Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/19
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: DL Nick Williams
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: CB Phillip Gaines
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed exclusive rights free agent tender: DL Isaac Rochell
Oakland Raiders
- Re-signed: OL Chaz Green
- Signed ERFA tender: LB Jason Cabinda
Contract Details: Foles, Tate, Crowder, Desir
Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently-signed NFL contracts:
- Nick Foles, QB (Jaguars): Four years, $88MM. $50.125MM guaranteed. $25MM signing bonus. $3.5MM available annually in playtime, playoffs, Pro Bowl, NFL MVP, or Super Bowl MVP incentives (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Golden Tate, WR (Giants): Four years, $37MM. $23MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus. $3MM 2019 roster bonus. 2019 and 2020 base salaries guaranteed (Twitter link via Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com).
- Jamison Crowder, WR (Jets): Three years, $28.5MM. $17MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus. $4MM 2019 roster bonus (Link via Matt Stypulkoski of NJ.com).
- Pierre Desir, CB (Colts): Three years, up to $25MM. $1MM base salary and $8MM roster bonus guaranteed in 2019. Maximum $700K possible in incentives for interceptions in all three years, plus a $200K base escalator for 2020 and 2021 if he makes the Pro Bowl (Twitter link via Joel Erikson of the Indianapolis Star).
- Andre Roberts, WR (Bills): Two years, $4.6MM. $3MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $250K available annually via catch-based incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Frank Gore, RB (Bills): One year, $2MM. $500K signing bonus. $250K workout bonus (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- Brandon Bolden, RB (Patriots): Two years, $3.7MM. $2MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $500K available annually via playtime and total yardage incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- J.J. Nelson, WR (Raiders): One year, $1MM. $75K signing bonus. $500K available via catches and playtime incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Craig Robertson, LB (Saints): Two years, $4.1MM. $2.3MM guaranteed. $1MM available annually via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune).
- Eric Kush, OL (Browns): Two years, $3.75MM. $700K signing bonus. $1MM available annually via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
Browns Sign T Kendall Lamm
Kendall Lamm‘s 2018 run as a Texans starter ended up helping him secure a raise in free agency. The Browns are signing the fifth-year tackle, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
It’s a two-year deal worth more than $7MM. This contract figures to position Lamm for a swing-type role in Cleveland. However, Lamm did function as a starter for most of last season — albeit for an embattled Houston offensive front.
While the Browns have an entrenched right tackle in Chris Hubbard, who signed a long-term pact in 2018, they never exactly settled their left tackle position after Joe Thomas‘ retirement. Greg Robinson ended up there by season’s end and re-signed on a one-year, $7MM deal. It would seem the No. 2 overall pick has the inside track on the job, at this point. But this would appear to be Lamm’s best path to another first-string role.
A 2015 UDFA, Lamm started 13 games last season after opening 11 games with the Texans’ first unit from 2015-17. He graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 52 overall tackle, far better than Houston left tackle Julie’n Davenport, and profiled as a competent pass blocker. Although, Houston’s line did allow Deshaun Watson to be sacked 62 times, which was more than any other quarterback went down last season.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt Suspended Eight Games
The NFL has suspended Browns running back Kareem Hunt eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
“I want to again apologize for my actions last year,” Hunt said in a statement (via USA Today’s Mike Jones on Twitter). “I know that my behavior hurt a lot of people, and I again apologize to them. I respect the league’s decision on discipline, and I appreciate the time I spent with Commissioner Goodell last week. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns over the last month and thankful to all the people in the organization that have welcome me. I also appreciate all of the support I received from my union through this process. My commitment to earning the trust of the league, my teammates, the organization, and this community through my actions will continue, and I understand there is a lot of work ahead of me before I’m able to fully return to playing the game I love.”
The eight-game suspension is about on-par with expectations, as Hunt was expected to receive at least a six-game ban. NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that the running back did not appeal the ban. Now that the suspension has been assessed, the running back is allowed to attend Browns offseason activities (and, subsequently, training camp).
The 23-year-old is under investigation for three separate 2018 events — most notably the incident captured on video that showed him shoving and kicking a woman at a Cleveland hotel/apartment complex in February of last year. After that video surfaced, Hunt was placed on the NFL’s Commissioner Exempt, and the Chiefs soon waived the Pro Bowl running back.
After going unclaimed on waivers, Hunt was connected to multiple teams before landing with the Browns. The running back signed a one-year deal that included a base salary of $645K, a $25K per-game roster bonus for each game that he is active, and a $55K offseason workout bonus. Hunt will ultimately give up around $303K of that $645K base salary, and he’ll have a chance to earn around $200K in per-game bonuses upon his return (via ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter). He would have earned $678K via his rookie contract in Kansas City.
The 2017 third-round pick broke onto the scene as a rookie, compiling 1,782 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense. He continued that production in 2018, as he collected 14 touchdowns through 11 games.
When the running back eventually returns from his suspension, he’ll be joining a talented Cleveland offense. While Hunt is out, the team can lean on 2018 second-rounder Nick Chubb and pass-catcher Duke Johnson Jr., while the passing game will revolve around quarterback Baker Mayfield and wideouts Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/19
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Eric Kush
New York Giants
- Signed: DB Antonio Hamilton
Browns RB Duke Johnson On Trade Block
The Browns are shopping running back Duke Johnson, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cleveland extended Johnson just last year, but after Nick Chubb performed admirably in his rookie campaign, and after the club acquired the troubled but uber-talented Kareem Hunt in February, it seems that Johnson may be on the outs.
We heard earlier this month that three teams had inquired on Johnson’s availability, and although the Browns publicly said they were committed to the Miami product — and that they were going to keep him at running back rather than move him to wideout to take advantage of his receiving talents — it appears they are willing to deal him for the right price. Speculatively, that could mean that the team is optimistic that Hunt will be eligible to play sooner rather than later.
Although Johnson is coming off something of a down year, it is clear that he can be very dangerous when utilized correctly. He has averaged 4.3 yards per carry in his four-year career (including a career-high 5.0 yards per tote in 2018), and he is averaging nearly 60 catches per season.
But the splashy acquisition of Odell Beckham Jr. means that Jarvis Landry will be spending even more time in the slot, further reducing Johnson’s role as a pass-catcher. The Browns are in no hurry to move Johnson, as he still has value even in a stacked offense, and he is set to carry a fairly modest cap number of $3.05MM. But if they get an offer they like, they are prepared to pull the trigger.
Contract Details: Taylor, Wright, Harris, Lutz
Some assorted contract details from the around the NFL:
- Tyrod Taylor, QB (Chargers): Two years, $11MM. $6MM guaranteed in year one. Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
- K.J. Wright, LB (Seahawks): Two years, worth “up to” $15MM. Twitter link via Josina Anderson of ESPN.
- Demetrius Harris, TE (Browns): Two years, $6MM. $3.25MM guaranteed. Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.
- Wil Lutz, K (Saints): Five years, $20.25MM. $9.2MM guaranteed. Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
- Ryan Griffin, QB (Buccaneers): Two years, $2.9MM. Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/19
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: K Cole Murphy
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Adarius Taylor (two-year deal)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: DT Brandon Mebane (two-year deal)
New York Jets
- Re-signed: LB Neville Hewitt
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: P Jordan Berry (two-year deal)
Final Terms Of Odell Beckham Jr. Trade
The trades of Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon were originally reported as separate moves, but the Browns and Giants have have each announced the acquisitions as one large transaction. Additionally, as Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com first reported, the fourth- and fifth-round picks that were originally part of the Vernon/Kevin Zeitler trade are no longer involved in the swap.
Here are the full terms of the stunning trade:
Browns acquire:
- WR Odell Beckham Jr.
- DE Olivier Vernon
Giants acquire:
- G Kevin Zeitler
- S Jabrill Peppers
- 2019 first-round pick (No. 17)
- 2019 third-round pick (No. 95)
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/19
Here is the latest news involving restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents, with updates coming throughout the day:
ERFA
Tendered:
- Bears: DE Roy Robertson-Harris, LB Isaiah Irving, OL Rashaad Coward
- Seahawks: LB Austin Calitro, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, C Joey Hunt, RB J.D. McKissic, CB Kalan Reed
Non-tendered:
- Bears: S DeAndre Houston-Carson (via Howard Balzer on Twitter)
- Bengals: QB Brad Kaaya (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Gabe Martin, DE Zach Moore, C Daniel Munyer (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: TE Alex Ellis (via Balzer)
- Colts: S Ronald Martin (via Balzer)
- Falcons: WR Marvin Hall (via Balzer)
- Giants: DT Kristjan Sokoli (via Balzer)
- Patriots: WR Cody Hollister (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: CB Tevin Mitchel (via Balzer)
- Rams: LB Garrett Sickels (via Balzer)
- Ravens: OT Steven Moore (via Balzer)
- Saints: DB Rickey Jefferson (per NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein, on Twitter)
- Seahawks: DE Ricky Ali’ifua, DB T.J. Green, RB Tre Madden, DB T.J. Mutcherson
- Steelers: T Joseph Cheek, S Malik Golden, LB Keith Kelsey, TE Jake McGee (via Balzer)
- Vikings: OT Cedrick Lang, TE Josiah Price (via Balzer)
RFA
Tendered at second-round level:
- Seahawks: T George Fant (per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, on Twitter)
Tendered at original-round level:
- Chiefs: S Jordan Lucas
- Saints: CB Ken Crawley (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate)
- Seahawks: DL Quinton Jefferson (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter)
Non-tendered:
- Bears: LS Patrick Scales (via Balzer)
- Bengals: TE Matt Lengel (via Balzer)
- Bills: TE Logan Thomas (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
- Broncos: QB Kevin Hogan, LB Deiontrez Mount, WR Jordan Taylor (via Balzer)
- Browns: CB Juston Burris, TE Orson Charles (via Balzer)
- Buccaneers: TE Alan Cross, CB Javien Elliott, T Leonard Wester (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Jeremy Cash, OT John Wetzel (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: LB Terrance Smith (via Balzer)
- Dolphins: WR Leonte Carroo (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald)
- 49ers: S Tyvis Powell (via Balzer)
- Jaguars: OG Chris Reed (via Balzer)
- Jets: DT Destiny Vaeao (via Balzer)
- Panthers: WR Damiere Byrd (via Balzer)
- Raiders: DE Shilique Calhoun (via Balzer)
- Redskins: WR Maurice Harris (per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, on Twitter), RB Rob Kelley (via Balzer)
- Saints: WR Tommylee Lewis (via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, on Twitter)