AFC North Notes: Steelers, Taylor, McCown
The Steelers, much like the division-rival Ravens, rarely make a big splash in free agency, choosing instead to build through the draft and locking up their own premier players before they become free agents. But Pittsburgh has glaring needs in the secondary and at outside linebacker, and as Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes, “the Steelers will have more disposable money to use in free agency than any time in recent memory.”
The team recently bought a little breathing room by restructuring the contracts of Marcus Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey, and Mike Mitchell, and it could create even more cap space by releasing players like Troy Polamalu and Brett Keisel. As such, the Steelers could address their most significant holes in the first wave of free agency next week. Kaboly’s colleague at the Tribune-Review, Chris Adamski, takes a look at some of the most notable names that Pittsburgh could target, and while the team will likely not go all-in for the big-ticket items, the second tier of free agents at cornerback and outside linebacker includes intriguing players that would look good in black-and-gold.
Now for a few more notes from the AFC North:
- In his second mailbag of the weekend, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com looks at a few Ravens-related topics, including how the team will address the cornerback position. Although the secondary was the team’s biggest weakness in 2014, Hensley does not foresee a major overhaul. Instead, the team will rely on the healthy returns of players like Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson. Although the Ravens could target an under-the-radar free agent, they will not be major players for the big names that will sign new deals next week, and unless Marcus Peters falls in their lap, there will likely not be an opportunity to make an im,mediate upgrade in the draft.
- Hensley also believes the Ravens will part ways with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor and will sign a free agent to compete with last year’s sixth-round choice, Keith Wenning.
- Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com attempts to explain why the Browns signed Josh McCown instead of making an effort to retain Brian Hoyer. Grossi writes, “It’s obvious to me that the Browns considered McCown the better fit in the role they envisioned – a potential short-term starter and real long-term mentor who will create no waves and do whatever is asked of him.” However, Grossi also feels that Cleveland may have felt threatened by Hoyer’s “smartness and his forthrightness” and did not believe his play outweighed the potential internal strife that he could create by his willingness to question the way things were being done.
- For his part, McCown says he will do whatever he can to help embattled Browns second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel, writes Marc Sessler of NFL.com.
FA Notes: Weatherspoon, Thomas, Houston, Forsett
As we heard yesterday, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is hoping the organization can keep linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, citing the player’s athleticism and attitude.
“With him, it’s that toughness and the speed that he can play with so, yes, definitely someone that we’re talking to,” Quinn said (via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com). “I know he’s got that kind of attitude. And you know me, just from watching our style of defense, it’s fast and physical. And that’s what Sean is. So, we’re certainly hoping that he can be a big part of it moving forward.”
However, the coach acknowledged that he is worried about the veteran’s past injuries, including an Achilles tear last season.
“I think you always are,” he said. “But at the same time, what’s the rehab like? You can tell when a guy is going for it in that way, too. All that factors in.
“By the same token, he hit a string of bad luck. Can he come back and play at a level that he’s capable of? That’s what we’re excited to find out.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes pertaining to this year’s free agent class…
- As expected, the Broncos will likely slap receiver Demaryius Thomas with the franchise tag. Sources tell Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com that it’s a “safe bet” the team will place the tag as they try to work on a longterm deal. Meanwhile, Florio wonders if Peyton Manning‘s rumored restructuring could mean a return for tight end Julius Thomas.
- Following news that the Chiefs and Justin Houston were working on a multi-year deal, Florio says such a deal is unlikely at this point. Instead, the All-Pro linebacker seems destined for the franchise tag, and Florio notes that the 26-year-old’s leverage will rise when similar free agents start receiving lucrative deals.
- For the time being, Reuben Frank and Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com believe the Eagles shouldn’t invest money in a linebacker like Brandon Spikes. However, if the team decides to move on from DeMeco Ryans, the team would be in the market for a starting linebacker, in which case Spikes could be a viable option.
- Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome made it clear that he’d like to keep running back Justin Forsett in Baltimore. “We would like to retain Justin,” Newsome said (via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com). “I’ve learned something since the end of the season about Justin that I didn’t really know. He has mentored some very good, young backs, starting with Arian Foster,Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew when he was in Jacksonville. Having Justin here — and with the opportunity [of] also bringing in hopefully another young running back — to have Justin be around that guy would be an asset also. So, we will work to try to retain Justin.” If the team loses out on Forsett, Hensley suggests free agents Frank Gore, C.J. Spiller, and Mark Ingram as potential replacements.
AFC Mailbags: Bengals, Ravens, Jags, Raiders
It’s Saturday morning, and that means ESPN.com’s NFL writers are opening their mailbags and answering questions from readers. Let’s start with some notes from the AFC…
- With Robert Geathers now out of the picture, Coley Harvey believes there’s little chance that the Bengals move on from defensive tackle Domata Peko. While the 30-year-old didn’t have a great 2014 season, the writer opines that he played well at times, and Harvey notes that Peko is viewed as a leader in the locker room.
- Considering the Bengals only have A.J. Green‘s future contract to worry about, Harvey could envision the team making a splash in free agency. The writer suggests Greg Hardy and Jerry Hughes as options, but he warns that the duo may prove to be too pricey.
- If the Ravens lose out on Justin Forsett in free agency, Jamison Hensley says the team will pursue a running back in both the draft and free agency. The team still hopes to keep the veteran back, though, especially considering his impact on younger players.
- Hensley isn’t worried if Torrey Smith ultimately decides to leave Baltimore. When taking a look at potential cap casualties in the wideout market, the writer points to Saints wideout Marques Colston as being an option for the Ravens.
- Michael DiRocco says the Jaguars focus heading into free agency is acquiring a wideout, a right tackle and a “pass-catching” tight end. The writer suggest Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga and Julius Thomas for each of the three, respective positions.
- Bill Williamson believes the Raiders could trade their first-round pick as they look to compile as many selections as possible.
Minor Moves: Ravens, Lions
There has certainly been no shortage of notable transactions around the NFL today, primarily in the form of cap-clearing cuts. But while those moves dominate the headlines, we also don’t want to led a handful of under-the-radar transactions go unnoticed. Here are Friday’s minor moves, with any additional updates added to the top of the page throughout the evening:
- The Ravens have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with veteran defensive lineman Christo Bilukidi, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). A part-time player for Baltimore last season before being sidelined by an ankle injury, Bilukidi played just 47 defensive snaps after being claimed off waivers from Cincinnati, but the Ravens liked what they saw enough to lock up the 25-year-old for a couple more years. He had been eligible for restricted free agency.
- Longtime Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach will return to Detroit for the 2015 season, the team announced today in a press release. Muhlbach, a Pro Bowler in 2012, has spent his entire career with the Lions, playing 164 regular season contests for the franchise since 2004. Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter), Muhlbach’s new deal is one-year, minimum salary benefit contract, with an $80K signing bonus.
- Former Eagles edge defender Phillip Hunt, who last played a regular season NFL game in 2012, is signing with the Lions, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Earlier in his playing career, Hunt was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, leading the CFL with 16 sacks in 2010.
North Notes: Felton, Peterson, Canty, Suh
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio today, former Vikings fullback Jerome Felton, who opted out of his contract at season’s end, said he has talked to his old team about the possibility of a reunion (Twitter link). Felton went on to say he wouldn’t close the door on re-signing with the Vikings, though it sounds as if a possible return for the veteran fullback may hinge on whether or not Adrian Peterson stays with the team. Felton has, of course, been Peterson’s lead blocker since 2012, earning a Pro Bowl nod during the season in which the MVP ran for nearly 2,100 yards.
Here’s more on Peterson, along with a few more items from out of the NFL’s two North divisions:
- Barring something unexpected, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (Twitter link) expects Peterson to ultimately end up with the Vikings, Cowboys, Colts, or Cardinals for the 2015 season.
- Although the Ravens released veteran defensive lineman Chris Canty today, he expects to continue playing in 2015, and Baltimore hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing him back at a lesser salary, according to GM Ozzie Newsome. “We certainly would not close the door to Chris coming back to us,” Newsome said (Twitter link via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com).
- If the Lions shell out the money necessary to keep Ndamukong Suh locked up for multiple seasons, it may be a big gamble for the franchise, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As Birkett outlines, teams in similar situations in the past have had mixed results when making a big investment in a star player.
- Birkett has a second piece on Suh today for the Free Press, identifying the Raiders, Jaguars, Colts, and Jets as the likeliest suitors for the star defensive linemen if he doesn’t return to the Lions.
Ravens Release Chris Canty
Veteran defensive end Chris Canty has become the latest veteran player to find himself on the free agent market. The Ravens announced today in a press release that they’ve parted ways with the 32-year-old Canty, terminating his contract two days after releasing wideout Jacoby Jones.
Canty, a 10-year veteran, joined the Ravens prior to the 2013 season, after spending his first eight years in the NFC East with the Cowboys and Giants. In two years with Baltimore, Canty started 14 of 26 games he played, registering 65 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. While he didn’t have a huge impact on the field, the veteran lineman was a good leader and locker room presence, according to ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley (Twitter link).
While Hensley speculated that Canty could transition into TV work in 2015, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweets that – despite initially contemplating retirement – the Virginia product has been working out since the season ended and intends to keep playing. The defensive lineman confirmed as much in a statement.
“I am going to continue to prepare to play again and will explore other possibilities to play the game I love,” Canty said.
By cutting Canty, the Ravens removed his $2.66MM base salary from their books, leaving about $667K in dead money. Canty had initially been slated to count for approximately $3.327MM against the club’s 2015 cap.
Extra Points: Cobb, Ravens, Clary
The Packers have not given up hope on re-signing Randall Cobb, per ESPNWisconsin’s Jason Wilde, despite a report earlier this week indicating they were prioritizing their other free agents.
Wilde cites multiple sources indicating the Packers remain persistent in their efforts to re-sign Cobb, who at 25 is younger than the majority of the players headlining this year’s unrestricted free agent market. The earlier report came from CBSSports’ Jason La Canfora and noted Green Bay is focused on keeping Bryan Bulaga, probably the top free agent right tackle, and defensive tackle Letroy Guion.
Should Cobb, who set career highs in receptions, yards and TDs last year, reach the market like recent Packers pass-catchers Greg Jennings and James Jones, he could be the top WR available with Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant set to be franchised. The Packers have more than $32MM in cap space and have Jordy Nelson on a reasonable $4.6MM number at present.
Some additional links from Thursday night …
- The Ravens also have several players primed to reach the open market, and OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald examines who they should retain, allow to exit and whose contracts need restructuring. At $4.7MM of space, the Ravens have Torrey Smith and Pernell McPhee heading a talented contingent heading for free agency and won’t be able to have as open of discussions regarding their own free agents as the Packers can.
- The Chargers cut Jeromey Clary with a failed physical designation, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun noted on Twitter. Clary, 31, announced his retirement back in January. Although he was a sixth-round pick, Clary soon became a mainstay in San Diego’s lineup, starting 93 of the 103 games he played for the team during his career, primarily at right tackle. In his final season with the Chargers, the veteran lineman accepted a pay cut that reduced his base salary from $4.55MM to $1.6MM.
Zach Links contributed to this report.
AFC Notes: Broncos, Coleman, Ravens, Revis
Following up on a report that indicated the Broncos and Peyton Manning are engaged in contract discussions, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) notes that the veteran quarterback would like the team to re-sign tight end Julius Thomas, even though that seems increasingly unlikely. Whether Manning takes a pay cut or simply restructures his deal, the move could create $7-9MM in cap room, which would certainly give the club more flexibility to bring back free agents like Thomas and Terrance Knighton.
- Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall is still a year away from even being eligible for restricted free agency, but he has signed with Rosenhaus Sports, and will be represented by Drew Rosenhaus and Jason Katz, reports Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (via Twitter).
- The Chiefs met with the representative for safety Kurt Coleman at the combine, and talks between the two sides were positive, a source tells Herbie Teope of ChiefsDigest.com. Earlier in the month, we heard that Coleman would likely be seeking $1.5-2MM per year, and would prefer to sign with a team that gives him the opportunity to start.
- There’s a case to be made for the Ravens to try to retain most of their free agents, but Pernell McPhee looks like a goner, writes Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap in his preview of Baltimore’s offseason. You can find PFR’s own look ahead at the Ravens’ offseason right here.
- Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com also weighs in on the Ravens‘ upcoming moves, focusing on the immediate future and explaining what the team could do to create $15MM+ in cap room.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com breaks down the Darrelle Revis situation, writing that it wouldn’t surprise him if the cornerback left a little money on the table to re-sign with the Patriots, but still drove a very hard bargain. Corry could imagine the first three years of such a deal exceeding Patrick Peterson‘s contract with the Cardinals, but falling short of top contracts like J.J. Watt‘s and Mario Williams‘.
AFC North Notes: Pouncey, Worilds, Ngata
The Steelers have not hammered out a restructuring of center Maurkice Pouncey‘s deal just yet, but an agreement is close and is expected to be finalized by next week, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Pouncey’s current deal takes him through the 2019 season with a $8.1MM cap number in 2015. A full restructure of his deal would save the Steelers $3.8MM in cap space in 2015. Here’s more from the AFC North..
- The Steelers have no plans of using a transition tag on Jason Worilds and will let him hit free agency on March 10th, a league source told Scott Brown of ESPN.com. The Steelers paid the outside linebacker $9.754MM in 2014 after they used a transition tag on him. Right now, Jarvis Jones is the only outside linebacker on the roster who is signed for 2015 and has NFL experience. Worilds, 27, has recorded 122 tackles and 15.5 sacks in the last two seasons for Pittsburgh.
- Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter) gets the sense that Haloti Ngata believes he can play at a high level for three more seasons. He would prefer to remain with the Ravens for that time but he’s also prepared to move on if necessary.
- Jarret Johnson probably falls short in seeing his name placed into the Ravens‘ Ring of Honor, but that doesn’t mean the gritty linebacker didn’t leave a mark on the franchise, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com writes. “In 38 years of coaching, he may be the most physical, toughest football player that I’ve ever been around,” former Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. Johnson, who was with the Chargers from 2012 through 2014, announced his retirement on Tuesday.
La Canfora On Manning, Suh, McCown, Saints
Weighing in on two of the biggest offseason stories, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com leads off his latest piece by looking at the Peyton Manning and Ndamukong Suh situations. In La Canfora’s view, Manning will ultimately return to the Broncos after the two sides tweak his contract a little. As for Suh, the CBSSports.com scribe doesn’t have any updates on the Lions‘ talks with the defensive star, but says he thinks the Jaguars and Raiders will be major players. For those teams to be involved in the Suh derby, he’d have to reach the open market, which would mean no long-term deal or franchise tag from Detroit.
La Canfora also passes along plenty more tidbits related to free agency, so let’s dive in and round up the highlights….
- When it comes to the market’s top pass rushers, La Canfora thinks Pernell McPhee can reach $10MM per year, with Jerry Hughes in the $9MM range, and Brandon Graham and Jason Worilds around $7.5MM. La Canfora also believes that all four of those players will join new teams next month.
- Free agent quarterback Josh McCown is expected to decide on his new team later this week or early next week, and could land another deal worth $5MM annually. The Bills and Browns look like the best bets for McCown, according to La Canfora.
- The Saints are working through contract issues with about a half-dozen players on their roster, sources tell La Canfora. If things work out the way the team hopes, Marques Colston, Jahri Evans, and Curtis Lofton would likely stick around on reduced salaries, while Ben Grubbs, Brodrick Bunkley, and David Hawthorne could be let go. As for Junior Galette, La Canfora is hearing that head coach Sean Payton has “expressed a desire” to part ways with him, following his January arrest. However, Galette’s contract still contains a sizeable chunk of guaranteed money, and the team likely can’t void those guarantees.
- Percy Harvin probably won’t accept a pay cut from the Jets, which means the team will likely cut him. La Canfora expects the wideout to gamble himself in free agency, signing a one-year deal with a team that has a good quarterback in place.
- The Jaguars will be seeking a top pass catcher, and La Canfora wouldn’t be surprised if the team lands a player like Randall Cobb or Julius Thomas. Per La Canfora, the Packers recognize Cobb’s market could get out of hand, and may focus on re-signing other key free agents, like Bryan Bulaga and Letroy Guion.
- Chiefs center Rodney Hudson came very close to signing a four-year extension worth $6MM per year during the season. He’s a good bet to exceed that amount in free agency, and the Raiders are one viable suitor.
- La Canfora anticipates the Ravens will work out a restructured deal with Lardarius Webb, but isn’t as certain about Haloti Ngata, who may play for a new team in 2015.
- The Jets would have interest in Ryan Mallett if he reaches the open market. However, the Texans have made their interest in the quarterback clear, and Mallett himself said today that he’d like to return to Houston (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).