NFL Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Panthers, & Vikings

Cowboys

Todd Archer expects the Cowboys to eventually get a long-term deal in place with WR Dez Bryant. However, Archer still views the franchise tag as the most likely option for Bryant next year.

• Archer mentions that even though RT Doug Free will be an unrestricted free agent following the season, he will still factor into the team’s 2015 salary cap due to the voidable years included in his contract. With this in mind and the fact that Free has been a valuable player, Archer would try to get something worked out with him during the offseason.
• Archer believes it will likely be too costly for the Cowboys to keep their current coaching staff in place and he could see OC Bill Callahan moving on next year.
• Archer adds that the Buccaneers could always come calling for DC Rod Marinelli as well.

Giants

If the Giants are able to win another three or four games, Dan Graziano of ESPN believes the Giants could retain HC Tom Coughlin for another season and chalk up their struggles to the fact that they are rebuilding their offensive attack.

However, a poor finish would make it much easier for the team to move on and make a major change after the season, according to Graziano.

• Graziano doesn’t see QB Eli Manning taking a pay cut at all in his next contract. The Giants could get some cap relief by signing Manning to an extension, and given Manning’s success in New York, it would be difficult to take a hard-line stance in regards to the amount they are willing to pay him.

Panthers

No surprise, but David Newton expects the Panthers to target upgrades at offensive line and in their secondary during the offseason.

• In the event that the Panthers continue to struggle, Newton expects some changes to be made and specially mentions offensive coordinator Mike Shula as someone who could be replaced.
• Newton believes that some of the Panthers’ struggles can be attributed to a lack of depth and not a lack of talent.

Vikings

Ben Goessling’s sense is that RB Adrian Peterson will not be back with the Vikings next year.

“I think there’s a feeling in some corners of the organization (and possibly in Peterson’s mind) that it’s time to move on,” Goessling writes.

This isn’t to say that some within the Vikings would like to have Peterson back next year, but Goessling still can’t see the Vikings paying him $13 million for the 2015 season.

On top of that, should Peterson be willing to play for less money, Goessling believes he would likely be for a different team.

• Goessling mentions safety and left guard as to positions were the Vikings could look for upgrades during the offseason.
• Goessling writes that Chad Greenway‘s future is in “some doubt” but he adds that the Vikings could always restructure his contract in the event they want to keep him around for another year.