2017 July - Pro Football Rumors

Chiefs Sign Patrick Mahomes

July 20th, 2017 at 4:19pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs have signed their first-round pick, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link). It’s a four-year deal worth a guaranteed $16.4MM, including a $10MM-plus signing bonus.

Mahomes, the 10th overall selection, went to the Chiefs after they paid a heavy price in a deal with the Bills to move up for him. Kansas City was originally in line to pick 27th, but then-general manager John Dorsey boldly packaged that choice with a third-rounder this year and a first-rounder in 2018 to go up 17 spots for Mahomes. In doing so, Dorsey surrendered a whopping 170 cents on the dollar, according to Chase Stuart of Football Perspective.

Formerly a star at Texas Tech, where he combined for 93 touchdowns, 29 interceptions and 11,252 yards from 2014-16, Mahomes will sit behind veteran Alex Smith initially. But if the Chiefs, who went to the playoffs for the third time in four tries under Smith in 2016, don’t take a step forward this season, Mahomes could grab the reins under center by 2018. The Chiefs have gone just 1-3 in the playoffs with Smith at the helm (they were one and done last winter after a 12-4, AFC West-winning campaign), and releasing him after the season would save the team $17MM of his $20.6MM cap hit in 2018 – the final year of his contract.

With Mahomes under contract, Solomon Thomas (49ers), Corey Davis (Titans), Jamal Adams (Jets), Gareon Conley (Raiders) and Jabrill Peppers (Browns) are the only members of this year’s first-round class who haven’t signed yet. Raiders second-round pick Obi Melifonwu also remains unsigned.

Rams To Sign QB Dan Orlovsky

July 20th, 2017 at 4:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams have agreed to sign Dan Orlovsky, the quarterback tells ESPN producer Jason Romano. He’ll now try to make the final 53-man cut as a backup to youngster Jared Goff.

As it stands, Sean Mannion is slotted in as the primary understudy to Goff. There has been no indication that the Rams are dissatisfied with the 25-year-old signal caller, so Orlovsky could be looking at a QB3-or-bust situation.

Orlovsky has spent time with the Texans, Colts, and Buccaneers, but he is best known for his two stints with the Lions. Since being drafted in 2005, Orlovsky has made just 12 career starts. He’ll turn 34 next month.

To the surprise of some, Orlovsky has found work in 2017 while quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III remain unemployed. Orlovsky has also signed ahead of fellow ex-Lions QB Shaun Hill.

Rams To Hire Brian Xanders

July 20th, 2017 at 3:47pm CST by Zachary Links

The Rams are expected to hire former Broncos GM Brian Xanders to a senior personnel role, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Xanders was most recently with the Lions.

Xanders served as the Broncos’ GM from 2009 through 2012. Some time after that, he found his way to the Lions. When they shook up the front office in 2016, Xanders stayed on board but lost a lot of his power. With no connection to GM Bob Quinn, it made sense for the two parties to go their separate ways.

Xanders comes to the Rams during a pivotal year for Rams GM Les Snead. Snead was retained as former coach Jeff Fisher was shown the door, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll get to stick around for Sean McVay‘s second year as coach. Xanders will be in the building to help advise Snead, but he also has the credentials to interview for the job if a change is made.

Panthers Release Michael Oher

July 20th, 2017 at 3:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Michael Oher has been released by the Panthers with a failed physical designation, the team announced. The move has been anticipated for some time.

The reason for Oher’s failed physical has not been released, but odds are that Oher was cut due to complications stemming from the brain trauma he has suffered as of late. When considering Oher’s concussion history and erratic off-the-field behavior, it’s clear that Oher has bigger fish to fry before he worries about resurrecting his football career. It’s worth noting that Oher has been in the league’s concussion protocol since September, and no player has ever been in protocol this long and managed to return to live action.

By cutting Oher, the Panthers will save $1.69MM against the cap. Meanwhile, Oher will qualify for injury compensation.

In 2015, Oher appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Panthers graded out as a top-30 offensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. The Panthers rewarded him with a three-year, $21.6MM extension, but that deal has not worked out for Carolina. He was sidelines after three games in 2016 and formally placed on IR around Thanksgiving.

Cardinals Re-Sign RB Chris Johnson

July 20th, 2017 at 2:37pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have re-signed running back Chris Johnson, according to a team announcement. It’s a one-year deal, per a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).

This offseason, head coach Bruce Arians has appeared to be content with Kerwynn Williams as the primary backup to superstar David Johnson. Apparently, that’s not quite the case. Johnson will now compete with Williams, Andre Ellington, and fifth-round pick T.J. Logan to be D. Johnson’s main understudy.

CJ2K, 32 in September, is coming off of a rough year which ended with a groin injury. It was his second straight year to be cut short by injury, but it’s important to note that he missed only one career game before first signing with Arizona in 2015.

Johnson has six 1,000-yard seasons (including a 2,000-yard campaign) and three Pro Bowl nods on his resume, but the Cardinals are just hoping that he can offer reliable production in a support role. Regardless how the Cardinals view him, Johnson will be fighting hard for significant carries.

“I need to be involved,” the speedster said in June. “At this point in my career, I don’t want to sit on the sideline. I want to get in the game.”

The Cardinals already had one open spot on the 90-man roster, so they will not need to release anyone to make room for Johnson.

Cowboys Re-Sign LB Justin Durant

July 20th, 2017 at 1:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys announced that they have re-signed linebacker Justin Durant. To make room on the 90-man roster, the team has released cornerback Jeremiah McKinnon.

Durant, a 10-year veteran, has played for four NFL teams, including two stints with the Cowboys. Re-signing him wasn’t necessarily an offseason priority for the Cowboys before, but Durant could provide some depth now that Damien Wilson could face league suspension. It also helps that Durant is familiar with the team’s defense and the 4-3 scheme.

The 31-year-old (32 in September) was a starter for Dallas in 2013 and 2014, but he was a reserve with the team last year. He finished out with 37 tackles and one sack. For his career, Durant has 92 career starts on his resume. He is still looking to replicate his 2012 campaign with Detroit, a season in which he recorded 102 tackles in 16 games. He has not played a full slate of regular season games since.

Outside of an April visit with the Bills, it has been a very quiet offseason for Durant. Now, he’s eager to prove that he still has a place on a 53-man roster.

Rashad Jennings Has Talked With Five Teams

July 20th, 2017 at 1:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Rashad Jennings has proven that he can dance. Now, he wants to prove that he can still play football at a high level. The free agent running back says that he is anxious to play in 2017 and eager for an NFL opportunity.

“I know there is a place for me in the league based on my skill set. I want to prove one GM right this year,” Jennings told SiriusXM (Twitter links).

Jennings added that he has had “simple conversations” with the Lions, Packers, Ravens, Rams, and Dolphins. The veteran hopes that those simple conversations will lead to a deal from one of those teams, but for now, he’s in “wait and see” mode.

The reigning Dancing With The Stars champion had a paltry 3.3 yards per carry average last year on 181 rushes, but did record 35 receptions. On the plus side, Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the NFL’s best pass blockers in 2016 and he isn’t too far removed from a productive 2015 season in New York.

Cowboys Notes: Elliott, Smith

July 20th, 2017 at 11:45am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys should suspend Ezekiel Elliott themselves, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News opines. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, Elliott’s involvement in a Sunday night brawl could still impact a potential suspension, even if he is not found of any legal wrongdoing (after authorities “suspended” the investigation, legal consequences seem unlikely). Cowlishaw seems to think that a two-game suspension is on the way from the NFL for last year’s abuse allegations against Elliott, so he figures the Cowboys might as well get ahead of the situation while sending a stern message to the running back.

Elliott may be guilty of some poor decision making, but he has not been found guilty of any crimes since joining the Cowboys. The running back’s odds of avoiding suspension could be a lot better than Cowlishaw seems to think, and I think it would be foolish for the Cowboys to take him out of action for 1/8th of the season instead of riding things out.

NFC South Notes: Panthers, Freeman

July 20th, 2017 at 10:56am CST by Zachary Links

Despite what Marty Hurney says, Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer isn’t convinced that he’ll leave after one year if the Panthers wind up making the playoffs. Of course, if the Panthers fall flat and finish with a losing record again, it’s likely that the team follows through on the plan to hire a successor.

As unorthodox as the entire situation may be, Person believes that hiring Hurney was the right move for Carolina.

“I think one of my strengths is dealing with people and I do have a familiarity with a lot of people here,” Hurney said at his introductory presser. “Anytime you’re leading or managing you have to have that ability to communicate with people. Not only talk to people, but listen to people. So I do think that’s a strength and I’m hoping that’s one of the reasons I’m here.”

Here’s more from the NFC South:

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says contract talks with Dave Gettleman were never contentious and he doesn’t believe that Gettleman’s negotiations with him or Thomas Davis were tipping points in his standing with the team (Twitter links via Person). Olsen added that he never had a problem with Gettleman and says he respects the fact that he stuck to his guns in contract dealings. Some believe that Olsen is more likely to get the revised deal that he is seeking now that Hurney is in charge. For what it’s worth, Hurney says he is going to be more practical and less emotional in his second stint running the Panthers.
We haven’t heard any updates on Falcons running back Devonta Freeman over the last few weeks, but Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com still expects a deal to happen either before or during training camp. Earlier this summer, Freeman said that he was willing to wait patiently for the right extension offer to come his way. Meanwhile, both sides have expressed confidence in striking a deal.
There’s not a lot of pressure on the Saints to extend Drew Brees, one beat writer opines.
Depending on who you ask, running back Charles Sims may or may not be on the Buccaneers‘ roster bubble.

Dolphins Audition DT Roy Miller

July 20th, 2017 at 10:08am CST by Zachary Links

The Dolphins recently worked out free agent defensive tackle Roy Miller, according to Mike Kaye of First Coast News (on Twitter). Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link) confirms the news, adding that the workout took place on Tuesday.

Miller is still recovering from Achilles surgery, Salguero says, and he left Miami without a contract. It’s not immediately clear whether the Dolphins are still thinking about adding him to the 90-man roster.

Back in June, Miller indicated that he was starting to get bites from teams.

“There’s a few teams that have shown some interest here and there,” Miller said. “I believe my agent has a few – there’s a couple of trips I have to take – this month. It was always [the plan] to kind of wait until mid-July, so I can go out there with enough time to heal and time to get back in shape and then go out there and compete.”

From the sound of it, Miller might not be as far along in his recovery as he anticipated. His best bet might be to wait a couple more weeks before auditioning for other clubs.

Miller, 30, made 50 starts for the Jags from 2013 through 2016. After an injury-shortened season, the Jaguars didn’t show much interest in retaining him. Still, Miller offers lots of experience and he’s not far removed from a productive 2015 season in which he had 4.0 sacks and 40 total tackles.