April 2018 - Football Wiretap

Washington Unlikely To Tag Kirk Cousins

Feb 28, 2018 5:51 PM

Washington doesn't plan on using the franchise tag on Kirk Cousins again this offseason.

Washington has already traded for Alex Smith to replace Cousins. The team could conceivably tag Cousins and then trade him to get more than a 2019 compensatory pick.

"I don't think so," Doug Williams said of doing such a move. "But it's not too late. But we haven't really talked about that. The media had come up with those scenarios more than what we've talked about it because I can't remember one meeting where we talked about the possibility of tagging him."

If Cousins didn't sign the franchise tender, Washington would be unable to trade him and he would cost $34.5 million on the cap. If he did sign the tender, then he could block a deal by saying he wouldn't sign a long-term deal with the team trading for him.

Cousins started the last three seasons, twice setting franchise records for passing yards.

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Steelers Plan On Rejecting Trade Interest In Martavis Bryant

Feb 28, 2018 5:10 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers plan on keeping Martavis Bryant and will reject trade inquiries they receive.

Bryant wanted to be traded early in the 2017 season but his production increased in the second half. The Steelers also have Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster on their depth chart at wide receiver.

“We have never ever made one phone call about Martavis Bryant for a trade,” Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Martavis Bryant is a Pittsburgh Steeler and we want him to continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. A lot of kids don’t make it back from a one-year suspension, but he did. We are not in the trade market for [Bryant].”

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Personal Award, Trade Rumor

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Eagles Won't Rule Out Trading Nick Foles

Feb 28, 2018 5:07 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles have openly talked about the potential of trading Nick Foles this offseason.

Foles stepped into the starter's role when Carson Wentz tore his ACL in December.

Foles comes with a 2018 cap hit of $7.6 million, making him a pricey backup for the Eagles but manageable insurance in case Wentz is slow to return.

"We're trying to keep as many good players as possible, and you're talking about a Super Bowl MVP," Roseman said. "He's been unbelievably successful for us, he's got great character, great leadership. That room is exactly what we're looking for. We have a franchise quarterback [in Carson Wentz], we have a Super Bowl MVP, and we have a young quarterback [in Nate Sudfeld] that we're excited about as well, so that's kind of how we're looking at it as we get started in the offseason."

Tim McManus/ESPN

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Giants Have Faith In Eli Manning, Open To Trading Down

Feb 28, 2018 4:47 PM

The New York Giants are open to trading down from the No. 2 overall slot in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Giants believe Manning has several years remaining in his career.

"Are we open for business? You know, whatever," said Dave Gettleman. "Any decision I make is going to be in the best interest of the New York Football Giants. Plain and simple. So if someone makes me an offer I can't refuse, would I move back? Depends on who is there.

"Again, if there is a guy worthy of being the second pick of the draft and what we're basically saying and answering that question to the affirmative, you're drafting what you think is going to be a Hall of Fame player. So you can't get too cute about that thing."

The Browns could select a quarterback first overall, while the Broncos and Jets also have interest in a quarterback.

"It's an interesting class. All shapes, sizes. All flavors," Gettleman said. "It's like Howard Johnson's back in the day. I'm excited about meeting some of these guys here. It will be fun. Obviously we'll be busy once the combine is over visiting and you have your 30 private visits. So that will be part of the process. It's a really interesting, eclectic group."

Jordan Raanan/ESPN

Tags: New York Giants, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Bears To Release Mike Glennon

Feb 28, 2018 4:26 PM

The Chicago Bears will release Mike Glennon when the NFL year begins on March 14th.

The moves will be the latest in an offseason purge of veterans by the Bears, who have already released linebackers Jerrell Freeman, Pernell McPhee and safety Quintin Demps. 

Glennon was scheduled to make $12.5 million as the backup to Mitchell Trubisky in 2018. The Bears are already on the hook for Glennon's fully guaranteed $2.5 million roster bonus, putting the total price tag for Glennon's one-year stint in Chicago at $18.5 million. 

Jeff Dickerson/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bears, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Marshawn Lynch Expected To Return To Raiders

Feb 28, 2018 2:40 PM

Marshawn Lynch is expected to return to the Raiders in 2018.

Lynch's status with the Raiders has been uncertain this offseason.

"There's no question he's still a beast," said Jon Gruden. "I'm counting on him."

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rob Gronkowski Will Play In 2018

Feb 28, 2018 2:14 PM

Rob Gronkowski will return for the 2018 season.

Gronkowski considered retirement following the Super Bowl.

Gronkowski will put his off-field pursuits such as wrestling and acting on hold.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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NFL Could Change Defensive PI To 15-Yard Penalty

Feb 28, 2018 8:09 AM

The NFL is looking into a number of rules changes this offseason and reportedly will consider making defensive pass interference a 15-yard penalty.

The penalty is currently a spot foul.

If a change is made offenses would have far less to gain by throwing deep to try and draw a penalty from a defensive back downfield.

Defensive pass inference was called 266 times this past season, according to Pro Football Reference. That's more than once per game for an average of 18.09 yards per game.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Rob Gronkowski Seriously Considered Retirement During Training Camp

Feb 28, 2018 8:04 AM

Rob Gronkowski left his future in question following Super Bowl LII and a report has surfaced that the New England Patriots tight end seriously considered retirement as far back as last training camp.

Gronkowski, 28, has suffered a myriad of injuries in his career, including a game-ending concussion in the AFC Championship Game earlier this year.

The report also suggests that Gronkowski is tired of the Patriots' approach to the game.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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Packers, Aaron Rodgers Making Progress On New Deal

Feb 28, 2018 2:15 PM

The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers are making progress toward a new contract, according to president Mark Murphy.

Rodgers still has two seasons left on the five-year, $110 million extension he signed in 2013, but the agreement has become outdated with Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo receiving massive deals.

He is currently the NFL's sixth-highest paid quarterback.

"I know my value in this league, and I know the team appreciates me," Rodgers said last summer. "I'm going to continue to make myself an indispensable part of this roster. When you do that, when your time comes up to get a contract, you usually get a contract extension."

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Competition Committee: 2014 Dez Bryant Play Should Be A Catch
The NFL's competition committee has reached a "unanimous" agreement that plays such as the controversial one involving Dez Bryant in the 2014 playoffs should be considered a catch going forward.

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

NFL, Pizza Hut Reach Deal Larger Than One With Papa John's
The NFL has completed a deal with Pizza Hut to become the league's new official pizza sponsor.

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

NFL, Papa John's End Sponsorship Deal
The brand became the official pizza of the NFL in 2010.

Darren Rovell/ESPN

Lions Place Franchise Tag On Ezekiel Ansah
The tag for defensive ends is expected to be approximately $17.5 million.

ESPN

Josh Rosen Denies Wanting To Avoid Browns In Draft
The Browns own the first overall pick.

Michael Silver/NFL.com

Teddy Bridgewater Expected To Become Free Agent
Teddy Bridgewater is expected to become a free agent as the Vikings are not planning to bring him back.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

Mike Mayock Compares Josh Allen's Arm To JaMarcus Russell
Mike Mayock is clearly a fan of Josh Allen as the 2018 NFL Draft draws closer.

Chris Wesseling/NFL

Bills Agree To One-Year Deal With Vontae Davis
The veteran cornerback met with several teams in recent weeks.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Russell Wilson Hopes To Figure Out Yankees' 'Aroma'
Russell Wilson said he hoped to learn from a Yankees' organization that has won 27 World Series titles.

RealGM Staff Report

NFL Forces Jerry Jones To Reimburse League For Legal Fees
Jerry Jones' conduct has been ruled detrimental to the NFL.

Ken Belson/New York Times

Chiefs Acquire 2018 4th, 2019 2nd From Rams For Marcus Peters
The Chiefs have acquired a number of draft picks this offseason for Marcus Peters and Alex Smith.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Vikings Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Case Keenum
Minnesota could be amongst the teams to pursue Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tarik Cohen Wants Bears To Use Him Like Tyreek Hill
As he enters his second NFL season, Tarik Cohen wants to see the Bears use him like the Chiefs use Tyreek Hill.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

Cardinals May Not Be Able To Afford Kirk Cousins
The Cardinals need a quarterback following the retirement of Carson Palmer, but Kirk Cousins is an unlikely option.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Charles Tillman Has Become FBI Agent
ESPN previously reported that Charles Tillman had enrolled at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, Virginia, to pursue a full-time career at the agency.

Jeff Dickerson/ESPN

DeMaurice Smith: NBA Model Could Fix NFL's Ratings Decline
DeMaurice Smith is looking ahead to the next round of collective bargaining negotiations and wants the players to have a greater voice in what he describes as the league's "macroeconomic" issues, i

Dan Graziano/ESPN

Blake Bortles Agrees Upon Three-Year, $54M Extension With Jaguars
Blake Bortles' deal could increase to $66.5 million with incentives.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Jaguars Extend Contracts Of Doug Marrone, Dave Caldwell, Tom Coughlin
The Jaguars' three main decision makers are now under contract through 2021.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Jaguars Release Chris Ivory
The Jaguars will save $3.75 million against the cap by waiving Chris Ivory.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Rams Agrees To Trade With Chiefs For Marcus Peters
The Browns and 49ers were also interested in Marcus Peters.

Adam Schefter/ESPN