ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL concluded the league’s annual conferences Tuesday, with vital information popping out of Orlando on topics, together with a significant change to kickoff guidelines, a ban of the controversial “hip drop” deal with, the addition of Wednesday Christmas Day video games in 2024 and an alteration to the timing of the commerce deadline.
The three-day occasion additionally included quite a few house owners, normal managers and coaches discussing the make-up of their groups and answering essentially the most urgent questions on this interval between free company and the draft, and greater than 20 ESPN reporters have been on the scene to gather the highlights:
Soar to a staff/matter:
QB buzz | Homeowners | Taylor/Travis
49ers | Bears | Payments | Chargers
Colts | Commanders | Eagles
Falcons | Giants | Jaguars | Jets
Raiders | Rams | Ravens | Seahawks
Steelers | Texans | Vikings
The newest first-round QB buzz
Anyone who tells you they know the way the quarterbacks are going off the board on the prime of the draft is mendacity, however this is among the scuttlebutt I picked up within the Ritz-Carlton hallways: Individuals nonetheless appear satisfied the Chicago Bears will take Caleb Williams first total, although it is price mentioning that he nonetheless hasn’t taken his pre-draft go to with them (GM Ryan Poles mentioned that may be subsequent week), he did not do medicals on the mix and so they aren’t going to draft him with out giving him a bodily.
The Washington Commanders are nonetheless going via their course of at No. 2 and being tight-lipped about it. Some folks assume they’re going to take Jayden Daniels, others assume Drake Maye, however I do not assume Washington even is aware of for positive but. The New England Patriots at No. 3 are a thriller however open to buying and selling down if they are not in love with whichever quarterback is there at No. 3.
The Minnesota Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders each appear very desirous to commerce up, and it seems like there might be a contest between these two, particularly if Daniels remains to be there at No. 3 and the Patriots resolve to not take him. Lots of people assume the Giants’ man is J.J. McCarthy, and in that case, the query is whether or not they can sit at No. 6 and take him or whether or not they would possibly must commerce up a spot or two. — Dan Graziano
Workforce officers by no means nervous about the opportunity of shedding QB Aaron Rodgers to the marketing campaign path. The story about him being a possible operating mate for presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. truly prompted some lighthearted banter, with GM Joe Douglas joking about potential hires for the cupboard. However, critically: The Jets anticipate Rodgers, six-plus months faraway from proper Achilles tendon surgical procedure, to be on the sphere for OTA practices in Could.
Coach Robert Saleh mentioned he “totally anticipates” the 40-year-old QB to take part to a point. The Jets are enthusiastic about Rodgers’ restoration, with Saleh saying the four-time MVP is “on a mission” to regain his pre-injury kind. As insurance coverage, they signed well-traveled quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Saleh known as him “an elite locker-room presence.” — Wealthy Cimini
DeMeco Ryans defined why the Texans traded out of the primary spherical, and it merely got here to worth. “There is a actually great amount of gamers in a second to 3rd, fourth spherical,” Ryans mentioned, including that the vary was considered because the “candy spot.”
The Texans have two second-round picks within the upcoming draft and may deal with a few holes on the roster. Defensive deal with and cornerback are spots the place the Texans may enhance. However they need one other offensive playmaker. Houston tried to commerce for Keenan Allen earlier than he landed with the Chicago Bears. –DJ Bien-Aime
North Carolina QB Drake Maye, who’s amongst these the Patriots might be contemplating with the No. 3 total choose, impressed first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. He is squarely on the staff’s radar if he’s out there.
“Drake Maye had a implausible interview on the mix. He brings plenty of power. You possibly can inform he has that management potential,” Mayo mentioned. “Additionally the thrilling half a couple of man like Drake Maye, there’s actually no ceiling with a man like that. In saying that, after we’re attempting to place collectively this roster, I do know lots of people have a look at the ceiling. However you even have to take a look at how low is the ground. I’d say a man like Drake Maye — he has plenty of room to develop. He is a younger man. Actually, he hasn’t performed soccer practically as a lot as these different guys. In order that’s positively one thing we have checked out, however he is positively going to develop.” — Mike Reiss
Normal supervisor Howie Roseman mentioned the depreciated operating again market factored into the Eagles’ choice to go in opposition to their regular practices to signal Saquon Barkley to a large contract.
“Has the pendulum swung thus far at this place? I imply, the man touches the ball 300 occasions a 12 months, hopefully, there’s not plenty of different talent place gamers which can be touching the ball that many occasions and having that impact,” Roseman mentioned.
Add that the Eagles view Barkley as a “particular” participant and particular person, and there is the explanation for the transfer. Coach Nick Sirianni mentioned he is not nervous about Barkley becoming within the new scheme that Siriani and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are placing collectively. He known as having a number of playmakers, resembling Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, a “good downside to have” however acknowledged a team-first mindset goes to be required for the inevitable stretches when a high-profile participant will not be getting the touches he wishes. — Tim McManus
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce mentioned the staff remains to be in search of its QB1 heading into the draft, regardless of Aidan O’Connell returning and the staff signing veteran Gardner Minshew in free company.
“You are in search of any person that wishes to come back in that room and be aggressive,” Pierce mentioned. “Give us that edge. And once more, if it is a rookie, if it is Aidan, if it is Minshew, if it is [Anthony] Brown, we’ll put the very best participant on the market that offers us an opportunity to win.”
The Raiders personal the No. 13 total choose, and it will be a Herculean activity to commerce up into the highest 10, the place 4 quarterbacks are projected to be taken. Nonetheless, Pierce would rule out nothing on the house owners conferences. — Paul Gutierrez
Ravens coach John Harbaugh was noncommittal on Baltimore including one other veteran huge receiver. Requested about current free agent visits by Michael Gallup and Josh Reynolds, Harbaugh mentioned, “We drafted two nice gamers within the final three years within the first spherical. I’d assume that Rashod [Bateman] and Zay [Flowers] could be excited to step to the entrance collectively. That is the place it begins.”
Whereas Flowers is anticipated to be the No. 1 huge receiver, it looks as if Bateman will get an opportunity to take over because the clear-cut No. 2. Workforce officers have talked glowingly about him this offseason and anticipate him to take the following step. Bateman, a first-round choose in 2021, has had a disappointing begin to his profession. He has totaled 93 catches and 4 touchdowns in his first three seasons. The Ravens have a necessity at huge receiver after slicing Odell Beckham Jr. and shedding Devin Duvernay to the Jaguars in free company. — Jamison Hensley
There was just one draft prospect the Bears illustration in Orlando talked about by identify, and the main points of the staff’s go to to USC for Caleb Williams’ professional day spotlight the intensive analysis the staff has achieved on the presumptive No. 1 total choose. How Williams interacted along with his USC teammates and Bears staffers in small group settings solidified the Bears’ perception in his management and character. Poles famous that he did not see Williams choose up his cellphone as soon as throughout a dinner the Bears hosted previous to his professional day and was impressed by the suggestions they acquired from those that have labored with him carefully.
“If you discuss to his teammates, they do not like him, they love him,” Poles mentioned. “I am having a tough time discovering an individual that does not like him and even love him and thinks that he can attain the very best limits.”
The identical goes for coach Matt Eberflus, who spent 80 minutes with Williams one-on-one inside USC’s soccer workplaces to study concerning the quarterback’s soccer acumen and journey. The Bears have already begun instructing Williams their offense and can work on the set up additional when he’s scheduled to take his go to subsequent week. Testing Williams’ recall and skill to course of and relay again the data given to him is without doubt one of the closing containers the Bears will test of their analysis earlier than being on the clock subsequent month.
“He is been nice that means,” Eberflus mentioned. “Once more, spend some extra time visiting with him. He’ll get an opportunity to spend some extra time with the offensive workers that wasn’t there on the professional day. It may be good.” — Courtney Cronin
NFL’s love story lives on
Additional proof that the NFL resides in Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s world and having fun with each second of it: Sunday afternoon, the league assembled a sizzle reel for house owners and executives to kick off the conferences. Often, these reels are about gamers and metrics and rankings and enterprise. This 12 months, it was a photograph of Kelce and Swift kissing after the Tremendous Bowl — punctuated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell joking concerning the season being sealed with a kiss. — Seth Wickersham
For the previous 12 months, there was loads of dialogue about whether or not the 49ers will be capable to re-sign huge receiver Brandon Aiyuk or be pressured to commerce him due to the realities of a top-heavy payroll. However the Niners have been steadfast that they wish to preserve Aiyuk and have been extra definitive in these statements than they’ve ever been this week in Orlando.
Sure, getting Aiyuk signed to a profitable extension will not be simple, and there have already been indicators of frustrations from the wideout, however the Niners have been via extended negotiations with disgruntled gamers, resembling Deebo Samuel, earlier than, and people nonetheless ended with a achieved deal. Historically, these contracts have been finalized both proper earlier than coaching camp or throughout it, however there are some indicators the Niners are working to expedite that course of with Aiyuk.
Normal supervisor John Lynch confirmed that the staff has already begun discussing contract parameters with Aiyuk’s camp and, with different wideouts due for big-money extensions quickly, the Niners know they’d be sensible to signal Aiyuk earlier than the market resets. “Often if you’re in a scenario like we’re the place you’ve got obtained an actual good participant who needs to be right here and we would like the participant to be right here extraordinarily unhealthy, too, what I discovered with us [is] it would not all the time occur straight away,” Shanahan mentioned. “But it surely’s a matter of time till it finally ends up figuring out.” — Nick Wagoner
The Giants are trying carefully at quarterbacks. As they need to, contemplating proprietor John Mara revealed that he was instructed by his entrance workplace that that is the “most proficient group to come back in years.” Mara just isn’t going to cease the Giants from taking a quarterback on the prime of the draft, if normal supervisor Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll so need. Daboll revealed he shall be attending “just a few professional days.” Properly, Jayden Daniels throws Wednesday at LSU, and UNC’s Drake Maye places his abilities on show Thursday. Listening to the Giants converse this week verifies the legitimacy of their curiosity in taking a quarterback. — Jordan Raanan
Head coach Doug Pederson remained noncommittal about whether or not he will take over playcalling duties in 2024. Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor break up these in 2022 — Pederson known as performs within the first half of video games and Taylor the second — however Pederson gave Taylor the job full time in 2023. The offense took a step again from 2022, when it completed within the prime 10 within the NFL in scoring, complete yards per sport and passing yards per sport.
The unit was hammered by accidents — receivers Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, offensive linemen Cam Robinson and Ezra Cleveland, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed a mixed 19 video games — however Taylor additionally was closely criticized for play choice and the Jaguars’ short-yardage struggles. When requested on the mix on whether or not it will be higher for the group if he known as performs once more, Pederson mentioned it was one thing he wanted to think about. However this week he mentioned he hadn’t but decide. — Michael DiRocco
The Vikings have not despatched their prime decision-makers to the professional day exercises of the draft’s prime quarterbacks, however that attendance document should not be considered as a verdict on their value determinations or draft intentions. As a substitute, normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell will orchestrate personal exercises with the quarterbacks they’re taken with doubtlessly changing the departed Kirk Cousins.
“I feel professional days are nice for lots of causes,” O’Connell mentioned, “having nothing to do with the script and nothing to do with what you truly get to see if you take the time to go there. I feel they’re nice. I feel the fellows are doing an amazing job with them and the folks that get rather a lot out of that. I feel it is priceless and it is priceless for us as a bit of it, however nothing compares to actually finishing that full course of with a go to or them perhaps coming to the Twin Cities for considered one of our 30 visits.” — Kevin Seifert
Coach Sean McDermott described the discharge of cornerback Tre’Davious White earlier this month as “tragic in some methods,” with White struggling two main season-ending accidents in slightly below three years. The 2019 All-Professional was the primary participant drafted underneath McDermott in 2017.
“Ultimately, it may come simply due to the life-span of an NFL participant, however got here means too early in my thoughts … and I am positive in his thoughts, as properly,” McDermott mentioned. “I feel he is among the finest defensive backs to ever play in Buffalo; I actually consider that. He is all class, on a regular basis, and he works his tail off. And he is among the finest human beings I do know.”
White visited with a number of NFL groups in the course of the previous week, agreeing to a cope with the Rams on Tuesday.
Normal supervisor Brandon Beane additionally shared that he would not assume security Micah Hyde, who’s a free agent, has selected retirement and that the staff “positively would not shut the door” on bringing Hyde again if he decides to play. — Alaina Getzenberg
Normal supervisor John Schneider and new coach Mike Macdonald reiterated that Geno Smith remains to be the Seahawks’ QB1, however there is a clear pleasure within the group about current commerce addition Sam Howell. Seattle beat out three different groups that additionally have been negotiating with the Commanders for Howell, and the excitement in Orlando was that considered one of them was the division-rival Rams, who later signed Jimmy Garoppolo. Schneider mentioned Howell may “completely” be a full-time starter once more.
The sensation in Seattle is that Howell’s propensity to carry onto the ball — he was sacked a league-high 65 occasions final season — was partially a product of the quarterback turning into hesitant whereas taking part in behind a struggling O-line. The Seahawks have their very own work to do there, with each beginning guard spots unfilled. Search for them to signal a veteran with beginning expertise over the following week. Laken Tomlinson and Cody Whitehair are two names to remember. — Brady Henderson
Security Julian Blackmon is the one key in-house free agent the Colts have declined to re-sign. However there’s an opportunity which may quickly change, regardless of Blackmon making free agent visits to the Payments and 49ers up to now week. Normal supervisor Chris Ballard mentioned the Colts and Blackmon have reengaged in current days and that conversations are ongoing.
The Colts’ younger secondary was problematic on the finish of final season, with a pair of protection busts dooming them within the season finale in opposition to the Texans; it was a sport Blackmon missed with an damage and a loss that knocked Indianapolis out of the playoff image. Search for the Colts to signal Blackmon or one other free agent security earlier than the offseason concludes. Simply do not anticipate them to hurry the choice if the worth is not proper given the glut of veteran safeties at the moment available on the market. — Stephen Holder
They do not know. So do not take heed to anybody who suggests they know which quarterback the Commanders will take with the second choose. That was the message from each normal supervisor Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.
“If any person thinks they know,” Quinn mentioned, “they’re going to must fill me in, as a result of Adam and I, we’re not there but.”
As Peters said, “We’re removed from our reply.”
Quinn mentioned he’s simply now getting deep into draft analysis, having hung out constructing a workers, evaluating his new roster and going via free company. Whereas Quinn would not know which signal-caller the Commanders need but, he does know what they need in a quarterback.
Quinn appears at measurables, after all. However greater than something, he appears for traits. “How does he course of? There’s a lot info that comes from that place,” Quinn mentioned. “Can he get you out of a foul play? Are you able to velocity up and make nice choices nonetheless?” That is why, he mentioned, “Greater than something, it is the power from the neck up.” — John Keim
The Chargers seem open for enterprise in buying and selling the fifth choose. In current weeks, normal supervisor Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh have pointed to the quarterback expertise on this 12 months’s draft class as a motive they could find yourself buying and selling their first-round choose.
“If 4 quarterbacks go within the first 4 picks, that is not just like the fifth choose anymore,” Harbaugh mentioned. “That is just like the No. 1 choose of the draft for groups which have an amazing quarterback already. So, we’ll see.”
There are holes nearly in every single place on the Chargers’ roster apart from at quarterback. They’ve 9 picks within the draft, however buying and selling again and stockpiling extra gamers would possibly profit this roster. In Harbaugh’s 4 seasons as coach of the 49ers, they traded within the first spherical as soon as to pick security Eric Reid. — Kris Rhim
The Falcons have added rather a lot to their offense this offseason, from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wideout Darnell Mooney. The acquisitions spherical out a gaggle that was already flush with younger expertise on the talent positions. Standard knowledge suggests Atlanta will look so as to add defenders early within the draft, with a concentrate on an edge pass-rusher. Whereas which may find yourself being the case, normal supervisor Terry Fontenot is a best-player-available type of man, and he famous Tuesday that he would not like the thought of “reaching for wants” within the draft. New coach Raheem Morris, in the meantime, covets a pass-rusher, which is a necessity the Falcons additionally may fill by way of commerce for Haason Reddick, for instance.
“I feel you bought to repeatedly add these guys each single 12 months,” Morris mentioned. “If you come up and also you discuss cross speeding and the way you have an effect on the quarterback, it is simply what our sport has develop into at this level. All you guys wish to see yards, and I wish to cease them.” — Marc Raimondi
The Rams signed Jimmy Garoppolo to be their backup quarterback, however they could even have a 3rd possibility on the place on their roster. On Monday, normal supervisor Les Snead mentioned the Rams anticipate to “onboard” 2023 fourth-round choose Stetson Bennett for offseason exercises. Bennett, who was drafted to again up quarterback Matthew Stafford, spent his rookie season on the reserve/non-football sickness checklist for undisclosed causes.
The Rams prioritized signing a backup quarterback after Stafford missed a key sport in Week 9 in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers final season with a thumb damage. Coach Sean McVay mentioned he hasn’t spoken to Bennett, who’s figuring out in Dallas, however is “trying ahead to getting him again and seeing how he is feeling.” As McVay added, “And we’ll simply take it a day at a time with him.” — Sarah Barshop
After buying and selling away Diontae Johnson, the Steelers have an apparent want for a No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens. They added a pair of wideouts in Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins. However in discussing the staff’s choices to additional add to the place, coach Mike Tomlin identified the bizarre depth of the huge receiver draft class, one thing he attributes to the evolution and recognition of 7-on-7 soccer.
“I simply assume that receivers and people who cowl them come most likely just a little bit extra ready-made in right this moment’s sport than perhaps in years previous,” Tomlin mentioned. “I feel it is the evolution of 7-on-7 soccer for highschool youngsters. I simply assume their improvement, the talents relative to their positions, include a better flooring.”
Due to the depth on this 12 months’s draft, do not be stunned if the Steelers wait to deal with the place after the primary spherical — particularly as a result of the staff hasn’t but added one other heart after releasing Mason Cole earlier this 12 months. Each Tomlin and normal supervisor Omar Khan known as their heart place a “work in progress.” — Brooke Pryor
Might make-up of NFL possession teams change?
The NFL continues to have its particular committee on possession look into making alterations to laws surrounding staff possession, doubtlessly together with taking a look at personal fairness corporations as potentialities, which has occurred within the NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS. The committee introduced info to house owners on Monday afternoon, with commissioner Roger Goodell calling it “a prolonged dialogue” and saying progress is being made. It is a matter that was described by a number of folks to ESPN as “complicated.” The committee spoke with every membership individually to get a way for considerations and ideas.
“In that format, you get higher suggestions and actually an understanding of what every particular person’s ideas and considerations are,” Kansas Metropolis Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt instructed ESPN on Tuesday. “So, we did that on this. And I’d say that the possession’s considering has advanced as we have been engaged on this. And I feel there is a normal optimistic sentiment for it.”
Neither Hunt nor Goodell needed to place a timeline on a possible suggestion, however they mentioned it’s doable it may are available Could or within the fall. — Michael Rothstein
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