2016 July - Pro Football Rumors

Redskins Won’t Consider Dwight Freeney

July 25th, 2016 at 4:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins will be without linebacker Junior Galette for the upcoming season, but they won’t consider free agent Dwight Freeney as a replacement, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com.

Last year, Freeney tallied eight sacks in just eleven games for the Cardinals. The 36-year-old was surprisingly productive in his 255 defensive snaps, but he still hasn’t drawn a ton of interest this offseason.

Strictly a pass-rushing specialist at this stage of his career, Freeney didn’t hook on with the Cardinals until midway through the 2015 campaign, but he made up for lost time when he got there. In 2015, the advanced stats at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Freeney as (tied) for the 51st best edge rusher in the NFL out of 110 qualified players.

Late last month, PFR’s Dallas Robinson ran down the top 10 teams that could sign Freeney.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets, Lee Clashing Over Fourth-Year Guarantee

July 25th, 2016 at 3:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets still do not have their first-round pick under contract as they get ready for training camp, even though more than 90% of this year’s first round selections have signed their deals. So, what’s the holdup? It is believed that linebacker Darron Lee is pushing for the fourth year of his contract to be guaranteed, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes.

Players chosen from No. 1 through No. 19 receive fully guaranteed salaries, per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Lee, who was taken No. 20 overall, falls outside of that range. However, Texans wide receiver Will Fuller was taken at No. 21 and received a fully guaranteed salary for his final year. Fuller and Lee are both represented by CAA’s Todd France, so it only makes sense that Lee’s camp is insistent on a guaranteed fourth-year salary.

So far, the Jets have only been willing to give Lee a partial guarantee. This year, the Redskins gave No. 22 pick Josh Doctson a partial guarantee of $1.2MM on his $1.8MM salary for year four. In 2015, the Eagles did roughly the same with No. 20 overall pick Nelson Agholor when they guaranteed him $1.1MM of his $1.7MM salary in the fourth year of his contract. Since the Jets are willing to give Lee a partial guarantee, the two sides are effectively haggling over $600K in guarantees. Ultimately, the deal will almost certainly get done, but not before some further wrestling between France and Gang Green.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Junior Galette Suffers Torn Achilles

July 25th, 2016 at 2:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Redskins linebacker Junior Galette has suffered a torn Achilles tendon, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). Last year, Galette’s season was lost when he tore the Achilles in his left leg. Now, he’ll miss the entire 2016 season with a torn Achilles in his right leg.

Earlier this offseason, the linebacker re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $4MM. Galette’s market was limited because Washington had a right of first refusal and, of course, his injury didn’t help matters. 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.

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 28-year-old 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. The Redskins were looking forward to getting that same kind of production out of Galette but now it’s unclear if that will ever come to fruition.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Josh Gordon Reinstated By NFL

July 25th, 2016 at 1:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been reinstated, the NFL announced today. However, Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season and his return will be conditional. Gordon must continue with his treatment plan in order to be allowed back for Week 5. In the interim, Gordon will be permitted to play in preseason games. During the suspension, he will also be allowed to be in team meetings.

Since his entry into the league in 2012, Gordon’s NFL career has been tumultuous to say the least. He missed the first two games of the 2013 season following a drug suspension, but then went on to lead the NFL in receiving yards, finishing with 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. Gordon celebrated his 25th birthday this offseason.

Hopes were high for the 2014 season, but Gordon’s off-the-field issues resurfaced, as he was first arrested for DUI, and then suspended for one year after again violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He was eventually reinstated after only 10 games as part of the NFL and the players’ union agreeing to a new drug policy, which reduced the sentences for some players-in-limbo.

Now, Gordon must demonstrate that is exercising better judgement in order to see the field again. He must also make a strong impression on new coach Hue Jackson. Ultimately, it is Jackson who will decide whether the wideout fits into his program. If not, the Browns could theoretically trade or cut Gordon.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Bills’ Stephon Gilmore To Report To Training Camp

July 25th, 2016 at 1:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore wants a new contract, but he’s not about to miss important practice sessions with his team to build leverage. Gilmore tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that he’ll report to Pittsford, New York later this week.

“I‘m planning to go out to training camp. I know what I am. It’ll happen eventually,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore is slated to earn $11.082MM for 2016, per the terms of his exercised fifth-year option. The two sides have been discussing an extension this offseason but the 25-year-old (26 in September) elected to table talks earlier this month as talks stalled. Still, it was widely expected Gilmore would report to training camp as he would be docked $40K for each day missed.

Gilmore wants a deal that would put him in the neighborhood of Josh Norman‘s five-year, $75MM contract with the Redskins. The Bills, so far, have been reluctant to approach those numbers. It’s not surprising that Gilmore is looking for that kind of money, particularly after placing ninth among 111 qualifying corners last season, per the advanced numbers at Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Norman, meanwhile, finished 11th.

Without a long-term deal, Gilmore stands to be among the top corners available in free agency in 2017, along with Trumaine Johnson and hybrid defender Tyrann Mathieu. The Bills may not want to take that plunge today, but a Gilmore extension could free up enough cash to ink quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a new deal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Seahawks, Michael Bennett’s Agent To Meet

July 25th, 2016 at 12:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks are set to meet with Michael Bennett‘s agent early this week to discuss the defensive lineman’s desire for a new contract, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. Bennett, she hears (Twitter link), is seeking at least an extension that would put him in the range of the top six or seven defensive linemen in the NFL in terms of new money.

Bennett is entering the third season of a four-year, $28.5MM deal he inked with Seattle in March of 2014. The veteran has been pushing for a new deal ever since the spring of 2015 and one can’t help but wonder why Bennett agreed to such a team-friendly deal in the first place only to complain about it one year later. It’s not clear whether the Seahawks are willing to give him the new contract that he is seeking, but they are at least willing to hear him out.

Recently, CBSSports.com’s Joel Corry suggested a compromise in which the Seahawks could convert Bennett’s $1MM 46-man active roster bonus into base salary. However, Bennett’s team is looking for much more and I can’t picture that modest concession satisfying the Texas A&M product.

When it comes to yearly salary for 4-3 defensive ends, Bennett ranks 10th in the NFL behind Fletcher Cox, Olivier Vernon, Robert Quinn, Jason Pierre-Paul, Vinny Curry, Jared Odrick, Everson Griffen, Mario Williams, and Carlos Dunlap. Bennett’s $7.125MM AAV is also eclipsed by 3-4 DEs Muhammad Wilkerson, J.J. Watt, Malik Jackson, Cameron Jordan, Calais Campbell, Cameron Heyward, Corey Liuget, Mike Daniels, Derek Wolfe, and Jurrell Casey. When looking at all defensive linemen, Bennett is 27th in terms of average annual salary.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Vikings’ Phil Loadholt Announces Retirement

July 25th, 2016 at 12:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Vikings offensive lineman Phil Loadholt has informed the team of his plans to retire. Loadholt has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons so while news of his retirement is somewhat surprising, it does not come as a shock. On Monday afternoon, the Vikings issued a press release confirming the news:

“I first want to thank the Wilf Family for the wonderful opportunity they gave me seven years ago. There’s a lot of people to thank – Rick Spielman, Rob Brzezinski, George Paton, Scott Studwell and all the personnel people. My head coaches – Brad Childress, Leslie Frazier and Mike Zimmer. My position coaches – Pat Morris, Jim Hueber, Jeff Davidson, and Tony Sparano. The entire Vikings support staff and most important – the Vikings fans and my teammates. This chapter in my life is closing and I look forward to seeing what the next one brings. I’ll always love this game and the opportunity to do something I dreamed about since I was seven years old. But, my body is telling me it’s time to hang up my cleats.”

Loadholt, 30, was placed on IR in each of the previous two seasons, playing in just 11 total games. In 2014, a torn pectoral ended his season after 11 games. In 2015, he tore his Achilles’ tendon, ending his season before it could even begin.

Back in March, Loadholt accepted a pay cut in order to stay with the Vikings. The new deal was supposed to give the tackle a $2MM base in 2016 with up to $3.5MM through incentives, demonstrating that Loadholt was willing to bet on himself after a year away from live action. Before the two major injuries, Loadholt missed only one game from 2009-13. Loadholt suited up for 15 contests in 2013 and graded out as a top-five tackle by Pro Football Focus’ standards.

Loadholt now retires after playing six seasons in the NFL, all of which were spent with the Vikings. In total, Loadholt appeared in 89 games and started every single one. We here at PFR wish Loadholt nothing but the best in retirement.

Loadholt’s retirement was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Jets, Ryan Fitzpatrick

July 25th, 2016 at 10:30am CST by Zachary Links

With training camp right around the corner, the Jets have gone to great lengths to re-sign Ryan Fitzpatrick. Or, at least, they’re working hard to push that perception through the media. The Jets have given Fitzpatrick multiple contract offers to choose from, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News hears.

In addition to the widely-reported three-year, $24MM offer, the Jets have presented at least one other option to the quarterback, according to Mehta. The terms of that second offer are not immediately clear. It’s possible that Gang Green has also offered Fitzpatrick a one-year pact which would allow him to bet on himself and potentially cash in next spring if he can offer up a repeat of his 2015 effort. Of course, even if the Harvard product can turn in another strong campaign, his earning potential could be limited as he enters his age-35 season. Fitzpatrick, who turns 34 in November, sees this as his best and maybe last opportunity to really cash in.

After the Jets acquired Fitzpatrick from the Texans last year for a mere late-round pick, he went on to have his best season for a 10-6 club that narrowly missed the playoffs. The career journeyman unexpectedly totaled personal highs in touchdowns (31) and yards (3,905) and he wants his next contract to reflect his achievements.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL: No Evidence Of Peyton Manning PED Use

July 25th, 2016 at 10:00am CST by Zachary Links

After a seven-month investigation, the NFL determined that Peyton Manning did not use HGH nor any other performance enhancing drug. Manning, of course, was named in a documentary about PEDs by Al Jazeera America late last year. The NFL released the following statement on Monday morning:

“Following a comprehensive seven-month investigation into allegations made in a documentary by Al Jazeera America, the NFL found no credible evidence that Peyton Manning was provided with or used HGH or other substances prohibited by the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, it was announced today. The Mannings were fully cooperative with the investigation and provided both interviews and access to all records sought by the investigators.

Initiated in January, the investigation was led by the NFL’s security and legal teams with support from expert consultants and other professionals. The investigation involved witness interviews, a review of relevant records and other materials, online research, and laboratory analysis and review.

Separately, the NFL’s investigation continues into the documentary’s allegations made against other NFL players, which involve different lines of inquiry and witnesses”

Shortly after the documentary aired in December 2015, Manning went on the offensive and pronounced to the world that he would sue Al Jazeera for defamation. Months later, however, Manning backtracked from plans to bring legal action. Manning’s lawsuit flip-flop raised eyebrows in the football world, which may have motivated him to cooperate with the NFL’s investigation.

Manning retired from the NFL following his Super Bowl 50 win, leaving the sport as a two-time champion and a shoe-in Hall of Famer. No. 18 left the game as the league’s all-time leader in total wins by a QB (200), passing yards (71,940), and passing touchdowns (539) and also left the sport as the highest-paid player in league history. Over his career, Manning netted roughly a quarter-billion dollars, and that’s before considering his sponsorship deals.

Manning evened the score with brother Eli Manning when he secured his second Super Bowl ring, but the elder Manning had a tumultuous year to say the least. Peyton struggled to open the season but many didn’t notice as the Broncos came out of the gate 7-0 thanks to their defense. Soon after that, however, Manning’s decline became quite apparent to all observers. The Broncos eventually installed Brock Osweiler as their starting QB and it wasn’t until Week 17 when they put the Sheriff back in the starting role.

While the league’s investigation into Manning is now closed, today’s press release makes it clear that the NFL will continue to look into the allegations raised against Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, James Harrison, and Mike Neal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jaguars GM: No Deal Imminent For Greg Hardy

July 25th, 2016 at 9:31am CST by Zachary Links

Jaguars GM David Caldwell says that the team’s recent workout with Greg Hardy was only about doing homework on the player and no signing is imminent, as John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.

Following a well-publicized domestic violence incident (and a subsequent suspension) back in 2014, Hardy played 12 games for the Cowboys last season. The lineman compiled 35 tackles, six sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble in 2015. In terms of traditional numbers, that was a far cry from Hardy’s production with the Panthers. Between 2011 and 2013, the former sixth-round pick averaged 56 tackles and 10 sacks a season. Still, Hardy ranked as the league’s 28th-best edge defender out of 110 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Heading into the offseason, we here at PFR ranked Hardy No. 21 on our list of top 50 free agents.

Whether it was due to his off-field issues or his drop in production, Hardy wasn’t generating much interest this offseason. Jerry Jones made it clear that Hardy wouldn’t be back with the Cowboys, and there was a “prevailing opinion” around the league that no organization wanted the defensive end. PFR’s Dallas Robinson looked at potential landing spots for the veteran back in May.

According to Roster Resource, Dante Fowler Jr. and Jared Odrick figure to be the Jaguars starters at defensive end. Hardy, in theory, would help improve a depth chart that includes a pair of late-round rookies, but he’s not coming to Jacksonville. At least, not at this time.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.