Welcome to the third edition of Pombo’s Weekly Football Rewind. This weekly series will go in depth about all of the latest news, rumors, signings, and trades of the past week.
Russell Wilson Rumors Continue to Swirl
Russell Wilson continues to be the center of attention, as the NFL offseason progresses. It seems like the reports out of Seattle get worse and worse by the day.
The latest updates have not been positive, as the relationship between the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson seem truly damaged.
The Seahawks are reportedly picking up the phone when teams have called about acquiring Russell Wilson. Now, it obviously does not mean that they will trade Wilson, but for them to actually pick up the phone says a lot.
The Wilson rumors even went a step further, as the Chicago Bears have reportedly made Russell Wilson their, “top priority at quarterback.”
The thought of Wilson ending up in Chicago would make a great deal of sense. Bears general manager Ryan Pace, and head coach Matt Nagy, are one more underachieving season away from being booted out of the organization. Making a mega trade for Wilson would save their jobs, and would instantly give the Bears elite play from the quarterback position.
With frustration among Wilson and the Seahawks growing, what will be the next shoe to drop?
Ben Roethlisberger Agrees to a Contract Restructure
After Ben Roethlisberger announced that he wanted to return in 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers had really nowhere else to turn. They had no succession plan in-place, and nobody would be willing to take on Roethlisberger’s contract via trade. So, the Steelers found themselves with very little choice other then to take Roethlisberger back.
Roethlisberger’s contract restructure lowers his cap hit by more than $15 million in 2021. He now has a $14 million base salary, compared to the original $19 million base salary, that he was due before the restructure.
The Steelers have a lot more work to do this offseason, and have a lot of needs to fill. But, getting the Roethlisberger situation sorted out early was the right decision.
Is Tom Brady Getting a Contract Extension?
Tom Brady is turning 44 years old in August, but the seven-time Super Bowl champion does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
According to Josina Anderson, the Bucs could be nearing a “reworking” of Brady’s contract.
Brady has one more season remaining on his current contract, and has a cap hit of $28.3 million. With the salary cap dropping, the Bucs are in a situation in which they’re only projected to have around $15 million in cap room.
They have a plethora of free agents to attend to, including, Chris Godwin and Shaq Barrett.
A contract extension would lower Brady’s cap number, which would give the Bucs a chance to retain their free agents.
It would also give Tom Brady the opportunity to play until age 45, which has been a goal of his for quite some time.
The Eagles Plan on Building Around Jalen Hurts
After trading Carson Wentz to the Colts, it looks like the Eagles have pegged Jalen Hurts to lead the Eagles in 2021.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has instructed the Eagles to, “prioritize making Jalen Hurts successful in 2021 as opposed to creating a true quarterback competition.”
After Carson Wentz folded with quarterback competition on the roster in 2020, the Eagles will not make the same mistake twice.
Jalen Hurts was a second-round pick in the 2020 Draft, and went 1-3 in four starts last season.
The Eagles hold the sixth-overall pick of the 2021 Draft, and this report could suggest that the Eagles could target a skill-position player with that pick. If the Eagles want to prioritize Hurts’ growth, it would make a lot of sense.
The Vikings Commit to Kirk Cousins
After some speculation that the Vikings would look to move on from Kirk Cousins, Vikings general manager, Rick Spielman make it clear that Cousins will remain in Minnesota in 2021. Spielman spoke to reporters and defended the 32 year old Cousins:
“Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. I know there's a lot of rumors floating around out there, but Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We felt that he played very well, probably the best that he's ever played, down that stretch last year.”
Cousins is coming off a season in which he quietly put together one of the best seasons on his career. Cousins had a career-high 35 touchdown passes, and posted his highest QBR in a Vikings uniform. But, the Vikings failed to reach the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Cousins has a cap hit of $31 million in 2021, and a $45 million cap hit in 2022.
Kirk Cousins may be in the fold for the Vikings in 2021, but it’s hard to believe that the Vikings won’t look for a new option under center in the immediate future.
The Patriots Continue to be Connected to Jimmy Garoppolo
Last week 49ers general manager John Lynch made it clear that Jimmy Garoppolo was their quarterback, but the Patriots continue to be connected to Garoppolo.
Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, gave some interesting information on the Patriots Podcast:
“From what I gather from talking to people this week, over the past week, Jimmy Garoppolo still is far and away their Plan A… If they had to draw it up, exactly the optimal situation for the Patriots for this coming season, it’s Jimmy G coming back here. And of course, that’s all dependent on the 49ers doing something.”
The latter part of that quote is the most important part of it. Sure, the Patriots want a reunion with Jimmy Garoppolo, it would be ideal. But, the 49ers aren’t just going to cut bait with Garoppolo, unless they have a clear upgrade in place. A trade for Deshaun Watson, or drafting a quarterback high in the first round would constitute as potential upgrades. The 49ers have also been tied to Sam Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater this offseason.
Maybe, Belichick and Lynch are fighting for leverage?
This offseason is far from over, and if the 49ers can find an upgrade they’re going to strike, but if they don’t, then Jimmy Garoppolo to the Patriots will remain unlikely.
A Zach Ertz Trade on the Horizon?
The demolition in Philadelphia looks like it will continue, and next on the list looks to be the three-time pro bowler, Zach Ertz.
According to Mike Silver of NFL Network, a deal for Zach Ertz could be coming in the next few days.
Ertz is coming off of the worst season of his career, and has a cap hit of $12.4 million in 2021. The 30 year old tight end looked old, beat up, and disinterested in 2020.
But, maybe a change of scenery could do help get his career back on track.
The two teams that I could see making a run at Ertz are the Colts and the Seahawks.
The Colts seem like an ideal landing spot for Zach Ertz. Carson Wentz and Ertz had a great connection on the field, and Frank Reich was the Eagles offensive coordinator for two seasons.
The Seahawks reportedly were interested in Ertz earlier in the offseason. Jacob Hollister is a free agent, and Greg Olsen retired, so the Seahawks have a clear need at the position.
It wouldn’t shock me if Ertz was dealt by the end of the week.
The Broncos Tag Justin Simmons
For the second year in a row, the Broncos have elected to place the franchise tag on safety, Justin Simmons.
The 27 year old safety was named a pro-bowler for the first time of his career. The Broncos are expected to make a sincere effort to lock Simmons up to a long-term contract.
Simmons had a career high in interceptions in 2020, and has not missed a game in over three years.
If the Broncos are unable to reach a long-term deal with Simmons by July 15th, the Broncos will be on the hook to pay Simmons $13.7 million in 2021.
What is Going on with the Dolphins and Kyle Van Noy?
Last offseason, Kyle Van Noy signed a four-year deal worth $51 million with the Miami Dolphins. $30 million of the contract was guaranteed, and Van Noy received $15 million after the first year of his contract.
In 2020, Van Noy was a team captain, and played in over 90% of the defensive snaps in 10 games.
Van Noy was a big part of the Dolphins defense, as he was third on the team in tackles and second in tackles for loss.
But, after one season in Miami, the relationship between the Dolphins and Van Noy has seemingly came to a screeching halt.
Van Noy released a statement to NFL Network:
"I am surprised and disappointed in their decision. As a captain, I gave my all to the team. I fought through a painful hip injury during the season, including spending a night in the hospital after a game. I was brought there to be a leader and I know my teammates looked up to and respected me.”
However, the Dolphins have yet to release the two-time Super Bowl champion. Miami is reportedly holding out hope for a trade. But, at this point, Miami has no leverage in a potential trade, and with Van Noy’s contract, it would be very difficult to execute a trade.
With the NFL salary cap expected to drop, many teams will be forced with tough decisions. But, this one took me by surprise. Van Noy was a leader in the Dolphins locker room, and was coming off of a productive season.