NFL Notes: Chip Kelly, Cowboys, Jets, Patriots & Redskins

Chip Kelly

Former Oregon HC Mark Helfrich mentioned during an interview with ESPN that he reached out current 49ers HC Chip Kelly about returning to Oregon.

Helfrich explained that he became concerned for some of his assistant coaches who could also be let go once rumors surfaced that he could be fired.

“There were all those rumors out there and all that stuff, at that point, you’re kind of thinking of every possible scenario. Obviously he had been contacted a few times or something,” Helfrich said, via FootballScoop.com. “It was just probably more selfishly than anything when you start thinking of your assistants and all the support staff, all these people. If he were to come back here, some of those people would be safe.”

Helfrich was asked about Kelly “hating” the recruiting aspect of running a college team, to which he replied: “I’m not sure if he hated recruiting…dislike, a strong dislike.”

Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones mentioned during an interview with 105.3 The Fan that G La’el Collins (toe, injured reserve) is “really improving” and expects him to return later this month.

“He’s really improving,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. “That gives us depth going into the playoffs.”

• Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said that CB Morris Claiborne (groin) is “still several weeks out” from returning. (Jon Machota)

Jets

• According to Mike Klis, the Jets tried to sign WR/KR Kalif Raymond off of the Broncos’ practice squad but Denver gave him a salary increase and promoted him to their active roster today.

Patriots

• Doug Kyed of NESN writes that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski’s back injury and upcoming back surgery could keep him in New England for another year.
• Kyed mentions that Gronkowski is clearly the best tight end in the league when healthy, so unless a team is willing to part with a first-round pick for him, the Patriots may not be interested in parting with him.
• Gronkowski’s salary is pretty reasonable for the kind of production he’s capable of. With this in mind, Kyed believes it would probably make more sense for them to consider moving on from Gronkowski in 2018 when he’ll have a $12 million cap figures as opposed to a $7 million cap hit next season.

Redskins

• The Redskins officially ruled out TE Jordan Reed (shoulder) for Sunday’s game.