Keep away from the HOV lanes, and get your self a Jer-Power One. That’s what I realized this week.
Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys proprietor who’s turning 82 in a couple of days, made fairly an entrance by touchdown his chopper proper on the sphere throughout apply.
However hey how a couple of helicopter at apply… (fanbase triggered) pic.twitter.com/mYNV10CwN0
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) October 2, 2024
If solely the Cowboys may keep away from accidents to their key gamers in addition to their proprietor avoids visitors. Micah Parsons is out with a sprained ankle, a major blow to the protection. Extensive receiver Brandin Cooks is battling a knee an infection that would preserve him sidelined for a couple of video games, and DeMarcus Lawrence is out for not less than 4 weeks as a consequence of a foot damage.
The Pittsburgh Steelers know Dallas struggles working the soccer, and so they have just one dynamic weapon outdoors, in extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb. If solely an All-Professional receiver was searching for a brand new workforce to assist elevate an offense and its $60 million quarterback.
The Cowboys have instructed the world they’re passing on a commerce for 31-year-old Davante Adams, with EVP Stephen Jones calling it “a protracted putt to sink” regardless of the receiver’s curiosity in enjoying for Dallas. (You may add the remainder of the NFC East to groups which are out on the Adams sweepstakes as effectively.)
The explanation? I’m instructed it’s the identical motive Dallas handed on working again Derrick Henry final offseason: cash.
Adams is owed $13.5 million for the remainder of this season. (That drops by $970K per week.) Robust timing for a chopper touchdown, so far as Dallas followers are involved. The Cowboys’ 2024 motto is “all-in,” however I nonetheless don’t know what which means.
Now, the Jets are the workforce working like they’re all-in. New York has been eyeing Adams since final yr, and now it’s getting an actual shot. Commerce talks may warmth up subsequent week as Aaron Rodgers has been clear with proprietor Woody Johnson, basic supervisor Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh that he desires his former teammate in inexperienced. The Jets have been in contact with the Las Vegas Raiders all week, and whereas I don’t sense the Jets are anxious to get this completed as quickly as attainable, the Raiders and Adams wish to get a transfer on.
Whereas Adams wish to be reunited along with his former QB, I used to be instructed he has some issues about Rodgers’ plans to remain in New York previous this season. Adams doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his present deal, so he has no selection in the place he lands. It’s all about one of the best deal for the Raiders, who’re searching for a future second-round decide. Nevertheless, the sense across the league is Las Vegas will in all probability get a third-rounder when the commerce is full. (The worth is much like the Payments-Texans Stefon Diggs commerce, which was the worth of a third-rounder.)
New Orleans is one other workforce within the combine for Adams. Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a detailed relationship with Adams from their time with the Raiders and at Fresno State — Carr is why the receiver landed in Vegas within the first place — plus, Adams is shut with Saints extensive receivers coach Keith Williams, a household pal. Adams is open to some groups, however he prefers the Jets and Saints.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who you could recall have been curious about buying and selling for Brandon Aiyuk earlier than he signed an extension with San Francisco this summer time, are additionally in contact with the Raiders’ entrance workplace. I’m instructed Pittsburgh is making an aggressive provide.
Groups just like the Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are monitoring the scenario and keen to leap in if the Raiders are keen to pay a few of Adams’ contract. They see him as a one-year rental.
Raiders followers studying this could be telling themselves there’s no likelihood Vegas would commerce inside its division. I used to be reminded this week by NFL decision-makers that one of the best organizations get one of the best offers — they don’t fear about who will get the participant. Nevertheless, I nonetheless suppose the Chiefs are a protracted shot to land Adams.
That is what else I’m listening to this week:
• Chiefs’ subsequent steps with Rashee Rice
• Diggs’ emotions concerning the Payments as he prepares to face his former workforce
• Maxx Crosby’s standing for Sunday
• The rising teaching star serving to spark Denver’s protection
• A players-only assembly in Cleveland — Browns’ woes past Watson
• Why the Browns, and fairly a couple of different groups, didn’t need Joe Flacco
• “It’s solely a matter of time earlier than Mason Rudolph takes over”
So what will the Chiefs do at extensive receiver?
I’m instructed it might be six weeks or six-plus months for Rice; all of it comes all the way down to this upcoming arthroscopic surgical procedure. Rice was positioned on injured reserve and will probably be out for 4 weeks, however subsequent week he could have his knee scoped to allow them to determine if surgical procedure is required. The Chiefs are holding out hope, and as soon as they get extra solutions they’ll decide if they’ve to exchange their high goal.
Up to now two seasons, Kansas Metropolis has acquired extensive receivers on the deadline: Kadarius Toney in 2022 and Mecole Hardman in ’23. These trades paid off, too — every receiver performed crucial roles in Tremendous Bowl victories a couple of months after being acquired.
The query now: Will the Chiefs roll the cube once more as they chase a three-peat? Names I’m maintaining a tally of earlier than the NFL commerce deadline:
• Amari Cooper, Browns
• Tee Higgins, Bengals
• George Pickens, Steelers
• Christian Kirk, Jaguars
• DeAndre Hopkins, Titans
As extra groups begin to take into account promoting off property, this checklist may get longer. Talking of massive extensive receiver trades …
Stefon Diggs will face the Payments this week in his fifth recreation as a Texan. (Tim Warner / Getty Pictures)
On the Stefon Diggs commerce and dangerous blood — or not
Typically you simply gotta go.
And generally you simply gotta ask. That’s what Texans GM Nick Caserio did when he noticed Payments GM Brandon Beane on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis eight months in the past. The Texans considered the offseason as a chance to improve the roster of a workforce that superior to the divisional spherical for the primary workforce since 2019.
Caserio requested Beane about their openness to shifting Diggs, who caught 445 passes for five,372 yards and 37 touchdowns over 4 years for Buffalo. Beane didn’t give an enthusiastic sure but in addition didn’t say no, so Houston stayed on it. Over the following few weeks, a number of groups, together with Houston, contacted Diggs’ camp or the Payments about the potential of a commerce. Diggs knew what was happening. (Buffalo even obtained calls from groups two offseasons in the past.) Diggs by no means demanded a commerce and even requested one. Nevertheless, either side felt it was time for a change.
Whereas there wasn’t some robust push from Diggs to get out, if he was out in Buffalo it was going to be for a workforce with Tremendous Bowl aspirations and a QB to construct round. The Texans have a promising younger roster led by a revered current player-turned-head coach DeMeco Ryans and rising star QB C.J. Stroud.
After I spoke to the soon-to-be 31-year-old Diggs over the summer time about his new workforce, he was beaming with pleasure. He talked about having fun with serving to the younger receiver room and sharing some errors he had made on and off the sphere. He was reflective and self-aware. His phrases have been crammed with vigor, not bitterness.
Is there dangerous blood between Diggs and the Payments? Nah. Typically, you simply gotta go.
GO DEEPER
NFL participant ballot: Josh Allen for MVP; Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson as constructing blocks
Mighty Maxx
Whereas the Raiders have been beating the Browns final week, Crosby was on his sofa. He was pressured to get therapy for his excessive ankle sprain, so he watched the sport on TV and live-tweeted. It was the primary time Crosby had ever missed a recreation as a Raider, and it wasn’t straightforward; he says he was screaming at his tv whereas he stored his leg elevated.
This week, he’s making an attempt to get again within the lineup because the Raiders put together for the Denver Broncos and their rookie QB, Bo Nix. I’ve a tough time believing Crosby will miss a division recreation, however in the end it may not be as much as him.
The lads behind the blitz-happy Broncos
The Broncos made a daring transfer in opposition to the Jets final week, sending a daring assertion by all-out blitzing Rodgers on the primary play of the sport. This aggression set the tone for the upset and showcased the Broncos’ fearless strategy this season.
Denver spent most of its summer time displaying off Nix, and whereas Sean Payton works to get his younger QB enjoying at the next degree, the workforce is grateful for Vance Joseph’s group. The Broncos’ secondary, led by cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss, has been capable of shut down opponents’ high move catchers, together with Garrett Wilson, DK Metcalf, Pickens and Mike Evans.
Secondary coach Jim Leonhard, a former Broncos participant and defensive coordinator at Wisconsin, has been getting rave critiques from his gamers and the workers. Payton really coached Leonhard as a participant and lower him in New Orleans — one thing Leonhard likes to remind his boss. In order we get nearer to discussing the brand new batch of future NFL coordinators within the coming months, bear in mind you examine Leonhard proper right here.
GO DEEPER
The Jaguars overestimated themselves. Did they overestimate Trevor Lawrence, too?
The Browns’ woes transcend Watson
The intentions are at all times good, but it surely’s by no means an important signal when a workforce has a players-only assembly — because the Browns did earlier this week as they seek for a spark after dropping to a Raiders workforce with out Crosby and Adams. This is identical week Nick Chubb, who gained’t be enjoying in opposition to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, practiced for the primary time since tearing an ACL final September. The star working again mentioned it “felt like a dream.”
Cleveland’s season, nonetheless, has had extra nightmarish overtones up to now. A lot of that has to do with franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson’s lack of ability to return near recapturing the shape he as soon as had for the Texans. Nevertheless, many across the league mentioned final week’s recreation in opposition to the Raiders was his better of this season. One Cleveland participant instructed me over textual content: “He actually provides us one of the best likelihood.”
The Browns’ struggles aren’t all on Watson; the protection has fallen off, too. Ranked No. 1 final season, that unit is now swimming within the 20s. They don’t have a straightforward activity both, making an attempt to gradual a red-hot Commanders offense led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels. Kevin Stefanski gained his second NFL Coach of the Yr award in 2023, however he has a scenario on his palms.
Joe Flacco picked up the place he left off final season. (Andy Lyons / Getty Pictures)
The nice and dangerous of Flacco being good
It’s laborious to debate the Browns’ quarterback scenario with out mentioning Flacco, who stepped in final season for an injured Watson and led the Browns to the playoffs. The group has obtained a whole lot of criticism for not even providing a brand new deal to the veteran quarterback. Flacco’s agent spoke with a number of groups in the course of the free-agency interval, together with the Browns, Jets and Miami Dolphins (who may use a Tremendous Bowl-winning QB proper about now), and so they all mentioned no thanks.
Whereas the Browns have by no means mentioned publicly that the explanation they handed on Flacco was associated to Watson, there may be an understanding across the league that the Browns needed to give Watson an opportunity to succeed with none obstacles. Whereas profitable is the precedence, the workforce has an enormous funding within the quarterback and believes it’s giving him one of the best surroundings to be his finest.
As soon as Cleveland (and others) handed, the Indianapolis Colts signed Flacco. He stepped in after an Anthony Richardson damage final week and led the Colts over the Steelers. Flacco ready all week because the starter whereas Richardson is predicted to be a game-time choice. Within the meantime, if Flacco continues to win, Indy could be in the identical place this offseason as Cleveland was: Would you like Flacco casting a shadow over your starter whereas he’s looking for his footing?
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No QB controversy in Tennessee — but
The Titans have a bye this weekend, and possibly a bit break day will probably be good for them. It’s been a tough begin, their offensive line remains to be struggling and, regardless of spending essentially the most cash of any workforce this offseason to assemble a stellar roster, they’re 1-3.
First-year head coach Brian Callahan cleared up any chatter a couple of potential QB controversy after Mason Rudolph stepped in for an injured Will Levis and appeared to run Callahan’s offense successfully in opposition to Miami. Callahan says it’s Levis’ job, however a coach of their division shared: “It’s solely a matter of time earlier than Mason Rudolph takes over.”
Callahan could also be going through his first laborious choice as a head coach earlier than we even get to Halloween.
(High picture: Quinn Harris / Getty Pictures)
