No Hard Deadline For Antonio Brown Trade?
Although previous reports have indicated the Steelers were planning to trade Antonio Brown by Friday, the club does not have a solid deadline in place to deal its superstar wideout, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link), who adds the Steelers are still discussing Brown with multiple clubs.
As of Thursday afternoon, no team was considered the favorite to land Brown, reports Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who also disputed that Pittsburgh is demanding a first-round pick in talks. However, a number of clubs may have begun to drop out of the running. The Redskins, Saints, Titans are all thought to be out on Brown, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Tennessee “seriously contemplated” a trade for Brown, per Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com, but it doesn’t appear the Titans will land him.
Reading between the lines, it’s entirely possible the Steelers aren’t receiving offers they deem acceptable. A number of teams have been mentioned as possible suitors for Brown, but given that no favorite has emerged, it’s fair to wonder if Pittsburgh will need to lower its sights. The Steelers are motivated to move Brown before March 17, when he’s due a $2.5MM roster bonus.
Contract Details: Smith, Kelce, Johnson
Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed contracts from around the NFL:
- Donovan Smith, T (Buccaneers): Three years, $41.25MM. $27MM fully guaranteed. Guaranteed 2019 base salary of $7MM with a $5.5MM roster bonus. Guaranteed $14.5MM base salary in 2020. Non-guaranteed $14.25MM base salary in 2021. $5MM of 2019 salary deferred until 6/15/20. $3MM of 2020 salary deferred until 3/5/21. Deferrals have no impact on salary cap (Twitter link via Dan Graziano of ESPN.com).
- Jason Kelce, C (Eagles): Extended through 2021. $7.57MM signing bonus. 2019 base salary reduced from $6.5MM to $930K. 2020 base salary reduced from $7MM to $1.5MM with a $2MM roster bonus. $500K playing time escalator available in 2020 for playing 90% of offensive snaps. 2021 base salary of $5.5MM (Twitter links via Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia).
- Denzelle Good, OL (Raiders): Extended through 2019. One-year, $1.7MM. $500K signing bonus. $200K per-game roster bonuses. $100K workout bonus. $1.2MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review Journal).
- Lane Johnson, T (Eagles): Restructured contract. Created $8.2MM in cap space by converting $10.045MM of his 2019 base salary into a signing bonus. Base salary is now $805K (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Added voidable years in 2022-23 (Twitter link via Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
- Mike Person, OL (49ers): Three years, $8.25MM. $2.45MM fully guaranteed. $1MM roster bonus, $1.45MM fully guaranteed 2019 base salary. $250K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com).
- Romeo Okwara, DE (Lions): Two years, $6.8MM. $2.705MM signing bonus. 2019 base salary of $720K fully guaranteed. $500 workout bonus in 2019 (Twitter link via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com).
Latest On Potential Michael Bennett Trade
Although the Eagles are open to trading defensive lineman Michael Bennett, it doesn’t appear the club is desperate to move on from the veteran. Instead, Philadelphia is exploring its options with Bennett after much of the league’s free agent-to-be pass-rushing talent was removed from the market via franchise tags earlier this week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com.
Six players received the franchise tender ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, and five of those players are adept at getting after the quarterback. With Grady Jarrett (Falcons), Dee Ford (Chiefs), DeMarcus Lawrence (Cowboys), Jadeveon Clowney (Texans), and Frank Clark (Seahawks) now off the board, the Eagles are — perhaps rightly — guessing they could accrue draft capital in exchange for Bennett via the trade market.
Bennett was traded to Philadelphia exactly one year ago today, with the Eagles shipping a fifth-round pick and receiver Marcus Johnson to Seattle in exchange for Bennett and a seventh-rounder. While, Bennett posted nearly identical production with the Eagles in 2018 as he did with the Seahawks in 2017, he did so on roughly 200 fewer defensive snaps. Factor in that he’s now a year older, and it’s unclear if Philadelphia would be able to top what it originally gave up to Seattle in acquiring Bennett.
As Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported earlier this week, Bennett wasn’t pleased about becoming a reserve to begin last season, but he likely wouldn’t enter the 2019 season as a starter, either, as the Eagles recently re-signed Brandon Graham to a three-year deal and plan to deploy former first-round pick Derek Barnett as their other defensive starter. Bennett could still see plenty of snaps — especially given his ability to slide to tackle in passing situations — but his discontent is a situation to monitor.
Additionally, while Philadelphia isn’t as cap-strapped as it once was following the decision not to franchise tag Nick Foles and restructured contracts for offensive linemen Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce, the Eagles aren’t exactly overflowing with funds, ranking in the bottom half of the NFL with roughly $18.6MM in cap space. Trading Bennett would clear $7.2MM off the Eagles’ books, and the club wouldn’t incur any dead money by dealing him.
49ers Shopping DT Earl Mitchell
The 49ers are attempting to trade defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Reports in January indicated San Francisco was planning to decline its 2019 option for Mitchell, but the 49ers didn’t announce that move among a series of housekeeping transactions earlier today (which included the club turning down wide receiver Pierre Garcon‘s 2019 option). As such, the 49ers are likely trying to recoup some sort of value for Mitchell before releasing him.
If/when San Francisco cuts Mitchell, his tenure with the team may not be over, as general manager John Lynch indicated he’s open to re-signing the veteran defensive lineman. Mitchell had been scheduled to collect roughly $3.6MM in 2019 via his base salary, roster bonus, and workout bonus, so he’d surely need to accept less than that figure in order to return to the Bay Area.
Mitchell, 31, inked a four-year, $16MM deal with the 49ers last offseason after previously spending time with the Texans and Dolphins. In 2018, Mitchell appeared in 14 games and played on 39% of San Francisco’s defensive snaps, racking up 28 tackles (two for loss) in that time. Pro Football Focus graded Mitchell as just the No. 89 interior defender among 112 qualifiers.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/7/19
Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions:
RFAs
Non-tendered:
- Jets: TE Eric Tomlinson
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Broncos: LB Joseph Jones, WR Tim Patrick, S Dymonte Thomas, T Elijah Wilkinson
- Packers: G Justin McCray
- Raiders: LB Jason Cabinda, K Daniel Carlson
- Steelers: OL Matt Feiler, CB Mike Hilton
Non-tendered:
- Broncos: LB Jerrol Garcia-Williams
Panthers Exercise Torrey Smith’s Option
The Panthers have exercised Torrey Smith‘s option for the 2019 season, ensuring the veteran wideout will return to Carolina next season, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk tweets.
Carolina acquired Smith, now 30 years old, from the Eagles last offseason in exchange for cornerback Daryl Worley. He’s due to collect a $5MM base salary in 2019, but the Panthers could have moved on without absorbing any dead money onto their salary cap, as Smith has no guarantees remaining in his deal. Smith will now reach free agency during the 2020 offseason.
Smith missed five games due to a knee injury last season, appearing in only 11 games while making six starts. He was targeted just 31 times on the year, hauling in 17 of those targets for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Smith has never been a volume receiver, but he hasn’t topped 12 yards per reception since 2015, and hasn’t posted more than 40 catches since 2014.
The Panthers are expected to let free agent wideout Devin Funchess walk this offseason, so Smith could be in line for more snaps. He’ll play alongside 2018 first-round pick D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Jarius Wright.
Dwayne Allen Meeting With Lions, Dolphins
Free agent tight end Dwayne Allen‘s visit with the Lions has wrapped up, and he’s now on track to meet with the Dolphins, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Allen was released last Saturday by the Patriots, but a market has quickly developed for his services. The Ravens, already flush with tight end talent, met with Allen earlier this week, as did the Bills. Both the Dolphins and Lions employ former Patriots coordinators — Brian Flores and Matt Patricia, respectively — as head coaches, while former New England staffer Brian Daboll is Buffalo’s offensive play-caller.
Allen, 29, was once a relatively prolific receiving tight end during his run with the Colts, topping 50 targets and 25 reception in three of his five Indianapolis campaigns. Since being traded to the Patriots prior to the 2017 season, however, Allen has essentially become a sixth offensive lineman. In his two years in New England, Allen has managed only 26 total targets, and 22 of those looks came during his debut season with the Patriots. In 2018, Allen played 438 offensive snaps, but ran a route on only 128 of those plays.
Miami didn’t get much production out of its tight ends in 2018, as second-round rookie Mike Gesicki led the unit with 22 receptions. Gesicki will return next season, while Nick O’Leary and Durham Smythe are also under contract. A.J. Derby and MarQueis Gray, meanwhile, are each headed for unrestricted free agency.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/7/19
Today’s minor moves:
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: LB Justin March-Lillard, DB Darian Thompson
Denver Broncos
- Re-signed: LS Casey Kreiter
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: LS Matt Overton
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: DB Harold Jones-Quartey
Browns Interested In WR Tyrell Williams
The Browns are expected to have interest in pending Chargers free agent receiver Tyrell Williams, sources tell Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Now viewed as the most intriguing receiver scheduled to hit the open market next week, Williams is expected to be highly-coveted once free agency begins. In addition to the Browns, both the Raiders and Colts are likely to pursue Williams, who could exceed $12MM annually on his next contract.
Williams, 27, first emerged as a legitimate NFL wideout in 2015. With Keenan Allen injured, Williams stepped in as Philip Rivers‘ No. 1 target, hauling in 69 receptions for 1,069 yards and seven touchdowns. Over the past two years, Williams’ volume declined as Allen re-entered the lineup and 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams began taking snaps, but he’s still remained effective. In 2018, Williams ranked 24th among 84 qualifying receivers in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, meaning he was productive on a per-play basis.
The Browns’ top three receivers in terms of playtime — Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, and Rashard Higgins — should all return next season, but Cleveland could lose former first-round pick Breshad Perriman to free agency. General manager John Dorsey has held talks with Perriman’s agent, but no deal is considered close.
Titans Sign P Brett Kern To Extension
The Titans have reached a long-term extension with punter Brett Kern, the club announced today. It’s a four-year worth $12.55MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who adds Kern will receive a $2.2MM signing bonus.
Kern had already been under contract for 2019, so his extension will keep him in Tennessee through the 2023 campaign. In terms of new money, Kern will now earn roughly $3.14MM per season, a slight bump over his previous annual average of $3MM. That annual salary will keep him at sixth place among punters in yearly pay.
Kern, 33, originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008, spending parts of two seasons in Denver before being claimed off waivers by the Titans in 2009. He’s now been in Tennessee for more than a decade, and posted his best performances in recent years, earning a second-team All-Pro nod in 2017 and Pro Bowl berths in both 2017 and 2018.
Last year, Kern ranked eighth in the league with a 41.7-yard net punting average and dropped 39 punts inside his opponents’ 20-yard line, good for second in the NFL. According to Football Outsiders’ special teams metrics, the Titans’ punt unit as a whole ranked roughly average, finishing 15th in point of field position added.