Contract Tenders: Dobbs, Lattimore, Bears
The 49ers are expected to extend the restricted free agent tender to defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs and extend a tender to exclusive rights free agent Michael Wilhoite, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. We’ll keep track of the latest contract tenders here..
- The Packers put the low ($1.431MM) restricted tender on linebacker Jamari Lattimore, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
- The Bears are not planning to place the restricted free agent tender on safety Anthony Walters, so he will become an unrestricted free agent this afternoon, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Cardinals won’t tender Marcus Benard, Alfonso Smith, Ronald Talley, or Jake Ballard, tweets Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. That doesn’t mean they won’t return, it just means Arizona doesn’t want to pay the tender price.
- The Ravens have tendered Omar Brown, D.J. Bryant, Josh Bynes, Adrian Hamilton, Anthony Levine and Brynden Trawick, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
Raiders Rumors: QBs, Revis, Jenkins, Jennings
The Raiders are interested in quarterback Josh McCown, but the team is also waiting to see what the Texans will do with Matt Schaub, says Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). Additionally, many believe the McCown sweepstakes could be down to the Bears and Buccaneers, according to Tafur. Here’s more on the Raiders:
- The Raiders are thought to be “strong players” in the Darrelle Revis sweepstakes, according to Tafur (via Twitter), who says the Browns are involved as well. Both clubs have a boatload of cap space available this offseason, which makes them logical destinations to either absorb Revis’ contract in a trade or outbid other teams should he reach free agency.
- Five teams are interested in free agent cornerback Mike Jenkins, who may be harder for the Raiders to re-sign than they expected, tweets Tafur.
- Rashad Jennings may make a decision today, and it appears the Raiders and Giants are his top two suitors, says Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter links).
- There’s nothing new on the Raiders front when it comes to Jared Veldheer and Lamarr Houston, tweets Tafur. It continues to look like Veldheer will land in Arizona, and Houston could sign elsewhere too.
FA Rumors: McCown, Pettigrew, Giants, Cards
Free agency rumors are pouring in, with less than five hours until the market officially opens. Let’s round them up….
- Quarterback Josh McCown expects to get a deal done quickly once free agency opens, and has one or two specific teams at the top of his list, as he told SiriusXM NFL Radio this morning (Twitter link).
- The Lions continue to talk to tight end Brandon Pettigrew, but a deal before the deadline appears unlikely, so he should hit the open market, says Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
- Centers Evan Dietrich-Smith and Brian De La Puente appear unlikely to land with the Giants, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Expect the Cardinals to pursue free agent linebacker Mike Neal, tweets Mike Garafolo of USA Today.
- Free agent tight end Jeff King is highly unlikely to return to the Cardinals, says Craig Morgan of Fox Sports Arizona (via Twitter).
- Cornerback Antoine Cason is drawing some interest, but he’ll likely wait until after the top-tier corners sign to find a deal, tweets Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.
- Emmanuel Sanders is among the names on the list of wide receiver targets for the Browns, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- Since being released late last month by the Patriots, safety Steve Gregory has received some interest, and expects to sign after the bigger dominos fall, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald.
- It looks like Bears cornerback and ace special-teamer Sherrick McManis will reach the open market today, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
D-Line Notes: Houston, Allen, Johnson
A few notes from the National Football Conference:
- The Bears are “pushing hard” for defensive end Lamarr Houston, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The Bears missed out on Michael Bennett when he re-signed with the Seahawks earlier today.
- A source tell Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that they would be “shocked” if defensive end Jared Allen does not sign with the Broncos (via Twitter). I speculated as much yesterday after Allen said he would not return to the Vikings, and hoped to play for a contending team. The Broncos need pass-rush help, and a short-term deal would makes sense for both sides.
- Tomasson also tweets that the Vikings are “definitely out of the running” for defensive end Michael Johnson. Johnson had been linked to the team, primarily based on his familiarity with new head coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings signed fellow end Everson Griffen to a five-year extension yesterday.
- Kevin Williams, the Vikings‘ longest-tenured player, hasn’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing with the team, as he tells Tomasson. The big defensive lineman has been with Minnesota since the club drafted him ninth overall in 2003.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Bears Release Michael Bush
5:11pm: The Bears have officially cut Bush, the team announced today (Twitter link).
4:41pm: The Bears are releasing veteran running back Michael Bush, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (via Twitter). Bush had two years remaining on his contract, which would have run through the 2015 season.
Acting as Matt Forte‘s backup and a short-yardage option in the Bears’ backfield, Bush set career-lows in rushing attempts (63) and yards per carry (3.1) in 2013, en route to a career-worst 197 rushing yards. He was on Chicago’s books for a $3.85MM cap hit in 2014, so releasing him will reduce that number to $2MM in dead money, creating $1.85MM in cap savings for the Bears.
NFC Rumors: Cowboys, Bell, Vikings, Bears
The Cowboys are interested in re-signing free-agents-to-be Jason Hatcher and Anthony Spencer, but Dallas isn’t the only team with interest in the defensive linemen. According to Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com, the free agent duo has at least seven interested suitors, including the Cowboys. Dallas is also interested in defensive tackle Henry Melton, according to Watkins (Twitter link), but the ESPN scribe cautions that there are no assurances of a deal, given the Cowboys’ limited cap space.
Here’s more from around the NFC, with free agency less than 24 hours away:
- The Lions continue to work hard on a new deal for restricted free agent running back Joique Bell, and hope to get something done before free agency begins tomorrow, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Vikings have inquired about free agent defensive lineman Lamarr Houston but he’ll probably wind up elsewhere, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. Wolfson adds in a second tweet that the team has kicked the tires on defensive tackle Vance Walker as well.
- Packers free agent Jermichael Finley has yet to receive medical clearance, but nonetheless has visits lined up with potential suitors this week, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today.
- Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report views the Redskins as the best potential fit for prospective free agent Darren Sproles, though he says the Patriots could be a dark horse.
- The Bears aren’t currently considering free agents Jairus Byrd or Michael Johnson, according to Patrick Finley and Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Jason La Canfora’s latest article at CBSSports.com includes plenty of interesting tidbits on free agents. Among them: The Buccaneers may release Jeremy Zuttah this week, and are focusing on signing Anthony Collins. La Canfora adds that the Packers are “very high” on free agent defensive lineman Arthur Jones.
- The door isn’t completely closed on center Jonathan Goodwin winding up back with the 49ers, a source tells Larry Holder of The Times-Picayune (Twitter link). Holder opines that Goodwin would be a good fit with the Saints also if Brian De La Puente leaves.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Bears Gauging Trade Interest In Peppers
The Bears are calling around the league to see if they can find a trade partner for defensive end Julius Peppers, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. However, as Schefter notes, a deal isn’t likely.
Like Chris Johnson in Tennessee, who is also reportedly on the trade block, Peppers has been viewed as a probable cut for a while now, so it’s hard to imagine any team giving up anything of value to take on his contract, which includes a $13.9MM base salary for 2014. If Chicago were to release the veteran pass rusher, the team would create about $9.82MM in cap savings
Although Peppers’ contract and age (34) may preclude a trade, he should still draw interest if he’s released by Chicago. The former UNC standout has never missed significant time with an injury over the course of his 186-game NFL career, and can still have an impact on defense, having recorded 7.5 sacks with a pair of forced fumbles in 2013.
Bears Cut Dante Rosario
The Bears have released Dante Rosario, less than two weeks after re-signing him to a new deal, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Marvez acknowledges that it’s an odd move, but adds in a second tweet that it came across the NFL’s transactions wire.
Rosario, 29, had seasons of 26 and 32 catches several years ago with the Panthers, but didn’t act as a receiver often in part-time action for the Bears in 2013. He was very productive as a run blocker, however, recording Pro Football Focus’ second-highest run-blocking grade among tight ends, despite playing just 186 snaps (subscription required).
Rosario had signed a one-year, minimum salary deal with the Bears, without any bonus money. As such, the team presumably won’t be on the hook for a cap hit for releasing him shortly after re-signing him.
DB Rumors: Byrd, Whitner, 49ers, Cromartie
Cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the free agent market this year, and there are plenty of intriguing names among the free agent safeties as well. Let’s dive in and check out the latest rumors on defensive backs….
- A source told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link) last night that the asking price for the top free agent safeties ranged from $6MM (Donte Whitner) to $8MM (Jairus Byrd) per year, with T.J. Ward in the middle at $7MM. Biggs admits that he’s not sure if that’s changed today.
- Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link) hears that Byrd is asking for more than $8MM, and while that price has scared some teams away, the safety may ultimately land that amount.
- It’s highly unlikely that the Bears land Whitner, according to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter), who adds that it sounds like Chicago is looking elsewhere for a safety. The team also isn’t likely to be a major player for Byrd, tweets Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- The 49ers and Tarell Brown both appear to be testing the market, with San Francisco exploring other cornerback options and Brown looking into other suitors. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the Niners have checked in on Nolan Carroll.
- Top free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner told SiriusXM’s Chris Russo the Patriots are “definitely a possibility” and added that Devin McCourty has been “lobbying” for him to come to New England, tweets Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com.
- Antonio Cromartie told ESPN Radio New York that the Jets never tried to renegotiate his current deal but the “door is open” for a return, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. It sounds like he’ll test the market and assess all his options though.
- John Clayton of ESPN.com (on Twitter) offers up an early prediction that Patriots free agent cornerback Aqib Talib will end up with the Redskins.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Seahawks Emerge As Favorites To Sign Michael Bennett
1:33pm: Bennett is “definitely” leaning toward staying with the Seahawks, and could make a decision later today, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
12:12pm: Word around the league suggests that the Bears have made an offer of $8.5MM per year for Bennett, while the Seahawks have offered $8MM annually, reports Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Seattle’s offer is believed to be for four years, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
11:58am: The Seahawks have emerged as the new favorites in the Michael Bennett sweepstakes, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). Just yesterday, a Chicago Tribune report suggested that league sources expected Bennett to join his brother Martellus Bennett in Chicago, but it sounds like the Super Bowl champs aren’t letting their top free agent leave town without a fight.
Bennett, who I ranked as the top free agent available with players like Jimmy Graham and Greg Hardy essentially off the market, is expected to command a lucrative multiyear contract, and there were questions about whether Seattle could afford such an investment with long-term commitments to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Russell Wilson on the horizon. However, Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Seattle could announce a new deal for Bennett as soon as today. Meanwhile, the Bears may be turning their attention to other targets as the Seahawks push hard to retain the defensive end, says Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
While the Seahawks appear to be focusing on getting something done with Bennett, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets that he has heard the team has a chance to retain not only Bennett, but Golden Tate as well. I’d expect the duo to command a combined $15MM+ per year, so it will be interesting to see if the Seahawks find a way to keep both players around without seriously compromising future cap flexibility.