Panthers, Taylor Moton Agree To $72MM Deal
The Panthers and Taylor Moton have officially agreed to a new four-year, $72MM deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The deal includes $43MM in guaranteed cash, putting Moton at the top of the market for right tackles. 
Moton is now one of the highest-paid players at his position, scoring long-term stability over his original one-year, $13.75MM tender. The 26-year-old (27 in August) has started 48 straight games at right tackle for the Panthers, with Pro Football Focus grading him as a top-20 tackle in each of those three campaigns. That included 2020, a season where the lineman ranked as a top-five right tackle. He also saw just one penalty called against him, an impressive feat given all those snaps. And, in 2019, he played on all but six of the Panthers’ plays.
Previously, we heard that the Panthers were a long ways from locking down their former second-round pick. Now, they’ve got him under contract for years to come. It’s a slightly shorter deal than Ryan Ramczyk’s recent pact with the Saints, but he’s not too far behind in terms of average annual value. Still, Ramczyk has the edge with his five-year, $96MM deal that includes $60MM in guarantees, good for a $19.2MM AAV. Eagles veteran Lane Johnson, meanwhile, is just behind with $55MM in guaranteed dollars.
Moton was the third offensive lineman to be tagged in team history. Now, just like left tackle Jordan Gross and center Ryan Kalil, he’s parlayed that into a long-term arrangement.
Russell Wilson On Relationship With Seahawks, Pete Carroll
Russell Wilson‘s reported trade request caused a stir earlier this year. But, according to the Seahawks quarterback, that talk was overstated. 
[RELATED: Wilson Was Willing To Rework Deal]
“I think it was definitely blown out of proportion in terms of the moment and what it became, which was a little unfortunate,” Wilson told Dan Patrick (via the New York Post). “More than anything else, you know what I care about? I care about winning, and that’s what I wanna do. So I just put my cleats on everyday — that’s always been my focus, that’s always been my goal, is to win it all and just to continue to do that and try to do everything we can.”
Wilson, 32, doesn’t deny sending a list of potential destinations to the Seahawks. However, he’s made it clear that he never demanded a trade, whether it be to the Bears, Cowboys, Saints, or Raiders. Since then, he’s patched things up with team brass, including head coach Pete Carroll. Now, they’re relationship is better than ever, says the multiple-time Pro Bowler.
“I think me and Pete have gotten closer,” said Wilson. “Pete and I have always had a great bond but I think we got to have a great heart to heart. He’s got goals, I’ve got goals and we want to do great things. To actually really dive into those and really talk about those missions, those goals, it was fun. I think me and coach Carroll’s relationship is stronger than ever and I think that’s the best part about it and my teammates.”
“I think anytime in sports there’s a potential of being traded. I think there’s always a real opportunity of that. But I think I’ve always wanted to be in Seattle. I’ve always loved being there and it’s the place I’ve always wanted to play, so it’s been great.”
Ken Dorsey To Serve As Bills’ Passing Game Coordinator
The Bills have appointed Ken Dorsey as their passing game coordinator, as Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 tweets. It’s a new title for the former quarterback, who serves as the team’s QBs coach.
The new position presumably comes with a pay bump. The Bills nearly lost the former University of Miami passer this year as he garnered interest from the Seahawks and Lions. Ultimately, Dorsey stayed put to serve under Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, but both clubs saw him as a potential fit for their OC vacancies.
Dorsey has been an NFL QBs coach since 2013. He spent five years with the Panthers before following the pipeline up north, joining his former bosses in Buffalo. Dorsey was with Carolina during the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl season, when Cam Newton soared to MVP honors in 2015. Since then, he’s raised his stock even further, taking Josh Allen from an inaccurate prospect to an MVP candidate.
Dorsey, 40, figures to be a hot candidate in the next cycle as well. But, for now, he’ll stay put in Buffalo with an even larger role.
This Date In Transactions History: Bills Extend Jason Peters
Potentially on the verge of his 18th NFL season, Jason Peters has signed a number of contracts. The first of Peters’ many re-ups occurred on this date 15 years ago.
On July 14, 2006, the Bills and their UDFA discovery agreed to terms on a contract that eventually led to the parties splitting up. Peters signed a five-year, $15MM extension during the ’06 offseason, this coming after the Bills tendered him a contract worth $425K. Soon outplaying the teams of his $3MM-AAV deal, Peters became a disgruntled Bill.
The Bills initially took a flier on the former college tight end and defensive end, and this only came to be because of lobbying by the future All-Pro blocker’s agent, and stashed him on their practice squad for most of the 2004 season. Buffalo broke Peters in on special teams before turning to him as its starting right tackle for much of the ’05 slate. Peters had supplanted underwhelming former top-five pick Mike Williams as Buffalo’s top right tackle, and the Bills made the move to lock the emerging talent up the following offseason. The team then moved Peters to the left side midway through the ’06 campaign. That ultimately proved to be a short-term arrangement.
Dissatisfaction over a $3.25MM salary prompted Peters to hold out in 2008, and after he begrudgingly returned to his Bills post that season, the Eagles came in with a trade offer to acquire Peters just before the 2009 draft. The Bills received 2009 first- and fourth-round picks, along with a 2010 sixth-rounder, in the swap. They used the first of those selections to draft future long-term center Eric Wood 28th overall. Philadelphia handed Peters a six-year, $60MM extension, beginning a fruitful era for their offensive line.
Buffalo went on to churn through few left tackles, including Cordy Glenn, since Peters’ departure, while Peters has started 127 games as an Eagle. That was good for the fifth-most in franchise history by a pure offensive lineman. Peters would go on to make two Pro Bowls with the Bills and seven with the Eagles, also receiving two first-team All-Pro honors in Philly. The Eagles also extended their veteran protector in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
Now at the age of 39, Peters hasn’t ruled out playing in 2021. Although his return might not come in Philadelphia, Peters could be an interesting late summer addition for another contender in need.
Latest On Richard Sherman’s Arrest
Richard Sherman fought with police prior to his arrest on Tuesday night, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Once apprehended, Sherman was transported to a local hospital and cleared medically. After that, he was jailed and held without bail. 
[RELATED: Richard Sherman Arrested For “Burglary Domestic Violence”]
Sherman, a multiple-time Pro Bowler, has spent the last three years with the 49ers. Prior to that, he made his name as the leader of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom. He’s currently without an NFL home, due in large part to last year’s Achilles tear which limited him to three games.
Details of this week’s incident remain sparse, but Schefter hears that it was prompted by a 2 a.m. phone call from a relative of his partner, alleging that Sherman was trying to force his way into the home. Cops found Sherman outside the house when they arrived. Fisticuffs followed, according to police.
“We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved,” the NFLPA said in a statement regarding Sherman. “We will continue to monitor events closely as more facts are made available to us.”
In 2019, his last healthy season, Sherman recorded 61 tackles and three interceptions, earning his fifth career Pro Bowl nod.
Jaguars’ Cam Robinson To Play On Tag
The Jaguars are not expected to reach a long-term deal with offensive tackle Cam Robinson before Thursday’s deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). With that, he’s now set to play out his one-year, $13.8MM franchise tender. 
[RELATED: No Deal For Bears, Allen Robinson]
Other franchise tagged players like WFT guard Brandon Scherff, Jets safety Marcus Maye, and Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson find themselves in a similar spot. In the case of C. Robinson, he has the potential to hit the top of the market next year. The former second-round pick missed 14 games in 2018 with an ACL tear, but he’s since started 30 contests over the past two seasons.
With no real Plan B for the LT spot, the Jaguars assigned him the $13.754MM tag earlier this year. Robinson hasn’t performed as an elite left tackle, but he’s still only 25 with lots of room to grow. Ultimately, the short-term arrangement makes sense for both sides. Now, the brand new Urban Meyer can evaluate Robinson before committing. It also helps that they can afford to absorb the pay bump, since they’re armed with a league-leading $38MM in cap room.
Ten players were franchise tagged this year, down from 14 in 2020. Justin Simmons, Dak Prescott, and Leonard Williams have since signed extensions, leaving seven players in the group.
Richard Sherman Arrested For “Burglary Domestic Violence”
Free agent cornerback Richard Sherman was arrested by Seattle police on Tuesday night on charges of “burglary domestic violence” (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Sherman was denied bail as the incident is being investigated as a felony. 
Beyond the public record of the arrest, the details are somewhat murky. In a legal context, this may or may not be a typical “burglary” — in DV cases, that could amount to breaking and entering a residence without permission.
Sherman, 33, was limited to just five games in 2020, but he was a second-team All-Pro not too long ago in 2019. Between his asking price, age, and decline in performance, he has yet to find his next NFL home. Last month, we heard that a return to the 49ers — or even the Seahawks — remained possible. However, his Tuesday night arrest will put any football plans on hold.
In 2019, his last full season, Sherman tallied 61 tackles and three interceptions en route to yet another Pro Bowl nod. For his career, Sherman has notched 36 interceptions and 115 passes defensed across ten seasons.
Latest On Vikings’ Jeff Gladney
Prosecutors will present their case against Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney to a Texas grand jury on Thursday, July 22 (via the Minneapolis Star Tribune). Gladney is facing a felony family violence assault charge with the potential for anywhere between two to ten years in prison. 
Gladney’s girlfriend alleges the 24-year-old corner struck her with closed fists during an argument in April. The accuser told police that Gladney punched her in her stomach, ribs and back. She also alleges that Gladney strangled her and dragged her across the ground.
The Vikings selected Gladney No. 31 overall last year as they revamped their cornerback group. He started in 15 games last year, notching 81 tackles and forced a fumble. He has not participated in the team’s offseason program this year. Needless to say, the Vikings are not banking on Gladney’s availability for 2021. And, no matter what happens from here, the NFL will surely suspend him.
Beyond Gladney, the Vikings’ cornerback group includes Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, Harrison Hand, and Dylan Mabin.
Jordan Matthews To Audition As TE
Longtime wide receiver Jordan Matthews is set to audition for teams this weekend as a tight end (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Matthews seems serious about the move, having added more than 15 pounds to his frame in recent months.
[RELATED: Kelvin Benjamin Switches To TE, Signs With Giants]
Matthews teased his plans earlier this summer and began working out with tight ends including George Kittle and Robert Tonyan. He even switched representation, signing with Steve Caric, the agent for notable TEs like Zach Ertz, Austin Hooper, and Devin Asiasi.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Matthews always had the height to play tight end. Now tipping the scales at somewhere above 230 pounds, he has the bulk too. We’ve already seen one former wideout switch to tight end this offseason — Kelvin Benjamin has joined the Giants and old pal Dave Gettleman as a TE. Of course, there’s also former quarterback Tim Tebow, who is attempting a switch to TE with the Jaguars.
Matthews, a former second-round pick, had at least 800 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. He hasn’t matched that production over the past few years though. Since 2017, Matthews has hauled in just 49 receptions for 615 yards and three scores. He saw time in the 49ers’ final two games of the 2020 season, appearing on 14 offensive snaps without recording a catch.
Brandon Scherff, WFT Unlikely To Reach Deal
Brandon Scherff is unlikely to have a long-term deal in hand by Thursday’s deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Barring any changes, the All-Pro guard will play out his second-straight franchise tag, now worth $18.04MM. 
The two sides have been at this for a while now. As a 2015 first-round pick, Scherff has been extension eligible for more than three years. Instead, Washington has seen another tag situation near the point of no return. As the Kirk Cousins standoff showed, a third tag is unrealistic. Now, Scherff is ticketed towards free agency in March of 2022.
Washington clearly wants to keep Scherff, but that would require a record-shattering deal for interior linemen. Currently, the mantle is held by Chiefs guard Joe Thuney, who inked his $16MM/year contract in March.
Scherff finds himself in a good spot, though he’d probably like the security of a long-term deal given his injury history. The All-Pro has missed a total of 18 games across the last four seasons, including an MCL issue that sidelined him for three games in 2020. On the flipside, he’ll be the belle of the ball if he stays healthy and enters free agency at a relatively young 30 years of age.