A.J. Hawk - Pro Football Rumors

Bengals Sign A.J. Hawk

March 11th, 2015 at 1:53pm CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 1:53pm: The Bengals have officially signed Hawk, the team announced today (via Twitter).

TUESDAY, 4:37pm: A.J. Hawk has agreed to sign with the Bengals, according to agent Mike McCartney (via Twitter). It’ll be a two year deal for Hawk with his hometown team.

Cincinnati re-signed linebacker Rey Maualuga this week, but with Vontaze Burfict‘s recovery timetable still uncertain following microfracture surgery, the team needed some more depth at the position. The Packers were said to be leaving the door open for a possible return, but that just didn’t work out for one reason or another.

Over the last nine years, Hawk has been one of the most recognizable players on the Packers’ defense, averaging over 100 tackles per year and appearing in all but two of the team’s regular-season games. However, toward the end of his tenure with the franchise, the 31-year-old’s production no longer matched his salary. In 2014, he saw his playing time scaled back toward the end of the season and in the playoffs as he struggled with an ankle injury, and he recorded a -14.4 grade for the season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

Hawk, a former fifth overall pick, was entering the final year of his contract, and would have counted for $5.1MM on Green Bay’s cap. By cutting him, the Packers cleared his base salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus from their books, creating $3.5MM in cap savings.

AFC FA Rumors: Hawk, Cole, Hartline, Chiefs

March 6th, 2015 at 4:23pm CST by Luke Adams

After rounding up several free agent rumors from around the NFC earlier this afternoon, it’s time for a look at the AFC. Here’s the latest:

Former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk is set to visit with the Bengals next week, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com (via Twitter). Cincinnati re-signed linebacker Rey Maualuga this week, but with Vontaze Burfict‘s recovery timetable still uncertain following microfracture surgery, the team could use some more depth at the position.
Assuming Trent Cole leaves Tampa Bay without a deal from the Buccaneers, he’ll head to Indianapolis next week to meet with the Colts, reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link). Like the 49ers, who also have interest in Cole, the Colts are a 3-4 team, so it’ll be interesting to see if the veteran edge defender views the club as a good fit.
According to Jason Walker of ESPN.com (via Twitter), agent Drew Rosenhaus said today that the Chiefs are in the mix for wide receiver Brian Hartline, adding them to a group of suitors that includes the Dolphins, Browns, and Texans. Meanwhile, the Browns have about a “50/50” chance of landing Hartline, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who says Cleveland could balk at the wideout’s asking price.
We can also add the Chiefs to the list of teams interested in free agency safety Tyvon Branch, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Kansas City is on Branch’s list of scheduled meetings, following his visit to Washington.
The Jaguars are expected to have a look at fullback Jerome Felton once free agency begins, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The team decided not to tender a contract offer to restricted free agent fullback Will Ta’ufo’ou, and could be on the lookout for a replacement.

NFC FA Rumors: Cole, Hardy, McDonald, Hawk

March 5th, 2015 at 12:46pm CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles officially announced on Wednesday that they’ve released Trent Cole from his contract, and the veteran edge defender didn’t waste much time in scheduling his first free agent visit. According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Cole is meeting with the Buccaneers, a team that runs a 4-3 system. Having played in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme for the last two years, Cole is viewed as a better fit as a defensive end for a 4-3 club, and Tampa Bay is certainly in need of an outside pass rusher.

As we wait to see if anything comes of Cole’s visit with the Bucs, let’s check in on a few more free agent updates from around the NFC….

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says there’s nothing stopping a player on the exempt list from signing a new contract, which is good news for Panthers defensive Greg Hardy (link via ESPN.com). The league has yet to announce its decision on whether or not Hardy will face discipline for alleged off-field conduct, which could diminish enthusiasm for the defensive end on the open market, but he’ll still be able to negotiate with teams and accept an offer next week.
In other legal news, agent Tom Condon has informed teams that the Santa Clara District Attorney won’t be pursuing charges against free agent defensive lineman Ray McDonald, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). According to Condon, the Santa Clara DA hasn’t fully completed the release, but McDonald’s counsel has been informed of the decision. Since McDonald was cut by the Niners in December, he’s eligible to sign a new contract anytime.
Linebacker A.J. Hawk may not be totally out of the picture in Green Bay, according to Bob McGinn and Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who report that the Packers left the door open for the linebacker’s possible return.
In addition to hosting Ted Ginn Jr. for a visit this week, the 49ers also met with former Vikings wideout Jerome Simpson, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Simpson, who was suspended at the start of the 2014 season, was cut by Minnesota and hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2013. The Niners, meanwhile, are on the lookout for receivers, since they could part ways with Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, and Stevie Johnson this month.
Appearing on SportsCenter today, cornerback Byron Maxwell suggested he would like to sign with a team that plays a Cover 3 scheme like the Seahawks do, tweets Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Advocate. Of course, if a team running another coverage scheme makes Maxwell a big offer, I would guess he’d be willing to compromise that stance.
Lions offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds is expected to test the free agent market next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.

Packers Release A.J. Hawk

February 25th, 2015 at 3:33pm CST by Luke Adams

After spending the last nine seasons – his entire NFL career – in Green Bay, linebacker A.J. Hawk will be looking for a new contract and a new team. The Packers announced today in a press release that they’ve parted ways with the veteran linebacker, releasing Hawk from their roster.

“A.J. is a consummate Packer and we are grateful for all that he has given and how he represented the organization over the past nine seasons,” GM Ted Thompson said in a statement. “He was a durable and consistent contributor to our success, but more importantly, he is a great person and teammate. The Packers are grateful for all that he has done on the field and in the community.”

Hawk, a former fifth overall pick, had been entering the final year of his contract, and would have counted for $5.1MM on Green Bay’s cap. By cutting him, the Packers clear his base salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus from their books, creating $3.5MM in cap savings.

Over the last nine years, Hawk has been one of the most recognizable players on the Packers’ defense, averaging over 100 tackles per year and appearing in all but two of the team’s regular-season games. However, toward the end of his tenure with the franchise, the 31-year-old’s production no longer matched his salary. In 2014, he saw his playing time scaled back toward the end of the season and in the playoffs as he struggled with an ankle injury, and he recorded a -14.4 grade for the season, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required).

Hawk is the second longtime Packers linebacker to find himself on the free agent market within the last week. Green Bay also cut Brad Jones last Friday. Like Jones, Hawk won’t have to clear waivers, and is immediately free to sign elsewhere.

Packers Notes: Kuhn, Guion, Hawk, Bulaga

February 19th, 2015 at 6:14pm CST by Zachary Links

He’s not at the top of the Packers’ free-agent priority list, but veteran fullback John Kuhn could still be in the team’s plans for 2015, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com writes. Kuhn’s agent, Kevin Gold, said he has a meeting scheduled for Thursday with the Packers to talk about a contract for next season. The fan favorite didn’t sign his one-year, $1.03MM deal with Green Bay until April of last year, so it could be a while before we see a new contract. More from Green Bay..

GM Ted Thompson won’t go into detail on Letroy Guion‘s case and would only say that he’s “monitoring” the situation, as Demovsky writes. Guion is scheduled to hit the open market in March.
Meanwhile, coach Mike McCarthy would “love” to have Guion back and is hoping to get the “green light” to negotiate a deal with him, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette tweets.
The agent for Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk doesn’t have any meetings scheduled with the team and hasn’t heard any talk of the club cutting his client or asking him to take a a pay cut, according to Demovsky. Green Bay would save $3.5MM by cutting the 31-year-old.
McCarthy also wants Bryan Bulaga back in Green Bay, but said that things are in the “business phase” at present, Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin.com tweets.
McCarthy had nothing but good things to say about veteran Julius Peppers and made it clear that he wants him back in 2015, Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette tweets.

Demovsky On The Packers

February 18th, 2014 at 6:47pm CST by Matt Feminis

The Packers and agent Drew Rosenhaus have engaged in open dialogue about free agent cornerback Sam Shields, according to ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky, who participated in a chat with fans. Other tidbits:

Inside linebacker A.J. Hawk‘s 2013 season was his best yet, and Packers coaches value the veteran’s dependability, reliability and accountability despite his physical limitations. Brad Jones, however, must “play much better or they need to find a replacement,” says Demovsky.
Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy, the team’s first two 2012 draft picks, have both disappointed and it’s unknown if either fit the defensive scheme.
Demovsky spoke to a scout who believes Johnny Jolly could slide inside to nose tackle if he’s re-signed.
When asked about the team potentially locking up receivers Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson long-term, Demovsky described Cobb as a “no-brainer,” but wondered if Nelson would “drive a harder bargain” because he took a below-market deal (four years, $12.6MM) in 2011 and his next deal will likely be his last big contract.
Demovsky does not envision the team splurging for a blockbuster free agent (i.e. a player requiring an $8MM-$10MM signing bonus), but sees a few “mid-level” signings as realistic.
“Chances are good” the team will draft a developmental quarterback in the mid to late rounds.