Marcus Cooper

Bears Release WR Markus Wheaton

Chicago is cutting bait with several of their 2017 free agents. The Bears have officially cut wideout Markus Wheaton. We heard earlier today that the receiver was likely to be cut (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter)). Wheaton was scheduled to carry a $5.75MM cap hit, but the Bears released him with just $750K in dead money.

The Bears have also announced the release of quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback Marcus Cooper. We heard last month that the organization was going to move on from Glennon, and the veteran has already agreed to a deal with the Cardinals.

After adding Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel to the wide receiver stable, the Bears can afford to part with Wheaton, who was part of a failed 2017 free agent class for general manager Ryan Pace. Chicago added Glennon, Cooper, tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps, and Wheaton last offseason, but none panned out during their first Windy City campaign.

Wheaton, 27, managed only 51 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Injuries limited him to just 11 games, but he only put up three receptions on the year. In three of his five NFL campaigns, Wheaton has posted six receptions or fewer. Defenders will point to Wheaton’s 40+ catch seasons in 2014 and 2015, but Wheaton hasn’t been productive in some time, and could struggle to find a deal on the open market.

Following a career-year with the Cardinals in 2016, Cooper disappointed this past season in Chicago. The cornerback finished the campaign with 18 tackles and three passes defended in 15 games (four starts).

Contract Details: Campbell, Demps, Wheaton

Let’s take a look the financial details of some recently-signed contracts:

  • Mike Adams, S (Panthers): Two years, $4.2MM. $1.15MM guaranteed. $650K signing bonus. $00K available annually via Pro Bowl and interception incentives (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Calais Campbell, DL (Jaguars): Four years, $60MM. $30MM guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus. Base salaries $9MM (guaranteed), $15MM (guaranteed), $12MM, $15MM. $3MM option bonus for 2019 (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Marcus Cooper, CB (Bears): Three years, $16MM. $8MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus. $1MM available annually in Pro Bowl and interception incentives (Twitter links via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune).
  • Quintin Demps, S (Bears): Three years, $13.5MM. $5MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ryan Griffin, TE (Texans): Three years, $9MM. $3.225MM guaranteed. Annual $100K workout base de-escalator (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • D.J. Hayden, CB (Lions): One year, $3.75MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $250K workout bonus. $1.5MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ted Larsen, OL (Dolphins): Three years, $5.65MM. $1.75MM guaranteed. $1.25MM signing bonus. $500K escalator in 2018. $1MM escalator in 2019 (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Josh Robinson, CB (Buccaneers): Two years, $5M. $2MM guaranteed. $1MM roster bonus due on eighth day of 2017 league year. $1.75MM team option in 2018. $750K available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Cornelius Washington, DL (Lions): Two years, $5.825MM. $1.5MM signing bonus. $1.5MM guaranteed (link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
  • Markus Wheaton, WR (Bears): Two years, $11MM. $5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times)
  • Terrance Williams, WR (Cowboys): Four years, $17MM. $9.5MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. 2020 option season. Annual $200K workout base salary de-escalator (Twitter links via Wilson).

NFC Notes: D-Jax, Eagles, Patterson, Saints

It hasn’t been an overly positive week for the Redskins, who became the first team in NFL history to lose two 1,000-yard receivers from the previous year in the same offseason. They lost Chris Baker and fired GM Scot McCloughan as well. Washington, though, did add Terrelle Pryor on a one-year deal, and before DeSean Jackson‘s Buccaneers agreement became finalized made a late push to keep him, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Reports continued to push Jackson out of Washington due to salary escalation, and the Bucs’ three-year, $33.5MM deal (with $20MM in guarantees) proved to be what the 30-year-old deep threat preferred.

Here’s more from the NFC.

  • The Eagles attempted to trade Mychal Kendricks in yet another offseason but saw most of his 2017 salary become guaranteed on Friday. A Kendricks trade would create just $1.8MM in cap space, but a source tells Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com there’s still a chance he’s dealt. The 26-year-old played just 27 percent of Philly’s defensive snaps last season.
  • Cordarrelle Patterson has visited three teams — the Redskins, Raiders and Bears — but may want to stay with the Vikings. The fifth-year wideout/return man said on Snapchat (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press), “All I am hearing is stay with the Vikings!! Trust me I want to… But we all know business is business … So what you (going to) do, Rick.” It’s safe assume “Rick” is Vikings GM Rick Spielman. The Vikings did not pick up Patterson’s fifth-year option in 2016, but given his productivity as a return man (five career kick-return touchdowns, two first-team All-Pro distinctions), it’s reasonable to suggest the Vikes would want him back at a price cheaper than the $7.915MM it would have cost them to pick up that option.
  • Rex Burkhead visited the Falcons today, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This marks the first update on Burkhead since he became a free agent. He rated as PFR’s No. 7 UFA running back this year. Given a bigger role with the Bengals after Giovani Bernard went down, Burkhead averaged 4.6 yards per carry last season and gained 489 yards from scrimmage on 91 touches. The Falcons, of course, have one of the best backfields in football, so Burkhead wouldn’t stand to leapfrog Devonta Freeman or Tevin Coleman.
  • Prior to Marcus Cooper signing with the Bears, the Saints expressed interest in the fifth-year cornerback, Herbie Teope of NOLA.com reports.
  • The NFL will strip the Patriots of the fourth-round pick they acquired from the Saints (No. 118) in the Brandin Cooks deal. (This represents the last Deflategate penalty.) But Mike Florio of Pro Football talk argued the Saints should have worked the phones to attempt to trade down from that spot. However, the trade became official on Saturday afternoon. The pick will now essentially disappear, unless New England acquires a higher fourth-round pick. The Patriots must forfeit their highest fourth-round pick, which was No. 132 prior to the Cooks trade, as part of the Deflategate penalty. Florio argues the Saints should have called teams that picked in between Nos. 119-131 to trade down — thus sending that selection to the Patriots — while picking up a minor return from another team in doing so.

Bears Sign Marcus Cooper

The Bears announced that they’ve signed free agent cornerback Marcus Cooper. It’s a three-year pact for Cooper, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.Marcus Cooper

Chicago was the third team known to be eyeing Cooper, as both the Jets and Steelers reportedly had interest in the 27-year-old defensive back. The Bears have already addressed their secondary this week, agreeing to terms with corner Prince Amukamara on a one-year deal, and inking veteran safety Quintin Demps to a three-year pact. Chicago can use all the help it can get in the back end, however, as safety Adrian Amos was the only sure starting-caliber player the club boasted coming into the offseason.

Initially arriving in Kansas City as a waiver claim, Cooper became an instant contributor for the 2013 Chiefs, intercepting three passes. But Cooper’s role slowly began to diminish in the years that followed. After starting 27 games between the ’13 and ’14 slates, Cooper seldom played on a 2015 Chiefs team that only used two cornerbacks in dime packages. Pro Football Focus, though, is less bullish on Cooper’s resurgence last season, slotting the now-27-year-old defender as its No. 101 full-time corner.

The Bears also re-signed cornerback Johnthan Banks to a one-year deal earlier today.

Marcus Cooper Visiting Bears

Free agent cornerback Marcus Cooper is visiting with the Bears, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).Marcus Cooper

Chicago is the third team known to be eyeing Cooper, as both the Jets and Steelers reportedly have interest in the 27-year-old defensive back. The Bears have already addressed their secondary this week, agreeing to terms with corner Prince Amukamara on a one-year deal, and inking veteran safety Quintin Demps to a three-year pact. Chicago can use all the help it can get in the back end, however, as safety Adrian Amos was the only sure starting-caliber player the club boasted coming into the offseason.

Initially arriving in Kansas City as a waiver claim, Cooper became an instant contributor for the 2013 Chiefs, intercepting three passes. But Cooper’s role slowly began to diminish in the years that followed. After starting 27 games between the ’13 and ’14 slates, Cooper seldom played on a 2015 Chiefs team that only used two cornerbacks in dime packages. Pro Football Focus, though, is less bullish on Cooper’s resurgence last season, slotting the now-27-year-old defender as its No. 101 full-time corner.

 

Steelers, Marcus Cooper In Contact

Having already landed on the Jets’ radar, free agent cornerback Marcus Cooper can now count the Steelers among the teams with interest in his services, tweets Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Pittsburgh has been in contact with Cooper, according to Fowler.

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The 6-foot-2 Cooper could represent a relatively affordable option for the Steelers, who haven’t displayed any willingness to splurge on corners in this year’s free agent class, per Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network (Twitter link). He likely won’t come at a pittance, though, after logging career highs in starts (15), tackles (69) and interceptions (four) in 15 appearances with the Cardinals last season. While the 27-year-old put up impressive traditional numbers, his performance didn’t wow Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 101st among 112 qualified corners.

A decent payday in free agency would be a boon for Cooper, who entered the NFL with San Francisco in 2013 as a seventh-round pick and has already been a part of three organizations. He debuted in 2013 with the Chiefs, who claimed Cooper after the 49ers cut him, and registered 21 passes defensed and three interceptions in a 16-game, six-start rookie campaign. Cooper didn’t pick off any more passes in KC, with which he combined for only 22 appearances and 10 starts from 2014-15. The club then traded him to Arizona for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft.

Cooper is the second reported cornerback to pique the Steelers’ interest since free agency began. The team is also eyeing Brandon Flowers as it looks to add to its William Gay-, Artie Burns– and Ross Cockrell-led contingent of corners.

Jets Interested In Marcus Cooper

Marcus Cooper finished the 2016 preseason buried on the Chiefs’ depth chart, but after standing out following a trade to the Cardinals, the cornerback has established himself as a viable free agent. The Jets are interested in adding Cooper to their reconfigured cornerback corps, Connor Hughes of NJ.com reports.

Cooper defensed 11 passes and intercepted a career-high four in Arizona, returning one of those picks for a score. Deficient at the cornerback spot opposite Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals want to re-sign Cooper but are aware his price might be too high.

The Jets are making a move toward a younger position group after cutting Darrelle Revis. Gang Green still has Buster Skrine under contract and is expected to tender Marcus Williams at the second-round level.

Initially arriving in Kansas City as a waiver claim, Cooper became an instant contributor for the 2013 Chiefs, intercepting three passes. But Cooper’s role slowly began to diminish in the years that followed. After starting 27 games between the ’13 and ’14 slates, Cooper seldom played on a 2015 Chiefs team that only used two cornerbacks in dime packages. Pro Football Focus, though, is less bullish on Cooper’s resurgence last season, slotting the now-27-year-old defender as its No. 101 full-time corner.

NFC Rumors: Bucs, Glennon, Graham

Buccaneers GM Jason Licht expects quarterback Mike Glennon to test the open market, but the door is not closed to a return, as Alex Marvez of the Sporting News tweets. Licht added that the team offered Glennon a contract extension “quite a while ago.”

In a weak crop of free agent quarterbacks, Glennon stands as one of the best available options. Glennon hasn’t seen the field much since the Bucs drafted Jameis Winston in 2015, but talent evaluators are still bullish on the 6’7″ signal caller. The 27-year-old could wind up as someone’s starter in 2017. At worst, he should command a handsome payday as a backup.

With tons of news coming out of the Combine today, here’s a look at all things NFC:

  • General manager John Schneider says there is no question that Jimmy Graham will be part of Seahawks next season, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times tweets. The Seahawks could have opened up $10MM in spending room with no dead money by releasing the tight end.
  • Bears GM Ryan Pace used the term “fluid” describe Jay Cutler’s situation and said keeping him is an option (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times). Personally, I don’t think the Bears will seriously entertain another season with Cutler.
  • The Buccaneers are not expected to aggressively pursue Adrian Peterson at this point, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets. Things can change, but the team still has “loose plans” for Doug Martin, Fowler adds.
  • The Cardinals are scheduled to meet with Calais Campbell’s agent this week in Indy, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. Campbell is slated to be an unrestricted free agent March 9 and Arizona has at least some interest in finding out what it would cost to bring him back. I have Campbell ranked as the most talented edge defender on the market this year, so I would not be surprised to see the Cardinals get outbid for him.
  • Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says the team would like to have Chris Johnson back next year (Twitter link via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com). Last month, we ranked Johnson as one of the 15 best running backs in free agency.
  • Arians says the Cardinals wants to re-sign cornerback Marcus Cooper, but his price be too high (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com). When asked about Cooper and other potential defensive losses, Arians said, “hopefully we’re prepared.”
  • Cardinals coach Bruce Arians hopes the team will retain center A.Q. Shipley (Twitter link via Weinfuss).

Extra Points: Cards, Falcons, Fins, 49ers

The Cardinals made an under-the-radar move in sending a 2018 seventh-round pick to Kansas City for cornerback Marcus Cooper on Sept. 2. Cooper failed to register a tackle in his Week 1 Cardinals debut, but he racked up seven and intercepted two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown, in the team’s 40-7 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday. As a result, Cooper earned NFC defensive player of the week honors.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim spoke to Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic earlier this week about acquiring Cooper, saying, “We liked him coming out of Rutgers (2013) and he fit what we did schematically. He’s longer. And from Quentin Harris to Terry to all of our pro scouts, to Adrian Wilson to Malik Boyd, they all loved what he did on tape in the preseason. He was a guy we focused on. We weren’t sure if he was going to be released or not but liked him enough to call John Dorsey (Chiefs general manager) to see if he’d be willing to move Marcus for a conditional pick.”

Cooper’s picks Sunday were his first since his rookie year, 2013, when he hauled in three. In three seasons with KC, he made 38 appearances and totaled 11 starts.

More from around the NFL:

  • Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow suffered a groin injury and will miss three to four weeks, his agent told D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Worrilow has been the Falcons’ leading tackler over the past three seasons. Prior to Worrilow’s injury, second-round rookie Deion Jones knocked him out of the starting lineup.
  • Dolphins running back Arian Foster is a long shot to play Sunday, but there is a chance he’ll play in two weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Foster is dealing with a groin injury on top of his hamstring issue.
  • The 49ers worked out linebackers Curtis Grant, Kyrie Wilson and Josh Kaddu on Wednesday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). Grant ended up joining their practice squad.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Cardinals Acquire Marcus Cooper From Chiefs

The Chiefs announced that they’ve dealt cornerback Marcus Cooper to the Cardinals for a pick. In exchange for Cooper, the Cardinals are sending a 2018 seventh-round pick to KC. Marcus Cooper (vertical)

Cooper had fallen down the depth chart in Kansas City and this offseason the Chiefs were planning to move him to safety. Cooper had three interceptions as a rookie but saw his playing time dwindle in each of the last two seasons.

The Cardinals recently lost Mike Jenkins for the season with a torn ACL and Justin Bethel is dealing with a foot issue. On top of that, Brandon Williams and Cariel Brooks both had rough outings in the team’s last preseason game against Denver. The Cardinals have now added a new name to the cornerback mix to help support star Patrick Peterson.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.