2018 April - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys Release Dez Bryant

April 13th, 2018 at 11:12am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have released wide receiver Dez Bryant, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer (on Twitter). Despite hope that the two sides would be able to work out a revised deal, the plan going into today’s big meeting was to part ways with Bryant.

Bryant was slated to earn a base salary of $12.5MM this season, a number that was too high given his recent play. With free agent additions Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson in the fold, the Cowboys feel they can afford to cut ties with Bryant and explore other WR options in the draft. In addition to Hurns and Thompson, the Cowboys will also return with Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley.

Bryant, 29, averaged 91 catches for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns between 2012 and 2014. Over the last three years, those averages have plummeted to 50 catches for 678 yards and 6 TDs. He also missed ten games due to injury between 2015 and 2016.

Bryant has failed to live up to the five-year, $70MM extension he signed with the Cowboys prior to the 2016 season, but he still figures to attract interest on the open market. Bryant will have to temper his salary expectations, however, since his performance has declined and much of this year’s cap room around the league has already been spent on free agents.

The Cowboys will release Bryant straight away, according to Archer (on Twitter), which will create $8.5MM in cap space with $8MM in dead money. If they had designated Bryant as a post-June 1 cut, it would have carved $12.5MM in cap room that would have been available starting June 2.

Browns Meet With Lamar Jackson

April 13th, 2018 at 11:03am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns will meet with Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson on Friday, according to a press release from the team. Jackson is not believed to be in consideration at No. 1 or No. 4 overall, but the Browns could consider him later on if he is still available.

The Browns are armed with three picks in the second round at Nos. 33, 35, and 64 overall. As unlikely as it seems, the Browns could opt to use both of their top picks on non-QBs and package two of those selections to move up and snag Jackson if they are especially impressed by him.

Taking, say, Sam Darnold at No. 1 overall and using a later pick on Jackson would make little sense since the team already has two QBs with guaranteed money on the roster in Tyrod Taylor and Drew Stanton. However, if Jackson goes into a free fall in the draft, the Browns could select him with the notion of moving him to wide receiver. Jackson has resisted such talk, but many evaluators feel that he has the athleticism to succeed as a receiver.

Will the Browns target Jackson over one of this year’s big four QBs? Occam’s razor dictates that they won’t and are simply doing their due diligence on one of this year’s most intriguing prospects.

Seahawks Sign QB Stephen Morris

April 13th, 2018 at 10:05am CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have signed quarterback Stephen Morris, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Morris has signed contracts with multiple teams but has yet to play in an NFL game.

Morris, a University of Miami product, first entered the league as a UDFA with the Jaguars. Since then, he has inked deals with the Eagles, Colts, and Redskins. Morris spent time on the taxi squads of the Jaguars, Eagles, and Colts and spent one game on the Colts’ active roster after Andrew Luck suffered a concussion.

The signing comes on the heels of their last-minute decision to cancel a workout with Colin Kaepernick. The Seahawks are reportedly skittish about signing Kaepernick without knowing whether he plans to kneel for the national anthem this season.

Still, the Seahawks have not closed the door on signing Kaepernick and sources say they would like to meet at him at a later date when he has formulated a plan for his social activism. Morris’ deal is likely non-guaranteed, so it is probably not a barrier to a future deal with Kaep.

Saints Pick Up Andrus Peat’s Option

April 13th, 2018 at 9:54am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have officially exercised the 2019 fifth-year option on offensive lineman Andrus Peat, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Peat has become the first 2015 first round draft pick to formally have it picked up.

The decision to pick up Peat’s contract for 2019 was something of a no brainer. After previous experiments with the former No. 13 overall pick at left tackle, he switched over to left guard over the past two years and performed well. Peat has 29 starts to his credit between 2016 and 2017.

Per the terms of the fifth-year option, Peat’s 2019 season will be guaranteed for injury only. Should his performance decline, the Saints can get out of the deal with no fiscal penalty.

For first-rounders picked outside the top 10, the option is determined by the determined by the average of the third through 25th top salaries at that position. In time, we’ll know Peat’s exact figure.

Peat finished the year on injured reserve after he suffered a broken ankle in the first round of the playoffs.

West Rumors: Foster, Mack, Vea, Bynes

April 12th, 2018 at 9:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reuben Foster is not eligible for the commissioner’s exempt list at this point, Jim Trotter of ESPN.com tweets, so the embattled linebacker would be able to be in attendance on the first day of the 49ers‘ offseason program come Monday. Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area expects Foster to be there (Twitter link), despite circumstances that could well have Foster bound for an ignominious departure after a standout rookie season. Foster will become eligible for the commissioner’s exempt list once the league concludes its investigation into his alleged act of domestic violence — an incident that prompted authorities to charge the 2017 first-round pick with three felonies. Foster could face up to 11 years in prison. Conversely, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) would be surprised if Foster is with his teammates at 49ers headquarters next week, noting he will probably “stay away for a little bit.” Rapoport said he expects the 49ers to quickly waive Foster if, in fact, they learn the 24-year-old defender committed these crimes.

Here’s the latest from some other West-division cities.

Khalil Mack has not shown up for the first week of Jon Gruden‘s return to the Raiders, but Reggie McKenzie remains confident a contract agreement will come. “This is going to be a big contract and all sides are trying to make everything work,” McKenzie told NFL.com’s Steve Wyche (via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Scott Bair). “It’s about the end result. One thing I know is that we love Khalil Mack and we want to make him a Raider for life. We’ll get through all the other stuff. We understand the business part of it. Everybody is aware of everything and nobody is surprised. Everything, on all sides has been positive.” Wyche reports Mack and Gruden have spoken recently, despite the superstar defensive end’s absence, and McKenzie understands Mack may stay away from the team until a deal is completed.
Vita Vea is eligible to attend both the Seahawks‘ and 49ers’ local pro days, which do not count against teams’ top-30 visits, but he will instead meet with the Redskins next Wednesday, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee tweets. The mammoth ex-Washington Huskies defensive tackle went to high school in the Bay Area. He’s visited several teams and is a surefire first-round pick.
Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes received $1.25MM in guaranteed money via his latest deal with the team, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic notes. Despite a new coaching staff coming in and the Cards set to turn to a 4-3 setup, Bynes signed to stay in Arizona on a three-year deal. The base value of that contract is $5.575MM, per OverTheCap, but it could max out at close to $10MM. Bynes started 19 games for the Lions between the 2015 and ’16 seasons and was a Cardinals starter in just one 2017 contest. But Steve Wilks sees the 28-year-old former UDFA as a viable candidate to start at middle linebacker.

Patriots Interested In Lamar Jackson?

April 12th, 2018 at 8:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

Lamar Jackson‘s taken several visits recently as he readies for what will probably be a call from a team that’s selected him in the first round of the upcoming draft. He is not believed to have visited the Patriots yet, but they do appear to be monitoring the Louisville-honed dynamo.

The Patriots are the team that’s shown the most interest in Jackson, Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report writes, adding teams have been impressed with the quarterback’s intelligence. During an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported he’d also heard plenty connecting the Patriots to Jackson.

Mortensen said he does not expect the Pats to move up from their No. 23 perch to land the quarterback but notes they would be interested in the dual-threat player if he’s there when New England’s initial first-round window opens.

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner has met with the Saints, Ravens, Chargers and Browns. The latter franchise does not look to be a logical candidate to land Jackson, and the Patriots pick in front of the Saints. The Ravens could be a Jackson landing spot at No. 16. The Chargers haven’t selected a quarterback since 2013, and Philip Rivers may be a reasonable bet to retire after Tom Brady does, having expressed intentions to play into the 2020 season when the Bolts move into their new Los Angeles stadium. Brady, whose contract runs through 2019, also issued some praise (via Instagram) for Jackson this week.

New England has not selected a quarterback in the first round since Drew Bledsoe in 1993, but now that Jimmy Garoppolo is in San Francisco, the AFC East kingpin probably needs to look to identify a legitimate Brady successor. Robert Kraft said as much recently. The Patriots have also been linked to Baker Mayfield, but it would take an un-Patriot-like trade to move up into possibly the top five to have a chance at landing the latest Heisman winner. Jackson may well be gone by the time the Pats pick, but that’s not a lock.

Benson Mayowa To Visit Cardinals

April 12th, 2018 at 7:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

A part-time starter for the Cowboys over the past two seasons, Benson Mayowa will make a trip to Arizona to meet with the Cardinals, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Cardinals met with UFA Connor Barwin this week as well and will explore a Mayowa free agency add as well. Mayowa has been a much-studied defender on this year’s market, having met with the Redskins, Colts and Titans last month. Meetings with the Jets and Seahawks were also reported to have taken place during free agency’s initial days.

Mayowa has played five seasons — with the Seahawks, Raiders and Cowboys — but won’t turn 27 until August. While three of those five slates have included just one sack, he enjoyed a strong six-sack showing with the 2016 Cowboys.

The Cards are moving from a 3-4 look to a 4-3 under Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb, both of whom oversaw parts of the Panthers’ 4-3 look over the past several years. Mayowa has played as a 4-3 end throughout his NFL career.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

April 12th, 2018 at 6:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

While a new avenue with the Seahawks has opened up, albeit with a rather significant hiccup early in that process, Colin Kaepernick remains embroiled in a collusion lawsuit with the NFL.

The latest owner deposed in the case, Jerry Jones, has been the most vocal about players standing for the national anthem. As he did for the depositions of Texans owner Bob McNair and Ravens decision-makers Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh, Kaepernick is sitting in on the proceedings, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports. This deposition in Frisco, Texas, is scheduled to last several hours.

Jones is one of many owners scheduled to be deposed in this case. In addition to previously reported members of the deposition list — Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 49ers CEO Jed York and Pete Carroll — Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Seahawks owner Paul Allen are also on this docket, Robinson reports. The Yahoo reporter notes Jones’ inclusion stems from several factors, among them comments he made about retribution for Cowboys who protested during the anthem and conversations Jones had with President Donald Trump about the NFL’s response to protests during anthems.

The outspoken Dallas owner is among a group of owners who have urged Roger Goodell to end the players’ right to kneel during the playing of the national anthem, and Robinson reports Jones is expected to make another push for this practice to end at the next set of owners’ meetings in May.

This case is not expected to be resolved soon, with Robinson reporting these historic proceedings will likely drag into 2019.

As for a possible Kaepernick/Seahawks agreement, the quarterback’s camp said (video link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com) the Seahawks issued an ultimatum that hinged on Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem. Word out of Seahawks headquarters was that the franchise wanted a firm plan from the 30-year-old passer about how his role in the racial inequality-centered protest movement going forward. Robinson reports the Seahawks were specific regarding the anthem, and that the former Super Bowl starter declined to make a commitment at this time.

The Seahawks saw Michael Bennett become part of this protest movement last season, refusing to stand during the anthem. A 2017 report also indicated Kaepernick would stand for the anthem if he was signed last season. It’s unclear if that stance has changed, but it certainly remains an issue in the passer landing a contract offer. The Seahawks door is not believed to be closed, but the team also has other Russell Wilson backup candidates in mind.

Texans Rumors: Watson, Martin, Mathieu

April 12th, 2018 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite tearing an ACL in November, Deshaun Watson looks like he’ll have some involvement in the Texans‘ offseason program. The one-time offensive rookie of the year favorite is ahead of schedule in his recovery process, just as Bill O’Brien anticipated he would be coming into the offseason program, James Palmer of NFL.com reports (video link). Watson will be throwing some during the offseason. Although Watson is currently working out in a brace on the injured knee, Palmer notes the second-year quarterback may not have to wear a brace once he returns to game action. The former national championship-winning passer will not participate in the team portions of the Texans’ OTAs but will throw during the seven-on-seven and passing portions of the workouts, per Palmer.

Here’s the latest out of Houston.

The Texans are considering moving center Nick Martin to guard, Palmer reports. The third-year player started in 14 Texans games at center last season, his first as a healthy NFLer after he missed all of his would-be rookie year due to injury. Having reached an agreement with another former Chiefs offensive lineman in Zach Fulton, it’s possible the Texans could slide Martin to guard and Fulton to center — where he played at times in Kansas City. O’Brien said as many as four new starters could be set to block for Watson this coming season. Senio Kelemete and Seantrel Henderson are now in the fold as well. Houston’s highest-paid lineman remains Jeff Allen, who has not lived up to the $7MM-per-year deal he signed in 2016. Martin’s brother, Zack, of course, is arguably the best guard in the game.
Tyrann Mathieu may be gradually pushed into a versatile position with his new team. Palmer notes the Texans plan to initially just play him at safety but do want him working at cornerback and as a blitzer. This hybrid job description helped Mathieu to an All-Pro perch in 2015 and a then-record safety contract before another injury sidetracked him and eventually re-routed him to Houston.
Joe Webb will make $915K in base salary and will carry a $720K cap figure this season, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports. The wide receiver/quarterback received a $90K signing bonus.
Defensive lineman Christian Covington has been fully cleared after his torn biceps injury in October ended his 2017 season, per Wilson. Covington started two games last season and played in seven, doing so after making five starts in 2016.
The Texans released right tackle Derek Newton earlier on Thursday and did so with a failed physical designation, Wilson tweets. Newton had not played since October 2016, when he sustained two severe knee injuries on one play.

Gayle Benson To Run Saints After Husband’s Death

April 12th, 2018 at 5:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Some clarity emerged about the operation of the Saints on Thursday. Gayle Benson, the widow of deceased Saints owner Tom Benson, will run the team.

She announced her late husband’s plan was for her to be the franchise’s controlling owner.

“My husband’s plan and desire was for me to have full voting control of the Saints and to serve as Controlling Owner of the team per NFL rules,” Gayle Benson wrote in a letter to the 31 other teams today (via PFT). “I understood this and want to reassure you that I am fully prepared to assume this role. Moving forward, I too, will provide the Commissioner my very own Ownership Succession Plan of the New Orleans Saints.

“Please rest assured, I will own and operate this franchise until my death and do so with the same drive and focus towards success that my husband displayed throughout his life.”

Tom Benson owned the Saints from 1985 until his death last month. Benson married Gayle, his third wife, in 2004. Her involvement represented a point of contention with some of Benson’s heirs, and Tom Benson changed his will to keep his daughter and grandchildren from a previous marriage out of the ownership picture. The case was settled early last year.

Gayle Benson writes that the Saints are in good financial shape and will continue to play in the Superdome.