Chargers Deny Shopping Eric Weddle
10:27pm: A Chargers spokesman has reached out to Florio to deny that the team is shopping Weddle, suggesting there’s “absolutely no truth” to those rumors. Still, PFT’s original source still insists that San Diego is indeed shopping the safety, and it doesn’t make sense that the club would want to hang onto him at all costs, considering he’s set to test the free agent market this winter.
9:16pm: The Giants are among four NFL teams to express interest in Weddle, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets.
8:09pm: The Chargers are shopping safety Eric Weddle, a league source tells Mike Florio of PFT. Weddle is earning $7.5MM in the final year of his contract.
The three-time Pro Bowler skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason this summer while locked in a contract dispute with the team. Weddle is the fourth-highest paid safety in terms of total compensation in 2015 but he was seeking a new deal with his 31st birthday coming up in January 2016. After the Chargers held their ground, Weddle made it known that he would turn his attention to free agency after the season.
As the Chargers sit at 2-6, it only makes sense that they would explore a deal for Weddle rather than lose him in the offseason. However, the Chargers could also hang on to the veteran and net a compensatory draft pick for him in the spring. For that reason, the Bolts can’t be expected to part with Weddle for cheap.
Weddle has been the Chargers’ starting safety since 2008 and he did not miss a regular season start from 2009 through 2014. In 2014, Weddle racked up 114 total tackles to go along with eight pass deflections and an interception. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) rated the three-time Pro Bowler as the best overall safety in the NFL last season with a +18.9 overall grade.
The safety is nursing a groin injury but it’s only a minor setback and he’s already sprinting again, according to NFL.com’s Rand Getlin (on Twitter).
Trade Rumors: Mack, Weddle, Boldin
Cardinals GM Steve Keim says that while there are always talks going on, there is “nothing imminent” for his team, as Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com writes. When asked specifically about targeting a pass rusher, Keim noted that teams aren’t really offering up anyone that fits the bill unless they are overpaid or dealing with off-the-field issues. Even if the Cardinals aren’t on the precipice of anything, a whole lot can change between now and the deadline. Meanwhile, plenty of other teams are assessing their trade options at the midway point. Here’s the very latest:
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter) hears that Bears defensive end Willie Young and Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry can be had via trade. Neither player is getting much playing time so far in 2015.
- More from Cole (video link), who hears that the Browns expect Alex Mack to exercise his opt-out clause and go to the highest bidder, therefore making him a prime trade candidate heading into the deadline. The center’s deal features a no-trade clause, but he is allowed to waive it to expedite a move to a contending team.
- Cole adds that pending free agents Eric Weddle (Chargers) and Anquan Boldin (49ers) aren’t really in play since both teams are hoping to net compensatory draft picks for them in the offseason if they head elsewhere. As a result, it would take a significant haul to pry either player loose.
- When asked if a trade for a running back could happen, Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said, “I don’t see that coming,” as John McClain of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- Falcons head coach Dan Quinn says that trades are not a priority for the team right now, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- Browns linebacker Paul Kruger isn’t surprised to hear his name in trade rumors because of “the way [he’s] been used,” Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer writes.
- Joel Corry of CBSSports.com came up with some creative hypothetical trade ideas, including one that would have the Panthers acquire Calvin Johnson from the Lions.
- Keeping up with the theme of hypothetical deals, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com would like to see Washington send Robert Griffin III to the Chiefs for fellow QB Chase Daniel. Another interesting idea would have the Bears ship Alshon Jeffery to the Falcons in exchange for a second-round choice.
AFC Notes: S. Smith, Jets, Wright, Wake
After Steve Smith Sr. suffered a torn Achilles during Sunday’s win over the Chargers, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was among those quick to express hope that the standout receiver will reconsider his plans to retire, telling reporters, “I have a feeling Steve Smith will be back.” As Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com details, Harbaugh wasn’t the only one in the Ravens’ locker room conveying that sentiment.
“I’ll definitely be whispering in his ear, hopefully to get him back out there,” running back Justin Forsett said.
While Smith announced before the season that 2015 would be his last year in the NFL, there are doubts that he’d want to go out this way. If he does decide to play one more year in 2016, the Ravens “would certainly welcome him back,” writes Hensley.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- If the Jets decide to add an outside quarterback to add depth after Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith got banged up on Sunday, don’t expect them to consider adding Ryan Mallett, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright suffered a sprained MCL on Sunday, a source tells Schefter (Twitter link). However, the injury doesn’t sound nearly as serious as the MCL tear suffered by Le’Veon Bell on Sunday, which means Wright’s season shouldn’t be in jeopardy.
- Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald examines a few options the Dolphins have with Cameron Wake, as the team decides whether or not to retain the veteran defensive end – who is recovering from a torn Achilles – for the 2016 season.
- Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter links) identifies Chargers running back Donald Brown as a potential trade candidate in advance of tomorrow’s deadline. As Gehlken notes, Brown is buried on San Diego’s depth chart, and drew serious interest from another team when he was briefly cut by the Chargers earlier this year.
La Canfora’s Latest: Colts, Texans, Trades
With 2015 shaping up to be Chuck Pagano‘s last in Indianapolis, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com writes, the Miami Hurricanes job could be in play for the fourth-year coach.
The rest of the Colts‘ staffers are set for an uncertain future, with Jim Irsay considering changes after the thus-far-underwhelming team’s Week 10 bye.
Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton‘s job is on the line. Pagano, per La Canfora, wanted associate head coach Rob Chudzinski to run the offense, and longtime organizational staffer Clyde Christensen also looms as an OC candidate in the event Pagano’s preferences are no longer relevant.
Pagano’s Miami connection stems from being the Hurricanes’ secondary coach from 1995-2000.
Irsay hopes to lure a top head-coaching candidate to Indianapolis next year, and that would mean GM Ryan Grigson would almost certainly be shown the door, the CBS reporter notes.
Here are some additional notes from La Canfora on Week 8 Sunday.
- The schism that formed in Houston recently between Bill O’Brien and GM Rick Smith regarding now-ex-Texans quarterback Ryan Mallett will lead to a change in the organization’s power structure, La Canfora reports. The ninth-year GM could see a reassignment if O’Brien is to assume more control, as he’s used to the head coach having from his years with the Patriots. The present setup involves both O’Brien and Smith reporting to owner Bob McNair separately, and McNair doesn’t see that as a sustainable model in light of the Mallett incident. It’s caused a divide within the organization, sources told La Canfora. “It’s gone from a slow drip to a waterfall,” a team source told the CBS scribe, describing the rift that’s become off-putting for McNair.
- Matt Forte and Brian Cushing are available for trades, La Canfora notes, mentioning the Bears, Texans and 49ers as the teams most likely to operate as sellers in advance of the Nov. 3 trade deadline. The 49ers have also entertained teams’ interest on offensive lineman Alex Boone and have fielded calls on Vernon Davis. The Seahawks are a team that is willing to trade a depth piece to acquire an offensive lineman to help fix their biggest issue, La Canfora reports. The Ravens and Chargers, despite carrying 11 losses between them, are viewed as being more hesitant to sell off veterans.
Coaching Notes: Chargers, Caldwell, Fox, Del Rio
As Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com writes, it hasn’t been a great three weeks for the Chargers defense. In that span, the unit has allowed 30 first-half points to the Raiders, 548 yards to the Packers, and a game-winning touchdown to the Michael Vick-led Steelers.
Defensive coordinator John Pagano understands that he may be on the hot seat if his squad doesn’t turn it around.
“It starts with: we’re all accountable, No. 1; myself,” Pagano said (via Tom Krasovic of The San Diego Union-Tribune). “We’ve got to do a better job. We didn’t play good. We didn’t coach good.”
“This might be adverse times for us as a football unit, but it’s not adversity that will overcome us. There’s bigger things out there in life that we or guys will go through. This is something that we’ve got to grow from right now, and learn from as a team. Sometimes, it’s not an easy path.”
Let’s check out some more coaching notes from around the NFL…
- Smith also believes that Lions coach Jim Caldwell shouldn’t be comfortable with his job security, noting that any decision would be made by owner Martha Ford. Caldwell fired three assistants earlier this week, and Smith wonders if the decision may have come from ownership. Facing a potential 1-7 start to the season, the writer says the coaching moves could be Caldwell’s final opportunity to “reinvigorate” his offense.
- Bears head coach John Fox understands that it can be difficult for players to adapt to a new leader, and he likes what he’s seen despite his team’s 2-4 start. “We’re battling, and there are a lot of changes,” said told Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune. “You’ve got players learning new systems in all three phases, players getting used to the coaches, coaches getting used to the players.”
- There have been rumblings that USC could pursue Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, a USC alum, as a replacement for Steve Sarkisian. However, general manager Reggie McKenzie shut down those rumors. “We talked when we first came together–he wants to be the coach of the Oakland Raiders,” McKenzie told Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News. “His mind is not looking anywhere else… He’s sincere and I’m sincere with this. We don’t see that as an opportunity for him. He wants to be here. He’s going to do well here in Oakland, believe that.”
West Notes: Jenkins, 49ers, Chargers
After suggesting earlier in the season that he’d likely play out the final year of his rookie contract without a new extension in place, Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins confirmed as much this week, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. As Jenkins explains, once the team’s bye week passed without an agreement, he made the decision to shelve contract discussions.
“They knew what was going on,” Jenkins said. “I told them anything after the bye week, I ain’t listening, I don’t want to hear it. I want to focus on football. The bye week is gone, so I just want to play football.”
As Jenkins continues to improve his free agent stock with an impressive season, let’s check out a few more notes from around the NFL’s West divisions….
- Following up on an earlier report about a heated players-only meeting, Kyle McLorg of BayAreaSportsGuy.com identified 49ers tight end Vernon Davis as the player who called out quarterback Colin Kaepernick during that meeting, while offensive tackle Joe Staley stepped up to defend the QB.
- The 49ers have failed Kaepernick more than he has failed the team, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, who points out that other teams have performed well despite getting subpar quarterback play. Barrows also notes that the Niners haven’t made good on the promise they made to Kaepernick when he signed his deal, about using their cap flexibility to lock up key players to extensions.
- The Chargers took a look at a pair of free agent safeties this week, working out former Giants safety Stevie Brown, along with Brandian Ross, per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link).
- Speaking to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, NFL executive Eric Grubman confirmed that the league feels the city of San Diego has made some progress on a stadium proposal. Whether or not that progress is enough to save the Chargers remains to be seen — as Jason Cole of Bleacher Report tweets, the league’s Los Angeles committee will meet on November 11-12 in New York to discuss relocation, and we’re moving closer and closer to possible resolution.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/27/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves:
- The Broncos released nose tackle Marvin Austin from injured reserve,Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post tweets.
- The Rams signed safety Christian Bryant, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Chargers released center J.D. Walton, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Texans promoted safety Kurtis Drummond from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, Mark Berman of FOX 26 tweets.
- The Rams have promoted defensive tackle Doug Worthington to the active roster from the practice squad and released Jo-Lonn Dunbar, Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets.
- The Colts have elevated wide receiver Quan Bray to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and waived safety Dewey McDonald, as Kevin Bowen of Colts.com tweets.
- The Vikings have promoted linebacker Brandon Watts to the active roster, as Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN tweets. In a related move, cornerback Jabari Price has been placed on IR.
- The Falcons will bring back safety Charles Godfrey again and release linebacker Allen Bradford, who was inactive this weekend against the Titans, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
Chargers Sign Joe Mays, Cut J.D. Walton
TUESDAY, 3:07pm: The Chargers have officially signed Mays, cutting center J.D. Walton to create room on the roster, the team announced today in a press release.
MONDAY, 5:27pm: The Chargers are expected to sign veteran inside linebacker Joe Mays, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). San Diego has been dealing with injuries at the position and the experienced Mays will provide them with additional depth.
Mays, 30, only has one 16-game season under his belt, compiling 75 tackles with the Broncos in 2011. In the past three seasons, he’s made only 28 appearances (20 starts), collecting 107 tackles and one sack. Mays was cut by the Chiefs in March, and he signed with New York in April before being released in September. Mays’ deal with Gang Green was reportedly for one year at the minimum salary, with a $870K base salary, $20K first-game roster bonus, and a $60K signing bonus. The move saved the Jets $585K and left them with $60K in dead money.
Mays auditioned for the Browns earlier this month but he was not signed.
West Notes: Kaepernick, Raiders, LA
About four weeks ago, there was a heated exchange between 49ers players regarding Colin Kaepernick in a players-only meeting, sources tell Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. One teammate called out the QB and another stepped up in a show of support. That exchange became heated, but the two players ultimately hashed things out. While there is a level of divide in the locker room, Kaepernick has received clear support from some of the team’s most-respected players, Maiocco writes.
Here’s more from the West divisions:
- Raiders owner Mark Davis told Vincent Bonsignore of the L.A. Daily News that there haven’t been any official talks with Oakland leaders in more than two months. “We’ve gotten to the point now, unless you have something to offer, something different, there is no reason to talk,” Davis said. Davis expressed confidence that he’ll get his team to Los Angeles and he also confirmed that he’s talking to a potential investor about coming aboard.
- Chargers guard Orlando Franklin has only a slight MCL sprain and is day-to-day, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It was previously believed that Franklin might have suffered a more serious injury.
- Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson, who has spent the year on the PUP list so far, officially returned to practice today, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. However, Richardson is still on the PUP list as of this writing — the club will have three weeks to move him to its 53-man roster.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Ravens promoted wide receiver Jeremy Butler from the taxi squad and waived running back Terrence Magee, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (via Twitter). Butler, 24, played college football at the University of Tennessee Martin and went undrafted in 2014.
- The Chargers have waived cornerback Chris Davis off IR, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan (on Twitter).
- The Titans will re-sign tight end Chase Coffman and release wide receiver Rico Richardson, as Jim Wyatt of Titans Online tweets. Richardson will be brought to the practice squad, as Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com tweets. Over the weekend, Richardson was promoted from the taxi squad and Coffman was cut to make room.
- Jaiquawn Jarrett cleared waivers and was added to the Jets’ IR, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- The Saints cut cornerback Sammy Seamster, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.