2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Washington Re-Signs Junior Galette

March 16th, 2016 at 9:18am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 9:18am: Washington has officially confirmed its new deal with Galette, announcing the signing in a press release.

TUESDAY, 8:57pm: Junior Galette will be staying in the nation’s capital for at least one more season. The linebacker and Washington have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4MM, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). Galette’s market was limited this month because Washington had a right of first refusal. This time around, however, there is no such provision in Galette’s deal, so the linebacker can reach free agency unencumbered.

Galette was reportedly intent on signing a one-year, “pillow” contract, similar to the deal he signed with Washington last season after being cut by the Saints. The club, however, was countering with multi-year proposals featuring incentives. Those longer deals were being recommended by agent Peter Schaffer and that disagreement led to the linebacker changing representation. One thing that Galette was clear about was that he would not sign a deal for the veteran’s minimum under any circumstances.

“[Washington is] who my heart is with,” said Galette in February. “I just want a one-year deal, and it has to be a fair deal. I’m not putting a number out there, but it has to be fair.”

Washington signed Galette in July of last year, despite having spent recent second-round draft picks on Trent Murphy (2014) and Preston Smith (2015). Off-field issues played a role in New Orleans releasing him, but Washington believed that Galette made sense as an addition due to his football ability. Unfortunately, Galette tore his Achilles in August. The 27-year-old (28 in a few weeks) was New Orleans’ best pass rusher in 2013 and 2014, recording 12 sacks in ’13 and picking up another 10 – along with three forced fumbles – in ’14.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Hosting Geoff Schwartz On Visit

March 16th, 2016 at 7:50am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 7:50am: Schwartz will arrive tonight and visit with the Cardinals on Thursday, a source tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link).

TUESDAY, 7:45pm: The Cardinals seem ready to make a splash on the offensive line, one way or another. Arizona is hosting Geoff Schwartz on a visit, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Earlier tonight, we learned that the Cardinals hosted Evan Mathis on a visit and offered him a two-year deal. Both Schwartz and Mathis are being viewed as potential upgrades on the line after the club traded Jonathan Cooper to the Patriots on Tuesday afternoon.

Schwartz, 29, started 11 games for the Giants in 2015, but his seasons was cut short when he fractured a bone in his left leg in late November, forcing the team to place him on injured reserve. While Schwartz and Beason didn’t provide the Giants with much value over the last two years, he was effective for other teams earlier in his career. Schwartz started 26 total games for the Panthers and Chiefs prior to his time in New York.

Last week, Geoff’s brother Mitchell Schwartz landed a five-year deal worth up to $33MM from the Chiefs. If the Cardinals sign the elder Schwartz or Mathis, it could have an impact on their interest in free agent tackle Andre Smith.

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Chargers, Chris Hairston Agree To Deal

March 16th, 2016 at 12:21am CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have agreed to bring back free agent offensive lineman Chris Hairston, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who reports that the two sides have struck a new two-year deal.

Hairston, who turns 27 in April, was one of the few San Diego offensive linemen who didn’t miss time due to injuries during the 2015 season, despite getting pretty banged up over the course of the year. Originally expected to be the team’s swing tackle, Hairston ultimately played nearly 800 offensive snaps for the Chargers, seeing playing time at guard and tackle on both the left and right sides of the line.

Pro Football Focus, which grouped Hairston with the offensive tackles, ranked him 65th out of 77 qualified players at the position. Despite his unspectacular grades as a run- and pass-blocker, Hairston should be a valuable depth piece for the Chargers in 2016, given his versatility, though he’ll likely enter camp as a backup once again.

Hairston is the second offensive tackle to re-sign with the Chargers this month — starting tackle Joe Barksdale inked a new four-year contract with the club. The team has also re-signed backup quarterback Kellen Clemens and veteran tight end Antonio Gates, and added wide receiver Travis Benjamin to the offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Chargers have signed defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, safety Dwight Lowery, and cornerback Casey Hayward.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Acquire Chandler Jones From Pats

March 15th, 2016 at 9:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals and Patriots have agreed to a trade that will send defensive end Chandler Jones to Arizona. In exchange for Jones, the Pats will receive offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick.

The Cardinals had been seeking an impact pass rusher this offseason, and they’ll get one in Jones. In 2015, the 26-year-old appeared in (and started) 15 games for the Patriots, totaling 44 tackles to go along with a career-high 12.5 sacks. The former first-round pick also added four forced fumbles, two passes defended, and his first career interception, earning a Pro Bowl spot for the first time.

Jones had been one of several players eligible for an extension and in line for a huge payday in New England, so it will now be the Cardinals’ responsibility to lock up the pass rusher on his next deal. Currently, Jones is under contract on a fifth-year option worth nearly $7.8MM in fully guaranteed salary for the 2016 season. He’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency next winter if he’s not extended or franchised.

The Cardinals reportedly made a run at Jason Pierre-Paul and did their homework on Olivier Vernon – before his market exploded – as part of their hunt for a pass rusher this offseason. By acquiring Jones, they get a player who will be more affordable than those top free agents for 2016, and one who has also been more productive in recent years. Since his rookie season in 2012, Jones has piled up 36 sacks, compared to 29 for Vernon and 22 for JPP.

As for the Patriots, they also receive a former first-round pick in the swap — Cooper went seventh overall in the 2013 draft. After missing his rookie season due to a broken fibula, the 26-year-old has started just 11 games for the Cardinals in the past two years, failing to carve out a long-term role in Arizona. However, he still has plenty of talent, and could play either guard or center on the Patriots’ line.

New England also adds an early draft pick in the deal to help make up for the team’s lost first-rounder. The Patriots’ own second-rounder falls at 60th overall, while the Cards held the 61st pick, so the Pats will now have back-to-back selections midway through day two, and it’s fair to wonder if they’ll use one of those picks on a pass rusher to help make up for the loss of Jones.

By making the swap, the Patriots will clear Jones’ entire $7.799MM cap number from their books for the 2016 season, replacing that figure with Cooper’s more affordable $2.389MM cap hit. The move signals that New England will likely focus on locking up its other top extension candidates on defense, including Jamie Collins, Dont’a Hightower, and Malcolm Butler.

It’s also worth considering that Jones was involved in an unusual off-field story in January, when he reportedly had a bad reaction to synthetic marijuana and required medical attention. While that may have been an isolated incident, the league’s strict policy on substances of abuse could have contributed to the Patriots’ reluctance to lock up Jones to a lucrative long-term deal.

Adam Schefter and Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter link) first reported that a trade was agreed upon. Both teams have since confirmed the deal via press release. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Okung, Givens, Jets

March 15th, 2016 at 9:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) opines that Russell Okung needs to shoot for a short-term contract with a lot of incentives. The veteran tackle, who is representing himself, saw his field of suitors go from four to three on Tuesday when the Steelers signed Ryan Harris. Now, Okung’s market is likely down to the Seahawks, Lions, and Giants, and that could hurt his bottom line when all is said and done.

Here are the latest free agent rumors:

Wide receiver Chris Givens visited the Jets today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Givens, a fourth-round pick in 2012, had his best season as a rookie, compiling 42 catches for 698 yards and three touchdowns. In October, he was traded from the Rams to the Ravens.
Free agent linebacker Sean Spence visited the Jaguars today, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (on Twitter). The 2012 third-round pick spent the first four years of his career in Pittsburgh, with which he amassed 90 tackles and two sacks in 31 regular-season appearances (13 starts).
Free agent defensive end Jason Hatcher is visiting the Saints tonight, sources tell Kristian Garic of WWL (on Twitter). Hatcher was slated to count against Washington’s cap for $8.7MM in 2016 before his release earlier this month.

Joique Bell Visiting Bills

March 15th, 2016 at 8:56pm CST by Zachary Links

Running back Joique Bell is visiting the Bills tonight, according to Rand Getlin of NFL Network (on Twitter).

Bell saw time in 13 games last season, rushing for 311 yards off of 90 carries with four touchdowns. He also produced as a pass-catching back, hauling in 22 receptions for 286 yards. Bell was an important part of the Lions’ backfield rotation since 2013, but the club cut him earlier this year, opting instead to move forward with incumbents Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner. The Lions saved $1MM by cutting Bell while carrying $2.5MM in dead money.

Bell might not be a superstar running back, but he could help the Bills fill the gap in the event that LeSean McCoy is suspended. McCoy, who earned a Pro Bowl nod during his first season with the Bills in 2015, is under investigation for his role in an altercation at a Philadelphia nightclub in which McCoy and three of his companions fought with at least two off-duty police officers.

McCoy was held back by injuries in his first season with the Bills but was being counted on for a bounce back year in 2016. In 2013, McCoy was rated as the very best tailback in football according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), racking up a 27.3 overall rating which was more than 8 points higher than the runner-up, Jamaal Charles.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cardinals Offer Evan Mathis Two-Year Deal

March 15th, 2016 at 6:41pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have offered Evan Mathis a two-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Mathis visited Arizona today, right around the time that they traded offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper.

The Cardinals probably felt a little extra comfortable parting with Cooper (and a second-round draft choice) in exchange for Chandler Jones knowing that they might be able to turn around and land one of the league’s biggest names on the interior offensive line.

The Broncos signed the two-time Pro Bowler last summer after the Eagles released him, and he ultimately started in 12 of 16 regular-season appearances. Mathis, 34, earned rave reviews for his performance from Pro Football Focus (subscription required), which ranked him third out of 81 qualifying guards.

Mathis indicated last month that he would be open to playing for the Broncos in 2016 if he were to continue his career. Since then, we have yet to hear much about Denver’s interest in a reunion or anything definitive on Mathis’ NFL plans.

In 2014, despite playing just 608 offensive snaps, the former third-round pick ranked as the league’s best left guard, performing particularly well as a run blocker, according to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required). PFF had previously graded Mathis as the NFL’s No. 1 guard in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Raiders Sign Andre Holmes

March 15th, 2016 at 6:40pm CST by Luke Adams

6:40pm: The Raiders officially announced the deal, as Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets.

8:02am: The Raiders and wide receiver Andre Holmes reached an agreement on a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport reports that the one-year pact can be worth up to $3MM, and includes $1MM in fully guaranteed money.

According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link), the deal, as described by Rapoport, is the offer the Raiders have had on the table “for a while now.” Garafolo describes the incentives in the deal as very attainable, suggesting that Holmes has a decent chance to max out the value of the one-year pact.

Holmes, 27, has spent the last three seasons with the Raiders, enjoying his best year in 2014, when he set career highs by recording 47 receptions for 693 yards and four touchdowns. With Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper in the mix last season for the first time, Holmes saw his role reduced, catching just 14 balls for 201 yards, though he still found the end zone four times.

While Rod Streater is no longer in the mix in Oakland, having agreed to a deal with the division-rival Chiefs, the Raiders’ wide receiving corps in 2016 should look fairly similar to the 2015 unit. Crabtree, Cooper, and Holmes will all be back, as will promising youngster Seth Roberts, who had 32 catches in his rookie campaign.

Holmes reportedly drew some level of interest from the Eagles, Lions, Vikings, and Bengals before agreeing to stay with the Raiders.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dolphins To Re-Sign Matt Moore

March 15th, 2016 at 6:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins will re-sign quarterback Matt Moore, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It’s a two-year deal worth $3.5MM, according to a source familiar with the deal.

Moore, entering his sixth NFL season, has been surveying his options on the free agent market and the Dolphins reportedly did not want to spend much for a backup QB. Still, the two sides found their way back to one another somehow. Moore met with Miami brass today and, ultimately, a deal was hammered out.

The Colts had interest in Moore earlier this month but they no longer had a place for him after signing Scott Tolzien. The Cowboys also expressed interest in Moore. Dolphins quarterback Logan Thomas recently indicated that he’s been told he’ll have a legitimate chance to compete for the Dolphins’ backup job behind Ryan Tannehill next season, so many questioned whether Moore would be brought back in 2016. It remains to be seen how that competition will shake out. If Moore keeps his place as the No. 2 signal caller, this will mark his fifth season backing up Tannehill.

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Seahawks Sign J’Marcus Webb

March 15th, 2016 at 6:07pm CST by Luke Adams

6:07pm: The Seahawks officially announced the signing, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.

2:38pm: Webb’s deal with the Seahawks will be a two-year pact worth $6.25MM, featuring $2.5MM in guarantees, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

8:50am: The Seahawks have agreed to terms on a contract with offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb, reports Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Terms of the agreement aren’t yet known.

Webb, 27, started his career as a Bear after being selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft. After earning 44 regular-season starts in three seasons for Chicago, the veteran lineman joined the Vikings as a backup for two years, then spent 2015 in Oakland.

Webb turned out to be a valuable piece for the Raiders last season, spending time at both right guard and right tackle. He was one of the few players in the NFL to appear in 100% of his team’s offensive snaps, so Oakland will have a hole to fill on its offensive line in 2016 — the team, of course, has brought in free agent signee Kelechi Osemele, though Osemele seems likely to play on the left side rather than the right.

In Seattle, meanwhile, Webb looks like a good bet to compete for the starting job at right guard. Russell Okung is a free agent at left tackle, and Garry Gilliam has just one year of starting experience at right tackle, so there are other scenarios the Seahawks could explore, but Webb saw most of his playing time in 2015 at right guard.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.