Seahawks Have Not Approached Russell Wilson About A New Deal
The Seahawks have not approached star quarterback Russell Wilson to discuss a new contract, and there are currently no plans to have such a discussion, as Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes. Wilson is under club control through 2019, and while Seattle generally does not redo deals that have multiple years remaining, the team has made a few exceptions to that organizational philosophy in the past, and one might expect that Wilson would be a player for whom the Seahawks would make such an exception. Indeed, he has as much time left on his current contract as Aaron Rodgers had when he signed his recent massive extension with the Packers.
However, we did hear earlier this year that negotiations between Wilson and Seattle — if they do end up happening at some point in the future — are not expected to be pretty, and Wilson himself said that he expects to be hit with the franchise tag in 2020. But as La Canfora points out, going year-to-year with the franchise tag for a player like Wilson is probably not the best strategy, and allowing him to enter the final year of his contract at a time when contract values continue to soar and the cap continues to increase significantly may not be the wisest move either.
It could be that Seattle simply does not plan to hang on to Wilson beyond 2019. The team is no longer the powerhouse it was earlier this decade, and Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times recently wrote that the Seahawks’ performance in 2018 could go a long way in determining the futures of both Wilson and head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle. Although Condotta acknowledged that it would be difficult to imagine the Seahawks not making every effort to keep Wilson, he noted that the franchise’s future looks as unclear as at any time since Wilson arrived in 2012.
It is also worth noting that the Seahawks were at their dominant best when Wilson was playing under his rookie deal, so if the club does choose to rebuild, it could seek to leverage Wilson as part of those efforts. Indeed, La Canfora says that some GMs believe Seattle could get up to three first-round picks in exchange for Wilson if it puts him on the trading block.
Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright Out For Week 2
- Bobby Wagner serves as the anchor for the Seahawks‘ front seven, having played in 42 straight games. That streak will end on Monday night after the Seahawks declared their top linebacker out for their Bears game. K.J. Wright also will not play. Wagner is battling a groin injury, while Wright is still recovering from a knee scope. Perhaps this explains the team’s need to make the controversial decision to sign Mychal Kendricks, who may face prison time after pleading guilty to insider trading. Barkevious Mingo is the only starting linebacker Seattle will have available in Chicago.
Seahawks To Release DT Tom Johnson
For the time being, Tom Johnson is out of a job. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks are releasing the veteran defensive tackle. The team needs an extra roster spot for Monday’s game against the Bears, and they’ll “likely” re-sign Johnson next week.
Back in March, the 34-year-old signed a one-year deal with Seattle that could be worth up to $2.7MM (Pelissero notes that Johnson’s contract has already been guaranteed). The defensive tackle was coming off a four-year stint with the Vikings during which he played at least 40% of the team’s defensive snaps in each campaign. Johnson saw a career-high 68% playing time last season, and he finished the year with 17 tackles and two sacks. Pro Football Focus graded him as roughly a league-average defensive tackle, as Johnson ranked 60th among 122 qualifying interior defenders.
The 2006 undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss started the Seahawks’ season-opener against the Broncos, compiling a single tackle. With the team in need of a roster spot, they decided to temporarily release Johnson, leaving them with Jarran Reed, Shamar Stephen, Nazair Jones, and Poona Ford as their options at defensive tackle.
Seven players sat out practice for the Seahawks yesterday, with three of them unlikely to play: offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, linebacker K.J. Wright, and wideout Doug Baldwin. Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tre Flowers, linebacker Bobby Wagner, and safety Delano Hill also sat out. The team already added one notable player to their team this week, signing free agent linebacker Mychal Kendricks on Thursday.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/14/18
Today’s pair of minor moves:
Seattle Seahawks:
- Waived/Injured: LB Jermaine Grace
- Reverted To Injured Reserve: WR Amara Darboh
Extra Points: Giants, Manning, Dolphins, Sitton, Seahawks, Kendricks, Cowboys, Bryant
One of the most talked about storylines of the 2018 NFL offseason was what the Giants would do with the second overall pick. Many thought they would take a quarterback to succeed Eli Manning in New York, but the team opted for running back Saquon Barkley instead. Tyler Dunne of Bleacher Report is out with a new feature on Manning and the Giants where he writes about Manning’s determination to prove the Giants didn’t make a mistake.
While he writes “the decision to stick with Manning could go down as one of the worst blunders in NFL history” due to the high-level quarterbacks, like Sam Darnold, available at number two in this year’s draft, Manning still believes he’s got a lot left in the tank. Manning said he’s entirely focused on proving to the Giants that “they did make the right decision” and that he has one last title run left in him. The full piece is full of juicy tidbits and well worth a read to get a look inside the 2018 Giants and the last few tumultuous years for one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in recent memory.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Dolphins lost starting guard Josh Sitton for the season earlier this week, but despite the huge blow to their offensive line, the team won’t be looking for outside help to replace him according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). The Dolphins also expect Sitton to be back with the team in 2019, Jackson notes.
- The Seahawks signed legally troubled linebacker Mychal Kendricks in part because they were upset with the play of rookie Shaquem Griffin according to Bob Condotta of The Athletic. Condotta notes that coach Pete Carroll specifically called out Griffin following the team’s loss to the Broncos, and that the front office immediately began looking for linebacking help.
- Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and free agent receiver Dez Bryant were recently spotted at a concert together, sparking rumors of a potential reunion between the two sides. Stephen Jones, the team’s Executive Vice President, threw cold water on the speculation, saying “we feel really good about our receiving corps moving forward” and indicating they wouldn’t be looking for outside help according to Jon Machota of Dallas News. While he mostly denied it, it’s worth noting he didn’t 100% rule out the team bringing Dez back in.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/14/18
Here are Friday’s practice squad moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: OL Will Holden, TE Erik Swoope
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Shilique Calhoun
- Cut: DT Gabe Wright
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: LB Tre’Von Johnson
- Cut: RB Lavon Coleman
Reactions, Notes On Mychal Kendricks Signing
The Mychal Kendricks saga took an interesting turn this evening, as the free agent linebacker signed a deal with the Seahawks. The 27-year-old recently pleaded guilty to insider trading after profiting more than $1MM from non-public investment information.
Even with the news that Kendrick was working out for Seattle earlier today, there was skepticism that the free agent would be able to secure a deal. After all, the charge would seemingly fall under the NFL’s personal-conduct policy, meaning the league could impose their own, separate punishment. “NFL PR Guy” Brian McCarthy told NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that no decision has been made regarding a potential suspension (Twitter link).
“The matter is under review,” McCarthy said. “He is currently permitted to sign and participate in activities including games.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes and reactions to the Kendricks signing…
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter provides some clarification (via Twitter) on Kendricks’ sentencing and potential punishment. While the player was originally scheduled to be sentenced in December, Schefter says the date has been moved to late January. This is important when it comes to Kendricks’ playing status, as it’d mean he’d be able to play the entire season (barring a suspension). Schefter also notes that the linebacker is facing 30 to 37 months in prison, a far cry from the 25 years that was originally suggested.
- Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes that Kendricks pleading guilty to the charge likely contributed to the Seahawks decision to sign him. In fact, admitting to the crime was a bit shocking, and it led the judge to question whether he was coerced into the plea. “…I know I was wrong,” Kendricks said. “I know that I made the decision to accept information, secret information, and it wasn’t the right thing to do.”
- The reason to add another linebacker could be partly attributed to K.J. Wright‘s absence, as the veteran has been recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. While he’s expected to miss this weekend’s game, Pete Carroll sounded optimistic that the 29-year-old will return soon. “He’s running today,” Carroll said (via ESPN.com) .“He felt pretty good. We’ll see how he goes. He’s going day-to-day. He ran yesterday and he’s working out again today so — he hasn’t done that yet, but he’s making progress. He’s feeling pretty good.”
Seahawks Sign LB Mychal Kendricks
Despite his ongoing legal issues, Mychal Kendricks will get another shot in the NFL. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks have signed the free agent linebacker. Kendricks worked out for Seattle earlier today.
After being charged with insider trading in late August, the 27-year-old was released by the Browns. Kendricks has since pleaded guilty, and he faces a lengthy prison stay. The charge stems from an incident that occurred while he was with the Eagles four years ago.
The sentencing has been scheduled for January (via Twitter), so the Seahawks could get a full season out of the veteran (Schefter notes that Kendricks is expected to play on Sunday). Of course, the charge could very well fall under the NFL’s personal-conduct umbrella, meaning Kendricks could be forced to miss additional games due to suspension.
The 2012 second-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the Eagles, including a 2017 campaign that saw him compile 77 tackles, two sacks, and six passes defended en route to a Super Bowl championship. After requesting a trade, Philly released the linebacker in May, and he later signed a one-year deal to join the Browns.
The Seahawks still have K.J. Wright recovering from knee surgery; he missed Week 1 and could vert well miss Week 2. Shaquem Griffin and Barkevious Mingo flanked Bobby Wagner as Seahawks second-level starters against the Broncos, and the team is also rostering Jake Martin, Jermaine Grace, and Austin Calitro. It’s uncertain how much playing time Kendricks will receive once the linebacker corps is entirely healthy.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/13/18
Here are Thursday’s practice squad moves.
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Ryan Lewis
- Cut: T De’Ondre Wesley
Denver Broncos
- Cut: WR Carlos Henderson
Indianapolis Colts
- Cut: RB Jeremy McNichols
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Brian Mihalik
- Cut: LB Calvin Munson
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Ben Braden
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Shalom Luani
Mychal Kendricks Visiting Seahawks
Mychal Kendricks‘ time with the Browns ended ignominiously after he was charged in an insider trading scandal. He’s since pleaded guilty and could face substantial prison time.
However, at least one team is still curious about the linebacker’s football future. Kendricks visited the Seahawks on Thursday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
It’s uncertain at this juncture, obviously, that Kendricks will be able to continue his NFL career. He faces up to 25 years in prison because of the insider trading incident that occurred while he was with the Eagles four years ago.
Kendricks is one of the better linebackers in the NFL and isn’t yet 28. He played a key role for the Super Bowl champion Eagles edition last season and was set to see extensive time for a Browns team that has a crowded linebacker situation.
The Seahawks still have K.J. Wright recovering from knee surgery; he missed Week 1 and could well miss Week 2. Shaquem Griffin and Barkevious Mingo flanked Bobby Wagner as Seahawks second-level starters against the Broncos.
But with Wright presumably set to return at some point in the near future, this fit seems curious — especially given Kendricks’ extraordinarily rare situation and potential lack of availability. Even if Kendricks can evade prison time, this incident figures to fall under the NFL’s personal-conduct umbrella.
In the meantime, he may still have an opportunity to play. Sentencing isn’t scheduled until December in Kendricks’ case, but it would certainly make for a strange situation were the six-year veteran to sign somewhere prior to that point.