With so much going on around the NFL right now and the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on February 17, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Panthers ink Luvu to $9 million deal
The Carolina Panthers have struck a two-year contract with outside linebacker Frankie Luvu with a total value of $9 million, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly. Luvu had 3 fumble recoveries last season and has 7.5 career sacks, 17 tackles for losses, and 21 quarterback hits.
An undrafted free agent from Washington State, Luvu was signed by the New York Jets in 2018. He then signed with the Panthers last year after the New York Jets declined to tender him as a restricted free agent.
Featured Story
NFL Free Agent Rankings 2022: Pro Football Network’s Top 50
He had 42 tackles last season (7 for loss), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and 1 pass deflection.
Luvu, 25, is a special-teams standout who also started four games on defense last season.
Vikings name Mike Pettine assistant head coach
Since hiring Kevin O’Connell as their new head coach and the replacement for Mike Zimmer, the Minnesota Vikings have made several hires official. That includes naming former Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine as assistant head coach. Pettine overlapped with O’Connell back in 2009-2010 with the Jets when he was the defensive coordinator and O’Connell was a backup quarterback.
Pettine spent last season as a senior defensive assistant for the Chicago Bears after serving as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers for three years.
Meanwhile, Minnesota named Ed Donatell as their defensive coordinator. He was previously the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator. Additionally, the Vikings named Brian Angelichio as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, Jerrod Johnson as assistant quarterbacks coach, Chris Kuper as offensive line coach, Curtis Modkins as running backs coach and run game coordinator, Chris O’Hara as quarterbacks coach, Justin Rascati as assistant offensive line coach, and Chris Rumph as defensive line coach.
The Vikings are interviewing Rams assistant head coach and running backs coach Thomas Brown for their offensive coordinator vacancy on Friday, per a league source. Wes Phillips, the Rams tight ends coach and passing game coordinator, has been mentioned as a top candidate for the position.
Lions sign Cabinda to extension
The Detroit Lions signed fullback Jason Cabinda to a two-year contract extension through the 2023 season.
He started four games last season for Detroit, rushing for 23 yards on three carries, catching four passes for 16 yards and one touchdown. He had seven special teams tackles and was nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year for community service.
Cabinda originally entered the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2018. He played linebacker exclusively with the Raiders in 2018 before making his first appearance at fullback with the Lions at the end of the 2019 season.
In 44 career games with nine starts, Cabinda has 21 defensive tackles along with 16 special teams tackles.
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL in regard to your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 50 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free-agent market.