2016 March - Pro Football Rumors

Bears, Falcons Pursuing G Jeff Allen

March 9th, 2016 at 12:19pm CST by Zachary Links

12:19pm: Allen could command between $6MM and $7MM per year, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

12:00pm: The Bears and Falcons are among the teams pursuing guard Jeff Allen, Alex Marvez of FOX Sports tweets. It’s not immediately clear how involved the incumbent Chiefs are in his free agency, however.

Last season, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Allen as the No. 10 guard in the NFL with a strong 88.8 grade for run blocking and a solid 77.4 grade for pass blocking. Those scores put Allen as the second-best available free agent guard this offseason behind veteran Richie Incognito. In total, Allen saw 321 pass snaps and 272 run snaps for KC.

The Eagles were previously listed as a potential suitor for Allen given their need for interior line help and Allen’s connection to new head coach Doug Pederson. At this time, however, it doesn’t sound like they are a leading team for his services.

Jets, Dolphins Interested In Matt Forte

March 9th, 2016 at 12:18pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets and Dolphins are among the teams pursuing running back Matt Forte, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Rapoport adds that Forte’s market will likely heat up once some of the other free agent backs in this year’s class sign deals.

A sneak peak at what Forte would look like in a Dolphins jersey, courtesy of @ProFootballRumors on Instagram.

Forte would make plenty of sense for the Jets, who lost Chris Ivory to the Jaguars earlier today and could lose Bilal Powell to free agency with three rival teams in pursuit. The Dolphins, of course, could lose starting running back Lamar Miller to free agency and it has been long expected that they would consider Forte to fill the role. Earlier today, it was reported that the Texans are pushing hard to sign Miller.

Forte announced last month that he wouldn’t be returning to the Bears. In his 120 regular season contests with the Bears, Forte piled up 8,602 rushing yards and another 4,116 yards through the air, to go along with 64 total touchdowns. The 30-year-old earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods, including one in 2013, when he accumulated more than 1,900 total yards and 12 touchdowns, both career highs.

While Forte still managed to gain nearly 1,300 yards from scrimmage in 2015, rookie Jeremy Langford showed that he was capable of carrying the load for the Bears in three games the veteran missed due to injury. The Bears informed Forte that he will not be retained.

Browns Pull Offer To Mitchell Schwartz

March 9th, 2016 at 12:08pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns are on the verge of losing center Alex Mack to the Falcons, and now their negotiations with another one of their free agent offensive lineman could be hitting a wall. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link), Cleveland has pulled its offer to right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

Less than an hour ago, conflicting reports popped up regarding Schwartz’s status, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Schwartz had a decent chance to return to the Browns at a salary around $7.5MM, while Mike Silver of NFL.com disagreed, saying the Schwartz would not return to Cleveland. Suffice it so stay, the situation appears fluid, and it’s probably premature to assume that Schwartz’s tenure is definitely complete.

As Florio notes in his tweet, the Browns could be merely posturing by rescinding their offer to Schwartz. It’s possible that the club believes it’s negotiating against itself, or at least offering more money than other interested clubs. By pulling the offer, Cleveland could be hoping to back Schwartz into accepting whatever price was most recently on the table.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chargers Re-Sign Antonio Gates

March 9th, 2016 at 11:38am CST by Luke Adams

11:38am: It’ll be a two-year, $12MM contract, with the previously-reported $6MM guarantee, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. The Chargers have now confirmed the signing.

11:23am: Gates will get $6MM in guaranteed money on his new contract, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network.

10:57am: Gates will get a two-year deal from the Chargers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that the agreement should allow the veteran tight end to finish his career with the team.

10:53am: In an unsurprising move, the Chargers have agreed to terms on a new deal with longtime tight end Antonio Gates, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).

Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowler, was eligible for unrestricted free agency this month, but he never seemed likely to leave the team with whom he has spent the last 13 seasons. Although he’ll turn 36 this summer, Gates remains extremely productive. In just 11 games last season, he racked up 56 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns. In 2014, he grabbed 69 balls for 821 yards and 12 TDs.

While Gates is heading back to San Diego, the status of fellow free agent tight end Ladarius Green remains up in the air. Green, who is about a decade younger than Gates, has reportedly received interest on the free agent market, and could be in line for a nice payday from a team willing to give him a bigger role than he has had in San Diego.

Terms of Gates’ new deal aren’t yet known, but given his age and the uncertainty facing the Chargers’ franchise beyond the 2016 season, a one-year contract would make the most sense.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Brock Osweiler’s Talks With Broncos

March 9th, 2016 at 11:35am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have ramped up their efforts to keep Brock Osweiler and negotiations are ongoing, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. As we’ve heard before, Rapoport says that it’s down to the Broncos and Texans for the QB.

Earlier this month, the Broncos reportedly offered Osweiler a three-year deal worth roughly $39MM. Of course, it’s hard to judge Osweiler’s value as a whole, given that he’s started only seven games during his four-year career, but the demand of the open market is what dictates the price. The Texans badly need to find an answer at quarterback and the Broncos are going to have to scramble if they cannot retain Osweiler. Peyton Manning, who looked like a shell of his former self in 2015 anyway, officially retired from the NFL this week.

If the Broncos lose Osweiler, they’re backup plan will reportedly be to make a play for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. The agents for quarterback Kaepernick requested permission from the 49ers to seek a trade late last month. When comparing Kaepernick’s 2015 to Osweiler’s 2015 (albeit with a limited sample size), Denver would rather retain their longtime understudy than try and restore Kaepernick as a franchise QB.

The Texans have long been expected to make a “competitive” offer to Osweiler. Per reports, $15-16MM might be the figure Osweiler is targeting.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Free Agent Rumors: Schwartz, Boykin, Falcons

March 9th, 2016 at 11:21am CST by Zachary Links

Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has a decent chance of returning to the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer tweets. Schwartz’s deal could fall in the neighborhood of $7.5MM, she adds. Meanwhile, Michael Silver of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that Schwartz likely won’t return to the Browns.

While we wait to see how Schwartz’s free agency plays out, check out this roundup of the latest free agent rumors:

There’s not much momentum between the Steelers and Brandon Boykin, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. The Falcons, however, are among the teams with interest in the cornerback.
Defensive end Chris Clemons is on his way to visit the Seahawks, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets. If things go well, he could sign and make his return to Seattle.
Defensive end William Hayes is in play for the Dolphins, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald tweets. Hayes, along with new acquisition Mario Williams, would boost the defensive line if Olivier Vernon leaves in free agency as expected.
Chiefs free agent wide receiver Jason Avant says that he isn’t done yet and wants to continue his career, as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes. Avant caught 15 passes for 119 yards during the regular season. In the Chiefs’ 27-20 AFC divisional-round loss to the Patriots, Avant caught four passes for 69 yards.
Left tackle Donald Penn has talked with the Seahawks, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.
The Cowboys and Seahawks are among the teams interested in defensive lineman Cedric Thornton, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
Mike Harris is now considering a one-year deal with the Vikings, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. Harris could battle with Brandon Fusco at right guard, Tomasson adds.

AFC Contract Details: Osemele, Irvin, M. Jackson

March 9th, 2016 at 11:19am CST by Luke Adams

Here are the latest updates on many recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the AFC:

AFC West:

Kelechi Osemele, G/T (Raiders): Five years, $58.5MM. $25.4MM fully guaranteed. Max value of $60MM via Pro Bowl incentives. Guaranteed base salaries of $6.7MM in 2016 and 2017. $6MM roster bonuses in 2016 and 2017 (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of USA Today and Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post).
Bruce Irvin, OLB (Raiders): Four years, $37MM. $14.5MM fully guaranteed. $19MM total guarantee. $6MM roster bonus in 2016, $2.25MM roster bonus in 2017 (Twitter link via Wilson).
Joe Barksdale, T (Chargers): Four years, $22MM. $10.5MM fully guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. Fully guaranteed $3.5MM salary in 2016. $3MM of $4.5MM salary in 2017 fully guaranteed (Twitter links via Wilson).

AFC South:

Malik Jackson, DL (Jaguars): Six years, $85.5MM. $31.5MM fully guaranteed. $42MM total guarantee. $10.5MM of $13.5MM base salary for 2018 becomes fully guaranteed in March 2018 (Twitter links via Pelissero).
Dwayne Allen, TE (Colts): Four years, $29.4MM. $4MM signing bonus. $16MM total guarantee (including injury guarantee). $5.5MM roster bonus in 2016. $2MM roster bonus on fifth day of 2017 league year (Twitter links via Wilson).
Ben Jones, C/G (Titans): Four years, $17.5MM. $3.5MM signing bonus. $7.5MM guaranteed. $2.5MM of $3.5MM salary for 2017 is fully guaranteed. $500K roster bonus due in March 2016 (Twitter links via Wilson).
Chris Clark, T (Texans): Two years, $6MM. $1MM signing bonus. $750K roster bonus due on March 16 (Twitter link via Wilson).
Adam Vinatieri, K (Colts): Two years, $6MM. $1MM of $3.25MM salary for 2016 is guaranteed. Can earn $500K in field-goal percentage incentives each year (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC North:

Shareece Wright, CB (Ravens): Three years, $13MM. $4MM signing bonus. Up to $1MM annually in playing-time incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
William Gay, CB (Steelers): Three years, $7.5MM. $1.9MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Ben Watson, TE (Ravens): Two years, $7MM. $2MM signing bonus. $3MM fully guaranteed. $1MM roster bonus due April 1, 2016. $1MM escalator for 2017 (Twitter link via Wilson).
Tank Carder, LB (Browns): Two years, $2.5MM. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC East:

Mario Williams, DE (Dolphins): Two years, $17MM. $4MM signing bonus. Fully guaranteed $4.485MM salary for 2016. $3.5MM of $8.45MM salary for 2017 guaranteed for injury; becomes fully guaranteed on fifth day of 2017 league year. Deal includes incentives for sacks, playing time, Pro Bowls (all Twitter links via Wilson).
LaAdrian Waddle, T (Patriots): Two years, $2.35MM. $250K signing bonus. $200K annually in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter links via Wilson and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

Panthers Re-Sign Mike Tolbert

March 9th, 2016 at 10:37am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have re-signed Mike Tolbert to a two-year deal, Bryan Strickland of Panthers.com writes. It’s a two-year deal worth about $2MM, a league source tells Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter).

Tolbert will now return for a fifth year in Carolina and possibly season No. 6. Over his four years with the Panthers, Tolbert has amassed roughly 1,600 all-purpose yards. While he hasn’t been the primary back for Carolina, he has provided value with his pass catching skills and ability to bulldoze opponents at the goal line. Aside from the games he missed in the 2014 season due to a knee injury, Tolbert has been a virtual ironman for the Panthers.

A 2015 Pro Bowler, the 30-year-old Tolbert is coming off a four-year contract during which he made $2.5MM annually. He’s an excellent fit for Carolina’s run-based offense, and his ability to handle both running back and fullback makes him all the more valuable. As Dallas Robinson wrote in his preview of the Panthers’ offseason, Tolbert was likely to return, but not a four-year deal.

For his part, Tolbert ranked as our No. 1 free agent fullback, though PFR’s Luke Adams did note that listing Tolbert among the available fullbacks did seem a little like cheating, given that the Panthers frequently use him at running back as well.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

QB Rumors: Osweiler, Kaepernick, Broncos

March 9th, 2016 at 10:10am CST by Zachary Links

Are the Broncos on the verge of losing quarterback Brock Osweiler? If Osweiler takes a visit the Texans, one league source believes that he will not return to Denver, Mike Florio of PFT writes.

A report last night indicated that the Broncos have not spoken to Osweiler’s reps since making an initial three-year offer several days ago, so things are not necessarily looking good for an Osweiler return. However, Mike Klis of 9News says the two sides will resume negotiations today before the new league year begins, and Klis will be surprised if Osweiler leaves Denver.

Here’s the latest on the league’s available signal callers:

If the Broncos lose Brock Osweiler, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) says they’re backup plan will be to make a play for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. The agents for quarterback Kaepernick requested permission from the 49ers to seek a trade late last month. The 28-year-old started eight games for the Niners in 2015, completing just 59.0% of his passes and throwing only six touchdowns to five interceptions. Blaine Gabbert took over as San Francisco’s starter in the second half while Kaepernick dealt with multiple injury issues. While some observers believe that Kelly’s offensive system would be ideal for Kaepernick as he aims to bounce back in 2016, it seems as if the quarterback may prefer to get a fresh start elsewhere.
Drew Brees’ agent Tom Condon says that extension talks are expected to happen at some point down the road with the Saints. “The club had the right to renegotiate for cap purposes during the life of the contract and has done that, which pushed the cap number to $30MM this year,” Condon said on The Rich Eisen Show (via PFT). “That’s where it stands right now. I’m guessing that we’ll probably have some conversations with the Saints in the next couple weeks or so.”
Michael Vick says that he will not extend his playing career beyond 2016, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. “I’m willing to wait the entire year out, but it’s definitely going to be it for me (after that).” “I still want to play one more year… I’m going to keep my options open and not rush into it.,” Vick said (link).

Bengals To Sign George Iloka

March 9th, 2016 at 9:53am CST by Zachary Links

The Bengals have reached agreement with George Iloka on a new deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a five-year deal worth $30MM with $18MM coming in the first three years.

Iloka, 26 at the end of the month, is poised to receive a nice deal this offseason thanks to his ability and young age. This past season, the strong safety appeared in 12 games (all starts) and recorded 47 total tackles with four pass deflections and one interception. Pro Football Focus (sub. required) rated Iloka as the 15th best safety in the NFL last year, placing him behind fellow unrestricted free agents Reggie Nelson and Rodney McLeod.

As far as we’re concerned, Iloka was the best free agent safety on the open market this offseason. Our top five has Iloka at No. 1, followed by Eric Weddle, McLeod, Tashaun Gipson, and Reggie Nelson. Nelson led the league in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl last season, but Iloka is seven years younger and therefore has more earning power. Iloka, of course, also has the age advantage over longtime Charger Weddle.

The Bengals retained one priority free agent in Iloka, but they lost another one on Wednesday morning when Marvin Jones signed with the Lions. Mohamed Sanu is being pursued by the Patriots and other clubs, so the Bengals could have to pony up significant cash if they want to keep him.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.