Week In Review News & Rumors

DGB to PHI. The Eagles and Titans consummated the first NFL trade in more than three months, as Tennessee shipped 2015 second-rounder Dorial Green-Beckham to Philadelphia in exchange for offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. DGB had yet to master the Titans’ offense, and the club was concerned about his lack of work ethic over the offseason, although Green-Beckham himself said he’s “not necessarily sure” why Tennessee dealt him. The trade sent a message to Titans receiver Justin Hunter, who considers himself on the roster bubble, while the Eagles are still looking for more pass-catchers.

The league’s threat spurs action. The NFL took a hardline stance in its PED investigation, announcing that Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, James Harrison, and Mike Neal would be suspended if they did not meet with the league by August 25. Despite some protestations from Harrison, he, Matthews, and Peppers quickly agreed to interviews with the NFL. Neal, however, was thought to be considering retirement and therefore uninterested in sitting down with the league, but apparently had a change of heart and later agreed to a meeting.

The hits keep coming in Buffalo. Rex Ryan‘s assertion that the Bills “won the offseason” appears to have incited a karmic reaction, as his club received more bad news last week. Star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will be suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and is planning to enter a rehab facility. Moreover, Dareus’ contract is structured in such a way that only his 2016 guarantees will void — none of his future guaranteed money will be affected. Manny Lawson is also facing a suspension (although he isn’t sure why), and the Bills parted ways with promising second-year running back Karlos Williams.

Domestic violence rears its head. The NFL suspended Giants kicker Josh Brown one game for a 2015 arrest on a domestic violence charge, but later details painted a much more disturbing picture. Brown’s ex-wife told police that Brown had been physically violent with her over 20 times and that she had previously had a protection order against him. However, the league later issued a statement saying that Brown’s ex-wife, as well as local investigators, had declined to offer further information on the situation, hence the seemingly light suspension.

No interest in Hardy. Speaking of domestic violence, several teams have publicly ruled out any pursuit of free agent defensive end Greg Hardy. The Jaguars, the only team to meet with Hardy this offseason, won’t be signing Hardy any time soon, says owner Shad Kahn, who stated his club isn’t “even close to a decision like that.” Meanwhile, the Cowboys, who employed Hardy in 2015, won’t be taking a look at a possible reunion, says executive Stephen Jones. “I don’t see that happening,” said Jones. “We certainly had that experiment, and unfortunately it didn’t work out,”

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Buffalo’s units head in different directions. The news was all positive on the offensive ball for the Bills last week, as wide receiver Sammy Watkins came off the PUP list while the club signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a unique six-year extension that can be worth $90MM. On defense, however, the roster is unraveling: first-round rookie Shaq Lawson is already expected to miss the start of the season, and now second-rounder Reggie Ragland is out for the year with a torn ACL. Lawson’s projected replacement, IK Enemkpali, suffered his own torn ACL last night and will now miss 2016, as well. To replace some of that production, Buffalo agreed to sign veteran linebackers Brandon Spikes (link) and David Hawthorne (link) last week.

The Eagles face an offensive line crisis. Right tackle Lane Johnson, perhaps Philadelphia’s best offensive lineman, is facing a 10-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, and though Johnson disputes the ban, he ultimately expects it to stick. The Eagles have internal replacement options in Dennis Kelly and Matt Tobin, but they’ve also placed a call to former Giants tackle Will Beatty, who’s been sitting on the free agent market since being released this spring. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are also interested in Beatty, and have in fact offered him a contract.

Trading season could begin shortly. Deals don’t come together in the NFL as often as they do in MLB, but we could still see some action between clubs as final cutdowns approach. The Eagles, for one, would like to acquire a linebacker, likely to act as depth inside behind starter Jordan Hicks and provide insurance against a Nigel Bradham suspension. The Jaguars, meanwhile, would like to trade from surplus, as they feel they have enough talent at tight end and along their defensive line to ship off some players in exchange for draft picks. Finally, a number of teams around the league appear to be making calls in the hopes of landing a reserve tight end.

The Browns clarify their QB depth chart. Head coach Hue Jackson named Robert Griffin III his starting quarterback, a move that was long expected but is now official. Given that Austin Davis just signed an extension last fall, and the fact that Cleveland invested a third-round pick in Cody Kessler, veteran signal-caller Josh McCown would look to be the odd man out. The Cowboys look to be an obvious suitor, but Cleveland reportedly wants a fourth-rounder in exchange for McCown, while Dallas is only willing to give up a sixth-round pick.

Joey Bosa still not in Chargers camp. At last check, San Diego had not spoken with Bosa and his camp since July 28, and the fear is that the relationship between the two sides is irreparably damaged, as the No. 3 overall pick feels disrespected by the club. The deadline for San Diego to trade Bosa has officially passed, but that doesn’t mean much for negotiations, which don’t appear to be nearing any sort of conclusion. The dispute between Bosa and the Chargers is over offset language and signing bonus payout, and unless one side unexpectedly blinks, the stalemate doesn’t appear close to ending.

Ladarius Green faces serious health concerns. The Steelers signed Green away from the Chargers to add an extra dimension to their passing game, but it’s looking as though he won’t contribute much — if at all — this season as he continues to deal with headaches that are thought to be related to his concussion history. Reports have even indicated that Green is contemplating retirement if the issue does not subside. And while Green’s well-being is the primary concern, there is also a financial component to the situation, as Pittsburgh could look to recoup some money from Green if it turns out he wasn’t forthcoming about his medical concerns.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Nick Foles sweepstakes comes to an end. After agreeing to lower his guaranteed 2016 base salary in order to secure his release from the Rams, Nick Foles surveyed his options in free agency before ultimately landing with the Chiefs, reuniting with head coach Andy Reid, the man who drafted Foles in 2012. Foles’ deal contains an option for 2017 that can be worth up to $16MM via escalators/incentives, but Kansas City management stated that Foles’ addition has no impact on Alex Smith‘s status with the club. The Bills, Vikings, and Cowboys were thought to be among the other contenders for Foles after he hit the open market.

The Cowboys need a backup QB. Foles is off the table, but Dallas still needs to find a new No. 2 quarterback after Kellen Moore suffered a broken leg last week. Rookie Dak Prescott is next up on the depth chart, but the Cowboys are likely aiming to add a a veteran rather than count on a first-year player. The Buccaneers aren’t shopping Mike Glennon, but the Browns could be willing to part with Josh McCown for the right price. Meanwhile, Josh Freeman and his agent reportedly reached out to the Cowboys, while Jimmy Clausen could be another option for the club.

Cardinals lock up their core. Any retirement talk surrounding Arizona’s two most high-profile veterans will have to wait, as the Cardinals announced one-year extensions for quarterback Carson Palmer and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald last week. Palmer is now signed through the 2018 season, while Fitzgerald will be in the desert through the 2017 campaign. On the defensive side of the ball, the Cards also reached agreement with All Pro defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, signing the hybrid defender to a five-year, $62.5MM deal.

Veterans find new homes. With training camp getting underway, a cavalcade of experienced players landed new deals, with Dwight Freeney (Falcons), Reggie Bush (Bills), and Jahri Evans (Seahawks) among the more high-profile names that found destinations last week. Receivers James Jones (Chargers) and Lance Moore (Falcons), defensive back Leon Hall (Giants), fullback John Kuhn (Saints), and linebacker Brandon Spikes (Bills) also inked contracts over the past week.

Young players go down. The Bengals appear to have lost first-round cornerback William Jackson III for a some time (and possibly the entire season) after the University of Houston alum tore his pectoral last week, while another AFC North defensive back — the Steelers’ Senquez Golson — could also potentially miss the year following a Lisfranc injury. Elsewhere in the division, Ravens third-round linebacker Bronson Kaufusi is done for the year after breaking his ankle, while in the NFC, Bears center Hroniss Grasu is likely lost for the season given that he suffered a torn ACL.

Trades on the horizon? The NFL never sees the level of trade activity as, say, MLB, but it wouldn’t be surprising to a few deals take place as clubs approach final cutdowns later this month and into September. Offensive guard Ronald Leary, for one, has requested a trade from the Cowboys, and the Saints have been expressing interest in acquiring him for months. Meanwhile, teams around the league are keeping an eye on the Dolphins’ defensive ends with an eye towards a trade.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Our long national nightmare is over. After months of speculation, offers, negotiations, denials, stories, and tweets, Ryan Fitzpatrick is — as we all expected — headed back to the Jets, having agreed to a one-year contract worth a fully guaranteed $12MM. Because of New York’s tight cap space situation, the pact contains a void year in 2017 that will help spread out the cap charge. Gang Green reportedly set a Friday night deadline for talks to end, which may have helped spur a resolution. Controversial defensive end Greg Hardy is now the only member of PFR’s top 50 free agents list that remains unsigned.

Another quarterback hits the market. The Nick Foles deliberations never quite reached Fitzpatrick levels, but it was readily apparent that the veteran quarterback was never going to head into the regular season with the Rams. Los Angeles granted Foles his release this week after he agreed to lower his 2016 guarantee, as the club opted to roll with Jared Goff, Case Keenum, and Sean Mannion. As many as 10 teams, including the Vikings and Cowboys, have expressed some level of interest in Foles.

Extensions galore. With free agency and the draft complete, clubs have turned their extensions to signing their incumbent talent to new contracts. Two members of the 2013 draft class — first overall pick Eric Fisher (link) and second-round corner Darius Slay (link) — landed large deals, while veterans such as Darren Sproles (link), Kurt Coleman (link), and Willie Young (link) all signed more modest pacts.

Three notables get reinstated. Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is expected to hit the field for the first time since 2014, as the NFL granted him conditional reinstatement (but also handed him a four-game suspension). Former No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan, meanwhile, will be back with the Dolphins, although he was placed on the non-football injury list earlier today. And 49ers tackle Anthony Davis, who took the 2015 season off on his own accord, was also reinstated off the reserve list.

Veterans find landing spots. After sitting on the free agent market for several months, wide receiver Anquan Boldin finally found a new destination, agreeing to a one-year pact with the Lions. Boldin wasn’t the only veteran pass-catcher to ink
a deal, as Andre Johnson signed with the Titans and Hakeem Nicks latched on with the Saints. On defense, the Bears landed slot corner Brandon Boykin, while two former Chargers linebackers — Donald Butler (link) and Kavell Conner (link) — signed with the Cardinals and Ravens, respectively.

Leadership gets extended. A number of clubs opted to lock in their executive and head coaches for years to come, hoping that continuity will help maintain success. The Seahawks reached new deals with both general manager John Schneider (through 2021) and head coach Pete Carroll (through 2019), while another NFC contender, the Vikings, extended head coach Mike Zimmer. Meanwhile, two AFC clubs on the upswing, the Raiders and the Texans, each signed their general managers to long-term contracts, reaching new deals with Reggie McKenzie (link) and Rick Smith (link), respectively.

Pre-camp retirements pepper the news. After presumably spending the past few months attempting to find a new home, several veterans decided to hang up their cleats before training camp begins. Defensive tackle Kevin Williams probably posted the best career of the bunch, but three other former Vikings — tackle Phil Loadholt (link), receiver Greg Jennings (link), and defensive end Corey Wootton (link) — also announced their retirements, while former Falcons/Panthers safety Charles Godfrey decided to call it quits, as well.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

The Dolphins land a running back. After striking out on C.J. Anderson, Chris Johnson, and others over the offseason, the Dolphins agreed to terms with former Texans running back Arian Foster, hammering out a one-year deal that contains $400K guaranteed and has a maximum value of $3.5MM. Foster, 29, had been linked to Miami for the past several months, but was also scheduled to visit the Lions last week had he not inked a contract with the Fins. In South Beach, Foster will compete for playing time with second-year pro Jay Ajayi, while Foster’s presence will likely mean less action for rookie Kenyan Drake and fellow backs Damien Williams and Daniel Thomas.

Suspensions affect contenders. After being suspended for the first two games of the 2015 campaign, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is now facing a four-game ban after missing several drug tests. The appeal process is ongoing, but Pittsburgh, which already lost wide receiver Martavis Bryant to a season-long suspension, is now set to be without another key offensive weapon. Bell, of course, is also recovering from a knee injury suffered last season. Another AFC contender will deal with a suspension, as Colts defensive lineman Arthur Jones will be banned four games for violating the league’s PED policy.

The league’s best defender is hurting. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt recently underwent back surgery and is now facing an uncertain timeline for recovery. While initial reports suggested that Watt would certainly be ready for Houston’s opener, new information has indicated that Watt could miss as many as 10 weeks, which would not only but his availability for Week 1 in doubt, but could force him to miss as much as a month of regular season action.

Off-field issues in the news. Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon met with commissioner Roger Goodell last week regarding his reinstatement, and Goodell could make his decision any time after August 1. Reports have indicated that the summit was a good first step for Gordon, though it’s not a certainty that Cleveland will keep him on the roster even if he is allowed to return to the NFL. Meanwhile, former Ravens running back Ray Rice has vowed to donate his entire salary to combat domestic violence if a club gives him a chance in 2016. Elsewhere, Cardinals safety Chris Clemons is facing possible legal trouble after an alleged assault, while Shawn Oakman, once thought to be a top NFL prospect, was indicted on sexual assault.

An NFL pariah garners interest. Defensive Greg Hardy hadn’t met with any club until this week, when the Jaguars worked him out but did not offer him a contract. Hardy’s history of domestic violence has made him a black sheep in league circles, with no team willing to deal with the public relations backlash that would come with signing him. Still, Hardy’s price figures to drop low enough that a club will eventually take the risk, and I identified eight clubs that could show interest earlier this summer.

Retirements galore. Two of the best defenders of the 2000s announced their retirements this week, as cornerback Charles Tillman and defensive tackle Darnell Dockett decided to hang up their cleats. “Peanut” Tillman made his name as an excellent cover corner who had a knack for forcing fumbles, while Dockett terrorized quarterbacks as an undersized defensive lineman. Both players appeared in one Super Bowl, Tillman with the Bears in 2007 and Dockett with the Cardinals in 2009. Meanwhile, offensive linemen Eugene Monroe and Nate Chandler continued the trend of under-30 players retiring, with Monroe specifically citing CTE concerns in his announcement.

Photos courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram and USA Today Sports Images.

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

The franchise tag deadline spurs action. 3pm CT came and went on Friday with three more franchise players agreeing to extensions with their respective clubs. Broncos linebacker Von Miller was first, inking a six-year, $114.5MM deal that made him the highest-paid defender in the NFL. Kicker Justin Tucker was next, signing a four-year, $16.8MM pact with the Ravens after some acrimony. And at the eleventh hour, Muhammad Wilkerson shocked the league by agreeing to a five-year, $86MM accord with the Jets. Meanwhile, Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, Chiefs safety Eric Berry, Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, and Redskins Kirk Cousins all failed to reach extensions with their respective clubs.

Deflategate is finally over…probably. The NFL’s long national nightmare is over, as Patriots quarterback Tom Brady announced that he would no longer fight his four-game suspension that resulted from the Defaltegate controversy. Brady had considered taking his appeal to the Supreme Court, but will instead accept a ban that will cause him to miss games against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans, and Bills, leaving Jimmy Garoppolo in the starting role for the first month of the season. The NFLPA, however, might not be ready to give up Brady’s cause.

Extensions continue to roll in. We are squarely in the midst of extension season, and two players agreed to long-term pacts this week. Just months after being waived by the Redskins, cornerback David Amerson is now a highly-paid starting corner, inking a four-year, $38MM extension with the Raiders. It’s quite the turnaround for Amerson, who turned into a reliable option once he arrived in the Bay Area. Meanwhile, Giants punter Brad Wing also signed on the dotted line of a three-year, $6.45MM pact which contains $3.725MM in guarantees (No. 7 among punters).

Suspensions affect 2016 plans. Amidst the franchise tag news on Friday, the NFL also announced two substance abuse-related suspensions, banning 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch (link) and Bills running back Karlos Williams (link) for four games apiece. Perhaps the best edge rusher on San Francisco’s roster, Lynch might have to wait on scoring a long-term extension until the club deems him reliable. Williams, meanwhile, had already shown up to camp overweight, and will only add to Buffalo’s running back problems, as rookie Jonathan Williams was recently arrested for DUI.

Isaiah Crowell posts a disturbing image. The Browns have no plans to waive Crowell after the running back made an Instagram post depicting a police offer being stabbed in the neck by a hooded man, but the club and the public have expressed disappointment with the third-year back. Crowell quickly deleted the post, and has since made public apologies to both the Cleveland and Dallas police departments. In addition, Crowell will donate his Week 1 game check to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation.

The supplemental draft ends quickly. The 2016 supplemental draft didn’t see a single player chosen, as every NFL club passed on its chance to draft one of seven eligible players. Before the Rams picked offensive tackle Isaiah Battle in 2015, three years had gone by without a player being selected, so a quiet supplemental draft isn’t exactly without precedent. However, two players who were involved in the draft did find landing spots relatively soon, as defensive tackle Ra’Zahn Howard signed with the Texans and wide receiver Rashaun Simonise agreed to terms with the Bengals.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Franchise Players:

• The Broncos and linebacker Von Miller negotiated all day on Friday, and Denver finally submitted a new offer that includes an earlier full guarantee schedule.
• Quarterback Kirk Cousins is at an impasse with the Redskins, meaning he will play out the 2016 season under the franchise tag.
• Although discussions are still occurring, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery appears unlikely to reach a deal with the Bears before the July 15 deadline.
• “Nothing” is happening in deliberations between the Jets and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
• Safety Eric Berry expressed surprise that talks with the Chiefs are moving at a slow pace.

Signed:

• Saints – Darryl Tapp, DE (link)

Released:

• Lions – Stephen Tulloch, LB (link)

Retired:

• Kenny Phillips, S (link)

Other:

• No progress between Stephon Gilmore, Bills (link)
• Talks on hold between Broncos, Emmanuel Sanders (link)
• Police investigating Seahawks‘ Brandon Browner for assault (link)
• Bengals not pursuing Anquan Boldin (link)
• Latest on Chargers‘ stadium efforts (link)

Headlines: 

• The Colts and Andrew Luck agreed to a six-year, $140MM extension that will keep him in Indianapolis until 2021. The landmark deal, which featured $87MM guaranteed, makes the fifth-year quarterback the NFL’s highest-paid player on a per-year basis and in terms of total dollars.
• The Seahawks signed Doug Baldwin to a four-year extension worth $46MM, keeping another homegrown talent in Seattle. Baldwin, who signed his third contract despite being just 27, received $24.25MM guaranteed on a deal that stands to keep him in Washington through 2020.
• The NFL suspended Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain for 10 games and free agent Johnny Manziel for four as a result of violations of the substance abuse policy. The league also upheld Demarcus Lawrence‘s four-game suspension after an appeal.
• Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson also received a one-game ban for a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy. This is Richardson’s second suspension since entering the league in 2013.

Suspended:

• Ravens — Darren Waller (link)
• Cameron Clear (link)

Signed:

• Browns — Carl Nassib (link)

Waivers:

• Bears — claimed Connor Shaw off waivers from the Browns (link)

Retired:

• Cory Redding (link)

Other:

• Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith not expected to play in 2016 (link)
• California State Supreme Court ruling weakens Chargers‘ pursuit of downtown stadium (link)
• NFL, NFLPA trade letters on potential PED investigation (link)
• NFL will interview Peyton Manning if PED investigation goes forward (link)
• Manziel not planning to play in 2016 (link)

Franchise-Tagged Players:

• Broncos, LB Von Miller haven’t negotiated in weeks (link)
• Talks between QB Kirk Cousins, Redskins going nowhere (link)
• Bears, WR Alshon Jeffery still discussing extension (link)
• CB Trumaine Johnson unlikely to reach long-term deal with Rams (link)

Free Agents:

• RB Arian Foster to be ready for training camp? (link)
• CB Leon Hall could sign this week (link)
• RB Reggie Bush says two clubs have expressed interest (link)
• QB Tarvaris Jackson arrested (link)

Re-Signed:

• 49ers – Kendall Gaskins, RB (link)

Injuries:

• Saints – Kyle Wilson, CB (IR)

Retired:

• Shaun Suisham, K (after being released by Steelers)

Other:

• NFL to interview players named in PED investigation (link)
• League, NFLPA adjust practice squad rules (link)
• Purdue DT Ra’Zahn Howard to enter supplemental draft (link)

Headlines:

• The Eagles and Fletcher Cox agreed to an extension that will keep the defensive tackle in Philadelphia through 2022; the deal is worth $103MM and contains $36.299MM fully guaranteed.
• The Ravens released offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, and the Giants, Seahawks, 49ers, and Panthers have now all been linked to the veteran free agent.
• Broncos linebacker Von Miller doubled down on his threat to hold out, claiming that he will not play the 2016 season under the franchise tag.
• Safety Reshad Jones reported to Dolphins camp, ending his brief holdout and saying that he’s now “all about football.”

Extended:

• Broncos – Brandon Marshall, LB (through 2020)
• Panthers – Michael Oher, T (through 2019) and head coach Ron Rivera (through 2018)

Signed:

• Bears – Tony Moeaki, TE (link)
• Bills – Leger Douzable, DE (link)
• Lions – Orson Charles, TE (link) and Andre Roberts, WR (link)

Waivers:

• Giants – claimed QB Logan Thomas off waivers from the Dolphins

Retired:

• Ben Grubbs, G (link)

Other:

• Former NBA guard Nate Robinson auditioned for Seahawks (link)
• Ravens WR Breshad Perriman does not have a torn ACL as originally thought (link)
• Settlement reached in Saints ownership dispute (link)
• Chargers, Joey Bosa in contract dispute over offset language (link)