Minor NFL Transactions: 4/15/18
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: K Nick Rose
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: RB J.D. McKissic (ERFA)
Seahawks Sign K Sebastian Janikowski
Seabass in Seattle. On Friday, the Seahawks formally signed kicker Sebastian Janikowski. It’s a one-year deal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
Janikowski, 40, was let go by the Raiders in February as they elected to move forward with Giorgio Tavecchio. He left Oakland as one of the most well-known figures in franchise history – and also with a chip on his shoulder. Janikowski took his first visit with the rival Chargers before huddling up with the Seahawks this week.
Janikowski set Raiders records with 268 regular season games played and 1,799 points scored. Meanwhile, he has the most field goals from 50+ yards in NFL history with 55. Janikowski did not see the field in 2017 thanks to a back injury, but his agent says that he is now healthy and ready to get back to his old form.
The team’s press release indicates that Janikowski will not simply be handed the top job. Jason Myers signed a reserve/futures contract with the Seahawks earlier this offseason and the two will be “competing for” the gig, per the Seahawks’ website. The Seahawks are hoping that either Janikowski or Myers will provide them with a stable leg following Blair Walsh’s struggles in 2017.
Seahawks Sign QB Stephen Morris
The Seahawks have signed quarterback Stephen Morris, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Morris has signed contracts with multiple teams but has yet to play in an NFL game. 
Morris, a University of Miami product, first entered the league as a UDFA with the Jaguars. Since then, he has inked deals with the Eagles, Colts, and Redskins. Morris spent time on the taxi squads of the Jaguars, Eagles, and Colts and spent one game on the Colts’ active roster after Andrew Luck suffered a concussion.
The signing comes on the heels of their last-minute decision to cancel a workout with Colin Kaepernick. The Seahawks are reportedly skittish about signing Kaepernick without knowing whether he plans to kneel for the national anthem this season.
Still, the Seahawks have not closed the door on signing Kaepernick and sources say they would like to meet at him at a later date when he has formulated a plan for his social activism. Morris’ deal is likely non-guaranteed, so it is probably not a barrier to a future deal with Kaep.
Vea Won't Attend Hawks' Local Pro Day
- Vita Vea is eligible to attend both the Seahawks‘ and 49ers’ local pro days, which do not count against teams’ top-30 visits, but he will instead meet with the Redskins next Wednesday, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee tweets. The mammoth ex-Washington Huskies defensive tackle went to high school in the Bay Area. He’s visited several teams and is a surefire first-round pick.
Latest On Colin Kaepernick
While a new avenue with the Seahawks has opened up, albeit with a rather significant hiccup early in that process, Colin Kaepernick remains embroiled in a collusion lawsuit with the NFL.
The latest owner deposed in the case, Jerry Jones, has been the most vocal about players standing for the national anthem. As he did for the depositions of Texans owner Bob McNair and Ravens decision-makers Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh, Kaepernick is sitting in on the proceedings, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports. This deposition in Frisco, Texas, is scheduled to last several hours.
Jones is one of many owners scheduled to be deposed in this case. In addition to previously reported members of the deposition list — Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 49ers CEO Jed York and Pete Carroll — Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Seahawks owner Paul Allen are also on this docket, Robinson reports. The Yahoo reporter notes Jones’ inclusion stems from several factors, among them comments he made about retribution for Cowboys who protested during the anthem and conversations Jones had with President Donald Trump about the NFL’s response to protests during anthems.
The outspoken Dallas owner is among a group of owners who have urged Roger Goodell to end the players’ right to kneel during the playing of the national anthem, and Robinson reports Jones is expected to make another push for this practice to end at the next set of owners’ meetings in May.
This case is not expected to be resolved soon, with Robinson reporting these historic proceedings will likely drag into 2019.
As for a possible Kaepernick/Seahawks agreement, the quarterback’s camp said (video link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com) the Seahawks issued an ultimatum that hinged on Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem. Word out of Seahawks headquarters was that the franchise wanted a firm plan from the 30-year-old passer about how his role in the racial inequality-centered protest movement going forward. Robinson reports the Seahawks were specific regarding the anthem, and that the former Super Bowl starter declined to make a commitment at this time.
The Seahawks saw Michael Bennett become part of this protest movement last season, refusing to stand during the anthem. A 2017 report also indicated Kaepernick would stand for the anthem if he was signed last season. It’s unclear if that stance has changed, but it certainly remains an issue in the passer landing a contract offer. The Seahawks door is not believed to be closed, but the team also has other Russell Wilson backup candidates in mind.
Dion Jordan Signs RFA Tender
Dion Jordan will move forward with his second NFL employer. The Seahawks defensive end signed his RFA tender and is now under contract for the 2018 season.
Tendered at the original-round level, Jordan is now attached to a $1.907MM salary this season. The 28-year-old pass rusher made just $640K last year.
He’ll move back into the picture for the Seahawks as they construct a defensive line that will not include Michael Bennett and may well be without Cliff Avril as well.
Although Jordan only played in five games last season, starting none, the former No. 3 overall pick showed promise. He registered four sacks and earned an 83.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. He will now be part of an edge defender core that houses Barkevious Mingo, who also underwhelmed as a top-10 pick from 2013, and one that could be centered around Frank Clark.
The Seahawks will begin their offseason program Monday.
Seahawks Rumors: Kaepernick, Reid, Carroll
The Seahawks have postponed a scheduled workout with Colin Kaepernick, but the door is not closed on the polarizing quarterback, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Seahawks brass, including GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll, want Kaepernick to consider how he wants to proceed on his social justice initiatives – not just the anthem protests – before getting together at a later date when his plans are formed. Overall, as Rapoport notes, the Seahawks have been on board with players speaking out for what they believe.
Here’s more from Seattle:
- The Seahawks are still sorting out their backup quarterback situation and have not made any decisions about who they want to bring in to support starter Russell Wilson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com writes. Kaepernick is expected to be among those considered, but there will be other QBs in the mix, Schefter hears.
- The Seahawks are hosting Stanford safety Justin Reid on a visit, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Within the tweet, Rapoport writes notes that the Seahawks briefly considered his older brother, Eric Reid, earlier this offseason. Reid continues to search for work and he believes that his participation in protests during the anthem are keeping him from landing a deal. The Seahawks, for now, seem set at safety with Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. However, there’s still a small possibility that Thomas will be traded and Chancellor’s 2017 neck injury could be an issue moving forward. Meanwhile, some project that the younger Reid could be a first or second round pick in this year’s draft, but he is not ranked in the top 50 by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah. He’d probably be a reach at No. 18 overall, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Seattle move down in order to obtain more picks.
Seahawks Postpone Kaepernick Workout
The Seahawks made plans to audition Colin Kaepernick this week, but the trip has been postponed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The workout has been pushed off after Kaepernick declined to stop kneeling during the national anthem next season. 
[RELATED: NFL Lawyers Depose Kaepernick]
Kaepernick did not decline to stop kneeling, per se, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Apparently, the team “asked for his plan moving forward on how to handle everything and there was not a firm plan.” The Seahawks also have concerns about Kaepernick’s overall commitment to football, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times hears. Still, the Seahawks have not closed the door on signing Kaepernick.
Coach Pete Carroll & Co. also showed interest in Kaepernick last offseason during the height of his anthem protest controversy. Seattle ultimately chose journeyman Austin Davis as their backup quarterback, perhaps because of public relations fears. Depending on who you ask, Kaepernick’s salary expectations may have also been a factor.
Kaepernick, of course, is presently embroiled in a collusion suit filed against the league. Kaepernick’s attorneys have deposed a number of owners and executives and, on Tuesday, NFL lawyers responded by deposing Kaepernick himself. Depositions are done behind closed doors, but it is believed that he was asked about whether he expected to be signed as a starter last season, the kind of money he was seeking, and whether his injury history had deteriorated his skills.
It’s unclear how the Seahawks’ latest invitation to work out – and postponement of that audition – may affect his case.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/11/18
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: TE Bryce Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Waived with non-football injury designation: DL Taniela Tupou
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: DT Quinton Jefferson (ERFA)
NFL Draft Rumors: Patriots, Key, 49ers
After losing Nate Solder in free agency, the Patriots are on the lookout for offensive tackle help. With that in mind, the Patriots hosted Texas tackle Connor Williams on a visit on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Thanks to the Brandin Cooks trade earlier this offseason, the Pats are armed with two picks late in the first round. Williams could be available when the Pats are called to the podium at No. 23, though the league-wide need for tackles could result in the 6’6″ lineman going higher.
Here’s the latest batch of NFL draft news:
- LSU outside linebacker/defensive end Arden Key worked out for the 49ers on Wednesday and will move on to the Raiders on Thursday, Rapoport tweets.
- South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert, who could be the first tight end to come off of the board, visited the Dolphins on Wednesday, Rapoport tweets. Miami is reportedly high on him, but he has also met with the Seahawks, Chargers, and Lions, according to Rapoport. As previously reported, the Vikings met with Goedert last week.
- Cornerback Isaiah Oliver has had workouts/visits with the Eagles, Falcons, Bears, Texans, 49ers, Cardinals, Panthers, Patriots, Saints, Broncos, and Cowboys, sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Miller personally believes that he would be a great fit for Arizona. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has Oliver ranked as the 36th best prospect in this year’s draft and it would be no surprise to see him go in the first round.
- Georgia running back Nick Chubb will visit with the Buccaneers on Wednesday, according to Josh Norris of NBC Sports (on Twitter). Chubb has been lauded for his power and ability to run on the inside and figures to be a second round pick.
- The Lions hosted Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson for a visit on Tuesday, Rapoport tweets. Johnson was recently bumped from Jeremiah’s top 50 but should still garner consideration in the second round.