Bears
A source tells Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that team’s around the league have Bears OLB Leonard Floyd listed as a possible cap casualty for Chicago this offseason.
“We’re like every team,” said the NFL source. “Our personnel team puts together a list of players that could be cap casualties, and his name popped up. He’s probably on the same list all around the league.”
Bears GM Ryan Pace said the organization is “happy with Leonard” but would not elaborate on his contract situation.
“We’re happy with Leonard,” Pace said. “I know the stats don’t always say that, but Leonard does a lot of things that may be a little bit undervalued. The versatility that he provides, the things he can do in coverage, there aren’t a lot of outside linebackers that can provide (that). Would we like more production from him? Yeah. Would he like that? Yeah. But there’s a lot of things that he does that we like. As far as his contract, we’re never going to get into those things, but we like Leonard. We’re glad he’s here.”
Pace believes Floyd is “close in a lot of areas” and praised his ability to play in pass coverage.
“He’s close in a lot of areas when you look at the pressures and those things,” Pace said. “He just needs to finish a little better on the quarterback. But when you’re evaluating him, you have to factor in everything: his run defense, his ability in coverage. We consider him our Sam outside linebacker, so we value what he can do in coverage and think sometimes that goes a little underrated … for a guy of his stature. Not many outside linebackers can drop in coverage like he does.”
Packers
- According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, Packers OT Bryan Bulaga is expected to make around $12 million per year on the open market.
- According to Jim Owczarski of Packers News, Green Bay did not have any formal contract discussions with Bulaga’s representatives at the NFL Combine.
- Owczarski names the following veteran free-agent offensive tackles to keep an eye on for the Packers: Jared Veldheer, the Giants’ Mike Remmers and the Buccaneers’ Demar Dotson.
- Owczarski could also see Green Bay pursuing Titans’ free-agent OT Dennis Kelly or the Eagles’ Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
Vikings
- Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune points out that the fact the Vikings have let CB Trae Waynes get this close to free agency after investing a high first-round pick in him shows they probably are letting him go.
- Vikings C Brett Jones plans to test the market to see if he can find an opportunity to compete for a starting job, while Minnesota would like to bring him back. (Chris Tomasson)
- Vikings WR Davion Davis pleaded not guilty on Tuesday in Ramsey County Court in Minnesota for his drunk driving arrest on October 26 and is due back in court on March 31 for a pre-trial hearing. (Nick Ferraro)
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