Contract Details: Sanu, Lane, Harris, Jones
Here are some of the latest details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL.
- Mohamed Sanu, WR (Falcons): Five years, $32.5MM. $14MM guaranteed. $7MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $1MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6.5MM. (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, on Twitter). Can earn additional $1.25MM based on receptions, per ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (on Twitter).
- Jeremy Lane, CB (Seahawks): Four years, $23MM. $11MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $2MM, $4MM, $6MM, $6MM (Twitter link via Wilson). $7MM fully guaranteed. Lane’s $4MM salary in 2017 guaranteed in February 2017, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).
- Mike Harris, OL (Vikings): One year, $2MM. $500K of $1.9MM base salary fully guaranteed. $100K workout bonus. (via Wilson, on Twitter). Can earn $1.05MM in incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Mason Foster, ILB (Washington): Two years, $2.5MM. $350K signing bonus. Can earn $1.6MM in playing-time incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $24MM. $16MM in 2016-17, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (on Twitter).
- Kellen Clemens, QB (Chargers): One year, $1.065MM. $80K roster bonus, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (on Twitter).
Lions Sign Marvin Jones
THURSDAY, 3:41pm: The Lions have officially signed Jones, the team announced today in a press release.
WEDNESDAY, 1:58pm: It’s a five-year, $40MM deal for Jones, per Rapoport (Twitter link). $17MM is fully guaranteed ($20MM guaranteed overall), and Jones will earn $27MM through the first three years.
9:00am: Jones told Michael Silver of NFL Network (on Twitter) that it was a “stressful decision” for him, but he ultimately chose the Lions over the Bengals.
8:24am: The Lions will sign wide receiver Marvin Jones, according sources who spoke with Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jones will give Detroit some reinforcements following the retirement of Calvin Johnson, though he probably won’t be counted on to singularly replace his production. The deal will pay Jones roughly $8MM per year, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
It was reported earlier today that Jones was atop the Lions’ wish list, though Detroit certainly wasn’t alone in that regard. The Giants were also high on the veteran, new Browns coach Hue Jackson wanted a reunion, and the incumbent Bengals considered him to be a priority free agent.
In 13 starts last season, Jones caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns. It was a solid bounceback for Jones after he lost the 2014 season due to an injured ankle. When considering him, the Browns were reportedly hoping that Jones could break out as a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver if he’s not playing in the shadow of star A.J. Green and one has to imagine that the Lions are thinking the same thing.
Golden Tate‘s deal with the Lions, inked one year ago, was thought to be a possible reference point for a deal. Tate signed with Detroit on a five-year deal worth $31MM, including $16MM in guaranteed cash. Based on AAV, it sounds like Jones has bested Tate.
With Jones out of the picture, the Bengals might have even more incentive to get something done with fellow free agent receiver Mohamed Sanu. Jones’ contract also pushes the market for free agent wide receivers. While PFR had Jones ranked as the No. 1 available receiver this offseason, his $8MM average annual value trumps what most projected for him. There are several receiver-needy teams this week and other top options like Travis Benjamin, Rishard Matthews, Rueben Randle, Anquan Boldin, and Jermaine Kearse could benefit from Jones’ payday.
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Bengals Re-Sign Vincent Rey
1:23pm: Rey has signed his new three-year, $11.5MM contract, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com tweets.
10:32am: It’s a three-year deal worth roughly $11-$12MM, a league source tells Jim Owczarski of The Enquirer.
10:19am: The Bengals have reached agreement on a new deal with linebacker Vincent Rey, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It was reportedly earlier today that the Bengals were working hard to close the deal with Rey and they have done just that. 
Rey picked up interest from other clubs this week, including the Vikings where he has a connection with coach Mike Zimmer.
Rey performed admirably in place of injured starter Rey Maualuga in 2014 and posted 57 tackles, four sacks, five passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble. This past season, he registered 95 tackles with 1 sack in 16 games (8 starts). Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated Rey as the No. 74 linebacker in the NFL last season with a poor grade of 43.8. The advanced metrics were pretty evenly down on his run defense, coverage, and pass rush across 557 pass snaps and 218 run snaps.
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AFC Free Agent Rumors: Hogan, Pats, Steelers
The latest free agent rumors out of the AFC:
- Bills restricted free agent Chris Hogan is visiting the Patriots today, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Pats could sign the wide receiver/special-teamer to an offer sheet that the Bills would have five days to match. Pats head coach Bill Belichick has done serious research on Hogan and he likes the fact that he could serve as a backup punter, Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News tweets.
- Steelers H-back Will Johnson has talked with the Jets, Bears, Chargers, and Titans since the opening of free agency, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes. Johnson is a versatile blocker and special teamer, but Fowler adds that he could be looking for more carries, too.
- The Chiefs weren’t close to matching the Raiders‘ offer for cornerback Sean Smith, per Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter).
- The Bengals are trying to close on re-signing linebacker Vincent Rey today, as Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com tweets.
AFC Contract Details: Osweiler, Ivory, Iloka
Here are the latest updates on many recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the AFC:
AFC West:
- Brandon Mebane, DT (Chargers): Three years, $13.5MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Jaye Howard, DT (Chiefs): Two years, $10MM. $8.26MM guaranteed. $5MM bonus. $3.27MM guaranteed at signing for injury. Pro Bowl escalator worth up to $2MM $12,500 per-game active roster bonuses worth up to $200K in 2016. $15,625 per-game active roster bonuses worth up to $250K in 2017 (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Dwight Lowery, S (Chargers): Three years, $7.2MM. $1.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Frank Zombo, LB (Chiefs): Three years, $3.6MM. $500K signing bonus. Roster bonus of $100K in 2016 and $150K the next two seasons (Twitter link via Wilson).
AFC South:
- Brock Osweiler, QB (Texans): Four years, $72MM. $37MM fully guaranteed in first two years – $21MM in 2016 ($12MM signing bonus, $5MM roster bonus, $4MM salary), $16MM in 2017. The remaining $35MM is non-guaranteed, including $18MM salary in 2018 and $13MM in 2019. Deal includes a $4MM roster bonus due March 2019 (all Twitter links courtesy of USA Today’s Tom Pelissero).
- Chris Ivory, RB (Jaguars): Five years, $32MM. $10MM guaranteed. $5MM bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Jeff Allen, G (Texans): Four years, $28MM. $12MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $3MM roster bonus due this month. Annual per-game roster bonus worth $31,250 (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Brad Nortman, P (Jaguars): Four years, $8.8MM. $1.65MM guaranteed. $650K roster bonus in 2016 (Twitter link via Wilson).
AFC North:
- George Iloka, S (Bengals): Five years, $30MM. $5MM guaranteed. $3MM bonus. Due a $2.5MM bonus March 14 (Twitter link via Wilson)
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR (Steelers): Three years, $3.8MM. $400K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
AFC East:
- Richie Incognito, G (Bills): Three years, $15.75MM. $3.45MM signing bonus. $2MM base salary in 2016 is fully guaranteed. $100K workout bonuses in each season (link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- Isa Abdul-Quddus, S (Dolphins): Three years, $12.75MM. $2.5MM signing bonus. $6MM in guarantees (Twitter link via Wilson).
- James Develin, FB (Patriots): One year, $750K. $150K playing time incentives. $50K signing bonus. $25K workout bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Bengals Re-Sign Eric Winston
Eric Winston will return to the Bengals for a third season, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, who tweets that the offensive tackle has agreed to a one-year deal. It’s worth $1.09MM, and features a $985K salary and an $80K bonus.
Winston, a 10-year veteran, joined the Bengals in 2014 and has since made four starts in 17 appearances. The 32-year-old has 141 appearances and 123 starts to his name with the Texans, Chiefs, Cardinals and Bengals. Winston suited up for 13 games last season and made two starts for the AFC North champions.
Five Teams Interested In WR Andre Holmes
The Lions, Eagles, and Bengals have all expressed interest in free agent wide receiver Andre Holmes, reports Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Earlier reports had indicated that the Vikings were also targeting Holmes, and the Raiders are also working to retain him.
Each of the newly-reported clubs presents an intriguing landing spot for Holmes. The Lions, of course, lost Calvin Johnson to retirement, but have already acted today to fill that void, agreeing to terms with Marvin Jones on a new deal. The Bengals, in turn, have lost Jones, so Holmes could make for a viable No. 2 next to A.J. Green. And finally, the Eagles have already released Riley Cooper, and are building an all-new offense under head coach Doug Pederson, one in which Holmes could potentially thrive.
Holmes will be entering his age-28 season, and is coming off a down year in Oakland — he caught 14 passes for 201 yards, and wasn’t heavily involved in the Raiders offense. Just a season ago, though, Holmes started 13 games, hauling in 47 receptions for almost 700 yards, so the potential is certainly there for Holmes to contribute to an offense.
PFR ranked Holmes as the No. 15 free agent wide receiver.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Mohamed Sanu
There are many teams in on Bengals free agent wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). That list of suitors includes the Giants, Patriots, Falcons, Cowboys, Buccaneers, and Washington. 
The Bengals lost Marvin Jones to the Lions on Wednesday morning and it sounds like they could conceivably lose their other top wide receiver to free agency. Jones netted an average annual value of $8MM and it has been speculated that Sanu could command $5MM/year, particularly because of the lack of talent at the position in this year’s crop. In 2014, Sanu hauled in 56 catches for 790 yards and five touchdowns. Last year, however, he saw a dip in production with just 33 catches for 394 yards and no touchdowns.
Sanu earned honorable mention on PFR’s Top 50 List of NFL Free Agents. At the wide receiver position, Sanu was ranked as the No. 7 wide receiver available, behind Jones, Travis Benjamin, Rishard Matthews, Rueben Randle, Anquan Boldin, and Jermaine Kearse.
In other Bengals news, Reggie Nelson will get interest from the Vikings and Buccaneers when free agency opens, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets. Cincinnati, as it turns out, does not want the safety back at this point. The Bengals floated a two-year offer to Nelson earlier this week and the safety did not accept, sources tell Jim Owczarski of the Enquirer tweets.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bengals To Sign George Iloka
The Bengals have reached agreement with George Iloka on a new deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’s a five-year deal worth $30MM with $18MM coming in the first three years. 
Iloka, 26 at the end of the month, is poised to receive a nice deal this offseason thanks to his ability and young age. This past season, the strong safety appeared in 12 games (all starts) and recorded 47 total tackles with four pass deflections and one interception. Pro Football Focus (sub. required) rated Iloka as the 15th best safety in the NFL last year, placing him behind fellow unrestricted free agents Reggie Nelson and Rodney McLeod.
As far as we’re concerned, Iloka was the best free agent safety on the open market this offseason. Our top five has Iloka at No. 1, followed by Eric Weddle, McLeod, Tashaun Gipson, and Reggie Nelson. Nelson led the league in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl last season, but Iloka is seven years younger and therefore has more earning power. Iloka, of course, also has the age advantage over longtime Charger Weddle.
The Bengals retained one priority free agent in Iloka, but they lost another one on Wednesday morning when Marvin Jones signed with the Lions. Mohamed Sanu is being pursued by the Patriots and other clubs, so the Bengals could have to pony up significant cash if they want to keep him.
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Bengals Close To Signing George Iloka
9:23am: The Bengals and Iloka are closing in on a five-year deal that would be worth about $30MM, a source tells Albert Breer of the NFL Network (Twitter link).
8:45am: The Bengals are closing in on a deal with star safety George Iloka, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). That’s a nice victory for the Bengals who have already lost Marvin Jones to free agency today.
Iloka, 26 at the end of the month, is poised to receive a nice deal this offseason thanks to his ability and young age. This past season, the strong safety appeared in 12 games (all starts) and recorded 47 total tackles with four pass deflections and one interception. Pro Football Focus (sub. required) rated Iloka as the 15th best safety in the NFL last year, placing him behind fellow unrestricted free agents Reggie Nelson and Rodney McLeod.
As far as we’re concerned, Iloka stands as the best free agent safety on the open market this offseason. Our top five has Iloka at No. 1, followed by Eric Weddle, McLeod, Tashaun Gipson, and Reggie Nelson. Nelson led the league in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl last season, but Iloka is seven years younger and therefore has more earning power. Iloka, of course, also has the age advantage over longtime Charger Weddle.
Iloka and Jones were said to be the Bengals‘ priority free agents this offseason with roughly $15MM in total budgeted towards the team’s UFAs. Losing Jones probably stings for Cincinnati, but the club can now reappropriate that money towards other areas.
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