5:25pm: Saffold’s new deal with the Rams has been finalized and announced, so it appears there’s no risk of another twist in this story. Here’s the team’s press release.
THURSDAY, 9:20am: Saffold’s new five-year deal with the Rams doesn’t have the same overall value as his agreement with the Raiders, but it includes nearly the same amount of guaranteed money. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that it’s worth $31.7MM overall, including $19.5MM guaranteed. Saffold also has an option to void the contract after three years.
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Rams reporter Tony Softli (Twitter link) shared a few more details today on how Saffold saw his deal with the Raiders fall apart.
WEDNESDAY, 9:36pm: After an apparent disagreement with the Raiders over the tackle’s health, Saffold will be rejoining the Rams on a five-year deal, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Raiders had concerns over Saffold’s shoulder while the Rams had “no concerns whatsoever,” the player’s agents told Schefter (on Twitter). The player and the team are still working out the monetary details, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
According to Michael Silver of NFL.com (via Twitter), Raiders owner Mark Davis was the one who “pulled the plug” on the deal. Saffold could have had surgery and been ready for training camp, but Silver says it was Davis who decided to not continue on with the deal.
Earlier tonight, CSNCalifornia’s Scott Bair tweeted that the tackle failed his physical and would not be joining the Raiders. This all comes a day after Saffold reportedly agreed to a five-year, $42.5MM deal, of which about $16MM was to be guaranteed.