AFC Rumors: Bowe, Johnson, Cameron
Dwayne Bowe will spend the night in Cleveland and begin his visit after dinner with Browns officials, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports on Twitter.
Bowe’s visit will continue into Sunday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot reports.
Displaced from his near-decade-long post as the Chiefs‘ No. 1 wide receiver by Jeremy Maclin earlier this week, Bowe is currently discussing work in a place that’s had worse wideout luck. The Chiefs released Bowe after eight seasons earlier this week after making substantial 2015 commitments to Maclin and franchise player Justin Houston.
A 2007 first-round pick, Bowe has an obvious connection to the Browns, with current GM Ray Farmer having served as the Chiefs’ director of pro personnel from 2006-12.
Down their own No. 1 wide receiver in Josh Gordon, the Browns added possession target Brian Hartline earlier and lost out on retaining their top eligible pass-catcher, Jordan Cameron, in a confusing back-and-forth sequence Thursday. Despite Bowe’s inconsistency, he’d be an upgrade in Cleveland and likely on a friendlier cap number than the $14MM he was to occupy on the Chiefs’ cap this season after signing a long-term extension in 2013.
In other AFC news …
- Cabot sheds some light on the latest Cleveland talent relocating his talents to South Beach. In the piece, Cabot discusses the Browns’ preference for Charles Clay over Cameron before backing off due to the Bills‘ infatuation with the Dolphins’ transition player. Cameron said in his introductory presser with the Dolphins he never had a verbal agreement with the Browns despite the media reports to the contrary. The other key piece of information from this report: Cleveland offered Cameron to the Seahawks for Percy Harvin last season before the wideout was dealt to the Jets.
- Stevie Johnson will visit the Patriots on Monday, tweets NBC4 (Washington D.C.) anchor Dianna Marie Russini. This summit comes after Johnson met with the Chargers on Friday. The Patriots already signed Brandon Gibson to bolster competition among their reserve wideouts, although Johnson comes with a higher pedigree. The Jets also are a team that could make a play for Johnson as his former offensive coordinator and quarterback — Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick, respectively — reside there, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter.
- The Chargers’ receiver pursuit also includes ex-Jaguars No. 1 target Cecil Shorts, tweets Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
AFC East Notes: Hardy, Bush, Bulaga, Clay
The Patriots have a history of taking in players with checkered pasts, and could have the opportunity to do so again by signing Greg Hardy this offseason, write Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com. He notes that the team took in trouble souls such as Corey Dillon, Randy Moss, Aqib Talib, and most recently LeGarrette Blount, all of whom had successful runs with the team.
Considering the cap space the Patriots have available after losing both Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, Hardy could be the next reclamation project for Bill Belichick.
- The Patriots lost versatile tailback Shane Vereen to the Giants, and missed out on Reggie Bush, who signed with the 49ers earlier today. That puts them in the market for a pass catching option out of the backfield, writes Mike Reiss of ESPN. Reiss writes that last year’s fourth-round pick James White could fill that role, or Dion Lewis, both of whom are still on the roster. He also picks out University of Miami running back Duke Johnson and former Saint Pierre Thomas as possible options.
- The Bills were pursuing offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga aggressively in free agency, and Andrew Brandt noted that Buffalo had offered him more money than he got to return to the Packers, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.
- The Bills may have lost out on Bulaga, but they are still trying to land Charles Clay away from the Dolphins, writes Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. The team fully intends to sign Clay to an offer sheet, then the Dolphins would have to either match or allow Clay to leave.
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.
Reactions To Kenny Stills Trade
Earlier today, the Dolphins acquired promising young wide receiver Kenny Stills from the Saints in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick. Here’s a look at some of the latest reaction and fallout:
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) heard that Saints brass had soured on Stills, prompting the trade. Many teams were surprised that he was being shopped given that his contract was so inexpensive, but that might help to explain it. Meanwhile, the Saints are looking to load up on draft picks.
- Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (on Twitter) heard that quarterback Drew Brees was not happy with Stills or Ben Grubbs, so it’s no coincidence that they’ve both been shipped out.
- According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald (on Twitter), there were questions in New Orleans about Stills’ work ethic, and he apparently enjoys the nightlife quite a bit.
- The Saints are telling their traded players that they’re going all in to build a quality defense, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets. New Orleans now has two first-round picks, a second-round choice, and two third-round picks to work with. Even with Rob Ryan at the helm, the Saints’ defense was a major disappointment in 2014.
- Miller (on Twitter) doesn’t necessarily like that approach, and he notes that the Saints are loading up on draft picks in what projects to be a very average draft class. Still, the strongest position in this draft is wide receiver, so the Saints may feel that they can replace Stills with one of their many picks (link).
Mike Wallace Back On Trade Block
MARCH 13: After acquiring Kenny Stills today, the Dolphins put Wallace back on the trade block, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Miami doesn’t appear to have made a decision on Wallace yet, but the team may not want him back at his current salary and cap number.
FEBRUARY 25: The Dolphins are exploring the trade route with wide receiver Mike Wallace, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter). It’s widely believed that the Dolphins have been pushing Wallace to restructure his deal or take a pay cut.
Wallace signed a five-year, $60MM deal with Miami in 2014 and that price is too rich for the Dolphins’ blood as they look ahead to the 2015 season and beyond. The Dolphins will absorb a $12.1MM cap hit if Wallace is on the team, $9.6MM if he is cut without a post-June 1 designation, $6.6MM if he is traded, and $5.2MM if he is cut with a post-June 1 designation (which also would entail a 2016 cap hit). The cap hit is large, but not quite as bad as 2014’s $17.25MM number.
Wallace, 29 in August, caught 67 passes last season for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his numbers haven’t been that of an elite wide receiver, he is obviously still very productive and he has also proved to be very durable over the years with just one missed game over the last six years. Statistically, Wallace’s best season came in 2011 with the Steelers when he had 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl selection.
Presumably, any team trading for Wallace will also require him to re-work his deal.
AFC Rumors: Fins, Bush, Pats, Gresham, Titans
After signing Jordan Cameron and completing a deal for Kenny Stills, the Dolphins may not be done making moves, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, who notes that the team continues to work on a possible long-term deal for tight end Charles Clay. Beasley adds that the team appears to be open to keeping Mike Wallace, but that may hinge on the wideout’s willingness to redo his contract, so it looks like that situation remains uncertain for the time being.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Running back Reggie Bush is moving forward with his Patriots visit, and is meeting with the team today, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. We heard yesterday that a meeting with the Pats was on Bush’s schedule. The former Lion, who has also visited San Francisco this week, could be a good fit in a Shane Vereen-type role. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link) believes there’s a good chance the Patriots could come away with either Bush or Percy Harvin, noting that the team has interest in both players.
- According to Tom Curran of CSNNE.com (via Twitter), the Patriots aren’t currently in on any trade talks for Eagles guard Evan Mathis. We heard yesterday that New England had expressed interest in Mathis, who appears to be on the trade block.
- A source tells Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) that despite the team trying to lock him up this week, talks between the Raiders and tight end Jermaine Gresham are “dead for now.”
- Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com (Twitter link) hears that free agent offensive tackle Joe Barksdale is an option the Titans will consider. Tennessee lost two tackles this offseason, as Michael Roos retired and Michael Oher was released.
Dolphins Acquire Kenny Stills From Saints
1:30pm: The Saints have officially confirmed the trade, as reported (Twitter link).
12:40pm: As part of the swap, Ellerbe has agreed to restructure his deal for the Saints, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
11:51am: The Dolphins will send linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third-round pick to New Orleans for Stills, per Pro Football Talk (Twitter link). Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link) first reported that the Saints would be getting a linebacker and a draft pick in the deal.
Ellerbe had been viewed as a likely cap casualty, given his $8.425MM base salary for 2015. I’d be surprised if the Saints are willing to pay him that much, or have the cap flexibility to accommodate that sort of number, so there may be a pay cut or restructure involved in the move.
The Dolphins will still carry $4.2MM on their 2015 cap in dead money for Ellerbe, but create $5.65MM in cap savings by moving him.
11:38am: The Saints are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send wide receiver Kenny Stills to the Dolphins, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). We heard yesterday that the young wideout was among the many players the Saints were shopping as they overhaul their roster.
Stills, who turns just 23 next month, became an integral part of the Saints’ passing attack in 2014, hauling in 63 passes for 931 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints’ top deep threat, Stills have averaged 16.5 yards per catch since entering the league in 2013, and is on an inexpensive rookie contract for two more years, so it’s surprising that the team would be willing to move him.
Nonetheless, yesterday’s reports indicated that the Saints were shopping practically everyone on their roster, with the exception of Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks. Already this week, the team has completed deals that shipped longtime Saints Jimmy Graham and Ben Grubbs out of town.
As for the Dolphins, if they can finalize a trade for Stills, he’d be the second notable pass-catcher added by the team in the span of 24 hours. Miami also signed tight end Jordan Cameron to a contract last night.
After the Dolphins parted ways with Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson earlier in the offseason, it looked like Ryan Tannehill may not have many weapons at his disposal for the 2015 season, with Mike Wallace and Charles Clay also hanging in the balance. However, Wallace remains on the roster for now, despite his large cap hit, and Clay was given the transition tag by the club, though he may end up signing elsewhere now that Cameron is in the mix.
Contract Details: Culliver, Browner, Cameron
Here are some key contract details for a few notable new pacts agreed to and/or signed over the last few days:
NFC deals:
- Chris Culliver, CB (Washington): Four years, $32MM base value. $16MM fully guranteed. $5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun).
- Brooks Reed, LB (Falcons): Five years, $22.5MM base value. $6.9MM fully guaranteed. $4.7MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Brandon Browner, CB (Saints): Three years, $15MM base value. $7.75MM fully guaranteed. $3.9MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Ryan Mathews, RB (Eagles): Three years, $11MM base value. $5MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Wilson).
- Terrance Knighton, DT (Washington): One year, $4MM. $2MM signing bonus (link via Troy Renck of the Denver Post).
AFC deals:
- Jordan Cameron, TE (Dolphins): Two years, $15MM base value. $5MM fully guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. $2.5MM per-game roster bonuses in 2015 (link via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk).
- Rahim Moore, S (Texans): Three years, $12MM base value. $4.5MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter links via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle and Wilson).
- Justin Forsett, RB (Ravens): Three years, $9MM base value. $2.1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
East Notes: Cowboys, Harvin, Bills, Giants
Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports examines the situation in the Cowboys‘ front office, deducing that Stephen Jones is currently winning out on key decisions over his father Jerry Jones. According to Robinson, the Cowboys owner would have been willing to go up to at least $6-7MM per year for DeMarco Murray, while his son, the team’s executive VP, drew a line in the sand in the neighborhood of $5MM annually. Of course, the Eagles‘ final offer ultimately averaged $8MM per year, so it’s not clear if Dallas would have landed him even if Jerry made the final call.
Here’s more from around the NFL’s two East divisions:
- Percy Harvin had a two-day visit in Buffalo with the Bills and is now taking some time to plan his next move, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Per Florio, the former Seahawks and Jets wideout has a couple more visits that he could take, but he’s debating whether to continue that process or to accept an offer, perhaps from the Bills.
- The Giants have missed out on a couple potential free agent targets at safety, and one source tells Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) that the team’s plans at the position are unclear. “Nobody knows what [they’re] going to do at free safety,” the source said. “They don’t have one on the roster that started an NFL game.”
- Speaking to the media today, including Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link), new Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron claimed he never agreed to a deal with the Browns, despite multiple reporters confirming it yesterday. “It’s the NFL free agency for you,” Cameron said. “Talks heated up.”