Contract Details: Forte, Lewis, Rey
Here are a few of the latest contract details for players who have agreed to new deals and/or signed them in recent days. Unless otherwise specified, all links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle…
NFC:
- Cody Davis, S (Rams): Two years, $2.91MM. $805K guaranteed. Max value of $5.1MM after incentives and escalators (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
- Kendall Reyes, DL (Washington): One year, $2.5MM. $1MM signing bonus. $6,250 per-game active roster bonus. $850K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link).
- Joe Webb, QB (Panthers): Two years, $1.86MM. $200K bonus. $50K annual Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link).
- Kai Forbath, K (Saints): One year, $840K. $80K signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Bryce Harris, OT (Falcons): One year, $820K. $60K bonus (Twitter link).
- Travis Lewis, LB (Vikings): One year, $810K. $50K bonus (Twitter link).
AFC:
- Donald Stephenson, OT (Broncos): Three years, $14MM. $10MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus. $3MM salary for 2016 fully guaranteed. $4MM salary for 2017 guaranteed for injury at signing. Otherwise, Stephenson’s 2017 salary is guaranteed if he’s on the Broncos’ roster on the fifth day of the league year (Twitter links).
- Matt Forte, RB (Jets): Three years, $12MM. $9MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus. $1M roster bonus due March 15. $1MM salary for 2016 and $4MM salary for 2017 guaranteed. $2MM stat escalator for 2017 and ’18 (Twitter link).
- Marcedes Lewis, TE (Jaguars): Three years, $12MM. $5MM guaranteed. Jags must exercise $3.5MM club option for 2018 before 22nd day of the league year (Twitter link).
- Vincent Rey, LB (Bengals): Three years, $10.5MM. $3MM guaranteed as a roster bonus on March 15. $500K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year. $500K playing-time escalator in 2017 and ’18. $12,500 per-game active roster bonus each year. (Twitter links).
NFC FA Rumors: Vikings, Cowboys, Long, Conte
Andre Smith is expected to visit the Vikings on Sunday, Darren Wolfson of KSTP tweets. The 38th-ranked player in PFR’s top 50 free agents list, Smith’s market has been slower to materialize than Mitchell Schwartz, the other top right tackle in this year’s class. The veteran right-edge player rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 58 tackle last season and doesn’t have much left tackle experience.
The Vikings restructured the recently injury-prone Phil Loadholt‘s contract earlier this week, seemingly clearing up some of their uncertainty up front. But Loadholt’s sustained two season-ending injuries over the past two seasons and has just one year left on his contract, so it makes sense that Minnesota would have interest in adding some insurance.
Here’s more on free agents from around the NFC:
- Chris Long‘s previously-reported visit with the Cowboys is now expected to happen next week, writes David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. According to Moore, no firm date has been set yet, but Dallas has interest in the veteran defensive end.
- It’s a three-team race for free agent safety Chris Conte, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who tweets that the Buccaneers, Saints, and Giants are in the hunt. Having played for the Bucs last season, it sounds like Conte is drawing interest from his former team even though Lovie Smith is no longer the head coach — the safety played under Smith in Chicago as well.
- The Vikings aren’t looking to bring back linebacker Jason Trusnik, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (on Twitter). A 32-year-old edge player, Trusnik played in eight games for the Vikings last season and in order to continue his nine-year career, Trusnik, who started six games for the Dolphins in 2014, will have to search for a fifth NFL destination.
- Linebacker Terence Garvin will visit Washington, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets. The Steelers backup sat behind the myriad ex-first-rounders in Pittsburgh, starting one game in three seasons. Garvin totaled 21 special teams tackles during his time with the Steelers. Washington recently lost Keenan Robinson to the Giants, creating a need for additional cogs on its second level.
- Previously reported to have visited Washington, Andre Branch has additional meetings lined up and won’t make his decision yet, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
FA Rumors: Cards, Hall, Ayers, Jets, Jenkins
With starting cornerback Jerraud Powers eligible for free agency, the Cardinals are considering their options at the position, and have veteran corner Leon Hall scheduled to come in on Monday for a visit, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Hall, 31, started just four of his 14 games for the Bengals last season, but still played in 735 defensive snaps, ranking 33rd among qualified cornerbacks, per Pro Football Focus. Cincinnati has already retained free agent defensive backs Adam Jones and George Iloka, so it will be interesting to see whether the team can also re-sign Hall (and Reggie Nelson), or whether the veteran cornerback may land in Arizona, where the Cards could pair him with Patrick Peterson.
Let’s round up a few more free agent rumors from around the league…
- The Jaguars will make a strong effort to close on a deal with Robert Ayers during the defensive end’s visit to Jacksonville, per Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). However, the Buccaneers and Dolphins will be in play if Ayers leaves his Jags visit without a deal, Robinson notes.
- The Jets are examining free agent defensive linemen, and will bring in Jarvis Jenkins for a visit, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Jenkins, 27, established new career highs with 32 tackles and four sacks last season for the Bears.
- Veteran defensive end Chris Long tells SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link via Alex Marvez of FOX Sports) that he wants to sign with a “playoff” team, adding that he really enjoyed his visits with Washington and the Falcons.
- Linebacker Chad Greenway tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that, while he wants to return to the Vikings, he would consider signing – and finishing his career – with another team. Greenway, who says he has been “laying low” in free agency so far, doesn’t sound close to a deal anywhere.
Contract Details: Kearse, Whitehead, Hali
Here are a few of the latest contract details for players who have agreed to new deals and/or signed them in recent days. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
NFC:
- Jermaine Kearse, WR (Seahawks): Three years, $13.5MM. $6.3MM guaranteed. $5.5MM signing bonus. Up to $4.7MM in total incentives/escalators (Twitter links via Wilson and Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Tahir Whitehead, LB (Lions): Two years, $8MM. $4.75MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus. $500K in annual playing-time/Pro Bowl incentives. $200K in per-game active roster bonuses in 2017 (Twitter links).
- Sherrick McManis, CB (Bears): Two years, $2.85MM. $600K signing bonus. $150K roster bonus due 10th day of 2016 league year. $50K annual workout bonus (Twitter link).
- Senio Kelemete, OL (Saints): Two years, $2.7MM. $300K signing bonus. $50K roster bonus due third day of 2017 league year. Up to $600K in annual incentives (Twitter links).
- Kenrick Ellis, DT (Vikings): One year, $810K. $25K workout bonus. $25K bonus for one game on 53-man roster (Twitter link via Pelissero).
AFC:
- Tamba Hali, OLB (Chiefs): Three years, $21MM. $11.5MM fully guaranteed. $4.75MM signing bonus. $500K annually in weight bonuses (five weigh-ins worth $100K each). $500K annually in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter links via Wilson and Pelissero).
- Robert Golden, S (Steelers): Three years, $4.95MM. $1.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Eddie Pleasant, S (Texans): Two years, $2.15MM. $311K roster bonus in 2016. $36K roster bonus in 2017 (Twitter link).
- Shane Lechler, P (Texans): One year, $1.8MM. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Khiry Robinson, RB (Jets): One year, $1.175MM. $80K signing bonus. $20K roster bonus for first game. $350K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Nick Novak, K (Texans): One year, $965K. Minimum salary benefit. $80K roster bonus due March 14 (Twitter link).
Vikings Sign LB Travis Lewis
THURSDAY, 6:46pm: Lewis’ pact with the Vikings is official, according to the team’s website.
WEDNESDAY, 12:16pm: The Vikings have agreed to terms with former Lions linebacker Travis Lewis, reports Peter Schrager of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
Lewis, 28, has been with Detroit since 2012, when he entered the league as a seventh-round pick out of Oklahoma. He actually started four games last season, but for the most part he’s been a backup, appearing in 42 contests during his four-year career. Lewis was a key member of the Lions’ special teams unit, playing on more than 70% of Detroit’s ST snaps — that’s likely the role he’ll play in Minnesota.
Like all free agents, Lewis can’t officially sign his new deal until 3pm CT today.
Raiders Sign Kelechi Osemele
THURSDAY, 5:46pm: The Raiders announced (on Twitter) that it’s a done deal.
TUESDAY, 11:26am: Osemele will get a five-year deal that can be worth up to $60MM, according to Getlin (Twitter links). Getlin adds that the base value is $11.7MM per season, which works out to $58.5MM over five years.
9:58am: Osemele’s new contract will be worth more than $11MM annually and will make him one of the top five highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter)
9:12am: The Raiders are on track to sign one of the top offensive free agents on the market when the new league year begins on Wednesday, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that Oakland had reached an agreement in principle with offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele.
Osemele, 26, has been a starter on the Ravens’ offensive line since being selected by the team in the second round of the 2012 draft, earning playing time at right tackle, guard, and – most recently – left tackle. Although he has been slowed a little by injuries in recent years, missing multiple games in each of the last three seasons, Osemele has been a reliable performer on Baltimore’s line. Pro Football Focus ranked him 18th out of 77 qualified tackles in 2015, giving him the second-highest run-blocking grade at the position.
While the Ravens reportedly made a strong effort to bring Osemele back, their cap situation didn’t afford them nearly as much flexibility as the Raiders have. After a strong contract year, the Iowa State product looked poised to become at least the highest-paid guard in the NFL, and perhaps to be paid like a top-10 left tackle.
In fact, Getlin tweets that Osemele’s market was “incredibly hot” and that his deal will “blow the top off” the guard market. That price tag was likely too high for the Ravens and for the Vikings, who were also said to be pursuing Osemele. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Jets also dropped out of the running based on the lineman’s asking price.
Although the Raiders and Osemele have reached an agreement in principle, it’s worth reiterating that no teams can complete deals with outside free agents until Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm central time. While most verbal agreements are completed at that time, we have seen deals fall apart during the legal tampering period in the past. A year ago, Frank Gore appeared headed to the Eagles before he signed with the Colts instead. Two years ago, the Raiders seemed on the verge of signing Rodger Saffold to a huge contract before concerns over his physical scuttled the deal.
Assuming the two sides do finalize the deal on Wednesday, it will be interesting to see how the Raiders plan to use Osemele. The team could slot him in at guard, but with left tackle Donald Penn eligible to hit the open market on Wednesday himself, Oakland has some flexibility when it comes to Osemele’s role. Their agreement with the ex-Raven may also give the Raiders some leverage in negotiations with Penn, whom they reportedly want to retain. Having entered the day armed with approximately $60MM in cap room, per OverTheCap.com, the club certainly has the flexibility to sign both players.
Osemele ranked fourth overall in our list of this year’s top 50 free agents.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Contract Details: Sanu, Lane, Harris, Jones
Here are some of the latest details on recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the NFL.
- Mohamed Sanu, WR (Falcons): Five years, $32.5MM. $14MM guaranteed. $7MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $1MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6MM, $6.5MM. (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, on Twitter). Can earn additional $1.25MM based on receptions, per ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure (on Twitter).
- Jeremy Lane, CB (Seahawks): Four years, $23MM. $11MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. Base salaries of $2MM, $4MM, $6MM, $6MM (Twitter link via Wilson). $7MM fully guaranteed. Lane’s $4MM salary in 2017 guaranteed in February 2017, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).
- Mike Harris, OL (Vikings): One year, $2MM. $500K of $1.9MM base salary fully guaranteed. $100K workout bonus. (via Wilson, on Twitter). Can earn $1.05MM in incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Mason Foster, ILB (Washington): Two years, $2.5MM. $350K signing bonus. Can earn $1.6MM in playing-time incentives, per Pelissero (on Twitter).
- Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $24MM. $16MM in 2016-17, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports (on Twitter).
- Kellen Clemens, QB (Chargers): One year, $1.065MM. $80K roster bonus, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (on Twitter).
Vikings To Sign Alex Boone
THURSDAY, 12:47pm: The Vikings announced that their deal with Boone is now official.
WEDNESDAY ,3:18pm: Boone’s four-year deal is worth $26.8MM in total with $10MM guaranteed, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. Boone get $1.6MM in year one followed by three years at $6.6M with a $100K workout bonus.
10:50am: The Vikings will sign Alex Boone, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Exact terms of the deal are not yet known. 
After missing out on Kelechi Osemele this offseason, Boone was the Vikings’ Plan B. Boone does not offer the versatility that Osemele provides, but he is a solid consolation prize. On our list of free agent guards and centers for this offseason, Boone placed No. 5 behind Osemele, Alex Mack, Jeff Allen, and Richie Incognito.
According to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Boone was the 38th best guard in the NFL last season with a strong 82.1 grade for pass blocking and a not-so-hot 44.9 grade for run blocking. Boone was on the field for 477 pass snaps and 308 run snaps last season with San Francisco.
It was reported that Boone could land a deal in the neighborhood of $8MM per year. With several suitors, including the Dolphins, the incumbent 49ers, and the Vikings, Boone was in prime position to cash in this month. Boone won’t be the anchor on any offensive lines, but he has made 59 starts over the last four seasons for the Niners and is a stalwart option at either guard position. PFR’s Luke Adams projected that a per-year salary in the $6-7MM range was within reach for Boone.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings To Sign Emmanuel Lamur
THURSDAY, 12:46pm: The Vikings announced that their deal with Lamur is now official.
WEDNESDAY, 4:43pm: Lamur’s deal will be worth $6MM over two years, with $2.5MM guaranteed, according to Jim Osczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter). The Bengals were not interested in retaining Lamur, per Osczarski; they did not make an offer.
3:56pm: It’s a two-year deal for Lamur and the Vikings, tweets Tomasson.
3:41pm: Emmanuel Lamur will join the Vikings’ linebacking corps next season, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter
links).
The former Bengals outside linebacker will re-join Mike Zimmer, who coached the fifth-year veteran from 2012-13. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Lamur, who didn’t start for the Bengals last season after breaking with the first unit in 13 games in 2014, did not fare well — according to Pro Football Focus — last season. The website graded the Bengals backer as its No. 82 overall linebacker. Lamur, an undrafted free agent in 2012, did not fare well during his full-time season as a starter, either, grading as PFF’s No. 39 linebacker out of 40 qualified 4-3 second-level performers.
The 6-foot-4 Lamur did record two interceptions during his third year and signed a second-round tenure to stay in Cincinnati last season. 2015 free agent acquisition A.J. Hawk replaced him in the Bengals’ starting lineup.
Entering his age-27 season, Lamur will likely be given an opportunity to start alongside Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.
This doesn’t necessarily rule out a Chad Greenway return to the Twin Cities for a prospective 11th season, especially since Greenway’s likely a candidate for a one-year deal, but it clouds the prospect.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
NFC Free Agent Rumors: Giants, Vernon, Nelson
Peter King of The MMQB offered up a behind-the-scenes look at Olivier Vernon‘s record-breaking contract with the Giants. Agent David Canter tells King that, in addition to dollars, the defensive end was insistent on signing for five years rather than six. Both the Giants and Jets wanted to give Vernon a five-year deal, but the Jaguars were looking to sign Vernon for six. Canter and Vernon only wanted a five-year deal, however, so that he could cash in one more time at the age of 30.
Here are the latest free agent rumors:
- Washington has some interest in free safety Reggie Nelson, Mike Jones of The Washington Post tweets. The tenth-year veteran had 77 tackles and a league-leading 8 interceptions last year for Cincinnati. Nelson placed No. 41 on our Top 50 NFL Free Agents List. While he had a strong 2015, his earning power is somewhat limited as he enters his age-33 season.
- The Eagles and cornerback Nolan Carroll haven’t been able to get on the same page and as of right now, it seems like he could be headed elsewhere, Tim McManus of The Fanatic (on Twitter). The rival Cowboys, he adds, are a team to watch.
- At least six teams had interest in new Eagles quarterback Chase Daniel before he signed, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Now with Philly, Daniel is reunited with Doug Pederson, who was his offensive coordinator in Kansas City
- The Giants have had discussions with former Washington linebacker Keenan Robinson and numbers have been exchanged, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. However, there’s no deal there yet.
- Jermon Bushrod isn’t scheduled to visit the Vikings right now, but the team is monitoring his recovery from surgery, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com tweets.