2015 March - Pro Football Rumors

Contract Updates: Manning, Suh, Parker

March 14th, 2015 at 2:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

Peyton Manning‘s contract restructure with the Broncos includes a no-trade clause, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. However, that clause only applies for 2015, so theoretically the Broncos would be free to trade him after this season.

Ndamukong Suh‘s new contract included $60MM in guaranteed money, and Florio says that money will be paid to Suh over the first three years of the contract. Following that, Suh has “rolling guarantees,” and the Dolphins will have to guarantee his salary on the fifth day of each league year. The defensive tackle will earn $16.985 in 2018, $18.985 in 2019 and $18.36 million in 2020.
Ron Parker‘s five year, $30MM contract with the Chiefs includes $8MM in guaranteed money, including a $5MM signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). He also notes that $5MM of the total $30MM value comes in incentives like playoff appearances and interceptions.
Lance Kendricks‘ contract with the Rams will pay him $18.5MM over four years, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). He will count $5.6MM against the cap in 2015, which includes $1.5MM in base salary and a $4MM roster bonus (via Twitter).
Kendall Langford‘s new contract with the Colts is a four-year deal worth $17.2MM, but only $2.5MM of that money is guaranteed, according to Thomas (via Twitter). He received a $1MM signing bonus and a $1.5MM roster bonus, to go along with a $2.5MM base salary in 2015 (via Twitter).
New Steeler DeAngelo Williams new two-year contract is worth $4MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Kenny Britt re-signed with the Rams on a two-year deal worth $14MM, but the second year of the contract is voidable based on performance milestones, reports Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Adrian Peterson Rumors: Saturday

March 14th, 2015 at 2:01pm CST by Rob DiRe

Last we heard out of Minnesota, the Vikings were intent on keeping Adrian Peterson. However, there are still many details that need to be worked out before the two sides can come together again. Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports provides some insight into Peterson’s possibilities.

Here are some recent updates revolving around Peterson’s situation:

Although the Vikings may want to see Peterson in purple in 2015, the star running back is still not happy in Minnesota, according to Robinson (via Twitter).
Robinson adds that if Peterson does land on the trading block that the Cardinals would likely offer a high draft pick for his services.
Robinson also writes that once teams start making trade offers, that the Vikings should be able to get at least a second-round pick for Peterson (via Twitter).
As for the oft-rumored Cowboys’ potential interest, Robinson believes that Peterson is not in their plans (via Twitter). He does not expect the Cowboys to join in the bidding.

Chiefs Re-Sign Ron Parker

March 14th, 2015 at 12:32pm CST by Ben Levine

Another free agent safety is off the board, as Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports (via Twitter) that the Chiefs have re-signed Ron Parker to a five-year, $30MM deal. The deal follows lengthy overnight negotiations, reports Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

$30MM is a lot of money to commit to a player with only a single seasons worth of starting experience. However, after establishing career-highs across the board in 2014, Parker may be worth it. The 27-year-old started 15 games for the Chiefs last season, compiling 94 tackles, 12 passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble. Despite the solid numbers, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) wasn’t impressed by Parker’s performance. The former Newberry College standout played 745 of his 1,037 snaps at safety, and PFF ranked him 73rd among 87 safety candidates.

Parker had previously met with the Bears, but he left Chicago without a deal. The Buccaneers were also rumored to be interested. He was an honorable mention in our rankings of the top 50 free agents.

FA Notes: Crabtree, Parker, Dwyer

March 14th, 2015 at 10:48am CST by Ben Levine

Through the first three days of free agency, we’ve seen boatloads of money handed out by front offices. According to the NFL Players Association (on Twitter), there were 85 contracts filed to the NFLPA during the first 72 hours of free agency. The value of those contracts was worth more than $1.3B dollars, including close to $590MM in guaranteed money.

As the majority of the free agent class seeks their next contract, let’s take a look at notes surrounding some notable players…

Washington has interest in wideout Michael Crabtree, tweets ESPN.com’s John Keim. The writer notes that the Chargers appear to be a “stronger possibility.”
The Ravens have been seeking consistency at the safety position since the retirement of Ed Reed, and Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun says free agent Ron Parker could be the team’s answer. The 27-year-old, who spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs, has received interest from the Bears and Buccaneers. Keim notes that Kansas City is also interested in retaining the former undrafted free agent.
According to Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (on Twitter), the NFL has indicated that free agent running back Jonathan Dwyer is free to sign with any team. However, discipline is “pending” following Dwyer pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

Pete Carroll On Wisniewski, Jackson, O-Line

March 14th, 2015 at 10:10am CST by Ben Levine

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Seahawks front office. The team has made a number of notable moves, bringing in Jimmy Graham, Cary Williams and Will Blackmon. However, the team also lost Max Unger, Byron Maxwell, Zach Miller and Malcolm Smith.

Head coach Pete Carroll appeared on Seattle’s KJR Radio to discuss the team’s offseason. ESPN.com’s Terry Blount transcribed some of his notable soundbites, which you can find below:

On free agent center Stefen Wisniewski, who met with Seattle earlier this week:

“He’s a legitimate starter in the league. He really likes us and we liked him. That’s a potential thing that can happen. It will be some time before this gets worked out. He’s got some visits [with other teams]. It’s recruiting and we’re battling. He’s a really solid football player and a smart kid. We’ll see where it goes.”

On the team’s options at punt returner following Bryan Walters departure:

“That will be a wide-open competition, but one of the guys you might not think about is B.J. Daniels. We’re really looking forward to B.J. taking a shot at that [punts and kickoffs], and also catching some footballs for us. He’s a multi-talented guy that can help us a quarterback as well. He’s a kid we’re excited about. He’s very tough and strong and has great quickness.”

On whether veteran quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will return:

“We hope so. We want him to be on this team again. We’re in talks.”

On losing a pair of offensive linemen, Max Unger and James Carpenter:

“Obviously we’ve got some work to do up front, but we’ve got a big plan there. It’s going to be very competitive. I think it’s going to be exciting to see how guys elevate. It’s also a very good draft [for offensive linemen] and an opportunity to help ourselves there, as well. It’s going to be a focal point, but we have some really good guys. If not, we wouldn’t have done it [traded Max Unger for Jimmy Graham]. We’ll be OK.”

Steelers Sign Ben Roethlisberger To New Deal

March 14th, 2015 at 8:44am CST by Zachary Links

SATURDAY, 8:44am: The five-year deal is worth $99MM, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). He notes that the value can increase to $108MM.

Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports (on Twitter) that Roethlisberger will make $65MM through the first three years, a record payout. Breer also points out that the reported money would give Ben Ben’s contract an average annual value of $21.85MM, right behind Aaron Rodgers’ league-leading $22MM AAV.

FRIDAY, 4:09pm: Roethlisberger has officially signed his new deal, which is a five-year pact, the team announced today (via Twitter). The contract keeps Big Ben locked up through the 2019 season.

2:35pm: The Steelers (on Twitter) announced that they have reached agreement with Ben Roethlisberger on a new contract. The two sides have been working on a reworked deal for some time.

GM Kevin Colbert told reporters last month at the combine that talks between the two sides were progressing. The GM was very confident that it could be done within a traditional cap structure, so that’s likely what we’ll see out of Pittsburgh.

Big Ben was set to enter the final year of his contract, earning a $11.6MM base to go along with a prorated $6.795MM, adding up to a massive $18.395MM cap number. The Steelers carried that amount plus $500K last season, but the new deal should smooth that out while giving the quarterback some additional years.

Even though Big Ben is getting up there in years, he boosted his stock with a strong 2014 campaign. The 33-year-old threw for a career-high 4,952 yards and completed 408-of-608 passes with 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The advanced metrics were also impressed with Roethlisberger’s play. The Pro Bowler finished the year with an overall score of 29.0 (per Pro Football Focus, subscription required), placing him third amongst all qualified quarterbacks behind Drew Brees (No. 2) and Aaron Rodgers (No. 1). That posting portrayed him as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL as opposed to 2013, where he finished just outside of the top 10.

Latest On Michael Johnson

March 14th, 2015 at 8:31am CST by Ben Levine

Michael Johnson entered the league as a third-round pick of the Bengals in 2009. Following a successful five-year tenure with the franchise, the defensive end inked a five-year contract worth nearly $44MM with the Buccaneers last offseason.

Tampa Bay decided to part ways with the 28-year-old earlier this week, and a reunion with Cincinnati seemed logical. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com says Johnson is still very close with some of his former teammates, and the writer focuses on a quote by the former Bengal in November.

“They’re my brothers and going to work with them every day, it was fun. It didn’t feel like a job,” Johnson said. “We had fun every day, especially on Sundays. We had a special group there and I’ll always have very fond memories of our time there.”

More on the former Georgia Tech standout…

As expected, Johnson is choosing between the Bengals and the Vikings, tweets ESPN.com’s Ben Goessling.
Johnson had a “very good visit” with the Vikings, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune (via Twitter). The defensive end spent the night in Minnesota, which Craig says is a good sign for the organization.
However, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press says nothing can be “deduced” from Johnson’s prolonged stay in Minnesota (on Twitter). The writer notes that it’s been the player’s plan all along to stay in Minnesota until Saturday.
Despite a successful meeting, Goessling warns (on Twitter) that Johnson will probably leave Minnesota today without a contract.

Chiefs, Ben Grubbs Agree On New Deal

March 13th, 2015 at 10:39pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs and guard Ben Grubbs have agreed on a new contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The deal is for four years and $24MM, and it includes $8MM in guarantees. Another $3MM will become guaranteed if Grubbs is still on the Chiefs’ 90-man roster in March 2017.

Kansas City acquired the 31-year-old Grubbs from the Saints for a fifth-round pick on Thursday. Before reaching a new deal with the Chiefs, the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler was scheduled to be on their books for the next two seasons at cap hits of $6.6MM and $7.3MM, respectively. He’ll still get $6.6MM in 2015, per Florio.

Stevie Johnson Visited Chargers

March 13th, 2015 at 10:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

It was reported Friday that the Patriots were “targeting” free agent wide receiver Stevie Johnson. If true, it appears they’ll have serious competition for the seven-year veteran’s services. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Johnson visited the Chargers on Friday. According to Gehlken, Johnson left San Diego unsigned, but the visit was a “positive” one and he’s likely to make a decision on his future “no later than Monday.”

The 49ers released Johnson earlier this week after a disappointing season that saw the 28-year-old total a mere 35 catches in 13 games. He does have a successful track record, though, having amassed 336 catches and 31 touchdowns during his career – mostly in Buffalo – and would lend help to a receiver-needy Chargers team.

San Diego has pursued big-time targets this offseason to improve its receiving corps, only to come up empty on the likes of Andre Johnson and Eddie Royal – both of whom signed with other clubs. Royal, who was a member of the Chargers the past three seasons, finished second among Bolts wideouts in receptions (62) and yards (778) in 2014. His seven touchdowns led all San Diego receivers. In the wake of his departure, the only starting-caliber receivers left on the Chargers’ roster are Malcom Floyd and Keenan Allen. Although effective, the two have combined for just a single 1,000-yard season (Allen in 2013), while Johnson has three to his name.

Johnson’s impressive career production has come despite never having played with an elite-level quarterback, which the Chargers have in Philip Rivers. During his six years with the Bills, Johnson was mostly on the receiving end of passes from journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, while his QB in San Francisco was Colin Kaepernick – who underwhelmed last season.

Extra Points: Saints, Wilfork, Jets

March 13th, 2015 at 9:37pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Saints addressed their secondary in a big way Thursday when they signed free agent cornerback Brandon Browner, but another of the team’s corners seemingly faces a less certain future in New Orleans.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweeted Friday that the Saints are “actively shopping” Keenan Lewis, who voiced his displeasure with the team’s direction on social media earlier this week. Shortly after La Canfora’s tweet, though, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported (Twitter link) that the Saints are restructuring Lewis’ contract in an effort to appease the six-year veteran. Lewis has three years and $10.8MM in guarantees left on the five-year, $26.5MM deal he signed with the Saints in 2013. Lewis, 28, said Tuesday that the Saints should either guarantee all of the remaining three years or release him. However, he changed his tune Friday night. According to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter), Lewis wrote on Instagram that “leaving was never an option.” We’ll see whether that proves true.

In other news:

Elsewhere on the Saints front, Woodbery writes that, despite its recent moves to open up spending room, the team is still in cap trouble. Woodbery speculates that the Saints will have to do something with 31-year-old guard Jahri Evans, which could mean restructuring his current deal, trading him or releasing him. Evans is signed for two more years at cap numbers of $11.2MM and $10MM, respectively.
Vince Wilfork‘s agent, Kennard McGuire, said Friday that the Texans have a “legitimate shot” to sign the free agent defensive lineman, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston. “One of the benefits from the organization’s standpoint is that of familiarity.” said McGuire. “Vince played with (linebackers coach Mike) Vrabel. He was coached by (head coach) Billy O (O’Brien) and Rac (defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel).” The 33-year-old Wilfork spent the first 11 seasons of his career in New England, with which he made five Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls. He’d further beef up a Texans defense that finished a solid 10th against the run last season. Wilfork is unlikely to join the Texans (or anyone else) imminently, however, as his agent said the player would “take his time” on choosing a team.
Multiple sources told Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) that the NFL is investigating the Jets for possibly tampering with free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis, whom they signed earlier this week. The negotiating period between teams and free agents opened last Saturday, and the league is taking the notion that the Jets may have had contact with Revis prior to then “incredibly seriously,” per Cole.