Michael Rubin Considered “Serious Bidder” For Panthers
It appears that another bidder has expressed interest in buying the Carolina Panthers. ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell reports that Fanatics owner Michael Rubin is “considered a serious bidder in the race to buy” the organization.
Rubin, who owns a stake in the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Premier League team Crystal Palace, is estimated to be worth $3 billion. As Rovell notes, NFL owners are already familiar with Rubin, as Fanatics runs the NFL’s online store and sells more licensed gear than any other business. Last year, NFL owners paid $95MM for a three-percent stake in the company.
Rubin would be required to sell his stake in the 76ers, according to Rovell. The reporter notes that the part-owner has been popular among players in Philly due to his hands-on approach. At 45-years-old, Rubin would be the second-youngest owner behind Jed York of the 49ers (37 years old).
Rovell writes that Rubin is primarily competing with two other serious candidates: hedge fund billionaire David Tepper and debt collector Ben Navarro. However, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that there have been six to eight “viable bidders” for the team.
Formal bids are expected to be due in a couple of weeks, as the NFL would like to get a deal approved before the owners meetings in May. According to Rovell, Forbes previously valued the franchise at $2.3 billion. Following allegations of work misconduct, owner Jerry Richardson announced that he was selling the organization back in December.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/9/18
Here are today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Tendered: CB C.J. Goodwin (ERFA)
- Tendered: RB Elijhaa Penny (ERFA)
- Tendered: DL Olsen Pierre (ERFA)
- Tendered: OL John Wetzel (ERFA)
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: DL Drew Iddings
- Tendered: P Michael Palardy (ERFA)
- Tendered: WR Damiere Byrd (ERFA)
- Tendered: OL Tyler Larsen (ERFA)
- Tendered: TE Chris Manhertz (ERFA)
Denver Broncos
- Tendered: DE Shelby Harris (ERFA)
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: OL Jake McQuaide
Eagles Trade Torrey Smith To Panthers
The Panthers trading cornerback Daryl Worley to the Eagles in exchange for wide receiver Torrey Smith, sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The deal will give the Eagles some cap relief while strengthening their cornerback depth. Meanwhile, the Panthers acquire a proven veteran receiver, something that ranked high on their list of needs this offseason. 
The Eagles were expected decline Smith’s $5MM option and make him a free agent, but they instead found a taker in the Panthers. Smith started 14 games during his only season in Philly, hauling in 36 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. That marked an improvement over his previous season with the Niners, a year in which he missed one-quarter of the regular season games and caught just 20 passes for 267 yards and three TDs.
Smith, a 2011 second-round pick, made a name for himself in Baltimore where he topped 1,100 yards in the 2013 season and established himself as one of the league’s best deep threats. He no longer looks the part of a top-tier wide receiver, but as he proved last year, he still has some gas in the tank.
Worley appeared in 15 games and started all but one of those contests for the Panthers. He tallied 63 tackles, one sack, and ten passes defensed, but he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 89 ranked cornerback last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/7/18
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: CB Teddy Williams
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: DL Ufomba Kamalu (ERFA)
New England Patriots
- Waived: WR Bernard Reedy
Philadelphia Eagles
- T Taylor Hart (two-year deal)
Chiefs, Texans Interested In Star Lotulelei
The Chiefs and Texans have both expressed early interest in pending free agent defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com.
While there’s been no word as to whether the Panthers are interested in re-signing Lotulelei, Carolina is already heavily invested at the defensive tackle position. Kawann Short is the NFL’s third-highest-paid defensive tackle with a $16.1MM annual salary, while the Panthers used a first-round pick on Vernon Butler in 2016. Veteran Kyle Love is also under contract for the 2018 campaign.
Although he’s a former first-round pick, Lotulelei’s performance has slipped in every season since he entered the league in 2013. Last year, the 28-year-old appeared in all 16 games for the second consecutive season but managed only six tackles while grading as a bottom-15 interior defender, per Pro Football Focus.
Kansas City and Houston, meanwhile, can use all the defensive line help they can get, as both clubs ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in Football Outsiders‘ adjusted sack rate (the Chiefs were a bottom-10 team in adjusted line yards, as well). Lotulelei could serve as a reinforcement if the Chiefs aren’t able to re-sign Bennie Logan, while joining either KC or Houston would entail Lotulelei playing in a 3-4 scheme for the first time in his career.
Panthers Re-Sign K Graham Gano
The Panthers won’t be using the franchise tag on Graham Gano. Carolina has locked up the kicker with a four-year deal worth $17MM, according to Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The pact includes $9MM guaranteed.
Heading into the offseason, outsiders assumed that the Panthers’ primary franchise tag candidate would be guard Andrew Norwell with an outside possibility that defensive tackle Star Lotulelei could be hit with the one-year placeholder. Instead, Gano was reportedly the only player in the mix for the tag. This year, the NFL set the tag for kickers at $4.939MM. That’s significantly cheaper than the offensive line tag ($14.077MM) and the defensive tackle tag ($13.939MM).
In theory, the Panthers can now use their franchise tag on another player now that Gano has been re-signed. However, everything we’ve heard up until this point indicates that the Panthers will allow both Norwell and Lotulelei to explore the open market.
Last year, Gano led the league in field goal percentage as he nailed 96.7% of his attempts en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. He also led the league in touchbacks with 84.8% of his kickoffs resulting in the opposing team starting from the 20-yard line.
In terms of total value, Gano’s deal ranks fourth behind Dan Bailey, Ryan Succop, and Stephen Gostkowski amongst kickers. However, his average annual value of $4.25MM makes him the second-highest paid kicker in the NFL, trailing only Gostkowski. His total guarantee of $9MM puts him third in that category behind Justin Tucker and Gostkowski and just ahead of Succop.
After a shaky 2016, a lucrative long-term deal did not seem possible for Gano. Two seasons ago, Gano made just 30 of 38 field goal attempts and used a draft pick on Harrison Butker to open up a kicking competition. Today, Gano stands as one of the highest-paid players at his position.
Extra Points: Bears, Fuller, Seahawks
No surprise here, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune hears that the Bears are unlikely to use the franchise tag on Kyle Fuller. Multiple sources tell Biggs that they do not expect the franchise tag to be employed, though he is less certain about whether the transition tag could be in play. It also seems unlikely that Fuller would sign a multi-year contract with the Bears before free agency opens, but there is interest on both sides in moving forward together.
Here’s more from around the NFL on a very busy Monday:
- The Seahawks had open ears at the draft combine last week, sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Among those drawing interest include defensive tackle Michael Bennett and safety Earl Thomas, two players that have been the subject of trade speculation in recent weeks. Over the weekend, it was reported that the Falcons have discussed a Bennett deal with Seattle. Cornerback Richard Sherman, who has a $13.2MM cap charge in 2018, is also a trade candidate.
- The Panthers, Jaguars, and Dolphins are heavily interested in free agent quarterback market, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter) hears. The Panthers obviously have a starter in Cam Newton, but they are seeking a quality backup because Newton tends to take a lot of hits. The Jaguars and Dolphins have starters in Blake Bortles and Ryan Tannehill, respectively, but both clubs want veteran backups that can push them. The Dolphins are also exploring the idea of drafting a QB at No. 11 overall.
- Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the subject of tremendous debate in football circles, particularly due to questions about his ability to play QB at the next level. He may have another problem. Jackson did not do well in interviews and white-board work at the combine, Volin hears (Twitter link) and his decision to go without an agent may be the culprit.
- The Bills‘ one-year contract with cornerback Vontae Davis includes an unusual wrinkle, as noted by Volin (on Twitter). Davis is slated to receive a roster bonus of nearly $47K for each game he spends on the 46-man active roster. Meanwhile, he’ll receive a lesser bonus of almost $16K per game that he spends on the 53-man roster. It’s unique for a contract to have separate bonuses for appearing on the 53 and the 46 each week, but it’s a creative structure for Buffalo given Davis’ injury history. One has to wonder if other teams could follow a similar blueprint this offseason when signing veterans with health concerns.
Panthers, Gano Discussing Extension
The Panthers are working on a long-term deal with Pro Bowl kicker Graham Gano, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). If a deal does not get done by Tuesday at 4pm ET/3pm CT, they’ll likely use the franchise tag on him. 
Early on in the offseason, it seemed likely that guard Andrew Norwell would be the most likely of any Panthers player to receive the franchise tag, a designation that can only be used on one player per team. However, the Panthers do not see room in the budget for a one-year, $14.5MM placeholder on Norwell given that they have already given a lucrative long-term extension to right guard Trai Turner. From the outside, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei also seemed to be a candidate for the tag, but that has also been ruled out by Carolina brass.
It’s not typical for a kicker to receive the franchise tag, but the tag price for kickers – estimated to fall between $4.8MM and $5MM – is more palatable than the cost for offensive linemen or interior defensive linemen.
Gano’s representatives are likely to use Ryan Succop‘s recent accord with the Titans as a framework for his deal. Succop’s extension is worth $20MM over five years with $7.25MM guaranteed at signing and a healthy cash flow of $8.25MM over the first two years. In terms of yearly average amongst kickers, Succop’s $4MM year falls behind only Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots, $4.3MM/year), Justin Tucker (Ravens, $4.2MM/year), and Mason Crosby (Packers, $4.025MM/year).
Gano’s 96.7% field goal percentage led the NFL in 2017 and former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman is reportedly hoping to bring him to the Giants. If the Panthers get an extension done with Gano, or if they use the tag on him, Gettleman’s reunion plans will be scuttled.
Falcons Interested In TE Ed Dickson?
The Falcons are being “associated” with Panthers free agent tight end Ed Dickson, according to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
[RELATED: Falcons Interested In Cowboys FB Keith Smith]
Atlanta is likely on the lookout for a veteran tight end after releasing Levine Toilolo last week. Toilolo played roughly 40% of the Falcons’ offensive snaps in 2017, but spent the majority of that time as a blocker. Dickson isn’t quite the run-blocker that Toilolo is, per Pro Football Focus, but he grade as the single-best pass-blocking tight end in the league a season ago.
Dickson, 30, didn’t play a large receiving role during his first three years with the Panthers, but an injury to starting tight end Greg Olsen allowed Dickson to play on 80% of Carolina’s offensive plays last season. While he wasn’t a world-beater, Dickson did manage 437 yards and a touchdown, solid numbers considering he’d managed just 370 receiving yards from 2014-16.
While it’s unclear if the Panthers have interest in re-signing Dickson, head coach Ron Rivera recently implied Dickson would hit the open market, per McClure.
Panthers Not Interested In Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry is on the block, but the Panthers won’t be among the teams to pursue the Dolphins wide receiver. Carolina is not interested, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer (on Twitter) hears. Instead, the Panthers are looking for a wide receiver with more speed. 
Landry has done well for himself in the NFL, but he isn’t exactly a track star. At the draft combine four years ago, he ran the 40-yard-dash in 4.77 seconds, which is one reason why he slid to the Dolphins in the backend of the second round. Since then, Landry has tallied 400 receptions for 4,038 yards and 22 touchdowns. That’s not too shabby for a receiver without top-end speed.
The Panthers are out on Landry, but plenty of other teams are expected to explore trading for him. We learned earlier today that the Bears have interest in Landry and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald suggests that the Niners are another team that would make sense. Salguero would also “not discount” the Titans. All three teams have needs at wide receiver and all of those clubs rank in the top ten in available cap space.
The Dolphins applied the franchise tag to Landry in October, holding him in place with a one-year, $16MM+ tender. Any team acquiring Landry is expected to hammer out a cap smoothing multi-year extension with him, but that number will factor heavily in negotiations.