HEADLINES

Doug Baldwin

Extra Points: RGIII, Baldwin, Borland, Pugh

May 29th, 2014 at 10:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III says he’s already developed a rapport with newcomer DeSean Jackson, writes CSNWashington.com’s Tarik El-Bashir. “It’s there,” Griffin said, asked about finding chemistry with Jackson. “We’ve been throwing a lot and he’s been here for the majority of the offseason program. I know there was the big splash about him not being here at the beginning, but he’s been here since then.” More from around the league..

  • Wide receiver Doug Baldwin has a new deal that can keep him with the Seahawks through 2016, but he says the contract won’t change much for him, writes Todd Dybas of the News Tribune. Baldwin agreed to a two-year extension and although he didn’t address a report from ESPN’s John Clayton that he turned down a four-year, $20MM offer, he acknowledged that he enjoys the flexibility of his new pact.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap has the details on third-round linebacker Chris Borland‘s deal with the 49ers.
  • Saints unrestricted free agent Jordan Pugh had a tryout with the Bears, tweets Howard Balzer of USA Today Sports.
  • Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com looks at the undrafted Titans rookies who received bonus money.

Seahawks Sign Doug Baldwin Through 2016

May 29th, 2014 at 3:17pm CST by Luke Adams

3:17pm: The Seahawks have officially announced Baldwin’s new three-year contract in a press release.

10:23am: The two-year extension includes about $11MM in “new money” with achievable bonuses available to max out at around $13MM, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

10:10am: According to Louis Riddick of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Baldwin’s three-year contract is worth $13MM overall, with $9MM of that money coming in the first two years. While we don’t have the specifics yet, I’d guess there will be a signing bonus worth in the neighborhood of $3-4MM, and that Baldwin’s first-year salary will be fully guaranteed.Doug Baldwin

9:57am: The Seahawks and wide receiver Doug Baldwin have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension for the 25-year-old, according to Jim Trotter of ESPN (via Twitter). The agreement should add two new years to Baldwin’s 2014 tender, so he’ll be under contract through 2016. Earlier today, both Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com had reported that the two sides were moving closer to a deal.

Baldwin had been the last remaining restricted free agent on the market, which put a little pressure on the two sides to work something out before June 15, at which point the Seahawks could have withdrawn their $2.187MM RFA tender and still retained exclusive negotiating rights. For Seattle, a multiyear deal was preferable since it would keep Baldwin off the unrestricted free agent market next year — for the receiver himself, securing a little extra guaranteed money to remain with the defending champions was also likely his preferred option.

Golden Tate departed for the Lions in free agency this offseason, but Percy Harvin is set to return to the Seahawks’ lineup this season, so Baldwin should remain in his previous role as the club’s No. 2 receiving option. Last season, he hauled in 50 passes for 778 yards, both totals that were just off of his career highs (51 and 788). Seattle’s offensive game plan wasn’t particularly pass-heavy in 2013, but the return of the explosive Harvin could help to open things up going forward.

While the Seahawks haven’t made significant upgrades to the roster that beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl less than four months ago, the team has done well to keep several of its own key free agents. In addition to bringing back Baldwin and standout defensive end Michael Bennett, the Seahawks also reached new deals with Tony McDaniel, O’Brien Schofield, Steven Hauschka, and Sidney Rice, among others.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks Moving Toward Deal

May 29th, 2014 at 9:08am CST by Luke Adams

9:08am: Baldwin and the Seahawks are “very close” to reaching an agreement, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link), who says to expect a shorter term — perhaps three years.

8:22am: One restricted free agent remains unsigned, but it may just be a matter of time until wide receiver Doug Baldwin and the Seahawks come to an agreement on a multiyear contract. According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (Twitter links), the two sides have been moving toward a deal, and one could be struck “very soon.”

Baldwin, 25, indicated yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that while he’d like a longer-term contract, he’s prepared to go out and play the 2014 season on his RFA tender, which is worth $2.187MM. He and the Seahawks still have a little time to work out an agreement — if RFAs have yet to sign new contracts or accept their one-year tenders by June 15, their leverage diminishes significantly, since clubs can withdraw those tenders and still regain exclusive negotiating rights.

By the sounds of Garafolo’s report, Seattle and Baldwin should have in agreement in place by that point, and if so, it’ll be interesting to see what it looks like. The Stanford alum has modest career numbers, including 50 receptions for 778 yards in ’13, but he’s still young and could be in line for a bigger role in the team’s offense now that Golden Tate is no longer in the picture. Tate received more than $6MM annually to sign a long-term contract with the Lions this offseason, and while Baldwin may not match that figure, his per-year salary on a multiyear deal would presumably exceed his $2.187MM tender.

If the two sides don’t work something out, Baldwin figures to play out the season on his one-year tender, then become eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2015.

Doug Baldwin Discusses Contract

May 22nd, 2014 at 12:05pm CST by Luke Adams

Of the players who were eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, all have signed their tenders, reached multiyear agreements with their current clubs, or hit the unrestricted free agent market — all but one. Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin has yet to sign his second-round tender worth $2.187MM, but said today on KJR-AM in Seattle that he’s not too worried about his contract situation. According to Baldwin (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times), the Seahawks made a multiyear offer, which he countered with a proposal of his own.

“It’s going to take some time,” Baldwin said. “It’s just the process of going through the negotiations, that’s just what it is. … It’s still very early in the stages of the conversation and I don’t know how long it’s going to take. But hopefully we can get something done soon. … If we are unable to reach an agreement I will sign the tender, play that out, and then be an unrestricted free agent (in 2015).”

The Seahawks have brought back a number of their own key free agents this season, including defensive end Michael Bennett, and Baldwin will fall into that same category one way or the other. He doesn’t plan to sit out the season, so whether he plays in 2014 on a one-year tender or in the first year of a longer-term deal, the 25-year-old will take the field for the defending champions.

If Baldwin were to sign a multiyear contract, it’ll be interesting to see exactly what it might be worth. Baldwin’s numbers, including 50 receptions for 778 yards in ’13, are modest, but he’s still young and could be in line for a bigger role now that Golden Tate is no longer in the picture. Tate received more than $6MM annually to sign with the Lions this offseason, and while Baldwin may not match that figure, his per-year salary on a long-term extension would presumably exceed his $2.187MM RFA tender.

West Rumors: Seahawks, Baldwin, Rams, Chargers

May 8th, 2014 at 2:25pm CST by Luke Adams

With just a few hours left until the 2014 NFL draft gets underway in New York, the first round is rightly the focus of the football world. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a handful of other reports on non-draft subjects. One such report comes from Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, who writes that the Seahawks recently hosted veteran defensive end Andre Carter for a visit. At age 34, Carter is no longer the difference-maker he once was, but he could be a worthwhile backup piece on an elite defensive unit in Seattle.

Here’s more from around the NFC and AFC West divisions:

  • Wide receiver Doug Baldwin is the only unsigned restricted free agent out there, but it sounds like he and the Seahawks are making progress on a longer-term deal, as he tells Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. “I will say things are going in the right direction,” Baldwin said. “I don’t know how much time it’s going to take. They’ve got the draft to deal with. So we are in preliminary talks. But hopefully we will figure something out soon.”
  • The Rams are more likely to have trade options with the No. 13 pick than the No. 2 pick, unless Jadeveon Clowney is available at No. 2, tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. If Clowney goes first, Greg Robinson is viewed as the likely pick for St. Louis — if Clowney is still on the board, another team could push the Rams for a trade.
  • TheMMQB.com’s Peter King suggested earlier today that if Blake Bortles falls into the twenties, “a team with a very good quarterback” will try to make a trade to land him. King doesn’t name the team, but a Broncos source confirms to Mike Klis of the Denver Post that it won’t be Denver.
  • Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link) is hearing rumblings about the Chargers having interest in Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy. Acee adds in a second tweet that cornerback remains the team’s top priority in the first round, but that San Diego is performing due diligence on pass rushers.

No Offer Sheets For Doug Baldwin, Byron Bell

May 2nd, 2014 at 7:41pm CST by Luke Adams

Today’s afternoon deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets came and went without any news on wide receiver Doug Baldwin or offensive lineman Byron Bell, the only two remaining RFAs. As such, Baldwin should return to Seattle and Bell should return to Carolina for the 2014 season. Baldwin and Bell received $2.187MM tenders from their respective teams, so they can either accept and sign those offers, or try to negotiate longer-term deals.

Offer sheets from prospective suitors needed to be finalized by today in order to give the Seahawks and Panthers five days before the draft to decide whether to match or pass on those offers. If a rival team had signed Baldwin to an offer sheet, for instance, and the Seahawks decided to let him go, they would have been entitled to a 2014 second-round pick from that club as compensation.

I explained restricted free agency in more detail in a PFR Glossary entry this morning.

NFC West Notes: 49ers, Rams, Mosley, Baldwin

April 30th, 2014 at 7:58pm CST by Rob DiRe

The 49ers are expected to be aggressive in this draft, looking to trade up in the first round in order to secure a top prospect. In order to do so, they need a trade partner, and Bill Williamson of ESPN.com explored a few options. If their target is a top wideout such as Sammy Watkins of Clemson or Mike Evans of Texas A&M, they have the ammunition to move up to No. 5 by trading with their rivals across the Bay. If they are not so zealous, they could look to make a deal with the Steelers (No. 15), the Chiefs (No. 23), or the Browns (No. 26).

Here are some other notes from around the NFC West:

  • The Rams have been bringing a lot of prospects in for visits leading up to the draft, but it may be a smokescreen to keep secret the prospects they truly covet, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. He believes they did this the last two years, especially finding it useful to hide their interest in receivers Brian Quick and Stedman Bailey by leaking their interest in a few much more high profile pass catchers. Unless the Rams changed philosophies, this could mean we could be surprised with their choices at the draft next week.
  • The Cardinals will be looking to replace inside linebacker Karlos Dansby this offseason, and Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com believes they could find a great player in the first round. Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley has the burst to compete for that spot as a rookie, replicating Dansby’s athleticism. The team still has Kevin Minter, and if they can justify carrying both, they could put together a deep linebacking group.
  • Doug Baldwin has still not signed his second-round tender with the Seahawks, but Stephen Cohen of SeattlePI.com believes that the team still holds all the cards in keeping him. Baldwin has until Friday to negotiate with other teams, but the Seahawks have the right to match any offer or accept a second-round pick in return for letting Baldwin go.

West Rumors: Baldwin, Tuck, Jones, Chargers

April 22nd, 2014 at 8:32pm CST by Zachary Links

Doug Baldwin told 710 ESPN in Seattle that he has not yet signed his second-round tender, but he is working out with the Seahawks at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, tweets Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter). Seattle extended the one-year, $2.187MM tender to Baldwin back in early March. Baldwin is coming off of a solid season in which he hauled in 50 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns. Baldwin added that he still hopes to work out a long-term pact with the team, tweets Terry Blount of ESPN.com. More from the AFC and NFC West..

  • Justin Tuck knows the Raiders‘ history and reputation, but he says he’s ready to help turn it all around, writes ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez. “A lot of people always say you go to Oakland for your career to die. I’m not looking at it like that. I’m looking at it like this is an opportunity to revive a storied franchise in a city with a great fan base behind this football team. The energy and excitement around this football team should be good. I’m excited about it,” said the veteran.
  • New Raiders receiver James Jones spoke glowingly of his relationship with GM Reggie McKenzie when they were together in Green Bay, writes Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Sulia link).
  • Former Ohio State cornerback Brandon Roby is en route to San Diego to visit the Chargers, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (on Twitter).
  • The 49ers hosted three draft prospects today, according to Adam Caplan of NFL.com (on Twitter). Arizona State outside linebacker Carl Bradford, University of South Florida defensive end Aaron Lynch, and defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt of Notre Dame all flew out to San Francisco.

Seahawks Tender Doug Baldwin

March 7th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks have extended a second-round contract tender to wide receiver Doug Baldwin, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). The tender is a one-year contract offer worth $2.187MM, and ensures that Baldwin, a restricted free agent, can’t sign with another team without Seattle having the right to match the offer.

Although Seattle didn’t rely too heavily on its passing attack en route to a Super Bowl win this past season, Baldwin had a solid season, grabbing 50 passes for 778 yards and five touchdowns. With three years of NFL experience and no contract for 2014, he can test the market this offseason. If Baldwin signs an offer sheet elsewhere, the Seahawks can either match it or let him walk and receive a second-round pick as compensation from Baldwin’s new team.

I’d be surprised if any team was willing to give up a second-round pick for the right to commit to Baldwin on a multiyear deal, so the likeliest outcome might see the 25-year-old accept the one-year tender offer and return to Seattle. In that scenario, Baldwin would earn $2.187MM in 2014 and be eligible for unrestricted free agency a year from now.