Saints, RB Alvin Kamara Agree To Extension
Another running back is inking a sizable extension. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that running back Alvin Kamara has signed a five-year extension with the Saints. The deal is worth $75MM in new money ($77.133MM overall), including a $15MM signing bonus. Rapoport adds that Kamara will earn$34.333MM in guaranteed money.
It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for the two sides. At one point, Kamara was skipping practices, and subsequent reports indicated that the Saints would consider moving the Pro Bowler in a trade (in exchange for a first-rounder, of course). Then, earlier this week, we learned that an extension was “extremely close,” an indication that the two sides apparently made up.
Christian McCaffrey‘s record-setting $16MM-AAV deal still leads the running back position, but Kamara will be right behind him at $15MM per year. Dalvin Cook also inked an extension today that’ll be worth $12.6MM per season, and Joe Mixon previously signed a deal that will pay him $12MM a year. Austin Ekeler (UDFA) and Kareem Hunt are among the other running backs from the 2017 class to earn extensions, with the likes of Aaron Jones and James Conner still waiting for theirs.
Since 2017, Kamara has registered an eye-popping 4,476 yards from scrimmage, teaming up with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas to form one of the best offensive trios in the NFL. The former third-round pick has earned three Pro Bowl nods, second-team All-Pro recognition, and a number of rookie accolades.
Vikings Sign RB Dalvin Cook To Five-Year Extension
The Vikings and running back Dalvin Cook have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension, reports Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (via Twitter). Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets that the deal is worth $63MM with $28MM in guaranteed money. Pelissero adds that Cook earned a $15.5MM signing bonus, which is the largest for a non-QB in team history.
It was only a few days ago that we heard the two sides were “not close” on a deal. The Vikings had been negotiating with Cook’s camp for some time, and despite the Vikings front office tabling talks back in August, both sides were still focused on completing a deal. Talks never sounded contentious, although Cook did stage a mini holdout earlier this offseason. While it never seemed like Cook was going to sit out, things could have gotten worse if Minny tagged the running back following the 2020 campaign. Now, obviously, that isn’t a concern.
Earlier this year, Cook was reportedly targeting a $15MM/year salary, but it always seemed unlikely the Vikings would come anywhere near that figure. The new deal will pay him around $12.6MM per year, which is a step up on Joe Mixon‘s recent four-year, $48MM deal with the Bengals.
Now 25 years old, Cook has been always been productive when he’s been able to remain on the field. Last year, the former second-round pick posted 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground and added 53 receptions and 519 yards in the passing game. Health has always remained a question mark for Cook, however, and his 14 games in 2019 marked a career-high.
Titans OL Isaiah Wilson Arrested For DUI
Titans offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson was arrested for DUI last night, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds (on Twitter) that the first-round pick was “released from prison early this morning.” Buck Reising of A to Z Sports Nashville was first with the news of the arrest.
“We are aware of the situation,” the Titans in a statement. “This is not conduct that is indicative of the character of our football team and we are working through details on how to proceed.”
According to Reising’s report, Wilson was arrested in Nashville at 11:29 pm. The 21-year-old blew a “0.107 and 0.113 at the time he was pulled over,” with the legal BAC limit in Tennessee being .08.
Following a standout career at Georgia, the Titans selected Wilson with the 29th-overall selection in this past year’s draft. As ESPN’s Field Yates notes on Twitter, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the rookie. Wilson received a trespass warning after attending a Tennessee State party last month (a decision that “falls under conduct detrimental,” per Albert Breer on Twitter). He’s also had a pair of trips to the Reserve/COVID list, including one that could keep him out for the season opener.
Considering Wilson’s shortened offseason, it seemed unlikely that he’d start right out of the gate. There’s hope that he’ll eventually replace right tackle Jack Conklin, who left for Cleveland this past offseason. For the time being, it sounds like Dennis Kelly will earn the starting nod at that spot.
Broncos Extend K Brandon McManus
The Broncos are holding on to Brandon McManus for the foreseeable future. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last night (via Twitter) that the veteran kicked has signed a four-year extension with Denver. The deal is worth $17.2MM with $9.5MM in guaranteed money.
The 29-year-old was traded from the Giants to the Broncos prior to the 2014 campaign, and McManus has unexpectedly become one of the most accurate kickers in franchise history. He ranks second in Broncos history in field goal percentage (81.5%), and he holds the franchise record for best postseason field goal percentage.
McManus is also 11 field goals away from jumping both Matt Prater and Jim Turner for second-most field goals made in franchise history, and he currently sits fifth on the Broncos’ all-time scoring list. Of course, McManus already earned a spot in Broncos lore after connecting on all 10 of his field goal attempts during the Broncos’ run to a Super Bowl championship.
McManus was productive once again in 2019. He connected on 29 of his 34 field goal attempts, and he was a perfect 15-for-15 from within the 40. The veteran also connected on 25 of his 26 extra point tries.
Texans Sign QB Deshaun Watson To Four-Year Extension
The Texans have locked up quarterback Deshaun Watson through 2025. Mark Berman of FOX 26 News reports (via Twitter) that the Pro Bowler has signed a four-year extension that’s worth $39MM annually. The deal also includes a $27MM signing bonus. The deal will be tacked on to the two remaining years of Watson’s current contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the deal is worth a total of $177.54MM with nearly $111MM in guaranteed money.
Watson’s contract comes almost exactly two months after Patrick Mahomes signed his monster extension with the Chiefs. Mahomes still paces the position with an AAV of $45MM, but Watson’s $39MM AAV now ranks second above the likes of Russell Wilson ($35MM), Ben Roethlisberger ($34MM), Aaron Rodgers ($33.5MM), and Jared Goff ($33.5MM).
Of course, it’s not particularly surprising that Watson was able to garner such a deal. Since being selected with the 12th-overall pick in the 2017 draft, the Clemson product has emerged as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. Despite tearing his ACL during his rookie campaign, Watson has managed to appear in 31 of the Texans’ 32 regular season games. Over that span, the 24-year-old has completed 67.8-percent of his passes for an average of 4008.5 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10.5 interceptions per season. He’s also continued to be dynamic running the ball, as he’s averaged 482 rushing yards and six scores per season between 2018 and 2019.
Perhaps most importantly, Watson has led the Texans to a 21-10 regular-season record over the past two seasons. Following a disappointing playoff loss to the Colts in 2018, the quarterback earned his first career postseason victory by beating the Bills in the 2019 Wild Card Round. He lost to the eventual champs in the second round, but he still tossed two touchdowns and scored another on the ground.
We learned earlier this week that the Texans were pushing to extend Watson prior to the start of the season, although negotiations were described as “not close.” Watson had made it clear that he wasn’t seeking a deal that was similar in length to Mahomes’ contract. One report indicated that the quarterback wanted a three-year deal, and there were rumblings that he was seeking around $40MM per year.
With Watson signing his new deal, we can now turn our extension-focused eyes to a pair of other signal callers. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson should both be in line for lucrative deals, especially following the recent quarterback extensions.
Panthers Shopping WR Seth Roberts
Seth Roberts may have survived final cuts, but it sounds like the Panthers wideout might not last that long on the roster. Joe Person of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that the veteran receiver is available via trade.
The 2014 undrafted free agent out of Alabama has put together a solid career, and he only missed a pair of regular season games for the Raiders between 2015 and 2018. Following a 2019 campaign with the Ravens that saw him haul in a career-low 21 receptions, Roberts signed with the Panthers back in March.
With a wideout corps that’s led by the likes of D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Curtis Samuel, it’s a bit surprising that the Panthers aren’t eager to stick with the 29-year-old Roberts. The veteran has shown that he can be a reliable target; between 2015 and 2018, Roberts averaged 39.5 receptions, 456.5 receiving yards, and 3.3 touchdowns per season.
Considering how many NFL teams are desperate for wideout help, it wouldn’t be shocking if Roberts ends up getting dealt, although his $3.75MM salary could end up being a hurdle.
Panthers Reduce Roster To 53
The Panthers are the first team of the day to officially get down to 53 players. The team’s moves are below:
Waived:
- DT Myles Adams
- DB Quin Blanding
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
- OT Branden Bowen
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- DT Bruce Hector
- OG Mike Horton
- DB Jameson Houston
- WR Ishmael Hyman
- DB Natrell Jamerson
- DE Jalen Jelks
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- DE Austin Larkin
- WR Marken Michel
- OT Aaron Monterio
- LB James Onwualu
- LB Chris Orr
- WR Cam Phillips
- TE Giovanni Ricci
- WR Darrell Stewart
- C Sam Tecklenburg
- TE Colin Thompson
- K/P Kaare Vedvik
Released:
One of the most notable names on the list is Bonnafon, who has been with the organization since 2018. The running back appeared in 16 games last season, rushing for 116 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also hauled in six receptions for 57 yards.
Of course, considering that the NFL was expanded practice squads to 16 players for the 2020 campaign, there’s a good chance that Bonnafon (along with several other players on this list) end up being retained by the organization.
Colts Waive K Chase McLaughlin
It looks like Rodrigo Blankenship will be the Colts starting kicker in 2020. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that Indianapolis has waived kicker Chase McLaughlin.
Indy has been hunting for their first kicker in the post-Adam Vinatieri era, and there was some hope that it could end up being the 24-year-old McLaughlin. The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Illinois ended up seeing time with five different teams (Bills, Vikings, Chargers, 49ers, and Colts) as a rookie, and he saw playing time for those latter three teams.
In total, McLaughlin appeared in 11 games last season, connecting on 18 of his 23 field goal attempts. In fact, he was perfect in all nine of his attempts from inside the 40, and he also connected on his three field goals of 50+ yards, but he struggled from 40-49 yards out (5 for 10). McLaughlin also converted all 26 of his extra point tries.
Back in April, “Hot Rod” Blankenship joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia. The kicker earned a number of honors during his collegiate career, including a First-Team All-SEC nod in 2019.
Jaguars Cut QBs Mike Glennon, Joshua Dobbs
The Jaguars are moving on from a pair of backup quarterback contenders. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that Jacksonville is cutting Mike Glennon and Joshua Dobbs.
This means rookie sixth-rounder Jake Luton is currently the only quarterback on the depth chart behind starter Gardner Minshew. However, as Rapoport notes, the team could end up inviting back one of Glennon or Dobbs based on how the final roster “shakes out.”
The 30-year-old Glennon seemed like a natural choice to backup Minshew. However, it’s been almost seven years since the veteran got an extended look as a starter. Glennon spent the 2018 season with the Cardinals and 2019 season with the Raiders, appearing in four total games. During those cameos, Glennon completed 21 of his 31 pass attempts for 230 yards and two scores. In total, the former third rounder has appeared in 29 games (22 starts), tossing 36 touchdowns vs. 20 interceptions.
Dobbs, 25, spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Steelers, including a 2018 campaign where he completed six of his 12 pass attempts for 43 yards and one pick in five games. He was traded to Jacksonville last September for a 2020 fifth-rounder following an injury to Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles. Of course, Minshew stepped up as the starter, and Dobbs never got into a game with Jacksonville.
Raiders Release DL Chris Smith
Despite signing with the Raiders in late August, Chris Smith is once again a free agent. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Las Vegas has released the veteran defensive lineman.
The 2014 fifth-round pick out of Arkansas spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jaguars, but he’s bounced around a bit since. After spending the 2017 campaign with the Bengals, Smith spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Browns. He signed with the Panthers earlier this offseason, but he was cut by the organization in late July. He caught on with the Raiders a few weeks later.
In total, the 28-year-old has seen time in 60 regular season games (two starts), compiling 67 tackles and 8.5 sacks. His 2017 and 2018 seasons proved to be two of the best of his career, as he averaged 15.5 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumbles per year.
Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Carl Nassib, Arden Key seemed to be locked in at defensive end for the Raiders, so it wasn’t going to be easy for Smith to make the roster.