2017 June - Pro Football Rumors

Titans Meeting With Eric Decker

June 14th, 2017 at 11:36am CST by Zachary Links

Eric Decker is meeting today with the Titans, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This marks Decker’s first known free agent visit since being released by the Jets earlier this month.

Living near Nashville, Tennessee has appeal for the Decker family, Schefter hears. Beyond the live music and great food, Decker is probably also excited about the promise of the Titans’ offense. Marcus Mariota might represent Decker’s best quarterback in some time. Meanwhile, opposing defenses should be kept honest by the running of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. If Decker can stay healthy, this is a situation in which the veteran could get back to his old 1,000-yard ways.

The Titans made a major investment at WR in April by drafting Corey Davis with the No. 5 overall pick. Tennessee also has Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe in the mix, but they could use another playmaker like Decker.

On Tuesday, we learned that the Broncos are not all that interested in reuniting with Decker. Surprisingly, the Ravens are not ruling out a Decker pursuit, even after signing Jeremy Maclin.

Eagles, Jason Peters Agree To Extension

June 14th, 2017 at 8:53am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles and Jason Peters have agreed to an extension, per a team announcement. It’s a one-year addition that should keep the left tackle in Philadelphia through the 2019 season.

Peters told reporters on Tuesday that he wanted a restructured contract. What he didn’t tell the media was that his reps and the Eagles were apparently on the doorstep of getting something done.

Originally, Peters’ contract took him through 2018 with little in the way of guaranteed money. Now, he has $15.5MM in guarantees over the next three years and can earn a maximum of $32.5MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). As a part of that $15.5MM in guarantees, $8MM will come in the form of a signing bonus. The new contract may allow Peters to retire with the Eagles. Meanwhile, the team may get some cap relief.

In 2016, the advanced stats at Pro Football Focus placed Peters as the eighth-best tackle in the NFL. His 88.3 overall score on PFF ranks as the third-highest showing of his career. For his career, he has made nine Pro Bowls and is a three-time first-team All-Pro.

Panthers TE Greg Olsen Seeking New Deal

June 14th, 2017 at 8:33am CST by Zachary Links

Greg Olsen has outperformed his contract and he would like a new one. The Panthers tight end, signed through 2018, wants a deal that would pay him like a top tight end in the NFL, sources tell Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

Prior to the 2015 season, Olsen agreed to a three-year,$22.5MM extension with $12MM guaranteed. Since then, Olsen has turned in two 1,000+-yard seasons, making it three in a row. His cap numbers of $10.35MM and $9.75MM in the next two seasons are nothing to sneeze at, but it’s easy to understand why Olsen is looking for a revised deal now instead of waiting two more years.

Olsen currently stands as one of the league’s best tight ends, but he’ll turn 34 at the start of 2019 free agency. The Panthers don’t necessarily want to rework Olsen’s deal at this point, but they might be willing to do an extension that will smooth out Olsen’s cap hits over the next two years while giving him some guaranteed cash in additional seasons. It might also behoove Carolina to keep one of its biggest stars happy, though Olsen isn’t the type to make a stink over his contract. Even as he discussed his desire for a new deal, Olsen was nothing but polite.

“In the ideal world, that’d be great,” Olsen said when asked about getting a reworked contract. “I’m very confident on where I stand in the league and where I belong. Both productivity and all things considered, there’s nobody that’s been more productive or more consistent than I have. And I’ll stand on that until the cows come home…You can make of that what you may. I feel comfortable with where I belong, and hopefully other people do, too.”

Olsen’s $7.5MM per-year average makes him the seventh-highest paid tight end in the NFL, according to Over The Cap. Meanwhile, he’s 12th among TEs when it comes to guaranteed money.

Extra Points: Luck, Hopkins, Bell, Freeman

June 13th, 2017 at 9:30pm CST by Ben Levine

As he enters his fifth-year option season, DeAndre Hopkins has nothing but great things to say about the Texans, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes.

“Those talks are between the Texans and my agent, but this city has embraced me just like my hometown in South Carolina has,” said Hopkins, who’s represented by Creative Artists Agency. “I love being here. I love playing for this team, great organization. Bob McNair and Cal McNair, they do a great job at having an organization that speaks for itself. I thank those guys all the time for picking me 27th when nobody knew who DeAndre Hopkins was.”

Hopkins and Houston are expected to hammer out a new deal this offseason. For now, he’s set to play out the year at a $7.915MM figure.

Let’s check out some other notes from around the league…

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck underwent offseason shoulder surgery, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that he may not be ready for training camp in July. “To be honest, I have not thought about it,” Luck told Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star. “If I’m ready for it, then great. If I’m not, then that’s the way it is. I’m certainly hopeful for it. In my mind all I can do — and I truly feel this way — with this rehab, with my shoulder, I can’t look five months down the road, three months down the road, a week down the road. To me it’s about the next rehab session, the next day. That’s where my focus is and that’s where I think it needs to be to truly get back to 100 percent.” If Luck was forced to miss any time, Scott Tolzien would presumably take starters reps.
Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell still hasn’t signed his franchise tender with the organization, and ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio wonders what it’d take to sign the Pro Bowler to an extension. Using the franchise tag as a guide, the writer guesses that Bell would request at least a two-year contract worth $26.6MM, with team options accounting for the subsequent years. Of course, considering the player’s injury and suspension history, Florio guesses that the Steelers would request some type of per-game bonuses. He also assumes that Bell would be seeking a lucrative roster bonus in an attempt to immediately pocket as much as money as possible.
Brandon McManus hasn’t signed his restricted free agent tender contract with the Broncos, but Mike Klis of 9News in Denver tweets that the veteran kicker is not “protesting,” noting that the 25-year-old is participating in minicamp. McManus has appeared in 47 games with the Broncos over the past three seasons, converting 82.9-percent of his field goal attempts.
Former NFL quarterback Josh Freeman worked out with the Montreal Alouettes today, reports Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette (via Twitter). The former first-rounder’s last NFL appearance came in 2015, when he threw for 149 yards and one touchdown in a start for the Colts. Between 2010 and 2012, Freeman started 47 games for the Buccaneers.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

NFC Notes: Chancellor, Fairley, Packers

June 13th, 2017 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters today that he’s focused on finalizing a long-term extension with safety Kam Chancellor.

“We would very much like to work something out,” he said (via ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia). “We’re working at it. And that’s really all we’ll say. But we are working at it with every intention of taking care of business. It takes awhile. Things take awhile. His frame of mind and our frame of mind are in a really good place. And we’re going to work hard to get something done. We’ll see if we can.”

The four-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract. The defensive back held out for two games during the 2015 season before signing a new four-year, $28MM deal with the Seahawks. In late May, our own Connor Byrne discussed Chancellor’s extension candidacy.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFC…

Saints defensive lineman Nick Fairley is still waiting for results from his third medical opinion regarding a heart condition. Today, coach Sean Payton acknowledged that the team hasn’t received any updates on his availability. However, Payton did say that the organization would consider all of the opinions as they determine what to do with the veteran. “We will weigh in on all of those things,” he said (via Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com). “We will meet with him and his agent and kind of weigh in on the three different opinions. Like I said, I anticipate that being sooner than later.”
Will the Packers keep seven receivers on their roster for a second-straight season? “I’d like to think we’ve got more than seven guys there who can play,” receivers coach Luke Getsy said today (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky on Twitter). Behind starters Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Randall Cobb, the Packers are rostering wideouts Jeff Janis, DeAngelo Yancey, Geronimo Allison, Trevor Davis, Malachi Dupre, and Max McCaffrey.
Last week, the Packers waived cornerback David Rivers with an injury designation. Today, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky reported (via Twitter) that the player reached an injury settlement with the organization, thus removing himself from the team’s injured reserve.

Draft Pick Signings: 6/13/17

June 13th, 2017 at 7:56pm CST by Ben Levine

The latest draft pick signings:

The Steelers announced that they have signed third-round cornerback Cameron Sutton. The former Tennessee standout was a starter throughout his four-year collegiate career, setting a school-record in passes defended along the way. Sutton was one of two cornerbacks taken by Pittsburgh during this past year’s draft, as the team also selected Brian Allen in the fifth round. First-round linebacker T.J. Watt is now the lone Steelers rookie without a contract.
The 49ers announced (via Twitter) that they have signed quarterback C.J. Beathard. The organization invested a third-round pick in the Iowa product, although he figures to start the season behind Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley on the depth chart. During his senior season, Beathard completed 56.5-percent of his passes for 1,929 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/13/17

June 13th, 2017 at 7:27pm CST by Ben Levine

Tuesday’s minor moves from around the league:

The Bills announced that they have released tight end Blake Annen. The 26-year-old joined the team’s practice squad back in 2015, but he failed to play for the big-league club in either of his two years with the organization. Annen hasn’t recorded a reception in five career games.
The Cowboys have signed undrafted wideout Lance Lenoir, reports ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. The Western Illinois product set several school records during his four-year collegiate career, including receptions, yards and touchdown catches. To make room on the roster, the team has released tight end M.J. McFarland. The 24-year-old was an undrafted free agent out of Texas-El Paso in 2016.
The Titans announced that they have signed linebacker Victor Ochi and cornerback Manny Abad. Ochi, a former Stony Brook standout, appeared in a pair of games with the Jets in 2016, and he’s also spent time with the Chiefs and Ravens. Abad, a Florida Tech product, previously participated in the team’s rookie minicamp. To make room on the roster, the team released defensive back Trevon Hartfield and defensive end Caushaud Lyons. Hartfield appeared in two games with the Cardinals in 2016, while Lyons had brief stints with the Buccaneers and Steelers.
The Falcons announced (via Twitter) that they have waived linebacker/defensive end Darius English. The former South Carolina standout finished his college career with 134 tackles and 15 sacks in 41 games. English previously played at McEachern High School, where he won AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Atlanta Journal Constitution (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of AJC).
The Falcons have added Martin Ifedi, according to Ledbetter (via Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com). The former seventh-round pick was waived by the Rams prior to the 2015 season, and he also had a brief stint with the Buccaneers. The Memphis product initially joined the Falcons’ practice squad late last season.
To make room for wideout Jeremy Maclin, the Ravens are waiving tight end Barrett Burns, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The Appalachian State product joined the organization less than a week ago. Over the past two season, the tight end hauled in 11 touchdowns.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, OBJ, Redskins

June 13th, 2017 at 5:54pm CST by Ben Levine

Earlier this week, Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant attempted to recruit free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis via Twitter. Subsequent reports indicated that the organization wasn’t pursuing the veteran, but head coach Jason Garrett was rather vague when addressing the rumors today.

“Yeah, I really don’t know the nature of that,” Garrett said (via Jon Machota of The Dallas News). “Obviously we have a lot of respect for Revis. He’s been a great player in this league for a long time.”

Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli deferred to the front office.

“I wouldn’t even speculate on anything like that,” he said. “That’s in the front office. They are the ones that decide those things.”

Predictably, Marinelli acknowledged that there could be a role for the seven-time Pro Bowler.

“Any great player you can,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where he’s at, what position.”

As we wait to see how this plays out, let’s take a look at other notes from the NFC East…

Odell Beckham Jr. grabbed headlines this month by staying away from the Giants during OTAs, but he says that he’s not fretting his contract situation. “I leave that in the hands of the man above,” Beckham said (according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post on Twitter). “When that time comes, that time comes. Right now is really not the time to discuss it. When it comes, it’ll come.”
Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa is handling “personal issues” and isn’t expected to be present at mandatory minicamp, reports ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan (via Twitter). The former third-round pick, who also wasn’t present for OTAs, has played in 18 games over the past two seasons, compiling six tackles.
Redskins running back Matt Jones was absent during OTAs, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the veteran was present for mandatory minicamp. Recent reports indicated that Jones wasn’t “a part of the team’s plans for 2017,” which echoed previous rumors that the team was shopping the 24-year-old. Jones appeared in seven games last season, running for 460 yards and three touchdowns on 99 carries.

Zach Links contributed to this report.

Broncos Not Interested In Eric Decker Reunion

June 13th, 2017 at 4:56pm CST by Ben Levine

A Broncos/Eric Decker reunion doesn’t sound like it’s in the cards. Earlier today, head coach Vance Joseph rejected the notion that the team would have interest in the veteran wideout, who was released by the Jets yesterday.

“We drafted two young guys that we’re excited about,” Joseph told reporters (including Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post). “It’s a full room of guys. It’s going to be tough to find space on our roster. We can’t add anyone now. We’re satisfied with who we got now. It’s a competitive room, it’s a young room. We’re satisfied.”

Joseph is referring to third-rounder Carlos Henderson and fifth-rounder Isaiah McKenzie, who figure to be in the mix for reps behind starters Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Besides those four, the team is also rostering wideouts Jordan Taylor, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Kalif Raymond, and Marlon Brown.

Despite the depth, a Decker signing would surely be embraced by the fans. The 30-year-old spent the first four years of his career in Denver, and he averaged 86 receptions for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns between 2012 and 2013. Decker ended up inking a five-year deal worth more than $36MM with the Jets during the 2014 offseason, and he proceeded to appear in 33 games with New York over the next three years (including an 80-reception, 1,027-yard, 12-touchdown season in 2015).

The veteran missed the majority of the 2016 campaign as he struggled through a shoulder injury. The Jets were rumored to be shopping Decker before they ultimately released the wideout.

On the flip side, the Broncos seemingly have some level of interest in free agent tight end Gary Barnidge. The veteran was released by the Browns in late April, and subsequent reports indicated that Denver had reached out to the 31-year-old. While he was more dismissive of Decker, Joseph didn’t necessarily shoot down the idea that the team could add the tight end down the road.

“It’s early,” he said. “It could be later on. But right now, no.”

Barnidge disappointed following his 2015 breakout campaign. In 16 games last season, the tight end hauled in 55 receptions for 612 yards and two touchdowns. Of course, that was still significantly better than the Broncos tight ends, as Virgil Green led the unit with only 22 catches for 237 yards and one score.

Besides Green, the Broncos are also rostering tight ends Jeff Heuerman, A.J. Derby, Henry Krieger-Coble, and fifth-rounder Jake Butt.

Michael Oher Reports To Panthers

June 13th, 2017 at 1:59pm CST by Zachary Links

As Panthers’ mandatory minicamp gets underway, Michael Oher has reported to the team, as Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated tweets. However, the offensive tackle is not out on the field practicing.

There has been a great deal of speculation about Oher’s future in Carolina and his future in football in general. Oher hasn’t been near the team this offseason for a litany of reasons, including potential brain trauma, an alleged assault of an Uber driver, and “personal reasons.” The tackle met with GM Dave Gettleman in early May, but Gettleman hasn’t offered much in the way of details since then.

Last week, Oher was back in the news when he posted a picture to social media with what appeared to be bottles of prescription medication to deal with brain injuries. He has since deleted the picture which was captioned, “All for the brain smh.”

Oher is under contract with the Panthers through 2019 after signing a three-year, $21.6MM extension with the Panthers last summer. Right now the odds of Oher being in uniform for 2017 seem slim, but the Panthers also aren’t banking on him. Left tackle Matt Kalil, signed to a five-year, $55.5MM deal in March, is slated to start.