It’s that point of yr once more — and I’m not speaking in regards to the commerce deadline (although we’ll get to the new names on the commerce block in a minute). I’m speaking about “vote of confidence” season.
Three days after New York Giants co-owner John Mara watched his former star working again and present Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley run all around the Giants at MetLife Stadium, Mara advised reporters (at an occasion celebrating his late father, Wellington) that he has no plans to fireplace both head coach Brian Daboll or GM Joe Schoen this season or within the offseason. That is the primary proprietor endorsement we now have heard this yr — although it’s fascinating that Mara did it with 10 video games nonetheless left within the season. Mara ought to know higher than anybody how a lot issues can change over that a lot time. In any case, he’s been right here earlier than.
In November 2017, Mara endorsed then-head coach Ben McAdoo — and fired him three weeks later. An identical situation performed out with Joe Choose in 2021; in late December that season, Mara stated Choose would return as the top coach, solely to fireplace him two weeks later (although it was after a sequence of embarrassing moments, thoughts you, like Choose’s 11-minute rant after a late-season loss to the Chicago Bears).
Individuals across the league aren’t shopping for that Daboll and Schoen ought to really feel safe even after the endorsement, and the duo — identified to be outwardly emotional — most likely gained’t really feel any much less anxious in the event that they hold shedding. (I’ve seen “The Godfather Half II” greater than a dozen occasions; I do know the “kiss of loss of life” scene very effectively.)
This doesn’t solely occur in New York although. Simply final yr, I reported the week of Thanksgiving that the Tennessee Titans had no plans to fireplace their head coach, Mike Vrabel. Excessive-ranking crew sources have been adamant that Vrabel was a star within the occupation, and that the group revered him due to the tradition he constructed and his game-management experience. The Titans seen him because the face of the group and the proper coach for long-term success. Those self same folks fired him six weeks later.
It’s a well known secret across the league that Mara loves former New England Patriots coach Invoice Belichick from Belichick’s time as Invoice Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the Giants. Many are questioning if Mara would find a way to withstand if Belichick expressed curiosity within the job. Although that’s one other query: Would Belichick need the Giants job contemplating how the group is at the moment arrange? Some across the league imagine the reply isn’t any.
Although, as we all know from projecting the teaching carousel midseason: Issues change.
That is what I’m listening to from across the league:
• All issues commerce deadline: Newest on Cooper Kupp, the 49ers, and a few names that merely aren’t going to maneuver
• Will Justin Fields see the sector this week?
• Dallas will get prepared so as to add an enormous title to the gameday roster
• Jayden Daniels needs to play, however who will finally make the decision?
• What to anticipate from DeAndre Hopkins’ Chiefs debut
Commerce deadline: Plenty of sizzle, however…
The NFL commerce deadline is lower than two weeks away and cellphone traces are lighting up in entrance places of work all around the NFL. Effectively, most are literally taking calls on a cellular phone throughout a drive to work or whereas stepping out and in of conferences, although I do know just a few decision-makers who nonetheless love an old school landline. (Who doesn’t?)
The truth is the sizzle is a lot better than the steak as we inch nearer to deadline day, although there was an uptick in trades lately. It hasn’t been an earth-shattering enhance, however there are extra offers now than there was. Final yr, 15 trades went down by the deadline, 5 greater than the season prior. Most groups are their roster, figuring out the expiring contracts or determining whose manufacturing and wage are mismatched. That is “assortment of knowledge” time when GMs are additionally attempting to find out gamers’ worth.
One NFL common supervisor shared his philosophy in regards to the commerce deadline: “You may’t get caught within the emotion and drama of it. There’s a cause these strikes are being made. The core of your crew is the core of your crew, and really hardly ever (does) one additional piece change your season.”
Most contending groups are on a mission to improve their depth, and in years previous some large names have accomplished simply that: the Vikings buying tight finish T.J. Hockenson, the Dolphins including edge Bradley Chubb, the 49ers buying and selling for working again Christian McCaffrey, the Bears getting edge Montez Sweat and the Ravens choosing up linebacker Roquan Smith.
As for the largest title on the commerce block this yr …
Kupp was shopped — did Thursday change issues?
After Thursday night time’s win over the Minnesota Vikings acquired them to 3-4, Rams head coach Sean McVay seemed like a person who was going to toss GM Les Snead’s cellphone within the Pacific Ocean. That’s after L.A. had a number of conversations with different groups concerning star wideout Cooper Kupp. Whereas McVay stated he was thrilled to have Kupp again on the sector and he “expects it to remain that manner,” would the Rams nonetheless take into account a deal?
Earlier than the Rams’ current win, my colleague Michael Silver (who simply joined The Athletic final week — I like to recommend his columns when you love premiere storytelling and entry) and I spoke to a number of league sources who’ve had discussions with the Rams about buying and selling for the 31-year-old receiver. The Chiefs (earlier than the Hopkins commerce), Payments and Steelers are among the many groups which have both referred to as L.A. or that L.A. reached out to to debate a commerce situation.
The Rams toyed with paying a small chunk of Kupp’s wage to make a commerce extra palatable, however have knowledgeable most suitors that this isn’t an possibility. Only a reminder: Kupp is making $15 million this yr, and he’s scheduled to make $20 million subsequent yr, of which $5 million is already assured. So if a crew needs him, it might want not less than $9 million in cap room to soak up the contract (except the Rams assist). After a wholesome Kupp seemed like an affordable model of himself Thursday night time, depend on this: If a crew does speak to the Rams about buying and selling for him, the value simply went manner up.
GO DEEPER
What each NFL crew ought to do on the commerce deadline: Purchase, promote or stand pat?
The untouchables
The Titans made two large trades this week, dealing Hopkins to the Chiefs and sending linebacker Ernest Jones Jr. to the Seahawks (for LB Jerome Baker and a fourth-round decide). Tennessee spent probably the most cash of any crew this offseason to construct up a depleted roster, but as head coach Brian Callahan hunts for the second win of his head-coaching profession, most across the league see the Titans as a rebuild. That stated, one participant I anticipate to be off-limits is star defensive sort out Jeffery Simmons. I do know groups such because the Lions, Ravens and Vikings would love so as to add a chunk to their protection, however the Titans take into account “Massive Jeff” an enormous a part of their future.
You may add the Raiders’ Maxx Crosby and the Browns’ Myles Garrett to the listing of “each crew needs them however they aren’t on the market.” I do anticipate groups to nonetheless ask the Raiders and Browns, however primarily based on my conversations with sources from each groups, these two are too helpful to dump.
Talking of move rushers, I anticipate the Panthers’ Jadeveon Clowney, the Packers’ Preston Smith and a distinct Browns vet, Za’Darius Smith, to attract some curiosity earlier than the deadline.
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Are the 49ers consumers? Sellers? Each?
The defending NFC champions are dealing with an id disaster as they head into Sunday night time’s residence recreation in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys, the ultimate one earlier than their midseason bye and the upcoming commerce deadline.
At 3-4, after a tumultuous summer time and amid a wave of accidents to key gamers, the 49ers don’t look all that legit. But they’re solely a recreation behind the Seahawks — a crew they soundly defeated, in Seattle, earlier this month — in a weakened NFC West. If star working again McCaffrey returns from his problematic Achilles damage (maybe after the bye), and if hard-hitting linebacker Dre Greenlaw returns to regular the protection just a few weeks later, possibly coach Kyle Shanahan can spur one other stirring second-half run.
Silver reported Thursday that Shanahan and common supervisor John Lynch will search reinforcements through the commerce market, most notably at defensive sort out and huge receiver. I’ve been advised to control the Patriots — who will hearken to any proposal — with run-stuffing inside defensive lineman Davon Godchaux and ex-Niners huge receiver Kendrick Bourne among the many doable targets. Two different former San Francisco gamers, defensive tackles DeForest Buckner (Colts) and D.J. Jones (Broncos), have been mentioned internally by crew decision-makers however I don’t get the sense Indy or Denver are open to shifting both participant.
With Javon Hargrave out for the season, the Niners want assist in the trenches, ideally within the type of a defensive sort out who may also present a pass-rushing push. On the similar time, given the salary-cap reckoning coming after the season — Brock Purdy is eligible for an enormous contract extension — they is likely to be tempted to hear if different groups inquire about a few of their high-salaried veterans.
Within the wake of Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending knee damage, fellow receiver Deebo Samuel is probably going off the desk. Nevertheless, cornerback Charvarius Ward, a second-team All-Professional in 2023 who has had a tough begin this season, has an expiring contract and may draw curiosity.
Backside line: The 49ers aren’t actually positive but in the event that they’re contenders or pretenders, however as a result of their division is so winnable they’re prone to hold hope alive.
GO DEEPER
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Russ spherical 2, that includes Fields?
When the five-win Steelers host the two-win Giants on Monday Evening Soccer, Pittsburgh might be coming off a prime-time win over the New York Jets during which Russell Wilson led the best way as the brand new beginning QB. Mike Tomlin made the decision to roll with Wilson and likewise made the decision to not use backup Justin Fields in a goal-line bundle in opposition to the Jets. That bundle has been labored on in observe, however will it’s deployed this week?
The Giants’ protection averages 4.42 sacks per recreation, probably the most of any crew for the reason that 1989 Vikings. Quarterback mobility goes to be key on Monday. Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen coached with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Tennessee. The 2 are good associates and likewise know — and are ready for — one another’s methods.
The Steelers have a plan for Fields (left) to play a red-zone function, however will they deploy it on Monday? (Barry Reeger / Imagn Photos)
One final merchandise on Wilson since we now have reported about him nearly each single week on this column: I seen on social media, often on Tuesdays or when the crew has a scheduled off day, Wilson will spend time with sick youngsters at UPMC Kids’s Hospital. I’m advised he makes positive he works these visits into his schedule irrespective of what’s going on with soccer. All through Wilson’s profession, going again to 2012, he has been identified for his charitable efforts, and that hasn’t slowed down. There’s nonetheless a lot story to be written in his soccer chapter with the Steelers, however even when he doesn’t take them to the Tremendous Bowl, Wilson has positively impacted his new metropolis and group.
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1 vs. 2 — Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels — doubtful
Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels will let you know he is aware of why followers can’t wait to see the highest two picks of the 2024 draft face one another for the primary time, however he says he’s simply centered on getting on the sector. Daniels has been getting around-the-clock remedy and remains to be preventing by means of lingering ache in his rib.
Gamers know that point off is the perfect healer, however the rookie is attempting to return on Sunday. So how will the choice be made? I’m advised it will likely be a collaborative determination from GM Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, crew docs and crew coaching employees. There might be about 5 voices serving to make the decision, and I anticipate them to take this proper as much as recreation time.
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What’s cooking in Dallas
Jerry Jones advised The Athletic the Cowboys gained’t be making any trade-deadline strikes, however they may make a transfer to the gameday roster. The proprietor has been adamant that he needs his Cowboys to be higher in observe, so what did coach Mike McCarthy and firm emphasize this final week coming off their bye week? The run recreation.
Via six video games, Dallas has 463 yards and two touchdowns on the bottom — each totals rank final within the NFL. Dalvin Prepare dinner took first-team reps this week. The Cowboys imagine he is able to roll, don’t be shocked if the veteran makes his Cowboys debut on Sunday night time.
GO DEEPER
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Hopkins Chiefs’ debut: ‘Why wait, proper?’
Chiefs coach Andy Reid is able to assault with the most recent piece of his offense: Reid is incorporating Hopkins into the gameplan for this Sunday’s divisional matchup in opposition to the Raiders. The Chiefs see worth in Hopkins for when performs break down. We see it on a regular basis with Patrick Mahomes — he’ll scramble and often search for Travis Kelce, however now they’ve an alternative choice. Across the league, Hopkins is taken into account probably the most instinctive huge receivers. The Chiefs know he’s not going to threaten defenses vertically like he as soon as did, however he’s going to catch every little thing that’s thrown to him.
Hopkins could possibly be one other Travis Kelce-like presence within the Chiefs’ offense. (Andy Lyons / Getty Photos)
One rival AFC head coach stated Hopkins is “primarily the huge receiver model of Kelce as a route runner. It could not all the time seem like it does on the diagram, however he finds a solution to get open and more often than not finds a solution to catch it.”
Whereas the Chiefs made one splashy commerce, I nonetheless anticipate them to name round for one more huge receiver contemplating Skyy Moore is on IR. They could even be out there for a nook.
(Picture: Harry How / Getty Photos)
