Panthers Release S Kurt Coleman
The Panthers will release Kurt Coleman despite two seasons remaining on the safety’s deal. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) Carolina will cut one of its safety starters.
Coleman started three seasons for the Panthers and signed an extension in 2016. He was set to comprise $5.15MM of the Panthers’ 2018 cap. This move will tag Carolina with $2.5MM in dead money while creating $2.65MM in cap space.
Coleman’s stay in Charlotte rebuilt his value after he’d been a part-time player with the 2013 Eagles and 2014 Chiefs. He started throughout the Panthers’ Super Bowl season and signed a three-year, $15.1MM extension during the summer of 2016.
Dave Gettleman signed off on Coleman’s extension that summer, and the Panthers have gone through three defensive coordinators since that move commenced. Coleman played in 12 games last season, missing time because of an MCL sprain. He will become a street free agent — on a market that also includes another Panthers safety from Super Bowl 50, Tre Boston — in advance of his age-29 season.
The Panthers may be looking to add younger talent at this position soon. Soon-to-be 37-year-old Mike Adams was Carolina’s other primary starter at this spot last season.
Chiefs To Receive Second-, Fourth-Round Picks For Marcus Peters
The Rams will send two draft choices to the Chiefs for Marcus Peters, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).
Neither of those selections will come in the first round, but the Chiefs will nab a second-round pick from the Rams. Rapoport reports Kansas City will receive Los Angeles’ 2018 fourth-round pick and its 2019 second-rounder for Peters.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the Chiefs will also send a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Rams along with Peters in this swap. The Chiefs were asking for a third-round pick and a player — like they received from the Redskins for Alex Smith — but ended up receiving this package from the Rams, per Albert Breer of SI.com (Twitter link). Robert Quinn‘s name came up during the talks.
Although the Rams will be getting a high-ceiling player whose rookie contract — via the team picking up Peters’ 2019 option — has two years left, only they and the 49ers were confirmed suitors. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report tweets an NFC personnel exec notes the return wasn’t as high as could be expected for a player of Peters’ caliber because of the low number of teams bidding.
By trading two of their best players, the Chiefs have now added third- and fourth-round picks in this year’s draft. This will help in a year in which they do not own a first-round choice. They acquired a third-rounder in the Smith deal. The Rams do not have a 2018 second-rounder, having sent it to the Bills for Sammy Watkins last August (they collected a sixth-round choice in that deal as well). They now do not have a 2019 Round 2 choice but are in line to employ a cornerback who landed on the All-Pro first team in 2016. Peters was the first Chiefs cornerback since Albert Lewis in 1990 to be named a first-team All-Pro.
The Chiefs selected Peters with the No. 18 pick in the 2015 draft, and he went on to become the NFL’s defensive rookie of the year. He’s been a polarizing player, having clashed with Kansas City’s coaching staff and with a sect of the Chiefs’ fanbase due to being part of the racial inequality protest, but has created takeaways at a historic rate. Peters has 19 interceptions, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in three seasons.
The Chiefs were leery about paying Peters as a top-market corner, and that responsibility will now fall on the Rams. Los Angeles, though, will be getting a top-tier corner and have him under team control at rates of $3.1MM (2018) and at around $9MM (2019).
Vikings Unlikely To Franchise Case Keenum
The Vikings are not expected to use the franchise tag on quarterback Case Keenum, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Barring an extension, Keenum will hit the free agent market on March 14.
Keenum, a career journeyman who inked a one-year, $2MM pact with Minnesota last offseason, posted the best season of his career in 2017 while leading the Vikings’ offense to a No. 5 finish in offensive DVOA. The 30-year-old ranked seventh in passer rating and ninth in adjusted net yards per completion during the 2017 regular season, and finished first in Football Outsiders‘ individual DVOA metric.
The Vikings have the ninth-most cap space (about $49MM) of any NFL team in 2018, so the ~$23.3MM franchise tag would have been palatable for general manager Rick Spielman & Co. A franchise tender would have also allowed Minnesota to lock in Keenum for only a single season, alleviating any concerns that Keenum will turn back into a pumpkin during the course of a long-term deal.
A franchise tag would have come with its own risks, however, with most of those being financial in nature. Keenum isn’t likely to receive much more than $23MM guaranteed on a long-term deal, so the Vikings may not see value in handing him that figure for a single campaign.
Minnesota could still reach a multi-year pact with Keenum, but the club will also have the option of jumping into the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes when the free agent period begins next month. Hypothetically, the Vikings could pursue a quarterback via the draft, but given that they’re sitting near the end of the first round, the team likely won’t have a shot at one of this year’s top passing prospects without trading up.
Keenum, of course, isn’t the only Vikings quarterback scheduled to hit free agency, as Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater are also on expiring contracts.
Trade Deadline Day At Pro Hockey Rumors
The 2018 NHL Trade Deadline is today at 2pm CT, and our sister site Pro Hockey Rumors will be busy bringing you breaking news and analysis. Make sure to jump into the conversation during their special live chat, or just follow along with all the trade talk throughout the day. Will Erik Karlsson actually be traded today? Do the New York Rangers continue their fire sale and send Ryan McDonagh to a contender? Is Evander Kane going to land a big package for the Buffalo Sabres?
Visit Pro Hockey Rumors and be sure to follow on Twitter @prohockeyrumors.
Jaguars Sign Blake Bortles Through 2020
The Jaguars look to be out of the market for a quarterback agreeing to a three-year, $54MM contract extension with Blake Bortles, which includes $26.5MM guaranteed and could reach $66.5MM in total with incentives. The team confirmed the move Saturday night (Twitter link).
“Blake’s growth and development last season was a key to the success we had as a team,” said Jaguars Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin said in a team release. “Blake has proven, with toughness and dependability, that he can be the leader this team needs going forward. Along with this contract come high expectations that he will continue to improve and help our team accomplish its ultimate goal.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the terms of the deal and ESPN colleague Josina Anderson first reported that the two sides were working on a deal. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com was first to report the deal could be done as early as Saturday night.
With the incentives in the deal, Bortles could make up to $22.5MM annually over the next three seasons. Without the incentives in place, the deal would net Bortles $18MM per year, placing him right behind Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill ($19.25MM) in average annual salary. The 49ers made Jimmy Garoppolo the highest paid player in the NFL on average annually this offseason at $27.5MM.
Bortles, 25, was already under contract with the Jaguars for 2018 and was due to make $19MM as the team picked up his fifth-year non-guaranteed option last May. But Bortles’ reported new deal will keep him in Jacksonville through 2020 and eliminates a team from a crowded group that’ll be seeking new quarterbacks this offseason.
Schefter points out that the extension gives the Jaguars a chance to see if Bortles can flourish into the player they imagined when they selected him third overall in 2014. It also gives them an extended chance to seek out other long-term options at quarterback with Bortles under contract. ESPN’s Field Yates also identified that Bortles is the first player from the 2014 draft class to receive an extension. Players such as Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack could join Bortles in that aspect in the near future.
The Jaguars made it to the AFC Championship last season with Bortles under center and were winners of the AFC South, snapping a nine-year postseason drought, but he’s dealt with consistency issues throughout his career. Bortles has started all 16 games in each of the last three seasons for the Jaguars. He threw a career-low 13 interceptions in last year’s regular season while completing a career-best 60.2% of his passes. Bortles also underwent right wrist surgery this offseason, confirming the move Saturday (Twitter link), with the injury reportedly affecting him starting in December 2016.
As for as the receiving corps Bortles will be working with, top targets Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson are both set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. The team still has the likes of Allen Hurns and Dede Westbrook under contract for next year, along with tight end Marcedes Lewis.
NFL Awards Compensatory Picks To 15 Teams
The NFL has awarded 15 compensatory draft picks to teams, as directed by the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The compensatory pick system provides additional picks to teams who lose more/better qualifying free agents in the previous year than gained.
This year, the 32 comp picks were dispersed to 15 different teams. Here is the complete rundown:
Round 3
- No. 97 overall – Cardinals
- No. 98 overall – Texans
- No. 99 overall – Broncos
- No. 100 overall – Bengals
Round 4
- No. 133 overall – Packers
- No. 134 overall – Cardinals
- No. 135 overall – Giants
- No. 136 overall – Patriots
- No. 137 overall – Cowboys
Round 5
- No. 170 overall – Bengals
- No. 171 overall – Cowboys
- No. 172 overall – Packers
- No. 173 overall – Cowboys
- No. 174 overall – Packers
Round 6
- No. 207 overall – Packers
- No. 208 overall – Cowboys
- No. 209 overall – Chiefs
- No. 210 overall – Raiders
- No. 211 overall – Texans
- No. 212 overall – Raiders
- No. 213 overall – Vikings
- No. 214 overall – Texans
- No. 215 overall – Ravens
- No. 216 overall – Raiders
- No. 217 overall – Raiders
- No. 218 overall – Vikings
Round 7
- No. 251 overall – Chargers
- No. 252 overall – Bengals
- No. 253 overall – Bengals
- No. 254 overall – Cardinals
- No. 255 overall – Buccaneers
- No. 256 overall – Falcons
The Bengals, Cowboys, Packers and Raiders lead the way in comp picks this year with four. The Cardinals and Texans each snagged three, the Vikings own two, and the Falcons, Ravens, Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Patriots, Giants, and Buccaneers each have one.
David Harris Retires From NFL
David Harris is calling it a career. The former Jets and Patriots linebacker announced on Friday that he is retiring from the NFL. 
“After 11 years of having played the greatest team sport at its highest level, it’s now time for me to announce my retirement from the NFL,” Harris said in a statement provided by his agency.
Harris signed a two-year, $5MM deal ($1.25MM guaranteed) with the Patriots in June after he was dropped by the Jets in June. The team’s decision to release Harris came as a surprise given the timing of the move. Unable to take advantage of the first or even second wave of free agency, Harris signed a relatively modest deal with New England, giving him a chance to win a Super Bowl while getting some revenge on his former team.
From a football perspective, Harris’ second act with the Patriots was not a rousing success. The 34-year-old saw only 181 snaps during the regular season thanks to his decreased speed and lack of ability to drop back in coverage. Still, he was retained throughout the year for his leadership skills and the Patriots did reach the Super Bowl with him on the roster.
Harris spent ten years with the Jets after joining the team as a second-round pick in 2007. His 147 career starts in green are good for sixth all-time in franchise history.
Trey Burton Unlikely To Return To Eagles
The defending champions are looking to keep the band together with limited cap space this offseason. Already, they’re on the verge of losing at least one key player. The Eagles are unlikely to retain tight end Trey Burton and he is expected to sign with another team in March, a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells Matt Lombardo of NJ.com. 
The Eagles made an offer that Burton, but the tight end did not consider that proposal to be “serious,” according to the source. Burton now projects as the best tight end available on the open market.
Burton most of the season behind Zach Ertz on the Eagles’ depth chart. The undrafted free agent then saw an uptick in playing time when Ertz suffered a concussion late in the season. In the Super Bowl, Burton cemented his place in Philadelphia lore when he threw the “Philly Special” touchdown pass to quarterback Nick Foles.
In the regular season, Burton caught 23 passes for 248 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. There are bigger names in this year’s free agent TE crop such as Jimmy Graham, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Tyler Eifert, but Burton figures to command the largest offers of the group.
Jaguars Extend Coughlin, Marrone, Caldwell
The Jaguars have locked up executive vice president Tom Coughlin, GM Dave Caldwell, coach Doug Marrone with new two-year extensions, according to a team announcements. The fresh deals will keep all three men in place through the 2021 season. 
Coughlin, pictured here in his best gardening gear, joined Jacksonville last January. The Jags proceeded to shock the world by going from a 3-13 record in 2016 to 10-6 in 2017 and nearly defeating the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. This year, the Jaguars will look improve on their success and reach their first ever Super Bowl.
“The decision to extend the contracts of Tom, Dave, and Doug isn’t so much a reward for last season, which no doubt was impressive, as it is to recognize their important to our football team this coming season and for years to follow,” owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “We’re past celebrating the accomplishments of our division title and playoff run, and now it’s time to take the next step. We need the right leadership firmly in place to make that happen, and it’s good to know that we’ll have that with Tom, Dave, and Doug secure in their roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Marrone initially joined the Jaguars as their assistant head coach/offensive line coach in 2015 on Gus Bradley‘s staff. Marrone was appointed as the team’s interim head coach when Bradley was canned near the end of the season and had his interim tag removed on the same day that Coughlin was hired. Marrone wasn’t necessarily the sexiest choice after his awkward exit from Buffalo a few years back, but he was clearly the right pick.
Caldwell remains the team’s GM, but Coughlin has final say over the team’s 53-man roster. Coughlin reportedly did not ask for total roster control when he signed on last year, but Khan strongly felt that it was the right move. For his part, Caldwell has been a good sport about the structural change.
“I think Dave’s done a great job on talent, but he’s a young guy. I think he can learn lot from Tom. There might be a natural human emotion [from Caldwell] of, ‘Gee …’ but I think if you look at what’s best for the Jaguars, I think this is the structure,” Khan said last winter. “Dave gets to do the talent, and I think he’s worked hard. It’s, ‘How do we get more wins?’”
Chiefs Trade Marcus Peters To Rams
The Chiefs have agreed to trade cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal will be officially processed on March 14. It is not yet exactly known what the Rams are sending to KC in return, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears that the Chiefs will receive “a package of draft picks.” 
Peters, a first round selection in the 2015 draft, has established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. However, he has given KC brass some serious headaches over the years. In December, the Chiefs suspended Peters for a game despite being in the thick of the playoff hunt. Over the last couple of weeks, trade speculation bubbled around Peters and on Friday the Chiefs struck agreement on a deal to ship him out of town.
Peters made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons and earned a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2016. He did not pick up either accolade in 2017, but he did finish out with 46 tackles, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles, five interceptions, and his first career touchdown. All in all, he has 24 turnovers to his credit across three seasons.
As far as the advanced analytics are concerned, 2017 was his best season to date. His 85.7 overall score from Pro Football Focus is a career best, tying him for No. 17 amongst all CBs in the NFL. Slot specialist Nickell Robey-Coleman (No. 19) was the only Rams corner to come close to Peters last season with Troy Hill (No. 57), Trumaine Johnson (No. 68), and Kayvon Webster (No. 80) did not come close.
It has been widely assumed that Johnson, a pending free agent, would not be in the Rams’ plans this season. The Peters acquisition all but ensures that Johnson will be elsewhere in 2018. The Rams currently project to start Peters and Webster at cornerback.
Peters will earn just $1.7MM this season and can be controlled through 2019 via the fifth-year option. The option is projected to cost $9.5MM, which is still a solid value for what he provides.
After losing a close game to the Titans in the Wild Card round, the Chiefs are not resting on their laurels this offseason. The Peters swap marks their second major trade this offseason, following the deal that sent quarterback Alex Smith to the Redskins.
[RELATED: Rams Depth Chart]