2015 August - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Rivers, Hilton, Ngata, Cherilus

August 17th, 2015 at 9:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Over the weekend, the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers reached agreement on a lucrative four-year extension worth $84MM. Today, we learned the details of the contract.

Rivers will earn a $22.5MM signing bonus with $15MM fully guaranteed in 2015, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. He’ll have a $16.5MM injury-only guarantee in 2016 which converts to a full guarantee on the second day of the ’16 waiver period. In 2017, Rivers will earn $14MM with $11MM guaranteed for injury only that will convert to a full guarantee on the second day of the waiver period. In the final two years, he’ll make $10MM and $11MM, respectively, with a $5MM roster bonus in each of those seasons.

That’s big bucks for the Bolts QB, but as we learned earlier tonight, that kind of deal apparently isn’t good enough for Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Here’s more from around the NFL..

T.Y. Hilton‘s deal with the Colts calls for him to earn base salaries of $1MM, $3MM, $8MM, $11MM, $13MM, and $14.54MM, Mike Chappell of the Indy Star tweets. Hilton’s new deal with Indianapolis could pay him $65MM in total with $39MM guaranteed.
Contract talks between the Lions and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata are ongoing and positive, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. Ngata, a five-time All Pro, indicated in March that he would be open to an extension, and Lions GM Martin Mayhew has said that team management is also interested in working out a long-term deal.
Gosder Cherilus‘ deal with the Buccaneers is worth $7MM over two years, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The offensive lineman will earn $2.5MM this year and $4.5MM next year. Cherilus gets a $500K roster bonus in 2016 and his $2M base salary escalates to $3M if he plays 75 percent of the snaps in 2015, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets.
Cardinals UDFA rookie linebacker Zack Wagenmann broke his foot again and will miss the entire 2015 season, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Eli Manning Wants To Be NFL’s Highest-Paid QB

August 17th, 2015 at 7:32pm CST by Zachary Links

One would think that the recent deal struck between the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers would pave the way for a pact between the Giants and Eli Manning, but that might not be the case. Manning’s agent is seeking a deal that would pay him higher than Rivers or Aaron Rodgers or any other quarterback in the game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Currently, Rodgers is the highest paid QB in the NFL with a substantial deal that takes him through 2019. The Packers signal-caller is slated to $110MM over the next five years thanks to an extension that includes a $33,25MM signing bonus, $54MM guaranteed. The average annual value of Rodgers’ deal comes out to a healthy $22MM, and one has to imagine that while Manning could approach that AAV, he won’t be able to secure the same kind of contract overall.

A deal would make sense for both sides, giving the veteran quarterback some security beyond this season, and allowing the team to create a little cap flexibility. However, he’ll likely have to come down on his demands in order to get something done. Manning, 34, started off slowly in 2014 under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, but eventually hit his stride, throwing for 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns on the year. Those totals fell just short of his career highs, ranking as his second-best marks in 11 NFL seasons. With a year under his belt working with McAdoo and Odell Beckham Jr., and Victor Cruz on his way back from a season-ending knee injury, Manning looks poised for another strong season in 2015.

Manning is currently in line to earn a $17MM base salary in 2015, counting for $19.75MM against the cap. After averaging $16.25MM on his last contract, the two-time Super Bowl MVP figures to be in line for at least a modest raise this time around.

In addition to Rivers, Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, and Ben Roethlisberger are among the signal-callers who have signed new deals in 2015 averaging between $19-22MM per year. Roethlisberger’s pact, which averages $21.85MM annually, seemed to be a logical point of reference in the talks between Manning and the Giants – after all, both QBs entered the league as first-round picks in 2004, have earned three Pro Bowl nods, and have won a pair of Super Bowls. Not in the eyes of Tom Condon, however, who is aiming much higher.

Bills To Sign Quentin Groves

August 17th, 2015 at 7:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Veteran linebacker Quentin Groves has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Bills, a source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Groves, 31, appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Titans last season, including three starts. The linebacker, a former second round pick by the Jaguars, has bounced around a bit over the years and will now be joining his sixth team, assuming that he makes the Bills’ roster.

Over the course of seven NFL seasons, Groves has appeared in 100 games for the Jaguars, Raiders, Cardinals, Browns, and Titans. As an outside linebacker for Arizona in 2012, Groves amassed 4.0 sacks and 41 tackles, his best season to date.

Community Tailgate: 8/17/15

August 17th, 2015 at 6:38pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a couple weeks away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This summer, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’ll be discussing the Seahawks and safety Kam Chancellor. The 27-year-old is in the midst of a four-year, $28MM deal that runs through 2017 and is holding out to ensure the highest level of compensation as he enters what should be the most productive years of his career. In 2018, he’ll be entering his age-30 season and his payout could be fairly limited at that point.

The question is – will the Seahawks will bend? The Seahawks just paid big bucks to quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner and were forced to cut defensive tackle Tony McDaniel due to financial constraints, so it’s not as though they’re cash flush. Giving into Chancellor’s demands could also set a dangerous precedent for other Seahawks stars going forward.

Chancellor – who racked up 104 total tackles with seven pass deflections and one interception in 14 regular season games last season – is a key part of Seattle’s defense and he’s even more critical to the team this year with Earl Thomas potentially sidelined to start the year. However, the advanced metrics don’t portray him in such a flattering light. In 2014, he graded out as the 20th best safety in the NFL according to the advanced metrics used by Pro Football Focus (sub. req’d). In the year prior, Chancellor came in as the 12th best safety in the NFL.

All things considered, do you think the Seahawks should give Chancellor a substantially better deal? Or should they hold the line and hold him to his current pact? Let us know in the comment section below!

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/15

August 17th, 2015 at 6:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..

To make room for Chris Johnson, the Cardinals have waived/injured Brandon Person, Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic tweets. Person tore his ACL on Saturday.
The Chiefs announced that they have signed linebacker Ja’Gared Davis and cut wide receiver Adam Drake, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
The Saints signed linebackers Justin Anderson and Chris Young, defensive tackle Austin Brown, and tight end Michael Egnew, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets.
The Packers released Adrian Coxson outright but the player will pursue an injury settlement, Wilson tweets.
The Dolphins announced that they have waived tight end Arthur Lynch and signed free agent linebacker James Davidson in his stead, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets.
The Seahawks released defensive tackle Jimmy Staten and linebacker Dakorey Johnson, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (on Twitter). Seattle also signed defensive backs Jeremy Crayton and Keelan Johnson.
The Jaguars have waived undrafted rookie linebacker Matt Robinson with an injury settlement, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.
The Panthers (on Twitter) announced that they have signed punter Matt Wile and waived/injured tight end Jamie Childers.
The Colts announced that they have waived-injured linebacker Cody Galea and signed linebacker Nicklas Haag, Mike Chappell of the Indy Star tweets.

North Notes: Bears, Forte, Brown, Steelers

August 17th, 2015 at 5:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier today, the Browns announced that backup center Ryan Seymour has been suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances. In a statement, Seymour said that he did not “knowingly” take a banned substance and added that he will be “much more careful in the future,” Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com tweets. Here’s more from the AFC and NFC North..

Bears running back Matt Forte has come to the realization that this season might be his last in a Bears uniform, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com writes. “All I can do is talk to them about it and they can say yes or no. They said we’re not talking about that type of stuff right now, so all I can do is play football. I’ve come to the realization that every run or catch that I may have might be my last in a Bears uniform, so if they don’t want to re-sign me, I’ll have to play somewhere else,” Forte said.
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown‘s desire for an extension is “fueled by” the deals given to Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, and T.Y. Hilton, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) hears. The Steelers are listening to Brown’s requests, but if they rework his deal, they want to wind up with a contract that will put him under club control for the remainder of his career.
Browns GM Ray Farmer told Grossi (Twitter link) that quarterback Connor Shaw underwent surgery on Monday morning. He adds that Shaw suffered ligament damage and not a broken thumb as some believed earlier.
Harland Gunn and Dionte Savage were among the offensive lineman that worked out for the Lions last week, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweets.

Extra Points: Osweiler, Seahawks, Bills

August 17th, 2015 at 3:59pm CST by Luke Adams

As Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) explains, the Broncos have a pair of questions to answer in regard to Brock Osweiler. The first is whether the quarterback is capable of replacing Peyton Manning when the future Hall-of-Famer retires, and the second is whether the club will be able to retain Osweiler beyond the 2015 season.

According to Cole, John Elway and the Broncos decide they want to keep the young signal-caller around, they may try to work out a deal that’s heavy on incentives, meaning Osweiler would earn those bonuses if he eventually lands the starting job. However, it’s not clear yet if Denver would try to get something done with Osweiler in the next few weeks, or if the club is more inclined to wait until after the season to make its decision.

Let’s check out a few more Monday odds and ends from around the NFL….

With Tarvaris Jackson dealing with a sprained ankle, the Seahawks may add another quarterback to their roster, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Per Condotta, the club worked out a QB today, though that player has yet to be identified.
Having seen multiple players in their front seven go down injuries over the last few days, the Bills are bringing in several free agent defenders for workouts, according to Mike Rodak and Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Per the ESPN report, defensive lineman Red Bryant and edge defenders Marcus Benard and Quentin Groves are auditioning for Buffalo.
Free agent running back Joe McKnight, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, has been fully cleared for all activities by foot/ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, tweets Caplan. McKnight worked out for the Texans recently, but didn’t sign with the team.
Peter King of TheMMQB.com covers a number of topics in his latest piece, listing Ahmad Bradshaw atop his list of the best available free agent running backs, and suggesting that new Bills DE IK Enemkpali will likely face at least a two-game suspension.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano refuses to let his contract status be a distraction as he enters the final year of his deal, telling ESPN’s Mike Wells that he has “the best job in the entire world right now,” and his focus is on getting the most out of his team.
There were rumblings that the Falcons might consider re-signing linebacker Prince Shembo after his legal case was resolved, but D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the team decided to pass on bringing back the former fourth-round pick.

West Notes: Rivers, Cardinals, Seahawks

August 17th, 2015 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

One of the factors that was considered a potential roadblocks when the Chargers and Philip Rivers begun discussing a new contract for the star quarterback was Rivers’ aversion to playing in Los Angeles. With the Chargers’ future up in the air, there was some uncertainty about whether Rivers would want to risk leaving San Diego a year after signing a new deal.

Having officially signed his extension though, Rivers told reporters today, “I’m going to be a Charger, wherever we are.” The veteran signal-caller added that he doesn’t have any sort of “disdain” or “hatred” for Los Angeles, and that comments he has made in the past reflect his attachment to San Diego more than an aversion to L.A. (Twitter links via Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune).

Here’s more on Rivers, along with a handful of other notes from out of the NFL’s two West divisions….

According to Ed Werder of ESPN.com, Rivers’ new contract features a no-trade clause, which means Rivers and the Chargers are unlikely to have a repeat of the situation that occurred earlier this year, when the QB was the subject of trade rumors and speculation.
Since a report last week indicated that free agent running back Chris Johnson would visit and take a physical for the Cardinals, we haven’t heard any real updates. According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (Twitter link), Cards GM Steve Keim acknowledged today that the team has talked to Johnson, but said there’s “nothing on the horizon.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s Josina Anderson (Twitter link) says Johnson passed his physical with the team.
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com passes along another comment from Keim, tweeting that the GM believes there will be four to six Cardinals players picked up by other teams after Arizona cuts them in a couple weeks.
Wide receiver LaQuan Williams, who has spent parts of the last few seasons with Baltimore, is working out today for the Seahawks, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Williams also tried out for the Cowboys over the weekend.

La Canfora’s Latest: Washington, Jets, Brown

August 17th, 2015 at 1:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Within his latest piece for CBSSports.com, Jason La Canfora praises the “honest, slow, and steady approach” that new GM Scot McCloughan is taking to building the Washington roster. In La Canfora’s view, McCloughan is a “pure departure” from most of the decision-makers who have preceded him during Daniel Snyder‘s tenure as the team’s owner.

While we wait to see whether McCloughan’s approach translates into on-field success in Washington, let’s round up a few more highlights from La Canfora’s piece….

With training camps and the preseason in full swing, injuries have begun to take a toll around the league. According to La Canfora, many teams are scrambling to find healthy offensive tackles and tight ends, since those are two positions where clubs have been hit the hardest by injuries. As I noted last week when I examined some possible tight end options for Washington, the free agent market at the position is pretty thin.
La Canfora has heard a lot recently about the kind of money some left tackles have been seeking, calling it “crazy, quarterback money.” The CBSSports.com scribe wouldn’t be surprised if players like Trent Williams (Washington) and Nate Solder (Patriots) ultimately get the franchise tag rather than signing extensions right away.
The Jets are taking their time to consider possible quarterbacks, and one reason is that the team has interest in some veteran signal-callers who may be cut within the next few weeks.
Despite reports to the contrary, there have been no contract talks between the Steelers and Antonio Brown, sources tell La Canfora. With three years left on his deal, the wideout won’t get a new contract this year, but may be able to revisit the issue in 2016.

East Notes: Powell, Giants, Eli, Brady

August 17th, 2015 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, the Bills added another one of Rex Ryan‘s ex-Jets, signing cornerback Ellis Lankster to their roster. That’s just one of today’s stories out of the East though, so let’s round up the latest from around the league’s two East divisions….

Ty Powell, who was a reserve linebacker and a special teams contributor for the Bills last season, may have a torn ACL, Ryan said today (Twitter link via Joe Buscaglia of WKBW). If that diagnosis is confirmed, it would end Powell’s season.
There’s still a chance that the Giants could pursue a free agent offensive lineman like Jake Long or Evan Mathis, tweets Dan Graziano of ESPN.com. However, as Graziano suggests, it’s not as simple as making a contract offer, since there are concerns about Long’s health and Mathis’ asking price.
With Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers having signed new contracts this offseason, a pair of New York reporters believe the other notable quarterback from the 2004 draft class should get an extension of his own. Steve Serby of the New York Post and Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News both make cases for why Giants signal-caller Eli Manning should get a new deal before the season begins.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains why Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shouldn’t sue investigator Ted Wells for defamation, like former Dolphins offensive line coach Jim Turner is doing.
Before the Cowboys break training camp, owner Jerry Jones has several objectives he’d like to see the team meet, including deciding how to proceed on defense without Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain early in the season. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News has the details.