2020 March - Pro Football Rumors

Colts To Sign Philip Rivers

March 17th, 2020 at 2:55pm CST by Zachary Links

Philip Rivers has agreed to a deal with the Colts on a deal that will pay him roughly $25MM per year, according to Judy Battista and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’ll be a one-year pact for the Colts and the longtime Bolts star, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) adds.

In February, the Chargers announced that they would not bring Rivers back for another season. Things had been trending in that direction for a while, despite all of the veteran’s accomplishments in San Diego and Los Angeles. He left the Chargers after setting more than 30 franchise records, making 224 consecutive starts, and earning eight Pro Bowl nominations.

Rivers, 38, isn’t coming off of his finest season, but the Colts believe that he’ll be a substantial upgrade over Jacoby Brissett. In 2019, Rivers was picked off 20 times against just 23 touchdowns. Historically, he’s been much much better in the TD/INT department. In 2018, for example, he threw for 32 TDs with 12 picks.

Even as he moves to a new part of the country, Rivers will be greeted by familiar faces. He has close ties to both Colts head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, both of whom are former Chargers assistants.

At $25MM per season, Rivers currently falls right around the middle of the pack in starting QB salary. He’ll likely tumble in the rankings by the end of the week, but he’s also earned lots of money over the course of his career. Besides, Rivers isn’t planning on playing until his late 40s like Tom Brady – this offseason, he indicated that he’d like to play for a couple more years. It’s possible he stays on the field for longer, but he did not go into free agency looking for a long committment.

Along the way, teams like the Buccaneers and Redskins have also been linked to Rivers, but the loudest rumblings have been coming from Indianapolis. Now, they’ve got him as their new quarterback with hopes of restoring the offense to its former glory.

Dalvin Cook, Vikings Have Talked Extension

March 17th, 2020 at 2:47pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

A handful of running backs have landed huge new contracts in recent years, and several of those teams have come to regret those deals. It’ll be very interesting to see what the next crop of running backs get, and a good test case will be Dalvin Cook. Cook is extension eligible, and Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets that extension talks have taken place between Cook and the Vikings.

Sources told Tomasson that talks will “ramp up” after free agency dies down. We heard back in January that the Vikings were prepared to keep him in the fold, and it sounds like things are starting to move in that direction. The 41st pick of the 2017 draft, Cook will be playing out the final year of his rookie deal in 2020.

The Florida State product made an instant splash as a rookie, bursting onto the scene with an impressive first few games and 122 rushing yards in his pro debut. Unfortunately his first campaign was cut short, as he tore an ACL in Week 4. In 2018 he wasn’t quite the same as he dealt with nagging hamstring injuries, carrying the ball only 133 times in 11 games.

He bounced back in a big way this past season, racking up 1,135 yards on the ground and another 519 through the air in only 14 games while scoring 13 touchdowns. The Vikings have been active this week, trading away Stefon Diggs and locking up Kirk Cousins with an extension. While they might not be looking to break the bank, it sounds like Cook is in their long-term plans.

Vic Beasley To Sign With Titans

March 17th, 2020 at 2:44pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Vic Beasley is leaving the Falcons organization to sign with the Titans, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN. The 8th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has spent his entire career in Atlanta up to this point. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds the deal is for one-year, includes $9.5MM in guarantees, and maxes out at $12MM.

The 27-year old edge rusher seemed poised to be one of the best edge rushers in football just a few seasons ago. In 2016, just his second professional season, Beasley led the league with 15.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles but has yet to approach replicating that production since. While still a competent starter over the past few seasons, Beasley clearly hopes that another elite season of production could line him up for a massive payday next offseason.

After playing a more situational role in 2017 and 2018, Beasley returned to a prominent role in Atlanta’s defense last season. In 2019, he recorded 42 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks, but graded as just the 88th highest graded edge rusher (out 107 qualified players) by Pro Football Focus.

Bengals Tried Hard For LBs Joe Schobert, Nick Kwiatkoski

March 17th, 2020 at 2:27pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Free agent linebacker Joe Schobert just agreed to a massive contract with Jacksonville, and he apparently had options. The Bengals were “trying aggressively” to land Schobert, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Schobert got five years and $54MM from the Jaguars, and Fowler reports that they were unwilling to match that. Cincinnati is usually never a big player in free agency, and they’ve now struck out on a couple of their bigger attempts. The Bengals were also in until the end on Nick Kwiatkoski, who ended up with the Raiders, tweets Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Clearly, they’re looking for linebacker help.

Given what Cincy’s defense looked like last year, it isn’t surprising that they’re being a little more active than usual in free agency. The Bengals were the worst team in the league in the first season of the Zac Taylor era, and figure to start completely fresh in 2020, likely with a new rookie quarterback.

Playing in the same division as the Browns and facing him twice a year, the Bengals had plenty of opportunities to scout Schobert. Inside linebackers have been flying off the board, and the pickings are now officially somewhat slim. One of the top remaining options is one of their own, Nick Vigil.

The fact that the Bengals were interested in these guys is a sign they weren’t too keen on bringing Vigil back, but they could pivot and re-sign him now that they’ve whiffed on Schobert and Kwiatkowski.

Broncos Pulled Offer To Connor McGovern

March 17th, 2020 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

Several Broncos starters remain free agents, but the team had one of its expiring-contract players in its offensive line plans.

Denver made an offer to center-guard Connor McGovern, per Mike Klis of 9News (on Twitter), but retracted it when Graham Glasgow agreed to terms Monday. Glasgow agreed to a four-year, $44MM deal. McGovern remains unsigned but profiles as one of the top interior linemen on the market.

A 2016 fifth-round pick, McGovern started 31 games for the Broncos from 2018-19. He played a key role in helping Phillip Lindsay become the first UDFA to start his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Glasgow, though, appears to have taken up a financial slot up front.

The Broncos plan to use Glasgow at right guard, opposite Dalton Risner, and have Ja’Wuan James on a top-market right tackle contract. This configuration would still leave the Broncos lacking a center, so it may not be out of the question McGovern could return. But with other O-line-needy teams likely interested, it would seem unlikely the ex-Mizzou product (and elder of the NFL’s two Connor McGoverns) will re-sign and reprise his role.

Washington Nabs LB Kevin Pierre-Louis

March 17th, 2020 at 2:26pm CST by Marc Delucchi

Washington has signed linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis to a one-year deal worth up $3.45MM, according to Ian Rapoport. The six-year veteran will be joining his fifth organization.

Pierre-Louis appeared in 57 games from 2014-2018, but made a career-high (3) starts last season with the Bears. In 2019, Pierre-Louis recorded 37 tackles, 3 passes defended, 2 tackles for loss, and an interception.

Washington does not have elite talent at the linebacker position, but Pierre-Louis likely only factors in as a depth piece barring an injury or an exceptional preseason.

49ers, Jerick McKinnon Restructure Contract

March 17th, 2020 at 2:10pm CST by Marc Delucchi

The 49ers and running back Jerick McKinnon agreed to restructure his contract, a source tells Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. McKinnon had been seen as a likely cap casualty. Instead, he will stay in San Francisco.

McKinnon is now signed through 2020, with Adam Caplan of Sirius XM Radio noting (via Twitter) the running back agreed to trim a year off his contract. The ex-Viking agreed to slash a lofty salary down to the veteran minimum, per Caplan, who adds that does not include the per-game roster bonuses the veteran would be in line to receive (Twitter link).

McKinnon will earn $910K in base salary and, thanks to a $4MM prorated signing bonus, count for $2.91MM against the 49ers’ 2020 cap, according to OverTheCap.

The Niners organization has long hoped to see what McKinnon could do in head coach Kyle Shanahan‘s offense. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch targetted McKinnon in the 2018 offseason, signing the versatile back to a four-year, $30MM contract. However, two seasons later, McKinnon has yet to take the field in a regular-season game for the 49ers.

After suffering a torn-ACL during practice prior to the 2018 season, another knee surgery cost McKinnon the 2019 season as well. When we last saw McKinnon in regular-season action, McKinnon was working as a scatback for the Vikings contributing off of handoffs and catching passes out of the backfield. In his final season in Minnesota, McKinnon received 201 touches (150 carries and 51 receptions) for 991 yards from scrimmage (570 rushing and 421 receiving) and 5 touchdowns (3 rushing and 2 receiving).

Under his original agreement, McKinnon was set to count $8.55MM against the salary cap in 2020 and San Francisco could have saved $4.55MM in cap space from releasing him (per Over the Cap). With Matt Breida entering free agency and Tevin Coleman remaining a possible cap casualty, keeping McKinnon in the fold at a lower number gives the Niners some added financial flexibility.

Eagles Part Ways With Malcolm Jenkins

March 17th, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles announced that they will not exercise their 2020 option for safety Malcolm Jenkins.

“Malcolm Jenkins has been an outstanding player for us and we are proud of everything he accomplished both on and off the field during his time in Philadelphia,” the team said in a statement. “Malcolm was a great teammate and leader, as well as one of the toughest and most reliable players to ever play in our city. After thorough discussion with Malcolm and his agent, Ben Dogra, both sides agreed on the difficult decision to turn the page on what was an incredible six-year relationship. We wish Malcolm and his family all the best as he pursues his next opportunity.”

The news comes right on the heels of the Eagles’ new agreement with safety Jalen Mills. It seems that Mills will help replace Jenkins in the starting lineup, though the team will have to draw from others when it comes to leadership.

Jenkins, 32, has been with the Eagles since 2014. He was an integral part of the team’s 2017 Super Bowl season and their fabric on the whole and expressed his desire to stay put. But, at the same time, he made it known that he would not play on his current contract.

“I won’t be back on the same deal,” Jenkins said, via Zach Berman of The Athletic (on Twitter). “That won’t happen. The market is good for safeties now. I consider myself in the top tier.”

The Eagles, meanwhile, did not want to commit major years or guaranteed dollars to the aging vet. With that, he’ll move to the open market where he’ll attract countless offers.

Before the release, Jenkins was set to play out the last season of his four-year, $35MM deal. Now, he’ll seek “top tier” money – roughly $10MM per year.

Dolphins To Sign RB Jordan Howard

March 17th, 2020 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Howard will play for a third team in three years. The former Bears and Eagles running back reached an agreement with the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The former fifth-round pick will land a two-year deal worth more than $10MM, Schefter notes. This continues a busy tampering period for the Dolphins.

Miami has added Byron Jones, Kyle Van Noy, Shaq Lawson, Ereck Flowers, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Emmanuel Ogbah since the tampering period began Monday afternoon. Howard will likely serve as the top veteran presence in the Fins’ backfield, with the team surely set to augment the position group in the draft.

Howard bounced back, to some degree, after a down 2018, posting a 4.4 yards-per-carry average. However, after a strong start upon being traded from Chicago to Philadelphia, Howard suffered a shoulder injury and was barely a factor down the stretch. In four seasons, Howard has totaled 979 touches. He posted two 1,000-yard seasons with the Bears — in 2016-17 — and has scored 32 touchdowns.

He will join a Dolphins backfield that lost Kenyan Drake and Mark Walton midway through last season, making Miami’s offense a largely one-dimensional unit. Howard will attempt to help Ryan Fitzpatrick or his to-be-determined successor in 2020.

Eagles To Re-Sign CB Jalen Mills

March 17th, 2020 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to big-name cornerbacks, the Eagles have yet to land one. But they are bringing back one of their own. Jalen Mills agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Philadelphia, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets.

Mills will earn up to $5MM in 2020, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter). The Eagles gave Ronald Darby a one-year, $5MM prove-it deal in 2019. Mills has been with the team longer, arriving as a seventh-round pick in 2016.

Anderson also notes a position change is in store for Mills. The Eagles are moving him to safety. This comes with Rodney McLeod in free agency and Malcolm Jenkins‘ place on the team uncertain. Mills has also shown himself to be a proven tackler at cornerback, compiling more than 60 tackles as a rookie and in 2017. Injuries limited him in 2018 and ’19, but he returned midway through last season and enticed the Eagles to retain him.

With his new pact, Mills can afford as many dress shirts, or snazzy vests, as he wants.