NFC Contract Details: Zuerlein, Poe, Shell, Vikings
We’ve got a bunch of contract details to pass along, all out of the NFC:
- Greg Zuerlein, K (Cowboys): Three years, $7.5MM. Includes $2.25MM in guaranteed money (via ESPN’s Todd Archer).
- Dontari Poe, DT (Cowboys): Signed. Two-year deal worth up to $10.5MM (via Archer).
- Brandon Shell, OT (Seahawks): Two years, $11MM. Includes $5.1MM guaranteed, $4MM signing bonus. Yearly $500K playing-time incentives, up to $400K roster bonus in 2020, up to $425K roster bonus in 2021 (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Rashod Hill, OT (Vikings): Signed. One-year, $1.047MM deal. $887.5K guaranteed, including $137.5K signing bonus and $750K (of $910K) base salary (via Wilson).
- Dakota Dozier, OL (Vikings): One year, $1MM. $90K signing bonus, will count $840K against the cap (via Wilson).
- Oday Aboushi, OL (Lions): One year. Worth $1.187MM. $300K guaranteed, including $137.5K signing bonus and $162.5K (of $1.05MM) salary (via Wilson).
- Logan Thomas, TE (Redskins): Signed. Two-year deal worth $6.145MM, including $2.25MM signing bonus (via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero).
- Hassan Ridgeway, DT (Eagles): Signed. One-year, $1.01MM deal. Includes $25K signing bonus, $910K salary, $900K in sacks incentives (via Wilson).
Contract Details: Davis, Roberts, Haeg
Let’s take a closer look at the details of a few recently-signed free agent contracts:
AFC
- MyCole Pruitt, TE (Titans): One year, $2.5MM. $2.35MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Shilique Calhoun, DE (Patriots): One year, $1.5MM. $250K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Dan Vitale, FB (Patriots): One year, $1.3MM. $100K signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
NFC
- Sean Davis, S (Redskins): One year, $4MM. $2MM guaranteed (Twitter link via John Keim of ESPN.com).
- Seth Roberts, WR (Panthers): One year, $3.75MM (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of ESPN.com).
- Zach Kerr, DT (Panthers): Two years, $3MM. Unknown incentives available (Twitter link via Garafolo).
- B.J. Goodson, LB (Browns): One year, $2.4MM. $2.25MM guaraneed. $1.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
- Joe Haeg, T (Buccaneers): One year, $2.3MM. $1.5MM guaranteed. Up to $1MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Cedric Ogbuehi, T (Seahawks): One year, $2.3MM. $500K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
- Will Parks, S (Eagles): One year, $1.5MM. $1.375MM guaranteed. $375K signing bonus. Up to $125K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Tajae Sharpe, WR (Vikings): One year, $1MM. $675K guaranteed. $175K signing bonus. Max value of $1.5MM (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Sharrod Neasman, S (Falcons): One year, $950K. $40K signing bonus. Veteran salary benefit (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Joe Walker, LB (49ers): One year, $900K. Max of $75K in per-game roster bonuses (Twitter link via Wilson).
Seahawks To Acquire CB Quinton Dunbar
The Seahawks have agreed to acquire cornerback Quinton Dunbar from the Redskins, according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Seattle will ship a fifth-round pick to Washington in exchange for Dunbar, tweets Tom Pelissero of NFL.com.
Unhappy with the extension he signed with the Redskins in 2018, Dunbar has been attempting to orchestrate a trade or release since February. Further reports indicated that Dunbar had been open to working out a “reasonable” restructure of his contract with the Redskins, but the club reportedly had no interest in doing so.
Dunbar, 27, arguably has every reason to be displeased with the three-year, $10.5MM deal he inked two years ago, as he’s largely outplayed the pact. The former undrafted free agent played the most snaps of his NFL tenure in 2019 and posted a career-high four interceptions. Pro Football Focus, meanwhile, graded Dunbar as the league’s second-best cornerback behind only Richard Sherman.
Now heading into the final year of his contract, Dunbar will surely ask the Seahawks for an extension at something closer to market value. On the field, he’ll compete with Tre Flowers — who took a large step back in his second NFL campaign — to play opposite Shaquill Griffin.
Washington, meanwhile, is losing yet another member of its defensive backfield after parting ways with Josh Norman earlier this offseason. The Redskins brought back Kendall Fuller on a four-year deal last week, but the club’s secondary depth behind him is largely barren.
Seahawks To Sign Chance Warmack
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks and guard Chance Warmack have come to terms on an agreement. Warmack, a first-round pick out of Alabama in the 2013 NFL Draft, once was one of the best young guards in the league but has only played 7 snaps over the past two seasons. The deal spans one season, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN (via Twitter).
The tenth overall selection by the Titans, Warmack immediately entered Tennessee’s starting lineup and graded as a well-above-average guard (per Pro Football Focus) for the first three seasons of his career. However, the combination of injuries and poor play quickly derailed a once-promising career.
After a difficult 2016 season, the Titans declined Warmack’s fifth-year option. When he became a free agent, the Eagles gave Warmack an opportunity, but he failed to replicate his early-career success and was relegated to backup duty. The Seahawks, whose struggles along the offensive line have been well documented, will surely give Warmack a chance to regain his old form.
Seahawks, Jadeveon Clowney “Moving Toward a New Deal”
Jadeveon Clowney may end up back in Seattle after all. ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio is hearing that the two sides are “moving toward a new deal” (Twitter link).
The pass rusher was initially seeking $20MM per season, and he was reportedly disappointed at the lack of suitors. The 27-year-old has since changed his asking price to a more palatable one- or two-year deal, and he’s presumably had to lower his financial demands, as well.
The Seahawks have continually been linked to the pass-rusher, and there were whispers that the organization had extended a contract offer. That deal didn’t match Clowney’s requirements for salary or length, and the player was seeking another suitor with the hope of driving up the price.
We later learned that the Cowboys were one of the teams that wouldn’t be pursuing the defensive end. Earlier this month, the Giants and Colts were both said to have interest in Clowney, but they’ve since addressed their needs.
Clowney posted just three sacks in 2019, but he was still effective against opposing passers and running backs. For his work, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 20th best edge defender in the NFL.
Seahawks, Cardinals, Broncos Interested In XFL QB P.J. Walker
The second incarnation of the XFL didn’t make it a full season due to COVID-19, but before that things had been going surprisingly well. Things were much smoother than in the ill-fated AAF, and some players are already starting to reap the benefits.
The Seahawks, Cardinals, and Broncos have all reached out to the Houston Roughnecks to express interest in their quarterback P.J. Walker, a source told Mark Berman of FOX 26 (Twitter link). XFL players are allowed to sign with the NFL starting Monday morning, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com tweets, and it sounds like Walker could get scooped up pretty quickly.
The Temple product signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and spent most the next three years on their practice squad. Walker became one of the first stars of Vince McMahon’s upstart league, as he led the Roughnecks to a perfect 5-0 start before the rest of the season was cancelled.
In those five games Walker had 1,338 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the league in both categories. Now we see why Indianapolis kept bringing him back each offseason. All three of the interested teams won’t be looking at Walker as anything more than a backup, but he could make for a good reserve option as all three have similarly athletic and mobile starters.
Latest On Jadeveon Clowney’s Market
While most of the the NFL’s top free agents have already come off the board, one still resides on the open market. Jadeveon Clowney, viewed as arguably the best available, non-franchise-tagged edge defender, still hasn’t found a new club, and reports of interest around the league have been few and far between.
Clowney had been (and still may be) seeking a $20MM annual salary, but it’s unclear if any club is willing to meet that asking price. The 27-year-old is now reportedly open to a one- or two-year pact, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Wednesday, adding that many around the NFL now believe Clowney will re-sign with the Seahawks.
Speaking on NFL Network earlier today, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero indicated Clowney does have an offer on the table from Seattle, but it doesn’t meet the pass-rusher’s requirements for salary or length. Clowney, meanwhile, is reportedly hoping that rival clubs will express interest and pressure the Seahawks into raising their offer.
Seattle is likely proposing something in the range of $17-19MM per year, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, who adds Clowney’s health issues are likely a factor in his weak market. While Clowney’s January core muscle surgery typically wouldn’t be viewed as much of a barrier to a deal, COVID-19 restrictions currently prevent him from taking a proper physical.
Josh Gordon Wants To Play In 2020
Josh Gordon is hoping to break out of NFL limbo. Currently under an indefinite suspension, the wide receiver wants to play in 2020, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.
Gordon spent last year with the Patriots and Seahawks. In December, he was slapped with an indefinite suspension for his latest violation of the league’s policy on substances of abuse. The league also flagged him for performance-enhancing substances. This was Gordon’s sixth’s suspension from the league office, so he could be facing an uphill battle.
The new CBA, with eased language against recreational drugs, could work in his favor. If Gordon can convince Roger Goodell to give him another chance, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.
Last year, Gordon had seven catches for 139 yards in five games for the Seahawks. Coach Pete Carroll has been a huge supporter of Gordon and the wide receiver recently hinted that he’d be interested in a return, so that’s a situation worth monitoring.
Seahawks Return In Play For Clowney?
A slower-than-expected Jadeveon Clowney market has prompted the free agent pass rusher to make some adjustments. He is now open to a one- or two-year deal, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Clowney remaining in free agency on its third night may increase the former No. 1 overall pick’s chances of returning to Seattle. Many around the league expect Clowney to now re-sign with the Seahawks, Fowler adds.
Interested in Clowney before the market opened, the Seahawks were not believed to be ready to give their 2019 trade acquisition a top-tier deal. Clowney wants a $20MM-per-year deal, but teams have been hesitant to oblige due to the franchise tag prices. A defensive lineman tag costs $17.8MM this year, with a linebacker tender coming in at $15.8MM.
The Seahawks re-signed Jarran Reed, so bringing Clowney back would be a significant development for a Seattle pass rush that featured nearly all of its cogs entering free agency. While Clowney only registered three sacks last season and has not blossomed into a dominant pass rusher as a pro, he remains one of the league’s most versatile edge defenders. Seattle presently holds just less than $20MM in cap space.
A one-year deal would be an interesting development for Clowney, who saw the Texans fail to extend him prior to his fifth-year option season and then franchise-tagging him in advance of his sixth season. The Seahawks agreed not to use their 2020 tag on Clowney, allowing him to test the market for the first time. It could all end with yet another Clowney one-season arrangement.
Seahawks Sign OL Cedric Ogbuehi
Cedric Ogbuehi is moving to Seattle. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the Seahawks have signed the offensive lineman. ESPN’s Jordan Schultz was first with the news (via Twitter).
The 2015 first-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bengals. He started 25 games between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but he was limited to only two games in 2018.
He signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars last offseason, and he proceeded to appear in 14 games for his new squad.
The Seahawks have been busy adding to their offensive line. Over the past two days, the team has also added Brandon Shell and B.J. Finney.