Jon Gruden and Derek Carr seem to have improved their relationship significantly since Gruden took over as head coach of the Raiders back in 2018, but it hardly sounds like the quarterback is off-limits in trade talks.
Teams have called the Raiders to gauge their interest in trading Carr, and NFL Network reported on Sunday that Las Vegas is at least considering the possibility. While the Raiders previously gave teams a “firm no” about parting with Carr, they are now open to it if they can find a viable replacement.
The Raiders recently guaranteed backup quarterback Nathan Peterman $1 million for 2021. Rival teams believe that is a sign they are open to dealing either Carr or Marcus Mariota.
Carr has two years remaining on his deal for no more than a $22.125 million cap hit in either year. Even though he and Gruden had some rough times at first, things have improved. Carr completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,103 yards, 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.
One Las Vegas reporter speculated this week that the Raiders could trade Carr and bring in this star quarterback, but that seems unlikely.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall/Wikimedia via CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dallas Cowboys will once again try to sign Dak Prescott to a long-term contract this offseason. But even if they fail to reach an agreement, the quarterback is not leaving the team.
The Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Prescott for a second straight season if need be, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The goal, however, is to sign Prescott to a long-term deal prior to the March 9 deadline for assigning the franchise tag.
One source of motivation for the Cowboys to get a deal done as soon as possible is the salary cap situation. The salary cap is expected to decrease in 2021, which has left many teams strapped. Prescott would earn $37.7 million in 2021 if he is franchise tagged again. A long-term contract could be structured in a way that alleviates some of that this offseason.
The Cowboys reportedly have no concerns about Prescott’s surgically repaired ankle. The 27-year-old actually underwent a second surgery after more damage was revealed from a previous injury, but his recovery has gone well.
Despite how gruesome Prescott’s ankle injury looked, there has been no indication that he will have any limitations in 2021.
One former NFL quarterback explained this week why he believes Prescott should give the Cowboys a hometown discount. We would be surprised if that happens, however.
The Houston Texans have said publicly that they have no intention of trading Deshaun Watson, and they are reportedly telling interested teams the same.
Some teams that have called the Texans to ask about acquiring Watson have been told the star quarterback is not going anywhere. Others have not even had their calls and text messages returned, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
One person who is familiar with the Texans’ thinking told NFL Network that “the goal is to get him back, period.”
It remains to be seen if and for how long the Texans can continue down this path. Watson has made it clear that he wants to be traded. While the team can fine him more than $2 million in total if he skips offseason activities and preseason games, the 25-year-old could also threaten to retire.
Houston executives are likely still optimistic that they can smooth things over with Watson, but there has been no indication that Watson is open to that.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Texans have made “sweeping organizational changes” recently, including firing equipment manager Mike Parson and his staff. Watson and Parson are close, so that was yet another move that irritated Watson.
Watson has yet to publicly state that he wants a trade, but a recent change he made to his social media profiles removed all doubt.
If the Texans do decide to trade Watson, they will reportedly be looking for a massive haul in return.
The New York Jets are expected to entertain the idea of trading Sam Darnold this offseason, and it sounds like they will not have trouble finding a suitor for the young quarterback if they decide to go that route.
Multiple teams have already reached out to the Jets to discuss a potential Darnold trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. While the Jets remain unsure about what they want to do at the quarterback position, they have not turned the calls away.
The QB trade market has been very active this offseason, with several teams in search of a starter. As Schefter notes, the Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and Washington all inquired about Matthew Stafford before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. It’s possible some of those teams could have interest in Darnold.
The Jets have the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft, and many analysts expect them to select Ohio State star Justin Fields. They also haven’t ruled out trading Darnold and using the compensation to make a deal for another quarterback, according to Schefter.
Darnold had a rough third season with 2,208 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games. Of course, the Jets were a complete mess under former head coach Adam Gase. Darnold is also still just 23, so you can understand why teams believe he has potential.
At least one other top quarterback seems likely to be traded in the near future. Darnold could be the next to go after that.
Tarik Cohen was part of some trade rumors on Saturday and issued a response on Twitter.
Rumors surrounding a possible Carson Wentz trade have heated up. There have been suggestions that the Chicago Bears are interested in making a deal for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
Two Philly reporters said a Wentz trade could involve Cohen, a first-round pick, and Nick Foles.
Cohen heard about the rumors and shot them down via Twitter.
Regardless of what Cohen says or was told, he could still very easily be traded. And if the Bears think that acquiring Wentz and his contract will fix their issues, they’re going to be in some trouble.
Photo: Thomson200/Wikimedia via CC0
Ryan Leaf poked fun at himself with a photo he posted on Twitter Saturday night.
Leaf, who has become known for his self-deprecating humor, shared a photo of the 1997 Heisman Trophy finalists. The honor went to Charles Woodson that year. Peyton Manning finished second, Leaf was third, and Randy Moss fourth. All of them are pictured in the photo.
Woodson, Manning and Moss all went on to have legendary NFL careers. Leaf became one of the most notorious draft busts ever.
The great fortune of the players was cemented even more on Saturday night when Woodson and Manning learned they made the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moss was inducted in 2018.
So now that photo is three Hall of Famers and Leaf. About the only way Leaf can handle things is the way he has – by making a joke of it.
Terrell Owens just loves taking shots at Donovan McNabb.
T.O. sent an unsolicited tweet on Saturday night aimed at McNabb. Owens seemed to recount the time before Super Bowl XXXIX he told former teammate Freddie Mitchell to make sure McNabb wasn’t out drinking.
Owens, McNabb and Mitchell were teammates on the Eagles, who lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl during the 2004 season.
Owens has been on a warpath when it comes to McNabb. He recently bashed his former quarterback and said McNabb was out drinking the night before their Eagles lost the big game. Owens speculated that McNabb drinking could have contributed to the quarterback throwing up in the huddle during the game.
It’s awfully petty of Owens to bring the matter back up the night before the Bucs and Chiefs meet in the Super Bowl. But Owens has always been petty, so this shouldn’t surprise us.
Aaron Rodgers broke some news on Saturday night while accepting his third NFL MVP award.
Rodgers on Saturday was announced as the league’s MVP, becoming the sixth player in NFL history to win the award at least three times. During his acceptance speech for the virtual event, Rodgers made a surprising revelation.
Rodgers said that getting engaged was one of his accomplishments in 2020. He also thanked his fiancee during his speech, though he did not mention her by name.
The announcement from Rodgers comes two days after we shared a report saying the quarterback was dating Shailene Woodley. Woodley is an actress who starred in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and “Big Little Lies,” among other credits.
Rodgers was first linked to Woodley shortly after his breakup with Danica Patrick. Apparently all the dating rumors were true.
Aaron Rodgers on Saturday was named NFL MVP for the third time in his career, putting him in exclusive company.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback became the sixth player in NFL history to win MVP for the third time. He joins Johnny Unitas, Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Peyton Manning (5 MVPs) and former teammate Brett Favre as the only players to win at least three MVPs.
Rodgers is friendly with former NFL punter-turned-sports entertainment host Pat McAfee and joins McAfee’s radio show weekly. McAfee did something nice for Rodgers and narrated a video announcing the quarterback’s MVP award. Here it is:
If there’s anyone you want narrating an award video for you, McAfee is definitely the guy. He is a legendary storyteller.
Peyton Manning headlines the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, which was revealed on Saturday. He received a really nice note from John Elway upon receiving the good news.
Elway congratulated Manning and thanked him for what he did for the Broncos.
Elway was the general manager who recruited Manning to Denver when Peyton was returning from neck surgeries that caused him to miss the entire 2011 season. Manning played the final four seasons of his career with the Broncos. He led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2013 and was an All-Pro in his first two seasons with the team. Then in his final season, the team won the Super Bowl.
The Broncos have won three Super Bowls in franchise history. Elway won two and Manning won the other. It’s nice to see Elway show that great respect to his Canton peer.
