Vikings Re-Sign Marcus Sherels
The Vikings have re-signed defensive back and punt returner Marcus Sherels, the team announced today (Twitter link). Sherels’ agent, Chris Murray, had expressed optimism earlier this week that his client would reach an agreement with Minnesota before the free agent period got underway.
Sherels, 26, saw an increased role in the secondary in 2013, playing 545 defensive snaps. With that extra playing time, Sherels racked up 47 tackles, seven passes defended, and an interception. His most positive contributions probably came on special teams, however, where he averaged 15.2 yards per attempt on 22 punt returns, including a touchdown.
Sherels, who was set to become a restricted free agent, will be in line for a raise on 2013’s $630K minimum salary. Even if his new deal is also only worth the minimum, that amount would increase to $730K for the coming season.
Ndamukong Suh Signs With CAA
As he looks ahead to contract talks with the Lions, Ndamukong Suh has signed with CAA Sports agent Jimmy Sexton, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (via Twitter). Suh is believed to have hired Jay Z’s Roc Nation Sports for marketing purposes, but it looks like Sexton will be handling the defensive lineman’s contract negotiations.
Suh, 27, has two years remaining on his current contract with the Lions, but there’s a very good chance he and the team will address and rework that deal this offseason. Suh’s current 2014 cap hit of $22.41MM isn’t tenable for the Lions, so the two sides may work out an agreement that pushes some of that money back to 2015 — the club could also spread Suh’s salary out beyond 2015 if the two sides agree to an extension that tacks additional years onto the current contract.
Multiple reports earlier this week indicated that Suh had been considering representing himself in those negotiations with the Lions, but hiring an agent like Sexton looks like the right call. Given the leverage Suh has at this point, a contract extension could give him long-term security throughout the rest of his prime, so it’ll be important to maximize his value.
Saints Notes: Strief, De La Puente, Jenkins
Already today, we’ve heard that the Saints are prepared to part ways with one of their longest-tenured players, Lance Moore. While we wait for official word on Moore’s release, let’s quickly round up a few more items out of New Orleans….
- Agent Ralph Cindrich tells Mike Triplett of ESPN.com (Twitter links) the Saints and his client Zach Strief have both expressed interest in a new deal that would keep the free agent offensive lineman in New Orleans. However, the team isn’t in position to make an offer yet, so Strief will hit the open market on Tuesday.
- In addition to Strief, free-agents-to-be Brian De La Puente (C) and Malcolm Jenkins (DB) are also expected to reach the open market next week, tweets Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
- Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk attempts to determine why Jimmy Graham hasn’t filed a grievance about his franchise tag positional designation yet. In Florio’s view, the delay can likely be attributed to Graham and the Saints negotiating a long-term deal to avoid a fight, or to Graham waiting to see if he signs an offer sheet with another club.
- Moore represents a tough but logical cut, Triplett writes in a piece for ESPN.com.
Eugene Monroe Unlikely To Return To Ravens
Contract talks between the Ravens and left tackle Eugene Monroe are at a standstill, sources tell Matt Zenitz of the Carroll County Times (Twitter link), who reports that the free-agent-to-be appears unlikely to return to Baltimore. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun is hearing the same thing, tweeting that Monroe will test the open market and likely won’t re-sign with Baltimore, given the sort of offers expected from other suitors.
Monroe, who was acquired by the Ravens in a trade with the Jaguars last season, is viewed as one of the top tackles among this year’s class of free agents, along with Branden Albert of the Chiefs and Jared Veldheer of the Raiders. The Dolphins and Cardinals are a couple teams expected to seriously pursue a left tackle in free agency, and the Raiders could enter the mix for Monroe if they’re unable to lock up Veldheer.
According to Zenitz (Twitter link), Monroe is seeking a long-term deal that averages about $10MM annually, while the Ravens would prefer to pay closer to $8MM or $9MM per year. On the surface, that doesn’t seem like an insurmountable gap to bridge, but those annual salaries add up to a significant disparity over a four- or five-year contract, and the two sides could also disagree over the amount of guaranteed money.
As OverTheCap.com’s data shows, a salary of $10MM per year would make Monroe one of the top five highest-paid left tackles in the NFL by annual salary.
Broncos Tender Chris Harris
The Broncos have extended a second-round contract tender to free-agent-to-be Chris Harris, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). The one-year offer is worth $2.187MM for the 2014 season, and gives Denver the right of first refusal on any offer sheet Harris signs in free agency.
Harris, 24, started 15 games at cornerback for the Broncos in 2013, matching his career-high with three interceptions and grading as an impressive ninth out of 110 qualified corners, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). He likely would’ve been in line for a first-round tender from the Broncos had he not torn his ACL in January. While that injury raises some question marks about Harris’ status for this summer and fall, the tear was only partial, and he’s recovering well so far.
Harris will have the option of accepting the tender from the Broncos, and playing out the 2014 season on a one-year contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent a year from now. He could also sign an offer sheet with a rival suitor once free agency opens. In that case, Denver would have to decide whether to match the offer and bring Harris back, or whether to let him walk and receive a compensatory second-round pick.
The Broncos have also extended contract tenders to two other defensive backs, according to Pelissero (via Twitter): Cornerback Tony Carter and safety Duke Ihenacho.
49ers Interested In Michael Bennett?
The Seahawks and 49ers battled for NFC West supremacy during the regular season, then for the NFC title in the postseason, and now the fight between the two teams may extend to one of 2014’s top free agents. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, there’s a belief in league circles that the 49ers could make a run at Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett this offseason.
Florio doesn’t cite any specific sources, and cautions that the Niners could be feigning interest in order to drive the price up for their division rivals. Bennett also may not be an ideal fit in San Francisco’s 3-4 scheme, though the PFT report suggests he could be a potential replacement for veteran end Justin Smith, who will turn 35 in September and may only have one season left with the team.
Whether or not the Niners make a serious play for Bennett, the free-agent-to-be is expected to draw significant interest when he hits the open market next week. The Seahawks also figure to receive competition from the Bears and perhaps the Raiders and Jaguars, among other clubs, as they try to re-sign their standout pass rusher.
Cardinals Sign John Estes
FRIDAY, 11:58am: Estes signed a two-year contract worth the minimum salary, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. The deal also has injury waivers each year.
TUESDAY, 12:46pm: The Cardinals have signed free agent center John Estes to a contract, the team announced today (Twitter link). Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but it figures to be a minimum-salary pact.
Estes, who appeared briefly for the Jaguars during the 2011 regular season, underwent knee surgery in 2012 and spent the year on injured reverse. The Hawaii alum hasn’t returned to action for an NFL team since then, but should get the chance to compete for a spot on Arizona’s roster this summer.
FA Rumors: QBs, Saffold, Vikings, Ravens
This year’s class of free agent quarterbacks doesn’t feature any stars, but there are a handful of players who should make very solid backups, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. In his latest piece, La Canfora takes a shot at forecasting where a few of the more notable names on the market will land. Among his predictions: Michael Vick to the Jets, Josh McCown to the Vikings, Matt Cassel to the Texans, and Josh Freeman to the Raiders.
With just over 24 hours left for teams to exclusively negotiate with their own free agents, let’s check out a few more FA rumors and news items:
- Talks are ongoing between the Rams and the reps for free agent offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, but agent Alan Herman says his client will “definitely” reach the open market next week, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Rams appear interested in re-signing Saffold as a guard, but the 25-year-old could draw interest from other teams as a tackle, which would likely increase his earning potential.
- Expect Michael Johnson to be a top target for the Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer if the Bengals defensive end becomes available next week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Defensive lineman Arthur Jones is expected to draw significant offers in free agency that the Ravens won’t compete with, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Head coach John Harbaugh hinted at that outcome at the combine last month.
- The Ravens have an offer on the table for prospective free agent Jacoby Jones, tweets Rapoport. Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the team has had “several discussions” with Jones’ reps.
- The Colts remain relatively far apart in contract talks with cornerback Vontae Davis, though there’s still mutual interest in getting something done. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star has the details.
- Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee discusses the 49ers‘ approach to free agency, writing that safety Donte Whitner and cornerback Tarell Brown appear likely to test their value on the open market.
- The Eagles need to add a safety, but Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News would be surprised if the club makes a serious run at the very best free agents, like Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward.
Patriots, Danny Aiken Agree To One-Year Deal
The Patriots have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with long snapper Danny Aiken, according to ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss (via Twitter). Aiken had been scheduled to hit restricted free agency.
Aiken, 25, will almost certainly be signed to a minimum salary deal. For a player with his three years of NFL experience, a minimum one-year deal would be worth $645K, which isn’t bad money for someone who plays exclusively on special teams. As Reiss notes (via Twitter), the team now has all three of its specialists under contract for 2014 prior to free agency.
Jaguars Re-Sign Cameron Bradfield
FRIDAY, 11:20am: Bradfield’s two-year deal is worth $3MM, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, who adds (via Twitter) that the contract includes a $1.225MM guaranteed base in 2014, along with a $25K workout bonus and $400K in incentives.
THURSDAY, 10:25am: The Jaguars have re-signed offensive tackle Cameron Bradfield, tweets agent Andy Simms of PlayersRep Sports (hat tip to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun). Bradfield’s new deal with the team will be a two-year contract, according to Simms.
Bradfield, who had been eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, was forced into left tackle duty last season when Eugene Monroe was traded and Luke Joeckel went down with a broken ankle. The 26-year-old didn’t play particularly well in his new role, grading as the fourth-worst tackle in the league out of 76 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). However, Bradfield performed passably at right tackle in 2012 as the club’s starter, and will likely either move back to that spot or come off the bench in 2014.
The new deal for Bradfield may close the book on the Jaguars’ restricted free agent business this offseason, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. According to O’Halloran, the club isn’t expected to tender offers to tight end Allen Reisner or defensive tackle Kyle Love. Both players would become unrestricted FAs if they don’t receive tenders from Jacksonville.