eric Kendricks Addresses Cowboys Deal

May 27th, 2024 at 4:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Eric Kendricks had a deal in place to sign with the 49ers this offseason, but he ended up backing out of that agreement to join the Cowboys. The veteran linebacker reunited with Mike Zimmer in the process, and that was a factor in his decision to sign with Dallas.

“Yeah absolutely, I always appreciated Zim,” Kendricks said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News). “Just the amount of defense I learned when I was underneath him. The way I watch film, the way we break things down, the install, a lot of things I learned from Zim and we had some good years and I can’t wait to continue that.”

Zimmer’s head coaching tenure of the Vikings came to an end when he was fired following the 2021 season. His dismissal (along with that of general manager Rick Spielman) came amidst reports of a rift between that pairing and the players. Kendricks himself publicly lamented the “culture of fear” which was in place under Zimmer. The latter was out of coaching for two seasons before taking the Cowboys’ DC gig.

Zimmer will be charged with replicating the success Dallas saw with Dan Quinn at the helm on defense; the unit ranked no worse than seventh in points allowed over the past three years. Linebacker is a spot filled with question marks going into 2024, though, and Kendricks figures to serve in a starting role. The 32-year-old took less money to join the Cowboys, eschewing what would have been a short-term gig as a first-teamer in San Francisco.

Kendricks had an eight-year run in Minnesota, starting 127 games along the way. He earned first-team All-Pro honors along with a Pro Bowl nod in 2019, and he has recorded at least 107 tackles every season since. The UCLA alum will see plenty of playing time in a linebacker unit which no longer includes the retired Leighton Vander Esch. Dallas will depend on Kendricks as an experienced producer alongside the likes of Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown and Marist Liufau. Any potential tension with Zimmer has been dealt with by now.

“I respect him fully,” Kendricks added. “We’re going to get this thing going. I had a talk with him this past weekend. We’re excited to have this opportunity to work together again and play off each other.”

Latest On Joe Burrow’s Bengals OTAs Participation

May 27th, 2024 at 3:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals’ 2024 season was dealt a major blow when Joe Burrow was shut down due to a torn wrist ligament. His latest ailment threated to cause missed time in the offseason, but that has not turned out to be the case.

Burrow resumed throwing in the early portion of Cincinnati’s offseason program. Unlike most teams, the Bengals have yet to start OTAs. When they begin tomorrow, however, Burrow will be participating. In terms of workload in any one session, there will notably be no restrictions.

“We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said (via the team’s website). “Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we’ve been smart how we put it together.”

It would come as no surprise if the team took a cautious approach with Burrow this summer, and Pitcher’s comments confirm his rehab is being taken under consideration regarding his workout schedule. The Pro Bowler has dealt with injuries on a regular basis during training camp, rehabbing his ACL tear in 2021, undergoing an appendectomy the following year and dealing with a calf strain in 2023. A fully health training camp would certainly be welcomed by both team and player this time around.

The Bengals’ offense will have a number of new faces in 2024, with Pitcher replacing Brian Callahan as OC (although head coach Zac Taylor will retain play-calling duties). Longtime running back Joe Mixon is no longer in the fold, nor is veteran receiver Tyler Boyd. Expectations will nevertheless remain high for Burrow if he manages to put together a healthy campaign. Cincinnati managed a 9-8 finish last year despite Burrow missing seven contests.

That mark was insufficient for a playoff berth, but a return to the playoffs will not be out of the question if Burrow can regain his previous form in 2024. The 2021 Comeback Player of the Year’s health status will remain worth watching closely as the summer unfolds, but he will be taking starter’s reps at OTAs in a positive sign for his long-term outlook.

PFR Originals: Steelers, WRs, Meinerz

May 27th, 2024 at 2:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here is a collection of PFR’s latest originals:

The Steelers have an interesting quarterback setup with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on expiring deals. The former Seahawks Super Bowl winner is set to serve as Pittsburgh’s starter over the ex-Bears first-rounder, but a training camp competition could be on hand. PFR’s readers agree that Wilson is likelier to see more starts than Fields this season, one in which both of their futures will become clearer.
The receiver position has erupted in value over the past few years, and many teams have recently made unprecedented investments in the league’s top pass-catchers. Sam Robinson broke down each team’s most lucrative contract handed out to receivers in terms of guaranteed money. To no surprise, many of the most expensive commitments (regarding up front compensation in particular) have come in this decade, and that trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
A number of players are skipping out on OTAs around the league in the hopes of landing a new deal. One of those is Giants wideout Darius Slayton, who has one year remaining on his existing pact. He recently expressed confidence a resolution would be coming soon, but no progress on the negotiation front has been seen. Ely Allen profiled the 27-year-old as a potential trade candidate.
The Dolphins are currently negotiating a long-term deal with Tua Tagovailoa, nine years removed from when the team similarly made a lucrative commitment to Ryan Tannehill. Ben Levine looked back on the latter’s Miami contract in another installment of our This Date In Transactions History series. Tannehill spent six years with the Dolphins, but his tenure did not produce the desired results and he was traded to the Titans in 2019. As current GM Chris Grier and Co. consider a mega-deal for Tagovailoa, they will no doubt remain aware of Mike Tannenbaum‘s commitment to Tannehill and its unwanted effects over time.
The Chiefs have been the dominant team in the AFC for several years now, and the two-time defending champions are the target for each of the other teams in the conference in 2024. A few top contenders are in place with respect to which team has the greatest chance of unseating Kansas City; opinion is split many ways on the question of which squad represents the Chiefs’ top threat. To little surprise, though, the Ravens, Bengals and Texans received the most votes in PFR’s latest poll. Baltimore, Cincinnati and Houston are among the most well-positioned AFC teams at the quarterback spot, and they should be postseason contenders in 2024.
The Broncos agreed to a pair of major free agent offensive line deals last offseason (Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers) but another one will be needed to keep Quinn Meinerz in the fold. The latter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and his play at right guard has upped his market value considerably. As Sam demonstrated, the Division III product has been an integral part of Denver’s offense during that past two years in particular. Meinerz will showcase himself to the Broncos or outside teams in 2024 if no extension can be worked out.
Treylon Burks entered the league with considerable expectations, but he has not managed to deliver so far. The former Titans first-rounder is now joined by DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in the receiving room, and as a result Ely explored the possibility of Tennessee being willing to move Burks, 24, in a trade. Two years remain on the Arkansas alum’s rookie deal, unless the Titans or an acquiring team were to pick up his fifth-year option for 2026 next offseason.
In another look back at major QB moves of the past, Sam recounted the Giants’ decision to cut Kerry Collins in 2024. That move was quickly followed by the Raiders signing him to a three-year deal. Collins did not enjoy a successful run in Oakland upon taking over from Rich Gannon, and his Raiders stretch included a 7-21 record before it ended with another release. The two-time Pro Bowler rebounded with the Titans and Colts to finish his career, but Collins’ Oakland tenure was a key part of the team’s years-long efforts to find a true Gannon successor.

Commanders K Brandon McManus Named In Sexual Assault Lawsuit

May 27th, 2024 at 1:53pm CST by Adam La Rose

Brandon McManus spent the 2023 season as the Jaguars’ kicker. His actions during a flight with the team to London are now the subject of a lawsuit.

McManus has been sued by two women who filed the suit in Duval County Circuit Civil Court on Friday, as detailed by ESPN’s Michael DiRocco. The anonymous plaintiffs accuse McManus of rubbing himself against them and grinding against them during the Jaguars’ flight to London on September 28, 2023. Both women worked as flight attendants at the time, but they have since been removed from the crew which handles the team’s flights.

The suit alleges that McManus was among the members of the team who turned the flight into a “party,” and that he “recruited three other flight attendants” in addition to the two plaintiffs. The 32-year-old is accused of passing out cash to have the staff members “drink and dance inappropriately for him” during the flight. The lawsuit calls for a jury trial and damages in excess of $1MM.

Neither McManus nor his attorney have made an official statement on the matter at this point, but DiRocco reports one is expected to be made later today. The Jaguars (who are also named in the suit for failing to supervise him during the flight) have likewise yet to issue a response to the allegation. McManus played one season in Jacksonville before seeing his contract expire. He inked a one-year deal with the Commanders in March.

The Temple product had a nine-year run with the Broncos which came to a somewhat unexpected end with his release last offseason. McManus enjoyed a rebound compared to his final Denver season in terms of accuracy during his single Jags campaign; he converted 30 of 37 field goal attempts and all 35 of his extra point kicks. His Commanders contract carries a value of $3.6MM, including a $1.5MM signing bonus which has already been paid out. Washington does not currently have another kicker on the roster.

NFL Considering Regular Season Games In Dublin, Paris

May 27th, 2024 at 12:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

2024 will see the NFL’s first game played in Brazil as the league continues to explore new foreign markets. A number of other host countries are also receiving consideration with notable expansion on that front potentially on the horizon.

Dublin and Paris are on the league’s radar, Henry Hodgson recently confirmed. Hodgson serves as the general manager of the NFL’s UK office, one of the departments playing a key role in evaluating new venues and hosts for NFL games. France had previously been named as a potential host country in the near future, but the same was not true of Ireland.

“There’s a feasibility study, as we would call it, in a number of different European cities and Dublin is one of those,” Hodgson said (via Laura Colgan of The Irish Times). “Looking at the stadiums, taking local meetings… we’ll take away all of that information, digest it and determine what the next steps are.”

The league has followed a similar process in the past, and that led to agreements with Sao Paulo and Madrid to host regular season games. Croke Park and Aviva Stadium are the venues under consideration in Dublin at this time. The former was the venue for a preseason contest between the Steelers and Bears in 1997, and it has a capacity of over 82,000.

The Steelers – a team which has a formal partnership in place with the Gaelic Athletic Association – are among those in the NFL with international marketing rights in Ireland and Northern Ireland. That is also the case for the Jaguars, while the Jets added Ireland this offseason. At least one of those teams would likely take part in a game held there in the future.

As of now, the Saints are the only team with marketing rights in France. They would represent a logical candidate to play a game in Paris, one of several sites being considered in some capacity. Sweden and Australia have also been floated as possibilities, although logistics in the latter country in particular are a notable challenge which would need to be overcome relative to those of playing in South America or Europe.

“We continue to look at and have interest in all the major cities across Europe,” Hodgson added. “For now, Paris, Dublin – obviously we’re heading into Madrid in 2025 – those are the ones we’re most focused on in Europe.”

LB Patrick Queen Rejected More Valuable Offers Before Signing With Steelers

May 27th, 2024 at 11:00am CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers’ most notable defensive addition this offseason was the signing of linebacker Patrick Queen. The former Raven made an intra-divisional move on a deal which includes no money guaranteed beyond its first year.

Queen signed for $41MM on a three-year pact which includes $13.84MM fully guaranteed for 2024. After that, though, the deal includes roster bonuses which will allow the Steelers to proceed on a year-to-year basis. Considering Queen’s age (24) and production, it came as a surprise he agreed to a contract with such a structure. When explaining his free agent decision, he confirmed he left money on the table.

“From all the 15 teams that I was talking to, it came down to like five at the end,” the former first-rounder said during an appearance on Steelers DB (video link).“It was just like five teams in the mix. Some of them were offering $17 [million per year]. After that it was like, I have a chance to either go win or I have a chance to get paid. For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million.

“I’m looking at it like, I’ve never been on a losing team before, and then I also don’t want to be a part of anything being rebuilt because I’m trying to win now… I’m really just trying to win right now, get that out the way and then get paid later.”

Queen’s deal checks in at an AAV of $13.67MM, the fifth-highest figure in the league amongst inside linebackers. Roquan Smith‘s Ravens extension, signed shortly after he was acquired via trade, continues to top the market at $20MM per season. The fact Baltimore already had Smith on the books was one of the signs indicating Queen would be playing elsewhere in 2024. Indeed, a report from last month indicated the Ravens did not attempt to re-sign the LSU product this offseason.

That will certainly add a new layer of intrigue to the Ravens-Steelers rivalry for at least one more season. Queen posted a career-high 133 tackles in 2023, adding 3.5 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. Those figures earned him a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors, and he will aim to build off that acclaim as a central figure on Pittsburgh’s defense. If player and team have success, the below-market agreement will prove to be a worthwhile commitment on both sides.

Browns RB Nyheim Hines Aiming For Training Camp Return

May 27th, 2024 at 10:16am CST by Adam La Rose

Nyheim Hines missed the entire 2023 season due to an ACL tear suffered in a jet ski accident last summer. That hurt his free agent value, and the veteran running back/returner took a one-year deal with the Browns this offseason.

That pact (worth up to $3.5MM) will allow Hines to demonstrate his special teams ability in Cleveland, especially if the league’s new kickoff rules produce the desired uptick in returns. The former Colt and Bill has been absent from the Browns’ OTAs, however, as he continues to rehab his knee. Hines remains on schedule in that regard, and in his latest update he said he expects to be on the field no later than training camp.

“I should be ready to go for minicamp,” the 27-year-old said (via the team’s website). “The goal is to be ready right around August 1 or end of July, depending on how my leg comes around. But the goal is to be out there for Week 1.”

Hines has never logged more than 89 carries in a season, but he has shown an ability to succeed in a pass-catching role in addition to his skillset as a returner. The former fourth-rounder has 240 receptions to his name, and that figure will no doubt increase if he manages to carve out an offensive role in Cleveland. The Browns have Nick Chubb atop the depth chart, but he too is recovering from a major knee injury. Chubb – now attached to a restructured contract – is expected to return at some point in 2024.

Even when he does, though, Hines should have the opportunity to serve as a third-down specialist with his new team. The North Carolina State product noted the presence of Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey (who previously held that title with the Bills) as a reason he chose to sign in Cleveland. The team’s recent turnover in terms of returners was another factor for Hines, and excelling in that capacity will certainly help his value next offseason.

As both Hines and Chubb continue to rehab, the team has the likes of Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong Jr. available in the backfield for the time being. Assuming Hines is able to suit up for Week 1, he should be in line for a particularly notable role until Chubb returns.

Trade Candidate: Darius Slayton

May 26th, 2024 at 10:15pm CST by Ely Allen

The Giants offense has the potential to look extremely different in 2024 than they did in 2023. The starkest change obviously came with star running back Saquon Barkley heading to division-rival Philadelphia. The departures also included those of backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor and backup running back Matt Breida, and there’s a chance that the team is not nearly done seeing players walk out the door.

One possible additional departure could be veteran tight end Darren Waller. After injuries limited him in each of the past three years, Waller has been seriously contemplating retirement. While the team was hoping for an update by the draft, that deadline came and went with no decision. The most recent report claims that Waller will inform the team of his intentions by the time the Giants dismiss players for the summer break.

The other potential departure is a bit less cut-and-dried. The more mercurial situation is that of the contract of veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton. The 27-year-old wideout is heading into his sixth year of NFL play and the second year of the two-year, $12MM contract he signed last year to remain in New York. With another contract-year on the horizon, Slayton has been playing hardball in his attempts to attain his third NFL deal.

In April, Slayton made it clear that he was staying away from the first phase of offseason workouts for the Giants, taking a note out of Courtland Sutton‘s book in Denver. That strategy can only work for so long, though, as missing any of the team’s mandatory minicamp in June will result in fines. Giants general manager Joe Schoen denied at that time that the team was engaging in any extension conversations, but Slayton claimed that his agent, Michael Perrett, was in negotiations with Schoen following the draft.

Slayton has excelled in his role after being drafted in the fifth-round out of Auburn in 2019. He exploded onto the scene as a rookie, leading the team in receiving yards (740) and touchdown receptions (8). Since then, Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards while surpassing 700 yards in every season except for one injury-limiting 2021 campaign. While impressive as a rookie, his inability to improve on those numbers has been limiting to New York’s offensive potential.

While leading the team is certainly an accomplishment, it may also be more a mark on the talent of the team’s receivers. He’s hardly ever the most-targeted player on the team and has twice been targeted fewer times than a running back or tight end. He’s put up impressive numbers for a fifth-round pick catching balls off the arm of Daniel Jones, but he hasn’t nearly put up solid, WR1 numbers.

The results of the draft may play a key role in Slayton’s future, as well. The Giants utilized their No. 6 overall draft pick on LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers, who many believe has the potential to be a true No. 1 wideout. Nabers also has the potential to add to a youth movement that could make Slayton superfluous. Last year saw second-year receiver Wan’Dale Robinson start to break out, and rookie third-round pick Jalin Hyatt began earning some starting snaps in the back half of the season. The two could pair up with Nabers to form a receiving corps that doesn’t need to depend on Slayton to lead the team anymore.

These three factors — Slayton’s hold out strategy, his limited top-end production, and the potential youth movement at receiver — could push the veteran out of New York altogether. The Giants have yet to show that extending Slayton is a priority, and continuing to add young talent to the position room shows that he is not likely to become one.

There are plenty of teams who could use a receiver who could be a strong WR2. As we pointed out in our profile on Titans wideout Treylon Burks earlier this weekend, the Bills and Chargers are paramount on that list after each team watched top receivers (Stefon Diggs–Gabriel Davis and Keenan Allen–Mike Williams, respectively) depart in some fashion. The Steelers, Jets, and Ravens all have some question marks on the roster at those positions, as well, but each team would likely be wary of giving away too much for Slayton.

That is another factor for whether or not Slayton finds himself on the trading block. He may not bring in a massive return for New York. Still, even for only a late-round pick or two, shipping Slayton off may be the cleanest way out of overpaying Slayton as a subpar WR1. The team’s top receiver since his arrival in 2019 is set to represent a $8.15MM cap hit in 2024. Trading him away could result in $6.4MM of cap savings.

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