2014 March - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Gauging Trade Interest In Peppers

March 10th, 2014 at 4:37pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears are calling around the league to see if they can find a trade partner for defensive end Julius Peppers, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. However, as Schefter notes, a deal isn’t likely.

Like Chris Johnson in Tennessee, who is also reportedly on the trade block, Peppers has been viewed as a probable cut for a while now, so it’s hard to imagine any team giving up anything of value to take on his contract, which includes a $13.9MM base salary for 2014. If Chicago were to release the veteran pass rusher, the team would create about $9.82MM in cap savings

Although Peppers’ contract and age (34) may preclude a trade, he should still draw interest if he’s released by Chicago. The former UNC standout has never missed significant time with an injury over the course of his 186-game NFL career, and can still have an impact on defense, having recorded 7.5 sacks with a pair of forced fumbles in 2013.

Dolphins Release Dimitri Patterson

March 10th, 2014 at 4:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Add another cornerback to this year’s free agent market. The Dolphins have released Dimitri Patterson, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). By cutting Patterson, Miami clears the entirety of the veteran’s $5.4MM cap number from the team’s books for 2014.

Patterson, 30, was limited to just six games for the Dolphins in 2013 due to groin issues, but recorded a positive grade according to Pro Football Focus for the third straight season. Paying him $5.4MM in 2014 wasn’t feasible for Miami, but Patterson should draw interest on the open market as a nickel back.

For what it’s worth, the Dolphins have left the door open for Patterson at a reduced rate, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link).

Bears Cut Dante Rosario

March 10th, 2014 at 4:24pm CST by Luke Adams

The Bears have released Dante Rosario, less than two weeks after re-signing him to a new deal, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Marvez acknowledges that it’s an odd move, but adds in a second tweet that it came across the NFL’s transactions wire.

Rosario, 29, had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).

Rosario had signed a one-year, minimum salary deal with the Bears, without any bonus money. As such, the team presumably won’t be on the hook for a cap hit for releasing him shortly after re-signing him.

Patriots Cut T.J. Moe, Six Others

March 10th, 2014 at 4:21pm CST by Luke Adams

4:21pm: In addition to the four earlier cuts, the Pats have also parted ways with running back Quentin Hines, and offensive linemen Elvis Fisher and Brice Schwab, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

4:00pm: The Pats have officially waived Moe, along with three other players, according to the team. Defensive lineman Cory Grissom, running back Sam McGuffie, and linebacker Taylor Reed have also been cut.

11:55am: The Patriots will waive wide receiver T.J. Moe later today, tweets agent Matt Brei (hat tip to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun). Brei expressed disappointment about the impending move, due to the work his client has put in to recover from a torn Achilles.

Moe was signed last April by the Pats after he went undrafted out of Missouri. However, the wideout suffered that Achilles tear in May, sidelining him for the 2014 season.

Falcons Re-Sign Mike Johnson

March 10th, 2014 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The Falcons have re-signed offensive tackle Mike Johnson, the team announced today in a press release. Having started one game in his four seasons with the Falcons, Johnson likely represents a depth signing for Atlanta, though depending on what other moves the team makes, he could compete for a starting role. The agreement is for one year, according to the club.

Johnson was selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Falcons. The 26-year-old played on the minimum salary over the course of his rookie contract, and I’d expect his new deal will also be worth the minimum, though terms haven’t been disclosed. Johnson will be returning from an ankle and leg injury that sidelined him for the entire 2013 season.

Giants To Cut Baas, Close To Re-Signing Brown

March 10th, 2014 at 3:43pm CST by Luke Adams

The Giants are cutting David Baas, multiple sources tell Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. The team had approached the veteran center about accepting a pay cut to reduce his 2014 cap number, but it seems the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement.

Baas, who was limited to three games last season due to knee injuries, was slated to have a cap hit of $8.225MM in 2014. Because the final two seasons of his deal carry large prorated bonus numbers, cutting him will only create $1.775MM in cap savings for the Giants. Nonetheless, the team won’t designate him as a post-June 1 cut.

Meanwhile, Conor Orr of the Star-Ledger reports that the Giants are also close to wrapping up a new contract for kicker Josh Brown. Years and dollars on that agreement aren’t yet known. While Brown’s age (35 next month) may limit his earnings, other kickers have inked new deals with annual salaries exceeding $3MM so far this offseason, and Brown only missed three field goals in 2013.

Rams Release Harvey Dahl

March 10th, 2014 at 3:25pm CST by Luke Adams

The Rams have released veteran guard Harvey Dahl, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com wrote yesterday that the team was expected to cut Dahl in the “very near future.”

While Dahl’s departure will create another hole to fill in the Rams’ offensive line, the move makes financial sense. The 32-year-old had been on the books for a cap number of $4MM, and releasing him will clear that entire amount from the club’s 2014 cap. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent, immediately free to sign with another club.

With Dahl no longer in the mix, the Rams are eyeing other options at guard. That includes trying to re-sign pending free agent Rodger Saffold, and Thomas reports (via Twitter) that the club has also showed interest in Chiefs free-agent-to-be Geoff Schwartz.

Seahawks Sign Bennett To Four-Year Deal

March 10th, 2014 at 3:18pm CST by Luke Adams

3:18pm: Bennett’s deal is actually only worth $28.5MM over four years, according to Florio, who says Bennett turned down more money from two other clubs to return to Seattle. Florio confirms that $16MM of that total is guaranteed.

3:08pm: Bennett has officially re-signed with the Seahawks, the team announced (via Twitter).

2:40pm: One of the top free agents on the market will be returning to the Super Bowl champions, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks and defensive end Michael Bennett have reached agreement on a four-year contract. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com confirms the deal (via Twitter), and adds that it should be in the neighborhood of $34MM for four years, for an average of between $8-$8.5MM annually. $16MM will be guaranteed, says John Clayton of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

While Bennett received serious interest from the Bears, it appears the Seahawks were always his first choice if the team could find a way to make a deal work. With long-term commitments to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Russell Wilson on the horizon, there were questions about whether the Seahawks could afford to invest significant dollars in Bennett, who probably would’ve received more significant offers on the open market. However, it appears the two sides reached a compromise that still represents a very nice payday for the 28-year-old, who settled for a one-year deal in 2013.

When Greg Hardy was removed from the free agent market by the Panthers’ franchise tag, Bennett became the top pass rusher of this year’s class, having racked up 8.5 sacks and 65 quarterback pressures for the Seahawks last season. While he didn’t play a full-time role in Seattle last season, he contributed to a pass rush that anchored the league’s top-ranked defense and played a large part in the team’s postseason run. According to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, Bennett’s was the NFL’s fifth-best 4-3 defensive end in 2013 — his 617 defensive snaps were also the fewest of any ends in PFF’s top 10, making his overall grades and stats even more impressive.

With Bennett back in the fold, the Seahawks may have to release Chris Clemons or others to help clear cap room.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Rumors: McCluster, Titans, Steelers, Jets

March 10th, 2014 at 3:15pm CST by Zachary Links

A league source tells Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star that wide receiver and return man Dexter McCluster won’t be returning to the Chiefs. McCluster has four or five suitors and will likely sign Tuesday night, says Paylor, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com also hears that the free-agent-to-be will be “snapped up quickly.” Here’s more from around the AFC:

In addition to Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby, other players on the Titans‘ radar include Ravens inside linebacker Jameel McClain and Broncos defensive end/outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.
Red Bryant says he received interest from the Packers, Chiefs, and Redskins signing with the Jaguars, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Bryant signed a four-year deal with Jacksonville that could pay him up to $17MM but guarantees him just $5.25MM.
The Steelers are working to see if Ike Taylor will take a pay cut, tweets La Canfora. If Taylor is unwilling to do so, I imagine Pittsburgh will release him soon.
Chiefs inside linebacker Akeem Jordan is drawing interest from six teams and has a visit set up with one AFC club for Thursday, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (at the National Football Post).
The Jets are high on Matt Schaub, and figure to target him in free agency if he’s released by the Texans, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

DB Rumors: Byrd, Whitner, 49ers, Cromartie

March 10th, 2014 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the free agent market this year, and there are plenty of intriguing names among the free agent safeties as well. Let’s dive in and check out the latest rumors on defensive backs….

A source told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) last night that the asking price for the top free agent safeties ranged from $6MM (Donte Whitner) to $8MM (Jairus Byrd) per year, with T.J. Ward in the middle at $7MM. Biggs admits that he’s not sure if that’s changed today.
Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Byrd is asking for more than $8MM, and while that price has scared some teams away, the safety may ultimately land that amount.
It’s highly unlikely that the Bears land Whitner, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter), who adds that it sounds like Chicago is looking elsewhere for a safety. The team also isn’t likely to be a major player for Byrd, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The 49ers and Tarell Brown both appear to be testing the market, with San Francisco exploring other cornerback options and Brown looking into other suitors. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the Niners have checked in on Nolan Carroll.
Top free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner told SiriusXM’s Chris Russo the Patriots are “definitely a possibility” and added that Devin McCourty has been “lobbying” for him to come to New England, tweets Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com.
Antonio Cromartie told ESPN Radio New York that the Jets never tried to renegotiate his current deal but the “door is open” for a return, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. It sounds like he’ll test the market and assess all his options though.
John Clayton of ESPN.com (on Twitter) offers up an early prediction that Patriots free agent cornerback Aqib Talib will end up with the Redskins.

Zach Links contributed to this post.