RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/9/20
Today’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions will be posted below:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Buccaneers: OL Mike Liedtke
Liedtke has been with the Buccaneers organization since 2016, bouncing between the active roster and practice squad. He appeared in a career-high nine games for Tampa Bay in 2018. He missed the entire 2019 campaign thanks to shoulder surgery, but Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets that the 28-year-old is “almost fully recovered.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/20
Here are today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: OL Adam Redmond
The Harvard product has spent the past two seasons with the Cowboys, including a 2018 campaign when he appeared in a career-high 10 games. After not seeing the field through the first two-plus months of the 2019 season, Redmond landed on the injured reserve. The lineman was set to be an exclusive rights free agent.
49ers Pushing For DeForest Buckner Extension
DeForest Buckner is set to hit free agency following the 2020 season, and the 49ers are apparently motivated to sign him to a long-term deal. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes that the organization is “pushing to try to make” an extension a “reality.”
The 2016 first-round pick has emerged as one of the 49ers top players, as he’s collected 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He got a Pro Bowl nod following his breakout 2018 campaign, and he earned first-team All-Pro recognition following the 2019 season.
Last April, the organization exercised the fifth-year option on the defensive tackle. He’ll earn a $14.36MM base salary in 2020 before hitting free agency next spring.
While the 49ers may be working on an extension for Buckner, the front office will also have to switch focus to their current free agents. Earlier today, wideout Emmanuel Sanders revealed that his camp hasn’t had any discussions with the 49ers regarding a new contract (Twitter link).
CB Mackensie Alexander Cleared For Football Activities
Mackensie Alexander overcame a major hurdle just as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the cornerback was “recently cleared to resume football activities.” The 26-year-old had had his meniscus trimmed back in January.
The Vikings slot cornerback was having another productive campaign in 2019, compiling 38 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and five passes defended in 13 games (four starts). The knee injury ultimately landed him on the injured reserve, forcing him to miss the Vikings two playoff games.
In total, the former second-rounder has appeared in 55 games during his four-year career, collecting 103 tackles, two interceptions, and 21 passes defended.
As we detailed earlier today, the Vikings cornerbacks corps could look a whole lot different next season. Besides Alexander, cornerback Trae Waynes is also set to hit the open market. The organization could also choose to move on from veteran Xavier Rhodes.
Jets Targeting Pass Rushers
The Jets are seeking some pass-rush help, and they’re eyeing some of the top names on the market. Sources tell Connor Hughes of The Athletic that “the Jets are doing their homework on Jadeveon Clowney” and are among the teams “in on him.” The Jets are also planning to “actively pursue” Rams pass rusher Dante Fowler.
The team could alternatively look to the trade market for help. Hughes writes that the Jets are expected to make a call on Ravens defensive end Matt Judon, who is expected to receive the franchise tag after finishing 2019 with a career-high 9.5 sacks. However, Hughes cautions that the organization may be wary to give up too much draft capital, especially when they’re looking to fill holes via the draft.
Hughes also expects the Jets to be in on a number of offensive lineman, including Joe Thuney and Graham Glasgow. We heard yesterday that the organization was planning on pursuing Redskins lineman Trent Williams. The front office could even pursue cornerback James Bradberry, according to the writer.
The Jets will have a whole lot of money to throw at a pass-rusher, as they’re currently sitting with more than $60MM in projected cap space. Hughes notes that the organization could easily move on from the likes of cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson, lineman Brian Winters, and others, which would open up an additional $20MM to $27MM in cap space.
Vikings CB Mike Hughes Suffered Broken Vertebra In Neck
Mike Hughes‘ 2020 season ended with him being placed on the injured reserve with a neck injury. We now have more details, as Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports that the Vikings cornerback suffered a broken vertebra in his neck.
Fortunately, it sounds like the 23-year-old will return to full health, as head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that Hughes is “going to be fine.” Further, Zimmer hinted that the 2018 first-rounder (along with Holton Hill and Kris Boyd) could lead the team’s cornerbacks corps in 2020.
“Hughes and Hill and Boyd, they have the ability to do it,” Zimmer said. “Like, during the season I gave them an assignment that I wanted them to do every single day and they did it. That tells me that they want to do it. I think that’s half the battle.”
Minnesota may have to rely on these youngsters next season. As Goessling notes, cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander (along with safety Anthony Harris) are set to hit free agency. Further, cornerback Xavier Rhodes could find himself as a cap casualty.
Hughes was limited to only six games as a rookie thanks to a torn ACL, but he returned to appear in 14 games (three starts) in 2019. During his sophomore campaign, the defensive back compiled 45 tackles, nine passes defended, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
Owners Hoping CBA Isn’t Passed?
While the NFL’s latest CBA proposal has already been distributed to players, it sounds like some owners are hoping it isn’t passed. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports (via Twitter) that a “number of NFL owners” are hoping the CBA doesn’t pass next week because they believe they can get a better deal in 2021. Specifically, the owners believe they could make a stronger push for an 18-game schedule.
Lawyers for the NFL and NFLPA worked on finalizing language for the CBA on early Thursday morning, and ballots were sent to players later that day. Players will have almost exactly one week to vote on the measure.If more than 50% of the players vote yes, the CBA passes. The NFLPA’s board approved the agreement, by a 17-14-1 vote, on Feb. 26. The union’s executive director, DeMaurice Smith, expects it to pass.
We’ve learned about a number of additional CBA details over the past few days, which we’ve compiled below:
- Previously, teams were required to spent at least 89-percent of the cap, but the salary floor would be increased to 90-percent under the new CBA. As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out, that’d effectively be an increase from $178MM to $180MM (using a $200MM cap).
- We heard that the new CBA would reduce Roger Goodell‘s authority when it came to the Personal Conduct Policy, but Florio says the commissioner would still have final say over a punishment. Goodell will also have the right to increase or decrease penalties that were handed out by a neutral arbitrator.
- If the proposed CBA is ratified, the NFL will no longer suspend players for positive tests for marijuana or other substances of abuse. While this CBA includes a harsher PED policy, the new substance-abuse standards will focus more on treatment. However, Florio writes that the league won’t automatically reinstate already-banned players like Josh Gordon, Martavis Bryant, and Randy Gregory. These players will still be required to go through the standard reinstatement process.
Broncos Not Expected To Pick Up Ronald Leary’s Option
Ronald Leary is expected to hit the open market. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Broncos aren’t expected to pick up the option on the offensive guard.
The 2012 undrafted rookie out of Memphis spent the first five seasons of his career with the Cowboys, starting 31 games between the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He was limited to only 17 games (16 starts) combined in 2015 and 2016, but he still managed to earn a four-year, $36MM deal ($20MM guaranteed) from the Broncos in 2017.
While Leary has started each of his 23 games during his Broncos career, he’s never surpassed 12 games played in a single season. This includes a 2018 season that was limited to only six games thanks to a torn Achilles.
Leary was set to count towards $10MM against the cap in 2020. We previously learned that the Broncos were picking up the options for kicker Brandon McManus and linebacker Todd Davis.
Rams HC, GM Discuss Offseason
It’s been a busy 24 months for the Rams, and it’ll all culminate with a crucial 2020 offseason.
They’ve handed out a number of high-priced extensions to quarterback Jared Goff, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and others, leading to only $21MM in cap space this year. The organization also traded their 2020 and 2012 first-rounders for Jalen Ramsey, leaving the team with reduced draft capital.
Plus, the organization is staring at a long list of impending unrestricted free agents. In other words, the Rams could look a bit different next season.
Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead spoke to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry about some of their critical offseason decisions. The entire article is worth a read, but we snagged some of the notable soundbites below:
On if the front office has engaged in any trade talks:
McVay: “Usually, Aaron Donald is off the table. I think, to answer your question, I think you kind of know who are the guys that there’s not something that would be worth it, but those are ongoing conversations and I think we’re always open to being able to explore things that can upgrade us as a team.
“What we have done a nice job of is identifying those foundational pieces to try to build around.”
Snead: “This time of year, it is interesting. You get calls on a lot of players. There’s a new era, in that somebody may call and ask about your best player, which in the past, I don’t know that phone call would be made. … But usually the answer is ‘No.'”
On free agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth‘s potential return:
McVay: “We’re pretty confident. He still played a really high level last year. His impact isn’t exclusive to just playing the left tackle position.”
On free agent kicker Greg Zuerlein:
McVay: “He’s done so many things and he’s a great kicker and I think those established veterans are so important, especially when every time he takes the field, there’s points at stake, unless he’s kicking off. But we want to make sure we’re evaluating the guys in the draft and then we’re going to have free agency.”
On potential extensions for receiver Cooper Kupp and safety John Johnson:
Snead: “The goal would be, let’s say guys like those two, if we do want them to get back, it would be great to have that box checked. What we have to do now is, because we have, I call it more urgent guys whose contracts actually expire, get through that process first and then move on to — I don’t want to call them less urgent — but less urgent than the players whose contracts are expiring.”
On potentially franchising free agent linebackers Dante Fowler or Cory Littleton:
Snead: “All options are on the table.”
Falcons Release OL John Wetzel
The Falcons announced today that they released offensive lineman John Wetzel.
The 28-year-old had six separate stints with the Falcons last season, but the organization continued to turn to him whenever they had a need on the offensive line. The Boston College product ultimately got into a pair of games for Atlanta in 2019. The offensive guard previously started 19 of his 32 games for the Cardinals between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but he was limited to only eight games (five starts) in 2018.
The organization clearly sees value in Wetzel, so it wouldn’t be a shock if the veteran landed back with the Falcons at some point. It’s worth noting that the lineman was able to sneak in a workout with the Texans between one of his runs in Atlanta.
This will likely be one of many minor moves that the Falcons make as they scrounge around for extra cap. The team’s currently sitting with around $5MM in space, although they could move on from someone like Devonta Freeman to clear up even more room.