Poll: Which QB Will Sign Extension Next?
A pair of starting quarterbacks signed long-term extensions with their clubs in recent weeks, as the Dolphins and Panthers locked up Ryan Tannehill and Cam Newton respectively. With Ben Roethlisberger signing a multiyear deal of his own with the Steelers back in March, a few of the signal-callers we expected to see extended this offseason have already taken care of business.
Several more notable quarterbacks are still without new deals though, and are seemingly preparing to enter the final year of their respective contracts without an extension in place. Of course, we still have about three months until the regular season gets underway, so there’s plenty of time between now and then for these QBs to work out agreements with their teams.
Sam Bradford and Nick Foles are among the quarterbacks whose contracts expire after the 2015 season, but neither player is a top-tier NFL starter, and both Bradford and Foles are coming off significant injuries that shortened their 2014 seasons. So while they may sign extensions at some point, we’re not including them in this discussion, since they’re not quite in the same class as a few other contract-year QBs.
We’ll also remove Andrew Luck from this conversation, since the Colts have explicitly stated that they don’t intend to negotiate an extension with the former No. 1 pick until 2016. Like Tannehill, Luck was a first-round pick in 2012, which makes him eligible for an extension now, but since Indianapolis holds a fifth-year option for the ’16 season, there’s no rush for the team to get something done.
That leaves us with three top quarterbacks entering contract years: Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, and Eli Manning. Like Roethlisberger, Rivers and Manning are each in the final year of a veteran contract. However, Rivers seems somewhat hesitant about re-upping with the Chargers given the uncertain future of the franchise, which resulted in some trade rumors earlier in the offseason. It doesn’t appear that Rivers is going anywhere, but the two sides don’t seem to be close to an extension either, despite some optimism from the Bolts.
As for Manning, we heard earlier this week that contract talks between the two-time Super Bowl MVP and the Giants haven’t begun yet, and he’s not sure when they will. The latest report on the situation suggests that the club may be willing to wait until after the season, with Manning using the 2015 campaign to prove his worth once more.
Wilson, meanwhile, is coming off a rookie contract, which perhaps makes his situation the trickiest of the three. Having built a talented roster around Wilson, the Seahawks are now facing the possibility of their quarterback’s cap hit jumping from the $1MM range to something much, much higher. So far, the two sides are at an impasse, and by all accounts, Wilson is willing to play out the 2015 season and force Seattle to use the franchise tag if he feels like he’s being low-balled by the team in extension discussions.
It’s possible that all three of these quarterbacks will head into the 2015 regular season without having signed new contracts, but I’d be surprised if that were the case. What do you think? Which of these three Pro Bowl quarterbacks will extend his contract with his current team first?
Which QB will sign an extension with his team first?
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Russell Wilson (Seahawks) 51% (212)
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Eli Manning (Giants) 19% (79)
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None of them will sign extensions in 2015 17% (69)
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Philip Rivers (Chargers) 13% (56)
Total votes: 416
Extra Points: Gordon, D. Thomas, Vick
Agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he believes Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, suspended for the 2015 season, “still has a very bright future in the NFL.” Pointing to another one of his clients that signed with the Patriots this offseason after a lengthy suspension, Rosenhaus said that Gordon is “just as determined to make it back as Fred [Davis] was.” Here’s more from around the NFL..
- The Broncos have been in “win-now” mode for the last couple years, but they need to be conscious about their long-term future when making contract decisions, says Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, writing for The Sporting News. Fitzgerald’s breakdown of Denver’s cap outlook includes a discussion of Demaryius Thomas, whose contract situation we examined earlier today.
- Michael Vick is still looking for work, and has said that he wants to play in the NFL for another three years or so, but he believes he’ll have to wait for a quarterback to suffer an injury in order to get an opportunity, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. As Florio notes, there may be some skepticism around the league that Vick is ready to accept a backup role and to put in the work necessary even when he doesn’t expect to play.
- The Chargers have been aware of Malcom Floyd‘s intentions for some time, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. The wide receiver said last year he planned to play out his contract and retire, and that remains the plan today. Floyd indicated last week that this could be his final season in the NFL.
- Representatives from the Chargers, Rams, and Raiders are in New York to update owners on developments on their respective projects, Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego tweets. The reps from the three teams will meet with owners on Wednesday.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Chargers Sign Corey Liuget To Extension
TUESDAY, 3:29pm: The Chargers announced that they have signed Liuget to an extension.
“Corey is a consummate team player who goes about his work in an unselfish manner,” GM Tom Telesco said. “His preparation and dedication to the game and the Chargers has been evident since day one. Corey is talented, tough and durable, and plays a very important role in our defense. This extension is another reflection of our commitment to investing in our core players and homegrown talent.”
MONDAY, 8:16pm: The deal is expected to add five years to Liuget’s deal for a little north of $10MM per year, sources tell Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego.
3:33:pm: The Chargers and defensive lineman Corey Liuget are putting the finishing touches on a long-term contract extension, which should be done soon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune first reported (via Twitter) that an extension, characterized by Rapoport as “lucrative,” appeared imminent — Liuget himself told Gehlken that he hoped it would get done within the next few days.
Liuget, who turned 25 in March, has been a key contributor at defensive end for the Chargers since being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft. The former 18th overall pick has started 61 regular season contests for the club in his four seasons, including all 16 games in each of the last three years. In 2014, Liuget notched a career-high 57 tackles and recorded 4.5 sacks to go along with a pair of forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
As a first-round pick, Liuget had a fifth-year option tacked onto the end of his rookie contract, which the Chargers exercised last offseason. That option called for the Illinois product to earn a $5.477MM base salary in 2015, though that number will likely be altered when an extension is finalized, with Liguet’s payout for ’15 increasing while his cap hit decreases.
While Liuget has been a reliable contributor for the Chargers over the last few seasons, and his new extension was considered a “priority” for the club this spring, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) has given him a mix of positive and negative grades throughout his career, and he’s not an elite pass rusher. As such, while Cameron Jordan‘s recent extension with the Saints may have been a point of comparison in negotiations with the Chargers, I wouldn’t expect Liuget’s deal to be in quite the same neighborhood as Jordan’s new contract.
As Over The Cap’s data shows, Jordan is part of a group of four 3-4 defensive ends that are paid significantly more annually than other players at the position, with Jordan, J.J. Watt, Calais Campbell, and Jurrell Casey all earning at least $9MM per year. My guess is that Liuget’s new deal will place him in the second tier of 3-4 defensive ends, rather than amongst that top group.
Locking up Liuget is big for the Chargers, but the team will still have several core players in line for unrestricted free agency following the 2015 season. Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Eric Weddle are among the San Diego veterans entering contract years.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
AFC Notes: Gipson, Jets, Chargers, Bengals
Safety Tashaun Gipson, the league’s only unsigned restricted free agent, almost certainly took notice when the Browns added a $2MM+ salary to their payroll for a punter (Andy Lee) this past weekend, writes Pat McManamon of ESPN.com. As McManamon points out, Gipson wasn’t thrilled when the team assigned him a second-round tender, and is believed to be seeking a long-term deal that assures him of some guaranteed money up front.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- Brian Costello of the New York Post ran down the top storylines to watch for in Jets camp, including the return of Muhammad Wilkerson, who is in the building today, as expected (Twitter link via Kristian Dyer of Metro New York). It’ll also be interesting to see whether offseason addition Ryan Fitzpatrick can eventually leapfrog Geno Smith for the starting job. For now, Jets coaches say that Smith will be under center unless he totally flames out this summer.
- San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer is now going on the offensive against the Chargers and the team isn’t happy about it, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. “This new negative advertising campaign against the Chargers — launched just as the team began negotiations with the city — speaks volumes about what the Mayor and his political operatives have really been up to on this issue from the start,” Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani said of the mayor’s sponsored Facebook post going after the club. “They have always seemed more concerned with political cover than with actually building a stadium.”
- Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is among the intern coaches on the Bengals‘ staff for the 2015 season, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter). Houshmandzadeh, who spent most of his career in Cincinnati and earned a Pro Bowl spot as a Bengal in 2007, last played for the Raiders in 2011.
- As Field Yates of ESPN.com details, Joe Cardona‘s rookie contract with the Patriots features only a $100K signing bonus rather than the $190K his draft slot calls for. However, Cardona can earn up to $100K in roster bonuses over the next three seasons if he’s on the team, so the Pats are presumably protecting themselves a little in case the long snapper has to serve in the Navy.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
AFC Rumors: McCourty, Browns, Jaguars
The free agency defections of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, coupled with the release of Kyle Arrington, have the Patriots with a thin cornerback crop. One solution thrown around is moving Devin McCourty back to corner from the safety spot where he’s become an impact talent, but the recently re-signed McCourty has little interest in moving back outside, per the Boston Globe’s Steve Silva.
“I want to play safety, but it’s out of my control so whatever the coaches decide is what it will have to be,” McCourty said to reporters after an OTA session Friday.
Relocating McCourty would leave New England thin on its back line as well, although Tavon Wilson and Nate Ebner are entering their fourth seasons with the team — profiles that generally depict starting-capable players in the era of four-year rookie deals. The 2012 draft picks have combined for just four starts, however. Doubting the Patriots’ ability to make a patchwork secondary productive would be foolhardy at this point, though, given their track record.
Let’s look at some additional points from around the AFC.
- The Browns‘ special teams makeover now includes punter, kicker and long snapper, after acquiring Andy Lee, cutting Billy Cundiff and Garrett Hartley and releasing snapper Christian Yount, notes Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 2014 rookies Travis Coons and Carey Spear are vying to take over at kicker in Cleveland, and rookie Duke Johnson is expected to become the team’s new kick returner, though Justin Gilbert will likely be given a chance to do so as well, Cabot reports.
- Fourth-round free safety James Sample will miss at least part of training camp after fracturing his arm in a Jaguars OTA session Thursday, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Sample underwent surgery on Friday. Expected to battle Sergio Brown for a starting position, Sample joins Dante Fowler Jr. as Jags rookies who’ve sustained serious injuries before shoulder pads enter the equation.
- Steelers veteran nose tackle Steve McLendon said he played through a significant shoulder injury last season and after an offseason surgery is in better position to help out and push for a third contract with the team, reports Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The third-year starter is one of three Steelers starting defenders, along with Cameron Heyward and William Gay, entering a contract season. The 29-year-old who has missed six games the past two years is in the final year of a three-year, $7.25MM deal that represents the eighth-highest pact among nose tackles.
- Third-round rookie John Miller is the frontrunner to start at left guard for the Bills this season, offers Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Chris Williams, who started three games last year for the Bills, hasn’t shown up to minicamp yet, and Rex Ryan told Maiorana he hasn’t spoken to the absent veteran. The Bills scribe doesn’t expect the former Bears flameout to be on the team much longer, especially if he doesn’t appear at mandatory minicamp next month.
- Titans rookie Dorial Green-Beckham is seeking to trim down to 225 pounds by the time training camp begins. The mercurial specimen who hasn’t played in a game since 2013 is hovering in the high 230s now, notes The Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt.
- Speaking of weight fluctuations, Melvin Ingram has slashed 20 pounds off his frame and sits at 245 this summer as he makes an attempt at a healthy campaign entering his fourth season with the Chargers, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Michael Gehlken. Ingram hasn’t played in more than nine games since his rookie campaign in 2012.
AFC Notes: Jags, Broncos, Chargers, Jets
Jaguars coach Gus Bradley was quick to praise receiver Allen Robinson on Friday. The 21-year-old wideout broke his foot in November, but he’s already proven why the organization used a second-round pick on him.
“He had a really good day today,” Bradley said (via Ryan O’Halloran of Jacksonville.com). “Sometimes you come back from an injury like that and you wonder about the confidence level. He’s playing with a lot of confidence – he jumped right to the front of the line [during drills]. He has some ownership and he’s going to take advantage of his opportunities. I think he missed being out and he’s not going to miss out on [his chances].”
In ten games as a rookie, Robinson compiled 48 catches for 548 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Let’s check out some more notes from around the AFC…
- Demaryius Thomas has not reported for voluntary workouts with the Broncos this offseason, and Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today writes that this is one of the negative effects of the franchise tag. While fellow franchise-tagged players Stephen Gostkowski and Dez Bryant have both been spotted amongst the team, the tag has been license to not workout with the team in most other cases.
- The Chargers have not been extremely cooperative with the efforts to get a new stadium built in San Diego, and one might even accuse them of trying to sabotage those plans in order to have a clear path to Los Angeles, writes Kevin Acee of the U-T San Diego. Acee presents a timeline along with a compelling case that the Charger’s were never interested in staying in San Diego.
- The NFL wants two teams in Los Angeles (the Chargers and Raiders) to share the new stadium, according to Carmen Policy, advisor on the possibility of building a stadium, according to Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal (via Twitter). He adds that this does not bode well for the Inglewood proposal.
- Muhammad Wilkerson‘s contract situation is definitely the biggest question mark left on the table for the Jets this offseason, and Field Yates of ESPN highlights one player or contract that most desperately needs to be addressed in the near future for each NFL team, from extensions and restructuring to front office and cap management issues (subscription required).
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
West Notes: Bowlen, L.A., Kaepernick, Seahawks
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen‘s son John Bowlen Jr. was released on a $1,000 bond after being arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and harassment stemming from a domestic violence incident Wednesday night, reports Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.
Bowlen Jr. allegedly pushed his girlfriend against a wall as she was trying to call the police as a result of his “erratic behavior,” per Jhabvala. She told police he was under the influence of nitrous oxide and alcohol.
“This is the owner of the Denver Broncos. I am sorry. Nothing is wrong,” Bowlen Jr., 29, said when he picked up the phone, according to the police report.
The Broncos placed him on an indefinite leave of absence. Bowlen Jr. works as an administrative employee with the team but is a candidate to take over when Pat Bowlen, 71 and stricken with Alzheimer’s, decides to cede ownership to one of his seven children. Per Jhabvala, Bowlen Jr. had drug charges dismissed and was arrested under suspicion of alcohol-induced driving in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
Here are some (lighter) notes from the Western divisions.
- The Rams may have adjusted contracts with seasonal contractors to coincide with the NFL’s February 2016 deadline for relocation bid submissions, reports Brian Feldt of the St. Louis Business Journal. According to Feldt, these contracts typically run from May to May, but with owner Stan Kroenke securing land in Inglewood, Calif., for a possible $2 billion stadium, he likely plans on posting a bid between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, 2016. Two Rams contractors told Feldt their contracts were changed, with the Rams saying telling one it’s to coincide with the end of the season.
- The NFL will hold a special owners meeting Aug. 11 in Chicago on the topic of the three-team Los Angeles relocation derby, according to Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal (via Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Miklasz notes this date is important for St. Louis in its effort to securing a site and funding for a new stadium on the north Mississippi riverfront. The Post-Dispatch columnist also notes the NFL is expected to let teams apply for relocation starting this fall.
- League executive Eric Grubman, who’s serving as the NFL’s point man on the Los Angeles efforts, told reporters the special meeting will determine if the NFL needs to provide an “expedited timetable” for teams looking to move, meaning the Feb. 16 deadline could indeed be moved up, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. For San Diego’s prospects, Williams reports Chargers and NFL officials think the $1.1 billion proposal put forth by a local advisory group for a stadium in Mission Valley, Calif., is “nowhere near enough” to bring about an actionable plan to keep the Chargers in the city they’ve played in since 1961.
- The Rams appear to have more zone-blocking concepts in store this season under new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., reports Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. And though Todd Gurley remains a ways away from full practices, the rookie runner worked on some straight-line speed with Rams trainer Byron Cunningham and caught passes from rookie quarterback Sean Mannion, although those weren’t at full speed.
- After working at EXOS training facility in Phoenix from January to April, Colin Kaepernick appears to have a quicker release, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Entering his third full season as the 49ers QB, Kaepernick is expected to return to the facility to finish up his offseason work in July.
- Albert Wilson joined Dontari Poe in leaving early from Chiefs OTA practice, exiting Thursday’s workout due to a hamstring injury. Poe departed Wednesday’s workout with a back ailment, reports Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- Speaking at a town hall meeting with fans, Pete Carroll noted this team’s depth may be the best it’s been in his tenure. Of course, town hall addresses aren’t exactly hard-hitting reports, but offensive line coach Tom Cable said the competition to replace Max Unger could soon be down to two or three players, according to the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. Lemuel Jeanpierre is leading that competition — or at least receiving the first opportunity to do so by trotting out with the starters in OTAs.
Extra Points: L.A., NFLPA, Stacy, QB Market
The NFL’s owners typically don’t meet in August, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the owners have scheduled an extra meeting this year to discuss the prospect of relocation to Los Angeles. Per Rapoport, the additional owners meeting will take place on August 11 in Chicago.
The purpose of the August meeting isn’t to make any major decisions, according to Rapoport, who indicates no major news is expected to come out of the session. But the NFL believes there needs to be some sort of update between May’s and October’s meetings, particularly to focus on the progress of stadium plans in the St. Louis, San Diego, and Oakland markets.
Let’s round up a few more odds and ends from around the league….
- The NFL Players Association’s executive committee is pushing for the performance-based pay pool for 2015 and beyond to rise by at least $1MM per team, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, who notes that the union and the league are still negotiating the parameters of the program for 2015. Per Marvez, the NFLPA’s executive committee also wants only a single “payee” to appear as the representative on a player’s contract, which would protect players from being sued for commission if multiple agents couldn’t agree on a split.
- Don Banks of SI.com delves into the back story behind the one-word tweet (“Yikes”) that Zac Stacy published after the Rams drafted Todd Gurley in April. Stacy was traded to the Jets two days later, but the running back and Rams COO Kevin Demoff both insist the since-deleted tweet wasn’t meant to be read negatively, and didn’t immediately lead to Stacy being shipped out of St. Louis.
- In the wake of Cam Newton‘s new extension, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com takes a look at what it will mean for Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, Joe Flacco, and Andrew Luck. Interestingly, Corry suggests Newton’s contract could have more of an impact on Manning’s and Flacco’s negotiations than Luck’s.
- Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports identifies six players drafted in the first round in 2012 who will be under the microscope this season. These players, including linebacker Bruce Irvin and defensive backs Morris Claiborne and Mark Barron, didn’t have their fifth-year options exercised for 2016, so they’re eligible for unrestricted free agency at season’s end.
West Notes: Chargers, Seahawks, Raiders
Cam Newton signed a new deal with the Panthers this week, locking him up through the 2020 season, but several notable QBs remain unsigned beyond 2015, including Seahawks signal caller Russell Wilson. Earlier today, PFR’s Luke Adams looked at how Newton’s brand new deal will affect Wilson. It remains to be seen exactly what the impact will be, but Luke wouldn’t be surprised to see him top Aaron Rodgers‘ $22MM annual salary.
Here’s a look at the AFC and NFC West..
Malcom Floyd May Retire After Season
Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd is entering the final year of a four-year, $13MM pact, and he’s strongly considering calling it a career once that deal expires, writes Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. According to Williams, Floyd won’t make a final decision until after the 2015 season, but he’s likely to retire after this year.
“My approach is to focus on now, and not trying to worry about what happens after this season,” Floyd said. “It can be a distraction. I’m just trying to throw all of my chips in this year, especially because it’s the last year of my contract and just go all out, and worry about the rest later. But I’ve got four kids and it’s taking time away from them. So I’m thinking about shutting it down at the end of this season.”
Floyd, 33, has been a Charger since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2004, but had one of the most productive seasons of his long career in 2014. Starting all 16 games for the first time, Floyd caught 52 balls and matched career highs with 856 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The performance increased Floyd’s career totals to 291 receptions, 4,989 yards, and 31 TDs.
The 2016 offseason may represent a major transition period for the Chargers, whose future as a franchise in San Diego is uncertain. Besides Floyd, longtime Chargers like Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and Eric Weddle are all entering the final year of their respective contracts, and negotiations (or a lack thereof) between the team and Weddle have been particularly contentious so far. In Floyd’s case, such extension talks won’t be required if he does indeed to decide to call it a career.