NFL Notes: Salary Cap, Franchise Tags, Buccaneers, Chargers, & Eagles

Salary Cap

• Dan Graziano of ESPN reports that NFL salary cap will be made official Monday and is expected to be between $143 million – $144 million.

Franchise Tags

• Ian Rapoport reports that it appears as though the Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas will be the only receivers to be franchised before Monday’s deadline.
• Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin and Packers WR Randall Cobb are unlikely to be, according to Rapoport.

Buccaneers/Eagles Rumored Trade

Pat Yaskinskas of ESPN writes that he received phone calls last week from media members in Philadelphia about a rumored trade that involved the Eagles sending QB Nick Foles, RB LeSean McCoy and three first-round draft picks to the Buccaneers for the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Yaskinskas mentions that the inquire came from “trusted media members” who said that there was talk that the deal could be “imminent.”

However, Yaskinskas’ sources within the Buccaneers told him that the rumor was untrue, and Philly media members were later told that no trade was imminent. Although, no one would say if there even had been any talks between the two teams regarding the idea.

Yaskinskas adds that if the Buccaneers were really going to trade the No. 1 overall pick, it would likely come closer to the draft.

Chargers

Chargers free agent DE/OLB Dwight Freeney said he still has “a lot in the tank” and isn’t considering retirement.

“I could retire tomorrow and still be happy with what I’ve done in this league,” said Freeney, via the Union-Tribune San Diego. “But I think I have a lot in the tank as well. It’s one of those things where I’m going to wait for the right situation to come across the table. Hopefully it’s with the Chargers. If they are not interested, obviously, you have to (test) the free agent market and see what team is interested.”

Eagles

• Dianna Marie Russini reports that the Eagles haven’t spoken to OLB Trent Cole about reworking his contract, even though he is open to the idea.