2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Contract Details: Peppers, Cook, McClain

March 17th, 2014 at 2:31pm CST by Luke Adams

While Julius Peppers‘ three-year deal with the Packers was reported as being worth $30MM over three years, the base value is actually just $26MM, though that could increase if the veteran hits certain escalators, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links). With a $7.5MM signing bonus and a $1MM base salary in 2014, the cap hit in the first year will be just $3.5MM. The deal also includes base salaries of $8.5MM in 2015 and $7MM in 2016, with $1MM in workout and roster bonuses in each of those seasons.

Let’s round up a few more contract details from around the league….

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com provides the financial details on the contracts signed by cornerback Chris Cook and kicker Phil Dawson with the 49ers. Cook’s pact is a minimum salary benefit deal with no guaranteed money, according to Maiocco.
Jameel McClain‘s two-year deal with the Giants has a base value of $4.5M, with escalators that can push up to $6M, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wilson says the contract includes a $600K signing bonus, base salaries of $1.375M (2014) and $1.75M (2015), and a $400K roster bonus in ’15.
The Rams‘ new deal with Jo-Lonn Dunbar is a two-year, $2.05MM contract, but could be voided after year one in certain scenarios, as Wilson explains in a pair of tweets.
The new five-year contract Zach Strief and the Saints agreed to today includes a first-year base salary of just $900K, meaning Strief’s 2014 cap hit is $2MM, tweets Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
Frank Zombo‘s new contract with the Chiefs is a two-year deal, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
The three-year deal between the Giants and Jon Beason has a base value of $16.8MM, with a $4.4MM signing bonus and $6MM in overall guaranteed money, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News.

Chargers Re-Sign Seyi Ajirotutu

March 17th, 2014 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have re-signed wide receiver and special teams player Seyi Ajirotutu, according to the team (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune). Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Ajirotutu, 26, has only caught 20 balls in his four-year NFL career, including just three in 2013, but has been one of the Chargers’ notable contributors on special teams. Covering punts and kicks in ’13, the Fresno State alum racked up 15 special teams tackles.

Bengals Re-Sign Taylor Mays

March 17th, 2014 at 1:59pm CST by Rob DiRe

MARCH 17: The Bengals officially announced their deal with Mays today. According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, it’s a one-year pact.

MARCH 11: The Bengals and strong safety Taylor Mays have come to an agreement for Mays to return to the team in 2014, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter).

Over his last three seasons with the Bengals, Mays has seen time in 34 games and made four starts at safety.

Panthers Re-Sign Jason Williams

March 17th, 2014 at 1:58pm CST by Luke Adams

The Panthers have re-signed linebacker Jason Williams, the team announced today in a press release. The release also confirmed the re-signing of defensive back James Dockery, which we first heard about last week.

Williams, 27, didn’t see any playing time on defense for the Panthers last season, but was a contributor on special teams, appearing in 11 games for the unit and recording six tackles. A former third-round pick, Williams will likely have a similar role in 2014 as a special teams player and a reserve behind the team’s starting linebackers.

Panthers Re-Sign James Dockery

March 17th, 2014 at 1:53pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 17: The Panthers have officially re-signed Dockery, the team confirmed today in a press release.

MARCH 12: The Panthers appear to have reached an agreement to re-sign James Dockery, according to a tweet from the defensive back himself (hat tip to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, via Twitter). “Can’t be happier to be signing back with the @Panthers,” Dockery tweeted. “Can’t wait to get back with our team and WORK!”

Dockery, 25, has seen part-time action on defense and special teams for the Panthers over the last three seasons, and was eligible for restricted free agency this winter. There were no reports suggesting the team extended Dockery an RFA tender, so I expect he’ll probably be back at the minimum salary instead. Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, however.

East Notes: Jackson, Browner, Giants, Dolphins

March 17th, 2014 at 12:59pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this month, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer shot down rumors suggesting the Eagles could trade or release DeSean Jackson this offseason, but that didn’t stop the wide receiver from reading those earlier reports himself. According to Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com, Jackson is “troubled” by what has been written about him and is unsure about his standing on the team, while the Eagles have yet to contact him to offer him assurance. While it may not be a significant issue at this point, it has become “a bit of a distraction,” one of Jackson’s confidantes tells McManus.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:

Brandon Browner‘s three-year deal with the Patriots has a base value of $12.35MM, but can be worth up to $16.8MM. Field Yates and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com break down exactly what the cornerback’s contract looks like, and how he can reach those incentives.
The Giants had, and may still have, some interest in free agent defensive end Robert Ayers, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Ayers is visiting the Bengals tomorrow.
The Dolphins haven’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, who is willing to move over to right tackle for his next team, as he said on WQAM (link via Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel). The veteran lineman also suggested he may wait until after May’s draft to sign.
Cortland Finnegan‘s two-year contract with the Dolphins includes a $2MM signing bonus, a $3.5MM guaranteed base salary in 2014, and a $5.45MM non-guaranteed base in 2015, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Steelers Re-Sign Guy Whimper

March 17th, 2014 at 11:58am CST by Luke Adams

The Steelers have officially re-signed offensive tackle Guy Whimper to a one-year contract, according to the team (Twitter link via PR man Burt Lauten). Whimper had been an unrestricted free agent.

Since starting 15 games for the Jaguars in 2011, Whimper has evolved into a part-time player, appearing in 270 offensive snaps for the Steelers in 2013. The 30-year-old started a pair of games at guard last season, but with regulars Ramon Foster and David DeCastro set to return at guard, and Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert at the tackle positions, it looks like Whimper will remain in a reserve role for the foreseeable future.

Patriots Sign Darrelle Revis

March 17th, 2014 at 11:46am CST by Luke Adams

Less than 24 hours after Aqib Talib agreed to sign with the Broncos, the Patriots found his replacement. New England agreed to terms on a contract with star cornerback Darrelle Revis last Wednesday and made it official today, according to Revis’ agents (via Twitter).

The Pats essentially locked up Revis to a one-year, $12MM deal, though the team also has an option for 2015 at a rate of $20MM, meaning it’s technically a two-year, $32MM contract. The option includes a $12MM roster bonus due April 1, 2015, and would feature a base salary of $7.5MM. The catch here is that the club option means New England can’t designate Revis as its franchise player for ’15 and won’t receive a compensatory pick if the option is declined.

Revis, 28, was released earlier last Wednesday by the Buccaneers, ahead of a 3:00pm CT deadline. Had Tampa Bay kept the cornerback beyond 3:00, he would have been owed a $1.5MM roster bonus, and the Bucs would have owed the Jets a third-round draft pick rather than a fourth-rounder, due to the terms of last year’s trade. Once Revis hit the open market, the Eagles and Jets were among the teams mentioned as potential suitors, but New England, having just lost Talib, always looked like the bidder to beat.

After missing 2012 with a torn ACL, Revis once again ascended to the top of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings in 2013 for the Bucs (subscription required). It was the second time the former first-round pick had finished atop PFF’s annual cornerback rankings, and the fourth time he had placed inside the top three. In addition to his impressive grades according to the advanced metrics, Revis recorded 50 tackles and grabbed a pair of interceptions.

Revis’ previous deal included annual cap hits of $16MM, so the Pats were wise to not give up a draft pick to acquire him via trade, instead locking him up for a lesser salary. For Revis, a strong season with the perennially contending Pats could land him another big multiyear contract a year from now. Of course, that’s assuming he even has interest in a long-term deal — his deal with Tampa Bay, with its lack of prorated bonus money, essentially functioned as a year-to-year pact.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter) first reported that Revis would be signing with the Patriots, while Tom Pelissero of USA Today (all Twitter links) added contract details. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets, Saints Eyeing Sidney Rice

March 17th, 2014 at 11:25am CST by Luke Adams

On Friday, we heard that the Seahawks had expressed interest in bringing back wide receiver Sidney Rice, not long after releasing him to clear his bloated cap number from their books. Today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com identifies a couple more suitors for the free agent receiver. According to Rapoport (via Twitter), the Jets and Saints both have interest in Rice.

Even after adding Eric Decker in free agency last week, the Jets are pursuing wide receiver upgrades, and have already been linked to Jacoby Ford today. As for the Saints, the club is still well-stocked at receiver even after releasing Lance Moore, but if Rice could be had at a discount rate, adding one more weapon for Drew Brees wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Rice, 27, has missed time with injuries in many of his NFL seasons, including 2013. He started all 16 games for the Seahawks in 2012, but finished the season with fairly modest numbers — 50 receptions, 748 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns. While he may never again match the Pro Bowl numbers he posted in 2009 (83 catches, 1,312 yards), if he stays healthy and finds the right fit, the former second-round pick could still have a positive impact for an NFL team.

FA Rumors: Jets, Boothe, Melton, Wharton

March 17th, 2014 at 10:54am CST by Luke Adams

The two New York teams appear to be the top contenders for free agent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but Rich Cimini of ESPN New York gets the sense that the Jets may be losing hope on the DRC front (Twitter link). That’s not to say the Giants should start printing Rodgers-Cromartie jerseys quite yet, since the Browns are rumored to be lurking as well, but it looks like the G-Men might have the upper hand on their AFC rivals.

Here’s more on a few free agents still on the market:

The Jets continue to talk to offensive lineman Willie Colon in the hopes of working out a deal to bring him back to New York, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. The club has also shown interest in free agent receiver Jacoby Ford, says Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).
The free agent swap meet between the Raiders and Giants continues, as offensive lineman Kevin Boothe is in Oakland to visit the Raiders today, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Defensive end Robert Ayers will visit the Bengals tomorrow, tweets Garafolo.
The Vikings remain in contact with free agent defensive tackle Henry Melton, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities. Melton is visiting the Cowboys today.
While the Dolphins have made preliminary inquiries on free agent offensive lineman Ryan Harris, the team has yet to set up a visit with the ex-Texan, tweets Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.
Free agent guard Travelle Wharton has no plans to retire at this point, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Wharton has spent nearly his entire NFL career with the Panthers, who have seen Jordan Gross and Geoff Hangartner retire so far this offseason.
Free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins is visiting the Buccaneers today, a source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link).