TRADE CANDIDATES

Taylor Heinicke

Atlanta Falcons · QB

There are multiple teams with QB2 questions, and even a few that might not be in love with their starters, which makes me think there could be a QB trade or two this preseason.

The 31-year-old Heinicke makes sense as a potential candidate to be moved. He has been an effective spot starter the past several years, even nearly out-dueling Tom Brady in a playoff game in what was only his second career start. Heinicke didn’t have much of a chance to succeed last season in Atlanta, thrust into and out of the starting lineup, but he proved himself pretty capable of stepping in when needed previously in Washington.

The Falcons are set with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., and Heinicke has taken a lot of preseason snaps — perhaps showcasing him to other teams. Among the clubs that might be looking for upgrades at the backup position include the Chargers, Rams, Buccaneers, Dolphins and possibly the Packers.

Could one of those teams ship a late-rounder to Atlanta for Heinicke? It certainly seems possible, especially for teams very much in contention.

Malik Willis

Tennessee Titans · QB

There might be other, more established quarterbacks who are trade candidates. But there’s still some potential upside and intrigue to Willis’ game.

The Titans drafted Will Levis last year and signed Mason Rudolph this offseason to back Levis up, leaving Willis in the lurch. GM Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan will have to decide between keeping two or three QBs, but three might be a stretch for a team that has added layers of depth this offseason and could be contenders in the muddled AFC South.

The former third-round pick of the previous Titans regime has played a decent amount this preseason, throwing for 154 yards and completing 74% of his passes. On the downside, Willis threw an interception, has taken three sacks and is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt. But his running ability and draft pedigree could convince another team to take a shot at investing in Willis if the Titans are prepared to move on from him soon.

Dameon Pierce

Houston Texans · RB

It was clear early last season that Pierce wasn’t a fit in the Texans’ zone-blocking system, making Year 2 a frustrating one for the power back. He was approaching 1,000 yards rushing as a rookie before his season-ending injury in 2022.

Things haven’t changed this preseason. Pierce won’t start now that Joe Mixon is back at practice, and Cam Akers has impressed in recent action in his bid to make the roster. Dare Ogunbowale feels like a lock for his special-teams and third-down value, and Houston might still want to develop rookie Jawhar Jordan (or sleeper British Brooks, although he’s more of a practice-squad candidate, I suspect) rather than risk him to the waiver wire.

I doubt the Texans would release Pierce. He still could be a solid reserve. But if an RB-needy team such as the Cowboys offered a late-round pick for him, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Texans pull the trigger.

Tutu Atwell

Los Angeles Rams · WR

This one is just a gut feeling.

Atwell finally started showing some of his potential as a former second-round pick last season, starting 14 games and looking to be a dangerous weapon at times. But his effectiveness tapered off after a hot start, and he started settling into more of a situation-specific role down the stretch before missing time while in concussion protocol.

The Rams are pretty loaded at receiver, with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson often lining up as the wideouts when they use 11 personnel. The emergence of second-year WR Xavier Smith and rookie Jordan Whittington, along with a good camp from journeyman Tyler Johnson, gives the Rams the kind of depth where they could consider floating Atwell’s name in talks.

Sean McVay recently said Atwell’s role this season was “to be determined” before showering the fourth-year receiver with praise. It’s been reported the Rams are not looking to deal Atwell, but I suspect they might be open to a respectable offer.

Larry Borom

Chicago Bears · OL

When third-round OT Kiran Amegadjie was recently activated from the non-football injury list, it sort of started the clock on Borom. It was natural to presume back in the spring that Amegadjie would compete for the swing OT job, backing up starters Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. But is there enough time now to ramp up Amegadjie before the season starts?

Moving on from Borom carries some risk, but with a $3.1 million salary, he’d be a semi-pricy insurance plan. Borom is appealing to teams because he has experience at four of the five OL spots (everywhere but center), starting six games at left tackle a year ago.

But if the Bears feel comfortable enough with the health of Nate Davis at guard and are confident that players such as Matt Pryor can back up multiple positions while Amegadjie gets up to speed, they might feel comfortable enough to move Borom for a draft pick.

Max Mitchell

New York Jets · OT

There are a lot of teams looking for NFL-caliber tackles this time of year (and most times of the year), so Mitchell is worth keeping an eye on.

A fourth-rounder in 2022, Mitchell has had a couple tough seasons — mostly at right tackle — in the NFL. This offseason, he watched the Jets add three big-name tackles in vets Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and first-rounder Olu Fashanu. And that was after the Jets used a fourth-rounder on Carter Warren in 2023.

When the Jets have been at full strength, Warren and Mitchell have rotated as the second-team right tackle. Warren appeared to be leading that race, and he started last Saturday’s game against the Panthers, playing most of the first half, while Mitchell closed it out with the third-stringers.

Mitchell played well against Carolina and had some fans in the scouting community a few years ago when he was taken 111th overall. He still could make the roster, and it’s possible no one is willing to give up much in a trade. But at such a high-priority position, with more than a few teams dealing with injuries there now, we could see some action.

Lewis Cine

Minnesota Vikings · S

The former first-round pick suffered a career-altering injury early in the 2022 season and then played a special-teams role on the rare occasions when he was active in 2023.

Now Cine’s career feels like it’s at a flashpoint. The Vikings are pretty loaded at safety, with Harrison Smith, Cam Bynum, Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson near certainties to make the opening roster, plus Jay Ward and Bobby McCain behind them.

The good news for Cine is that he’s healthy and coming off perhaps his finest outing as a Viking last week, with 10 tackles, an interception and a sack in a win over the Browns. It also was notable that his teammates on the sideline appeared so excited for Cine’s success.

It would be foolish for a team to give up anything close to the first-round pick the Vikings spent on a player who has a mere 10 defensive snaps in two NFL seasons. But for a later Day 3 pick, Cine might be available. It might be the best thing for both sides to start fresh.

CUT CANDIDATES

Bailey Zappe

New England Patriots · QB

It was always going to be an uphill climb for Zappe in New England, even with his brief moments of glory in replacing Mac Jones in recent years. Now it’s become nigh impossible for him to crack the depth chart in New England with the new regime that drafted Drake Maye third overall and intriguing Joe Milton III in Round 6.

It’s possible the Patriots could net a late-round pick for Zappe considering the importance of the QB position, plus the fact that he’s started NFL games and remains young at age 25. Zappe had a decent stretch from Weeks 14 to 16 last year, even if things were ugly at times before and after that.

In the end, though, his chances of being cut appear higher than being traded. Zappe might even have to start out on the practice squad, where he spent time a year ago before the Patriots re-added him to the roster.

Kadarius Toney

Kansas City Chiefs · WR

In being part of two penalties on his first preseason snap last week, totaling negative receiving yards for the game, Toney perfectly encapsulated his Chiefs experience to this point — and the reality that’s staring him and the team in the face.

The Chiefs might no longer have room for the player they once traded multiple draft picks for and who once helped them win a Super Bowl. Toney had a disastrous Week 1 last year, couldn’t hold onto his WR or punt-return roles and was inactive for the Super Bowl in February. Injuries have been a consistent issue for him, but the bottom line is that Toney clearly hasn’t proven his worth this preseason, even after Andy Reid tried to turn up the pressure a bit through the media.

Even with Marquise Brown’s injury, it’s hard to see a path where Toney is in the Chiefs’ plans this season.

D’Wayne Eskridge

Seattle Seahawks · WR

The former second-rounder is entering Year 4 with a mere 25 offensive touches in 24 career games and appears to be running out of options in Seattle. Injuries and off-field issues have slowed his development, but the Seahawks’ patience has to be wearing thin.

The top four WR spots are locked up with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo. Plus, Laviska Shenault Jr. and Dareke Young have outplayed Eskridge to this point. There was some thought Eskridge could be a factor with the league’s new kickoff rules, as he did average 28 yards on eight returns last season, but that hasn’t played out to this point.

If he’s going to kick-start his career, Eskridge might need a new address to do so.

Samaje Perine

Denver Broncos · RB

It’s hard to see where Perine fits into the Broncos’ RB rotation, even after averaging 4.5 yards per carry and catching a career-high 50 passes a year ago. He developed a surprising fumble problem last year (three coughed up on 103 touches) and was far less reliable in pass protection than he had been in the past.

Sitting behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estimé, with Tyler Badie making a late push for the roster, the Broncos can easily afford to move on from Perine.

The Bengals, who lost Chris Evans to injury recently, might be interested in a reunion if they’re not fully comfortable with Chase Brown and Zack Moss atop the depth chart.

Jackson Carman

Cincinnati Bengals · OG

The former top-50 pick and playoff starter has fallen hard and fast in Cincinnati. Carman has stuck with the team since 2021 but might be on his last legs there and in need of a new scenario, having struggled in the preseason and fallen behind several other players on the depth chart. He has experience at left tackle, including three years in college and sparingly the past few years for the Bengals. Carman also has NFL experience at guard. So, a trade is possible for the once highly rated player heading into the final year of his deal, making less than $1.7 million, but getting anything of note for a player who’s barely seen the field the past two seasons would be a mini-coup.

Darrell Taylor

Seattle Seahawks · OLB

Taylor has 21.5 sacks over his first three NFL seasons, with 9.5 of them and four forced fumbles in a promising 2022 season. But he’s never been able to prove he can consistently stop the run and be more than a pass-rush specialist.

Dre’Mont Jones’ injury situation is worth monitoring, but Uchenna Nwosu returning healthy has been a big development, and second-year edge rusher Derick Hall has started to open eyes when he’s had chances. Mike Morris also can play inside and outside. So, it has created a bit of a crowded situation for Mike Macdonald on the edges.

Taylor is 27 and in a contract year, due to make $3 million this season, the majority of which the Seahawks would save if they moved on from him. The Seahawks also appear to have enough DT depth with Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II and Johnathan Hankins, plus Morris. So, they also could dangle Jarran Reed. Cutting or trading Reed would save more money than Taylor would, and Reed turns 32 in December.

Jeff Okudah

Houston Texans · CB

C.J. Henderson

Houston Texans · CB

I’m not sure they’ll cut both players, but it wouldn’t stun me if either Okudah or Henderson don’t make the opening roster.

Okudah is dealing with a hip injury that’s kept him from making an impact in Houston so far. Henderson missed time early in camp and only has had five defensive snaps this preseason, all in the second game.

Derek Stingley Jr. and second-rounder Kamari Lassiter appear in line to start, and Desmond King figures to man the nickel spot. The question is whether there is enough depth behind them to afford cutting either Okudah or Henderson. Both might be a stretch, even if neither has done much of note this preseason.

The Texans were aggressive in targeting edge rusher Danielle Hunter and WR Stefon Diggs this offseason but might regret not adding another higher-rated veteran corner.

CHICAGO

Thoughts and prayers with Bears DB DOUGLAS COLEMAN III.  Adam Teicher ofESPN.com:

Chicago Bears defensive back Douglas Coleman III was hospitalized after suffering an injury while making a tackle during Thursday night’s 34-21 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

The injury occurred on the first play from scrimmage in the second half when Coleman tackled Kansas City’s Cornell Powell near the Chiefs’ sideline.

As players from both teams gathered around him on the field, Coleman was placed by medical personnel on a stabilizing board and then a stretcher. His face mask was removed but not his helmet. Then he was put into the back of a Kansas City Fire Department ambulance and taken from the field.

Speaking after the game, Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Coleman did have movement in his limbs, even giving a thumbs-up to players and coaches before he was carted off the field. He was taken to a local hospital for additional evaluation.

The team didn’t have any further updates beyond that.

– – –

The Bears are 4-0 in the preseason, with the last three wins by double digits.  All against teams that had winning records in 2023 to boot.  But it probably doesn’t mean anything, right?

John Breech of CBSSports.com looks at recent history, and says it could be a pre-cursor of good things for the Bears after all:

When it comes to the NFL preseason, the games are generally viewed as being pretty meaningless. What happens during the preseason doesn’t really translate to whether a team will have any success in the regular-season. (Just ask the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns about that. Both teams went 4-0 in the preseason before going 0-16 in the regular-season.)

Although the preseason doesn’t really serve as a good predictor for the regular season, there has been one stat that has somehow translated to regular-season success and that’s point differential. And if you’re a fan of the Chicago Bears, this is where you’re going to want to start paying attention.

Thanks to their 34-21 win over the Chiefs on Thursday night, the Bears will finish the preseason with a record of 4-0. In those four games, the Bears outscored their opponents by 68 points. As someone on Reddit pointed out, that was the highest preseason point differential by any team since 2013.

So, does a high preseason point differential mean anything? It turns out that it might.

The Bears are the seventh team since 2009 to finish a preseason with a point differential of +60 or more, and the six previous teams ALL MADE THE PLAYOFFS, including two teams that went on to win the Super Bow.

Let’s check out the other six teams on the list:

2009 New Orleans Saints

Preseason record: 3-1

Point differential: +69

Regular-season: 13-3

The Saints started the regular season 13-0 on their way to winning the NFC South. In the playoffs, things got even better as they ended up winning the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

2011 Detroit Lions

Preseason record: 4-0

Point differential: +67

Regular-season: 10-6

After going 11 years without a playoff berth, the Lions drought finally ended. It came during a season where they blew everyone out in the preseason.

2012 Seattle Seahawks

Preseason record: 4-0

Point differential: +78

Regular-season: 11-5

During Russell Wilson’s rookie year, the Seahawks blew out everyone in the preseason and then proceeded to also dominate during the regular season. After finishing second in the NFC West, the Seahawks won a wild-card playoff game before losing in the divisional round to the Falcons.

2013 Seattle Seahawks

Preseason record: 4-0

Point differential: +73

Regular-season: 13-3

Pete Carroll clearly took his preseason football seriously, because for the second straight year, not only did the Seahawks go 4-0 in the preseason, but they once again outscored their opponents by at least 70 points. The 2013 season ended with Carroll and the Seahawks hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after beating the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII.

2014 Denver Broncos

Preseason record: 3-1

Point differential: +62

Regular-season: 12-4

During Peyton manning’s penultimate season in Denver, the Broncos rolled through the preseason with two of their three wins coming by at least 24 points. Their preseason dominance translated to the regular season during which they won the AFC West. However, they did get upset by the Colts in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2019 Baltimore Ravens

Preseason record: 4-0

Point differential: +66

Regular-season: 14-2

John Harbaugh loves to play to win in the preseason and we know that because Baltimore once won an NFL-record 24 straight preseason games. During that streak, this was the only season where the Ravens outscored their preseason opponents by at least 60 points. In the regular season, not only did the Ravens finish with the best record in the NFL, but Lamar Jackson also won MVP.

The Bears are now the seventh team to outscore their preseason opponents by 60 or more points. If history holds, that means they’ll be headed to at least the playoffs.

The Bears do have a young quarterback in Caleb Williams, but several teams on this list actually fit that mold. As we mentioned, the Seahawks had a rookie QB in Russell Wilson in 2012. When the Lions ran through the preseason in 2011, they had a third-year QB in Matthew Stafford. And let’s not forget about Lamar Jackson, who was just in his second season when he led the Ravens to a 14-2 record in 2019.

MINNESOTA

A new NFL trend is that neither of the top two QBs plays in a preseason game – case in point the Vikings this week.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com:

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will not play Saturday against the Eagles in the final preseason game.

Coach Kevin O’Connell announced that Jaren Hall will draw starting duties, with Matt Corral also seeing time. Nick Mullens is the backup to Darnold, but he played most of last week’s second preseason game, so the Vikings won’t play him this week either.

Hall has seen action in the previous two exhibition games, completing 11 of 21 passes for 150 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

His chances of making either the 53-player roster or the practice squad improved greatly after the season-ending injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold ends his preseason 4-of-8 for 50 yards in 12 snaps in the preseason opener.

WASHINGTON

The Commanders, a preferred destination for WR BRANDON AIYUK, could be back in play.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Commanders have traded away first-round receiver Jahan Dotson. They could soon be trading for another first-rounder receiver.

Appearing Thursday on KNBR, Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle put the Commanders back in play for a potential trade for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

In recent weeks, after plenty of noise regarding a possible Aiyuk trade, it has gotten quiet again. And it has seemed to be down to staying with the 49ers and being traded to the Steelers.

With the Commanders trading Dotson, it makes sense for the Commanders to pursue Aiyuk, who would be reunited with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels.

Whatever happens, the clock is ticking. With the first Sunday of the regular season only 17 days away, it will take plenty of effort to get Aiyuk up to speed in a new city.

Aiyuk is due to make $14.1 million this year. The 49ers had chances to trade him before the draft, but they refused to accept any offers. More recently, the reporting (some of which has been all over the place) has suggested that both the Patriots and Browns were ready to go, but that Aiyuk didn’t want to go to those teams.

ARIZONA

QB KYLER MURRAY doesn’t mind that the Cardinals are sneaking under the radar.

The Cardinals are coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons and they have been to the playoffs once in the last eight seasons, so it’s not a great surprise that there have been few predictions of big success coming their way in 2024.

Low expectations aren’t a problem for quarterback Kyler Murray, though. When asked about the long odds the Cardinals carry into the season, Murray didn’t argue that people should be setting the bar higher for the team but did say “let them sleep” on a team that he believes is in a much better place than in the recent past.

“I can understand why,” Murray said, via CBSSports.com. “You know, I don’t even feel like I’ve scratched the surface of what I’m able to do in this league. Kind of being hurt the last season and a half, it is what it is. In this world, it’s kind of what have you done for me lately? We haven’t won. So, I understand, but I’m primed and ready to prove what I’m able to do, what I’m capable of, what this team’s capable of. It’s the ultimate team sport, and I’m ready to go. And this team’s ready to go, for sure.”

Rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. factored heavily into Murray’s argument for why the team can outperform expectations this season and the partnership between the two players will have a major impact on the team’s fortunes this fall.

KANSAS CITY

With Arms Wide Open, the Chiefs have taken C CREED HUMPHREY’s pay even Higher.  Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com:

he Kansas City Chiefs found an absolute stud of a center in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and now he has cashed in. Per ESPN, Creed Humphrey has agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension that includes $50 million guaranteed. This new contract locks Humphrey in through the 2028 season, and makes him the highest-paid center in NFL history.

Humphrey’s new AAV of $18 million surpasses Frank Ragnow’s $13.5 million, which previously ranked first among all centers. In 2023, Humphrey allowed 16 pressures with four sacks, per PFF, while the Chiefs went on to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. 

The No. 63 overall pick out of Oklahoma became an immediate starter on Kansas City’s offensive front, and trusted teammate of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In three NFL seasons, Humphrey has never missed a start, made two Pro Bowls, been named a second-team All-Pro once and has won two Super Bowls.

Humphrey was ranked as CBS Sports’ No. 1 center entering 2024. He’s a big reason the Chiefs have one of the best interior offensive line groups in the league, with Joe Thuney and Trey Smith beside him in the trenches.

PITTSBURGH

Steeped in the ethos of the Steelers, Mike Florio tries to divine the thinking of Coach Mike Tomlin vis a vis the starting QB position.  And he’s sensing the Week 1 job belongs to QB RUSSELL WILSON come hell or high water on any of the Three Rivers:

I grew up 60 miles from Pittsburgh. For every football season of my life with the exception of 1986 (I spent the semester living in Oakland, California), I’ve lived within 100 miles of Three Rivers Stadium and then Heinz Field and then the place I will keep calling Heinz Field. I was too stubborn to be a Steelers fan when I was a kid, but I’ve been surrounded by them for my entire life.

So I’ve got a pretty good sense of what the Steelers are. And I currently think they (specifically, coach Mike Tomlin) are determined to start the season with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Even if the fans would prefer Justin Fields.

Yes, Tomlin has only ever said that Wilson is in the “pole position” for the job. But the vibe continues to be that Fields hasn’t taken it from Wilson, even with Wilson injured for several weeks to start camp and even with Justin Fields giving the offense more explosion and excitement when both played in the most recent preseason game.

Wilson, in limited work on Saturday night, looked more like the Denver version of himself and not the Seattle version. But if he wasn’t fully unleashed due to the calf problem and given that his offensive line was overwhelmed, it might have not been a fair glimpse of what he currently is.

Tomlin seems to have decided that the Broncos experience was an aberration. Why else would he have not called Denver coach Sean Payton to talk about the good, the bad, the pros, the cons of adding Wilson to the team?

Tomlin has had the benefit of studying Russell Wilson since he entered the league in 2012. There’s an Eastern Virginia connection that has influenced Tomlin in the past. And Tomlin can always pivot to Fields later, if Wilson isn’t getting it done.

Here’s another factor that potentially helps Wilson. Three of the first six games come against teams from the AFC West, where Wilson spent the last two seasons. And it starts with a return to Denver, in Week 2. He’ll be extra motivated to beat the Broncos, and he’ll be more familiar with the Chargers in Week 3 and the Raiders in Week 6.

The fact that Wilson and the Steelers start with a pair of road games gives him a chance to build up some equity without having to hear murmurs from the hometown fans if/when he misfires on passes or gets swallowed up by pass rushers. He can play a full 60 minutes for two straight weeks and try to start the year 2-0. If that happens, the Yinzers will be far more forgiving in Week 3, against the Chargers.

The bigger tests come in a pair of Sunday night home games in Week 5 (Cowboys) and Week 7 (Jets). With another prime-time game the following Monday against the Giants, it’ll be three standalone games in four weeks. With the bye immediately after that. If Russ isn’t cooking through eight games, that’s when they can flip to Fields.

We’ll see what happens. But if feels like Tomlin wants to give Wilson the first crack at becoming what he was before he played for the Broncos. If Tomlin is right, Wilson could take the Steelers a lot farther than Fields could. And if Tomlin is wrong, there will always be time to let Fields give it a try.

INDIANAPOLIS

In a rare preseason sighting, the Colts let starting QB ANTHONY RICHARDSON play on Thursday night.  A review from Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com:

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson hasn’t played a lot of high-level football. He was drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft despite just 13 career starts in college. Last season he started only four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

The preseason isn’t for everyone, especially starting quarterbacks, but some extra reps aren’t bad for Richardson.

The Colts know about Richardson’s upside but can’t really know for sure what they have yet. In Thursday night’s 27-14 Colts win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Richardson played well into the second quarter on a night when three of the other four teams in action sat all their starters. Richardson was finally pulled with 6:07 left in the second quarter.

There were some good things about his night, but also reminders that Richardson is still plenty raw.

The night started well for Richardson. On Indianapolis’ first drive Richardson completed 7 of 8 passes for 65 yards and finished with with a touchdown to rookie receiver Adonai Mitchell.

Richardson showed good velocity on his passes and looked sharp on that drive. The Colts didn’t want to end the night on that note, choosing to get Richardson extra plays.

Then there were some mistakes.

The biggest error came on a pick-6. Bengals safety Jordan Battle, a 2023 third-round draft pick, read Richardson perfectly and jumped in front of his short pass. Battle picked it off and strolled into the end zone for a 13-yard interception return for a touchdown.

That’s a teaching moment for an inexperienced quarterback. At least it didn’t count.

Richardson almost had another turnover in the second quarter when he didn’t feel the rush behind him and was stripped. The Colts recovered that fumble.

He had a fast start and a rough finish. He went 8-of-14 for 86 passing yards but almost all of the positives came on the first drive. The Colts’ next four drives finished with an interception and three punts.

Maybe the Colts should have called it a night for Richardson after that touchdown drive.

The Colts got some more information on Richardson and even if some of it was negative, they can use it before the regular season to get better.

Richardson’s potential is tantalizing, especially after he played very well in limited time last season. Until he can stay healthy for a full season, we won’t know exactly how good he is as an NFL quarterback. Thursday showed some good things, but there are a few things to fix too.

TENNESSEE

Mike Jones of The Athletic checks in on Titans GM Ran Carthon as his first preseason in that role comes to an end.

Ran Carthon broke into a wide smile, and members of the Tennessee Titans’ offense erupted with raucous cheers.

The pass that quarterback Will Levis launched 60 yards up the right sideline and dropped into the hands of wide receiver Calvin Ridley, hitting him in stride, didn’t win a game, a scrimmage or even result in a touchdown. But the Titans were roughly two weeks into training camp, and until that point, Levis and his new target hadn’t connected on a single go route.

New head coach Brian Callahan kept teaching Levis, showing the second-year pro film of established NFL quarterbacks to illustrate the finer details of the throw: How to read the receiver. How to better gauge his speed. When to pull the trigger. How much air to put on the ball. Where to place the ball.

It all finally came together three days before the Titans’ preseason opener and called for celebration.

How could Carthon, the Titans’ second-year general manager, not smile as his hand-picked quarterback, hand-picked head coach and prime offseason target finally reaped the fruits of their labor?

The play placed Tennessee’s offense in the red zone. But on the very next play, rookie defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat broke through the line and made a tackle for a loss. With that, the members of the previously burned defensive unit began woofing at their counterparts.

Carthon’s smile returned.

The competitive nature of this early August practice — the intensity, the exchanging of blows between offense and defense with neither unit securing a sustained upper hand — is the mark of a good practice, Carthon believes. Good practices are the mark of a quality team, and exactly the type of squad the running back-turned-talent evaluator always envisioned building if he ever got his shot.

Now, Carthon senses his vision taking shape.

This spirited tenor of Titans camp can be traced directly to the efforts of a front office and coaching staff determined to retool the roster and produce the tenacious brand of football mutually craved by Carthon and Callahan.

Carthon’s work began in 2023 but progressed in earnest this offseason. That’s when he led the Titans on the overhaul that included firing Mike Vrabel after six seasons and replacing him with Callahan, a rookie head coach armed with a sharp offensive mind and veteran, well-respected assistants. Callahan helped facilitate the Cincinnati Bengals’ franchise turnaround as offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2023 and now hopes to similarly impact the Titans.

Tennessee’s changes also included the exits of aging stars like quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry. Then came an aggressive free-agency shopping period. Determined to surround Levis (the owner of nine starts) with quality veterans as he enters Year 2, Carthon used some of his roughly $100 million in salary-cap space to add Ridley. The move, along with last year’s acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins, gives Levis a reliable and game-changing pass-catching duo. The Titans also signed center Lloyd Cushenberry and running back Tony Pollard (both leading free agents at their positions) and traded for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who just helped the Kansas City Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl champions.

After back-to-back double-digit-loss seasons, including a 6-11 finish in 2023, the Titans must quickly return to contention. The goal: Become a fixture in the postseason and reinvigorate a fan base while building momentum that ensures the Titans are the hottest ticket in town when they open their new stadium in 2027.

It’s a tall task even for the most seasoned executive. And expanded duties (Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk added “executive vice president” to Carthon’s title this offseason) might translate into heightened pressure for some. But not to Carthon.

He already has so much to prove:

• That Strunk didn’t err in dismissing General manager Jon Robinson in December 2022 and Vrabel at the conclusion of the 2023 season. Robinson oversaw four playoff runs in five seasons and Vrabel three in six years.

• That Black men — long passed over by NFL owners for top leadership roles — can build contenders.

• That at 43, among the youngest general managers in the league, he’s not too green for this undertaking.

So, what’s one more title? This is the work, and this is Carthon’s dream.

The South Florida native is the epitome of a football lifer.

He grew up watching his father, Maurice Carthon, play for the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. The elder Carthon then coached in the NFL for 18 seasons. Ran Carthon played football at the University of Florida and led the Gators in rushing as a senior in 2003. His NFL career consisted of five seasons on various teams’ practice squads and three seasons with the Colts (2004-06). Two years later, he began his climb up the talent evaluation ranks. He worked as a pro scout for the Atlanta Falcons, aided the Rams’ revitalization in Los Angeles as director of player personnel, then helped build the San Francisco 49ers into a perennial contender as director of pro and player personnel.

So Carthon knows what this thing is supposed to look like, and he believes he knows how to get the Titans there. He also isn’t afraid to admit he doesn’t have all of the answers.

“I’m a naturally collaborative person,” Carthon said while sitting at his desk after a recent practice. “Everything that we do is still together, and it’s a good balance. I’m blessed to have guys like (assistant GM) Anthony Robinson and (president of football operations) Chad Brinker and (Callahan) — just guys that you can have these different levels of conversations with. And truthfully, it doesn’t always have to be about football. We just have such a good team of people here in this building, and it’s made the transition easier. … I think the way we all work together is just — it’s really different, so you don’t feel that (singular) pressure.”

Callahan called Carthon a “great communicator” and said they talked multiple times a day.

“Our office doors are open. I’m always sort of in and out of his office. He’s in and out of mine, and he’s got a great rapport with the players and the team,” Callahan said. “It helps me have another set of eyes. … He’s got a great eye for talent. We see things a lot the same.”

The collaborative approach extends beyond Carthon’s circle of top talent evaluators and his head coach. He has worked to foster the same cohesion between the coaching staff and scouting department to ensure everyone shares a clear understanding of what a Titan should look like.

Fast. Instinctive. Tough.

Carthon learned the importance of a unified focus during his time with the 49ers. General manager John Lynch, coach Kyle Shanahan and their assistants share a vision on talent evaluation and roster construction. Carthon believes that’s why San Francisco routinely has a high success rate in the draft, even in later rounds.

“The coaches and the scouts were in lockstep,” Carthon said. “It was the best thing I’ve ever seen, and we’re trying to emulate that here. I mean, I challenged the guys this year, like, ‘Hey, man, we got to win rounds five through seven.’ We have to.”

If Levis, last year’s second-round pick, can prove to be a better-than-average NFL starting quarterback, a huge weight will have been lifted. And while offensive tackle JC Latham and Sweat may garner the most attention as 2024 early-round picks, it’s other rookies taken later on — linebacker Cedric Gray, cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, safety James Williams and pass rusher Jaylen Harrell — who will largely determine the quality of Tennessee’s depth.

By now, the heavy lifting of this year’s construction phase has ended. The evaluations never cease, however.

To keep a finger on the pulse of the team, Carthon loves to roam the sideline during practice, mingling with players, coaches and scouts. He closely studies the one-on-one portions of practice — first between the offensive and defensive linemen, then wide receivers and defensive backs, and running backs and tight ends versus linebackers. Nothing reveals competitive fire like one-on-ones. He also listens for instructions and corrections from coaches, making mental notes to help his film-watching sessions later in the day.

In between drills, he may chat with a coach for clarification on successes and struggles. He’ll review areas of need with front-office assistants. He’ll sidle up to injured players to check on their physical and mental well-being.

He deems relationship-building, with everyone in the organization, as vital to team success. He believes his connection with the players is just as important as Callahan’s.

“I have to be able to relate to them, and them with me,” he said. “The game in and of itself has changed. Today’s athlete has changed, right? And so it’s different from when my dad played versus when I played, to now. These guys understand who they are and what they bring at a level that we didn’t, and you have to be able to understand them because sometimes the message can easily be misconstrued if you don’t know, if you don’t understand, if you don’t speak the language. Being able to understand these dudes helps us all.”

“Relationships are sort of his superpower,” Callahan said. “He’s got an incredible ability to connect with people, an incredible ability to be able to have hard conversations in a manner that connects and people understand the message and they don’t take it personal. … And it’s a huge asset to me, because he can help me. He gives me advice on how to deal with some guys, how to have conversations with others.”

Titans players say connecting with Carthon is effortless because his background is so similar to their own. Ridley this offseason signed a four-year, $92 million contract with Tennessee, turning down offers from the Jacksonville Jaguars (his previous team) and New England Patriots. He did so largely because of Carthon.

“I believed what Ran told me,” said Ridley, a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2018. “He’s from South Florida, so I feel like I relate to him there. He’s also a Black GM, so I also feel like I can relate to him there. … I think he has a big advantage. … He’s been in a lot of these situations, and he knows how to talk to everyone just from having been around the game and having played the game. … When you know how to talk to players, you know how to motivate players. You just want to play for Ran, man. You trust Ran. He’s himself and encourages us to be ourselves, so we all want to be here for each other. We’re working like dogs out here for each other.”

The question, of course, is how long it will take for Carthon and the Titans to pull off their turnaround. The Houston Texans went from 3-13 in 2022 to 10-7 and AFC South champs last year, buoyed by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and new head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Titans would love to be this year’s worst to first story, and Carthon certainly subscribes to a “why not us?” mindset when it comes to his team’s chances. He is aware, however, that a degree of patience is necessary, even with heightened expectations.

“I think we’ve had a really good offseason, but none of that means anything until you get out there on the grass and we see what it looks like,” Carthon said. “We had a damn good practice today, and we’ve practiced like that this whole time. And so I’m ready for these guys to see the fruit of their labor.

“But like Nipsey Hussle said,” Carthon added, quoting the late rapper, “it’s a marathon not a sprint. Build it a brick at a time.”

One brick, one player, one relationship at a time.

NEW ENGLAND

In the final preseason game, Coach Jerod Mayo will play both of the contenders for the Opening Day QB slot per Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Patriots will once again play their starters for Sunday’s preseason finale against the Commanders, head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters in his Friday press conference.

As it relates to the quarterbacks, No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye is set to be the second one in.

“Jacoby [Brissett] is going to start the game off,” Mayo said. “Drake will play as well. Joe [Milton II] will play as well. Now, you guys can sleep. Bailey [Zappe] will play. We do have some players dealing with small things that probably won’t play and get ready for the regular season — some of our proven players.”

While it seems like Brissett will remain New England’s starting quarterback when the regular season begins, Mayo touted one area where the rookie has made strides on Friday.

“If you guys remember early on, he would throw interceptions and he would get so down on himself,” Mayo said. “I would say now, as we exit camp, he’s done a lot better job being able to pull the nose up on the plane when it seems like it’s going down. I think that’s an important quality.”

The other two things Mayo is looking for in a QB are mental toughness and competitiveness.

“I can’t sit here and tell you, unless it’s like a Philip Rivers release, where, ‘Man, that release is kind of weird.’ I don’t get into the technical stuff,” Mayo said. “For me, evaluating a quarterback or any other player, but especially the quarterback, they have to be mentally tough, and they have to be able to bounce back from all the adversity that they’re bound to see.”

So far this preseason, Brissett is 3-of-10 for 17 yards with an interception. Maye is 8-of-14 for 66 yards.

THIS AND THAT

TOP RECEIVER DUOS

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com on the best pairs of teammate wide receivers:

Quarterbacks may be the most important players in the NFL, but wide receivers aren’t far behind. Unless you’re Patrick Mahomes, after all, you usually need at least one difference-making pass catcher to consistently challenge for the Super Bowl. Fortunately, plenty of teams actually have two!

Which clubs belong in this special category? Which wide receiver tandems rank among the best of the best entering 2024? We’ve identified our 10 favorite duos below:

Honorable mention

Detroit Lions (Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams): The former is a high-volume machine, bringing toughness and explosion to maybe the NFL’s most balanced offense, but Williams is still looking to go from promising deep threat to reliable No. 2.

Green Bay Packers (Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs): You could swap these two out for any of their other youngsters, including Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, and it’d work the same. They are all so shifty and versatile. Can they sustain their collective excellence?

Seattle Seahawks (DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett): Metcalf remains one of the NFL’s most imposing playmakers, and Lockett has been reliable for so long, but going on 32, he’s a bit tougher to project. It’s possible Jaxon Smith-Njigba will vault this group back into the upper tier.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin): Like the Seahawks, these guys are top-level when operating at full speed. Evans, in particular, is as steady as they come on a year-to-year basis. Age and durability are fair concerns overall, however.

Tennessee Titans (DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley): If it were 2018, this grouping might be top-five on the list. Hopkins is still a crisp route-runner, and Ridley can still fly. But injuries have already struck the former at age 32, and Ridley’s debuting in a new system.

10. Las Vegas Raiders

Davante Adams

Jakobi Meyers

Adams, 31, isn’t a spring chicken anymore, but with five 1,100-yard seasons in the last six years, he remains a route-running standard-setter. The fact his production has remained elite despite erratic quarterback play is simply a testament to his ability. Meyers, meanwhile, is quietly one of the steadiest secondary options in the NFL, with 800 yards in three straight seasons despite equally iffy setups.

9. Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb

Brandin Cooks

Lamb is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, but that’s OK, because he’s probably one of the three most explosive pass catchers in the entire NFL, fresh off a monster 135-catch, 1,749-yard breakout as the No. 1 in Dallas. Still just 25, he’s only gotten better each year in the pros. Cooks isn’t nearly as shifty as he once was, but his savvy experience still gives Dak Prescott a serviceable outlet in a high-octane offense.

8. Chicago Bears

DJ Moore

Keenan Allen

This pairing is one of the biggest reasons it’s fair to expect a major early impact from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in Chicago. Yes, Allen is older at 32, apparently heavier than usual and fresh off several injury-riddled seasons, but few wideouts are more quarterback-friendly in terms of high-volume availability. Moore, meanwhile, is arguably still entering his prime as a home-run hitter in space and after the catch.

7. Houston Texans

Stefon Diggs

Nico Collins

This might be one of the duos with the most variability, considering Diggs is 30 coming off a “down” 1,100-yard sendoff with the Buffalo Bills, and Collins was just OK before a huge leap as C.J. Stroud’s top target in 2023. But the former remains a route-running craftsman with a spicy play style, and Collins’ big frame should be a perfect complement. That’s not even mentioning their positively electric No. 3 Tank Dell.

6. Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp

Puka Nacua

Just like their NFC West counterparts, Kupp and Nacua have availability hurdles to clear: The former has missed extensive time in three different seasons, and the latter has missed a chunk of camp with a knee issue. In the lineup, however, they’re like robots out of a factory — built without elite measurables but rather an innate ability to work against coverage, squeeze into openings and collect endless amounts of targets.

5. San Francisco 49ers

Deebo Samuel

Brandon Aiyuk

Clouded by uncertainty thanks to ceaseless trade rumors regarding Aiyuk this offseason, the San Francisco 49ers’ duo is still one of the most formidable one-two punches, provided it stays intact. Samuel is more like a rocked-up Swiss Army Knife than traditional wideout, which lends to durability questions, but his contact-seeking explosion paired with Aiyuk’s natural field-stretching skills is a title-contending combo.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase

Tee Higgins

If they’re fully healthy and invested, they could easily be ranked atop the list, especially with Joe Burrow divvying up the touches. Chase has made his cruise to 3,700 yards in three years look easy, rivaling his ex-LSU teammate Justin Jefferson in sheer open-field burst. Higgins, meanwhile, could be primed for a major rebound after an injury-marred 2023, seeking his third career 1,000-yard run as a quick big man.

3. Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Other lists may not give them their due, perhaps because of the Minnesota Vikings’ tenuous quarterback spot or Addison’s anticipated early-year suspension. And yet, which team wouldn’t rush to trade for this pair? Not even a prolonged injury could stop Jefferson from clearing 1,000 yards in 2023; no one creates wide-open grass, or makes splash plays look more routine, than the walking highlight-reel that is “Jets.” Addison, just 22, flashed Pro Bowl-level polish as a route-running complement as a rookie.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown

DeVonta Smith

Entering its third year of operation, this duo has a strong case to be ranked atop the list. Brown has gone from big, promising Tennessee Titans No. 1 to bona fide superstar with the Philadelphia Eagles, effortlessly approaching 1,500 yards in back-to-back seasons as Jalen Hurts’ most trusted partner. And while he’s a physical freak with a chiseled frame and deep speed, Smith is arguably just as important to Philly with a deceivingly wiry build, excelling as a jump-ball and tough-catch specialist.

1. Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill

Jaylen Waddle

While the Eagles are more well-rounded and the Vikings are more promising for the long run, there’s just no denying the unmatched speed that resides on the perimeter in Miami. Hill hasn’t slowed down, and in fact may have only gotten more explosive, since leaving the Chiefs powerhouse, and he’s still capable of outmuscling bigger defenders despite a shorter stature. Waddle, on the other hand, has been an all-star as both a high-volume possession target and deep-ball threat, giving the Dolphins two true burners.