NFL rumors: Latest news, buzz around free agency, trades
The NFL draft is long gone and free agency is winding down, but despite a general lull in organized team activities, the NFL rumor mill is still buzzing.
Mini-camp workouts gave teams a chance to see their draft picks and new signings compete against established veterans. The free agents who have yet to sign contracts could end up with new homes soon as the start of training camp looms. Teams expected to contend once again will see if their strengths appear to be carrying over to next season, while teams looking to turn around losing efforts will see what they have.
What’s the latest? Check back often as we update below with all the latest scoops, including transactions, news and rumors.
• MORE NFL: Off-season report cards | Players to watch during training camp
July 15
• The Cowboys’ offer to Dez Bryant has increased to more than $13 million per year, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports. Dallas and Bryant have until Wednesday afternoon to work out a long-term deal.
• The chances that Bryant agrees to an extension before Wednesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline are about 50/50, ProFootballTalk reports.
• The Broncos and Demaryius Thomas are still struggling to reach a deal, Albert Breer of the NFL Network reports.
• The Kansas City Chiefs have signed linebacker Justin Houston to a reported six-year, $101 million contract, making him the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history. Houston will reportedly receive $52.5 million guaranteed.
July 14
• Boston radio host Glenn Ordway said Tuesday morning that a decision on Tom Brady’s appeal is expected either Tuesday or Wednesday.
• The Buffalo Billsannounced on Tuesday they have placed Aaron Kromer on indefinite paid administrative leave following his arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge on Sunday.
• “Don't be surprised if there was a very good spring league opening next year in the NFL,” former NFL head coach Jim Fassel said in an interview on Siriux XM Radio.
• Former Miami Dolphins and New York Giants cornerback Will Allen has been charged with 23 felonies as part of an alleged Ponzi scheme.
• New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has been released from the hospital, 10 days after injuring his hand in a fireworks accident, Kimberly Jones of the NFL Network reports.
• Former Houston Texans safety and kick returner Danieal Manning announced his retirement from football during an interview with SportsRadio 610 on Tuesday.
• The Falcons and wide receiver Julio Jones haven't talked about a possible contract extension, according to ESPN.com. Jones has one year left on his contract after Atlanta exercised its fifth-year option. He will make $10.2 million next season.
• The Broncos and Demaryius Thomas reportedly exchanged contract proposals in an effort to get a deal done before Wednesday's deadline. NFL.com reports that there is a "significant gap" between Thomas and the Broncos franchise as they try to work out a deal.
• Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J Green will play out his final year and not hold out for a new deal, NFL.com reports.
July 13
• Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is threatening to sit out training camp as well as regular-season games if he does not get the new, long-term deal he is seeking. After reports suggested Bryant called Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones to personally inform him of his decision, Jones denied Bryant had made that statement. Bryant later tweeted he would:
• The Kansas City Chiefs and linebacker Justin Houston are expected to renew long-term contract talks on Tuesday, reportsThe Kansas City Star’s Terez A. Paylor. The Chiefs franchised Houston in March.
• Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is “not likely” to land a new contract before Wednesday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals, reports ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio.
• Four current NFL free agents have been suspended, reports Howard Balzer of The Sports Xchange. Jarrett Bush, Jakar Hamilton, Loucheiz Purifoy and Quentin Hines each received suspensions for various violations. Bush reportedly is suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season, Hamilton received a 10 week suspension for violating the substance abuse policy, Purifoy received a 10-game suspension and Hines received a one-game ban.
• Buffalo Bills assistant Aaron Kromer was arrested last weekend and charged with assault and battery after allegedly punching a boy.
• Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy had his suspension reduced from ten games to four games for his role in a 2014 domestic violence incident. Hardy will be eligible to play in Week 5 against the New England Patriots if he accepts his punishment.
• The NFL Players Association is reportedly investigating the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys for collusion regarding the contract situations of wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant. Both players were given the franchise tag and have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term deal.
