AFC South

Normally a season-ending injury would be a devastating moment for an athlete, but Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. had a glass-half-full take on missing his rookie campaign.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Etienne joked that he picked the right season to miss because of all the drama with Urban Meyer in 2021:

#Jaguars RB Travis Etienne on not playing last season with all the Urban Meyer drama going on: “If there was any year to miss, I missed a great one.” 💀pic.twitter.com/qMiTEx6BPK

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 12, 2022

The Jaguars selected Etienne with the 25th pick in the 2021 NFL draft. He was expected to be the starting running back but suffered a Lisfranc injury in late August that required surgery.

While Etienne was rehabbing, the Jaguars were in the midst of a disastrous season.

After a 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, Meyer stayed behind in Cincinnati instead of flying home with the team. He was filmed at an event with a woman who was dancing on his lap.

"I stayed [in Ohio] to see the grandkids and we all went to dinner that night at a restaurant," Meyer told reporters. "There was a big group next to the restaurant and they wanted me to come over and take pictures and I did. And they were trying to pull me out on the dance floor, screwing around and I should have left."

In March, The Athletic's Jayson Jenks and Mike Sando reported about Meyer's approach to coaching in the NFL, which included threatening to cut players after one missed an assignment during a preseason game and telling them they "couldn't get a job paying more than $15 an hour."

One member of the Jaguars football operations staff told Jenks and Sando that Meyer's tenure as head coach was the "most toxic environment I've ever been a part of."

Jenks and Sando also noted Meyer was "unfamiliar with star players around the league," including Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. 

Meyer reportedly asked one team staffer: "Who's this 99 guy on the Rams? I'm hearing he might be a problem for us."

Kicker Josh Lambo told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times in December that Meyer didn't call specialists on the team by their names and said the coach kicked him in the leg during a preseason practice.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan announced Dec. 16 that Meyer had been fired after a 2-11 start. Darrell Bevell took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Etienne will get a chance to begin his career in full under new head coach Doug Pederson in 2022.

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly finalizing a contract with free-agent safety Rodney McLeod, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

McLeod is a 10-year veteran who spent his first four seasons with the St. Louis Rams before playing the last six with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He played and started 13 games last year, amassing 58 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions for the Eagles.

Charlie Clifford of WISH-TV in Indianapolis gave a look at the Colts' safety situation with McLeod in the mix:

Safety ✅
-Julian Blackmon (achilles rehab*)
-Khari Willis
-Rodney McLeod
-Armani Watts

McLeod (123 career starts) was a highly respected captain for the #Eagles. Turns 32 this summer. https://t.co/b3VEBHeV5A

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 8, 2022

As for his ex-team, McLeod will forever be a legend in Philadelphia for his contributions toward the Super Bowl champion Eagles in 2017.

Louie DiBiase of the Locked on Eagles podcast noted how important McLeod was to the Eagles on the field:

Rodney McLeod officially moving on from the #Eagles after 6 years

One of the best and most underrated free agent signings in franchise history

McLeod and Jenkins provided long-term stability at a position they didn’t have since Dawkins

23 is a legend https://t.co/wCdCddbeS1

— Louie DiBiase (@DiBiaseLOE) April 8, 2022

Eagles insider John McMullen noted how big of a loss McLeod, who was named the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award winner for 2021, is for the Eagles off the field:

Now McLeod is heading to Indianapolis to help the Colts return to the playoffs after missing out by one game last year.

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel doesn't intend to lose A.J. Brown as long as the star wide receiver is under contract with the team.

Vrabel told Rich Eisen that Brown won't be on the trade block "as long as I'm the head coach."

Brown is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and he's poised to hit free agency at a time when wide receivers are cashing out in a big way.

Stefon Diggs just signed a four-year, $104 million extension with the Buffalo Bills that illustrates the extent to which Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill benefited their fellow wideouts. A rising tide lifts all boats, and that's exactly what's happening after Adams (five years, $140 million) and Hill (four years, $120 million) signed record-setting deals.

Brown has caught 185 passes for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns through three seasons. The 24-year-old isn't going to surpass Adams or Hill, but the cost for Tennessee to re-sign him will be more expensive now than it was last spring.

The MMQB's Albert Breer reported the Kansas City Chiefs "balked" at Hill's request to earn a higher salary than Adams, which precipitated his trade to the Miami Dolphins. That might increasingly become the tactic for teams that have reservations about paying market value for a proven pass-catcher.

But Vrabel's comments follow a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini that the Titans aren't shopping Brown or even entertaining trade calls. It looks like Brown will remain in Tennessee for at least the upcoming season.

Longtime NFL assistant coach Ray Horton used comments made by former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey on a podcast as evidence the organization's interview with him during its 2016 hiring search was a sham.

ESPN's Kevin Van Valkenburg reported Thursday that Horton, along with former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks, joined Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL and its teams alleging racial discrimination in the league's hiring and firing practices.

Horton released a statement to ESPN through his lawyers that said he was "devastated and humiliated" after hearing Mularkey's comments.

In September 2020, Mularkey explained on the Steelers Realm podcast the Titans informed him he'd be hired before starting a "fake hiring process" and he apologized for not coming forward with the information, per Van Valkenburg:

I've always prided myself on doing the right thing in this business and I can't say that's true about everybody in this business. It's a very cutthroat business and a lot of guys will tell you that. ... I allowed myself at one point when I was in Tennessee to get caught up in something I regret it and I still regret it. But the ownership there, Amy Adams Strunk and her family, came in and told me I was going be the head coach in 2016 before they went through the Rooney Rule. And so, I sat there knowing I was the head coach in '16 as they went through this fake hiring process. Knowing a lot of the coaches they were interviewing, knowing how much they prepared to go through those interviews, knowing that everything they could do and they had no chance of getting that job. Actually, the GM, Jon Robinson, he was in on the interview with me. He had no idea why he was interviewing me—that I had the job already. I regret. I'm sorry I did that. It was not the way to go about it.

Mularkey, who'd served as the Titans' interim head coach at the end of the 2015 season, spent two years as Tennessee's full-time head coach before parting ways with the organization.

He provided Van Valkenburg with a statement as his comments garnered newfound attention: "I believe you have the truth and what you need. Prefer not to comment any further."

The Titans later issued a statement denying the allegations made by Mularkey, via Turron Davenport of ESPN:

Statement from the #Titans regarding Mike Mularkey, Ray Horton and their HC search on 2016. pic.twitter.com/IeGWST4l7E

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 7, 2022

NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the league was never made aware of Mularkey's comments when they were originally made two years ago.

"I've done a lot of internal research and it never reached the NFL," McCarthy told ESPN. "We were not aware of this as an issue."

Horton, who spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as the Titans' defensive coordinator, left to fill the same role with the Cleveland Browns in 2016.

The 61-year-old former NFL cornerback most recently served as the Washington Commanders' defensive backs coach in 2019.

Flores' lawsuit, which was amended to include the other coaches' allegations, seeks "increased transparency in NFL hiring, incentives for hiring Black coaches and increased visibility for Black assistant coaches," per ESPN.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in February they are reviewing policies and bringing in outside voices to help "make sure we are an inclusive league" in wake of the lawsuit.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are not receiving calls from teams interested in trading for the No. 1 overall draft pick, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:

From NFL Now: The #Jaguars phone isn't ringing at No. 1, which likely means they'll end up making the pick. Not a surprise during a year that isn't top-heavy with QBs. pic.twitter.com/Yhe4mFaosL

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 7, 2022

Therefore, they're expected to make the selection at No. 1 for the second straight year.

Last season, the Jags took Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They won't be going quarterback this time around, but there are some intriguing options at other positions.

As of now, it appears Michigan edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson could be selection. He's the clear -280 favorite ($280 bet to win $100) to be the No. 1 overall draft choice, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

The top prospects this year appear to be a trio of edge-rushers (Hutchinson, Georgia's Travon Walker, Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux) and a pair of offensive tackles (North Carolina State's Ikem Ekwonu, Alabama's Evan Neal).

The Jaguars already have a blind-side protector in left tackle Cam Robinson, who is currently slated to play this season on the franchise tag. They likely need more help in the pass-rush department, especially with the team amassing just 32 sacks last year. Only four teams had fewer sacks.

Production isn't a problem for Hutchinson, who had 14 sacks and 62 tackles for a Michigan team that won the Big Ten and made the College Football Playoff for the first time ever.

The Jaguars are looking to bounce back from a 3-14 season. Head coach Urban Meyer was fired following a tumultuous tenure that ended with him going 2-11.

Former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is now in charge as the Jags look to return to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Aidan Hutchinson is the betting favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are still keeping their options open with three weeks left before they have to make the selection. 

NFL.com's Peter Schrager has the Jaguars taking Hutchinson with the top choice in his first mock draft, though he noted hearing from people around the league that the pairing is "far from a slam dunk" at this point. 

As the pre-draft process has gone on, the consensus among draft analysts is the Jaguars are leaning toward the University of Michigan edge rusher with their first pick.

DraftKings Sportsbook has Hutchinson as a -280 favorite (bet $280 to win $100) to be the first player off the board. He is the only player with a negative betting line at this point. 

Georgia defensive end Travon Walker has the second-best odds at +300 to go No. 1 overall. 

The Jaguars hosted multiple players in Jacksonville this week as the front office and coaching staff continues to evaluate options leading up to the draft.

Hutchinson and North Carolina State offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu both met with the team on Monday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. 

Jacksonville is the sixth team in NFL history to have the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years. The last team to do it was the Cleveland Browns in 2017 (Myles Garrett) and 2018 (Baker Mayfield). 

Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, has all the makings of a franchise quarterback. He struggled amid all the chaos last year with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions as a rookie. 

This is a crucial draft for the Jaguars as they look for a quick reset after Urban Meyer flamed out in spectacular fashion last season. Doug Pederson is taking over as head coach after going 42-37 in five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-20. 

Hutchinson finished second in last year's Heisman Trophy voting. The 21-year-old recorded 16.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 14 games for the Wolverines in 2021. 

The Jaguars are 15-50 in four seasons since reaching the AFC Championship Game in 2017.    

Free-agent running back Marlon Mack has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Houston Texans, according to Marc Berman of Fox 26. The terms of the deal have not been reported. 

The Indianapolis Colts, with whom Mack spent five seasons, weren't expected to re-sign him this offseason with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines settled in as the top two running backs on the roster. 

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Sept. 28 that Mack and the Colts mutually agreed to work on finding a trade. However, nothing came to fruition.

The South Florida product signed a one-year contract to return to Indianapolis in March. He missed the final 15 games of the 2020 season after tearing his Achilles in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

He returned to the field in Week 2 of the 2021 season and ran for 16 yards on five carries and played 13 offensive snaps in Indianapolis' 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

A fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft, Mack took over as the Colts' lead running back in his second season. He had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and scored a combined total of 18 touchdowns in those two years. 

Highest rushing grades in goal to go situations since 2015:

1. Aaron Jones - 82.5
2. Marlon Mack - 76.5
3. Marshawn Lynch - 75.6
4. Dak Prescott - 73.7 pic.twitter.com/nDmU8VZFM4

— PFF (@PFF) June 28, 2020

However, his role decreased significantly with the emergence of Taylor and Hines, and he finished the 2021 season having played just six games. He rushed for 101 yards on 28 carries and caught two passes for eight yards. 

Despite the lack of production last season, Mack has been a valuable player in the receiving game with 57 catches in 47 games with the Colts. His dual-threat ability only enhances his value for the Texans.

Lovie Smith should have no problems finding a way to scheme up Mack. He brings a unique dynamic to the offense and has the ability to be an impact player at a position where the team needs more depth. 

The attorney for the 22 women who have accused Deshaun Watson of sexual assault and misconduct in civil lawsuits said he hasn't heard from the Cleveland Browns or any NFL other teams this offseason.

Tony Buzbee told ESPN's John Barr that none of his clients have spoken with a representative from a specific team either.

"The Browns organization did not reach out to me," Buzbee said. "I didn’t expect them to do so, and can understand why they didn’t. But, knowing what I know, they probably should have."

On Sunday, the Browns confirmed they acquired Watson from the Houston Texans. While the three-time Pro Bowler is no longer facing criminal charges, he still faces 22 civil lawsuits centered around the assault allegations.

The Browns issued a statement saying they "spent a tremendous amount of time exploring and investigating the opportunity to trade for Deshaun Watson." The team added that it felt it "was pivotal that we, along with Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski, meet with Deshaun to have a straightforward dialogue."

pic.twitter.com/1EWi3Hj5Rq

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 20, 2022

Cleveland said it executed an "extensive evaluation process," but many noted the absence of any detail about what the evaluation entailed. There was also no mention of reaching out to the women who leveled the allegations.

Would love, just once, for a team to actually explain what went into their “comprehensive evaluation process.” https://t.co/S8peP8Qmo0

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) March 20, 2022

I feel better knowing the Browns got a ringing endorsement of Deshaun Watson from Deshaun Watson. https://t.co/VdnkeY9tza

— Michael Rosenberg (@Rosenberg_Mike) March 20, 2022

I’m puzzled at the Browns saying they did an “extensive evaluation,” like they unleashed some secret CSI investigation. They didn’t. He’s good at football. The end. They could care less about what he’s accused of. https://t.co/AGP3SgOici

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) March 20, 2022

This statement came after news of how the Browns structured Watson's contract after agreeing to the trade with Texans. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported his base salary will be only $1 million for the 2022 season, thus limiting how much money he stands to lose from any suspension.

There's no going back for Cleveland. The trade is done, and Watson will collect every penny from a five-year, $230 million extension that's fully guaranteed.

But the criticism directed toward the Browns is unlikely to quiet down anytime soon.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and cornerback Darious Williams reportedly agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Wednesday the deal carries a $39 million maximum value and includes $18 million in guaranteed money.

The 29-year-old had been with the Los Angeles Rams since being claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Ravens during the 2018 season. He's been a full-time starter the last two seasons, compiling 71 tackles and nine passes defended in 2021.

L.A. brought Williams back this past season on a first-round tender, which paid him $4.8 million. His $10 million average annual salary in the new deal is more than he earned combined over his first four seasons ($6.6 million).

The Rams entered the offseason among the most cap-strapped teams in football, leading to the UAB product exploring the free-agent market after the team's triumph in Super Bowl LVI.

While Williams fared well opposite Jalen Ramsey, it's not clear whether he can function as the top corner on a depth chart. Pro Football Focus gave him a 65.1 overall grade last season, down from 80.0 overall the previous season. 

In Jacksonville, he'll likely slide in as a starter opposite Shaquill Griffin and could be thrust into that No. 1 role of facing an opponent's top wideout.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to have a new man under center in 2022 after trading quarterback Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders on Wednesday. But Indianapolis might already have Wentz's replacement on its roster.

According to Zak Keefer of The Athletic, the Colts could be planning to give backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger a shot at becoming the team's starter.

"The Colts will certainly look to upgrade, via free agency or the draft, limited as their options might be. But, according to one source, don’t rule out Ehlinger getting a chance at the starting job," Keefer wrote.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts acquired Washington's third-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023, while next year's can become a second-rounder if Wentz plays a certain number of snaps this upcoming season. The teams also exchanged their second-round picks in this year's draft, allowing Indianapolis to move up from No. 47 to No. 42.

The Colts still don't have a first-round draft pick because of their trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Wentz in 2021, so they won't have a chance at the top quarterbacks. While this year's class isn't considered to be very deep at the position, Indianapolis could find a prospect worth taking a chance on.

The only other quarterback on the Colts roster besides Ehlinger is James Morgan. Neither of them has ever attempted a pass in an NFL game.

Drafted out of Texas in the sixth round last year, Ehlinger is signed to a four-year rookie deal. The 23-year-old had a stint on injured reserve after suffering an ACL sprain in the preseason. He was activated Oct. 19 and placed in the backup role when Indianapolis waived quarterback Jacob Eason that same day.

A four-year starter for the Longhorns, Ehlinger threw for 11,436 yards, 94 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in 46 games.