The NFC news cycle this week had a little bit of everything: a star pass rusher, a Cardinals playmaker still working back from injury, and a Seahawks offense trying to sharpen its identity on the fly.
In San Francisco, the Khalil Mack conversation came straight to 49ers GM John Lynch from an unexpected source: TE George Kittle. Lynch was asked whether the team wanted the Chargers pass rusher after Kittle brought up the same name.
“I can’t tell you that,” Lynch said, via 49ersWebzone.com. “A lot of people ask me that.
We seem to be connected to everyone, and I don’t know where that comes from. I had a player ask me that yesterday.”
In Arizona, Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur said RB Jeremiyah Love has not been a major part of the passing game because of an ankle injury and his current inability to run routes. Love is expected to be used more as a receiver once he is fully healthy and able to handle those route responsibilities.
Seattle’s offensive story is more about adjustment and steadying the ship. Brian Fleury is in his first year as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator after previously working as an assistant with the 49ers, and HC Mike Macdonald gave him credit for handling the team’s injury issues without flinching. Still, Macdonald said the offense needs clearer plans it can actually carry out.
“His approach of trying to find solutions and working through things that arise, I think he’s done a great job of that,” Macdonald said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN. “I think he’s doing a good job. But we’ve got to continue as an offensive staff - and Brian’s leading our offensive staff - of generating really clear plans that we can execute, and as an offense, executing at really a higher level.”
Fleury also spoke about an earlier stop in his career, saying his time with the Dolphins was “one of the most valuable” stretches he’s had. He was a Miami research analyst in 2016 before moving up to director of football research for the next two seasons.
“So at the time, I was a little bit frustrated because I wasn’t dealing with players directly, but in hindsight, it probably was one of the most valuable three-year periods of my life, just from a development standpoint,” Fleury said.
Seahawks TE AJ Barner also offered his view of Fleury’s style, describing him as direct, organized, and firmly focused on football.
“I think Coach Fleury does a great job of being all about ball,” Barner said. “He runs his meetings the right way.
He expects great things out of his players. He comes to work each day with the same kind of attitude that’s just straight business.”
In Other News...
Seahawks May Finally Get The Backfield Boost They Need Most
Zach Charbonnet is closing in on a season debut, and for a Seahawks offense that has been searching for more traction on the ground, the timing could hardly be better. After recovering from a torn ACL, the running back was designated to return to practice on Oct. 1, and Mike Macdonald said there is a good chance he could be back in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle has needed a lift in its running game, and Charbonnets return would add a familiar piece to the backfield at a moment when the team could use one. The final step is whether he gets through the week and onto the field, but the possibility alone gives the Seahawks a different look as they head into a tough matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Trade Deadline Debate Starts With One Urgent Roster Question
Before the Seahawks make any real push toward the trade deadline, the conversation has to start with the middle of the offensive line. Seattle has been linked in recent days to a few big names, including Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack and running backs Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, but the clearest case may be on the interior. Nelson is drawing attention not just because of his talent, but because his contract situation and fit make him the kind of move that could actually address an obvious need without forcing the club into a long-term gamble.
The Seahawks also have some help on the way in the backfield, with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price expected back from injury. That makes a running back splash less urgent, and it helps explain why Nelson looks like the cleaner fit if Seattle chooses to spend. The teams general manager has also shown a willingness to trade for players on expiring deals and work out new contracts later, which keeps the door open for a deadline move even if the details are still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Change Their Offense
Jonathan Taylor has suddenly become one of the more interesting names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape around a Colts team that has already slid to 2-4 and is trying to sort out its future. Indianapolis recently fired general manager Chris Ballard, and the front office picture is only getting messier with reports that Peyton Manning could be in the mix as a replacement. Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that teams looking to strengthen their offense are checking in.
The Bengals are one of the clubs linked to Taylor, and the Seahawks have also reportedly inquired, which tells you how much attention a proven running back can draw when a season starts to wobble. For Seattle, it is the kind of phone call that fits a bigger search for answers on offense, even if nothing is settled yet. The real question now is whether Indianapolis is willing to listen seriously, or whether this is just the first wave of interest before the market gets even busier. [Read more 🡒]