NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick, Cardinals, Eagles, Redskins

Colin Kaepernick

• Ben Volin writes that free agent QB Colin Kaepernick shouldn’t jump at a chance to sign with a team at this point in the year, as it’s more likely he would be set up to fail by returning this late in the season.
• Instead, Volin believes Kaepernick should focus on training and ultimately returning to the NFL in 2018.
• We have him featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.

Cardinals

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer said recently that he could potentially be available for the final two weeks of the season, assuming that the team is still in the mix for a playoff spot.

“I could potentially be available the last two weeks of the season,” Palmer said, via AzCardinals.com. “Who knows? I don’t know where I’ll be (with rehab) at that point.  I don’t know where we will be as a team at that point. I just try to be as ready as I can as quick as I can.”

As for the possibility he could retire after this season, Palmer says he hasn’t even thought about it yet.

“I haven’t even gotten there yet,” Palmer said. “Just as far as what I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks, I’ve had numerous doctors appointments, tried on different braces and casts. That’s what my mindset has been. I’ll have a chance to think about what is next as far as 2018 and all that once we get through this year.”

Eagles

• Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com writes that the Eagles decision to not sign DE Brandon Graham to a new contract, even though he has been a major contributor and is underpaid, is likely a bad sign for his status with the team moving forward.
• According to Shorr-Parks, it’s possible the Eagles may ultimately decide to release Graham during the offseason and take the $6.5 million of cap savings.
• If Philadelphia needs to create some more cap room next year, Shorr-Parks mentions WR Torrey Smith and TE Brent Celek as some possible cap casualties, as releasing them would create $9 million of cap space.
• One player who figures to move on in free agency next year, according to Shorr-Parks, is DT Beau Allen. Although, Shorr-Parks doesn’t rule out him taking less money to return to Philadelphia.
• As for WR Alshon Jerry, Shorr-Parks believes it will be tough for the Eagles to keep him around, given that he’ll likely be targeting a top-10 salary for receivers which would amount to close to $13 million per year and $24 million guaranteed.
• We have Jeffery featured in our Top 25 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.

Redskins

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 18 in the grievance filed by former GM Scot McCloughan against the Redskins.
• McCloughan is seeking to be paid the remainder of his contract after the team fired him for what they will likely argue was alcohol use.