Contract Details: Andrew Luck, Doug Baldwin
Both Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin have landed big-money contract extensions since Tuesday. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the details on the two deals:
Luck’s contract includes:
- $44MM in guarantees, including a $32MM signing bonus. Luck will receive the majority of that signing bonus ($18MM, to be exact) in the next 10 days, while the Colts will pay out the remaining $14MM on March 31, 2017.
- A $3MM roster bonus effective on the fifth day of the 2017 league year and guaranteed for skill and injury. The Colts will pay that on March 20, 2017.
- Luck’s $12MM base salary for 2016 is fully guaranteed at signing. His base salaries for 2017 and 2018 ($7MM and $12MM, respectively) are guaranteed only for injury at signing and fully guaranteed on the fifth day of their respective league years. His 2019-2021 base salaries ($9.125MM, $11MM and $11MM) are non-guaranteed.
- A $3MM roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2018 league year that’s guaranteed only for injury at signing. Luck will receive the bonus on March 20, 2018.
- A guaranteed-for-injury $6MM roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2019 league year and paid on March 18, 2019. That becomes fully guarantees on the fifth day of the 2018 league year.
- A $6MM roster bonus for 2019 that’s guaranteed for injury at signing and earned on the fifth day of the 2019 league year. Payment date: Sept. 17, 2019.
- An $11MM roster bonus due on Day 3 of the 2020 league year. Half will be paid on Sept. 20, 2020, with the other half coming Dec. 15 of that year.
- A $10MM roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2021 league year (half paid on Dec. 14. 2020, and the other half on Sept. 14, 2021).
- Luck will average $23.1875MM per year (six years, $139.125MM) and rake in $24.954MM in “new money.”
- Cap numbers: $17.3MM in 2016; $18.33MM in 2017; $23.33MM in 2018; $26.45MM in 2019; $27.33MM in 2020; and $26.33MM in 2021.
Baldwin’s contract includes:
- $12MM fully guaranteed at signing and another $12.25MM guaranteed for injury at signing.
- A $7MM signing bonus due April 1, 2017.
- A $4MM roster bonus earned this Monday. Half will be paid by July 11, with the other half by Aug. 15.
- A fully guaranteed $1MM salary in 2016 and a $7.75MM base salary for 2017. The ’17 salary is guaranteed for injury at signing, becoming fully guaranteed on the fifth day of that year’s waiver period.
- $4.5MM of Balwin’s $8.25MM salary for 2018 is guaranteed for injury at signing. That total will become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2018 waiver period.
- Non-guaranteed base salaries of $9.25MM in 2018 and $10.25MM in 2019.
- Per-game roster bonuses totaling $500K in both 2016 and 2017; and $750K in both 2018 and 2019. Those bonuses could take the value of the deal from $47.5MM over five years to $50MM.
- A “new money” average of $10.675MM per year.
Cory Redding Announces Retirement
On Wednesday morning, defensive lineman Cory Redding took to Twitter to announce his retirement from the NFL. Redding wrote (sic): 
“I’m leaving the game I’ve played for 23 years. Thanks to the teams I played for, coaches, teammates, fans and my family for their support!”
Redding contemplated retirement before signing with the Cardinals last year. After playing a limited role in Arizona in 2015 – he failed to make a start for the first time since his 2003 rookie year – the 35-year-old decided to call it career.
Redding, viewed as a potential cap casualty heading into the spring, was released by the Cardinals in April. At the time, the Cardinals had the second-least amount of cap space in the NFL with just $2.29 in breathing room, which made the move something of a no-brainer. Cutting Redding will reduced the team’s hit from $4MM to $1MM, removing his non-guaranteed $3MM salary from the Cardinals’ books.
In his 12 games last season, Redding played 183 defensive snaps, picking up five tackles and two passes defended. He did show a knack for coming up with big plays, grabbing his second career interception, and recovering a pair of fumbles, including one for a touchdown.
In 2014, Redding started all 16 regular season games for the Colts, racking up 44 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. He also made his presence felt in the postseason, recording 2 sacks and 2 pass deflections to go with 9 total tackles. In total, Redding enjoyed a 13-year career with the Lions, Seahawks, Ravens, Colts, and Cardinals and made a total of 147 starts.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Former Colts RB Zurlon Tipton Dead At Age 26
Former Colts running back Zurlon Tipton was killed in an accidental shooting, according to WJBK in Detroit. Tipton was 26 years old. 
Police say Tipton pulled into a service bay at a Michigan car dealership this morning and went to take a duffel bag out of his trunk. The duffel bag had two guns inside, according to the police report, and one of the guns accidentally went off, which led to Tipton being shot in the stomach. Tipton was able to converse with people around him as he was being placed in an ambulance, but he later died at the hospital.
Tipton had an unfortunate history with guns. In December of last year, he was arrested on charges of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon after he reportedly went to his girlfriend’s home and shot a round from a Colt AR-15 rifle into the house. Reportedly, Tipton’s then girlfriend asked him to protect her as she was receiving threatening texts from an ex-boyfriend. Even though shots were fired in her home, the ex-boyfriend was apparently not there.
Tipton joined the Colts as a UDFA prior to the 2014 season. He was waived by the team on December 21, 2015, just prior to the aforementioned arrest. In his two seasons with the Colts, Tipton appeared in 16 games and rushed for 38 yards off of 15 carries.
We here at Pro Football Rumors extend our heartfelt condolences to Tipton’s family.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC South Notes: Fuller, Texans, Colts, Jaguars
The reviews of Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller were largely positive coming into the draft, but some were critical of his hands and his propensity to drop passes. That’s an issue that he’s working hard to correct.
“I think drops are something we work on every day,” Texans receivers coach Sean Ryan said, according to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle. “We talk about the fundamentals of catching the football: eye control, hand placement. It’s the same for every guy. You can trace 90 percent of those drops to those simple things.”
Earlier today, scouting expert Dave-Te Thomas profiled Fuller and other impact rookies in the Texans’ 2016 draft class. Fuller, he writes, boasted some of the best stop-and-start skills in the draft and he could put that footwork to use immediately this season.
Here’s more from the AFC South:
- The Colts’ 2016 draft class could have a long-term impact on their offensive line, Mike Chappell of CBS4 writes. For the first time since 1983, the Colts used four draft picks on offensive linemen to boost the quality of depth in that unit. Ultimately, the Colts are hopeful that they found a starter or two to develop alongside first-round center Ryan Kelly. Indianapolis’ rookie class also includes third-round Le’Raven Clark, fifth-round tackle/guard Joe Haeg, and seventh-round center Austin Blythe. The Colts formally wrapped up the signing of everyone in their draft class earlier this month when Clark gave his signature.
- UDFA tight end Stephen Anderson is also making a strong impression on the Texans, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle writes. “He’s come out and really put in a great effort every day,” Texans tight ends coach John Perry said. “He’s held true to the Cal mantra of being a smart kid. He’s picked up things very quickly and, on top of that, he’s got great athleticism. He’s got good hands. His best trait is he continues to work at it. Here’s a kid who’s just climbed the ladder. He walked on at Cal. Now he comes in here as a free agent. He’s taken advantage of opportunities that have been presented to him. So, he’s fun to work with and I can see him continuing to get better.” Anderson is hoping to hook on at tight end in Houston behind Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz, as shown on the Texans’ Roster Resource page.
- The Jaguars‘ additions on defense this offseason will help their cause in trying to win the AFC South this year, ESPN.com’s Tania Ganguli writes. This spring, the Jags picked up free agent defensive tackle Malik Jackson and free safety Tashaun Gipson. Jacksonville also selected cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Myles Jack in the draft and 2015 first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr. is set to finally make his debut. Still, Ganguli believes that with the Texans’ upgrade at quarterback and the Colts having a healthy Andrew Luck, it’s going to take more than that bolstered defense to win the division.
7 Teams That Could Trade For Nick Foles
A little over 15 months ago, the Rams acquired Nick Foles from the Eagles and quickly locked him into a two-year extension worth $24.5MM, handing him more than $12MM in guaranteed money. After starting 11 games, and completing less than 57% of his passes while posting a 7:10 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Foles was benched for Case Keenum, and remained on the sidelines for the rest of season.
Given that Los Angeles traded up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and select Jared Goff, Foles is clearly not in the club’s plans, as Keenum and 2015 draft choice Sean Mannion are projected to make the squad. Foles is unhappy with his position on the club and didn’t attend OTAs, and with the Rams exploring a trade, Foles isn’t expected to be with the team at the start of training camp — at the very least, he’ll be dealt away (or possibly released) before Week 1.
Foles, 27, drew trade interest around draft time, but ultimately wasn’t moved. Albert Breer of The MMQB recently reported that Los Angeles is holding onto Foles for the time being in the hopes that he could accrue more value as training camp approaches. An injury could spur other teams to inquire about Foles, but his contract is also a plus. Because the Rams already paid out Foles’ guaranteed $6MM roster bonus, an acquiring club would only be on the hook for Foles’ $1.75MM base salary — a palatable figure for a backup quarterback.
With that preamble out of the way, let’s take a look at a few teams that could express interest in Foles…
Dallas Cowboys — The 2015 Cowboys season showed just how valuable a backup quarterback can be, as Dallas ran through Matt Cassel, Brandon Weeden, and Kellen Moore as Tony Romo dealt with injury. That threesome posted a combined 1-11 record, leaving Cowboys fans wondering what could have been had the club had a competent No. 2 signal-caller. Moore is set to return as the backup, with fourth-round rookie Dak Prescott scheduled to handle clipboard duties, as Roster Resource shows. Foles would be an improvement over both of those options, and Dallas was one of several teams that Ian Rapoport of NFL.com linked to Foles at the beginning of the league year.
Detroit Lions — The Lions re-signed backup Dan Orlovsky this offseason, but they only handed the veteran $160K guaranteed on a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract, so they could easily move on if they were to acquire Foles. Elsewhere on the roster, Detroit boasts 2016 sixth-round pick Jake Rudock, who has yet to inspire confidence. “There’s not a phase that he has under control at this point in time,” head coach Jim Caldwell said of Rudock earlier this month. Matthew Stafford has been remarkably durable since a lost 2010 season, as he hasn’t missed a single start over the past five years, so giving up anything of value for Foles might not be worth it.
Indianapolis Colts — Like the Lions, the Colts have a somewhat reputable backup option in Scott Tolzien, whom they signed to a two-year deal that contains $500K guaranteed. Because of that amount of guaranteed cash, Indianapolis is highly unlikely to move on from Tolzien at any point this season, so they’re probably among the least likely teams on this list to go after Foles. But I included them here because Tolzien is far from a lock as a No. 2 quarterback. He’s probably gained some recognition over the years for serving as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup, but Tolzien has only attempted 91 passes during his career — most of those attempts came back in 2013, when he tossed five interceptions against just one touchdown.
Kansas City Chiefs — Andy Reid is a known developer of quarterback talent, and the Chiefs have brought in several backup options over the past couple years, investing draft capital in Kevin Hogan and Aaron Murray, while signing (and then extending) undrafted free agent Tyler Bray. The only problem? None of those signal-callers have ever taken a snap in an NFL game, which means Kansas City could be in a precarious position if Alex Smith goes down. Foles, then, would represent a bit more certainty at the No. 2 position.
New York Jets — Though negotiations between the Jets and Ryan Fitzpatrick continue to drag on, it still seems like the two sides will eventually come to an agreement. If that happens, New York clearly won’t be in the market for another quarterback. But as things currently stand, Foles would represent an upgrade over Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, and is perhaps on par with fellow starting option Geno Smith. General manager Mike Maccagnan said during the draft that he wasn’t aiming to acquire another quarterback, but that was before talks with Fitzpatrick stalled.
San Francisco 49ers — Whether or not the Rams would be open to trading within their division is an open question, but Foles had the most success of his career under current 49ers head coach Chip Kelly, tossing 27 touchdowns in 2013 when the duo was with the Eagles. Still, San Francisco looks set to go forward with a competition between Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, so Foles might not be the best fit, especially given that Kaepernick’s base salary is fully guaranteed.
Seattle Seahawks — Again, it’s not clear if Los Angeles would want to trade Foles to another team in the NFC West, but the Seahawks have very little between Russell Wilson. Tarvaris Jackson doesn’t look to be an option after being arrested on Friday, so it looks as though the club will go with undrafted free agent Trevone Boykin as their backup signal-caller. Boykin, like Wilson, offers mobility in and outside the pocket, so Seattle might prefer him to Foles, who sometimes resembles a statue under center.
Some of these clubs make more sense than others — the Cowboys, for example, stand out as a club that could certainly use an upgrade at backup quarterback. Additionally, it’s reasonable to expect that the Rams find they can’t acquire anything of value in exchange for Foles, and are instead forced to release him. If that’s the case, this list simply becomes a catalog of clubs who could express interest in signing the veteran quarterback.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Colts' Langford Produces After Being Benched
- Kendall Langford lost his job to wunderkind defensive tackle Aaron Donald on the Rams in 2014 but became a key Colts cog last season, starting 16 games. A defensive end in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme, Langford may have been Indianapolis’ most important defensive player in 2015, writes Kevin Bowen of Colts.com, who adds the 30-year-old could be a Pro Bowl sleeper this season.
Polian: Colts Nearly Moved To LA
The Colts might be in Los Angeles right now if not for Peyton Manning, former general manager Bill Polian told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday. Polian informed Zig Fracassi (Twitter link) that Colts owner Jim Irsay waited until the last minute around 2000 to prevent a move to LA, ultimately getting Lucas Oil Stadium built because of the presence of Manning, then the face of the franchise. Manning, who was only a three-year veteran at the end of the 2000 season, stayed with the Colts through the conclusion of the 2011 campaign – which he missed because of a neck injury – and helped to secure their only Super Bowl title and, apparently, their presence in Indianapolis.
Now, as we ponder an alternate reality in which the LA Colts exist, let’s check in on more from the league:
Colts Coveted UDFA Ferguson In Fourth Round
The Colts did not do much conventionally to add depth to their backfield this offseason, leaving them with no obvious change-of-pace option behind 33-year-old Frank Gore. But the team did place a high priority on signing UDFA Josh Ferguson, a player a source told Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star the Colts eyed as high as the fourth round.
Indianapolis took defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway and linebacker Antonio Morrison with their two fourth-round selections and continued to address issues on both sides of their line in the fifth and seventh rounds. The Colts, though, immediately turned their attention to the versatile Illinois running back by telling Ferguson’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to “name his price” when it came time to add UDFAs.
As Roster Resource details, the Colts’ contingent behind Gore consists of Robert Turbin, Jordan Todman, Trey Williams and Tyler Varga, so the shifty Ferguson — who totaled 4,093 yards from scrimmage from 2011-15, including making 168 career receptions for 1,507 yards and eight touchdowns — will have an easier route to a roster spot than most UDFA running backs will this summer.
Here’s the latest on the Colts’ top rivals.
8 Teams That Could Sign Eugene Monroe
After selecting Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley in the first round of the April’s draft, the Ravens tried to trade veteran left tackle Eugene Monroe. However, Baltimore was unable to find a taker on the trade market and on Wednesday the team cut him loose.
Yes, there are some red flags for Monroe. For starters, the tackle has missed 16 games with injury over the past two years. Monroe has also been a vocal advocate for marijuana to be removed from the league’s banned substance list and Baltimore officials apparently took umbrage with his focus in that area.
However, there’s also a lot to like. When healthy, Monroe can be an impact player and can slide into the starting lineup for several NFL teams. Where could Monroe wind up? Here’s our list of the eight teams who could make a play for him:
[RELATED: Ravens Sign Bronson Kaufusi, Wrap Up Draft Class]
Arizona Cardinals — Left tackle isn’t a concern in the desert, as Jared Veldheer will continue to handle Carson Palmer‘s blindside, but right tackle is a bit more murky. After losing both Bobby Massie and Bradley Sowell to free agency, the Cardinals are counting on 2015 first-round pick D.J. Humphries to take on a starting role. Humphries didn’t play a single snap during his rookie season, and frustrated Arizona management to the point that head coach Bruce Arians began referring to him as “knee deep” (re: Arians’ knee vs. Humphries’ posterior). If Humphries has matured over the past year or so, adding Monroe to play on the right side wouldn’t make much sense. But if the Cardinals still have questions about their talented yet raw sophomore tackle, Monroe could be a welcome veteran addition.
Chicago Bears — Finding a starting left tackle in the seventh round — as the Bears did with Charles Leno in 2014 — is certainly an accomplishment, but it doesn’t excuse the fact that Leno simply wasn’t that productive during the 2015 campaign. In 16 games (13 starts), Leno graded out as just the 55th-best tackle in the NFL among 77 qualifiers, according to Pro Football Focus. If Chicago wants to contend in 2016, it will need better play on the blindside, and Monroe would almost certainly represent an upgrade, acting as a finishing touch to an offensive line that’s already seen additions such as Bobby Massie, Nate Chandler, and Cody Whitehair over the past several months.
Indianapolis Colts — The Colts are clearly intent on keeping Andrew Luck upright in 2016, having spent three draft picks on offensive linemen in April. While some of the spots along Indy’s front five are settled, right tackle could be up for grabs (although general manager Ryan Grigson had said he’d like to see Joe Reitz win the job). The Colts haven’t been shy about acquiring veterans in the past, having sacrificed draft pick compensation for Vontae Davis, Trent Richardson, Billy Winn, and others in recent years. If the club wants a solid veteran to lock down the right side, instead of relying on a cavalcade of mid-tier options, Monroe could be on their radar.
New England Patriots — Like the Colts, the Patriots have utilized trades to augment their roster — in 2015, they made a league-leading nine deals with other clubs, and they’ve acquired veterans such as Akeem Ayers, Keshawn Martin, Jonathan Casillas, Jonathan Bostic, and Akiem Hicks via the trade route over the past several years. In a trade, Monroe would have been a different animal, as he’s a more high-profile name and costs more than any of the players brought in by New England via swap recently. Now, he holds even more appeal as a free agent. If the Pats did sign Monroe to man right tackle, they’d likely release fellow offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer or Marcus Cannon (or both). On the surface, Monroe doesn’t seem like a Bill Belichick-esque addition, but New England has made surprising moves in the past.
New York Giants — Many draft observers believed Giants 2015 first-round pick Ereck Flowers was best-suited to play guard or right tackle out of the gate. Instead, New York plugged him in on the left side following an injury to Will Beatty, and Flowers proceeded to grade out as one of the four worst blindside protectors in the league, per PFF. Veteran Marshall Newhouse, the club’s projected right tackle, also ranked as a bottom-10 option at the position. The Giants need help up front, perhaps more so than any team in the NFL outside of Seattle, so it was no surprise to learn that they were talking trade with Baltimore prior to Monroe’s release and have already started courting him since he became a free agent.
San Diego Chargers — Shortly after word leaked out regarding Monroe’s release, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com listed the Chargers as a potential suitor along with the Seahawks and Giants. On the surface, the Chargers seem adequately set at tackle with King Dunlap covering Philip Rivers‘ blindside and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. Still, while Barksdale graded out as the No. 21 overall tackle in the NFL last year according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, Dunlap has been injury prone in the past.
San Francisco 49ers — By almost any metric, San Francisco’s offensive line was among the worst in the NFL last season. The unit ranked second with 53 sacks allowed, and placed 31st in pass protection and 32nd in run blocking according to Football Outsiders’ data. All-Pro Joe Staley clearly isn’t a problem at left tackle, but uninspiring options such as Erik Pears and Trent Brown are among the candidates to start opposite him on the right side. The 49ers are in the midst of a complete rebuild, so perhaps adding a veteran like Monroe doesn’t make sense given their current roster makeup. But keeping Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick (or whomever else starts at quarterback in 2016) off the ground should still be a goal, and Monroe would signify an improvement.
Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks are mentioned in connection with nearly every available offensive lineman, but the club simply hasn’t shown any willingness to invest in its front five. After losing Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy in free agency, Seattle will rely on the likes of Garry Gilliam, Bradley Sowell, J’Marcus Webb, and Mark Glowinski up front. Offensive line coach Tom Cable is regarded as a masterful teacher, and he can probably turn some of those unheralded options into contributors. But it’s hard to imagine that the Seahawks would turn down an opportunity to add an immediate starter like Monroe, especially if the asking price is minimal.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Colts Turning To Ex-Pats For No. 4 WR Role
- The Colts are not planning to sign a wide receiver to function as their No. 4 man behind T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett but instead to leave such a role to their young incumbents, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes. Former Patriots backups Josh Boyce and Brian Tyms headline that competition for a role that may take on more significance this season now that Indianapolis doesn’t boast an obvious No. 2 tight end immediately worthy of forcing the team into two-tight end sets with Coby Fleener‘s in New Orleans.