HEADLINES

Jeremy Maclin

AFC West Notes: Raiders, English, Chiefs

February 9th, 2014 at 3:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Raiders have an impending salary cap quandary on their hands, according to Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report. Due to language in the new collective bargaining agreement, teams must spend at least 89% of the salary cap for the 2013-2016 seasons. While the idea that the Raiders have over $60MM in cap space looks good on paper, this hides the fact that team must make up $16.4MM in spending over the next three seasons, while simultaneously meeting the 89% threshold. Compounding the problem is that the Raiders simply lack the type of quality players that the team could look to extend. This dilemma might force general manager Reggie McKenzie to eschew his policy, honed during his time with the Packers, of shunning big-name free agents.

Some other news from the AFC West:

  • Contrary to reports, Chargers linebacker Larry English will not become a free agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Team sources indicate English did not attain playing-time incentives required to allow him to void the final year of his contract. Instead, he will be paid $1.54MM. Of course, the Chargers could still release him, as he graded out poorly in Pro Football Focus’ rankings (subscription required).
  • The Chiefs could target receiver Jeremy Maclin, but can’t afford to get into a bidding war for him, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Teicher. Maclin played under Chiefs coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.
  • Teicher also thinks the Chiefs will allow offensive tackle Branden Albert to leave via free agency, due to the presence of 2013 first-round pick Eric Fisher.
  • Former Broncos offensive assistant Jim Bob Cooter, hired as the Lions’ quarterbacks coach, will be difficult to replace, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com.

Jets Eyeing Jeremy Maclin, Emmanuel Sanders

February 7th, 2014 at 8:22am CST by Luke Adams

The Jets will be looking this offseason to upgrade a passing offense that was one of the league’s worst in 2013, and have particular interest in two free agent receivers, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. According to Mehta, the Jets “covet” Jeremy Maclin of the Eagles and Emmanuel Sanders of the Steelers. Both players are eligible for unrestricted free agency next month.

While we haven’t heard much on the likelihood of Sanders returning to Pittsburgh, Eagles GM Howie Roseman hinted this week that there’s a chance Philadelphia may not retain both Maclin and Riley Cooper this offseason. After missing the 2013 season due to a torn ACL, Maclin figures to come cheaper and may be available on a one-year, make-good deal, which makes him a strong candidate to return to the Eagles, but also could make it easier for the Jets to outbid Philadelphia and other rival suitors.

As Mehta notes, the Jets’ top four receivers this past season – Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson, and Stephen Hill – combined for just 126 catches and 1,744 yards, barely outpacing the individual stats of the league’s top receivers. Holmes, the highest-paid of that group, won’t be back in New York next season, at least not at his current price. The Jets can free up $8MM+ by cutting Holmes, and Mehta hears from sources that the club has already factored that amount into its pool of available free agent money.

While adding playmaking receivers will be a priority for the Jets this spring, the team is unlikely to be heavily in the mix for Eric Decker, says Mehta. New York may reach out to Decker and his reps to gauge the Denver receiver’s value, but there are those within the Jets organization who question his ability to be a true No. 1, according to Mehta.

Given the influx of talent required at the position, wide receiver figures to be an area of focus for the Jets in May’s draft as well as in free agency.

Eagles Facing ‘Complicated’ WR Situation

February 5th, 2014 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

The Eagles’ wide receiving corps played a large role in Nick Foles posting a ridiculous ratio of 27 touchdown passes to just two interceptions during the 2013 season, but multiple key pieces of that unit will be facing free agency this offseason. With both Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin poised to hit the open market next month, GM Howie Roseman tells Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com that the Eagles’ wide receiver situation is “complicated.”

“You have guys that you want to have back,” Roseman said, “And also, what resources are you going to devote to that position with the guys who are already on the roster? And then you look at it in the draft, obviously a very strong position, so I think … it’s a complicated situation but we’ve never ruled out bringing both of those guys back.”

As Mosher writes, the Eagles have the cap flexibility to re-sign both players, particularly since a knee injury wiped out Maclin’s season and likely derailed his chances of earning a lucrative long-term deal. Still, the club has other positions to address, as well as a few players who will need to be extended within the next year or two. Throw in the fact that Roseman’s comments suggest the team is eyeing receiving options in the draft, and it stands to reason that perhaps Philadelphia will let Cooper or Maclin walk.

A source tells Mosher that the Eagles and Cooper have yet to engage in extension talks of any substance, though that will likely happen later this month, perhaps at the league’s scouting combine. It’s not clear how far talks with Maclin have progressed, if they have at all. But for what it’s worth, Mosher wrote last month that he had a “hunch” the club would re-sign Maclin to a one-year pact and let Cooper walk.

Eagles Notes: Cooper, Maclin, Peters, Allen

January 25th, 2014 at 10:23am CST by Matt Feminis

With free agency looming and approximately $20MM worth of cap space to work with, the Eagles have decisions to make on key players. At the top of the list are receivers Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin. The belief among NFL people is that both players will be back next season, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane.

  • A combination of factors could work to keep the 26-year-old Cooper, whom GM Howie Roseman calls a “young asset,” in Philadelphia. Cooper made a favorable impression on Chip Kelly, but other GMs could be reluctant to bring him into the locker room after last summer’s incident.
  • Maclin, 25, has been a playmaker when healthy, and his skill set is ideal for Kelly’s system, but he’s coming off his second right ACL tear. Consequently, Maclin acknowledges he might be willing to settle for a one-year, “prove-it” contract in an effort to cash in next year.
  • The team is pleased with its three tight ends. Zach Ertz is a bargain on his rookie deal, while Brent Celek ($4MM) and James Casey ($3.99MM) are reasonably priced, meaning the trio could remain intact.
  • DeMeco Ryans is scheduled to make $6.8MM next year and might have to take a pay cut to stay.
  • Franchise left tackle Jason Peters has one year remaining at $9.65MM and could be in line for an extension.
  • Free safety Nate Allen is also a free agent and a question mark to return. A second-round pick in 2010, Allen has not taken his game to the level expected when he was drafted, and was “afraid to hit,” according to an unnamed former coach.