Landing Spots

Sean Desai has landed in Los Angeles following his exit from the Philadelphia Eagles after just one season.

The former defensive coordinator is reportedly joining the Rams’ staff for the 2024 season.

#Rams expected to hire former #Eagles DC Sean Desai in a senior defensive role, per sources.

More experience for Sean McVay’s staff, as Desai is a two-time NFL coordinator. pic.twitter.com/XuOXaep7YQ

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 25, 2024

Per The Athletic, his role will involve assisting offensive coaches from a defense’s perspective.

The Rams are hiring Sean Desai, a source said (@JFowlerESPN initially reported), in what was described to me as a multi-faceted role that will work with the offense/offensive coaches from a defensive perspective. Rams have quietly staffed a job like this for a couple years.

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) February 25, 2024

It was almost one year to the day that the Eagles hired to Desai to replace Jonathan Gannon, who departed to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Inheriting a defense with many new faces in the back seven, the unit could not replicate success from the 2022 Super Bowl season.

Despite this, the team held a 10-1 start to 2023. But after two straight losses in which they gave up a combined 75 points, Desai was demoted from playcalling and gameplan duties in favor of Senior Defensive Assistant Matt Patricia.   

The unorthodox move led to disastrous results, leading to almost the entire defensive staff being fired after 2023.

Now, the 40-year-old Desai joins a Rams staff looking to be a part of another playoff run and rebuild his resume. 

Higgins Tagged

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed a franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins. 

We have designated WR Tee Higgins as our franchise player

➡️https://t.co/XLt1nsu6pY pic.twitter.com/uVbeOSTC7R

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 26, 2024

Higgins is coming off a career low 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns, though five of those games came without Joe Burrow throwing to him. He did average a career high in yards-per-reception with 15.6.

During the team’s 2021-22 seasons in which they reached the AFC Championship twice and Super Bowl once, Higgins tallied over 1,000 yards each year and a total of 13 touchdowns.

The Bengals now have exclusive negotiating rights for the 25-year-old. The big challenge will be how to pay top dollar to both Higgins and wideout partner JaMarr Chase for the long haul.

No Back Tags

Several of the league’s top running backs will hit the open market in free agency.

Among the names ESPN lists includes Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs.

The Raiders will attempt to re-sign free-agent-to-be running back Josh Jacobs, but they are not expected to tag him, not with his franchise tag costing $14,149,200, according to league sources. pic.twitter.com/bBSHXtzg7i

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2024

The Giants will speak with free-agent-to-be running back Saquon Barkley and explore a deal with him, but they are also unlikely to tag him for $12,109,200, per sources. https://t.co/ektTdtZSaH pic.twitter.com/PspdR7W0V3

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2024

The Cowboys are also not expected to tag free-agent-to-be running back Tony Pollard for the same $12,109,200, according to sources. The Titans won’t tag standout veteran free-agent-to-be running back Derrick Henry, and the Chargers also are expected to let free-agent-to-be… https://t.co/VeJyD0ScMN

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 26, 2024

 

 

Jacobs and Pollard played under the tag in 2023 for their respective teams while Barkley played on a modified one-year deal after being tagged at the beginning of free agency.

While the running back market continues to dry up when it comes to earning top dollar, teams looking for an improvement in their rushing attack will have loads of options in the market. Don’t forget, Eagles RB D’Andre Swift is also available after recording a career best year in rushing yards with 1,049.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com