At more than $15MM, Lawrence Timmons‘ 2016 cap charge is the second-largest on the Steelers, yet the club hasn’t sought to extend the veteran linebacker (thus lowering that cap hit), as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune writes. The Steelers have restructured quite a few contracts in recent years as more cap space was needed, but it seems like the team is trying to stave off such moves for the time being. As such, Timmons could be on his way to unrestricted free agency in March, and the 30-year-old needs to produce better results in his platform year — he graded among the 10 worst linebackers in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
- The Broncos have signed every member of their 2016 draft class except for first-round quarterback Paxton Lynch, and that deal might be taking a little longer because Lynch has a chance to become the team’s starter this year, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com details. It’s not entirely clear what contractual hurdles Legwold might be referring to, as rookie deals, especially those for first-round picks, are essentially slotted values. Denver and Lynch could be haggling over offset language, however, with Lynch’s camp pressing for the ability to “double dip” were he to be released in the next few years.
- Dennis Pitta plans to continue his career in 2016 after two devastating hip injuries, and the veteran Ravens tight end isn’t lacking for confidence as he begins his comeback. “My expectations haven’t changed from four years ago, to two years ago, to now,” Pitta told Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com. “My level of expectation is extremely high going into this year. Like I said, I feel confident in how I can run, how I can move, how I can play and it’s just a matter of getting those reps back to where I’m confident in doing all of that.”
- The Colts selected safety T.J. Green in the second round of last month’s draft with an eye towards the future, as incumbent safety Mike Adams is 35 years old and entering the final year of his contract, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes. Fellow defensive back Clayton Geathers — picked up in the fourth round of the 2015 draft — is the example for Green, per Bowen, as he is ready to be plugged into the starting rotation now that Dwight Lowery has moved on via free agency.
- Former Colts linebacker Jonathan Newsome has signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, as Newsome himself tweeted earlier today. Newsome, 25, was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, and appeared in 30 games with the Colts over the past two seasons.