NFL Notes: Jamaal Charles, Combine, Bears, Jets, & Saints

Jamaal Charles

NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk wonders why the Chiefs would keep RB Jamaal Charles at his high salary after the team managed to replace his production with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West last year.

“The conversation is, ‘Why does Kansas City keep Jamaal Charles when you saw Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West? For what reason?’” Faulk recently asked the Kansas City Star. “I can’t even see what reason they would continue to pay (him) if they have a way of getting up from under that contract and dispersing money elsewhere to fill some of the gaps that they have. And that’s just real talk — that’s the business of the game.

“I love Jamaal, and I think he could find another home. I think there’s a lot left in him. But looking at what went on when he went down in Kansas City, are his days possibly numbered there?”

For what it’s worth, releasing Charles would free up $5,312,500 in available cap space for the Chiefs, according to OverTheCap.com.

Combine

• Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports that the all of this year’s quarterback prospects including Cal’s Jared Goff, Memphis’ Paxton Lynch, North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, Michigan State’s Connor Cook, and Ohio State’s Cardale Jones will throw at next week’s Scouting Combine.

Bears

• Jeff Dickerson writes that TE Martellus Bennett, S Antrel Rolle and DE Willie Young are both on the roster bubble this offseason.
• In regards to Bennett, Dickerson considers a trade the best solution for both parties.

Jets

• Rich Cimini of ESPN predicts QB Ryan Fitzpatrick will sign a three-year, $24 million contract with $12 million guaranteed with the Jets in the coming weeks.

Saints

Saints GM Mickey Loomis mentioned during an appearance on SiriusXM this week that Brandon Coleman could be the “heir apparent” to long-time WR Marques Colston.

Loomis referred to Coleman as “a big guy out of Rutgers that has done some good things, and I think in many ways is the heir apparent to Marques,” via the New Orleans Times-Picayune.