Colts Sign D’Qwell Jackson
FRIDAY, 10:45am: Jackson’s deal includes a signing bonus of just $1MM, with a guaranteed base salary of $4.5MM in 2014, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today. 2015 includes a $4.63MM roster bonus that will be guaranteed as of next week, as well as an $870K base salary (Twitter links). The modest signing bonus will make it much more manageable for the Colts to get out of the contract in the third or fourth year without carrying much dead money.
THURSDAY, 8:33am: The Colts have reached an agreement to sign free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The team’s owner, Jim Irsay, first teased the deal, tweeting: “We’ve agreed to terms with a new member of our defense…” Because he was released by the Browns last month, Jackson was free to sign with a new team before next Tuesday, when the 2014 free agent period officially begins.
The agreement between the Colts and Jackson will be for four years and $22MM, reports Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 (Twitter link). According to Garafolo, $11MM – or 50% – of the overall value of the contract will be guaranteed, though Pro Football Talk notes (via Twitter) that some of that guarantee may be for injury only.
Jackson, 30, had been expected to decide on his free agent destination by the end of the week, having narrowed his options down to the Colts, Titans, Broncos, and Dolphins. By signing in Indianapolis, Jackson will be reunited with former Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski, who was added to the Colts’ staff as a special assistant last month. Jackson will be slotted in as an inside linebacker in the team’s 3-4 scheme, playing alongside Jerrell Freeman. Pat Angerer and Kelvin Sheppard filled that position for the Colts last season, but Angerer is expected to depart in free agency, and Sheppard appears headed for a reserve role.
2013 wasn’t a particularly strong season for Jackson according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, as he ranked 42nd of 55 qualified inside linebackers. In fact, it’s perhaps a bit of an upset to see the veteran sign with another 3-4 team, since he has historically graded better as the middle linebacker in a 4-3 system. Still, Jackson was a longtime defensive leader in Cleveland, and he racks up tackles, having easily surpassed 100 in each of his healthy NFL seasons since his rookie year. The former 34th overall pick will undoubtedly be an upgrade for a Colts defense in need of improvement.
With Jackson locked up, expect the Colts to turn their free agent focus to wide receivers and defensive lineman, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who thinks that Arthur Jones of the Ravens would be a “natural fit” (Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Broncos Rumors: DRC, Holliday, Decker
The Broncos made their first major roster move of the offseason yesterday, finalizing the release of cornerback Champ Bailey. Our latest round of Broncos links includes a look at what Bailey’s departure could mean for the team’s pursuit of secondary help, so let’s check out Friday’s updates….
- With Bailey already gone and several other players eligible for free agency, the Broncos figure to add at least two cornerbacks to their roster for 2014, and one will be signed in free agency, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is among the Denver corners eligible for free agency, and the Broncos will make “a serious attempt” to re-sign him, says Klis.
- Return specialist Trindon Holliday isn’t expected to return to the Broncos next season, writes Klis in a separate Post piece. While Holliday could still return to Denver if he doesn’t garner much interest on the open market, the Broncos have informed the 27-year-old that they won’t offer him a contract tender. As a restricted free agent, Holliday’s tender would’ve been worth $1.431MM for one year, and would’ve given Denver the right of first refusal if the return man signed an offer sheet with another club.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes an excellent in-depth look at Eric Decker’s looming free agency, concluding that it would be a surprise if the wide receiver didn’t sign a deal worth more than Mike Williams’ contract with the Bucs, perhaps with a per-year value of $8MM and $15MM+ in guaranteed money. However, if Decker encounters a soft market, the Broncos could benefit, since the 26-year-old may prefer to remain in Denver if no big-money offer is available. When I examined Decker’s free agent stock last month, I predicted a deal worth close to $10MM annually with $15-20MM in guaranteed money.
David Akers, Rian Lindell Won’t Be Re-Signed
A pair of NFC teams won’t re-sign their kickers, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, who reports (via Twitter) that the Lions and Buccaneers won’t bring back David Akers and Rian Lindell respectively. Cardinals kicker Jay Feely also appears set to hit the open market next week, says Marvez.
Lions GM Martin Mayhew told reporters at the combine in Indianapolis that the team didn’t expect to bring back Akers, so that doesn’t come as a real surprise. Detroit has signed two kickers – John Potter and Giorgio Tavecchio – to futures contracts, so one of them will likely take over for the veteran Akers. In Tampa Bay, Connor Barth should be recovered from a torn Achilles in time for the 2014 season, so Lindell’s services will no longer be needed.
Feely’s case is a little trickier. The 37-year-old has been the Cardinals’ kicker for the last four seasons, and converted 30 of 36 field goal tries in 2013. The team doesn’t have a logical in-house replacement for Feely, so if he’s not re-signed, perhaps other free agents like Phil Dawson or Josh Brown could become targets.
NFC North Links: Pettigrew, Allen, Melton
Here’s a roundup of a few Friday morning items on NFC North clubs:
- While Brandon Pettigrew may not be quite as crucial to the Lions’ offense as Dennis Pitta is to the Ravens’ passing attack, the Detroit tight end is a better run blocker and figures to receive a contract in the same ballpark as Pitta, says Justin Rogers of MLive.com. In Rogers’ view, a five-year deal worth about $30MM isn’t out of the question this offseason for Pettigrew.
- Examining Jared Allen’s recent comments about his free agency, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press is skeptical about the Vikings’ chances of re-signing the free agent defensive end.
- Defensive tackle Henry Melton made the Pro Bowl in 2012, but he’s coming off ACL surgery and is eligible for free agency this offseason. Bears GM Phil Emery must decide if an investment in Melton is worth the risk, writes Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Pat McAfee, Colts Agree To Five-Year Deal
9:21am: McAfee’s five-year deal will be worth $14MM, with $5MM in guaranteed money, reports Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
8:52am: Pat McAfee will continue booming punts downfield in Indianapolis in 2014 and beyond. The veteran punter announced today on NFL Network that he and the Colts have agreed to terms on a new five-year contract that will keep him off the free agent market (Twitter link).
McAfee, who has been the Colts’ full-time punter since the team selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft, averaged 46.0 yards per punt in 76 attempts last season, while also handling kickoffs for the team. According to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), only Shane Lechler of the Raiders and Johnny Hekker of the Rams ranked ahead of McAfee among punters in 2013. Outside of a down year in 2010, McAfee has placed among the top eight punters every year since his rookie season, according to PFF.
With McAfee locked up, the Colts will also have to address the other half of their kicking team, as Adam Vinatieri is headed for unrestricted free agency. The NFL’s leading active scorer said in January that he isn’t considering retiring and would “love” to re-sign in Indianapolis.
AFC East Notes: Spikes, Colon, Byrd
Earlier this morning, we passed along word that the Jets, unsurprisingly, intend to exercise their fifth-year 2015 option on defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson. We’ve got a few more updates and notes from out of the AFC East, so let’s dive in and check them out…
- Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes said this morning on NFL Network that, while he hasn’t entirely ruled out the possibility of re-signing in New England, he thinks he and the Patriots could both “benefit from a fresh start,” tweets Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com. We heard earlier this week that the two sides aren’t discussing a new deal and that Spikes is expected to hit the open market.
- Also apparently headed to the open market: Jets guard Willie Colon, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter). Colon is recovering from biceps surgery and has had problems with penalties throughout his career, but he’s also a very good pass blocker, so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of interest he receives.
- Aaron Williams, who signed a long-term contract extension with the Bills this week, said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that fellow Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd also remains interested in re-signing with the team, as far as he knows (hat tip to Pro Football Talk): “I know that they’re still negotiating. I don’t want to speak on their situation because I have no say, nor do I know the full story on it, but I know Jairus does want to come back and wants to be a part of something special.”
Jets Plan To Exercise Option On Wilkerson
2011’s first-round picks are eligible for contract extensions for the first time this offseason, but between now and May 3, teams will also have the opportunity to simply exercise a fifth-year option on those players for the 2015 season. That’s exactly what the Jets intend to do with defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson, who currently has one year remaining on his rookie deal, reports Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
The Jets and Wilkerson have engaged in recent discussions about a long-term deal, but no agreement is on the horizon, a team source tells Mehta. With the team focusing almost exclusively on free agency and the draft over the next couple months, it’s unlikely that the two sides revisit a multiyear extension more seriously until the summer. Even then, Mehta’s source admits a long-term deal before the 2014 season is unlikely unless Wilkerson accepts a team-friendly contract. The 24-year-old may have unwittingly hurt his leverage last month when he suggested that he wouldn’t hold out if he didn’t receive a new contract this year.
Although the value of that 2015 option for Wilkerson has yet to be established, it figures to be fairly modest, perhaps in the neighborhood of $6MM. Given the impact the former 30th overall pick has had on the Jets’ defense, that will be a bargain for the team. Last season, Wilkerson recorded 10.5 sacks, forced a pair of fumbles, and even grabbed an interception. The Temple product placed eighth in Pro Football Focus’ rankings of 3-4 defensive linemen (subscription required), and played more snaps (1,067) than any of his competition.
The fifth-year option for 2011 picks becomes guaranteed for injury when it’s exercised, so the Jets will likely wait until closer to the May 3 deadline before picking it up on Wilkerson.
Salary Cap Could Exceed $150MM By 2016
MARCH 7: A source with knowledge of the process tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Schefter’s projection of a $150MM cap by 2016 might be a little modest. According to Florio’s source, leaps to $145MM in 2015 and $160MM in 2016 aren’t out of the question.
FEBRUARY 28: Over the last week, we’ve heard multiple reports suggesting the NFL’s salary cap for 2014 should be higher than previously expected, perhaps in the neighborhood of $133MM. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter confirms as much this morning, and adds that the cap is expect to continue to grow significantly over the next couple years. According to Schefter (via Twitter), the cap could exceed $140MM in 2015 and $150MM in 2016.
While these numbers are subject to change, as we’ve seen with this year’s cap, the projections represent excellent news for the league as a whole, and particularly for teams that find themselves with little long-term flexibility. The Panthers, for instance, have restructured several contracts, pushing higher cap numbers and dead money into future seasons in order to create room in 2014. If the cap is at $150MM+ in two years, those dead money totals and increasing cap numbers will be much easier for the club to swallow.
As I noted last week, substantial growth for the cap is also good news for the players, whose agents will likely point to the league’s increasing revenue when they negotiate contracts. Of course, with only a few extra million for clubs to spend, and dozens of players vying for bigger salaries, only a handful of players per team figure to benefit.
The figure for the 2014 salary cap is expected to be made official very soon, perhaps as early as today.
Bengals, Pollak Agree To Three-Year Deal
The Bengals have agreed to terms with prospective free agent Mike Pollak on a new contract that will keep the guard off the open market, according to Geoff Dobson of Bengals.com. Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that Pollak’s deal will be a three-year pact.
“I don’t think there’s any question there would have been a market for Mike, but he felt really comfortable playing for [Bengals offensive line coach] Paul [Alexander],” said agent Ken Zuckerman. “He likes the fit and Paul’s approach and is happy about going back there.”
Pollak, 29, has been limited to just eight games over the last two seasons due to injury issues, but started multiple contests at right guard for the Bengals last season and recorded positive grades, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics. With some injury and free agent question marks along the offensive line, the Bengals will likely rely on Pollak as either the top interior reserve in 2014, or perhaps even as a starter.
I had ranked Pollak, a former second-round pick out of Arizona State, as a second-tier option when I broke down the free agent market for guards earlier this week.
AFC Notes: Edelman, Dolphins, Texans
We rounded up several updates on AFC teams this morning, but a few more have trickled in throughout the day, so let’s dive in and tackle those new items….
- The Patriots and wide receiver Julian Edelman discussed a new deal today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link via ESPN’s Field Yates). If the two sides don’t reach an agreement by Tuesday, Edelman will be free to sign with any team.
- Names like Eugene Monroe and Branden Albert have frequently been linked to the Dolphins leading up to the free agency, but Miami will need to add more than just a left tackle, as Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes. Salguero explores a few other possible offensive line targets for the Dolphins in free agency.
- The Texans are considering many quarterback options to back up the signal-caller they’re expected to select with their first-round pick, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. According to McClain, the Texans may sign two veteran QBs to go with the rookie they bring in.
- There still hasn’t been any real movement in contract talks between the Titans and Alterraun Verner, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, who expects the free agent cornerback to reach the open market (Twitter link).
- Former Dolphins trainer Kevin O’Neill is poised to fight his termination, writes Chris Perkins of the Sun Sentinel. O’Neill was among those implicated in the Wells Report.
Zach Links contributed to this post.