A day after trading for a starting running back in LeSean McCoy, the Buffalo Bills got their quarterback, for the moment at least. The Bills have worked out a trade with the Minnesota Vikings for quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings get two undisclosed draft picks in the swap.
Cassel started three games for the Vikings going 1-2, but broke his foot in game three, passing the starting job over to rookie Teddy Bridgewater for good.
Cassel has been a solid, if not spectacular, starter in the league since replacing an injured Tom Brady in 2008. Cassel’s best season was 2010 with the Kansas City Chiefs where he threw for 3,116 yards and 27 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Cassel is reportedly being brought in to compete with E.J. Manuel for the starting position, but that was also the case with Christian Ponder in Minnesota in 2013. Cassel took over that job too.
It’s another smart trade for the Bills, who are suddenly putting together a potent offense to go along with their already impressive defense. With no first round pick this season, Buffalo will have to upgrade significantly in free agency and via trades. Cassel will count $4.75 million against the Bills’ cap this year.
Manning reportedly to take $4 million pay cut to stay in Denver
Peyton Manning is not only planning to return to the Denver Broncos in 2015, he’s taking the salary cut required to help the team keep good players around him. The Broncos and Manning are reportedly going to agree to a new contract, with a $4 million pay cut in 2015. The new deal will still pay him a whopping $15 million next season.
Manning still has to have a physical exam on his neck later this offseason, but that likely won’t be an issue if he feels healthy enough to play his 18th season in the NFL.
Andre Johnson wants Texans to cut him
After just agreeing to let wide receiver Andre Johnson seek a trade Tuesday, his agent Kennard McGuire informed the team that instead he would like to be released. A trade, obviously, would give Johnson less control over where he ends up and the Texans have the option to not agree to the terms the interested team is offering.
Johnson’s contract is also an issue, paying him $11.5 million in 2015 and $12 million in 2016 and any team trading for him would have to eat that, including $2 million in roster bonuses. If the Texans do release Johnson before June 1 they’ll save $8.8 million in cap space, but a trade would free up his entire $16.1 million cap number.
Steelers want Polamalu to retire, may release him
Looking at a $6 million cap hit in 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers would reportedly like to part ways with future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu. Preferably they’d like him to retire. Otherwise they’ll likely release him.
Polamalu has played all 12 of his seasons with the Steelers and will turn 34 in April. He’s coming off a down season where he missed four games and didn’t record a single interception, though he still had 61 tackles.
Chris Myers cut by Texans
Chris Myers never missed a game for the Houston Texans in seven seasons, but after being cut Wednesday, he’ll likely never suit up for them again. The long-time center came over with then head coach Gary Kubiak from the Denver Broncos in 2007. Myers started 128 consecutive games for the Texans.
The move opens up $6 million in cap space and adds a new wrinkle to free agency at a position that wasn’t very deep. Teams like the Rams, the Patriots, the Giants, the Redskins, the Falcons and the Panthers will all be looking hard at the position in free agency.
Philly tells Trent Cole to hit the road
The roster turnover in Philadelphia hasn’t ended yet. The Eagles cut starting outside linebacker Trent Cole after they couldn’t work out a new contract with a lower cap number. Cole is a 10-year veteran that has never played for another team. Last year he had 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Cole has been a consistent performer for the Eagles since they drafted him out Cincinnati in 2005 in the fifth round, missing just five games in a decade. Cole is a versatile player, who spent eight seasons as a 4-3 outside linebacker and the last two in Philadelphia’s 3-4 scheme.
Cole’s 88.5 career sacks are second in Eagles history, behind only Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White.
