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Jaye Howard

Jaye Howard Receives Offer From Bears

May 3rd, 2017 at 3:21pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard passed his Bears physical and received a contract offer from the team, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, he left without signing and he’ll now visit other teams. The Bears, according to Schefter, remain an option for Howard. Jaye Howard (vertical)

Howard, 28, was released by the Chiefs late last month in a move that saved the team $3.8MM. The Bears were the first team to bring Howard in for a visit and it’s not immediately clear which teams are now slated to meet with him. Because the Chiefs released him with a failed physical designation, the fact that he got a medical greenlight from the Bears is notable. Howard missed half of last year’s games due to a hip ailment, but it sounds like he’ll be ready to play in Week 1.

Last year, Howard recorded 23 tackles and one sack and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 55th best interior defensive linemen out of 127 qualified players. He had 5.5 sacks in 2015, but the advanced metrics have never been wild about his play.

Bears Host DL Jaye Howard On Visit

May 1st, 2017 at 4:11pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Former Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard is visiting the Bears, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Jaye Howard

The 28-year-old Howard became a free agent when the Chiefs released him April 23 in a cost-cutting move. Howard, a fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2012, joined the Chiefs in his second year and ended up spending four seasons with the club. Kansas City was quite reliant on Howard from 2014-16, when he started in 29 of 40 regular-season appearances and piled up 7.5 sacks, 5.5 of which came in 2015.

Howard only suited up eight times and made five starts last year, as a hip injury ended his season in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard added 23 tackles and a sack, and ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.

If he signs with Chicago – which, like Kansas City, utilizes a 3-4 defensive alignment – Howard would figure to line up at both tackle and end, as he has previously. The Bears finished last season 28th in DVOA against the run, so Howard could perhaps help them improve in that aspect. He’d also provide insurance behind nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who missed most of last season, and give the Bears another end option to join a group including Akiem Hicks, Mitch Unrein and 2016 third-rounder Jonathan Bullard.

Extra Points: Cowboys, Brantley, Steelers

April 26th, 2017 at 11:23am CST by Zachary Links

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seems content to sit at No. 28 rather than trade up, as Drew Davison of the Star Telegram writes. “This is a real good year for staying put,” Jones said. “I don’t know if it’s because we need so many good football players or because there are some good football players there, especially in those early rounds. But in my experience, it’s wasting your time to talk about what you might do trading in the later rounds.”

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley has been approached about a potential settlement in his assault case, but he has no plans to accept the offer, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter links). Additionally, Brantley’s lawyer says a security guard present during the incident witnessed the victim punch Brantley in the mouth, while Brantley never hit the female as the police report stated (Twitter links). Clearly, it’s a very murky situation, and one that doesn’t figure to be resolved before the draft begins on Thursday night. As such, there’s no clear indication as to how NFL clubs will value Brantley and his potential baggage, but it’s difficult to see how this episode doesn’t affect his draft stock.
  • As part of Martavis Bryant‘s conditional reinstatement, he’s not allowed to participate in Steelers‘ practices or preseason games until he’s located a treating clinician, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. When he’s right, Bryant is one of the more dynamic wide receivers in the NFL, but the league wants to ensure that he’s heading down the correct path. Having been handed a one-year ban in 2016, Bryant will now undergo regular drug tests as he works his way back into the NFL’s — and Pittsburgh’s — good graces.
  • Contrary to previous reports, the Dolphins are not “locked in” on Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp, and are not expected to target guard help with the 22nd pick, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Seemingly practitioners of positional-based drafting, the Dolphins are more likely to use their first-round selection on “defensive playmakers” such as corners and, presumably, defensive ends, a position group to which Miami has been heavily linked. Additionally, the Fins seem content with their current veteran guards, Ted Larsen and Jermon Bushrod, per Salguero.
  • Former Vikings center/guard Brandon Fusco is visiting the Patriots today, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. Fusco appeared/started in 14 games for Minnesota in 2016.
  • The Chiefs‘ release of Jaye Howard came with a failed physical designation, as Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star writes.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Chiefs Release Jaye Howard

April 23rd, 2017 at 9:28am CST by Sam Robinson

The Chiefs cut one of their defensive line starters today, parting ways with Jaye Howard, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

This comes barely a year after Kansas City re-signed Howard on a two-year deal worth $10MM. The Chiefs now have only one of their 2016 Week 1 defensive line starters on the roster, with Allen Bailey still under contract. Dontari Poe left as a free agent last month.

This move will save the Chiefs $3.8MM while accounting for $2.5MM in dead money. Howard’s cap figure was set to rise from $3.5MM to $6.375MM, joining other recently re-signed Chiefs among those who saw the franchise backload their deals to free up cap space last year. But Howard will now be a free agent after starting for three seasons with the Chiefs, who entered Saturday with just $1.5MM in cap space.

With that $2.5MM being guaranteed on March 11, the Chiefs want Howard to sign elsewhere, Schefter tweets, in order to recoup some of that money. Assuming Howard does, in fact, sign elsewhere, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets that the Chiefs can get up to $3.875MM in cap relief, regardless of when Howard signs.

Howard was one of the top defensive linemen in free agency last year but agreed to return to Kansas City as the team fortified its defense via re-ups of Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. A year later, Johnson accepted a paycut and Howard is no longer on the roster. The Chiefs’ 2017 defensive line will almost certainly feature Chris Jones and Bennie Logan as starters, replacing Howard and Poe. Bailey would appear to be the third player set to start on this front, but both he and Howard experienced injury issues in 2016.

Howard and Bailey finished last season on IR, with a hip injury responsible for relegating Howard there after eight games. After a breakout 2015 season featuring a career-high five sacks for the former Seahawks fourth-round pick, Howard registered one in eight games last season. The 27-year-old lineman played both defensive end and nose tackle in the Chiefs’ 3-4 scheme and would figure to draw some interest on the open market, provided he’s in position to recover from the hip malady that sidelined him.

Jason Fitzgerald On Gronk, Romo, Giants, Chiefs

December 3rd, 2016 at 9:58am CST by Ben Levine

Who will be the top unrestricted free agents this offseason? Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com throws out several names that may not be tagged by their current teams (via Twitter): Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones, Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short, Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, and Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

The cap guru answered a number of additional questions last night on Twitter. We collected some of the highlights, which you can find below…

  • Considering his $7MM cap hit and low salary in 2017, Fitzgerald can’t envision the Patriots trading tight end Rob Gronkowski. We learned earlier this week that the 27-year-old needs back surgery, which should keep him out for the rest of the regular season.
  • Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram could ask for Ryan Kerrigan-money during free agency, according to Fitzgerald. The Redskins linebacker inked a five-year, $57.5MM extension with the team back in 2015.
  • Fitzgerald imagines that Chiefs safety Eric Berry still wants to be among the highest-paid defenders in the league, but he notes that the 27-year-old hasn’t received the buzz that often accompanies top free agents. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald could see the Chiefs spending to retain defensive tackle Dontari Poe, but he’s uncertain about defensive end Jaye Howard‘s future in Kansas City.
  • Fitzgerald believes the Cowboys should take whatever they can get for quarterback Tony Romo, with the writer referring to the conditional fourth-round pick sent from the Jets to the Packers in the Brett Favre trade. However, even if the team does trade the veteran signal-caller, Fitzgerald says the team’s cap situation will likely prevent them from being major players in free agency.
  • The Giants signed defensive end Olivier Vernon to a five-year, $85MM deal back in March, and Fitzgerald believes teammate Jason Pierre-Paul is likely to make even more money when he reaches free agency this winter. Ultimately, Fitzgerald predicts that the organization will franchise their star defender.

Chiefs Place Jaye Howard On IR

December 1st, 2016 at 4:04pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Chiefs have placed defensive end Jaye Howard on injured reserve, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Howard, who has been dealing with a hip injury, will miss at least eight weeks. But with running back Jamaal Charles also on IR and seemingly a strong candidate to return this season, it’s likely Howard is done for the year.

Jaye Howard

The loss of Howard is a notable blow to a Chiefs defense that also saw fellow lineman Allen Bailey head to IR earlier this season. Howard hasn’t suited up since the team’s win over the Jaguars on Nov. 6, though, and the Chiefs have gone 2-1 since – including a crucial win over AFC West rival Denver last Sunday.

Howard, 27, appeared in eight games (five starts) this season, amassing 18 tackles and a sack, after re-signing with the Chiefs on a two-year, $12MM deal last winter. He currently ranks as Pro Football Focus‘ 53rd-best interior D-lineman among 122 qualifiers. Kansas City, which is 8-3 and ranks 13th in defensive DVOA, will go forward with Kendall Reyes starting in Howard’s spot.

AFC Notes: Green, Collins, Bengals, Howard

November 12th, 2016 at 5:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Ladarius Green is expected to make his Steelers debut on Sunday against the Cowboys, the tight end is not at 100 percent, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter).

The recent addition categorized his explosion as lacking at present due to the calf trouble he’s had, and the ankle surgery the fifth-year veteran underwent placed screws and plates in it that haven’t gone unnoticed by the recovering tight end (Twitter link). Pelissero added Green’s ankle procedure was also due to cartilage damage, so Green could be a bit away from becoming the field-stretching tight end the Steelers hoped they were acquiring when they made the rare decision to dabble in free agency.

Pittsburgh’s encountered extreme difficulties putting its preferred lineup on the field this season, with suspensions of Martavis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell — and injuries to Ben Roethlisberger, Green and Markus Wheaton — limiting the team’s offensive potential. Green is coming off a career-best season, having caught 37 passes for 429 yards and four touchdowns in his final slate as Antonio Gates‘ sidekick.

Here’s more coming out of the AFC.

  • The Bengals sitting at 3-4-1 places them on tenuous terrain regarding the AFC playoff race. One reason is a defense that ranks 23rd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA, having regressed to the point some within the organization are labeling several veterans as having “aged overnight,” Pete Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes. The Bengals have several starters either over 30 or within months of their 30th birthday, and Daugherty writes a regression from the playoff race the team has participated in the past five years would open Marvin Lewis to preparing for a rebuild on that side of the ball. Of course, the 14th-year coach being in charge of said rebuild may be iffy should a veteran team that’s failed to win a playoff game despite five straight AFC bracket cameos finish out of contention.
  • Ray Horton‘s defense giving Jamie Collins fewer coverage assignments should allow him to put up more numbers than he did with the Patriots and further enhance his value, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes. Collins playing every snap in the Browns‘ loss to the Ravens on Thursday night could help the team’s process in convincing the fourth-year linebacker he has a long-term home in northeast Ohio.
  • In addition to Jeremy Maclin and Justin Houston being set to miss the Chiefs‘ Week 10 game against the Panthers, starting defensive end Jaye Howard is out too, Dave Skretta of the Associated Press reports. While Kansas City is expected to have Alex Smith and Spencer Ware back, the team is now down both of its starting defensive ends from the start of the season. Allen Bailey is out for the season, meaning the Chiefs are going to turn to a Chris Jones–Kendall Reyes tandem in Charlotte. Re-signed to a two-year, $12MM contract in March, Howard is dealing with a hip injury. He’s played in all eight of the Chiefs’ 2016 contests so far.

Chiefs Sign Jaye Howard To Two-Year Deal

March 10th, 2016 at 9:53am CST by Connor J. Byrne

THURSDAY, 9:53am: The Chiefs have officially confirmed their deal with Howard, via a press release. The breakdown of the two-year contract can be found right here.

WEDNESDAY, 7:23pm: The Chiefs will re-sign nose tackle Jaye Howard to a two-year deal worth up to $12MM, according to Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link). The contract will include $8.3MM in guarantees, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

Howard was reportedly seeking $8MM to $9MM per year on his next accord, but it appears he’ll fall Jaye Howardwell short of either mark. Howard is the third integral defensive piece the Chiefs have agreed to retain over the last two days, joining linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson.

The 27-year-old Howard set career highs in starts (14), tackles (57), quarterback hurries (18) and sacks (5.5) during the 2015-16 season. He also played the second-most snaps among Chiefs defensive linemen (752). For his work during those 752 snaps, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Howard a solid 24th out of 123 qualifying interior D-linemen.

Howard, whom the Seahawks selected in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, joined the Chiefs in 2013 and began garnering significant playing time the next season. The 301-pounder has since accumulated 32 straight regular-season appearances and logged 24 starts.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Contract Details: Osweiler, Ivory, Iloka

March 9th, 2016 at 9:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Here are the latest updates on many recently agreed-upon or signed contracts from around the AFC:

AFC West:

  • Brandon Mebane, DT (Chargers): Three years, $13.5MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $3MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Jaye Howard, DT (Chiefs): Two years, $10MM. $8.26MM guaranteed. $5MM bonus. $3.27MM guaranteed at signing for injury. Pro Bowl escalator worth up to $2MM $12,500 per-game active roster bonuses worth up to $200K in 2016. $15,625 per-game active roster bonuses worth up to $250K in 2017 (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Dwight Lowery, S (Chargers): Three years, $7.2MM. $1.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Frank Zombo, LB (Chiefs): Three years, $3.6MM. $500K signing bonus. Roster bonus of $100K in 2016 and $150K the next two seasons (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC South:

  • Brock Osweiler, QB (Texans): Four years, $72MM. $37MM fully guaranteed in first two years – $21MM in 2016 ($12MM signing bonus, $5MM roster bonus, $4MM salary), $16MM in 2017. The remaining $35MM is non-guaranteed, including $18MM salary in 2018 and $13MM in 2019. Deal includes a $4MM roster bonus due March 2019 (all Twitter links courtesy of USA Today’s Tom Pelissero).
  • Chris Ivory, RB (Jaguars): Five years, $32MM. $10MM guaranteed. $5MM bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Jeff Allen, G (Texans): Four years, $28MM. $12MM guaranteed. $5MM signing bonus. $3MM roster bonus due this month. Annual per-game roster bonus worth $31,250 (Twitter links via Wilson).
  • Brad Nortman, P (Jaguars): Four years, $8.8MM. $1.65MM guaranteed. $650K roster bonus in 2016 (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC North:

AFC East:

  • Richie Incognito, G (Bills): Three years, $15.75MM. $3.45MM signing bonus. $2MM base salary in 2016 is fully guaranteed. $100K workout bonuses in each season (link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
  • Isa Abdul-Quddus, S (Dolphins): Three years, $12.75MM. $2.5MM signing bonus. $6MM in guarantees (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • James Develin, FB (Patriots): One year, $750K. $150K playing time incentives. $50K signing bonus. $25K workout bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

AFC Notes: Brady, Browns, Howard, Bolts

March 3rd, 2016 at 9:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest coming out of the AFC as the legal tampering period looms.

  • Observing how the 2nd Circuit Court’s three-judge panel aimed its scrutiny in today’s Deflategate appeal in Manhattan, Tom Brady should be bracing for a setback in his efforts to put this 14-month-old matter behind him, Michael McCann of SI.com writes. McCann expects a 2-1 decision going in favor of the NFL. That doesn’t mean Brady will automatically miss the Patriots‘ first four games in 2016, with further appeals possible if the NFLPA loses this time, but it would bring this issue back to the forefront after a dormant several months that occurred following judge Richard Berman’s ruling in favor of Brady. The decision could take months, per McCann.
  • Hue Jackson wants the Browns to come away with two or three starters during free agency, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The first-year Cleveland coach acknowledges, however, attracting the top targets will be difficult. Of course, the Browns could lose two top UFAs if Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz exit. Jackson “would love” to have Mack back and told media, including Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link), “You can put [a center’s value] right up there with the QB when you have a guy like that.”
  • Jackson will have the final say when it comes to which quarterback the Browns select at No. 2, if they opt to go quarterback with their top pick, according to Jeff Schudel of the Lorain Morning Journal. Sashi Brown‘s executive VP title won’t supersede Jackson’s offensive experience when it comes to making this choice, Schudel notes.
  • The Browns hired Joe Kim as an assistant, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. His title is assistant strength and skill development coach. Kim served in the same capacity for the Bears in 2014 and Washington last season. This will be the third stint for Kim in Cleveland. A Northeast Ohio native whose served as a consultant for several NFL teams since 2001, Kim is a former national taekwando champion who’s gone on to consult defenders on pass-rush techniques.
  • After the Chiefs applied the franchise tag to Eric Berry, they still have six current or former Kansas City starters entering the free agent market, including improving defensive end Jaye Howard. In a radio appearance with Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez (Twitter link), Howard said his status in Kansas City was “up in the air.” The Chiefs also feature Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Sean Smith as players who started for their No. 7-ranked defense last season whose contracts have expired. Howard, however, is younger than the other Chiefs’ key UFA defenders in entering his age-27 season. He was Pro Football Focus’ No. 24 interior defender, a grouping that includes 3-4 defensive ends, along with all defensive tackles.
  • The Chargers have until March 24 to qualify a stadium measure for the crucial November ballot which will contain an item regarding the use of public funds to finance a downtown stadium. The team’s expected to release a stadium financing plan at that time, Eric Williams of ESPN.com reports.