Charles Clay Signs Bills Offer Sheet
WEDNESDAY, 11:11am: The Bills formally announced that Clay has inked his offer sheet, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). The Dolphins have until Sunday night to match.
TUESDAY, 6:33pm: The Bills’ offer is for five years and $38MM, according to Carucci (on Twitter). The deal includes more than $20MM guaranteed. Meanwhile, Michael Silver of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that the Dolphins’ final offer to Clay was $27MM over four years with less than $15MM guaranteed.
The Bills’ offer is structured to attack Miami’s cap in 2016, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
6:24pm: The Bills have given Charles Clay an offer sheet and the tight end has inked it, according to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News (via Twitter). The Dolphins now have five days to match the offer.
On Monday, Carucci reported that the Bills were steadfast in their hopes of signing Clay to an unmatchable offer sheet. The Bills, for their part, have been confident and bordering on cocky in their pursuit of Clay. A source told Carucci that it was a 90% certainty that Buffalo would land the tight end. New head coach Rex Ryan has been pushing hard for the team to sign Clay and he knows just how hard he can be to defend from his time coaching against him in intra-divisional action.
Buffalo has been going over both their cap numbers and the Dolphins’ cap numbers in an attempt to structure a contract that Miami can’t match. Over the weekend, it was reported that the Dolphins were losing interest in retaining Clay and that’s not all that hard to believe, given the potential contract that Clay could command coupled with the presence of the newly-signed Jordan Cameron.
East Rumors: Eagles, Tebow, Mariota
Of the seven new players that the Eagles acquired this offseason, only DeMarco Murray played 16 games last season. The Eagles are taking advantage of spotty injury records to get the most value on his acquisitions, Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “We don’t want to bring in injured players, but I think the players that are available, there has to be a reason,” Kelly said. “Some guys are available because it’s a money reason and you don’t have the cap room or you’re not willing to go that high for that individual player, and some players are available because there was an injury.” Here’s more out of the East divisions..
- If the Eagles trade quarterback Matt Barkley, Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 (via Twitter) hears that there’s an “80% chance” they’ll sign Tim Tebow to replace him. Chip Kelly & Co. auditioned Tebow on Monday. The Eagles have let teams in need of a quarterback know that Barkley is available, Russini adds (link). It helps that Barkley and Kelly have the same agent, she adds.
- No one is buying talk that Washington is looking to take Marcus Mariota at No. 5, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets. The belief is that Washington is looking to stimulate a trade ahead of their No. 5 pick, pushing their desired player down.
- If the Dolphins match Charles Clay‘s offer sheet from the Bills, they almost have to give Ryan Tannehill an extension before the start of the 2016 league year, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald tweets.
FA Notes: Connolly, Gresham, Ellis, Barksdale
After passing along several updates on free agency this morning, we’re back this afternoon with another round-up. Here’s the latest on a handful of players still on the market:
- The Patriots would like to re-sign Dan Connolly, but the veteran offensive lineman is also receiving interest from the Seahawks and Bears as a center, and from the Dolphins and Buccaneers as a guard, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The 32-year-old has been a mainstay in New England for the last few years, but had a down year in 2014, placing among the bottom 10 guards in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
- Tight end Jermaine Gresham is meeting with a doctor tomorrow to determine the severity of a back injury, and could be headed for surgery later this week, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Greshman still expects to be ready for training camp, but that’s a giant red flag for potential suitors, and explains why he remains unsigned. Teams in need of a tight end – such as the Bills, Raiders, and Browns – figure to monitor Gresham’s situation, tweets Rapoport.
- Free agent defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis could potentially make the move from one New York team to another. According to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter), the former Jet is visiting the Giants today.
- The Titans have maintained interest in Joe Barksdale, arguably the top tackle left on the market, says Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Since hitting free agency last week, Barksdale has frequently been linked to the Titans and the Rams, who are still interested in re-signing him.
- Veteran free agent Samson Satele is looking for a team that will give him the opportunity to compete for a starting center job, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
FA Notes: Clay, Canty, Spencer, Irving, Moore
There hasn’t been much movement on the Charles Clay front lately, but the Bills are still steadfast in their hopes of signing him to an unmatchable offer sheet, a source tells Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. Buffalo appears confident in landing the Dolphins transition player, as the source tells Carucci that it’s a 90% certainty that the Bills will acquire the tight end.
Rex Ryan is reportedly pushing for Clay, as the Bills head coach knows how difficult Clay is to defend from the former’s time with the Jets. Per Carucci, Buffalo is currently going over both their cap numbers and those of the Dolphins, in an attempt to structure a contract that Miami can’t match.
Let’s take a look at the what’s happening on the rest of the free agent market:
- Defensive lineman Chris Canty will visit the Seahawks tomorrow, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). The 32-year-old was released by the Ravens last month, and while a reunion with Baltimore is possible, he’s also met with the Jets as he explores his options.
- Canty isn’t the only defender who will take a meeting with Seattle, as LB/DE Anthony Spencer will also visit the Seahawks, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Seattle had success in bringing in veteran defensive lineman Kevin Williams last season, so perhaps they’re trying to find another diamond-in-the-rough between Canty and Spencer.
- While his visit with the Colts today went well, linebacker Nate Irving is still weighing all his options, tweets Josina Anderson of ESPN. The former Bronco has also been linked to the Dolphins and the Cardinals.
- After asking a source whether receiver Denarius Moore could return to the Raiders, Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (via Twitter) got a clear response: “Not a chance.” The 26-year-old hasn’t drawn any known interest during the free agent period.
- Although we heard on Thursday that the Bears were discussing a multi-year deal with linebacker Mason Foster, no such pact is imminent, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com (Twitter link), who adds that nothing is close between the two sides.
Draft Notes: Mariota, Ray, Parker, Agholor
We’ve already looked at a few upcoming draft visits in some earlier posts today, so let’s go ahead and round up the rest of today’s draft-related news…
- The Buccaneers hosted Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Per Rapoport, Mariota’s visit to Tampa will be similar to Jameis Winston‘s meeting several weeks ago, and Mariota will meet with all of TB’s decision-makers.
- Edge rusher Shane Ray will be a busy man, as the Missouri product has pre-draft visits lined up with the Ravens, Falcons, Titans, and Jaguars, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports.
- Like Ray, Louisville receiver DeVante Parker will have a full schedule, as he has 12 visits on his calendar during the next month, per Gil Brandt of NFL.com (Twitter link), who adds that Parker will first meet with the Dolphins.
- Another receiver — USC’s Nelson Agholor — visited with the Eagles today, according to Getlin (via Twitter). Eagles head coach Chip Kelly recruited Agholor while the former was at Oregon, Getlin adds.
- The Eagles are hosting multiple prospects, as Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney will visit Philadelphia today and tomorrow, per Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (Twitter link).
Contract Details: Morgan, Gilchrist, Cameron
Here are some details on several of the new contracts agreed to or signed by free agents within the last few days:
AFC deals:
- Derrick Morgan, OLB (Titans): Four years, $27MM base value. $10.5MM fully guaranteed. $6MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- Marcus Gilchrist, S (Jets): Four years, $22MM base value. $10MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
- Jordan Cameron, TE (Dolphins): Two years, $15MM base value. $5MM fully guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Paul Fanaika, OL (Chiefs): Three years, $6.5MM. $1.75MM signing bonus. Incentives and escalators available (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Alan Branch, DT (Patriots): Two years, $4.3MM base value. $700K signing bonus. Option for 2016 (all Twitter links via Wilson).
- Tyrod Taylor, QB (Bills): Two years, $3.35MM base value. $1.15MM fully guaranteed. $400K signing bonus. Third year voids (all four Twitter links via Wilson).
NFC deals:
- Jasper Brinkley, LB (Cowboys): Two years, $6.5MM base value. $2MM guaranteed, $2MM option bonus in 2016 (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Akeem Ayers, LB (Rams): Two years, $6MM base value. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.3MM roster bonus in 2015 (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Andrew Gachkar, LB (Cowboys): Two years, $5.2MM base value. $1.2MM signing bonus. Up to $1MM in annual incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Nick Fairley, DT (Rams): One year, $5MM base value. $1.5MM roster bonus in 2015. Sack and playoff incentives available (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Erik Pears, OL (49ers): Two years, $4.7MM base value. $1MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Kurt Coleman, S (Panthers): Two years, $2.8MM base value. $600K signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- O’Brien Schofield, DE (Falcons): One year, $1.7MM base value. $255K signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Chris Conte, S (Buccaneers): One year, $1.5MM base value. $1.25MM fully guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN.com).
FA Notes: Freeman, Irving, Moore, Mays
Tim Tebow isn’t the only free agent quarterback attempting an NFL comeback. Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report tweets that ex-Buccaneers signal-caller Josh Freeman recently worked out for the Jets and has several other clubs taking a “hard look” at him. Freeman’s NFL success, which included a 4,000-yard season in 2012, was viewed as more sustainable than Tebow’s, so it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see a team give him a shot this summer.
Let’s check in on a few other free agent items from around the NFL….
- Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter links) has updates on a pair of free agent defenders, reporting that linebacker Nate Irving is visiting the Colts, while defensive back Sterling Moore is on track to visit the 49ers after meeting with the Steelers.
- There’s mutual interest between the Dolphins and quarterback Matt Moore, who has backed up Ryan Tannehill in recent years, writes Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. However, Moore only wants to return at fair market value, so the free agent quarterback will probably be more inclined to explore his options than to re-sign with Miami for a hometown discount.
- Washington continues to show interest in safety Taylor Mays, and the sides are trying to work out a possible visit, tweets John Keim of ESPN.com.
- Ron Parker drew plenty of reported interest during his few days on the open market, but the Chiefs safety said today that the Falcons were the team with the most interest in him, besides Kansas City, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Speaking to reporters today, including Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link), Tyrunn Walker said he was offered a three-year contract by the Patriots but opted for a one-year pact with the Lions instead. I’m guessing the Pats’ offer likely didn’t include any guaranteed money beyond the first year, so opting for Detroit instead will give Walker more freedom, and could land him a larger deal next winter if he has a good year for the Lions.
AFC East Notes: Johnson, Revis, Gachkar, Clay
The Patriots have been targeting wide receiver Stevie Johnson since his release from the 49ers, and we learned yesterday that Johnson would be visiting the team on Monday. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com believes that could be the last visit Johnson takes, saying the team “find a way to make sure he sticks around.”
“He is only 28-years-old, 6’2″ a little under 200 pounds, absolutely electric in getting off the line of scrimmage and making people miss,” said Curran. “What happened last year at San Francisco you wonder? That’s a horrible passing game. I talked to our collegue Matt Maiocco with CSN Bay Area, and he said the only guy that could be satisfied out there was Anquan Boldin.”
- The AFC East got a lot stronger this offseason, with the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins all bringing big names onto their teams and look to be generally improved from 2014. The Patriots, on the other hand, actually lost their best defensive player in Darrelle Revis to their division rival Jets, who signed him to a five-year deal with $39MM in guaranteed money. The Patriots were not worried about the the guaranteed money, but did balk at a three-year contract with no outs for the team, writes Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
- Although linebacker Andrew Gachkar just signed with the Cowboys, he was very interested in the Patriots, who he visited with earlier during the free agency period, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN (via Twitter). However, family ties in Dallas helped him decide to join the Cowboys.
- The Charles Clay saga wages on, as both the Bills and Dolphins seem intertwined with the versatile pass catcher’s future. However, no updates are imminent, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News (via Twitter). The Dolphins are waiting for the Bills to give Clay an offer sheet.
NFC Links: White, Wallace, Seahawks
Corey White will head to Dallas after the Saints waived him Friday, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. White had less than four years’ experience, which sent him to the waiver process where the Cowboys picked up the cornerback’s contract.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old White, a fifth-round Saints pick in 2012, started 19 games with New Orleans the past three seasons, including nine last year. The Cowboys, who did not place a tender on then-restricted free agent corner Sterling Moore last weekend, also have interest in bringing in ex-Saints corner Patrick Robinson, Archer added.
Moore rated 22nd among cornerbacks on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) last year, while the site ranked White as its third-worst corner.
White’s cap number more than doubles entering his fourth year, going from $614K to $1.6MM, per OverTheCap.
Elsewhere in free agency’s first official weekend …
- New Vikings No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace did not agree to renegotiate his contract, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Wallace’s Dolphins deal signed in 2013 calls for him to count $9.9MM against the Vikings’ salary cap, which could be the highest figure on the team, depending on what happens with Adrian Peterson ($15.4MM).”I was traded as is, with my contract. We didn’t even discuss anything like that,” Wallace said, via Tomasson.
- Currently the Seahawks‘ No. 2 quarterback behind Russell Wilson, B.J. Daniels figures to get competition here and may have his role expanded to non-quarterback responsibilities, reports Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. The third-stringer behind Wilson and current unrestricted free agent Tarvaris Jackson, Daniels was signed to a futures contract after the 2013 season. Pete Carroll told Condotta the athletic QB could be in line to have a role at wide receiver along with time as a return man. Daniels, a 49ers seventh-round pick in 2013, rushed for more than 2,000 yards in college at South Florida.
- Five cornerbacks on the 2013 Super Bowl champion Seahawks signed for a sum of $126.25MM this week, notes Condotta. Although only Byron Maxwell (six years, $63MM, Eagles) and Walter Thurmond (one year, $3.25MM, Eagles) played for the team in Super Bowl XLVIII, Brandon Browner (three years, $15MM, Saints), Perrish Cox (three years, $15MM, Titans) and Ron Parker (five years, $30MM, Chiefs) were on the roster at various points that season or in training camp.
- OverTheCap provided an analysis of what kind of compensatory draft picks this year’s free agent class can net their former teams. It tabbed Ndamukong Suh, Darrelle Revis, Maxwell and Julius Thomas to result in picks at the end of the 2016 draft’s third round for the Lions, Patriots, Seahawks and Broncos. This year’s compensatory selections are set to be announced later this month.
Dolphins Losing Interest In Charles Clay?
SATURDAY, 8:22pm: The Dolphins are ready to bow out of the Clay duel with the Bills after “losing patience” with their transition-tagged tight end, the Buffalo News’ Tim Graham reports on Twitter.
FRIDAY, 3:58pm: The Bills won’t give Clay an offer sheet today, but it’s still expected to happen at some point, a source tells Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News (Twitter link).
FRIDAY, 12:46pm: Having agreed to trade Dannell Ellerbe to the Saints, the Dolphins will clear some additional cap room and are still trying to sign Clay to a long-term extension, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
FRIDAY, 8:09am: After snatching tight end Jordan Cameron away from the Browns yesterday and signing him to a two-year deal, the Dolphins decided not to rescind their transition tender to Charles Clay. On the surface, the move suggests that Miami would still like to keep Clay, and would be fine rolling with both tight ends in 2015 and beyond. However, the decision may also signal an ongoing game of chicken between the Dolphins and their division rivals in Buffalo.
The Bills’ interest in Clay has been well documented over the last week, and having released Scott Chandler and watched Lee Smith sign with the Raiders, Buffalo badly needs a tight end. That’s why the Bills were reportedly preparing to sign Clay to an aggressive offer sheet that would be difficult for Miami to match.
Although the Bills may still structure their offer to make things hard on Miami, they now have to consider whether doing so would only make things harder on themselves. After all, there’s little chance that the Dolphins would match an expensive long-term offer for Clay now that they’ve locked up Cameron. So the Bills may just end up sticking themselves with a frontloaded contract for the tight end, and that may be why Miami hasn’t rescinded that transition tag — doing so would allow Clay to sign with Buffalo immediately, without the Fins having the right to match.
In any case, the Bills are still preparing to make an offer to Clay today or Saturday, and they believe they’ll get him, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Having already added LeSean McCoy, the Bills are also hoping they can add Percy Harvin on a one-year deal to complement Sammy Watkins. Whether it’s Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, or Tyrod Taylor heading the team’s offense next season, it’s clear Buffalo is doing everything it can to ensure that its starting quarterback has plenty of weapons at his disposal.