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Doug Baldwin

Seahawks Extend Doug Baldwin Through 2020

June 29th, 2016 at 3:20pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Seahawks have announced the signing of wide receiver Doug Baldwin to a four-year contract extension worth $46MM, including $24.25MM in guarantees. Baldwin – who’s set to rake in $4MM this year before his extension kicks in next season – has become the sixth-highest-paid wideout in the NFL and is now under Seahawks control through 2020.

"<strongThe 27-year-old Baldwin is the third high-profile receiver to ink a new deal this month, joining the Chargers’ Keenan Allen and the Jaguars’ Allen Hurns. Allen and Hurns also landed four-year pacts worth more than $40MM. Their extensions include between $20MM and $24MM in guarantees, so Baldwin will leapfrog both in contract value.

Baldwin, whom the Seahawks signed as an undrafted free agent from Stanford in 2011, has emerged as one of the NFL’s best, most durable wideouts. After combining for 130 receptions on 14.9 yards per catch and 12 touchdowns in 46 regular-season games during his first three years, Baldwin totaled 144 grabs on 13.2 YPC and 17 scores in 32 straight appearances over the previous two campaigns. The 5-foot-10, 189-pounder set career marks in 2015 in catches (78), yards (1,069) and TDs (14, which also tied for the league lead) for the playoff-bound Seahawks, with whom he has appeared in the postseason in four consecutive years. As a result of his work last season, Baldwin finished in a second-place tie with A.J. Green in Football Outsiders’ wideout rankings.

Baldwin is now the 10th member of Seattle’s veteran core who’s locked up through at least the 2018 campaign, as Field Yates of ESPN tweets. The team also has quarterback Russell Wilson, fellow receiver Jermaine Kearse, defensive end Cliff Avril, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas and punter Jon Ryan slated to play the next three or more seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report the extension. ESPN’s Ed Werder was first to report the guaranteed amount. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFC Notes: Seahawks, Eagles, Redskins

June 17th, 2016 at 7:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Seahawks are making an effort to extend contract-year wide receiver Doug Baldwin, head coach Pete Carroll said Thursday (via Jayson Jenks of The Seattle Times). “The intent is to get him signed and secured for a good while. So we’ll see if we can get that done,” said Carroll, who added that the two sides are “meeting on it right now, so we’re working at it.” It stands to reason that Baldwin – coming off a career season that saw him total personal bests in nearly all major categories – could look for a deal along the lines of the extensions the Jaguars’ Allen Hurns and the Chargers’ Keenan Allen signed earlier this month. Hurns and Allen agreed to four-year pacts worth upward of $40MM apiece, including over $20MM in guarantees each.

More from Seattle and two other NFC cities:

  • Since last season ended, the Eagles have focused more on their long-term future than immediately trying to improve on their 7-9 output in 2015, writes Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer. As a result, owner Jeffrey Lurie and the front office are ready to accept another lean year, according to Ford. That wouldn’t be an optimal outcome, but Ford opines that patience is in order for the Eagles’ fan base. “We knew that we had to get a little uncomfortable for this season and next season, really, to build something that hopefully lasts and gives us a chance at being a really good team again for a long period of time,” executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said. Roseman made a slew of future-minded moves during the offseason – including trading up in the draft to select quarterback Carson Wentz second overall and doling out extensions to several cornerstone players.
  • In other Seahawks news, Carroll stated Thursday that he expects tight end Jimmy Graham and running back Thomas Rawls to be ready for the regular season. “They would have to incur some issues that we can’t foresee right now for that not to happen,” he told the team’s website. Graham suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 12 after posting disappointing numbers (48 catches, two touchdowns), while Rawls’ stellar rookie year ended in Week 14 on account of a broken ankle. With Marshawn Lynch having retired, the Seahawks are counting on Rawls to once again look the part of a star back. The former undrafted free agent from Central Michigan rushed for 830 yards on a tremendous 5.6 per-carry average and combined for five touchdowns in 2015.
  • After tearing his Achilles last August and missing the entire 2015 season, Redskins linebacker Junior Galette is on track to return for the start of training camp. “I’m definitely going to be out there with them. I just can’t overcompensate like I did last year,” Galette told Mike Jones of the Washington Post, implying that he came back too soon from a torn pectoral muscle and set himself up for the Achilles injury. Galette, a double-digit-sack defender for the Saints in both 2013 and ’14, re-signed with the Redskins on an inexpensive one-year deal during the winter.

NFC West Notes: Rams, Baldwin, Driskel, 49ers

June 13th, 2016 at 8:04pm CST by Zachary Links

While the Rams could still be in the market for a veteran safety, the club likes what it’s seen from defensive backs Maurice Alexander, Cody Davis, and Christian Bryant, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter link). LA has been on the lookout for secondary help since losing safety Rodney McLeod during free agency, and the team has met with Donte Whitner and Dashon Goldson over the past several months. Both safeties reportedly remain “in play” for the Rams, but for now, it sounds as though the team is happy where they are.

Here’s more out of the NFC West…

  • Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin says his contract situation “will take care of itself,” as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times writes. Baldwin is entering the final season of a three-year deal he inked prior to the 2014 season. Now, after tying for the NFL lead with 14 receiving touchdowns in 2015, Baldwin could be in line for $10MM/year or more. Baldwin should be helped by the four-year, $40MM extension the Jaguars recently gave to Allen Hurns, though Hurns is three years younger than the Seattles standout.
  • The 49ers are high on rookie quarterback Jeff Driskel, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes. “I think he’s done a really nice job,” 49ers coach Chip Kelly said. “He’s really intelligent. (He) picked things up conceptually very quickly. (He) was exposed to a couple of systems because he was at Florida and then Louisiana Tech. I think he’s already been exposed to multiple systems at the college level, so we’ve been impressed with him. He’s very athletic. I think he was the fastest quarterback at the combine. He’s big. He’s got a good arm.” Driskel, a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, could get involved in special teams packages and give San Francisco some trick play options. Driskel currently sits as the team’s No. 4 QB behind Blaine Gabbert, Colin Kaepernick, and Thaddeus Lewis. It’s conceivable that Driskel could leapfrog Lewis to become the team’s No. 3 signal caller, or he could become the club’s No. 3 signal-caller if Kaepernick is traded or released.
  • Jermaine Gresham apparently had more lucrative offers from other clubs — such as the Bears and Jets — but he chose to take less money to remain with the Cardinals.
  • Yesterday, we learned that the Cardinals are unlikely to reach an extension with defensive back Tyrann Mathieu before the start of training camp.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Packers, Baldwin, Cousins, Bears

June 11th, 2016 at 12:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Veteran wideout James Jones was surprised when the Packers notified him that he wouldn’t be back in 2016. As ESPN.com’s Jason Wilde writes, the receiver expected to return to Green Bay even despite the talented receiving corps.

“I wasn’t mad that they didn’t bring me back, but I was surprised,” the wideout said. “Me and Mike [McCarthy] had a very good conversation at the end of the year after we had lost to Arizona and I kind of felt like, ‘OK, cool, I’m going to be back.’ Whether it’s [a] one-year [deal], whether it’s two years, I felt like Mike was going to bring me back. But he didn’t.”

While Jones isn’t rooting for any of his former teammates to get injured, he acknowledged that he’d gladly return to the team should the need arise.

Let’s check out some more notes from the NFL…

  • The recent extension for receiver Keenan Allen could indicate the “floor” for Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin, tweets Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times.
  • Kirk Cousins said there’s been no progress on an extension with the Redskins, tweets Tarik El-Bashir of CSN MidAtlantic. With about a month left to come to an agreement, the signal-caller told writers to “stay tuned.”
  • Former Redskins fullback Darrel Young will be participating in the Bears minicamp, tweets Mike Jones of The Washington Post. The six-year veteran has 13 career touchdowns, and the 29-year-old has never missed more than three games in a season.

West Notes: Bosa, Baldwin, Lynch, Easley

May 20th, 2016 at 8:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Everyone gets excited about rookies, but it’s not fair to compare Chargers newcomer Joey Bosa to superstar J.J. Watt, Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego writes. Bosa, who was ranked as the top player in the entire draft by some outlets, should provide the Bolts with an instant boost and a long-term staple in the front seven. Still, no NFL neophyte should be expected to keep pace with a four-time Pro Bowler and the league’s most feared defensive force, Krasovic argues.

Let’s take a spin around the rest of the NFL’s two West divisions…

  • During an appearance on the NFL Network, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin indicated that contract talks could begin soon. “Not yet,’’ Baldwin said when asked if contract talks have begun (link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times). “We’re going to be talking here shortly, at least that’s what I’ve been told. We’ll see how it goes. Of course, I’m not worried about it. I’m here working out with my teammates trying to get better for this upcoming season.’’ Condotta writes that conventional wisdom would dictate that the veteran could get at least $8MM/year on a new deal, which would rank him among the top 20 highest-paid receivers in the NFL. As it stands, Baldwin will be playing on a $4MM base salary in 2016, the final year of his three-year, $13MM deal signed in 2014.
  • Broncos first-round pick Paxton Lynch hasn’t yet signed his rookie contract, but his agent Leigh Steinberg tells Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link) that he intends on “getting [the deal] done quickly.” Thanks to the new CBA, rookie signings are a relative breeze, as contracts are essentially slotted values. Lynch should be in line for a four-year deal worth about $9.59MM, with the requisite fifth-year option attached.
  • Dominique Easley‘s one-year deal with the Rams is a minimum salary deal worth $600K with no guarantees, incentives, or bonuses, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe tweets. The Patriots had offset language in Easley’s Patriots contract, but the Pats still owe him ~$484K and the team will receive a $600K cap credit in 2017 (link). Easley also has a split salary of $363k if he gets hurt and spends the season on IR (link).
  • Former Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams worked out with the Seahawks and Redskins after going undrafted, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be starting an NFL career anytime soon. The Montreal Alouttes have acquired Adams’ rights from the BC Lions in exchange for a first-round pick, and Adams is set to report to the CFL, according to Marvez (Twitter link). Adams will sign a deal this weekend, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Baldwin, Ravens, Saints

May 16th, 2016 at 8:34pm CST by Ben Levine

Doug Baldwin had the best season of his career in 2015, finishing with 78 catches for 1,069 yards and 14 touchdowns (all career-highs). Despite the breakout season, the 27-year-old will be playing on only a $4MM base salary in 2016, the final year of his three-year, $13MM deal signed in 2014.

However, the wideout isn’t stressing an extension. In fact, he has faith in general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks front office to get a deal done in a timely manner. If it doesn’t? Baldwin’s still ready to perform.

“If I continue to work hard, if I continue to strive to get better and not focus on things money oriented, it’s eventually going to come,” he told ESPN.com’s Jim Trotter. “And even if it doesn’t, I’m fine with that, too, because at the end of the day, I’m controlling what I can control. That’s all God gave me, was the tools to control what I can control. If it doesn’t work out the way that I want it to work out, that to me is just God telling me that He has a better plan.”

Of course, Baldwin hinted that a deal could be coming soon.

“John pretty much told me that the offer was going to come after the draft,” he said. “Even if it doesn’t come, I’m not worried about it. Why not? Because there are other things I value in life. I don’t value worrying about that.”

Let’s check out some more notes from around the league on this Monday evening…

  • The NFL will investigate the Ravens use of full pads at a recent rookie minicamp, reports ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. While one team official said they were unaware of the reports, they did note that rookies used pads for a “non-contact punt protection drill,” which would seemingly contradict the collective bargaining agreement. However, the team official said the organization believed those rookie minicamp rules did not apply to OTAs.
  • Ravens star Terrell Suggs‘ pre-trial conference for his March one-car accident in Arizona was held today, tweets Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Ravens outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith will now be represented by SportsTrust Advisors, according to Liz Mullen of SBJ (on Twitter).
  • Undrafted Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams is likely on his way to the CFL, as John Keim of ESPN.com writes. “I could be like a Warren Moon or Doug Flutie,” he said of former NFL quarterbacks who played in the CFL. “All I need is a chance. … If they can stop looking at my height and give me a chance they’d get a teammate with a lot of energy and a great leader.” Adams’ rights are owned by the B.C. Lions.
  • The Saints asked linebacker Chris Weatherd to participate in the team’s veteran’s minicamp in June, tweets Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com. The Tennessee product participated in the organization’s rookie minicamp this past weekend.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Baldwin, Seahawks Haven’t Talked Contract

April 7th, 2016 at 9:56am CST by Zachary Links

Doug Baldwin is entering his contract year but he has yet to sit down with the Seahawks and discuss a new pact, the wide receiver told Mitch Levy and Mike Holmgren of 950 KJR (audio link, transcription via PFT). Doug Baldwin

“No we haven’t had any talks,” Baldwin said. “And to be completely honest with you I’m not too concerned with it. I’m enjoying my time right now with my training and my fiancée. I’m anxious to get back out there with my teammates. To be completely honest with you, I’m not really worried about it. I’m having fun playing football. I’m enjoying my time, I’m enjoying my life right now. So whatever happens, I’m going to leave it up to God and he’ll direct me in whatever direction I need to go.”

Baldwin‘s $2.8MM salary for 2016 is guaranteed, but his future beyond this upcoming season is uncertain. The two sides were able to get on the same page in May of 2014 when Baldwin inked a lucrative two-year extension giving him $11MM in “new money” plus achievable bonuses. The veteran reportedly turned down a four-year offer from the Seahawks that would have kept him under contract through the 2018 season.

Baldwin, 28 in September, tied for the league lead in touchdowns last season with 14. In 16 regular season games (all starts), Baldwin caught 78 passes (103 targets) for 1,069 yards – all of which were career highs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

2015 Salaries Become Guaranteed For Sherman, Thomas, Others

February 7th, 2015 at 8:47am CST by Ben Levine

Five members of the NFC champion Seahawks will have their 2015 base salaries become fully guaranteed today, as former agent Joel Corry explains on CBSSports.com. This list includes cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas, linebacker K.J. Wright and defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril.

Sherman’s guaranteed salary in 2015 is $10MM, the highest of the group. Combined with his $2.2MM signing bonus, the cornerback’s cap hit will be worth an estimated $12.2MM next season. This total is more than three times the value of Sherman’s cap hit last season. Meanwhile, one of Sherman’s fellow defensive backs will also be earning a chunk of change today. Thomas’ $5.5MM salary becomes guaranteed, meaning the All-Pro safety will count for $7.4MM against the ‘Hawks cap (counting the player’s $1.9MM prorated signing bonus).

Wright’s salary and cap hit will take a significant jump in 2015. The linebacker’s $3.75MM is now full guaranteed, and coupled with the player’s $1MM signing bonus, Wright counts for $4.75 against the cap. Michael Bennett’s cap hit will be worth twice as much as its 2014 value, as the defensive end’s $6MM salary is now guaranteed. Combined with the player’s $2MM signing bonus, Bennett will count for $8MM against the cap. Finally, fellow defensive end Avril had his $7.5MM salary guaranteed. Add that total to the veteran’s $500K signing bonus, and the player’s cap hit is worth $8MM (a drop from last season’s value).

Two other members of the organization had their contracts partially guaranteed today. Safety Kam Chancellor had $4.45MM of his $4.55MM salary guaranteed, meaning his cap hit is worth $5.5MM. $2.3MM of wideout Doug Baldwin‘s $2.8MM salary becomes guaranteed today, meaning the player now counts for an estimated $3.9MM against the cap.

NFC West Notes: 49ers, Finley, Rams

June 1st, 2014 at 6:06pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers have had some wildly successful draft classes in recent years, and Sports On Earth’s Dan Pompei has a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the team’s 2014 draft. The author explains the strategy and thinking that went into each selection.

The team’s first-round pick, safety Jimmie Ward, wasn’t necessarily expected to be an early pick. While some teams focused on his injury and size, the 49ers focused on a strategy used by former Jets’ duo Bill Parcels and Dick Haley. General manager Trent Baalke said he learned that there are “few players who can perform at a high level regardless of system.” As a result, a coach should draft a player who fits nicely into their scheme.

“I learned that a long time ago,” said Baalke. “Coach Parcells was the guy I looked at and learned the most from, he and Dick Haley. That was always the question with them, how do they fit what we are going to ask him to do? For us, it’s critical.”

The author has other interesting insight, including the team’s selection of basketball player Bruce Ellington and trade for Steve Johnson.

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFC West…

NFC West Notes: Washington, Sims, Baldwin

May 30th, 2014 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

After being arrested and charged with aggravated assault as a result of an altercation with the mother of his child, Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington is facing a season-long suspension, according to Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports (Twitter links). The reported suspension is lengthier than had been expected, but considering the nature of the incident, and the fact that Washington was previously suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, it’s hard to argue that the punishment is too severe.

I’d expect an appeal from Washington, but it’s still a huge blow for the Cardinals, who figure to be without the former Pro Bowl linebacker for a good chunk of the season. As Arizona considers how to replace Washington’s production, let’s check in on a few other items from out of the NFC West….

  • One potential replacement on the Cardinals‘ depth chart could be free agent linebacker Ernie Sims, who visited the team this week, according to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Sims, who spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys, has experience as both an outside and inside linebacker.
  • Joel Corry of CBSSports.com passes along the year-by-year breakdown on Doug Baldwin‘s new contract, tweeting that the deal includes a $4.8MM signing bonus, a fully guaranteed $1.4MM salary for 2014, a $2.3MM 2015 salary guaranteed for injury only, and a $4MM salary for 2016. In a second tweet, Corry adds that there are also $2.3MM worth of incentives for 2015 and 2016, and the lowest thresholds to reach those incentives are 55 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. The cap hits for the next three years for Baldwin and the Seahawks will be $3MM, $3.9MM, and $5.6MM, for an average of about $4.333MM per season.
  • Appearing on KNBR’s Murph and Mac Show, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged that Alex Boone and Vernon Davis are absent from the team’s offseason workouts due to contract issues. However, he declined to go into any real detail, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com notes. “If they want to talk about it publicly, and they think it’s beneficial to talk about it publicly, then they’ll choose to do that,” Harbaugh said. “Certainly, you could have Vernon or Alex on the show and ask them or talk to their agent, if they think that’s something that’s beneficial. I choose to not do it.”
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