2020 March - Pro Football Rumors

Panthers, Robby Anderson Agree To Deal

March 24th, 2020 at 2:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

On an afternoon featuring action on the wideout market, the top prize is now committed to a team. Robby Anderson will sign with the Panthers, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports (on Twitter).

It’s a two-year, $20MM deal for the four-year Jets contributor, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Anderson will receive $12MM in 2020. Like P.J. Walker, Anderson is a Temple alum and spent most of his Owls tenure playing for new Panthers HC Matt Rhule.

Anderson adds a weapon to an intriguing Carolina skill-position corps that already includes Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. The Jets had hoped to re-sign Anderson, and the four-year Jet wanted to stay. But the Jets preferred Anderson return for a price, and it appears the Panthers exceeded said price.

Anderson will also reunite with Teddy Bridgewater, his brief teammate during the 2018 offseason. Walker, however, was Anderson’s quarterback while at Temple. The Panthers signed Bridgewater and released Cam Newton on Tuesday. Interestingly, Bridgewater’s skill group looks far better than the one Newton took to Super Bowl 50. The Panthers saved $19MM by cutting Newton, helping them afford Anderson.

A New Jersey native, Anderson became one of the league’s premier deep threats despite going undrafted in 2016. He developed a rapport with Sam Darnold, but the Jets often struggled to assemble an aerial corps around Anderson. Still, the 26-year-old talent topped 750 receiving yards in three straight seasons and eclipsed 900 with Josh McCown running the show in 2017. Anderson averaged between 14.9 and 15.0 yards per reception from 2017-19.

While Anderson has encountered off-field trouble, he now has an eight-figure-AAV contract and will have the chance to re-enter free agency in his 20s.

Panthers Release Cam Newton

March 24th, 2020 at 2:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers’ efforts to trade Cam Newton evidently did not take off. They are expected to release the former MVP as soon as Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Carolina made the move official Tuesday afternoon.

While the Panthers attempted to deal Newton to the Bears and Chargers, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, they could not find a taker. Newton had one season remaining on a deal he signed back in 2015. He was set to earn $18.6MM in 2020 base salary; Carolina will take on just $2MM in dead money for releasing Newton but clear $19.1MM in cap space. The Bears subsequently traded for Nick Foles instead, and the Chargers appear focused on the draft. After pursuing Tom Brady, the Bolts no longer intend to add a veteran quarterback.

A Newton release was the expected outcome, given the unique complications this offseason presents for the Panthers to trade their three-time Pro Bowl passer. This will end a nine-year run for Newton in Charlotte. The move also comes less than a month after Matt Rhule indicated he wanted to keep Newton for the 2020 season. Carolina moved swiftly in another direction after that pronouncement.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Newton fairly quickly solidified himself as the best quarterback in Panthers history. He helped the Panthers to four playoff berths in a five-season span and piloted them to Super Bowl 50 in 2015. However, injuries intervened in the late 2010s and will lead the former superstar to the open market for the first time.

Newton, 30, is recovering from the Lisfanc surgery he underwent in December. The NFL’s all-time QB rushing-touchdown king has not been fully healthy since early in the 2018 season, when he suffered a shoulder injury. Newton is not expected to be game-ready for months.

Considering the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has made to this NFL offseason, Newton could be in limbo. Teams are not permitted to host free agents on visits, and while third-party doctors can still examine players, any franchise signing off on a Newton contract would probably want to put its medical staff to work on the injury-prone passer.

Because of this strange scenario, the Panthers were able to pry a fifth-rounder from the Redskins for Kyle Allen on Monday and will be forced to release Newton. Carolina’s quarterback depth chart now sits at Teddy Bridgewater–P.J. Walker–Will Grier. The Panthers officially signed Walker on Tuesday morning. Bridgewater signed his three-year, $63MM deal Monday night, and David Newton of ESPN.com notes the Panthers will not carry both Bridgewater and Newton’s salaries. The Newton-to-Bridgewater transition will begin Tuesday.

Newton had regressed considerably since the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 loss, ranking 30th in QBR since 2016, but the nine-year veteran showed promise in Norv Turner‘s offense early in 2018 certainly would have brought back a trade package of some sort in a normal NFL offseason. The former Heisman winner now must continue his rehab on his own and do so in one of the most uncertain times to go about a rehab effort. The NFL may well end up canceling all offseason activities due to conoravirus-related uncertainty, so it might be difficult for Newton to land a noteworthy contract for the 2020 season.

Carolina will have parted ways with Newton, Greg Olsen, Luke Kuechly, Trai Turner and Mario Addison this offseason. Rhule’s team will certainly look different when the Panthers are permitted to reconvene under their new coach.

Redskins To Sign RB Peyton Barber

March 24th, 2020 at 2:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Free agency action has resumed Tuesday afternoon, and another running back is off the board. Peyton Barber will sign with the Redskins, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

The former Buccaneers starter agreed to a two-year, $3MM deal that comes with $600K guaranteed, per Anderson. Barber will join Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice in a suddenly crowded Washington backfield. This deal may have been in the works for a few days, with The Athletic’s Greg Auman tweeting Sunday that Barber was finalizing a contract.

Barber started 28 games with the Bucs, 23 of those coming over the past two seasons, but fell out of favor during Bruce Arians‘ first season. The 26-year-old ex-UDFA started 16 games in Dirk Koetter‘s final season but lost his job to Ronald Jones last year. Barber, who led the Bucs in 2018 with 871 rushing yards, averaged just 3.1 yards per carry on 154 totes in 2019.

The Auburn alum has never topped 115 receiving yards in a season, however. With Peterson also mostly a run downs-only back, the Redskins appear set to devote at least half of their backfield resources to players who are not accomplished passing-game weapons.

In addition to their most notable incumbents, the Redskins also have the recently added J.D. McKissic and 2019 draftee Bryce Love in the fold. Their roster certainly will not have room for all five backs, which will make for an interesting competition when the Redskins reconvene for 2020 work.

49ers, WR Travis Benjamin Agree To Deal

March 24th, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

On a suddenly busy afternoon for auxiliary wide receiver deals, Travis Benjamin landed another job. The 49ers are signing the former Browns and Chargers receiver to a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The defending NFC champions lost out on retaining Emmanuel Sanders, when he signed with the Saints. While Benjamin is not on Sanders’ level, he stands to potentially help as a depth piece. The 49ers were in the mix for Phillip Dorsett, but he opted for the Seahawks — literally seconds before the Benjamin agreement surfaced.

Benjamin, 30, entered free agency for a second time. The Chargers signed the deep threat/return man in 2016 but did not opt to bring him back on another deal. Benjamin missed most of the 2019 season and missed four games in 2018. Mike Williams‘ arrival minimized Benjamin’s role. Over the past two seasons combined, Benjamin did not total 300 receiving yards.

However, the former Browns fourth-round pick out of Miami posted north of 550 receiving yards in three straight seasons — from 2015-17 — and has four career punt-return touchdowns. Benjamin will attempt to make a 49ers team that features Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, slot receiver Trent Taylor and inconsistent 2018 second-rounder Dante Pettis.

Cam Newton Passes Physical

March 24th, 2020 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Cam Newton is now a free agent, with the Panthers choosing to release him and move forward with Teddy Bridgewater. Newton checked off a key box in his effort to secure a starting job elsewhere this week.

The former MVP took a physical on Monday in Atlanta and passed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, adding that Newton’s injured foot and shoulder “checked out well.” The Panthers and Newton’s agency co-coordinated the physical.

Newton passing a physical is certainly notable news as he gears up to land another gig. Teams are not, however, allowed to visit with players nor can their medical staffs examine free agents due to COVID-19. That may make the 30-year-old quarterback wait a bit. It was also reported a few weeks ago Newton is a few months away from being game-ready, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses and whether that progress will produce a near-future agreement for the accomplished quarterback to resume his career.

The longtime Panthers starter joins Jameis Winston as former No. 1 overall quarterbacks now in free agency. While the Chargers rebuffed Panthers overtures at a Newton trade, they are a logical suitor. Although the Bolts are not actively looking for a veteran passer, a franchise with perhaps the smallest known local fanbase in modern NFL history is set to move into a new stadium with Tyrod Taylor as its starting quarterback. The Bolts are also in the mix for a quarterback at No. 6, so Newton would likely have to be on board with being a bridge quarterback if a Los Angeles path opened.

New England may be posturing, but the early word points to the Patriots going with either Jarrett Stidham or Brian Hoyer. The Jaguars traded Nick Foles but are apparently rolling with 2019 sixth-rounder Gardner Minshew. The Broncos have, likewise, committed to Drew Lock after years of bringing in veterans. The Panthers offered Newton to the Bears, but they then acquired Foles.

Where Newton lands will be one of the more interesting pieces left in this offseason’s quarterback puzzle. While he has accomplished far more than Winston, the latter has no injury history.

James Bradberry Chose Giants Over Lions

March 24th, 2020 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Redskins and Jets loomed as known suitors for James Bradberry, but the standout cornerback chose the Giants. But neither the Redskins nor the Jets finished second in this pursuit.

Bradberry said his final decision was a Giants-over-Lions move. Giants GM Dave Gettleman, who drafted Bradberry in the second round when he was with the Panthers, played a role in Bradberry’s choice.

“It was either the Lions or New York, and I felt like New York was a better fit for me,” Bradberry said during an appearance on the Jim Rome Show (via the New York Post). “I knew Mr. Gettleman; I know what type of organization he’s trying to build over there.

“… I feel like both organizations were great; I feel like both coaches were great. I just feel New York might have been a better feel for me. It’s a great city; it’s something new for me.”

It took a three-year, $43.5MM offer for Bradberry to sign with the Giants. The Lions went in a less expensive direction after finishing second here. They instead signed the recently released Desmond Trufant for two years and $20MM.

It appears Bradberry was Detroit’s first choice as their Darius Slay replacement. The Lions subsequently traded Slay to the Eagles. Going with a lucrative Bradberry pact and trading Slay would have been interesting, however, given the Lions’ hesitancy about paying Slay — a three-time Pro Bowler. Bradberry, 26, is two years younger but has yet to be selected to a Pro Bowl.

The Lions have Trufant and slot man Justin Coleman as their top cornerbacks, post-Slay, and have been frequently mentioned as the team that will select Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah in mock drafts. Bradberry will now anchor the Giants’ cornerback corps.

Jaguars To Sign CB Rashaan Melvin

March 24th, 2020 at 1:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rashaan Melvin will soon join an eighth NFL team. The veteran cornerback agreed to terms with the Jaguars on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Melvin spent last season with the Lions and played the 2018 campaign with the Raiders. This will mark another one-year deal for the 30-year-old corner, per agent Drew Rosenhaus, with Schefter adding it’s worth $2.25MM.

The former UDFA started 12 games for the Lions last season and will join Darqueze Dennard as members of a new-look Jaguars cornerback crew, one that will be without both Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in 2020. D.J. Hayden resides as the Jags’ top incumbent. He, Dennard and Melvin have a combined 19 years of NFL experience.

Perhaps Melvin’s top season came with the Colts in 2017. He graded well in the view of Pro Football Focus and attracted a better free agency deal from the Raiders. He signed for north of $5MM in Oakland and received north of $3MM in Detroit. Overall, Melvin has been employed by the Buccaneers, Ravens, Patriots, Dolphins, Colts, Raiders and Lions since 2013.

Last season, Melvin played 870 snaps and graded as PFF’s No. 88 overall corner. While the Jaguars could well make a move in the draft to upgrade, Melvin has a path to a starting role in 2020.

WR Notes: Hopkins, Diggs, Agholor, Ravens

March 24th, 2020 at 12:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Before the Texans dealt DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals, the Patriots pursued the All-Pro wideout. So did the Eagles, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com said during an interview with Philadelphia’s 97.5 The Fanatic (Twitter link). The Eagles passed on going deep into talks, however, which makes sense given their commitments to Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson. Hopkins also wants a new deal in the $20MM-per-year range, in which Amari Cooper (zero All-Pro honors). The Eagles’ view of the much-hyped 2020 wide receiver class affected a potential Hopkins pursuit, Tim McManus of ESPN.com adds.

This impacted the Texans’ trade, with Albert Breer of SI.com adding that Hopkins wanted a raise instead of an extension. He is under contract through 2022 — on a $16.2MM-per-year deal that has dropped from first to eighth among wide receivers. Hopkins had also become a bit of a locker room issue in Houston, per Breer, who adds that the Texans may have been reluctant to reward the 27-year-old star because of the message it would have sent. This process came as a bit of a surprise to the Cardinals, whom Breer notes did not engage in Hopkins discussions with the Texans at the Combine.

Here is the latest from the wideout front, moving first to last week’s other big trade:

Months before the Bills pulled the trigger on a Stefon Diggs trade, they were interested in doing so before last year’s deadline. The Bills called the Vikings on several occasions about Diggs’ availability last year, Breer reports, but Minnesota insisted on keeping him. The Bills reached out about an hour after an ominous Diggs tweet that emerged shortly after the Hopkins trade, Breer adds. Last year, the Vikings wanted either two first-rounders or first- and second-round picks for Diggs, but Breer notes they loosened their asking price when the Bills called last week. Although the Vikings mentioned the 2013 Percy Harvin trade — in which the Seahawks dealt first-, third- and seventh-rounders for the then-standout wideout — as a starting point, they ended up accepting a first-rounder and no Day 2 picks for Diggs.
The Raiders are likely to use Nelson Agholor as their punt returner, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic (subscription required). While Agholor has only returned three punts in five NFL seasons, he was an accomplished return man at USC. He totaled four punt-return touchdowns between his sophomore and junior years with the Trojans. The Raiders traded for Trevor Davis to return punts last year but waived him later in 2019.
Chris Moore‘s Ravens contract expired last week, but the team remains interested in keeping him. The Ravens have engaged in talks about re-signing the free agent wide receiver, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tweets. Although Moore is not a big factor in Baltimore’s passing game, he is valued as a special-teamer. A new deal would likely cost close to the league minimum.

NFL Plans To Secure TV Deals In 2020

March 24th, 2020 at 11:45am CST by Sam Robinson

Against the wishes of some within the league, the NFL moved forward with free agency despite the COVID-19 pandemic halting the in-season American sports. And the league plans to proceed with its expected negotiations with TV networks this year as well, Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reports.

Despite the networks that carry the NFL losing revenue because of the other sports’ seasons pausing or ending early, the major sports league not in-season is expected to negotiate new television deals in the coming months. The NFL’s TV deals will play a key role in determining the salary caps over the course of this new CBA.

The NFL TV contracts, which expire in 2021 (ESPN) and ’22 (the other networks), must be at least partially renegotiated this year now that the CBA includes two extra playoff games starting this season. It is not known which network(s) will air each conference’s third wild-card games, but Ourand adds the rate is expected to be close to the same as what ESPN pays for its annual wild-card broadcast (approximately $100MM). ESPN’s Monday Night Football package costs around $1.9 billion, per Ourand, who adds the CBS and Fox current deals also exceed $1 billion. It is expected these prices will rise when the NFL renegotiates.

The league will be negotiating with networks with the carrot of a 17th regular-season game coming soon. The 17-game season option can be exercised beginning in 2021, but it is not a lock to begin at that point.

Three days after Rudy Gobert’s positive coronavirus test brought the sports world to a standstill, NFL players narrowly ratified the owners’ CBA proposal. And the league is not expected to change much about its approach to new TV contracts, Ourand adds. A future where the NFL’s salary cap spikes higher than the approximately $10MM-per-year rate it did over the past several years still appears to be in play, even with the uncertainty this virus has brought.

Bills To Re-Sign WR Isaiah McKenzie

March 24th, 2020 at 10:57am CST by Sam Robinson

When the Bills assessed their restricted free agent situation, Isaiah McKenzie did not receive a tender offer. But the wide receiver/return man will stay in Buffalo nonetheless.

McKenzie agreed to re-sign with the Bills, according to his agents (on Twitter). He has been with the Bills since they claimed him on waivers in 2018. This deal will certainly be less than the original-round tender price ($2.13MM).

A former Broncos fifth-round pick, McKenzie could not stick in Denver due to fumbling issues. But he established himself as a role player in Buffalo. The 5-foot-8 wideout caught 27 passes for a career-high 254 yards and a touchdown last season. He will attempt to play a role in a receiving corps that now includes Stefon Diggs.

Having signed Andre Roberts, the Bills did not use McKenzie as much in the return game last season. McKenzie, 24, served as the Bills’ primary return man down the stretch in 2018. Roberts is under contract for 2020, but the Bills are bringing McKenzie back regardless.