Raiders Notes: Brown, Bell, Williams, Joyner
The 49ers weren’t the only team to miss out on Le’Veon Bell. Vic Tafur of The Athletic writes that the Raiders made an offer to the star running back, and “there was some real buzz in the building” yesterday.
The reporter also notes that the Raiders thought they could land Bell if “money wasn’t the most important thing,” as the running back reportedly preferred to play for the Raiders. After missing out on Bell, the team also took a run at Mark Ingram, who ended up landing in Baltimore.
Bell ultimately agreed to a four-year, $52.5MM deal with the Jets, forcing the Raiders to look elsewhere for a running back. At the moment, the team is rostering three backs in DeAndre Washington, Chris Warren, and James Butler.
Let’s check out some more notes out of Oakland…
- The Raiders weren’t even considering an Antonio Brown trade until the deal between the Steelers and Bills fell apart, general manager Mike Mayock told Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com (Twitter link). The organization ultimately acquired the Pro Bowl wide receiver in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick in this year’s draft.
- The Raiders continued to show interest in wideout Tyrell Williams even after pulling off the Brown trade, according to Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). The team ended up agreeing to a four-year, $44MM deal ($22MM guaranteed) earlier today. La Canfora notes that several other teams pursued Williams, including the Ravens, Saints, Steelers, Jets. Many of those teams were offering contracts between $8MM and $9MM annually, with the 27-year-old ultimately receiving $11MM a season from the Raiders.
- The Raiders are planning to rely on Lamarcus Joyner as their primary nickel cornerback, writes Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The 28-year-old has primarily played safety throughout his career, although he did play some cornerback early on his career. The team will occasionally deploy Joyner at safety, although Gehlken notes that the team could still add another player at the position. Joyner is set to sign a four years, $42MM deal with the Raiders.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/19
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: K Cole Murphy
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Adarius Taylor (two-year deal)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Re-signed: DT Brandon Mebane (two-year deal)
New York Jets
- Re-signed: LB Neville Hewitt
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: P Jordan Berry (two-year deal)
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/19
Here is the latest news involving restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents, with updates coming throughout the day:
ERFA
Tendered:
- Bears: DE Roy Robertson-Harris, LB Isaiah Irving, OL Rashaad Coward
- Seahawks: LB Austin Calitro, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, C Joey Hunt, RB J.D. McKissic, CB Kalan Reed
Non-tendered:
- Bears: S DeAndre Houston-Carson (via Howard Balzer on Twitter)
- Bengals: QB Brad Kaaya (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Gabe Martin, DE Zach Moore, C Daniel Munyer (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: TE Alex Ellis (via Balzer)
- Colts: S Ronald Martin (via Balzer)
- Falcons: WR Marvin Hall (via Balzer)
- Giants: DT Kristjan Sokoli (via Balzer)
- Patriots: WR Cody Hollister (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: CB Tevin Mitchel (via Balzer)
- Rams: LB Garrett Sickels (via Balzer)
- Ravens: OT Steven Moore (via Balzer)
- Saints: DB Rickey Jefferson (per NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein, on Twitter)
- Seahawks: DE Ricky Ali’ifua, DB T.J. Green, RB Tre Madden, DB T.J. Mutcherson
- Steelers: T Joseph Cheek, S Malik Golden, LB Keith Kelsey, TE Jake McGee (via Balzer)
- Vikings: OT Cedrick Lang, TE Josiah Price (via Balzer)
RFA
Tendered at second-round level:
- Seahawks: T George Fant (per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, on Twitter)
Tendered at original-round level:
- Chiefs: S Jordan Lucas
- Saints: CB Ken Crawley (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate)
- Seahawks: DL Quinton Jefferson (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter)
Non-tendered:
- Bears: LS Patrick Scales (via Balzer)
- Bengals: TE Matt Lengel (via Balzer)
- Bills: TE Logan Thomas (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
- Broncos: QB Kevin Hogan, LB Deiontrez Mount, WR Jordan Taylor (via Balzer)
- Browns: CB Juston Burris, TE Orson Charles (via Balzer)
- Buccaneers: TE Alan Cross, CB Javien Elliott, T Leonard Wester (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Jeremy Cash, OT John Wetzel (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: LB Terrance Smith (via Balzer)
- Dolphins: WR Leonte Carroo (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald)
- 49ers: S Tyvis Powell (via Balzer)
- Jaguars: OG Chris Reed (via Balzer)
- Jets: DT Destiny Vaeao (via Balzer)
- Panthers: WR Damiere Byrd (via Balzer)
- Raiders: DE Shilique Calhoun (via Balzer)
- Redskins: WR Maurice Harris (per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, on Twitter), RB Rob Kelley (via Balzer)
- Saints: WR Tommylee Lewis (via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, on Twitter)
Contract Details: Smith, James, Wake
The latest details on deals from around the NFL:
- Za’Darius Smith, OLB (Packers): Four years, $66MM. $20MM guaranteed. $20MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Ja’Wuan James, T (Broncos): Four years, $51MM. $32MM guaranteed. $12MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Steven Nelson, CB (Steelers): Three years, $25.5MM. $7.5MM guaranteed. $7.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Cameron Wake, DE (Titans): Three years, $23MM. $9.75MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus. (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Latavius Murray, RB (Saints): Four years, $14.4MM. $7.2MM guaranteed. $3.4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Spencer Pulley, C/G (Giants): Three years, $8.025MM. $2.325MM guaranteed. (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan).
- Eric Rowe, CB (Dolphins): One year, $3.5MM. $500K signing bonus. (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Ryan Griffin, QB (Buccaneers): Two years, $2.9MM. $450K signing bonus. (Twitter link via Greg Auman of The Athletic).
- Deone Bucannon, LB (Buccaneers): One year, $2.5MM. $1.45MM guaranteed. (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Brett Hundley, QB (Cardinals): One year, $1.875MM. $750K guaranteed. (Twitter link via Wilson).
Contract Details: Amos, Patterson, Carpenter, Brown
Let’s take a look at the details of a few freshly-signed contracts:
- Adrian Amos, S (Packers): Four years, $37MM. $12MM fully guaranteed. $11MM signing bonus. Roster bonuses and Pro Bowl escalators beginning 2020 (Twitter link via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times).
- Justin Coleman, CB (Lions): Four years, $36MM. $16MM fully guaranteed. $10.1MM signing bonus.
- Steven Nelson, CB (Steelers): Three years, $25MM. $7.5MM signing bonus. $3MM roster bonus in 2020 (Twitter link via Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports).
- Cordarrelle Patterson, WR (Bears): Two years, $10MM. $5MM fully guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. Per-game roster bonuses available in 2019-20 (Twitter link via Jahns).
- James Carpenter, G (Falcons): Four years, $21MM. $7.25MM fully guaranteed. $9MM overall guarantee (Twitter links via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com).
- Jamon Brown, G (Falcons): Three years, $18.75MM. $12.75MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Rapoport).
- Preston Brown, LB (Bengals): Three years, max value of $21MM (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
Steelers To Re-Sign LB Anthony Chickillo
Anthony Chickillo is sticking around Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Steelers are re-signing the linebacker. It’s a two-year deal worth $8MM. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets that the Patriots were also in on Chickillo, and extended him a similar offer, but Chickillo wanted to win with Pittsburgh. He said, “it’s funny everybody’s counting us out. You still have to play the games.”
The 26-year-old has spent his entire four-year career with the Steelers. After being selected in the sixth-round of the 2015 draft, the Miami product has developed into a reliable backup linebacker.
In 2018, Chickillo appeared in 16 games for a second-straight season, compiling 24 tackles and two passes defended. Pro Football Focus ranked him 40th among 103 eligible edge defenders.
With Chickillo back on board, the Steelers will have the ability to turn to him or Olasunkanmi Adeniyi to back up starters Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt. Fellow linebacker L.J. Fort is also a free agent, and there have been some rumblings that Pittsburgh could look to bring him back.
Steelers To Sign CB Steven Nelson
Not usually big spenders in free agency, the Steelers are authorizing a mid-level deal to help their secondary. Pittsburgh agreed to terms with Steven Nelson, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The four-year Chiefs cornerback will receive a three-year, $25.5MM pact. Nelson figures to be in line to make a strong run at the starting corner job opposite Joe Haden. While this is not a high-end cornerback contract, it is one of the biggest free agent deals the continuity-centric Steelers have ever finalized.
The Steelers’ Artie Burns pick has not gone as the franchise had hoped, with the 2016 first-round selection having been benched last season. Nelson had a much busier season, being picked on often. But the 2015 third-round pick intercepted four passes — the first four of his career — and was a constant in the Chiefs’ secondary.
Nelson, 26, did not play much as a rookie but emerged as Kansas City’s slot defender in 2016. After an injury-delayed 2017, Nelson moved outside and worked in that role last season. Pro Football Focus graded Nelson as the No. 33 corner last year.
He will join Haden in comprising a free agent tandem at corner for the draft-and-develop organization, with undrafted free agent Mike Hilton likely to continue to work in the slot. Haden has one season remaining on his three-year, $27MM contract.
One interesting side effect from this agreement: it may well affect the Steelers’ compensatory pick for Le’Veon Bell. The All-Pro running back’s next deal is not known, but OverTheCap’s Nick Korte projects (via Twitter) that if Bell signs for less than $11MM per year, the Steelers’ compensatory pick for him will drop to a fourth-rounder because of this Nelson deal.
DB Notes: Roby, Boston, Berry
Earlier today, the Texans agreed to sign former Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby to a one-year, $10MM deal. It sounds like the 27-year-old may have left some longer deals on the table, as the defensive back told Mike Klis of 9News in Denver that he turned down a three-year offer from the Steelers and a one-year offer from the 49ers. Roby said that the Browns were also in the mix (Twitter link).
“It’s a prove it deal,” Roby explained. “I feel like I should go back in (the market) while I’m still young.”
Roby left Denver after spending five years with the organization, and it sounds like the veteran holds a bit of a grudge against his former team.
“It’s a business. Denver didn’t want me, they wanted someone else,” Roby said, with the cornerback referring to the team’s acquisition of Kareem Jackson (Twitter link). “No, they tried to word it nice – they were talking about it but they didn’t offer. They got the guy they wanted.”
Let’s check out some more notes revolving around the league’s defensive backs…
- Free agent safety Tre Boston doesn’t expect to sign a deal right away, with the 26-year-old telling ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he expects to be in the “second wave” of safety signings (Twitter link). Boston said that three teams have already reached out to express preliminary interest, including the Raiders. However, following the team’s agreement with Lamarcus Joyner, it’s uncertain if they’ll still have interest. Boston spent the 2018 campaign with the Cardinals, compiling 79 tackles, nine passes defended, and three interceptions.
- Could the Chiefs signing of Tyrann Mathieu spell the end of Eric Berry‘s tenure with the organization? Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio thinks so, as the writer can’t envision the organization paying a combined $27MM for the two players. Considering Berry’s recent injury issues, this isn’t a particularly hot take, but it’s worth noting that the Chiefs will have to make a decision relatively soon. As Florio tweets, another $7.25 million of Berry’s contract will become guaranteed on March 15th.
- A number of safeties earned large paydays yesterday, which was a significant difference from last offseason. CBS Sports’ Brady Quinn explained why safeties were the bigger winner during the NFL’s first day of the legal tampering period.
Steelers Interested In WR Tyrell Williams
The Steelers lost one of the top receivers in the league when they traded away Antonio Brown, and now they’re looking to replace him. The team is “involved in the receiver market,” and they’ve inquired about Tyrell Williams, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). 
If Pittsburgh is indeed going after Williams, they won’t be alone. The Browns are reportedly interested in the young wideout, and the Steelers may also face competition from the team they traded Brown to. Even after acquiring Brown, the Raiders are still interested in adding Williams, according to Michael Gehlken of The Las Vegas Review Journal (Twitter link). The Colts have also been linked to Williams, but their signing of Devin Funchess probably took them out of the running.
Williams has spent the last four seasons with the Charges, and has been one of the most buzzed about free agent receivers. Due to the Chargers’ crowded receiving depth chart, it seems like a foregone conclusion that he’ll be walking. A 2015 undrafted free agent from Western Oregon, Williams barely played as a rookie.
But he broke out in his second season, catching 69 passes for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns. That was the year Keenan Allen missed the entire season with a torn ACL, and Williams’ production has dipped the last couple of years after Allen returned and the Chargers drafted Mike Williams in the first round. Still though, Williams is a big, talented receiver who can also beat teams deep, and he’d be a great addition as a team’s number two option.
Steelers Toll Ryan Shazier’s Contract Into 2019
The Steelers are once again doing right by Ryan Shazier. The team is tolling his contract into 2019, with plans to eventually place him on the reserve/PUP list, according to Bob Labriola of Steelers.com. 
Shazier was nearly paralyzed after making a tackle in a now infamous 2017 game against the Bengals. Since then he’s undergone several surgeries as he continues the lengthy rehabilitation process. Pittsburgh’s move today ensures that Shazier “will be paid a salary commensurate with his years of service in the NFL, he will continue to accrue seasons toward his NFL players’ pension, and his medical insurance plan will be the same coverage that all active NFL players receive,” Labriola writes.
Shazier will be paid $473K in 2019, according to Albert Breer of SI.com (Twitter link). It’s a classy move by Steelers ownership, and they’ve stuck by the linebacker every step of the way. Shazier has remained around the team in an informal coaching role, and will continue to do so.
“We will continue to support Ryan’s efforts to return to play,” Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said in a statement. “Although he won’t be able to help us on the field in 2019, his leadership, insight, and emotional support have always been very valuable to us, and we look forward to his contributions in our pursuit of a championship.”
Shazier has remained steadfast in his insistence that he wants to return to the field one day, but it won’t be in 2019. A first round pick out of Ohio State in 2014, Shazier had blossomed into a star at the time of his injury.