2019 May - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Le’Veon Bell, HC Adam Gase In Contact

May 17th, 2019 at 1:47pm CST by Zachary Links

New Jets head coach (and interim GM) may not have wanted Le’Veon Bell, but the two have been in constant contact this offseason, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post. Furthermore, Costello hears the conversations have been positive.

Armed with $100MM+ in cap space, the Jets used a big chunk of their available money to ink the running back to a four-year, $52MM deal. Gase didn’t want the club to spend big bucks on any rusher, but GM Mike Maccagnan got his way and landed one of the league’s most dynamic offensive talents with an average annual value of $13MM. This week, the Jets sacked Maccagnan in a curiously-timed move.

Meanwhile, Bell seems committed to making the relationship with Gase work.

“There’s been a bunch of false reports and speculation about me in the past about things I’ve said and done, so I’m used to this,” Bell tweeted earlier this week. “I don’t jump to conclusions when I hear or see a story that may affect me. Even if reports are true, that won’t stop me from doing what I came here to do…everyone has a job to do, and I’m gonna do mine whether people “like” me or not. I’m here to win football games.”

Bell and Gase have little choice in the matter as both men are set to be together through at least the 2022 season. The running back did not show for the start of the Jets’ voluntary workouts in May, but he is expected to arrive for mandatory minicamp in June.

Latest On Cardinals, Patrick Peterson

May 17th, 2019 at 12:21pm CST by Zachary Links

On Thursday, the NFL handed Patrick Peterson a six-game ban for PEDs. Before that, the Cardinals cornerback had yet another flareup with team brass. The latest issue arose when Peterson asked GM Steve Keim about restructuring his contract to make more cash available immediately and Keim said no, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com tweets.

Peterson, it seems, wanted to lessen his financial losses in advance of his suspension. The cornerback believed that he would have saved at least $2MM by adjusting his deal, John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM writes.

The cornerback knew the six-game ban was coming before it was announced on Thursday, but it’s not clear whether the Cardinals had advanced knowledge of the suspension. Either way, it’s not likely that the league office would have approved Peterson’s suggested workaround.

Peterson’s suspension will cost him $3.88MM in wages.

Vikings Offer Extension To Kyle Rudolph

May 17th, 2019 at 11:46am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings have offered a five-year extension to Kyle Rudolph that would make him one of the highest paid tight ends in terms of new-money average, a source tells PFT’s Mike Florio. However, there has not been much progress in talks.

The proposed extension would likely reduce Rudolph’s $7.625MM cap number for 2019, but the veteran says there is “no way” he will take a pay cut. At the same time, Rudolph says he wants to stay with the Vikings.

The Vikings apparently want to keep Rudolph, though they have insurance after selecting Irv Smith Jr. in the second round of last month’s draft. Ideally, they’d like to have both of the well-rounded tight ends in the fold.

Last year, Rudolph had 64 receptions for 634 yards and four touchdowns. Even though many tight end needs around the league have been addressed, Rudolph would still find a strong market if released by Minnesota.

Patriots To Sign Brandon King To Extension

May 17th, 2019 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are signing linebacker Brandon King to a 2-year extension, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). King will earn $3.5MM over the course of the two new years, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss (on Twitter).

King is a hybrid defensive back and outside linebacker, but hasn’t seen much time at either position. Instead, he has been a key cog in the third facet of the game for the Patriots since joining them as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2015. King has appeared in 57 career games for the Patriots and has already won two Super Bowl rings in his young career.

Last year, King recorded 13 special teams tackles, good for ninth in the NFL. On the Patriots, he was third behind Nate Ebner (15) and Matthew Slater (14).

Quinton Dial Retires From NFL

May 17th, 2019 at 10:43am CST by Zachary Links

Former 49ers and Packers defensive tackle Quinton Dial announced his retirement late Thursday night, via social media. Dial leaves the sport after five seasons and a recent knee surgery that made him reconsider his future.

“I want to thank the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers for the opportunity that you gave a country boy from a small town in Alabama when no one else would,” Dial wrote. “To the fans, thanks for the countless memories that have made the last five years something special…I knew this day would come, but I didn’t know when. That is why I’ve prepared myself since becoming an NFL player; because you are one play away from your career being over. I’ve faced a lot of injuries throughout my career and I feel it is in my best interest to hang up the cleats and pursue another career.”

Dial notched 145 tackles with 4.5 sacks over the course of his career. He was out of the league in 2018, so today’s news doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

Panthers Sign WR Aldrick Robinson

May 17th, 2019 at 10:36am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers signed wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, according to a team announcement. Robinson, 31 in September, believes that he can provide Carolina with a reliable deep threat.

“They want to stretch the field. They want me to add to that. They like my speed and my ability to open things up,” Robinson said. “I can create separation and get by defenders.”

Robinson ran a 4.43 at the NFL combine in 2011, leading the Redskins to draft him in the sixth round. The speedster has bounced around since then and spent the 2015 season out of football, but he managed to score five touchdowns with the Vikings in 2018. For his career, Robinson boasts a 16.9 yards per catch average, showing that he can open things up when given an opportunity.

With D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, Jarius Wright, Torrey Smith, and Chris Hogan also on hand, it’s not a given that Robinson will make the 53-man cut.

Ravens Sign WR Michael Floyd

May 17th, 2019 at 10:26am CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens will sign wide receiver Michael Floyd to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Floyd, who was once a standout in the Cardinals’ offense, spent last season with the Redskins.

[RELATED: Ravens To Sign Shane Ray]

Floyd didn’t see a whole lot of action with Washington, making just three starts and notching only ten catches for 100 yards. But, he has three 800-plus-yard receiving seasons on his resume dating back to his time in Arizona.

Floyd’s best season came in 2013 when he hauled in 65 grabs for 1,041 yards and five touchdowns. He following that up with a solid 47/841/6 showing in 2014 and averaged a career-high 17.9 yards per grab, a number that was topped only DeSean Jackson.

Ravens To Sign Shane Ray

May 17th, 2019 at 10:12am CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens have agreed to sign Shane Ray, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). The edge rusher’s deal is pending a physical, which may be more than a formality given his history.

Ray has missed 13 games over the last two seasons with the Broncos due to various injuries. The LB/DE, who turns 26 on Saturday, hasn’t exactly lived up to his draft pedigree, but he has shown flashes of promise. The former first-round pick amassed four sacks as a reserve in his rookie season and tallied a career-high eight sacks in 2016.

Despite the setbacks, Ray drew interest from a handful of other teams this offseason, including the Seahawks, Colts, and Raiders. The Ravens arguably needed him more than any of those clubs after losing 2018 sack leader Za’Darius Smith to the Packers and all-time franchise sack leader Terrell Suggs to the Cardinals.

West Notes: 49ers, Hawks, Broncos, Chiefs

May 16th, 2019 at 9:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jason Verrett signed a one-year, $3MM deal with the 49ers this offseason, but the ex-Chargers cornerback says he actually contemplated retirement before landing in San Francisco, per SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Verrett, who was in a “dark place” while deciding on his NFL future, has only played in five total games over the past three seasons, with various injuries — including a torn ACL and a ruptured Achilles — ending his campaigns. The 49ers ranked 26th in defensive DVOA against No. 2 wideouts in 2018, so they can use all they help they can get opposite Richard Sherman. Verrett, an excellent corner when healthy, is expected to compete with Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore for the job.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two West divisions:

Fullback Nick Bellore‘s contract with the Seahawks is worth $2.23MM over two years, tweets Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. Bellore will receive $600K guaranteed, including a $300K signing bonus and a $300K 2019 base salary guarantee. A linebacker who played primarily on special teams for the first seven years of his NFL career, Bellore converted to the offensive side of the ball last summer. The 30-year-old appeared in 14 games for the Lions in 2018, playing 118 snaps on offense and 238 on special teams. Seattle used a fullback on only 8% of its plays last season.
New Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco will take all the first-team reps at organized team activities, head coach Vic Fangio told reporters, including Mike Klis of 9News (Twitter link). That’s perhaps unsurprising, as Flacco is fully expected to be Denver’s starter despite the club selecting Missouri’s Drew Lock in the second round. Indeed, Flacco’s performance in early Broncos practices dissuaded general manager John Elway from drafting a signal-caller on Day 1 of the draft. Lock, veteran Kevin Hogan, and undrafted free agent Brett Rypien will compete to become Denver’s second and third quarterback.
The Seahawks gave significant signing bonuses to several of their undrafted collegiate free agents, as Henderson tweets. Quarterback Taryn Christion, receiver Terry Wright, and cornerbacks Derrek Thomas and Davante Davis each received a $10K bonus. As Henderson notes, though, that level of guarantee doesn’t necessarily ensure a roster spot. In 2018, Seattle gave receiver Ka’Raun White a $14K bonus but cut him after rookie minicamp. Click on Henderson’s tweet to see the full list of the Seahawks’ UDFA signing bonuses.
Free agent offensive tackle Dieugot Joseph is meeting with the Chiefs today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). An undrafted free agent out of Florida International University in 2017, Joseph has spent time with the Bears, Ravens, Vikings, and Jets but has yet to appear in an NFL game.

Titans Not Interested In Ndamukong Suh

May 16th, 2019 at 8:46pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although the Titans met with Ndamukong Suh when he was a free agent at this time a year ago, they’re not expected to consider signing the defensive tackle this offseason, according to Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com.

Tennessee has added both Jeffery Simmons (first-round draft choice) and Brent Urban (free agent) to its defensive line in recent weeks, but Simmons may not play at all during his rookie campaign while recovering from a torn ACL, and Urban isn’t exactly a game-changing player. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey led the Titans’ defensive line by ranking 14th in Pro Football Focus‘ positional grades, but no other Tennessee interior defender finished inside the top-45. As a unit, the Titans front four ranked just 22nd in adjusted sack rate and 28th in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders.

Suh, entering his age-32 campaign, appeared in all 16 games for the Rams a season ago after inking a one-year, $14MM pact with the Rams. He posted 4.5 sacks and 48 pressures during the regular season, and ramped up his production once Los Angeles began its postseason run, managing 1.5 more sacks and nine additional pressures in the Rams’ three playoff games. Suh is always available, as the only two games he’s missed in his nine-year career were the result of suspension, not injury.

Reports have indicated Suh’s asking price could be an issue, as Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com noted earlier this year that Suh has never played on a contact averaging less than $10MM per season. While that may be the case, the Titans currently have more than $30MM in available cap space, so they could afford Suh if they so chose.

Earlier this evening, PFR ranked Suh as the best available defensive free agent remaining on the board.