This Date In Transactions History: Rams Release Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner is now essentially NFL royalty. A Super Bowl champion and two-time league MVP, Warner was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2017, serves as an analyst on both television and radio, and was recently considered for a color commentary role on Monday Night Football. But Warner’s fairy-tale career once appeared destined to end with him finishing as nothing more than a flash in the pan, especially after the Rams released him on June 1, 2004.
Warner had been designated as a post-June 1 cut, meaning that while the then-St. Louis Rams had telegraphed their intentions on Warner’s roster status for some time, they waited to officially release him as a salary cap maneuver. Everyone knows Warner’s story up until this point: a former grocery store employee-turned-AFL/NFL Europe star, Warner rose to fame as the captain of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” leading a high-flying Rams offense to two Super Bowl appearances in three seasons.
But things began to change in 2002, as Warner struggled to open the campaign and then missed a chunk of the season with a broken finger. Although he began 2003 as the Rams’ starter under center, he made only one start before giving way to Marc Bulger. St. Louis released Warner following that season, clearing out the remaining three years of a seven-year, $47MM contract he’d signed in 2000.
While it seems ridiculous to ponder with the benefit of hindsight, there was a real possibility Warner’s career could have ended right then and there. Articles (rightly) surfaced with headlines such as “Warner’s career on the decline,” while analyst Phil Simms doubted Warner would ever be a highly-productive quarterback again. “Can [Warner] still be a starting quarterback in this league? Sure,” said Simms. “But I don’t think it could be like before.”
Even Warner and his representatives were bleak on the subject of his future. “Does [Warner] have to find a starting job to be happy? We’re going to keep an open mind,” agent Mark Bartelstein said. “Most teams today have their starting quarterback set.” Warner did in fact land a starting gig by inking a one-year, $3MM deal with the Giants, but he was replaced prior to midseason by No. 1 overall pick Eli Manning. In his nine starts, Warner played well but didn’t exactly set the world on fire, and once again, it was conceivable his career was nearing its nadir.
But of course, Warner’s NFL run was far from over. After signing a one-year pact with the Cardinals, Warner served as Arizona’s starting quarterback for parts of the next three seasons, at times losing snaps to Josh McCown and first-round rookie Matt Leinart. But in 2008, Warner started all 16 games for the Cards and eventually led the club to a Super Bowl which likely cemented his Canton credentials (even though it was a loss). Warner played one more year in Arizona before hanging up his cleats in January 2010, and then briefly considered a comeback attempt earlier this year.
So what’s the takeaway from Warner’s career? To paraphrase Yankees great Yogi Berra, a career is never over until it’s over. Warner looked dead and buried when he was released by the Rams in 2004, but six NFL campaigns later, he was a Hall of Fame shoo-in. Perhaps there’s a free agent still currently on the open market who could experience a similar turnaround, with Warner serving as an example.
Steelers Expected To Place T Jerald Hawkins On IR
The Steelers are expected to place reserve offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair his torn quad, a source tells Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Hawkins will not be a candidate to return from injured reserve, as IR/return players must be carried through to their respective team’s 53-man roster. Given that Hawkins is landing on IR in June, he’s not eligible to come off the list later this season. A surgically-repaired torn quad can have varying recovery times, and can take anywhere from four-to-twelve months to revert to normal use.
Hawkins, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, only has five career appearances and one start under his belt, but he was slated to open the 2018 campaign as Pittsburgh’s backup left tackle behind starter Alejandro Villanueva. With Hawkins sidelined, the Steelers may now turn to rookie third-rounder Chukwuma Okorafor, Matt Feiler, Jake Rodgers, or Joe Cheek as their primary swing tackle.
Given their relative lack of depth, it’s also possible the Steelers turn to the free agent market to look for a veteran tackle. Will Beatty has played that role for both the Giants and Eagles in recent seasons, while other available options include Chris Clark, Greg Robinson, and Chris Hairston.
Latest On Cardinals, CB Baushad Breeland
Free agent cornerback Bashaud Breeland met with the Cardinals earlier this month, and though he left without a contract in place, a union between two parties doesn’t seem to be off the table. Arizona wants to evaluate Breeland again in a “few weeks,” reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Breeland’s health is almost certainly the issue at hand, as the 26-year-old saw his three-year, $24MM deal with the Panthers nullified after he failed his physical. A freak injury resulted in a cut on Breeland’s foot that will require a skin graft, meaning he won’t be able to sign until he heals, which could be at some point this summer. Overall, the health issue — which occurred when a stray golf ball hit Breeland and re-opened a wound he suffered in grade school — sounds relatively minor, and likely won’t scare clubs for the long-term.
After meeting with Breeland, the Cardinals made a separate move for cornerback help, acquiring Jamar Taylor from the Browns in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Taylor, who has since adjusted his contract, appears to be line to start opposite Patrick Peterson, filling the hole left by free agent defection Tramon Williams. However, Taylor does have ample experience in the slot, meaning he could theoretically move inside if Arizona does ultimately add Breeland.
His current health question marks aside, Breeland has been an unqualified success since entering the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft. Despite being selected 102nd overall, Breeland has started the 13th-most games of any player drafted in 2014. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Breeland as the league’s No. 54 cornerback among 121 qualifiers, while he finished 16th in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping opposing receivers short of the sticks.
Brandon Marshall: “I Didn’t Have A Ton Of Options”
Brandon Marshall finally landed a contract for the 2018 season earlier this week, inking a one-year pact with the Seahawks. But Marshall himself admits there weren’t many suitors for his services during the free agent period.
“I didn’t have a ton of options,” Marshall said Wednesday, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “I think the sentiment around the league is that I’m done, and I get it. Rightfully so. When you get on the other side of 30 and your production slips and you have a big injury, people just count you out. So it was an interesting process. It was a humbling process, to say the least.
There were some really tough days that I had to push through, mentally and physically, so for this to be an opportunity and come to [fruition], you can’t ask for a better situation. You’ve got probably a top-three quarterback, you’ve got one the best franchises, you’ve got a young nucleus, guys that are hungry and ready to compete.”
It’s perhaps unsurprising Marshall had to wait until late May to find a new contract after being released by the Giants in April. Not only is Marshall entering his age-34 campaign, but he hasn’t been productive since the 2015 season, when he posted 109 receptions, 1,502 yards, and a league-leading 14 touchdowns for the Jets. Injuries have limited his effectiveness and overall production, and Marshall appeared in only five games a year ago before going on injured reserve with a ankle injury.
The details of Marshall’s contract with Seattle also reinforce the lack of interest in the veteran wideout. Marshall received just $90K in guarantees, but his new deal is not a minimum salary benefit pact because it contains incentives. While Marshall can collect a maximum salary of $2.155MM in 2018, he’d have to top 70 receptions, 800 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns to do so.
Those numbers aren’t completely out of the question: if Marshall has anything left, he could quickly vault up a Seahawks wide receiver depth chart that doesn’t offer much competition. Doug Baldwin will assume his usual role with heavy usage in the slot, but Marshall could overtake the likes of Tyler Lockett, Jaron Brown, and Amara Darboh, among others.
Former Patriots/Bears LB Shea McClellin Leaning Towards Retirement
Former NFL linebacker Shea McClellin has accepted a high school coaching position in Idaho and is leaning towards retirement, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
“I’m still staying ready, still working out. I’ve learned to never say never, there’s always a chance that I could still play again, but for now all my focus is on coaching high school,” said McClellin, who didn’t appear in a game last season while spending the entire campaign on injured reserve.
“I was feeling good [in 2017], but unfortunately had more residual effects from concussions,” said McClellin. “It’s something they can’t clear you for. That’s the way it is nowadays, they’re tough on concussion things. It’s difficult, but I got through it. One thing I’d say, [the Patriots] handled it like they should have. I’m not upset with them, they’re not upset with me, it’s just the way it is. They handled it perfectly.”
A first-round pick out of Boise State in 2012, McClellin spent the first four years of his career with the Bears. Although he appeared in 38 games and made 31 starts during that time, McClellin never lived up his to his draft stock. Billed as an edge rusher, McClellin managed only four sacks in Chicago before inking a three-year deal with New England.
With the Patriots, McClellin played more off-ball linebacker and also saw more action on special teams. In 2016 (ultimately the only season during which he saw the field in New England), McClellin played on 41.7% of the Pats’ defensive snaps and posted 16 tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. He was released in March after being dogged by his aforementioned concussion issues.
5 Key NFL Stories: 5/20/18 – 5/27/18
NFL introduces new national anthem policy. The NFL responded to recent national anthem protests by instituting a new policy that will fine teams if players show signs of “disrespect” for the anthem. Players will no longer be required to be on the field for the pregame ceremony, but those that are will be required to stand. Additionally, personnel who do not stand can be “appropriately” disciplined by commissioner Roger Goodell. The new strictures were put in place without consultation with the NFLPA, and players are now reportedly devising other methods to protest.
Chargers lose Hunter Henry. After suffering a torn ACL last week, Henry will now miss the entirety of the campaign. Henry, who’d been set to enter his third pro season, was expected to take on a larger role after managing 45 receptions and 579 yards a season ago. The Chargers had previously announced they wouldn’t re-sign franchise icon Antonio Gates, but that could possibly change now that Henry is sidelined. Indeed, general manager Tom Telesco said the Bolts will consider all options at tight end and didn’t rule out a Gates pursuit.
Reuben Foster has charges dismissed. Although prosecutors intended to press on with domestic charges against Foster even though his ex-girlfriend testified she’d concocted her story, a judge put an end to Foster’s case by dismissing the DV charges last week. Additionally, Foster saw the charges in an Alabama marijuana case dismissed, as well, although he is still facing a weapons charge in California. Foster, a first-round pick in 2017, has already been welcomed back to the 49ers’ facilities.
Bills cut Richie Incognito. Incognito, who announced his retirement earlier this year, apparently wants to play again, and the Bills have released him from the reserve/retired list. That transaction made Incognito a free agent, meaning the Pro Bowler can now sign with any team of his choosing. Clubs will likely be troubled by Incognito’s most recent incident, however, which involved him getting into an argument at a Florida gym and claiming he is working for the government.
Eagles release Mychal Kendricks. After spending much of the last few years on the trade block, Kendricks was finally cut loose by the Eagles. Kendricks, who is only 27 years old, is expected to garner a significant amount of interest on the free agent market, although he is recovering from a minor ankle operation. Philadelphia lost another linebacker last week, as free agent addition Paul Worrilow tore his ACL on Tuesday.
Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue Changes Agents
Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has hired Roc Nation and Ari Nissim as his new representatives, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter link). Ngakoue had previously employed agent Adisa Bakari.
Ngakoue just wrapped his second NFL campaign, and given league rules stipulate no player can sign a contract extension until after his third pro season, Ngakoue isn’t allowed to receive a new deal until 2019 at the earliest. Because he wasn’t a first-round pick, Ngakoue doesn’t have a fifth-year option attached to his pact, so he’ll base salaries of $735K and $834K over the next two years before hitting free agency.
Those figures are undeniable bargains for Ngakoue, who turned 23 years old earlier this year. The former third-rounder has been exceptional through two seasons in Jacksonville, as he’s posted 20 sacks since 2016, good for 12th in the NFL during that time. While Ngakoue isn’t much of a run defender, his pass-rush prowess enabled him to grade 23rd among all edge defenders a season ago, per Pro Football Focus.
The Jaguars have invested heavily in their defensive line in recent years, using draft picks on players such as Ngakoue, Dante Fowler Jr., Dawuane Smoot, and — most recently — Taven Bryan, signing free agents Malik Jackson and Calais Campbell, and trading for Marcell Dareus.
PFR Originals: 5/20/18 – 5/27/18
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- In our latest This Date In Transactions History post, Zach Links examined the one-year contract wide receiver Jerry Rice inked with the Broncos inked at this time 14 years ago. Rice, who had spent the end of his career in Oakland and Seattle, realized he would be no higher than fourth or fifth on Denver’s depth chart, and opted to hang up his cleats.
- Now that the Chargers have lost Hunter Henry for the 2018 campaign, Zach asked PFR readers whether Los Angeles should consider re-signing franchise icon Antonio Gates. The Bolts had previously indicated Gates wasn’t in the club’s 2018 plans, but that may changed now that Henry is down with a torn ACL.
- In another This Date in Transactions History entry, Ben Levine looked at the curious case of defensive back Will Allen, who signed a two-year extension with the Dolphins in 2009…but proceeded to play in zero games under his new deal. A torn ACL and a DUI arrest forced Allen to miss time and ultimately renegotiate his contract, but Miami cut ties nonetheless.
- Sam Robinson probed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ next contract in our latest Community Tailgate post. Rodgers is fully expected to become the league’s highest-paid player, so it’s just a matter of how the deal is structured. With that in mind, Sam wondered whether Rodgers’ extension could be tied to a percentage of the salary cap.
- The safety market has been infamously slow to develop this offseason, leading Rory Parks to ask PFR readers who will be the first safety to ultimately land a new deal. Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston are virtually tied in the polling, with Eric Reid perhaps weighted down by his national anthem stance.
Patriots, Rob Gronkowski Nearing Reworked Deal
The Patriots and tight end Rob Gronkowski‘s contract discussions have progressed to the point where it’s now “likely” Gronkowski will play the 2018 campaign with a new deal in place, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (subscription required).
Drew Rosenhaus, Gronkowski’s agent, is reportedly working with the Patriots on a “tweaked” contract, which could indicate New England is willing to add extra incentives to the All-Pro tight end’s deal. However, it’s not exactly clear how the Patriots intend to address Gronkowski’s pact, as Howe reports it’s not yet known whether Gronk will receive an extension or simply earn a raise.
New England has always shown a willingness to go the extra mile for its players by including additional– and sometimes, more easily attainable — incentives into contracts. The Patriots did just that for Gronkowski a year ago, and the 29-year-old ultimately maxed out his deal by earning a first-team All-Pro nod, allowing him to collect a total salary of $10.75MM.
NFL rules don’t allow teams to rework incentive-laden deals until one year after the last restructuring, and given that the Patriots altered Gronkowski’s contract on May 24, 2017, they’ve just passed the date at which they can change his current deal. Gronkowski, who is signed through the 2019 season, is scheduled to earn an $8MM base salary, $750K in per-game roster bonuses, and a $250K workout bonus for the upcoming season. On an annual basis, Gronk is only the league’s fourth highest-paid tight end behind Jimmy Graham, Travis Kelce, and Jordan Reed.
Gronkowski, of course, has had an eventful offseason, and reportedly considered retirement after battling a variety of health issues. In 2017, Gronk was on the field for 14 games, and managed 69 receptions, 1,084 yards, and eight touchdowns, all of which placed him within the top-five among tight ends.
Packers Sign TE Marcedes Lewis
The Packers have officially signed free agent tight end Marcedes Lewis. Lewis first made the agreement public via Instagram on Thursday following his visit to Green Bay’s facilities.
Green Bay, of course, already inked fellow tight end Jimmy Graham earlier this offseason, but Graham is far more likely to be placed in the slot than actually line up and block. While he’ll likely compete for backup tight end snaps with incumbent Lance Kendricks, Lewis may have the advantage, especially in the run game. Indeed, Pro Football Focus graded Lewis as the single-best run-blocking tight end in the NFL in 2017.
Lewis, who turned 34 years old last week, hasn’t been a prolific receiving threat in roughly a half-dozen years, but he won’t be asked to work much in the passing game given the presence of Graham and starting receivers Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. Last season, Lewis posted numbers roughly in line with his age-30+ production, managing 24 receptions for 318 yards and five touchdowns, three of which came in a single Week 3 contest against the Ravens.
The Packers were the only club known to have expressed interest in Lewis, who was released by the Jaguars in late March. Jacksonville’s decision to part ways with Lewis came as a surprise, especially given that the club had exercised his 2018 option just a month prior. Lewis had been set to earn a base salary of $3.5MM for the upcoming campaign, but the Jaguars cleared that entire total by releasing the veteran tight end.
Green Bay won’t have to worry about sacrificing a compensatory pick in exchange for signing Lewis, as the May 8 deadline for free agents to factor into the comp pick formula has already passed. That may have been a more important consideration for former Packers general manager Ted Thompson, as new GM Brian Gutekunst has shown a willingness to explore free agency.