DeMarcus Ware - Pro Football Rumors

Contract Details: McCluster, Bradshaw, Cassell

March 12th, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest contract details from around the NFL..

Dexter McCluster‘s three-year deal with the Titans gets him $7.35MM guaranteed with a $3MM bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. While he can earn $12MM over those three years through incentives, it’s valued closer to $9MM, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean. The base salaries are as follows: $1MM, $2.35MM, and $2.275MM (link).
Ahmad Bradshaw‘s deal with the Colts is a minimum salary benefit contract, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The tailback gets an $855K base which counts as $695K against cap. The deal also has an injury split.
Jacoby Jones‘ four-year deal with the Ravens has a base value of $12MM and a max value of $14MM, tweets Wilson. The wide receiver has a $2MM incentive clause for catches and $4.5MM guaranteed.
Matt Cassel gets a $3MM roster bonus Monday and a $2.65M base in 2014 in his new two-year, $10.5MM pact with the Vikings, tweets Pelissero. In 2015, it’s a $4.15MM base with a $500K roster bonus due in March. There’s also $100K without the bonus each year. He also has an injury waiver.
In Linval Joseph‘s five-year, $31.25MM deal with the Vikings, he gets $12.5MM guaranteed with a $3MM signing bonus, tweets Wilson.
Jon Asamoah‘s deal with the Falcons is a five-year, $22.5MM deal with $8MM guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. The total includes $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.
T.J. Ward‘s deal with the Broncos is a four-year, $22.5MM pact with $7MM due in the first year, tweets Pelissero. Another $6.5MM is guaranteed for injury only in 2015.
DeMarcus Ware‘s three-year, $30MM deal with the Broncos is front-loaded, with $13MM due in 2014 and $23M after 2015, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports. Ware’s cap numbers are: $9.6MM, $11.6MM and $8.6MM for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, adds Corry (via Twitter).
Austin Howard‘s five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders has $11.8MM guaranteed, tweets Wilson. The salaries are as follows: $2.9MM, $3.9MM, $4.4MM, $4.9MM, and $5.4MM.

Broncos Sign DeMarcus Ware

March 12th, 2014 at 5:38pm CST by Luke Adams

5:38pm: Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter) has the particulars. It’s a three-year, $30MM deal with $20MM guaranteed and a $5MM bonus. Ware will get base salaries of $3MM, $7MM, and $7MM.

3:36pm: Ware has officially signed with the Broncos, tweets Lindsay Jones of USA Today.

1:00pm: Continuing their defensive overhaul, the Broncos have agreed to sign veteran free agent DeMarcus Ware to a three-year, $30MM deal, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The contract, which will be finalized after Ware takes a physical, includes $20MM in guaranteed money, according to Schefter. That $20MM in guaranteed money is all in the first two years of the pact, says Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

Ware, 31, was released by the Cowboys earlier this week due to the $16MM cap number for 2014 on his previous deal. The team discussed the possibility of Ware taking a pay cut, but the longtime Cowboy expected to do well on the open market if the club released him, and he was certainly right. According to Schefter (via Twitter), Ware will earn $13MM in 2014 on his new deal, which is slightly more than he would have earned on his previous contract in Dallas.

Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. However, even if his days of flirting with 20 sacks per season are behind him, the former 11th overall pick is still capable of terrorizing quarterbacks, and figures to make of one half of a formidable pass-rushing duo in Denver, where Von Miller will play on the other end of the line.

The Broncos’ agreement with Ware is the third major splash the team has made on the defensive side of the ball since free agency opened. The club also splurged on the secondary, signing safety T.J. Ward away from the Browns and cornerback Aqib Talib away from the Patriots. With Peyton Manning nearing the end of his career, Denver is clearly in win-now mode, and is going all-in over the next couple seasons in an attempt to win a Super Bowl.

With Ware coming off the board at $10MM per year, veteran pass rushers like Jared Allen, Justin Tuck, and LaMarr Woodley have to be happy, as it should improve their position in negotiations. I wouldn’t expect any of those three to match Ware’s price tag, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (Twitter links) that Denver would have made a similar three-year offer for Allen if Ware had turned it down.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Wednesday

March 12th, 2014 at 11:07am CST by Luke Adams

Even after signing T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib yesterday, the Broncos appear ready to add another defensive playmaker to their roster. Denver is reportedly the frontrunner to sign DeMarcus Ware, who was released yesterday by the Cowboys. Still, nothing is done yet, so while we wait to see where Ware lands, we’ll round up the rest of the day’s rumors on him right here:

One team tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Ware thinks he can get at least $10MM in free agency. It’s not clear if that figure represents an overall guarantee or per-year figure, but I’d assume the latter.
In his latest piece for TheMMQB.com, Peter King suggests the Seahawks will be in play for Ware and fellow free agent pass rusher Julius Peppers “if the price is right.” I’m guessing $10MM per year might not be the right price for Seattle.

Broncos Are Favorites To Sign DeMarcus Ware

March 12th, 2014 at 7:31am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 7:31am: According to Schefter (Twitter link), Ware will visit the Broncos today. All signs seem to be pointing to Ware signing with Denver — as Schefter adds in a second tweet, an AFC West official who tried to get the ex-Cowboy in for a visit was told “you’re not going to like where he winds up.”

TUESDAY, 9:35pm: Ware is visiting with the Broncos and they’re his only scheduled visit so far, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

9:00pm: The Broncos have emerged as the favorites to sign veteran defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. We learned earlier today that six teams, including the Browns, have interest in the former Cowboys standout.

Teams with both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes had their eye on Ware at the official start of free agency. After a few weeks of will they/won’t they with Dallas, Ware forced their hand this morning and got them to decide on his future in advance of the afternoon kickoff to free agency.

Ware would have accounted for a $16MM cap hit in 2014 for Dallas and was owed $26MM in total between ’14 and ’15. Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-Team All-Pro, but he clearly lost a step in 2013. It sounds like Denver might be the place where he tries to rediscover his magic of years past.

If Ware winds up with the Broncos, that means one less suitor for fellow veteran defensive end Jared Allen.

Playoff Teams Interested In DeMarcus Ware

March 11th, 2014 at 9:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

While it is already known that the Broncos are the front runners to sign DeMarcus Ware, 15 teams have called to express interest in the veteran pass rusher, including eight playoff teams, according to Rainer Sabin of DallasNews.com.

Ware is thought of as a very scheme versatile player, able to put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer as a 4-3 end or more naturally as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4. He joins Julius Peppers and Jared Allen as the most accomplished quarterback killers on the market. All three players will most likely command smaller contracts, but should be able to choose contenders to play for as they all chase a Super Bowl, something none of the three have been able to attain.

DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Tuesday

March 11th, 2014 at 6:43pm CST by Luke Adams

DeMarcus Ware‘s days of flirting with 20 sacks per season are almost certainly behind him, but the longtime Cowboy is still an intriguing option for teams in need of pass-rushing help. With Ware now on the open market, let’s round a few early rumors on him:

Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com hears the Browns may have interest in Ware (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

In a statement issued by the Cowboys, owner Jerry Jones didn’t close the door on bringing Ware back to Dallas, suggesting that the team and the defensive end were in “very strong agreement” about exploring that possibility.
Former Eagles exec Louis Riddick of ESPN.com believes Philadelphia is likely working “very hard” to try to sign Ware (Twitter link).
Six playoff teams have already expressed some interest in Ware, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets that Ware is expected to have plenty of options, but will be selective about which ones he considers, and hopes to move quickly through the free agent process.

Cowboys To Release DeMarcus Ware

March 11th, 2014 at 2:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys are releasing DeMarcus Ware, tweets Clarence Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram. Interest from teams with 3-4 schemes as well as 4-3 schemes is expected, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. We learned earlier today that Ware requested that Dallas decide on his future before the start of free agency this afternoon.

Ware would have accounted for a $16MM cap hit in 2014 and was owed $26MM in total between ’14 and ’15. Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-Team All-Pro, but he clearly lost a step in 2013.

The Cowboys theoretically could have kept Ware on board with his current contract thanks to the Sean Lee, Orlando Scandrick, and Tony Romo contract adjustments putting them right around the ~$133MM cap limit, but that money could be better allocated elsewhere.

NFC Rumors: Ware, Beason, Mitchell

March 11th, 2014 at 11:12am CST by Zachary Links

A look at the NFC..

DeMarcus Ware has requested the Cowboys decide future before start of free agency signing period today, tweets Ed Werder of ESPN. Werder is unsure of the Cowboys’ response at this time.
The Giants want to re-sign linebacker Jon Beason but Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that he’s asking for more than Big Blue wants to pay. The Giants have 26 free agents and are alright with letting most of them go, but they’d like to keep the University of Miami product.
If Donte Whitner goes elsewhere, the 49ers are looking at Panthers safety Mike Mitchell as a backup plan, a source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Mitchell, 26, had a career high four interceptions to go along with eight pass breakups in 2013.

NFC East Rumors: Ware, Redskins, Giants, Eagles

March 10th, 2014 at 11:20am CST by Luke Adams

Free agency officially gets underway at 3:00pm central time tomorrow, and there could be resolution on DeMarcus Ware‘s situation in Dallas by then, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Archer reports that the Cowboys have had “consistent negotiations” with Ware on a reworked contract that would reduce his 2014 cap hit. If the two sides can reach a compromise, it sounds like the standout pass rusher will continue his career in Dallas. Otherwise, he may be cut by tomorrow afternoon.

Let’s round up a few more Monday rumors from out of the NFC East….

Although the Redskins have inquired on a number of defensive backs, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and safety Louis Delmas don’t appear to be on the team’s radar, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post (Twitter links). However, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Washington’s reported interest in Jairus Byrd is for real, and adds that the Browns are showing genuine interest too.
The Cowboys have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Wesley Woodyard, writes Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
While there’s no word yet on whether veteran center David Baas will accept a pay cut, the Giants have expressed interest in prospective free agent center Brian De La Puente, according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter).
According to various reports from CSNPhilly.com, PhillyMag.com, The Star-Ledger, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Eagles have expressed interest in defensive backs Corey Graham, Antoine Bethea, Nolan Carroll, and Mike Mitchell.
Last night, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer identified a few potential fits for the Eagles as the team considers pass rushers, including Mike Neal, O’Brien Schofield, and Rob Jackson. McLane listed Lamarr Houston as a long shot for the Eagles, but the club has at least looked into the defensive end, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (via Twitter),.

NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

March 9th, 2014 at 9:15pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the NFC East…

It appears that the Cowboys are ready to move on from Miles Austin, but there’s a chance DeMarcus Ware could stick around, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. Earlier this week, we learned that the Cowboys wanted Ware to take a pay cut.
The Eagles could be interested in a “game-breaking return specialist” and there should be plenty on the market, says Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com. He mentions Dexter McCluster, Devin Hester and Ted Ginn Jr. as potential fits, with McCluster being the most intriguing.
In the same article, Sheridan discusses his belief that the Eagles won’t move DeSean Jackson this offseason. He adds that he thinks the team will draft one or two receivers and because of that, there is no guarantee that Jackson is with the team beyond 2014.
The Eagles won’t overspend on an edge rusher but will certainly look to upgrade at the position, says Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. McLane mentions Mike Neal and O’Brien Schofield as potential targets.
Following a disappointed season, the Giants don’t seem unwilling to let all 26 of their free agents go, writes Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Vacchiano points out that the team would love to keep linebacker Jon Beason, though.
The Giants reported interest in Alterraun Verner and other top cornerbacks is for real, says Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Raanan also refers to the team’s previous interest in Sam Shields.