Week In Review News & Rumors

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)

Headlines:

• Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib was shot at a Dallas nightclub, but the latest reports indicate that Talib may have shot himself.
• The Broncos proposed a six-year, $114.5MM extension to linebacker Von Miller that included $39.8MM in guaranteed money, but Miller and the club couldn’t agree on the structure of the contract.
• Quarterback Andrew Luck is expected to complete an extension with the Colts sometime in July, and the deal will likely make Luck the highest-paid player in the league.
• Former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch says he is staying retired, ending speculation that he may return to the NFL in 2016.
• The Rams are working on extensions for both general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher.

Extensions:

• Bengals – Giovani Bernard, RB (through 2019)
• Chargers – Keenan Allen, WR (through 2020)
• Panthers – Ryan Kalil, C (through 2018)
• Vikings – Harrison Smith, S (through 2021)

Injuries:

• Patriots – Michael Williams, TE (torn ACL)
• Ravens – Breshad Perriman, WR (partially torn ACL)
• Saints – Hau’oli Kikaha, DE (torn ACL)

Signed:

• Bills – Dan Herron, RB (link)
• Browns – Patrick Murray, K (link)
• Panthers – Mike Scifres, P (link)
• Rams – Cam Thomas, DT (link)
• Saints – Roman Harper, S (link)

Retired:

• Manny Ramirez, OL (link)

Headlines:

• The Jaguars locked up one of their young stars to a long-term deal, inking wide receiver Allen Hurns to a four-year, $40MM extension that will keep him in Jacksonville through the 2020 campaign.
• Defensive back Walter Thurmond officially decided to retire at the age of 28 after a six-year NFL career with the Seahawks, Giants, and Eagles.
• The Bears are unlikely to reach an extension with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery this summer, meaning he’ll likely play out the 2016 season under the franchise tag.
• Dolphins safety Reshad Jones is considering sitting out the entire 2016 season if Miami isn’t willing to sign him to a new contract.
• Nick Foles is not attending Rams camp, and he’s reportedly unhappy with his role on the team, sparking rumors that he could be dealt.

Free Agent Rumors:

• The Jets are reportedly offering Ryan Fitzpatrick a three-year deal worth $24MM, with $12MM available in 2016. The veteran quarterback would prefer a one-year, $12MM contract, but New York isn’t interested in that option, though the club does have some concern that Fitzpatrick could take less money to play elsewhere.
• Edge rusher Dwight Freeney is “95%” certain he will continue playing in 2016, although he probably won’t be seeing action with the Falcons, who apparently won’t sign Freeney (at least right now).
• Arian Foster isn’t yet at full health, and he’ll likely wait until the end of July before working out for teams and/or signing a new deal.
• Free agent running back Joique Bell says he has two or three offers on the table.
• The Dolphins are not considering free agent defensive backs Leon Hall and Antonio Cromartie, nor running back Knowshon Moreno.
• The Redskins could be in the market for a running back, and a reunion with Pierre Thomas is possible.

Signed:

• Bears – Nate Chandler, OL (link)
• Bills – Jamari Lattimore, LB (link)

Retired:

• Stephen Bowen, DL (link)

Headlines:

• Ryan Fitzpatrick has a three-year offer in hand from the Jets, with $12MM reportedly available in 2016.
• Former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch could possibly be rethinking retirement, and he reportedly told a few ex-teammates that he plans to return in 2016.
• Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler plans to push for a new contract prior to the 2016 season.
• Cowboys guard Ronald Leary has requested a trade, but Dallas won’t give him away for “little or nothing.”
• Free agent edge rusher Dwight Freeney met with the Bengals and will take a visit with the Falcons, but the Cowboys aren’t interested in adding the veteran.
• Running back Knowshon Moreno is attempting a 2016 comeback, and would like to play for either the Broncos or Dolphins.

Injuries:

• Bengals – Tyler Eifert, TE (could miss season opener)
• Jaguars – Jalen Ramsey, S (expected to return by training camp)
• Lions – Ameer Abdullah, RB (shoulder surgery)
• Titans – Byron Bell, OL (will miss 2016 season)

Signed:

• Saints – Vincent Brown, WR (link)

Released/Waived:

• Browns – Brian Hartline, WR (link)
• Lions – Tim Wright, TE (link)

Headlines:

• The Patriots reportedly have “preliminary” interest in free agent running back Arian Foster, who might not be able to pass a physical for a week or two.
• The Redskins released wide receiver Andre Roberts, but the 28-year-old pass-catcher has already garnered interest from the Bills and several other unknown clubs.
• The Chargers claimed quarterback Zach Mettenberger off waivers from the Titans — the Bengals and Giants also placed a claim on the signal-caller.
• Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu is in line to become the league’s highest-paid safety, as he is reportedly in “deep negotiations” on an extension with the Cardinals.
• The Bears have offered defensive end Willie Young a two-year extension, and he is apparently “50/50” on accepting the deal.

Injuries:

• Bills first-round pick Shaq Lawson will undergo shoulder surgery after suffering an injury in practice. Lawson is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.
• More bad news out of Buffalo, as Bills receiver Sammy Watkins suffered a minor foot fracture. Unlike Lawson, however, Watkins is projected to be ready for training camp.
• Jaguars safety Jalen Ramsey could have a rocky start to his career, as a knee injury might knock him out for up to six months.

Extended:

• Bengals – Shawn Williams, S (through 2020)

Signed:

• Rams – Dominique Easley, DT (link)
• Ravens – Vlad Ducasse, G and Josh Johnson, QB (link)
• Saints – Connor Barth, K (link)

Released:

• Panthers – Brandon Boykin, CB (link)
• Saints – Josh Scobee, K (link)

Free Agent Visits:

• Falcons – Brandon Boykin, CB (link)
• Patriots – William Moore, S (link)
• Saints – Vincent Brown, Denarius Moore, Hakeem Nicks, and Nathan Palmer, WRs (link)

Retired:

• Jarryd Hayne, RB (link)

Headlines:

• Sam Bradford ended his holdout by reporting to Eagles camp and rescinding his trade request. Bradford’s agent admitted that the veteran quarterback was hoping to be dealt to the Broncos.
• The Eagles hired former Bears executive Joe Douglas as personnel chief, bringing to an end their search to find a complement to de facto GM Howie Roseman.
• Las Vegas is looking more and more like a legitimate option for the Raiders, but the Chargers could be a second-place prize for the city.
• The Cardinals have reignited extension talks with safety Tyrann Mathieu, while the Panthers have also begun discussing a long-term deal with defensive tackle Kawann Short.

Signed:

• Dolphins – Jason Jones, DE (link)
• Jaguars – Bjoern Werner, DE (link)
• Raiders – Damontre Moore (link)
• Ravens – Jerraud Powers, CB (link)

Traded:

• Lions – acquired LB Jon Bostic from the Patriots in exchange for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick.

Retired:

• Jarryd Hayne, RB (link)
• Ricardo Lockette, WR (link)

Draft Signings:

• Follow all the latest draft pick signings by bookmarking our team-by-team tracker.

A look back at PFR’s biggest stories of the last week..

Headlines:

• The Dolphins signed Cameron Wake to a two-year extension. The deal is worth $15MM over two years with $10MM in fully guaranteed money.
• Guard Matt Slauson was deciding between the Bills and Chargers last week and he ultimately went with the better weather. San Diego signed Slauson to a two-year deal with the hope that he can bolster their offensive line, which placed dead last in the NFL in 2015.
• Cordy Glenn has a massive new deal with the Bills. Ditto for the Saints and tackle Terron Armstead.
• Tight end Delanie Walker inked a deal with the Titans that will keep him in place beyond 2016. Walker, 31, enjoyed a career year and earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2015, his 10th NFL season.
• The Seahawks officially placed Marshawn Lynch on the reserve/retired list.

Signed:

• Steelers – Bruce Gradkowski, QB (link)
• Chargers – Matt Slauson, C/G (link)

Released:

• Dolphins – Damontre Moore, DE (link)

Option Decisions:

• Last week marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options for players taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. Click here for a full rundown on all 32 players.

Draft Signings:

• Many of the players taken in last week’s draft have already signed their rookie contracts. Click here for a team-by-team breakdown.