Ho-hum. Another busy day around the NFL as teams continued to sign free agents. The Pittsburgh Steelers of course were not one of those teams and this should come to no surprise to anyone. Perhaps the biggest news involving the Steelers on Wednesday was that Chicago Bears free agent tight end Kellen Davis, who was reportedly scheduled to visit the Steelers, re-signed with the Bears on a two-year, $6 million contract that included a $2.7 million signing bonus.
The other Steelers news revolved around the presence of head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert at the Michigan State pro day. Tomlin reportedly had dinner Tuesday night with quarterback Kirk Cousins and Cousins has since confirmed the meeting took place. Both Tomlin and Colbert were also reportedly all over free safety Trent Robinson and were also spotted chatting it up with defensive tackle Jerel Worthy as well.
The other news surrounding the Steelers on Wednesday was centered around free agent wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who is reportedly receiving interest from his former team, the New York Jets. Cotchery told ESPN in New York that he was open to returning and really open to all possibilities. We shall see where it goes from year as Cotchery is likely way down the free agency food chain right now.
The other free agency news that most of Steeler Nation is paying attention to is the signing of each and every wide receiver. While he was not a free agent, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed a huge extension on Wednesday. Johnson agreed to a seven-year extension worth close to $130 million and it will make him a Lion through 2019. The deal reportedly included $60 million guaranteed, but we will have to see what the true numbers show it really to be. Regardless, it is a megadeal for Megatron and he deserved it.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was currently wearing the franchise tag, agreed to a new 5-year deal that could total out around $51 million. The contract is loaded with incentives and structured very well by the Eagles in my opinion. I broke the contract down extensively in the link above so you can see how it relates to the deals.
Although not a huge name, Dallas Cowboys free agent wide receiver Laurent Robinson agreed to a five-year, $32.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday. The deal reportedly included $14 million guaranteed, but once again we will have to see the real numbers when they are available.
With Robinson now inked that leaves Mario Manningham and Brandon Lloyd as the two biggest named unrestricted free agent wide receivers on the market. Lloyd reportedly visited the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday and Manningham is scheduled to visit the 49ers Thursday. The Buffalo Bills are rumored to have interest in Manningham as well. After those two unrestricted free agents, the biggest name on the wide receiver restricted free agent market is Steelers free agent Mike Wallace. As of late Wednesday there had yet to be any reports that Wallace had visits scheduled and really that is not too surprising.
As far as AFC North free agency news went on Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens lost linebacker Jarret Johnson to the San Diego Chargers and defensive end defensive end Cory Redding to the Indianapolis Colts. Johnson signed a four-year deal and I have yet to see those numbers. Redding signed a three-year deal is worth $10.5 million. The Ravens will likely lose guard Ben Grubbs in addition as he has drawn interest from the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins. The Ravens have turned their attention to Eagles guard Evan Mathis and have him scheduled for a visit.
The Cincinnati Bengals lost defensive tackle Jonathan Fanene to the New England Patriots and have also lost defensive end Frostee Rucker to the Cleveland Browns. Speaking of the Browns, they lost running back Peyton Hillis to the Kansas City Chiefs.
That is your day two free agency recap.
