Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Eagles, Saints swap several high draft picks
The New Orleans Saints added an extra first-round pick in case they want to target a quarterback in this month's draft.
The Saints acquired two first-round picks from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in a major swap of assets.
The Eagles sent picks Nos. 16 and 19 and a sixth-rounder (No. 194) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a thirdrounder (No. 101), a seventh-rounder (No. 237), a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder.
The move leaves both teams with two firsts later this month when the NFL holds its first draft in Las Vegas. Philadelphia kept the 15th overall pick it acquired from Miami in a draft swap last year.
The Saints brought back Jameis Winston on a two-year deal after pursuing Deshaun Watson, who was traded from Houston to Cleveland. New Orleans also signed veteran Andy Dalton to join Ian Book, a 2021 fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame.
Taysom Hill, who was 7-2 as a starting quarterback in relief of Drew Brees and Winston during the past two seasons, remains with the club as well, but is expected to serve in a more traditional tight end role in 2022.
Liberty's Malik Willis, Mississippi's Matt Corral, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett, North Carolina's Sam Howell, Nevada's Carson Strong and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder are projected to be the top six QBs drafted this month. The Saints could have their choice among those guys at No. 16, or they could package the two firsts to move up in the draft.
The Saints also have needs on the offensive line after losing three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency, and at safety following the retirement of three-time Pro Bowl pick Malcolm Jenkins.
The deal gives Philadelphia more draft capital in future years. The Eagles seem set on evaluating Jalen Hurts at quarterback for at least one more season and now have more flexibility with two firsts in 2023. They have 10 picks overall this month but more trades are likely.
Wagner agrees to 5-year deal with Rams: Linebacker Bobby Wagner agreed to a five-year deal to join his hometown Los Angeles Rams.
The Super Bowl champions outmaneuvered several suitors for Wagner, one of the NFL's top inside linebackers after his decade with the Seattle Seahawks. ESPN reported Wagner's deal contains $50 million guaranteed and could be worth up to $65 million.
The Seahawks released the six-time All-Pro anchor of their defense on March 9. Just over three weeks later, Wagner agreed to join Seattle's NFC West rivals, providing the force at inside linebacker that the Rams have lacked for several seasons.
Wagner was born in Los Angeles, and he graduated from high school in suburban Ontario, California.
Wagner joins receiver Allen Robinson as the most prominent offseason additions to the Rams, who have once again proven their adeptness at fitting stars under the salary cap. Los Angeles lost a handful of starters and key contributors to free agency, retirement and a trade over the past month, but also managed
to retain two key offensive linemen while adding Wagner and Robinson as veteran playmakers.
Although Wagner plays a markedly different linebacking role, his arrival will assuage some of the Rams' disappointment at losing midseason acquisition Von Miller, who took a slightly higher offer from the Buffalo Bills rather than running it back in Los Angeles.
Wagner has been selected to the past eight consecutive Pro Bowls, and he has racked up 1,383 total tackles — the most by any active player. He set a career high last season with 170 tackles for struggling Seattle.
The only active player with more firstteam All-Pro selections than Wagner is Aaron Donald, Wagner's new teammate.
Wagner was released by the rebuilding Seahawks because he would have cost them $20.6 million against the salary cap this year in the final season of his contract. He also turns 32 in June.
Arians retires as Bucs' coach: Bruce Arians unexpectedly retired as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a stunning move that the 69-year-old who guided the team to its second Super Bowl title says is not related to health.
It's the second major retirement announcement for the Bucs this offseason, following Tom Brady's announcement in February that he was ending his career. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, returned 40 days later, saying he would return for a 23rd season and noting he had “unfinished business.”
But instead of Arians, Brady will be playing for Todd Bowles after the defensive coordinator was promoted as the coach's successor.
Arians, a two-time cancer survivor, stepped down as coach of the Arizona Cardinals due to medical concerns in 2017, only to be lured back to the sideline by the then-struggling Bucs two years later. This time, he said, he exits feeling the best he has in “many years” and is looking forward to transitioning into a front-office position working with general manager Jason Licht.
“This team is in a much better place than it was three years ago due to Jason's great work and the Glazer family's commitment to winning,” Arians said in a lengthy statement issued by the team.
“I want to focus on what I can give back to this incredible game that has provided so much for me and my family,” Arians added. “I really began thinking about my personal transition plan earlier this offseason. I wanted to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed.”
Arians, who will turn 70 this coming season, coached the Bucs to the Super Bowl title in the 2020 season — Brady's first with Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 3118 in Arians' three seasons there and he was 80-48-1 in eight years as a head coach overall when adding in five seasons with the Cardinals from 2013 to 2017.
Ravens sign Harbaugh to extension: The Baltimore Ravens have signed coach John Harbaugh to a three-year contract extension through 2025.
Harbaugh is entering his 15th season at the helm. Baltimore went 8-9 in 2021 — only the second losing record of his
tenure — when injures derailed what looked like a promising season.
The Ravens are 148-96 under Harbaugh, including an 11-8 mark in the postseason that is highlighted by a Super Bowl victory at the end of the 2012 season. He also guided Baltimore to the AFC title game in 2008 and 2011.
Vikings agree on deal to bring back Peterson: The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a new contract with cornerback Patrick Peterson, taking another step toward stabilizing a problematic position.
The 31-year-old Peterson had a solid first season with the Vikings in 2021, by far their most reliable cornerback in pass coverage. He missed three games with a hamstring injury and one game due to COVID-19. The eight-time Pro Bowl pick played his first 10 years in the NFL with Arizona.
Peterson will join former Packers cornerback Chandon Sullivan and newcomer Nate Hairston and returners Cameron Dantzler and Kris Boyd at the top of the depth chart for the Vikings for now.
Commanders refute report team withheld ticket revenue: The Washington Commanders are denying a report that alleged they withheld ticket revenue from visiting teams, with the lawyer for a former employee responding by accusing the team of defamation. A team spokeswoman said in a statement sent to The Associated Press and other outlets Monday there was “absolutely no withholding of ticket revenue at any time.” She added the revenues are subject to independent audit by multiple parties and "anyone who offered testimony suggesting a withholding of revenue has committed perjury, plain and simple.”
The statement came two days after Front Office Sports reported, citing sources, the U.S Congress' House Oversight Committee received information to indicate Washington withheld ticket revenue. Front Office Sports reported at least one person gave information to Congressional investigators alleging the team did not pass along the full 40% of ticket revenue required by NFL rules.
After the team's statement, the lawyer for former Washington vice president of sales and customer service Jason Friedman blasted the team for denying the report and accusing him of perjury.
Ticket revenue is shared among all 32 NFL teams, with 40% of it deposited in a visiting team fund. Such money is among the pillars of the league's revenue-sharing commitment.
An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
Congress began investigating the team earlier this year after the league did not release a written report of an investigation into sexual harassment inside the organization. Front Office Sports and The Washington Post last week reported the investigation widened to include the finances of the team that has been owned by Dan Snyder since 1999.
Patriots acquire Parker from Dolphins: New England has acquired veteran wide receiver DeVante Parker, according to his agent, Jimmy Gould. The Patriots will send their 2023 third-round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Parker and a 2022 fifth-round pick, according to ESPN. The 29-year-old will give the Patriots an experienced and accomplished outside receiver. Parker, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 219 pounds, caught 40 passes for 515 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games last season.