HEADLINES

Joique Bell

Lions Sign Joique Bell

March 12th, 2014 at 12:10pm CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 12:10pm: Bell has officially re-signed with the Lions, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).

TUESDAY, 11:43am: The Lions and running back Joique Bell have agreed to a two-year, $7MM extension, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN (on Twitter). The restricted free agent gets $4.3MM guaranteed in the pact. As Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter) notes, the deal is a two-year extension tacked on to the one-year restricted free agent tender.

Bell, 27, said back in January that he hoped to bypass the restricted free agency process and negotiate a long-term contract that would keep him in Detroit. The undrafted running back was one of the team’s most dynamic offensive weapons in 2013, racking up nearly 1,200 combined rushing and receiving yards to go along with eight touchdowns. While Bell was only a part-time player, playing behind starter Reggie Bush, he ranked as the NFL’s ninth-best running back, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).

Last season, Bell proved that he is one of the league’s best No. 2 running backs and with this deal, the Lions will continue to have him in place for the next three years in that role.

Joique Bell, Lions Close To Long-Term Deal

March 11th, 2014 at 8:47am CST by Luke Adams

The Lions have placed a second-round tender on running back Joique Bell, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, meaning the potential restricted free agent could accept the offer and return to Detroit on a one-year, $2.187MM contract. However, it looks like the two sides will reach a longer-term agreement. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Bell and the Lions are close to working out a multiyear deal.

Bell, 27, said back in January that he hoped to bypass the restricted free agency process and negotiate a long-term contract that would keep him in Detroit. The undrafted running back was one of the team’s most dynamic offensive weapons in 2013, racking up nearly 1,200 combined rushing and receiving yards to go along with eight touchdowns. While Bell was only a part-time player, playing behind starter Reggie Bush, he ranked as the NFL’s ninth-best running back, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).

While it’s not clear if the Lions will finalize a deal for Bell before free agency gets underway this afternoon, doing so could reduce his 2014 cap hit, giving the team a little more flexibility to spend on other players.

NFC Rumors: Cowboys, Bell, Vikings, Bears

March 10th, 2014 at 5:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cowboys are interested in re-signing free-agents-to-be Jason Hatcher and Anthony Spencer, but Dallas isn’t the only team with interest in the defensive linemen. According to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com, the free agent duo has at least seven interested suitors, including the Cowboys. Dallas is also interested in defensive tackle Henry Melton, according to Watkins (Twitter link), but the ESPN scribe cautions that there are no assurances of a deal, given the Cowboys’ limited cap space.

Here’s more from around the NFC, with free agency less than 24 hours away:

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Lions Rumors: Suh, FAs, Bell, Pettigrew

February 21st, 2014 at 8:02am CST by Luke Adams

Already this morning, we’ve passed along word that the Lions signed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus to a contract for 2014. Martin Mayhew offered several more tidbits of note during a conversation with reporters this morning though, so let’s dive right in and round up the highlights from the Detroit general manager….

  • While Ndamukong Suh has yet to officially decide on a new agent, the Lions still expect to get a contract extension done with their standout defensive lineman sometime around March 11, when the new league year begins, according to Mayhew (Twitter links via Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com and Chris McCosky of the Detroit News).
  • With an extension likely for Suh, Mayhew says he hasn’t considered alternative scenarios, such as a trade, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
  • Mayhew told reporters, including ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein (Twitter links), that the Lions don’t expect to bring back several prospective free agents: Safety John Wendling, defensive end Israel Idonije, kicker David Akers, linebacker Rocky McIntosh, and offensive lineman Dylan Gandy.
  • Although those players won’t be back with the Lions, the club has interest in retaining a couple of its free-agents-to-be. Mayhew indicated that Detroit is interested in a long-term deal for running back Joique Bell, who will be tendered and return to the Lions no matter what (Twitter link via Rothstein).
  • The Lions also want to re-sign tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and will talk to his agent at the combine, tweets Twentyman. Birkett adds (via Twitter) that Mayhew didn’t rule out the possibility of using the franchise tag on Pettigrew.

Free Agent Rumors: Decker, Graham, Bell

February 18th, 2014 at 11:24am CST by Luke Adams

Appearing on Sirius XM Radio today, Eric Decker discussed his free agency and didn’t rule out the possibility of a return to the Broncos. However, the wide receiver’s comments suggested that Denver will likely just be one of the many options he’ll consider — Decker indicated that he’d “welcome a call” from the Broncos, but said he’ll need to make the decision that’s best for his family (Twitter link). The free-agent-to-be added that it’s not all about the money, and that he’ll be looking for a spot where he’ll have fun and enjoy going to work every day (Twitter link).

Here are a few more updates on free agents around the league:

  • While there has been no real progress in contract talks between Jimmy Graham and the Saints, expect Graham to immediately file a grievance to be considered a receiver if and when the team designates him as its franchise player, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • In a piece for CBSSports.com, Joel Corry examines the free agents who could be designated as franchise players for each of the league’s 32 teams, and also touches on Graham’s looming positional battle.
  • As both Corry and Robert Mays of Grantland point out, there’s a precedent for a positional grievance related to the franchise tag. In 2008, Terrell Suggs challenged his designation as a linebacker, contending that he spent more time at defensive end. Suggs and the Ravens ultimately compromised on the average of the two positions’ salaries. If Graham and the Saints were to reach a similar agreement, it would have to be considered a win for New Orleans, since Graham will likely be seeking top-five wide receiver money, according to Corry.
  • Justin Rogers of MLive.com attempts to project the cost of a long-term deal for Lions running back Joique Bell, who will be eligible for restricted free agency next month. Rogers concludes that a four-year contract that starts at around $3-3.5MM per year could make sense for both sides.

NFC North Notes: Tillman, Bell, Keisel, Lions

January 30th, 2014 at 11:19am CST by Luke Adams

Charles Tillman earned about $8MM in 2013, the last year of his contract with the Bears. Although he had another solid season when he was healthy, recording three INTs and forcing three fumbles in eight games, Tillman likely won’t be offered a similar salary by the Bears in free agency, given his age and the team’s limited flexibility. Still, as Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times details, the 32-year-old defensive back appeared on 670 The Score in Chicago on Wednesday and didn’t sound like someone eager to play elsewhere.

“In perfect world, I will finish as a Bear,” Tillman told Laurence Holmes. “I guarantee I will retire a Chicago Bear. I guarantee that.”

While we wait to see if the two sides can work out a deal that will keep Tillman in a Bears uniform, let’s round up a few other notes from out of the NFC North….

  • “I would like to just bypass all this and sign a long-term deal,” Joique Bell said of his impending free agency, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Since he only has three years of experience, Bell will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Lions will have the ability to match any offers he receives. Still, it sounds as if the running back would rather negotiate a multiyear contract directly with the Lions, rather than hoping they match.
  • While longtime Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel hopes to re-sign with Pittsburgh, he would definitely consider joining the Lions this spring, as he tells 105.1FM in Detroit (quotes via Justin Rogers of MLive.com). “They’ve got a great team,” Keisel said. “I really like their quarterback. They’ve got Megatron. Who wouldn’t want to play with those guys?”
  • Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com takes a closer look at the Bears‘ situation at cornerback, where Tillman isn’t the only player facing free agency.
  • Kellen Davis, who will play for the Seahawks in this weekend’s Super Bowl, tells Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times that he felt “a little bit slighted” by the Bears when Chicago cut him last March.