NFC Notes: Cowboys, Lions, Panthers, Redskins, & Vikings

Cowboys

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones said that he isn’t a big fan of free agency in general.

“I’m not a big fan of free agency; I’ll be the first to admit it,” Jones said, via Todd Archer of ESPN. “Unfortunately, good players get paid like they’re great players, average players get paid like they’re good players and it’s a domino effect. It’s not a great way to put your team together.”

Jones also had some interesting comments about teams loaded with cap space this offseason.

“To me, if you got that kind of room, and I’m not being critical of anybody, if you got that kind of cap room, to me, it means you haven’t drafted well because you haven’t kept your own players, or you don’t have a quarterback, which is painful for any team,” Jones said. “If you’ve got a great quarterback, there goes a big chunk of your cap room right off the top. You’d like to hope that you’re drafting well and you’re keeping your own players.”

Lions

• Lions GM Bob Quinn said that Calvin Johnson still hasn’t made a decision regarding his possible retirement and added that there’s no deadline for him to make a decision. (Tim Twentyman)
• Quinn did, however, admit that waiting on Johnson it will impact their approach towards free agency if he doesn’t know by then. (Gregg Rosenthal)
• Quinn said that Riley Reiff will be back in Detroit next season. (Kyle Meinke)
• Quinn mentioned that there will be other players on the team’s roster who won’t be brought back, but he didn’t offer any names. (Paula Pasche)

Panthers

• Panthers GM Dave Gettleman said of CB Josh Norman: “Obviously we are going to try to get a deal done with Norman. If not, tag is an option.” (Jonathan Jones)
• Gettleman says WR Kelvin Benjamin has done “a great job” rehabbing his knee injury and will be “ready to go” for the start of training camp. (Paul Schwartz)
• Regarding DE Charles Johnson‘s cap figure, Gettleman said: “It’s not so much about what a guy makes, it’s what he brings to the table. I don’t worry about that stuff.” (Jonathan Jones)
• Joel Corry tosses out Jason Pierre-Paul as a player could make sense for the Panthers.
• Another option, according to Corry, could be veteran S Eric Weddle, who would likely replace Roman Harper.

Redskins

• Redskins HC Jay Gruden expressed optimism that they will be able to work out a long-term deal with QB Kirk Cousins. (John Keim)
• Regarding Cousins and his upside, Gruden said: “I feel pretty good about it. We’d feel great about his upside.” (Chris Russell)
• Gruden said that he hasn’t spoken to Robert Griffin III, but pointed to injuries and the play of Cousins as the main reasons why it didn’t work out for him in Washington. (Conor Orr)
• Gruden added that he hasn’t talked to RGIII recently. (Tarik El-Bashir)
• Gruden mentioned that he’s excited about Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson returning as the team’s starting receivers and added: “They complement each other well.” (Mike Jones)
• According to Gruden, veteran DE Jason Hatcher is still on the fence about retiring or returning for the 20216 season. (Liz Clarke)
• Gruden believes Matt Jones is capable of being a No. 1 running back in the NFL and expects him to  be ready for OTAs after he underwent a minor groin related surgery. (Mike Jones)

Vikings

• Vikings GM Rick Spielman said of Adrian Peterson moving forward: “At some point everybody has to retire. Adrian may defy the odds and play until he’s 50, I don’t know.” (Around the NFL)
• Spielman said that DE Brian Robison still has football left in him, but isn’t sure what his role will be yet. Spielman added that Robison is important from playing and leadership standpoints. (Michael Rothstein)
• Joel Corry considers Bengals free agent S George Iloka to be a fit for the Vikings, given that he’s played for HC Mike Zimmer a few years ago.
• Other suggestions from Corry for Minnesota include G Richie Incognito and WR Marvin Jones.