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Malcom Floyd

Malcom Floyd Still Plans To Retire

November 17th, 2015 at 9:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd stated all season long that this would be his last NFL campaign, but some speculated that his recent shoulder injury, thought to be a season-ender, could throw that plan into flux. On Tuesday, teammate Antonio Gates became the latest to question the finality of Floyd’s decision. However, Floyd has put all of that talk to bed.

“Means a lot from my big brother but I’m still sticking to the original plan,” Floyd said of Gates’ words of encouragement (via Annie Heilbrunn of Mighty 1090).

Floyd, 33, has been a Charger since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2004, but had one of the most productive seasons of his long career in 2014. Starting all 16 games for the first time, Floyd caught 52 balls and matched career highs with 856 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The performance increased Floyd’s career totals to 291 receptions, 4,989 yards, and 31 TDs. In 2015, Floyd reeled in 21 catches for 409 yards and three touchdowns before the shoulder injury.

The 2016 offseason may represent a major transition period for the Chargers, whose future as a franchise in San Diego is uncertain. Besides Floyd, longtime Chargers like Gates and Eric Weddle are in the final year of their respective contracts as well.

West Notes: A. Smith, Floyd, Foles

November 17th, 2015 at 8:43pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier tonight, we learned that the NFL has suspended Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith for one calendar year, meaning that he cannot return to the gridiron until November 2016. Smith’s deal with Oakland only lasts through the end of the 2015 season, but based on the joint statements issued by the player and the team Tuesday night, it sounds like a reunion is very likely.

“Aldon has been a positive addition to the Raiders. He remains prominently in our long term plans and we will continue to support this member of our family as he gets the help that he needs,” the Raiders said in the press release.

Smith, meanwhile, said that he looks “forward to rejoining the team next year.” Here’s more out of the AFC and NFC West:

  • Malcom Floyd, 34, has said all year that the 2015 season would be his farewell tour. However, after suffering a serious shoulder injury, Chargers teammate Antonio Gates doesn’t see that as a certainty. “Now, I think there’s a little doubt in his mind because of how he went out,” Gates said, according to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. “I put more doubt in his mind because I want him to come back. I’m like ‘Dude, you can’t go out like this.'” Meanwhile, sources familiar with Floyd’s thinking tell Gehlken that the odds of him returning in 2016 are no longer zero.
  • The Rams‘ extension with Nick Foles calls for him to earn a guaranteed $6MM roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. The Rams can avoid his modest $1.75MM salary (guaranteed for injury only) by cutting him, but they cannot get out of paying that $6MM bonus. In theory, the Rams could trade Foles and rid themselves of that expense, but it seems unlikely that they’ll find a taker after Foles was benched in favor of Case Keenum.
  • Foles isn’t happy about being benched, but the Rams quarterback respects Jeff Fisher’s decision, as Florio writes. “You don’t expect [to be benched],” Foles told reporters. “It’s just one of those things that — I respect Coach Fisher to start off. Of course, I want to be out there, but it’s his decision to make, and I respect it. I love Case [Keenum] to death. He’s one of my favorite people in the world, so I’m going to be right there to support him every step of the way and help him in any way possible.”

West Notes: Armstrong, Floyd, Welker

November 11th, 2015 at 3:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Police are looking into whether Raiders linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong illegally taunted a police dog before a game against the Steelers on Sunday, as an Associated Press report outlines. Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus says a player lifted his shirt, beat his chest and barked at the K-9 before telling a deputy to release the dog. Needless to say, the deputy did not follow Armstrong’s orders.

Taunting a police dog is a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania, so the consequences could potentially be severe for the linebacker. It’s not a concern for Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio though, who downplayed the story during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (link via FOX Sports).

“I’ve caught wind of this story. I’m going to put it in the ‘silly’ category,” Del Rio said. “I think once the facts come to light I don’t think there’s going to be much of an issue. I wouldn’t make too much of it.”

Here’s more from around the NFL’s West divisions:

  • Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd suffered a torn labrum on Monday night, a source tells Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego (Twitter link). According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Floyd plans to rehab the injury and “see how it goes,” with the hopes of playing through it. The 34-year-old has previously stated that 2015 will be his final season in the NFL, so it would be an unfortunate end if he had to shut it down early.
  • In his latest column for Bleacher Report, Mike Freeman examines the Rams‘ decision to sign Wes Welker, and – more importantly – Welker’s decision to continue his NFL career despite possible health risks. Freeman hears from a source that Welker has “taken great care of his finances,” and is returning to action because he doesn’t want to stop playing yet, not because he needs the money.
  • Linebacker Nico Johnson, who signed yesterday with the Giants’ practice squad, also had a workout this week with the Rams, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
  • Wilson also passes along the names of several players who auditioned for the Seahawks this week, including tight end Cameron Clear, quarterback Jake Heaps, defensive lineman Glenn Foster, safety Jonathan Dowling, and cornerback Keon Lyn (Twitter link).

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Gordon, D. Thomas, Vick

June 9th, 2015 at 9:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he believes Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, suspended for the 2015 season, “still has a very bright future in the NFL.” Pointing to another one of his clients that signed with the Patriots this offseason after a lengthy suspension, Rosenhaus said that Gordon is “just as determined to make it back as Fred [Davis] was.” Here’s more from around the NFL..

  • The Broncos have been in “win-now” mode for the last couple years, but they need to be conscious about their long-term future when making contract decisions, says Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, writing for The Sporting News. Fitzgerald’s breakdown of Denver’s cap outlook includes a discussion of Demaryius Thomas, whose contract situation we examined earlier today.
  • Michael Vick is still looking for work, and has said that he wants to play in the NFL for another three years or so, but he believes he’ll have to wait for a quarterback to suffer an injury in order to get an opportunity, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. As Florio notes, there may be some skepticism around the league that Vick is ready to accept a backup role and to put in the work necessary even when he doesn’t expect to play.
  • The Chargers have been aware of Malcom Floyd‘s intentions for some time, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. The wide receiver said last year he planned to play out his contract and retire, and that remains the plan today. Floyd indicated last week that this could be his final season in the NFL.
  • Representatives from the Chargers, Rams, and Raiders are in New York to update owners on developments on their respective projects, Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego tweets. The reps from the three teams will meet with owners on Wednesday.


Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Malcom Floyd May Retire After Season

June 3rd, 2015 at 1:28pm CST by Luke Adams

Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd is entering the final year of a four-year, $13MM pact, and he’s strongly considering calling it a career once that deal expires, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. According to Williams, Floyd won’t make a final decision until after the 2015 season, but he’s likely to retire after this year.

“My approach is to focus on now, and not trying to worry about what happens after this season,” Floyd said. “It can be a distraction. I’m just trying to throw all of my chips in this year, especially because it’s the last year of my contract and just go all out, and worry about the rest later. But I’ve got four kids and it’s taking time away from them. So I’m thinking about shutting it down at the end of this season.”

Floyd, 33, has been a Charger since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2004, but had one of the most productive seasons of his long career in 2014. Starting all 16 games for the first time, Floyd caught 52 balls and matched career highs with 856 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The performance increased Floyd’s career totals to 291 receptions, 4,989 yards, and 31 TDs.

The 2016 offseason may represent a major transition period for the Chargers, whose future as a franchise in San Diego is uncertain. Besides Floyd, longtime Chargers like Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Eric Weddle are all entering the final year of their respective contracts, and negotiations (or a lack thereof) between the team and Weddle have been particularly contentious so far. In Floyd’s case, such extension talks won’t be required if he does indeed to decide to call it a career.

Nick Hardwick Plans On Being Back

February 22nd, 2014 at 5:31pm CST by Peter Sowards

Despite rumors to the contrary, Chargers center Nick Hardwick told Ricky Henne of Chargers.com that he has every intention of playing his 11th season.

“I plan on being back next year and giving them hell again,” Hardwick said. “I look forward to having fun with the guys, stirring up the city and doing some damage across the league.”

Hardwick said he never mentioned retirement and he just wanted to have some time to assess where he’s at and how he’s playing. Eric D. Williams, who covers the Chargers for ESPN, said Hardwick is in the final year of a three-year deal and is due to earn $4.4MM in total compensation.

Chargers GM Tom Telesco said yesterday that the team has been planning for Hardwick’s return, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We’re expecting him to play next year until told otherwise,” Telesco said. “Obviously, he’s a big part of the offensive line. A true team leader, a rock inside, and a guy we’d definitely love to have back.”

Gehlken also touched on receiver Malcom Floyd, who, like Hardwick, has spent the entirety of his 10-year career in San Diego. Floyd suffered a neck injury in September and his future is still undetermined.