NFL 2021 Off-season and Free Agency Discussion

Feb 28, 2009
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What was the story about him?
Literally just that the Ravens and Judon/his agent had tried to work out a contract extension during the season (although franchise tag rules mean its actually not possible)

It seems like a massive overreaction over nothing by an immature dude who isn't as good as he thinks he is

 
Sep 6, 2005
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Literally just that the Ravens and Judon/his agent had tried to work out a contract extension during the season (although franchise tag rules mean its actually not possible)

It seems like a massive overreaction over nothing by an immature dude who isn't as good as he thinks he is


Overreaction is a mild term
 

The Vikings ($9 million over) don't need to do too much to get under the cap. Cutting Rudolph and a couple of restructures would probably do. There's also the chance that Reilly Reiff and/or Harrision Smith could be extended and that would mean salary cap friendly numbers for 2021.
 
Feb 21, 2006
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Jets have received "real interest" in Sam Darnold.
Rapoport said the team would "complete their evaluations of the top QBs in the NFL Draft before making any decisions" on what to do with Darnold. All signs point to the Jets trading Darnold in the coming weeks. The Patriots and Washington have expressed some interest in acquiring Darnold in hopes that Adam Gase did not permanently break the once-promising QB. Rapoport said the Jets are in no hurry to deal Darnold, who could be left in career limbo for at least the next two months.
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SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Feb 22, 2021, 12:15 PM ET

Not the Patriots!!!!
 
Feb 21, 2006
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The Athletic's Sheil Kapadia believes Aaron Jones could get up to $15 million a year in free agency.
That would put Jones on par with Alvin Kamara and Ezekiel Elliott, and just $1 million less than Christian McCaffrey, the highest paid running back in NFL history. It would hardly be surprising to see a team break open the vault for Jones, who has 3,017 yards from scrimmage since the start of 2019 and whose 829 receiving yards over the past two seasons rank sixth among running backs. His 51 runs of 10-plus yards are tied for sixth over the past two seasons. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said the team would like to bring back Jones for 2021 and beyond, but at 26 years old, this will probably be Jones' only chance to break the bank. Packers backfield mate Jamaal Williams is also a free agent. AJ Dillon, who flashed late in the 2020 season, waits in the wings.
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SOURCE: The Athletic
Feb 23, 2021, 10:23 AM ET

Teams need to stop paying RBs, when was the last time it paid off. Zeke isn't worth the money, McCaffrey has regressed (injuries?), Kamara was good not great this year. OL is much more important then just rotate RBs through every 4 years or so no point breaking the bank for them.
 
Feb 21, 2006
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Some that I vouch for....

Paper Lion by George Plimpton (it is from another era of football but is a great read as Plimpton actually writes the book whilst being on the preseason roster of the Lions).
Friday Night Lights by Buzz Bissinger (high school football)
Take Your Eye Off The Ball by Pat Kirwin (great insights into how much is going on a football field away from the ball)

These are some of my favorites but there is a lot of stuff out there....personally I steer away from the bios as they nearly always follow the same theme of...being told they will never make it, rough upbringing, professional setbacks and how they managed to triumph over all.

I agree with Paper Lion (a great read) and Take Your Eye Off The Ball (still to finish it but great insights nonetheless).

I really enjoyed Gridiron Genius by Mike Lombardi, more of a management book than pure football but some good insights into how things worked at the Raiders and Pats. He references a couple of other books I wouldn't mind reading one by Bill Walsh and the other escapes me (another ex-coach)
 
Sep 6, 2005
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Teams need to stop paying RBs, when was the last time it paid off. Zeke isn't worth the money, McCaffrey has regressed (injuries?), Kamara was good not great this year. OL is much more important then just rotate RBs through every 4 years or so no point breaking the bank for them.
If you have a genuine bell-cow, they deserve to be paid and utilized as a key franchise component. The shelf life for them is far shorter than say QB or WR, and there aren't many all-time great RB talents in the NFL the last decade or so. But if you have one that also means there is a long shelf-life, and so why not? If you have one, land upon one fortuitously.
 
Sep 6, 2005
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The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks report Russell Wilson's camp has broached trade destinations with Seattle to the Dolphins, Jets, Saints and Raiders.
The report also notes that "some people around the league" believe a trade will happen, if not this offseason then sometime in the "near future," and that those close to Wilson feel as though the pillars upon which coach Pete Carroll built his program — namely competition and accountability — are applied selectively, especially as it pertains to himself and his sons. If that truly is the case, Wilson would knowingly waive his no-trade clause to join one of the four teams listed above if only to escape Carroll's reign, which runs through the 2025 season after the organization gifted the 69-year-old an extension late last year. It's still possible this relationship is repaired, but the two sides continue to grow farther apart with every passing day.
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SOURCE: Michael Dugar on Twitter
Feb 25, 2021, 10:40 AM ET
 
Sep 6, 2005
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ESPN's Dianna Russini reports the Texans "continue to avoid conversations with teams in regards to trading Deshaun Watson."
The pot is boiling, but the Texans refuse to watch it. We will see how long they can continue to outlast a player who tweeted Thursday: "Loyalty is everything. Don't you EVER forget it." Both sides appear to be digging in. This could end up one of the NFL's most drawn out, dramatic sagas in some time.
SOURCE: Dianna Russini on Twitter
Feb 25, 2021, 1:31 PM ET
 
Sep 6, 2005
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ESPN's Dianna Russini reports free agent J.J. Watt has received "several offers," with the best checking in "between $15-$16 million per year."
Watt has been linked to at least half a dozen teams, so it is not a surprise the 31-year-old is drawing a robust market after returning to 16-game health in 2020. We have been short on concrete rumors for the past 7-10 days, but it is still quite possible Watt has a new home before February is through on Sunday.
SOURCE: Dianna Russini on Twitter
Feb 25, 2021, 1:34 PM ET
 
Feb 28, 2009
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ESPN's Dianna Russini reports free agent J.J. Watt has received "several offers," with the best checking in "between $15-$16 million per year."
Watt has been linked to at least half a dozen teams, so it is not a surprise the 31-year-old is drawing a robust market after returning to 16-game health in 2020. We have been short on concrete rumors for the past 7-10 days, but it is still quite possible Watt has a new home before February is through on Sunday.
SOURCE: Dianna Russini on Twitter
Feb 25, 2021, 1:34 PM ET
Seems like a massive risk at that salary given his injury history
 
Sep 6, 2005
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The Houston Chronicle reports impending free agent Will Fuller will not be franchise tagged by the Texans.
The Chronicle's Aaron Wilson reports the soon-to-be 27-year-old is considered likely to walk in free agency, but that the Texans would like to re-sign him. The tag would cost $16.54 million, a princely sum for an always-injured wideout who still has a week left on his six-game steroid suspension. For his part, with Deshaun Watson forcing his way out of Houston and the organization in free-fall, there isn't much reason for Fuller to want to stay. Even with his injury history and PED problems, Fuller and his game-breaking ability would normally command heavy interest on the open market. With the salary cap falling, however, it could be the wrong year for someone like Fuller to become a free agent.
SOURCE: Houston Chronicle
Feb 25, 2021, 3:43 PM ET
 
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