Week In Review News & Rumors

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Franchise Players:

• Broncos – extended WR Demaryius Thomas through 2020. Five years, $70MM. $35MM guaranteed.
• Chiefs – extended LB Justin Houston through 2020. Six years, $101MM. $32.5MM guaranteed, $43MM guaranteed by March 2016.
• Cowboys – extended WR Dez Bryant through 2020. Five years, $70MM. $32MM guaranteed, $45MM guaranteed by March 2016.
• Patriots – extended K Stephen Gostkowski through 2018. Four years, $17.2MM. $10.1MM guaranteed.
• Giants – did not reach a deal with DE Jason Pierre-Paul.

Extended:

• Steelers – DE Cameron Heyward through 2020: Five years, $59.25MM.

Signed:

• Giants – S Jeromy Miles (link)

Waived:

• Jaguars – WR Ace Sanders (link)

Suspended:

• Free agent S Jarrett Bush (four games)

Retired:

• OL Dan Connolly (link)
• S Danieal Manning (link)

Contracts:

• Talks between Russell Wilson, Seahawks expected to end by training camp (link)
• A.J. Green plans to play 2015 without a new contract (link)
• Falcons, Julio Jones haven’t discussed extension (link)

Other:

• Bills place OL coach Aaron Kromer on paid leave (link)
• Reggie Wayne wants to play in 2015 (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Jason Pierre-Paul was injured in a July 4 weekend fireworks mishap. The fallout surrounding the Giants defensive end:
  • JPP had his right index finger amputated on Wednesday.
  • The Giants reportedly withdrew a $60MM extension offer to JPP, but they do plan to keep him on the 2015 roster.
  • Pierre-Paul doesn’t intend to sign his one-year franchise tender until he is fully healthy.
• Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy‘s suspension resulting from his 2014 domestic violence incident was reduced from 10 games to four.
• The Rams selected Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle in the fifth round of the supplemental draft, meaning the club will sacrifice a 2016 fifth-rounder.
• The Rose Bowl declined to be a temporary stadium for a potentially relocated NFL team.
• The NFLPA is investigating a possible collusion case against the Cowboys and Broncos regarding the contract negotiations of Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, respectively.

Extended:

• Ravens – P Sam Koch (five years, $18.75MM)

Other:

• Packers don’t plan to release TE Andrew Quarless following his arrest (link)
• Buccaneers CB C.J. Wilson‘s career in jeopardy following fireworks accident (link)
• NFL will play games in new London stadium beginning in 2018 (link)
• Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer arrested (link)
• CAA will acquire Todd France’s Five Star agency (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Despite being the top available free agent, Evan Mathis remains unsigned. Even a team hungry for guards like the Rams hasn’t expressed interest in the All-Pro guard.
• The 2015 NFL supplemental draft will take place on July 9th. Teams are expected to be active, and there is a good chance we have at least one player selected for the first time since 2012.

Contracts:

• We’re less than two weeks from the July 15th deadline for teams to negotiate a long-term deal with a player who has been hit with the franchise tag, and there has reportedly been little to no progress in the Cowboys’ contract talks with Dez Bryant.
• Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson may not have a deadline in place to get a deal done, but the rumors are still flying around what he expects and what the team is willing to pay.
• Another quarterback looking for a new deal is Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Manning’s agent, Tom Condon, is optimistic a deal will get done.

Signed:

• Bills – OL Wayne Hunter (link)

Suspended:

• TE Antonio Gates (four games)
• DE Sheldon Richardson (four games)
• LB Rolando McClain (four games)
• DE Datone Jones (one game)

Waived/Arrested:

• TE Andrew Quarless (arrested)
• DL Brandon Ivory (waived/arrested)

Injured:

• DE Jason Pierre-Paul (link)
• CB Josh Robinson (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Patriots quarterback Tom Brady‘s appeal hearing occurred in New York on Tuesday.
• The Broncos denied having discussed the possibility of trading quarterback Peyton Manning to the Texans.
• The NFL is exploring temporary stadium venues in Los Angeles.

Contracts:

• Receiver Dez Bryant‘s representatives met with the Cowboys on Friday to restart talks on a long-term deal.
• A funding rule that requires future salary guarantees to be placed into an escrow account could be delaying negotiations between the Seahawks and quarterback Russell Wilson.
• Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett is considering holding out as he angles for a new contract.

Signed:

• Eagles – G John Moffitt (link)

Waivers:

• Browns – claimed WR Terrelle Pryor from the Bengals (link)

Suspended:

• RB Ahmad Bradshaw (one game)

Injured:

• CB Antoine Cason (will miss 2015 season)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The Panthers signed linebacker Thomas Davis to a three-year, $18MM extension ($10.25MM guaranteed).
• The Texans and cornerback Johnathan Joseph agreed to a three-year, $22MM extension, with $11.5MM guaranteed.
• The Rams are interested in a long-term deal with quarterback Nick Foles, while the man he was traded for — fellow QB Sam Bradford — is discussing an extension with the Eagles.
• Dez Bryant‘s agent said there have been no talks between the Cowboys and his client regarding a long-term deal.
• A judge ruled that Saints owner Tom Benson is mentally competent and fit to continue to run his club.

Signed/Re-Signed:

• Bears – RB Daniel Thomas (link)
• Bills – DT Andre Fluellen (link)
• Lions – S Taylor Mays (link)
• Panthers – CB Chris Houston (link)
• Seahawks – QB Tarvaris Jackson (link)

Released/Waived:

• Bengals – QB Terrelle Pryor (will convert to WR)
• Falcons – T Sam Baker (link)
• Patriots – TE Fred Davis (link)
• Titans – RB Shonn Greene (link)

Retired:

• G Justin Blalock (link)
• RB Chris Ogbonnaya (link)
• OL Mike Pollak (link)

Other:

• Seahawks QB Russell Wilson will play the 2015 season with an insurance policy (link)
• 2011 third-rounder John Moffitt came out of retirement (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The troubled relationship between the Eagles and Evan Mathis came to an end Thursday, as the club released the veteran guard.
• The Chargers and defensive tackle Corey Liuget agreed to a five-year, $51.25MM extension, the details of which can be found here.
• The Giants have not opened extension talks with quarterback Eli Manning, who is heading into his contract year.
• Receiver Dez Bryant is threatening to sit out the season opener if he and the Cowboys don’t reach a deal before the July 15 deadline.

Signed/Re-Signed:

• Bears – CB Tracy Porter (link)
• Browns – S Tashaun Gipson (final RFA to re-sign)
• Dolphins – DT C.J. Mosley (link)
• Patriots – CB Derek Cox (link) and QB Matt Flynn (link)
• Saints – DT Kevin Williams (link)
• Seahawks – QB Tarvaris Jackson (link)
• Titans – C Fernando Velasco (link)

Released:

• Patriots – LB Brandon Spikes (link; now faces multiple charges)

Waivers:

• Buccaneers – claimed P Spencer Lanning from the Browns (link) and TE Tim Wright from the Patriots (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• The Panthers and quarterback Cam Newton agreed to a five-year extension with $103MM, with $41MM fully guaranteed.
• Defensive end Cameron Jordan inked a five-year, $55MM extension with the Saints.
• 49ers right tackle Anthony Davis announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 25, though he did allow that he could return at some point.
• Vikings running back Adrian Peterson reported to OTAs, seemingly ending the standoff between club and player.

Trade:

• Browns – acquired P Andy Lee from the 49ers in exchange for a 2017 seventh-round pick (link)

Extended:

• Cardinals – DL Frostee Rucker (through 2016)

Signed:

• Raiders – WRs Kris Durham (link) and Trindon Holliday (link)

Waived:

• Rams – WR Bud Sasser (link)

Retired:

• LB Colin McCarthy (link)

Other:

• Chargers won’t discuss extension with S Eric Weddle (link)
• Saints LB Junior Galette is considering surgery after a pectoral injury (link)
• Buccaneers T Demar Dotson is seeking a new contract (link)
• Chargers WR Malcom Floyd could retire after 2015 (link)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

Key News:

• Left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL, forcing the Broncos to place him on injured reserve.
• Patriots quarterback Tom Brady‘s DeflateGate appeal was set for June 23.
• After he was involved in another domestic violence incident, defensive lineman Ray McDonald was released by the Bears.
• Defensive lineman Michael Bennett confirmed that he is looking for a new contract from the Seahawks.
• Follow all the latest on the Adrian Peterson/Vikings saga here.

Restructured:

• Jets – WR Brandon Marshall (link)

Signed:

• Broncos – T Ryan Harris (link)
• Falcons – G Chris Chester (link)
• Ravens – CB Cassius Vaughn (link)

Waivers:

• Bills – claimed QB Matt Simms from the Jets (link)

Released/Waived:

• Browns – C Nick McDonald (link)
• Cowboys – WR A.J. Jenkins (link)
• Falcons – LB Prince Shembo (link)
• Patriots – LB Dane Fletcher (link)
• Washington – CB Tracy Porter (link)

Suspended:

• Rams – RB Trey Watts (four games)

The headlines from the past week at PFR:

DeflateGate:

• Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was suspended four games for his role in the DeflateGate controversy. New England will forfeit a 2016 first-round pick, a 2017 fourth-round pick, and be fined $1MM.
• The NFLPA filed an appeal on behalf of Brady, but the appeal will be heard by commissioner Roger Goodell himself.
• The Patriots’ legal counsel issued their own report, refuting the claims made by investigator Ted Wells in his original analysis.

Other Headlines:

• An extension between quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seahawks is unlikely to be finalized before the season begins.
• Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, a free agent at season’s end, could be eyeing a move to Atlanta, his hometown.
• Free agent running back Steven Jackson wants to join a contender.
• Veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams is pushing for a return to the Seahawks.
• As teams continue to get their draft picks under contract, you can follow all the latest signings here.

Signed:

• Bills – FB John Conner (link)
• Bengals – QB Terrelle Pryor (link)
• Cardinals – LB Darryl Sharpton (link)
• Falcons – OL Tyler Polumbus (link)
• Lions – WR Lance Moore (link), CB Chris Owens (link), WR Greg Salas (link), and DL Corey Wootton (link)
• Patriots – TE Fred Davis (link)
• Ravens – CB Kyle Arrington (link)

Waivers:

• Broncos – claimed TE Marcel Jensen from the Jaguars
• Buccaneers – claimed LB Khaseem Greene from the Bears; claimed S D.J. Swearinger from the Texans