Free Agent Rumor - 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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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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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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Lions Place Franchise Tag On Ezekiel Ansah

Feb 27, 2018 4:19 PM

The Detroit Lions have used their franchise tag on Ezekiel Ansah.

Ansah has dealt with injury issues over the past two seasons but still appeared in 27 games.

Ansah admitted late in the season he had "been dealing with a lot all year." He had ankle, shoulder and back injuries throughout 2017.

The franchise tag for a defensive end was $16.9 million in 2017, and it is expected to be approximately $17.5 million for the upcoming season.

ESPN

Tags: Detroit Lions, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Teddy Bridgewater Expected To Become Free Agent

Feb 27, 2018 4:19 PM

Teddy Bridgewater is expected to become a free agent as the Minnesota Vikings are not planning to bring him back.

It had previously been reported that the Vikings wouldn't place the franchise tag on Case Keenum. Sam Bradford is also slated for free agency.

There have been rumors that the Vikings could part ways with all three quarterbacks in favor of pursuing Kirk Cousins.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Bills Agree To One-Year Deal With Vontae Davis

Feb 27, 2018 8:02 AM

Vontae Davis has agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, according to a source.

The veteran cornerback met with several teams in recent weeks.

Davis was medically cleared earlier this month following core injury surgery that was performed late last season.

The Indianapolis Colts released him on Nov. 9 after he sought additional medical opinions and opted to have season-ending surgery.

Mike Rodak/ESPN

Tags: Buffalo Bills, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Vikings Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Case Keenum

Feb 26, 2018 2:22 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are unlikely to use the franchise tag on Case Keenum.

Keenum helped lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game as a surprisingly effective starting quarterback.

Minnesota could be amongst the teams to pursue Kirk Cousins in free agency.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Cardinals May Not Be Able To Afford Kirk Cousins

Feb 26, 2018 12:25 PM

The Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback following the retirement of Carson Palmer, but Kirk Cousins is an unlikely option.

According to Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports 98.7, Cousins is expected to command too much money.

The Cardinals have $24 million in cap space, which is less than several teams that could also be in the market for Cousins -- the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Washington Football Team, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Blake Bortles Agrees Upon Three-Year, $54M Extension With Jaguars

Feb 25, 2018 9:15 AM

The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed Blake Bortles to a three-year, $54 million deal that could increase to $66.5 million with incentives.

Bortles was due to make $19.053 million in 2018 after the team picked up his fifth-year option last May.

"I told Ryan [Tollner], my agent, let's just get it done so I can just go play football. I really would love to just know and have confirmation that this is where I'm going to be, and now let's go work and continue to build on what we did last year and go play," Bortles said. "So, happy and relieved. Obviously extremely excited. It's a dream come true to be able to sign a second contract by the team that drafted me. That was one of my goals from the start so excited to get it all done and get rolling now."

Bortles completed 60.2 percent of his passes (the first time he surpassed the 60 percent mark) for 3,687 yards and 21 touchdowns with 13 interceptions.

The Jaguars went 10-6 and reached the AFC Championship Game.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Tags: Jacksonville Jaguars, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Cowboys Uncertain On Keeping Dez Bryant
Dallas would save $8.5 million against the cap by releasing Dez Bryant.

Curtis Crabtree/Pro Football Talk

Seahawks Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Sheldon Richardson
The Seahawks haven't used the tag since 2010.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Sam Bradford Plans To Play In 2018
Sam Bradford was limited to just two games this past season due to a recurrence of knee issues.

Tom Pelissero/NFL.com

Bills Won't Cut Tyrod Taylor
The Bills had been expected to move on from Tyrod Taylor either through his release or a trade.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Drew Brees, Saints To Discuss New Deal At Combine
Representatives for Drew Brees are expected to meet with the Saints at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine "to try to hammer out what is potentially a short-term deal," according to a report.

Chris Wesseling/NFL

Josh Gordon Remains Under Browns' Control As ERFA
Josh Gordon will enter the new league year as an exclusive rights free agent as opposed to a restricted free agent, according to a report.

Chris Wesseling/NFL

Adam Vinatieri Close To One-Year Deal With Colts
Adam Vinatieri is 45 and only 58 points shy of Morten Andersen for the top spot on the NFL's all-time scoring list.

ESPN

Dolphins Place Franchise Tag On Jarvis Landry
Landry, 25, led the NFL with 112 receptions this past season.

ESPN

Ryan Succop Signs Five-Year, $20M Deal With Titans
Ryan Succop was a candidate to receive the franchise tag.

Mike Garafolo/NFL.com

Jaguars Pick Up $3.5M Option On Marcedes Lewis
Marcedes Lewis caught 24 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns in 2017.

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Jets Could Offer $60M Guaranteed In Year 1 To Kirk Cousins
The Jets could even guarantee the entirety of the contract to Kirk Cousins.

Brian Costello/New York Post

Adam Vinatieri Plans To Play In 2018
Adam Vinatieri turned 45 in December and has been in the NFL since 1996.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Buccaneers Release Doug Martin
Doug Martin was due to make nearly $7 million in 2018.

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Julius Peppers Leaning Toward Playing In 2018
Julius Peppers, who played on a one-year deal with the Panthers last season, is leaning towards playing in 2018.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Texans To Release Brian Cushing
Brian Cushing will clear $7.64 million in salary cap space.

John McClain/Houston Chronicle

Drew Brees, Saints Have March 14th Deadline To Agree Upon New Deal
The Saints would be hit with a cap penalty if they don't agree upon a new deal with Drew Brees by March 14th.

Dan Graziano/ESPN

Joe Thomas Lobbies Kirk Cousins To Consider Browns
Joe Thomas wants Kirk Cousins to consider signing with the Browns when he hits the free agent market next month.

Marc Sessler/NFL

Steelers Prefer Long-Term Deal For Le'Veon Bell
The Steelers could still use the franchise tag on Le'Veon Bell, which would be worth approximately $14.5 million.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

AJ McCarron Wins Arbitration Case, Will Become UFA
AJ McCarron argued the Bengals should have activated him from the non-football (NFI) injury list during training camp in 2014.

Adam Schefter/ESPN