Notable Contracts Guaranteed Today
On today, the fifth day of the league year, a number of contracts have become fully or partially guaranteed.
Below are a number of notable contracts that have money guaranteed as of today, according to Joel Corry of CBS Sports. All links are via Twitter.
- Rams defensive end Robert Quinn‘s $5.556MM base salary has become fully guaranteed.
- Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee‘s $2.5MM base salary has become fully guaranteed.
- Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters already had $4MM of his $7.3MM base salary for 2015 guaranteed. An additional $2.8MM has become guaranteed as of today.
- Dolphins pass rusher Cameron Wake is set to make $8.95MM in 2015, $3MM of which has become guaranteed today.
- Three Broncos also saw their base salaries for 2015 become fully guaranteed, in Ryan Clady, T.J. Ward, and DeMarcus Ware.
Contract Updates: Manning, Suh, Parker
Peyton Manning‘s contract restructure with the Broncos includes a no-trade clause, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. However, that clause only applies for 2015, so theoretically the Broncos would be free to trade him after this season.
- Ndamukong Suh‘s new contract included $60MM in guaranteed money, and Florio says that money will be paid to Suh over the first three years of the contract. Following that, Suh has “rolling guarantees,” and the Dolphins will have to guarantee his salary on the fifth day of each league year. The defensive tackle will earn $16.985 in 2018, $18.985 in 2019 and $18.36 million in 2020.
- Ron Parker‘s five year, $30MM contract with the Chiefs includes $8MM in guaranteed money, including a $5MM signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). He also notes that $5MM of the total $30MM value comes in incentives like playoff appearances and interceptions.
- Lance Kendricks‘ contract with the Rams will pay him $18.5MM over four years, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). He will count $5.6MM against the cap in 2015, which includes $1.5MM in base salary and a $4MM roster bonus (via Twitter).
- Kendall Langford‘s new contract with the Colts is a four-year deal worth $17.2MM, but only $2.5MM of that money is guaranteed, according to Thomas (via Twitter). He received a $1MM signing bonus and a $1.5MM roster bonus, to go along with a $2.5MM base salary in 2015 (via Twitter).
- New Steeler DeAngelo Williams new two-year contract is worth $4MM, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- Kenny Britt re-signed with the Rams on a two-year deal worth $14MM, but the second year of the contract is voidable based on performance milestones, reports Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 (via Twitter).
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
Broncos To Sign Shelley Smith
The Broncos have agreed to a deal with free agent guard Shelley Smith. It’s a two-year pact worth $5.65MM, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
Miami released the 27-year-old Smith on Tuesday, but he wasn’t on the market for long. The four-year veteran appeared in 11 games for the Dolphins last season and started three. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked him 54th out of 78 qualifying guards for his 2014 performance.
Smith, who has made 40 appearances and 13 starts as a member of three different organizations during his career, will join a Denver team that lost starting left guard Orlando Franklin to the Chargers via free agency earlier this week. According to Mike Kils of the Denver Post (via Twitter), Smith will compete with Ben Garland for the spot Franklin vacated.
Broncos Sign Darian Stewart
3:02pm: The Broncos have officially confirmed their deal with Stewart, via a press release.
2:25pm: After losing Rahim Moore to the Texans, the Broncos have reached an agreement with a free agent safety of their own. Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports (via Twitter) that the team has struck a two-year deal with former Ravens safety Darian Stewart.
Stewart met with the Broncos earlier this week and visited the Falcons today. The Giants were also said to have interest in the 26-year-old, but Stewart apparently didn’t make it to New York for a visit.
Prior to the 2014 season, Stewart had alternated between reserve and starting roles in St. Louis during four seasons with the Rams. The Ravens made him a full-time starter last year, and he delivered 56 tackles to go along with an interception and a forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus’ grades (subscription required), Stewart ranked as a solid starter, placing 30th out of 87 qualified safeties.
FA Rumors: J. Johnson, Parker, Falcons, 49ers
Free agent safety Jeron Johnson is generating some interest around the league, and will pay a visit to Washington, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (via Twitter). Johnson, a Boise State product, never saw any real significant playing time on defense for a Seahawks team that featured Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, but he was a solid backup and excelled on special teams.
Let’s round up a few more Friday free agent news items and rumors from around the NFL….
- The Bears would like to sign safety Ron Parker, but he left Chicago last night without a deal, a source confirms to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, who tweets that the former Chief appears to be in no rush to sign.
- Having already met with the Seahawks and Broncos, Shelley Smith will make his next visit to Atlanta to meet with the Falcons, a source tells Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The free agent offensive lineman is scheduled to arrive tonight and have his official visit tomorrow.
- The 49ers saw one of their free agent cornerbacks, Chris Culliver, find a deal in Washington today, but according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, they’ve spoken to another – Chris Cook – about returning (Twitter link). Still, Maiocco’s source says there have been no recent conversations between the two sides.
- Free agent center Stefen Wisniewski remains in Seattle for now, but a visit to the Rams is “very possible,” tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In addition to visiting the Seahawks, Wisniewski also met with the Bucs earlier this week.
- Offensive lineman Erik Pears, who visited the 49ers this week, is also receiving interest from the Jets and Broncos, tweets Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Pears started all 16 games for the Bills at right guard last season.
- The Chargers are continuing to eye the free agent market in search of upgrades at wide receiver, after having lost Eddie Royal to Chicago, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Former Giants guard John Jerry is making a free agent visit to Tennessee today to meet with the Titans, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean (via Twitter). Having waited out the first wave of free agency, the Titans have been very active today, locking up Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan, Ryan Succop, and Karl Klug to new contracts.
Thursday Roundup: Weddle, Peterson, Harvin
The Chargers still have over $21MM in cap space, and could look to spend that money to add to the team this offseason. Meanwhile, star safety Eric Weddle is coming into the last year of his contract and is unsure of his future with the team, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com.
“I think I’ve earned [a new deal],” Weddle said. “But it has to work both ways. They have to want it, too. And if they don’t, then we will play it out and I’ll be a free agent next year “I want to be here, but I understand the situation and what they want to do. If I’m a part of it — great. If not, then I plan on making this season a memorable one and we’ll see what happens from there.”
- The Vikings are focused on keeping Adrian Peterson, not trading him, writes Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. But Vensel’s colleague at the Star Tribune, Michael Rand, believes the stars are aligning for the Cowboys to make a trade for Peterson.
- Percy Harvin has finished his visit with the Bills, and he is mulling other possible visits, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). La Canfora adds that the Harvin situation could begin to wrap itself up as early as this weekend.
- Brian Orakpo is in Tennessee on a visit and is planning to meet with the Cardinals next. However, he might not make it to Arizona if the Titans can get a deal in place before he leaves tonight, writes John Keim of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Shelley Smith has left Seattle without a deal and will now visit the Broncos, tweets Mike Klis of the Denver Post.
- Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star looks ahead to the rest of the Colts‘ offseason, noting that the team has already made its big splashes with the additions of Andre Johnson, Trent Cole, and Frank Gore. However, Holder expects Indianapolis to perhaps add a safety like Louis Delmas or Kendrick Lewis and/or an offensive lineman in the second wave of free agency, when better bargains can be had. The Colts currently have around $15-16MM in available cap space.
- 49ers GM Trent Baalke does not appear especially concerned about losing last year’s starting cornerbacks Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox should those two players sign elsewhere in free agency. As Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News writes, Baalke is confident that the team has capable internal options to fill the void.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Minor Moves: Thursday
Today’s minor moves…
- The Giants have agreed to terms with cornerback Chykie Brown, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. Brown was picked up by the Giants midway through last season after being waived by the Ravens. Brown played 375 snaps for the Giants after joining the team in early November, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- The Dolphins signed defensive back T.J. Heath, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (via Twitter).
- The Patriots signed linebacker Jonathan Freeny, who had been with the Dolphins since going undrafted out of Rutgers in 2011, according to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald (on Twitter).
- Long snapper James Winchester signed with the Chiefs today, according to agent Ken Sarnoff (on Twitter).
- Panthers free agent cornerback James Dockery is set to sign with the Raiders, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Dockery took to Instagram not long ago to thank his fans in the Charlotte area.
- The Broncos (via Twitter) have signed rookie punter Karl Schmitz to a contract. He handled punts and kickoffs for Jacksonville University in 2008 before transferring to University of Missouri-St. Louis and graduating in 2011.
- Long snapper Tanner Purdum has signed a new two-year deal with the Jets, according to agent Robert Roche (via Twitter). Purdum, who became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday, has been close to perfect in his five seasons as the Jets’ snapper, as Randy Lange of NewYorkJets.com writes. He’s made every one of the punt and placement snaps in that time, 783 snaps over 83 regular- and postseason games, without a single fumble, wild snap or penalty.
Broncos Sign Vance Walker
Defensive lineman Vance Walker has jumped from one AFC West team to another. Less than a week after being cut by the Chiefs, Walker has signed with the Broncos on a two-year deal worth $5MM, according to agent Thomas Sims (via Twitter). Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets that the pact is worth $4MM, so there may be a gap between the base value and the max value.
Walker, who started 15 games for the Raiders in 2013, never became a regular contributor for the Chiefs, playing just 238 defensive snaps after appearing in nearly 800 in Oakland a year earlier. Kansas City released him only a year after signing him to a three-year, $10MM contract in free agency last offseason.
In Denver, Walker will help create depth on a defensive line that figures to be without Terrance Knighton in 2015.
Contract Details: Maxwell, Murray, McPhee
Here are some key details on some of the notable contracts agreed to or signed around the NFL this week:
NFC deals:
- Byron Maxwell, CB (Eagles): Six years, $63MM base value. $25MM fully guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of USA Today and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- DeMarco Murray, RB (Eagles): Five years, $40MM base value. $42MM max value. $18MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Albert Breer of the NFL Network).
- Pernell McPhee, OLB (Bears): Five years, $38.75MM base value. $8.675MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Antrel Rolle, S (Bears): Three years, $11.25MM base value. $4.9MM guaranteed. $3.9MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Tom Johnson, DT (Vikings): Three years, $7MM base value. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.5MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Matt Prater, K (Lions): Two years, $4.55MM base value. Third-year team option for 2017 (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).
AFC deals:
- Davon House, CB (Jaguars): Four years, $24.5MM. $10MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- James Carpenter, G (Jets): Four years, $19.1MM base value. $5MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Owen Daniels, TE (Broncos): Three years, $12.25MM base value. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Mike Adams, S (Colts): Two years, $4.25MM base value. $1.2MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Wilson).
Extra Points: Brooks, Johnson, Spiller
There have been whispers that 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks could be a cap casualty, but general manager Trent Baalke made it clear that the player would be back next season.
“There has never been an indication from me otherwise,” Baalke told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “While all that was being written, I just sat back and looked at it because it was speculation based on our cap number and the cash flow that we had leading into free agency. A lot of assumptions were made, but wrongly.”
More notes as we wrap up this Wednesday evening…
- The Buccaneers met with Stefen Wisniewski earlier today, but Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune tweets that the center left Tampa without a deal. In another tweet, Cummings says the team never intended to sign Wisniewski today.
- In the meantime, Wisniewski will meet with the Seahawks, reports Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). Seattle would be in the market for a center after dealing Max Unger yesterday.
- We heard previously that the Saints were in the mix for free agent running back C.J. Spiller. That interest is real, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that the former Bills weapon will meet with the organization in New Orleans on Thursday.
- Despite the reported interest in the defensive end, Michael Johnson‘s camp won’t start talking to teams until Thursday, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter).
- Yahoo’s Rand Getlin reports (via Twitter) the former 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox will meet with the Titans on Friday. The Browns and Washington have previously shown interest.
- Offensive guard Shelley Smith will visit with the Seahawks on Thursday and the Broncos on Friday, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) the Falcons are also interested, but haven’t set up an interview.
Zach Links contributed to this post.