Misc Rumor - Football Wiretap

Andrew Luck Becomes NFL's Highest Paid Player With Extension

Jun 30, 2016 1:00 PM

Andrew Luck has signed a six-year deal worth nearly $140 million with the Indianapolis Colts through 2021.

Luck will earn $75 million over the first three seasons of the deal and slightly less over the final two.

Luck will now be the NFL's highest paid player.

There will be $89 million in guaranteed money in Luck's deal.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Tags: Indianapolis Colts, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Alfred Morris Trying To Seize Opportunity With Cowboys

Jun 23, 2016 10:19 AM

Alfred Morris signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys to compete for the starting running back job with Darren McFadden.

But Morris' future with the Cowboys became uncertain after the team drafted Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall. 

With McFadden breaking his elbow and out three months, Morris will have an improved opportunity to win a spot on the Cowboys' roster.

“You never want anyone to get hurt; I haven’t thought about it as an opportunity because I thought the coaches did a good job splitting our reps and giving everybody an opportunity to showcase what they can do,” Morris said. “With him gone, it doesn’t change much honestly.

“What it does change is that we don’t have our leader in the room -- that savvy vet that’s been doing it for quite some time.”

Morris must improve his grasp of the playbook.

“I feel like they jumbled three or four playbook together, so I’m starting to get it,” Morris said. “I want to get to the point, where I can play a little faster without having to think.

“I have a lot to learn [because] a lot has been thrown at us so I’m studying at home, studying between meetings and things like that.

“The hardest aspect is the protections. You can run the ball and catch the ball, but if you can’t protect the franchise [Tony Romo], then you’re no good to them. You have to be able to cover every scenario, because if you can’t, you’ll find yourself on the bench real fast.”

Jean-Jacques Taylor/ESPN

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Thomas Davis: Cam Newton Has 'Matured' Since Super Bowl Interview

Jun 22, 2016 7:24 PM

Cam Newton was criticized by many for his handling of a post-Super Bowl interview, in which he seemed to sulk and walk off early, but teammate Thomas Davis says the quarterback has learned from the experience.

"Cam understands and he knows that, in that situation, being who he is, being the role model that he is, he has to handle that situation better," Davis told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday. "And he's learned from that, I feel like. Hopefully, we're never in that position again where we're losing the Super Bowl, but I definitely feel like Cam has matured since that point and he's definitely going to be much better at handling different adverse situations like that."

Another Carolina Panthers teammate, Greg Olsen, told Mad Dog Sports Radio that Newton has never been a distraction for the team.

"Some people may not like it," Olsen said. "It might not be traditional or what they expected but Cam's true to himself and at the end of the day the only thing that matters is how do the guys in the locker room respond to him -- how the guys in the locker room respect him and rally around him -- and that's never been an issue since the day he got here as a rookie in 2011."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: Carolina Panthers, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Alshon Jeffery, Bears Continue To Discuss Long-Term Contract

Jun 21, 2016 2:18 PM

Alshon Jeffery and the Chicago Bears continue to discuss a long-term contract.

The two sides have until July 15th to agree upon a deal otherwise he'll play under the franchise tag.

Jeffery played in only nine games last season due to injuries, but he did catch 54 balls for 807 yards.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Chicago Bears, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Arian Foster Confident Of Being Ready For Camp

Jun 21, 2016 2:17 PM

Arian Foster believes he'll be ready for the start of training camp as he begins his first season not on the Houston Texans.

Foster remains a free agent after being released by the Texans in March.

At least three teams have recently inquired about Foster, who tore his Achilles in late October.

In his last full season, he produced 1,424 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. From 2010 to '12, Foster had 47 total touchdowns.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

Tags: Houston Texans, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jim McMahon Wants Marijuana Off NFL's Banned List

Jun 20, 2016 8:55 AM

Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon is advocating for marijuana as a medicinal alternative for pain management and wants the substance off the NFL's banned substance list.

McMahon told an audience at last week's Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo that marijuana "is not only an effective painkiller, but it is also far safer than the opioid painkillers that have destroyed thousands of American families."

Eugene Monroe is the only active player to publicly support the use of marijuana. After his release by the Baltimore Ravens, he said in a statement on Thursday that he won't stop his push to include medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management in the NFL.

"I will do everything I can to ensure the generations of NFL players after me won't have to resort to harmful and addictive opioids as their only option for pain management," Monroe said.

McMahon, who was diagnosed with the early onset of dementia and other issues that have been linked to the kinds of concussions he suffered over the years, said marijuana has helped him cope with the pain.

"There's so many uses to this plant," McMahon said. "Hundreds of thousands of people are dying from [painkillers], and there's not one case of people dying from the hemp plant."

ESPN

Tags: Misc Rumor

Discuss
Michael Lombardi Leaves Position With Patriots

Jun 19, 2016 11:10 AM

Michael Lombardi has left the front office of the New England Patriots.

Lombardi, who had joined the Patriots after serving as Cleveland Browns general manager in 2013, also served as an analyst with the NFL Network and NFL.com from 2008 to 2012 and could be considering a return to the media where his longtime friend, Bill Simmons, is starting a new venture at HBO.

Bill Belichick has praised Lombardi's contributions to the franchise over the past two years, as it was a position that was created specifically for him.

"I've asked Mike to do some things on an individual [basis] -- projects or things that I've asked him to do -- and he's done a great job of that for me," Belichick said in September. "Mike has been a big help to me personally."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Von Miller: No Chance Of Playing Under Franchise Tag

Jun 19, 2016 10:04 AM

Von Miller continues to negotiate a long-term contract with the Denver Broncos and is not interested in playing under the franchise tag.

Miller wrote the following message on Instagram: ""I love my Teammates, Coaches, and My Fans" but there is "No Chance" I play the 2016 season under the Franchise tag."

Miller has been one of the NFL's best pass rushers since entering the league and was named Super Bowl MVP.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Denver Broncos, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Muhammad Wilkerson Feels Unwanted By Jets

Jun 16, 2016 10:37 AM

The New York Jets have said they want to retain Muhammad Wilkerson, but the defensive lineman doesn't seem convinced.

"It's shocking. It's frustrating," Wilkerson said. "Because I feel like I've earned it and I deserve it. It would be different if I was just a mediocre player. I feel like each and every week I'm dominating and it's showing. The stats speak for themselves. Basically, what more do I need to do? You know what I mean? ...

"Do I feel that they want me back? As of right now, no. I don't feel like they want me. I'm a talented guy. Everybody knows that. I feel like they're going to get the best they can out of me and just let me go. That's how I feel. Do I like that feeling? No. I'm a New Jersey guy, born and raised and would love to raise my family here."

Wilkerson has been in touch with trainers to monitor the progress of his broken leg, but hasn't made any progress with the front office. He hasn't signed his franchise tag offer, which would pay him $15.7 million this year.

Brian Costello/New York Post

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

Discuss
Ravens Release Eugene Monroe

Jun 16, 2016 12:22 PM

The Baltimore Ravens have released Eugene Monroe.

The Ravens were attempting to find a trade of Monroe but were unable to get a deal done with the New York Giants.

Both the Giants and Seattle Seahawks could use depth at offensive tackle.

The move also helps Baltimore's cap situation, creating $6.5 million in space.

Monroe has advocated for the NFL to remove medicinal marijuana from their list of banned substances.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Waiver

Discuss
Reshad Jones Ends Holdout, Reports To Dolphins' Minicamp
Reshad Jones is set to make just over $7 million each of the next two seasons, but feels that he's worth more.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Fletcher Cox Agrees Upon Six-Year, $103M Extension With Eagles
Fletcher Cox will receive $63 million in guaranteed money, which is the highest ever for any player other than a quarterback.

Zac Jackson/Pro Football Talk

Rashad Jones To Skip Dolphins' Minicamp Seeking Improved Deal
Rashad Jones is scheduled to make more than $14 million over the next two seasons but he's seeking a deal to make more than $10 million annually.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Keenan Allen Agrees To Four-Year, $45M Extension With Chargers
Keenan Allen had 67 catches for 725 yards and four touchdown catches last season through eight games before suffering a lacerated kidney.

ESPN

Broncos' Von Miller Offer Had $58M Injury Guarantee
Von Miller sought more than $70 million to be paid out over three years.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Colin Kaepernick 'Excited' To Remain With 49ers Despite Trade Request
Colin Kaepernick expressed excitement that he remains with the 49ers after they were unable to fulfill his request for a trade this offseason.

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

Giovani Bernard Signs Three-Year, $15.5M Extension With Bengals
The average of $5.167 million per year for Giovani Bernard in "new money" ranks 10th among running backs.

Tom Pelissero/USA Today

Andrew Luck, Colts Continue To Make Progress On Extension Talks
Andrew Luck is unlikely to accept anything less than the $22.13 million annual average Joe Flacco signed.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Brandon Boykin May Have Career-Threatening Hip Injury
Brandon Boykin has logged 146 career tackles with eight interceptions and one touchdown in his NFL tenure.

Ed Bochette/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Marshawn Lynch Reconfirms He'll Remain Retired From NFL
The Seahawks placed Marshawn Lynch on the reserve/retired list in May, meaning the team would retain his rights if he decided to return.

AP

Ryan Kalil Signs Two-Year Extension With Panthers
The Panthers are using some of their money created by not re-signing Josh Norman.

Bryan Strickland/Panthers.com

Jaguars Sign Allen Hurns To Four-Year, $40M Extension
Allen Hurns' contract includes $20 million in guaranteed money for the third-year wide receiver.

Mike DiRocco/ESPN

Jake Long Works Out For Bears
Jake Long is a logical candidate to add depth to the Bears' offensive line.

Dan Wiederer/Chicago Tribune

Nick Foles Skips Rams' First OTA
Nick Foles has an uncertain future with the Rams after they moved up to pick Jared Goff.

Gary Klein/Los Angeles Times

Walter Thurmond Retires From NFL At 28
Walter Thurmond had turned down offers of $4 million-plus per year as he pondered retirement.

Conor Orr/NFL.com