FA Rumors: Vinatieri, Gates, Hayes, Moses
The Colts are working on a new contract for future Hall-of-Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that this was an “open secret” at the combine in Indianapolis. A report last month indicated that the team wanted to bring back Vinatieri, who expressed a desire to continue playing — perhaps for multiple years.
“Not only a season, but Lord willing, a couple of years,” Vinatieri said at the time. “There will come a time when it’s over for me. I don’t think that time is yet. I enjoy playing. I enjoy doing my thing.”
As we wait to see if the Colts and Vinatieri can hammer something out within the next few days, let’s round up several more notes and rumors on free-agents-to-be….
- The meeting at the combine between Antonio Gates and the Chargers went well, reaffirming the mutual interest between the two sides for a new deal, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune. According to Gehlken, it’s likely just a matter of time until the veteran tight end finalizes a new contract with the Chargers.
- If another team signs Olivier Vernon to an offer sheet that the Dolphins decide not to match, expect the team to pursue a lower-priced defensive end like William Hayes, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Per Salguero, Hayes is a player Miami likes “very much.”
- The Chiefs have expressed interest in bringing back free agent linebacker Dezman Moses, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. Moses is one of several Kansas City defensive players eligible for free agency, though he’ll probably come cheaper than most, since he’s primarily a special teams contributor.
- The Saints would like to re-sign UFA kicker Kai Forbath, a source tells Joel A. Erickson of The Advocate. If Forbath does sign a new deal with New Orleans, I imagine it would be a modest one that wouldn’t preclude the team from bringing in competition.
- Rams safety Rodney McLeod is one free agent who will be “in demand” next week, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, who tweets that plenty of NFL people like McLeod.
FA Rumors: Irvin, Forte, C. Long, Gipson, J. Howard
Armed with over $70MM in cap space and in need of defensive upgrades, the Jaguars have emerged as early contenders for soon-to-be free agent linebacker Bruce Irvin, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
Irvin, who has spent the first four years of his career in Seattle, is familiar with Jags head coach Gus Bradley – formerly the Seahawks‘ defensive coordinator. Bradley helped Irvin to a career-high eight sacks in the defender’s rookie year, 2012, before leaving for Jacksonville. Irvin has since added 14 more sacks over the last three years. When PFR’s Luke Adams previewed the Jaguars’ offseason three weeks ago, he listed Irvin as a logical fit for the Jags.
Here’s the latest on some other players looking for new contracts as free agency nears:
- Thirty-year-old running back Matt Forte will have a difficult time eclipsing $3MM per annum on his next deal, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The five-time thousand-yard rusher racked up 1,287 total yards (898 rushing, 389 receiving) and seven touchdowns last season, and is poised to join his second franchise after spending the first eight years of his career in Chicago.
- Free agent defensive end Chris Long is generating interest and will start visiting teams after his first child is born (due date Wednesday), tweets Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Long, 30, has 54.5 sacks in his first eight seasons, all of which were spent in St. Louis. The Rams released Long earlier this month after injuries limited his effectiveness the previous two years.
- Safety Tashaun Gipson expects his Browns tenure to end after four years, per teammate Donte Whitner. “I don’t think he’s too hopeful he’s going to be back,” said Whitner (Twitter link via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com). We learned over the weekend that Gipson could parlay his ball-hawking prowess (14 career interceptions) into a big contract.
- Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard is looking for $8MM to $9MM per year, Biggs reports. Howard, 27, set career highs in starts (14), tackles (57) and sacks (5.5) during the 2015-16 season, and Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded him a solid 24th among 123 qualifying interior D-linemen.
- The Dolphins could pursue Bears tight end Zach Miller in free agency, writes Biggs. Miller played under new Dolphins head coach Adam Gase when the latter was the Bears’ offensive coordinator last season and totaled career bests in all notable categories. If Chicago loses Miller, it could replace him with one of the Colts‘ free agent tight ends, Dwayne Allen or Coby Fleener, per Biggs.
Colts Will Not Re-Sign Matt Hasselbeck
MONDAY, 4:02pm: Confirming Sunday’s reports, Hasselbeck has tweeted a goodbye to the Colts organization: “Amazing experience w/ Colts. My family & I are grateful to you Indianapolis. Many great friends, you will be missed!”
SUNDAY, 1:35pm: Andrew Luck will have a new backup in 2016, as the Colts will not attempt to re-sign veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, report Mike Silver and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). Instead, Indianapolis will turn to former Buccaneers starter Josh Freeman as its No. 2 signal-caller.
[RELATED: PFR previews the Colts’ 2016 offseason]
Even during his age-40 season, Hasselbeck played pretty well in relief of the injured Luck — he started eight games and posted a 5-3 record, completed 61% of his passes for 1,690 yards, and threw nine touchdowns against five interceptions. Hasselbeck said earlier this month that he planned to return for an 18th NFL season, and Colts head coach Chuck Pagano stated that the club “would love” to have him back. Evidently that thinking has changed, however, so if Hasselbeck wants to play one more year, it will be in a different uniform.
Freeeman, 28, signed with Indianapolis late in the 2015 season and ended up starting the club’s season finale (a win against the Titans). The former first-round pick brings 61 games worth of starting experience to the table — the majority of that time was with Tampa Bay, but Freeman also spent a brief one-game interlude with the Vikings in 2013.
The Colts also have fellow December signee Stephen Morris under contract for the 2016 season, so the team could choose to deploy him as their No. 3 quarterback. Meanwhile, veteran Charlie Whitehurst isn’t mentioned in the NFL.com report, but if Freeman is set to act as the backup, there’s little chance Whitehurst — an unrestricted free agent — will return to Indianpolis.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
South Notes: Joeckel, Hasselbeck, Saints
The Jaguars have not decided on whether or not to pick up Luke Joeckel‘s fifth-year option, Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
“It’s something we’re working through,” GM Dave Caldwell told media, including O’Halloran. “I know [the coaches] are going through all the film from last year and that will take the off-season and until the players come back. No decision has been made on that.”
Joeckel has not been what the Jaguars envisioned when they selected him No. 2 overall in 2013, and he turned in another underwhelming season in 2015, ranking at No. 50 on Pro Football Focus’ grades for tackles.
The Chiefs are facing a similar decision with 2013 No. 1 pick Eric Fisher in the tackle-rich draft, while the Eagles already extended their No. 4 pick, right tackle Lane Johnson, earlier this offseason. Last year, the cost for exercising fifth-year options on offensive linemen picked at Nos. 1-10 was $11.096MM.
O’Halloran theorizes the Jags are potentially waiting to see if Laremy Tunsil slips to them at No. 5. If not, he writes, the team will pick up Joeckel’s option. But if the Ole Miss prospect does somehow escape the top four picks, Jacksonville would be inclined to take him and pass on Joeckel’s 2017 season.
Here’s the latest from some of the league’s southernmost squads.
- Caldwell told media the Jags aren’t far under the league’s salary floor, according to O’Halloran. With the CBA mandating teams spend 89% of their cash over a four-year period, the Jaguars and Raiders reside under that threshold for 2013-16. An Associated Press report on Feb. 4 placed the Jags at $28MM under this mark. Although the Jaguars have the most cap room in the league at $80.07MM, they have until the 2016 league year ends next March to reach the salary floor. “We haven’t [reached it], but we’re close,” Caldwell told media. “We don’t have to spend to the cap to get there. Trust me, we’ll have no issue getting to where we need to be.”
- We heard earlier today the Colts will move away from Matt Hasselbeck as their backup quarterback. Financial discipline is at the root of this, according to Stephen Holder of the Indanapolis Star (Twitter links). Hasselbeck signed a one-year, $3MM deal to stay in Indianapolis last year and occupied $3.5MM and $3.75MM cap holds for the Colts in 2013 and ’14, respectively. Despite formerly signing a lucrative extension with the Bucs a few years ago before a career-altering swoon, Josh Freeman‘s only set to take up $760K of the Colts’ cap in 2016. The Colts will likely add additional inexpensive depth behind Andrew Luck, considering Freeman was playing in the Fall Experimental Football League last year.
- The Saints met with Paxton Lynch at the Combine, Christopher Dabe of NOLA.com reports. Although the ex-Memphis quarterback seems to have fallen behind Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, he’s still considered a first-round prospect. Drew Brees has just one year remaining on his current contract and turned 37 in January, but as Dabe points out, the Saints used one of their 60 permitted prospect summits on Jameis Winston last year. The Saints remain committed to extending Brees’ contract.
Free Agent Rumors: Schwartz, Gipson, Texans, Fleener
The latest free agency rumors from around the NFL:
- There’s a belief at the combine that offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz will end up with a contract in the $8MM-per-year range, writes Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com. That would make Schwartz the second-richest right tackle in the league in terms of annual salary. The Eagles’ Lane Johnson ranks first at $11.25MM, though he’s expected to eventually shift to left tackle (normally the more lucrative position). Since the Browns took Schwartz in the second round of the 2012 draft, he has appeared in and started 64 straight games. For his work last season, the 26-year-old ranked sixth out of 77 qualifying tackles by Pro Football Focus’ standards (subscription required).
- Safety Tashaun Gipson, who has also been with the Browns since 2012, will garner plenty of interest on the market and should cash in, according to Pauline. Gipson has amassed 14 interceptions during his four seasons, including league-leading totals in both 2013 and ’14, and gone to one Pro Bowl. As of earlier this week, Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown was hoping to lock up Gipson.
- The Texans have two important offensive linemen scheduled for free agency in center Ben Jones and guard Brandon Brooks, and they’re trying to re-sign both, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The team has met with both players’ agents at the combine, per Wilson. Jones has logged 16 starts in back-to-back years, while Brooks has combined for 44 over the last three seasons.
- The Colts aren’t in any rush to re-sign tight end Coby Fleener, per Pauline. Fleener is coming off his third straight 50-reception season, but his yards per catch dropped precipitously compared to 2014 (15.2 to 9.1), as did his touchdown total (eight to three).
AFC Notes: Colts, Jets, Pats, Chiefs
Last offseason was a busy one for the Colts, as the organization spent big money to secure veterans like Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Trent Cole and Kendall Langford. As Stephen Holder of the Indy Star writes, we may be seeing a different strategy this time around.
Colts general manager Ryan Grigson told reporters that the team won’t be as aggressive on the free agent market this offseason.
“I would say this year is a little different than in years past just because of some of the financials we have on the horizon,” Grigson said. “Somewhat like 2012, where we tightened our belt.”
Holder attributes part of that strategy to Andrew Luck‘s inevitable contract extension, but he also notes that many of the team’s recent free agent acquisitions haven’t necessarily worked out.
Let’s check out some more notes from the AFC…
- ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini would support a Sheldon Richardson trade if it meant the Jets could ink Muhammad Wilkerson to an extension. However, the writer notes that Richardson’s trade value currently isn’t at its highest, and the Jets are in no rush to trade the defensive tackle due to his affordable contract. Ultimately, Cimini believes the two will remain teammates for at least one more season.
- The Patriots and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks are “still in the strategy phase” of the re-signing process, writes ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. The writer believes it will be a few weeks until there’s clarity on the situation, although he did list Hicks as the Patriots free agent with the most value on the open market.
- The Chiefs are interested in retaining defensive end Mike DeVito, tweets Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. The 31-year-old appeared in 13 games (five starts) for the Chiefs last season, compiling 19 tackles and three sacks.
La Canfora’s Latest: Hali, Bengals, Rams, Colts
After renegotiating his contract last May, and adding four void years to the end of his deal, Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 9, and he although the expectation is that he’ll return to Kansas City for an 11th season, he would walk into a strong market were he to reach free agency, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. In a league devoid of pass rush talent, Hali, who posted 6.5 sacks last year at the age of 32, could land a surprisingly large contract, per La Canfora.
Let’s dive into the latest from the CBS Sports scribe:
- The Bengals consider receiver Marvin Jones, cornerback Adam Jones, and safety Reggie Nelson their three most important free agents, sources tell La Canfora. For his part, Jones is expected to test free agency, while Nelson has expressed a strong desire to return to Cincinnati.
- A report earlier today indicated that the Rams plan to place the franchise or transition tag on either Janoris Jenkins or Trumaine Johnson, and La Canfora reports that the odds of Los Angeles completing a long-term deal with either corner before the March 1 tag deadline is “bleak.” Therefore, it’s possible the Rams are forced to simply use the tag on one player, and let the either leave via free agency.
- Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford might not have many suitors on the open market, per La Canfora, so Philadelphia could be smart to let him gauge his value in free agency rather than striking a deal now or using the franchise tag. La Canfora does point to Chip Kelly and the 49ers as one possible landing spot for Bradford (if San Francisco trades Colin Kaepernick).
- La Canfora believes Dwayne Allen is the more likely tight end to remain with the Colts, arguing that he’s a more complete player than Coby Fleener. Whichever tight end does leave Indianapolis, adds La Canfora, could be candidate to fill the void left by Heath Miller on the Steelers‘ roster.
- In a separate piece, La Canfora examines whether the “franchise tag-and-trade” concept — which the Dolphins are reportedly mulling using with defensive end Olivier Vernon — could become a leaguewide trend.
Combine Updates: Packers, Colts, Rams
The scouting combine continues today in Indianapolis, and so have the press conferences and media scrums with head coaches and general managers around the NFL.
Here are some highlights from a few of those conversations, sorted by team:
Green Bay Packers:
- Despite the fact that the Packers aren’t generally major players in free agency, GM Ted Thompson said his team isn’t averse to exploring the market. With that in mind, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) says Green Bay will likely be in the mix for a complementary wide receiver.
- Asked whether Thompson listens to him if he wants a certain player, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said, “Everybody wants something. Someone has to say no. That’s why you have a chain of command. Someone has to be the bad guy” (link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- McCarthy also said today that he’s “disappointed” in Mike Pennel‘s four-game suspension, according to Demovsky. “Mike’s one of our guys, but we’ll see him through this,” McCarthy said. “He’s a young player who really came on in the second half of the season.”
Indianapolis Colts:
- Colts head coach Chuck Pagano didn’t go into specifics on personnel moves today, but he didn’t pull punches when discussing the team’s pass rush, tweets Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. Pagano conveyed that it hasn’t been good enough, and needs to be upgraded.
- GM Ryan Grigson also weighed in on the idea of adding pass rushers, suggesting that the draft isn’t as deep at that spot as he’d like, and acknowledging that there will be some financial constraints in free agency (Twitter link via Holder).
- Asked about Andrew Luck‘s potential contract extension, Grigson said today that the team has yet to open negotiations, “but that will probably happen soon” (link via Holder). While he declined to discuss specific numbers, the GM expressed confidence that there would be no issues holding up talks.
Los Angeles Rams:
- The Rams’ top priority right now is re-signing the team’s many free agent defensive backs, GM Les Snead said today, per Andrew Siciliano of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, along with safety Rodney McLeod, are eligible to hit the market in March.
- The Rams released three veteran players last week to create cap room, but the team is planning to keep offensive lineman Rodger Saffold on its roster, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
- Snead made it clear today that, in addition to addressing this year’s free agents, the Rams are also hoping to lock up key extension candidates, including defensive tackle Michael Brockers and linebacker Alec Ogletree (Twitter link via Wagoner).
NFLPA Announces Cap Carryover Amounts
The NFL Players Association issued a press release today announcing the salary cap carryover amounts for all 32 NFL teams for the 2016 season. The official salary cap amount for 2016 has yet to be announced by the league, but it’s expected to be in the neighborhood of $155MM+. When that figures becomes official, it can be added to each team’s carryover amount to determine that club’s official cap for 2016.
According to the press release, the Broncos, Rams, and the Saints are the only teams that opted not to carry over the full amount available to them, though none of those clubs are believed to have left significant amounts on the table.
Here are the salary cap carryover amounts for 2016, per the NFLPA, from highest to lowest:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: $32,774,928
- Tennessee Titans: $20,783,801
- Cleveland Browns: $20,734,144
- Oakland Raiders: $13,373,617
- San Francisco 49ers: $12,206,686
- New York Giants: $11,193,231
- Miami Dolphins: $9,137,544
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7,987,748
- Cincinnati Bengals: $7,587,902
- Philadelphia Eagles: $7,255,362
- Green Bay Packers: $6,953,847
- Washington: $5,837,734
- Indianapolis Colts: $4,950,629
- Buffalo Bills: $4,467,331
- Atlanta Falcons: $3,905,771
- Carolina Panthers: $3,731,200
- Dallas Cowboys: $3,571,239
- Denver Broncos: $3,300,000
- Arizona Cardinals: $3,031,663
- Pittsburgh Steelers: $3,000,327
- Kansas City Chiefs: $2,622,838
- New York Jets: $2,484,216
- San Diego Chargers: $2,287,176
- Minnesota Vikings: $2,090,409
- Houston Texans: $1,637,055
- Baltimore Ravens: $1,633,944
- New Orleans Saints: $1,400,000
- New England Patriots: $1,347,882
- Los Angeles Rams: $933,521
- Chicago Bears: $867,589
- Detroit Lions: $862,191
- Seattle Seahawks: $11,587
Colts Cut Jonathan Newsome, Andy Studebaker
10:55am: The Colts have confirmed they’ve waived Newsome, and have also cut veteran linebacker Andy Studebaker, per a team release. Studebaker played primarily on special teams during his time in Indianapolis.
10:35am: Following his arrest last week, linebacker Jonathan Newsome has been cut from the Colts’ roster, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Newsome himself suggested in a tweet this morning that his time in Indianapolis had come to an end.
“I would like to thank Coach [Chuck] Pagano, Ryan Grigson, Jim Irsay and the entire Colts organization for the opportunity of a life time,” Newsome wrote.
A fifth-round pick in 2015, Newsome had an impressive rookie season with the Colts, recording 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. However, the 25-year-old failed to make the same sort of impact in 2015, with his season totals slipping to 18 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Of course, Newsome’s decrease in production during the 2015 season isn’t what cost him his roster spot. The Ball State alum was arrested early last Wednesday morning on possession of marijuana charges, as Matt Adams of FOX59 detailed at the time. Authorities first came to his home to follow up on a noise complaint and during the investigation, officers found marijuana. Police said Newsome cooperated with authorities as he was taken into custody.
Because he has just two years of NFL experience, Newsome will be subject to waivers, meaning another team could claim him tomorrow, assuming the Colts make his release official today. If Newsome clears waivers, Indianapolis will be on the hook for about $89K in dead money on the 2016 cap.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.