Los Angeles Chargers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

AFC Notes: Flacco, Jaguars, Patriots, Dolphins

February 26th, 2016 at 2:31pm CST by Luke Adams

After reporting earlier today that the Ravens are growing increasingly optimistic about their chances of reworking Joe Flacco‘s contract, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link) hears from another source that talks between the Ravens and agent Joe Linta have indeed been productive. A new deal may not be completed this week, but it’s getting closer, according to Zrebiec.

Flacco’s contract, which includes cap hits of $28MM+ in 2016 and $31MM+ in 2017, is a tricky one for the Ravens, since asking the quarterback to take a pay cut isn’t an option. In order for Baltimore to get some cap relief for more than just ’16, the team will likely need to tack on at least two years to Flacco’s deal.

Here’s more from around the AFC:

The Jaguars‘ willingness to go after older free agents this offseason shows that the team believes it’s closer to contention than it has been in past seasons, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com, who notes that 18 of the 20 free agents Dave Caldwell signed in his first three years as GM were under 30 years old. “Now that we’re at that point in time where we can compete and compete for championships I have no issue with signing guys that are 30, 31 and 32,” Caldwell said.
As of Thursday, the Patriots remained in a holding pattern when it comes to their major offseason financial decisions, per Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. Howe suggests that the team has engaged in the early stages of talks with free-agents-to-be Tarell Brown and LeGarrette Blount, but haven’t yet approached most veterans about pay cuts or extensions.
The Dolphins are saying they want to keep the majority of their free agents and release candidates, but given their limited cap room and their 6-10 record in 2015, continuity across the board may not be the best option for the franchise, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
The odds of a downtown stadium plan coming together for the Chargers in San Diego are long, but not impossible, says Logan Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

West Notes: Bennett, Kaepernick, Chargers

February 25th, 2016 at 4:04pm CST by Luke Adams

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett and Chiefs running back Spencer Ware have both hired Relativity Sports for representation, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal (Twitter links). Ware isn’t even eligible for restricted free agency until 2017, so Bennett is the more notable name here, since the standout pass rusher wants Seattle to rework his deal.

As Gregg Bell of The News Tribune details (via Twitter), head coach Pete Carroll said today that he has spoken to Bennett about his situation, though it’s probably on the back-burner for now. Unless the Seahawks feel they could rework Bennett’s contract in a way that would create some cap space for free agency, the team likely won’t address it until the spring.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s West divisions:

A day after GM Trent Baalke insisted that Colin Kaepernick will “absolutely” remain on the 49ers’ roster beyond his April 1st salary guarantee deadline, head coach Chip Kelly told reporters, including Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, that he has spoken to the QB several times, and believes Kaepernick want to be in San Francisco. “I don’t know what the narrative is that, ‘Is he on the team? Is he not on the team?'” Kelly said. “It’s never been a question. I’m excited to work with Colin. I’ve never thought that, ‘Hey, I’m going to go to San Francisco and he’s not going to be there.'”
In addition to discussing Kaepernick, Kelly also said he’d like the 49ers to re-sign running back Shaun Draughn (Twitter link), and refuted the assumption that fullback Bruce Miller will be let go because he won’t have a role in Kelly’s offense.
According to GM Tom Telesco, the Chargers‘ tight end position is “in flux” (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego). Both Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green are among San Diego’s free agents and Telesco said he’ll meet with their agents at the combine this week.
Telesco also said today that the Chargers‘ wide receiver depth is “not as strong with Malcom [Floyd] not being there” (Twitter link via Gehlken). Needless to say, San Diego is firmly in the market for more help at the position, and is hunting specifically for a deep threat.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Chargers Pursuing Downtown Stadium

February 25th, 2016 at 1:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

THURSDAY, 1:38pm: According to supervisor Ron Roberts, San Diego County’s point man on stadium discussions, the Chargers were seeking an extra $200MM in public money toward the proposed Mission Valley project, above the $350MM already offered (link via FOX 5 San Diego). The team had been seeking a total contribution worth $550MM from the city and county of San Diego. It’s not clear what the Chargers’ request will look like for a downtown stadium.

TUESDAY, 5:29pm: The Chargers released a statement on their website summarizing their plan to pursue a citizens’ initiative in hopes of securing a deal for a downtown San Diego stadium instead of one in Mission Valley, Calif., where Qualcomm Stadium is located.

With the goal of placing a new stadium near the Padres’ Petco Park and a convention center downtown, the Chargers are eschewing the Mission Valley site that had been the choice of local leaders for over a year, according to Vincent Bonsignore of InsideSoCal.com.

“We believe that a downtown multi-use facility will attract broad support from throughout our entire community. And we hope that, as our downtown proposal is developed and as the campaign for passage begins, those who have supported the Mission Valley site will keep an open mind and consider supporting what we believe is the best way to secure a permanent home for the Chargers in San Diego,” part of the statement reads.

They’ve played on that site since 1967 and will play there again in 2016 before having to make a decision on their future in San Diego or venturing to Los Angeles to join the Rams.

Further progress toward this goal is contingent on a vote involving a measure for taxpayers’ money to contribute to the new stadium passing in November.

The key figures in the sides’ effort to construct a new playing site for the Chargers met in San Diego on Monday. Dean Spanos, mayor Kevin Faulconer and several other high-ranking officials spoke for several hours, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Per Acee, the sides have meet for the past couple of weeks to discuss the best plan for coaxing voters to approve the funds for the long-sought-after new stadium.

The citizen’s united proposal is meant to expedite the process, per Bonsignore. The Chargers and Raiders used this tactic when crafting their Carson proposal.

Bonsignore write that this plan’s approval could trigger a Raiders move back to Los Angeles. The Raiders haven’t had any substantive discussions with Oakland about replacing their 50-year-old playing site and have been connected to several cities, including San Diego. But Los Angeles remains an option, with the league designating the Raiders as the team-in-waiting while the Chargers determine their future home.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images

NFLPA Announces Cap Carryover Amounts

February 25th, 2016 at 9:12am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL Players Association issued a press release today announcing the salary cap carryover amounts for all 32 NFL teams for the 2016 season. The official salary cap amount for 2016 has yet to be announced by the league, but it’s expected to be in the neighborhood of $155MM+. When that figures becomes official, it can be added to each team’s carryover amount to determine that club’s official cap for 2016.

According to the press release, the Broncos, Rams, and the Saints are the only teams that opted not to carry over the full amount available to them, though none of those clubs are believed to have left significant amounts on the table.

Here are the salary cap carryover amounts for 2016, per the NFLPA, from highest to lowest:

Jacksonville Jaguars: $32,774,928
Tennessee Titans: $20,783,801
Cleveland Browns: $20,734,144
Oakland Raiders: $13,373,617
San Francisco 49ers: $12,206,686
New York Giants: $11,193,231
Miami Dolphins: $9,137,544
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $7,987,748
Cincinnati Bengals: $7,587,902
Philadelphia Eagles: $7,255,362
Green Bay Packers: $6,953,847
Washington: $5,837,734
Indianapolis Colts: $4,950,629
Buffalo Bills: $4,467,331
Atlanta Falcons: $3,905,771
Carolina Panthers: $3,731,200
Dallas Cowboys: $3,571,239
Denver Broncos: $3,300,000
Arizona Cardinals: $3,031,663
Pittsburgh Steelers: $3,000,327
Kansas City Chiefs: $2,622,838
New York Jets: $2,484,216
San Diego Chargers: $2,287,176
Minnesota Vikings: $2,090,409
Houston Texans: $1,637,055
Baltimore Ravens: $1,633,944
New Orleans Saints: $1,400,000
New England Patriots: $1,347,882
Los Angeles Rams: $933,521
Chicago Bears: $867,589
Detroit Lions: $862,191
Seattle Seahawks: $11,587

Free Agent Rumors: Benjamin, Schwartz, CJ2K

February 24th, 2016 at 1:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we rounded up the latest updates on several current and pending free agents. With the combine underway in Indianapolis, there’s no shortage of news and rumors on free agency, so we’ve got another set of items to pass along already. Let’s dive in….

According to Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via Twitter), word from the combine suggests that the Chargers and Falcons will be in the hunt for wide receiver Travis Benjamin, if and when he reaches free agency. Current Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan used to hold that same position with the Browns, who have reportedly broken off talks with Benjamin for now.
The Browns are making an effort to extend the contract of tackle Mitchell Schwartz, but he appears headed for the open market, writes Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. According to Cabot, Schwartz is believed to be seeking left tackle money, and while the Browns have made an offer, the two sides aren’t close to an agreement.
The Dolphins would like to hang onto wide receiver Rishard Matthews, but if his price tag reaches $5MM+, Miami is unlikely to be seriously in the mix, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim said today that the team will talk to Chris Johnson‘s representatives this week at the combine, per James Palmer of the NFL Network (Twitter link). Johnson said on Tuesday that he would like to re-sign with Arizona.
The odds of the Eagles getting something done with safety Walter Thurmond prior to the start of free agency next month don’t look great, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, who tweets that the team has not yet made an offer.
The Cowboys will meet with the agent for linebacker Rolando McClain at the combine this week, per executive VP Stephen Jones (link via Todd Archer of ESPN.com). McClain is eligible for unrestricted free agency in March.

West Notes: Chargers, Barksdale, 49ers, Kelly

February 20th, 2016 at 9:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the latest news and notes from the NFL’s two West divisions:

Right tackle Joe Barksdale hopes his upcoming foray into free agency goes smoother than it did last season, writes Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Barksdale notably remained unsigned until mid-May of last year before finally latching on with the Chargers, with whom he went on to start all 16 games. After settling for a base salary/signing bonus of just over $1MM in 2015, Barskdale should be able to get a pay bump this season, be it with San Diego or another club looking for offensive line help.
Defensive line is a key area of need for the 49ers this offseason, says Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Defensive tackle Ian Williams is a free agent and could command a hefty contract on the open market, and the remaining options on the roster lack depth, as Arik Armstead, Glenn Dorsey, and Quinton Dial headline an uninspiring unit. But even if San Francisco fails to re-sign Williams, the club could use an early draft pick on a defensive lineman, and this year’s collegiate class is especially strong at that position.
Speaking of Armstead, the former Oregon Duck and current 49er is confident that new head coach Chip Kelly will help turn things around in the Bay Area. “I think [Kelly] is going to get us on the right path,” Armstead told Bleacher Report’s Uninterrupted (link via CSNBayArea.com). “It’s going to be a lot of hard work this year. But I think it’s going to be beneficial to our team. The sky is the limit for us, really, it can’t really get any worse than last season.”

Chargers Likely To Re-Sign Antonio Gates

February 20th, 2016 at 6:12pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Veteran tight end Antonio Gates is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 9, but the longtime Charger doesn’t figure to hit actually hit the open market. San Diego is expected to meet with Gates’ agent Tom Condon at the combine next week, and the presumption is that the two sides will hammer out a deal, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune, who reports that an “air of formality” surrounds the discussions.

“We’ll talk to Tom Condon in a little more detail in Indy, and we’ll talk to Ladarius [Green]‘s guy in Indy as well,” general manger Tom Telesco told Gehlken. “It’s February, and we’ve got until September to get the position together the best way we see fit. So, we’ll see. Through our own players, through free agency and through the draft, we’ll see.”

As Telesco notes, fellow tight end Green is a free agent as well, as are two other Chargers tight ends, John Phillips and David Johnson. The 25-year-old Green played the most snaps of the bunch, while Phillips is a core special teamer, having played on nearly 70% of San Diego’s special teams snaps. With more than $31MM in projected cap space, the Chargers should be able to retain whomever they want from their tight end group (though it’s possible Green will seek an opportunity where he could be the clear cut starter).

For his part, Gates, 35, had previously expressed his desire to play in 2016, noting his displeasure with how the Chargers — who ended up posting a 4-12 record — played in 2015. And just last month, Telesco indicated that he’d love to have Gates back in San Diego, so it’s not surprising that Gehlken reports that contract talks are expected to be a breeze.

Gates’ counting stats were down last year, but that was largely because of his four-game absence due of a PED suspension. On a rate basis, his productivity was in line with recent seasons, as he averaged 57.3 receiving yards per game while scoring five times. Coming off a five-year deal that paid him more than $7MM annually, Gates could ask for the same yearly value, albeit on a shorter contract.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

AFC Rumors: Bolts, Reid, Miller, Jets, Titans

February 20th, 2016 at 4:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Chargers-led citizen’s initiative could help solve stadium cost issues at the Mission Valley, Calif., site that hovered at the center of discussions prior to the Bolts’ Carson overtures, David Garrick of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

This process involves the sale of 75 acres of the 166-acre Qualcomm Stadium site, a transaction that could net $225MM that would go toward funding the proposed $1.1 billion Chargers stadium, San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer’s task force’s estimates. That would help significantly, considering the new stadium still requires $350MM in taxpayer funds to go along with $300MM from the NFL and additional money generated by personal seat licenses, among other streams of revenue.

“They did it in Carson and another group of lawyers did it in Inglewood, so it certainly could be done in San Diego in pretty much the same way,” city attorney Jerry Goldsmith told Garrick. “It would involve re-zoning; it would involve voter approval of not only a stadium but ancillary development, and it would include bypassing the California Environmental Quality Act if it’s done right.”

Garrick, however, makes it clear the Chargers haven’t committed to pursue this route, as the sides still have a long way to go before anything substantial emerges in this long-running saga.

Let’s take a look at the latest transpiring in the AFC.

Andy Reid won’t join the Chiefs‘ contingent at next week’s NFL Scouting Combine due to knee replacement surgery, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports. The 57-year-old coach had this surgery last year and attended the Combine, but he missed this year’s Senior Bowl and won’t trek to Indianapolis as well.
The Jets have engaged in contract talks with Chris Ivory‘s camp, but Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the seventh-year running back will test the market. Ivory would join Lamar Miller, Doug Martin and Matt Forte as free agency’s top ball-carriers, should Gang Green fail to keep him off the market.
Lamar Miller‘s roots in Miami could induce the Dolphins to give him a low-ball offer in free agency and incite the fifth-year running back to bolt, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Miller attended the University of Miami and was born in the city in which he played his first four NFL seasons. Florio also speculates DeMarco Murray‘s first-year flop with the Eagles will make it harder for this year’s crop of fifth-year runners, Miller and Martin, to receive a Murray-like deal.
The Titans will address the wide receiver position in the draft, Jim Wyatt of Titans.com writes in a mailbag. Coming off his worst season, Kendall Wright currently is set to enter his fifth-year option campaign, and Justin Hunter is also entering a contract year. Wyatt notes the team’s investment in the position will not come at No. 1 overall, given that there isn’t a wide receiver that’s projected to possess that kind of value.

Eric Weddle Hopes To Join Contending Team

February 19th, 2016 at 5:43pm CST by Luke Adams

5:43pm: Chargers GM Tom Telesco confirmed today that the Chargers won’t use their franchise tag this year, which is the latest indication that Weddle will be able to hit the open market next month, writes Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

12:28pm: Back in January, free agent safety Eric Weddle suggested there’s virtually no chance he’ll re-sign with the Chargers this winter after the relationship between the player and team grew increasingly fractured, particularly toward the end of the 2015 season. Around the same time, Weddle told Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune what sort of factors he’ll prioritize when he reaches the open market, citing a desire to contend for a Super Bowl as an important one.

“In the next three or four years, are they going to be competitive, are they going to be division winners, are we going to have a chance at the Super Bowl?” Weddle asked hypothetically, referring to teams that might pursue him. The veteran safety also mentioned a few more factors that will play a role in his decision: “The division, where they see me fitting, how can I help, will I be what they want, is it a good fit? I think I can play any scheme, so that’s not really an issue.”

Of course, considering Weddle referred to the possibility of winning a Super Bowl with his next team “in the next three or four years,” his definition of a potential contender may be generous. He might not reciprocate interest from a team like the Titans, which still looks multiple years away from legit contention, but a rising club like the Raiders could make a strong pitch to Weddle in free agency, despite the fact that they haven’t been to the postseason in more than a decade.

Weddle, 31, has spent all nine seasons of his NFL career with the Chargers, capped off by what was perhaps his most unusual year since entering the league. After being told by the team that his contract wouldn’t be extended prior to the season, the three-time Pro Bowler reported to camp and played well during the season, logging 76 tackles and six passes defended in 13 games.

While the contract situation was one point of contention between the two sides, the year ended on an even more acrimonious note, with the Chargers reportedly informing Weddle late in the season that he was being fined $10K for remaining on the field during halftime of a game to watch his daughter perform in a dance ceremony. Weddle and agent David Canter initially declined to go public about the fine, but the agent opened up after the Chargers placed the safety on IR in Week 17, a move that was made against his wishes. Per Canter, the team also informed Weddle that there would be no room for him to travel on the team plane to the regular season finale in Denver.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

West Notes: Osweiler, 49ers, Chargers, Rams

February 16th, 2016 at 2:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Will the Broncos retain Brock Osweiler and install him as the team’s new starting QB in 2016, in the event that Peyton Manning retires? Running back Ronnie Hillman thinks so.

“It’s not my decision, but letting him go would not be too smart,” Hillman told SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Twitter).

Of course, Hillman himself might not be back in 2016, considering he’s also approaching free agency. The 24-year-old is coming off his best season, but he has been up and down during his four years in Denver, and he didn’t make a real impact in the playoffs — he ran for just 54 yards on 32 postseason carries, including zero yards on five attempts in the Super Bowl.

Here’s more from out of the NFL’s West divisions:

In a pair of pieces for the Sacramento Bee, Matt Barrows previews the decisions facing the 49ers in their offensive backfield this offseason, as the team looks to address its quarterback and running back situations. According to Barrows, the draft combine will provide a prime opportunity for the Niners to assess the QBs set to hit the market, along with potential draft targets.
Mark Whicker of the Los Angeles Daily News is extremely skeptical that the Chargers will get the votes they need from the city of San Diego to approve a new stadium.
The Seahawks, Chiefs, and Broncos are among the teams in great position to pick up extra picks for the 2017 draft, as Nick Konte of Over the Cap explains in his early look at next year’s compensatory picks.
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com wonders if Robert Griffin III might be a good fit in Los Angeles. Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said last year that he likes the idea of having a mobile quarterback who can extend plays, which seems to apply to RGIII’s skill set.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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