
Report: More Money Is On Aaron Rodgers' Wish List
(1/25 11:07 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Rodgers was sending a message to the team with his post-game comments after Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship. The message likely had multiple tentacles. Here’s one. Per a league source, Rodgers wants a new contract.
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
According to PFT's Mike Florio, Rodgers should want a new contract. He makes $33.5 million per year. He’s going to win the 2020 NFL MVP award. And he’s getting into the later years of his last deal, which will pay him far less in comparison to other quarterbacks. He’s due to make $22.35 million in 2021, $25.5 million in 2022, and $25.5 million in 2023. Rodgers currently ranks fifth in average new-money value, behind Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ($45 million), Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson ($39 million), Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson ($35 million), and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ($34 million). Rodgers earns the same amount as Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Rodgers has a cap number in excess of $37 million for 2021, but a new contract easily could reduce it. A new deal also would reflect the team’s commitment to Rodgers over the next few years, based on the guaranteed payments and the cap consequences arising from cutting or trading him. If Rodgers officially asks for a new contract, he’ll definitely get one thing: Clarity as to where he stands. A new deal means renewed vows. No new deal means the clock will still tick toward a potential, if not inevitable, divorce.
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DeCosta Will Start Talking Contract With Lamar Jackson, Andrews Soon
(1/25 10:45 PM PT)
The Facts:
GM Eric DeCosta said Monday that the team could strike a long-term contract extension with Jackson this offseason, and he will speak to the reigning NFL MVP within the next 10 days. "[He] certainly deserves a contract," DeCosta said in his 45-minute end-of-season news conference. "He has played phenomenal football over the last couple of years. My intention is to keep him in Baltimore for many, many years."
Reported by ESPN.com
Diehards Line:
Jackson completed his third NFL season, which is the time when Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson each received their big-money deals. Based on market value, Jackson likely will command at least $40 million per season on an extension. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Jackson is scheduled to earn $1.77 million this upcoming season, which currently ranks 25th among quarterbacks in base salary. He will make significantly more in 2022 if he plays under his fifth-year option. Jackson has won more games (30) than any other quarterback since taking over as Baltimore's starter midway through the 2018 season and became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 30 regular-season victories (37 games). He's also the first in league history to produce 5,000 yards passing and 2,500 yards rushing in his first three NFL seasons. DeCosta believes Jackson is an asset in recruiting free agents, including wide receivers. "Players want to play with Lamar Jackson," DeCosta said. "I really do laugh at the notion that players don't want to come here and play with Lamar because he's one of the very best young players in the NFL." One of the biggest questions this offseason is whether Baltimore will add a proven No. 1 wide receiver for Jackson. The Ravens will look to keep one of Jackson's top targets around for the long-term, as well. Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews is entering the final year of his contract after totaling 156 catches and 2,105 yards receiving in his first three seasons. His 20 touchdown catches rank fourth among tight ends since 2018.
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Chargers Hire Joe Lombardi As OC; Renaldo Hill As DC
(1/25 10:43 PM PT)
The Facts:
Perhaps the biggest voice in Justin Herbert's ear moving forward has been decided. Joe Lombardi, who's spent the past five seasons coaching quarterbacks for the Saints, has agreed to terms with the Chargers to be their offensive coordinator. Lombardi's hiring was made official by the team on Monday afternoon, as the Chargers also announced the hiring of Renaldo Hill as defensive coordinator and Derius Swinton as special teams coordinator.
Reported by NFL.com
Diehards Line:
Consider it one of the more critical hires for new, defensive-minded head coach Brandon Staley. It's also an opportunity Lombardi has been working toward for some time. The 49-year-old assistant was briefly the OC for the Lions, joining Jim Caldwell in Detroit in 2014. That season produced a playoff appearance and Matthew Stafford's lone Pro Bowl selection. But after the Lions struggled to a 1-6 start to begin the following campaign, Lombardi was sent packing. He would return to New Orleans, where he'd already served as Drew Brees' QBs coach from 2009-13 and contributed to a Super Bowl title. The Chargers and Staley will be looking for similar results in pairing Lombardi with Herbert, who's fresh off a record-breaking rookie season. The relationship and results between Lombardi and Herbert will be pivotal for the Chargers' immediate and, possibly, long-term future.
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Cole Beasley Played Through Postseason With Partially Broken Fibula
(1/25 2:23 PM PT)
The Facts:
Beasley played the team's three postseason games on a partially broken fibula, he told reporters Monday afternoon. "It's nothing that needs to be surgically repaired. It's not a full break," Beasley said. "It was bad the first game I played, but after that you take a few meds and suck it up. There was no way I was going to miss the playoff game, especially after watching in Week 17, so I was going to figure it out one way or another."
Reported by ESPN.com
Diehards Line:
Beasley suffered the injury late in Buffalo's win over the New England Patriots in Week 16. It was classified then as a knee injury, and he missed the regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. He returned the following week in the Bills' wild-card win over the Indianapolis Colts, catching seven passes for 57 yards. Beasley caught 15 passes for 145 yards in three playoff games, bringing his regular-season and postseason totals to 97 catches, 1,112 yards and four touchdowns. Beasley, 31, set career highs in receptions, targets and receiving yards during the 2020 regular season and plans to return in 2021, saying he doesn't "feel like I'm slowing down."
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Report: Bucs Want Antonio Brown To Return For 2021 Season
(1/25 8:28 AM PT)
The Facts:
Brown didn't play in Green Bay Sunday due to a knee injury, but the Buccaneers want him to play for the Buccaneers during the 2021 season. Via Ian Rapoport, the Buccaneers want Brown back next season.
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
It’s no surprise, given that the Buccaneers want more than anything to keep quarterback Tom Brady next season. Brown was good not great in 2020, due in part to the fact that he never supplanted Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. Brown wasn’t supposed to. Come next year, however, Godwin could be gone via free agency. That would open a spot for Brown across from Evans. It also would bump up Scott Miller and Tyler Johnson, both of whom have shown they can get it done. Without a new deal, Brown will become a free agent on March 17. It’s unclear whether he’s done enough to get other teams to try to sign him. The Seahawks had real interest (or, more accurately quarterback Russell Wilson did). With the Josh Gordon experiment once again indefinitely on hold, Wilson could clamor for the team to bring Brown to town. But that all waits until the Buccaneers -- likely with Brown back on the field -- take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV in two weeks.
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Eagles Hiring Chargers OC Shane Steichen For That Same Role In Philly
(1/25 8:19 AM PT)
The Facts:
The pieces of the Philadelphia Eagles' new coaching staff are coming together. The Eagles have agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Chargers OC Shane Steichen to be their new offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per a source informed of the situation.
Reported by NFL.com
Diehards Line:
Steichen reunites with Eagles new head coach Nick Sirianni, who was officially hired on Sunday. The two worked together with the Chargers for four years until Sirianni left for Indianapolis in 2018. Steichen got his NFL coaching start in Cleveland in 2013 as a quality control coach. He moved to San Diego the next season as a quality control coach for 2014-2015. When Sirianni was moved from QB coach to WR coach in 2016, Steichen managed the quarterbacks' room. The 35-year-old took over the Chargers offense last year and was OC for the 2020 campaign. Steichen was credited with helping nurture rookie Justin Herbert in L.A. this season. With the Eagles, Steichen's experience with QB will play a big role, as Philly seeks to rebuild Carson Wentz after a season of struggles.
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Staley Eager To Build Offense Around Justin Herbert
(1/24 10:47 PM PT)
The Facts:
New Chargers HC Brandon Staley says he’s eager to build an offense that revolves around Herbert. “My vision for the offense really fits Justin and what he can do well,” Staley said. “Creating a system for Justin and uniquely shaping it for his skill set, because he is unlike anybody in the NFL.”
Reported by Profootballtalk.com
Diehards Line:
The 38-year-old Staley has coached only on the defensive side of the ball in his career as an NFL assistant, but he played quarterback in college at Dayton and said he still considers himself an offensive coach. “That’s what I was so excited about, to convey in this process, was my offensive vision, because I do consider myself an offensive coach,” Staley said. “I’ve had some great teachers who have taught me a lot of offensive football.” As PFT notes, many new head coaches have to hope their teams can sign or draft a franchise quarterback, but Staley is walking into a situation where he has a young quarterback in place coming off an excellent rookie season. The most important piece is in place for Staley.
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Aaron Rodgers Sounds Less Certain About His Future Than His Coach Does
(1/24 10:46 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Packers drafted Rodgers' eventual heir back in April. Could the torch be passed in 2021? Following Sunday's 31-26 NFC Championship Game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rodgers said his future is "uncertain."
Reported by NFL.com
Diehards Line:
"A lot of guys' futures that are uncertain, myself included." Rodgers said. "That's what's sad about it most. Getting this far. Obviously there's going to be an end to it at some point whether we make it past this one or not. Just the uncertainties is tough and the finality of it." Rodgers is the 2020 MVP favorite, tossing an NFL-high 48 touchdowns. Coach Matt LaFleur noted that he'd expect the QB to return. "I sure as hell hope so," LaFleur said. "I mean, the guy is the MVP of this league. He's the heart and soul of our football team. So, hell yeah. He better be back here. He's our leader." Rodgers' comments following the loss underscore that the 37-year-old is aware nothing is guaranteed, and the end of the line in Green Bay is in sight. His contract would suggest he's in Green Bay for at least one more season.
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Aaron Jones (chest) questionable to return
(1/24 5:11 PM PT)
Diehards Line:
With the game coming to a close, Jones has not returned and may have played his last snap in a Green Bay uniform. He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and second-round selection A.J. Dillon has looked good in a very limited role this year.
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Watkins and Bell Out for AFC Championship
(1/24 4:10 PM PT)
Diehards Line:
This means that Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson should continue splitting the No. 2 receiver role. Expect something like a 50/50 split of the backfield between Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams.
You can access the full inactive lists for all today's games on our Inactives Page.
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