Russell Wilson Expected To Become Highest-Paid QB
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been one of the best bargains in the NFL these past three seasons, but is in line for an extension this offseason. As Wilson enters a contract year, Seattle is prepared to make him the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, reports Chris Wesseling of NFL.com.
On an annual basis, Aaron Rodgers‘ five-year, $110MM contract makes him the highest paid quarterback in the league, coming in at an average of $22MM per year. Wilson’s yearly salary could surpass Rodgers’, assuming he and the team work out a contract extension this offseason.
The Seahawks are not shy about paying to keep their star players, having already made Earl Thomas the highest paid safety in the NFL, and Richard Sherman the highest paid cornerback in the league (albeit briefly).
Seattle has already been preparing for Wilson’s extension, making a number of moves to clean its cap sheet to make room for his next contract. Obviously, the team moved on from receiver Percy Harvin, and extended the contracts of other key players K.J. Wright and Cliff Avril in order to clear cap space.
Pennsylvania Links: Steelers, Polamalu, Kelly
As Wild Card weekend comes to a close, a number of writers for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review have written their thoughts on the end of the 2014 NFL season, and begin looking forward to all the hope that 2015 will bring. Philly.com also published a few pieces regarding the Eagles’ new organizational structure.
- Among the offseason priorities for the Steelers, the back eight on defense has to be the first thing fixed, according to Joe Starkey. The cornerback situation has been a mess, and Cortez Allen has been a tremendous disappointment. The linebackers haven’t been much better, as James Harrison approaching the end of his career and Jason Worilds performed terribly in the playoff game against the Ravens, writes Starkey. He also doubts longtime Steeler Troy Polamalu, and questions whether young players Shamarko Thomas, Jarvis Jones, and Ryan Shazier will be able to make the leap and improve the defense.
- Of the biggest stories the Steelers will face this offseason, the futures of Allen and Worlids loom large, according to Mark Kaboly. Other big stories would be Ben Roethlisberger‘s contract situation, which could eclipse $20MM per year, and whether or not defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will return for 2015. LeBeau is 77 years old.
- The most important change could be the Steelers moving on from Polamalu, writes Ralph N. Paulk. The former All-Pro safety is 34 years old and has two years left on his contract. Polamalu could consider retirement, but the team could also force his hand by releasing him this offseason.
- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is putting all of his eggs in the Chip Kelly basket, writes Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. He notes that Patriots coach Bill Belichick took decades before acquiring that kind of organizational control. Many other examples of these situations have gone sour before, and although Bowen believes in Kelly, the new power structure is risky.
- The NFL draft reveals a lot about what teams are trying to do as they build towards a championship, and with Eagles head coach Kelly now in charge of personnel, we are about to find out exactly what Kelly believes in, writes Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Saints Sign Tim Hightower To Reserve/Futures
The Saints have signed former Cardinals’ and Washington running back Tim Hightower to a reserve/futures contract, reports Mike Triplett of ESPN (via Twitter). Hightower suffered an ACL injury in 2011, and hasn’t played in the NFL since, according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter).
Triplett noted that it hasn’t been the recovery of the actual injury that has kept Hightower away from football, but rather his health troubles are due to an infection that has lingered during his recovery.
Since joining the league in 2008, Hightower has enjoyed moderate success in limited playing time. He averaged less than 150 carries per year during his three full seasons in Arizona, never missing a single game during his time with the team. He was effective in finding the endzone, scoring 23 touchdowns over that span. He added another two touchdowns in Washington, but only made it through five games with the team before getting injured.
The Saints worked out Hightower in November, but ultimately decided to sign veteran Brian Leonard instead, according to Triplett (via Twitter).
Just because the team has added Hightower does not change the status of free agent Mark Ingram. Larry Holder of NOLA.com notes that Hightower is no guarantee (via Twitter).
Triplett believes there is a chance that Ingram will leave the team, but notes that Hightower’s presence on the roster will have no bearing on the Saints’ decision at all (via Twitter).
NFL Draft Updates: Sunday
We have collected a number of stories regarding NFL Draft prospects entering the 2015 NFL Draft and hiring agents. They will be updated here, with newest stories added to the top.
For a list of all underclassmen who have already declared for early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft, click here.
- Boise State junior running back Jay Ajayi has already declared for the NFL Draft, and has now signed with Select Sports, reports Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter). He will be represented by Erik Burkhardt and Sean Kiernan.
- Iowa senior defensive tackle Carl Davis has signed with Sports Stars NYC, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). He will be represented by Jonathan Perzley and Brian Mackler.
- LSU senior offensive tackle La’el Collins has hired Deryk Gilmore to represent him in his professional career, according to Getlin (via Twitter).
- Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes declared for the 2015 NFL Draft earlier, and has now signed with Athletes First, reports Getlin (via Twitter).
- Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory has also declared early, and will be represented by Deryk Gilmore, according to Getlin (via Twitter).
Cardinals Notes: QB, Dockett, Bowles
The Cardinals’ season is over after losing to the Panthers on Saturday, but the team has a number of decisions to make with their roster as they approach a critical offseason. The team’s front office will have to make a more than a few of choices on personnel, with a number of players’ statuses uncertain for 2015.
Receiver Larry Fitzgerald and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett both have high cap numbers going into next year and could be asked to take pay cuts to stay with the team, writes Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The team will also have the opportunity to bring back or move on from free agents Antonio Cromartie, Larry Foote, Tommy Kelly, and Sam Acho.
One of the biggest mysteries will be how the team treats inside linebacker Daryl Washington. Washington could be reinstated from suspension in May but could face a separate suspension for an assault conviction upon his return.
- Poor quarterback play ruined the Cardinals’ year after losing both starter Carson Palmer and backup Drew Stanton for the season. The team was forced to roll with Ryan Lindley down the stretch. Head coach Bruce Arians does not believe the team will be able to bring in another veteran signal caller in the offseason, citing the move as too expensive, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN (via Twitter).
- An important part of the defense that is expected to return is Dockett, writes Weinfuss (via Twitter). Bob McNaman of the Arizona Republic also writes the team plans on bringing Dockett back, despite a cap hit of close to $9MM next season (via Twitter).
- Coach Arians stated that defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has been requested for interviews with multiple organizations, and he expects his assistant coach to pursue openings in New York, Atlanta, and Chicago, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
- Arians was extremely complimentary of Bowles, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). “He’s a great teacher, great communicator and players love him,” said Arians. “Very bright guy. He’s soft spoken but a very good motivator and he can get on their asses as good as anybody.”
- Arians also noted that he does not expect to make any other coaching changes this offseason, other than Bowles, according to Weinfuss (via Twitter).
Adam Gase Changes Agents
During the Broncos’ bye week, offensive coordinator Adam Gase has decided to change agents, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
Gase is one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the NFL, securing interviews with the Falcons, Bills, Bears, and 49ers.
The 36-year old offensive whiz is a favorite to land one of those jobs, and is among the most sought after assitant coaches in the NFL, after leading a record setting offense in 2013 to a Super Bowl appearance and a 12-4 Broncos team in 2014.
Gase was formerly represented by Bob Lamonte, who also represents Broncos’ coaches John Fox and Jack Del Rio, Gase’s predecessor Mike McCoy, and other notable names such as Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid and Washington’s Jay Gruden.
Gase’s new representation will come from agent James Sexton, whose notable clientele includes Tim Tebow, according to Klis.
NFC Coaching, GM Notes: Bears, Bucs, Eagles
The Bears have tried to hire young assistant coaches time and time again, and as much as they hope the next one might be the best, they could just end up with another Marc Trestman, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. Rather than go after Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, or Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Haugh believes the Bears should go in a different direction.
He suggests the team seriously consider Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard, who worked as a scout for the Bears for over a decade. Haugh thinks that it makes sense to pair him with Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who had one of the best units in the league for years with the Bears before moving to Kansas City.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC:
- The Buccaneers are interviewing Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for their open offensive coordinator job, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). Schefter reports that there is mutual interest between the two parties.
- The Eagles have changed up their organizational structure, Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com looks at the relationship between owner Jeffrey Lurie, executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman, and head coach Chip Kelly, and how those relationships have evolved over the past week.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer also wrote about Kelly’s power grab against Roseman. Even though it resulted in promotions for both, Kelly clearly grabbed the upper hand in the Eagles’ organization in terms of executing his own vision for the team.
- Washington requested permission to speak with Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz for the team’s own defensive coordinator opening, but the Bills denied Washington’s request, reports Schefter (via Twitter).
NFC West Notes: Shanahan, Quinn, Cardinals
While the 49ers have interviewed former Washington and Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, the Niners’ main focus is deciding whether they’re better off going with a big hire like Shanahan, or if they can take the time to develop a young coach such as Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase or Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, writes Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (via Twitter).
- 49ers‘ CEO Jed York did say Shanahan was high on his list of candidates, writes Cole (via Twitter).
- Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group responded to Cole’s tweet by noting that York stated he wants the next coach to be with the team for 10 years (via Twitter). Shanahan is already 62 years old.
- Pro Football Talk adds that Shanahan would be much easier to deal with than Harbaugh was, which is a big plus after the most recent coaching situation (via Twitter).
- Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has drawn strong interest as a head coaching candidate, but his top choice for general manager and partner was Vikings assistant GM George Paton, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Unfortunately, Paton decided not to interview with the Jets or Bears, and will remain with the Vikings.
- The Cardinals are currently playing the Panthers in the Wild Card round, and star receiver Larry Fitzgerald could be in his final game with the team, writes Kevin Patra of NFL.com. Patra notes that colleague Ian Rapoport reported the team is expected to ask Fitzgerald to take a pay cut after the season, but no official decision has been made.
- Cardinals nose tackle Dan Williams could draw interest in free agency this offseason, writes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com. Williams could be set up for a contract in the range of $6MM per year, and the team’s cap situation might make it difficult to keep.
Draft Updates: Saturday
With the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft approaching quickly, here are a few updates on seniors who have signed with agents and are eligible for the Draft, and underclassmen who have declared early.
For a list of all early entrants so far, please check our list here.
- USC junior receiver Nelson Agholor has decided to go pro, and will enter the 2015 NFL Draft, reports Jordan Moore of USCTrojans.com. “These past three years at USC have been a blessing, along with a lot of my life. I am very grateful to have had the coaches and staff members of this prestigious university in my life,” said Agholor. “Because of these men and women, I feel prepared to follow my dreams into the NFL. Thank you to the Trojan Family for allowing me to become one of your own.”
- Boise State senior wideout Matt Miller has signed with the NOVO Agency, and will be eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft, reports Liz Mullen or the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter). He will be represented by Jeff Sperbeck.
- University of Washington senior nose tackle Danny Shelton also signed with NOVO, according to Mullen (via Twitter). He will be represented by Haig Abnous and Sperbeck.
- Two Auburn players, junior receiver Sammie Coates and senior running back Cameron Artis-Payne, both signed with Michael Perrett of Element Sports, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). Coates had previously declared for the draft.
- University of Maryland junior receiver Stefon Diggs has declared for the draft, reports Matt Zenith of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
Jets Notes: Marrone, Ryan, Pace
If the Jets do hire former Bills coach Doug Marrone, that would mark a huge difference in philosophies from former coach Rex Ryan, writes Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. Myers notes that Ryan was the ultimate players’ coach, but Marrone is tonally opposite, with a reputation as a strict disciplinarian. This would not be a surprise to the organization, as he was the team’s offensive line coach between 2002 and 2005.
- Ryan could land a tremendous job this offseason after being fired by the Jets, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.
- The Jets have requested permission to interview Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace to be their next general manager, reports Kristian Dyer of Metro New York (via Twitter). The team is still in the process of interviewing coaches and general managers for their open positions.
- The Saints did not allow the Dolphins to interview Pace for their opening last year, so it remains to be seen whether the Jets will have the opportunity to speak with him, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).
- While the Jets are casting a wide net in terms of their general manager search, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com wonders if some of these candidates will stay away from the job if a head coach is already in place (via Twitter).