Tackling the Issue

Edition #343

Good morning!☀️

We have some QB movement…unfortunately for the Jets, it’s not good news. We’ll get into that below but I'll be completely honest with you, today I feel deflated.

Last week we put together a combine primer for the offensive tackle position. Take a look at all the drills, outline what they were used for, and set some benchmarks for performance.

Today we’re going to revisit that model, but work in the class of 2023 performance. Who performed above what you look for and who performed below?

📯 The Minnesota Vikings announced that they had released linebacker Eric Kendricks. The former Pro Bowler and All-Pro will now head to free agency for the first time, having been with the Vikings since being drafted in the 2nd round out of UCLA in 2015.

🐘 CBS had a new mock draft out yesterday and while I don’t tend to share a lot of them here, I thought I’d share this one as it’s a little different from the other. Instead of an offensive tackle, they have us taking a safety.

👏 Now that the combine has concluded, Next Gen Stats their top-5 most athletic prospects from the weekend. Got to give guard Jon Gaines credit for forcing his way in there as the only offensive line prospect. Quarterback Anthony Richardson topped the charts after his ridiculous workout.

🔵 According to multiple reports, the Titans are open to trading Derrick Henry, or at least they’re open to “fielding calls” on their star running back. I imagine there are plenty of teams who would be open to adding him, let’s just hope he doesn’t end up in the AFC East. I trust our defense, but let’s not make things more difficult.

⚪ The Titans are also expected to release Bud Dupree. A move that will save the team around $10M in cap space.

🪶 Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been reinstated by the NFL.

🔴 The Arizona Cardinals are expected to move on from center Rodney Hudson and WR Robbie 'Chosen' Anderson. Hudson had previously reduced his salary to $2M and is likely to retire. Anderson's release saves $12M against the cap.

🤠 The Cowboys have slapped Tony Pollard with the franchise tag.

🐆 The Jaguars placed their franchise tag on TE Evan Engram.

⛏️ The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to release DE Frank Clark.

☠️ As expected the Raiders have placed the franchise tag on RB Josh Jacobs.

🔎 The Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with Geno Smith, taking another QB off the market. It's a 3-year $105 million deal for the former Jets man.

Jeremy Fowler was on ESPN yesterday to talk Jets QB, and he stated that the Jets were still in for Aaron Rodgers. He stated the contract is a roadblock at $59.3 million.

Now Rodgers has previously said he’d be willing to restructure that contract, which he’ll absolutely have to do. The issue here is that everyone seems to be ignoring the fact he still hasn’t said whether he wants to play or not.

Unfortunately, that’s the play we’ve got now, with news breaking yesterday that Derek Carr is heading to New Orleans. Early reports seem to indicate that he was tired of waiting for the Jets and Aaron Rodgers. Maybe he just wanted New Orleans all along. The Saints gave him a 4-year deal for $150 million, with $100 million guaranteed, and they made him feel wanted from the start.

Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN

#Saints made their final pitch to Derek Carr late last night and early this morning, per source. Carr slept on it and ultimately decided to sign with New Orleans, who had zeroed in on him from beginning. #Jets remain in on Aaron Rodgers https://t.co/Aks0xva3Qo

The problem here is that the Packers now know the Jet’s plan B is out the window. It’s likely the price for Rodgers has increased, that’s the issue when one team smells desperation on another team.

Trey Wingo reported late Monday night that the Jets had spoken to Rodgers and he was open to joining New York. If that's true, and let me just say it hasn't been confirmed by anyone else. That means three things. Aaron Rodgers is going to play, he's interested in New York and the Packers have him permission to speak to us.