Misc Rumor - Football Wiretap

Alshon Jeffery Nearly Certain To Play 2016 Under Franchise Tag

Jun 1, 2016 1:32 PM

Alshon Jeffery signed his $14.6 million franchise tag tender with the Chicago Bears on March 8th.

Jeffery has stayed away from the Bears during the voluntary portion of the offseason program and has been working out in Miami.

Both sides plan for Jeffery to be at the mandatory minicamp in mid-June and at training camp in late July. 

 

The Bears almost certainly will not agree upon a long-term deal with Jeffery before the July 15th deadline.

Rich Campbell, Dan Wiederer/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Chicago Bears, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Peyton Manning Nearly Signed With Titans In 2012

May 30, 2016 7:11 PM

Peyton Manning talked about how he nearly signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2012.

Manning signed with the Denver Broncos and also considered the Titans and San Francisco 49ers.

"I was pretty close," Manning said.

"I was hoping we would win out," the late Titans' owner Bud Adams said at the time. "I thought we'd be ahead of Denver. I thought he'd want to stay in Tennessee."

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Tags: Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jets' Three-Year Offer To Ryan Fitzpatrick Includes $12M For 2016

May 30, 2016 7:09 PM

The New York Jets made a three-year offer to Ryan Fitzpatrick in March with $12 million guaranteed in the first year.

The offer has remained on the table ever since.

Fitzpatrick and the Jets have been locked in a contract stalemate. 

Fitzpatrick is a free agent after emerging with the Jets in 2015 and throwing 31 touchdown passes.

Dennis Waszak Jr./Associated Press

Tags: New York Jets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Larry Fitzgerald Has 'No Idea' If 2016 Could Be His Final Season

May 24, 2016 8:18 PM

Larry Fitzgerald had a resurgent season in 2015, catching 109 balls for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Fitzgerald said, via the Cardinals' team site. "I really don't look at it like that."

Fitzgerald hinted last month that his future could be linked to the quarterback position of the Arizona Cardinals.

"A lot of it's tied to Carson (Palmer) -- Carson's playing at a high level," he said. "I don't want to go through any other quarterback situations. It's been great to have the stability that we have now with the big fella, he's been playing lights out."

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Dwight Freeney Works Out For Bengals

May 24, 2016 11:44 AM

Dwight Freeney will work out for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A midseason addition to Arizona's roster last October, Freeney made a major impact for the Cardinals defensively. 

Freeney recorded eight sacks and forced three fumbles in just 245 snaps in 2015.

Pro Football Focus credited Freeney with having the sixth-best pass-rush productivity among 3-4 outside linebackers.

Coley Harvey/ESPN

Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Browns Release Brian Hartline

May 23, 2016 5:52 PM

The Cleveland Browns have released Brian Hartline.

Hartline struggled to gain separation and was a below replacement level wide receiver.

First-round pick Corey Coleman is in line to be the team's leading receiver, with Andrew Hawkins the remaining veteran.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Waiver

Discuss
Cowboys Sign Ezekiel Elliott To Four-Year, $24.9M Deal

May 19, 2016 11:10 AM

The Dallas Cowboys have signed Ezekiel Elliott to his four-year, $24.9 million rookie contract.

The deal includes an option for the fifth season and the first four years are fully guaranteed.

Elliott joins Trent Richardson, Reggie Bush and current Cowboys teammate Darren McFadden as the only running backs selected in the draft's first five picks over the past decade.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Michael Bennett Unhappy With Contract But Won't Hold Out

May 18, 2016 8:00 PM

Michael Bennett is not happy with his current contract with the Seattle Seahawks but he has no plans on holding out.

"Why wouldn't I be at training camp?" Bennett said during an interview on 710 ESPN Seattle's Brock and Salk show. "Of course I'll be there. I'll see you there for sure."

Bennett has two seasons remaining on the four-year, $28.5 million deal he signed during the 2014 offseason.

Bennett thought about holding out last offseason, but he said his wife didn't let him.

"Any American wants to get paid more at their job," Bennett said. "I don't think there's anybody that goes to work and says: 'Hey, I'm happy with how much I'm getting paid, and I love it. Don't give me any more money.' So that's how I feel too.

"Of course I want to be in Seattle as long as possible. Everything about Seattle. ... I love the city. I love the team. I love my teammates, love what's going on. I love how we do things. I just love it here."

Sheil Kapadia/ESPN

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Sam Bradford Explains Why He Asked For Trade

May 19, 2016 8:28 PM

Sam Bradford shared a practice field with Carson Wentz for the first time on Tuesday.

Bradford also talked about the approach he took in requesting a trade.

"When I first found out about the trade," Bradford said, "I was frustrated. I needed some time. I could have stayed here, but I'm not sure my head would have been here."

Bradford sign a two-year contract with the Eagles in March believing he would have the chance to establish himself as the long-term quarterback.

"Obviously, there are no promises in this business," Bradford said. "It wasn't a long-term deal, it was a two-year deal. I was well aware of that. We talked about that.

"My thought was to play well over that two years and to create that stability that I've talked about pretty much my whole career. Philadelphia was the place that I wanted to be. I wanted to play well for the next two years, create that stability and then sign a longer-term deal and stay here, for the rest of my career."

Once the Eagles traded for Wentz, that became a near impossibility.

"My agent felt a trade was the way to get somewhere to create that stability, at a place where I could be entrenched long term," Bradford said. "He felt that was the best option."

Phil Sheridan/ESPN

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Chargers Claim Zach Mettenberger Off Waivers

May 17, 2016 6:16 PM

The San Diego Chargers have claimed Zach Mettenberger off waivers.

Mettenberger was waived this week by the Tennessee Titans.

The Chargers held the No. 2 waiver wire priority behind the Cleveland Browns and reunite Mettenberger with Ken Whisenhunt.

Mettenberger offers prototypical pocket quarterback size, a big arm and a willingness to squeeze the ball into tight spaces. Mettenberger has a QBR of just 16.5 over the past two seasons.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Tags: San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing, Waiver

Discuss
Kirk Cousins, Washington Remain Optimistic About Long-Term Deal
Washington would like to sign Kirk Cousins to a multi-year deal that would carry a lower cap figure.

Mike Jones/Washington Post

Brandon Boykin Released By Panthers
Brandon Boykin signed a one-year, $840,000 deal in March with the Patriots.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tyrann Mathieu Could Become NFL's Richest Safety
The Cardinals and Tyrann Mathieu could agree upon an extension that makes him the richest safety in the NFL.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tom Coughlin Wants To Return To NFL In 2017
Tom Coughlin already misses football and would like to return to coaching for the 2017 season.

Peter King/Sports Illustrated

Titans Release Zach Mettenberger
Zach Mettenberger started 10 games over two seasons with the Titans.

ESPN

Jarryd Hayne Retires From NFL
Jarryd Hayne had 17 rushing attempts for 52 yards and eight punt returns for 76 yards.

NFL.com

Dolphins Sign Jason Jones
Jason Jones started 31 of 32 games for the Lions over the past two seasons.

NFL.com

Chip Kelly Has Had Positive Interactions With Colin Kaepernick
Chip Kelly said during an interview that there's been no negative impact on Colin Kaepernick's relationship with the coaching staff.

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Greg Hardy Tells Teams He's Undergoing Therapy
Greg Hardy has participated in at least 24 psychiatric therapy sessions.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Michael Bennett Seeking Reworked Deal With Seahawks
Michael Bennett signed a four-year, $32 million deal in 2014.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Broncos, Eagles Unable To Agree Upon Sam Bradford Trade Terms
Denver ultimately traded up for Paxton Lynch in the draft.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Danny Amendola Takes $4.4M Pay Cut To Remain With Patriots
Danny Amendola lost out on $2.3 million last season.

Sean Wagner-McGough/CBS Sports

Matt Slauson Signs Two-Year Deal With Chargers
Matt Slauson made 12 starts at left guard last season and four at center.

ESPN

Sam Bradford Rescinds Trade Request, Rejoins Eagles
Doug Pederson has said Sam Bradford is the team's starting quarterback for 2016.

ESPN

Cameron Wake Signs Two-Year, $15M Extension With Dolphins
Cameron Wake signed the highest guarantee ever given to a pass-rusher more than 33 years old.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Seahawks Place Marshawn Lynch On Reserve/Retired List
Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement in February.

Tyler Dragon/NFL.com

Jordan Reed Agrees To Five-Year, $50M Extension With Washington
Jordan Reed caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Jets Will Have Odell Beckham's Cousin Participate In Rookie Minicamp
Terron Beckham been a bodybuilder, fitness trainer and model with a vertical jump of 44 inches and a 4.47 second 40-yard time.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Bruce Arians Calls Cardinals His Final NFL Job
Bruce Arians is now 63 and has become one of the NFL's best coaches since joining the Cardinals.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Ryan Cowden Joins Titans' Front Office
Ryan Cowden previously served as Carolina's assistant director of college scouting.

Paul Kuharsky/ESPN