NFL Notes: Franchise Players, Darrell Bevell, Eagles

Franchise Players

Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com writes that it’s going to take a lot for teams to get their franchise players signed to long-term deals before this year’s deadline.

The four players who are in line to play out the season under the franchise tag include Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell, Lions DE Ziggy Ansah, Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence and Rams S Lamarcus Joyner.

• Breer mentions that the blueprint laid out by Kirk Cousins in recent years showed that playing under the tag is actually that bad, as it ensured them a large guaranteed salary in year one and a 20 percent increase the following year.
• Breer explains that there are a lot of factors that will factor into whether the Steelers and Bell are able to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. For one, it’s unlikely Pittsburgh will tag him for a third year in 2019, seeing as it would cost them around $25 million. Bell is already by far the highest-paid running back, but it’s possible that new deals for Todd Gurley and David Johnson could push the bar higher for the position.
• Regarding Lawrence and Ansah, Breer says that they’ll either play under franchise tenders again in 2019 and make over $20.5 million or they’ll hit the open market. According to Breer, the Cowboys and Lions would have to convince them to walk away from $38 million over the next two years or $17.143 million in 2018 and the ability to testing the open market next year if they’re to do long-term deals before the upcoming deadline.
• As for Joyner, he’ll make $11.287 million in 2018 under the franchise tag and this figure can increase to $13.544 in 2019. The good news for the Rams is that the safety market has been really disappointing this year, so it’s possible they may be able to get him signed to a more reasonable salary.

We have all four players featured in our Top 25 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.

Darrell Bevell

Former Vikings and Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell says he fully expects to be back in the NFL coaching next year.

“It’s always hard,” Bevell said, via Madison.com. “But we’ve done a lot of good things in the places I’ve been, so it was just one of those weird years. The next hiring cycle I’m going to be back.”

This offseason, Bevell was linked to the Cardinals, Giants and Colts’ offensive coordinator jobs, but they all went in a different direction in regards to their vacancies.

Eagles

Eagles RB Matt Jones realizes that this could be his last opportunity in the NFL.

“It could be [my last chance],” Jones said, via the Allentown Morning Call. “That don’t scare me at all. I got my eyes on the prize. I’m here and I’m ready to work.”

Jones will have to beat some notable running backs to secure a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster later this summer.

“If you want to get out there and make some team, you’ve got to beat some of these guys out,” Jones said. “You’ve got to step on their toes a little bit. The competition is really high and I love it. I’m ready to show I still got it. I’m a talented back. This is the best I ever felt, running-wise.”