2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Chris Long Signs New Deal With Eagles

March 22nd, 2018 at 10:02am CST by Zachary Links

Chris Long has yet to address the retirement rumors surrounding him, but the latest word indicates that he’s planning to play in 2018. Long signed the new contract that was offered to him last week, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter).

As previously reported, the new deal guarantees Long $3MM in 2018 and includes a jump in base salary from a non-guaranteed $1MM to $2.5MM guaranteed. In theory, Long can still retire after signing the new deal, but his signature on the dotted line suggests that he intends to play.

The Eagles’ recent acquisition of Michael Bennett means that Long would be ticketed for a reserve role, but he also hasn’t been a full time starter in the last three seasons. And, with his 33rd birthday coming up on Monday, a limited snap count probably suits him well. If he continues to play, Long will be behind starters Brandon Graham and Bennett while last year’s first round pick Derek Barnett also participates in the rotation.

Long was on the field for 588 regular season snaps last year, down from 677 in the previous season with the Patriots.

Browns Interested In WR Allen Hurns

March 22nd, 2018 at 9:43am CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars threw Allen Hurns on the free agent pile this week and it didn’t take long for his market to form. The Browns are among the clubs with interest, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, joining seven other previously reported suitors.

Hurns broke out with more than 1,000 yards receiving in 2015 behind Allen Robinson, but hasn’t topped 500 yards in each of the past two seasons. Apparently, teams believe that he can excel once again if he’s healthy and in a different offense. Hurns has missed 13 regular season games over the last two campaigns.

The Browns have expressed some interest in re-signing Terrelle Pryor, but right now he appears ticketed for the Jets or Seahawks. If the Browns add Hurns, he’ll be the team’s No. 3 wide receiver behind Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon. That’s a trio that would cause nightmare matchups for opposing defenses.

Hurns took his first visit with the Cowboys when the snow kept him from meeting with the Jets. He’ll attempt to meet with Gang Green on Thursday, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Giants Trade Jason Pierre-Paul To Bucs

March 22nd, 2018 at 9:08am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are trading defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The Giants will receive a 2018 third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the deal.

The move comes as a total surprise as we have not heard any rumblings of JPP not being in the Giants’ plans for the coming season. But, there’s a new regime in New York headed by GM Dave Gettleman and coach Pat Shurmur and they do not view him in the same light as the last administration. It’s likely that they do not view Pierre-Paul as a fit for defensive coordinator James Bettcher‘s 3-4 heavy scheme.

The Giants inked JPP to a four-year, $62MM deal with $40MM guaranteed roughly one year ago today. He responded by turning in his first complete season since 2014 and tallying 8.5 sacks with 68 total tackles. The advanced metrics indicated that it was only a so-so season for him and Gettleman’s review of the game tape conferred.

Still, Pierre-Paul is undeniably a high-impact player and he’ll now join a revamped and upgraded Bucs defensive line. This year, the Buccaneers signed Vinny Curry to hold down one defensive end spot and added Beau Allen at defensive tackle. Pierre-Paul now joins the group and those three new faces plus Gerald McCoy will give the Bucs one of the most talented defensive lines in the entire NFL. Tampa Bay also has former second-round pick Noah Spence and former Bears DE Mitch Unrein in support.

The Buccaneers tried to trade for Rams edge rusher Robert Quinn, but ultimately lost out to another Florida team. Less than three weeks later, they managed to land a different superstar defensive end.

The deal figures to have major implications for the Giants’ offseason plans. The G-Men now have additional cap room to work with in the second wave of free agency and their draft plans could radically shift. It’s possible that the Giants will consider Bradley Chubb at No. 2 overall rather than selecting Eli Manning‘s successor. They could also trade down if they believe they can land a pass rusher plus a quality QB later on.

The Giants will now own the fifth pick in the third round (No. 69 overall) in addition to that round’s second pick (No. 65). In the fourth round, the Bucs move up to No. 102 overall while parting with the No. 108 selection.

[RELATED: Buccaneers Depth Chart]

Seahawks Re-Sign RB Mike Davis

March 22nd, 2018 at 9:06am CST by Zachary Links

Mike Davis has agreed to a one-year deal to stay with the Seahawks, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He took visits elsewhere, but ultimately decided to stay in Seattle where he showed some promise last year.

Davis’ visits during the free agency period included the Lions and Rams. For now, Seattle offers him the easiest path to the field.

Davis went from Seattle’s practice squad to the varsity squad in November when C.J. Prosise landed on IR. He had some solid games down the stretch. In December against the Jaguars, he ran for 66 yards off of 15 carries, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average. Then, in the season finale against the Cardinals, he had 48 yards off of ten carries. All in all, he appeared in six games (all starts) and finished with 240 rushing yards on 68 carries. He also added another 15 receptions for 131 yards.

The Seahawks also have Chris Carson, J.D. McKissic, and C.J. Prosise under contract for 2018. You can expect Seattle to continue exploring upgrades in free agency and the draft.

Patriots Re-Sign LB Marquis Flowers

March 22nd, 2018 at 8:52am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are re-signing linebacker Marquis Flowers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal worth up to $2.55MM.

The Patriots acquired Flowers just prior to last year’s 53-man deadline. The linebacker was not going to make the Bengals’ final cut, so Cincinnati shipped him to New England in exchange for a conditional seventh-rounder.

Flowers mostly played special teams for the Bengals in 2016, but he saw time on 361 snaps for the Patriots in 2017. Flowers finished out the regular season with 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks and even started in two games. In the playoffs, he added another six tackles and one sack.

The Patriots lost several key free agents this offseason, but they have largely kept their special teams unit in tact with new deals for Matt Slater, Nate Ebner, Brandon Bolden, Brandon King, and Flowers. Johnson Bademosi left to sign a deal with the Texans, but he has been replaced by Cordarrelle Patterson.

Dolphins To Meet With Frank Gore

March 22nd, 2018 at 8:48am CST by Zachary Links

Frank Gore could finish his football career back where it all started. Gore is slated to visit with the Dolphins on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Gore was born in Coral Gables, Florida and played his college football at the University of Miami. With the Hurricanes, Gore averaged 5.7 yards per carry and became a third round pick of the Niners in 2005. Thirteen years later, GMs regret allowing him to slip all the way to No. 65 overall. Gore has had a remarkable career and has been shockingly durable throughout as well. He has missed only 12 possible regular season games in his career and has missed none since 2010.

The five-time Pro Bowler is no longer among the very best at his position, but he remains healthy and somewhat productive on the verge of his 35th birthday. Last year, Gore ran for 961 yards off of 261 carries, giving him a 3.7 yards per carry average. That wasn’t terribly efficient, but he did add 29 catches for 245 yards and one score.

It’s possible that Gore can perform better after moving on from the Colts, who finished 18th in run blocking last season, per Football Outsiders. The Dolphins were ranked even lower by FO’s stats, but they do have a new look offensive line that features guard Josh Sitton and Daniel Kilgore and is bookended by a pair of former first round picks in Laremy Tunsil and Ja’Wuan James.

Seahawks Host DT Shamar Stephen

March 21st, 2018 at 9:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Vikings poached one of the Seahawks’ defensive tackles last week by signing Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal, and now Seattle may do the same to Minnesota. The Seahawks have met with free agent lineman and ex-Viking Shamar Stephen, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link).

With Richardson now longer in town, Seattle is attempting to fortify an interior defensive line that is now led by Jarran Reed, Nazair Jones, and Garrison Smith. The Seahawks have met with free agents Bennie Logan and Tom Johnson, and have reportedly reached out to a number of available defensive tackles, including Ndamukong Suh and Quinton Dial.

Stephen, 27, started all 16 games for the Vikings as recently as 2016, but his snap percentage drop by 15% in 2017. In 15 appearances, Stephen posted nine tackles and one sack, also saw action on roughly a third of Minnesota’s special teams snaps. Seattle isn’t the only that’s expressed interest in Stephen, as he’s also taken a visit with the Lions.

Falcons Interested In LB Arthur Moats

March 21st, 2018 at 8:59pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Falcons have expressed interest in free agent linebacker Arthur Moats, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds the Steelers haven’t ruled out a reunion with Moats.

An eight-year NFL veteran, Moats has split his career equally between Buffalo and Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old started 12 games and played 50% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps as recently as 2015, but his role was drastically reduced in 2017. Pittsburgh turned to younger defenders such as Bud Dupree, so Moats only saw action on 8.4% of the club’s snaps.

Still, the Falcons are searching for rotational edge rushers, and Moats could fit that bill, as he was typically good for three-to-four sacks annually during his best seasons with the Steelers. Not only did Atlanta lose Adrian Clayborn to the Patriots in free agency, but it also released defensive end Derrick Shelby. Moats isn’t the only defender on the Falcons’ radar, as they also met with Pernell McPhee today, while the club also has interest in ex-Buccaneer Robert Ayers.

Contract Details: Jordy, Glennon, Incognito

March 21st, 2018 at 8:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts and restructures around the NFL:

New Contracts

Jordy Nelson, WR (Raiders): Two years, $14.2MM. $13MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
Mike Glennon, QB (Cardinals): Two-year, $8MM deal contains void years in 2020 and 2021. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
Spencer Long, C (Jets): Four years, $27.5MM. $6MM guaranteed (link via Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap).
Jaron Brown, WR (Seahawks): Two years, $5.5MM. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.95MM signing bonus. $750K available annually via receptions, yards, and touchdowns incentives (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
Christian Jones, LB (Lions): Two years, $6.35MM. $2.8MM guaranteed. $1.75MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com).
Kyle Wilber, LB (Raiders): Two years, $2.75MM. $1.4MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM).
Billy Turner, OL (Broncos): One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).

Restructures

Richie Incognito, G (Bills): 2018 base salary reduced from $6.325MM to $3.65MM. Earned $1MM bonus. Bills created $1.675MM in cap space (Twitter link via Yates).
John Jerry, G (Giants): 2019 contract season eliminated. 2018 base salary reduced from $3.05MM to $1.075MM, $525K of which is guaranteed. $400K roster bonus added and paid on 3/21. Per-game roster bonuses increased from $250K to $500K (all Twitter links via Dan Duggan of NJ.com). Giants created $525K in cap space.

Cowboys To Sign LB Joe Thomas

March 21st, 2018 at 7:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cowboys have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent linebacker Joe Thomas, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The pact is worth up to $4.6MM, tweets Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News.

Thomas, not to be confused with the former Browns tackle of the same same, is now on the open market after the Packers declined to tender him as a restricted free agent last week. The 26-year-old Thomas, who spent time on the Dallas practice squad in 2015, started seven games and played 60% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2016, but saw his playtime drop to 13% last season.

The Cowboys appear to be set at linebacker with a trio of Sean Lee, Jaylon Smith, and Damien Wilson, so Thomas won’t see playing time right off the bat. However, both Lee and Smith have dealt with serious injuries in the past, so Thomas will offer depth in case either goes down again.