HEADLINES

Month: March 2020

Chargers, Austin Ekeler Agree To Deal

March 6th, 2020 at 1:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers have identified the running back they’d like to keep for the long haul. Instead of Melvin Gordon, former UDFA Austin Ekeler now has a second Bolts contract.

Ekeler agreed to a four-year, $24.5MM deal on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This pact will include $15MM in guaranteed money. Ekeler was a restricted free agent but is now locked up through the 2023 season.

This represents a remarkable rise for Ekeler, who entered the league in 2017 undrafted out of Division II Western State (Colo.). While he backed up Gordon for most of his first two seasons, Ekeler thrived in a starting role and then alongside the former first-round pick in 2019.

He finished with 993 receiving yards — fifth-most ever in a season for a pure running back — and totaled 1,550 from scrimmage. Ekeler added 11 touchdowns and became the first Charger in 34 years to post a 100-100 game, which occurred against the Jaguars in December. His 10.3 receiving yards after catch ranked second in the NFL, per ESPN Stats & Info.

A report pointed Gordon toward free agency Thursday, and this Ekeler accord confirms it. After Gordon became extension-eligible in January 2018, the sides went two years without agreeing to terms. And Gordon’s 2019 holdout undoubtedly benefited his backup’s case for a payday. Ekeler agreed to his re-up — at a price south of what Gordon sought during his holdout — after being extension-eligible for barely two months. The Bolts and Ekeler began negotiating the extension in January, Schefter adds.

At 24, Ekeler is two years younger than Gordon and has logged 443 career touches — well behind Gordon’s 1,283. The Chargers should be able to rely on their passing-down back for a few more seasons, while Gordon will now have a chance to gauge his value on the open market.

Titans Confident They Can Beat Out Patriots For Tom Brady?

March 6th, 2020 at 11:46am CST by Sam Robinson

The Titans have moved into another level in one of the most complex free agency processes in recent NFL history. Not only are they one of the central teams navigating the CBA-related uncertainty, they are now juggling multiple quarterback plans.

Two months after beating the Patriots in a wild-card game, the Titans are confident that if it comes down to a head-to-head matchup between they and the Pats, they will be able to lure Tom Brady away from New England, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com said during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up! (video link).

The Titans are simultaneously negotiating with Ryan Tannehill, Fowler adds. The latter is believed to be seeking a contract in the $30MM-per-year range, per Fowler, who notes a mystery team is in play here as well. Several other teams have been mentioned as Brady suitors — from the Buccaneers to the 49ers, Chargers and Raiders — so it is unclear if there is a true mystery team in the mix or if one of the previously mentioned franchises is competing with the Titans and Patriots.

Tennessee has Tannehill, Derrick Henry and Jack Conklin as free agents. If the new CBA is ratified by March 12 at 11pm CT, teams that have used multiple tags must rescind one. The Titans are hoping to use both their franchise and transition tags, in order to keep all three of their marquee UFAs, but have not used one yet.

If Brady is truly in play for Tennessee, which has a Patriots alumni power structure of Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel, then it would appear Henry is the better bet to be tagged. But the Titans also run the risk of not tagging Tannehill and losing both he and Brady on the market. The Bucs are also investigating Tannehill. With nothing major coming from the initial Brady suitors — the Chargers and Raiders — this situation may be trending toward the Titans as the top threat to battle the Patriots once the tampering period begins. Tennessee and New England are projected to hold $50MM and $41MM in cap space, respectively.

Brady and Bill Belichick spoke about the quarterback’s contract for the first time this offseason. While that conversation produced conflicting reports, the Pats and their all-time great do not appear much closer to a resolution. The legal tampering period begins March 16. The Pats are still the Las Vegas favorites to sign Brady, but the future first-ballot Hall of Famer is certainly making this interesting.

From a Titans perspective, this marks familiar territory. They finished second in 2012’s Peyton Manning pursuit and saw Brady’s top rival thrive with the Broncos. While Brady is seven years older now than Manning was then, and the Titans feature a better quarterback option in Tannehill compared to Jake Locker in 2012, the organization nevertheless appears to be strongly considering a run at another high-profile starter.

49ers In Marquise Goodwin Trade Talks

March 6th, 2020 at 10:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Kyle Shanahan did not make it a secret he would entertain Marquise Goodwin trade talks, and the fourth-year 49ers coach is moving forward on this front.

The 49ers have discussed the veteran wide receiver in potential deals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The three-year, $18.85MM extension Goodwin signed in 2018 contains just more than $10MM through 2021, and with all of the salary non-guaranteed, the 29-year-old speedster may not be long for San Francisco.

Despite Dante Pettis falling out of San Francisco’s rotation during its NFC championship season, Goodwin was still a non-factor for most of the slate. The former Olympic long jumper broke through in his first season with the 49ers — a 56-catch, 962-yard 2017 campaign — to earn his extension but fell behind younger 49er cogs Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne last season. Goodwin caught 12 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown in 2019. A knee injury moved Goodwin to IR in December.

With the 49ers trying to keep Arik Armstead, Goodwin’s contract would be one to move. The 49ers can save nearly $4MM by jettisoning the deal. San Francisco, which currently carries less than $14MM in cap space, has also not ruled out bringing back 2019 trade acquisition Emmanuel Sanders. Slot receiver Trent Taylor also due back in 2020, further minimizing Goodwin’s role with the team going forward.

The 29-year-old wideout averaged 17.2 yards per reception in both the 2017 and ’18 seasons, however, and could well be an intriguing auxiliary piece for a team with less depth at receiver. With the 49ers having until March 12 to use their franchise tag on Armstead, that looks like the timetable for the Goodwin talks.

Panthers Interested In Re-Signing Addison

March 6th, 2020 at 9:10am CST by Sam Robinson

Mario Addison has already signed one extension to stay in Carolina, and the Panthers are interested in retaining him on another one. However, the defensive end would like to see what’s out there.

The 32-year-old edge defender wants to test free agency, according to David Newton of ESPN.com, who adds the Panthers have shown interest in bringing Addison back. Addison has played with the Panthers since the 2012 season.

In 2017, Addison opted to re-sign with the Panthers before free agency began. He inked a three-year, $22.5MM extension with the then-Dave Gettleman-run franchise. That quickly became a bargain deal for the Panthers, who saw Addison post 29.5 sacks over the course of that contract.

Addison’s 39 sacks over the past four years rank 11th in the league; his $7.5MM-per-year contract ranked 31st among edge defenders. Despite the team-friendly contract, Addison did not hold out during his most recent Carolina pact. But it appears he will see how he stacks up on this latest edge defender market, which, per usual, will see several marquee pass rushers removed from consideration via franchise tag.

Carolina has lost multiple cornerstone players this offseason, cutting Greg Olsen after Luke Kuechly‘s retirement. The Panthers did not pick up Dontari Poe‘s option, and Cam Newton‘s status is not yet certain. James Bradberry is also likely to depart in free agency. This would signal a rebuild is brewing in Carolina, with Matt Rhule receiving a six-year contract. But the team at least will explore retaining Addison.

A UDFA out of Troy, Addison is now the team’s longest-tenured defender and would stay on as 2019 first-rounder Brian Burns‘ edge counterpart if retained. Addison’s 55 sacks as a Panther rank fourth in franchise history, a half-sack behind Mike Rucker for third.

Jadeveon Clowney Interested In Giants Deal

March 6th, 2020 at 9:00am CST by Sam Robinson

One of a few teams to express early interest in Jadeveon Clowney, the Giants may have a leg up on the competition. If they’re willing to use it.

The free agent edge defender is interested in signing with the Giants, with SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano reporting the six-year veteran has Big Blue on his “wish list” for what would be a third NFL destination. The Giants feature a major need at the edge rusher position, and unlike last year, their top-six pick does not fall in range to select one.

Clowney, however, will come with a high price tag. The Giants are unlikely to go into the $22-$23MM-AAV range for Clowney, Vacchiano adds. Big Blue stands to enter free agency with more than $70MM in cap space.

Dave Gettleman dismantled predecessor Jerry Reese‘s previous edge tandem of Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon over the past two offseasons, and the Giants’ third-year GM then bypassed Josh Allen with last year’s No. 6 overall pick to select Daniel Jones. Although the Giants did well on their Markus Golden flier, the former Cardinals draftee is expected to hit free agency. Golden is interested in re-signing with the Giants but will come with a higher price tag this offseason, after having registered a Giants-most 10 sacks in 2019.

If the Giants bow out of the Clowney sweepstakes, there may be a steep drop to the second tier of this market’s edge defender class. Shaquil Barrett, Yannick Ngakoue, Bud Dupree and Matt Judon are set to be franchise-tagged. Tag-and-trade scenarios will exist, but the Giants’ next set of options will include Dante Fowler, Robert Quinn, Mario Addison and Shaq Lawson. Arik Armstead may not be tagged, but he profiles as more of a pure defensive lineman than an edge player.

The Giants’ No. 4 overall pick will likely arrive after decorated Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young goes off the board, and this year’s pass rusher class is not as strong as 2019’s. This could put the Giants to a decision when the legal tampering period begins March 16. The Colts and Titans may be ready to pay Clowney a top-market deal.

Quinnen Williams Arrested For Attempting To Board Plane With Gun

March 6th, 2020 at 8:27am CST by Sam Robinson

Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams was arrested Thursday night at LaGuardia Airport and is facing the charge of criminal possession of a weapon, according to police (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). This incident occurred at around 9:15pm ET.

Carrying a gun with an Alabama permit, but not a New York permit, the 22-year-old defender was processed by the Port Authority Police Department. It is not clear if the gun, a Glock 19, was loaded, Cimini adds. Williams must appear in court March 25, per NJ.com’s Darryl Slater.

“We have been in contact with Quinnen Williams and are fully aware of the situation,” the Jets said in a statement. “We will have no additional comment as this is a pending legal matter.”

Williams will face a suspension under the league’s personal conduct policy. The Jets selected the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout third overall in 2019, and Williams made nine starts as a rookie. He is expected to be one of the Jets’ centerpiece players next season.

East Notes: Giants, Eagles, Jones, Bills, Jets

March 5th, 2020 at 9:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent offensive lineman Mike Remmers will not re-sign with the Giants before the market opens in two weeks, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Remmers started 14 games at right tackle for New York in 2019, but given that he’s entering his age-31 season, it shouldn’t be surprising if he’s forced to settle for another one-year deal in free agency. A former undrafted free agent, Remmers has spent two of the past three seasons playing under Pat Shurmur, leading Florio to speculate that Remmer could now be an option for the offensive line-needy Broncos, who recently brought Shurmur aboard as offensive coordinator.

Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • A number of teams have expressed early interest in Cowboys free agent cornerback Byron Jones, but Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network hears the Giants and Eagles could potentially engage in a bidding war for the veteran defensive back. The Broncos, Lions, and Raiders have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Jones, who is reaching free agency after five seasons in Dallas. Widely viewed as the best corner available, Jones could reset the CB market by topping $16MM+ in annual salary.
  • Just three seasons into his NFL career, the Bills’ Tre’Davious White has already positioned himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league. “Obviously, Tre’s a guy we love and want back,” general manager Brandon Beane indicated on WGR 550 AM (link via Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News). “You do look and try and find what the value is. And it’s hard. It can sometimes be hard for agents, too, because they’re trying to look at what the market is today versus what’s it going to be in two years. Do they want to play it out? Do they want security now?” The Bills can control White through at least 2021 via the fifth-year option.
  • Free agent quarterback Trevor Siemian is now fully recovered after suffering a brutal ankle injury in Week 2, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). Siemian became the Jets‘ starter after Sam Darnold was diagnosed with mono, but attempted only six passes before going down. Just 28 years old and with 25 NFL starts under his belt, Siemian could attract interest as a back-end No. 2 quarterback.

Latest On Giants’ Markus Golden

March 5th, 2020 at 9:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent edge rusher Markus Golden has interest in re-signing with the Giants, but it sounds as though he wants to first reach free agency in order to test his market value, as Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link).

With the free agent period fewer than two weeks away, it probably doesn’t make much sense for Golden — or any other pending free agent — to ink an extension without at least exploring the potential market. Last offseason, Golden garnered interest from multiple teams before landing a one-year, $3.75MM deal with New York.

In his first season with the Giants, Golden experienced something of a resurgence by starting all 16 games and posting 10 sacks. However, that sack total is a bit of a mirage, as Golden ranked just 73rd among edge rushers with 26 total pressures, per Pro Football Focus. Converting that limited number of pressures into double-digit sacks is likely an unrepeatable task.

Golden, who turns 29 next week, spent the first four years of his career with the Cardinals after being selected in the second round of the 2015 draft. He put up 12.5 sacks in 2016, but after a torn ACL ended his 2017 campaign, Golden wasn’t able to regain his pass-rushing ways until joining the Giants.

Browns Will Consider Trent Williams, Jason Peters

March 5th, 2020 at 8:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns are in need of help at left tackle, and the club will keep its eye on two veteran options as the trade and free agent markets come into focus over the next two weeks. Cleveland will “consider” both Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams and pending free agent Jason Peters as it aims to solidify Baker Mayfield‘s blindside.

Williams, who was earlier today granted permission to seek a trade by Washington, was a target of ex-Browns general manager John Dorsey in 2019. Cleveland was arguably Williams’ most serious suitor ahead of last year’s trade deadline, but the Redskins held firm on their asking price of a first-round pick.

The Browns declined to meet that ask, but they might have another shot at landing Williams, especially now that Washington’s personnel decisions are being made by head coach Ron Rivera and VP of player personnel Kyle Smith (at least, until after the draft). Williams, who has one year and $12.5MM in base salary remaining on his contract, wants to become the highest-paid tackle in the NFL, meaning he’ll need an extension upon being traded.

A cancer scare and a resulting spat with Redskins management sidelined Williams for the entirety of the 2019 campaign, and other health question marks have caused Williams to miss at least one game in every season since 2013. But the 31-year-old has been excellent when on the field, earning Pro Bowl nods in every season from 2012-18.

Peters, meanwhile, will test free agency instead of re-signing with the Eagles in advance of the market’s opening. Although he’s now 38 years old, Peters remains a high-quality left tackle. Pro Football Focus graded the nine-time Pro Bowler as the league’s sixth-best tackle among 81 qualifiers in 2019.

Cleveland is in dire straits at left tackle after Greg Robinson, who played the majority of the Browns’ snaps on the left side last season, was arrested on a felony marijuana charge last month. Justin McCray, who also saw time on the blindside, hasn’t proven to be anything more than a replacement level player on more than 1,300 career snaps.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/5/20

March 5th, 2020 at 8:03pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

  • Released: DL Billy Winn
  • Waived: CB Horace Richardson

San Francisco 49ers

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