NFC Notes: Eagles, Giants, Washington

Eagles

The Eagles re-signed CB Jalen Mills this offseason after he played out his rookie contract without fully establishing a place on the team. As a part of his new one-year deal, Mills will move to safety to compete with a plethora of other players to replace departed S Malcolm Jenkins. Mills was never able to find consistency at corner, but he thinks that will change at safety. 

“I feel like at my position, my competitiveness and the position that I [know] this Eagles defense is going to be able to put me in to make the plays that I know I can make, that I’m going to have a breakout season,” Mills said on 97.5 The Fanatic via NJ.com’s Mike Kaye. “I’m ready for it, so as far as when we’re talking about any type of other players and bringing in other guys, especially at the safety position, I definitely feel like I can hold my own.”

• ESPN’s Tim McManus lists Eagles CB Rasul Douglas as a veteran player in danger of being cut this preseason. 

Giants

• NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports the Giants and Vikings discussed a potential trade for S Anthony Harris after he was franchised back in March. However, Garafolo says Minnesota valued Harris and didn’t tag him to trade him away so no deal ever materialized.
• According to NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton, Giants DL Leonard Williams‘ grievance to be classified as a defensive end instead of a defensive tackle under the franchise tag has been delayed by the pandemic but is still expected to be resolved before the start of the season. 
• Williams’ $16.126 million cap hit is already the highest on the team for 2020 and could increase to $17.8 million if he wins the grievance. One executive voiced the league’s opinion that was an overpay: “[The Giants] painted themselves into a corner with the acquisition [of Williams] in the first place. Is there upside as a rusher? You can argue that. But they are overpaying him.” (Jordan Raanan)
• The two sides were unable to come to a long-term deal because the tag was seen as the floor for Williams’ worth by his representation and closer to the maximum by the team: “They’ve already set themselves up for what he’s worth. Moving forward, he’s not going to take anything less than $16 million per year.”

Washington

The Washington Post reports that fifteen women who worked for the franchise allege sexual harassment by former scouts and members of owner Daniel Snyder’s inner circle.

A number of women were unable to speak with The Post due to non-disclosure agreements that the team refused to release them from. Former marketing coordinator Emily Applegate was, however, able to speak on the record.

Synder declined to be interviewed for the report. 

The allegations against members of the organization date as far back as 2006 and as recently as 2019. 

• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Washington has hired prominent attorney Beth Wilkinson to review the organization’s protocols and conduct a deep dive into the team’s culture. 
• Schefter notes team officials are frustrated with the rampant speculation about a report pending in the Washington Post about issues with the team’s culture. 
• This week, the team has fired or moved on from prominent team employees like Richard Mann, Alex Santos and radio play-by-play announcer Larry Michael. The team’s minority owners are also attempting to sell their shares totaling 40 percent of the team.