2018 March - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Jets, McKinnon, Cardinals, Mathieu, Eagles, Foles, Acho, Bears

March 14th, 2018 at 5:38pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest from around the NFL:

Running back Jerick McKinnon nearly joined Teddy Bridgewater with the Jets, according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). Ultimately, the 49ers came back with a big offer. The Jets pivoted at that point and instead signed running back Isaiah Crowell.
The Cardinals were willing to go to about $9MM/year with Tyrann Mathieu before he was cut, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets. Other teams believe that he is now looking to top that figure. He may or may not get that kind of coin given his past injuries and a down 2017.
The Cardinals called the Eagles about acquiring Nick Foles this week, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). However, this took place right around the time of the Sam Bradford signing. With Bradford in the fold at a hefty salary, it’s unlikely that the Cards will go back to that well. Meanwhile, the Eagles seem intent on keeping the Super Bowl MVP.
Before re-signing with the Bears, linebacker Sam Acho also had interest from the Seahawks, Texans, and Rams (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jeff Dickerson).

Bears Release WR Markus Wheaton

March 14th, 2018 at 5:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Chicago is cutting bait with several of their 2017 free agents. The Bears have officially cut wideout Markus Wheaton. We heard earlier today that the receiver was likely to be cut (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter)). Wheaton was scheduled to carry a $5.75MM cap hit, but the Bears released him with just $750K in dead money.

The Bears have also announced the release of quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback Marcus Cooper. We heard last month that the organization was going to move on from Glennon, and the veteran has already agreed to a deal with the Cardinals.

After adding Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel to the wide receiver stable, the Bears can afford to part with Wheaton, who was part of a failed 2017 free agent class for general manager Ryan Pace. Chicago added Glennon, Cooper, tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps, and Wheaton last offseason, but none panned out during their first Windy City campaign.

Wheaton, 27, managed only 51 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Injuries limited him to just 11 games, but he only put up three receptions on the year. In three of his five NFL campaigns, Wheaton has posted six receptions or fewer. Defenders will point to Wheaton’s 40+ catch seasons in 2014 and 2015, but Wheaton hasn’t been productive in some time, and could struggle to find a deal on the open market.

Following a career-year with the Cardinals in 2016, Cooper disappointed this past season in Chicago. The cornerback finished the campaign with 18 tackles and three passes defended in 15 games (four starts).

Sharrif Floyd Becomes A Free Agent

March 14th, 2018 at 5:35pm CST by Micah Powell

According to an NFL release, Sharrif Floyd‘s contract did not toll into 2018, making the defensive tackle a free agent in 2018 (Twitter link). He does still have a grievance in settlement negotiations to determine how much he should have been compensated from the Vikings in 2017.

Floyd missed all of 2017 and all but one game the previous year after suffering a knee injury in the 2016 season opener. In September 2016, Floyd underwent arthroscopic surgery on that knee.

Floyd, 25, has played in 44 games and registered 9.5 sacks since being selected in the first round by Minnesota in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Bills Release WR Anquan Boldin

March 14th, 2018 at 5:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s an interesting one – the Bills have released Anquan Boldin from the reserve/retired list, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes. The move allows him to sign with another team, if he wants to continue playing.

A quick refresher on the Boldin saga: the veteran wide receiver signed with the Bills during training camp, but retired less than two weeks later. During the season, Boldin’s agent requested his release, but he was denied by GM Brandon Beane. At one point in time, the rival Patriots had interest in signing him.

“We made a commitment to Anquan, and he made a commitment to us back in [training] camp,” Beane said in November. “He left for the reasons he mentioned back in August. We invested in him — invested time and committed to him — and we wouldn’t want to just put him out on the market to see him go sign with the Patriots or the Dolphins or anybody that can get in our way or work against us.”

Boldin, 38 in November, is free to do as he pleases. But, given his age and his remarkably low 8.7 yards per reception in 2016, it’s not clear what he has left to offer.

Buccaneers Sign Mitch Unrein

March 14th, 2018 at 5:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have agreed to sign former Bears defensive end Mitch Unrein, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $3.5MM annually, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).

In 12 games this year, Unrein recorded a career-high 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks for Chicago. His season ended prematurely after he aggravated a nagging knee injury in a late season game against the 49ers. The 30-year-old previously had stints with the Chargers and Broncos.

Pro Football Focus, which had Unrein listed as an interior defender, gave him a career-high 83.9 score for his work in 2017. At the time of his injury, that placed him No. 29 among all interior defenders. Unrein will compete with Noah Spence, Pat O’Connor, and Davonte Lambert for snaps behind Robert Ayers and William Gholston.

Chiefs Re-Sign WR De’Anthony Thomas

March 14th, 2018 at 5:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chiefs announced that they have re-signed wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas. In related news, linebacker Terrance Smith has also been retained.

Thomas, a return specialist, averaged 23.5 yards per kick return last season. He drew interest from other teams – including one offer that would have paid him $1.5MM more than what he got from KC, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter) – but he elected to stay with the Chiefs.

Smith has spent the past two seasons with the Chiefs after going undrafted out of Florida State in 2016. The 24-year-old has compiled 14 tackles and one interception in 24 career games (three starts).

Joe Berger Has Offers From Vikings, Lions; May Retire

March 14th, 2018 at 5:06pm CST by Zachary Links

Offensive lineman Joe Berger may hang up his cleats. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the veteran is considering retirement. The reporter notes that the lineman already has offers on the table from both the Vikings and Lions. We heard earlier this week that at least three teams were eyeing Berger.

The 35-year-old has spent the past seven seasons with the Vikings, where he’s started of each his 46 games over the past three seasons. Capable of playing guard or center, Berger ranks as PFR’s No. 8 interior lineman heading into free agency. Berger had previously indicated that he’d likely retire following the 2017 season, but he’s since walked that back.

The lineman started all 16 games for the Vikings last season, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 23rd among 77 guard candidates following the campaign. Mike Remmers and Danny Isidora are currently slotted in as the Vikings starting guards, while Joe Dahl and T.J. Lang hold that distinction for the Lions.

49ers Re-Sign Brock Coyle

March 14th, 2018 at 5:00pm CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers have re-signed linebacker Brock Coyle, according to a team announcement. Coyle underwent offseason shoulder surgery and, presumably, the operation was a success as he is being retained for three more years. The deal is worth$11.5MM with $4.1MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

It was expected that the Niners would re-up Coyle in the wake of Reuben Foster‘s domestic abuse arrest earlier this year. Coyle started ten games last season alongside Foster and while he doesn’t offer the same upside, he does have familiarity with the team.

Coyle, 28 in October, tallied 62 tackles with half a sack last year. He’ll reunite with old teammate Richard Sherman now that they’re both in San Francisco.

Titans, Dolphins Interested In QB Chad Henne

March 14th, 2018 at 4:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Quarterback Chad Henne is set to meet with the Titans, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The Dolphins have also expressed interest in the veteran signal-caller, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).

Signing with Miami would be a bit of a homecoming for the 32-year-old, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dolphins. Henne has spent the past six years with the Jaguars, where he’s started 22 games. The veteran hasn’t seen the field much recently, as he’s only appeared in six games since 2014. The last time Henne saw consistent playing time was 2013, when he completed 60.6% of his passes for 3,241 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

Both the Titans and Dolphins would presumably be eyeing Henne for a backup role. Tennessee is currently rolling with Tyler Ferguson as the backup to Marcus Mariota, while Miami is rostering Brandon Doughty behind Ryan Tannehill.

Saints Sign QB Tom Savage

March 14th, 2018 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have a new backup quarterback. New Orleans has signed former Texans signal caller Tom Savage, according to his agents (on Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that it’s a one-year deal worth $1.5MM.

The Saints re-signed their starter, Drew Brees, but they lost their No. 2 QB when Chase Daniel left in free agency to join up with the Bears. Savage provides starting experience – and far more on-field experience than Daniel.

Savage, a former fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh, entered the season as Houston’s starter. He wound up losing the job to rookie Deshaun Watson rather quickly.

Savage finished the year with 1,412 yards and five touchdowns against six interceptions. He also completed just 56% of his passes.