RFA Tender Signings & Decisions: 3/7/16
When teams assign first- or second-round tenders to their restricted free agents, or when those RFAs accept the tender, we’ll devote full news stories to those moves. For news concerning everyone else getting the lower tenders, we’ll round it up in the space below, with the latest updates added to the top of the list throughout the day….
- Fullback James Develin announced that he is returning to the Patriots on a one-year deal, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com tweets. The Patriots did not plan to tender Develin an offer at $1.6MM, so the two sides worked out a reduced one-year pact (link).
- Defensive tackle Stefan Charles will not be tendered an offer by the Bills, per John Kryk of The Toronto Sun (on Twitter). Defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, wide receiver Chris Hogan, and tackle Jordan Mills were tendered offers, however. There could be some teams interested in Hogan, Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News tweets, and that low tender might not ward of interested clubs.
- Washington has tendered a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Duke Ihenacho, a source tells John Keim of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- Fullback Jorvorskie Lane will not be getting a tender from the Buccaneers, Greg Auman of The Tampa Bay Times tweets.
- The Panthers will not tender defensive end Frank Alexander an offer or re-sign him, a source tells Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). Alexander must sit out until November thanks to his third drug suspension.
Bills Hosting Jahri Evans On Visit
Jahri Evans is visiting the Bills today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Bills are reportedly at a standstill in their talks with Richie Incognito, so Evans could be a potential replacement for the interior lineman. 
Evans has started 153 games for the Saints dating back 2006 and earned four First-Team All-Pro selections. Evans had been set to carry an $8.2MM cap figure this season, the fourth-highest on the team, and was signed through the 2017 campaign. Now, the Bills are eyeing him as an option for their offensive line at a lower rate.
The Bills have reportedly “lowballed” Incognito in recent weeks and over the weekend it was reported that the team has gone several-day stretches without contacting his agent. Incognito, who earned a Pro Bowl nod for his strong comeback season in 2015, will turn 33 this July. The Bills rolled the dice on him at a time when many NFL teams would not, but he is not interested in giving Buffalo a discount as a result.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Free Agent Rumors: Weddle, Raiders, Patriots
Here’s a roundup of the very latest free agent rumors from around the NFL:
- Reiterating that he wants to sign with a team capable of contending for the Super Bowl, free agent safety Eric Weddle tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com that he thinks he has another three to five years left in him. According to King, Weddle spoke fondly of the Patriots, Panthers, Raiders, and Steelers, suggesting those teams could be fits for him.
- Within King’s piece, the MMQB.com scribe notes that rival executives around the NFL expect the Raiders, Jaguars, and Falcons to be among the most active teams in free agency this week.
- “Buzz is building” for running back Bilal Powell, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who writes that the free agent Jet should land a respectable contract this week. Florio notes that all three of the Jets’ division rivals – the Dolphins, Patriots, and Bills – make sense as potential suitors for Powell.
- Washington running back Alfred Morris took to Instagram with a message that appears to be a farewell to the organization. Morris will be a free agent this week. The tailback rushed for 4,713 yards in his four seasons with Washington. This past season, he split duties with rookie Matt Jones and was not a key part of the team’s offense.
- The Colts have former Patriots tight end Scott Chandler in for a visit today, Albert Breer of NFL.com tweets.
FA Rumors: J. Jones, Incognito, Asiata, Butler
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio earlier today (SoundCloud link), veteran receiver James Jones said that while he’d like to return to the Packers in 2016, it appears as though he’ll hit the open market once again. Jones, who will turn 32 later this month, had an excellent season in Green Bay, averaging nearly 18 yards per reception and scoring eight touchdowns. His age will be hindrance, but Jones should be able to latch on with another club early in free agency.
Free agency opens in less than four days, so let’s dive into the latest news and rumors…
- The Bills never made guard Richie Incognito an extension offer during the season, according to Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News, and they’ve since “lowballed” Incognito and have gone several-day stretches without contacting his agent. If that’s the case, it’s perhaps no wonder Incognito is reportedly frustrated with how the talks are proceeding.
- Like Jones, running back Matt Asiata has spent a lot of time in the NFC North, and he tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link) that he’d like to re-sign with the Vikings. If Minnesota doesn’t offer a contract to Asiata’s liking, however, he’s perfectly willing to listen to other clubs when the legal tampering period begins on Monday.
- Linebacker Donald Butler, released by the Chargers on Thursday, tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that he expected to be released, especially after San Diego drafted fellow linebacker Denzel Perryman last year. Additionally, Butler says he has’t draw much (if any) interest on the free agent market yet.
- The Steelers don’t often spend in free agency, but every rule has an exception, and Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune argues that the club should look to the open market as they search for a Heath Miller replacement at tight end. Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, and Ladarius Green are a few of the top options who might be available next week.
Corey Graham Restructures Contract
SATURDAY, 10:05am: ESPN’s Mike Rodak tweets that Graham’s new cap number is worth $4.775MM, resulting in a $600K savings for the franchise. Reversely, after having converted the defensive back’s $500K roster bonus and $700,000 in incentives, the team increased Graham’s 2017 cap hold by $600K (via Rodak). The length and base salary of the new deal remains unchanged.
THURSDAY, 5:04pm: Versatile Bills defensive back Corey Graham agreed to restructure his deal, the team announced on its Twitter account.
Terms of the safety’s adjusted contract have not been disclosed. Graham was owed $6.35MM in base salaries over the final two seasons of his four-year, $16.3MM deal he signed with Buffalo in 2014.
Graham, who moved from cornerback to safety and led the Bills with 122 tackles in 2015, was scheduled to have a $5.375MM cap hold. He’s the latest player to restructure as the 2015 league year winds down. Graham is entering his age-31 season.
Charles Clay did so late last month despite going into only his second year with the team.
The Bills need to carve out at least $13.706MM of their cap after placing the franchise tag on left tackle Cordy Glenn. Buffalo also has resurgent guard Richie Incognito looming as an unrestricted free agent.
The Bills began moving their way toward that figure and then some earlier this week by axing Mario Williams, Anthony Dixon and Kraig Urbik.
Bills OT Cordy Glenn Signs Franchise Tender
Three days after receiving the franchise tag from the Bills, offensive tackle Cordy Glenn has officially signed his tender, guaranteeing himself a 2016 salary worth $13.706MM. Glenn’s agency, SportsTrust Advisors, broke the news (via Twitter).
The 26-year-old Glenn has been a quiet stalwart in Buffalo the past few seasons and has started 61 games since being selected in the second round in 2012. Glenn rated as Pro Football Focus‘ No. 10 overall tackle and fifth-best left-edge protector last season, and had been considered one of the top priorities for the Bills heading into free agency, along with fellow offensive lineman Richie Incognito.
Having been one of the NFL’s most cap-strapped teams heading into this offseason, the Bills have had to make several other roster moves to help accommodate the franchise tag for Glenn and additional offseason business. So far this week, the club has restructured Corey Graham‘s contract, and cut several veteran players, including Mario Williams, Kraig Urbik, Leodis McKelvin, and Anthony Dixon.
The Bills can still reduce Glenn’s cap hit for 2016 by working out a longer-term extension for him, though that’s unlikely to happen until closer to the July 15th deadline, if it happens at all. As Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News observes (via Twitter) most Pat Dye clients who receive tags do sign extensions before that deadline.
Glenn is the third franchised player to sign his tender, officially taking himself off the market, following Kirk Cousins putting pen to paper with Washington and Justin Tucker doing so with the Ravens. Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson is expected to follow suit very soon.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bills Release Leodis McKelvin
1:21pm: The Bills have officially released McKelvin, the team announced in a press release.
11:03am: Leodis McKelvin, who has been with the Bills for all eight seasons of his NFL career, will hit the open market for the first time this month, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, Buffalo is releasing the veteran cornerback.
[RELATED: Bills place franchise tag on Cordy Glenn]
McKelvin, selected 11th overall in the 2008 draft, had been preparing to enter the final year of his contract with the Bills, and was in line for a $3.1MM base salary and a $4.9MM cap hit. Recent reports had suggested the team would explore a reworked contract with McKelvin in an attempt to keep him around, but Buffalo will part ways with him instead, creating $3.9MM in cap savings.
Despite being a first-round pick, McKelvin never developed into a shutdown corner for the Bills, or even a full-time starter — he has only started more than nine games in a season twice in his career, due to both performance and injuries. In 2015, McKelvin grabbed two interceptions to go along with 32 tackles, nine passes defended, and a fumble recovery. Pro Football Focus ranked him 83rd out of 111 qualified cornerbacks.
While McKelvin will hit the open market and will immediately be free to sign with a new team once the Bills make the move official, Buffalo will free up a little more cap room to conduct its offseason business. The Bills still hope to re-sign guard Richie Incognito and tender contracts to as many of their restricted free agents as possible before the new league year opens on Wednesday.
Buffalo has created additional cap space this week by restructuring Corey Graham‘s contract and cutting Mario Williams, Kraig Urbik, and Anthony Dixon.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC East Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Dolphins, Bills
As negotiations between the two sides continue, the Jets have made it clear to Ryan Fitzpatrick and his representatives that they want Fitzpatrick to be their starting quarterback in 2016, says Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, according to Cole, the Jets’ offers to Fitzpatrick so far don’t necessarily reflect the going rate for starting quarterbacks.
Cole adds that while the Jets players like Fitzpatrick, there are some that wouldn’t mind seeing the team bring in another viable option at the position to challenge the incumbent veteran.
As we wait to see whether the Jets can lock up Fitzpatrick to a new deal before free agency gets underway next week, let’s check in on several other items from out of the AFC East….
- The Dolphins have reportedly identified five or six defensive ends in free agency and the draft that they’ll go after if Olivier Vernon signs elsewhere, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Salguero explores some of the possibilities, suggesting that even if the team brings back Vernon and Derrick Shelby, another addition at the position may be necessary.
- With the outcome of the Philadelphia D.A.’s investigation into LeSean McCoy still unresolved,the Bills have some uncertainty at the running back position as the new league year approaches. However, as Mike Rodak of ESPN.com outlines, McCoy isn’t the only player whose future with the team remains somewhat up in the air to some extent.
- The Bills would like to bring back as many of their restricted free agents as possible, according to general manager Doug Whaley, who says the club is “working on it” (Twitter link via Rodak). That may be easier said than done, since low-end RFA tenders will cost $1.6MM+ each, and Buffalo doesn’t have a ton of cap room to work with.
- After their tight ends combined for just eight receptions in 2015, the Jets could be in the market for a free agent TE this offseason. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com explores that possibility.
- With the NFL and the NFLPA set to return to court to revisit the Deflategate saga and the vacated suspension for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, SI.com’s Michael McCann provides a primer on what to expect.
AFC Notes: Aiken, Glenn, Fins, Texans, Jets
On the surface, it looks like a no-brainer decision for the Ravens to assign wide receiver Kamar Aiken a second-round RFA tender, but the franchise has been willing to roll the dice on the low-end tender for restricted free agents in the past, and could use all the cap space they can get this offseason, writes Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
If the Ravens use the second-round tender (worth $2.553MM), they would be entitled to a second-round pick if Aiken signs elsewhere. The low-end tender ($1.671MM) would only give Baltimore the right of first refusal, with no potential compensation.
With Aiken coming off a 75-catch breakout season, it probably makes sense for the Ravens to pull the trigger on the second-round tender — there’s a dearth of talent on the wide receiver market this offseason, and Baltimore risks losing Aiken or paying him even more if a rival team signs him to an offer sheet.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- It wouldn’t be a surprise if one or more franchised players – including Bills tackle Cordy Glenn – sign their tenders by the end of the day, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald takes a detailed look at the Dolphins‘ plan to improve their defense this offseason, noting that the team would like to add starters at linebacker (preferably MLB), cornerback, and safety, while also picking up a run-stopping defensive end. Miami’s limited flexibility will make it a little tricky to add viable starters at all those spots, though the team figures to use the No. 8 overall pick in the draft to address at least one if its defensive needs.
- With Arian Foster expected to be cut in the near future, the Texans will need to explore free agency and the draft for a potential solution at running back, writes John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. In McClain’s view, it might make more sense for the club to sign a veteran free agent rather than counting on finding a starter in the draft.
- Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News field Jets-related inquiries in his latest mailbag, writing that he doesn’t expect the club to draft running back Ezekiel Elliott, and noting that GMs around the league are skeptical that any team would give up a first-round pick in a trade for Muhammad Wilkerson.
Bills Cut Anthony Dixon, Won’t Re-Sign MarQueis Gray
It’s a busy Tuesday for the Bills, who have already placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on tackle Cordy Glenn and released defensive end Mario Williams along with guard Kraig Urbik. The team is apparently staying busy this afternoon, with two more Bills players announcing on Twitter that they won’t be on the roster going forward.
[RELATED: PFR previews the Bills’ offseason]
Running back Anthony Dixon tweeted a thank you message to the Bills and their fans, adding that his “time is up” in Buffalo. Dixon, who has been a Bill for the last two seasons, had a career-high 432 rushing yards on 105 carries in 2014, but wasn’t as big a part of the offense in 2015 with newcomers LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams carrying the rushing load.
Having been set to enter a contract year, Dixon had just $167K in dead money left on his contract, so the Bills will clear most of his $1.317MM cap hit from their books, creating $1.15MM in cap savings. As for the man known as “Boobie,” he’ll immediately become an unrestricted free agent without having to pass through waivers.
In other Bills news, tight end MarQueis Gray also tweeted a farewell message today. Gray technically wasn’t under contract with the club for the 2016 season, so his departure won’t create any immediate cap savings. However, he had been eligible for restricted free agency, and his tweet today signals that Buffalo won’t be offering him an RFA tender. Without that tender in hand, Gray will become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 9th.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.