2018 Proven Performance Escalators
According to the NFL’s contractual bargaining agreement, players drafted in rounds three though seven are entitled to raises during the fourth year of their respective rookie contracts. The pay bumps are tied to playing time — a player must have played in 35% of his team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of his first three seasons, or averaged 35% playing time cumulatively during that period.
If one of these thresholds is met, the player’s salary is elevated to the level of that year’s lowest restricted free agent tender — that figure should be around $1.908MM in 2018. Players selected in the first or second round, undrafted free agents, and kickers/punters are ineligible for the proven performance escalator.
Here are the players who will see their salary rise in 2018 courtesy of the proven performance escalator:
49ers: Trent Brown, T; Eli Harold, LB
Bears: Adrian Amos, S
Bengals: Tyler Kroft, TE; Josh Shaw, DB
Bills: John Miller, G
Broncos: Max Garcia, G; Trevor Siemian, QB
Browns: Duke Johnson, RB
Buccaneers: Kwon Alexander, LB
Cardinals: David Johnson, RB; J.J. Nelson, WR
Chargers: Kyle Emanuel, LB
Chiefs: Chris Conley, WR; Steven Nelson, CB
Colts: Henry Anderson, DE; Mark Glowinski, G; Denzelle Good, OL
Dolphins: Bobby McCain, CB
Eagles: Jay Ajayi, RB; Jordan Hicks, LB
Falcons: Grady Jarrett, DT
Jaguars: A.J. Cann, OL
Lions: Quandre Diggs, CB
Packers: Jake Ryan, LB
Panthers: Daryl Williams, T
Patriots: Trey Flowers, DE; Shaq Mason, G
Raiders: Clive Walford, TE
Rams: Jamon Brown, G
Ravens: Za’Darius Smith, LB
Redskins: T.J. Clemmings, OL; Jamison Crowder, WR
Saints: Tyeler Davison, DT
Seahawks: Tyler Lockett, WR
Steelers: Jesse James, TE
Vikings: Stefon Diggs, WR; Danielle Hunter, DE
OverTheCap.com was essential in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Anthony Barr Eyeing Vikings Extension
- Like everyone else in the stellar 2014 first-round class, Anthony Barr is still attached to his rookie contract. However, the Vikings outside linebacker wants to sign an extension, and Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes the team is expected to try to sign Barr by the time training camp opens. “I love it here,” Barr said, via Tomasson. “Absolutely. I really love my teammates. I really love this team. I love the city. I could see myself being here for the future.” Jamie Collins‘ $12.5MM-per-year pact paces 4-3 outside ‘backers presently, but Barr could poised to (sorry) raise the bar here. No other player in this role makes more per year than Telvin Smith‘s $11.1MM pact, so it’s a near-certainty Barr’s re-up will come in above that. The Vikings extended Xavier Rhodes, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen in 2017. A Barr agreement would be logical to follow this offseason.
John DeFilippo In Mix For Vikings’ OC Job?
John DeFilippo‘s been a hot commodity this postseason and despite being passed over for the Cardinals’ HC job, the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach could have a promising option after the Super Bowl.
The Vikings are hopeful they will get a chance to speak with DeFilippo about their OC job once permitted, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. Tomasson previously reported (via Twitter) DeFilippo was a name to watch following Super Bowl LII in an OC search that’s not expected to conclude until after this season’s final game.
It’s possible DeFilippo’s name is holding up the process, which has already included interviews with Vikings QBs coach Kevin Stefanski, ex-Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, Texans QBs coach Sean Ryan and Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell.
DeFilippo was also mentioned as a candidate to replace Bevell in Seattle, but the Seahawks went with Brian Schottenheimer for that post. The 39-year-old Philadelphia assistant is in his second season with the Eagles, and the performances of Carson Wentz and Nick Foles have made him an attractive candidate for higher-profile jobs.
Coaching Notes: Lions, Vikings, Colts, Titans
Dean Pees “retired” as the Ravens’ defensive coordinator earlier this year before joining the Titans in the same role on Monday, but Tennessee wasn’t the only club that expressed interest in the veteran coach over the past several weeks. The Lions, who are expected to formally hire Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia following the Super Bowl, also discussed a job offer with Pees, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Pees and Patricia have a working relationship, as they coached together in New England from 2004-09, so the connection makes sense. Detroit, which is expected to revamps its entire defensive staff once Patricia officially comes on board, is reportedly interested in hiring Boston College defensive line Paul Pasqualoni as its new defensive coordinator.
- The Vikings are unlikely to announce their new offensive coordinator until after the Super Bowl, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski, Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell, and Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan are the known candidates to have interviewed to replace Pat Shurmur, who recently became the Giants’ head coach. Ben McAdoo has also been linked to Minnesota’s search but hasn’t been interviewed, while the Vikings also reportedly had interest in Mike McCoy before he signed on with the Cardinals.
- Although the Colts don’t officially have a head coach, they do have a new offensive line coach, as the club has agreed to terms with Dave DeGuglielmo to lead their front five, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. DeGuglielmo coached the Patriots’ offensive line (with mixed results) from 2014-15, so he has a familiarity with presumptive Indy head coach Josh McDaniels. Last season, DeGuglielmo was hired as a Dolphins assistant after OL coach Chris Foerster was fired after an inappropriate video was published. DeGuglielmo also has experience with the Jets, Giants, and Chargers.
- In addition to poaching offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, the Titans have also hired assistant special teams coach Tyrone McKenzie away from the Rams, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link). McKenzie, 32, will coach inside linebackers for Tennessee. Like new Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, McKenzie is a former Patriots linebacker, although the two never overlapped in New England, as Vrabel was traded prior to 2009, the season McKenzie joined the club. McKenzie, also a former Buccaneer and Viking, has only one season of coaching experience.
NFL Future/Reserve Contracts: 1/29/18
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2018 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Minnesota Vikings
- S Jack Tocho
- OT Storm Norton
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Trey Griffey
Vikings Expected To Name OC Next Week
The Vikings are expected to name a new offensive coordinator next week, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Where Will Case Keenum Play In 2018?]
As PFR’s 2018 Coordinator Tracker indicates, the Vikings have already interviewed two candidates and plan to meet with two additional contenders. Former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and current Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski — the latter of whom is also on the Giants’ radar — met with head coach Mike Zimmer last week, while Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan and Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell will interview in the coming days.
Minnesota also reportedly considered at least two other coaches at some point in their search, but neither appears to be currently involved in the club’s process. Former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was mentioned as potential candidate for the Vikings, but he was recently hired as the Cardinals’ new play-caller. Ex-Giants head coach Ben McAdoo was also part of an initial group of prospective interviewees, but no meeting was ever scheduled.
Whomever the Vikings choose to replace former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will face a tall task, as a new coach will attempt to replicate Minnesota’s No. 5 DVOA ranking with an uncertain situation at quarterback. The Vikings’ top three signal-callers — Case Keenum, Sam Bradford, and Teddy Bridgewater — are all headed for unrestricted free agency in March.
Vikings Wanted To Re-Sign Kyle Carter
- Although the Vikings waived tight end Kyle Carter in order to create a roster spot for quarterback Sam Bradford earlier this month, the club intended to re-sign him when it was first eligible to do so after the Super Bowl, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Even earlier this week, Carter’s belongings were still in his Minnesota locker, so the Vikings clearly had a reserve/futures deal in mind. Instead, the Giants — who now employ former Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur as head coach — claimed Carter off waivers, meaning they’ll control his rights for the remainder of the offseason.
Vikings To Interview Saints’ Dan Campbell For OC Job
The Vikings added another name to the interview list for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Former Dolphins interim head coach and current Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell will interview for the job, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
This meeting will take place on Tuesday at Mike Zimmer‘s ranch in Kentucky, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. Tomasson adds Zimmer contacted Campbell about an assistant job two years ago before Campbell ultimately decided to join the Saints’ staff.
Campbell joins an interview list that consists of former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell, Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski and Texans QBs coach Sean Ryan. Bevell will receive the first interview, set for Friday.
Campbell has a history with Zimmer, to some degree, having been a Cowboys tight end for three seasons (2003-05) that overlapped with Zimmer’s time as Dallas’ DC.
The 41-year-old Campbell has served only as a tight ends coach or an interim head coach in his seven-year tenure as a full-time NFL assistant. This will mark his first interview for a coordinator position, but he did meet with Dolphins brass about Miami’s HC post in early 2016 prior to Adam Gase landing that job. Campbell succeeded Joe Philbin in 2015 with the Dolphins but got in 12 games as Miami’s HC that season, going 5-7.
Vikings To Interview Sean Ryan
Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan is set to interview for the Vikings’ offensive coordinator job on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter). The Vikings are considering a few other candidates for the role but it sounds like a hire won’t be made until next week, at the earliest. 
[RELATED: PFR’s Offensive Coordinator Tracker]
Ryan is the third candidate known to have an interview scheduled and the fifth coach connected to the job. The others in the mix are:
- Darrell Bevell, former offensive coordinator (Seahawks): To be interviewed on Friday
- Ben McAdoo, former head coach (Giants): Mentioned as candidate
- Mike McCoy, former offensive coordinator (Broncos): Mentioned as candidate
- Kevin Stefanski, quarterbacks coach (Vikings): To be interviewed this weekend
The Browns interviewed Ryan for their OC job earlier this month, but that job ultimately went to Todd Haley. Last year, rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson was phenomenal under Ryan’s tutelage, and the league has taken notice.
On the flipside, his lack of play calling experience could be a barrier. The Browns were reportedly waffling on giving Ryan that responsibility, but it was something that the 45-year-old was insistent on. Despite his many years of coaching experience, Ryan has never been an OC at any level.
Vikings Notes: Stefanski, Bevell
As had been expected, Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski will garner an interview for the club’s vacant offensive coordinator position. Stefanski, who’s coached tight ends, running backs, and quarterbacks for Minnesota, will meet with head coach Mike Zimmer this weekend, reports Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Meanwhile, former Seahawks OC Darrell Bevell‘s interview with Zimmer will take place on Friday, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Ex-Giants head coach Ben McAdoo and former Broncos play-caller Mike McCoy have also speculatively been mentioned as candidates for the Vikings’ OC role, but neither has yet been asked to interview.