Saints To Release QB Luke McCown
The Saints plan to release quarterback Luke McCown today, according to a source who spoke with Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune (on Twitter). McCown has been Drew Brees‘ backup since 2013, but he was effectively squeezed out of that role when the team signed Chase Daniel earlier this offseason. 
Comments from Brees late last week seemed to hint that McCown’s time in New Orleans was coming to a close.
“I love Luke. I had four great years with Luke. Luke was such a pro,” Brees said. “He was so great in the room because he’s seen and played so much football. He was really a wealth of knowledge and just a calm presence and just fun to be around.”
In theory, the Saints probably could have kept McCown as a QB3 since he was only slated to carry a $1.75MM cap number. Instead, the Saints are cutting him loose to save $1.5MM with just $250K in dead money. In his four years with the Saints, McCown completed 32 of 40 passes for 335 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. He did not see the field in 2016.
With Daniel in place as a solid QB2, the Saints could now draft a developmental quarterback or perhaps take on a young project player. It will be interesting to see if Johnny Manziel, who met with coach Sean Payton last month, gets any further consideration from the club.
Ravens Meet With Nick Mangold
Center Nick Mangold is visiting the Ravens, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley (Twitter link). The veteran arrived late Tuesday afternoon and will stay with the team through Wednesday. 
[RELATED: Ravens Trade Timmy Jernigan To Eagles]
The Ravens shook things up at center this offseason when they traded Jeremy Zuttah to the 49ers. As it stands, their only options are the unproven John Urschel and Ryan Jensen. Mangold, of course, would offer tons of experience and a resume that includes seven Pro Bowl nods.
The Jets cut the 33-year-old in February after he missed half of the 2016 season. Before that, however, he missed just four regular season Jets games over the previous nine seasons. Mangold was ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 25th best center last year, but he has posted several top ten and top five seasons over his career.
Even if he’s no longer an elite center, Mangold still stands as the best option available in free agency. If the Ravens pass on signing him, they could instead look to the draft and consider players like LSU’s Ethan Pocic, Ohio State’s Pat Elflein, and West Virginia’s Tyler Orlosky.
Rams To Sign C John Sullivan
The Rams have found their center. Los Angeles is signing veteran John Sullivan, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The Rams cut former starting center Tim Barnes last month, leaving them without a quality option in the middle. Now, new head coach Sean McVay has brought in Sullivan, a player that he knows fairly well. Last season, the two were together in Washington where Sullivan mostly served as a backup to Spencer Long. Before riding the pine in D.C., Sullivan was the Vikings’ starter for many years.
It’s hard to quantify a center’s performance, but Sullivan was highly regarded by the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus for his work from 2011 through 2014. Sullivan’s strongest seasons placed him comfortably in the top ten. Even in 2014, a down year by his previous standards, he was still an above average starter, per PFF.
Perhaps more importantly, Sullivan anchored the offensive line for some of Adrian Peterson’s best years in Minnesota. He also offers familiarity with McVay’s offensive system, which should be valuable for this young Rams team.
East Notes: Redskins, Dolphins, Jets, Giants
The Redskins have lost $4.5MM in cap space after paying back a “salary cap loan” from the 2011 campaign, as Rich Tandler of CSNMidAtlantic.com explains. Once the lockout concluded in 2011, the league-wide salary cap was set at $120MM per team, a $3MM decrease from the previous capped year. Because of the discrepancy, the NFL allowed clubs to borrow cap space: up to $3MM in 2011, and up to $1.5MM in 2012. Both amounts had to be repaid by 2017, so the bill has now come due for Washington.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- The Dolphins are continuing their search for front seven players by researching draft prospects, reports Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Oklahoma defensive tackle Charles Walker has been invited for a meeting with the Fins, per Jackson, while the club is also showing interest in Temple linebacker Haason Reddick and Villanova defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon. Meanwhile, Miami worked out cornerback John Ojo — who spent 2016 with the Edmonton Eskimoes of the Canadian Footbball League — on Monday, but he’s expected to sign with another team, according to Jackson.
- Ohio State safety Malik Hooker will visit with the Jets on Thursday, as Hooker tells SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Hooker, considered one of the draft’s top two safeties along with Jamal Adams (LSU), will likely be selected within the top 10 picks later this month. In New York, a Hooker addition could possibly lead to the release of veteran defender Marcus Gilchrist.
- After indicating he was stepping away from the NFL on Monday, Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa tweeted Tuesday that he’s “grateful to be part of Big Blue,” but New York sources (and a few Giants teammates) aren’t sure what is going on with the 25-year-old defender, per Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. While some observers believe Odighizuwa is dealing with “personal” problems, the entire nature of his tweets is still unclear.
- The Redskins are working out offensive tackle John Kling, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. King signed with Chicago last summer after being undrafted out of Buffalo, but was waived during final cutdowns and never latched on with another team.
Reaction To Tony Romo’s Retirement
Today was essentially Tony Romo Day in the NFL — the longtime Cowboys quarterback retired rather than possibly pursue a late-career opportunity with another club, signed on to become CBS’ No. 1 color commentator, and was officially released by Dallas.
Let’s take a look at some of the reaction to and fallout from Romo’s decision to hang up his cleats:
- While Romo wouldn’t rule out an eventual return to the NFL earlier today, one source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) Romo won’t be on the field again. “It’s over,” said the source. “He’s done. This was a no-brainer.” Theoretically, nothing prevents Romo from a midseason comeback once the 2017 campaign gets underway, especially if his contract with CBS contains opt-out clauses (as is rumored). Plus, now that the Cowboys have released Romo, his rights are no longer owned by a single club.
- Romo contends he would have had to pay back money to the Cowboys had they not chosen to release him, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). However, Clarence Hill of the Star Telegram reported Dallas would not have gone after the $5MM in signing bonus money to which it was entitled. Unless the organization had privately changed course on that aspect of Romo’s contract, he needn’t have worried about sacrificing money.
- Had he not retired, Romo — unsurprisingly — would have been atop the Texans’ wishlist, and Houston would have signed him to a deal that paid him like a starter “if he played and performed as such,” tweets Werder. Romo admitted the Texans would have been among the teams he strongly considered playing for, but Werder’s report indicates a contract with Houston would have been heavily incentivized.
- CBS began discussing a possible deal with Romo as soon as the season ended, CBS Sports president Sean McManus says (Twitter link via Breer). Negotiations apparently intensified over the past month, and a final deal came together on Monday evening.
Draft Rumors: Chiefs, Browns, Ravens, Bills
The Chiefs met with Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson today, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). While Kansas City management has been adamant that Alex Smith is the club’s starter for 2017, that proclamation wouldn’t preclude the Chiefs from attempting to find a long-term option under center. KC has also been linked to quarterbacks such as Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason.
Here’s more on the 2017 draft:
- Washington wide receiver John Ross has completed his predraft visits, tweets Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, who reports Ross met with the Browns and Ravens. Ross, of course, gained notoriety at the combine after posting a record 4.22-second 40-yard dash. He’s expected to be a first-round selection, and has also been linked to the Titans and Eagles. Although he underwent labrum surgery following the combine, Ross should be ready to roll by training camp.
- The Bills have hosted Alabama edge rusher Tim Williams, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Williams, who posted 18.5 sacks during his final two years in Tuscaloosa, should probably be a first-round pick based on talent alone, but personnel man have off-field concerns. “We’re worried about [his] weight and love of the game,” one scout told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report earlier this year. Williams was also arrested on a gun charge in September.
- North Carolina State safety Josh Jones worked out for the Titans on Tuesday and is meeting with the Vikings on Tuesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Jones, who is expected to be selected near the end of the first round or in the early part of Day 2, also has visits scheduled with the Browns, Steelers, and Bears, per Rapoport. Thus far, Jones has also been linked to Baltimore and Miami.
South Notes: Jaguars, Saints, Titans, Bucs
The Jaguars will host Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster and Ohio State safety Malik Hooker later this week, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). Jacksonville holds the fourth overall pick, but both Foster and Hooker seem like unlikely selections given the club’s recent draft picks (Myles Jack) and free agent additions (Tashaun Gipson, Barry Church). Still, the Jaguars are likely simply doing due diligence on the draft’s top prospects. Indeed, the club is also slated to meet with running back Dalvin Cook (Florida State), running back Leonard Fournette (LSU), edge rusher Myles Garrett (Texas A&M), and running back Joe Mixon (Oklahoma), as O’Halloran writes in a full piece.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two South divisions:
- Count the Saints among the clubs that may consider Mixon, as the controversial prospect met with New Orleans today, tweets Nick Underhill of the Advocate. While a number of teams, including New England and Miami have ruled out selecting Mixon due to an assault incident, the Saints are reportedly among the clubs “digging in” on the 20-year-old. In New Orleans, Mixon would pair with Mark Ingram to give the Saints a lethal running back combination.
- Missouri defensive end Charles Harris worked out for the Titans on Monday, as he detailed to SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link). Harris is expected come off the board during the second half of the first round, and could conceivably be an option for Tennessee at pick No. 18. He put up 16 sacks over the past two seasons for the Tigers.
- The Buccaneers are hosting USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson on Monday, per Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Jackson, who ranks as Daniel Jermiah of NFL.com‘s 37th overall player, would give Tampa Bay another young defensive back after the team spent a first-round pick on Vernon Hargreaves in 2016. Also a dynamic returner, Jackson could augment a Buccaneers special teams unit that was below average on both kick and punt returns last year.
- While Chase Daniel had other proposals on the table, the longtime backup chose a reunion with the Saints in part because Drew Brees‘ contract expires after 2017, as Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com writes. “[Brees] could play until he’s 45 if he wanted to,” Daniel said. “And the way his contract is sort of set up, yeah, it’s the last year of his contract, but for me, I’d be crazy to say that didn’t play a little bit into effect to come here, to play behind Drew again, to learn this offense, to get noticed in this offense and to see where it takes me.” Daniel, however, only signed for a single season, as well.
Cowboys Meet With 21 NFL Draft Prospects
The Cowboys have now used more than two-thirds of their 30 allotted predraft visits, and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link), Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link), and Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News have provided the list of prospects with whom Dallas has met:
- Colorado CB Chidobe Awuzie
- Tennessee DE Derek Barnett
- Ohio DE Tarell Basham
- Ohio State CB Gareon Conley
- Oregon State DB Treston Decoud
- USC CB Adoree’ Jackson
- Washington CB Kevin King
- Villanova DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
- USC JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Florida CB Teez Tabor
- Clemson CB Cordrea Tankersley
- Colorado S Tedric Thompson
- LSU CB Tre’Davious White
- Utah S Marcus Williams
- Florida CB Quincy Wilson
- Louisiana Tech S Xavier Woods
The Cowboys’ visits with Michigan DE Taco Charlton, UCLA DE Takkarist McKinley, UConn S Obi Melifonwu, UCLA CB Fabian Moreau, and Wisconsin LB T.J. Watt had all been previously reported.
Patriots Still Interested In Blount, Bolden
Although they’ve signed Rex Burkhead and taken a meeting with Adrian Peterson, the Patriots still have interest in re-signing LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
Blount, 30, hasn’t seen his market develop during the first month of free agency, as the only team that’s expressed any interest in him is the Seahawks, who were reportedly “monitoring” Blount before signing Eddie Lacy. As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk speculated earlier this week, it’s entirely possible New England’s hosting of Peterson was intended to send a message to Blount. Blount, who led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016, has negotiated with the Patriots since the free agent period opened, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms.
Bolden, meanwhile, didn’t play much of an offensive role last season (one carry, four targets), and would likely see that burden reduced even further given the arrival of Burkhead in New England. Bolden’s primary role would remain in special teams, where he played nearly 60% of the Patriots snaps in 2016.
Tony Romo Won’t Rule Out NFL Comeback
The Texans were said to have interest in Tony Romo and we now know that interest was mutual. Romo has chosen broadcasting over playing, but if he moved forward as a quarterback, Romo says the Texans would have been his top choice. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Release Tony Romo]
“Obviously Houston was at the top of the list of teams that I looked at,” Romo told reporters on a conference call today.
Romo’s affinity for the Texans might not mean much right now, but it is perhaps something to file away in case we have a Brett Favre situation on our hands. Romo stressed that he could “play tomorrow” if he wanted to, so it sounds like we’ll be in for at least a couple of years of will he/won’t he speculation. When asked if this is really the end of the line, Romo said he’s “99%” retired and “never say never” to the possibility of a comeback. He also said that he’s probably healthier now than he was in 2014.
The former Cowboys QB “went back and forth many times” on playing versus retiring, but says he ultimately decided to transition to the booth because of the great opportunity presented by CBS. Only time will tell if Romo can be coaxed into playing again.