NFL Rumors: Steelers sign another Pitt product to practice squad
The Pittsburgh Steelers have some potential drama brewing at running back as fans are starting to call for Jaylen Warren to get more work over former first-round pick Najee Harris. But all the way off of the depth chart, there's a feel-good story and a homecoming taking shape.
Early on Saturday morning, ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers are signing former Pitt running back Qadree Ollison to the team's practice squad. Ollison spent three seasons with the Falcons after being a fifth-round pick in 2019 before a year with the Cowboys and then being released from the Jaguars practice squad earlier this offseason.
Ollison hasn't seen the field all too much in his NFL career to this point, registering just 158 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards in his career, though he does have five rushing touchdowns to his credit.
However, the Steelers are not just bringing back a player familiar with the Pittsburgh area but, also, a player who is quite familiar with another Pitt Panthers standout, starting quarterback Kenny Pickett. The pair crossed paths in their college careers in 2017 and 2018 when both were in Pat Narduzzi's program together.
In reality, Ollison has a slim chance of being elevated from the practice squad barring an injury. Having said that, if there is an injury that arises, having a running back who is familiar with QB1 could be something valuable for the Steelers to maintain some sort of continuity.
NFL Rumors: Lions, Jared Goff had 'good dialogue' on contract extension
In watching the ascension of the Detroit Lions under head coach Dan Campbell and the rest of this current regime, the sentiment from many NFL fans has been waiting for the team to eventually upgrade at quarterback by replacing Jared Goff.
But that might not actually be in the plans at all.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes was asked this week about his and the team's talks with Goff and another upcoming free agent, guard Jonah Jackson, in terms of a contract extension. Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Holmes said that he and the Lions have had "good dialogue" with the players' agents this offseason, though he did play a bit coy instead of going into any detail.
With two years left on his contract, including the 2023 campaign, Goff would become a free agent in 2025. Given that he's coming off of season in which Detroit had one of the best offenses in football while he threw for more than 4,400 yards, 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions, there is some belief as to why Holmes and this regime would want to keep him around.
Having said that, one of the reasons to stick with Goff right now is the bargain contract he's on as the NFL quarterback market has exploded. He's making less than $22 million in base salary over each of the next two seasons, which makes him a steal given that he's performed above-competency at the position in Ben Johnson's offense.
If an extension would put him in a new bracket in terms of quarterback contracts, however, you have to wonder if Holmes and the Lions would remain as committed to him. The enticement of a rookie contract at quarterback or paying for an upgrade would have to come to mind.
As of now, though, the Lions and Goff are at least discussing the possibility of keeping the quarterback in Detroit. We'll just have to wait and see if they go through with the surprise of not moving on from the former Rams No. 1 overall pick.
NFL Rumors: A proposed Packers-Chris Jones trade
This might sound like venturing into the realm of absurdity, but in terms of potential Chris Jones trade proposals, a move to the Green Bay Packers could actually make a lot of sense.
The Packers were one of four teams listed by Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report as teams that should pursue Jones in a trade with the Chiefs. Incidentally, they are also one of three teams from the NFC North who are listed as possible trade destinations.
Unlike the rival Bears and Lions, however, Gagnon noted that the Packers could have the luxury of not offering as premium of draft capital to the Chiefs in a trade as their peers would. Yes, the draft compensation would still be hefty, but wherein Chicago and Detroit couldn't offer Kansas City a replacement for Jones, Green Bay could potentially do so by inserting Kenny Clark or Devonte Wyatt in the package.
Clark and Wyatt are a stalwart and high-upside former first-round pick, respectively, but there's no denying that Jones would be a substantial upgrade over either player. And with the flexibility of the Packers' young roster, that defensive boost could be well worth it and they have the financial flexibility to give the all-world defensive tackle the new contract he's seeking.
Of course, this is just a proposal -- but it's one that would make sense. And it would also give the Packers another defensive cornerstone with Rashan Gary and Jaire Alexander to build around as they usher in the Jordan Love era.
