This Date In Transactions History: Rams Release Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner is now essentially NFL royalty. A Super Bowl champion and two-time league MVP, Warner was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2017, serves as an analyst on both television and radio, and was recently considered for a color commentary role on Monday Night Football. But Warner’s fairy-tale career once appeared destined to end with him finishing as nothing more than a flash in the pan, especially after the Rams released him on June 1, 2004.
Warner had been designated as a post-June 1 cut, meaning that while the then-St. Louis Rams had telegraphed their intentions on Warner’s roster status for some time, they waited to officially release him as a salary cap maneuver. Everyone knows Warner’s story up until this point: a former grocery store employee-turned-AFL/NFL Europe star, Warner rose to fame as the captain of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” leading a high-flying Rams offense to two Super Bowl appearances in three seasons.
But things began to change in 2002, as Warner struggled to open the campaign and then missed a chunk of the season with a broken finger. Although he began 2003 as the Rams’ starter under center, he made only one start before giving way to Marc Bulger. St. Louis released Warner following that season, clearing out the remaining three years of a seven-year, $47MM contract he’d signed in 2000.
While it seems ridiculous to ponder with the benefit of hindsight, there was a real possibility Warner’s career could have ended right then and there. Articles (rightly) surfaced with headlines such as “Warner’s career on the decline,” while analyst Phil Simms doubted Warner would ever be a highly-productive quarterback again. “Can [Warner] still be a starting quarterback in this league? Sure,” said Simms. “But I don’t think it could be like before.”
Even Warner and his representatives were bleak on the subject of his future. “Does [Warner] have to find a starting job to be happy? We’re going to keep an open mind,” agent Mark Bartelstein said. “Most teams today have their starting quarterback set.” Warner did in fact land a starting gig by inking a one-year, $3MM deal with the Giants, but he was replaced prior to midseason by No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning. In his nine starts, Warner played well but didn’t exactly set the world on fire, and once again, it was conceivable his career was nearing its nadir.
But of course, Warner’s NFL run was far from over. After signing a one-year pact with the Cardinals, Warner served as Arizona’s starting quarterback for parts of the next three seasons, at times losing snaps to Josh McCown and first-round rookie Matt Leinart. But in 2008, Warner started all 16 games for the Cards and eventually led the club to a Super Bowl which likely cemented his Canton credentials (even though it was a loss). Warner played one more year in Arizona before hanging up his cleats in January 2010, and then briefly considered a comeback attempt earlier this year.
So what’s the takeaway from Warner’s career? To paraphrase Yankees great Yogi Berra, a career is never over until it’s over. Warner looked dead and buried when he was released by the Rams in 2004, but six NFL campaigns later, he was a Hall of Fame shoo-in. Perhaps there’s a free agent still currently on the open market who could experience a similar turnaround, with Warner serving as an example.
Steelers Expected To Place T Jerald Hawkins On IR
The Steelers are expected to place reserve offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair his torn quad, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Hawkins will not be a candidate to return from injured reserve, as IR/return players must be carried through to their respective team’s 53-man roster. Given that Hawkins is landing on IR in June, he’s not eligible to come off the list later this season. A surgically-repaired torn quad can have varying recovery times, and can take anywhere from four-to-twelve months to revert to normal use.
Hawkins, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, only has five career appearances and one start under his belt, but he was slated to open the 2018 campaign as Pittsburgh’s backup left tackle behind starter Alejandro Villanueva. With Hawkins sidelined, the Steelers may now turn to rookie third-rounder Chukwuma Okorafor, Matt Feiler, Jake Rodgers, or Joe Cheek as their primary swing tackle.
Given their relative lack of depth, it’s also possible the Steelers turn to the free agent market to look for a veteran tackle. Will Beatty has played that role for both the Giants and Eagles in recent seasons, while other available options include Chris Clark, Greg Robinson, and Chris Hairston.
Latest On Cardinals, CB Baushad Breeland
Free agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland met with the Cardinals earlier this month, and though he left without a contract in place, a union between two parties doesn’t seem to be off the table. Arizona wants to evaluate Breeland again in a “few weeks,” reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Breeland’s health is almost certainly the issue at hand, as the 26-year-old saw his three-year, $24MM deal with the Panthers nullified after he failed his physical. A freak injury resulted in a cut on Breeland’s foot that will require a skin graft, meaning he won’t be able to sign until he heals, which could be at some point this summer. Overall, the health issue — which occurred when a stray golf ball hit Breeland and re-opened a wound he suffered in grade school — sounds relatively minor, and likely won’t scare clubs for the long-term.
After meeting with Breeland, the Cardinals made a separate move for cornerback help, acquiring Jamar Taylor from the Browns in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Taylor, who has since adjusted his contract, appears to be line to start opposite Patrick Peterson, filling the hole left by free agent defection Tramon Williams. However, Taylor does have ample experience in the slot, meaning he could theoretically move inside if Arizona does ultimately add Breeland.
His current health question marks aside, Breeland has been an unqualified success since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft. Despite being selected 102nd overall, Breeland has started the 13th-most games of any player drafted in 2014. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Breeland as the league’s No. 54 cornerback among 121 qualifiers, while he finished 16th in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping opposing receivers short of the sticks.
Brandon Marshall: “I Didn’t Have A Ton Of Options”
Brandon Marshall finally landed a contract for the 2018 season earlier this week, inking a one-year pact with the Seahawks. But Marshall himself admits there weren’t many suitors for his services during the free agent period.
“I didn’t have a ton of options,” Marshall said Wednesday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “I think the sentiment around the league is that I’m done, and I get it. Rightfully so. When you get on the other side of 30 and your production slips and you have a big injury, people just count you out. So it was an interesting process. It was a humbling process, to say the least.
There were some really tough days that I had to push through, mentally and physically, so for this to be an opportunity and come to [fruition], you can’t ask for a better situation. You’ve got probably a top-three quarterback, you’ve got one the best franchises, you’ve got a young nucleus, guys that are hungry and ready to compete.”
It’s perhaps unsurprising Marshall had to wait until late May to find a new contract after being released by the Giants in April. Not only is Marshall entering his age-34 campaign, but he hasn’t been productive since the 2015 season, when he posted 109 receptions, 1,502 yards, and a league-leading 14 touchdowns for the Jets. Injuries have limited his effectiveness and overall production, and Marshall appeared in only five games a year ago before going on injured reserve with a ankle injury.
The details of Marshall’s contract with Seattle also reinforce the lack of interest in the veteran wideout. Marshall received just $90K in guarantees, but his new deal is not a minimum salary benefit pact because it contains incentives. While Marshall can collect a maximum salary of $2.155MM in 2018, he’d have to top 70 receptions, 800 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns to do so.
Those numbers aren’t completely out of the question: if Marshall has anything left, he could quickly vault up a Seahawks wide receiver depth chart that doesn’t offer much competition. Doug Baldwin will assume his usual role with heavy usage in the slot, but Marshall could overtake the likes of Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, and Amara Darboh, among others.
Dez Bryant Unlikely To Sign Until July
Dez Bryant likely won’t sign with a club before training camp begins in July, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Rapoport is told the wide receiver has received plenty of interest, but he’s staying patient until he finds the right opportunity. 
[RELATED: Several Big Name NFL Free Agents Still Available]
The right opportunity, for Bryant, means a winning club with the right offense that will give him a one-year prove-it deal. Bryant has been unable to find the one-year deal he is seeking after rejecting a three-year, $21MM offer from the Ravens.
Rapoport’s report indicates that there is in fact a decent market for Bryant. Previously, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter heard that many teams were unwilling to consider the veteran, even at the league’s minimum salary.
Right now, it’s hard to say where Bryant will land. He has lobbied for the 49ers to sign him, but there has been no word of interest from SF. The Bills and Packers, meanwhile, do not appear to have him on the radar, despite the belief of some that he would be a logical fit. As Rapoport notes, a wide receiver injury in practice could open up a door somewhere for Bryant.
Bryant’s dropoff in performance is certainly a factor in his unemployment, but the perception that he has been difficult in the locker room is probably also a barrier to a deal. Even in a down 2017, Bryant managed 69 catches for 838 yards and six touchdowns.
Dolphins, Bobby McCain Agree To Extension
The Dolphins have made Bobby McCain the league’s highest-paid nickelback. McCain has agreed to a four-year, $27MM extension with the team that includes $13MM guaranteed, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
McCain, a fifth-round pick back in 2015, was slated to enter the final year of his contract. After the Dolphins carved out an additional $17MM thanks to Ndamukong Suh‘s post-June 1 release, the Dolphins quickly moved to put their cap room towards a new deal with the talented young corner.
McCain, 25 in August, has appeared in every Dolphins regular season game over the last three years. Last year, he set new career highs in interceptions (two), passes defensed (seven), and total tackles (45). Pro Football Focus ranked McCain as the 46th best qualified cornerback in the NFL in 2017. He was easily the Dolphins’ best cornerback according to the advanced metrics (and by any measure, really), as he outperformed outside starters Xavien Howard and Cordrea Tankersley.
McCain’s deal bests the four-year, $20MM deal ($8MM fully guaranteed) signed by Patrick Robinson with the Saints this offseason. Although McCain is five years younger than Robinson, it’s impressive that he came away with more considering Robinson’s stellar 2017 performance and the fact that McCain did not have the added leverage of the open market.
The Dolphins project to return Howard and Tankersley as their starters on the outside with McCain covering the slot. First-round safety Minkah Fitzpatrick – who formally inked his rookie deal on Friday – will start in between along with standout strong safety Reshad Jones.
NFL Suspends 49ers WR Victor Bolden
49ers wide receiver Victor Bolden has been suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. For his part, Bolden denies knowingly taking anything banned by the league. 
“Unknowingly, I used a supplement that was on the NFL’s banned substance list. As a professional athlete, I take full responsibility for not verifying the ingredients of the supplement,” Bolden said in a statement issued by the team. “In the future, I will be much better educated when choosing what to put in my body. It hurts to know that I will not be on the field with my team for the first four games of the season.”
The suspension means that Bolden will be out of action until Week 5 when the Niners take on the Cardinals. Before that, he’ll miss contests against the Vikings, Lions, Chiefs, and Chargers.
Bolden, 23, hooked on with the Niners last year as an unrestricted free agent. He wound up returning 19 kicks for 396 yards (20.8 yards per attempt) and four punts for 23 yards.
Bolden’s suspension could give Kendrick Bourne, Max McCaffrey, Richie James, Aaron Burbridge, and other roster hopefuls at the wide receiver position an opportunity to make the initial cut. The Niners project to have Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor, second-round pick Dante Pettis, and Aldrick Robinson as their top five WRs.
Adonis Alexander To Enter Supplemental Draft
Virginia Tech has dismissed cornerback Adonis Alexander from its football program due to academic issues, as Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times writes. Now, Alexander will enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, according to agent Andy Ross (on Twitter).
“We wish Adonis the very best as he determines the next steps he wishes to pursue,” head coach Justin Fuente said in a press release.
Alexander’s tenure at Virginia Tech was marred by off-the-field issues. The senior missed three games over the course of his collegiate career due to suspensions and at least one of those bans stemmed from marijuana use. In April, he was forced to watch spring practice from the sidelines as he was ordered to focus on his studies.
As a freshman in 2015, Alexander impressed scouts as he intercepted four passes at the safety position. He followed up with a strong sophomore campaign, but he found himself at odds with coaches in 2017 and was hit with a two-game ban for not living up to the “expectations” of Fuente. He was also held back by a hamstring injury suffered in November.
The supplemental draft allows teams to select players who, for one reason or another, were barred from entering the regular draft in the spring. When a team selects a player in the supplemental draft, they forfeit the corresponding pick in the regular draft next year.
It remains to be seen whether a team will sacrifice a 2019 draft pick in order to take a flier on Alexander, who has lots of baggage to go along with his size and talent. No team has made a selection in the supplemental draft in the last three years.
Browns Meet With Mychal Kendricks
The Browns will meet with linebacker Mychal Kendricks on Friday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The Browns scheduled a visit with Kendricks earlier this week and his powwow with the team means that his previous meetings with the Vikings and Raiders have not yielded a deal – at least, not yet. 
[RELATED: Several Big Name NFL Free Agents Still Available]
Kendricks, ostensibly, is looking for a decent payout on his next deal. He also says that he’s looking for significant playing time.
“I kind of understood the situation,’ Kendricks told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “It’s something that I’ve been asking for. … I didn’t ask to be released but I asked for a trade a year prior to this. So, yeah, I’m trying to be in a situation where I can play a big role and really contribute.”
With the Browns, Kendricks would join a linebacker group that is presently headlined by Jamie Collins, Christian Kirksey, Joe Schobert, and James Burgess. The Browns may also represent his best opportunity at a big payday as they are armed with a league-high $71MM in cap space. That’s significantly more money to work with than most teams and nearly $20MM more than the Colts, who have the second-most cap room in the NFL.
Last year, Kendricks had 51 tackles and two sacks in 15 games for the Eagles. He also earned a start in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory and finished the game with four tackles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/1/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Sherman Badie
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Jaeden Graham
- Waived/injured: DL Joey Ivie
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: LB Chris Board
- Waived: DE Da’Sean Downey
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived from injured reserve: TE Zach Conque