The Daily Briefing Monday, February 28, 2022

Two Sundays ago, during the Super Bowl pregame show, we pointed out that the owners may adopt this year a simple and straightforward solution to the inherently unfair postseason overtime procedures — each team would be guaranteed one possession.

This Sunday, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the Competition Committee is meeting in Indianapolis amid “at least some sentiment” within the committee to recommended the one-possession-each approach. Ultimately, however, the wishes of the committee don’t matter; the current rules will change only if at least 24 teams are willing to do so.

Moreover, individual teams can propose changes, even if the committee doesn’t. Rich McKay, chair of the Competition Committee, said Sunday that he has “no question that there will be a team or two that is going to suggest a rule change,” via Maske.

As noted in the days after the Super Bowl, if the NFL doesn’t make the change after the thoroughly unsatisfying ending to the Bills-Chiefs playoff game, the NFL likely never will. And the only solution that the powers-that-be regard as sensible entail a postseason-only alteration that gives the team that kicked off to start overtime a chance to match or beat an opening-drive touchdown.

In considering the various arguments in favor of promoting each team a possession in the playoffs, it’s important to note the arguments against making a change. Or lack thereof. The cries of jUSt pLaY DeFEnSe don’t fit with today’s game, where the rules are slanted toward gaining yards and scoring points. No one in their right mind would choose to kick to start overtime, which confirms the clear advantage of taking the ball and vowing to score.

Moreover, the fact that the Bengals defeated the Chiefs after kicking off to start overtime of the AFC Championship doesn’t prove the point. Overcoming an inherently unfair system doesn’t make the system any more fair. It just makes the outcome more impressive.

Given that the NFL has no appetite for gimmicks like spot-and-choose (proposed last year by the Ravens) or a two-point conversion shootout (my own personal favorite, for years), the best move would be taking the half-measure from 2010 and going the rest of the way.

As a compromise when it comes to length of game/amount of snaps, maybe the NFL should go back to sudden-death overtime for regular-season football. That was initially the case after the postseason-only change following the Vikings-Saints NFC Championship in 2009, but too many coaches felt compelled to have the same rules in the regular season and in the postseason. Even though the rules necessarily are different, because regular-season games can end in a tie.

DALLAS

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com diverts time away from going after Washington owner Dan Snyder, to wondering about the $2.4 million the Cowboys paid allegedly because of a staffer’s intrusion into a temporary cheerleaders dressing room.

The irreconcilable disconnect between the Cowboys paying $2.4 million to settle voyeurism allegations and concluding that no wrongdoing occurred compels a much closer look at the situation. Content to close the books on the matter (and to accept the team’s investigation of itself), the NFL doesn’t plan to do so. That means others need to start looking and probing and noticing and discussing.

Here’s a nugget contained in a recent article from Texan Monthly regarding the situation: “Sarah Hepola’s Texas Monthly podcast on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, America’s Girls, painted a less flattering portrait of [Cowboy owner Jerry] Jones. This Jerry Jones brought buddies to sip cocktails and leer at cheerleaders during their workouts. This Jerry Jones handpicked at least one cheerleader to accompany him on a trip in his private jet, where she was expected to wear the group’s famous, skimpy uniform and parade around for the boss’s guests.”

Cindy Villareal is the cheerleader who was invited to accompany Jones and guests on his jet.

 “My first thought was, ‘Why am I being asked to be on an airplane with Jerry’s businessmen?’ I thought it was raunchy,” she told Hepola.

While that apparently happened years ago, it occurred on the watch of the man who decided in 2015 that: (1) Rich Dalrymple, Jones’s former P.R. executive and confidant (and, as some has described it, “fixer”) had done nothing wrong; and (2) $2.4 million should be paid to rectify whatever Dalrymple didn’t do. That makes no sense. Jones’s comments from Friday fail to make it make sense.

The Cowboys, who otherwise regard any publicity as good publicity, realize that this is not good publicity. They managed to use money to keep it all quiet for nearly seven years. Now that it’s out in the open, it’s largely being ignored — by the team, by the league, by pretty much everyone.

Hopefully, that won’t continue. For those of us who rely on instincts that scream out “they’re hiding something,” my instincts continue to scream out, “They’re hiding something.”

Literally, they are. The use of non-disclosure agreements proves it. But it feels like there could be something more. And there’s no way to know whether that’s true without the Cowboys rescinding the NDAs and the league conducting a full and complete investigation.

I know that there are bigger things currently happening in the world. But human beings (especially those in positions of power and leadership) have the capacity to pay attention to multiple problems at once. Besides, those whose conduct cries out for full exploration and accountability shouldn’t get to take cover in the fact that, from a broader perspective, times are currently tough.

ATLANTA

Saw this, and we kind of agree:

Ryan Glasspiegel

@sportsrapport

I know no one cares but I just bet Falcons to win NFC South at +500. There’s no rationale right now why any team in that division would be better than any other team. Fair value for Falcons should therefore be in the +300 range.

@WillBrinson

I actually was thinking about betting that earlier today. If the Bucs don’t make a trade or sign someone, Atlanta has easily the best QB situation in the division. Saw like +650

NEW ORLEANS

Michael David Smith tries to figure out the path the Saints are charting as far as the quarterback position goes:

When Dennis Allen was introduced early this month as the Saints’ next head coach, he said the quarterback situation was something he had to get figured out. With free agency approaching, that remains the case.

The Saints opened last season with Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback and went 5-2 in the games he started. But when Winston was lost for the season with a torn ACL, they turned to Taysom Hill for five starts (going 4-1), Trevor Siemian for four starts (going 0-4) and Ian Book for one start (an ugly loss).

Winston is set to become a free agent, and Jim Trotter reported on NFL Network that the Saints have either already started talking contract with Winston or will start negotiating with him soon.

It’s unclear whether Winston will be healthy enough to play in Week One, and the Saints may figure that if Winston won’t be ready to go, it would make more sense to stick with Hill. The Saints may also look to a trade, the draft or free agency for a quarterback, although there aren’t any rookies in this year’s draft class who figure to be Day One starters, and the Saints’ cap situation may preclude an expensive veteran.

Add it all up, and the reality is that Allen has a big job ahead of him, figuring out who his quarterback will be in his first year as the Saints’ head coach.

TAMPA BAY

The Buccaneers take a hit with the retirement of G ALI MARPET after seven years. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Tom Brady is not the only Buccaneers player walking away from football this offseason.

Left guard Ali Marpet announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Sunday. Marpet was a 2015 second-round pick out of Hobart and became a starter during his rookie season. He started 101 regular season games and six postseason games, including Tampa’s win in Super Bowl LV.

 “After seven formidable years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I’ve come to the decision to retire from the game that has given me so much,” Marpet wrote. “This organization and the people surrounding it have helped not only fulfill a dream, but also helped build me into the person I am today. I’ve made Tampa Bay my home and I look forward to serving this community in the coming years. To the coaches and teammates, family and friends, an Instagram post simply can’t express the profound impact you’ve had on me. I’m eternally grateful. Thank you Tampa Bay.”

Marpet made his lone Pro Bowl appearance earlier this year.

Right guard Alex Cappa and center Ryan Jensen are set to be free agents, so the Bucs could have further changes to their starting offensive line this offseason.

LAS VEGAS

Would the Raiders be interested in RB SONY MICHEL as he comes clear of the Rams?

In August, the Los Angeles Rams acquired Michel in a trade with the Patriots following Cam Akers’ torn Achilles. While the Rams may not be thrilled to part with Michel less than a year after adding him, the move would make some sense.

Akers is again healthy, and it’s not as if Michel was an expensive acquisition—he cost L.A. a fourth-round 2023 and a sixth-round 2022 draft pick. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is projected to be $13.2 million over the cap and will likely prioritize players like Von Miller and Austin Corbett over Michel.

Akers and Darrell Henderson provide a solid foundation for L.A.’s backfield. Michel has a projected market value of $5 million annually.

Michel was a serviceable starter in 2021—totaling 845 rushing yards and averaging 4.1 yards per carry—but he might be best served as a powerful inside-rushing complement in a committee.

The Las Vegas Raiders could use such a complement after losing Kenyan Drake to a broken ankle in December. Drake was a fine change-of-pace back alongside Josh Jacobs. However, the duo underwhelmed overall, and Drake may not be at 100 percent early next season.

New Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels coached Michel as the Patriots offensive coordinator during Michel’s first three seasons.

McDaniels frequently used a committee backfield in New England, and a committee headlined by Jacobs, Michel and Drake could help Las Vegas significantly improve a rushing attack that ranked 28th in the NFL last season. The Raiders, who are projected to have $19.8 million in cap space, can afford to make it happen.

Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders

PITTSBURGH

The Steelers search for a new GM seems to have widened:

Three more candidates interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager position, the team announced Saturday night.

Over the past week, the Steelers conducted interviews with Andy Weidl, vice president of player personnel with the Philadelphia Eagles; Ran Carthon, director of personnel with the San Francisco 49ers; and Joe Hortiz, director of player personnel for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers have interviewed 12 candidates for the position that will be vacated by general manager Kevin Colbert when his contract expires in May after the NFL Draft. That includes in-house candidates Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt.

Colbert said the Steelers would like to conclude the first round of interviews by March 1 when teams can deny permission for candidates under contract to meet with other teams.

Weidl began his scouting career with the Steelers in 1998-99 when he worked as a player personnel assistant under former general manager Tom Donahoe. He worked as a scout with the New Orleans Saints and Ravens before joining the Eagles in 2016. He was promoted to director of player personnel in 2018 and added a vice president title the following year.

Carthon has spent six seasons with the 49ers after serving as the director of pro personnel with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. He also spent four years as a pro scout with the Atlanta Falcons.

Hortiz has worked for the Ravens for 24 years and interviewed for the New York Giants general manager position last month.

INDIANAPOLIS

Owner Jim Irsay is pressing his football people to trade for QB RUSSELL WILSON.  Matt Johnson of Sportsnaut.  That said, the Colts may not have the ammo:

The Indianapolis Colts are ready to move on from Carson Wentz and if the decision is left up entirely to owner Jim Irsay, Russell Wilson will be the Colts starting quarterback in 2022.

Indianapolis took a big swing last offseason, acquiring Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles. The move backfired, with Wentz playing enough snaps to unlock the conditional first-round pick being sent to Philadelphia. Unfortunately, he often struggled and seemed to validate the concerns the Eagles had about him.

After missing out on the NFL Playoffs – thanks to the quarterback’s struggles – the Colts are bracing to part ways with Wentz. In an offseason without great options in the 2022 NFL Draft and free agency, a trade seems to be the primary focus for a quarterback change.

According to Jordan Schultz, Irsay is a huge fan of Wilson and would love for the Colts to swing a trade for him this offseason.

The 33-year-old quarterback was floated in NFL trade rumors at the start of the offseason. However, acquiring him could prove quite difficult for Indianapolis.

Can the Indianapolis Colts acquire Russell Wilson?

The first problem the Indianapolis Colts would face is quite simple. The Seahawks have zero interest in trading Russell Wilson. Furthermore, the face of the franchise seems happy in Seattle and doesn’t want to leave right now.

A year ago, the Colts likely had a better chance. Wilson provided the Seahawks with a list of teams he would like to play for via trade. However, Seattle ultimately decided to keep him and the relationship between the two sides is improving.

Even if Wilson requests a trade, there’s another issue for Indianapolis. Because it traded its 2022 first-round pick for Wentz, the Colts would be operating at a significant disadvantage in a bidding war. NFL rules don’t allow a team to trade a pick more than three years out, meaning the Colts would only be able to package their 2023 and 2024 first-round picks.

Irsay certainly has plenty of power, but he can’t get Wilson away from the Seahawks. Instead, he’ll have to settle for second-tier options to replace Wentz.

MIAMI

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report thinks the Dolphins would be a good landing spot for RB RAHEEM MOSTERT in free agency:

Raheem Mostert was a fantastic ball-carrier for the 49ers in 2019 and 2020 when healthy. He averaged five or more yards per carry in each season and served as a dangerous home run threat who could score from anywhere on the field.

The problem is that Mostert has struggled to stay healthy. He was limited to eight games in 2020 by a high ankle sprain and missed all but one game in 2021 with cartilage damage in his knee. Following surgery, Mostert announced on social media that he was “excited about the journey” to come.

That journey will include several questions about Mostert’s health and durability. However, his skill set is intriguing. When healthy in 2019, Mostert appeared in all 16 games, averaged a whopping 5.6 yards per carry and scored 10 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Mostert represents a gamble, but he can be a great addition as a big-play complementary back.

Given McDaniel’s experience with Mostert, Miami seems like a logical landing spot. The Dolphins head coach should already have insight into Mostert’s recovery, and he knows exactly how to utilize him in the offense.

Mostert wouldn’t be “the guy” in Miami, but he could be a key addition for a franchise looking to get over the proverbial hump and back into the postseason.

Best Fit: Miami Dolphins

NEW ENGLAND

No surprise that is there was one team that is not providing a media opportunity at the Combine, it is the Patriots. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

One of the rituals of the Scouting Combine consists of having a parade of coaches and General Managers submit to questioning from the assembled reporters. It’s different from the usual press conferences, because the folks providing answers routinely face questions from reporters other than those who cover the team on a regular basis — and who therefore have no reason to keep a broader peace with the subject of the interrogation.

Possibly for that reason, possibly for one or more others, Patriots coach Bill Belichick once again won’t speak to reporters at the Scouting Combine. Via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, the Patriots are the only team to not make the coach coach or a personnel executive available to speak.

Reiss notes that Belichick made a surprise appearance in 2014, but that he others avoids the Combine press conference. This year, with former lieutenant Brian Flores suing the league and making allegations regarding Belichick’s influence over and knowledge of the Giants’ hiring of Brian Daboll, there’s even less reason for Belichick to step into the fray.

Of course, some would say that’s even more reason for Belichick to speak. But if even he shows up, there’s no way Belichick will say anything that could or would be used against him or the league within the confines of the Flores lawsuit.

THIS AND THAT

SALARY CAP CASUALTIES

At least one from each team from The Athletic (we did some editing for space):

(Editor’s note: All salary data is from Over The Cap. The figures mentioned generally reflect the finances associated with releasing a player before June 1, except in the instances when a post-June 1 transaction that spreads out the dead money charge over two seasons makes more sense.)

Arizona Cardinals

Potential cap casualty: OT D.J. Humphries

2022 cap hit: $19.3 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $15 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $4.3 million

Left tackle D.J. Humphries has the second-highest cap hit on the Cardinals’ roster behind only receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and the Cardinals could save approximately $15 million if they chose to move on from the former first-round pick before the final year of his contract.

That’s a significant amount of savings for a team that has little room to operate under the cap, and it certainly could be time after a disappointing season for the 28-year-old Humphries.

Other players to watch: Edge Jordan Hicks, OL Justin Pugh

Atlanta Falcons

Potential cap casualty: DT Tyeler Davison

2022 cap hit: $4.9 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $3.7 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1.2 million

The seven-year pro is entering the final year of a three-year contract, and his 2022 cap hit is $4.9 million, which is the Falcons’ seventh-highest for next season. Davison had 30 tackles last season, and the only other column on the stat sheet he made a notch in was tackles-for-loss with three. A fifth-round pick by the Saints in 2015, Davison missed five games last season.

The Falcons would have to eat $1.2 million in dead money whether Davison is cut before or after June 1, but the $3.7 million in savings will come in handy with so many other needs. — Josh Kendall

Other players to watch: RB Mike Davis, CB Kendall Sheffield, DE John Cominsky

Baltimore Ravens

Potential cap casualty: OT Alejandro Villanueva

2022 cap hit: $9.25 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $6 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $3.25 million

Signed last May essentially as a stopgap solution following the Ravens’ trade of Orlando Brown Jr., Villanueva got off to a rough start in his transition to right tackle before moving back to the left side for an injured Ronnie Stanley. Villanueva finished strong and played through some physical challenges when the Ravens couldn’t afford to be without another tackle. However, the 33-year-old often looked his age and had some rough outings.

Villanueva, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, also could retire, essentially making the decision for the Ravens. — Jeff Zrebiec

Other players to watch: WR Miles Boykin, TE Josh Oliver, G Ben Powers, DT Derek Wolfe, CB Tavon Young, P Sam Koch

Buffalo Bills

Potential cap casualty: LB A.J. Klein

2022 cap hit: $5.6 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $5.2 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $400,000

Klein has been with the Bills for two seasons, overseeing the growth of linebackers Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds and playing a vital backup role for the Bills. He filled in as the starter whenever one of the starting duo had an injury, but in 2021, Klein’s role was scaled back even more.

With the emergence of nickel corner Taron Johnson in 2021, the Bills stayed in nickel defense as their base for almost 100% of defensive snaps. The only time they veered from that was against heavy offensive formations that featured a sixth offensive lineman, a tight end and a fullback. Klein was also just a part-time special-teams player. Because Johnson got a big bump in salary with a contract extension, Klein is a luxury. Klein also has a low dead cap hit of $400,000. The Bills are tight to the 2022 cap as it is and want to re-sign some of their own, so the potential savings of $5.2 million for a backup linebacker entering his age-31 season will be tough to pass up. — Joe Buscaglia

Other players to watch: G/T Daryl Williams, WR Cole Beasley, G Jon Feliciano, LB/ST Tyler Matakevich, P Matt Haack

Carolina Panthers

Potential cap casualty: CB A.J. Bouye

2022 cap hit: $4.7 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $3.5 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1.2 million

Bouye, a Pro Bowler with Jacksonville in 2017, was a solid coverage guy as the Panthers’ nickel in 2021 after signing a two-year, $7 million deal in the offseason. The problem was his availability: Bouye missed seven games — two while serving the remainder of a PED suspension and five because of injuries. Plus, he’s now on the wrong side of 30 — he’ll turn 31 during training camp — and the Panthers need all the cap space they can get to sign Donte Jackson or Stephon Gilmore, who are priority cornerbacks.

After drafting Jaycee Horn (first round) and Keith Taylor (fifth) last year and trading for C.J. Henderson in September, the Panthers have several promising young corners who figure to make Bouye expendable. — Joe Person

Other players to watch: WR Robby Anderson, DE Morgan Fox, T Cam Erving, OL Dennis Daley

Chicago Bears

Potential cap casualty: DT Eddie Goldman

2022 cap hit: $11.8 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $6.7 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $5.1 million

With Matt Eberflus in as the new head coach, the Bears are switching to a 4-3 defense and would have to figure out how Goldman — who came into the league as a true nose tackle — would fit. Goldman can certainly play in a 40 front, as he has when the Bears are in their nickel defense, but he has a pretty big cap hit and is one of the only players the Bears can save more on the cap by cutting ($6.7 million) than the dead money they’d incur ($5.1 million).

Late last season Goldman showed some flashes of what made him one of the league’s best interior defensive linemen, but was that enough to merit the cap hit in a new defense? Goldman has battled injuries throughout his career and was literally unreachable at times when the Bears needed to figure out if he was reporting to camp. Reliability is not his strong suit, and that might not mesh well with Eberflus’ principles as the new head coach and GM Ryan Poles try to rework the roster. — Kevin Fishbain

Other players to watch: QB Nick Foles, RB Tarik Cohen, LB Danny Trevathan, Edge Jeremiah Attaochu, OG Cody Whitehair

Cincinnati Bengals

Potential cap casualty: CB Trae Waynes

2022 cap hit: $15.9 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $10.9 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $5 million

Waynes is not a potential cap casualty, he’s an imminent one. He will go down as the biggest free agency bust in Bengals history after signing a three-year, $42 million deal in 2020 and providing almost no return on investment.

There is 0% chance Waynes is back for the final year of his deal. Cutting him will give the Bengals another $10.9 million to put toward a No. 2 cornerback and/or upgrades along the offensive line. — Jay Morrison

Other players to watch: C Trey Hopkins

Cleveland Browns

Potential cap casualty: WR Jarvis Landry

2022 cap hit: $16.4 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $14.9 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1.5 million

Landry never missed a game because of injury before last season and has long been valuable on and off the field. But now he’s 29, and the Browns would save $14.9 million on their 2022 cap by moving on, so although it’s clear that Landry won’t play the final season of his current deal, the sides could agree to a restructure to keep him in Cleveland. Landry recently tweeted that he’s willing to stay. — Zac Jackson

Other players to watch: TE Austin Hooper, C JC Tretter, QB Case Keenum

Dallas Cowboys

Potential cap casualty: WR Amari Cooper

2022 cap hit: $22 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $16 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $6 million

The two most noteworthy candidates are Cooper and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who will count as a $27 million cap hit next season. The biggest difference between the two situations is that the Cowboys are facing $19 million in dead cap money if they release Lawrence, compared to only $6 million in dead cap money with Cooper.

Dallas is paying Cooper to be one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, but his 2021 production certainly didn’t match that expectation. — Jon Machota

Other players to watch: DE DeMarcus Lawrence

Denver Broncos

Potential cap casualty: NT Mike Purcell

2022 cap hit: $4.3 million

Cap savings if cut after June 1: $3.6 million

Dead money if cut after June 1: $774,166

The Broncos have a largely clean salary-cap sheet as they head into the offseason, a necessary position for a team hoping to land an expensive veteran quarterback. Still, general manager George Paton has shown he’s willing to trim salary where he can when it comes to veteran players.  — Nick Kosmider

Other player to watch: P Sam Martin

Detroit Lions

Potential cap casualty: DE Trey Flowers

2022 cap hit: $23.2 million

Cap savings if cut after June 1: $16 million

Dead money if cut after June 1: $7.2 million

GM Brad Holmes cleared out most of the Lions’ bad contracts during last season’s roster bloodletting, but Flowers remains on the books through 2023.

Detroit would love to have Flowers’ veteran leadership up front. That alone is not worth more than $23 million, though. — Chris Burke

Other players to watch: G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, DL Michael Brockers, DB Will Harris, RB Jamaal Williams

Green Bay Packers

Potential cap casualty: OLB Za’Darius Smith

2022 cap hit: $27.7 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $15.3 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $12.4 million

The Packers are about $50 million over the cap and will need to cut at least a couple key contributors from recent seasons to get under the cap by the start of the new league year on March 16. The most expendable player with a massive cap hit is Smith. After a Pro Bowl season in 2019 and an All-Pro season in 2020, Smith played in just two games in 2021 because of a back injury. Teammates didn’t vote him as one of three defensive captains after voting him as the lone defensive captain in each of the past two seasons. Smith took exception to that. He’s since deleted all Packers references from his Instagram and Twitter bio, and before he did, he bid somewhat of a farewell to Green Bay on Instagram. — Matt Schneidman

Other players to watch: K Mason Crosby, WR Randall Cobb, RT Billy Turner, OLB Preston Smith

Houston Texans

Potential cap casualty: OT Marcus Cannon

2022 cap hit: $5.2 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $5.2 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $0

After being acquired in a trade from the Patriots, Cannon started just four games before landing on injured reserve with a back injury. Cannon was solid in those four starts at right tackle, but at 33 years old, he comes with durability concerns. He opted out of the 2020 season and missed much of training camp and the offseason program last year. — Aaron Reiss

Other players to watch: S Eric Murray, K Ka’imi Fairbairn, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, OL Justin McCray

Indianapolis Colts

Potential cap casualty: QB Carson Wentz

2022 cap hit: $28.3 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $15 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $13.3 million

Though the Colts — publicly, at least — were noncommittal on Wentz’s future after the season ended, all signs of late point to them moving on from the quarterback they acquired from Philadelphia last season in exchange for first- and third-round draft picks. I anticipate the Colts shopping him in the coming weeks, hoping for a trade partner, but the other option would simply be cutting him and absorbing the $15 million dead cap charge. This move would have to come before March 19, when accelerators in Wentz’s contract would guarantee him up to an additional $13 million in salary. — Stephen Holder

Other players to watch: None

Jacksonville Jaguars

Potential cap casualty: C Brandon Linder

2022 cap hit: $9.6 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $9.6 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $0

Linder has played more than nine games just once in the past four seasons, consistently sidelined with injuries. — Greg Auman

Other players to watch: None

Kansas City Chiefs

Potential cap casualty: DE Frank Clark

2022 cap hit: $26.3 million

Cap savings if cut after June 1: $19.5 million

Dead money if cut after June 1: $6.8 million

The Chiefs have already had a cap casualty this offseason with linebacker Anthony Hitchens being released Tuesday, a move that saved the Chiefs $8.4 million in cap space. The next logical candidate for the Chiefs is Clark, the defensive end who has struggled to be consistent the past two seasons, totaling just 10.5 sacks. General manager Brett Veach plans to revamp the Chiefs’ defensive line, and Clark likely doesn’t fit such a plan. Releasing Clark with a post-June 1 designation creates $19.5 million in cap savings with $6.8 million in dead money. — Nate Taylor

Other players to watch: None

Las Vegas Raiders

Potential cap casualty: LB Cory Littleton

2022 cap hit: $15.8 million

Cap savings if cut after June 1: $11.8 million

Dead money if cut after June 1: $4 million

Will the third defensive coordinator be the charm for Littleton? Probably not. He was a big winner in 2020 free agency who went on to lose his starting job to rookie Divine Deablo last season. New coordinator Patrick Graham could try and figure out what Paul Guenther and Gus Bradley couldn’t — that is, how to get more than half a sack, no interceptions, four pass breakups and six tackles for loss in 31 games (27 starts) from an athletic linebacker . Or … the Raiders can cut their losses after June 1 and save more than $10 million.

Littleton’s three-year, $35 million contract is somehow worse than the four-year, $42 million deal the Raiders gave undersized and overutilized DB Lamarcus Joyner in 2019. Joyner only made off with $22 million after two seasons. The bad draft picks weren’t the only reason GM Mike Mayock was fired the day after the season. — Vic Tafur

Other players to watch: DE Carl Nassib, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, G Denzelle Good

Los Angeles Chargers

Potential cap casualty: OT Bryan Bulaga

2022 cap hit: $14.1 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $10.8 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $3.3 million

The Chargers signed Bulaga to a three-year contract before the 2020 season, and in his first two seasons with the team Bulaga played just 20.7% of the possible offensive snaps because of injuries. He dealt with a significant back injury in 2020 before playing in just one game in 2021. A core muscle injury required surgery, and Bulaga went on to miss the final 16 games of the year. Chargers GM Tom Telesco took a risk signing an aging player with an injury history in Bulaga, and that risk backfired. But the Chargers built this escape hatch into the contract after two seasons, and now it is time to exercise it.. — Daniel Popper

Other players to watch: None

Los Angeles Rams

Potential cap casualty: OT Andrew Whitworth (retirement)

2022 cap hit: $17.6 million

Cap savings if he retires: $16 million

Dead money if he retires: $1.67 million

The Rams have auto-restructure potential in a combination of contracts worth up to $70 million to free up cap space this year. But that doesn’t mean they won’t need to save money where they can. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth may decide to retire this spring (he said Wednesday night that is his lean), which would save the Rams about $16 million against the cap.

Retirement wouldn’t make Whitworth a true “cap casualty,” but he’s an important figure to watch all the same — financially and as it pertains to the future of the position.— Jourdan Rodrigue

Other players to watch: P Johnny Hekker (potential retirement)

Miami Dolphins

Potential cap casualty: DL Adam Butler

2022 cap hit: $4.2 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $4.2 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $0

Butler joined the Dolphins last year, having played with Brian Flores in New England, and though he played nearly 600 snaps, he had only two sacks and 17 tackles. His cap hit isn’t huge for a rotational player, but there’s no dead money if he’s cut, so it’s a chance for the Dolphins to get younger and more productive. — Greg Auman

Other players to watch: WR Allen Hurns, DB Eric Rowe, S Clayton Fejedelem

Minnesota Vikings

Potential cap casualty: LB Eric Kendricks

2022 cap hit: $13.5 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $7.6 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $5.9 million

The Vikings don’t have any real candidates to be traditional cap casualties because the players who would generate the largest cap savings are also unlikely to be cut. But in evaluating all the high-contract players who would generate substantial cap savings from a cut, Kendricks seems the most likely of an unlikely bunch.

Although this move is unlikely, it wouldn’t be too bad for Kendricks if it did happen. He should have a huge market in the event he becomes a free agent. — Arif Hasan

Other players to watch: DE Danielle Hunter, WR Adam Thielen

New England Patriots

Potential cap casualty: DL Henry Anderson

2022 cap hit: $3.7 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $2.7 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1 million

There are much bigger names than the 2021 free-agent bust who logged four games and made six tackles, but cutting Anderson would be an easy way to save about $2.7 million against the cap. If the Patriots want to get more creative, they could trade right guard Shaq Mason to create $7 million in cap space. They could also part with linebacker Kyle Van Noy and save $4.9 million, but it’s unlikely they’d find a net gain when considering the $2.45 million in dead money. Defensive lineman Lawrence Guy has a cuttable contract, saving $3.75 million in cap space while assuming $750,000 in dead money, but that wouldn’t be a wise move. — Jeff Howe

Other players to watch: WR N’Keal Harry, CB Joejuan Williams

New Orleans Saints

Potential cap casualty: CB Bradley Roby

2022 cap hit: $10.2 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $9.5 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $677,900

The Saints are more than $70 million over the cap, similar to last year when they had to shed $100 million in space to get compliant. But 2022 won’t be a repeat of last year, as this time the Saints will mostly restructure salaries to open space.

Roby is the only true potential cap casualty, as his release would be pure savings for the Saints.. — Katherine Terrell

Other players to watch: DE Cam Jordan (potential contract restructure), WR Michael Thomas (potential contract restructure), CB Marshon Lattimore (potential contract restructure)

New York Giants

Potential cap casualty: WR Sterling Shepard

2022 cap hit: $12.5 million

Cap savings if cut after June 1: $8.5 million

Dead money if cut after June 1: $4 million

New general manager Joe Schoen is looking to create $40 million in cap space this offseason. That means some high-priced veterans will be on the chopping block. Shepard’s inability to stay on the field has made him expendable. The 29-year-old missed 10 games last season with a variety of injuries, ending with a torn Achilles in Week 15. — Dan Duggan

Other players to watch: LB Blake Martinez, TE Kyle Rudolph, P Riley Dixon

New York Jets

Potential cap casualty: OG Greg Van Roten

2022 cap hit: $3.5 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $3.5 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $0

A consolation prize signing in 2020, Van Roten started 13 of 16 games in his first year with the Jets and 10 games in 2021 before losing his job to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, whom the Jets acquired at the trade deadline this season. The Jets love Van Roten as a person and leader, but Father Time caught up with him. The Jets aren’t hurting for salary cap space, but there’s no guaranteed money left on Van Roten’s deal, so cutting him frees the full $3.5 million. There’s an outside chance he sticks around as a backup, but the 31-year-old is a liability on the field. The Jets can likely find an improvement in the middle or later rounds of the draft. — Connor Hughes

Other players to watch: TE Ryan Griffin, DL Sheldon Rankins, C Connor McGovern

Philadelphia Eagles

Potential cap casualty: OL Brandon Brooks (retirement)

2022 cap hit: $7.1 million

Cap savings if retirement becomes official after June 1: $1.1 million

Dead money if retirement becomes official after June 1: $5.9 million

The Eagles don’t have as many candidates for cap casualties as past seasons, and the decision that seemed most likely was made for the Eagles when Brooks announced his retirement in January. Before the announcement, the Eagles restructured Brooks’ contract to facilitate the retirement with a post-June 1 transaction. The change reduced Brooks’ cap number from $19.4 million to $7.1 million, according to NFL Network. After June 1, the dead money from Brooks’ retirement will go from $15.7 million to $5.9 million with the rest of the charge deferring to 2023, according to Over The Cap. So the Eagles will save nearly $10 million against the 2022 salary cap with this procedural move.

Other than Brooks, any meaningful cap space would need to be opened by contract extensions (such as with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave) or restructuring (such as with cornerback Darius Slay). They could potentially release J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, which would open $1.1 million, or trade Andre Dillard to open $2.2 million. Looking for a high-profile move? A post-June 1 trade of Fletcher Cox wouldn’t come with the same cap burden as pre-June 1 — and would even provide modest cap savings. — Zach Berman

Other players to watch: WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, OT Andre Dillard (trade candidate)

Pittsburgh Steelers

Potential cap casualty: ILB Joe Schobert

2022 cap hit: $9.7 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $7.8 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1.9 million

For the first time since the inception of free agency, the Steelers aren’t going to have to make an uncomfortable cut just to get cap compliant by the new league year. The lower salary cap hit the Steelers hard last year, but they bounced right up with more flexibility than ever — at least $30 million in cap space, with the ability to get that number to around $65 million with a couple cuts based off performance and restructures. Joe Schobert could be the one in the crosshairs even though he plays a position where the Steelers need plenty of help.

Despite being second on the team with 112 tackles last season, Schobert didn’t quite live up to expectations after he was acquired in a preseason trade. He turned into a rotational player in the final month of the season. Still, being only 28, playing a position of need and not costing a ton of money could allow Schobert to return. In prior cap hell years, he would be the first to go. — Mark Kaboly

Other players to watch: DL Stephon Tuitt (potential retirement), FB Derek Watt, OT Zach Banner

San Francisco 49ers

Potential cap casualty: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (via trade)

2022 cap hit: $27 million

Cap savings if traded: $25.6 million

Dead money if traded: $1.4 million

This is the 49ers’ key potential financial domino of the offseason. They drafted Trey Lance in 2021 with the hope of eventually enjoying production from a good QB on a rookie deal so that they could have enough space to preserve the rest of the roster. The 49ers almost certainly won’t cut Garoppolo, but they will likely trade him, and that can be considered a cap casualty — such a move would free up $25.6 million of room for the 49ers, enough to execute back-loaded extensions for Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel, among other things.— David Lombardi

Other player to watch: DE Dee Ford (with post-June 1 designation)

Seattle Seahawks

Potential cap casualty: K Jason Myers

2022 cap hit: $5 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $4 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $1 million

Seattle isn’t desperate for salary cap space, and because the team doesn’t typically spend big in free agency, the front office doesn’t have many bad contracts it needs to dump in the name of saving cash. As for the expensive vets they do have, restructures are more likely than cuts or trades. But one place to save $4 million is at kicker. One year after hitting all of his field goal attempts, Myers’ accuracy dipped significantly in 2021. — Michael-Shawn Dugar

Other players to watch: DE Benson Mayowa, DL Kerry Hyder, RB Chris Carson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Potential cap casualty: P Bradley Pinion

2022 cap hit: $2.9 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $2.9 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $2.9 million

The Bucs don’t have a ton of obvious cap cuts, but Pinion hasn’t had stats to match his pay, so it’s a chance to shed some salary. The Bucs could turn to Sterling Hofrichter, who filled in last year and is under contract at the league minimum. They also could make a change at kicker, where cutting veteran Ryan Succop would save $2.5 million in cap space. The team has kicker Jose Borregales under contract after he spent last season on the practice squad.

Look for tight end Cameron Brate to take a pay cut from the $6.8 million he’s scheduled to make. He’s taken pay cuts in each of the last two seasons but wants to stay in Tampa. — Greg Auman

Other players to watch: K Ryan Succop, TE Cameron Brate

Tennessee Titans

Potential cap casualty: OG Rodger Saffold

2022 cap hit: $12.8 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $10.4 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $2.4 million

Cutting Saffold, one of the best run blockers in the NFL and a perfect fit for this offense, does not sound like an ideal way to “be great around” Ryan Tannehill as Mike Vrabel has said is necessary. But Saffold turns 34 in the offseason and has been banged up for much of the past two seasons (while finding a way to gut it out and play in all but three games, it should be noted).

The Titans have a lot of tough choices to make after kicking the can to maximize their window, and cutting Saffold makes more sense than cutting left tackle Taylor Lewan. Quality left tackles are simply more difficult to find. If this is the way GM Jon Robinson goes, he may need to use yet another high pick on a lineman. Or the Titans may believe Aaron Brewer is capable of stepping in and being a reliable starter at left guard. — Joe Rexrode

Other players to watch: LT Taylor Lewan, CB Jackrabbit Jenkins, WR Julio Jones

Washington Commanders

Potential cap casualty: S/LB Landon Collins

2022 cap hit: $16.1 million

Cap savings if cut before June 1: $6.5 million

Dead money if cut before June 1: $9.6 million

Critics cringed in real time at the six-year, $84 million deal agreed upon by the previous football regime in 2019. Then Collins proved overmatched in pass coverage during his initial 22 games before suffering an Achilles tear in 2020. The same was true upon his return last season. Then after Week 4 the coaches turned the respected vet into a de facto linebacker so he’d be closer to the line of scrimmage. Although Collins balked at the label change, the shift helped reestablish his playmaking bonafides. Now the $16 million cap hit isn’t so automatic. We’ll see if the Commanders see a large enough workload to justify the expense. — Ben Standig

Other players to watch: G Wes Schweitzer, S Deshazor Everett, G Ereck Flowers (potential contract restructure)

BROADCAST NEWS

With Troy Aikman all but gone, Sean Payton seems to be the top target of FOX for its top analyst role.  Luke Johnson of NoLa.com:

Sean Payton may not be waiting that long to make his return to NFL stadiums, but it might be in a drastically different role.

The former New Orleans Saints coach is in negotiations with Fox Sports and could sign on to become its No. 1 game analyst, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Times-Picayune.

Payton is competing against former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen for the spot in the booth next to top play-by-play man Joe Buck, according to the source. 

The deal is not yet in place, but according to a Front Office Sports report, Payton could earn up to $10 million annually.

The role Payton is vying for at Fox belonged to Troy Aikman for the past 20 seasons, but Aikman reportedly agreed to a massive deal to join ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew.

It would be a dramatic dive into the broadcasting world for Payton, who in January stepped down after 16 years as the Saints head coach.

His experience in the broadcasting world mostly has been limited to guest appearances he’s made on several forms of media.  But the lack of experience, specifically as an in-game analyst, is not necessarily a big mark against him considering recent precedent.

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo jumped right into the top analyst spot with CBS without any prior experience in 2017, and his charisma and relatable breakdowns of games made him an instant success. In 2020, Romo signed an industry-shifting contract with CBS that pays him $17 million per year.

The move to the booth would not be a surprise. Payton made clear in both his farewell news conference and in the weeks that followed that he was highly interested in pursuing a career as a broadcaster.

“I’d like to try TV,” Payton said the day he stepped down. “… I don’t know that part of it that well. But that would be something that would interest me.”

2022 DRAFT

Ted Ngyuen of The Athletic seeks to answer the question as to whether or not USC WR DRAKE LONDON is too big for wide receiver?

There aren’t a lot of star receivers who are 6-foot-5 in the NFL. In fact, there is actually only one — Mike Evans — and he measures slightly below 6-5. The list is a little longer if you look at 6-4 receivers but it’s not a long one and an important threshold for receivers with that frame is the ability to run in the 4.5 or under range. Evans ran a 4.52 but he’s an anomaly with his quick feet and suddenness at his size. Big receivers can routinely go over the top of smaller defenders in college, but it’s harder to in the NFL when every defensive back is physical and athletic. Separation doesn’t have to be enormous when you have size and length but bigger receivers still have to be able to create space with quickness and route running.

USC receiver Drake London should measure in at 6-5. Before breaking his ankle, he was putting up monster numbers despite seeing a ton of double-teams from defenses. In eight games, he averaged 11 receptions and 135.5 yards per game. Part of why London saw so many double-teams was because he was easy to find. In 2021, he mostly lined up on the outside to the left. Additionally, there wasn’t much else for defenses to fear on the Trojans offense. Defenses honed in on London and he still dominated. There is concern with the skill level of the defensive backs that he faced in the Pac-12 but he displayed enough traits aside from his contested catch ability to translate to the next level.

Bigger receivers don’t have to create a ton of separation but they have to be able to get off press coverage and create space or win leverage on breaks. Usually, they’ll have some difficulty against press coverage because their feet aren’t quick enough or they’ll let defensive backs get underneath and jam them.

London’s footwork isn’t as quick as Evan’s but it’s above average for a tall receiver and he shows some burst after making his moves to get off press.

Defenders rarely played true press on London. Instead, they used a “soft shoe” technique, meaning they backed off and mirrored release. In the clip, he closed the space on the defensive back, took a jab step inside, before bursting outside. He also used a hand swipe to get the jam off of him. The defender had to work hard to get on top of him which allowed him to create separation on the back shoulder pass.

Another challenge that taller receivers have is when physical corners can push them off of their line and slow them down. London is a strong, physical runner who doesn’t seem deterred by contact.

London isn’t a burner but he is able to build speed with his long strides and use deceptive body language in his route running.

Longer limb receivers can have a difficult time using double moves because they usually don’t sell their fakes very well because they struggle to get compact and their burst out of their fakes can take too long. In the clip, London ran an out-and-up. He used just enough of a shoulder and head fake to freeze the defender before showing some burst on his vertical stem. He created a few steps of separation and might have been able to create more but the pass was severely underthrown.

London gets a surprising amount of production on underneath routes like hitches and speed-outs. He has enough suddenness to create separation when he snaps back toward the line of scrimmage against defenders playing off of him.

Though he shouldn’t be asked to run these types of routes as often in the NFL, he has enough suddenness on his breaks that defenders won’t be comfortable just sitting back in coverage.

Another area that taller receivers don’t do well in the league is creating yards after the catch. London relishes making contact after the catch. He routinely falls forward and can run through arm tackles. USC often targeted him on “now” and “bubble” screens.

Finally, if you’re going to be a contested-catch specialist, you better be elite at it and London absolutely is.

London also displayed the ability to make contested catches against contact on short and intermediate routes. In the clip above, he was doubled with a defender over the top and underneath of him. As he curled up, the underneath defender was in good position, but he came back to the ball, extended his hands and held on to it despite heavy contact.

London gets high marks from me on his film grade but there are still concerns because he didn’t play a lot of high-level corners and as a bigger receiver there are always questions of how much separation he can create against more physical NFL defensive backs. He could put a lot minds to ease if he runs a sub-4.6 40 at the combine. In my opinion, he’s shown enough foot quickness, suddenness and nuance in his route running to solidify his spot as one of the top receivers in another very good class of receivers. He should be a deep and intermediate threat on the outside with the versatility to play power slot.