Terrelle Pryor - Pro Football Rumors

This Date In Transactions History: Bengals Cut Terrelle Pryor

June 18th, 2018 at 2:04pm CST by Zachary Links

On this date in 2015, the Bengals released quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After four unremarkable years in the NFL, the move didn’t mean much at the time. However, the release changed the trajectory of the former Ohio State star’s career.

The late Al Davis brought Pryor into the league after selecting him in the third round of the 2011 supplemental draft. Pryor didn’t play much in his first two seasons and struggled on the whole in 2013, although there were some impressive moments. Pryor was traded to the Seahawks in 2014, but was cut prior to Week 1 and wound up sitting out of football altogether that year. In January of 2015, the Chiefs signed Pryor, but released him in May. The Bengals scooped him up, but cut him from the roster five weeks later on June 18, 2015.

Clearly, Pryor’s athleticism could not carry him at the quarterback position in the NFL, but he was reluctant to give up on his lifelong dream. Prior to signing with the Bengals, Pryor declared, “If I can’t play quarterback, I can’t play football.” But, after his release from the Bengals, agent Drew Rosenhaus informed teams that Pryor was willing to line up as a wide receiver.

Ohio’s other team – the Browns – moved quickly to claim Pryor off of waivers. Pryor mostly sat on the bench in 2015 as Josh McCown‘s backup, but the Browns shifted him to wide receiver prior to the 2016 offseason. The Browns were optimistic about what the 6’4″, 228-pound athlete could do at his new position, but few expected him to finish the season with 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns.

Pryor parlayed his huge season into a one-year, $6MM free agent deal with the Redskins, but he was held back by an ankle injury and did little in D.C. This offseason, the Jets decided to take a moderate gamble on Pryor by signing him to a one-year, $4.5MM contract with $2MM guaranteed.

Pryor is still battling an ankle injury and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll be able to replicate his ’16 production with Gang Green. But, Pryor has earned far more in the NFL than anyone expected he would back in 2015, which is something to be proud of regardless of how things shake out from here.

East Notes: Pryor, Eagles, Giants, Bills

June 15th, 2018 at 9:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Terrelle Pryor and Todd Bowles have a slight difference of opinion when it comes to the wide receiver’s timetable. Though, maybe the Jets‘ fourth-year head coach doesn’t want to make an unnecessarily bold proclamation in this case. Bowles is not certain the recently signed wideout will be available when training camp begins. Pryor did not practice this week. After encountering more ankle trouble in the spring, Pryor underwent surgery earlier this month. Despite the ankle trouble limiting him this offseason, one that’s involved a boot on Pryor’s right foot at minicamp’s outset, Pryor believes he’ll be available on Day 1 of camp.

“For now, in my mind, I’ll be there the first day,” Pryor said, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “Right now, I’m healthy and I’m ready to get back to form and have a dominant year.”

Pryor also said the injury he suffered early last season — a torn deltoid ligament in his right ankle during Week 1 — affected him throughout his woeful Washington campaign. The veteran was not able to practice much due to the malady and ended his Redskins season on IR.

“I just really couldn’t focus on my game because I was too worried about my foot,” Pryor said. “It kind of took control and controlled my mind.”

Here’s the latest from around the East divisions:

Doug Pederson said this week (via Kalyn Kahler of SI.com) he’s considering splitting first-team reps evenly between Carson Wentz and Nick Foles during training camp. Although the Eagles‘ franchise centerpiece has not been cleared for 11-on-11 work, he continues to progress and is expected to be ready by September. But an even split — similar to how Pederson handled matters in 2016, when Sam Bradford was still on the team — puts Foles in better position to lead the offense if Wentz endures a setback.
The Giants may have a new contender for the center job. Jon Halapio is making a strong push to be the starting snapper, with Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reporting the fifth-year player has emerged in this role after an “extremely strong” spring. Brett Jones entered the offseason as the player most observers assumed would succeed Weston Richburg as Big Blue’s full-time center, and the Giants tendered him at a second-round level. Halapio, once a sixth-round Patriots pick, re-signed as an ERFA. He started six games last season as a guard, his first action as a pro despite being a 2014 draftee, and has now impressed the Giants’ new coaching staff. While that second-round tender should give Jones a good chance come camp, this is an interesting situation on a retooling offensive line.
Speaking of unlikely starters, Nathan Peterman may have a reasonable chance of starting for the Bills in Week 1. While A.J. McCarron is the assumed stopgap while Josh Allen learns, ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak calls Peterman a serious contender for the starting job. This would be a strange turn of events after Peterman’s one rookie-year start went so poorly, but it appears McCarron might not have an automatic route to the job.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Pryor, Dolphins

June 6th, 2018 at 5:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

New Jets wide receiver Terrelle Pryor recently underwent a scope on his knee, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per head coach Todd Bowles, it will be “close” as to whether Pryor will be available for training camp, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. While reports on Pryor seem positive, any injury is worth noting for the ex-Browns and Redskins wideout. Pryor underwent ankle surgery last November and missed the remainder of what was already a disappointing campaign in Washington, and subsequently dealt with another, unrelated ankle issue last month. If Pryor is forced to miss any time, fellow receivers Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, or Andre Roberts could conceivably see more action.

Here’s more from the AFC East:

Defensive tackle Leonard Williams is under the Jets‘ control through the 2019 campaign thanks to his fifth-year option, and the former first-round pick isn’t concerned about his next contract, as Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. “The contract’s going to come,” Williams said. “There’s no pressure for it. I’m not like thirsty for it or anything like that. I just want to keep working hard and keep focusing on year by year and just making myself the best possible and helping my team be the best possible, and the money will come.” Williams, who will earn a combined total of roughly $17MM over the next two years, graded as the NFL’s No. 21 interior defender in 2017, per Pro Football Focus. He’s eligible for an extension now, but New York hasn’t made any known contractual overtures.
A number of Jets players — including rookie tight end Chris Herndon, linebacker Dylan Donahue, and perhaps most infamously, wide receiver Robby Anderson — have been in legal hot water in recent months, but Bowles doesn’t think the club’s string of arrests is much of an issue. “It’s not a Jets problem or a league problem. It’s a nationwide problem,” Bowles said, as Costello writes in a separate piece. “We deal with them on a daily basis as they come. We talk about [how] we’re against them. You know you’re against certain things. Things happen in your 20s and we treat them on an individual basis and you move by.” As Costello notes, the majority of the Jets’ legal troubles have stopped following initial arrests, as most charges in these cases have been reduced or dropped.
The Dolphins recently picked up $17MM in salary cap space when Ndamukong Suh‘s contract officially came off the books on June 1, and while much of that money will be used to sign the rest of the club’s draft class, or put away for roster emergencies, Miami could utilize some of that cash on a cornerback upgrade, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald opines. Although the Dolphins recently locked up slot corner Bobby McCain on a four-year extension, they could still use another outside defensive back to play opposite Xavien Howard. As Salguero notes, Adam Jones, Jeremy Lane, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are among the veteran defenders still available, as are Bashaud Breeland, Delvin Breaux, and Kayvon Webster.

East Notes: Smith, Pryor, Giants

May 26th, 2018 at 4:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although other quarterback deals soon overshadowed this one, the Redskins made a commitment to Alex Smith. And the details of his contract have him entrenched in Washington into the next decade. Smith received a $27MM signing bonus, and his 2018 and ’19 base salaries — $13MM and $15MM, respectively — are also fully guaranteed at signing, Rich Tandler of NBC Sports Washington notes. On the fifth day of the 2019 league year, Smith’s 2020 salary ($16MM) becomes fully guaranteed, per Tandler. So, barring something crazy, the Redskins are essentially tethered to Smith for three seasons. The deal runs through 2022, but non-guaranteed base salaries of $19MM and $21MM are on tap in those respective seasons. Washington would save $13MM by cutting Smith after the 2020 slate. Smith’s contract will call for cap hits of $18.4MM (2018), $20MM (2019), $21.4MM (’20), $24.4MM (’21) and $26.4MM (’22).

Here’s the latest from the East divisions as teams sit midway through their OTA calendar.

Former Redskins receiver Terrelle Pryor has run into more injury trouble, encountering another ankle malady that’s sidelined him from Jets OTAs. But Todd Bowles said, via Calvin Watkins of Newsday, this latest issue is unrelated to the one that forced him to undergo surgery while a member of the Redskins. The Jets have a host of wide receivers under contract, and Pryor is attempting to carve out a role and rebound from his poor performance in Washington.
Speaking of wideouts, the Giants may not be necessarily done adding talent at that position. When asked earlier this month if the Giants had their No. 3 wide receiver on their roster, Pat Shurmur said, via Tom Rock of Newsday, “I don’t know.” This was before New York added Russell Shepard in the latter stages of free agency. But Big Blue signed Cody Latimer, and he’s been playing on the outside in that No. 3 role during OTAs, per Rock. Shepard likely represents Latimer’s top competition for this job, barring another outside hire. The Giants cut Brandon Marshall, and Dez Bryant‘s been mentioned as wanting to join this receiving contingent. They have $8.3MM in cap space.
Shurmur is hoping Eli Apple can rebound from what’s been a rough start to his career, and he’s not going to hold what the 2016 first-rounder did during the previous regime against him. “You hear things,” Shurmur said (via Rock) regarding Apple’s past behavior, “but I’m sure glad that I truly believe in a clean slate. He’s been nothing but professional; he’s been out here competing. He’s one of the guys that has been here almost every single day, and I haven’t seen anything that somebody might have thought I heard. He’s been great. In terms of his stature, his skill set, yeah, he’s what you’re looking for.” The Giants cut Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and did not use a draft pick on a corner. They signed William Gay, Teddy Williams and B.W. Webb, however. But Apple could well have a promising route to a starting job despite the tumultuous 2017.

Jets’ Terrelle Pryor Dealing With Injury

May 22nd, 2018 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

Jets wide receiver Terrelle Pryor suffered another ankle injury this offseason and was unable to join his team for OTAs on Tuesday morning, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but it’s not a great sign for the Jets newcomer after he underwent ankle surgery in November.

Pryor joined the Jets on a one-year, $4.5MM deal this offseason after a disappointing year with the Redskins. Pryor had just 20 catches, 240 yards, and one touchdown in nine games for Washington last year, but the Jets took a small gamble on him with the hope that he could reprise his 2016 showing with Cleveland when he posted more than 1,000 yards receiving.

On paper, the Jets have a solid group of receivers headlined by Pryor, Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, and a healthy Quincy Enunwa. However, Pryor’s health and Anderson’s ongoing legal issues could put the Jets behind the 8 ball as the season starts.

If Pryor or Anderson miss time, that could open up opportunities for veteran Andre Roberts as well as 2017 picks ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen. For a complete look at the Jets’ depth chart, you can check out their page on Roster Resource.

Jets Rumors: Mayfield, Pryor, Roberts

March 28th, 2018 at 9:53am CST by Zachary Links

Some in football circles believe that the Jets traded up from No. 6 to No. 3 in order to draft Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Mike Florio of PFT writes. Mayfield is widely regarded as one of the four best QBs in this year’s class, but most have some combo of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Josh Allen coming off the board in the first two picks.

Mayfield comes with some concerns about his demeanor and height, but coach Todd Bowles won’t rule him out just because of his stature.

“They’re important to a degree,” Bowles said of height and tangible measurements (via Manish Mehta of the Daily News). “Winning is more important. You just have to weigh the pluses and the minuses on that. Quarterback measurables are important. Defensive back measurables are important. There’s a height requirement there as well. There’s a height requirement for linebackers and defensive linemen.”

Mayfield has measured at at 6-foot 3/8 with 9 1/2-inch hands, which has kept him in the conversation near the top of the draft. He still doesn’t have ideal height for the quarterback position, but the Jets could be willing to overlook that if they believe in his overall potential.

Here’s more on Gang Green:

Terrelle Pryor’s deal with the Jets is one year, $4.5MM pact with $2MM guaranteed, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games with the Redskins before landing on IR, but he had a strong showing for the Browns in the previous year. If Pryor gets back to his old form, he could prove to be one of this year’s best value signings in the NFL.
Andre Roberts‘ contract with the Jets is a one year, $1.005MM pact with the $90K signing bonus representing his only guarantee (Twitter link via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). Roberts is expected to serve as a depth addition as well as a special teams contributor, but his low guarantee means that he is not necessarily assured a spot on the final 53-man roster.
Former Jets long snapper Tanner Purdum has retired, according to an Instagram post from his wife. Purdum was with the Jets from 2010-2016 and did not botch a snap during that period. He was released last September after the team traded for rookie long snapper Thomas Hennessy and did not hook on with another club.

Jets To Sign WR Terrelle Pryor

March 22nd, 2018 at 8:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets have agreed to sign wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, reports Calvin Watkins of Newsday (Twitter link). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com first indicated Pryor was nearing a deal with New York.

Pryor didn’t exactly pick the right time to hit the open market, as he’s coming off a lost campaign with the Redskins. After starring with the Browns in 2016, Pryor inked a one-year deal with Washington after reportedly rejecting offers from Cleveland. Before landing on injured reserve in November, Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games (two starts).

But Pryor wowed during his first full season as a wide receiver, putting up an astounding 77/1,007/4 with the Browns in 2016. That upside allowed Pryor to create something of a market for himself following a disastrous year in the nation’s capital. The Browns and Rams each expressed some level of interest in the 28-year-old, but Pryor was deciding between the Jets and Seahawks as of Wednesday.

New York was clearly looking at affordable wide receiver additions, as the club met with both Allen Hurns and Charles Johnson over the past week. With Pryor on board, it appears less likely the Jets will pursue either of those options, as the club also pass-catchers Jermaine Kearse, Robby Anderson, Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, and Quincy Enunwa on their roster.

Despite his down 2017 output, Pryor should be in line to start for Gang Green. Anderson, for his part, has been arrested twice this offseason and could be facing a league-imposed suspension, while Enunwa is recovering from a serious neck injury. Given that Hansen and Stewart — both of whom are entering their second NFL seasons — don’t offer much experience, Pryor could be in line for starter’s reps. And given that New York played 63% of its offensive snaps with three wide receivers on the field a season ago, Pryor should see plenty of action, regardless.

With both Pryor and fellow wideout Mike Wallace coming off the board today, the second-tier of free agent receivers is rapidly thinning. At present, the best pass-catchers who remain unsigned include Hurns, Jordan Matthews, Eric Decker, Brice Butler, and Dontrelle Inman.

[RELATED: Jets Depth Chart]

Jets Nearing Deal With WR Terrelle Pryor

March 22nd, 2018 at 7:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jets are close to a deal with free agent wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Wednesday that Pryor was choosing between New York and Seattle.

Despite his disaster of a 2017 campaign, Pryor could be in line for a starting role with Gang Green. Jermaine Kearse is locked in as one of the Jets’ top-two wideouts, but Robby Anderson has been arrested twice in the past calendar year and could theoretically be facing a league-imposed suspension. New York used three wideouts on 63% of its offensive plays a season ago, so Pryor will likely see a good deal of action as part of a depth chart that also includes Chad Hansen, ArDarius Stewart, and a rehabbing Quincy Enunwa, among others.

Pryor, of course, was anything but successful in 2017 after inking a one-year deal with the Redskins. Before landing on injured reserve in November, Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games (two starts). Expected to serve as something close to Washington’s No. 1 receiver, Pryor was instead outplayed by Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, and Josh Doctson, and the Redskins didn’t seem to have any interest in retaining him.

Cleveland saw the best of Pryor in 2016, as put up an astounding 77/1,007/4 line during his first full season as a wideout. The Browns, who reportedly attempted to trade for Pryor during the 2017 season., were also in Pryor, while the Rams also expressed some level of interest, but — like Cleveland — never set up a visit.

Terrelle Pryor Down To Jets and Seahawks?

March 21st, 2018 at 5:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent receiver Terrelle Pryor appears to be deciding between the Jets and Seahawks, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).

Pryor has been busy during the second wave of the free agent period, taking visits with both New York and Seattle. The Rams, too, have expressed some level of interest in Pryor, while Cabot recently reported Cleveland was still open to a reunion with Pryor, who broke out with the Browns as a full-time receiver in 2016. However, it appears the 28-year-old Pryor is only considering the Jets and Seahawks at present.

Pryor, of course, was anything but successful in 2017 after inking a one-year deal with the Redskins. Before landing on injured reserve in November, Pryor managed only 20 receptions, 240 yards, and one reception in nine games (two starts). Expected to serve as something close to Washington’s No. 1 receiver, Pryor was instead outplayed by Jamison Crowder, Ryan Grant, and Josh Doctson, and the Redskins don’t seem to have any interest in retaining him.

The Jets, for their part, haven’t made any additions to their receiving corps yet this offseason, although they have met or will meet with Allen Hurns and Charles Johnson. The Seahawks, meanwhile signed former Cardinals wideout Jaron Brown and acquired Marcus Johnson from the Eagles, but lost fellow pass-catcher Paul Richardson to free agency.

Jets To Meet With Terrelle Pryor

March 19th, 2018 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets will meet with Terrelle Pryor this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. His visit will take place after his current meeting with the Seahawks wraps up.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson is doing his best to help bring Pryor to the fold, but the Jets have more dollars to spend. The Rams also have some interest in Pryor and the Browns may be interested in a reunion.

If Pryor is looking at another one-year prove-it deal, he may see Seattle as his best opportunity to re-establish himself as a high-end wide receiver. Then again, the Seahawks did sign Jaron Brown in the wake of Paul Richardson‘s departure, so there might not be a huge role waiting for him in Seattle.

Meanwhile, things are pretty wide open for the Jets. Quincy Enunwa figures to return under the second-round tender, but it remains to be seen how he’ll perform following last year’s neck injury. Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse, Jalin Marshall, and ArDarius Stewart are on hand, but Pryor could join the Jets as one of their top pass-catching options, particularly with tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins out of the picture.