HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Eagles Sign QB Joe Callahan

May 7th, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Joe Callahan has found a new job. The quarterback signed a two-year deal with the Eagles today. The 24-year-old was waived by the Packers last week.

The 2016 undrafted free agent out of Wesley has bounced around the league over the past two seasons, spending time with the Saints, Browns, and Packers (two stints). With Aaron Rodgers injured, Callahan went on to make his NFL debut this past season, completing five of his seven attempts for 11 yards.

The signal-caller was predictably a lot more productive during his collegiate career, highlighted by a senior season when he completed 58.4-percent of his passes for 3,599 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

While Callahan inked a two-year deal with Philly, he might not necessarily be a lock to make the roster. He’ll presumably compete with Nate Sudfeld to be the Eagles’ third-string quarterback behind Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/18

May 7th, 2018 at 4:04pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Baltimore Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed: C Tejan Koroma

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Seattle Seahawks

Colts Claim TE Randall Telfer

May 7th, 2018 at 3:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Browns tight end Randall Telfer, was claimed off waivers by the Colts, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Telfer, as you may recall, was initially ticketed to be traded to the Chiefs for linebacker Dadi Nicolas before that deal was nullified.

Telfer was squeezed out of Cleveland due to the presence of holdovers David Njoku and Seth DeValve plus free agent addition Darren Fells. Telfer is a blocking specialist, but Fells offers a longer resume of acumen in that area. Telfer is largely untested as a pass catcher, having caught just three passes for 36 yards last year despite starting in 14 games.

The Colts have Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle as their top tight ends, but they’ll evaluate a number of options in reserve. Telfer joins Darrell Daniels, Ross Travis, Erik Swoope, and Jason Vander-Lean as reserve TEs on the 90-man roster.

Cardinals Cut Two QBs

May 7th, 2018 at 3:14pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have trimmed two quarterbacks from the roster. Signal callers Brandon Doughty and Alek Torgersen were handed their pink slips on Monday afternoon, the team announced.

Arizona claimed Doughty and Torgersen off waivers April 5 when they were cut by the Dolphins and Lions, respectively. The It appears the team likes what it has seen from Princeton quarterback Chad Kanoff – a UDFA signing – leading to the release of both players after just one month on the roster.

After the selection of Josh Rosen in April, it seemed very unlikely that either Doughty or Torgersen would make the final cut. The Cardinals plan to start Sam Bradford in Week 1 with Rosen and Mike Glennon in support, giving them the standard three QBs. Kanoff is now positioned to serve as a camp arm for Arizona and appears more likely to be a practice squad signee than a main roster addition.

Torgersen played his college football at Penn before hooking on with the Falcons as a UDFA in 2017. He missed the final cut and hooked on with the Redskins’ taxi squad before finishing out the year in Detroit.

Doughty, a seventh-round pick of Miami in 2016, re-upped with the team on a reserve/futures deal in January before he was cut by the Fins this year. In his final year at Western Kentucky, Doughty completed 71.9% of his passes for 5,055 yards with 48 touchdowns against just nine interceptions.

Panthers Sign RB C.J. Anderson

May 7th, 2018 at 3:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have agreed to sign running back C.J. Anderson, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). It’s a one-year deal, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter) adds. 

Anderson turned in his first career 1,000-yard season in 2017 after tearing a meniscus in 2016. However, with no guaranteed money remaining on his deal, the Broncos released him this offseason in order to save $4.5MM against the cap.

Anderson reportedly drew interest from eight clubs after hitting the open market in mid-April. The Dolphins showed interest in trading for Anderson before the Broncos cut him and, depending on who you ask, the two sides may have been close to a deal that would have sent right tackle Ju’Wuan James to Denver.

In Carolina, Anderson will serve as a depth piece behind rising sophomore Christian McCaffrey. His arrival could lead to the displacement of backup Cameron Artis-Payne or Fozzy Whittaker. The Panthers did not add a running back in the draft, but the addition of Anderson should fortify their RB group in a major way.

49ers Release Zane Beadles

May 7th, 2018 at 2:23pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have released offensive lineman Zane Beadles, according to a team announcement. Beadles was scheduled to count for a little more than $4MM against the 2018 cap. By releasing him, the 49ers will save $3.5MM. 

By the sound of it, this could be more of a “see you later” than a goodbye. Within the team’s press release, GM John Lynch left the door open to a return.

“Zane is a consummate professional and has represented our organization with exceptional class,” Lynch said. “He is an unselfish guy who stepped up in a big way for our team last year and we can’t thank him enough for all his contributions to the organization and our community. Zane is just the kind of player and person we would always be open to welcoming back down the road, but releasing him now provides ample opportunity to find the right situation with his next team. We wish him and his family all the best as he moves forward in his career.”

Beadles, 32 in November, joined the Niners on a three-year, $11.75MM deal in 2016. Beadles started all 16 games in his first season with the Niners and saw time at center, left guard, and left tackle. Last year, he was mostly relegated to a reserve role as he played at left guard and right tackle.

Assuming Beadles does not return to SF, rising sophomore Erik Magnuson figures to step into Beadles’ super-sub role. Meanwhile, the Niners project to have three new starters on the O-Line in left guard Jonathan Cooper, center Weston Richburg, and first-round right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

Patriots, Gronk Discussing Contract

May 7th, 2018 at 2:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Tight end Rob Gronkowski has confirmed that he’ll suit up for the Patriots in 2018. Now that Gronk has put the retirement rumors to rest, the Patriots appear willing to improve his contract in some fashion. Agent Drew Rosenhaus is in discussions with the Patriots on “tweaking” his deal, Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald hears. 

Injuries have also limited Gronkowski of late, as he has played just 22 regular season over the last two years. With that in mind, it only makes sense that one of the game’s best tight ends would seek additional financial security. Gronkowski has probably also given himself a bit of additional leverage this offseason with rumors of him eyeing a career in acting or professional wrestling.

Last year, the Patriots and Gronk struck a deal to add incentives to his contract that protected them against another major injury. The 28-year-old (29 next Monday) achieved the top tier of the bonuses, securing a total salary of $10.75MM by earning a First-Team All-Pro selection.

This time around, the Pats and Gronk could hammer out a similar agreement. With the right incentives package, the Pats can ensure that Gronkowski keeps his focus on the gridiron rather than the silver screen or the squared circle.

Gronkowski has caught 10+ touchdowns in five of his eight NFL seasons and has the most postseason receiving touchdowns for a tight end in NFL history with 12. This year, he figures to once again serve as one of Tom Brady‘s favorite targets.

Saints Release TE Coby Fleener

May 7th, 2018 at 1:34pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have released tight end Coby Fleener, a league source tells Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The timing of the move is curious since $3.4MM of his base salary became guaranteed in February. The Saints, in theory, could have saved $3.2MM against the cap by releasing him months earlier.

Fleener finished the 2017 on injured reserve due to a concussion and his 2018 salary was guaranteed for injury. It’s possible that Fleener was not medically cleared by his guarantee date in February, which would have prevented New Orleans from shedding his salary. Fleener signed a five-year, $36MM free agent deal with New Orleans in 2016 that was supposed to keep him under control through the 2020 campaign.

Before last year’s concussion, Fleener had not missed a game since his rookie season, suiting up for all 16 of the Colts’ contests from 2013-15 and each of the Saints’ games last season. Last year, he was on the field for eleven games before a big hit from Rams defensive back Blake Countess put him on the sidelines.

Fleener wasn’t a primary target of Drew Brees in 2017, but he was the Saints’ leading receiver at tight end at the time of his injury. From 2013-2016, Fleener averaged a healthy 52 catches and four touchdowns per season.

The Saints signed Benjamin Watson in March and he now projects as the team’s leading TE. Behind him, the Saints have a group of tight ends including Josh Hill, Michael Hoomanawanui, Garrett Griffin, and Alex Ellis that will jockey for playing time and roster spots.

Raiders Officially Sign LB Derrick Johnson

May 7th, 2018 at 12:58pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s officially official. On Monday, the Raiders announced the signing of Derrick Johnson. As previously reported, it’s a one-year deal for Oakland and the former Chiefs linebacker.

The Chiefs announced earlier this offseason that they would not be re-signing the 13-year NFL veteran. The market was slow to develop for Johnson and although he had interest from other clubs, the Raiders were the only team to bring him in for a visit. Over the weekend, Johnson explained that his continued passion for the game prompted Jon Gruden to offer him a contract.

“I still have a fire burning. I can still play at a high level, and I want to prove that.” Johnson said. “That [response] made [Gruden’s] eyeballs jump, because he’s got a lot to prove, too. There was an environment in the room that was very contagious. I knew a deal would happen after I left..I’m one of Gruden’s favorite players — he’s always had a soft spot for me. He’s always said that over the years.”

In a league that is getting increasingly younger, the Raiders have more players over the age of 29 than any other in the NFL. Like many of this year’s free agent additions in Oakland, Johnson is out to prove that he still has quality football left in the tank. He’ll celebrate his 35th birthday in November.

To make room for Johnson, the Raiders waived cornerback Darius Hillary. Hillary joined Oakland on a futures deal in January.

NFL, NFLPA Settle Rookie Salary Gray Area

May 7th, 2018 at 12:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The standard rookie contract runs for four years, but the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement has only three years remaining. The gap left this year’s draft picks in limbo with regards to their contracts, but the league and the union have worked out a bridge agreement to give cost certainty to this year’s rookies and the teams that drafted them, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe writes.

[RELATED: 2018 NFL Draft Results By Team]

The NFL and the union have set the minimum salary for fourth-year players in 2021 (meaning this year’s rookie class) at $750K. That represents a $15K increase from the minimum pay for fourth-year players in 2020, which is in line with the yearly bump that has taken place each year under the current CBA.

Roughly 15% of this year’s rookie class has already signed, as shown on PFR’s tracker. You can also click here to view the results of the 2018 NFL draft by round.

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