Panthers Willing To Move On From Greg Hardy
With the league still deciding whether or not to suspend Greg Hardy, the Panthers have reportedly already made a decision on the All-Pro defensive end’s future with the team. The Panthers will not re-sign Hardy, instead allowing him to hit the open market during free agency, reports Bill Voth of the Black and Blue Review.
Voth writes that this official stance is not breaking news, but more of a closing the book on any chance of his return. According to Voth, owner Jerry Richardson is having difficulty coming to terms with the situation Hardy was in and does not want to deal with the potential suspension that will come out of it.
The Panthers are willing to let Hardy walk and accept the compensatory pick they receive for seeing him go in free agency.
Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk writes that if this was strictly about football that Hardy would be one of the marquee free agents available this March. Many teams would be interested in him, including the Falcons, Jaguars, Raiders, Bengals and Buccaneers. However, with no decision yet on his suspension, he will likely have a complicated status as a free agent.
NFC Links: Willis, Bowman, Johnson, Cobb
The 49ers have a pair of decisions to make on their All-Pro inside linebackers, who are scheduled to make nearly $14MM in 2015. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman both missed significant time with injuries last year, but replacements Chris Borland and Michael Wilhoite filled in admirably. However, general manager Trent Baalke is confident both Willis and Bowman will be back next season, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “I think if you look into those numbers, they’re not as daunting as you might think,” Baalke said.
Here are some more links from around the NFC:
- The 49ers also have a decision to make on veteran receiver Stevie Johnson. There is much debate over whether the team will release him or ask him to take a pay cut to stay with the team, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio adds that the club is unlikely to release him without first trying to negotiate a new contract number.
- The Packers have a huge question mark on offense as the team has not made progress in extension talks with Randall Cobb, but the team is still focused on re-signing the star slot receiver, writes Rob Demovsky in his mailbag for ESPN.
- There has also been rumors that the Buccaneers have asked star wide receiver Vincent Jackson to take a pay cut, but that is not true according to Florio. He writes that the team could ask him to do so down the line, but more than likely won’t since they believe he is an important part of the team and that his contract reflects the current market for wide receivers.
NFC Links: Cardinals, Fairley, Cowboys, Vikings
The Oscar’s were the big story this Sunday, but in case you missed any of the NFL tidbits that spread while you were rooting for your favorite movie of the year, here are some links surrounding NFC teams:
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com takes a look at the Cardinals salary cap situation going into the offseason. He writes that the team should be all in on 2015, and could afford to take some risks to put them over the top.
- Cardinals running back Andre Ellington averaged only 3.3 yards per carry this past season under an increased workload, down from a fantastic 5.5 yards per carry as a rookie in 2013. The organization still believes he can be the focal point of the offense, but that he needs to get bigger and stronger in order to carry that load, writes Chris Wesseling of NFL.com
- The Lions had a very positive interview with defensive tackle Nick Fairley at the combine today, and expressed interest in keeping him in Detroit, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- In Cowboys’ news, Kevin Sherrington of DallasNews.com suggests that the team is not dependent on a Dez Bryant deal in order to move on with other roster moves this offseason, and his colleague Rainer Sabin writes that he does not expect the franchise tag to alter Bryant’s on-field performance if the Cowboys decide to use it on him this offseason.
- The Vikings’ front office has been looking closely at running backs in the combine, with plans to either supplement or replace Adrian Peterson depending on what happens this offseason, writes Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune.
- Washington executive A.J. Smith will not be returning to the team, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times who cites a Providence Journal report (via Twitter). Boyer notes that this isn’t a surprise, as team president Bruce Allen hinted at it when Scott McCloughan was hired as the team’s general manager.
Ravens Notes: McPhee, Johnson, Flacco
Ravens pass rusher Pernell McPhee is set to be the surprise star of free agency, despite starting only six games since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Due to his age and versatility, Chris Wesseling of NFL.com writes that he has hit the “free agency jackpot.”
Wesseling cites reports that McPhee could be in line for a deal with between $8MM and $10MM in annual salary. That type of contract is reliant on more than one year of part-time pass rushing prowess. McPhee’s potential comes from being 26 years old, having great size at 6’3″ and 280 pounds, and the ability to line up all over the field, rushing the passer from outside linebacker, inside linebacker, defensive end, and nose tackle in 2014.
The Colts, Falcons, Browns, and Raiders are all considered potential landing spots for his services, according to Wesseling. The Ravens’ cap situation will make it nearly impossible for them to compete for his services in free agency.
Here are some other notes from around the Ravens organization as free agency approaches:
- Since the Jets declined Chris Johnson‘s option for 2015, there has been a link made between the former 2,000 yard rusher and the Ravens. This link has been made due to the team’s interest in Johnson last offseason, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. Hensley notes that the team was looking for insurance after Ray Rice‘s down 2013 season, but Johnson decided to go to the Jets where there was a clearer path to a starting job. However, this offseason the Ravens will likely avoid Johnson, who is declining and is coming off legal issues of his own.
- Hensley also examines the contract situation of quarterback Joe Flacco, who has a large cap number that will restrict the team’s ability to maneuver the roster. Hensley writes that his cap number is manageable at $14.55MM this year, but the team will look to address it next offseason before it jumps all the way to $28.55MM, which would be the highest in the NFL for 2016.
- The Ravens have a few needs on offense, but the biggest position of need on defense is in the secondary, specifically at cornerback. Unfortunately for them, this looks to be a limited market of available corners, and there will be plenty of suitors driving up the price of the few top options, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Wilson sees Byron Maxwell setting the market at between $8MM and $10MM per year, with other options such as Kareem Jackson, Buster Skrine, Davon House, and Brandon Flowers all falling in just behind those numbers as teams become more desperate to land a top tier corner.
James Harrison To Play In 2015
Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison has decided that he would like to play football in 2015, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter).
Harrison had been mulling retirement, but had planned to make an announcement on his future in advance of the start of free agency on March 10.
The longtime Steeler had previously retired after a rocky year with the division rival Bengals and some flirtation with the Cardinals last offseason. Of course, he was coaxed out of retirement early in the season after the Steelers dealt with a number of injuries to their young linebacking group.
Last year, Harrison gave special consideration to the Steelers because of his history there and familiarity with the scheme. It is unclear if he would have come out of retirement to play with another team on such short notice.
As for this season, Kaboly writes that Harrison would prefer to come back with the Steelers. That would depend on what the Steelers want, with Lawrence Timmons, Jarvis Jones, and Ryan Shazier expected to make up three out of the four spots in the starting rotation for linebackers. If Jason Worilds leaves in free agency, Harrison could be a cheap alternative to provide a pass rush.
L.A. Notes: Chargers, Raiders, San Antonio
The NFL is serious about bringing the league back to Los Angeles, even though it hasn’t happened in time to get games there in 2015. Still, the future of the NFL is moving toward a return to one of the nation’s largest markets, writes Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II notes that this commitment is not in sentiment only, but in actual financial investment. Rooney is serving as chairman of the NFL committee looking into moving to L.A.
“People are actually investing dollars into getting something done,” said Rooney. “People can take that as maybe we’re more serious than we’ve been over the last decade or so.”
Here are some other notes surrounding the teams considering relocation to Los Angeles:
- Chargers owner Dean Spanos and San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer met to discuss the team’s need to explore other options in case they cannot reach an agreement to stay at Qualcomm Stadium, according to Kevin Acee of the U-T San Diego (via Twitter). The team released a statement regarding the meeting between Spanos and Faulconer. The comes on the heels of a joint proposal with the Raiders to finance a stadium in Los Angeles.
- While the Raiders and Chargers are currently working together on their journey towards relocation, the idea that the joint proposal will seal the deal is premature. The Raiders will need to see significant progress over the next 30 days in order to take this process to the next step, writes Matier and Ross of SFGate.com.
- The Raiders may still be trying to head back to Los Angeles, but the city of San Antonio has not given up its efforts to bring the team to the state of Texas, writes Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk. “The concerted efforts of San Antonio’s public and private sectors remain focused on a long-term vision to bring the Raiders to the Alamo City,” according to a statement released by the city.
- The Raiders may be the wild card in this whole relocation process, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Chargers and Rams are both looking to Los Angeles, but the Raiders could stay in Oakland, go to San Antonio, or even replace the Rams in St. Louis, in addition to the L.A. possibility.
Browns Notes: Hundley, Shorts, Hoyer
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston may be getting all of the attention this draft season, but the Browns may have some lingering feelings for UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley.
The team selected Johnny Manziel in the first round last season, but after proving ineffective on the field and immature off of it, the team will approach the offseason as if they still need to acquire a starting quarterback.
The Browns will probably not have a chance at selecting either of the top two quarterbacks, but Hundley could be available for them in the middle of the first round or even possibly the beginning of round two. The Browns would have considered Hundley in the top 10 picks last year had he declared for the NFL draft, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter).
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report added to Schefter’s report by writing that the Browns’ staff had been actively petitioning Hundley to declare early last year (via Twitter). He does clarify that the staff has undergone significant changes since then, including offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan moving to a Falcons’ team not in the market for a quarterback, although QB coach Dowell Loggains is now with the Bears, who could consider a quarterback in this drat (via Twitter). Miller also notes that former general manager Joe Banner favored Teddy Bridgewater more than any quarterback in the draft (via Twitter).
Here are a few other notes from around Browns’ camp:
- The Browns will have a number of wide receiver options in free agency, but Cecil Shorts could be one of their top targets, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN (via Twitter).
- Fowler also adds that the team could use Shorts as a complementary piece, while they could look for a true number one wideout in the first round of the draft.
- The Browns have not had a chance to negotiate a deal to bring Brian Hoyer back in 2015, writes Fowler. The Browns have expressed interest in making a deal, but Hoyer has been distant while waiting for the fallout of texting scandal between Ray Farmer and an assistant coach becomes more clear.
Cowboys Waiting On Dez Bryant’s Agents
The Cowboys have not had any recent contact with superstar receiver Dez Bryant‘s agents, according to Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram (via Twitter). However, Hill writes that the team has already made a serious offer to keep the embattled touchdown machine.
The team is now waiting on Bryant’s agents to contact them regarding the offer in order to continue negotiations.
Hill writes that the team has given a number of offers already as this process has moved on, before Bryant changed agents in November. The team believed they were close to getting a deal done at that time (via Twitter).
Bryant and Roc Nation will take time to consider the offer before contacting the Cowboys and move forward towards getting a long-term deal finished. The Cowboys still hold some leverage in that they can use the franchise tag on Bryant to guarantee his presence on the team in 2015. Of course if they can get a deal done soon, they will have the option of using the franchise tag on DeMarco Murray.
Seahawks Offer Marshawn Lynch Extension
The Seahawks have made an offer to star running back Marshawn Lynch that could keep him with the team as one of the highest-paid runners in football for the next two years, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports.
The deal will reportedly be worth between $11MM and $12MM in the first year, followed by a $9MM base salary in year two, and could be a three-year contract.
Lynch is currently scheduled to earn $5MM in base salary in the last year of his contract, but the proposed extension would make him the second-highest paid running back in the NFL in 2015, after Adrian Peterson.
Lynch had been considering retirement, but the Seahawks are hoping this new extension will entice him to remain with the team and try to match his 1,300 yards and 13 touchdown production from 2014.
Rolando McClain Facing Third Failed Drug Test
Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has violated the league’s substance abuse policy for the third time, according to Adam Schefter and Todd Archer of ESPN (via Twitter).
McClain obviously has a checkered history that includes having the final year of his guaranteed contract with the Raiders voided before moving to Baltimore, retiring, unretiring, and being traded to the Cowboys. However, he was a revelation in Rod Marinelli’s defense, filling in at middle linebacker and playing himself back into an NFL commodity.
Under the NFL’s policy, the third failed test will result in a fine only, and no suspension at this time. However, a fourth failed test will come with an automatic four-game suspension, according to Schefter (via Twitter).
McClain is set to become a free agent this offseason, and after spending 2014 answering some questions about his ability to take his job seriously both on and off the field, this will be a huge blow to his rehabilitated image. Any team that considers pursuing him will have the threat of a four-game suspension and the black cloud that comes with it hanging over the signing, and will most definitely be a deterrent in team’s taking a chance on him with a guaranteed deal.