The NFL never stops, from the regular season through the playoffs and then into the offseason, it’s a nonstop process filled with action, news and rumors.
As free agency kicks into gear and teams are now able to sign with free agents, here I review all the major news and rumors around the NFL.
Green Bay Packers Sign Sam Shields to a Four-Year Deal
Early on Saturday afternoon, Shields’ agent Drew Rosenhaus announced his client signed a new contract to stay with the Packers. Shields was the Packers’ top priority to sign in free agency, and with $34 million in cap space, general manager Ted Thompson was willing to pay the 26-year-old cornerback $39 million over the four years.
The deal includes a $12.5 million signing bonus and will pay him $15 million in his first season. Thompson knew he had plenty of cap to use so he went with a front-loaded contract, which should benefit the Packers as long as Shields continues to develop.
The Packers couldn’t afford to let their young cornerback depart, with Tramon Williams now in his 30’s, Casey Hayward serving as a nickel corner and Micah Hyde moving to safety, Shields had the leverage in this situation and cashed in.
At just 26, Shields is currently the best defensive back on the Packers roster and the improvements the former undrafted free agent wide receiver out of Miami (FL) has made in four seasons is remarkable. Green Bay is banking on what Shields brings now, but most importantly on what he can do in the future.
Tennessee Titans Put Chris Johnson on the Trading Block
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been five seasons since Johnson took the league by storm with over 2,000 rushing yards. But while he has posted 1,000 or more rushing yards in each of his first six seasons, the Titans are very open to moving on from their star running back.
There are a variety of reasons why the Titans are more than willing to moving on from the man who used to be know as CJ2K. Johnson turns 29 in September and his play has been on the decline.
As he approaches his 30’s, the Titans just want to dump his massive contract which will pay him $8 million per year over the next two seasons and $7 million in 2016, and doesn’t include the $2 million bonus he is do each season. Johnson’s contract and play wore the front office thin but it’s been his attitude which really is the final nail in the coffin for his tenure in Tennessee.
If Tennessee is unable to find anything in return for Johnson, they realistically could decide to just cut their losses, add nearly $6 million in cap space and have Johnson turn in his playbook. Either way Johnson has almost certainly played his last snap for the Titans.
Miami Dolphins are Favorites to Sign Branden Albert
Even before free agency kicked off, many automatically assumed the Dolphins would dive into the free agent class to find a premier left tackle, and that’s exactly what the plan appears to be. While it’s a very deep class with Eugene Monroe, Jared Veldheer and Anthony Collins. But the Dolphins appear to have found their man in Albert and could sign him early in free agency.
We all know about the Dolphins problems on the offensive line; from losing Jake Long last offseason to the Richie Incognito-Jonathan Martin era, there are a lot of holes to fill on the offensive line. Albert would provide an outstanding upgrade from Bryant McKinnie last season and would provide excellent pass-protection for Ryan Tannehill.
Miami has $33 million to spend this offseason, leaving them plenty of room to give Albert the pay day he has long wanted, and still have the financial resources to fill other needs on the roster. Albert would be a big piece of the puzzle for Miami’s offensive line, but it’s still a group that needs more talent.
Marquee Names Given Their Walking Papers
Every so often you see reality hit you in the face, and we are seeing that often this past week. The NFL is a business and as guys like Darren Sproles, Antonio Cromartie, Lance Moore and Champ Bailey learned, teams won’t hesitate to cut you in order to save a few bucks.
Cromartie came off a disappointing 2013 season but was strong in 2012, and should receive significant interest though it may take awhile in a deep group of free agent cornerbacks. The Saints already cut Moore and it’s very likely Sproles will be gone soon as well. Sproles and Moore are casualties of Jimmy Graham wanting to be paid like a top wide receiver, and while Graham may have been upset at their departures, his contract demands are a reason why his teammates are now free agents.
While Bailey is a future Hall of Famer but he no longer could play his position well enough to keep his job so the Broncos opted for the $10 million in cap space. If he is willing to make the transition to safety, a team could get a valuable find as he makes a similar transition to what Charles Woodson did a few seasons ago.
Minnesota Vikings Re-sign Everson Griffen and Matt Cassel
The Vikings didn’t take long to make sure they brought back some of their key pieces from last season on both sides of the ball. The team was willing to dish out the cash to bring some stability to the quarterback position with Cassel and make sure their 26-year-old defensive end didn’t hit the open market.
The Vikings were happy to give Cassel a two-year deal worth $10 million, and part of the signing could go back to what happened this past season. Minnesota saw the Packers crumble when Aaron Rodgers went down, and they wanted to make sure they had a high-quality backup or potential starter. Christian Ponder’s days are likely numbered, but the front office will certainly be looking for a rookie quarterback.
Griffen’s story is one of redemption, he was arrested twice in 2011 and his on-field play reflected of someone who just didn’t seem to try consistently. But the Vikings saw a change in Griffen and as he matured off the field, his play and motor improved as well. While a five-year deal worth $42.5 million is very costly, it was well worth it for the team to get their starting defensive end back in purple and another example of paying for potential.
Arizona Cardinals Opening up Their Wallets to Everyone
Months after finishing third in the NFC West with a 10-6 record, the Cardinals are looking towards free agency to find the missing pieces to turn this team into a future Super Bowl contender.
The Cardinals enter the offseason with needs across the offensive line so it’s no surprise to see them reaching out to the big name free agents. Arizona has shown serious interest in Veldheer, Collins and offensive guard Rodger Saffold.
While it might be tough to bring in both Veldheer and Saffold, there remains a very realistic chance Veldheer signs with Arizona, especially after the team created more cap room by releasing Daryn Colledge.
The front office hasn’t stopped there as retaining Karlos Dansby remains a top priority with the team rumored to be offering the inside linebacker a two-year deal worth more than $10 million per season.
Head coach Bruce Arians also was given a new tight end from the front office, John Carlson, who spent the past two seasons with the Vikings after being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the 38th overall pick in 2008. He adds another receiving option for Arians’ offense as a coach who loves to have as many tight ends as possible.