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After spending virtually every week in Indianapolis on the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine speaking with normal managers, coaches, brokers and sources throughout the league, it’s a pleasure to finish the chatter (I could or will not be icing my face from all of the gabbing) and share with you the most recent I’m listening to across the NFL.
Right here’s what it is advisable know.
If the Chicago Bears deliberate to maintain their strikes a thriller, it wasn’t powerful to unravel their recreation of quarterback Clue based mostly on all of the speak in eating places, espresso retailers and conference middle hallways in regards to the staff that holds the keys to the highest of the NFL Draft.
A number of league sources I spoke to consider the Bears are attempting to maneuver on from Justin Fields, who’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract. The staff, which has the No. 1 and 9 picks, seems to be targeted on utilizing its first choose to pick out USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
Although there had been suspicion that Williams had no real interest in taking part in in Chicago, he not too long ago revealed in an interview that he could be joyful to be a Bear if chosen. I spoke with some high brass with the Bears who had seen Williams’ current sentiments about his curiosity in Chicago, they usually appeared happy. When Williams met with Chicago’s employees in particular person, they spent most of their time on the whiteboard going over set up, observing his recall and course of.
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As for his or her present quarterback, Bears decision-makers want to make the decision on Fields’ future earlier than the NFL free company window, which opens March 13. That’s what they like, however not essentially what they are going to obtain. Common supervisor Ryan Poles overtly shared that he desires to “do proper” by Fields and understands “nobody desires to dwell within the grey space.”
The staff spent many of the week gauging curiosity across the league to judge his worth. The Bears might have motion within the veteran quarterback market, which incorporates Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield, earlier than groups get into critical discussions with the Bears for Fields. Although I count on the demand for Fields to be strong, understanding groups just like the Raiders, Broncos, Steelers and Falcons are all looking for a quarterback, it seems his market is tender for now. It was arduous to search out sturdy curiosity from any staff. One NFC normal supervisor defined the issue with the present timing: “When folks know you’re eliminating one thing, they don’t pay as a lot for it.”
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Chicago wants only one staff to vary all the things. However the Bears might have to attend for the veteran QBs to search out properties earlier than they get any curiosity.
That will get us to Cousins.
He’s probably the most worthwhile participant available on the market regardless of an Achilles damage he suffered in October. The Vikings need to retain him, and the 35-year-old has expressed his love for the group, however historical past has proven us that Cousins is one of the best contract negotiator in sports activities. The query stays how excessive Minnesota is keen to go to maintain the quarterback that coach Kevin O’Connell clearly desires again operating his offense.
Over the following month, I’m maintaining a tally of the Falcons. They consider Cousins is the kind of participant who strikes them from a fringe playoff staff to a contender. New Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson each have familiarity with Cousins. Figuring out this may very well be a seamless transition for Cousins and the gifted younger group of gamers throughout their roster, I count on the Falcons to compete for the rights to his contract. It makes all of the sense on this planet.
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A comfort prize for Atlanta? How about Mayfield? I count on the Falcons to attempt to signal him in the event that they miss out on Cousins or if Tampa Bay can’t get a deal carried out with Mayfield. The Bucs have supplied a brand new deal to Mayfield, however they’re nonetheless at an early stage of their negotiations. We are going to see if the person who wager on himself, changed Tom Brady and took a staff to the playoffs can land a deal that would pay him within the vary of $30 million to $35 million per 12 months. Not dangerous for a QB who was simply taking part in on a $4 million deal and now has a number of suitors.
Talking of the Bucs, large receiver Mike Evans plans to hit free company for the first time in his career. The Bucs and Evans are nonetheless in discussions, however he desires to discover his choices. This doesn’t imply his time in Tampa is over, however Evans desires to listen to from all groups. That is his first likelihood to be courted. I nonetheless consider he’ll stick with the staff that drafted him.
Chiefs star defensive sort out Chris Jones and the Chiefs are in talks to get a deal carried out. Whereas Jones might hit free company, there’s optimism the Chiefs will retain him. The Tremendous Bowl champs are locked in on locking up their greatest participant not named Patrick Mahomes.
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Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has acquired an enormous quantity of reward for his teaching performances that helped the Chiefs win one other title. Although he not too long ago signed a brand new contract to stick with the Chiefs, the 49ers had been making an attempt to land him, in accordance with a league supply. The 49ers are planning to advertise Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator after parting methods with Steve Wilks and the staff is anticipated to rent former Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley as assistant head coach, league sources confirmed. ESPN first reported the information of these strikes.
• I bumped into Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and was blown away by his help of Kyler Murray. It’s very clear Murray is their man. It’s at all times gratifying to listen to a coach sound like he’s in love along with his quarterback. The Cardinals choose fourth within the draft, and a few within the league consider they’re open to buying and selling again. Might we see 4 quarterbacks go together with the highest 4 picks? One normal supervisor informed me, “Completely!”
• I frolicked with a head coach not with Chicago who felt hesitant about assembly with Caleb Williams. He had some reservations based mostly on his personal gathering of knowledge. After the coach met Williams, I acquired a textual content that learn, “I really actually like him; it was a very good interview.” That’s a small however nice instance of why in-person conferences are essential for gamers and groups. One interplay can swing an opinion and a major choice for a company.
• The Broncos made it very clear the Russell Wilson chapter will be over soon. Across the league, folks consider Denver will reduce him by subsequent week.
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• Don’t count on operating backs to get franchise-tagged this 12 months, as the worth has exceeded the market. Based mostly on a number of conversations with totally different groups, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley sit on the high of free agent operating again lists, adopted by the following wave of backs like Derrick Henry, D’Andre Swift and Tony Pollard.
That mentioned, groups had been performing like they’d slightly pay these second-tier gamers round $6 million slightly than $10 million-plus to Jacobs and Barkley. Regardless of the free agent market together with probably the most gifted group of backs we’ve seen accessible in years, I don’t sense that altering their declining worth across the NFL.
(Photograph of Caleb Williams: Michael Hickey / Getty Pictures)
