Chargers LB Kyle Emanuel Retires From NFL
Chargers free agent Kyle Emanuel won’t be signing with any club this offseason. On Thursday, the linebacker announced his retirement from the NFL via social media. 
“There is no specific reason why I came to this decision, but as I contemplated it this offseason, something told me it was time to walk away,” Emanuel wrote. “Although it wasn’t the sole reason, the injuries have started to pile up and I had to take my long-term health into consideration. I have no idea what will come next, which is scary and exciting at the same time, but I can’t wait to get started on whatever it is.”
Emanuel likely had opportunities to sign, so he’s not leaving the game for a lack of opportunity. The Raiders had interest in Kyle Emanuel early in free agency, as Michael Gehlken of the Review-Journal tweets, and Lions came to the table with a stronger offer. Ultimately, he passed on both offers (and, potentially, an opportunity with the Saints) to focus on other endeavors.
Over four seasons with the Bolts, Emanuel appeared in 63 games with 33 starts. Last year, he finished out with 30 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery.
We here at PFR wish Emanuel the best in retirement.
Raiders Release WR Seth Roberts
The Raiders released wide receiver Seth Roberts, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Roberts exits one day after the club signed fellow receiver Ryan Grant, giving the club a totally revamped WR group for 2019. 
Last month, the Raiders swung a blockbuster trade for Antonio Brown, signed ex-Charger Tyrell Williams, and released veteran Jordy Nelson. After Grant entered the mix, there was simply no room for Roberts, who inked a three-year, $12MM extension with the Raiders in 2017.
Roberts was due to make a $4.45MM base salary this season and up to $4.8MM through bonuses. However, his base pay was completely guaranteed, allowing the Raiders to shed the entire sum of his contract.
Roberts, 28, had 45 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns in 2018. In the previous year, however, he set new career highs with 43 catches for 455 yards and caught 66.2% of the balls thrown his way.
Cardinals Not In Rush To Trade Josh Rosen
Some have speculated that the start of next week’s offseason conditioning program could serve as a deadline for the Cardinals to trade quarterback Josh Rosen, if their plan is indeed to draft Kyler Murray later this month. However, the Cardinals do not believe they have any sort of deadline to trade Rosen, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears, and they’re not going to simply give the UCLA product away. 
There’s also a scenario in which they draft Murray and keep Rosen until they feel comfortable enough to move the rising NFL sophomore, Rapoport hears. The Cardinals’ comfort in trading Rosen, of course, would be dependent on the offers received for him, and estimations on the expected return vary wildly around the league. Coaches and executives from seven teams tell ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss that Rosen may be worth anywhere from a first- to a fifth-round pick. Arizona traded up from No. 15 in last year’s draft to draft Rosen No. 10 overall.
“If you liked him last year in the first round, I don’t know why you wouldn’t give up that this year,” one head coach said of Rosen, last year’s No. 10 overall choice.
Rosen did not impress as a rookie – he threw for 11 touchdowns against 14 interceptions and completed just 55.2% of his throws. However, his struggles could be chalked up to the team’s overall issues, which culminated in the firing of head coach Steve Wilks.
Packers Meet With Rodney Gunter
Cardinals free agent defensive tackle Rodney Gunter is visiting today with the Packers, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The Cardinals had a down year in 2018, but Gunter did well on an individual level. 
Gunter, 27, entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Cardinals. After spending his first three seasons in a reserve role, he appeared in all 16 games last year with ten starts and turned in career highs in sacks (4.5) and tackles (44). Gunter finished out with a respectable 70.1 overall score from Pro Football Focus, placing him 59th out of 112 qualified interior defenders.
Gunter could step in as a replacement for Muhammad Wilkerson, who continues to float in free agent limbo. If signed, he could also be a future fill-in for the likes of Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels. If Clark’s fifth-year option is not picked up in early May, he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’19 season. Daniels, who was one spot ahead of Gunter on PFF’s rankings, is set to hit the open market next March.
Jordy Nelson Open To Packers Return
In March, Jordy Nelson retired from the NFL. However, he could be talked out of it if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers asks him to return to the field. 
“It would probably be hard to say no,” Nelson told NBC Sports’ Dan Patrick when asked about the hypothetical scenario.
As far as we know, Rodgers has not asked Nelson if he would be interested in coming back to football to play for the Packers once again. It’s also not clear if the Packers would have interest in Nelson, though they have a need at the position after losing Randall Cobb to the Cowboys in free agency.
Nelson, 34 in May, spent his entire career with the Packers until he was released by the club in March of 2018. After that, he hooked on with the Raiders, where he had 63 catches for 739 yards in his lone season in silver and black.
For his career, Nelson has more than 8,500 receiving yards, 72 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl ring to his credit. If the Packers would be interested in having him back, he could add to those totals in 2019.
Bills Sign G Quinton Spain
The Bills signed guard Quinton Spain to a one-year deal, according to a team announcement. Spain, who was previously with the Titans, started 48 games over four seasons with the club. 
[RELATED: Bills To Meet With D.K. Metcalf]
The Bills placed an emphasis on protecting young quarterback Josh Allen this offseason. So far, they’ve added center Mitch Morse, tackle Ty Nsekhe, guard Spencer Long, tackle LaAdrian Waddle, and guard Jon Feliciano in an effort to fortify the front five. The Bills might not be done yet – they could still add offensive linemen in the draft to shore things up.
Spain, 28 in August, earned a solid 75.6 score for pass blocking from Pro Football Focus last season.
East Notes: Cowboys, Gregory, Pats, Gronk
This week, the Cowboys surprised many when they signed Randy Gregory to an extension. The immensely talented edge rusher is serving the fourth substance abuse suspension of his career, one that has him indefinitely banned. Still, the Cowboys gave him a new contract to take him through the 2020 season.
The Cowboys believe that Gregory can be an impact player once again, and coach Jason Garrett says the organization appreciates the seriousness of what he is dealing with.
“Again, without going into the details of all the things he’s done to try to get to the point where he can play for us, it’s been a very serious approach as an organization and his approach has been serious,” Garrett said. “He’s been able to make strides. He was able to come back and play for us and be a very productive player and a productive guy in our locker room but unfortunately, my understanding of all of this is sometimes relapse is part of rehab, so we’re working through the process of suspension right now with the NFL, but Randy Gregory is working very hard trying to get back, trying to get the situation under control and we’re doing everything we can under the rules to help him do that.”
The Cowboys are hopeful that Gregory’s ban will be lifted sometime in 2019, but if it’s not, they plan to have him on the field in 2020.
Here’s more from the East divisions:
- Redskins left tackle Trent Williams should be ready for training camp after having a growth or tumor on his head removed (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). For a while, teammates were under the impression that the potentially malignant growth could keep Williams out for the season. Fortunately, that’s not the case, and Williams should be OK moving forward. The veteran has dealt with multiple health issues over the last few seasons – he’s missed time with thumb, knee, and rib injuries. In 2017, he managed to play through a torn patellar tendon and pushed off surgery until the offseason.
- A reminder from ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss – If Rob Gronkowski isn’t moved off the reserve/retired list by Week 13, he can’t return at all. There has been speculation that the tight end could make a mid-season return to the Patriots, though Gronk insists that he’s done with football.
Colts Claim Derrick Kindred Off Waivers From Browns
The Colts have claimed Derrick Kindred off waivers, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The safety was let go by the Browns on Monday, and the Colts pounced on the opportunity to add him and his inexpensive contract.
Kindred, 25, is set to make a little more than $2MM in 2019. At that price, he’s a relative bargain for a club that has been largely reluctant to part with its ample cap space this offseason.
Since entering the league as a 2016 fourth-round pick, Kindred has appeared in 42 games for Cleveland. Last year, he had a perfect attendance record and registered 45 tackles, one interception, and a forced fumble. The Browns’ decision to release him leaves the club with a hole at strong safety that it could look to fill via the draft.
The Colts, meanwhile, add a youthful and reasonably talented DB who will provide useful depth for the recently re-signed Clayton Geathers, who has a troublesome injury history. Kindred can also contribute on special teams.
Russell Wilson Sets Deadline For New Deal
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has given the team an April 15 deadline to complete negotiations on a new contract, a source tells Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. It’s not clear what the passing of the deadline without a deal would mean, but it would likely shut down talks until after his contract expires following the 2019 season. 
As it stands, Wilson has one year to go on his four-year, $87.6MM deal. Wilson, who currently ranks 12th among QBs in yearly salary, likely wants a new deal to push him up the chart and he wants it done by the start of the club’s official offseason workout program. The reason for the deadline is unclear, but Wilson probably wants to minimize distractions heading into the new campaign.
In January, Wilson indicated he would be fine with playing the 2019 season without a new contract.
“Oh, yeah, if that’s what I’ve got to do,’’ Wilson said. “It’s business and everything else and I know essentially after this season I could potentially be a free agent, that kind of thing. I don’t think that way — I see myself being in Seattle. I love Seattle, special place for me. I also understand it’s a business world and everything else.”
The Seahawks also have the franchise tag on their disposal, so Wilson is not assured to reach free agency in March. The franchise tag for QBs would cost a projected $30.6MM and a repeat tag in 2021 would come in at a whopping $36MM. Meanwhile, the collective bargaining agreement is set to expire after the 2020 season, which may cloud negotiations for Wilson and other star players around the league.
Texans’ Andre Hal Retires From NFL
Texans safety Andre Hal is calling it a career. After spending the last five seasons with the Texans, and surviving lymphoma, Hal announced his retirement from football on Tuesday. 
“One thing I’ve learned in life is that change is inevitable and life goes through seasons,” Hal wrote. “This season of my life has come to an end. I will be retiring from the NFL. My health did not have anything to do with my decision. I am completely healthy. Thank you to the Houston Texans organization for giving me the opportunity to live my childhood dream. I also want to thank my family and friends for all of their support. I truly appreciate it.”
After being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Hal returned to play in eight regular season games for Houston last year, plus the club’s playoff loss to the Colts. He was more than just an inspiration – he was an impact player. Hal recorded three interceptions in his half-season and was a slam-dunk choice for the Texans’ Ed Block Courage award, given to players who overcome adversity.
“Andre Hal is the epitome of what it means to be a Houston Texans player. What he overcame last season is nothing short of incredible and is an inspiration to every single person in this building,” Bill O’Brien said. “He’s what this place is all about.”
Hal leaves the game with 189 tackles, 12 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one sack across 69 career games. He also leaves the Texans a little thinner at safety. Currently, the club’s safety depth chart consists of Justin Reid, Tashaun Gipson, and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.