OFFICIAL 2024 NFL News: Trades, cuts, free agency, and more

[dpjax]

A really long article on Van with video clips pretty honest and thorough. I pasted a couple key paragraphs, the whole article is too much for me to want to read but thought I‘d post it being we’re about to go around the dark side of the moon in June and early July.

MSN

Steelers Film Room: A look at new Steelers WR Van Jefferson ahead of 2024​

Arthur Smith likes receivers who can block. Jefferson is likely a Steeler because of his effectiveness in doing so. Particularly from the slot, he is very good at getting position on his assignment, facing him chest-to-chest, and shielding him away from the ball carrier. He won’t wow you with bone-crushing power, but he is willing and gets the job done. When lined up wide, he sometimes struggles to get into proper positioning to block but effort is never the issue.

Blocking is fine and all, but what about as a receiver? …
…the best things about him are his smarts in setting up defenders to get inside position on them in order to present a good target and his ability from the slot to effectively keep his blocking assignment from getting involved in the tackle. He seems to be a better blocker and pass catcher in traffic than in wide-open spaces.

All in all, he’s a slight upgrade from Allen Robinson in his ability to get open at depths of more than five yards, but a downgrade from Robinson in the reliability of his hands to make the catch.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Why is Lamar Jackson skipping OTAs?

Hopefully, he has a reason (whatever is might be) for not attending.

www.nbcsports.com

Why is Lamar Jackson skipping OTAs?​

Two-time MVP Jamar Jackson has stayed away from most of the Ravens’ OTAs. He’s the only offensive starter in Baltimore who isn’t attending the voluntary workouts.

On one hand, it’s definitely voluntary. Players have no obligation to attend. He’s fully in compliance with his contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, by staying away. He’s fully within his rights. He’s doing nothing wrong.

On the other hand, why wouldn’t he volunteer to show up? He’s the quarterback. The leader of the team. He’s making $52 million per year.

Last season, the Ravens failed for the second time in his career to turn the No. 1 seed into a Super Bowl berth. The Chiefs, in contrast, keep pushing. Their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is working out with teammates at OTAs and on his own time.

As Mike Tomlin says, “We want volunteers, not hostages.” Why wouldn’t any quarterback who hopes to get the most out of his skills and to be as prepared as possible for the coming season not volunteer to be there? What else is he going to do?

Jackson’s team has gathered for practices. He’s the leader of it. Why wouldn’t he choose to be present?

Most players who stay away from OTAs have a reason for it. Often, it’s contractual. Jackson got his last year, and he’s under contract for four more seasons. There’s no reason to think he’s miffed about his financial situation.

But what about this? If they’d paid Lamar after he first became eligible (after the 2020 season), he would have made a lot more in 2021 and 2022 — and he’d be getting close to a third deal. In the year since he signed his latest deal, the cap has gone up and the market has begun to pass him by. Jared Goff has already leapfrogged Lamar. Dak Prescott will do so, sooner or later. Tua and Trevor Lawrence are closing in on potentially matching and beating Lamar, too.

Whatever the reason, here’s hoping there’s a reason for Lamar not being there. A strategic purpose for not working with his teammates and preparing for the second season of the Todd Monken offense.

Again, it’s voluntary. But when the team is otherwise together and you’re the unquestioned leader of it, where else would you volunteer to be?

While there’s no guarantee that participating now will make the player or the team any better when the season rolls around, it definitely won’t make the player or the team worse.

 

[Tano]

Why is Lamar Jackson skipping OTAs?

Hopefully, he has a reason (whatever is might be) for not attending.

www.nbcsports.com

Why is Lamar Jackson skipping OTAs?​

Two-time MVP Jamar Jackson has stayed away from most of the Ravens’ OTAs. He’s the only offensive starter in Baltimore who isn’t attending the voluntary workouts.

On one hand, it’s definitely voluntary. Players have no obligation to attend. He’s fully in compliance with his contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, by staying away. He’s fully within his rights. He’s doing nothing wrong.

On the other hand, why wouldn’t he volunteer to show up? He’s the quarterback. The leader of the team. He’s making $52 million per year.

Last season, the Ravens failed for the second time in his career to turn the No. 1 seed into a Super Bowl berth. The Chiefs, in contrast, keep pushing. Their quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is working out with teammates at OTAs and on his own time.

As Mike Tomlin says, “We want volunteers, not hostages.” Why wouldn’t any quarterback who hopes to get the most out of his skills and to be as prepared as possible for the coming season not volunteer to be there? What else is he going to do?

Jackson’s team has gathered for practices. He’s the leader of it. Why wouldn’t he choose to be present?

Most players who stay away from OTAs have a reason for it. Often, it’s contractual. Jackson got his last year, and he’s under contract for four more seasons. There’s no reason to think he’s miffed about his financial situation.

But what about this? If they’d paid Lamar after he first became eligible (after the 2020 season), he would have made a lot more in 2021 and 2022 — and he’d be getting close to a third deal. In the year since he signed his latest deal, the cap has gone up and the market has begun to pass him by. Jared Goff has already leapfrogged Lamar. Dak Prescott will do so, sooner or later. Tua and Trevor Lawrence are closing in on potentially matching and beating Lamar, too.

Whatever the reason, here’s hoping there’s a reason for Lamar not being there. A strategic purpose for not working with his teammates and preparing for the second season of the Todd Monken offense.

Again, it’s voluntary. But when the team is otherwise together and you’re the unquestioned leader of it, where else would you volunteer to be?

While there’s no guarantee that participating now will make the player or the team any better when the season rolls around, it definitely won’t make the player or the team worse.

Another reason why I like Stafford and dislike Jackson.

 

[OldSchool]

Another reason why I like Stafford and dislike Jackson.

So you dislike Aaron Donald as well? I mean both were under contract and didn't go to voluntary OTA's.

 

[fanotodd]

van jefferson is on the steelers?
At least he’s an upgrade over robinson.

 

[Tano]

So you dislike Aaron Donald as well? I mean both were under contract and didn't go to voluntary OTA's.

Aaron Donald had a contract dispute. I don't see one with Lamar Jackson.

 

[OldSchool]

Aaron Donald had a contract dispute. I don't see one with Lamar Jackson.

He's doing nothing wrong though.

He’s fully in compliance with his contract and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, by staying away. He’s fully within his rights. He’s doing nothing wrong.

According to the article he's in compliance with his contract and obligations. We don't know why he's doing it but it's an issue with you.

 

[dieterbrock]

So you dislike Aaron Donald as well? I mean both were under contract and didn't go to voluntary OTA's.

Actually, Jackson wasn’t even under contract when he officially held out as he hadn’t signed his franchise tag.
Donald on the other hand actually wanted to renegotiate his deal when he had 2 years left, and held out of training camp twice over it.

 

[Allen2McVay]

So you dislike Aaron Donald as well? I mean both were under contract and didn't go to voluntary OTA's.

Selfish, over-rated Bastard! Half his sacks were because the quarterback tripped. Good Riddance!!!

Just like that Alaric Jackson guy who said (in the fantasy-world of one poster) he would only play Left Tackle.

 

[FaulkSF]

Brandon McManus cut:

https://www.nfl.com/news/Commodes-r...s-after-sexual-assault-allegations-in-lawsuit

 

[Corbin]

Sources: Justin Jefferson, Vikings agree to 4-year, $140M deal​

• 
  
  Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior WriterJun 3, 2024, 09:19 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The deal includes $88.743 million due at signing. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.
Jefferson, 24, turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million annually the day before the 2023 season started.

The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson's four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL.
Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game -- the most in NFL history for any career span -- and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.

 

[OldSchool]

We should just keep drafting day 3 WRs and turning them into pro bowlers

 

[Tano]

He's doing nothing wrong though.



According to the article he's in compliance with his contract and obligations. We don't know why he's doing it but it's an issue with you.

Even if it is within his rights, it shows that Jackson is a me first player. He has never won a super bowl so he should be out there with his team. Don't care for him and never will.

Again - Donald was holding out due to a contract dispute. Even though I feel football players are vastly overpaid, I don't really have a problem with that. Completely different scenario.

 

[Tano]

Sources: Justin Jefferson, Vikings agree to 4-year, $140M deal​

• 
  
  Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior WriterJun 3, 2024, 09:19 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The deal includes $88.743 million due at signing. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.
Jefferson, 24, turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million annually the day before the 2023 season started.

The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson's four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL.
Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game -- the most in NFL history for any career span -- and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.

Good thing they don't have a QB making 50 plus million a year.

 

[Angry Ram]

Sources: Justin Jefferson, Vikings agree to 4-year, $140M deal​

• 
  
  Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior WriterJun 3, 2024, 09:19 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The deal includes $88.743 million due at signing. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.
Jefferson, 24, turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million annually the day before the 2023 season started.

The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson's four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL.
Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game -- the most in NFL history for any career span -- and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.

Good for him. One of my favorite non Ram players today.

 

[Corbin]

We should just keep drafting day 3 WRs and turning them into pro bowlers All Pros

Fixed it for you! lol

Even if it is within his rights, it shows that Jackson is a me first player. He has never won a super bowl so he should be out there with his team. Don't care for him and never will.

Again - Donald was holding out due to a contract dispute. Even though I feel football players are vastly overpaid, I don't really have a problem with that. Completely different scenario.

Meh... I'm not surprised people would be mad at Jackson as people were fuming about AD holding out thinking we should trade him. Those same people who stated as such never talk about the nonsense they spat in this period.

With Jackson we don't know what is going on but very surprised him not showing up. Think the Ravens tried to do him dirty and he did what he needed to do for his contract but if he is just staying out because it's not required that can become a problem culturally really quickly.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Insane. Won't be long til we see the first "billion dollar" contract.

 

[Psycho_X]

Sources: Justin Jefferson, Vikings agree to 4-year, $140M deal​

• 
  
  Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior WriterJun 3, 2024, 09:19 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson have reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The deal includes $88.743 million due at signing. WME Football negotiated and confirmed the deal.
Jefferson, 24, turned down a deal that would have paid him over $28 million annually the day before the 2023 season started.

The three-time Pro Bowler instead bet on himself, and the bet paid off, with Jefferson's four-year extension averaging $35 million per season. That average annual value is $1 million more than the previous non-quarterback record for San Francisco 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
There were multiple teams this offseason that inquired about trading for Jefferson, according to league sources. But the Vikings let each one of them know they had zero intention of trading Jefferson, who is off to a historic four-year start in the NFL.
Since being selected by the Vikings with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Jefferson has 392 receptions for 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns.

The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, Jefferson has averaged 98.3 receiving yards per game -- the most in NFL history for any career span -- and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second highest of any receiver in his first four seasons.

Crazy but not unexpected based on how the market set itself. JJ is one of the few WRs I'd make the highest paid WR in the game. They'll need him to try and cover up their QB issue as much as he can.

 

[Corbin]

Crazy but not unexpected based on how the market set itself. JJ is one of the few WRs I'd make the highest paid WR in the game. They'll need him to try and cover up their QB issue as much as he can.

They don’t have a QB, more like a rookie issue. McCarthy is going to be just fine.

 

[Psycho_X]

They don’t have a QB, more like a rookie issue. McCarthy is going to be just fine.

Sure, an issue is an issue however you want to frame it though. McCarthy might be fine but a happy JJ will make it easier.