If the Buccaneers do not finalize a trade to move Darrelle Revis, the team likely will release the cornerback by 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to ESPN.com.
The Buccaneers would need to remove Revis from their roster by 4:01 p.m. or else they will owe Revis a $1.5 million roster bonus, and the fourth-round pick the team had originally sent to the Jets last year would become a third-round pick.
Although Tampa Bay would not get anything in return for Revis in this situation, the team would automatically pick up $16 million in salary cap space — all of which would have gone to Revis.
ESPN reports that the Buccaneers have considered trading Revis since the combine, but the cornerback’s $16 million per year contract has deterred teams. Tampa Bay and Revis reportedly have discussed a new contract but have not come to an agreement.
— Last offseason, defensive end Michael Bennett penned a one-year deal with the Seahawks in the hope that he could parlay it into a long-term contract after the season. One year, and a Super Bowl championship later, Bennett now has a four-year deal with the team that originally took a chance on him out of college.
“I don’t know if there was any doubt, but there was a lot of speculation a lot of teams tried to get me to come there,” Bennett said Monday. “But ultimately I wanted to come back and play with these guys and win some more games.”
While the terms have not been announced, Pro Football Talk reported that the deal was worth roughly $28.5 million with $16 million guaranteed. Bennett, who would have been one of the top free agents on the market had he not re-signed, led the Seahawks in sacks this past season.
According to Bennett, other teams — including the Bears, whom his brother Martellus plays for — offered him more money.
“Yeah, there was more, but I wanted to be here, man.” Bennett said. “There are a lot of young guys here, and there are a lot of winning ways and I just love the organization and the things that they are about. I love the staff, from the equipment staff to the medical staff; it just goes on and on.”
Bennett originally signed with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M in 2009 when Dan Quinn was the defensive line coach. Although Bennett was eventually put on waivers and claimed by the Buccaneers, he continued to have a strong relationship with the team and Quinn, who now serves as the defensive coordinator. He returned for the Seahawks last during the 2013 season.
“At the end of the day, it was about being comfortable and being in a good situation,” Bennett said. “Sometimes going to a whole other organization doesn’t work out the way it worked out for me coming here and being with these guys. A lot of times people take a lot of money and they go to places and they’re not what they turned out to be. I know what this place is. I’m familiar with the staff and players and it makes a big deal to be here.”
— The Lions announced Monday that Martha Ford, the wife of the late William Clay Ford Sr., will take control over the team that her husband purchased roughly 50 years ago.
William Clay Ford Sr. passed away Sunday at the age of 88 from pneumonia.
“Pursuant to long-established succession plans, Mr. Ford’s controlling interest in the Lions passes to Mrs. Martha Ford,” the Lions said. “She and her four children will continue to be involved in the ownership of the franchise, as they have during Mr. Ford’s tenure.”
Former Detroit kicker Jason Hanson, who holds the NFL record for longest period of time played under one owner, spoke to reporters during a conference call Monday and discussed the regret many of Ford’s former players have that they could not bring him a championship title.
“I’ve heard guys say this — that everyone that has played for the Lions for a significant amount of time, that has some investment with, has some guilt, and I share that,” said Hanson, who played for Detroit from 1992-2012. “That we were not able to be part of a team that brought him a championship. And I think every player feels that.”
— The Dolphins signed safety Louis Delmas to a one-year deal worth, at the most, $3.5 million on Monday.
Delmas, who was released by the Lions last month after five years with the team, likely will take the spot of expected free agent Chris Clemons.
“He is a leader on and off the field and has a proven track record of playmaking that will benefit the entire defensive unit,” Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said of Delmas.
The team also released cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who suffered injuries over the past two seasons, on Monday.
— One week after linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to a “transition player” tag from the Steelers, Pittsburgh reportedly will release outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley.
Woodley, who would probably be designated a post-June 1 salary cap cut, can sign with a different team as of Tuesday afternoon. By waiting to move Woodley until after June 1, the team opens up $8 million in salary cap space for the season. The 29-year-old is signed to a six-year $61.5 million contract.
The linebacker has missed at least three games in each of the past three seasons with various lower-body injuries.
— Cornerback Ike Taylor announced on Twitter Monday night that he has agreed to a new deal with the Steelers, allowing him to potentially finish his 11-year career where it started.
The INK is about to dry on this paper…im a LIFER…#6BURGHfoalldemhatas…will retire as a ROONEY and a LEBEAU…’ï¸
‘ Ike Taylor (@Ike_SwagginU) March 10, 2014
By agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract, Taylor will free up $4.25 million for the Steelers’ 2014 salary cap, according to ESPN.com. He was originally set to make at least $7 million during the 2014 season.
— The Jets released injury-plagued wide receiver Santonio Holmes on Monday, saving New York $8.25 million.
The former Super Bowl MVP, who turned 30 last Monday, had his second-worst year in terms of catches with 23 for 456 yards and one touchdown in 11 games during the 2013 season. Holmes also missed five games during the middle of the season with a hamstring injury after he competed in just four games the previous year due to a career-threatening foot injury.
“I appreciate Tone’s contributions over the last four seasons,” said Jets coach Rex Ryan in a statement. “I’ve always admired his knack for making the clutch play. He’s a tremendous competitor who wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. I wish him nothing but the best.”
