Marc Trestman Returns To CFL
Former Bears head coach Marc Trestman is returning to the Canadian Football League to become the head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, according to Gary Lawless of TSN. Trestman was previously the head coach of the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes from 2008-12.
[RELATED: Bears Unlikely To Franchise Tag Alshon Jeffery]
Trestman, 61, was hired as Chicago’s head coach prior to the 2013 season, and led the Bears to an 8-8 season and, perhaps more impressively, a No. 6 rating in offensive DVOA. The bottom fell out during the following campaign, however, as Chicago stumbled to 5-11 record. Trestman and general manager Phil Emery were both fired after that 2014 season.
A longtime offensive coach in both the collegiate and pro ranks, Trestman quickly found a new job, as he was hired as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator prior to the 2015 campaign. Baltimore’s offense struggled under Trestman’s watch, though, and he was let go following Week 5 and replaced by Marty Mornhinweg.
Latest Between Dont’a Hightower, Patriots
A new deal between the Patriots and free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower is “not imminent,” reports Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (all Twitter links). New England could employ the franchise or transition tag on Hightower before Wednesday’s deadline, but it’s unclear whether the club will use that option. If they do, it could be a sign the two sides are nearing an extension that would supersede the tag, per Howe.
[RELATED: Patriots Unlikely To Retain Martellus Bennett?]
Hightower has indicated a willingness to sign the franchise tag, which would pay him roughly $14.7MM for the 2017 campaign. But the Patriots are also reportedly considering deploying the transition tag, which will cost less but also wouldn’t entitle New England to draft pick compensation if Hightower signs elsewhere. The Patriots have plenty of cap space, however, and would likely be able to match any offer Hightower scores on the open market.
Hightower, 26, played in 13 games last season and racked up 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 12th-best linebacker among 87 qualifiers. Given that the Patriots have already traded away other key defenders such as Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones, Hightower may be the last man standing when New England decides where to spend its free agent dollars.
Chargers Franchise Tag Melvin Ingram
The Chargers have placed the franchise tag on edge rusher Melvin Ingram, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link). Ingram becomes the fifth pending free agent to be handed the franchise tender today, joining Chandler Jones, Kawann Short, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Le’Veon Bell.
[RELATED: Los Angeles Chargers Depth Chart]
Ingram, 27, will earn a one-year, fully guaranteed salary of roughly $14.75MM, although the exact figure won’t be known until the NFL announces the official salary cap for 2017. After seeing Ingram post 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, Los Angeles was more than willing to pay that total in order to ensure he’ll will remain with the Chargers for at least one more campaign.
Rival clubs can still bid on Ingram, but they’d have to sacrifice two first-round picks in order to sign him away. Los Angeles has until July 15 to sign Ingram to an extension, or he’ll be forced to play out the season on the one-year tender.
Ingram placed fourth on the most recent edition of PFR’s Free Agent Power Rankings, and was listed second on our list of free agent edge defenders, just behind Jones and ahead of Pierre-Paul. The No. 6 pass rusher in the NFL last season — according to Pro Football Focus — Ingram will return to Los Angeles to pair with PFF’s No. 5 edge player, Joey Bosa. Both defenders will likely play end in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley‘s 4-3 scheme.
The 2017 free agent class of edge defenders is rapidly thinning now that Ingram, Jones, and Pierre-Paul are all under the franchise tag. Nick Perry (Packers), Jabaal Sheard (Patriots), James Harrison (Steelers), and John Simon (Texans) look like the next best options among pass rushing free agents.
Jets Still Shopping Sheldon Richardson?
The Jets entertained offers for pass rusher Sheldon Richardson prior to last year’s trade deadline, and Gang Green will “almost certainly” keep trying to deal him this offseason, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. While New York is likely to ask for a first-round pick in exchange for Richardson (as the club reportedly did in 2016), the Jets will likely have to settle for less attractive compensation, such as a third-rounder, per Cimini.
[RELATED: Jets Likely To Retain David Harris]
At least two known clubs — the Broncos and Cowboys — expressed interest in Richardson near last season’s trade deadline. Dallas, specifically, made an offer for Richardson, but it wasn’t enough for the Jets to part ways with the former first-round pick. Theoretically, the Cowboys could still be intrigued by Richardson’s talents as they seek to rebuild their lackluster pass rush. Denver, meanwhile, once again fielded one of the league’s best defenses in 2016, but might be able to use another pass rusher next year, especially if DeMarcus Ware leaves town.
Richardson certainly has his warts, however, which could contribute to a limited trade market. For one, the 26-year-old wasn’t all that effective last season, as he managed only 1.5 sacks in 15 games (though he still graded out as the NFL’s No. 31 edge defender, per Pro Football Focus). Richardson also comes with off-field question marks, as he has a substance abuse suspension in his past, and has dealt with commitment and tardiness issues.
Additionally, Richardson is only under contract for one more season. In 2017, Richardson will earn $8.069MM under the terms of his fifth-year option before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
Minor NFL Transactions: 2/27/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The 49ers have re-signed exclusive rights free agents Carl Bradford (linebacker) and Mike Purcell (defensive lineman), the team announced. San Francisco claimed Bradford, a former Green Bay fourth-round pick, off waivers near the tail end of last season, and the 24-year-old went on to play in two games with the Niners. Purcell, meanwhile, has spent the past three seasons with the 49ers. In 2016, he appeared in 15 games (five starts) and played on roughly a quarter of San Francisco’s defensive snaps.
- The Buccaneers have re-signed exclusive rights free agents WR Adam Humphries (wide receiver), DB Jude Adjei-Barimah (defensive back), Adarius Glanton (linebacker), and Freddie Martino (wide receiver), reports Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. Humphries (55 receptions, 622 yards, two scores) and Adjei-Barimah (290 defensive snaps before a PED suspension) played the largest roles among this group in 2016.
- The Cardinals announced that they’re re-signed linebacker Gabe Martin, who was an exclusive rights free agent. Martin, 24, played in eight games last season but spent most of his time on special teams. The former undrafted free agent was placed on injured reserve in November after suffering a knee injury.
- The Jaguars announced that they’ve signed offensive lineman Greg Van Roten. Van Roten, 27, hasn’t appeared in the NFL since 2013, when he played in three games for Green Bay. After spending a few months with Seattle in 2014, Van Roten signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, where he’s played the past two campaigns.
- The Colts have agreed to sign offensive lineman Fahn Cooper, the club announced today. Cooper, a 2016 sixth-round choice out of Ole Miss, spent his rookie season on the 49ers’ practice squad. The 23-year-old was placed on San Francisco’s taxi squad injured reserve list in November.
- The Saints have waived offensive lineman Avery Young, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Young, 24, went undrafted out of Auburn in 2016, and ended up spending the entirety of his rookie campaign on the non-football injury list.
Panthers Re-Sign DE Mario Addison
The Panthers announced that they’ve re-signed defensive end Mario Addison to a three-year deal. Addison, 30, was scheduled to become a free agent next week, but is now locked up through the 2019 campaign at a total cost of $22.5MM, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Addison will receive $11.5MM in guaranteed money and earn $9.75MM in 2017, per Rapoport (on Twitter), while the total value of the pact could creep to $25.05MM.
[RELATED: A.J. Klein Seeking Starting Role]
“Mario has shown he is one of the best emerging pass rushers in the league and he deserves this contract,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “He consistently affects the quarterback, and we envision an increased role for him in our defense. He’s a pro in the way he approaches the game and brings an upbeat attitude to our locker room. We’re thrilled he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Addison led Carolina with 9.5 sacks in 2016 and graded as the No. 16 edge defender in the league, per Pro Football Focus, but did so while playing on fewer than 500 defensive snaps, an indication that he may not be capable of playing a full-time role. However, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera did refer to Addison as a “complete defensive end” at the end of last season, and he’s certainly a valuable defender as a rotational option.
PFR’s No. 14 free agent edge defender, Addison had indicated an interest in re-signing with the Panthers earlier this year. With Addison’s deal now complete, Carolina will now turn its attention to retaining other members of its defensive line, which led the NFL in sacks last season. Kawann Short, Charles Johnson, Wes Horton, and Kyle Love are all heading for the open market, and could become unrestricted free agents on March 9.
Addison’s new yearly average of $7.5MM represents a significant raise from the $1.28MM annual salary he earned under the terms of his previous extension with Carolina. Additionally, that $7.5MM figure makes Addison one of the NFL’s top 10 highest-paid 4-3 defensive ends, as he’s now just behind the Vikings’ Everson Griffen and the Bengals’ Carlos Dunlap.
Complete 2017 NFL Draft Order
The full 2017 NFL draft order can be found below, sorted by round. The list of 253 selections includes all traded draft picks and compensatory picks, and will continue to be updated leading up to the draft if additional deals are made. For an explanation of how traded picks were acquired, check out our complete breakdown.
Here’s the complete 2017 NFL draft order:
Updated 4-24-17 (3:01pm CT)
5 Key Stories: 2/19/17 – 2/26/17
Dolphins, Jaguars swap assets. After a deal that would have sent left tackle Branden Albert to Jacksonville and tight end Julius Thomas to Miami fell through, the two clubs simply agreed to trade the players in separate transactions, with the Fins getting a 2018 seventh-round pick for Albert and the Jags receiving a 2017 seventh-rounder for Thomas. In Albert, Jacksonville gets a replacement for Kelvin Beachum, on whom the Jaguars declined their option last week, while Thomas — who has since passed his physical — is now reunited with Adam Gase, who coached Thomas in Denver.
Bears trying to trade Jay Cutler. Chicago is attempting to acquire any sort of compensation for Cutler, although a deal seems extremely unlikely after the 33-year-old quarterback struggled with injuries and ineffective play in 2016. Further complicating mattes is that Cutler is reportedly considering retirement, and could threaten to end his career if he somehow gets dealt to a destination he doesn’t prefer. Cutler is expected to be able to pass a physical by next month, which could be one bit of good news for any interested parties.
Jets begin roster purge. Gang Green is entering a rebuilding stage, and started that process by cutting ties with several veterans last week. After previously declining left tackle Ryan Clady‘s option, the Jets released right tackle Breno Giacomini (link), center Nick Mangold (link), kicker Nick Folk (link), and declined their 2017 option on linebacker Erin Henderson (link). New York is likely to retain linebacker David Harris, but cornerback Darrelle Revis is probably on the outs, especially after his hearing on assault charges was postponed.
Left tackle market continues to evolve. Both Clady and Beachum will now hit free agency after seeing their options declined by the Jets and Jaguars, respectively, and another blindside protector will be joining them on the open market. The Broncos opted not to exercise the remainder of Russell Okung‘s contract, which he notably negotiated without an agent last spring. Okung’s option bonus was worth only $1MM, but the mechanism would have locked in an additional four years, $48MM, and $20.5MM in guaranteed money. Okung will now join a free agent tackle class that includes Andrew Whitworth, Ricky Wagner, and Riley Reiff.
Latavius Murray will reach the market. The Raiders aren’t going to agree to an extension with Murray before free agency begins next Thursday, meaning the 27-year-old running back will hit the open market and potentially land with a new club. Oakland isn’t completely moving on from Murray, who’s only averaged four yards per carry over the past two seasons, but it will let him establish his value in free agency before trying to work out a new deal. Murray will compete for a contract along with other free agent backs including Le’Veon Bell (who is likely to be franchised), Eddie Lacy, and LeGarrette Blount.
Latest On Broncos’ Tony Romo Interest
If the Cowboys release Tony Romo — as the veteran quarterback himself expects the club to do — the Broncos will internally debate the idea of pursuing 36-year-old signal-caller, according to Mike Klis of 9NEWS. If Romo’s price tag reaches the $13MM range, however, Denver is expected to bow out, per Klis.
[RELATED: Broncos Have Interest In Andrew Whitworth]
The Broncos have long been believed to be Romo’s ideal landing spot, while Denver was reportedly only interested in Romo as a free agent signing, given that the club isn’t willing to sacrifice draft pick capital or assume Romo’s contract. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said last night his team hasn’t made any decision on the Romo front, tweets Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, but a release seems likely, if only for financial reasons.
Romo has three years left remaining on his current deal, and an acquiring club would take on base salaries of $14MM, $19.5MM, and $20.5MM over the next three respective campaigns. A trade, though, would leave the Cowboys will nearly $20MM in dead money, the effect of multiple restructures that pushed prorated bonus money into the future. As such, a post-June 1 designated release of Romo makes more sense, as such a move would saddle Dallas with only $10.7MM in dead money.
Signing Romo would indicate a Broncos uneasiness with 2016 first-round quarterback Paxton Lynch, writes Klis, noting that Romo wouldn’t join Denver without an assurance of a starting job. Trevor Siemian, the Broncos’ primary starter last season, would also see his status become murky if Romo is signed. The 25-year-old is coming off shoulder surgery, but should be ready to go by OTAs, reports Troy Renck of Denver7.
The Broncos will likely have competition for Romo once he reaches the open market, as the Texans, Chiefs, Bills, and Redskins have all been linked to the 13-year pro.
PFR Originals: 2/19/17 – 2/26/17
The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:
- Free agency opens in fewer than two weeks (March 9), and PFR examined the top 2017 free agents by position on both offense and defense. We’ll adjust the each list as more the market changes to due franchise tags, extensions, and releases, but for now, players such as Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell, Alshon Jeffery, Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, and A.J. Bouye lead their respective positional classes.
- As the offseason progresses, PFR will assess each team by examining the top three needs on each respective roster. We covered five organizations last week: