Bengals
Jim Owczarski and Paul Dehner Jr of the Cincinnati Enquirer take an extensive look at the personnel moves the Bengals should make this offseason in their latest article.
Some of the moves they believe the Bengals should consider include:
- Gauging backup QB A.J. McCarron‘s trade value
- Sign a starting offensive lineman in free agency
- Decline OT Cedric Ogbuehi‘s fifth-year option
- Target a “difference-making” veteran linebacker in free agency
- Draft a playmaking tight end
- Pick up CB Adam Jones‘ option
- Sign DT Geno Atkins and CB Darqueze Dennard to contract extensions
Packers
Packers president Mark Murphy explained that the front office shakeup that occurred last month, which included having GM Brian Gutekunst, HC Mike McCarthy and director of football operations Russ Ball all reporting to him directly, really came down to trying to improve communication throughout the team.
“A key factor in my thought process was to improve communication within football,” Murphy writes, via Packers.com. “I felt that, over time, silos had developed within football operations and communication had suffered. Also, I wanted to create a structure that gave Brian the best chance to succeed. By narrowing his responsibilities (several of the G.M.’s responsibilities were shifted to Russ Ball, including salary cap management and contract negotiations), it allows him to focus on the most important aspects of his job, the draft and determining the 90- and 53-man rosters. As I came to the end of the search process, I realized how important it was to keep both Brian and Russ with us. I determined that having both of them (as well as Mike) report to me would help us achieve this objective. Finally, all organizations evolve over time and I believe this change will help us improve as we move forward.”
Steelers
Hines Ward admitted that he had “some interest” in the Steelers WRs coach position before they decided to hire Darryl Drake as Richard Munn’s replacement.
“There was some interest, but I can’t hire myself,” Ward said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, via the Sporting News. “If the opportunity presents itself, it’s something where I’d have to sit down and seriously think about it.“
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
