Agent Discusses Russell Wilson Negotiations
Between now and the start of the 2015 regular season, many big-name players poised for 2016 free agency figure to sign extensions to remain with their current teams. Of those potential ’16 free agents, no player will be monitored more closely than Russell Wilson, whose next contract has already been a frequent topic of discussion this offseason.
Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, appeared on the Brock and Salk Show on ESPN 710 Seattle today, and answered plenty of questions about his client’s contract situation, and where negotiations stand with the Seahawks. According to Rodgers, there’s no deadline to get a deal done with Seattle, and Wilson would be happy to play out his current contract. However, the veteran agent, who has dealt primarily with MLB players in the past, is encouraged by how discussions have progressed so far, as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times details.
“I would characterize our talks as ongoing, fluid, robust at times, thoughtful,” Rodgers said. “And we’ve made progress . … I would characterize them as positive and encouraging.”
According to Rodgers, 95% of what has been reported on Wilson’s contract talks with the Seahawks has been “off-base,” though he didn’t specify exactly what details in various recent reports were inaccurate. Asked if his client wants to be the highest-paid player in the NFL, Rodgers said that wasn’t necessarily a key factor, suggesting there’s a “danger in getting caught up in those labels.”
Noting that he and Wilson have prepared financially for the quarterback to play out the year on his current salary ($1.542MM), Rodgers indicated that entering the regular season without a new contract in place is possible, but added that Wilson “would love to stay [in Seattle] for a long time,” since he’s “very, very happy” with the Seahawks.
“As long as I’m talking with the Seahawks, it’s with a tone of optimism,” Rodgers said. “The goal here is at the end of the day we have a successful negotiation with the Seahawks.”
East Notes: Hardy, Scandrick, Fletcher, Jets
While we won’t find out immediately whether or not arbitrator Harold Henderson will decide to uphold Greg Hardy‘s 10-game suspension, Hardy’s camp and the NFLPA were scheduled to make their case on behalf of the Cowboys defensive end this morning. Here’s the latest on that appeal, along with a few other items from out of the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Examining Hardy’s appeal, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk lays out the specific arguments he expects Jeffrey Kessler and the union to make in Hardy’s defense. Meanwhile, former NFL executive Andrew Brandt of TheMMQB.com writes that he expects the suspension for the Cowboys defensive end to ultimately be reduced to six games.
- Orlando Scandrick‘s new deal with the Cowboys ensures that he’ll earn $4MM this year rather than $1.5MM, but it only increases his 2015 cap number by $100K, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports.com.
- Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com (Twitter link) has the details on Dane Fletcher‘s new one-year deal with the Patriots, reporting that the linebacker gets a $20K signing bonus and a $60K roster bonus on his minimum salary benefit contract.
- Veteran guard Willie Colon told Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com on Wednesday that he feels a greater sense of urgency in the Jets‘ locker room under Todd Bowles than he did last year under Rex Ryan. “You kind of feel like if you don’t fit the mold of what Bowles wants, it’ll be hard for you to survive,” Colon said.
Lions’ Lewand: No Trade For DT In Works
Over the weekend, a report suggested that the Lions may add some extra talent and/or depth at defensive tackle by making a trade, as they did earlier this offseason when they acquired Haloti Ngata from Baltimore. For now though, “nothing” is in the works regarding a trade for a DT, team president Tom Lewand tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
“As you know, we’re always looking at ways to upgrade,” Lewand said. “[General manager] Martin [Mayhew] is relentless when it comes to looking at ways to improve the roster. When he gets done with one transaction, his focus is on making another one. So as you know, we never rest in those ways and we look at any opportunity that we might come our way to improve the team and evaluate it.”
Having lost Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency, the Lions have done a decent job revamping their interior defensive line. Besides trading for Ngata, Detroit also signed Tyrunn Walker, a potentially undervalued free agent from the Saints, and drafted Auburn’s Gabe Wright. Still, Wright was a fourth-round pick and Walker has only logged 425 career defensive snaps, so the club could use one more experienced veteran.
While I’m not sure the Lions would seriously consider pursuing either player, Muhammad Wilkerson and Michael Brockers are among the notable defensive tackles who have drawn trade interest within the last few weeks. Fairley’s arrival in St. Louis made Brockers a little more expendable, while Wilkerson was generating trade interest even before the Jets drafted Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick last month.
If the Lions do attempt to go the trade route to fortify their defensive line, a deal may develop closer to the season, when teams are making roster cutdowns.
NFC North Notes: Ihedigbo, Kalil, Bears
Earlier today, we passed along updates on Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte, two star NFC North running backs who aren’t satisfied with their current contract situations. We’ve got a few more items this afternoon from out of the division, including one note related to another player who is seeking a new deal. Here’s the latest:
- Asked if he felt like he outperformed his contract in 2014, Lions safety James Ihedigbo replied, “I was a Pro Bowl alternate, so that answers that question,” writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Ihedigbo reported to the team’s OTAs, but still wants more money, more years, or both added onto his current contract, which calls for a $1.1MM base salary in 2015.
- Vikings offensive tackle Matt Kalil said today that he’d like to play for “another five, six years,” according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Kalil, whose fifth-year option for 2016 was exercised by Minnesota earlier this offseason, turns 26 in July, so playing just five or six more seasons would mean retiring in his early-30s.
- After releasing Ray McDonald earlier this week following his latest domestic violence arrest, Bears chairman George McCaskey spoke to reporters today, including Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times, taking responsibility for having brought the defensive lineman to the team. Even though the McDonald signing went south, the club still has “complete confidence” in new GM Ryan Pace, per McCaskey.
Washington Releases Chris Chester
3:03pm: Chester has officially hit the open market, with Washington formally announcing in a press release that the team has released the veteran guard.
9:46am: Washington has decided to make a change on its offensive line, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that the club will release veteran guard Chris Chester. The move isn’t official yet, but when the team does formally announce it, Chester will become a free agent immediately without having to pass through waivers.
Chester, 32, signed a five-year, $20MM deal with Washington before the 2011 season, and has started every game the team has played since then, at right guard. While Chester hasn’t been consistently above-average at the position, he hasn’t been a major liability either. In 2014, he played the eighth-most offensive snaps among guards (1,091), and ranked 33rd among 78 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required).
While Chester’s performance likely would have secured him a roster spot if he were on a rookie contract, his rising cap number looks like Washington’s primary motive for cutting him. Chester had been on track to count for $4.8MM against the club’s cap this year, and releasing him will create $4MM in cap savings.
With Chester out of the mix, Spencer Long looks like the favorite to start at right guard for Washington to open the regular season, though other players – including fourth-round pick Arie Kouandjio – could challenge for playing time this summer.
Washington Cuts Tracy Porter
3:02pm: Washington has officially released Porter, the team announced today in a press release.
10:22am: Releasing Chris Chester won’t be the only roster move Washington makes today, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who reports (via Twitter) that the team is also cutting ties with veteran cornerback Tracy Porter. Like Chester, Porter had one season remaining on his contract with the team, so he’ll hit the open market a year early.
Porter, 28, was a full-time starter at cornerback for the Raiders in 2013, and signed a two-year, $6MM deal in free agency last year with Washington, but saw his role reduced significantly in 2014. Before he landed on the injured reserve list in November, ending his season, Porter only played 89 snaps for Washington, finding himself buried on the depth chart behind Bashaud Breeland, E.J. Biggers, David Amerson, and others for a good chunk of 2014.
Porter’s reduced role and his health problems make the decision to release him an unsurprising one, particularly with his cap number on the rise this year. The former second-round pick would have earned a $2.25MM base salary and up to $250K in per-game roster bonuses if he had remained with the team. Instead, he’ll count for just $1MM in dead money on Washington’s books.
Bills, Dareus Progressing On Contract Talks
Bills general manager Doug Whaley said earlier this offseason that locking up defensive lineman Marcell Dareus to a long-term contract extension would be the team’s No. 1 priority following the draft, and the GM stressed that point again today. According to John Wawrow of The Associated Press, Whaley called Dareus’ contract Buffalo’s top priority, and said he has had preliminary talks about a new deal.
Earlier today, Dareus expressed a desire for the Bills to advance those contract extension discussions, admitting that the situation is weighing on him a little. While he didn’t specify what sort of salary he’ll be seeking on his next contract, the All-Pro defensive tackle told Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links), “Turn on the tape. It speaks for itself.”
Dareus’ comments could be interpreted as the 25-year-old hinting at a little frustration with the negotiations, but it appears both sides are on the same page in wanting to get something done. Whaley told Wawrow that he intends to meet with Jim Overdorf, the Bills’ chief negotiator, on Wednesday in an effort to move the talks along.
Dareus will serve a one-game suspension to start the 2014 season, but that penalty isn’t expected to have a real impact on his extension negotiations with the Bills. In 2014, Dareus was the league’s fourth-best defensive tackle, behind only Aaron Donald, Gerald McCoy, and Ndamukong Suh, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required). PFF also ranked the Bills star as the NFL’s best run defender among defensive tackles, with a +20.7 grade.
Colts Sign Phillip Dorsett
The Colts have signed wide receiver Phillip Dorsett to his rookie contract, the team announced today in a press release. The signing leaves Indianapolis with two draft picks still to sign.
Dorsett, who was selected 29th overall in the first round of the draft a few weeks ago, will get a signing bonus of $4.177MM, per Over The Cap. His four-year rookie contract will be worth approximately $8.135MM in total, and will include a fifth-year option allowing the Colts to keep the wideout under contract through 2019.
While Dorsett will give Andrew Luck another weapon in the passing game, and should immediately take over as the team’s primary return man, the pick was questioned by many observers, and reportedly even some Colts players themselves. The 2014 Colts had a dynamic passing attack, featuring T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief, and while the club moved on from Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks this offseason, Andre Johnson was brought in as a veteran replacement, so wideout wasn’t necessarily a position of need.
With Dorsett under contract, the Colts just need to sign a pair of third-rounders – cornerback D’Joun Smith and defensive end Henry Anderson – to finish locking up their draft class.
OTA Rumors: Peterson, Forte, A. Smith, Dez
With organized team activities getting underway this week, we’re keeping our eye on plenty of contract and roster situations around the NFL. Here are the latest updates on a few of those situations:
- Addressing Adrian Peterson‘s absence from OTAs, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer issued another strong statement today, telling reporters – including Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link) – that the running back has two choices: “He can play for us or not play.” A report yesterday suggested that Peterson is actually considering that second option (retirement), though I noted at the time that it sounded like the 30-year-old’s camp trying to regain some leverage.
- After saying last week that he thought he had an idea of when Peterson would report to the Vikings, Zimmer admitted today that he has no idea when that’ll happen, tweets Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
- Matt Forte, who reportedly wants a new contract, is present at the Bears‘ OTAs, but said today that “nobody likes playing on a one-year deal” (Twitter link via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com). As Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune tweets, Forte added, “They said we’re not talking about that type of [contract] stuff right now, so all I can do is play football.”
- Antonio Smith won’t participate in the Broncos‘ OTAs, as he continues to be investigated following a complaint of sexual child abuse, writes Mike Klis of 9NEWS. Although Smith has yet to be arrested or charged with a crime, the Broncos decided it would be “best for all involved” if the defensive lineman focuses on resolving his legal situation before reporting to the team.
- As expected, Dez Bryant isn’t in attendance for the Cowboys‘ OTAs. However, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that the club has been in communication with the wideout. Earlier today, I asked whether Bryant will sign a long-term extension with Dallas before the July 15 deadline, and so far more than half of you have indicated that won’t happen.
Jaguars Sign T.J. Yeldon
The Jaguars have moved a step closer to locking up their entire 2015 draft class, agreeing to terms with running back T.J. Yeldon on his rookie contract. The team tweeted out a photo of Yeldon signing his deal today, following this morning’s practice session.
The 36th overall pick in this year’s draft, Yeldon was the third running back to come off the board, behind first-rounders Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon. In Jacksonville, the Alabama product will join a young Jags offense that features 2014 draftees Blake Bortles, Marqise Lee, and Allen Robinson, along with free agent addition Julius Thomas.
Per Over The Cap, Yeldon will be in line for a four-year contract worth about $5.914MM. Because he fell just outside the first round, Yeldon won’t have a fifth-year option on his contract, but he’ll get a signing bonus worth approximately $2.561MM.
With Yeldon locked up, the Jaguars have signed seven of their eight draftees. Only third-round offensive lineman A.J. Cann remains unsigned.