HEADLINES

Cullen Loeffler

Vikings Release Cullen Loeffler

August 24th, 2015 at 9:21am CST by Luke Adams

The Vikings have parted ways with their longest-tenured player, the team confirmed today, announcing in a press release that veteran long snapper Cullen Loeffler has been released. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first reported (via Twitter) that Minnesota was cutting Loeffler, who was beaten out by Kevin McDermott for the long snapper job.

“These types of decisions are the hardest part of our jobs,” Vikings GM Rick Spielman said in a statement. “Cullen was outstanding in the community and on the field for the Vikings. He handled his business with class and his impact in the locker room and on the franchise were second to none. We wish him the best in the future.”

Loeffler, 34, had served as the Vikings’ long snapper since the 2004 season, appearing in a total of 171 regular season contests for the team during that stretch. His minimum salary contract featured an $80K signing bonus and $220K in guaranteed salary, so the Vikings will eat $300K by releasing him.

Because Loeffler is a vested veteran, he’ll immediately become a free agent without having to pass through waivers, making him eligible to join a new team right away.

Minor Moves: Friday

April 3rd, 2015 at 3:21pm CST by Zachary Links

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

  • The Buccaneers announced (on Twitter) that they have re-signed fullback Jorvorskie Lane. Lane had a tough year in 2014. He was hit with a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances in October and his season ended in November after he underwent surgery on his injured right leg. The Bucs did not tender an offer to Lane earlier this year but they have brought him back, presumably at a lower salary.
  • The Vikings are signing long snapper Kevin McDermott, a source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The deal reunites him with his college punter, Jeff Locke. McDermott’s deal is a two-year, minimum salary pact, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter), who adds that he’ll have every opportunity to push Cullen Loeffler aside. McDermott’s deal has no guaranteed money while Loeffler’s has $300K guaranteed (link).

Minor Moves: Sunday

March 8th, 2015 at 1:55pm CST by Rory Parks

We’ll keep track of any minor moves that are made over the course of the day right here:

  • The Vikings have come to terms on a one-year deal with long snapper Cullen Loeffler, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • The Packers have agreed to a one-year, $1.35MM pact with reserve quarterback Scott Tolzien, according to Packer Report (Twitter link). Tolzien has been with Green Bay since 2013. Fellow backup QB Matt Flynn is also a free agent.
  • The Seahawks and TE Anthony McCoy have agreed to a one-year deal, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Extra Points: Yates, Titans, NFLPA, Pats, Rams

March 5th, 2015 at 10:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Four teams are expressing interest in free agent quarterback T.J. Yates, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. Yates did start five games during his rookie season in Houston, but none since, and he attempted just four passes for the Falcons last year. Even with a weak crop of free agent QBs, Yates is likely only receiving inquiries that involve backup jobs.

Let’s look at some more items from around the league…

  • Despite many denials on the part of the team, the Titans could still be for sale in 2015, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). La Canfora reported the same in December, but club CEO Tommy Smith has insisted the Titans are not for sale.
  • Another candidate has emerged in the race for NFLPA executive director, as senior director of the players’ union Jason Belser announced that he’ll be running against incumbent DeMaurice Smith, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report.
  • The Vikings are close to a new deal with long snapper Cullen Loeffler, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Another long snapper, Denver’s Aaron Brewer, received a new contract earlier today.
  • Appearing on CSN New England, NFL.com’s Albert Breer said he’d be surprised if the Patriots lose both Darrelle Revis and Devin McCourty, adding that Revis is the favorite of the two to return to New England.
  • After acquiring a pack of picks for giving up the right to draft Robert Griffin III, the Rams should now reverse themselves and surrender whatever is needed to move up and select Marcus Mariota in next month’s draft, argues La Canfora in a separate piece.
  • Jets receiver Percy Harvin is due a $10.5MM salary next season, and if he’s still on the roster as of March 19, New York’s draft-pick compensation to Seattle increases from a sixth-rounder to a fourth-rounder. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com runs through Gang Green’s options with its mercurial pass-catcher.