NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Raiders and Saints have "the framework of a Derek Carr trade in place," which was apparently a condition in Vegas allowing the QB to visit the team. Carr possesses a no-trade clause, which likely means the deal depends on his preference after a "lengthy" visit. New Orleans would be a solid landing spot for the veteran QB, with a clear need at QB. We'd bet that such a trade would mean the end of Jameis Winston's time with the Saints. If you're drafting best-ball teams right now, then you can cheaply stack Carr with WR Chris Olave or RB Alvin Kamara -- who can be had as late as Round 5 or 6 in early fantasy football drafts.
QB Sam Howell will open the offseason as the Commanders' starter, HC Ron Rivera said on Wednesday. “The biggest thing we decided is he will start out as QB1,” Rivera said of Howell. “He will most certainly get the first opportunity. We go into OTAs and minicamp, he’ll be QB1. He’ll fight for that position. We’ll give him every opportunity to earn it, and we’ll see what happens when we get into training camp and through it.” Howell didn't hit the field as a 5th-round rookie last year until Week 18, finishing that one with a 169-1-1 passing line and 35 yards and a score rushing. QB Carson Wentz is an obvious cut candidate, with no dead money on his contract. And QB Taylor Heinicke is set to hit free agency next month. But Washington will obviously be adding competition in the QB room, via free agency, the draft or both. We'll see how the situation shakes out, but we'd only consider Howell as a QB3 in early best-ball drafts.
The Titans have promoted passing-game coordinator Tim Kelly to OC. 2022 was Kelly's first season in Tennessee. He spent the previous 3 years as Houston's OC. Those first 2 Texans teams had middling finishes in points and total yards under QB Deshaun Watson before sinking to bottom-3 levels in 2021 with QBs Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor. It's not an overly inspiring hire by Tennessee. Expect the offense to again revolve around RB Derrick Henry in 2023.
Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline hears that the Cowboys are looking to keep both RB Ezekiel Elliott and RB Tony Pollard on the team for 2023. The plan is to get Elliott to agree to a pay cut from the $16.7 million he's currently scheduled to make this upcoming season and then use the franchise tag on Pollard, which would pay him a little over $10 million in 2023. Elliott and Pollard split backfield work basically down the middle this past year, with Zeke averaging 15.4 carries and 1.5 targets per game to Pollard's 12.1 carries and 3.4 targets. Both guys' fantasy ceilings would be capped if they remain together in Dallas.
49ers QB Brock Purdy is expected to undergo surgery to repair his torn UCL on February 22, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Purdy is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp, per Rapoport. Still, this is a serious procedure that will cost Purdy the entire offseason program. It's a considerable speed bump after an impressive 8-game run as a rookie. Purdy and QB Trey Lance are expected to duke it out for the starting job this summer, barring a significant addition to the QB room.
Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He injured that knee in practice leading up to the AFC Championship and played just 45% of the offensive snaps in that game. But it looks like he'll be ready for his usual role in Sunday's Super Bowl vs. the Eagles.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He avoided a setback in the AFC Championship win over the Bengals and should be closer to 100% for Sunday's Super Bowl vs. the Eagles.
Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (ankle, hamstring) put in a limited practice on Wednesday. He said that he expects to play in Sunday's Super Bowl vs. the Eagles -- and the limited practice early in the week puts him on track. We'll get another update on Toney's status on Thursday.
The Vikings have reached a deal to make Brian Flores their new DC. Flores spent last year as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh after a messy breakup with the Dolphins. His Miami defenses improved from 32nd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA his first season to 11th and 10th in his final two. Before that, Flores spent 15 years under HC Bill Belichick in New England, including stints coaching safeties and LBs. He inherits a talented Vikings D that fell from 16th in 2021 DVOA to 27th this past season
Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) has been activated from IR. It makes him eligible to play in Sunday's Super Bowl, although it's still unclear if he will. Edwards-Helaire has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 11. If he does play against the Eagles, he'll likely be used sparingly behind RBs Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon.
Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis) has been placed on IR, officially knocking him out for the Super Bowl. He went down way back in Week 9 and aggravated the injury when he tried to return for the AFC Championship. We're still waiting to find out whether WRs JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) will be available for Sunday's showdown vs. the Eagles.
WR A.J. Green announced his retirement on Monday. His play tailed off dramatically over the past couple of seasons, but Green had an awesome NFL career. He topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 5 seasons and 6 of his first 7. He reached double-digit TDs 3 times. Green currently sits inside the top 50 in all-time receiving yards and scores.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper considers WR Keenan Allen 1 of the Charger's most likely salary cap casualties. (L.A. is currently about $23.5 million over the projected 2023 salary cap.) Allen missed 7 games and most of 2 others with hamstring trouble this past season and turns 31 in April. But he averaged 10.4 targets, 7.5 catches, 84 yards and .5 TDs over 8 healthy regular-season games. And he ranked 12th among 96 qualifying WRs in yards per route run. Allen would draw plenty of interest on the open market if he is released. His departure would be a significant boost to WR Mike Williams and especially WR Josh Palmer. Palmer averaged 7.3 targets, 4.6 catches and 49 yards across 8 games with Allen out or limited this past year.
The Cowboys named Brian Schottenheimer their new OC. He spent this past season in Dallas as an offensive consultant. HC Mike McCarthy is expected to take over play-calling duties from the departed Kellen Moore, so we're not sure Schottenheimer's role will change much in 2023. He does have 12 seasons of experience as an NFL OC, most recently from 2018-2020 with the Seahawks. Those were run-leaning attacks, with 2 of the 3 finishing top 3 in rushing attempts.
The Panthers are hiring Ejiro Evero as DC, according to multiple reports. In his 1st year as Broncos DC, Evero earned widespread praise. He piloted a unit that ranked 7th in yards allowed, 14th in points allowed and 10th in Football Outsiders' DVOA. Denver likely would have ranked even better but traded EDGE Bradley Chubb during the season and lost S Justin Simmons to injury for 5 games (among other injuries). Evero -- who has been on NFL staffs since 2007, except for 1 year spent at the D-III level -- impressed enough to draw head-coaching interviews this offseason. He'll take over a Panthers defense with some talented pieces. Chief among those are EDGE Brian Burns, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Jaycee Horn and DT Derrick Brown. Don't be surprised if the Carolina defense becomes more of a fantasy football factor in 2023.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs said Saturday that he’d like to re-sign with the team. Per Jacobs, contract talks should begin next week. “This is where I want to be,” the 25-year-old said. “I feel like I’ve left my mark on this organization. With the guys in the locker room — obviously, it’s going to be shaken up next year, but I feel like this is home. For me, this is where I want to be, but I’m not going to discredit myself trying to be here, either. So, it’s just got to make sense.” Jacobs smashed prior career highs with 393 touches and 2,053 total yards in 2022.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Saturday that he’s in talks with the team on a new contract and that things are “looking very good.” We’ve been assuming Smith would re-sign, as the move just makes sense for both sides. We’ll be tracking the process, of course. If you’re jumping into early best-ball drafts — or managing your dynasty rosters — treat Smith as though he’ll start for Seattle in 2023. The length of his new contract should help clarify how long he might stay beyond that
The misdemeanor menacing charge against Bengals RB Joe Mixon was dismissed by a judge on Friday, at the request of the prosecution. But the prosecution reserves the right to re-file the case after additional investigation. The legal side of this story isn't over yet. And the NFL can discipline Mixon even if he isn't legally found guilty. That has Mixon's 2023 and dynasty value in limbo for now. We'll keep you updated on the situation.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon is being charged with "aggravated menacing" for an incident that allegedly occurred in downtown Cincinnati the day before the Divisional Round game against the Bills. Mixon is accused of pointing a gun at a woman and saying, "You should be popped in the face, I should shoot you, the police can't get me." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero spoke Thursday night with Mixon's agent, who claims the charge will be dropped on Friday. We'll keep you updated on the situation. Remember that Mixon entered the NFL with red flags after he was caught on camera punching a woman at a restaurant in 2014.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid expressed optimism on Thursday that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) will be able to practice next week and play in the Super Bowl. "He’s in a good place," Reid said. "The main thing is that we let that [injury] calm down. I’m very optimistic right now… We’ll just see where it goes.” Check back next week for updates on Smith-Schuster's progress.
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