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Ben Grubbs

Ben Grubbs To Retire

June 13th, 2016 at 4:15pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs is likely going to retire this offseason, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Grubbs, who was with the Chiefs in 2015, has been plagued by a neck injury that ended his season last year and will probably end his career. Ben Grubbs

[RELATED: Chiefs Sign Entire Draft Class]

Grubbs was released by KC a failed physical designation around the start of this year’s free agency. The veteran’s contract, which he reworked upon his arrival in Kansas City, ran through the 2018 season and included $6.6MM in guaranteed money. The Chiefs were left with a sizable portion of dead money on their 2016 cap by cutting Grubbs, but they obviously felt that the move was necessary. By cutting the 32-year-old, the Chiefs agreed to be on the hook for $5.2MM in dead money while saving only $1.1MM against the cap.

Grubbs entered the league as a first-round draft choice of the Ravens in 2007. Since then, Grubbs has been something of an ironman, appearing in all 16 regular season games of every NFL season with the exception of 2011 (ten games) and 2015 (seven games). Grubbs earned Pro Bowl nods in 2011 with the Ravens and again in 2013. Despite his down year, we recently rated Grubbs as one of the 20 best offensive free agents still on the board based on his successful history.

We here at Pro Football Rumors wish Grubbs nothing but the best in retirement.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Chiefs Cut Ben Grubbs

March 10th, 2016 at 7:15am CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs’ offensive line is undergoing a bit of an overhaul this offseason, and that continued with the team’s release of veteran guard Ben Grubbs, per Howard Balzer of the SportsXchange (Twitter link). Grubbs was cut with a failed physical designation.Ben Grubbs

Acquired almost exactly a year ago from the Saints, Grubbs – who turns 32 today – entered the 2015 season as one of Kansas City’s starting guards, and played seven games for the club. However, a neck injury derailed his season — after sitting out five games, he was ultimately placed on the injured reserve list by the Chiefs, ending his year. Based on the failed physical designation, it appears he hasn’t yet been cleared from that injury.

Grubbs’ contract, which he reworked upon his arrival in Kansas City ran through the 2018 season, and included $6.6MM in guaranteed money, so the Chiefs are left with a sizable portion of dead money on their 2016 cap. Assuming the veteran lineman didn’t receive the post-June 1 designation, the Chiefs will be on the hook for $5.2MM in dead money on their cap this year, creating only $1.1MM in cap savings with the move.

It’s been an eventful week so far for the Chiefs, who have reached contract agreements with several players, including Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Mitchell Schwartz, and Jaye Howard. However, the team has also lost cornerback Sean Smith to the division-rival Raiders, and was docked two draft picks, including a 2016 third-rounder, for a tampering violation during 2015’s free agent period.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cowboys Sign Kellen Moore

December 2nd, 2015 at 5:07pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Cowboys have signed quarterback Kellen Moore to the active roster, as David Moore of The Dallas Morning News tweets. In other news, the Cowboys placed defensive end Ryan Russell on IR with an abdominal injury. Taking his place on the 53-man roster will be rookie offensive tackle Chaz Green, who is being activated off the PUP list.
  • The Chiefs placed Ben Grubbs on injured reserve, as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes. Grubbs last played in the Chiefs’ 23-13 win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 25. “We’ve gone four or five weeks here with rehabilitation (and) he hasn’t improved,” head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said. “He’s going to need at least another month to come back from this.” The Chiefs promoted offensive lineman Daniel Munyer to the active roster to fill the newly-created opening.

Chiefs, Ben Grubbs Agree On New Deal

March 13th, 2015 at 10:39pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs and guard Ben Grubbs have agreed on a new contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The deal is for four years and $24MM, and it includes $8MM in guarantees. Another $3MM will become guaranteed if Grubbs is still on the Chiefs’ 90-man roster in March 2017.

Kansas City acquired the 31-year-old Grubbs from the Saints for a fifth-round pick on Thursday. Before reaching a new deal with the Chiefs, the eight-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler was scheduled to be on their books for the next two seasons at cap hits of $6.6MM and $7.3MM, respectively. He’ll still get $6.6MM in 2015, per Florio.

Reactions To Kenny Stills Trade

March 13th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Dolphins acquired promising young wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Saints in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick. Here’s a look at some of the latest reaction and fallout:

  • Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) heard that Saints brass had soured on Stills, prompting the trade. Many teams were surprised that he was being shopped given that his contract was so inexpensive, but that might help to explain it. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking to load up on draft picks.
  • Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) heard that quarterback Drew Brees was not happy with Stills or Ben Grubbs, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve both been shipped out.
  • According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter), there were questions in New Orleans about Stills’ work ethic, and he apparently enjoys the nightlife quite a bit.
  • The Saints are telling their traded players that they’re going all in to build a quality defense, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. New Orleans now has two first-round picks, a second-round choice, and two third-round picks to work with. Even with Rob Ryan at the helm, the Saints’ defense was a major disappointment in 2014.
  • Miller (on Twitter) doesn’t necessarily like that approach, and he notes that the Saints are loading up on draft picks in what projects to be a very average draft class. Still, the strongest position in this draft is wide receiver, so the Saints may feel that they can replace Stills with one of their many picks (link).

Chiefs Acquire Ben Grubbs From Saints

March 12th, 2015 at 12:24pm CST by Luke Adams

The Chiefs and Saints have agreed to a trade that will send veteran guard Ben Grubbs to Kansas City in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Grubbs, who had a $9.6MM cap hit for the Saints in 2015, had long been viewed as a potential cap casualty, with Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reporting in February that the team would likely let him go. Trading Grubbs will have the same effect on New Orleans’ cap as releasing him would’ve — he’ll count for $6MM in dead money, creating $3.6MM in cap savings. However, by finding a taker, the team will at least get a mid-round pick in return for its two-time Pro Bowler.

Grubbs becomes the latest victim of a cap crunch in New Orleans, with today’s deal coming on the heels of the departures of players like Jimmy Graham (traded) and Curtis Lofton (released). Still, the team now appears likely to keep Jahri Evans, since hanging on to one high-priced guard is more palatable than having both on the roster. Assuming he remains in New Orleans, Evans will play next to newly-acquired center Max Unger next season.

As for the Chiefs, they don’t have a ton of cap flexibility, so it’s possible they’ll end up reworking Grubbs’ contract to accommodate him, notes Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap (via Twitter). They won’t have to take on Grubbs’ dead prorated bonus money when they acquire him, so his cap hit in Kansas City would be just $6.6MM ($6.5MM base salary; $100K workout bonus) for the coming season, assuming the deal is untouched. The Auburn product, who turned 31 this week, also has one more year left on his contract, for a 2016 salary of $7.2MM.

Kansas City is adding a player who is just one year removed from earning a Pro Bowl spot. In 2014, Grubbs ranked in about the middle of the pack, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades, which placed him 35th out of 78 qualified guards (subscription required). The team’s addition of Grubbs comes on the heels of its contract agreement with offensive lineman Paul Fanaika.

La Canfora On Manning, Suh, McCown, Saints

February 25th, 2015 at 2:01pm CST by Luke Adams

Weighing in on two of the biggest offseason stories, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com leads off his latest piece by looking at the Peyton Manning and Ndamukong Suh situations. In La Canfora’s view, Manning will ultimately return to the Broncos after the two sides tweak his contract a little. As for Suh, the CBSSports.com scribe doesn’t have any updates on the Lions‘ talks with the defensive star, but says he thinks the Jaguars and Raiders will be major players. For those teams to be involved in the Suh derby, he’d have to reach the open market, which would mean no long-term deal or franchise tag from Detroit.

La Canfora also passes along plenty more tidbits related to free agency, so let’s dive in and round up the highlights….

  • When it comes to the market’s top pass rushers, La Canfora thinks Pernell McPhee can reach $10MM per year, with Jerry Hughes in the $9MM range, and Brandon Graham and Jason Worilds around $7.5MM. La Canfora also believes that all four of those players will join new teams next month.
  • Free agent quarterback Josh McCown is expected to decide on his new team later this week or early next week, and could land another deal worth $5MM annually. The Bills and Browns look like the best bets for McCown, according to La Canfora.
  • The Saints are working through contract issues with about a half-dozen players on their roster, sources tell La Canfora. If things work out the way the team hopes, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans, and Curtis Lofton would likely stick around on reduced salaries, while Ben Grubbs, Brodrick Bunkley, and David Hawthorne could be let go. As for Junior Galette, La Canfora is hearing that head coach Sean Payton has “expressed a desire” to part ways with him, following his January arrest. However, Galette’s contract still contains a sizeable chunk of guaranteed money, and the team likely can’t void those guarantees.
  • Percy Harvin probably won’t accept a pay cut from the Jets, which means the team will likely cut him. La Canfora expects the wideout to gamble himself in free agency, signing a one-year deal with a team that has a good quarterback in place.
  • The Jaguars will be seeking a top pass catcher, and La Canfora wouldn’t be surprised if the team lands a player like Randall Cobb or Julius Thomas. Per La Canfora, the Packers recognize Cobb’s market could get out of hand, and may focus on re-signing other key free agents, like Bryan Bulaga and Letroy Guion.
  • Chiefs center Rodney Hudson came very close to signing a four-year extension worth $6MM per year during the season. He’s a good bet to exceed that amount in free agency, and the Raiders are one viable suitor.
  • La Canfora anticipates the Ravens will work out a restructured deal with Lardarius Webb, but isn’t as certain about Haloti Ngata, who may play for a new team in 2015.
  • The Jets would have interest in Ryan Mallett if he reaches the open market. However, the Texans have made their interest in the quarterback clear, and Mallett himself said today that he’d like to return to Houston (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).

Joel Corry On Worst Salary Cap Situations

December 25th, 2014 at 10:18am CST by Rob DiRe

On Christmas Eve, Joel Corry of CBS Sports took a look at a few NFL teams who have the worst salary cap situations going into 2015. He picked out the five organizations stuck deepest in salary cap hell:

  1. New Orleans Saints – $23.07MM over the cap
  2. Arizona Cardinals – $6.44MM
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers – $2.901MM
  4. New England Patriots – $1.945MM
  5. San Francisco 49ers – $928,000

Here are some of the highlights of actions Corry suggests that would help them get under the cap in order to have a successful offseason:

Saints

  • Pass rusher Junior Galette could see his contract restructured to open up $10MM, despite signing the extension this past offseason.
  • Another contract doled off last offseason that can be restructured is of prized free agent Jairus Byrd, which could open up $5.6MM in cap space.
  • A third contract from last offseason that can be restructured is that of tight end Jimmy Graham. That move could save $4.77MM in cap space.
  • Both of their Pro Bowl guards are suddenly highly paid luxuries as they have seen their performance drop, and Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs are candidates for release. If cut, they will free up $6.6MM and $3.6MM, respectively.
  • Veteran receiver Marques Colston holds a $9.7MM cap number, and has seen a sharp decline in his play. It will be a tougher cut, but is a candidate to be released.
  • The team could restructure Drew Brees‘ contract again, although they will only push their cap problems into the future in exchange for immediate relief.
  • Releasing linebacker David Hawthorne will free up $2.99MM in cap space if he is released before his $2.5MM roster bonus on the third day of the 2015 league year.

Cardinals

Steelers

Patriots

  • The obvious move for the Patriots would be signing Darrelle Revis to a long-term deal, which would create substantial cap space. The team is unlikely to keep him in 2015 at his current number. They will open $20MM in cap space if they do not keep him on the roster.
  • The Patriots could open up $4MM in cap space by restructuring Tom Brady‘s contract.
  • The team will likely ask linebacker Jerod Mayo to take a pay cut, or they may release him. Corry writes that his $4.5MM injury guarantee will be the only thing that potentially saves him from being released.
  • Danny Amendola will be expendable, and cutting him will free up $2.1MM in cap room or $4.5MM if he is designated a post June 1st cut.
  • Vince Wilfork could also become a cap casualty, as the team will have to decide whether to guarantee his contract for 2015 and 2016. Releasing him will free up $7.566MM in cap room.
  • The team could also recoup some money from Aaron Hernandez‘ signing bonus if the grievance ruling comes back favorable for the Patriots.

49ers

  • The 49ers could restructure Colin Kaepernick‘s contract to lower his 2015 cap number.
  • Linebacker Ahmad Brooks may be released, freeing up a little over $4MM in cap room.
  • Another staple of the team, Vernon Davis, could be released as performance has dropped. The team would gain $4.95MM from releasing him.
  • If Aldon Smith‘s off-field troubles are too much for the 49ers, the team could decline his 2015 option and pick up $9.754MM in cap space.
  • The team could pass on re-signing Michael Crabtree, and will likely cut Stevie Johnson and save just over $6MM unless they lose Crabtree and replace him with Johnson.
  • The team will most likely not seek to bring Frank Gore back to the team, unless it is at an extremely reasonable number.