Bears Sign Akiem Hicks To Extension
Akiem Hicks will begin his second Bears season Sunday, and it looks like the veteran defensive end will see many more Windy City openers. The Bears and Hicks agreed to a lucrative extension on Saturday, with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporting (via Twitter) it’s a four-year, $48MM contract.
Hicks will see $30MM in guaranteed money, Schefter reports. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported (on Twitter) a deal could be imminent, and within a minute, terms emerged. Hicks will now become by far the Bears’ highest-paid defender.
The Bears initially signed Hicks to a two-year, $10MM deal as a free agent last year. But Hicks’ second Chicago accord rockets him into the upper echelon of 3-4 defensive end contracts.
Only Muhammad Wilkerson, J.J. Watt and Jurrell Casey entered today making more per year than Hicks’ $12MM new-money average. The 27-year-old defender’s deal comes in comfortably ahead of the other eight-figure-per-year members — Mike Daniels, Corey Liuget and Cameron Heyward each make between $10.2-$10.6MM AAV. He and Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt — also extended today, for $12.2MM AAV — form their own tier in between these aforementioned levels.
A former third-round Saints pick in 2012, Hicks registered a career-high seven sacks last season. He was seeking $10MM per year and expressed desire to remain a Bear, entering what was set to be his contract campaign. But his camp did quite well in securing this agreement, going well north of that $10MM-AAV threshold. Hicks signed with Rosenhaus Sports earlier this summer to prepare for what turned out to be preseason negotiations.
Hicks rated as a top-flight interior defender, via Pro Football Focus, last season. The former Saint and Patriot’s deal is closer to those of higher-end 4-3 defensive tackle contracts than among players at his own position. PFR’s Connor Byrne assessed Hicks’ value this summer and mentioned deals on the Heyward/Daniels tier as Hicks’ realistic ballpark but did not discount a possibility of a pact in between those and the Jaguars-authorized contacts for Malik Jackson and Calais Campbell. Hicks’ deal falls south of Jackson and Campbell’s mammoth pacts but in front of the Giants’ Damon Harrison and Bengals Pro Bowler Geno Atkins‘ agreement.
Aaron Donald Reports To Rams
Aaron Donald reported to the Rams on Saturday and passed a physical, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter).
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets the All-Pro defensive lineman will not play on Sunday against the Colts, and Florio adds (via Twitter) Donald may not be ready to play in Week 2.
The Rams waived all fines (up to $1.48MM) that could have been levied against Donald for missing more than a month’s worth of practices throughout the preseason, Florio tweets, adding that he’ll now be paid for Week 1 as well. Donald reporting Saturday also prevented missing out on a forfeiture of a signing bonus payment of $711K, Florio notes.
This progress display from both sides does not mean an extension agreement’s occurred. Schefter notes (on Twitter) no such accord’s been reached, but the Rams and Donald will keep trying as he enters his fourth season — and first of extension eligibility. Essentially, Donald lost no significant money for missing out on six-plus weeks’ worth of work and in training independently incurred less risk of an injury that would have potentially damaged his value.
The 26-year-old Donald is under Rams contract for two more seasons but will only make $1.8MM in base salary this year. The incredibly team-friendly agreement induced the holdout, but Donald will now no longer risk losing $106K weekly by being absent from the team. He spent this week on the east coast after speaking with Rams management about an extension in Atlanta last week. After said meeting, a Donald deal — which the Rams understand will need to set a new standard for a defensive player — was “not close.”
Sunday’s game against the Colts in Los Angeles will feature much less star power than it would have under optimal circumstances, with Andrew Luck out as well.
Donald will now begin work in Wade Phillips‘ new 3-4 scheme, which calls for the 6-foot-1 superstar to play defensive end when the Rams deploy base sets. He’s lined up at three technique since emerging as a force his rookie season, and while he still stands to play at that spot frequently, there’s likely some systemic intel to absorb before he makes his 2017 debut in either Week 2 (against the Redskins) or Week 3 (against the 49ers).
Steelers Sign DE Stephon Tuitt To Extension
Stephon Tuitt will remain in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Steelers have signed the talented defensive end to a five-year extension. Schefter adds that the deal is worth $61MM. The deal is effectively for six years, as the team ripped up the final year of Tuitt’s contract. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the defensive end will now earn $15MM in 2017.
We heard yesterday that the two sides were nearing a deal. Considering the team’s policy to not discuss new deals during the regular season, today appeared to be the unofficial deadline for negotiations. The team previously had $7MM in cap room, and with Tuitt set to earn a $12MM average annual salary, we can only assume that that number has been reduced. The defensive end was set to hit free agency following the season, and he was scheduled to earn $1.094MM in 2017. Our own Dallas Robinson noted that the going rate for similar defensive ends was around $10MM a year, and it looks like Tuitt will come in right above that mark.
The 2014 second-round pick has spent his entire three-year career with the Steelers. Following a solid rookie season, Tuitt broke out in 2015, finishing with 54 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 14 games (14 starts). The 24-year-old was equally productive in 2016, compiling 37 tackles, four sacks, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus was especially favorable of his performance, as he ranked 20th among the league’s eligible interior defenders.
Considering the Steelers relative lack of depth at defensive end, Tuitt will be especially leaned on during the upcoming season. Besides fellow starter Cameron Heyward, the team is rostering a pair of backups in Tyson Alualu and Leterrius Walton.
Ezekiel Elliott Granted Restraining Order
Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has been granted a temporary restraining order against the NFL, tweets Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com. Elliott is now expected to be available for the remainder of the season while his case is sorted out, and his six-game suspension stemming from domestic violence allegations is on hold.
A judge found that Elliott “did not receive a fundamentally fair hearing, necessitating the Court grant the request” for a restraining order, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Because neither Elliott’s accuser nor NFL comissioner Roger Goodell was allowed to testify at said hearing, Judge Amos Mazzant accepted Elliott’s request. The risk in asking for a restraining order is that the case is decided in November or December, according to Breer (Twitter link), which could lead to Elliott missing critical games late in the season.
Elliot’s ban was upheld last week, but he was still going to be able to play in Dallas’ season opener against the Giants on Sunday night thanks to the NFL’s policy of not imposing suspensions if an appeal decision isn’t made by 4pm ET on a Tuesday. However, Elliott had been set to miss games against the Broncos, Cardinals, Rams, Packers, 49ers, and Redskins.
Elliott, the fourth overall selection in the 2016 draft, has accused the NFL of fomenting a conspiracy against him, and the dispute has gotten ugly from all angles. Elliott and his camp have cast doubt on the consistency of his accuser’s claims and suggested her motives were profit-based, while the NFL has accused Elliott of victim-shaming.
On the field, Elliott is one of the league’s more dynamic talents, as he lead the NFL in rushing yards while scoring 15 times a year ago.
Jaguars Claim DB Calvin Pryor From Browns
The Jaguars have claimed safety Calvin Pryor off waivers from the Browns, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Cleveland, which originally acquired Pryor from the Jets earlier this year, waived the former first-round pick on Thursday after he reportedly go into a pre-practice fight with teammate Ricardo Louis. Now entering his age-25 season, Pryor has started 38 games during his three-year career. After grading relatively highly (top-50 safety) during his first two seasons in the NFL, Pryor declined in 2016, at least according to Pro Football Focus.
In Jacksonville, Pryor will reunite with current Jaguars executive John Idzik, who drafted Pryor as New York’s general manager in 2014. Pryor will be a clear reserve with the Jaguars, as the club has invested heavily in free agent safeties during the past two offseasons. Still, Pryor could potentially play a role as a dime safety (or even linebacker, given his playing style) alongside Barry Church and Tashaun Gipson (another former Brown).
The Jaguars will now take on Pryor’s guaranteed base salary of $1.588MM, while the Browns will clear that same total from their books.
Malcolm Butler, Pats Likely To Part In 2018
The Patriots aren’t expected to re-sign cornerback Malcolm Butler after the 2017 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Butler, of course, was reportedly dangled in trade talks all offseason, and also had a restricted free agent dalliance with the Saints that ultimately led nowhere. Now that he’s in New England for one more year, Butler is teaming with free agent acquisition Stephon Gilmore to give the Patriots one of the more fearsome cornerback duos in the league. But it’s that hefty investment in Gilmore (five years, $65MM) that will likely lead to Butler going elsewhere.
New England has made Butler a “slew of offers” over the past few seasons, but none recently, per Rapoport, and the club is “done” negotiating with Butler. Additionally, the Patriots have no plans to use the franchise tag on Butler, as that would come with a price tag north of $15MM. Instead, New England hopes that Butler lands an expensive contract on the open market, which would in turn entitle the Pats to a 2019 compensatory selection.
A deal that makes Butler one of the NFL’s highest-paid corners isn’t out the question, as he’s started all 32 games over the past two seasons and ranked as the league’s No. 7 CB in 2016, per Pro Football Focus. Etched into the history books thanks to his game-winning interception in Super Bowl XLIX, Butler should surpass the $15MM per year barrier on the open market.
Chiefs’ Eric Berry Done For Season
Chiefs safety Eric Berry has suffered a ruptured Achilles, meaning his 2017 season is now over, head coach Andy Reid confirmed to reporters, including Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (Twitter link).
The news doesn’t come as a complete surprise, as Reid indicated late last night that the Chiefs were expecting the worst. But it’s still a blow for both Berry and Kansas City, as the 28-year-old is not only an excellent defensive back (as evidenced by his erasing tight end Rob Gronkowski during the Chiefs’ surprise victory over the Patriots on Thursday), but also one of the club’s emotional leaders on and off the field.
Berry played a full 16-game season in 2016 and posted four interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one forced fumble. He graded out as the NFL’s No. 8 safety, per Pro Football Focus, which handed Berry top marks for pass coverage. In February, he re-signed with the Chiefs on a six-year, $78MM deal that made him the league’s highest-paid safety.
The Chiefs do have depth at safety, but clearly don’t have any players that can hope to replicate Berry’s production. Veteran Daniel Sorensen and 2016 fourth-rounder Eric Murray are candidates to take on more snaps, while Kansas City could speculatively re-sign defensive back Steven Terrell, whom the club released during final cutdowns. Other free agent safeties available on the open market include Will Blackmon, Jairus Byrd, Dwight Lowery, and Robert Blanton.
Chiefs’ Eric Berry Suffers Achilles Injury
The Chiefs crushed the defending champs on Thursday night, but it wasn’t all roses. Late in the game, star safety Eric Berry was carter off the field with what is feared to be an Achilles tear. The team is still waiting for tests, but head coach Andy Reid is bracing for the worst. 
“I don’t think it’s positive news,” Reid said.
If it’s a full on Achilles tear, then Berry’s season will end after three-and-a-half quarters of September football. From there, the Chiefs will consider promoting reserves Daniel Sorensen or Eric Murray to the starting lineup, but they may also want to look into some outside help.
Berry played a full 16 game season in 2016 and posted four interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one forced fumble. He graded out as the NFL’s No. 8 safety, per Pro Football Focus, which also handed Berry top marks for pass coverage. In February, he re-upped with KC on a six-year, $78MM deal instead of testing the open market.
Pro Football Rumors’ 2017 NFL Predictions
The 2017 NFL season gets underway tonight, and the writers at Pro Football Rumors have weighed in with projections for the upcoming year. We’ve predicted which teams will earn playoff berths, which clubs will win their respective conferences, the Super Bowl champion, and the winners of the league’s major awards.
Will the Patriots repeat as defending champions? They’re a popular pick, but not everyone on the staff played it safe. There’s also a wide range of predictions when it comes to the Offensive and Defensive Rookie Of The Year awards.
Click on the table below for predictions from Zach Links, Connor Byrne, Ben Levine, Dallas Robinson, and Sam Robinson. And please head to the comments section to chime in with your own prognostications for the 2017 NFL season!
Bengals Sign Vontaze Burfict To Extension
This developed fast. The Bengals and Vontaze Burfict agreed to a three-year extension worth $38.68MM, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Word of an extension for the polarizing linebacker surfaced this afternoon, and it looks like the longtime Bengals second-level standout will be staying in Cincinnati for a while.
This deal will make Burfict the highest-paid 4-3 outside linebacker in the game on a per-year basis. It tops Jamie Collins‘ Browns pact, which is worth $12.5MM per year. The 26-year-old Burfict’s deal will be for $12.89MM AAV.
And despite Burfict set to serve a three-game suspension to start another season, he will see an additional $7MM in 2017, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). A $3.3MM signing bonus will come Burfict’s way as well, per Rapoport.
A starter since coming into the league in 2012 as a UDFA, Burfict has been a key part of Cincinnati’s defense and run of playoff appearances. Burfict, who rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 linebacker last season, has started 58 games — of a possible 80 — in his career. But he will be under Bengals control for the remainder of the decade. Burfict was set to be a UFA after this season, so this re-up will tie him to Cincinnati through the 2020 campaign.
The former Arizona State linebacker has obviously brought a swarm of negative attention to the franchise, and he won’t begin his sixth NFL season until October after being suspended for a preseason hit, but it’s clear now the Bengals continue to view him as a cornerstone talent.
Only three 4-3 outside ‘backers even earn eight figures annually, so the Bengals are paying a premium for a player who continually tests the NFL’s boundaries on in-game violence. Burfict will miss the first three games of a season for the second straight year. Nevertheless, he becomes only the sixth non-rush linebacker to enter the $10MM-per-year club. A one-time Pro Bowler, Burfict will also earn more than three-time first-team All-Pro Luke Kuechly annually.