Chargers Re-Sign Donald Butler
WEDNESDAY, 8:23pm: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the full breakdown of Butler’s deal. Per a league source, Butler’s deal covers seven years with a total potential value of $51.8MM with only $11.15MM guaranteed at signing. After three seasons, the Chargers hold a $12MM option bonus.
If the Chargers don’t trigger that bonus, they can cut bait after paying $15.15MM over two years between the $750K base salary for 2014 and a non-guaranteed base salary of $3.25MM for 2015. Alternatively, they can pay another $4.65MM in 2016 and extend it to a three-year, $19.8MM contract. If the option bonus is paid, the final four years kick in, at base salaries of $4MM in 2017, $4.65MM in 2018, $5.35MM in 2019, and $6MM in 2020.
Florio writes that the cap numbers are as follows: $2.98MM in 2014, $5.48MM in 2015, $9.28MM in 2016, $8.63MM in 2017, $9.28MM in 2018, and $7.75MM in 2020.
MONDAY, 9:55am: Butler’s contract with the Chargers is a multi-tiered deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, the first three years of the pact are worth just under $20MM, and then the team will have an option to keep the linebacker for four additional years at between $8MM and $9.5MM per year. The first segment of the deal is currently guaranteed for about $12MM, while the second segment would be guaranteed for about $15MM if the team exercises its option, Rapoport adds in a second tweet.
FRIDAY, 1:51pm: Prospective free agent Donald Butler will stay with the Chargers rather than hitting the open market, and it was Butler himself who broke the story. The San Diego linebacker has announced the new agreement on Twitter: “Feeling blessed! Y’all heard it here first! Deal is done!! SD I aint going no where!! Too excited!!” The Chargers have since confirmed that the two sides have agreed to terms (Twitter link).
Butler, who is coming off the final year of his rookie contract, ranked as one of the top inside linebackers expected to hit free agency this offseason, though that was based more on his age (25) and previous performance than his 2013 showing. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, Butler ranked 45th among 55 qualified inside linebackers in ’13, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), recording negative grades as a pass-rusher, as a run-stopper, and in coverage.
Still, given his age and potential, Butler was a top priority for the Chargers heading into free agency, with the franchise tag considered an outside possibility. Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but Butler figures to be in line for a nice raise on the $1.323MM base salary he earned in 2013, and I’d expect the contract to be for at least three or four years.
With Butler off the board, teams in search of an inside linebacker this offseason could turn to alternatives like Karlos Dansby, Brandon Spikes, and Daryl Smith, if they hit the open market. Another intriguing option, D’Qwell Jackson, has already become an unrestricted free agent, and is drawing interest from several teams, including the Titans, Broncos, Vikings, Redskins, and Cardinals.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Buccaneers Re-Sign Bobby Rainey
5:17pm: The deal is actually for one year, not two as announced, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
3:59pm: The Buccaneers have re-signed running back Bobby Rainey to a two-year contract extension, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Rainey had been an exclusive rights free agent.
After seeing limited playing time with the Browns during the first few weeks of the 2013 season, Rainey was waived and landed with the Buccaneers. After starting running back Doug Martin and backup Mike James suffered season-ending injuries, Rainey got an opportunity to act as Tampa Bay’s featured back during the second half, racking up 532 yards and five rushing TDs on 137 carries.
Martin and James are expected to be healthy for 2014, but Rainey’s performance in 2013 could earn him a few carries going forward. At the very least, he’ll be reliable security blanket in the event of further injuries to the team’s top backs.
Because Rainey is entering his third season, the two-year deal locks him up for one ERFA season and his RFA season. At the end of the deal, the 26-year-old out of Western Kentucky should be eligible for unrestricted free agency.
Contract Tenders: Rams, Vikings, Raiders
With free agency approaching, teams are working to lock up their exclusive rights free agents and to retain the right of first refusal on their restricted free agents. Here are the contract tenders teams have placed on those FAs so far on Wednesday:
- The Rams have tendered contracts to center Tim Barnes, quarterback Austin Davis and wide receiver Justin Veltung, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. All three players are exclusive rights free agents, with Barnes and Davis set to earn $570K on their one-year deals, while Veltung will earn $495K.
- ERFA running back Matt Asiata has received a one-year tender from the Vikings, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Fantasy owners will likely recognize Asiata’s name — the 26-year-old, who could be in line for a larger role if Toby Gerhart departs in free agency, had three touchdowns in Week 15 last season replacing an injured Gerhart and Adrian Peterson.
- In addition to placing tenders on the five ERFAs we heard about yesterday, the Raiders have also tendered ERFA cornerback Chimdi Chekwa, says Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group.
NFC Rumors: Tynes, Brown, Jackson, Hatcher
Buccaneers kicker Lawrence Tynes currently isn’t scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2014 season, but a decision on his contract status could mean he hits the open market next week, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. According to Florio, there’s a disagreement over whether the Bucs should have placed Tynes on the non-football injury/illness list or the injured reserve list last season when the kicker developed an MRSA infection. The team opted for the NFI list, whereas if Tynes had been placed on the IR, he’d be eligible for free agency this year, so a ruling will be required.
Let’s round up a few more afternoon notes from around the NFC….
- The 49ers are “making a push” to re-sign prospective free agent Tarell Brown before Tuesday, says Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). As Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details, former Colts GM Bill Polian had high praise for Brown, who Polian thinks is one of the best cornerbacks available this winter.
- On the heels of a weekend report suggesting the Eagles could gauge DeSean Jackson‘s trade value, Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com reiterates that the wide receiver’s days in Philadelphia may be numbered. In the piece, Mosher explains why he doesn’t think Jackson will be with the team beyond 2014.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com believes the Buccaneers will be among the suitors for Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jason Hatcher, who the Cowboys may not be able to afford to re-sign (Twitter link).
- While things could change in the next few days, indications are that the Rams will keep center Scott Wells for 2014, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. Wells, who has two years left on his deal, has a cap number of $6.5MM for ’14.
- Defensive back Kelvin Hayden and tight end Dante Rosario, who both recently re-signed with the Bears, will each make the minimum salary in 2014, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links).
Jets Claim Johnny Patrick Off Waivers
The Jets have been awarded cornerback Johnny Patrick off waivers, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Patrick was cut by the Chargers yesterday.
Patrick, 25, started four games for San Diego last season and appeared in 13 total contests, recording 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a negative overall grade (-7.6), according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. While his results on the field in 2013 were middling, Patrick is a former third-round pick and his contract is very low risk — he’s slated to earn the minimum for 2014, with a modest $55K workout bonus.
Steelers Release Levi Brown, Larry Foote
The Steelers cap-related moves keep coming, as the team is releasing offensive lineman Levi Brown and linebacker Larry Foote, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). The team has confirmed the cuts (via Twitter), and also announced the release of cornerback Curtis Brown, which we discussed earlier.
Brown, who the Steelers acquired in a trade with the Cardinals last October, didn’t play a single snap for Pittsburgh after tearing his triceps. His release will be a major boon for the Steelers, wiping a $6.25MM from the club’s books for 2014. As for Foote, the team may miss his on-field contributions a little more. Drafted by the Steelers in 2002, Foote has remained in Pittsburgh since then, appearing in 172 games for the franchise. His 2013 season was also wiped out by an injury (torn biceps), and his release will create about $1.167MM in cap savings for the Steelers.
Taking into account their three cuts and two extensions for Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu, the Steelers have created more than $14MM in cap savings today, which should go a long way toward getting the team under the 2014 cap. At least one or two more moves will likely be required, with Ike Taylor and LaMarr Woodley representing strong candidates to be released or restructured.
Steelers Cut Curtis Brown
The Steelers have released defensive back Curtis Brown, according to agent Chad Speck of Allegiant Athletic Agency (Twitter link). Brown, a third-round pick in 2011, had one year remaining on his rookie contract.
Although Brown saw a good deal of playing time on defense in 2012 as the nickel corner, he was relegated primarily to special teams duty in 2013. An ACL injury ended his season prematurely, but Speck indicates in his tweet that Brown will be ready for the 2014 season.
The Steelers’ cap savings in the move are minimal, since Brown’s cap number is only reduced by $645K. Still, every little bit should help Pittsburgh as the team looks to sneak under the cap before the new league year begins on Tuesday.
FA Rumors: Talib, Allen, Carroll, McClain
While one prospective free agent cornerback, Brent Grimes, re-upped with his team earlier this week, we probably shouldn’t expect Aqib Talib and the Patriots to reach an agreement before Talib hits the open market, says Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Howe hears from a source that Talib “wants to be paid as a top-of-the-market corner” in free agency, meaning he’s unlikely to accept any offer from the Pats before he sees what else is out there. New England has made the veteran cornerback a priority since the team’s season ended, but it looks like the Pats will have to compete with other suitors if they want to bring Talib back for 2014.
Here’s more on this year’s free agent class:
- Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jared Allen said that when he hits free agency, he’ll be looking for a good organization with a chance to win – as well as a fair contract – and expects to be very involved in the process. The longtime Viking didn’t sound bullish on the idea of joining the Raiders, suggesting that Oakland has a lot of things to “correct” and may not be looking for a veteran defensive end (all Twitter links).
- The Vikings are “expected to take a strong look” at cornerback Nolan Carroll if and when he becomes available, a source tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. We heard last week that the Dolphins have interest in bringing back Carroll, who anticipates testing the open market.
- Jack Bechta, the agent for linebacker Pat Angerer, tells Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star that the Colts will let his client hit the open market next week without attempting to re-sign him. Angerer’s looming departure helps explain the club’s interest in signing free agent linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.
- After visiting with the Bills today, free agent linebacker Jameel McClain will move on to meet with the Giants, tweets Joe Buscaglia of WGR550. According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), the Bills and Giants are two of the five teams interested in McClain.
- The Redskins continue talking to linebacker Perry Riley but aren’t particularly close to reaching an agreement, reports Mark Maske of the Washington Post.
- Seth Walder of the New York Daily News expects the Jets to add a quarterback in free agency, and identifies Josh McCown, Michael Vick, and Tarvaris Jackson as a few potential targets for the club.
- According to head coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have “aggressive” offers out to all the pending free agents they want to keep (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun).
- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press takes a look at some free agent options for the Lions as the team hunts for a slot receiver to replace Nate Burleson.
Vikings Release John Carlson
WEDNESDAY, 1:41pm: The Vikings have officially released Carlson, the team announced today (Twitter link).
TUESDAY, 3:21pm: Although the Vikings and John Carlson had been in talks about a potential restructure of the tight end’s contract, the two sides failed to reach an agreement, and the team will instead release Carlson, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports 1 (Twitter link). Carlson had three years remaining on his contract, but rather than hitting the open market after the 2016 season, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent immediately.
Carlson, 29, recorded a total of 40 receptions for 387 yards in his two seasons with the Vikings as the team’s second tight end behind Kyle Rudolph. Carlson was said to be considering retirement this offseason after suffering his third concussion during the 2013 season, but it appears he’ll continue his playing career, assuming he catches on with another club.
With the move, the Vikings will eliminate Carlson’s $5MM cap number for 2014 from their books, but will be left with $3MM in dead money, for a total of $2MM in cap savings.
Steelers Extend Troy Polamalu’s Contract
1:20pm: Polamalu’s three-year extension is worth $20MM overall, and will save the Steelers $4.5MM in 2014 cap space, tweets ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
12:26pm: The Steelers have extended Troy Polamalu‘s contract for an additional two years beyond next season, keeping him under team control through 2016, the club announced today. Like Heath Miller‘s new deal, which was also confirmed by the Steelers, Polamalu’s extension is expected to reduce his 2014 cap number.
Polamalu, who has been with the Steelers since the team drafted him in the first round in 2003, had been on the books for a cap number of about $10.888MM for 2014. His new deal should reduce that number, along with his ’14 base salary ($8.25MM), pushing some prorated bonus money into the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Although he’ll turn 33 next month, Polamalu continues to give the Steelers excellent production at the strong safety position, starting all 16 games for the club in 2013. The USC alum earned his eighth Pro Bowl berth and ranked fifth overall among 86 qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
For the Steelers, the Polamalu and Miller extensions will create some much-needed cap flexibility, as the team looks to get under the cap in time for the start of the new league year next Tuesday. Still, depending on how much money is sliced off Polamalu’s cap number for 2014, more moves will likely be required. Pittsburgh may also have to deal with the contracts of LaMarr Woodley and Ike Taylor in the coming days.