Mychal Kendricks - Pro Football Rumors

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

March 11th, 2017 at 7:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

Extra Points: Browns, Osweiler, Jets, Eagles

March 10th, 2017 at 10:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns are reportedly trying to trade Brock Osweiler after acquiring him (and more specifically, his contract) from the Texans yesterday, and while Cleveland might be willing to pay Osweiler’s deal down to $8MM or so, some executives don’t think the Browns will find a taker. “Get the [expletive] out of here,” said one personnel man, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Another evaluator: “No one will do their new trade … but I don’t blame them for trying.”

Here’s more from around the league:

Free agent safety Tony Jefferson reportedly turned down a better proposal from the Browns before signing with the Ravens, and Jefferson himself says Cleveland $1.5MM more than Baltimore, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link), Jefferson claims the Jets offered him the same overage, although Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News disputes that assertion (Twitter link).
Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks saw $4.35MM of his $4.85MM 2017 base salary fully guarantee today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Kendricks has long been the subject of trade rumors, and the base salary guarantee could impact any such discussions. Unlike signing bonus money, which accelerates onto the original team’s cap in the event of a trade, guaranteed base salaries stay with the player and carry over to the acquring club.
Both linebacker DeAndre Levy (Lions) and safety Aaron Williams (Bills) were designated as post-June 1 releases, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com and Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Those decisions will save Detroit and Buffalo some cap space the short term, but both teams will see dead money incur on their 2018 books.

Extra Points: Bears, Cutler, Bills, Gilmore, Kendricks, Eagles

March 9th, 2017 at 1:01pm CST by Zachary Links

No surprise here, but the Bears tried to trade Jay Cutler before releasing him on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. After his 2016 struggles, teams were not willing to take on his contract. He’s now a free agent.

Here’s more from around the NFL:.

Bills brass decided well before the 2016 season they wouldn’t pay Stephon Gilmore anything close to the $14MM/year figure he’ll reportedly get from the Patriots, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets.
There has been no movement on a potential Mychal Kendricks trade for the Eagles, a source tells Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). He’ll see his $4.35MM salary guaranteed if he remains on the roster on Saturday.
The Falcons had talks about defensive tackle Terrell McClain, according to source who spoke with Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, McClain will be joining up with Washington on a multi-year deal.
The Eagles have some interest in bringing back Stefen Wisniewski, Mike Kaye of First Coast News tweets. Wisniewski has the ability to play either guard or center and did well in starts at left guard last season.

Latest On Eagles’ Trade Discussions

March 9th, 2017 at 11:53am CST by Sam Robinson

Stationed up against the salary cap, the Eagles have placed several players on the trade block in recent days. That list now includes Jason Kelce, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The Eagles are now open to trading their longtime starting center but won’t do so just to unload his salary.

Kelce loomed as a cap-casualty candidate in January but remains attached to his initial 2017 salary — $5MM, $6.2MM cap hit — with free agency officially set to begin in a few hours.

Philadelphia continues to try to move Mychal Kendricks, according to La Canfora, but looks to have pulled back on an Allen Barbre trade. The team gave the veteran guard permission to seek a trade last week, but Jeff McLane of Philly.com reports (on Twitter) the Eagles will bring back the 32-year-old versatile lineman. Barbre’s set to make just $2.25MM in 2017 despite being set for his 11th NFL season.

The Eagles have made Kendricks the subject of trade overtures for a while now, having attempted to deal him last year. Formerly a key cog for the previous Philly regime, Kendricks was phased out of Jim Schwartz’s defense.

La Canfora adds the Eagles are still trying to acquire Brandin Cooks, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com later added the team has bowed out of the Cooks pursuit.

Eagles Shopping Connor Barwin, Mychal Kendricks

March 8th, 2017 at 5:14pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles continue to explore trades for linebacker/defensive end Connor Barwin and linebacker Mychal Kendricks, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (via Twitter). If the front office doesn’t find a trade partner, the duo could ultimately be cut.

There have been lingering rumors that the Eagles could look to move on from Barwin, and a February report indicated that several teams would have interest in the veteran. The 2009 second-round pick has spent the past four seasons in Philadelphia after inking a six-year, $36MM contract in 2013. The 30-year-old played in 16 games this past season for the sixth straight year, compiling 34 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble.

The 30-year-old is set to make $7.75MM next season, and his cap hit is $8.35MM. Barwin is set to make another $10.25MM in 2018. Cutting the eight-year veteran would save the franchise that $7.75MM, leaving the team with only $600K in dead cap.

It was reported last week that the Eagles were shopping Kendricks, and that still seems to be the case. The 26-year-old carries a $6.6MM cap number next season, but the Eagles will only clear $1.8MM in cap space by trading the linebacker. During his fourth season in Philadelphia, Kendricks collected 34 tackles, one forced fumble, and five sacks.

Eagles Shopping LB Mychal Kendricks

March 3rd, 2017 at 9:01am CST by Zachary Links

At the combine this week, the Eagles are letting teams know that linebacker Mychal Kendricks can be had via trade, two sources tell NJ.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. This is not the first we’ve heard of Kendricks being a trade candidate, but this is the first indication of the Eagles actively shopping the 26-year-old.

Kendricks’ contract calls for him to carry a $6.6 cap number in 2017. However, the Eagles won’t save all that much by trading him or releasing him. Dumping the linebacker’s deal would save just $1.8MM against $4.8MM in dead money. On the other hand, if the Eagles have bold plans for next week, that little bit of extra breathing room could help them pursue some top-end free agents.

From 2012 to 2015, Kendricks was a regular starter and he was a favorite of Chip Kelly from 2013-15. This past season, he saw his playing time drop significantly under new head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. With Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham ahead of Kendricks in the pecking order, it might make sense for Philly to score some draft compensation for him while saving a bit of cash.

Extra Points: Cruz, Bengals, Eagles

February 13th, 2017 at 10:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Giants are releasing wide receiver Victor Cruz, which will save them $7.5MM in 2017. Theoretically, they could attempt to bring back the 30-year-old at a lower cap charge next season, but there’s “no indication” they have any interest in doing that, writes Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com. Cruz spoke in the past tense about his six-year run with the Giants on Monday, saying: “I did some great things there. There are so many experiences, times and moments that I shared in that building with that team in that jersey. Those can’t be replaced or forgotten. I’m happy I have those moments to look back on.”

Cruz will ceremonially retire as a Giant someday and later end up in their Ring of Honor, opines Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. His next step, though, will be to head to the open market, where he could find a fit with the Panthers, suggests Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. There’s already a connection between Carolina and Cruz: Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman was the Giants’ director of pro personnel when Big Blue signed the wideout as an undrafted free agent in 2011.

The Broncos, meanwhile, got virtually no production last season from receivers not named Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders, but they haven’t had any discussions about pursuing Cruz, reports Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post (Twitter link).

Eagles Open To Trading Mychal Kendricks

February 13th, 2017 at 8:25am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles are hoping to clear “significant” financial room this offseason and that could include trading a longtime starter. The team is willing to move on from linebacker Mychal Kendricks this offseason, a source tells PhillyVoice’s Jimmy Kempski.

Kendricks is slated to count for $6.6MM against the cap in 2017, but they could save $1.8MM by trading or releasing him. That still leaves $4.8MM in dead money, but every little bit of breathing room will help Philly this March. Kendricks also saw his playing time dip significantly under new head coach Doug Pederson and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, so he wouldn’t necessarily be missed. From 2012 to 2015, Kendricks was a regular starter and he was a favorite of Chip Kelly from 2013-15. This past season, he was leapfrogged by Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham in the pecking order. Kendricks was in on 26.8% of the team’s snaps while Bradham and Hicks both eclipsed 95%.

Alternatively, the Eagles could designate Kendricks as a June 1st cut, resulting in $5MM savings right away with $3.2MM in dead money carrying over into 2018. However, Kempski hears it is not anticipated that the Eagles go that route and it’s not clear if they’ll even consider releasing him if a trade can’t be worked out.

The Eagles cannot trade Kendricks until the start of the new league year, which will begin at 4pm ET/3pm CT on March 9. After that, there’s another key date to keep in mind – March 11. That’s when $4.35MM of his $4.85MM 2017 base salary becomes fully guaranteed. That could leave Philly with a short window to get a palatable deal done.

Extra Points: Fisher, Kendricks, Dolphins

September 15th, 2016 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jeff Fisher may already have a contract extension in place with the Rams but is declining to confirm it. Asked about rumors of a potential extension being signed, Fisher did not confirm or deny rumors connecting him to another Rams pact, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

“I never talk about my personal stuff or my extensions or non-extensions or anything,” Fisher told media Thursday. “That’s between me and the organization.”

We heard earlier today Fisher and GM Les Snead were still likely to receive contract extensions despite the pair’s lack of substantial success with the franchise. The Rams have won seven games in three of Fisher’s four seasons and are coming off a 28-0 nationally televised defeat in their return as the Los Angeles Rams. While Fisher’s fared better than Scott Linehan or Steve Spagnuolo, who combined to coach four seasons with either three or fewer victories between 2007-11, many fans may not be thrilled an extension is coming. Florio posits the extension, if it has in fact been agreed to, will likely be announced after the Rams score a key victory this season.

Here’s more from around the league as the explosive Thursday-night game continues.

Mychal Kendricks agreed to a four-year, $29MM extension with the Chip Kelly-run Eagles last year but saw his role changed to that of a base defense-only linebacker in Jim Schwartz‘s 4-3 defense. The fifth-year ‘backer isn’t exactly ready to concede he’s not a three-down linebacker, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. “I’m not putting my ego aside. I’m just putting it in check,” Kendricks said. “Trust me, that [stuff] is very much there. And quote that. Write that [stuff].” Sidelined during the preseason with a hamstring injury, Kendricks saw Nigel Bradham join Jordan Hicks in the Eagles’ nickel package in Week 1. None of Kendricks post-2016 money is fully guaranteed, McLane writes. Kendricks would see $4.35MM become fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2017 league year, however, if he remains on Philadelphia’s roster by then.
The Dolphins should cut bait with Ryan Tannehill if he doesn’t take a step forward this season, Doug Keyd of NESN.com opines. Tannehill’s $11.6MM cap number balloons to $20.3MM in 2017, tied for sixth highest among quarterbacks and ahead of guys like Tom Brady, Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger. For what it’s worth, New England coach Bill Belichick already seems to think that Tannehill is a solid QB. “He’s a good quarterback,” Belichick said. “He’s smart, he handles the offense well, he certainly takes control of things at the line of scrimmage, as we’ve seen quarterbacks do in Coach [Adam] Gase’s offense. It obviously runs through the quarterbacks. It tracks adjustments, but he’s a good decision maker, he’s athletic, throws the ball well. He can certainly make plays out of the pocket. … He’s a good player. He’s definitely a problem for us.”
The Raiders‘ potential trek to Las Vegas will still rely on owners getting behind a Mark Davis-backed venture, something that shouldn’t be considered a sure thing, Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com writes. Ratto writes the Jaguars and Chargers are the two logical candidates for the NFL to place in Vegas if the stadium deal is agreed upon. Neither has been seriously connected to a Nevada move. However, Ratto notes Jerry Jones‘ power among the owners shouldn’t be dismissed. Despite working against the Raiders in February to push the Rams to Los Angeles, Jones has voiced support for a Raiders-to-Vegas venture and could be expected to whip votes if this measure reaches a vote.

Zach Links contributed to this report.

NFC Rumors: Kelly, Eagles, Randle, Cowboys

March 23rd, 2016 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chip Kelly told Philadelphia-area media, including Jeff McLane of Philly.com, he didn’t communicate directly with Howie Roseman last season before being fired by the Eagles. The current 49ers coach said owner Jeffrey Lurie constructed an arrangement where the then-demoted Roseman sent messages to the then-empowered Kelly through player personnel VP Ed Marynowitz.

Kelly also asserted he didn’t control the contracts given to Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray, with the three-year Eagles coach telling media Roseman, who has since traded both players, constructed those deals.

“I wasn’t the personnel guy. I was in charge of the 90-man roster,” Kelly said. “But I didn’t negotiate and say this guy gets this amount of money and that guy gets that amount of money. And Ed was the one who ran our personnel department. That really fell on Ed’s shoulders in terms of how he handled everything. And Ed communicated with him all the time.

Here’s some more on the Eagles and news from some additional NFC teams.

Former Eagles first-round linebacker Marcus Smith will move to defensive end in Jim Schwartz‘s 4-3 scheme, Zach Berman of Philly.com reports. Doug Pederson told media, including Berman, his linebackers right now will consist of Mychal Kendricks on the weak side, Jordan Hicks in the middle and Nigel Bradham on the strong side.
The Vikings inquired about Rueben Randle early in free agency, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets, but no substantial interest materialized prior to Randle choosing to trek to Philadelphia.
The Giants, however, had no interest in re-signing Randle, Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger tweets. John Mara said last week the Giants were going to seek receiving help, but the market has been mostly raided in terms of notable first-time free agents. Veterans Roddy White, Marques Colston and Percy Harvin remain unsigned.
The Cowboys are expected meet with Paxton Lynch again before the draft after doing so in a productive meeting today, NFL.com’s Rand Getlin tweets. Dallas is allotted 30 visits with prospects.
Washington safety Kyshoen Jarrett‘s status is uncertain for this season, with Jay Gruden telling media — including JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com — he’s “very concerned” about the lack of strength in Jarrett’s shoulder presently. A key backup and part-time starter as a rookie last season, Jarrett was injured in Week 17 against the Cowboys.

Zach Links contributed to this report