Here is the latest rumors roundup for today headlined by Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and his potential contract extension. The Los Angeles Rams have also been active this offseason as they waived four players and signed six more undrafted rookies.
Lions, Matthew Stafford negotiating contract extension
Matthew Stafford is entering the final year of his current contract with the Lions and the team wants to keep him long term. He will earn $16.5 million this season as part of his five-year, $76.5 million deal signed back in 2013.
The 29-year-old quarterback led the Lions back to the playoffs this season with a record of 9-7. He was having an MVP-caliber season before he played through a finger injury late in the season. He finished the season with 4,237 passing yards and 24 touchdowns with just ten interceptions.
In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t Sporting News), Lions general manager Bob Quinn revealed that they have started negotiation with Stafford and his representatives regarding a new contract. He is feeling confident that both sides will come to an agreement before the start of the season.
"We're in the early stages. It's really too early to kind of give any update but we're going through the process. These things don't happen overnight. I feel confident we can get something done," Quinn said.
Stafford has already earned close to $111 million in his NFL career since being drafted first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He is in line to be the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL since his new deal will surpass the five-year, $122.97 million deal Andrew Luck got from the Indianapolis Colts last year.
LA Rams waive four players, sign six undrafted rookies
The Rams have been active in the past couple of days as they made several moves. They waived four players including defensive back Jerome Couplin, long snapper Andrew East, running back Brandon Wegher and tight end Bryce Williams.
Despite the releases, the Rams added six more undrafted rookies after a big wave of signings last week while claiming former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Mike Purcell off waivers. Purcell played in 15 games for the 49ers last season and e finished the season with a total of 26 tackles and one forced fumble. He played most of his snaps on special teams.
According to USA Today, the half-dozen players the Rams added on Wednesday include Auburn offensive lineman Alex Kozan, Southern University running back Lenard Tillery, SDSU offensive lineman Kwayde Miller, SMU quarterback Matt Davis and two Northwestern State products, running back De'Mard Llorens and wide receiver Shakeir Ryan.
The other 11 undrafted rookies the Rams signed last week are defensive back Ishmael Adams out of UCLA, defensive back Jared Collins out of Arkansas, linebacker Kevin Davis out of Colorado State, running back Justin Davis out of USC, offensive lineman Jake Eldrenkamp out of Washington, offensive lineman Anthony McMeans out of New Mexico State, tight end Johnny Mundt out of Oregon, linebacker Folarin Orimolade out of Darthmout, defensive back Aarion Penton out of Missouri, defensive tackle Casey Sayles out of Ohio and defensive back Dravious Wright out of North Carolina State.
The Rams are now closer to filling out their offseason roster. However, more cuts are going to be made before the season as an NFL roster will only have 53 players.
Carolina Panthers sign 2017 first-round pick Christian McCaffrey
The Panthers are the first team to sign a 2017 first-round pick this offseason, per NFL.com. McCaffrey signed a four-year deal with an option for the fifth year. The 20-year-old running back was selected eighth overall by the Panthers out of Stanford.
