HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Patriots Re-Sign QB Cam Newton

March 12th, 2021 at 8:16pm CST by Zachary Links

2:17pm: Newton’s contract marks a raise from his 2020 Patriots pact, but incentives comprise much of the deal. The former MVP passer’s accord carries a $5MM base value, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. This includes a $2MM signing bonus and $1.5MM guaranteed. The deal also contains $1.5MM in per-game roster bonuses, per Garafolo, who adds the other $9MM is tied to incentives.

9:45am: The Patriots will re-sign quarterback Cam Newton to a one-year deal, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. The new deal could be “worth close to” $14MM, though the details of the deal are unclear. 

Newton’s new contract will not preclude the Patriots from adding another quarterback this offseason, Schefter hears. From the sound of it, Newton’s base value is rather low, making this yet another low-risk/high-reward pact for the Patriots.

Newton joined the Patriots last offseason to replace Tom Brady. Starting in 15 games, Newton threw for 2,657 yards while completing 65.8% of his throws — more accurate than most of his NFL seasons. Unfortunately, he also threw for just eight touchdowns against ten interceptions.

Newton started strong, but the former MVP dovetailed later in the year. His COVID-19 interruption didn’t help matters; nor did injuries to Julian Edelman, David Andrews, and Rex Burkhead. All in all, Newton went 7-8 as a starter and the Patriots finished 7-9.

Still, Bill Belichick reportedly loved coaching Newton. Despite concerns about his arm strength and his long-term health, the Patriots were happy to re-up Newton for another low-cost season.

Packers Rework Preston Smith’s Contract

March 12th, 2021 at 6:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Preston Smith will be back for a third Packers season. The sides agreed on a reworked deal Friday, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter).

The veteran edge rusher will now be attached to a $1MM base salary in 2021, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that much of Smith’s 2021 money will be converted into a signing bonus. That will cover $6.5MM, with Rapoport adding that there will be $4.4MM available via sack-based incentives.

As for the sack thresholds, Rapoport tweets Smith will need to reach six to trigger the minimum escalator ($500K). There are $750K bumps at the eight- and 10-sack marks, with the $1MM-plus incentives tied to 12 and 14 sacks. Smith has only eclipsed eight sacks once in six seasons.

Friday’s changes will reduce Smith’s cap number — previously at $16MM for ’21 — considerably while slashing his earnings somewhat. But the six-year veteran previously loomed as a cap-casualty candidate. The Packers will save $7.25MM by reworking Smith’s deal, per the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Pete Dougherty (on Twitter); they would have saved $8MM by cutting Smith.

One of the Packers’ two big-ticket 2019 edge signees, Smith took a step back last season. After registering 12 sacks in his first Packers slate, the ex-Washington linebacker ended the 2020 campaign with just four sacks and 11 QB hits. He also lost his starting spot to Rashan Gary for a time. But Gary and both Smiths — Preston and Za’Darius — are due back for a third season together.

Raiders Restructure Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski Deals

March 12th, 2021 at 5:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Via releases, trades and restructures, the Raiders have made several moves over the past week and change to create cap space. They continued to do so Friday.

Las Vegas will restructure two deals from the 2020 free agency period, rearranging some funds in Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski‘s deals, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Together, these moves will create more than $7MM in cap space for the Raiders.

[RELATED: Raiders, Nicholas Morrow Discussing Deal]

This marks the second restructure for Littleton, who initially saw his contract reworked in September of last year. The Raiders initially signed the former Rams linebacker to a three-year, $35.25MM pact. Kwiatkoski signed a three-year, $21MM pact last March, completing an overhaul of the Raiders’ linebacking corps.

Over the past week and change, the Raiders have released Gabe Jackson, Richie Incognito and Lamarcus Joyner to clear up more than $25MM in cap space. They traded Trent Brown to the Patriots, adding another chunk to that total. They have climbed into the top 10 in cap space, now holding more than $30MM.

Raiders Host Ha Ha Clinton-Dix On Visit

March 12th, 2021 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix did not play last season; the Cowboys released him prior to Week 1. But the former first-round pick has drawn some interest this offseason.

The Raiders are hosting the veteran safety Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This comes shortly after they hosted cornerback A.J. Bouye, whom The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes left Las Vegas without a contract agreement (Twitter link).

Prior to Clinton-Dix’s Cowboys agreement, he played for the Packers, Washington and the Bears. He has never missed a game due to injury and has started every game in which he has played since taking over as a Green Bay starter as a rookie in 2014. Clinton-Dix made the Pro Bowl in 2016 and graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 overall safety in 2019.

Las Vegas has Johnathan Abram and ex-Cowboy Jeff Heath returning at safety, with Erik Harris on track for free agency. Despite Clinton-Dix’s extensive experience, he will only be 28 this coming season. Considering his 2020 absence, the former Alabama star would certainly be available at a low-cost rate.

Bears To Extend P Pat O’Donnell

March 12th, 2021 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears will ensure punter continuity remains in 2021. They agreed to terms with longtime specialist Pat O’Donnell on Friday, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

Unlike O’Donnell’s 2019 pact, this is a one-year deal. The Bears have retained Cairo Santos and now O’Donnell on back-to-back days.

While Chicago went through a rather publicized kicker rough patch, the team has not had similar issues at punter. O’Donnell arrived as a 2014 sixth-round pick and has maintained his job since Week 1 of his rookie season. The 45.7 yards per punt O’Donnell averaged last season marked his best since the 2017 season.

O’Donnell, now 30, played on a two-year, $3.5MM contract previously. He also signed a one-year deal that covered the 2018 season. This will be his fourth Bears accord.

Brandon Scherff Signs Franchise Tender

March 12th, 2021 at 3:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandon Scherff is now attached to a monster guard salary. Washington’s twice-franchise-tagged offensive lineman signed the second of those tenders Friday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

This will guarantee Scherff’s $18.04MM franchise tag salary. Washington franchised Scherff again earlier this week, with the hope of locking him down long-term. Should the sides fail to agree on an extension by July 15, Scherff moved to ensure his lucrative 2021 tag salary will be locked in.

Scherff has been eligible to sign an extension since the 2018 offseason. Washington picked up the Pro Bowler’s 2019 fifth-year option, used the franchise tag in 2020 and has now used it again. The team has put off a long-term arrangement with its 2015 first-round pick for quite some time now, but with Scherff continuing to produce and remaining by far the best O-lineman on Washington’s roster, he has moved into good position to land a long-sought-after extension.

Some urgency may exist on Scherff’s part as well. He has a history of injuries, including an MCL issue that sidelined him for three games last season, and will turn 30 later this year. Still, the second franchise tag will put the four-time Pro Bowler in strong position this offseason.

Vikings Likely To Re-Sign QB Sean Mannion

March 12th, 2021 at 3:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Sean Mannion appears in the picture to reprise his role as Kirk Cousins‘ backup. The Vikings are likely to bring their QB2 back on a third contract, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter).

The Vikings initially added Mannion in 2019, and he stuck around on a second one-year contract last year. Mannion played at the veteran-minimum rate last season; a similar Vikings pact should be expected.

Originally a third-round Rams draft pick in 2015, Mannion did not make inroads to being a starter in St. Louis. And the Rams traded up for Jared Goff upon moving to Los Angeles ahead of Mannion’s second season. The Oregon State product has done well to land jobs that have not required him to play in games especially often.

Mannion’s only two career starts — Week 17 in 2017 and Week 17 in 2019 — have come when his respective team has rested starters ahead of the playoffs. Cousins has not missed a game due to injury in three Vikings seasons. Mannion, 29 next month, is 45 of 74 for 384 yards and three INTs in his six-year career.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/12/21

March 12th, 2021 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decision deadline is fast approaching. Some teams are already making their calls in advance of March 17. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:

RFAs

Non-tendered: 

ERFAs

Tendered:

NFL Sets RFA Tender Prices

March 12th, 2021 at 3:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although much of the NFL’s restricted free agent news will be overshadowed in the coming days, teams have until March 17 to tender their RFA crops. The prices for such moves are now set.

Here is how much it will cost for teams to tender RFAs, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

  • First-round tender: $4.766MM
  • Second-round tender: $3.384MM
  • Original-round tender: $2.183MM
  • Right of first refusal: $2.133MM

Restricted free agents are players who have three accrued seasons. With draftees’ rookie contracts running four years, this glut of players usually comes from the undrafted ranks. The PFR Glossary has more on this topic.

In the coming days, teams like the Broncos (Phillip Lindsay, Alexander Johnson, Tim Patrick), Chiefs (Charvarius Ward, Andrew Wylie), Patriots (J.C. Jackson) and others will need to make tender decisions. Were the Patriots to place a first-round tender on Jackson, they would be entitled to a first-round pick back if they refused to match an offer sheet. Were they to tender Johnson or Lindsay at the second-round level, they would receive a second-rounder back if they passed on matching an offer.

Restricted free agents can sign offer sheets through April 23 this year.

Packers Will Not Tender QB Tim Boyle

March 12th, 2021 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers’ quarterback depth chart may change soon. Green Bay is not planning to tender restricted free agent Tim Boyle, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com notes (video link).

Boyle has served as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup, a role he held over Jordan Love throughout the 2020 season. Love, however, could be set to move up. It would cost Green Bay $2.2MM to tender Boyle at the original-round level. He will now become an unrestricted free agent.

While the Packers could opt to retain Boyle at a lower cost, it would make sense for Love to move up and begin to dress for games in his second season. Almost every quarterback chosen in Round 1 since Rodgers has started games as a rookie; Love was not even active for any Packers contests. He is expected to be Green Bay’s QB2 next season, Garafolo adds.

A UDFA out of Eastern Kentucky, Boyle has not started a game for the Packers. He has worked in mop-up duty frequently, playing in 11 contests over the past two seasons. The Packers allowed Brett Hundley to defect to the Cardinals in free agency in 2019, leaving Boyle behind Rodgers. Despite the team trading up for Love last year, Boyle remained the team’s top backup.

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