Joe Berger Has Offers From Vikings, Lions; May Retire
Offensive lineman Joe Berger may hang up his cleats. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the veteran is considering retirement. The reporter notes that the lineman already has offers on the table from both the Vikings and Lions. We heard earlier this week that at least three teams were eyeing Berger.
The 35-year-old has spent the past seven seasons with the Vikings, where he’s started of each his 46 games over the past three seasons. Capable of playing guard or center, Berger ranks as PFR’s No. 8 interior lineman heading into free agency. Berger had previously indicated that he’d likely retire following the 2017 season, but he’s since walked that back.
The lineman started all 16 games for the Vikings last season, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 23rd among 77 guard candidates following the campaign. Mike Remmers and Danny Isidora are currently slotted in as the Vikings starting guards, while Joe Dahl and T.J. Lang hold that distinction for the Lions.
49ers Re-Sign Brock Coyle
The 49ers have re-signed linebacker Brock Coyle, according to a team announcement. Coyle underwent offseason shoulder surgery and, presumably, the operation was a success as he is being retained for three more years. The deal is worth$11.5MM with $4.1MM guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
It was expected that the Niners would re-up Coyle in the wake of Reuben Foster‘s domestic abuse arrest earlier this year. Coyle started ten games last season alongside Foster and while he doesn’t offer the same upside, he does have familiarity with the team.
Coyle, 28 in October, tallied 62 tackles with half a sack last year. He’ll reunite with old teammate Richard Sherman now that they’re both in San Francisco.
Saints Sign QB Tom Savage
The Saints have a new backup quarterback. New Orleans has signed former Texans signal caller Tom Savage, according to his agents (on Twitter). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that it’s a one-year deal worth $1.5MM.
The Saints re-signed their starter, Drew Brees, but they lost their No. 2 QB when Chase Daniel left in free agency to join up with the Bears. Savage provides starting experience – and far more on-field experience than Daniel.
Savage, a former fourth-round pick out of Pittsburgh, entered the season as Houston’s starter. He wound up losing the job to rookie Deshaun Watson rather quickly.
Savage finished the year with 1,412 yards and five touchdowns against six interceptions. He also completed just 56% of his passes.
Titans To Re-Sign DL DaQuan Jones
The Titans are re-signing defensive lineman DaQuan Jones, according to Cameron Wolfe of The Denver Post (on Twitter). It’s a multi-year deal, but the exact terms are not yet known.
Jones, valued for his strong run defense, was also being chased by the Jets.
The 26-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career in 2017. He totaled 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 12 games before suffering a season-ending biceps tear. Prior to that injury, he started 44 consecutive games over three seasons.
With Jones on the defensive front, the Titans allowed just 88.8 yards per game on the ground, the fourth-best mark in the league, and surrendered the fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL with five.
The fourth-year defensive lineman was not the only member up front re-signed to the Titans’ defense. Earlier in the day, Tennessee signed David King to a one-year deal.
[RELATED: Titans Depth Chart]
Texans To Sign OL Senio Kelemete
The Texans are signing former Saints offensive lineman Senio Kelemete, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a three-year, $12MM deal with $5.5MM guaranteed.
Kelemete has a chance to start for the Texans given his experience at four different offensive line positions. He’s the third new significant newcomer to that unit, joining guard Zach Fulton and tackle Seantrel Henderson.
The 27-year-old spent the past five seasons in New Orleans, and he’s missed only a single game over the past three years. In 2017, Kelemete appeared in all 16 games with eight starts. Pro Football Focus pegged the veteran as a middle-of-the-road lineman, ranking him 41st among 77 eligible offensive guards.
Broncos To Trade Trevor Siemian To Vikings
The Vikings are finalizing a trade for Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Siemian now projects as the No. 2 QB in support of starter Kirk Cousins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the Broncos will also send a 2018 late-round pick to Minnesota, while the Vikings will trade a 2019 draft pick.
Siemian offered decent production in 14 games as the Broncos’ starter in 2016, as the former seventh-round pick completed 59.5% of his passes for 3,401 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Last season, however, Siemian struggled mightily, and Denver ultimately turned to Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch under center.
The 26-year-old ultimately led the Broncos to a 5-5 record in 10 starts, completing 59% of his passes for 2,285 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus ultimately ranked Siemian 36th among 39 eligible signal-callers. For what it’s worth, the website had rated the quarterback similarly in 2016.
Siemian will be a low-cost backup to Cousins in Minnesota, as the quarterback is set to have only a $1.9MM cap hit in 2018. The Vikings are also currently rostering former Broncos quarterback Kyle Sloter. Meanwhile, after having inked former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to a deal, the Broncos are seemingly content with one of Paxton Lynch or Chad Kelly in a backup role. We had previously heard that the Broncos were shopping Siemian, with both the Jets and Falcons showing interest in the former seventh-rounder.
Cowboys, Seahawks Interested In Ndamukong Suh?
The best free agent left on the board could soon sign with an NFC contender. Both the Cowboys and the Seahawks are interested in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports (via Twitter) that the Cowboys aren’t interested in the hulking lineman.
Suh was officially released on Wednesday, clearing the way for teams to sign him. The Dolphins first tried to move his contract in a trade, but they were (unsurprisingly) unsuccessful in that effort. The defensive tackle was in the midst of a six-year, $114MM contract that Miami wishes they could take back.
Suh was no doubt overpaid – we could have told you that at the time of his deal – but he is still an impact player. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 interior defensive lineman in the NFL last season and is a three-time All-Pro. The 31-year-old clearly had a productive campaign last season, as he finished the season with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Suh would obviously slot into both the Seahawks and Cowboys starting lineup. Seattle is currently rostering defensive tackles Jarran Reed, Nazair Jones, Malik McDowell, and Garrison Smith. Meanwhile, Brian Price and Maliek Collins are projected to be in the Cowboys starting lineup.
Falcons To Sign G Brandon Fusco
The Falcons are signing former 49ers guard Brandon Fusco to a three-year contract, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The pact is worth $12.75MM, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Fusco started all 16-games for the 49ers last season and performed well in the second half of the season. He’s now the second Niners free agent to depart SF, following running back Carlos Hyde.
For his career, the 29-year-old has 80 starts to his credit – most of those coming with the Vikings. He also offers the ability to play center or guard. He projects as a reserve in Atlanta (though he did grade out better than Wes Schweitzer, per Pro Football Focus), but his versatility should garner him some playing time.
The Falcons’ starting five, as shown on Roster Resource, is slated to include Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Wes Schweitzer, and Ryan Schrader. Fusco joins Garland and Sean Harlow as the club’s reserve guards, though Garland may be more geared towards the center position. Ty Sambrailo and Austin Pasztor can also see time at guard, but they are ticketed more for work on the outside.
Dolphins To Meet With Josh Sitton
Former Bears and Packers guard Josh Sitton will be visiting tonight with the Dolphins, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Sitton stands (no pun intended) as one of the best free agents remaining on the board.
Sitton has missed six games over the last two years, but he has four Pro Bowl appearances to his credit. With Andrew Norwell already spoken for, he’s the best interior lineman a team can sign at this point.
That’s not to say Sitton, 32 in June, is a bad consolation prize. Just last season, Sitton ranked as the the fifth-best guard in the league, per Pro Football Focus, and his marks have remained steady throughout his career.
Sitton had been scheduled to collect $8MM cash in 2018 between his $7.4MM base salary, $500K roster bonus, and $100K workout bonus. The Bears are moving on from him, but Chicago’s trash could be Miami’s treasure.
Buccaneers Sign K Chandler Catanzaro
The Buccaneers are signing kicker Chandler Catanzaro, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). He’ll fly south after one year with the Jets. It’s a three-year deal for the veteran worth $9.75MM ($3.75MM guaranteed), according to Garafolo (Twitter link).
Catanzaro, a long time fantasy football hero, will step into a role that the Bucs have worked hard to fill. Over the last two years, Roberto Aguayo, Nick Folk, and Patrick Murray have all struggled as the club’s place kicker. Football Outsiders ranked the Bucs 30th in the NFL with -13.2 points created on field goals and extra points.
Catanzaro, who converted 83.3% of his field goals in 2017, will try to do better.