2017 July - Pro Football Rumors

Titans Extend Jurrell Casey

July 28th, 2017 at 4:12pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Titans and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey have agreed to a whopper of an extension – a four-year, $60.4MM deal – according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). The contract includes $40MM in guarantees and, per Paul Kuharsky (on Twitter), will run through the 2022 season.

This is the second large contract Casey has signed with the Titans, who used a third-round pick on him in 2011. The ex-USC standout previously inked a four-year, $36MM extension with $13MM guaranteed back in 2014. There were still two years left on that pact, but given that Casey has continued to serve as a stalwart since then, the Titans elected to lock up the two-time Pro Bowler for the foreseeable future.

The 27-year-old Casey has started in 92 of 94 appearances during his six NFL seasons, and is coming off his fourth straight campaign with at least five sacks. He also tallied 44 tackles last year and finished 10th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 125 qualified interior defensive linemen. He ranked in a similar vicinity to several defensive stars who have recently inked big deals, including Calais Campbell, Kawann Short, Fletcher Cox, Damon Harrison and Mike Daniels. Among those players, Casey’s deal is closest to the four-year, $60MM pact ($30MM guaranteed) that the Jaguars gave Campbell in free agency this year.

Casey led all Titans defensive linemen in snaps last season (724) and will continue to act as the unit’s centerpiece in 2017 and beyond. He joins cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Adoree Jackson, safety Jonathan Cyprien, linebacker Wesley Woodyard and nose tackle Sylvester Williams as Titans defensive starters who are under team control for at least the next three years.

Cowboys Likely To Sign Another QB

July 28th, 2017 at 3:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Third-string Cowboys quarterback Zac Dysert is expected to miss the 2017 season after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc, and Dallas is now likely to sign another signal-caller to replace him on the roster, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.

While the Cowboys want to add a new quarterback, neither Colin Kaepernick nor Johnny Manziel is on the club’s radar, per Archer, who had reported in May that Kaepernick was “not a fit” for Dallas. Manziel, meanwhile, has reportedly had conversations with multiple teams concerning a return to the NFL, but it doesn’t sound like that comeback attempt will happen with the Cowboys.

Instead, Dallas is searching for a developmental passer, a young player who will help the club get through training camp. That rules out other veterans such as Robert Griffin III, Shaun Hill, and Christian Ponder, and also indicates the Cowboys are content with Kellen Moore as Dak Prescott‘s backup, reports Archer. Moore has only attempted 104 passes during his five-year career, but has a supporter in Dallas offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who calls Moore “a machine.”

Speculatively, 2017 undrafted free agents Austin Appleby (Florida) and Seth Russell (Baylor) could be candidates to join the Cowboys roster. Appleby had been a member of the Dallas squad until being waived last month to make room for Dysert, while the Cowboys auditioned Russell in late June but didn’t sign him. Either would be an option to compete with fellow 2017 UDFA Cooper Rush (Central Michigan) for Dallas’ No. 3 quarterback job.

Browns, Isaiah Crowell Discussing Extension

July 28th, 2017 at 3:30pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Isaiah Crowell and his representatives are in “heavy communication” with the Browns regarding a contract extension, as the running back explains to Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. Crowell admitted that he isn’t sure where negotiations with the club stand, but reiterated his desire to remain in Cleveland.

Although talks between Crowell and the Browns had reportedly stalled earlier this summer, the two sides are apparently getting closer to hammering out an agreement. The process may have been helped along by super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, whom Crowell hired earlier this week to replace Universal Sports Management. Crowell will earn $2.746MM in 2017 after signing his second-round restricted free agent tender. Although he reportedly drew interest as an RFA, no rival club signed Crowell to an offer sheet.

Crowell, 24, is coming off the best season of his three-year career, as he posted career highs in carries, rushing yards, and receiving yards while scoring seven touchdowns. He’ll return as the Browns’ lead ball-carrier in a backfield that also includes Duke Johnson Jr., George Atkinson, Terrence Magee, and seventh-round pick Matthew Dayes.

Cowboys DE Damontre Moore Suspended

July 28th, 2017 at 3:04pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Cowboys defensive end Damontre Moore has been suspended two games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. Moore was arrested for DWI in December.

Moore, a third-round pick in 2013, has already bounced around to give teams during his short NFL tenure, and had agreed to a two-year deal with Dallas this spring. Set to earn $775K for the upcoming season, Moore will now forfeit nearly $100K in game checks — if he makes the roster. Moore is no lock to secure a spot on the Cowboys’ defense, as his limited track record means he’ll be competing with Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper, and others for a reserve role.

Moore is just the latest Cowboy to run afoul of legal or NFL rules this year, as running back Ezekiel Elliott, defensive end David Irving, linebacker Damien Wilson, and cornerback Nolan Carroll have all either been arrested or are facing league discipline. Aside from Moore, only Irving has been handed a ban (four games), although an Elliott suspension is also expected.

Given that he’ll miss the first two games of the season, Moore will be absent for contests against the Giants and Broncos.

Vikings Offered Extension To Xavier Rhodes

July 28th, 2017 at 2:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings have made a “nice offer” to cornerback Xavier Rhodes and are willing to make him one of the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link).

Rhodes, 27, has appeared in 59 games for Minnesota since being selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2013 draft. 2016 was a Pro Bowl campaign for Rhodes, who earned the nod after starting 14 games and racking up five interceptions while grading as the league’s No. 29 corner, per Pro Football Focus, which also ranked Rhodes as the single-best run-defending corner in the NFL.

Under team control for the 2017 season thanks to his fifth-year option, Rhodes will earn $8.026MM for the upcoming year. In order to ensure he’s one of the NFL’s highest-paid at his position, the Vikings will likely need to clear the $13MM per year barrier for Rhodes. That level of contract would put him in line with Stephon Gilmore, A.J. Bouye, and Desmond Trufant. If Rhodes can hit $14MM or even $15MM annually, he’ll join the ranks of Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson, and Richard Sherman.

49ers LB Reuben Foster Medically Cleared

July 28th, 2017 at 2:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although reports following the draft indicated rookie linebacker Reuben Foster could be sidelined by a shoulder injury, the Alabama product has been medically cleared and will participate in 49ers training camp, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Barrows had reported earlier this week that Foster was expected to be a full contributor during camp.

While other NFL clubs were worried about the condition of Foster’s shoulder — worries that surgery “didn’t take” abounded, while some teams “medically rejected” Foster — the 49ers were always prepared to select him in the first round. In fact, San Francisco likely would have taken Foster at No. 3 overall had edge rushers Myles Garrett and Solomon Thomas already been drafted. Soon after the draft, however, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted Foster wasn’t a lock to play during his rookie campaign.

That view had apparently changed by June, as Shanahan by then had “no concerns” about Foster’s health status. It’s good news for the No. 31 pick, not only because he can play during his rookie season, but because his contract status will remain unaffected. Had Foster been placed on the non-football injury list, his contract may have tolled, meaning he’d be one more year further from unrestricted free agency.

Foster is expected to compete with free agent addition Malcolm Smith for the Niners’ weakside linebacker position, per Barrows. San Francisco inked Smith to a five-year, $26.5MM contract earlier this year.

Raiders OT Donald Penn Holding Out

July 28th, 2017 at 1:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Veteran left tackle Donald Penn is holding out for a new contract from the Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Penn didn’t report for Oakland’s training camp today, and the Raiders are aware that he wants to rework his deal, per Rapoport.

In 2017, Penn is scheduled to earn a base salary of $5.8MM and a workout bonus of $300K as part of a two-year extension he signed last March. That workout incentive could reportedly be voided due to a holdout, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. Penn’s yearly contract value of $6.25MM ranks just 21st among NFL left tackles, as he’s sandwiched between the Cardinals’ Jared Veldheer (who’s being shifted to the right side) and former No. 2 draft pick Greg Robinson.

Part of Penn’s argument for a new contract appears to revolve around him playing against the NFL’s best pass-rushers — including Von Miller, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Joey Bosa — in the AFC West, per Rapoport. He’s also been remarkably durable, as the 34-year-old Penn hasn’t missed a single game during his decade-long career. Last year, Penn ranked as the NFL’s No. 12 offensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Raiders have continually invested in their offensive line, which ranked first in adjusted sack rate last season, per Football Outsiders. Oakland recently reached a long-term extension with right guard Gabe Jackson, and has signed left guard Kelechi Osemele and center Rodney Hudson to hefty free agent contracts in recent years.

49ers Sign First-Round DL Solomon Thomas

July 28th, 2017 at 12:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The 49ers have agreed to terms with first-round defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, general manager John Lynch announced. Thomas, the third overall selection, had been one of just three unsigned 2017 draft picks, a list that now includes only cornerback Gareon Conley (Raiders) and wide receiver Corey Davis (Titans).

On Thursday, Lynch indicated his “concern” that talks with Thomas had not yet concluded, and while it hasn’t yet been officially reported as to what caused the holdup, offset language typically causes snags during negotiations with top picks. As Joel Corry of CBSSports.com noted earlier this week (Twitter link), San Francisco didn’t include offset language in 2013 first-rounder Eric Reid‘s rookie deal, meaning Reid could have collected both his 49ers salary and money from a new club had he been released. Thomas likely wanted the same concession in his contract, but the 49ers’ new regime may have wanted to start a fresh precedent in regards to rookie pacts.

Thomas, a Stanford product, will add to already crowded San Francisco defensive line, a unit that also includes the club’s first-round picks from 2015 and 2016. Thomas will likely play defensive end opposite Arik Armstead, while DeForest Buckner will kick inside in the 49ers’ new 4-3 scheme. The rest of San Francisco’s defensive line includes free agent addition Earl Mitchell, Aaron Lynch, Quinton Dial, and other depth pieces.

The 49ers’ four-year deal with Thomas should be worth roughly $28.154MM and contain a signing bonus of ~$18.616MM, according to Over the Cap. The pact will also include a fifth-year option, affording San Francisco the opportunity to retain Thomas in 2021.

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Eagles’ Mychal Kendricks Requested Trade

July 28th, 2017 at 12:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Eagles have been reportedly been shopping linebacker Mychal Kendricks for several years, and Kendricks himself asked to be traded or released in January, as Kendricks told reporters, including Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).

Kendricks isn’t expected to see a larger role on defense in 2017, and therefore hasn’t dismissed the possibility that he could still dealt, per Zach Berman on the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links). However, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said March that he expected Kendricks to remain on Philadelphia’s roster for the upcoming campaign. When asked if he would have agreed to an extension had he known his playing time would subsequently be reduced, Kendricks indicated he’d “plead the fifth,” per Berman.

Philadelphia had placed Kendricks on the trade block as far back as the 2015 draft, but the club was reportedly actively shopping him this offseason. The Eagles were looking for a fifth-round pick in exchange for Kendricks, but no team was willing to meet that ask after $4.35MM of Kendricks’ $4.85MM 2017 base salary became fully guaranteed earlier this year. Kendricks, 26, is signed through the 2019 campaign thanks to an extension inked in August 2015.

A full-time starter during his first four seasons with the Eagles, Kendricks was largely relegated to a reserve role in 2016, as he played on only a quarter of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps. In that span, he racked up 28 tackles and fumble recovery, and earned positive marks for his run defense and pass rushing ability from Pro Football Focus. Kendricks’ coverage grade of 47.7, however, was lacking.

Chiefs Trade LB D.J. Alexander To Seahawks For LB Kevin Pierre-Louis

July 28th, 2017 at 11:13am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chiefs and Seahawks have agreed to a swap of linebackers, as Kansas City will send D.J. Alexander to the Seattle in exchange for Kevin Pierre-Louis, the Chiefs announced today.

Alexander, 25, was selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft, and has primarily contributed on special teams thus far in his career. He’s appeared in all 32 games in two seasons with the Chiefs, but has just one start. Last year, he posted five tackles while playing 48 defensive snaps and 358 special teams snaps. Alexander earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2016, and was named as one of the league’s best special teamers by Pro Football Focus.

Pierre-Louis is a remarkably similar player to Alexander. Also 25 years old, Pierre-Louis was drafted one year earlier than Alexander, albeit in the fourth round. Like Alexander, he’s essentially a special teams-only player: in 2016, he played 71 defensive snaps and 227 special teams snaps. All told, Pierre-Louis racked up seven tackles.

The primary difference between Alexander and Pierre-Louis is team control. Alexander is signed for two more seasons, with base salaries below $800K in each year. Kansas City will only get Pierre-Louis through 2017, however. He’ll earn $690K next year.