Free Agent Rumor - Football Wiretap
Report: Stevie Johnson Seeks $7.5M Per Year
Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, whose four-year rookie contract is up after this season, has reportedly asked the team for an annual salary of $7.5 million for his next deal.
Buffalo's WGR-AM cited a source close to the situation in reporting Johnson's asking price on Thursday.
The station said the Bills have not made an offer to Johnson and have not mentioned the idea of applying the franchise tag to him.
Owner: IFL Team 'Close' To Deal With Owens
Terrell Owens is close to agreeing to a mid-six-figure contract to play with the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League in suburban Dallas.
The deal would also include an ownership stake of "likely 50 percent" for Owens, Wranglers owner Jon Frankel said.
"We're very close," general manager Drew Pearson said. "Jon Frankel, our owner, has been working on this for quite some time now. When he started, he felt there was maybe about a zero percent chance he could get it done, but through his persistent efforts and really wanting to make this happen, he has been able to make contact with their people. Now it's in a stage where he thinks it's at the point where it's about 70 percent done and close to being finalized, so we'll see how it shakes out from this point."
Stevie Johnson Expects Bills To Re-Sign Him
With negotiations between the Bills and Stevie Johnson currently at a stand still, there is a chance that the wide receiver may play his final game with the team on Sunday.
"Last week playing at the Ralph, I thought about it, walking around, walking off the field looking at the crowd, it seems kind of crazy that these four years went kind of fast," Johnson said.
Johnson recently said he is seeking a contract that averages under $9 million per season, which would land him among the NFL's top paid wide receivers.
Should the Bills choose to make him their franchise player, giving him a one-year extension in a sense, at a price tag of over $10 million for one year.
"Being in the city and they've adopted me, and I've thought about it, I'm still pretty sure that I'll be here next year, but if not, it's pretty crazy," he said.
Braylon Edwards Clears Waivers
Former 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards cleared waivers on Wednesday, according to a source.
Edwards is now an unrestricted free agent, though he may not sign with a new team until the offseason.
He was released on Tuesday three months after undergoing surgery on his right knee that limited him.
Roy Williams Hopes To Re-Sign With Bears
Bears wide receiver Roy Williams thinks he's made enough plays in 2011 to warrant another year with the team.
Asked about his possible future with the club, Williams said, "Who knows."
"I feel like I made plays when the opportunity came," he added. "Of course, everybody's going to bring up the negatives, which is fine. But for the most part I made enough plays and I'll be happy to [re-]sign [with the Bears]. But if not, I'll continue on elsewhere."
Williams currently ranks third on the team with 33 catches for 447 yards and a touchdown.
Colston Won't Give Saints Hometown Discount
Saints wide receiver Marques Colston will not give the team a hometown discount as a free agent this coming offseason, according to a source.
Colston, 28, signed a three-year extension of his rookie contract with the Saints in 2009.
Campbell, Cardinals Making Progress On New Deal
The Cardinals are making some progress on a new contract with defensive end Calais Campbell.
The two sides have passed the casual level in their talks and moved to intermediate, according to a league source.
If Arizona can't sign Campbell to a long-term deal, don't be surprised if they use the franchise tag.
DeSean 'Definitely' Wants To Return To Eagles
After the Eagles beat the Cowboys on Saturday afternoon, wide receiver DeSean Jackson talked about wanting to return to the team.
"Our future is going to be bright," Jackson said at his locker. "This is really our first year playing together with the new additions, and it's a year under our belt, so next year we can come back and keep doing what we're doing."
Next year is something Jackson hasn't talked about at all this year, especially in terms of spending it with the Eagles.
Jackson has just one more game under his original rookie contract, which pays him the NFL fourth-year minimum wage of $600,000 this year.
"Hopefully, I will be," he said of returning. "I consider Philadelphia a home, and the fans have embraced me and things like that. But it's out of my control. I don't know (what's going to happen). But I definitely want to (be back)."
Wayne Wants To Return To Colts
Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne will be a free agent after the season. He has spent his entire 11-year career with Indianapolis.
"Deep down inside, I hope not," Wayne said when asked if his career with the Colts will be over at season's end.
"I've been here 11 years. I don't see myself nowhere else, but I do understand the business of it. ... I'm going to treat it like a business, and after the season is over, we'll see what happens. I'm aware that I'm 33 years old, but I feel 23."
Wayne, who has been to the Pro Bowl five times, has 887 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season.
CFL Lineman Attracting NFL Interest
B.C. Lions offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye of the CFL is attracting interest from the NFL.
Olafioye worked out this week for the Vikings and Dolphins. Over the next two weeks, he'll get a look-see from the Browns, Steelers, and Jets as well.
Under CFL rules, Olafioye can sign with any NFL team on January 2.
Report: Packers Will Franchise Finley If No Deal Is Reached
The Packers and tight end Jermichael Finley haven't made progress on a contract extension.
Ray Rice Hopes To Re-Sign With Ravens
Ravens running back Ray Rice is playing under the final season of his rookie contract and is hopeful for a new deal.
49ers Figure To Give Alex Smith Significant Raise
Alex Smith isn't under contract with the 49ers for the 2012 season, but he figures to remain with the only NFL team he has ever played.
DeSean Jackson Scaring Off Potential Suitors
DeSean Jackson will likely be headed for free agency this spring.
Source: Bears Have No Interest In Favre
The Bears have no interest in signing Brett Favre, according to a high-ranking team source.
Hester Doesn't Think McNabb Would Help Bears
Bears wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester doesn't think signing veteran Donovan McNabb would help the team.
Source: Favre Would Talk To Bears
According to a source familiar with the situation, Brett Favre would listen if the Bears made a pitch to the veteran quarterback.
Sources: Bears Will Discuss Bringing In McNabb
The Bears will hold conversations on Monday about bringing in veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, according to sources.
McNabb Glad He Went Unclaimed
Donovan McNabb is happy he's a free agent after he was placed on waivers by the Vikings last week and went unclaimed.
Dallas Will Not Claim McNabb
The Cowboys will not put in a waiver claim for veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was released by the Vikings on Thursday.
Cowboys May Be Suitor For McNabb
The Cowboys could be a possible suitor for Donovan McNabb, who was waived by the Vikings on Thursday.