Deshaun Watson Told New HC Culley He Has No Intention Of Playing For Texans
(2/25 4:06 PM PT)
The Facts:
Sources tell ESPN's Dan Graziano that Watson met with new Texans head coach David Culley last Friday. In that meeting Watson reiterated that he wants to be traded and told Culley he has no intention of playing for the Texans again. No change from Watson's end. He remains dug in.
Reported by ESPN.com
Diehards Line:
Remember, ESPN insider Dianna Russini reported earlier today that the Texans are actively refusing to trade Watson, despite his trade demand. So both sides are dug in. But as Profootballtalk.com's Michael Davis Smith noted, at some point someone has to blink. The Texans could get an enormous haul of players and draft picks if they were willing to trade Watson, and with each new report that Watson remains dug in, the chances increase that the team will eventually relent and give Watson the trade he wants.
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Reich Talks About Carson Wentz... Without Actually Talking About Him
(2/25 4:05 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Colts and Eagles have agreed to a trade that will send Wentz to Indianapolis. But until the deal becomes official at the start of the new league year next month, neither Colts nor Eagles officials can comment on it. Still, Colts HC Frank Reich addressed the media on Thursday afternoon. Without saying Wentz's name -- because that would be tampering -- Reich made it clear how important it is that Wentz play well for the team's ultimate success. "Getting good QB play is something that is necessary to win a world championship. And in this franchise the standard has been set," Reich said. "We need to continue to have that kind of play."
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
As PFT's Myles Simmons notes, Peyton Manning is the most obvious example of that standard for the Colts, and he's just been elected to the Hall of Fame. Then there's Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas, going back to the team's time in Baltimore. Even since Reich has been head coach, the franchise has started the likes of Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers behind center. Simmons went on to remind readers a few years ago, Wentz was performing at that level. But after the 2020 season, Wentz and Reich need to recapture whatever worked in 2017 when Reich was Philadelphia's offensive coordinator. Simmons added, "If Wentz continues playing like he did in 2020, the Colts won't have a quarterback close to the franchise's standard."
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Titans Releasing Adam Humphries
(2/25 4:05 PM PT)
The Facts:
Two years after signing a four-year, $36 million contract, Humphries is on the way out in Tennessee. The Titans are releasing Humphries, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
The move saves the Titans about $4.5 million in salary cap space and it had been expected, although Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said last week that no decisions had been made. Humphries played in just seven games last season, with one start, and finished with career-lows in catches (23) and receiving yards (228). Now Humphries will become a free agent and see if he can find some team that's interested in his services -- surely for a lot less than a four-year, $36 million contract.
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The Latest: Russell Wilson Has Not Demanded A Trade, But Has Destinations In Mind
(2/25 12:39 PM PT)
Diehards Line:
Wilson has told the Seahawks he wants to play in Seattle but, if a trade were considered, the only teams he would go to are the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, Bears. Again, Wilson has a no-trade clause in his contract. So, in the end, Wilson holds the cards.
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The Latest: Texans Still Refusing To Trade Deshaun Watson
(2/25 11:11 AM PT)
The Facts:
ESPN insider Dianna Russini dropped news on Thursday that the Texans are actively refusing to trade Watson this offseason, despite his trade demand.
Reported by ESPN.com
Diehards Line:
As Total Pro Sports' Darrelle Lincoln put it, "Watson may think he might be playing hardball with the Texans, but the franchise is seemingly ready to take it a step further." Per Rusini: "Houston continues to avoid conversations with teams in regards to trading Watson per sources. They are refusing to trade their franchise QB. ..." Despite the team dealing standout WR DeAndre Hopkins -- Watson tallied his best statistical year in 2020, throwing for 4,823 and 33 touchdowns. ... We'll continue to watch for more.
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Russell Wilson Trade Rumors Persist; Trade Still Seems Unlikely
(2/25 11:07 AM PT)
The Facts:
Representatives for the Wilson have reportedly "broached" the idea of a trade with the team's front office amid the quarterback's rising frustrations. Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks of The Athletic reported Thursday the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets are among the potential landing spots for the eight-time Pro Bowl selection. According to The Athletic report, "Some people around the league think a trade could happen, if not this offseason then sometime in the near future."
Reported by BleacherReport.com
Diehards Line:
As Bleacher Report's Tim Daniels notes, buzz around Wilson's potential availability started on Super Bowl Sunday when CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Seattle's inability to fix the offensive line in front of him and his desire to "maximize his opportunity to win consistently" made him a trade candidate. The 32-year-old singal caller then went on a media tour where he was asked about the budding speculation and confirmed aspects of La Canfora's report, saying he was "frustrated" the Seahawks weren't in the Super Bowl and wasn't happy with the protection. That said, Wilson added: "I love playing for Seattle. Loved it for years. ..." And he may well love it for years ahead. Or not. If available, he'd challenge the Texans' Deshaun Watson as the top NFL player who could be traded during the offseason -- if Watson is available. As of now, there's no indication either QB is available (the cap implications of trading Wilson don't work in the Seahawks' favor). Like Watson, Wilson has full no-trade clause that means he could pick and choose where he'd be willing to play.
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Did Teammate Reveal Jameis Winston Is Payton's Preferred 2021 Starter?
(2/25 11:06 AM PT)
The Facts:
Signs continue to point to the Saints choosing Winston as Drew Brees' successor at starting quarterback whenever the future Hall of Famer hangs up his cleats. The latest indication came from New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan. Speaking on the "Great Dane Nation" podcast with former Saints kicker Morten Andersen, Jordan was asked who will be under center if Brees decides to retire. "Jameis Winston up next I believe is what (head coach) Sean Payton said," Jordan explained. "Sean wouldn't say he's fighting for Jameis to be back if our goal was to have Taysom, but that's, again, rare instances where it's beyond my pay grade."
Reported by The Score
Diehards Line:
Winston is scheduled to become a free agent in March. He signed with the Saints on a one-year, $1.1-million deal prior to the 2020 season and then spent the campaign backing up Brees and Taysom Hill. When Brees missed multiple weeks with rib fractures, the Saints turned to Hill rather than Winston. Hill remains under contract for $16 million in 2021. Nonetheless, Jordan is adamant that Winston would be the choice. Jordan's comments back up a statement that Payton made on "Good Morning Football" in early February, suggesting the Saints' plans going forward include Winston. Of course, the first step will be retaining Winston when free agency opens.
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Arians Continues To Heap Praise On Chris Godwin
(2/25 11:05 AM PT)
The Facts:
As he approaches free agency next month, Godwin has said he'd like to remain with the Buccaneers and that he's not just going to take the most money if it means he'll be miserable. On the other side of it, Tampa Bay would clearly like to keep Godwin. Head coach Bruce Arians has talked about that since winning the Super Bowl and reiterated his stance during a Wednesday press conference. "He brings so much more than targets," Arians said. "Look at what he does as an outside receiver and a slot receiver. He's so unique in that regard. You put his blocking in there, he's a huge part of what we do offensively. It's more than stats. It's also what the guy brings to the huddle. Chris is very, very unique."
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
Through four seasons, Godwin has 244 receptions for 3,540 yards with 24 touchdowns. He caught 16 passes for 232 yards with one TD in the Buccaneers' four postseason games, but had just a pair of catches for nine yards on four targets in Super Bowl LV. That's clearly not a concern for Arians. And while Godwin likely knows just how highly his coach thinks of him, but the public praise can't hurt. It remains to be seen whether Godwin will take a home-grown discount to play with Brady and have a good shot at winning another Super Bowl -- or if the Bucs will choose to use the franchise tag on him. But Arians is at least doing his best to make Godwin feel valued by the team that drafted him as the open market awaits.
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Marcus Mariota Trade Market Cools Off
(2/25 11:01 AM PT)
The Facts:
Things change in a hurry on the Quarterback Carousel. One week it looks like a signal-caller might be traded quickly. The next, not so much. Mariota appeared headed toward being the latest to get traded this offseason. The Raiders needing to shed money due to a shrinking salary cap and his play in one appearance last year led to the belief that the former first-round quarterback could be traded for as a bridge starter. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the trade market has "dried up significantly" for Mariota due to the incentives in the QB's contract.
Reported by NFL.com
Diehards Line:
Apparently, teams are now wary of giving up a draft pick for the potential starter's contract. As Rapoport explained, if Mariota is the starter and ends up playing the entire season, he can make an additional $12 million -- or more than $20 million. Teams, as of right now, don't seem to think that's something that would be worth it, especially when you consider they'd also give up a draft pick to trade for him. In addition, if no team is willing to take on that contract, the Raiders, who are currently projected to be well over the salary cap, could be forced to release Mariota. Rapoport noted that getting released could behoove Mariota, who would then be able to choose his destination and negotiate a new deal, potentially with additional guarantees. ... Stay tuned.
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LeSean McCoy Not Quite Ready To Hang It Up
(2/25 10:55 AM PT)
The Facts:
During a Thursday appearance on NFL Network, McCoy said that he wants to find a team for the 2021 season. McCoy would like for that team to have an on-field role for him, but it sounds like he’d be OK without much to do as long as the team has a shot to do what the Bucs and Chiefs did the last two seasons. “To bring me back, I have to play for a team that is a contender, or with some young guys I could help out,” McCoy said. "I’m still a competitor. I still want to be effective and get a shot to play and showcase my talent. I still have some more highlights to give out.”
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
The Chiefs weren’t able to repeat as Super Bowl champions this year, but running back McCoy was. McCoy joined the Buccaneers in 2020, which meant that he secured his second Super Bowl ring in as many years when his new team beat his old team earlier this month. McCoy didn’t have anything to do with either win as he was inactive in Super Bowl LIV and did not play a snap this year, but that hasn’t dimmed his taste for winning. McCoy joked that he’s a “rabbit’s foot” for teams and the prospect that he’s a lucky charm is likely a better selling point than anything he’s done between the lines the last two seasons. ... We'll be watching to see if anybody takes a chance.
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