Randy Gregory is on the move again. The veteran edge rusher and former Dallas Cowboys second-round pick has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced on Wednesday.
The Buccaneers will be Gregory’s third team in two years. He was traded from the Broncos to the 49ers last year after he lost his starting spot in Denver’s defense. Gregory had 2.5 sacks in 12 regular-season games in San Francisco and five tackles during the 2023 playoffs.
Injuries and suspensions plagued Gregory during his first seven seasons. He has never played an entire season and has played in more than 12 games in a season on just two occasions. Last season, Gregory played in a career-high 16 games between Denver and San Francisco.
Gregory’s best season took place in 2021, his final season with the Cowboys. In 12 games, he tallied six sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery while playing a key role in the NFL’s seventh-ranked scoring defense.
If anything, Gregory brings a veteran presence to a Tampa defense that lost veteran linebacker Shaquil Barrett this offseason. The Buccaneers did keep fellow veteran linebacker Lavonte David in town in the form of a one-year, $10 million deal.
They say everything is bigger in Texas. But can one of the state’s marquee football cities really handle two pro football teams? Its mayor thinks so.
Dallas mayor Eric Johnson is publicly supporting a return to Dallas for the Kansas City Chiefs after a sales tax in Jackson County, Missouri, was shot down by voters earlier this week. The failed sales tax — which if it had passed would have helped pay for major renovations inside Arrowhead Stadium along with a new downtown stadium for the MLB’s Royals — has forced the Chiefs and Royals to look elsewhere for financial aid.
Johnson lobbied for the Chiefs to return to Dallas, which is where the franchise was founded in 1960 before moving to Kansas City in 1963.
— Mayor Eric L. Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) April 3, 2024 “Dallas was named the top sports city in the United States because we play to win,” Johnson told The Dallas Morning News on Wednesday.
“As I have said previously, our market is big enough, growing enough, and loves football more than enough to support a second NFL team — especially a franchise (and an owner) with deep roots here.”
At this point, the Chiefs re-locating to Dallas is a pipe dream. But it does make sense for several reasons. First, Texas is a football-crazed state. Dallas, the longtime home of the Cowboys, is specifically passionate about football.
Secondly, Dallas has an available stadium in the Cotton Bowl, which hosted the Dallas Texans (which later became the Kansas City Chiefs) in the early 1960s.
While Johnson has made his thoughts clear, it would be interesting to know Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ thoughts about possibly sharing a city with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Rest assured that Jones will make his thoughts on the matter public if this does became a possibility some time down the road.
If anything, the Chiefs’ arrival would put more pressure on Jones to deliver a winner. The Chiefs are trying to become the first team in history to win three straight Super Bowls. And while the Cowboys have had recent success in their own right, the team’s Super Bowl drought is now at 28 years and counting.
While some may feel that the Buffalo Bills are punting on this season, general manager Brandon Beane stressed that that is not the case despite trading four-time Pro Bowl Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans on Wednesday. Diggs is the latest notable player to leave Buffalo this offseason, a list that also includes defensive backs Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White and Siran Neal, center Mitch Morse and wideout Gabe Davis.
During a press conference following the Diggs trade, Beane exuded confidence in his front office’s ability to put together a competitive Bills roster between now and when the regular season kicks off. He is also confident he will find Diggs’ replacement.
“Any time you make a move like this … you’re doing it because you’re trying to win,” Beane said. “This is by no means the Bills giving up or trying to take a step back or anything like that. Everything we do, we’re trying to win. We’re going to continue to do that.”
Beane knows shipping away the team’s star wideout wasn’t a move the fanbase wanted to see.
“Was it easy? No. But if you make the best decision for the Bills going forward, that’s all you can do, and trust that. And so this organization and our fan base needs to trust that we’re going to trot out a damn good team come September. And that’s our plan, and that’s not changing.”
More on Bills Why Bills’ contention window not closed yet Beane said that he doesn’t currently know who will fill Diggs’ role as Buffalo’s new No. 1 wideout, and he knows that that void will ultimately be filled some time over the next several months. In the meantime, Beane talked up the players currently on Buffalo’s offense, including quarterback Josh Allen, recently signed wideout Curtis Samuel, fellow receiver Khalil Shakir and tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
“I think we do have a lot of confidence in our offense,” Beane said. “And listen, we don’t play games until September. I would hope you know by now that I’m going to turn over every stone — and our staff — to continue to look to add depth and competition to all those rooms, so that when it’s time to play, we have a team we’re proud of that’s going to give us a chance to win.”
The Bills have several options when it comes to finding Diggs’ replacement. One obvious option is during this month’s NFL Draft. Following the news of Diggs’ trade, three of our six CBS Sports draft experts have the Bills taking a receiver with the 28th overall pick. Look for Buffalo to draft multiple wideouts to help replace Diggs. And they’ll have plenty of options in this year’s class.
Regarding his quarterback, Beane (whether knowing it or not) dismissed a possible growing narrative that a lot of Allen’s success over the past four years is because of Diggs, and not because of Allen’s own personal growth and development.
“They’ve been a really good duo,” Beane said of the two. ‘I don’t think Steph made an All-Pro before he got here, and make some Pro Bowls here, too. Josh ramped up as well, so I do think, when they were clicking, you could say they were probably up there with any quarterback-receiver [duo].”
Now the two will do their work without the other. Diggs will try to help C.J. Stroud build off his mega successful rookie season. Allen, meanwhile, will continue his quest to deliver Buffalo’s first Super Bowl win. And if Beane can help it, there will be someone able to fill the void left by Diggs’ departure.
“I mean, are we better today? Probably not,” Beane said. “It’s a work in progress, and we’re going to continue to work on that. I just hope people know I’m competitive as hell, and I ain’t giving in, we’re going to work through this and continue to look and I’m confident in guys on the roster, and confident in the staff we have upstairs that helps me, that we’ll continue to find pieces to add, and we’ll be ready to roll when it comes time in September.”
Former Chicago Bears star and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame selection Steve McMichael was hospitalized on Wednesday due to a urinary tract infection. He was slated to be released from the hospital on Wednesday night, according to Jarrett Payton, a family friend and son of Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
“His family wanted me to convey their gratitude for all the prayers and support,” Payton wrote on X.
McMichael recently spent over a week in the hospital due to an infection.
McMichael, who has been living with ALS since his diagnosis in 2021, can no longer speak and requires around-the-clock care. He was brought to the hospital back in February due to pneumonia fears and underwent a blood transfusion, his family said in a statement in February. He also had MRSA, a bacterial infection.
“He’s one tough guy,” wife Misty McMichael said at the time, via ABC7 Chicago. “He’s Mongo and his DNA is different! Keep those prayers coming! Thank you!”
Earlier this year, several members of the historic ’85 Bears team were at McMichael’s side when it was announced he would be a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 induction class.
Steve McMichael’s courageous battle with ALS continues to be an inspiration as he prepares to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. pic.twitter.com/0dIqzeFW43
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) February 11, 2024 The 66-year-old, who won Super Bowl XX with Chicago, was a five-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler during 13 seasons played for the Bears. McMichael also spent one year with the New England Patriots as a rookie in 1980, and his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers in 1994. He set a Bears franchise record with 191 straight games played, and ranks second in Chicago history with 92.5 sacks.
The New England Patriots have a need at quarterback, obviously. They brought journeyman Jacoby Brissett, whom they drafted in 2016, back this offseason and into a quarterback room that is now comprised of him, Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke.
Fortunately for the Patriots, they have the third overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, which features a class in which three quarterbacks have separated themselves: USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. However, SportsLine’s Jason La Canfora is reporting that “multiple GMs believe New England would prefer to move down this year.”
Why? Well according to La Canfora, it would be so that the team could fill holes at cornerback, wide receiver and defensive tackle and then look to take a quarterback in 2025 when less teams are starving for a new passer.
If the Patriots really are looking to trade down, here are four potential trade partners, what New England could get in return and who it could then take with some of the assets it would get back in a deal. These picks will be made with the idea that the Patriots will wait until next year to take a Round 1 quarterback.
New York Giants Deal: The Patriots trade their 2024 third overall pick for the Giants’ sixth overall pick, 2024 second-round pick via Seahawks (47th overall), 2024 fourth-round pick (107 overall), 2025 first-round pick
Patriots end up with: LSU WR Malik Nabers
player headshot team logo Malik Nabers LSU • WR • #8 View Profile Adding Nabers, who is either the draft’s second best or best wide receiver prospect depending on who you talk to, in addition to the extra picks listed above is a massive win. Right now, New England’s wide receiver room profiles as a group of WR3s at best: K.J. Osborn, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Reagor.
Nabers possesses the speed (4.35 unofficial 40 time from LSU’s Pro Day) and the route-running chops to separate on short, intermediate and deep routes, thanks to his explosion off the line and fluidity as a route runner. New England gets its new WR1.
Malik Nabers is an explosive three-level threat who could be an option if the #Patriots trade down
Thrived on slot fades, double-moves, and mismatches vs safeties, showing great ball-tracking and sideline awareness downfield
Nabers is a smooth route-runner who immediately… https://t.co/BIB04XkX6c pic.twitter.com/6d5ZNDiEAg
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) March 27, 2024 Minnesota Vikings Deal: The Patriots trade their 2024 third overall pick for the Vikings’ 11th overall pick, 23rd overall pick (Browns’ pick acquired by Texans and then Vikings), 2025 first-round pick
Patriots end up with: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga (11th overall), LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. (23rd overall)
player headshot team logo Taliese Fuaga OREGST • OL • #75 View Profile The Patriots need a left tackle, so they go out and acquire a mountain-like blocker in Fuaga, who is 6-foot-6 and 334 pounds. He is a menace as a run blocker, and he has plenty of upside as a pass blocker.
Oregon State RT #75 Tailese Fuaga is an intriguing, versatile OL in the 2024 draft. Physical style and adds details as a pass protector. Throws a lot of jabs and then uses a ghost hand to force the DE to show his hand. Puts hands on the inside shoulder and rides the DE upfield pic.twitter.com/FadOMFbtWj
— Daniel Harms🏈 (@InHarmsWay19) January 4, 2024 player headshot team logo Brian Thomas Jr. LSU • WR • #11 View Profile Brian Thomas Jr. is a touchdown machine: His 17 receiving touchdowns were the most in college football in 2023. He is a bona fide deep threat (17.3 yards per catch in 2023) with great burst off of the line of scrimmage. Plus, his frame (6-3, 209 pounds) allows him to win over the top of many defensive backs. Thomas also possesses the leave-you-in-the-dust type of speed that leads to turning deep catches into touchdowns. Patriots have a new left tackle and WR1.
Josh Allen to Brian Thomas Jr ⏩ pic.twitter.com/i3Bysd8RC1
— Boppa 🧟♂️ (@ihatebbls) April 3, 2024 Denver Broncos Deal: The Patriots trade their 2024 third overall pick for the Broncos’ 12th overall pick, 2024 third-round pick (76th overall), 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick
Patriots end up with: Florida State defensive end Jared Verse
player headshot team logo Jared Verse FSU • DL • #5 View Profile Matthew Judon needs a pass-rush partner, and 2023 second-round pick Keion White failed to stand out as a rookie. The teams that make runs in the playoffs have deep defensive fronts capable of pressuring opposing quarterbacks late in games. New head coach Jerod Mayo, a former linebacker himself, recognizes that and opts for Verse.
He led the ACC in quarterback pressures (98) and co-led the conference in sacks (18.0) across the last two seasons. In 2023, his 19.9% quarterback pressure rate ranked as the third highest in the FBS. Verse is perhaps the 2024 draft class’ best in terms of utilizing a bull-rush move to knock offensive tackles back into their quarterbacks to blow up plays. New England adds a foundational building block to its defense.
The consensus No. 1 EDGE for the 2024 NFL draft is Florida State’s Jared Verse, and it’s pretty easy to see why.
Explosive, agile, and one of the best collection of high-end plays in the nation.
Verse has only played 412 snaps at the FBS level pic.twitter.com/07chbvXHI7
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 14, 2023 Las Vegas Raiders Deal: The Patriots trade their 2024 third overall pick for the Raiders’ 13th overall pick, 2024 third-round pick (77th overall), 2025 first-round pick, 2026 first-round pick
Patriots end up with: Washington OT Troy Fautanu
player headshot team logo Troy Fautanu WASH • OL • #55 View Profile Fautanu earned the 2023 Morris Trophy, which honors the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12. He graded out as the fifth-best pass-blocking offensive tackle in college football last season, according to Pro Football Focus (88.2), and he only allowed two sacks in 1,161 pass-blocking snaps in 2022 and 2023.
Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
PLUSES
– Brings a nasty mentality to the position; he’s technically sound, but he really wants to kick your ass and dominate the rep. More pancakes than an IHOP on Sunday morning.
– Quick, nimble feet off the snap allow him to set his body to the… pic.twitter.com/VUeIoWfO9L
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) April 1, 2024 Fautanu provides the bookend left tackle needed to protect the eventual quarterback of the future in New England.
The quarterback market is dwindling through three weeks of free agency, making the draft all the more important for quarterback-needy teams. When wondering how players like J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. are rising on draft boards and why quarterbacks are overdrafted, the free agent market has a lot to do with it.
With Carson Wentz signing in Kansas City, the free agent quarterback market is even thinner. Who’s left to sign among the free agent quarterbacks available who played in NFL games last season?
This is a backup quarterback market at this rate.
Ryan Tannehill The best of the free agent quarterbacks remaining, Tannehill is likely awaiting an opportunity compete for a starting job given his resume. Tannehill has 151 career starts in his 12-year career (81-70 record), throwing for 34,881 yards and 216 touchdowns with a 91.2 rating.
The 35-year-old Tannehill likely will have to wait until after the draft to sign with a team, as his veteran presence as a starter and a backup makes a quarterback room better. Tannehill can still compete for a starting job, even after his benching in Tennessee last season.
Brian Hoyer Hoyer actually made a start with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, as the 38-year-old quarterback has 41 starts to his resume. A prototypical backup quarterback at this stage of his career, it remains to be seen if Hoyer wants to continue playing after 15 seasons.
The Raiders released Hoyer last month. If Hoyer wants to continue playing, he’ll likely end up as quarterback depth somewhere.
Blaine Gabbert Gabbert’s days in Kansas City appear over after Wentz signed in Kansas City, so the former first-round pick appears to be looking for a new team. The 34-year old Gabbert has started 49 games in his career, but only one over the last four seasons (Week 18 game last season in which he completed 50% of his passes and threw three interceptions).
A veteran of 13 seasons, Gabbert is one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks remaining.
Trevor Siemian Siemian ended up starting three games for the New York Jets after the Zach Wilson debacle (following the Aaron Rodgers injury). The Jets actually won two of his three starts, as he completed 56.2% of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions (62.1 rating) in five games played.
The 32-year-old Siemian has started 33 games in the NFL. He’ll be signed for quarterback depth somewhere.
AJ McCarron McCarron already has a team, the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League. He’ll search for an NFL team after the UFL season is over, as the spring football league helped the 33-year-old McCarron get back into the NFL as a No. 2 quarterback.
