NFL Notes: Scot McCloughan, Browns, Eagles, Steelers

Scot McCloughan

• A few weeks ago, a report surfaced that the Browns had hired former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan as a personnel consultant, which implied that he was working solely for Cleveland.
• However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that this isn’t actually the case and McCloughan is instead providing his scouting services to multiple teams.

Browns

Browns LT Joe Thomas made a pitch to free agent QB Kirk Cousins on Twitter to sign with Cleveland this offseason.

“I hear Cleveland is nice this time of year that is, if you’d like to have a statue someday…” Thomas wrote.

“You could make MORE money and MORE history in Cleveland than anywhere else, by FAR,” Thomas added. “Don’t just go and be another quarterback somewhere else!”

Eagles

Eagles HC Doug Pederson mentioned during an appearance on “Basketball and Beyond with Coach K” with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski that he hasn’t ruled out handling the offensive coordinator duties next year.

“I’m thinking through a lot of things and processing a lot of things right now, a lot of names,” Pederson said, via Pro Football Talk. “I haven’t ruled out not having an offensive coordinator. But you know, as a head coach and some of the responsibilities that I have to do during the week and some of the other obligations, I’ve got to look at that too. Because that’s where your offensive coordinator can really step in so, like I said, I’m processing a bunch of things. I’m not going to rush into it, I’m going to make sure it’s the right person, the right fit for what we’re doing. I think that’s important too, that that person fits the culture and his way of thinking has to coincide with the way we’re thinking and … calling the plays and go from there.”

The Eagles have two internal candidates who could be promoted to offensive coordinator, depending on what Pederson wants to do, including RBs coach Duce Staley and WRs coach Mike Groh.

Steelers

Jeremy Fowler has a good overview of the Steelers’ offseason and some of the decisions they’ll face in the coming months up at ESPN.com. Here’s are some notes from Fowler’s article:

• According to Fowler, it’s likely OT Chris Hubbard will secure a good contract from another team in free agency.
• Fowler says that restricted free agent OLB Anthony Chickillo, K Chris Boswell, and WR Eli Rogers could all receive low-round tenders worth close to $2 million for the 2018 season.
• Interestingly enough, Fowler mentions Raiders ILB NaVorro Bowman as a potential free agent target for the Steelers.
• Steelers WR Antonio Brown ($6 million), Ben Roethlisberger ($5 million), left tackle Alejandro Villanueva ($3 million) and CB Joe Haden ($1 million) are all due roster bonuses on March 16.
• Fowler thinks veteran S Mike Mitchell is a release candidate while S J.J. Wilcox and CB Cody Sensabaugh could possibly move on.
• Fowler writes that the Steelers face a “difficult call” in regards to OLB Bud Dupree‘s fifth-year option in the coming months.