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Sean Mannion Auditions For Seahawks, Jets, Giants

July 29th, 2021 at 4:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

After spending the past two years as Kirk Cousins‘ backup with the Vikings, Sean Mannion has been in free agency for the past four-plus months. The veteran reserve may have a new gig soon.

Mannion worked out for both the Seahawks and Jets this week, according to Sirius XM Radio’s Adam Caplan and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter links). The Jets have both Mannion and Josh Johnson at their facility Thursday. While in New York, Mannion also stopped through the Giants’ facility for a workout, Caplan tweets.

The Giants let Colt McCoy defect to the Cardinals and signed Mike Glennon. The latter has eight years’ experience but has not provided an especially steady hand as a backup, bouncing to four teams over the past four years.

Although the Jets signed No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson on Thursday afternoon, they have an apparent need for signal-caller depth. Neither of New York’s QB2 candidates — 2020 fourth-round pick James Morgan and former UDFA Mike White — has never taken a regular-season snap. While Mannion has spent his career behind largely durable quarterbacks — Jared Goff in Los Angeles, Cousins in Minnesota — he has six years’ experience and is one of the top QBs left on the market.

Mannion has experience with new Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron; the duo worked together with the Rams. Waldron served as the Rams’ passing-game coordinator in 2018, Mannion’s final year with the team. The Vikings moved on from Mannion this offseason and drafted Kellen Mond in the third round. The Seahawks re-signed Geno Smith, who has been Russell Wilson‘s backup since 2019, but may be looking for competition.

Johnson has famously been with 14 teams in his lengthy NFL career, which began in 2008. Now 35, Johnson has a key connection to the current Jets staff. He was most recently with the 49ers, who cut him in June. The Jets hired both 49ers DC Robert Saleh and ex-San Francisco passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur. Johnson’s historic journeyman run included a Jets stopover in 2015. The team cut him after barely a week.

Jamal Adams, Seahawks Not ‘Close At All’ On Extension, Adams Expected To Report To Camp

July 26th, 2021 at 6:54pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Just a few days ago, we heard that while the Seahawks were expected to give Jamal Adams a deal that would make him the highest-paid safety in the game (eclipsing Justin Simmons‘ $15.25MM AAV), they didn’t want to go north of Bobby Wagner‘s $18MM AAV.

That seemed to create an estimated range for Adams’ new contract, but that doesn’t mean the star safety is on board with that. The two sides are in fact not “close at all” on extension terms, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. Reporting from earlier this offseason indicated that Adams doesn’t view himself as only a safety, and as such doesn’t want to be confined by the current safety market.

Instead, he wants to be categorized in a unique hybrid market of his own, given his unique positional flexibility. With the historic pass-rushing numbers he’s put up for a defensive back, his feelings are understandable. Adams is viewed as having most of the leverage here due to the fact that Seattle gave up two first-round picks to acquire him from the Jets.

On the other hand he’s due a modest $9.86MM this season, and the Seahawks could always franchise tag him next offseason. Accordingly, an extension still seems likely in the near future. It doesn’t sound like the slow pace of negotiations has created a toxic relationship, as Rapoport said that he doesn’t “expect any issues at all with Adams showing up” to training camp.

The expectation is that Adams will show up for camp on time regardless of the status of contract talks, Rapoport reports. Rapsheet also adds that he still expects a deal to get done one way or the other. “Eventually, this will be a deal that I think both sides will be happy with and Jamal Adams will likely be a very, very rich man.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/21

July 26th, 2021 at 9:48am CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here.

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Signed: WR Reece Horn

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

  • Placed on IR: DT Rob Windsor (out for year)

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

  • Signed: TE Carson Meier
  • Cut with injury settlement: TE Jibri Blount

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Signed: DB Chris Cooper

Tennessee Titans

Latest On Seahawks’ Jamal Adams Extension Plans

July 23rd, 2021 at 7:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks appear ready to make Jamal Adams the NFL’s highest-paid safety, but they may not be planning to create a new tier for safety contracts.

Adams and the Seahawks have been expected to come to terms on a record-setting safety extension, meaning a deal worth north of Justin Simmons‘ $15.25MM-per-year contract. But Seattle does not want to move Adams beyond Bobby Wagner‘s $18MM-AAV deal, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). This would appear to create a range for Adams’ next contract.

[RELATED: Seahawks’ Jamal Adams Deal Imminent?]

The All-Pro defender frequently plays alongside Wagner in the box, having become a historically productive pass rusher at the safety position, but a deal worth more than Wagner’s would completely reset the safety market and give the Seahawks three players earning at least $18MM annually. Adams also is coming off a so-so coverage season, per Pro Football Focus. The Seahawks want their 25-year-old chess piece to be their third-highest-paid player, behind Russell Wilson and Wagner, but the former Jets standout has hoped to avoid being constrained by the other top contracts at the safety position.

Seattle traded two first-rounders and change for Adams, giving him a Khalil Mack– or Laremy Tunsil-type negotiating position. While Mack’s 2018 Bears extension raised the bar for pass rushers by $1MM annually, from Aaron Donald‘s then-record place, Tunsil’s 2020 Texans accord created a new tier for left tackle pacts. The Seahawks would clearly prefer the Mack route here, though the Rams may have laid the groundwork for a compromise. After dealing two first-rounders for Jalen Ramsey, the Rams made him the NFL’s highest-paid corner — by $2.75MM per year — last September. The Seahawks may be prepared to let Adams’ next contract create similar AAV distance from the current top earners at his position.

Beyond an extension that locks up Adams long-term, the Seahawks have the option of the franchise tag in 2022. Adams, who is set to make $9.86MM on the fifth-year option this season, has sought a long-term deal since becoming extension-eligible in 2020. Contract talks with the Jets led him out of New York, and that trade has left Seattle without a first-round pick until 2023.

Given the leverage this trade provided Adams, it will be interesting to see how this process concludes. The Mack, Tunsil and Ramsey extensions point to Adams becoming the NFL’s highest-paid safety, and he could push that number near $20MM per year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/23/21

July 23rd, 2021 at 5:21pm CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

  • Signed: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
  • Waived: DE Nick Coe, LS Rex Sunahara

New England Patriots

  • Signed: TE David Wells

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dede Westbrook Schedules Seahawks Visit; Vikings, 49ers, Bengals Still On Radar

July 23rd, 2021 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dede Westbrook is in Minnesota for a Vikings visit Saturday, but he is still considering interest from other teams. If the Vikings are unable to sign Westbrook, he will pay a visit to the Seahawks, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. Westbrook plans to visit the Seahawks on Sunday, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets.

The former Heisman finalist and Jaguars starter said the 49ers and Bengals are also in the mix; both teams expressed interest in Westbrook earlier this offseason. While both teams and Seattle appear to be on Westbrook’s radar, the Vikings have an edge and appear to be the favorites.

In addition to a need alongside Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, the Vikes employ ex-Jaguars receivers coach Keenan McCardell. The former Jags Pro Bowler and recent Vikings hire coached Westbrook in each of his four Jacksonville seasons and convinced the veteran wideout to visit the Vikings before the Seahawks, Tomasson adds (via Twitter). Seattle initially appeared first on Westbrook’s travel itinerary, but the Vikings now have the first crack at signing him.

“I was kind of set on Seattle and he was like ‘Darn you’re not even going to come out and give me a chance? I coached you the past four years and you’re just going to fly out to Seattle and not give Minnesota a shot?’” Westbrook said of a conversation with McCardell (via Tomasson, on Twitter). “... I love everything about the Vikings. I like their offensive scheme; I like the things that they’re doing as far as gidget-gadgets that they have going on. … Just their whole offensive scheme and I think I can fit in perfectly.” 

Westbrook, 27, is coming off an ACL tear. That certainly slowed his market. He intimated that if the Vikings and/or Seahawks do not land him, workouts with the Bengals and 49ers may follow.

The Vikings’ need for a No. 3 wide receiver appears clearer than the Seahawks’. They drafted D’Wayne Eskridge with their top pick (and only pick on the draft’s first two days). The 49ers, however, have a void behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Cincinnati features no such vacancy, with its Ja’Marr Chase–Tee Higgins–Tyler Boyd trio essentially locked in. Auden Tate remains on the team as well. The Bengals did lose A.J. Green and John Ross this offseason.

Latest On LB K.J. Wright

July 20th, 2021 at 8:53pm CST by Ben Levine

K.J. Wright is still looking for his next NFL gig, and the veteran linebacker continues to hint that he could end up back with the Seahawks.

“Yes, there is a chance,” Wright said during an appearance on SiriusXM Radio (via Twitter). “There is a chance, and I’m not closing the door on Seattle. Going into free agency, I thought it’d be a no-brainer, but they’re going to wait until training camp, so we’ll see. No matter what happens, my career in Seattle was just unforgettable”

This isn’t the first time the 10-year veteran has suggested re-signing with the Seahawks, but the organization has continued to keep their distance as they pivot to their youth. The organization wants their top 2020 draft picks, Jordyn Brooks and Darrell Taylor, to become starters next to Bobby Wagner, who’s currently the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball ‘backer. Considering the date, it’s unlikely Wright would command a pricey contract, but there’s no clear role for him on the current squad.

On the flip side, the two camps have agreed to three contracts since Wright joined Seattle as a fourth-round pick in 2011, and he’s earned a Super Bowl ring and a Pro Bowl nod during his decade with the organization. The soon-to-be 32-year-old also continued producing in 2020, finishing with 86 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks in 16 starts. It’s unlikely his career is over.

If Wright doesn’t land back in Seattle, it sounds like he’s ready to contribute to his next team. The veteran cited his versatility as a reason for why he’d fit in with practically any team.

“For me, I believe that it’s what a team wants from me,” Wright said. “I know what I provide to a team, I know that coming off my two best seasons after I suffered a knee injury – had my two best years, played phenomenal, switched positions…I know that I can go into a training camp, pick up the playbook, nice and easy…[and] go out to perform in any position that want me at.”

Russell Wilson On Relationship With Seahawks, Pete Carroll

July 15th, 2021 at 1:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Russell Wilson‘s reported trade request caused a stir earlier this year. But, according to the Seahawks quarterback, that talk was overstated. 

[RELATED: Wilson Was Willing To Rework Deal]

“I think it was definitely blown out of proportion in terms of the moment and what it became, which was a little unfortunate,” Wilson told Dan Patrick (via the New York Post). “More than anything else, you know what I care about? I care about winning, and that’s what I wanna do. So I just put my cleats on everyday — that’s always been my focus, that’s always been my goal, is to win it all and just to continue to do that and try to do everything we can.”

Wilson, 32, doesn’t deny sending a list of potential destinations to the Seahawks. However, he’s made it clear that he never demanded a trade, whether it be to the Bears, Cowboys, Saints, or Raiders. Since then, he’s patched things up with team brass, including head coach Pete Carroll. Now, they’re relationship is better than ever, says the multiple-time Pro Bowler.

“I think me and Pete have gotten closer,” said Wilson. “Pete and I have always had a great bond but I think we got to have a great heart to heart. He’s got goals, I’ve got goals and we want to do great things. To actually really dive into those and really talk about those missions, those goals, it was fun. I think me and coach Carroll’s relationship is stronger than ever and I think that’s the best part about it and my teammates.”

“I think anytime in sports there’s a potential of being traded. I think there’s always a real opportunity of that. But I think I’ve always wanted to be in Seattle. I’ve always loved being there and it’s the place I’ve always wanted to play, so it’s been great.”

2021 Cap Space For All 32 NFL Teams

July 12th, 2021 at 12:27pm CST by Zachary Links

There are still plenty of quality free agents left on the board as we look ahead to training camp. Cornerback Steven Nelson, tackle Russell Okung, and longtime Legion of Boom leader Richard Sherman headline the list, along with accomplished edge rushers like Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Olivier Vernon. That list will only grow larger, of course, as more teams shed veterans to redirect their funds elsewhere.

With that in mind, here’s a look at every NFL team’s cap situation, starting with the league-leading Jaguars:

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars — $32.7MM
  2. Denver Broncos — $28.9MM
  3. New York Jets — $28.5MM
  4. Cleveland Browns — $20.6MM
  5. Los Angeles Chargers — $19.9MM
  6. Detroit Lions — $17.9MM
  7. San Francisco 49ers — $17.8MM
  8. Cincinnati Bengals — $17.4MM
  9. Washington Football Team — $16.7MM
  10. Indianapolis Colts— $14.3MM
  11. Carolina Panthers— $14.3MM
  12. Minnesota Vikings — $13.5MM
  13. Pittsburgh Steelers — $13.1MM
  14. New England Patriots — $13.1MM
  15. New Orleans Saints — $11.4MM
  16. Arizona Cardinals — $11.3MM
  17. Buffalo Bills — $10.5MM
  18. Baltimore Ravens — $8.8MM
  19. Atlanta Falcons — $8.6MM
  20. Seattle Seahawks — $8.3MM
  21. Tennessee Titans — $8.3MM
  22. Kansas City Chiefs — $7.9MM
  23. Los Angeles Rams — $7MM
  24. Chicago Bears — $6MM
  25. Dallas Cowboys — $6MM
  26. Miami Dolphins — $5.3MM
  27. Green Bay Packers — $5MM
  28. Houston Texans — $5MM
  29. Las Vegas Raiders — $3.3MM
  30. Philadelphia Eagles — $3.2MM
  31. New York Giants — $2.4MM
  32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — $489K

Latest On Richard Sherman

July 11th, 2021 at 8:01pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We heard at the beginning of June that Richard Sherman might wait until training camp to sign with a team. Well, training camps are right around the corner, but Sherman is still unsigned.

The free agent is keeping his options open apparently, and is still considering a return to the Seahawks. “I’m told that this is not off the table, that Sherman is still open to returning to” Seattle, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported recently, via Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report. Fowler notes that Sherman still has a house in Seattle, and that “most people” around the league “think he’d like to still play on the West Coast.”

Sherman has been talking with the Seahawks for months now, but nothing has gotten done. One reason for the possible delay could be the ongoing negotiations between Seattle and safety Jamal Adams, which we just passed along an update on as well. 

Fowler says the team “needs to figure out the Adams money allocation before they take resources elsewhere.” He adds that Sherman is “not going to take the minimum,” and would “need a decent contract” if he’s going to return to play for Pete Carroll again.

The Stanford product turned 33 back in March and missed 11 games due to injury last year, but has remained effective when on the field. Sherman has also been linked to the Saints a bunch this offseason, and has had on and off talks about going back to the 49ers for another season.

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