Allen Hurns Has Interest From Seven Teams
Appearing on Charlotte’s WFNZ following his release from the Jaguars earlier today, free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns said he’s received interest from the Bears, Bills, Saints, Texans, Jets, Raiders, and Panthers, according to Joel Erickson of the Advocate.
A number of those clubs have already added significant help at the wideout position this offseason. Chicago signed both Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, Oakland replaced Michael Crabtree with Jordy Nelson and are now meeting with Eric Decker, and Carolina signed Jarius Wright and acquired Torrey Smith. Other teams, such as Buffalo, New Orleans, and Houston, have done little to address their pass-catching needs.
Hurns is only 26 years old, but he hasn’t had much success since the 2015 campaign. During that season, Hurns served as the Jaguars’ No. 2 receiver behind Allen Robinson and posted a 64/1,031/10 line. Since then, Hurns’ role in the Jacksonville offense has been drastically scaled back, while injuries have also limited him. He failed to top 500 yards receiving in either 2016 or 2017.
Hurns’ first free agent visit is expected to take place with the Jets on Wednesday.
Panthers, LaDarius Gunter Discussing Deal
- The Panthers have had discussions with cornerback Ladarius Gunter, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). The Panthers did not tender Gunter as a restricted free agent earlier this month, but Bashaud Breeland‘s failed physical has them considering other options to fill out the secondary.
NFC Contract Details: Cousins, Bradford, Poe
Here are figures on some of the recent contracts signed around the NFL, with all links going to Twitter unless noted otherwise.
- Dontari Poe, DT (Panthers): Three years, $28MM. $13.3MM guaranteed, $10MM signing bonus. Poe’s 2020 season doubles as an $8.5MM Panthers option (per veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer). $600K (2018), $900K (2019), $900K (2020) workout bonuses, with another $500K for four weigh-ins a year (via Balzer).
- Kirk Cousins (Vikings): three years, $84MM. $6MM in incentives, including $500K for Super Bowl victory, $1MM for Super Bowl and top-five in points scored, $1.5MM for Super Bowl and top-three in points, $2MM for Super Bowl MVP and top-eight in points (via Albert Breer of The MMQB).
- Sam Bradford, QB (Cardinals): Two years, $40MM ($15MM guaranteed). $10MM signing bonus, $5MM if he appears in every game this season. 2019 option year ($20MM), no-trade clause (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle and Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Dominique Easley, DE (Rams): One year, $1.85MM. $705K base salary ($50K guaranteed). $2.145MM in roster bonuses and incentives (via Wilson and Volin).
- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE (Packers): One year, $1.6MM base salary, $1.5MM signing bonus. $1MM reporting bonus, up to $600K in per-game roster bonuses. Cap number at $4.587MM (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky).
- Daniel Brown, TE (Bears): One year, $925K, $70K signing bonus (via Balzer).
Panthers To Add WR Jarius Wright
Jarius Wright will follow his former offensive coordinator south, agreeing to terms with the Panthers. The Vikings cut Wright last week and were open to a reunion with him. But Wright will follow Norv Turner to Charlotte.
The Panthers have agreed to a three-year deal with Wright, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (Twitter links), and will provide him with a $2MM signing bonus. The first year of this deal is worth $3.5MM with incentives, per Rapoport. Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer first reported a deal was imminent.
Wright follows Torrey Smith to Carolina, adding some veteran help for a young receiving corps that will see up-and-coming slot presence Curtis Samuel rehab from a season-ending injury this offseason. The Panthers also have veteran Russell Shepard under contract for 2018.
Minnesota released Wright but were open to having him back for a seventh season. However, the 28-year-old target opted for his first NFL agreement elsewhere instead. He pieced together a nice stretch from 2013-15, recording at least 430 receiving yards in each of those seasons. Wright posted a career-high 588 air yards in 2014 but regressed in the Vikings’ pecking order after Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen‘s arrivals. He caught 18 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in 2017.
OL Jeremiah Sirles To Visit Panthers
Jeremiah Sirles has his first (reported) visit. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the offensive guard is set to meet with the Panthers on Monday.
We heard earlier this month that the Vikings weren’t going to tender the former undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, making him a free agent. Previous reports indicated that the Vikings could retain on the lineman on a lesser deal.
Sirles has played mostly at guard throughout his career, but he made ten starts at right tackle for the Vikings in 2016. Categorized as a tackle by Pro Football Focus, Sirles was ranked No. 48 at the position with a poor 45.2 overall score. The 26-year-old has appeared in 28 games (14 starts) over the past two seasons.
The Panthers are currently rostering a number of lineman, so Sirles would certainly have some competition for snaps should he join the organization.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/16/18
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Claim: LB Jeremy Cash
- Waived: DT Josh Mauro
Carolina Panthers
- Claimed: OT Zach Banner
Chicago Bears
- Signed: QB Tyler Bray
- Re-signed: TE Daniel Brown
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: LB Lerentee McCray
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: DT Dylan Bradley
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: P Colby Wadman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: LB Cameron Lynch
Panthers Cancel Bashaud Breeland Deal
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland won’t be joining the Panthers after all. The team announced that Breeland failed his physical and will not be signing with the club. 
Breeland was set to sign a three-year, $24M deal with Carolina. Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that a “non-football incident” is to blame for the scuttled agreement. Breeland cut his foot and it got infected, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears, adding that Breeland “is now a few months away from being able to pass a physical.”
Breeland was on the Browns’ radar, but it’s not clear if they still have interest after signing T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell. The team thinks very highly of the other cornerbacks on the roster as well. When GM John Dorsey announced Jason McCourty‘s departure, he said that he was uncertain about whether the veteran would make the Browns’ final cut.
Breeland, 26, appeared in all but one of the Redskins’ games last season, so his non-football injury must have occurred in the offseason. He tallied 47 tackles and one interception, which was returned 96 yards for a touchdown against the Chargers.
The Panthers will continue their search for a cornerback, but many of this year’s top free agents are already off the board. Some of the best available options include Bills free agent E.J Gaines, Colts free agent Rashaan Melvin, and former Giants corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. There’s also Kyle Fuller of the Bears, though Chicago can match any offer thanks to the transition tag.
This marks the second notable free agent to have his deal ripped up over a bad physical this week. The Ravens backed out of their four-year deal worth $29MM deal with former Redskins wide receiver Ryan Grant when an issue with his ankle drew a red flag.
Panthers’ Greg Olsen Auditions For ESPN
Could Greg Olsen transition to the broadcast booth? The Panthers tight end is auditioning to be an analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post (Twitter links). Marchand adds that he could also be in the mix for FOX’s Thursday Night Football, if Peyton Manning turns down the job. 
While Olsen was sidelined last season, he called a game for FOX and did well. His performance during the Nov. 19 game between the Rams and Vikings led many to think that Olsen could have a future in TV someday. Few thought that Olsen could consider the transition now, however.
For what it’s worth, Panthers officials are aware that Olsen is in Bristol, Connecticut (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s David Newton). However, they believe this is more about planning for the future and that Olsen plans to play this season.
Olsen, 33, pushed the Panthers for a new contract last season. Ultimately, he agreed to continue on his deal, though the team added $2MM in incentives to his pact for 2017. If Olsen is on the fence between suiting up in 2018 or beginning his broadcasting career, the Panthers may have to sweeten the pot yet again.
Seahawks To Sign TE Ed Dickson
The Seahawks have signed tight end Ed Dickson, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal with a maximum value of $14MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Dickson currently projects to take over as the Seahawks’ starting tight end following Jimmy Graham‘s departure in free agency. Graham signed a much more lucrative three-year deal with the Packers earlier this week.
The Panthers were hoping to re-sign Dickson, but they bowed out of the bidding on Friday morning. The Panthers will now search for a new No. 2 tight end to slot behind star Greg Olsen and that endeavor effectively could result in a tight end swap between Carolina and Seattle. The Panthers have interest in Seahawks free agent Luke Willson and met with him earlier this week.
At present, Seattle’s tight end depth chart is comprised of Dickson, Nick Vannett, and 2017 undrafted free agent Tyrone Swoopes.
Latest On TE Ed Dickson
The Panthers are out of the bidding for tight end Ed Dickson, a source tells Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Dickson’s visit with the Seahawks has been extended into Friday as the two sides work towards finalizing a deal. 
The Panthers were hoping to retain Dickson, but he found a sizable market this week. The Seahawks are keenly interested, especially after losing star Jimmy Graham to the Packers.
Dickson, 31 this summer, was mainly used as a secondary blocking tight end for most of his stay with the Panthers. However, he got a chance to shine last year when starting tight end Greg Olsen was lost to injury. He racked up 437 receiving yards and a touchdown last season, an improvement over his 370 receiving yards from 2014-16.
Dickson is also on the Falcons’ radar as they seek a complementary tight end to play behind/with Austin Hooper. From the sound of it, Seattle may beat them to the punch.