NFL Weekly Report: Free Agency Week 4 and A Notable Name Is Headed To Baltimore

Odell Beckham Jr Signs With Baltimore

In a stunning turn of events, Odell Beckham Jr announced that he will be signing with the Baltimore Ravens for the upcoming 2023 season. It’s a bit stunning for two reasons. First, the Ravens do not have  an answer at quarterback with the uncertainty surrounding their starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. Second, he was supposed to meet with the NY Jets organization first thing Monday morning and obviously that will no longer be happening as Baltimore made an offer that New York did not match. Will this bring some discourse with Rodgers and the Jets? What does OBJ know about Lamar’s status for next season? Can’t imagine he would sign with Baltimore unless Lamar is under center. Would he?

Aaron Rodgers Update

It’s almost too quiet on the newfront for Rodgers and his team. There is a report that progress was made last week at the Owners Meetings but nothing has been confirmed. The two sides are in very different thought processes. For Green Bay, they want to get this deal done so they can acquire the picks for this year’s draft, where as New York can wait to get the best deal they can without losing picks this year. The Jets have moved on some players that will make Rodgers happy to have on his team. They have acquired Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman to bolster their WR room. Rodgers favorites Marcedes Lewis and Randall Cobb been linked to New York. Expect some movement before the draft potentially as the Jets are running out of time to find a Plan B if they cannot come to terms Rodgers.

What’s Going On In New England?

There appears to be some discourse between starting QB Mac Jones and HC Bill Belichick with reports that Belichick is shopping Mac Jones around the league and has been non-committal to Jones. Belichick went as far as to play backup Bailey Zappe in a game that Mac Jones started. Belichick always beats to his own drum and it wouldn’t be surprising if these rumors are true. Jones got dealt a bad hand last season with the offensive coaching staff. Bill O’Brien returns to New England, and it would make sense to see what Mac Jones can do in a new system with a respected offensive coach.

Jeffery Simmons Signs A Massive Extension

While Tennessee started the offseason by cutting veterans to free up some cap space, they apparently will be using that cap space by keeping their 2^nd team All Pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons. The 2019 draft pick been the heart and soul of that defense and they rewarded him with a 4-year $94 Million (66 Million guaranteed) contract extension. This makes Simmons the 2^nd highest paid DT in the NFL behind Aaron Donald. Titans led the league in rushing defense last season only allowing 76.9 yards per game.

Joe Mixon Get Re-Charged On Old Criminal Charges

Police in Cincinnati have resubmitted a misdemeanor charge of Aggravated Menacing against Mixon from a prior incident that occurred in January of 2023. To avoid legal discussion that I am unfit to explain, Mixon pointed a gun at a woman in January and no charges were filed shortly after. However, the case could be re-opened at the time when new information came to light. This is the second off the field incident that has involved Mixon.

He was also suspended for one season at Oklahoma for punching a woman after he claimed she used a racial slur against him. Mixon is under contract through the 2024 season so if they want to cut him they would have to eat some of the contract and with the looming extensions of QB Joe Burrow and WRs JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals may have no choice but to cut Mixon due to contract numbers and off the field issues.

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