2017 March - Pro Football Rumors

Browns, G Joel Bitonio Agree To Extension

March 9th, 2017 at 10:00am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns are signing guard Joel Bitonio to a “monster” extension, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Bitonio doesn’t turn 26 until October and he is among the league’s most talented interior linemen when healthy.

Schefter reports Bitonio’s deal is for five years and worth $51MM (Twitter link), meaning the NFL now has four guards who make $10MM per year. That list is expected to expand soon once Kevin Zeitler makes a decision on his landing spot. Bitonio’s contract will include $23MM in guaranteed money. The 25-year-old Bitonio will join Kelechi Osemele, Kyle Long and David DeCastro in the eight-figure-AAV guard club.

Last year, Bitonio appeared in only five games due to injury. In the year prior, he played in only 10 contests. However, in his rookie year, he was present for all 16 games and finished out with a strong 87.8 overall score on Pro Football Focus. This year, that mark would have placed him in the top five amongst all guards, ahead of Osemele, Richie Incognito, Zeitler, T.J. Lang, DeCastro, and other notables.

Bitonio helped the Browns compensate for the departures of standout free agents Mitchell Schwartz and Alex Mack last season, and although Cleveland went 1-15, its offensive front wasn’t devoid of talent. The Browns over the past several years have been able to develop quality blockers, and they’ve decided to invest in Bitonio to team with Joe Thomas in his NFL twilight years. The former second-round pick had one year left on his rookie contract.

This could impact the Browns’ pursuit of Zeitler, although they could use both at guard and could afford each. Veteran John Greco started at right guard last season, but he also ventured to IR to end the 2016 slate. Cleveland and New Orleans are believed to be the Zeitler finalists.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report.

Bills, Lions Leading Jared Cook Race?

March 9th, 2017 at 9:58am CST by Sam Robinson

As Jared Cook prepares for his third voyage into free agency, he could again have a new home. The Bills and Lions are leading the race for the veteran tight end hours before the official start of 2017 free agency, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.

Both have shown the most interest in the resurgent pass-catcher, although both have made big investments at tight end in the recent past. The Lions drafted Eric Ebron in the first round in 2014 and have a fifth-year option decision on him coming soon, and the Bills signed Charles Clay to a notable deal in 2015. Cook, though, showed more chops as a receiver than each during the Packers’ stretch run.

The latest coming out of Green Bay did not reveal much progress between the Packers and Cook on a reunion Aaron Rodgers requested after the season. While Cook did not move the needle much with the Rams on his last major free agent signing prior to re-establishing himself in one of the most pass-catcher-friendly offenses in football, he totaled more than 600 receiving yards in both 2013 and ’14 with substandard quarterback situations.

Seahawks, Jamaal Charles Have Mutual Interest

March 9th, 2017 at 9:48am CST by Sam Robinson

The Seahawks are expected to pass on the highest-profile running back in free agency, but the other high-end cap casualty appeals to them. Jamaal Charles and Seattle have mutual interest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that a Charles visit to the Pacific Northwest is expected soon.

The Chiefs cut Charles after nine seasons. He’s a two-time first-team All-Pro and would be entering his age-30 season. Although Charles is coming off two injury-marred seasons and isn’t the same back he was at his electric peak, his carry load is incredibly light when compared to the other marquee UFA running back. Adrian Peterson has 2,418 career carries to Charles 1,332.

Charles’ last healthy season came in 2014, and behind a then-shaky Kansas City offensive line, he did not match his usual production. In 2013, Charles amassed a career-high 1,980 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 touchdowns. The NFL’s yards-per-carry all-time leader would be a high-profile addition to a Seahawks backfield that has only rookie deals populating it. Although, both Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise struggled with injuries last season, making Seattle’s Charles interest somewhat interesting.

Pats To Trade Butler To Saints For Cooks?

March 9th, 2017 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are considering trading cornerback Malcolm Butler to the Saints for Brandin Cooks, sources tell Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Patriots have been in pursuit of Cooks for the last week or so, reportedly offering their No. 32 overall pick for Cooks in a race alongside the Eagles and Titans. New Orleans has received several offers of second-round picks for the swift pass-catcher.

Earlier today, the Patriots shocked the football world by signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore in free agency. That move may give them the freedom to trade Butler, a restricted free agent. Butler was tagged with the first-round tender this week. It remains to be seen how unrestricted free agent Logan Ryan factors into all of this, but the early word was that Ryan would probably wind up elsewhere with Gilmore in the fold.

This potential swap would give the Saints a true difference-maker on defense, something they have been seeking in Cooks talks. The Saints were also in search of significant draft compensation (namely, a first-round pick in this year’s draft), and it remains to be seen whether there could also be picks coming in their direction. The Saints still want a quality defensive starter, plus draft picks over the next two years, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Butler has seen his star rise steadily after emerging via one of the most impactful plays in NFL history – his goal-line interception of Russell Wilson in Super Bowl XLIX. He became a key Patriots starter in 2015 once the team moved on from Darrelle Revis and in ’16, Butler finished as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 overall corner. The Pats plan to use a first-round tender on the fourth-year corner, who would potentially exceed New England’s price range in 2018 if he puts the team in a franchise tag-or-free agency decision.

He of back-to-back 1,100-yard receiving seasons, Cooks would bring the kind of high-end young wideout the Patriots have not employed in years. While the team has gotten by with perceived lesser talents just fine, adding the 23-year-old Cooks would strengthen this offense in Tom Brady‘s final years. New England can no longer count on Rob Gronkowski to be healthy and will lose Martellus Bennett to free agency. Julian Edelman will also be 31 in 2017, putting the team in the market for a younger pass-catcher. Cooks would come with a modest $1.56MM price tag in 2017, but after a fifth-year option season at approximately $8.5MM, could enter eight-figure-per-year territory on his next contract as the cap continues to skyrocket.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Jaguars Out On Kevin Zeitler; Down To Saints, Browns

March 9th, 2017 at 9:17am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are out of the running for guard Kevin Zeitler, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets. That means the interior lineman is likely down to two teams: the Saints and Browns. Zeitler’s AFC South destinations, with the Colts being involved as well, appear to be out.

Viewed as not only the top guard on the market but the top offensive lineman, Zeitler represents a key domino in free agency in terms of setting the market. The Browns, of course, possess more cap room here, entering Thursday with more than $100MM. Although they agreed to a deal with Kenny Britt, the Browns obviously can afford Zeitler and several other marquee free agents if they so choose. Zeitler’s price tag could run past $12MM AAV, which would be a guard record.

The Saints have prioritized this position for years in order to preserve Drew Brees‘ pocket. They have former perennial All-Pro Jahri Evans back in unrestricted free agency. New Orleans finished last season tops in total offense in 2016 and could stand to improve if it adds a lineman of Zeitler’s caliber. The Saints have more money to spend than they usually do at this time of year, but the $27MM-plus pales in comparison to the Browns’ warchest.

Once Zeitler signs, it will complete a rough defection day for the Bengals, who just saw Andrew Whitworth agree to a deal with the Rams.

Falcons Re-Sign Courtney Upshaw

March 9th, 2017 at 9:16am CST by Zachary Links

Defensive lineman/linebacker Courtney Upshaw has agreed to terms to remain with the Falcons, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Those terms are not yet known, but he’ll remain in Atlanta.

Upshaw joined the Falcons on a one-year, $1.25MM deal last year. In his first year with Atlanta, he recorded 23 tackles, one forced fumble, and a half-sack in 13 appearances (five starts). He didn’t set the world on fire, but his ability to play both linebacker and defensive end should come in handy for the Falcons next year. We had Upshaw ranked as one of the 15 best edge defenders on the open market this year.

In related news, the Falcons are cutting defensive tackle Tyson Jackson. Jackson had two years and $8.5MM left on his contract.

Bills To Sign K Steven Hauschka

March 9th, 2017 at 9:06am CST by Zachary Links

The Bills have a new kicker. Buffalo is expected to sign Steven Hauschka today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It’s a four-year deal for the 31-year-old kicker, per ESPN.com.

The Bills dropped Dan Carpenter earlier this month, leaving them with a vacancy. Hauschka spent the past six seasons as the Seahawks’ kicker and has connected on 87 percent of his field goals throughout his nine-year career, one that didn’t stabilize until he ventured to Seattle in 2011.

Hauschka became expendable recently when the Seahawks added Blair Walsh. And a voyage to Buffalo will come after Hauschka struggled with the NFL’s new extra-point rule. He’s missed 10 at the new distance over the past two seasons — including six last year.

Eagles Release Connor Barwin

March 9th, 2017 at 8:57am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles announced they have released veteran defensive end/outside linebacker Connor Barwin. It has long been rumored that the Eagles could cut Barwin loose.

The Eagles first tried to find a suitable trade for Barwin, but that never came about. Barwin will certainly find a market for himself this week, but his contract was unpalatable. Barwin was in the midst of a six-year, $36MM contract he signed in 2013. Last year, the 30-year-old totaled 34 tackles, five sacks, and one forced fumble. He appeared in all 16 regular season games for the sixth consecutive season.

“If they cut him, teams will be lining up for him,” a pro personnel man said in February. “He wouldn’t be out of a job for long. I would think they could trade him and get something back. He has value. His deal this year isn’t that bad.”

By cutting Barwin, the Eagles will save $7.75MM against the cap and carry just $600K in dead money.

Chiefs Officially Decline Nick Foles’ Option

March 9th, 2017 at 8:53am CST by Zachary Links

As expected, the Chiefs officially declined Nick Foles‘ option today, making him a free agent (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com). If the Eagles move Chase Daniel, he adds, a return to the Eagles should not be ruled out.

The Eagles missed out on one nostalgia opportunity when DeSean Jackson signed with the Buccaneers, but they could bring back a familiar face in Foles. Daniel, reportedly, has been garnering trade interest for the last couple of weeks. Foles could be then be the new guy to serve as the backup and mentor for Carson Wentz. Foles had his breakout year in 2013 under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia, but he has yet to have another year in that mold.

Foles, at worst, could be a solid backup somewhere and could maybe serve as a one-year transitional option for a QB-needy and cash-strapped club (Jets, we’re looking at you). Foles’ declined option was for $6.4MM and it’s a safe bet that he’ll make less on his next deal.

Last year, Foles appeared in three games and got one start while Alex Smith was sidelined. In that limited sample, he completed 65.5% of his passes while throwing three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Browns To Sign WR Kenny Britt

March 9th, 2017 at 8:39am CST by Zachary Links

They’re really starting to fly off the board now. The Browns are expected to sign wide receiver Kenny Britt, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Once finalized, Britt’s deal is expected to be a four-year, $32.5MM pact with $17MM guaranteed.

The signing could mean that Terrelle Pryor will end up elsewhere. There was strong mutual interest in a return, but it’s not likely that there is room for both receivers. It’s possible that agent Drew Rosenhaus overplayed his hand, but we won’t know until Pryor lands and his contract terms are made public.

Britt managed to turn in his first career 1,000+ yard campaign in 2016, despite playing in the NFL’s worst offense. A skeptic might wonder why Britt waited until his contract year to break out in this fashion. Before last season, Britt’s previous watermark was 775 yards receiving (in 2010).

I predicted Britt would fetch the fourth-highest deal of any receiver on the open market and also had him as the fourth-best receiver in free agency based on ability. Britt made just a shade over $4MM in 2016, so his new deal represents a significant pay bump.

The 49ers, Cowboys, and Giants were among the teams with Britt on the radar, but he’ll be going to Cleveland instead.