The NFL offseason is officially here now that the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl 50 champions. While the Broncos might still be a celebrating, the rest of the league has turned its focus to the offseason. Free agency and the NFL Draft are the main priorities, with teams able to use the franchise tag in less than two weeks. With that in mind, we've compiled the most interesting tidbits from around the NFL as the start of free agency approaches.
Broncos Want To Bring Back Entire Defense
Denver rode its defense to a Super Bowl victory, but the team has several key pieces on the defensive side that are impending free agents. The team has already said they'll tag Von Miller and then work out a deal with him, but he's far from the only talented player about to hit the open market.
DE Derek Wolfe has already resigned and MLB Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent. But both MLB Danny Trevathan and DE Malik Jackson are free agents and among the top players at their positions. GM John Elway told The Denver Post he wants to bring both of them back.
"They are all priorities," Elway said. "Getting Derek Wolfe done was the first step, and we want to get Danny and Malik done. We want to try and keep the group together. But it's a fluid process. We will talk to their representatives and see where we are at and get a feel for it."
The Broncos are tight on cap space at the current moment, but can free up $21.5 million if Peyton Manning retires. If he wants to keep playing, the Broncos could cut him and save $19 million. DeMarcus Ware will be in the last year of his deal and carries an $11.67 cap hit. Cutting him could save $10 million, if the team badly needs to make cap space.
Panthers Willing To Franchise Tag Josh Norman
The Panthers don't have many notable free agents this offseason, but their star CB is one of them. Norman is due for a large contract, as he's one of the best CBs in the NFL. GM Dave Gettleman told the Charlotte Observer he isn't afraid to use the franchise tag on Norman.
"I’ve used it before" Gettleman. "I’m not shy. I’m not afraid of it. After we evaluate everything, we’re going to do what we think is in the best interests of the Carolina Panthers."
While Gettleman wasn't talking specifically about Norman, the CB is the only player on the team that makes sense to franchise this year. QBs stopped throwing Norman's way last season and the Panthers simply must bring him back. Norman will likely want a contract on par with the elite corners in the NFL, which will approach the $14 million per year range. For more on the Panthers and Norman, download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app.
No Discount For Marvin Jones
Marvin Jones is an impending free agent for the Cincinnati Bengals and is planning on getting paid this offseason. He told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he wasn't going to take a hometown discount to stay in Cincinnati.
"I'd like to be back, but at the same time I am a free agent – no hometown discount, definitely not – but I'm a free agent," Jones said. "It wouldn't be good for me not to test the waters a little bit. So it's just an exciting process."
Jones played well this year as the team's No. 2 WR and is still just 25 years old. The Enquirer reports Jones wants a contract similar to the one Golden Tate signed a few seasons ago, but wants a $7 million per year salary. That's a high price for Jones, but he's young and talented enough to get that type of contract in a down year for free agent WRs. If Jones walks, the Bengals could be in the market for another WR to pair with A.J. Green, especially since Mohamed Sanu is also a free agent.
Falcons Keeping Roddy White?
The Falcons have already cut starting LB Justin Durant and safety William Moore, and WR Roddy White is another possible cut. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the team has to yet to commit one way or the other with White, but are leaning toward keeping him.
"It’s not always about the talent that may be wavering a little bit at the tell end of a career," GM Thomas Dimitroff said. "It’s about other things as well. It’s the about the leadership aspect and the culture aspect. A lot goes into the decision."
White is beloved by the Atlanta fanbase, but had a down season last year. Cutting White would save the team just over $2 million in cap space next year. But the team lacks other weapons at WR outside of Julio Jones and White. Even if the team cuts White, finding another WR is on the to-do list this offseason.
Titans Cut Michael Griffin
Griffin sent out a tweet Tuesday morning, indicating he'd been cut by the Titans. The team later announced the move, ending the 2007 first round pick's time with the team. Griffin had one year left on the five-year extension he signed in 2012. Cutting Griffin saves the team $6.5 million in cap space.
Because of the cap savings, Griffin was an expected cap cut. The Titans will need to find a replacement, and spending a draft pick on the safety position is a serious option. Da'Norris Searcy is locked in at one spot, but the team needs someone to pair him with. As for Griffin, he should be able to find a new team this offseason.
Other Cuts
In addition to Griffin, a few other teams made cuts Tuesday. The Patriots cut Montee Ball from the practice squad and the Raiders released safety Nate Allen. Download the Chat Sports Android and iPhone app for all the latest transactions.