AFC Rumors: Griffen, Soliai, Vick, Raiders
The Broncos were high on Everson Griffen and dangling a deal averaging $9MM per season, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. That forced the Vikings to sweeten their offer to keep Griffen in house. Minnesota wound up giving the defensive end a five-year deal worth $42.5MM that includes $20MM guaranteed. More out of the AFC..
- The Colts had interest in nose tackle Paul Soliai before he signed with the Falcons, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Soliai got $33MM over five years from Atlanta with $14MM guaranteed over the life of the contract.
- Michael Vick will likely wait until after the draft to sign with a team, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, the Raiders are waiting to see what happens with Matt Schaub and are also interested in Josh Freeman.
- The Texans will try and trade Schaub before releasing him, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds that the Raiders are after a veteran quarterback and someone like Mark Sanchez could be a fit, if he becomes available.
DeMarcus Ware Rumors: Wednesday
Even after signing T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib yesterday, the Broncos appear ready to add another defensive playmaker to their roster. Denver is reportedly the frontrunner to sign DeMarcus Ware, who was released yesterday by the Cowboys. Still, nothing is done yet, so while we wait to see where Ware lands, we’ll round up the rest of the day’s rumors on him right here:
- One team tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that Ware thinks he can get at least $10MM in free agency. It’s not clear if that figure represents an overall guarantee or per-year figure, but I’d assume the latter.
- In his latest piece for TheMMQB.com, Peter King suggests the Seahawks will be in play for Ware and fellow free agent pass rusher Julius Peppers “if the price is right.” I’m guessing $10MM per year might not be the right price for Seattle.
FA Rumors: Broncos, Allen, LaFell, Redskins
According to a Denver Post report, the Broncos are considering free agent linebackers Jon Beason and Daryl Smith. However, the report surfaced yesterday before word broke that the team had agreed to sign Aqib Talib and scheduled a visit with DeMarcus Ware, so it’s not clear whether Denver still has interest. The team certainly does seem to be going all-in to try to take advantage of Peyton Manning‘s final years though.
Here are several more Wednesday morning free agency updates:
- The Bears don’t presently appear to be in the mix to sign veteran defensive end Jared Allen, sources tells Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com (Twitter link).
- While Julian Edelman explores the open market, the Patriots will be hosting another free agent receiver, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who tweets that Brandon LaFell will visit New England.
- Free agent cornerback Corey Graham is set to visit the Redskins, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. Graham has also reportedly drawn interest from a pair of Washington’s division rivals, the Giants and Eagles.
- The Redskins are also hosting offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Lions will host free agent fullback Henry Hynoski on Thursday, says Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent guard Shelley Smith is visiting with the Giants today, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com.
- The Bills have announced that free agents Chris Williams (OL) and Nolan Carroll (CB) will be visiting the team today, according to Joe Buscaglia of WGR550 (via Twitter).
- Free agent wide receiver Kevin Cone didn’t receive a tender offer from the Falcons and will now be an unrestricted free agent, says D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Defensive end Ronald Talley, who was eligible for restricted free agency, also appears to have gone untendered, having tweeted that he won’t be back with the Cardinals in 2014 (hat tip to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
Broncos Are Favorites To Sign DeMarcus Ware
WEDNESDAY, 7:31am: According to Schefter (Twitter link), Ware will visit the Broncos today. All signs seem to be pointing to Ware signing with Denver — as Schefter adds in a second tweet, an AFC West official who tried to get the ex-Cowboy in for a visit was told “you’re not going to like where he winds up.”
TUESDAY, 9:35pm: Ware is visiting with the Broncos and they’re his only scheduled visit so far, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
9:00pm: The Broncos have emerged as the favorites to sign veteran defensive end/linebacker DeMarcus Ware, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. We learned earlier today that six teams, including the Browns, have interest in the former Cowboys standout.
Teams with both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes had their eye on Ware at the official start of free agency. After a few weeks of will they/won’t they with Dallas, Ware forced their hand this morning and got them to decide on his future in advance of the afternoon kickoff to free agency.
Ware would have accounted for a $16MM cap hit in 2014 for Dallas and was owed $26MM in total between ’14 and ’15. Ware, once among the NFL’s elite front seven personnel, is on the verge of turning 32 and isn’t the type of game-changing talent that he once was. The linebacker-turned-defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time First-Team All-Pro, but he clearly lost a step in 2013. It sounds like Denver might be the place where he tries to rediscover his magic of years past.
If Ware winds up with the Broncos, that means one less suitor for fellow veteran defensive end Jared Allen.
Remaining Options At Cornerback
The Aqib Talib contract is the latest free agent signing that has shaken up the NFL landscape, leaving few options at cornerback and many teams with a need at the position. There are still some very productive players, and even a few big names on the market that could fill those needs. Here’s a brief roundup:
- Assuming Darrelle Revis gets cut by the Buccaneers, an assumption that seems safe at this point, he will become the top free agent left on the market. He could have many potential landing spots, and will most likely draw interest from the Patriots to replace Talib.
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was in negotiations to return to the Broncos, but the team has reportedly pulled their offer after signing Talib, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
- Tracy Porter is visiting with the Giants, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Porter was one of the few bright spots for the Raiders in 2013.
- Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan are both veterans that could be available for small money on short term deals. Tillman was thought to be a fit with the Buccaneers before Verner signed there. Finnegan has not drawn much interest so far.
- The Jets and Lions are both still in need of help at corner, and it would be risky to go into the draft without adding anything at the position.
Broncos To Sign Aqib Talib
The Broncos have agreed to sign free agent cornerback Aqib Talib, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal gives Talib $26MM in guaranteed money, according to sources.
The total worth of the deal is six years and $57MM. With Vontae Davis and Alterraun Verner also signing contracts today, the top three cornerbacks are off the market, in addition to Sam Shields who was re-signed by the Packers earlier this offseason. That potentially leaves Darrelle Revis as the last big impact corner available.
Talib was the seventh ranked free agent according to our own Luke Adams, making him the number one corner available. One spot below him overall was Verner, who earned himself a contract just about half what Talib will receive from the Broncos.
AFC West Rumors: Allen, Howard, Saffold
Jared Allen‘s first visit of his free agency will be with the Broncos, which was first reported by Ian Rapaport of NFL.com (Dan Hanzus of NFL.com credited him with the report). Allen could be a perfect fit for a team in need of a pass rusher, unless they somehow find a way to attract an even bigger name in free agency.
Here are some other notes from around the AFC West:
- Austin Howard is visiting with the Raiders, as reported by Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). The much improved right tackle failed to come to an agreement to stay with the Jets, and could play opposite the Raiders’ new presumed left tackle Rodger Saffold (unless Saffold is a very expensive guard).
- While the Raiders have already retained one running back, they may still be looking to add depth to their backfield. Ian Rapaport of NFL.com reports that the team also has an interest former Giant tailback Andre Brown (via Twitter).
- Kavell Conner is visiting with the Chargers, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The former Colts linebacker was a starter for much of his first three seasons in Indianapolis, but did not start a single game in 2013.
- Wide receiver Joe Morgan, who was non-tendered as a restricted free agent recently by the Saints, is visiting the Chiefs, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Chiefs are interested in veteran inside linebacker Joe Mays, who coach Andy Reid selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
FA Rumors: McCown, Allen, Mack, Hatcher
Josh McCown‘s first free agent visit, which is already underway, is with the Buccaneers, and the free agent quarterback and also meetings scheduled with the Texans and Jets, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he doesn’t make it to all his scheduled visits, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Both La Canfora and Mehta suggest that a deal with the Bucs looks very possible for McCown. Here’s more on free agency:
- Defensive end Jared Allen has narrowed down his free agent options, but may not sign all that quickly, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that the Broncos are interested in Allen, but perhaps not at his current asking price. There also may not be any other serious suitors involved at that price, says Florio.
- The transition tag hasn’t stopped teams from contacting center Alex Mack, according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today (via Twitter). However, Garafalo adds that the Browns free agent center has yet to set up any visits with clubs.
- Defensive end Antonio Smith would like to stay with the Texans, but has visits lined up with the Redskins, Titans, Rams, and Raiders, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jason Hatcher‘s visit with the Seahawks is the first of five meetings he has scheduled, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.
- Offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger is drawing interest as a potential starting guard or center, says Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter).
- Free agent running back Anthony Dixon will visit with the Titans, says Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Broncos To Sign T.J. Ward
5:42pm: Details of the Ward contract are now becoming more clear, with Mike Klis of the Denver Post reporting that the four-year contract will be worth $23.MM with $14MM in guaranteed money (via Twitter).
4:19pm: The Broncos are set to sign former Browns safety T.J. Ward, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN (on Twitter). He’ll get an average of $5.5MM per year, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Northeast Ohio News Group (on Twitter).
Ward was displaced in Cleveland when the Browns agreed to sign fellow free agent Donte Whitner. He was also linked to the Jets and Lions but the Broncos have been in the thick of it all along.
Broncos Re-Sign Andre Caldwell
Andre Caldwell has re-signed with the Broncos on a two-year deal, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The wide receiver’s deal has a max value of $3.45MM.
Caldwell, 29 in April, saw time in all 16 games last season for Denver. He hauled in 16 catches (30 targets) for 200 yards in Peyton Manning‘s pass-happy offense. While he wasn’t one of the primary targets in Denver, he did manage three scores on the year.