#every wrong decision the broncos have made since winning the super bowl

[abdulnayem1]

How Drake lost worse than the Chiefs at the Super Bowl

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[thesportssoundoff]

What Went Wrong: A Belated NFL Black Monday Piece

Joey

Jan 11th

Black Monday in the NFL came and went and despite my best inclinations to write a somethin', I had a nothin' to offer. In many ways, most of the firings were easy enough to figure out. Guys who probably deserved to get canned did get canned. Teams that felt the pressure to save their fanbases made the moves to do so. All in all, it was kind of an expected grouping of firings when you add in the in season removals of Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy and Cleveland coach Hue Jackson. So since it's been a while, I wanted to approach this from a different perspective. Here I want to talk about the eight coaching jobs, what went wrong (on a grander level) and what their replacements need to do to avoid suffering a similar fate. Hold onto ya butts, folks:

Cleveland Hue Jackson

What Went Wrong: Everything

Seriously. Cleveland hired Hue Jackson under the philosophy of taking a long and painful route to relevancy, amassing draft picks, essentially tanking without admitting and hoping that Hue Jackson could in theory keep the organization stable enough until the time came. Depending on who you ask, Cody Kessler was either Hue's idea or some massive analytics based gamble that backfired on Sashi Brown and company, made worse by Cleveland trading BACK in the draft and away from the likes of Carson Wentz. At the end of the day, the plan had some merit to it (as seen by the successes of Sam Heinke and the 76ers eventually) but like most plans that require patience, that patience eventually runs out pretty quickly. It doesn't help that giving Hue Jackson, a guy who was fired from the Raiders after an 8-8 season where undisciplined penalty laden football marred progress, a young team and expecting him to get them up to speed to become eventual contenders was probably a bad idea overall. The arrival of former Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey meant that the patience was out and Hue needed to produce something, especially when hiring a proven OC in Todd Haley and #1 overall pick Baker Mayfield. This job was going to be lost eventually but when Baker looked flat and the team continued to play this broken level of uninspired play, the plug was pulled. Everything that could've gone wrong in Cleveland did go wrong under the watchful eye of Hue Jackson and while I don't fault a guy for taking a gig, immediately jumping over to Marvin Lewis and the Bengals as an assistant probably did little to squash the belief that Jackson was a weasel of sorts who had no problem looking out for #1 at the expense of everyone else. It would take a novel to state everything what went wrong from 2016 to 2018 but just know that at the end of the day, nobody stood up for Hue Jackson when he was ousted and the team took off when he was shown the door.

Enter: Freddie Kitchens

Kitchens' ascent from lowly RBs coach to offensive coordinator to head coach from Jan of 2018 to Jan of 2019 is shit straight out of Narcos. In many ways, I wonder if the thought process went a bit like this: Cleveland had a bunch of candidates in mind with the thought process being that they could find the best offensive mind for their bright generational QB. At the same time, teams began calling for Kitchens to potentially interview for either their head coaching gig or their offensive coordinator position. Cleveland wants to keep Kitchens, other teams want Kitchens and Cleveland probably wants a head coach who will keep Kitchens but can't find him. Cleveland looked around, realized the guy they wanted was probably  in house already and they didn't want to lose him SO Kitchens gets to be the head coach. Kitchens is actually surprisingly well traveled; a coach under the likes of Bill Parcells, Ken Whisenhunt and Bruce Arians. Kitchens and Mayfield created some beautiful magic together and so I imagine continuity (as well as a supremely improved offense) pushed Kitchens over the other candidates. There are three factors at play here; 1) Cleveland has expectations now. The 5-3 end of the year plus the young star QB who should only improve makes a lot of people believe you can win. Kitchens will probably not be afforded two abysmal years to figure it out the way that Hue Jackson was. 2) Kitchens has just 8 games worth of play calling experience to his name which means he's got a lot to learn in a short period of time. 3) Kitchens just canned Gregg Williams which means he'll need a new defensive guru of sorts to handle that side of the field.

Green Bay Packers Mike McCarthy

What Went Wrong: #12

Mike McCarthy deserves a lot of credit for what he did in Green Bay from milking the final years of elite play out of Brett Favre and then grooming Aaron Rodgers into one of the best QBs to ever play the game. I think people forget the job McCarthy and company did when the Packers lost seemingly half of their team to injuries and still won the Super Bowl in 2011 or how he got into the playoffs relying on Matt Flynn in 2013 when Rodgers got hurt. All things go sour eventually though and the whispers that Rodgers was carrying McCarthy year in and year out got a bit too loud. Those whispers combined with the body language yelling whenever Rodgers and McCarthy seemed to have something go wrong became a bit too much and so McCarthy's reign in Green Bay ended unceremoniously after a loss to lowly Arizona. McCarthy might just be a case of "How can I miss you if you won't go away?" and about how everybody in sports eventually gets tired of one another. Aaron Rodgers is a veteran QB who probably did plenty of checks and audibles at the LOS which in turn pissed McCarthy off and conversely I'm sure McCarthy's outdated gameplans and suspect development of talent over the past 2-3 years drove Rodgers crazy. McCarthy's outdated gameplans cost him in the end, especially when it became readily apparent that Rodgers' decline (be it due to age or injuries) made him incapable of overcoming those woes.

Enter: Matt LaFleur

Matt LaFleur's hiring is simple enough I suppose. Aaron Rodgers is in the twilight of an amazing career and "offensive guru" is a hot to trot catch all term. LaFleur cut his teeth under Kyle Shanahan and then moved onto Sean McVay before leaving for the Titans to call his own offense. It was an up and down run for him as the playcaller, probably hurt in no small part by the injuries to Marcus Mariota. LaFleur is a gamble on upside with a somewhat impatient QB who is battling the aging curve. It's a risky move but if LaFleur can get the best out of Rodgers before Father Time takes over? It just might be worth.

Denver Broncos Vance Joseph

What Went Wrong: 50% John Elway 50% In Game Management

Vance Joseph being tabbed to replace the retiring Gary Kubiak always felt like a somewhat shaky hire. Vance Joseph in my estimation was a totally qualified hire but perhaps not quite the hire needed for this specific team. John Elway's teams were mostly veteran squads headed up by veteran head coaches like John Fox and Gary Kubiak. Vance Joseph was a rookie head coach who had proven himself to be an adept and solid defensive coordinator riiiight when hiring THOSE kind of guys was going out of fashion. Elway hired a young coach and then gave him an aging offensive core, opening the pocket books to bring in veteran free agent talent that hasn't quite worked out. Of course we'd be here all day talking about the QB situation from sticking with Trevor Semian a bit too long to the Paxton Lynch draft spot (want to have a fun alternate history for a minute? Picture a world where the Cowboys actually successfully outbid Denver to get Paxton Lynch and Denver has to take another QB later on) to the Case Keenum gamble. Denver in a way tried to replicate the Cowboys formula; run the ball a lot, have a ball control QB and rely on a tremendous defense. It just didn't work as the offense struggled under Joseph (in large part due to the RBs not being Zeke, the QB not being Dak, the OL not being peak Dallas and Demariyus Thomas falling off) and his inability to figure out what he wanted out of Case Keenum throughout the season has left him out of a job and Denver in need of a new QB. Joseph was dealt a bad hand from Elway but in game management was such a glaring problem for Denver, often made worse by their team absolutely not showing up in prime time games. Vance Joseph was the wrong guy for this job and then proceeded to remind people of that every single time he made a bad decision late in games.

Enter: Vic Fangio

First the obvious; Vic Fangio has paid his dues, done his part and at 60 years old, it's very much now or never for an NFL lifer. I have zero qualms with Denver hiring him. I just hope he's being hired because he's the guy they want and not because they had this compulsion to keep Gary Kubiak in some sort of capacity. If Vic Fangio edged out Mike Munchak because one was fine with Kubiak and the other wasn't then it's a bad call. If that's the case then just hire Kubiak to be your head coach again because this sort of helicopter head coaching is sort of unnecessary. Fangio and Kubiak make for a very old duo but also a very credible couple of coaches at the top of the helm. If they manage to get Ed Donatell to become the defensive coordinator then you're now talking about three qualified long term NFL lifers running a young roster.  It's a gutsy move by Elway at a time where young hip offensive minded coaches are all the rage. Hopefully it works out better than Vance Joseph did.

New York Jets Todd Bowles

What Went Wrong: Bad drafting + bad optics

I think Todd Bowles is somewhat of an overmaligned figure in Jets land. After the Rex Ryan Era, the more low key Bowles was probably more of an overreaction to not having to deal with Ryan's madness anymore. Todd had tremendous success in his first season and rallied the Jets to a 10-6 record before the wheels fell apart. In a large part, the talent fell apart around Bowles and the QB situation never truly situated itself with veterans not being good enough and the Jets spending actual draft capital on guys like Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. Bad draft picks led to bad talent on the field which in turn led to the optics. The Jets in 2016 and 2017 seemed to end every year with people wondering about why the Jets looked so disinterested and broken under Bowles, complete with plenty of shots of Woody Johnson's stadium looking emptier and emptier as the year went on. Bowles entered 2018 as basically a dead man walking with a rookie QB and a brand new fill in offensive coordinator. Bowles did about as well as he could but by week 10 or so, the writing was on the wall. Bowles' laid back persona compiled with the Jets' lethargic October and November painted the picture of a team that had given up and given in.

Enter: Adam Gase

The Jets candidates for the most part all have a similar theme. They're offensive minded QB whisperers; guys like Jim Caldwell, Mike McCarthy, Kliff Kingsbury, Adam Gase and Todd Monken. Some are old, some are young, some are retreads and some are college guys (Matt Rhule and the aforementioned Kingsbury). Kris Richard, Dallas DB coach and playcaller, is the only defensive guy to this point who seems to have a shot. The Jets want somebody who a) fits the New York atmosphere that for some reason seems to be harder to figure out than any other spotlight seemingly and b) a coach who can connect with young talented arm Sam Darnold. They'll see if Adam Gase is that dude.

Arizona Cardinals Steve Wilks

What Went Wrong: The defensive guy didn't have a good defense

Black Monday brought a lot of very open discussion about the fact that the famed cut down day for coaches featured five African American coaches getting canned. Of the crew, I feel like Wilks is the one where there is a justifiable grudge to be had. Steve Wilks inherited a middle of the road team that embraced a full rebuild when they moved up to grab Sam Darnold and let some of their star defensive players walk. In response, Wilks was given an undermanned team with a broken Sam Bradford and a green Josh Rosen behind him with some sketchy coordinators to keep everything afloat. It didn't work out, the Cardinals were jabroni'd for pretty much the first eight weeks of the season and OC Mike McCoy got canned halfway through the year even if Byron Leftwich wasn't much better. Cardinals star RB David Johnson struggled after a big deal, defensive players were unhappy with just about everything, Josh Rosen looked horrendous for 85% of the snaps he was on the field for and the Cardinals OL was rough in all facets of the game. I believe Wilks deserved another year (only because of what was given to him at the onset) but if you get the 1st overall pick, you clearly did nothing right during the season. I bet if Wilks' defense wasn't the worst in the league and he fielded a competitive defense while going through rookie QB growing pains then I'd feel pretty confident about his chances to stick around. As it is, he's gone and per the GM, it boiled down to a disagreement on what Wilks considered to be the plan of attack for 2019. Still how do you allow the GM who put this situation together AND chose the head coach to pick the next guy? That's some utter tripe.

Enter: Kliff Kingsbury

We can begin with the obvious reasons for why this move doesn't make any sense. For starters, Kingsbury was just an average head coach at Texas Tech. You can give me plenty of excuses for that record of 35-40 ranging from "It's hard to recruit in Texas when you're not the top school" or "The defenses were bad!" but the record speaks for itself and isn't his job to a) figure out recruiting and b) find a way to fix your defense? I mean Mike Leach and Tommy Tuberville both won more games than Kingsbury at Texas Tech. The question is whether Kingsbury can find a way to get Josh Rosen back to UCLA levels and still somehow win at the NFL level despite his lack of success at the collegiate level.  The Cardinals weren't the only team willing to take the plunge obviously but they'll be the ones who get laughed at if this doesn't work.

(Also real quick let's take a second to acknowledge either the absurdity of this situation or the honesty of at least one NFL team to embrace the change here. After years of hearing how QBs and OL and WRs were being hampered by collegiate schemes, we now have pro teams hiring college coaches to run their gimmicked offenses at the NFL level because they can't develop QBs or OL anymore at the pro level. Either the NFL has learned its lesson or it's just about given up. Either one is an acceptable choice.)

Cincinnati Bengals Marvin Lewis

What Went Wrong: Everything over time

Kudos to the Bengals organization for their loyalty to Marvin Lewis, likely in no small part due to Marvin rebuilding that franchise and then keeping them stable from the Palmer to the Dalton eras. I have zero doubt that Lewis is a good coach but like Mike McCarthy, eventually you run out of rope and time. It didn't help that Lewis was incapable of stopping the gradual decline from consistent playoff team (lack of success aside) to mediocre team, in no small part due to his inability to replenish the well along the coaching staff. Marvin Lewis was just too old, too stubborn and too incapable to overcome the changing NFL scene.

Enter: ?

The current word is the Bengals are looking at Rams QB coach/passing game coordinator Zac Taylor. Taylor was a disaster as the Dolphins interim OC under Dan Campbell but resurrected his stock as a key hand in the development of Jared Goff as well as his tutoring under Tommy Tuberville in Cincy. Taylor is at least an intriguing hire as a 35 year old passing game guru and, of course, the Bengals could be back on the market for a QB eventually as Andy Dalton enters his age 31 season.

Tampa Bay Dirk Koetter

What Went Wrong: The QB

Lovie Smith and Dirk Koetter ultimately shared the same fate after all. Despite paying Smith a lot of money and giving him the keys to the kingdom, Smith was gone after two seasons and Dirk Koetter was retained by Tampa Bay due to the feeling that 1) they were going to lose him elsewhere and 2) he could get the most out of #1 overall pick Jameis Winston. He couldn't. Winston off the field was a mess and on the field he didn't fare much better either. When you're the QB guru and the star QB has to be benched, you're probably going to get fired. It doesn't help that Koetter and chosen defensive coordinator Mike Smith struggled to field a competent defense for three years.

Enter: Bruce Arians

This...is interesting. Arians is a pretty damn proven and downright solid head coach who has technically won in two different locations (Indianapolis as an interim coach and in Arizona). Arians' health and his declining results in Arizona led to a year in the booth for Bruce but now it seems like he thinks he's ready to handle it again. Arians teams have only finished under .500 once at the pro level and while his success is somewhat overstated recently, there's no doubt that Arians will bring stability and fire to an organization that has felt marred with drama under Koetter.

Miami Dolphins Adam Gase

What Went Wrong: Greg Schiano-itis

It would be far too easy and perhaps even a touch unfair to simply say that Gase's problem is his player-coach marriage to Ryan Tannehill. A coach getting hooked on a QB and believing he can unlock him leads to a lot of firings and Gase may be no different. Gase's bigger problem, at least from my standpoint, is a problem most coaches have in various forms or fashions. I'll use Greg Schiano as an example because he's the one that's more readily apparent to me. Schiano took a bad going nowhere spot in Tampa Bay (Raheem Morris had 3-13 and 4-12 sandwiched around 10-6) and with a young roster, Schiano improved them to 7-9. That improvement combined with what most people consider to be a natural tendency to be a bit of a dick, lead to Schiano getting more egotistical and more aggressive as a coach. The second year everything cratered and Schiano was fired. Adam Gase took over a Miami Dolphins club that had gone through a pretty rough run over Tony Sparano and then interim coach Dan Campbell. Gase started off poorly and then earned some plaudits for cutting offensive linemen mid week after Ryan Tannehill had been pretty much caved in by pass rushers. A winning streak followed and Gase made the playoffs in his rookie year----but that apparently led to Gase becoming more and more of an authoritarian. Players seemed to hate him (There wasn't much love for Adam Gase after his firing with key offensive players past and present openly gloating about his removal) and the owner got tired of Gase seemingly toward the end of the season. That to me strikes me as a coach who got a little too successful early on and struggled when the NFL eventually humbled him as is often the case if you don't have Tom Brady.

Enter: ?

The Dolphins head coaching interview list reads like a true mish mash. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, special teams coach Darren Rizzi, Pats defensive ace Brian Flores and Cowboys play caller/secondary coach Kris Richard seem to be the candidates in the running and so you've got two holdovers, one guy hoping to become a winning member of the Bill B coaching tree and Kris Richard who helped take the Cowboys defense to new heights in 2018. All seem logical----but none seem like any sort of a pattern or a theme is emerging. Maybe that's the best way to go instead of trying to force a fit because you NEED a QB guru.

[junker-town]

Here are the biggest NFL veterans who could be cut this offseason

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NFL teams looking to save some money means some familiar names will be looking for new homes.

The NFL’s salary cap leads to plenty of roster churn every year. Franchises are tasked with balancing expensive proven veterans with cheaper talent. That means some pricy athletes could find themselves looking for new homes — even if they’re still in their primes.

Last year, we saw former Pro Bowlers like Gerald McCoy, Demaryius Thomas, and Justin Houston excised in advance of free agency. This offseason has already seen All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen left to ponder his football future.

These are the other veterans who could join him on the free agent market, ranked by order of how much they can save their respective teams by leaving this spring.

Already gone

Josh Norman, CB, Washington

Savings from cutting Norman: $12.4 million

Norman was just one of many things that went wrong for Washington in 2019. He suffered through his worst season in the league, where he gave up more than 11 yards per target and accounted for -1 points saved, per SIS. That’s the lowest score among any cornerback who started at least five games last fall.

This sudden downturn at age 32 could put Dan Snyder’s former prized signing on the chopping block. The 2015 All-Pro has failed to reach that standard since joining Washington in 2016. As a result, the club plans to release him and make him a free agent this offseason.

#Redskins are releasing CB Josh Norman, source says. Intriguing situation to watch, as he now has time to find his new team ahead of free agency.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 14, 2020

Wide receiver Paul Richardson, who lasted just two seasons into his five-year, $40 million contract with Washington, will be released as well. Ryan Kerrigan, 31 years old and headed into the final year of his contract with none of the $11.6 million owed to him guaranteed, could also be up for discussion.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Chicago Bears

Savings from cutting Amukamara: $9 million

Amukamara has been a steady, if unspectacular cornerback in his nine seasons as a pro. While he made 42 starts for the Bears the past three years, Chicago felt it could better spend the additional $9 million owed to him elsewhere. Like perhaps on a veteran quarterback to push Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job?

Marcell Dareus, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Dareus: $20 million

Dareus, at his best, is worth $20 million+ annually. The problem is, he hasn’t been that player in several years. Even if he was, the 2020 Jaguars — currently with negative cap space — probably couldn’t afford him. As such, they declined his 2020 option and made him a free agent on the eve of the Scouting Combine.

Dareus broke through with a 10-sack season in 2014 that he’s been chasing ever since. In just six games, he averaged a career-low 2.2 tackles for an underwhelming Jaguars defense in 2019. More telling, those tackles came an average of 4.2 yards past the line of scrimmage, which is an untenable mark for a player who is supposed to be pushing blockers backward and creating chaos in the trenches.

While he can still be a useful presence in the middle of a defensive line, he’s due for a major pay cut this offseason.

Russell Okung, OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Savings from cutting Okung: $13 million

Okung’s release would have been a surprise. The veteran left tackle played well in 2019 when he was on the field — but that only lasted six games due to a pulmonary embolism and, later in the season, a groin injury.

While he was capable, he didn’t fit in with LA’s rebuild. Rather than release a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker, he’ll be traded to the Panthers in exchange for guard Trai Turner.

The deal is tentatively agreed to and is expected to be processed at the start of the league year: The #Chargers are trading LT Russell Okung to the #Panthers in exchange for standout OL Trai Turner, sources say. A swap of big-time OLs. Nothing is final until it’s official.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2020

Turner is signed through 2021 compared to Okung’s 2020, and his $12.8 million cap hit for the upcoming season is less than Okung’s $15.5m. His cap number jumps to $15.4m next offseason, however — so we could see Turner wind his way to this list in 2021.

A.J. Bouye, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Bouye: $11.4 million

Like Dareus, Bouye is a highly paid defender who has seen better days. And like his colleague, he’s looking at a change of venue this offseason thanks to the Jaguars’ cap crunch. He was traded to the Broncos for a fourth-round pick after news leaked about his imminent release in Jacksonville.

Bouye could be a boon for Denver, but he’ll have to put a disappointing season behind him. The former Texan allowed opposing QBs to post a 106.0 passer rating against him in 2019 while completing two-thirds of their passes with him in coverage.

With Jacksonville eager to find a way around Nick Foles’ cap-clogging $22 million average salary, Bouye’s departure may be the next step in a mini-rebuild of the Jacksonville defense.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers

Savings from cutting Graham: $8 million

Graham wasn’t the red zone panacea the Packers hoped he would be when they signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2018. After scoring 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Seahawks in 2017, Graham has just five scores over two years in Green Bay.

The Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round in 2019 to take over as Graham’s replacement, but injuries limited him to only six games as rookie — and one target from Aaron Rodgers, which he dropped. Still, head coach Matt LaFleur must believe the second-year tight end is ready for a promotion, because Graham’s tenure in Wisconsin is over after two seasons.

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Savings from cutting Rhodes: $8.1 million

The Vikings have some very difficult decisions to make this offseason. After coming into the offseason with -$12.3 million in cap room — worst in the NFL by a significant margin — Minnesota had to cut some expensive veterans. First on the chopping block was Rhodes, who signed a five-year, $70.1 million contract extension in 2017 and struggled mightily in both 2018 and 2019. Per SIS, he gave up a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last fall.

Releasing Rhodes still left the Vikings over the cap, however. That led to DT Linval Joseph’s release as well. Together, they trimmed more than $20.5 from Minnesota’s 2020 salary cap.

The #Vikings have terminated the contracts of DT Linval Joseph and CB Xavier Rhodes.https://t.co/VIg4PYgTK7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2020

Joe Flacco, QB, Denver Broncos

Savings from cutting Flacco: $10 million

The Joe Flacco who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win is no more. This is the era of a Joe Flacco who is barely a replacement-level passer.

The former Super Bowl MVP has been mostly forgettable the past five seasons, recording an 83.0 passer rating and a 26-33 record as a starter. He also had his lead role usurped in both Baltimore (Lamar Jackson) and Denver (Drew Lock) after midseason injuries. Rather than keep him in town as an extremely expensive backup, general manager John Elway decided to run with free agent signee Jeff Driskel as his No. 2, sending Flacco to the open market for the first time in his career.

Broncos just informed former Super-Bowl MVP Joe Flacco that he is being waived with a failed physical designation, per source. Flacco now joins a group of free-agent QBs looking for work. Three Super Bowl MVPs in headlines this week: Flacco waived, Foles traded, TB to TB.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020

Dontari Poe, DT, Carolina Panthers

Savings from cutting Poe: $9.8 million

The Panthers are a Matt Rhule-Teddy Bridgewater team now. The focus on the rest of Carolina’s offseason has been clearing out its ballast tanks and absorbing new talent into the cap room it’s created.

A 30-year-old Poe didn’t have much of a role in a Panther renaissance. The space-clogging tackle would have been the third-highest paid player on the roster after a good, but not great season. General manager Marty Hurney declined his contract option for 2020, allowing him to sign with the Cowboys instead.

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Savings from cutting Dalton: $17.7 million

Dalton gave the Bengals nine seasons of mostly good, never great quarterbacking. Now he has no place on a team that drafted Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Dalton’s career in tiger stripes is over.

Bengals are releasing QB Andy Dalton, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2020

Even though Cincinnati will need a veteran quarterback to help ease Burrow’s transition from LSU to the NFL, it’s time for both sides to move on. The money saved by releasing the Pro Bowl quarterback can be spent acquiring weapons and bolstering the offensive line tasked with keeping Burrow’s jersey clean in 2020 — especially now that remaining free agents can be signed without affecting next year’s compensatory pick balance. The Bengals had already released one expensive standby before Dalton offensive tackle Cordy Glenn was jettisoned before the official start of the league year, clearing $9.5 million in cap space in the process.

Sticking around

Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Savings from cutting Watkins: $14 million

Watkins has shown flashes of star-making play throughout his six-year career, but has ultimately failed to live up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 2014. This past season was no different. He began it with a three-touchdown, 198-yard performance in the Chiefs’ season opener, had just one 100-yard game in the next 13 games, and finished the year with 14 catches for 288 yards in the postseason.

That makes it hard to justify Watkins’ $21 million cap hit for 2020 — especially now that reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is eligible for what’s sure to be a massive contract extension. With Chris Jones careening toward free agency, the team’s decision may come down to either its second-best wide receiver or the defensive lineman who helped save a Super Bowl win.

Then again, in the biggest game of his life, he put Richard Sherman on roller skates.

Sammy Watkins diced up Richard Sherman, then Patrick Mahomes just had to drop a pass in the bucket pic.twitter.com/ezEyARIu26

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) February 3, 2020

That’s why the two sides came to terms on a restructured one year, $9 million contract that could pay him up to $16 million should he meet certain incentives. That move will shave at least $5 million from the team’s cap this fall.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, New Orleans Saints

Savings from cutting Jenkins: $11.3 million

The Saints claimed Jenkins after he was released by the Giants for a combination of on-field malaise and off-field concerns. He performed well in New Orleans despite the team’s sudden playoff exit, but his one-year, $11+ million cap number was too steep for the team’s liking. Not wanting to lose him in 2020, the team worked out a two-year extension that lowers that cap hit for the upcoming year but also allows head coach Sean Payton to walk away from him in 2021 with minimal dead salary cap repercussions.

Faced with a big cap number for CB Janoris Jenkins, the #Saints chose to sign him to an extension that could keep him in the fold in the future: It’s a 2-year, $16.75M extension based on new money, source said. So, 3 years, $27M overall with $10.2M guaranteed — all in 2020.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020

No official decision yet

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Savings from cutting Carr: $13.6 million

Carr’s future with the Raiders is very much up in the air. Reports suggest the franchise is interested in making free agent Tom Brady the face of its Las Vegas debut.

Brady may be a long shot, but this year’s free agent crop includes plenty of veteran alternatives should the Raiders want to swap out QBs. Las Vegas could also package its two first-round picks this April and move up to select a rookie quarterback at the draft.

The team has a lot of spending room this offseason, so moving Carr isn’t a priority, even if it lures a young QB to Nevada. He remains an efficient, if low-impact passer who could bring back a decent return via trade. There isn’t really a glaring reason for the Raiders to cut him loose, but this is Jon Gruden we’re talking about. You can’t rule out any splash-making move in advance of his team’s first season in Vegas.

Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans

Savings from cutting Butler: $7.4 million

While he’s been steady in two seasons with the Titans, Butler is far removed from the form that made him an All-Pro with the Patriots in 2016. He’s been a good, if inconsistent, corner when healthy — and Tennessee is paying him like a great one.

The Titans have two major priorities at hand with both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry barreling toward the open market. Carving out extra space for them could mean cutting Butler, who didn’t play a snap for the club in 2019 after Week 9 and thus missed the team’s Cinderella run through the first two weeks of the postseason. Dion Lewis, another former Patriot lured south with a big contract, has already been informed he’s no longer part of the team’s plans:

#Titans release Dion Lewis and Cameron Wake Roster Moves » https://t.co/56J1hYazCv https://t.co/ubnTnfqrE4

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 12, 2020

Three other notable veterans — Wake, tight end Delanie Walker and kicker Ryan Succop — were each served their walking papers this offseason as well. Butler’s been better than Lewis was as a Titan, but if he can’t convince leadership he’s due for a bounce-back year, he could be next on the chopping block.

Nate Solder, OT, New York Giants

Savings from cutting Solder: $6.5 million

Solder was the first big-ticket signing of general manager Dave Gettleman’s tenure. He hasn’t panned out the way the Giants hoped, though. His 37 blown pass protection blocks were the most in the NFL in 2019.

He’ll turn 32 years old before the upcoming season, so last year’s struggles could either be an outlier in an otherwise solid career or the beginning of an age-related decline. He was the most important piece of an offensive line that allowed Daniel Jones to get sacked 38 times in 12 starts last season, a number that threatens to stunt the young QB’s growth if it isn’t remedied.

If Solder isn’t cut in 2020, this could be the former blindside protector’s last chance to prove he’s still an upper-tier blocker.

[coilwind7-blog]

The Linc - Brandon Graham says he owes it to himself to explore free agency

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

Brandon Graham makes it clear that he plans to test free agency - PFT On Monday, Eagles defensive end Brandom Graham created the impression that he possibly would be willing to give his current team a hometown discount. On Tuesday, Graham made it clear that’s not the case. “I love Philly but I owe it to myself and my family to explore free agency,” Graham told PFT by phone on Tuesday morning. “I’m in the business of doing what’s best for my family. I need to explore the market.” Fueling Graham’s intent to make it to the market is the reality that the Eagles had been trying to get Graham signed to a new deal for a while, but that the offers hadn’t been deemed to be good enough by Graham. Now that he has completed his contract and carries no further injury risk, Graham can shop himself to the highest bidder.

Complete list of 2019 Eagles free agents - BGN Nick Foles said it well following the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints: the toughest part about the season being over is knowing it’ll be the last time that exact team will be together. Philadelphia’s front office has a lot of critical roster decisions to make this offseason, especially when it comes to free agency. The team is currently projected to be $12.1 million OVER the cap so they’ll have to be wise about how they spend their money. Here’s a complete list of Eagles players that are set to be free agents when the new league begins at 4:00 PM ET on Wednesday, March 13.

At the Podium: 2018 Year-End Special - BGN Radio Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson field questions on a variety of topics that look back through the 2018 NFL Season and forward to the decisions that need to be made in the off-season. They also chime in on who the QB will be moving forward without mincing words. Tons of content in this special year-end press conference! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Agent’s Take: Making sense of Nick Foles’ contract with Eagles and what happens next - CBS Sports Prediction: The Eagles pick up Foles’ option years. Foles pays the $2 million to get his freedom. The Eagles let Foles hit the open market because of the potential pitfalls of a franchise tag. Foles finds a team willing to pay him at least in the Case Keenum neighborhood. His former Rams teammate signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the Broncos last March in free agency. The deal is worth up to $40 million through incentives and had $25 million fully guaranteed at signing. An Alex Smith type deal is conceivable with enough interest assuming Foles is a free agent. Smith signed a four-year contract extension averaging $23.5 million per year with the Redskins in connection with his trade early last offseason from the Chiefs. The maximum value is $106.5 million because of $12.5 million in incentives based on Smith’s playtime and Washington’s playoff success. The extension has $71 million of guarantees, of which $55 million was fully guaranteed at signing.

Q&A with Joe Banner: Trade him? Decline the option? 8 scenarios for Nick Foles’ future - The Athletic Scenario 2: Eagles pick up Foles’ option for 2019, but Foles pays back the $2M and becomes a free agent If the Eagles pick up Foles’ option, Foles then has until 25 days before the league year begins to void it. (That’d be Feb. 16.) He can do so by paying the team $2 million. That would then make him a free agent. Banner: So this, to me, is the most likely scenario. It gives the Eagles a chance to feel out the market if there’s a significant trade. It’s likely to me that Foles would want to control his own life and choices, which he can do by paying back the $2 million, in which case they still have the opportunity to get a comp pick and he can choose whatever team it is that he wants to go to under whatever terms he wants — completely free to do so.

Howie and Doug Speak on ’18 and ’19 - Iggles Blitz The O-line came up as a topic. Obviously neither man was going to make any commitments in terms of who would be coming and going. Doug talked about Big V as a candidate for next year. Matt Pryor and Jordan Mailata also got mentioned. Jeff Stoutland is high on both players. The question is whether the Eagles are willing to count on either of them as starters next season. Doug said all three of his coordinators would return. There was fan and media criticism of Jim Schwartz and Mike Groh, but both men will be returning. Honestly, that’s the smart move. Schwartz remains one of the top DCs in the league. The Eagles banged up defense gave up 35 points in two postseason games. Dallas, with a healthy and high-ranked defense, gave up 52 points. Groh is a more complicated subject, but at the end of the day, I think there is value in staff continuity when dealing with a young QB like Carson Wentz. If you want to add someone to the staff, fine. But getting rid of Groh doesn’t seem like the right move.

Offseason needs for all 32 NFL Teams - PFF Left Tackle: Cornerback is also circled in red sharpie for Philly, but they at least have some young options there. At 37 years of age, Jason Peters can’t be counted on to start 16 games even if he doesn’t retire. His backup, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, earned a 48.8 overall grade on 334 snaps this past season.

9 positives from an Eagles season that came up short - NBCSP The Eagles had the depth to overcome a zillion injuries because the job Howie Roseman and the front office did. They had the ability to climb out of a 4-6 hole because Doug Pederson and the coaching staff held the locker room together and adjusted their schemes. Despite everything that went wrong, this wound up being one of the top eight teams in the NFL in 2018. No matter where the roster goes from here, the leadership is in place to replenish the talent pool, then guide the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. I have zero doubt they will be back on the big stage soon.

Setting The Goal For 2019: Gain A Top Seed In Playoffs - PE.com The numbers are overwhelming. At least one team every year that has participated in the Super Bowl since the format expanded to four rounds in 1979 has had a first-round playoff bye. Since 1990, teams with a first-round bye have accounted for 44 of 56 Super Bowl spots, a percentage of 78.5. Of the 56 conference championship games played in the current format, 54 of them have been hosted by teams that had a first-round bye that year. In the 2017 season, the Eagles learned firsthand how important securing the No. 1 seed was for their ultimate playoff success. They used the bye week between the end of the regular season and the playoffs to reconfigure the offensive approach, and we saw how it benefited quarterback Nick Foles as he led the Eagles to the win in Super Bowl LII.

Second grader writes heartwarming letter to Alshon Jeffery - Philly.com On homemade stationery with Eagles-green hearts, 8-year-old Abigail Johnson penned a message of encouragement following the postseason-ending slip-up.

Panthers owner acknowledges QB Cam Newton could sit out 2019 - ESPN The Carolina Panthers are keeping all options open concerning the sore right shoulder of quarterback Cam Newton, including the possibility of not having the 2015 NFL MVP available for the 2019 season. Asked to compare Newton’s situation with that of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, owner David Tepper said Tuesday, “If you told me he took a year off and could recover and be fully recovered and everything else, and that’s what it took, an extra year, why wouldn’t you do [that]?’’ ”Now we would have to do other things, right? We’d have to go out and get another quarterback. If you could find me some more cap space I’d appreciate that.’’

Week 19 DVOA Ratings - Football Outsiders Here are the single-game DVOA ratings for the divisional round. Opponent adjustments make two of the games pretty close, but the Colts-Chiefs and Eagles-Saints games are a lot further apart without those opponent adjustments. One note here: the blocked punt in the Kansas City-Indianapolis game ends up as a negative for the Chiefs special teams but not as a positive for the Colts special teams; this is a quirk of the special teams system that needs to be ironed out next time I update the special teams formulas. Given that blocked punts aren’t really predictive for either side, they probably should be removed from DVOA entirely or used in a separate rating that measures value in-game but not predictive value for future performance. This is one of those changes I keep wanting to make but never seem to have time for. Kansas City’s special teams rating is also hurt by below-average value on the Dustin Colquitt’s other punts, and by Tyreek Hill’s fumble (recovered by the Chiefs) and a total of just six yards on five punt returns. The Colts’ special teams rating, of course, is hurt by a missed field goal and extra point from Adam Vinatieri, as well as poor kick returns, balanced out (somewhat) by the excellent punt coverage.

Bill Belichick Will Need a Master-Class Coaching Performance to Beat Patrick Mahomes II and Andy Reid - The Ringer If you want to know which way the NFL is trending, pay attention to New England. The Patriots are the league’s smartest and most adaptable team, but the Kansas City Chiefs present the biggest challenge Belichick and Tom Brady have faced in years.

Early Lines Conference Champ - Rotoworld When the Chiefs went to New England in Week 6, we had a classic shootout. Ultimately, the Patriots prevailed 43-40, smashing the over, but failing to cover the four-point spread. For the season, the Pats were 10-7 ATS, but just 6-11 on the over/under. The Chiefs were 10-6-1 ATS, hitting the over 10 times, under seven times. One other interesting tidbit of history between these teams comes by way of Twitter, and I’m unable to credit the proper source on it…but here goes. Of all the games Bill Belichick has coached for the Patriots – regular and post-season – they’ve allowed 40 points just seven times. Three of those seven have been to the Andy Reid-led Chiefs, including the game in Week 6 of 2018. Pretty amazing stat!

The reality of NFL practice squad players on the move - SB Nation Moving at a moment’s notice. Finding temporary housing. Learning new playbooks. An NFL practice squad player leads a journeyman lifestyle — often without a paycheck that makes the path worthwhile.

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Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/1/16/18184998/eagles-news-brandon-graham-says-love-philly-but-owe-myself-my-family-explore-free-agency-rumors

[jasonheart1]

Kick in the gut! Broncos fall 19-17 on Mac miss

DENVER -- Well, that was a kick in the gut. And the face. And in the pants.

With a chance to keep their season relevant, the Broncos found a new way to churn their heart in a blender. Brandon McManus missed wide right on a 51-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Broncos to an excruciating 19-17 defeat at chilly Mile High Stadium.

"Bad kicks. Terrible kicks. The guys gave me a chance to win the game, and I was terrible," said McManus, who offered no excuses for the snap or the wind. "It sucks because you come into the game kicking pretty well, and I didn't give us a chance. I let these guys down."

Trailing on the final drive, quarterback Case Keenum converted a pair of fourth downs on completions to Emmanuel Sanders and Jeff Heuerman. However, with 20 second remaining, the Broncos ran the ball up the middle, leaving a serious degree of difficulty for McManus. The Texans iced him, and he hustled over to the sideline and kicked into the net. He entered the field to a loud roar, known for his clutch kicks, dating to the Super Bowl 50 season. 

This one wasn't close. He hit it right, and it never moved, sending the Texans, including Demaryius Thomas, into jubilation. The Broncos felt resignation, their playoff hopes all but dashed with a 3-6 record as they enter the bye week. 

"It's gut-wrenching," said coach Vance Joseph, whose employment status will be subject to question with his 8-17 overall record, though he's expected to survive. "I know how hard the guys work. I want to win for them."

Entering Sunday, the Broncos needed to deliver on a mandate: Own Your Job. It plastered the TV screens in the locker room on Thursday and Friday in block blue letters on a white backdrop.

With the defense smothering Houston like a python -- Von Miller and Bradley Chubb added to their sack totals -- the Broncos responded with a 12-play, 81-yard drive to secure a 17-16 advantage. It represented the second longest drive of the season, six shy of a first-half march Sunday. 

"My knee felt better as the game wore on. Rushing the passer is like being a prize fighter. You have to be ready to go 12 rounds," Miller told me in the tunnel after the game as he hung out with former teammate Demaryius Thomas. "I will be fine after the bye. It's just tough to lose."

Keenum's dime to Heuerman shoved the Broncos ahead by a point, but it felt uneasy. The Broncos' inability to finish has been an issue since winning Super Bowl 50. They have shown they can compete, but crossing the line with the lead remains a difficult skill to recapture. 

The Texans pulled ahead 19-17 on Ka'imi Fairbairn's 37-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. And they made it stand.

"The margin for error is so small for our team. We can't mess up and win," said veteran cornerback Chris Harris Jr., frustrated that the Texans didn't challenge him more in the passing game. "We have to find a way to eliminate those little mistakes that kill us every game."

It didn't start well for the Broncos because it started with a bubble screen, as it so often does with Thomas. It was his signature play for eight-plus seasons. OK, not so much the past two years as Thomas leaned out, going vegan, and playing roughly 10 pounds lighter, leading to his yards after contact to vanish. But Sunday, after a Jumbotron tribute, he went to work. He broke inside, slipped a missed tackle by Tramaine Brock, and skated 31 yards. He followed with an 18-yard reception -- it was impressive he was running entire route tree after three practices -- setting up an easy score.

"I loved my time here. It was just a different bond. You had guys you would think would never shed a tear that were shedding tears. I had a great time. We won a Super Bowl," said Thomas, who finished with three catches for 61 yards. "But it's up and done, and on to the next.

DeShaun Watson, clearly a player who has Thomas feeling young again, connected with tight end Jordan Thomas for a a 7-yard touchdown, who beat Josey Jewell in coverage. He became the third quarterback in NFL history with at least 35 touchdowns in first 16 games, joining Hall of Famers Kurt Warner and Dan Marino.

"It was good for Demaryius," Watson said. "He did a great job of making catches when we needed him, and he had a leadership role on the sideline. I just kept the faith."

The Broncos responded with his replacement Courtland Sutton. He delivered a critical 21-yard reception, breaking a tackle. Then, it went wrong. He was called for a block in the back and dropped a touchdown in the end zone. Brandon McManus salvaged the drive with a 44-yard field goal, shaving the deficit to 7-3 with 4:42 remaining in the first.

A fourth down stop ignited the crowd moments later. This was the type of play to change a Sunday. Instead, it altered nothing. Devontae Booker fumbled as Justin Reid pawed out the ball and recovered it on Denver's 22-yard line. Watson made the Broncos pay with a 16-yard score to DeAndre Hopkins on a communication breakdown. It brought a sobering reality that players not guarded by Harris would be open too often.

The game, if not the season, sat a crossroads.  Embattled Keenum, who has been only marginally better than last season's carousel at the halfway point, engineered his best and longest drive of the season. In four plays, the Broncos raced 87 yards. 

Who knew the Broncos had a tight end passing weapon? Matt LaCosse caught a ball in the flat and broke down the sidelines like a kid running from class to recess. His 44 yards on the play led the Broncos in receiving in the first half. Jeff Heuerman, who delivered his best game as a pro with 10 receptions for 83 yards, followed with a 14-yard reception, and Booker found redemption with a 14-yard scamper for a score, his first since Oct. 30 last season. 

An encouraging half turned dark in the waning minutes. Center Matt Paradis left the field on a cart after fracturing his right fibula. He said he will be fine, believing the break will heal. He had played every snap since 2014 -- 3,850 entering the game -- before exiting for Connor McGovern. Brandon McManus followed with a missed 62-yard field goal, leading to Houston's final score. Paradis is expected to miss the remainder of the season as he enters free agency, joining left guard Ron Leary (Achilles). 

"I am gonna be fine after some time," Paradis told Denver7. 

Added Keenum, who completed 26 of 42 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, "He's top notch, as solid as they come. It's a tough deal."

At the end of the first half, Denver's field goal decision backfired. Watson completed two quick strikes, setting up Fairbairn's 46-yard field goal. It swelled in importance as the game inched toward a conclusion, and was made worse by the fact that he missed his first attempt. Joseph, it turns out, de-iced the kicker.

It captured the season. The Broncos found a way to do just enough to lose. 

"If I could put my finger on it, we'd be winning," Miller lamented. "It's a tough league. We give teams hell each and every week. We just have to find ways to come out on top." 

Footnotes

The Broncos honored Demaryius Thomas before the game with a 1-minute long video tribute. Thomas thanked the fans, who gave him a warm welcome. The Broncos also added "Thank You" to the banner of Thomas hanging outside the south end of the stadium. ... Von Miller looked limited because of a brace on his left knee. But he entered the sack column for the four consecutive game, corralling Watson in the third quarter. ... Shane Ray limped off late in the third quarter, favoring his right ankle. ... The Broncos' inactive list included five injured players and two healthy scratches, linemen Sam Jones and Nico Falah. ... Bradley Chubb's eight sacks represent the most by an NFL rookie at this point of the season since Von in 2011. 

Enjoy this content? Follow Denver7 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and download the Denver7 app on iOS and Android devices for continual access to breaking news, weather and sports.

Want Broncos news? Denver7 Broncos insider Troy E. Renck is your source. He talks to the players, covers the games and reports scoops on Denver7 and the Denver7 app. He is a CU grad who has covered pro sports in Colorado since 1996, including 14 years at The Denver Post. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and TheDenverChannel.com’s Broncos page. Troy welcomes most of your emails at Troy.Renck@kmgh.com.

from Local News https://www.thedenverchannel.com/sports/broncos-face-texans-in-critical-must-win-game

[yahoo-shutdown-corner-blog]

2018 NFL Preview: Can Lions' Matt Patricia reverse a trend from Bill Belichick assistants?

Yahoo Sports is previewing all 32 teams as we get ready for the NFL season, counting down the teams one per weekday in reverse order of our initial 2018 power rankings. No. 1 will be revealed on Aug. 1, the day before the Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason.

(Yahoo Sports graphics by Amber Matsumoto)

Bill Belichick, the greatest football coach of this era and perhaps of all time, hasn’t produced one great NFL head coach from his tree.

Bill Walsh had seemingly dozens of assistants move on to NFL success. Paul Brown and Tom Landry had assistants who made great NFL coaches. Bill Parcells had successful coaching offspring, including Belichick. From this era, Andy Reid’s coaching tree has produced some of the league’s best head coaches. Yet, Belichick’s coaching tree is startlingly bare.

Nick Saban has done great at Alabama, but he was an assistant under Belichick a lifetime ago with the Cleveland Browns, and Saban’s one shot at the NFL was a failure. Romeo Crennel failed. People in Denver still curse Josh McDaniels. Eric Mangini was bad. Charlie Weis failed miserably in college. Bill O’Brien is 31-33 with the Texans and he’s clearly the best of the group. Belichick is a step ahead of the NFL in every way, and yet none of his assistants have figured out how to replicate that success.

The Detroit Lions are going to try to break the streak with Matt Patricia.

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Patricia was with Belichick since 2004, the last six seasons as his defensive coordinator. He’s a smart guy; you might have heard a time or 10,000 that he’s an actual rocket scientist. His stint at Lions coach hasn’t gotten off to a great start, to say the least. After everyone knew the Lions would hire him, Patricia’s Patriots defense allowed Nick Foles to become a legend at the Super Bowl. That was minor compared to the disturbing story about a dismissed 1996 sexual assault accusation against him. Patricia denied any wrongdoing and the Lions stuck by him.

Patricia takes over one of the NFL’s toughest jobs. The Lions’ history is remarkable. In a league that is designed so every team has a shot at building a winner in just a few years, the Lions have had almost no success. Detroit has never won the NFC North. The last time it won a division title was 1993, before realignment when it was in the NFC Central. Since 1957 it has won three division titles and one playoff game.

The past four years have actually been OK, based on that. The Lions have gone 36-28 with two playoff appearances, mostly due to Matthew Stafford’s steady improvement and a good cast around him. They still haven’t won a playoff game with Stafford (last playoff win: Jan. 5, 1992), and ownership’s lack of patience led Detroit to dump Jim Caldwell after consecutive 9-7 seasons.

Part of the frustration has to center on not doing more with Stafford. He has become one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks. He has a 96.5 rating over the past three years, which puts him a small step behind the NFL’s elite. The Lions wasted Barry Sanders’ career. They really wasted Calvin Johnson’s career. At least Sanders got to experience one playoff win. Stafford is only 30 years old so he still has a lot of time as a good quarterback, but the Lions have to worry about wasting his career too.

If you scan the roster, the Lions should be optimistic. They have good receivers. They have poured resources into the offensive line and running game. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah has played at a Pro Bowl level, and cornerback Darius Slay was a first-team All-Pro last season at a loaded position. Stafford is a fine option at the toughest position to fill.

Patricia at least has pieces to work with. I’m not sure why Belichick’s assistants haven’t done much. McDaniels failed in Denver partially because he tried to replicate the worst traits of Belichick – intense secrecy and warring with the media, all while alienating the Broncos’ roster with his love for former Patriots players – while not using many of Belichick’s better traits. There was a report that part of McDaniels’ decision to return to the Patriots and leave the Indianapolis Colts hanging this offseason was that Belichick offered to open up his vault of knowledge to him, which seems to indicate Belichick really hasn’t mentored any of his assistants for the next step. Perhaps Belichick is so brilliant at what he does, it’s impossible to pick it up even if you’re around him every day. And, like McDaniels in Denver, his assistants end up copying the wrong things that have nothing to do with winning football games. Perhaps it’s a small sample size of failures. It’s a strange mystery.

“I’ll say this, there’s only one Coach Belichick, that’s it,” Patricia said at his introductory news conference. “He’s amazing. He’s in New England. I’m Matt Patricia. I’m kind of my own person. I’m my own guy. I’ve got my own style.”

No matter the reason for the history of Belichick assistants flopping, it makes Patricia interesting to track. At some point, just by the luck of the draw, one of Belichick’s assistants will become a highly successful NFL head coach. Detroit is banking on Patricia being the first.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia watches his team during practice. (AP)

The Lions didn’t do much in free agency. They signed linebackers Christian Jones and Devon Kennard, and they’re mediocre options. Running back LeGarrette Blount is good at his role, although it’s fairly limited. The team’s big move was giving the franchise tag to defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, which was necessary. The Lions didn’t lose much, either. The draft was solid and unspectacular. Center Frank Ragnow was a smart first-round pick for a team that can’t seem to figure out its offensive line problems. There were better backs on the board when the Lions moved up for Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson, though Johnson is talented and fills a need. There’s really not much to get excited about here, either way.

GRADE: C

Surprisingly, the Lions haven’t really missed future Hall of Fame receiver Calvin Johnson since his retirement. They’ve done a great job giving Matthew Stafford viable targets to throw to. Golden Tate is a reliable possession machine with the ability to hit a big play. Marvin Jones was another strong free-agent addition. He went from A.J. Green’s sidekick in Cincinnati to one of the NFL’s best receivers in Detroit. And the Lions seem to have struck it big on 2017 draftee Kenny Golladay, who would be starting for many NFL teams but has to be a high-level third option in this offense. There’s no tight end to make defenses worry, and that’s not ideal, but the receivers the Lions have are tremendous.

Lions fans booed Eric Ebron last season, but they might miss him now that he’s gone. Ebron, a disappointing first-round pick, was cut due to salary-cap reasons and the Lions have no clear replacement. It’s not mandatory to have a good tight end, especially when you have plenty of good receivers, but the Lions have one of the thinnest tight end depth charts in the league. Detroit signed Luke Willson, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks, ex-Atlanta Falcons blocking tight end Levine Toilolo and still have 2017 fourth-round pick Michael Roberts. None of them have a 400-yard season in the NFL. Maybe Roberts emerges or Willson does well with a larger role, or the Lions have enough elsewhere that they won’t need much from the tight end. But that position is probably the biggest weakness on the roster.

The NFL is more than just the quarterback, but quarterback is where every conversation has to start. And the Lions have a good one. There are probably “quarterback wins” zealots out there who don’t appreciate Stafford, but he’s the Lions’ best hope. Over the past three seasons Stafford has averaged 4,345 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 66.1 percent of his passes. Put it this way: It’s not like Stafford is the reason the Lions haven’t won in the playoffs. Stafford has improved a lot the past few years, and a case can be made he’s the NFL’s most underrated quarterback. He’s underrated because the Lions have had little team success, but football is a team game.

The Lions gave Ezekiel Ansah the franchise tag. Did they do so because he’s worth the price, or because they didn’t have any better option? Ansah is good, but inconsistent. He followed up a 14.5-sack, Pro Bowl season in 2015 with an injury-filled two-sack season in 2016. Last season he had 12 sacks, but nine of them came in three games against a pair of awful offensive lines (New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals) and a Green Bay Packers team with Brett Hundley and nothing to play for in Week 17. Not that three-sack games are bad, but the Lions need more than the three sacks he produced in the team’s other 13 games, especially given his $17.1 million price tag this season. In fairness, Ansah gets more offensive attention than anyone else in the front seven. Anthony Zettel had six-and-a-half sacks last season and Kerry Hyder had eight two years ago before missing 2017 with a torn Achilles, so Ansah has some help. But Ansah is probably the only one on the line with a Pro Bowl ceiling.

From Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski: “Kenny Golladay could have been an impact player as a rookie, but a balky hamstring limited him to 48 targets. Nonetheless, he made plenty of splash plays, averaging 17 yards per reception and scoring three times (he also had two preseason touchdowns). The Lions have two steady, fantasy-proven wideouts in Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, and they’ll probably be solid investments again. But the Lions were a mess when trying to convert touchdowns from just outside the end zone last year, and that’s where the lanky Golladay (6-foot-4, 213 pounds) could shine.

“The Lions don’t have a pass-catching threat at tight end, so this is an offense that could, theoretically, support three fantasy wideouts. Golladay is an excellent late-round choice, when plausible upside is the primary thing you’re after.”

[Booms/Busts: Fantasy outlook on the Lions.]

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It’s time for everyone’s favorite segment of the NFL offseason preview countdown: Guess how many games it has been since the Lions had a 100-yard rusher! One of the amazing streaks in the NFL continued for another year when the Lions failed to have a 100-yard rusher last season. The answer to the trivia question remains Reggie Bush, who had the last 100-yard game for the Lions on Thanksgiving of 2013. The Lions have gone 68 games without a 100-yard rusher. According to Football Perspective the all-time record is 72 games set by the Washington Redskins in the 1960s. The Dallas Cowboys have had 34 100-yard rushing games since the Lions’ last one, according to Football Perspective. The Lions drafted Kerryon Johnson, signed LeGarrette Blount and still have Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick. If they don’t have a 100-yard rusher this season, something is seriously wrong. But that one stat is a good reminder: If you’re blaming Matthew Stafford for the Lions’ lack of success, you haven’t noticed the deficiencies around him.

WHAT’S MATT PATRICIA’S CORE PHILOSOPHY, AND HOW DOES IT FIT THIS LIONS TEAM?

Matt Patricia offered a glimpse into his vision for the Lions when he was introduced as the team’s head coach.

“From a philosophical standpoint, what I’ll tell you is this,” Patricia said. “When you build — and this is really both sides of the ball — you want to build from the ball out, OK? So start at the ball, and work out. You always want to be strong in the middle of your defense. So anybody who plays through the core, whether it’s the linebackers or safeties, they’re critically important to what you’re trying to do. And that was one thing we were able to do consistently over the years in New England.”

He’ll have time to build that, and the first-round pick of center Frank Ragnow shows a commitment to that inside-out philosophy. What Patricia inherited isn’t a great fit for what he wants to do. Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson hasn’t done much yet. Former first-round pick Sylvester Williams was signed and could start alongside Robinson, but he hasn’t done much either. Middle linebacker Jarrad Davis, a 2017 first-round pick, had his rookie struggles. However, he could blossom in Patricia’s defense. Things look OK at safety, where Glover Quin is pretty good and there are solid options to play alongside him.

The Lions’ priority in upcoming years will be to add at defensive tackle, but the middle of the defense isn’t close to being a strength yet.

It’s hard to concoct a scenario in which the Lions win the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are loaded. The path to a division title probably includes Matthew Stafford having an MVP season, which I can’t rule out. If the running game finally produces something and Matt Patricia fixes the defense, the Lions will be a tough out. They haven’t been that bad recently, so a jump to 11 or 12 wins isn’t impossible. Still, it would be a tremendous upset if the Lions beat out both behemoths in the division.

The Lions seem to have one of the narrowest ranges of outcomes in the NFL. I don’t see them being that great, but I can’t see them being terrible either. This was a 9-7 team last year and all the stats say they should have been about 9-7. Outside of Matthew Stafford getting hurt or Matt Patricia pulling a “Josh McDaniels in Denver” debacle, it’s hard to see the Lions slipping too far under .500, even in a worst-case situation. They’re probably going to finish close to .500, give or take a game.

You have to think the Lions finishing in third place of the NFC North is one of the safer predictions there is. They’re not as good as the Packers and Vikings, and the Bears are probably a year away at least. The Lions are No. 16 on this list, right in the middle of the 32 teams, and that seems about right. They’re probably not good enough to make the playoffs in a loaded NFC and not bad enough to be picking high in the 2019 draft. Lions games are typically fun to watch so it’s not like they’re boring, they just seem predictable. We’ll see if Matt Patricia surprises us.

32. Cleveland Browns 31. Indianapolis Colts 30. New York Jets 29. Arizona Cardinals 28. Buffalo Bills 27. Cincinnati Bengals 26. Chicago Bears 25. New York Giants 24. Miami Dolphins 23. Washington Redskins 22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21. Houston Texans 20. Seattle Seahawks 19. Oakland Raiders 18. Denver Broncos 17. San Francisco 49ers

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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

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15 NFL Stars You Won’t Believe Played In These Leagues

There are 53 active players on every NFL team. To make a roster in the NFL is one of the most difficult tasks in all of sports. A team has to look at you and decide if you’ll make their team better. But what if the team’s decision is the wrong one? There have been many attempts for the people who don’t make that cut to have a chance to show their stuff while providing entertainment and revenue for people.

For some of the groups that got that chance in a league that wasn’t the NFL they received another chance at stardom and many of them took that chance and ran with it. There are three Hall Of Famers on this list, thirteen Pro Bowlers, and multiple Come Back Players Of The Year.

These alternate routes to the league have turned out plenty of successful athletes. All of these organizations listed here were considered at least relatively successful,  even so here are the 15 players you won’t believe played in these leagues.

James Harrison, OLB (Rhein Fire, NFL Europe)

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

A fan favorite for the Steelers, James Harrison almost retired from the NFL at 26 years old. Harrison bounced from practice squad to practice squad. He signed with the Steelers practice squad, was cut twice, signed by Baltimore, then sent to NFL Europe with the fire, cut again, then signed by the Steelers after their starting OLB suffered an injury. During this time Harrison strongly considered retirement to become a veterinarian(A goal he still he has for his life after football), but continued to improve during his time on the Fire and his time spent unemployed. Four years later Harrison became the NFLs defensive player of the year, while sealing his teams victory in Super Bowl XLIII with a 100 yard pick six, one of the greatest plays in NFL history.

Lincoln Kennedy, LT (Tampa Bay Storm, AFL)

via youtube.com

Lincoln Kennedy is more than just a man named after two separate presidents, he was the anchor of an excellent Oakland Raiders offensive line. Kennedy was a three-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro at Left Tackle for the Raiders. In 2002 he was the leader of a Raiders offensive line that helped Rich Gannon win NFL MVP and advance to Super Bowl XXXVII, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After becoming a host on NFL Total Access during the 2004 season, Kennedy decided his place was still on the field. Though he was cut by the Cowboys in 2005, he signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena League on 2 separate occasions, helping them return to the AFL Playoffs in 2007.

Dante Hall, WR/KR/PR (Scottish Claymores, NFL Europe)

Photo by Bahram Mark Sobhani

“The Human Joystick” was the nickname for Dante Hall, who was at one point the most electric player in the NFL. Hall is considered one of the greatest Kick/Punt returners in NFL history. Hall, a two-time Pro-Bowler and member of the NFL All-2000s team, had 12 return touchdowns in his 9 year career. Before dominating the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs the dynamite return man spent the 2001 season with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe, where he led the league in kick off return yards(635), was second in punt returns with 15 for 177 yards(an amazing 11.8 average)and was second in combined net yards (1,263). The next year he would become a member of the Chiefs main squad and score six touchdowns(2PR, 1KR, 3 R).

Adam Vinatieri, K (Amsterdam Admiarls, NFL Europe)

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Vinatieri is arguably the most clutch kicker of all time, and maybe one of the most clutch athletes in America. Vinatieri has kicked countless game winners, including two last second Field Goals to win Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII) and his field goal was the margin of victory in another (XXXIX). Before that however Vinatieri was being clutch on a different continent for Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe. Though Vinatieri was undrafted, his story is a bit different than others with the NFLE on here. Vinatieri tried out for the NFLE before the NFL, and successfully convinced the Admirals to sign him. The decision was a huge success as the rookie Vinatieri shined, going 9/10 on Field Goals with a long of 43 and going a perfect 4/4 on PATs. The next year Vinatieri signed as an “undrafted free agent” with the New England patriots, appearing in Super Bowl XXXI. From 1996-2006 Vinatieri would play in six football championships( World Bowl III, Super Bowls XXXI, XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLI) winning four (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX and XLI). At 44 years old he is currently the oldest player in the NFL.

Brent Grimes, CB (Hamburg Sea Devils, NFL Europe)

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Grimes was involved in the final game in NFL Europe history (for now), a 37-28 victory for Grimes Sea Devils over the Frankfurt galaxy on June 23, 2007. Grimes had gone undrafted out of DII Shippensburg in 2006, and had signed with the Falcons shortly after. Though the Falcons waived him due to a groin injury later that year, they signed him to play for NFL Europe in 2007. Grimes became a star quickly, standing out on a championship caliber defense. Grimes nabbed two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and also notched a sack for the Devils. Grimes would go onto join the Falcons again later in 2007, and become a shutdown corner in 2010. Since 2010 Grimes has gone to four Pro Bowls, and was voted a second team All-Pro in 2014, in spite of the fact he suffered an achilles tear during this period.

Tommy Maddox, QB (Los Angeles Xtreme, XFL)

via heavy.com

The story of Tommy Maddox is almost too movie like to be real. Maddox was a first round draft pick out of UCLA in 1992 by the Denver Broncos. He was drafted as the heir apparent to John Elway, who was 33 at that point. In 1994, with the Broncos strapped for cap space and Elway showing no signs of slowing down, Maddox was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Maddox would underperform in his brief time with the Rams, before signing as a free agent with the Giants the next season. Maddox struggled with the Giants in 1995, and was released in the preseason of 1996. Then in 1997 he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and was cut in the preseason. He then stepped away from football to be an insurance salesman. In a nearly three year interim Maddox continued to be around football, albeit at a high school level, and continued to hone his skills. In 2000 he signed with the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena League. Maddox immediately showed how the practice period had paid off. Maddox threw 64 touchdowns in 2000, while also selling his insurance company. Maddox then signed with the newly formed Los Angeles Xtreme of the XFL. Maddox led the league in touchdowns, passing pards, and led the Xtreme to the championship game, which they won 38-6. Maddox went on to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers later that year. After an injury to starter Kordell Stewart in 2001 and subpar play from Stewart in 2002, Maddox was named the starter. Maddox went on a tear and the Steelers finished 7-3-1 with him at the wheel. Yes, a guy who hadn’t started an NFL game in 10 years went 7-3-1 as a starter. Maddox nabbed the Comeback Player of the Year award and later got a ring from Super Bowl XL as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup.

Brad Johnson, QB (London Monarchs, NFL Europe)

via alchetron.com

Brad Johnson doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Its not often people mention the 2x Pro Bowler who is also a Super Bowl winning QB. That’s the curse of playing on a team with one of the best defenses of all time, nobody looks at the offense. Before Johnson was leading the Bucs to a 27 point victory over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, he was the starting QB for the London Monarchs of the NFLE. In 1995 Johnson became the Monarchs starting QB, and despite the fact he would become a Pro Bowl QB four years later, Johnson struggled with the Monarchs. Johnson went 194/328(59.1%) for 2,227 yards, 13 TDs and 14 picks, to finish with a QB rating of 75.1 Johnson made the modern day equivalent of $18,200 for his time with London.

Brendon Ayanbadejo, LB/ST (XFL, CFL, NFL Europe)

Via Ebony.com

Brendon Ayanbadejo isn’t as good as some of the other players on this list. That isn’t anything to slouch at. The list includes three Hall of Famers (Possibly a fourth depending on how voters view Harrison or if Delhomme decides to lace up his spikes again) and multiple Pro Bowlers. Ayanbadejo wasn’t a franchise player. But what he was is simple: A lights out special teamer who could change the game in a multitude of ways. What makes his run impressive was that he was a Pro Bowler/All-Pro(PFWA) at one position in the NFL and a CFL All-Star at a different one. Ayanbadejo was a three-time Pro-Bowler as a special teamer in the NFL and a CFL All-Star at Linebacker. In 2002 Ayanbadejo posted 77 tackles, 3 Sacks, and 3 Interceptions for the BC Lions as they finished with a record of 10-8. Ayanbadejo had less successful stunts with the Los Angeles Xtreme(The short lived XFLs only champion) and the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.

Fred Jackson, RB (Sioux City Bandits, United Indoor Football)

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In 2012 running back Fred Jackson signed an $8.7Mil contract with the Buffalo Bills after rushing for 930 yards in 10 games. But before that Jackson was earning $200 a game for the Sioux City Bandits of the United Indoor Football league. With a bonus of $50 a win, Jackson showed the NFL what they were missing by rushing for 1,770 yards in 18 games while scoring 53 touchdowns(40 Rush, 11 Receiving, 2 Return) during his 2005 campaign, being named co-MVP of the league. Before Jackson could make his jump to the NFL however he also had to appear in NFL Europe for the Rhein Fire, where he carried the ball 157 times for a team leading 751 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson also caught 300 yards worth of passes, breaking 1K yards from scrimmage on the year. After signing with the Bills following the 2006 NFLE season, he became the starting running back in 2009, where he posted 1,300+ yards from scrimmage.

Jake Delhomme, QB (Frankfurt Galaxy, NFL Europe)

via nflplayerengagement.com

As crazy as it sounds, 100% of the 1998 Amsterdam Admirals QB depth chart were NFL Pro-Bowlers. Jake Delhomme was undrafted in 1997, and signed with the Saints the same year. He was a practice squad player for a few years, before being moved to NFL Europe. He spent his first year (1998) as the backup to Kurt Warner for the Amsterdam Admirals. The next year was when he really took off. In 1999 Delhomme signed with the Frankfurt Galaxy. The Galaxy utitilized a unique two-Quarterback system, and Delhomme split time with fellow QB Pat Barnes. The strategy, however unorthodox, was extremely successful. Dehomme went 136/202 (67/3%) for 1,410 yards (7.0 YPA), throwing 12 TD’s to 5 INTs. The duo as a whole went 230/366 (62.8%) for 2,878 yards(7.9 YPA) 24 TDs to 13 INTs as the Galaxy went 6-4 and won the 1999 World Bowl(NFL Europe’s Super Bowl equivalent). Delhomme would later sign with the Panthers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance and making a Pro Bowl(2005).

Jay Gruden, QB/HC (Tampa Bay Storm, AFL)

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

OK, so this one might cheating, but you’d be missing out if you didn’t know about the career of Jay Gruden in the AFL. Before his brother Jon brought an offense to Tampa Bay for the Bucs, Jay brought his own to the Storm. After signing with the NFLE’s Barcelona Dragons, Gruden went back to the States to play for the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL. Gruden was immediately dominant, winning the league MVP award in just his second year. Gruden would go onto be a two-time All-Arena selection and win four Arena Bowls during his tenure. After an outstanding career in which he was considered one of the greatest arena bowl players ever, Gruden went on to become a coach for the AFL’s Orlando Predators, winning 2 more Arena Bowls.

Jeff Garcia, QB (Calgary Stampeders, CFL)

via ninersnation.com

Any fan who follows the Eagles or 49ers knows Jeff Garcia was a outstanding QB in the NFL. In addition to being a four-time Pro-Bowler (2000-2002,2007) Garcia led the second largest comeback in NFL playoff history in 2003. Down 24 points against the New York Giants with a little over three minutes to play in the 3rd quarter Garcia ripped off a fantastic comeback, scoring 25 unanswered points, and the 49ers ended up winning 39-38 after the Giants botched a Field Goal as time expired. What many fans may not know is that Garcia was also an extremely successful QB for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. Undrafted in 1994 Garcia signed with the Stampeders shortly after. After starting Calgary QB Doug Flutie (Yes, that Doug Flutie) suffered an injury midway through the 1995 season, Garcia stepped in. Garcia immediately made his presence known, setting multiple records for the Stampeders such as yards (546) and touchdowns(6). Garcia would become permanent starter in 1996 and would post Win-loss records of 13-4, 10-8, 12-6 the next three years. The highlight of those three was 1997, where Garcia was a CFL All-Star at QB and his team won the Grey Cup after Garcia led 80-yard game winning drive that culminated in a last second field goal. Garcia would leave Calgary for the San Francisco 49ers in 1999, becoming a Pro Bowl QB for them just one year later.

Ken Stabler, QB (Spokane Shockers, CFL)

via sportingnews.com

Most people reading that header are probably wondering why the Canadian Football League would have a team in the state of Washington. Well, that’s because the CFL Stabler played in wasn’t the Canadian Football League, it was the Continental Football League. The “CFL” lasted just 4 seasons(1967-1970) and had a “farm team” arrangement with the Oakland Raiders. Strangely enough, the oddest part of the whole experience is that Stabler wasn’t nearly as good as he was in the NFL. Despite being a Hall Of Fame QB in the NFL(and a 2x First Team All-Pro during an era with Roger Staubach, Terry Bradshaw, Bob Griese, Frank Tarkenton, Joe Namath, Ken Anderson, and later Dan Marino) Stabler struggled in his limited playing time with the Shockers. In 1968 Stabler went just 17/41 (41.5%), 125 yards (3.0YPA), 0TD-3INT and a QB rating of 18.9. Despite all that, just five years after struggling with the CFL, Stabler would win an NFL MVP. Stabler was likely the best player to ever put on a Shockers jersey, yet he gave probably the worst performance of anyone on the roster. Stabler was inducted into the NFL Hall Of Fame in 2016.

Warren Moon, QB (Edmonton Eskimos, CFL)

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Warren Moon is a Hall Of Famer in both major North American Football Leagues. A well known QB in the NFL, where Moon was a 9x Pro Bowler, he was also one of the most dominant Canadian Football League QBs ever. When Moon went undrafted (and unsigned) following the 1978 NFL Draft, he quickly signed with the Edmonton Eskimos. In his six seasons with the team, they won an astounding 5 Grey Cups. Moon was a huge part of that, winning the Most Outstanding Player award (The CFL equivalent to MVP) in 1983. In 1982 Moon became the first person in CFL (and professional football) history to throw for at least 5,000 yards (he threw exactly 5,000). The next year he did it again. During his MOP year Moon threw for a record 5,648 yards. Moon played 10 Postseason games in his CFL career, finishing with nine wins and one loss. Moon was one of the few, if not the only, player to come from an outside professional league to kick off a bidding war when he decided to try the NFL. Moon followed his coach, Hugh Campbell, to the Houston Oilers, where he would post one of the best careers in NFL history.

Kurt Warner, QB (Amsterdam Admirals, NFL Europe)

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Every football fan knows the story of Kurt Warner. From grocery bagger to NFL MVP to backup to Pro-Bowler at 37 years old. Everyone also knows Kurt Warner was also one of the best players In Arena Football League history (AFL Hall Of Famer, 2011). The league most people don’t know about was NFL Europe, where he shared a team with two other players on the list. Warner played for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe, where he was a successful starter. Warner started most of 1998 for the Admirals, and seeing as he would be the NFL (and Super Bowl) MVP the next year, the fact he was good shouldn’t be surprising. Warner went 165/326( 50.6%) for 2,101 yards (6.4 YPA), throwing 15 TDs to just 6 INTs while also running in a touchdown. Warner led the league in passing touchdowns and yards. In his only year with the team the Admirals finished 7-3, but missed the playoffs. Warner would sign as a backup to Trent Green with the Rams less than a year later, and the rest is history.

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[junker-town]

Here are the biggest NFL veterans who could be cut this offseason

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

NFL teams looking to save some money means some familiar names will be looking for new homes.

The NFL’s salary cap leads to plenty of roster churn every year. Franchises are tasked with balancing expensive proven veterans with cheaper talent. That means some pricy athletes could find themselves looking for new homes — even if they’re still in their primes.

Last year, we saw former Pro Bowlers like Gerald McCoy, Demaryius Thomas, and Justin Houston excised in advance of free agency. This offseason has already seen All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen left to ponder his football future.

These are the other veterans who could join him on the free agent market, ranked by order of how much they can save their respective teams by leaving this spring.

Already gone

Josh Norman, CB, Washington

Savings from cutting Norman: $12.4 million

Norman was just one of many things that went wrong for Washington in 2019. He suffered through his worst season in the league, where he gave up more than 11 yards per target and accounted for -1 points saved, per SIS. That’s the lowest score among any cornerback who started at least five games last fall.

This sudden downturn at age 32 could put Dan Snyder’s former prized signing on the chopping block. The 2015 All-Pro has failed to reach that standard since joining Washington in 2016. As a result, the club plans to release him and make him a free agent this offseason.

#Redskins are releasing CB Josh Norman, source says. Intriguing situation to watch, as he now has time to find his new team ahead of free agency.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 14, 2020

Wide receiver Paul Richardson, who lasted just two seasons into his five-year, $40 million contract with Washington, will be released as well. Ryan Kerrigan, 31 years old and headed into the final year of his contract with none of the $11.6 million owed to him guaranteed, could also be up for discussion.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Chicago Bears

Savings from cutting Amukamara: $9 million

Amukamara has been a steady, if unspectacular cornerback in his nine seasons as a pro. While he made 42 starts for the Bears the past three years, Chicago felt it could better spend the additional $9 million owed to him elsewhere. Like perhaps on a veteran quarterback to push Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job?

Marcell Dareus, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Dareus: $20 million

Dareus, at his best, is worth $20 million+ annually. The problem is, he hasn’t been that player in several years. Even if he was, the 2020 Jaguars — currently with negative cap space — probably couldn’t afford him. As such, they declined his 2020 option and made him a free agent on the eve of the Scouting Combine.

Dareus broke through with a 10-sack season in 2014 that he’s been chasing ever since. In just six games, he averaged a career-low 2.2 tackles for an underwhelming Jaguars defense in 2019. More telling, those tackles came an average of 4.2 yards past the line of scrimmage, which is an untenable mark for a player who is supposed to be pushing blockers backward and creating chaos in the trenches.

While he can still be a useful presence in the middle of a defensive line, he’s due for a major pay cut this offseason.

Russell Okung, OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Savings from cutting Okung: $13 million

Okung’s release would have been a surprise. The veteran left tackle played well in 2019 when he was on the field — but that only lasted six games due to a pulmonary embolism and, later in the season, a groin injury.

While he was capable, he didn’t fit in with LA’s rebuild. Rather than release a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker, he’ll be traded to the Panthers in exchange for guard Trai Turner.

The deal is tentatively agreed to and is expected to be processed at the start of the league year: The #Chargers are trading LT Russell Okung to the #Panthers in exchange for standout OL Trai Turner, sources say. A swap of big-time OLs. Nothing is final until it’s official.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2020

Turner is signed through 2021 compared to Okung’s 2020, and his $12.8 million cap hit for the upcoming season is less than Okung’s $15.5m. His cap number jumps to $15.4m next offseason, however — so we could see Turner wind his way to this list in 2021.

A.J. Bouye, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Bouye: $11.4 million

Like Dareus, Bouye is a highly paid defender who has seen better days. And like his colleague, he’s looking at a change of venue this offseason thanks to the Jaguars’ cap crunch. He was traded to the Broncos for a fourth-round pick after news leaked about his imminent release in Jacksonville.

Bouye could be a boon for Denver, but he’ll have to put a disappointing season behind him. The former Texan allowed opposing QBs to post a 106.0 passer rating against him in 2019 while completing two-thirds of their passes with him in coverage.

With Jacksonville eager to find a way around Nick Foles’ cap-clogging $22 million average salary, Bouye’s departure may be the next step in a mini-rebuild of the Jacksonville defense.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers

Savings from cutting Graham: $8 million

Graham wasn’t the red zone panacea the Packers hoped he would be when they signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2018. After scoring 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Seahawks in 2017, Graham has just five scores over two years in Green Bay.

The Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round in 2019 to take over as Graham’s replacement, but injuries limited him to only six games as rookie — and one target from Aaron Rodgers, which he dropped. Still, head coach Matt LaFleur must believe the second-year tight end is ready for a promotion, because Graham’s tenure in Wisconsin is over after two seasons.

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Savings from cutting Rhodes: $8.1 million

The Vikings have some very difficult decisions to make this offseason. After coming into the offseason with -$12.3 million in cap room — worst in the NFL by a significant margin — Minnesota had to cut some expensive veterans. First on the chopping block was Rhodes, who signed a five-year, $70.1 million contract extension in 2017 and struggled mightily in both 2018 and 2019. Per SIS, he gave up a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last fall.

Releasing Rhodes still left the Vikings over the cap, however. That led to DT Linval Joseph’s release as well. Together, they trimmed more than $20.5 from Minnesota’s 2020 salary cap.

The #Vikings have terminated the contracts of DT Linval Joseph and CB Xavier Rhodes.https://t.co/VIg4PYgTK7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2020

Joe Flacco, QB, Denver Broncos

Savings from cutting Flacco: $10 million

The Joe Flacco who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win is no more. This is the era of a Joe Flacco who is barely a replacement-level passer.

The former Super Bowl MVP has been mostly forgettable the past five seasons, recording an 83.0 passer rating and a 26-33 record as a starter. He also had his lead role usurped in both Baltimore (Lamar Jackson) and Denver (Drew Lock) after midseason injuries. Rather than keep him in town as an extremely expensive backup, general manager John Elway decided to run with free agent signee Jeff Driskel as his No. 2, sending Flacco to the open market for the first time in his career.

Broncos just informed former Super-Bowl MVP Joe Flacco that he is being waived with a failed physical designation, per source. Flacco now joins a group of free-agent QBs looking for work. Three Super Bowl MVPs in headlines this week: Flacco waived, Foles traded, TB to TB.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020

Dontari Poe, DT, Carolina Panthers

Savings from cutting Poe: $9.8 million

The Panthers are a Matt Rhule-Teddy Bridgewater team now. The focus on the rest of Carolina’s offseason has been clearing out its ballast tanks and absorbing new talent into the cap room it’s created.

A 30-year-old Poe didn’t have much of a role in a Panther renaissance. The space-clogging tackle would have been the third-highest paid player on the roster after a good, but not great season. General manager Marty Hurney declined his contract option for 2020, allowing him to sign with the Cowboys instead.

Sticking around

Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Savings from cutting Watkins: $14 million

Watkins has shown flashes of star-making play throughout his six-year career, but has ultimately failed to live up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 2014. This past season was no different. He began it with a three-touchdown, 198-yard performance in the Chiefs’ season opener, had just one 100-yard game in the next 13 games, and finished the year with 14 catches for 288 yards in the postseason.

That makes it hard to justify Watkins’ $21 million cap hit for 2020 — especially now that reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is eligible for what’s sure to be a massive contract extension. With Chris Jones careening toward free agency, the team’s decision may come down to either its second-best wide receiver or the defensive lineman who helped save a Super Bowl win.

Then again, in the biggest game of his life, he put Richard Sherman on roller skates.

Sammy Watkins diced up Richard Sherman, then Patrick Mahomes just had to drop a pass in the bucket pic.twitter.com/ezEyARIu26

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) February 3, 2020

That’s why the two sides came to terms on a restructured one year, $9 million contract that could pay him up to $16 million should he meet certain incentives. That move will shave at least $5 million from the team’s cap this fall.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, New Orleans Saints

Savings from cutting Jenkins: $11.3 million

The Saints claimed Jenkins after he was released by the Giants for a combination of on-field malaise and off-field concerns. He performed well in New Orleans despite the team’s sudden playoff exit, but his one-year, $11+ million cap number was too steep for the team’s liking. Not wanting to lose him in 2020, the team worked out a two-year extension that lowers that cap hit for the upcoming year but also allows head coach Sean Payton to walk away from him in 2021 with minimal dead salary cap repercussions.

Faced with a big cap number for CB Janoris Jenkins, the #Saints chose to sign him to an extension that could keep him in the fold in the future: It’s a 2-year, $16.75M extension based on new money, source said. So, 3 years, $27M overall with $10.2M guaranteed — all in 2020.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2020

No decision yet

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Savings from cutting Dalton: $17.7 million

Dalton gave the Bengals nine seasons of mostly good, never great quarterbacking. Now he has no place on team ready to draft Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Dalton’s career in tiger stripes is almost certainly over.

Even though Cincinnati will need a veteran quarterback to help ease Burrow’s presumptive transition from LSU to the NFL, it’s time for both sides to move on. The money saved by releasing the Pro Bowl quarterback can be spent acquiring weapons and bolstering the offensive line tasked with keeping Burrow’s jersey clean in 2020. The Bengals have already released one expensive standby this offseason; offensive tackle Cordy Glenn was released before the official start of the league year, clearing $9.5 million in cap space in the process.

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Savings from cutting Carr: $13.6 million

Carr’s future with the Raiders is very much up in the air. Reports suggest the franchise is interested in making free agent Tom Brady the face of its Las Vegas debut.

Brady may be a long shot, but this year’s free agent crop includes plenty of veteran alternatives should the Raiders want to swap out QBs. Las Vegas could also package its two first-round picks this April and move up to select a rookie quarterback at the draft.

The team has a lot of spending room this offseason, so moving Carr isn’t a priority, even if it lures a young QB to Nevada. He remains an efficient, if low-impact passer who could bring back a decent return via trade. There isn’t really a glaring reason for the Raiders to cut him loose, but this is Jon Gruden we’re talking about. You can’t rule out any splash-making move in advance of his team’s first season in Vegas.

Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans

Savings from cutting Butler: $7.4 million

While he’s been steady in two seasons with the Titans, Butler is far removed from the form that made him an All-Pro with the Patriots in 2016. He’s been a good, if inconsistent, corner when healthy — and Tennessee is paying him like a great one.

The Titans have two major priorities at hand with both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry barreling toward the open market. Carving out extra space for them could mean cutting Butler, who didn’t play a snap for the club in 2019 after Week 9 and thus missed the team’s Cinderella run through the first two weeks of the postseason. Dion Lewis, another former Patriot lured south with a big contract, has already been informed he’s no longer part of the team’s plans:

#Titans release Dion Lewis and Cameron Wake Roster Moves » https://t.co/56J1hYazCv https://t.co/ubnTnfqrE4

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 12, 2020

Three other notable veterans — Wake, tight end Delanie Walker and kicker Ryan Succop — were each served their walking papers this offseason as well. Butler’s been better than Lewis was as a Titan, but if he can’t convince leadership he’s due for a bounce-back year, he could be next on the chopping block.

Nate Solder, OT, New York Giants

Savings from cutting Solder: $6.5 million

Solder was the first big-ticket signing of general manager Dave Gettleman’s tenure. He hasn’t panned out the way the Giants hoped, though. His 37 blown pass protection blocks were the most in the NFL in 2019.

He’ll turn 32 years old before the upcoming season, so last year’s struggles could either be an outlier in an otherwise solid career or the beginning of an age-related decline. He was the most important piece of an offensive line that allowed Daniel Jones to get sacked 38 times in 12 starts last season, a number that threatens to stunt the young QB’s growth if it isn’t remedied.

If Solder isn’t cut in 2020, this could be the former blindside protector’s last chance to prove he’s still an upper-tier blocker.

[junker-town]

Here are the biggest NFL veterans who could be cut this offseason

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

NFL teams looking to save some money means some familiar names will be looking for new homes.

The NFL’s salary cap leads to plenty of roster churn every year. Franchises are tasked with balancing expensive proven veterans with cheaper talent. That means some pricy athletes could find themselves looking for new homes — even if they’re still in their primes.

Last year, we saw former Pro Bowlers like Gerald McCoy, Demaryius Thomas, and Justin Houston excised in advance of free agency. This offseason has already seen All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen left to ponder his football future.

These are the other veterans who could join him on the free agent market, ranked by order of how much they can save their respective teams by leaving this spring.

Already gone

Josh Norman, CB, Washington

Savings from cutting Norman: $12.4 million

Norman was just one of many things that went wrong for Washington in 2019. He suffered through his worst season in the league, where he gave up more than 11 yards per target and accounted for -1 points saved, per SIS. That’s the lowest score among any cornerback who started at least five games last fall.

This sudden downturn at age 32 could put Dan Snyder’s former prized signing on the chopping block. The 2015 All-Pro has failed to reach that standard since joining Washington in 2016. As a result, the club plans to release him and make him a free agent this offseason.

#Redskins are releasing CB Josh Norman, source says. Intriguing situation to watch, as he now has time to find his new team ahead of free agency.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 14, 2020

Wide receiver Paul Richardson, who lasted just two seasons into his five-year, $40 million contract with Washington, will be released as well. Ryan Kerrigan, 31 years old and headed into the final year of his contract with none of the $11.6 million owed to him guaranteed, could also be up for discussion.

Prince Amukamara, CB, Chicago Bears

Savings from cutting Amukamara: $9 million

Amukamara has been a steady, if unspectacular cornerback in his nine seasons as a pro. While he made 42 starts for the Bears the past three years, Chicago felt it could better spend the additional $9 million owed to him elsewhere. Like perhaps on a veteran quarterback to push Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job?

Marcell Dareus, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Dareus: $20 million

Dareus, at his best, is worth $20 million+ annually. The problem is, he hasn’t been that player in several years. Even if he was, the 2020 Jaguars — currently with negative cap space — probably couldn’t afford him. As such, they declined his 2020 option and made him a free agent on the eve of the Scouting Combine.

Dareus broke through with a 10-sack season in 2014 that he’s been chasing ever since. In just six games, he averaged a career-low 2.2 tackles for an underwhelming Jaguars defense in 2019. More telling, those tackles came an average of 4.2 yards past the line of scrimmage, which is an untenable mark for a player who is supposed to be pushing blockers backward and creating chaos in the trenches.

While he can still be a useful presence in the middle of a defensive line, he’s due for a major pay cut this offseason.

Russell Okung, OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Savings from cutting Okung: $13 million

Okung’s release would have been a surprise. The veteran left tackle played well in 2019 when he was on the field — but that only lasted six games due to a pulmonary embolism and, later in the season, a groin injury.

While he was capable, he didn’t fit in with LA’s rebuild. Rather than release a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker, he’ll be traded to the Panthers in exchange for guard Trai Turner.

The deal is tentatively agreed to and is expected to be processed at the start of the league year: The #Chargers are trading LT Russell Okung to the #Panthers in exchange for standout OL Trai Turner, sources say. A swap of big-time OLs. Nothing is final until it’s official.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2020

Turner is signed through 2021 compared to Okung’s 2020, and his $12.8 million cap hit for the upcoming season is less than Okung’s $15.5m. His cap number jumps to $15.4m next offseason, however — so we could see Turner wind his way to this list in 2021.

No decision yet

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Savings from cutting Dalton: $17.7 million

Dalton gave the Bengals nine seasons of mostly good, never great quarterbacking. Now he has no place on team ready to draft Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Dalton’s career in tiger stripes is almost certainly over.

Even though Cincinnati will need a veteran quarterback to help ease Burrow’s presumptive transition from LSU to the NFL, it’s time for both sides to move on. The money saved by releasing the Pro Bowl quarterback can be spent acquiring weapons and bolstering the offensive line tasked with keeping Burrow’s jersey clean in 2020.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Savings from cutting Watkins: $14 million

Watkins has shown flashes of star-making play throughout his six-year career, but has ultimately failed to live up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 2014. This past season was no different. He began it with a three-touchdown, 198-yard performance in the Chiefs’ season opener, had just one 100-yard game in the next 13 games, and finished the year with 14 catches for 288 yards in the postseason.

That makes it hard to justify Watkins’ $21 million cap hit for 2020 — especially now that reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is eligible for what’s sure to be a massive contract extension. With Chris Jones careening toward free agency, the team’s decision may come down to either its second-best wide receiver or the defensive lineman who helped save a Super Bowl win.

Then again, in the biggest game of his life, he put Richard Sherman on roller skates.

Sammy Watkins diced up Richard Sherman, then Patrick Mahomes just had to drop a pass in the bucket pic.twitter.com/ezEyARIu26

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) February 3, 2020

It’s possible the two sides find a middle ground on a restructured contract that extends Watkins’ contract while spreading his massive cap hit and guaranteed cash into the future.

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Savings from cutting Carr: $13.6 million

Carr’s future with the Raiders is very much up in the air. Reports suggest the franchise is interested in making free agent Tom Brady the face of its Las Vegas debut.

Brady may be a long shot, but this year’s free agent crop includes plenty of veteran alternatives should the Raiders want to swap out QBs. Las Vegas could also package its two first-round picks this April and move up to select a rookie quarterback at the draft.

The team has a lot of spending room this offseason, so moving Carr isn’t a priority, even if it lures a young QB to Nevada. He remains an efficient, if low-impact passer who could bring back a decent return via trade. There isn’t really a glaring reason for the Raiders to cut him loose, but this is Jon Gruden we’re talking about. You can’t rule out any splash-making move in advance of his team’s first season in Vegas.

A.J. Bouye, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Bouye: $11.4 million

Like Dareus, Bouye is a highly paid defender who has seen better days. And like his colleague, he could be looking at a change of venue this offseason thanks to the Jaguars’ cap crunch. The former Texan allowed opposing QBs to post a 106.0 passer rating against him this past season while completing two-thirds of their passes with him in coverage.

With Jacksonville eager to find a way around Nick Foles’ cap-clogging $22 million average salary, Bouye’s departure could be the next step in a mini-rebuild of the Jacksonville defense.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, New Orleans Saints

Savings from cutting Jenkins: $11.3 million

The Saints will have to figure out what to do with all three of their quarterbacks — Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, and Taysom Hill — and are already strapped for cash heading into the new fiscal year. One easy space-saving move would make New Orleans the second team to cut Jenkins in the past three months.

The Saints claimed Jenkins after he was released by the Giants for a combination of on-field malaise and off-field concerns. He performed well in New Orleans despite the team’s sudden playoff exit, but his one-year, $11+ million cap number may be too steep. There’s a chance the Saints work out a longer-term deal in order to massage those numbers and keep him in black and gold moving forward.

Joe Flacco, QB, Denver Broncos

Savings from cutting Flacco: $10 million

The Joe Flacco who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win is no more. This is the era of a Joe Flacco who is barely a replacement-level passer.

The former Super Bowl MVP has been mostly forgettable the past five seasons, recording an 83.0 passer rating and a 26-33 record as a starter. He also had his lead role usurped in both Baltimore (Lamar Jackson) and Denver (Drew Lock) after midseason injuries. General manager John Elway could keep him in Colorado to continue in his role as Lock’s mentor, or the Broncos could cut Flacco and invest a fraction of the savings involved to lure an available free agent quarterback to town instead.

Dontari Poe, DT, Carolina Panthers

Savings from cutting Poe: $9.8 million

The Panthers have a new coach for 2020. Olsen is no longer with the team. With Cam Newton’s Carolina future up for debate, there’s a chance we’re looking at a wholesale rebuild in Charlotte.

A 30-year-old Poe wouldn’t have much of a role in a Panther renaissance. The space-clogging tackle is set to be the third-highest paid player on the roster after a good, but not great season. With limited expectations for the upcoming year, he could be cut free as new head coach Matt Rhule looks to assemble his own roster.

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Savings from cutting Rhodes: $8.1 million

The Vikings have some very difficult decisions to make this offseason. With -$12.3 million in cap room — worst in the NFL by a significant margin — Minnesota is going to have to cut some expensive veterans. First on the chopping block will likely be Rhodes, who signed a five-year, $70.1 million contract extension in 2017 and struggled mightily in both 2018 and 2019. Per SIS, he gave up a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last fall.

Cutting Rhodes still leaves the Vikings well over the cap, however. Minnesota will have to trim the fat elsewhere, and that could mean one or two strong players winds up as an unexpected jewel in this year’s free agent crop.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers

Savings from cutting Graham: $8 million

Graham hasn’t been the red zone panacea the Packers hoped he would be when they signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2018. After scoring 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Seahawks in 2017, Graham has just five scores over two years in Green Bay.

The Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round in 2019 to take over as Graham’s replacement, but injuries limited him to only six games as rookie — and one target from Aaron Rodgers, which he dropped. Still, if head coach Matt LaFleur thinks the second-year tight end is ready for a promotion, Graham’s tenure in Wisconsin could be over after two seasons. While the team hasn’t made an official decision yet, it seems to be trending away from the former Pro Bowler.

One potential play-maker hitting the market: #Packers TE Jimmy Graham is not expected back in Green Bay, sources say. The move with the 33-year old former free agent signing is noteable, though not a surprise for anyone involved.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2020

Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans

Savings from cutting Butler: $7.4 million

While he’s been steady in two seasons with the Titans, Butler is far removed from the form that made him an All-Pro with the Patriots in 2016. He’s been a good, if inconsistent, corner when healthy — and Tennessee is paying him like a great one.

The Titans have two major priorities at hand with both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry barreling toward the open market. Carving out extra space for them could mean cutting Butler, who didn’t play a snap for the club in 2019 after Week 9 and thus missed the team’s Cinderella run through the first two weeks of the postseason.

Nate Solder, OT, New York Giants

Savings from cutting Solder: $6.5 million

Solder was the first big-ticket signing of general manager Dave Gettleman’s tenure. He hasn’t panned out the way the Giants hoped, though. His 37 blown pass protection blocks were the most in the NFL in 2019.

He’ll turn 32 years old before the upcoming season, so last year’s struggles could either be an outlier in an otherwise solid career or the beginning of an age-related decline. He was the most important piece of an offensive line that allowed Daniel Jones to get sacked 38 times in 12 starts last season, a number that threatens to stunt the young QB’s growth if it isn’t remedied.

If Solder isn’t cut in 2020, this could be the former blindside protector’s last chance to prove he’s still an upper-tier blocker.

[junker-town]

Here are the biggest NFL veterans who could be cut this offseason

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

NFL teams looking to save some money means some familiar names will be looking for new homes.

The NFL’s salary cap leads to plenty of roster churn every year. Franchises are tasked with balancing expensive proven veterans with cheaper talent. That means some pricy athletes could find themselves looking for new homes — even if they’re still in their primes.

Last year, we saw former Pro Bowlers like Gerald McCoy, Demaryius Thomas, and Justin Houston excised in advance of free agency. This offseason has already seen All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen left to ponder his football future.

These are the other veterans who could join him on the free agent market, ranked by order of how much they can save their respective teams by leaving this spring.

Marcell Dareus, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Dareus: $20 million

Dareus, at his best, is worth $20 million+ annually. The problem is, he hasn’t been that player in several years. Even if he was, the 2020 Jaguars — currently with negative cap space — probably couldn’t afford him.

Dareus broke through with a 10-sack season in 2014 that he’s been chasing ever since. In just six games, he averaged a career-low 2.2 tackles for an underwhelming Jaguars defense in 2019. More telling, those tackles came an average of 4.2 yards past the line of scrimmage, which is an untenable mark for a player who is supposed to be pushing blockers backward and creating chaos in the trenches.

While he can still be a useful presence in the middle of a defensive line, he’s due for a major pay cut this offseason.

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Savings from cutting Dalton: $17.7 million

Dalton gave the Bengals nine seasons of mostly good, never great quarterbacking. Now he has no place on team ready to draft Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Dalton’s career in tiger stripes is almost certainly over.

Even though Cincinnati will need a veteran quarterback to help ease Burrow’s presumptive transition from LSU to the NFL, it’s time for both sides to move on. The money saved by releasing the Pro Bowl quarterback can be spent acquiring weapons and bolstering the offensive line tasked with keeping Burrow’s jersey clean in 2020.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Savings from cutting Watkins: $14 million

Watkins has shown flashes of star-making play throughout his six-year career, but has ultimately failed to live up to the potential that made him the fourth overall pick in 2014. This past season was no different. He began it with a three-touchdown, 198-yard performance in the Chiefs’ season opener, had just one 100-yard game in the next 13 games, and finished the year with 14 catches for 288 yards in the postseason.

That makes it hard to justify Watkins’ $21 million cap hit for 2020 — especially now that reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is eligible for what’s sure to be a massive contract extension. With Chris Jones careening toward free agency, the team’s decision may come down to either its second-best wide receiver or the defensive lineman who helped save a Super Bowl win.

Then again, in the biggest game of his life, he put Richard Sherman on roller skates.

Sammy Watkins diced up Richard Sherman, then Patrick Mahomes just had to drop a pass in the bucket pic.twitter.com/ezEyARIu26

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) February 3, 2020

It’s possible the two sides find a middle ground on a restructured contract that extends Watkins’ contract while spreading his massive cap hit and guaranteed cash into the future.

Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Savings from cutting Carr: $13.6 million

Carr’s future with the Raiders is very much up in the air. Reports suggest the franchise is interested in making free agent Tom Brady the face of its Las Vegas debut.

Brady may be a long shot, but this year’s free agent crop includes plenty of veteran alternatives should the Raiders want to swap out QBs. Las Vegas could also package its two first-round picks this April and move up to select a rookie quarterback at the draft.

The team has a lot of spending room this offseason, so moving Carr isn’t a priority, even if it lures a young QB to Nevada. He remains an efficient, if low-impact passer who could bring back a decent return via trade. There isn’t really a glaring reason for the Raiders to cut him loose, but this is Jon Gruden we’re talking about. You can’t rule out any splash-making move in advance of his team’s first season in Vegas.

Russell Okung, OT, Los Angeles Chargers

Savings from cutting Okung: $13 million

Okung’s release would be a surprise. The veteran left tackle played well in 2019 when he was on the field — but that only lasted six games due to a pulmonary embolism and, later in the season, a groin injury.

With a solid chunk of cap space available and a new incoming QB who’ll need protection, Okung is likely to stick around in LA. Even if he doesn’t, a Pro Bowl-caliber blocker is much more valuable for his team as trade bait than if he were to be cut outright. But we’re headed toward a Philip Rivers-free future for the Chargers, so who knows what’s next.

Josh Norman, CB, Washington

Savings from cutting Norman: $12.4 million

Norman was just one of many things that went wrong for Washington in 2019. He suffered through his worst season in the league, where he gave up more than 11 yards per target and accounted for -1 points saved, per SIS. That’s the lowest score among any cornerback who started at least five games last fall.

This sudden downturn at age 32 could put Dan Snyder’s former prized signing on the chopping block. The 2015 All-Pro has failed to reach that standard since joining Washington in 2016.

Ryan Kerrigan, 31 years old and headed into the final year of his contract with none of the $11.6 million owed to him guaranteed, could also be up for discussion.

A.J. Bouye, CB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Savings from cutting Bouye: $11.4 million

Like Dareus, Bouye is a highly paid defender who has seen better days. And like his colleague, he could be looking at a change of venue this offseason thanks to the Jaguars’ cap crunch. The former Texan allowed opposing QBs to post a 106.0 passer rating against him this past season while completing two-thirds of their passes with him in coverage.

With Jacksonville eager to find a way around Nick Foles’ cap-clogging $22 million average salary, Bouye’s departure could be the next step in a mini-rebuild of the Jacksonville defense.

Janoris Jenkins, CB, New Orleans Saints

Savings from cutting Jenkins: $11.3 million

The Saints will have to figure out what to do with all three of their quarterbacks — Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, and Taysom Hill — and are already strapped for cash heading into the new fiscal year. One easy space-saving move would make New Orleans the second team to cut Jenkins in the past three months.

The Saints claimed Jenkins after he was released by the Giants for a combination of on-field malaise and off-field concerns. He performed well in New Orleans despite the team’s sudden playoff exit, but his one-year, $11+ million cap number may be too steep. There’s a chance the Saints work out a longer-term deal in order to massage those numbers and keep him in black and gold moving forward.

Joe Flacco, QB, Denver Broncos

Savings from cutting Flacco: $10 million

The Joe Flacco who led the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII win is no more. This is the era of a Joe Flacco who is barely a replacement-level passer.

The former Super Bowl MVP has been mostly forgettable the past five seasons, recording an 83.0 passer rating and a 26-33 record as a starter. He also had his lead role usurped in both Baltimore (Lamar Jackson) and Denver (Drew Lock) after midseason injuries. General manager John Elway could keep him in Colorado to continue in his role as Lock’s mentor, or the Broncos could cut Flacco and invest a fraction of the savings involved to lure an available free agent quarterback to town instead.

Dontari Poe, DT, Carolina Panthers

Savings from cutting Poe: $9.8 million

The Panthers have a new coach for 2020. Olsen is no longer with the team. With Cam Newton’s Carolina future up for debate, there’s a chance we’re looking at a wholesale rebuild in Charlotte.

A 30-year-old Poe wouldn’t have much of a role in a Panther renaissance. The space-clogging tackle is set to be the third-highest paid player on the roster after a good, but not great season. With limited expectations for the upcoming year, he could be cut free as new head coach Matt Rhule looks to assemble his own roster.

Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Savings from cutting Rhodes: $8.1 million

The Vikings have some very difficult decisions to make this offseason. With -$12.3 million in cap room — worst in the NFL by a significant margin — Minnesota is going to have to cut some expensive veterans. First on the chopping block will likely be Rhodes, who signed a five-year, $70.1 million contract extension in 2017 and struggled mightily in both 2018 and 2019. Per SIS, he gave up a 122.9 passer rating in coverage last fall.

Cutting Rhodes still leaves the Vikings well over the cap, however. Minnesota will have to trim the fat elsewhere, and that could mean one or two strong players winds up as an unexpected jewel in this year’s free agent crop.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers

Savings from cutting Graham: $8 million

Graham hasn’t been the red zone panacea the Packers hoped he would be when they signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2018. After scoring 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Seahawks in 2017, Graham has just five scores over two years in Green Bay.

The Packers drafted Jace Sternberger in the third round in 2019 to take over as Graham’s replacement, but injuries limited him to only six games as rookie — and one target from Aaron Rodgers, which he dropped. Still, if head coach Matt LaFleur thinks the second-year tight end is ready for a promotion, Graham’s tenure in Wisconsin could be over after two seasons.

Malcolm Butler, CB, Tennessee Titans

Savings from cutting Butler: $7.4 million

While he’s been steady in two seasons with the Titans, Butler is far removed from the form that made him an All-Pro with the Patriots in 2016. He’s been a good, if inconsistent, corner when healthy — and Tennessee is paying him like a great one.

The Titans have two major priorities at hand with both Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry barreling toward the open market. Carving out extra space for them could mean cutting Butler, who didn’t play a snap for the club in 2019 after Week 9 and thus missed the team’s Cinderella run through the first two weeks of the postseason.

Nate Solder, OT, New York Giants

Savings from cutting Solder: $6.5 million

Solder was the first big-ticket signing of general manager Dave Gettleman’s tenure. He hasn’t panned out the way the Giants hoped, though. His 37 blown pass protection blocks were the most in the NFL in 2019.

He’ll turn 32 years old before the upcoming season, so last year’s struggles could either be an outlier in an otherwise solid career or the beginning of an age-related decline. He was the most important piece of an offensive line that allowed Daniel Jones to get sacked 38 times in 12 starts last season, a number that threatens to stunt the young QB’s growth if it isn’t remedied.

If Solder isn’t cut in 2020, this could be the former blindside protector’s last chance to prove he’s still an upper-tier blocker.

[junker-town]

NFL Draft: Every team’s worst pick in the last 5 years

Some of these players aren’t even in the league anymore, while others are still hanging around trying to shed the bust label.

Every team makes mistakes in the draft, and this year’s draft will be no different. Sometimes players don’t pan out because of injuries, sometimes teams just make mistakes in their evaluation process, and sometimes the transition to the NFL is too hard for a rookie.

Every team gets it right sometimes, too. But when a team misses on a draft pick, no matter the reason for a player not living up to potential, teams can take comfort in knowing it happens to everyone at some point. It’s happened to some teams — like the Browns — on a regular basis.

Some of these players have washed out of the league entirely, and some are clinging to a chance that they’ll be able to shed the bust label.

Here’s a look at the worst draft pick for every team over the past five years.

Arizona Cardinals

OG Jonathan Cooper, 2013 first round

Cooper broke his leg in his first preseason and never recovered. Even when he was healthy enough to take the field, he never came close to living up to his status as a No. 7 overall pick. The fact that he was a throwaway piece in the Cardinals’ Chandler Jones trade says it all.

Atlanta Falcons

DT Ra’Shede Hageman, 2014 second round

Hageman was a bit of a reach in the second round, but his raw athleticism and speed coupled with his size made him an appealing prospect. Since he was drafted, Hageman had a couple of heated disagreements with former defensive line coach Bryan Cox at practice and during games, and he also faced charges in 2016 stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident. He had 18 tackles and two sacks over 12 games last season, and he was a healthy game day inactive a couple of times.

Baltimore Ravens

S Matt Elam, 2013 first round

Ozzie Newsome normally has a golden touch with drafts, so it’s rare to see him whiff this badly on a first-round pick. Elam was supposed to be Ed Reed’s successor at safety, but utterly failed as a starter and found himself warming the bench for most of 2016.

Buffalo Bills

QB EJ Manuel, 2013 first round

In a year with almost no can’t-miss quarterback prospects, the Bills made a foolish gamble reaching on Manuel in the first round. He was mediocre at best in 10 starts his rookie year, throwing 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions and recording a 77.7 QB rating. The Bills benched him for Matt Cassel and then Tyrod Taylor, and Manuel is now backing up Derek Carr in Oakland.

Carolina Panthers

WR Devin Funchess, 2015 second round

Funchess wasn’t a prolific college receiver, but his 6’4, 225-pound frame helped Carolina overlook the former tight end’s average production and athleticism. While he’s used that size to become a steady red zone target (nine touchdowns in his two seasons as a pro), he has yet to develop into the No. 2 receiver the Panthers thought they were pairing with Kelvin Benjamin. The former Wolverine has only 54 receptions in the NFL.

Chicago Bears

LB Shea McClellin, 2012 first round

McClellin was a piece of a Super Bowl-winning defense — with the Patriots. The hybrid defensive end/linebacker was versatile and productive at Boise State, recording 26 tackles for a loss and three interceptions as an underclassman. However, he struggled to find a true position in Chicago, getting reps at end and on the second level but never finding the kind of pass-rushing impact he’d had in Idaho. He made four starts with New England last fall and worked as a platoon linebacker under Bill Belichick.

Cincinnati Bengals

DE Margus Hunt, 2013 second round

The Estonian discus and shot put star was supposed to have a breakout year — or at least, that’s what the narrative has been seemingly every offseason since Hunt joined the team. Once things come together for the 6’8 giant, he’ll be impossible to stop. Did you see what he did in preseason? Unfortunately for the Bengals, it never came together, and in four years he tallied just 1.5 sacks before joining the Colts this offseason.

Cleveland Browns

Almost all their first-rounders

Honestly, take your pick. Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden in 2012. Barkevious Mingo in 2013. Justin Gilbert and Johnny Manziel in 2014. None of those players are on the roster today. Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving in 2015 aren’t looking too hot, either, while Corey Coleman was hobbled by a hand injury in 2016. You could write a book on the Browns’ disastrous draft decisions made this decade.

Dallas Cowboys

DE Randy Gregory, 2015 second round

Sometimes a failed drug test can drive an elite prospect’s draft stock down and turn him into an all-time bargain. Other times, it’s just a harbinger for a career filled with bad choices. Gregory is the latter.

Denver Broncos

RB Montee Ball, 2013 second round

Coming off a storied college career at Wisconsin, Ball had a promising rookie year with 4.7 yards per carry on limited snaps. However, it was all downhill from there. A groin injury wiped out most of his 2014 season and he got supplanted by C.J. Anderson on the depth chart. The Broncos released him in 2015 and he washed out of the league after a domestic violence arrest.

Detroit Lions

TE Eric Ebron, 2014 first round

Since 2004, there have been 11 tight ends taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Seven have gone on to earn Pro Bowl honors. If Ebron continues to improve, he could push that figure to eight — but early returns on the athletic pass-catcher have been disappointing. The 250-pound red zone target has scored just seven touchdowns in his career, but has improved his overall yardage, reception, yards-per-catch, and catch rate in each of his last two seasons with the team.

What hurts about this pick are the players the Lions could’ve had instead. Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald, Taylor Lewan, and C.J. Mosley were just a handful of stars all taken after Ebron in the 2014 draft.

Green Bay Packers

DT Jerel Worthy, 2012 second round

Worthy had promise, and the Packers saw that in him when Green Bay traded up to take him with the 51st pick in 2012. But injuries kept him from reaching that potential, and he only played in two games in 2013. The Packers cut bait and shipped him off to the Patriots, but he didn’t make it through roster cuts. Worthy is currently trying to get back up to speed with the Bills and played in 13 games for Buffalo last season.

Houston Texans

S D.J. Swearinger, 2013 second round

Swearinger spent two seasons with the Texans, and actually didn’t play poorly. He had over 70 tackles each season, and he added 10 pass deflections, a sack and three interceptions over those two years. But his attitude left a lot to be desired, and after Swearinger refused to play special teams because he thought his second-round draft status justified skipping it, the team cut him loose.

Indianapolis Colts

DE Bjoern Werner, 2013 first round

It didn’t help that the Colts shoehorned Werner, a traditional 4-3 end, into a 3-4 outside role, but he still didn’t do anything to justify his draft stock, with just 6.5 sacks in three seasons. Indy released Werner in 2016 and he announced his retirement this past January.

With football done, it looks like Werner is giving pro wrestling a shot — he recently had a tryout at the WWE Performance Center.

Jacksonville Jaguars

WR Justin Blackmon, 2012 first round

Trouble was on the horizon almost right away with Blackmon, who was arrested for DUI one month after he was drafted. Still, he was a pretty good rookie with 865 receiving yards and returned from a suspension in 2013 to have 326 yards in his first two games. Then he got suspended again and never returned. Even taking a third-round punter isn’t as bad as trading up to No. 5 for that.

Kansas City Chiefs

CB KeiVarae Russell, 2016 third round

The Chiefs drafted Russell last year, and he barely made it to mid-September. When Kansas City selected him, general manager John Dorsey raved about Russell’s toughness and his love for the game of football, but something went wrong along the way. All Andy Reid would say is that it was “the best thing for the Chiefs right now” to waive him, but throwing away a third-round pick is painful.

Los Angeles Chargers

LB Manti Te’o, 2013 second round

Even with the bizarre fake dead girlfriend saga, Te’o was touted as a high-end prospect and the Chargers seemingly got a steal taking him in the second round. Unfortunately, his Chargers run was defined by injuries and mediocre play. Te’o tore his Achilles last year and will have to fight for a starting job in New Orleans.

Los Angeles Rams

OT Greg Robinson, 2014 first round

Everyone knew Robinson wasn’t a finished product coming out of Auburn, an offense that barely had him doing any pass blocking at all. But he at least had the raw potential to iron out that part of his game in the right system and with good coaching. He got neither with the Rams. Instead of being the cornerstone of a rebuilt offensive line, he was just one more crumbling building block. He’s getting moved to the right tackle spot this year.

Miami Dolphins

LB Dion Jordan, 2013 first round

The Dolphins traded up to use the third overall pick on Jordan, and it turned out to be a waste. He was in Miami for four seasons, but spent six games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Jordan started one single game during his time in Miami and racked up three sacks. The Dolphins waived him, and he’s got another shot to live up to his potential after signing with the Seahawks.

Minnesota Vikings

OT Matt Kalil, 2012 first round

Kalil’s career got off to a strong start after being drafted by the Vikings with the fourth overall pick. But he went downhill from there, consistently allowing pressure and being flagged for penalties. Knee injuries may have contributed, and he had arthroscopic surgery on both knees following the 2015 season. A hip injury that required surgical repair sidelined him for most of 2016, and he’ll get a fresh start with the Carolina Panthers after signing with them in free agency.

New England Patriots

WR Aaron Dobson, 2013 second round

If you’re a wide receiver and Tom Brady can’t make you look good, you’re in trouble. Dobson was a curious pick out of Marshall University — a deep threat whose yards-per-reception decreased each year he spent in college. He never gained more than 689 yards in a single season with the Thundering Herd, but had strong measurables and looked the part of a No. 1 wideout.

Unfortunately for New England, he carried on a proud tradition of regrettable WR draft choices. Dobson had a solid rookie campaign after making nine starts, but soon fell out of favor while players like Kenbrell Thompkins and Brian Tyms usurped his spot in the lineup.

New Orleans Saints

CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, 2014 second round

After Richard Sherman blew up and became a household name, it seems like every tall cornerback prospect has been hyped up as “the next Sherman.” Jean-Baptiste was one of those guys, but he never did anything of note and the Saints cut him after just one year. Naturally, he’s Sherman’s teammate now, having signed with the Seahawks to compete for a roster spot in training camp.

New York Giants

RB David Wilson, 2012 first round

The Giants have been looking for a true No. 1 tailback since Tiki Barber’s retirement. For a hot minute, Wilson looked like he might be the guy. The Virginia Tech product started slowly in his rookie season, but finished the year averaging five yards per carry and looking like a building block for the future. Instead, he struggled through the first five games of his sophomore year before suffering a career-ending neck injury.

He’s currently re-dedicating himself to the world of track and field, where he’s a triple jumper.

New York Jets

CB Dee Milliner, 2013 first round

The Jets took Milliner with the ninth overall pick, hoping he could fill the void left by Darrelle Revis’s departure, but injuries kept him from ever hitting his stride. The Jets waived Milliner with an injury designation after he was only able to play in eight games over the 2014 and 2015 seasons.

Oakland Raiders

CB D.J. Hayden, 2013 first round

The Raiders knew Hayden was a risk when they drafted him out of Houston in 2013. The rangy cornerback nearly died after an injury suffered in practice left him with a torn vein near his heart. He came back and performed well enough to assuage Oakland’s doubts at that year’s combine, but the team overlooked one thing: he wasn’t that good of a cornerback.

Hayden feasted on lesser offenses in two years of junior college ball and two years in Conference USA, leaving a stark transition from amateur to professional football. In four seasons with the Raiders, he made just 25 starts and hauled in three interceptions.

Philadelphia Eagles

LB Marcus Smith, 2014 first round

Smith, a former quarterback who converted to defense while at the University of Louisville, was a force in college. He was a shadow of his college self after being drafted by Philadelphia with the 26th overall pick in 2014. Smith has zero starts for the Eagles over three seasons and has contributed just four sacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

LB Jarvis Jones, 2013 first round

Jones was a first-round pick after leading the SEC in sacks in 2011 with 13.5, and then the nation in 2012 with 14.5. But in four seasons with the Steelers, his grand total for sacks came out to a whopping six. He developed into a decent outside linebacker in run defense, but his inability to rush the passer is the reason Pittsburgh let him walk in free agency and the reason why he only received a one-year, $2.25 million deal from the Cardinals.

San Francisco 49ers

WR A.J. Jenkins, 2012 first round

Just think, the 49ers could’ve had Alshon Jeffery or T.Y. Hilton, who went in the second and third rounds, respectively. Drafting receivers is always a crapshoot, but it stings when you miss on one with a precious round one pick. He was active for exactly three games as a rookie and targeted just once. The 49ers swapped disappointing, over-drafted receivers with the Chiefs a year later, sending Jenkins to Kansas City in exchange for Jonathan Baldwin, neither of whom happen to be in the league anymore.

In hindsight, the 49ers’ picks that year were a sure sign that Trent Baalke was in over his head as a general manager.

Seattle Seahawks

RB Christine Michael, 2013 second round

Michael was supposed to apprentice under Marshawn Lynch, then eventually step into his role as a bruising bowling-ball of a tailback after Lynch’s sudden retirement in 2016. Instead, he’s been traded once and released three times in just four seasons of NFL play. His most successful season came in 2016, where he started seven games for Seattle (who had traded him in 2015, re-acquired him, and then cut him despite solid numbers) and added valuable depth to the bombed-out cave once known as the Packers’ tailback platoon.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

K Roberto Aguayo, 2016 second round

The Bucs traded up to draft a kicker in the second round. Let me repeat that: the Bucs traded up to draft a kicker in the second round. A kicker who’s already facing veteran competition because he was so bad in his rookie season. GM Jason Licht has quietly built a solid roster in Tampa, but this is some serious red on his ledger.

Tennessee Titans

WR Dorial Green-Beckham, 2015 second round

Green-Beckham was one of the nation’s highest-rated recruits coming out of high school, but never had the kind of NCAA impact expected of a five-star athlete. He spent two seasons at Missouri before being dismissed from the program due to legal issues, gaining fewer than 1,300 yards through the air in the process. He spent the next season on Oklahoma’s sideline due to NCAA transfer rules, then declared for the 2015 draft where the receiver-starved Titans snapped him up.

Tennessee expected him to be their next Derrick Mason. He wasn’t even Kendall Wright. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he was traded to the Eagles for sixth-man offensive lineman Dennis Kelly in 2016. Green-Beckham may still develop into an All-Pro, but it won’t be for the Titans.

Washington

QB Robert Griffin III, 2012 first round

Washington traded up to take Griffin with the second overall pick in 2012, and his first season was promising. After being named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, injuries derailed his career and it never got back on track. Griffin lost the starting job in Washington to Kirk Cousins, and he spent a season mostly sidelined by injury in Cleveland. The Browns released him, and he’s still on the market.