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NFC FA Visits: Knighton, Browner, Bush

March 11th, 2015 at 7:55am CST by Luke Adams

The start of free agency at 3:00pm central time on Tuesday opened the door for players to officially sign contracts with new teams. It also opened the door for teams and players to begin scheduling formal visits, so free agents can get a better sense of what to expect from their potential suitors. Early on Wednesday morning, we have a few updates on notable free agents meetings with NFC clubs, so let’s round them up….

  • Terrance Knighton, who said yesterday that he has essentially ruled out a return to Denver or a reunion with Jack Del Rio in Oakland, will visit Washington today, he tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Washington has already added Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean-Francois to its roster, so signing Knighton would really solidify the team’s interior defensive line.
  • We heard last night that the Saints have interest in cornerback Brandon Browner, and Browner will make his first visit to New Orleans, followed by one to Washington, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. According to Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), the Ravens, Browns, and Jaguars also have interest in the former Pats corner.
  • Reggie Bush, who has received interest from a number of teams since being cut by the Lions, is visiting the 49ers today, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The Saints, Patriots, and Eagles were cited in a Tuesday report as also being possible options for the veteran running back.

Eagles Re-Sign Mark Sanchez

March 11th, 2015 at 7:08am CST by Rob DiRe

WEDNESDAY, 7:08am: The Eagles’ two-year deal with Sanchez is now official, according to the team (Twitter link).

SUNDAY, 6:17pm: The Eagles are re-signing quarterback Mark Sanchez, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Jon and Sean Show were first to report the signing (via Twitter).

He will return to the team on a two-year contract worth $9MM with $5.5MM guaranteed, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter). The deal has a maximum value of $16MM over the two years with incentives (via Twitter).

Sanchez played nine games for the team in 2014, with mixed results. He completed over 64% of his passes, averaging 268 yards per game with a 14 to 11 touchdown to interception ratio.

The signing has led some fans and pundits to strengthen the connection between the team and an interest in Marcus Mariota. The high salary for Sanchez and the starter incentives push Jeff McLane of Philly.com to opine that it might signal the end of Nick Foles as the team’s starter and instead point to a Sanchez-Mariota duo.

49ers Sign Torrey Smith To Five-Year Deal

March 11th, 2015 at 6:57am CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 6:57am: Smith officially signed his new contract with the 49ers last night, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

TUESDAY, 3:46pm: Smith has reached agreement on a five-year deal with the 49ers, according to Adam Caplan and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The deal will pay Smith $40MM over five years with $22MM guaranteed, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets.

9:42am: Niners wideout Anquan Boldin tells Jamey Eisenberg of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) that Smith to San Francisco is a “done deal” and that he helped the team with recruiting. Boldin probably hasn’t been kept apprised on all the talks conducted by the front office, so this doesn’t necessarily seal the deal on Smith signing with the 49ers, but it certainly appears to be headed in that direction.

SUNDAY, 1:39pm: With Randall Cobb off the board, competition for the top remaining free agent wideouts is heating up, and according to multiple reports, the 49ers look to be in the lead for Torrey Smith. Sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) that there’s “strong mutual interest” between Smith and the Niners, while Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) that the two sides are expected to get something done unless the wideout’s asking price is too rich for San Francisco.

The Niners are in the market for receiving help with Michael Crabtree and Brandon Lloyd expected to leave the team in free agency. Stevie Johnson is also viewed as a likely cap casualty, meaning the team needs to find a wideout to pair with Anquan Boldin. A player who can stretch the field makes sense, and Smith certainly fits that bill, having excelled at making big plays – and drawing big pass interference penalties – for the Ravens in recent years.

While the 49ers look like the frontrunners for Smith, no agreement is in place yet, and other suitors remain in play. According to Caplan (via Twitter), the Colts and Texans are among the other teams with interest in the 26-year-old, though both clubs are evaluating other options as well. The Raiders and Chargers are also believed to be considering Smith.

Day In Review: 3/10/15

March 10th, 2015 at 11:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

It’s been an extraordinarily busy first day of NFL free agency, and we’d like to thank the readers of Pro Football Rumors for making this our busiest traffic day since our inception last year. Thanks for reading! And remember: you have until Friday to tell your friends about PFR and have a chance at winning $100. Click here for details.

Let’s take a look back at the top headlines from the past 24 hours:

Major Trades:

Major Signings:

Notable New Free Agents:

Retired:

East Notes: Bills, Hoyer, Cromartie, Jets, Fins

March 10th, 2015 at 11:36pm CST by Dallas Robinson

According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Bills spent some time today weighing quarterback alternatives in case they weren’t comfortable with Matt Cassel‘s physical. Brian Hoyer and Matt Moore were among the potential options considered, sources tell Caplan. Ultimately, the Bills passed Cassel on his physical and the swap with the Vikings became official.

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

  • In Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine, the Jets have already added two corners today, but they might not be finished. The club is still talking with Antonio Cromartie, who is known to be interested in playing for New York, per Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Manish Mehta of the New York Daily news classifies the discussions as “serious,” suggesting a Revis-Cromartie reunion may be in the cards (Twitter links).
  • While admitting that he talked to Frank Gore during the past few days, LeSean McCoy denied that he told the former 49er to back out of his deal with the Eagles and sign with the Colts instead, writes Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. McCoy, rather, says he told Gore that he’d handle the ball a lot and called Chip Kelly a “mastermind.”
  • Updating a previous item, the Dolphins have put an offer in to free agent cornerback Brice McCain, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. We heard earlier tonight McCain was in Miami, and it sounds like something could get done.
  • Free agent quarterback Tyrod Taylor is paying a visit to the Bills, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Taylor, who has been the Ravens’ backup in recent years, would be in the mix with Cassel and E.J. Manuel if he were to sign with Buffalo.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Jason Worilds To Retire

March 10th, 2015 at 11:21pm CST by Luke Adams

On the heels of 26-year-old Jake Locker announcing his retirement earlier today, free agent linebacker Jason Worilds, who just turned 27 last Tuesday, has also confirmed he plans to step away from football, according to a statement released by his agent Jason Bernstein (Twitter link).Jason Worilds

“I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days,” Worilds said in the statement. “With that being said, after much thought and consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests. I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”

While Locker and Patrick Willis, who also announced his retirement today, had dealt with injury problems during the 2014 season, Worilds played and started all 16 games for the Steelers, turning in perhaps the best season of his career with 62 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Over the weekend, I ranked the former second-round pick 14th on my list of this year’s top 50 free agents.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter links), Worilds’ decision comes as a result of experiencing a “spiritual awakening,” and he intends to pursue his faith after ending his NFL career. La Canfora tweets that Worilds’ reps have told interested teams this week that their client was grappling with his future and was likely to explore a new career path. By opting for that new path, Worilds is likely walking away from a $7-8MM annual salary, with at least $15MM in guaranteed money, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

In addition to the Steelers, who were open to re-signing Worilds, the Titans were also viewed as a serious suitor for the Virginia Tech product, given the presence of former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau on their staff. The Eagles had been mentioned as a possible landing spot as well, though their interest likely waned once they re-signed Brandon Graham.

With Worilds off the market, the Titans – and other teams eyeing an outside pass rusher could become more aggressive in their pursuit of players like Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On DeMarco Murray

March 10th, 2015 at 11:05pm CST by Zachary Links

11:05pm: After attending the Mavericks fall to the Cavaliers in Dallas tonight, Murray met with Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett for a 10-minute meeting that one source described as “significant,” according to Mike Fisher of FOX Sports (Twitter links).

8:50pm: Despite their agreement with Roy Helu, the Raiders are still interested in Murray, tweets Caplan.

6:37pm: Jaguars coaches and players are on the recruiting trail, making their pitches to Murray tonight, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

5:28pm: A pair of teams looking to turn their fortunes around are making a play for last year’s top running back. The Raiders are making a run at DeMarco Murray, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). The Jaguars, who have been previously connected to Murray, are also going after him, Florio tweets. Now, Murray might get the $9MM he’s after, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Meanwhile, a source indicated to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star Telegram (on Twitter) that Murray could finalize something tonight. That news, he says, doesn’t bode well for Dallas’ chances of keeping him. The Cowboys have been vocal about wanting to retain Murray, but they’ve been clear that they’ll only go so far in terms of salary.

Packers Re-Sign Bryan Bulaga

March 10th, 2015 at 10:43pm CST by Zachary Links

10:43pm: Bulaga has signed his contract, and will earn $6.75MM per year, making the five-year pact worth $33.75MM in total, per Mortensen (Twitter link).

1:15pm: It’ll be a five-year deal worth just under $7MM per year, reports Rapoport (via Twitter).

1:01pm: Bulaga is re-signing with the Packers, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

12:17pm: If and when a deal gets done, it should come in around the $7MM per year mark, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports.

11:31am: The Packers and Bulaga are getting close to an agreement, and the expectation is that the young tackle will return to Green Bay, according to Rapoport (via Twitter).

11:26am: The Packers are pushing hard to keep offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and they’re going beyond their comfort zone for it, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Bulaga’s preference is to stay but he would need to take less that other teams are offering in order to stay in Green Bay.

Initially, Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel (on Twitter) adds, Green Bay would not consider a deal that paid $7MM annually for Bulaga. Now, with teams eyeing the lineman, including the Bills, the Packers have apparently upped the ante to a point where they can be in the mix to retain him.

Recently, two league sources told Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Bulaga is seeking a contract worth at least $7-8MM per year. The Bucs, Jaguars, and Washington were all identified as teams that have interest in the free agent, along with Buffalo.

NFC Notes: Bradford, Eagles, Seahawks, Saints

March 10th, 2015 at 10:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Before the Eagles finalized their acquisition of Sam Bradford, there were other teams in the mix for the former first overall pick, says Peter King of TheMMQB.com (via Twitter). Per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link), the Browns may have been one of those teams. However, no other club was willing to give up as much as Chip Kelly and the Eagles, who had eyed Bradford for weeks and believe he has the goods to be a franchise quarterback, according to Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

As we recover from what’s been a surprising and hectic day of action around the NFL, let’s round up a few more leftover NFC items….

  • Former Dolphins guard Shelley Smith, who was just cut by the team earlier today, already has a visit lined up with the Seahawks for Wednesday, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Seattle is in the market for some interior line help after trading Max Unger and losing James Carpenter in free agency.
  • Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis acknowledged that the team will “obviously” look to add another tight end after trading Jimmy Graham, and added that he never asked Drew Brees to restructure his contract this offseason because it “wasn’t necessary for us” (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
  • The 49ers aren’t in the running for their own free agent cornerback Perrish Cox, writes Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (Twitter link) suggests keeping an eye on linebacker Akeem Ayers as a potential free agent target for the Rams, and Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link) agrees that the club has interest.

Bears Interested In Eddie Royal

March 10th, 2015 at 9:51pm CST by Luke Adams

While free agents flew off the board today, there was confusion surrounding the contract status of Eddie Royal. Multiple reports (via Twitter) suggested the veteran wideout had agreed to terms, or was close to a deal, with the Bears, but those reports were just as quickly shot down (Twitter link).

However, according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) and Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com, Royal is at least paying a visit to Chicago, even if he hasn’t agreed to a deal with the team yet. According to Dickerson, several other potential suitors have expressed interest in Royal, but the Bears are the “clear frontrunner” to sign him.

Royal, who caught balls from Jay Cutler in Denver earlier in his career, isn’t exactly an ideal candidate to replace Brandon Marshall, who was officially traded to the Jets today. But the Bears are rebuilding a wide receiving corps that doesn’t feature a ton of talent behind Alshon Jeffery, so adding a slot receiver like Royal is also a priority for the club.

In San Diego last season, Royal caught 62 balls for 778 receiving yards. Both marks were his best since his rookie season with the Broncos in 2008.

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