Los Angeles Chargers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Contract Details: Sherels, Boldin, Brown, Royal

March 10th, 2014 at 2:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Marcus Sherels‘ two-year, $2.2MM extension with the Vikings included a $300K signing bonus, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The defensive back and punt returner also has $200K of his $750K base in 2014 guaranteed. Sherels, 26, saw an increased role in the secondary in 2013, playing 545 defensive snaps. With that extra playing time, Sherels racked up 47 tackles, seven passes defended, and an interception. His most positive contributions probably came on special teams, however, where he averaged 15.2 yards per attempt on 22 punt returns, including a touchdown. Some more details on recent contracts..

Over The Cap has the full breakdown of wide receiver Anquan Boldin‘s pact with the 49ers, which includes three voidable years.
The Steelers did a simple restructure on Antonio Brown‘s deal, Pelissero tweets. Pittsburgh converted $5.27MM of his 2014 base salary to a signing bonus, clearing about $3.95MM off the cap.
Eddie Royal gets $3.5MM guaranteed in his reworked deal with the Chargers, tweets Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap. The maneuvering saves San Diego about $1MM in cash and salary cap room.
Mackenzy Bernadeau‘s “restructure” with the Cowboys included a $1.15MM pay cut in 2014 and a $1.75MM cut in 2015, Pelissero tweets. Bernadeau now has a $500K roster bonus and fully guaranteed $1.1MM base in 2014 (link). His 2015 base is now $1.5MM ($400K guaranteed for injury).
Pelissero (Twitter link) has the goods on Mark Herzlich‘s one-year extension with the Giants. He’ll get a $775K base salary, $200K in per-game roster bonuses, and $25K workout bonus, good for $1MM total.
Offensive lineman Lemuel Jeanpierre got a $150K signing bonus and $50K roster bonus on his one-year, $950K extension with the Seahawks, Pelissero tweets.

Chargers Re-Sign Chad Rinehart

March 10th, 2014 at 12:17pm CST by Luke Adams

12:17pm: Rinehart’s new deal is worth $6MM over two years, with $2MM guaranteed, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports.

12:00pm: The Chargers have officially re-signed Rinehart, the team announced today (Twitter link).

11:42am: Offensive lineman Chad Rinehart will be forgoing unrestricted free agency and re-signing with the Chargers, a source tells Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Rinehart’s new deal will be a two-year pact, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link).

Rinehart, 28, has never started more than 12 games in any of his five NFL seasons, but has been effective when he’s healthy and playing. Appearing in all 16 games with the Bills in 2011, the former third-round pick recorded a +16.1 grade, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, placing him ninth overall among guards. Last season, Rinehart stayed on the field for the Chargers’ playoff run, and played well in both of the team’s postseason contests.

When I evaluated the market for free agent guards, I ranked Rinehart in the second tier of potentially available options due to questions about his health. However, he has the upside to be an above-average starter, and the Chargers may have been able to retain him at a reduced rate due to those question marks.

Hakeem Nicks Wants Long-Term Deal

March 9th, 2014 at 2:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent receiver Hakeem Nicks has shot down a report that he would consider a short-term deal, perhaps in the one- to two-year range, in an attempt to rehabilitate his value. Rather, he tells ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he wants a long-term contract:

“I want to go to a team where I’m the missing link. There are a number of teams that I have my eye on once I hit the market. I know if I went to a place like Indianapolis I would be dangerous with a quarterback like Andrew Luck. I can see myself catching passes from Cam Newton or even Philip Rivers. Players have already started to reach out to me from other teams saying they would love for me to come join them. I just want to make it clear that I want a long-term deal and I want to be happy. I’m excited about talking to teams and making it work.”

While Nicks may desire a long-term pact, he may not get it. After Nicks sent a letter to all 32 teams claiming he is injury-free, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported that organizations are more concerned with the receiver’s mental state than his physical struggles. Florio writes that teams wonder if Nicks still has the passion to play football, and these worries might cause reluctancy towards a long-term deal.

Nicks has been ineffective the past two seasons while dealing with injuries. However, between 2010-2011, he averaged 78 receptions for 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns. PFR’s Luke Adams ranked Nicks among the first-tier of free agent receivers, and Rob DiRe also profiled the pass-catcher.

Darrell Stuckey, Chargers Agree To Deal

March 8th, 2014 at 1:21pm CST by Rob DiRe

The Chargers and safety Darrell Stuckey have agreed to a multi-year contract, reports Ricky Henne of Chargers.com (via Twitter). The 26-year old has mostly played on special teams in his short career in San Diego. Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports that according to Stuckey the contract is a four-year deal (via Twitter).

Details of the contract have yet to be released, but it can be assumed that although Stuckey has been a top special teams player when healthy, his contract will be at or close to the minimum salary for a fifth year player.

Chargers Re-Sign Donald Butler

March 5th, 2014 at 8:23pm CST by Luke Adams

WEDNESDAY, 8:23pm: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has the full breakdown of Butler’s deal. Per a league source, Butler’s deal covers seven years with a total potential value of $51.8MM with only $11.15MM guaranteed at signing. After three seasons, the Chargers hold a $12MM option bonus.

If the Chargers don’t trigger that bonus, they can cut bait after paying $15.15MM over two years between the $750K base salary for 2014 and a non-guaranteed base salary of $3.25MM for 2015. Alternatively, they can pay another $4.65MM in 2016 and extend it to a three-year, $19.8MM contract. If the option bonus is paid, the final four years kick in, at base salaries of $4MM in 2017, $4.65MM in 2018, $5.35MM in 2019, and $6MM in 2020.

Florio writes that the cap numbers are as follows: $2.98MM in 2014, $5.48MM in 2015, $9.28MM in 2016, $8.63MM in 2017, $9.28MM in 2018, and $7.75MM in 2020.

MONDAY, 9:55am: Butler’s contract with the Chargers is a multi-tiered deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). According to Rapoport, the first three years of the pact are worth just under $20MM, and then the team will have an option to keep the linebacker for four additional years at between $8MM and $9.5MM per year. The first segment of the deal is currently guaranteed for about $12MM, while the second segment would be guaranteed for about $15MM if the team exercises its option, Rapoport adds in a second tweet.

FRIDAY, 1:51pm: Prospective free agent Donald Butler will stay with the Chargers rather than hitting the open market, and it was Butler himself who broke the story. The San Diego linebacker has announced the new agreement on Twitter: “Feeling blessed! Y’all heard it here first! Deal is done!! SD I aint going no where!! Too excited!!” The Chargers have since confirmed that the two sides have agreed to terms (Twitter link).

Butler, who is coming off the final year of his rookie contract, ranked as one of the top inside linebackers expected to hit free agency this offseason, though that was based more on his age (25) and previous performance than his 2013 showing. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, Butler ranked 45th among 55 qualified inside linebackers in ’13, according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required), recording negative grades as a pass-rusher, as a run-stopper, and in coverage.

Still, given his age and potential, Butler was a top priority for the Chargers heading into free agency, with the franchise tag considered an outside possibility. Terms of the deal aren’t yet known, but Butler figures to be in line for a nice raise on the $1.323MM base salary he earned in 2013, and I’d expect the contract to be for at least three or four years.

With Butler off the board, teams in search of an inside linebacker this offseason could turn to alternatives like Karlos Dansby, Brandon Spikes, and Daryl Smith, if they hit the open market. Another intriguing option, D’Qwell Jackson, has already become an unrestricted free agent, and is drawing interest from several teams, including the Titans, Broncos, Vikings, Redskins, and Cardinals.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets Claim Johnny Patrick Off Waivers

March 5th, 2014 at 4:16pm CST by Luke Adams

The Jets have been awarded cornerback Johnny Patrick off waivers, according to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). Patrick was cut by the Chargers yesterday.

Patrick, 25, started four games for San Diego last season and appeared in 13 total contests, recording 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a negative overall grade (-7.6), according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. While his results on the field in 2013 were middling, Patrick is a former third-round pick and his contract is very low risk — he’s slated to earn the minimum for 2014, with a modest $55K workout bonus.

NFC Notes: Graham, Jones, Tate, Guion

March 5th, 2014 at 11:15am CST by Luke Adams

The franchise tag is viewed as a way to essentially take an unrestricted free agent off the market, but that’s not technically what the tag does. It simply makes it more costly for another team to sign that free agent away from his current club, since the signing team would have to give up two first-round picks as compensation.

For some players though, that price tag may be worth paying, and there’s a sense around the league that a team may be willing to do so for Jimmy Graham, writes Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report. It’s not clear yet which club might make a run at Graham, but teams with late first-round picks like the Seahawks and Patriots have been mentioned as possible candidates, and Freeman says not to rule out the Ravens either. For what it’s worth, a Packers source tells Freeman that Green Bay making a run at Graham “won’t happen.” Still, it sounds as if the Saints may need to fight to keep their star pass-catcher.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

James Jones isn’t expected to be back in Green Bay next season, but the free agent receiver still thinks there’s a chance he could re-sign with the Packers, as he told Around the League on the NFL Network yesterday (link via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com). If he doesn’t continue with the Packers, Jones thinks the Colts and Chargers might be good fits for him.
With just a few days until he can hit the open market, Golden Tate tells SiriusXM NFL Radio that he hasn’t heard much from the Seahawks, as Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk details. “I’ve kind of just trusted in my agent and him being good at his work,” Tate said. “Todd [France] has had some great deals in the past and so I’m letting him handle it. Just trying to stay stress free and really enjoying being a Super Bowl champ.”
Veteran defensive tackle Letroy Guion, who only played in about a third of the Vikings‘ defensive snaps in 2013, may be asked to take a pay cut, says Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Guion has a 2014 base salary worth $3.95MM and a total cap number of $4.3MM.
If the Buccaneers are going to trade Darrelle Revis this offseason, it will likely happen sooner rather than later. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explains why.

Chargers Cut Johnny Patrick

March 4th, 2014 at 3:13pm CST by Luke Adams

In addition to releasing fullback Le’Ron McClain and cornerback Derek Cox, the Chargers have also cut cornerback Johnny Patrick, the club announced today (Twitter link via Ricky Henne of Chargers.com).

Patrick, 25, was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2011 draft and spent two seasons with the club before being cut and claimed off waivers by the Chargers. The 25-year-old started four games for San Diego last season and appeared in 13 overall contests, recording 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a negative overall grade (-7.6), according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics.

The cap savings for the Chargers will be minimal, as Patrick had been slated to earn the minimum salary, plus a $55K workout bonus.

Chargers Release Derek Cox

March 4th, 2014 at 3:08pm CST by Luke Adams

3:08pm: Cox has officially been released, the Chargers announced today (Twitter link via Ricky Henne of Chargers.com).

1:46pm: The Chargers have informed cornerback Derek Cox they plan to release him, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter). It’s the second cap-clearing move of the day for the Chargers, who are also parting ways with fullback Le’Ron McClain.

Cox, who signed a lucrative multiyear contract a year ago with the Chargers, will hit the market again just one year into the four-year deal. Cox’s $4.25MM base salary for 2014 was set to become guaranteed later this month, so San Diego avoids having to pay that figure. However, with three years’ worth of prorated bonus money accelerating onto this year’s cap, the move will leave $3.9MM in dead money on the Chargers’ books for 2014, creating just $1.65MM in cap savings.

After a solid contract year with the Jaguars in 2012, Cox didn’t play well in San Diego this past season, ranking 104th among 110 qualified cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades. The 27-year-old lost his starting job during the season’s second half, and will be looking to be bounce back on a new team in 2014. As an NFL veteran, Cox won’t have to clear waivers, so he’ll immediately be eligible to sign elsewhere.

Chargers Cut Le’Ron McClain

March 4th, 2014 at 11:16am CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers have released fullback Le’Ron McClain, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (via Twitter). McClain, who was entering the last year of his contract, was on the books for a $3.33MM cap number, which will be reduced to $833K in dead money, saving the Chargers $2.5MM in cap room.

A two-time Pro Bowler, McClain saw his role in the offense reduced during the course of his two-year stint in San Diego. The veteran fullback played just 154 snaps for the Chargers in 2013, a significant step down from the playing time he saw earlier in his career with the Ravens and Chiefs. Still, in his limited ’13 action, the 29-year-old graded positively as a pass blocker and run blocker, according to Pro Football Focus.

McClain won’t have to pass through waivers, so he’ll immediately become an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any NFL team.

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