Contract Details: Vick, Campbell, Jenkins
The one-year deal Michael Vick inked with the Jets is worth a guaranteed $4MM, including a $2MM signing bonus and $2MM guaranteed base salary, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The contract was originally reported as a $5MM pact, so perhaps there are incentives related to playing time or performance.
Here are several more contract details from around the NFL:
- Jason Campbell‘s one-year, $1.5MM contract with the Bengals features a $400K signing bonus, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Mike Jenkins also received $1.5MM on a one-year contract from the Buccaneers, but Jenkins’ salary is fully guaranteed, as Fitzgerald details.
- Darian Stewart signed a one-year, $1.3MM contract with the Ravens, with a $300K signing bonus, tweets Pelissero.
- Pelissero and Fitzgerald have also provided details on a number of other contracts, including Devin Hester‘s three-year, $9MM contract with the Falcons (Twitter/OTC chart), Tiquan Underwood‘s two-year, $2.1MM contract with the Panthers (Twitter/OTC chart), and Charles Woodson‘s one-year, $3.5MM pact with the Raiders (Twitter/OTC chart).
- Bruce Miller’s three-year contract extension with the 49ers created $300K+ in 2014 cap savings for the club, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco also has the details on Miller’s contract, which is worth $6.831MM over the next four years.
- Lance Moore‘s two-year deal with the Steelers includes non-guaranteed base salaries of $855K (2014) and $1.5MM (2015), tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- John Jerry‘s contract with the Giants is a minimum salary benefit deal, according to OverTheCap.com.
NFC West Notes: ’Hawks, 49ers, Cards, Rams
Achieving dynasty status is very, very difficult in today’s parity-driven NFL where salary cap restraints dictate constant roster fluctuation. The Seahawks are equipped to defy the odds, however, believes ESPN.com’s Jeffri Chadiha, who says, “What the Seahawks have working in their favor is the knowledge that they’ve put themselves ahead of their competition with creative scouting and innovative management.”
In other NFC West division notes:
- The 49ers, who already boast one of the league’s deepest rosters, now possess six of the first 100 picks in the upcoming draft. Accordingly, the team has the currency to be very aggressive, writes ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson.
- Cardinals GM Steve Keim will travel to Montreal on Thursday to be on hand for the pro day of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, an ascending Canadian offensive tackle prospect, according to John Kryk of the Ottawa Sun. Duvernay-Tardif shares some similarities to the Cardinals’ new left tackle Jared Veldheer, who signed a five-year deal earlier this month. Like Veldheer, who was drafted in the third round of the 2010 draft out of Hillsdale College, Duvernay-Tardif is an under-the-radar, relatively raw prospect with intriguing tools to coach up. He also has outstanding intangibles, an element of the scouting report that helped land Veldheer in free agency, as Keim explained in a brief video interview with CBS Sports. Duvernay-Tardif, who will also fly to meet with the Cardinals, has other visits scheduled with the Seahawks and Browns, says ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter).
- Meanwhile, Cardinals standout linebacker Daryl Washington pleaded guilty to aggravated assault stemming from a domestic violence incident last year, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic. Washington, who received the first installment of a $10MM bonus option earlier this month, could face up to two years in prison when he is sentenced late next month.
- Offensive tackle is the top draft need for the Rams, according to NFL.com, and they’d be in position to draft Auburn’s Greg Robinson at the top of the first round.
2014 NFL Compensatory Draft Picks
The NFL has officially announced the 32 compensatory draft picks for 24 that have been handed out to teams who had the most significant losses in free agency a year ago. These picks are determined by a formula that accounts for salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams can’t receive more than four picks each, and this year’s selections were divided up among 13 clubs. Here’s the list of 2014 compensatory picks by team, with the round and overall selection number included:
- 49ers: 3rd (100)
- Bears: None
- Bengals: 6th (212), 7th (252)
- Bills: None
- Broncos: None
- Browns: None
- Buccaneers: None
- Cardinals: None
- Chargers: None
- Chiefs: None
- Colts: None
- Cowboys: 7th (248), 7th (251), 7th (254)
- Dolphins: None
- Eagles: None
- Falcons: 4th (139), 7th (253), 7th (255)
- Giants: 5th (174)
- Jaguars: None
- Jets: 4th (137), 6th (209), 6th (210), 6th (213)
- Lions: 4th (133), 4th (136)
- Packers: 3rd (98), 5th (176)
- Panthers: None
- Patriots: 4th (140)
- Raiders: None
- Rams: 6th (214), 7th (249), 7th (250)
- Ravens: 3rd (99), 4th (134), 4th (138), 5th (175)
- Redskins: None
- Saints: None
- Seahawks: None
- Steelers: 3rd (97), 5th (173), 6th (215)
- Texans: 4th (135), 6th (211), 7th (256)
- Titans: None
- Vikings: None
NFC Notes: Sanchez, Cutler, Kaepernick, Kuhn
The Eagles appear to be the frontrunners to sign Mark Sanchez, but the quarterback doesn’t have an agreement in place with any team yet. As Sanchez and his suitors weigh the decision, we can rule out Seattle as a potential landing spot. Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that the Seahawks, who had been mentioned because of the connection to former USC coach Pete Carroll, aren’t in the mix for the former Jet.
Here’s more from around the NFC:
- According to Brian McIntyre (via Twitter), the Bears have created a little 2014 cap space by converting $5MM of Jay Cutler‘s $22.5MM base salary into a signing bonus. That allows the team to spread the bonus out in even $1MM hits over the next five seasons, creating $4MM in cap savings for ’14.
- Working out a deal that will keep Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco long-term is a “priority” for the 49ers, head coach Jim Harbaugh said today. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com has the details and quotes from Harbaugh.
- Free agent fullback John Kuhn continues to talk to the Packers and other teams, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Saints GM Mickey Loomis spoke at length to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune about his team’s offseason so far, including New Orleans’ additions and subtractions. Discussing the Darren Sproles trade with the Eagles, Loomis suggested that he hopes the move doesn’t come back to “bite” the Saints.
- Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links) passes along some specific details on J.D. Walton‘s two-year contract with the Giants. With an overall base value of $6MM, the deal includes annual base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $2.25MM (2015), a $1.25MM signing bonus, a $250K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2015 league year, and $50K each season in per-game roster bonuses.
49ers To Re-Sign Kassim Osgood
2:12pm: It is indeed a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract for Osgood, who will receive a $20K first-game roster bonus in addition to a $955K base salary, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
12:45pm: Free agent wide receiver and special-teamer Kassim Osgood will sign a new deal with the 49ers today, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports (via Twitter) that it’ll be a one-year contract.
In his first year with the Niners, Osgood appeared in only 45 offensive snaps and snagged just one reception during the regular season. However, he was a key contributor in kick and punt coverage, compiling an impressive 13 special teams tackles.
Osgood played last season in San Francisco on a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract, and I’d expect a similar deal this time around.
DeSean Jackson Rumors: Monday
After rounding up a week’s worth of DeSean Jackson rumors on Saturday night, we passed along a couple more stories on the standout trade candidate yesterday. Jackson figures to be a popular topic at this week’s NFL meetings in Orlando, so it’s no surprise that there are already a few more updates and notes on the Eagles receiver to recap. We’ll track today’s Jackson news and rumors right here, adding the latest items to the top of the page throughout the day:
- A source close to the team confirms to Jimmy Kempski of Philly.com confirms that the Eagles made the decision to try to move on from Jackson at least a month ago, rather than in the last couple weeks.
Earlier updates:
- Although he cautions that there are mixed reports galore on the Jackson front, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says the latest buzz he’s heard in Orlando suggests the 49ers have interest – despite an on-the-record denial – and that the Seahawks would have interest at a significantly lower cost than Jackson’s current salary.
- Jeff McLane (Twitter link) spoke to one NFL coach who has no interest in Jackson, since the coach believes the Eagles‘ apparent willingness to move the receiver means there “has to be something there we don’t know.”
- Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed yesterday that his team has interest in Jackson, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link) notes Johnson also said that a trade’s “not our primary operating motif.”
- Examining Johnson’s comments, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News have each published new stories on the Jackson situation. McLane writes that the team has been “actively shopping” the star receiver since at least last week, while Bowen hears from a front office source on a rival team that the Eagles “wanted a lot” for Jackson when they discussed him last month. At that point, Philadelphia was allegedly seeking more than a second-round pick, but another NFL source who spoke to Bowen now wonders if the Eagles can land more than a fifth- or sixth-rounder.
- The Raiders have interest in Jackson, but may not be inclined to part with a 2014 draft pick for him, tweets Rapoport.
- Among the teams not in the mix for Jackson: The Seahawks and Panthers. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears from a source that Seattle has “no interest at all” in the 27-year-old, while David Newton of ESPN.com reiterates that Jackson isn’t a fit in Carolina, despite the team’s thin receiving corps.
- Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News recognizes why a Jackson trade could make sense for the Eagles, but doesn’t see the logic in releasing him unless there’s a serious non-football issue we haven’t heard about.
49ers, Eagles Not Discussing DeSean Jackson
The 49ers have not contacted the Eagles regarding the availability of DeSean Jackson, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. 49ers general manager Trent Baalke denied having any discussions involving Jackson, who is expected to either be traded or released shortly.
The 49ers have shown interest in multiple wide receivers during free agency, but have yet to land a player to complement current starters Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin. While Jackson would add an electrifying option to the San Francisco offense, his $10.5MM base salary in 2014 poses a problem, as the 49ers only have roughly $3.7MM in cap space available, and need to keep room for an expected Colin Kaepernick extension.
Baalke did add one interesting statement, perhaps not specifically about Jackson, but about roster construction as a whole, that could point to a trade being unlikely: “I do believe you’re never one player away because too much can happen,” said the GM. “You could acquire that player and the very next day that player gets injured and he’s done for the year. And then you’re back to square one and you have to tell yourself, ‘Well, we’re still one player away.’ I don’t buy that philosophy.”
Teams Inquiring On DeSean Jackson
SATURDAY, 7:42pm: The Jets have had internal discussions about adding Jackson and will consider trading for him, a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post.
TUESDAY, 6:57pm: A source close to Jackson tells Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News (on Twitter) that the Eagles have not contacted the receiver about the trade talks and rumors.
6:10pm: Albert Breer of the NFL Network (on Twitter) hears that the 49ers aren’t interested in Jackson. Right now, they have just $4.22MM in cap space and they have to budget for quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
4:29pm: Rumblings and rumors of potential unease between wide receiver DeSean Jackson and the Eagles have resulted in some trade speculation this month, and according to Derrick Gunn of CSNPhilly.com, those reports have prompted NFL teams to call the Eagles to inquire about Jackson’s availability.
Gunn reports that while the Eagles aren’t shopping Jackson, they’re not hanging up on teams calling to ask about him either. The Patriots and 49ers are among the clubs that have inquired, according to Gunn, who adds that Philadelphia would be seeking at least a third-round pick and potentially more than that for the standout receiver.
I’d be a little surprised if a deal happens, but there are plenty of reasons it might make sense. Jackson has an annual cap hit of $12MM+ for the next three seasons, and with Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin having been locked up this offseason, the Eagles have two cheaper receivers capable of starting, even if neither Cooper and Maclin is a true No. 1. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer also suggested that Jason Avant often acted as the go-between for Jackson and wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell, and Avant has since been released.
ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (video link) also reported earlier today that the Eagles weren’t actively trying to trade Jackson, but would be willing to listen to offers.
Extra Points: 49ers, Sanchez, Saints
The other side of the coin to being a team that drafts talent well is that all that talent must be compensated appropriately. This is the conundrum examined by CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco, responding to a reader who questioned the 49ers‘ cap situation. “Teams that do a good job of acquiring talent will always have a difficult time holding onto that talent for future contracts,” Maiocco writes, citing Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati as players in line for blockbuster deals after their contracts expire next offseason.
Rounding up some more links from today in the NFL…
- ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini looks at what’s next for former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, including a top-five list of potential landing spots: the Rams, Bears, Browns, Bills and Seahawks.
- Sanchez deserved better from the Jets, writes Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. Cannizzaro contends that the Jets knew their plans for Sanchez — releasing him — long ago, but waited only until right before his $2MM roster bonus was due, and thus decreased the amount of potential landing spots for 2009 fifth overall pick.
- Mike Triplett of ESPN.com expects Saints head coach Sean Payton to be “more committed than ever to running the ball successfully” next season, Triplett writes in his latest mailbag. But he still takes the “over” on 4,800 passing yards.
- Can Brian Hoyer be “The Guy” for the Browns? ESPNCleveland.com’s Tony Grossi doesn’t know, but he wants to find out.
- With electrifying wide receiver DeSean Jackson potentially on his way out of Philadelphia, he could potentially find a home with Andy Reid and the Chiefs, but don’t expect Kansas City to trade for him, writes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. As Paylor notes, the Chiefs don’t have the necessary cap space to make the move — just $4.8MM — and the team is light on draft picks after the Alex Smith trade.
DeSean Jackson Could Be Released
While it has been widely reported that the Eagles are trying to trade receiver DeSean Jackson, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the team will release Jackson if no deal is struck.
In the piece, Mehta credits his source with saying “Philly is trading him or cutting him. That’s a fact. They don’t want him.”
Mehta writes that Jackson seems uninterested in taking a pay cut, but believes that the 27-year-old playmaker will have to restructure his contract in order to get a deal done. Fresh off the NFC Championship game, both the 49ers and the Seahawks have expressed interest in acquiring Jackson, although neither team would be able to squeeze his salary ($12MM per year for three years) into their books.
The Jets and Raiders both have the cap room to absorb Jackson’s salary, but he is still very highly paid. The Raiders may be unwilling to part with a valuable draft pick, and even though the Jets have some extra picks, the report that Jackson will be released hurts the Eagles leverage in trade talks.
The Patriots and Panthers have also been thought of as potential landing spots, but would seem to be equally unwilling to trade a valuable asset for such an expensive player.