Jairus Byrd Rumors: Tuesday
4:59pm: Byrd is visiting with the Saints, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that he flew to New Orleans earlier today (via Twitter). It is unclear how serious the meeting is, considering the team’s cap situation.
2:54pm: Byrd’s camp has been most interested in the Redskins and Eagles, but Washington, at least, doesn’t appear willing to pay the safety’s asking price, tweets Russini.
2:20pm: Don’t rule out the Bills if Byrd can’t get big money elsewhere, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Meanwhile, one exec says he wouldn’t give him big bucks due to health issues (link).
12:44pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that he’d be “really surprised” if the Redskins are seriously in the mix for Byrd, based on what he’s hearing. Rapoport adds that a return to the Bills still isn’t entirely out of the question for the standout safety either. Russini has been pretty plugged in on the Redskins’ offseason so far, having broken word of multiple signings, so I wouldn’t rule out Washington as a landing spot for Byrd quite yet.
12:29pm: The Redskins and Eagles have extended their on-field rivalry to the offseason, as the two teams are the top remaining suitors for free agent safety Jairus Byrd, according to Dianna Russini of NBC Washington (Twitter links). A source tells Russini that Byrd is likely to decide between one of the two NFC East teams.
Byrd, considered the best safety on the market this offseason and one of the top free agents overall, has reportedly received some level of interest from the Dolphins and Rams, among other teams. However, his alleged asking price of $8-9MM per season may have taken some potential suitors out of the mix.
Earlier today, we heard that things weren’t “heating up” between Byrd and the Redskins, though that could change as the new league year approaches.
Eagles Release Patrick Chung
The Eagles announced on Twitter that they have cut safety Patrick Chung.
Eagles Re-Sign Donnie Jones
The Eagles announced on Twitter that they have re-signed punter Donnie Jones to a three-year deal. Jones could net up to $6MM on the deal, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio (via Twitter).
Malcolm Jenkins Signs With Eagles
Safety Malcolm Jenkins will join the Eagles defense in 2014, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (via Twitter). The former first-round pick of the Saints has agreed on a three-year deal with the Eagles, worth $16.25MM. Jeff McClane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the contract includes $8.5MM in guaranteed money (via Twitter).
Jenkins was one of the second-tier safeties available, and while the Eagles have been linked to both T.J. Ward and Jairus Byrd at points this offseason, it is unclear if that will take those players out of the running.
NFC Rumors: Sproles, Tuck, Suh, Watson
Let’s check on the latest miscellaneous notes from around the NFC….
- The Saints are set to cut Darren Sproles today, but they are still holding out hope on trading him, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. There are more than ten teams interested in the diminutive tailback if he’s cut free, so it’s conceivable that they could find a trade partner.
- Justin Tuck‘s exploration of the free agent market may end up with him returning to the Giants, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Florio hears that one team was willing to pay Tuck $3MM per year, but the veteran defensive end would prefer to remain in New York at that price.
- Talks have yet to start between the Lions and Ndamukong Suh on reworking his deal, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The thinking previously was that Detroit had to re-work the deal before the start of free agency but that’s not the case.
- Buccaneers linebacker Dekoda Watson is likely to sign elsewhere at the start of free agency, a league source tells Mike Florio.
- The Bears would like to bring back cornerback/special teams player Sherrick McManis, but the Ravens, Eagles, and Falcons could be in play as well, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- With Donte Whitner set to leave the 49ers, San Francisco could turn to safety Ryan Mundy as a fallback, tweets Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
- Free agent left tackle Jared Veldheer has fired his agent in order to hire his brother, James Veldheer, as his new agent, tweets Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910. Veldheer is expected to sign with the Cardinals.
- The Redskins are monitoring Kenny Britt, who could be had on a reasonable deal in a soft market, tweets Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Of course, the Redskins’ likely deal with Andre Roberts lessens their need for Britt.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
East Notes: Giants, Jennings, Woodyard
The Giants are still in the mix for center Evan Dietrich-Smith, but it appears that guard Geoff Schwartz is their more immediate priority, tweets Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. Jordan Raanan of the Star-Ledger says the club appears to be looking in house at center. Offensive lineman Kevin Boothe, who started six games at center last season, is being viewed as the possible short-term answer.
- The Giants have made an offer to free agent running back Rashad Jennings, a league source tells Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com (on Twitter). The Raiders, meanwhile, would like to hang on to the tailback.
- Despite interest from the Cowboys, a source close to Wesley Woodyard told Brandon Krisztal of the Denver Post (on Twitter) that his first trip is to the Patriots with another team visit planned after.
- Tyson Jackson is getting an impressive amount of interest with suitors including the Dolphins, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Browns and Falcons are also interested while the Chiefs are still in the mix.
NFC Rumors: Veldheer, Houston, Byrd, Hawley
It looks like many of the top offensive tackles will fly off the shelves early when free agency gets underway at 3:00pm central time this afternoon. Branden Albert appears to be headed to Miami, while Anthony Collins will likely sign with the Bucs, and Eugene Monroe and the Ravens should work out a new deal. That leaves the Cardinals as the logical landing spot for Jared Veldheer, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com says (via Twitter) GMs and agents are essentially viewing that as a done deal, turning their attention to Rodger Saffold and other players. As we wait to see if Arizona can officially lock up the Raiders’ free-agent-to-be, let’s check out a few more updates from around the NFC….
- The Packers were “very interested” in defensive end Lamarr Houston, but appear likely to bow out of the bidding as his price tag increases, says Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- It doesn’t sound as if things are heating up between Jairus Byrd and the Redskins at the moment, according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post, who hears from a source that the two sides are just having “casual conversations” (Twitter link).
- The Lions have been in recent contact with defensive end Willie Young’s agent about a new deal, but Young looks set to hit the open market and should have a handful of suitors, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Falcons are trying to lock up center Joe Hawley to keep him from reaching the open market, but there are other teams interested in him, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who says (via Twitter) talks might go right up to 3:00pm today.
- Tight end Garrett Graham could be a target for the Buccaneers, tweets Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com.
- As they did a year ago, the Eagles could strike quickly in free agency today, writes Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
T.J. Ward Drawing Interest From Lions, Others
7:59am: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) downplays the Eagles’ interest in Ward, suggesting Philadelphia is “not in the mix.” However, he names the Dolphins and Redskins as a couple other clubs that could be involved.
7:42am: With free agency now just a few hours away, safety T.J. Ward is drawing “strong interest” from the Lions and Eagles, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). Ward, who has also been linked to the Jets, is said to be seeking an annual salary in the neighborhood of $7MM.
The Eagles, who still have some cap flexibility after working out new deals and extensions with several of their own players, have been mentioned as suitors for nearly every top safety on the market, including Jairus Byrd, Chris Clemons, and Mike Mitchell. As for the Lions, they’re on the lookout for someone to replace Louis Delmas, but likely won’t have quite as much cap room to work with as other clubs in on Ward.
FA Roundup: Woodley, Allen, Tuck, Mack
The latest on the free agent front:
- Many in the Steelers organization believe that linebacker LaMarr Woodley will end up in Tennessee, where he would be reunited with former Steelers secondary coach Ray Horton, who is now the defensive coordinator with the Titans, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.
- La Canfora also notes that those involved in the defensive end market expect Jared Allen to sign with the Broncos, and Justin Tuck to return to the Giants (Twitter link).
- Alex Mack‘s agent tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com (Twitter link) that he believes he can find his client an offer sheet the Browns may not match. That’s not to say that Mack wants out of Cleveland. However, as a transition player, his best chance of a long-term payday involves signing an offer sheet, and no rival teams will spend time negotiating that offer if they expect the Browns to simply match it.
- The Buccaneers have not yet asked left tackle Donald Penn to take a pay cut, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.
- With Alterraun Verner expected to be out of their price range, the Giants are eyeing other cornerbacks, and have expressed interest in Corey Graham, a source tells Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz will not return to the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Defensive tackle Earl Mitchell will not return to the Texans, writes Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com. We noted earlier today that the Chargers will pursue Mitchell.
- The Cardinals have interest in cornerback Mike Jenkins, tweets Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910.
- Re-signing with the Buccaneers remains a possibility for linebacker Dekoda Watson, but he’ll test the market and begin visiting other teams, starting tomorrow, tweets Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
- The Eagles have contacted several free agents, and among them are Lamarr Houston, Graham, and Nolan Carroll, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
CB Rumors: Talib, Rogers, Verner, Davis
Perhaps the best corner in the league appears to be available via trade, but let’s look at some news regarding free agent cornerbacks:
- Aqib Talib is “very close” to a new contract with the Patriots, tweets Dianna Russini of NBC Washington.
- Russini also tweets that the Redskins want Talib, but that the Patriots are offering a better deal.
- Meanwhile, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com doesn’t expect the Redskins to “heavily pursue” Talib (via Twitter).
- Carlos Rogers would “love” to return to the Redskins after being released by the 49ers, and the two sides are discussing a reunion, according to Russini (on Twitter).
- It would be an upset if the Jets don’t sign either Vontae Davis or Alterraun Verner to replace Antonio Cromartie, as the Jets defense is based around solid cornerback play, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. We previously noted that Jets could be the mystery team in on Davis, who is expected to sign tomorrow.
- Verner has interest in both the Jets and the Giants, saying “both those teams could win and have capabilities,” according to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (on Sulia).
- The Titans remain in conversation with Verner, but they probably won’t be able to match the money offered by other teams, tweets Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean.
- The Ravens would like to retain Corey Graham, but he’s drawn interest from the Redskins, Giants, and Eagles, according to Clifton Brown of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter).