Bills Pushing For Charles Clay, Percy Harvin
5:33pm: Clay appears to be a top target for the Browns, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Still, the Bills are the clubhouse leader on him.
4:31pm: It’ll be tough to match what the Bills are preparing to offer, but the Dolphins are not ready to concede on Clay, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News tweets. The Browns, meanwhile, are a wild card when it comes to the tight end.
9:37am: The Bills are still preparing their offer sheet for Dolphins tight end Charles Clay, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (all Twitter links). As we heard yesterday, Buffalo intends to structure its offer in a way that makes it difficult for Miami to match it. La Canfora notes that the offer figures to be heavily frontloaded, with at least $9MM in the first year, but the Bills will wait until the Dolphins finalize their deal with Ndamukong Suh, so they have a better idea of their division rival’s cap situation.
Having designated Clay as their transition player, the Dolphins tendered him a one-year offer worth $7.071MM, which gives the team the right to match any offer sheet the tight end signs with another team. However, the Fins wouldn’t receive any draft-pick compensation if they don’t match that offer sheet, and La Canfora suggests that Miami may not be able to accommodate a big first-year cap hit, even if more cuts are on the way for the team that already released Randy Starks, today, and Philip Wheeler, and Shelley Smith yesterday.
As for the Bills, in addition to making a run at Clay, they’re trying to lock up Percy Harvin, who is visiting Buffalo, to a one-year deal, says La Canfora. A one-year, prove-it contract makes the most sense for Harvin, but he’d probably prefer a destination with a more proven quarterback to help rebuild his value. Still, as La Canfora points out, the Bills seem prepared to throw money around, so it’s possible Harvin’s best offer will come from Buffalo.
Contract Details: Maclin, Thomas, Hughes, Odrick
Here are a few details on some of this week’s noteworthy new contracts:
AFC deals:
- Jeremy Maclin, WR (Chiefs): Five years, $55MM. $22.5MM fully guaranteed. $12MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Joel Corry of CBSSports.com).
- Julius Thomas, TE (Jaguars): Five years, $46MM. $21MM fully guaranteed. $28.3MM in first three years (Twitter link via Albert Breer of the NFL Network).
- Jerry Hughes, DE (Bills): Five years, $45MM base value. $7MM signing bonus. $11.775MM fully guaranteed. $1MM annually in sack-based incentives (Twitter links via Corry and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Jared Odrick, DL (Jaguars): Five years, $42.5MM. $22.5MM guaranteed. $5MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- Brandon Flowers, CB (Chargers): Four years, $36.4MM base value. $20.5MM guaranteed. $8MM signing bonus. $2.25MM first-year cap hit (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Curtis Lofton, LB (Raiders): Three years, $18MM base value. $10MM guaranteed. $6.5MM in first year, including $3.5MM roster bonus (Twitter links via Pelissero and Wilson).
- Kendall Langford, DT (Colts): Four years, $17.2MM base value. $2.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports).
- Brian Hoyer, QB (Texans): Two years, $10.5MM base value. $3.75MM roster bonus to be paid this month. $5.25MM annual cap hits (Twitter link via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle).
- A.J. Hawk, LB (Bengals): Two years, $3.25MM base value. $500K guaranteed (Twitter link via Pelissero).
NFC deals:
- Torrey Smith, WR (49ers): Five years, $40MM base value. $8MM signing bonus. $8.75MM fully guaranteed. $3.6MM first-year cap hit (Twitter links via Corry).
- Bryan Bulaga, T (Packers): Five years, $33.75MM base value. $8MM signing bonus. $3.6MM first-year cap hit (Twitter links via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- Stephen Paea, DT (Washington): Four years, $21MM. $7.85MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Corey Peters, DT (Cardinals): Three years, $9MM base value. $5.75MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Justin Durant, LB (Falcons): Three years, $10.8MM base value. $4.5MM in 2015. $3MM available in incentives (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Dwan Edwards, DT (Panthers): Two years, $4MM base value. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Sean Weatherspoon, LB (Cardinals): One year, $3.58MM base value. $1.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Major Wright, S (Buccaneers): Two years, $3MM base value (Twitter link via Pelissero).
Bills Release Scott Chandler
As the Bills prepare to make a big offer to free agent tight end Charles Clay, the team has parted ways with its incumbent starter at the position. The Bills announced today in a press release that they’ve released tight end Scott Chandler.
Chandler, 30 in July, hauled in 47 catches for 497 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Chandler was something of a late bloomer in the league, as he did not see any time on an NFL field between his debut in 2007 with the Chargers and his return in 2010 with the Bills. in Buffalo, he asserted himself as a real NFL talent and not just a taxi squad filler.
Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (on Twitter) wouldn’t be surprised to see the Patriots get in on Chandler. Chandler has a history of doing well against New England and the Pats could use a tight end.
Titans Sign Da’Norris Searcy
WEDNESDAY, 3:10pm: The Titans have officially announced the signing of Searcy (via Twitter). Per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the four-year deal has a base value of $23.75MM with $10.5MM guaranteed, including a $4.5MM signing bonus.
TUESDAY, 3:50pm: A Titans source confirmed to ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky (on Twitter) that the deal is done. Searcy will get $24MM over four years with $10.5MM guaranteed, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
1:06pm: A source tells Anderson (Twitter link) that Searcy’s camp remains in talks with the Chiefs and Bears, in addition to the Titans.
12:48pm: A source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Searcy’s camp is still fielding calls from other teams. Since the NFL expressed its displeasure with teams reaching agreements prior to the official start of free agency, there has been plenty of push-back whenever an agreement is reported, and I’d expect that’s the case here too — I think the Titans and Searcy will ultimately finalize a deal, but it’s not official yet.
12:28pm: The deal is expected to be $24MM over four years with $10.5MM guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
11:09am: The Titans are “poised to land” Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennesssean (via Twitter). While Wyatt doesn’t say that an agreement in place, it sounds like Tennessee is a good bet to officially lock up Searcy when he becomes a free agent later today.
Searcy, 26, started a career-high 13 games for the Bills in 2014, racking up 65 tackles for the club to go along with three interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The former fourth-round pick has shown a knack for coming up with big plays over the last couple years — in 2013, he scored touchdowns on an interception return and a fumble return.
Having also been linked to the Giants, Bears, Colts, Texans, Raiders and Dolphins, Searcy had no shortage of suitors over the last few days. Assuming he finalizes an agreement with the Titans, he’d replace Bernard Pollard, who was released last month.
Bills Sign Jerome Felton
WEDNESDAY, 12:57pm: Despite GM Doug Whaley suggesting earlier today that the Bills didn’t have an agreement in place with Felton, the fullback has now signed his contract with the team, tweets Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. It’s a four-year deal worth $9.2MM, with $4MM guaranteed, says Carucci (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 3:56pm: After acquiring LeSean McCoy last week, the Bills have found him a lead-blocker, agreeing to terms with fullback Jerome Felton, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s expected to be a four-year pact worth $2.3MM annually, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News.
The 28-year-old Felton opted out his contract with the Vikings last month, reportedly unhappy his role on the team. He should more pleased in Buffalo, where Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are expected to install a power-running game with McCoy and veteran Fred Jackson.
Felton acted as the lead blocker for Adrian Peterson‘s 2012 MVP campaign, paving the way for Peterson to nearly break the all-time rushing record — Felton himself went to the Pro Bowl that season, and was named second-team All Pro.
Chip Kelly On Mariota, McCoy, Bradford
Eagles coach Chip Kelly hosted a press conference this afternoon and we’ve gathered all the highlights right here. All links to go the Twitter feed of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, unless noted otherwise:
- Kelly told reporters, including the staff of PhiladelphiaEagles.com (on Twitter), that he didn’t think that he needed to control the team’s personnel and said that it was a decision that the team’s owner had made. Of course, Kelly got control over the roster this offseason in a front office reshuffling that saw former GM Howie Roseman change roles. Kelly feels that the biggest difference in the draft this year will be having the final say over matters, something that he didn’t have over the last two years (link).
- The Eagles coach dispelled the notion that the Eagles will try and trade up for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (link). The Eagles have been heavily connected to Mariota for months now and speculation has only intensified as Kelly appears more driven than ever to fill the Eagles’ roster with Oregon alum. Kelly feels that Mariota is the best QB in the draft, but he’s unwilling to mortgage the future to land him and the team has too many other needs to address (link).
- Kelly considered the trade of LeSean McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso to be important because it allowed the team to go after cornerback Byron Maxwell (link).
- The coach claimed that the Bills leaked the news of the McCoy trade before he could call the running back to notify him, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.
- Kelly said it was “essential” to get Mark Sanchez back (link) and added that he never would have been able to acquire a quarterback of Sam Bradford‘s caliber had he not torn his ACL. The team has yet to have extension talks with Bradford (link). That’s not a big concern to Kelly, however, who said that everyone is essentially playing year-to-year and believes that Bradford has tremendous upside (link).
- The Eagles coach/exec claims that the Eagles were offered a first-round pick for Bradford on Wednesday morning (link). However, Bradford wasn’t brought in to be a trade chip, Kelly said, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter).
- There were other teams involved in the Bradford sweepstakes, Kelly says (link). Meanwhile, the Eagles only spoke with the Rams about Nick Foles.
East Rumors: Revis, Mariota, Washington
The Jets had a significantly higher offer on the table for cornerback Darrelle Revis than the Patriots did, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald tweets. Howe isn’t exactly sure of what the gap was, but the Pats apparently didn’t approach the five-year, $70MM pact that includes $39MM in guaranteed cash. Howe (link) was also told that the Patriots did not give Revis permission to explore his value from the competition before the official opening of free agency on Tuesday like they did with Browner. Here’s more from the AFC and NFC East..
- John Clayton of ESPN.com (on Twitter) is convinced that Washington will take quarterback Marcus Mariota if he falls to No. 5 overall.
- Sal Paolantonio of ESPN said on 97.5 The Fanatic that relative of Nick Foles relative said the quarterback is ecstatic to no longer be a member of the Eagles, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk writes. “I just talked to a member of Nick Foles’ family. He is absolutely pumped, overjoyed he’s out of Philly,” Paolantonio said. Foles is now a member of the Rams following Tuesday’s trade.
- New Washington defensive lineman Stephen Paea says the Lions, Broncos, and Buccaneers were also in the mix for his services, as John Keim of ESPN.com writes.
- When asked if the Bills ever considered cutting running back Fred Jackson, GM Doug Whaley flatly said “no,” Mike Rodak of ESPN.com tweets. Whaley also said that he does not have a framework of a deal with fullback Jerome Felton, Joe Buscaglia of WGR tweets.
- Earlier today, we rounded up the latest on Cowboys free agent running back DeMarco Murray.
East Notes: Bills, Hoyer, Cromartie, Jets, Fins
According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Bills spent some time today weighing quarterback alternatives in case they weren’t comfortable with Matt Cassel‘s physical. Brian Hoyer and Matt Moore were among the potential options considered, sources tell Caplan. Ultimately, the Bills passed Cassel on his physical and the swap with the Vikings became official.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- In Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine, the Jets have already added two corners today, but they might not be finished. The club is still talking with Antonio Cromartie, who is known to be interested in playing for New York, per Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link). Manish Mehta of the New York Daily news classifies the discussions as “serious,” suggesting a Revis-Cromartie reunion may be in the cards (Twitter links).
- While admitting that he talked to Frank Gore during the past few days, LeSean McCoy denied that he told the former 49er to back out of his deal with the Eagles and sign with the Colts instead, writes Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News. McCoy, rather, says he told Gore that he’d handle the ball a lot and called Chip Kelly a “mastermind.”
- Updating a previous item, the Dolphins have put an offer in to free agent cornerback Brice McCain, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. We heard earlier tonight McCain was in Miami, and it sounds like something could get done.
- Free agent quarterback Tyrod Taylor is paying a visit to the Bills, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Taylor, who has been the Ravens’ backup in recent years, would be in the mix with Cassel and E.J. Manuel if he were to sign with Buffalo.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Percy Harvin To Visit Bills
Both Percy Harvin and Rex Ryan were dumped by the Jets in the past few months, but a reunion between the two could be on the horizon. Harvin, who was officially released by New York earlier today, will take his first free agent visit with the Bills, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
Buffalo has been of the league’s most active teams during the past weeks, as they’ve traded for LeSean McCoy, retained Jerry Hughes, and signed Jerome Felton. But the club could still use an upgrade at receiver, especially in the slot between Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. When he’s at his best, Harvin is one of the most dangerous slot men in the NFL, and given that offensive coordinator Greg Roman is expected to implement a run-heavy scheme, Harvin could be utilized out of the backfield, as well.
Harvin has played for three teams during his five-year career, starting with the Vikings before being moved to the Seahawks and Jets, each time thorough trade. New York released Harvin today, clearing more than $10MM in cap space and guaranteeing that it would only send a sixth-round pick to Seattle rather than a fourth-rounder (as per terms of the deal). While the 26-year-old Harvin won’t come to close to matching his previous double-digit salary, I could see him securing $6-7MM per year.
Bills Acquire Matt Cassel
MARCH 10, 6:30pm: Cassel has passed his physical and is now officially a member of the Bills, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Tim Graham of the Buffalo News tweets that Cassel initially failed his physical with the team on account of a broken foot. However, the Bills passed him because of the minimal risk associated with the injury.
MARCH 4, 11:53am: According to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (via Twitter), the Bills are sending one of their 2015 fifth-round picks (from the Buccaneers) and a 2016 seventh-rounder to the Vikings for Cassel, and will get a 2015 sixth-rounder back from Minnesota.
MARCH 4, 11:36am: Following their reported acquisition of LeSean McCoy, the Bills have struck another deal to add an offensive starter. The team announced today that it has agreed to terms with the Vikings on a trade that will send Matt Cassel and an undisclosed draft pick to Buffalo in exchange for two undisclosed picks. Like the McCoy swap, this trade can’t be made official until the new league year begins next Tuesday, but the two sides are in agreement.
Cassel, who turns 33 in May, started just three games for the Vikings in 2014 before a broken foot landing him on the injured reserve list, ending his season. Given the way Teddy Bridgewater took the starting job and ran with it after Cassel went down, the veteran wouldn’t have been more than a backup had he returned to Minnesota — in Buffalo, he’ll get a chance to compete for the starting job.
Cassel, who is entering the final season of a two-year contract he inked last winter, is owed a base salary of $4.15MM, along with a roster bonus of $500K (due March 17) and a $100K workout bonus. The Bills will assume all those amounts, for a total cap hit of $4.75MM, leaving no dead money on Minnesota’s books for the coming year.
After starting his career with the Patriots, Cassel saw his first action as a starter during the 2008 season when Tom Brady was sidelined for the year. He parlayed a solid season in New England into a free agent deal with the Chiefs, and while his stint with Kansas City had some bright stops – including a Pro Bowl 2010 season – the team decided to move on from the signal-caller after a 2012 campaign in which he threw for just six touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
In Buffalo this summer, Cassel figures to battle with EJ Manuel for the No. 1 job, and if the club’s goal is to contend immediately, Rex Ryan and his staff may opt for the veteran. With McCoy expected to be in the mix, and last year’s fourth overall pick Sammy Watkins developing into a big-play threat, Cassel would have some solid weapons at his disposal if he wins the job. The trade allows the Bills to avoid diving into a free agent market where the top available options would have been players like Mark Sanchez, Brian Hoyer, and Jake Locker.
Of course, the Vikings may now become players in that market. While there’s no question that Bridgewater will enter the 2015 season as Minnesota’s top signal-caller, Christian Ponder is eligible for free agency, meaning Bridgewater will be the only QB on the team’s roster as of next Tuesday. Signing a veteran backup as an insurance policy for the second-year man makes some sense for the Vikes.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.