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Dez Bryant Discusses Contract Situation

February 24th, 2018 at 12:00pm CST by Ben Levine

There have been recent rumblings that the Cowboys could approach Dez Bryant about taking a pay cut. Appearing on the Ben and Skin radio show on 105.3 The Fan, the wideout said the organization hasn’t yet approached him about his contract.

Dez Bryant“I just think it’s crazy,” Bryant said (via Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram). “I’ll be straight up honest. I think everything I’ve got, I deserve it. And I can get into way more details with that, but I’ll leave that up to when it’s time for me to sit down and talk with the Joneses – whenever that is.”

After signing a five-year, $75MM deal back in 2015, Bryant is set to earn a $12.5MM base salary next season. He’ll also have a $16.5MM cap hit in 2018, the third-highest mark among wide receivers.

Bryant made it clear that he wants to stick around Dallas, and he admitted that he was frustrated with a lackluster 2017 campaign. The 29-year-old did play in 16 games for the first time since 2014, but he only hauled in 69 receptions for 828 yards (leading to a career-low 12.1 yards per reception) and six touchdowns.

This isn’t the first time Bryant has addressed his contract situation. Back in December, the receiver said he had no interest in taking a pay cut. However, the organization will surely consider the move, and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones said those conversations are coming.

“No one wants to compete and get after it more than Dez,” Jones said. “At the same time, we all know this is a business where everybody has to be accountable. Certainly, everybody knows that. That’s a tough one. Certainly, we’re going to be grinding it out and trying to determine what is in the best interest of our business.

“Dez understands this is a business. No one thinks more of Dez Bryant than, starting at the top, Jerry, and certainly me, his teammates, coach [Jason] Garrett, Will McClay. We all have a tremendous amount of respect for Dez. That’s one of the things that we’re going to have to work through as we move into our future.”

NFC Notes: Falcons, Seahawks, Panthers

February 24th, 2018 at 10:29am CST by Ben Levine

Andre Roberts wants to return to the Falcons next season, but the returner is expecting to become a free agent in the middle of March.

“I believe I will be a free agent this year,” Roberts told D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Just like last year and the year before that. I’m understanding of it.

“I would love to be back in Atlanta. I’m sure my agent will talk to the upper management in Atlanta and see where they are at. That will all come down when it’s due time.”

The 30-year-old finished the campaign having averaged 7.4 yards on 27 punt returns and 22.6 yards on a league-leading 38 kickoff returns. He also played 31 snaps on offense, adding a single reception for 12 yards.

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

  • Bruce Irvin‘s contract will count $8.25MM against the cap next season, but the Raiders wouldn’t be stuck with any dead money if they moved on from the veteran linebacker. If the Raiders were to cut Irvin, ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson believes a reunion with the Seahawks would make plenty of sense. Michael Wilhoite and Terence Garvin are both free agents and Cliff Avril is dealing with a serious neck injury, so Seattle could certainly be in the market for reinforcement at linebacker. After being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft, Irvin played the first four seasons of his career in Seattle.
  • Jerry Richardson is making his final mark on the Panthers by retaining general manager Marty Hurney. Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer notes that a new ownership group could be willing to buy out the executive’s contract, but the recent move assures that Hurney at least gets paid. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Joseph believes the general manager was signed for several seasons.
  • The Seahawks recently announced changes to their coaching staff (via Seahawks.com’s John Boyle). The majority of the additions had previously been reported, but we did learn that the team had hired offensive assistant Steve Shimko. The coach previously served as the offensive coordinator at Garden City Community College in Kansas, and he previously worked with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer at the University of Georgia.

Patriots, RB Brandon Bolden Agree To Extension

February 24th, 2018 at 8:49am CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots are bringing back one of their special teams aces for another season. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed running back Brandon Bolden to a one-year, $880K deal. The contract has $170K in guaranteed money, including a $60K signing bonus and $110K of the $790K salary (via the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin). His cap number will be at $720K.

Brandon Bolden (vertical)The 2012 undrafted free agent out of Mississippi has spent his entire six-year career in New England, appearing in at least 10 games each season. Recently, Bolden’s contributed mostly on special teams, as ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes (via Twitter) that the running back only played 42 offensive snaps this past season (including 34 in the regular season finale). The 28-year-old ultimately finished the campaign with a career-high eight tackles to along with 67 rushing yards. His best offensive season came during his sophomore campaign, when he rushed for 271 yards and three scores on 55 carries while also hauling in 21 receptions for 152 yards.

While the Patriots have locked up Bolden, Volin points out that the team still has a handful of “key special teamers” who are hitting free agency. The grouping includes Pro Bowler Matt Slater, Nate Ebner, Brandon King, Marquis Flowers and Johnson Bademosi.

South Rumors: Colts, Texans, Falcons

February 23rd, 2018 at 9:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The quarterback situations on the Colts, Jaguars and Saints represent key news as the eight South-division teams venture to the Combine. But plenty of other news came out of some South teams’ headquarters on Friday. Here’s the latest:

  • Bobby Johnson interviewed for the Raiders’ HC job, although it might not have been the most on-the-level meeting since a Jon Gruden deal was reportedly already agreed upon. But the former Raiders tight ends coach now has a gig elsewhere. The Colts hired Johnson as their assistant offensive line coach, Alex Marvez of Sporting News reports. Johnson spent the past three seasons on Jack Del Rio‘s staff as Oakland’s TEs coach and spent time on the Jags’ and Bills’ staffs prior to that. Johnson will be working under Dave DeGuglielmo, who was caught in a tough spot when he agreed to terms with Indianapolis when Josh McDaniels was still set to become head coach. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) Johnson also interviewed to be the Cowboys‘ O-line coach.
  • The Texans also made a move to fortify their staff by agreeing to an extension with defensive line coach Anthony Weaver. Mark Berman of Fox 26 tweets Weaver’s deal will now have two additional years tacked onto it, so it will run through the 2020 season. Weaver’s been Houston’s D-line coach since 2016. Previously, he served in the same position for the Bills (2013) and Browns (2014-15).
  • Although the Texans are expected to re-sign Shane Lechler, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports they worked out punter Taylor Symmank. The specialist has kept busy over the past several months with workouts, also auditioning for the Jaguars, Vikings, Chiefs, Titans and Bills since September 2017. A Texas Tech product, Symmank went to camp with the Vikings last summer.
  • The Falcons worked out former Buccaneers center Ben Gottschalk, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). Gottschalk started a game for the 2016 Bucs but has only played in two contests. The Bucs cut the former UDFA out of SMU just after the 2017 draft.
  • The Jaguars enjoyed a busy Friday, cutting Chris Ivory and extending their power structure.

Marcus Peters Fallout: Reid, Draft, Contract

February 23rd, 2018 at 8:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Andy Reid and Clark Hunt were not yet on board with Marcus Peters as a long-term Chiefs component, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). Concern inside Chiefs headquarters centered on a possible Peters extension, per Rapoport. The fourth-year cornerback is now eligible for a long-term deal, and it’s fairly clear the Chiefs had significant reservations about being the team that signed the accomplished corner to that contract. And that issue may have been forced this year. But Peters’ issues in the locker room played a key part in the franchise wanting to trade him, Rapoport reports.

The Chiefs knew Peters would demand to be the NFL’s highest-paid corner, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports, leading to this preemptive strike. Peters is set to make barely $3MM this season, and the Rams are now responsible for picking up his fifth-year option — which they surely will given the timing of this trade. Peters skipped OTAs last year, and Paylor notes a possible training camp holdout could have transpired this summer. A 2016 first-team All-Pro and 2015 defensive rookie of the year, Peters received his best Pro Football Focus assessment for his 2017 work. Entering his age-25 season, Peters has 19 interceptions. He forced a career-high five fumbles in 2017.

Here’s more from the Peters front.

  • Rapoport reports this Rams/Chiefs deal will bring a package of picks to the Chiefs, but none of those is believed to be a first-rounder. That will mean the Chiefs still do not have a 2018 first-rounder after shipping it to the Bills in last year’s Patrick Mahomes deal. Kansas City picked up an extra third-rounder in January’s Alex Smith deal and collected a compensatory sixth-rounder in this draft as well. The Rams already shipped a 2018 second-round pick to the Bills for Sammy Watkins, so this latest trade could leave Los Angeles’ selection supply weakened.
  • Wade Phillips‘ strong personality should mesh well with Peters’ polarizing style, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com tweets, recalling a conversation he had with a veteran defensive backs coach when Peters was draft-eligible in 2015. Phillips’ ability to get through to Aqib Talib helped the Broncos’ mercurial corner craft the most memorable portion of his career, with Talib helping the Broncos to a Super Bowl title in his first season with Phillips and landing on the All-Pro first team in his second.
  • The 49ers were also interested in Peters, with the Browns’ interest being disputed, but the Seahawks were not exploring a Peters back back to Seattle despite his history in the city, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. Peters was kicked off the University of Washington’s team during the 2014 season. Additionally, the playmaking corner measures just under 6-foot and has 31 1/2-inch arms. Pointing out the Seahawks haven’t drafted a boundary corner with arms shorter than 32 inches during Pete Carroll‘s tenure, Condotta writes Peters may not have been a fit in Seattle.

Jaguars Considering Free Agent QBs

February 23rd, 2018 at 6:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Equipped with a defense that nearly led the way to the franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance, the Jaguars are set for an interesting few weeks regarding their quarterback situation.

Blake Bortles has a critical physical coming up in March. If the quarterback who underwent wrist surgery shortly after the AFC championship game cannot pass it, his fifth-year option becomes guaranteed. But if he does, the Jags can shed Bortles’ $19MM 2018 salary free of charge.

And that would open the door to the team looking for an upgrade on the market. The team is exploring its options with UFA quarterbacks, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.

The Jags potentially entering the Kirk Cousins race could change that pursuit’s dynamic, with the AFC South champions armed with a top-flight defense and presenting the kind of winning situation Cousins covets. A.J. McCarron, Sam Bradford and, as of now, Case Keenum could be options as well. Keenum, though, is also a franchise tag candidate in Minnesota.

A recent report emerged indicating the Jaguars were planning to keep Bortles as their starter for a fifth year, and that would support the organization’s decision to put off a surgery — one reportedly known to be needed last offseason — until recently. And Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets the “actively exploring” phrase might be a bit strong for what the Jags are currently doing regarding the quarterback market.

Bortles’ fifth-year option becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster by March 14, Day 1 of free agency, so the legal tampering period (March 12-14) could be a chance for the team to explore options with its incumbent starter still on the roster as insurance. That would be a tricky situation to balance, but a Jaguars quarterback upgrade could make them a threat to unseat the Patriots come January.

Rams Leaning Toward Tagging Joyner?

February 23rd, 2018 at 6:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams made a deal to add a snazzy new piece to their secondary on Friday by agreeing to trade for Marcus Peters, and while this figures to relocate Trumaine Johnson, the other key UFA in Los Angeles’ defensive backfield might not be going anywhere.

If it’s between Lamarcus Joyner or Sammy Watkins as to which player the Rams will use their franchise tag on, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com reports the team is leaning toward Joyner as of Friday.

The goal remains to reach a long-term agreement with one of the two UFAs in order to keep the other player via the tag, Garafolo notes. The looming Aaron Donald contract could complicate that strategy, but the Rams appear to be interested in retaining both Joyner and Watkins for 2018.

A tag for Joyner would be the cheaper course of action, with a safety tag expected to cost $11.08MM. A Watkins tag would be pricey, locking him down for $16.23MM. The Rams, though, invested more in Watkins by trading a second-round pick and E.J. Gaines. But the former Bills first-round pick struggled to assimilate in Los Angeles, although eight of his 39 catches ended in touchdowns.

Joyner was a 2014 second-rounder and hadn’t started more than eight games in a season until his contract year, when he started 12 and had a strong season. On a safety market flooded with talent, Joyner may be the top UFA if he reaches the market. With the Dolphins tagging Jarvis Landry and the Jaguars possibly set to tag Allen Robinson, Watkins would surely also fare well on the open market.

Steelers Not Shopping Martavis Bryant

February 23rd, 2018 at 6:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

As presently constructed, the Steelers boast a high-powered array of weaponry at wide receiver. And as teams prepare to convene at the Combine, Pittsburgh intends on keeping its status quo at wideout.

The Steelers are not shopping Martavis Bryant, who was involved in trade rumors at the 2017 deadline, with Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reporting (on Twitter) the team isn’t calling teams about unloading the mercurial pass-catcher while also not fielding offers for him.

Bryant enjoyed an eventful 2017, being reinstated then returning to a team that now had an emerging No. 2 wide receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster. Antonio Brown‘s previous top sidekick, when available, was involved in rampant trade rumors — ones that may or may not have included him requesting a Pittsburgh exit — and mentioned Smith-Schuster in a social media spat. But after the season, Bryant said he wanted to return to the Steelers in 2018.

One year remains on Bryant’s rookie contract, thanks to it tolling because of his 2016 suspension. While the Steelers aren’t taking calls on him, they are not discussing an extension, either, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The Steelers became resolute at the October deadline, insisting they weren’t trading Bryant. That stance became clear to Bryant when the Steelers deemed his talent too valuable compared to what would come back to them in a trade, Fowler reports.

Bryant matched his career high with 50 receptions last season, only those came in a career-high 15 games after he’d snared 50 passes (for a career-best 765 yards) in 11 games in 2015. Bryant averaged a career-low 12.3 yards per catch in 2017, a season that saw Brown stay on his stratospheric pace and Smith-Schuster produce the best receiving season in his rookie class. The trio may well have another chance to work together in 2018.

49ers, Browns Were Interested In Peters?

February 23rd, 2018 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs made another seismic trade this offseason, this time sending one of their best players to the Rams. But multiple other teams may have been interested in Marcus Peters prior to the Rams landing him.

Both the 49ers and Browns were interested in determining what it would cost to acquire the fourth-year cornerback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). However, Rapoport and NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo describe (on Twitter) both teams’ interest as “lukewarm” in the All-Pro corner.

However, it’s clear the Rams pushed talks to a degree their reported competition wasn’t willing to.

Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports (via Twitter) the Browns were not interested in bringing Peters to Cleveland. Additionally, the 49ers were interested, but both Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link) and Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com report San Francisco did not submit an offer to Kansas City for Peters.

The Rams’ talks advanced to the point the Chiefs were seeking to add another big name to their defense in Robert Quinn, along with a pick, Rapoport tweets. This would have been interesting because Quinn’s play has not been on the level it was during his Pro Bowl seasons during the mid-2010s and the pass-rushing talent makes far more than Peters does at this point. Unlike Kendall Fuller coming to K.C. in the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs did not get much 2018 salary relief by unloading Peters, who is entering the fourth season of his rookie deal. Quinn is set to earn $12.4MM this season.

Both the 49ers and Browns have needs at corner. Each team already visited with Vontae Davis, and Maiocco notes the 49ers are likely to be connected to big-name corners — including free agent-to-be Trumaine Johnson — come March. The Rams will not retain Johnson, per Rapoport.

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