West Rumors: Gurley, Broncos, Raiders
The base value of Todd Gurley‘s four-year extension with the Rams in $57.5MM, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, who confirms previous reports that Gurley can max out at $60MM from 2020-2023. Gurley is now the NFL’s second-highest-paid running back to the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell, as Gurley will earn $14.375MM annually compared to Bell’s franchise tag value of $14.544MM. Of course, Bell is only playing on a one-year tag, so Gurley now holds the most lucrative multi-year deal in the league. Gurley reportedly received $45MM in guarantees, although it’s unclear whether that total refers to injury guarantees or full guarantees at signing.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- The Broncos had a first-round grade on wide receiver Courtland Sutton before eventually landing him on Day 2 of the draft, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the Athletic. Sutton, an SMU product, ultimately fell to the top of the second round (pick No. 40), so Denver did not have to sacrifice capital in order to move up for its preferred target. “He has a huge catch radius and he’s got great ball skills,” Broncos head coach Vance Joseph said of Sutton. “As a route runner, it’s coming, but he’s so big and strong that if he doesn’t win with the route, he wins with his body.” Sutton is likely too large to see much time in the slot, but veteran pass-catcher Emmanuel Sanders could move inside in three-wide sets if Sutton wins a starting role. He’ll be competing with fellow rookie DaeSean Hamilton, whom Denver selected out of Penn State in the fourth round. Over his final two collegiate campaigns, Sutton averaged 72 receptions, 1,166 yards, and 11 touchdowns per year.
- Given that Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin sit atop the Raiders‘ running back depth chart, Oakland will likely decide between keeping Jalen Richard or DeAndre Washington, as Scott Bair on NBC Sports Bay Area writes. The only problem? Richard and Washington are extremely similar players, with close physical statures (each stands 5’8″ and 205 pounds) and overall production. Both Richard and Washington averaged greater than five yards per carry during their respective rookie seasons in 2016, but each took a backseat in 2017 after Lynch was acquired from the Seahawks. Making the decision even more difficult is that both Richard and Washington return punts and kicks (in 2017, they both played exactly 33.4% of Oakland’s special teams snaps!). Whichever player is ultimately cut is sure to quickly find another home, possibly through the wavier system.
- Broncos defensive tackle Clinton McDonald is “good to go” for training camp after suffering from a bacterial infection related to a 2015 shoulder operation, reports Mike Klis of 9News. McDonald, who signed a two-year deal with Denver earlier this year, missed the club’s entire offseason program while recovering from the infection. He was also forced to accept a pay reduction as a result of the health issue, although he can earn the $3MM he sacrificed back by appearing in all 16 games for the Broncos during the upcoming campaign. McDonald, 31, appeared in 14 games for the Buccaneers a season ago, will join fellow interior defender Domata Peko on a Denver defensive line that already ranked fourth in Football Outsiders’ adjusted line yards in 2017.
Ex-Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin On Vikings’ Radar?
Former Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin could be a candidate to take over as the Vikings’ new offensive line coach, according to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twitter link). Minnesota, sadly, must search for a new line coach after incumbent Tony Sparano unexpectedly passed away on Sunday morning.
While the Vikings have yet to officially reach out to Goodwin, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and ex-Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians have both put in a good word on Goodwin’s behalf, per Goessling. Goodwin worked under Tomlin as Pittsburgh’s quality control coach from 2007-11, and served as Arizona’s offensive coordinator (but not play-caller) under Arians.
After Arians retired in January, Goodwin — unlike Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher — wasn’t offered a chance to interview for Arizona’s top job. Instead, he interviewed for offensive line jobs with the Bengals and Raiders, and was also mentioned as a possible candidate for the Giants’ offensive coordinator position, but did not land a new role. In recent seasons, Goodwin has interviewed for head coaching positions with the Rams, Bills, and Jaguars.
Following Sparano’s passing, assistant offensive line coach Andrew Janocko is leading the Vikings’ front five for the time being.
Browns Sign Baker Mayfield
The Browns have signed quarterback and No. 1 overall selection Baker Mayfield, the club announced today.
According to Over the Cap, Mayfield’s four-year deal should be worth roughly $32.683MM in total, and will also give Cleveland a fifth-year option season in 2022. Mayfield will collect a ~$21.849MM signing bonus, and count for approximately $5.942MM on the Browns’ 2018 salary cap.
Mayfield had been one of only six 2018 draft picks without a contract in place, and offset language was reportedly holding up the deal. Players with offset language in their contracts who are cut before the end of their rookie deals have their remaining guaranteed money reduced by what they earn elsewhere. Mayfield’s pact does indeed contain offset language, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Even after using the first overall pick on Mayfield, the Browns have been adamant that veteran Tyrod Taylor — whom Cleveland acquired from Buffalo for the cost of the 65th overall selection — will be the club’s Week 1 starter. Still, the Browns, who face a difficult opening schedule, could conceivably insert Mayfield under center later in the season.
Cleveland still has one more draft pick to sign in cornerback Denzel Ward, the fourth overall pick in April’s draft.
Earl Thomas Not Reporting To Seahawks
As expected, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is not reporting to training camp as he continues to demand either a contract extension or a trade, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Although the Seahawks don’t seem inclined to extend Thomas’ contract at this time, that doesn’t mean Seattle isn’t interested in a long-term deal down the road, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (video link). The 29-year-old defensive back only has one more season left on his current contract, so the idea of waiting for a fresh pact likely doesn’t hold any appeal.
However, Seattle would prefer that Thomas report to camp before any negotiations take place, a strategy that was used when the Seahawks dealt with fellow safety Kam Chancellor‘s contract last August. The Cowboys, notably, have been viewed as Thomas’ most likely landing spot if he is dealt, and Dallas has discussed acquiring the All-Pro safety in recent months.
Thomas is signed through 2018, when he’ll earn a base salary of $8.5MM and count for $10.4MM on Seattle’s salary cap. That salary is courtesy of a four-year, $40MM extension which Thomas signed in 2014, a deal which now makes him the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid safety in terms of annual value.
Chargers Negotiating With Antonio Gates
The Chargers are “actively negotiating” veteran tight end Antonio Gates‘ return to the club, Gates’ agent Tom Condon tells Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link).
Los Angeles told Gates in April that he would not be re-signed for a 16th campaign, but the team’s stance changed when third-year tight end Hunter Henry suffered a torn ACL in May. Since that time, the Chargers have expressed a willingness to reunite with Gates, and Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reported earlier today that Los Angeles wanted to re-sign Gates before the beginning of training camp.
Gates is now 38 years old and posted a career-low 316 receiving yards in 2017, but the Chargers’ tight end depth chart is currently devoid of a starting-caliber option. Los Angeles signed Virgil Green earlier this year, but the ex-Bronco is a career reserve who’s never been an offensive force. Other tight ends on the Chargers’ roster include Sean Culkin and Braedon Bowman.
Even if Gates does end up re-signing with Los Angeles, the Chargers will need to lean on their other offensive weapons — receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Tyrell Williams, and Travis Benjamin, plus running back Melvin Gordon — as Gates played on only 47% of the club’s offensive snaps in 2017. Given his age, it shouldn’t be a surprise if his snap count dwindles even further during the upcoming campaign.
Sam Darnold Not Reporting To Jets’ Camp
As one of just six unsigned 2018 draft picks, Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is not reporting to camp today, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Darnold could conceivably sign a waiver that would allow him to come to camp even without a contract in place, and NFL teams are required to negotiate in good faith even if an unfortunate injury were to occur. But Darnold is choosing to stay away until his contract is complete, which — if other teams’ negotiating schedules are any indication — should be relatively soon. As Rapoport notes, Jets veterans have not yet reported, and practice doesn’t officially begin until Friday, so Darnold’s absence may not even be noticed.
Offset language is reportedly holding up several contracts of players selected within the top-10, and it’s likely the same issue stopping Darnold from coming to terms. Players with offset language in their contracts who are cut before the end of their rookie deals have their remaining guaranteed money reduced by what they earn elsewhere. Per Over the Cap, Darnold’s impending four-year deal should be worth $30.248MM in total. He’ll collect a signing bonus of roughly $20.078MM and count for ~$5.45MM on New York’s 2018 salary cap.
Once he gets on the field, Darnold will compete with veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater for the Jets’ starting quarterback job. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported last week that some within the New York front office believe Darnold will claim the starting role from Week 1, and 28% of PFR readers think Darnold will the start the most games of any rookie signal-caller.
Bills Work Out DL Jared Crick
The Bills worked out defensive lineman Jared Crick on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Crick, 28, missed the entire 2017 campaign after undergoing back surgery in September, but he’s now apparently healthy and ready to find a new team. Last season was scheduled to be his second campaign with the Broncos, who signed him away from the Texans prior to the 2016 season. A starter from 2014-15 with Houston and in 2016 with Denver, Crick has appeared in 79 games and racked up 113 tackles during his six-year career.
Crick has exclusively played in 3-4 schemes during his NFL tenure, so a move to the Bills’ 4-3 look would mean something of a change. Still, he’d still be playing on the interior, and would join a Buffalo defensive tackle depth chart that includes Kyle Williams, free agent addition Star Lotulelei, rookie Harrison Phillips, and Adolphus Washington, among others. The Bills are playing 290-pound Trent Murphy at end in their 4-3, so it’s possible Crick could be allowed to see the edge, as well.
David Irving Won’t Face Additional Discipline
Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving will be suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but the Dallas lineman won’t face any other discipline for domestic violence allegations after his alleged victim recanted her allegations, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
In April, an ex-girlfriend of Irving claimed the Cowboys defender assaulted and choked her, but later recanted her allegations. Police closed their investigation into Irving in May and no charges were ever filed, but the NFL has the authority to suspend players if even they aren’t facing legal discipline. The league presumably carried out their own investigation and opted not to pursue a ban against Irving.
Irving has been no stranger to off-field trouble during his career, as he was suspended in 2017 after violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. After serving that ban, Irving posted seven sacks in eight games and re-signed with Dallas on a one-year, $2.9MM restricted free agent tender.
Panthers’ Vernon Butler Accused Of Assault
Panthers defensive tackle Vernon Butler has been accused of assaulting a woman at a Dallas night club earlier this month, according to a report from WSCOTV in Texas.
Butler had reached out to the woman via Instagram, but she’d rejected his advances, the woman’s attorney tells Morgan Fogarty of WCCB Charlotte (Twitter link). When the two met at a Dallas night club two weeks ago, Butler was once again spurned, and allegedly responded by throwing ice at the woman’s face. After the woman fell down stairs, Butler reportedly pushed her again, and though WSCOTV’s report states the woman was escorted out of the club with a bruised face, her attorney tells Fogarty the woman had no visible injuries.
The Dallas Police Department confirmed they’re investigating the claims, but no charges have yet been filed against Butler. Needless to say, Butler could face legal discipline if the allegations prove true, but Fogarty reports this offense would be classified as a “Type C” assault, the lowest level of assault. Butler could clear that charge by paying a fine, but the NFL itself could also issue punishment against Butler, regardless of whether he’s found guilty.
Butler, 24, was a first-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in the 2016 draft. During his two-year stint with the Panthers, he’s appeared in 24 total games but made no starts. Last season, Butler played on roughly a third of Carolina’s defensive snaps, managing eight tackles in the process.
Minor NFL Transactions: 7/24/18
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Freddie Bishop
- Placed on IR: FB Nick Bawden
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Adonis Jennings
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Frank Ginda
- Retired: LB Mike McCray
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: C J.P. Quinn
- Waived: TE Josiah Price
New England Patriots
- Signed: S Eddie Pleasant, OL Nate Theaker
- Waived/Injured: WR Cody Hollister
Philadelphia Eagles
- Released: WR Marquess Wilson
- Waied: CB Randall Goforth