NEWSLETTER
It was all fun and games at Saturday’s Pro Bowl Games practice and media availability. That is until Josh Jacobs was asked about his impending free agency. The Raiders running back was candid about his feelings on the situation.
- “I’m not going to lie; this is where I want to be,” Jacobs said when asked if he found it important to explore free agency. “I’ve grown a fan base here, I’m deep into this organization, I’ve broke records, and I’ve built a home here. This is where I want to be, but at the same time, it’s gotta make sense. I’m not going to let them [the Raiders] come in and disrespect me or anything like that. So, it’s just gotta make sense.”
- Jacobs said that he hadn’t received an extension offer from the Raiders as of Saturday. However, he expects negotiations to pick back up this week.
- Jacobs said that he would be a “hero turned villain” in Las Vegas if the Raiders went that route when asked about the possibility of being franchise-tagged.
- While Jacobs was candid about his contract situation, Saquon Barkley played it close to the vest. Barkley said on Saturday that he wasn’t going to get into specifics. But, Barkley reiterated that he wants to be in New York forever.
- Barkley may not get his wish since the Giants may have to use the franchise tag on quarterback Daniel Jones. Of course, they’ll have to extend him afterward.
- Barkley had plenty of praise for Coach of the Year candidate Brian Daboll on Saturday. Barkley said that Daboll infused the locker room and the entire building with energy that would help position the Giants for success.
- Barkley’s teammate Dexter Lawrence also had nothing but praise for Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale when he was asked about the staff’s impact on the Giants’ first winning season since 2016.
- You can read more about the Barkley contract situation, here:
- I know that Luis has explored the idea of the Bears signing Saquon Barkley. I’m on the fence. I see the “we should spend the money elsewhere” point. But I also really like everything about Saquon Barkley. I love his game. He was impressive on the microphone all week in Vegas. Plus, having as many playmakers as possible is only good for Justin Fields. In a free agent market lacking impact wide receivers, Barkley could be the best offensive playmaker in the free agent class.
- Sauce Gardner was highly impressive on Saturday. When asked whether or not he thought he had a great season, Gardner said it was ok. He pointed out that he can pick out a myriad of plays that he didn’t make this season. Those plays should have been made in his eyes. Hey, nothing wrong with a rookie at the Pro Bowl and potentially the Rookie of the Year keeping the bar high.
- Saints’ pass rusher Cam Jordan and his son stole the show today, and I love this type of wholesome content. Seeing the human side of players will never get old to me.
- Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will get a second interview with the Arizona Cardinals.
- Kafka won’t be the only coordinator to meet again with the Cardinals. Bengals DC Lou Anarumo will also receive a second interview per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
- The Cardinals’ coaching search has been a slow process. Some believe that is because potential candidates are worried about being tied to Kyler Murray for four seasons.
- The Broncos are letting DC Ejiro Evero out of his contract. According to Ian Rapoport, Evero is expected to meet with the Vikings about their DC vacancy. Evero was a hot candidate in the current head coaching cycle, but it appears that he will not get one of the five jobs. Instead, Evero could use a season in Minnesota to help turn the Vikings’ defense around as a springboard into a job next year.
- Panthers head coach Frank Reich has also requested to interview Evero for the DC vacancy in Carolina.
- That’s going to be a HARD PASS from me …
- Luis has the standouts from the Senior Bowl that should be on the Bears radar:
