With NFL free agency right around the corner and the 2022 NFL Combine taking to the field today, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on March 4, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Sources: Chiefs in contract talks with Tyreek Hill
INDIANAPOLIS — The Kansas City Chiefs want to reward wide receiver Tyreek Hill with a raise. The Chiefs are in contract discussions with Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, according to league sources.
Playing under a three-year, $54 million contract, the six-time Pro Bowl selection could command a four-year extension worth roughly $85 million with over half of it guaranteed, according to league sources.
Hill has been named to six consecutive Pro Bowls and had 1,479 receiving yards in 2018. He is under contract for next season. Hill has a $20.685 million salary-cap figure in 2022, so one goal would be to give the team some salary-cap relief.
Hill ranks sixth among all wide receivers with an annual salary of $18 million. Under the terms Pro Football Network has heard are being discussed, he would have a new average salary of $21.25 million to top Keenan Allen’s $20.025 million average, under Julio Jones’ $22 million average and below DeAndre Hopkins’ $27 million average.
A three-time All-Pro first-team selection, Hill has produced consecutive 1,200-yard seasons.
NFL News and Rumors: Lions hire Cameron Davis as assistant DL coach
The Detroit Lions have hired Cameron Davis as assistant defensive line coach.
Davis was Lamar University’s defensive line coach. He was previously a graduate assistant at Kentucky and Texas A&M, and he coached at Rice for two seasons.
NFL News and Rumors: Cowboys negotiating with Michael Gallup, ‘nothing imminent’
INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Cowboys are in contract negotiations with wide receiver Michael Gallup with no deal imminent, according to a league source not authorized to speak publicly.
The Cowboys are expected to move on from veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper and move forward with Gallup and CeeDee Lamb.
Cooper, due a $20 million base salary that will be fully guaranteed by March 20 (the fourth day of the NFL league year), is not expected to return, per sources.
Gallup tore the ACL in his left knee against the Arizona Cardinals while catching a touchdown pass. A former third-round draft pick, Gallup underwent surgery earlier this month. He caught 35 passes for 445 yards and 2 touchdowns and played in nine games last season. Gallup has played in 55 career games and has caught 193 passes for 2,902 yards and 15 touchdowns.
NFL News and Rumors: Panthers restructure Taylor Moton’s contract
INDIANAPOLIS — The Carolina Panthers created $11 million in salary-cap space on Friday by restructuring the contract of veteran offensive tackle Taylor Moton, according to a league source.
Moton will still earn an identical amount, $16 million in 2022, through this simple restructure of his salary in his four-year, $71.246 million contract. He has a $200,000 workout bonus.
The contract will be prorated into future years, adding $3.7 million in additional salary cap impact annually. His original deal included a $15 million signing bonus, $49.6 million guaranteed, and an average of $17.811 million annually.
In 2023, Moton is due an $11 million base salary and a $6.6 million roster bonus. That is due on the third day of the league year. He can earn an additional $1 million if named first-team or second-team All-Pro.
In 2024 and 2025, he’s due a $14.3 million base salary. He also has a $3 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league year each of those seasons. The Panthers previously worked contracts for these pending free agents: tight end Ian Thomas, linebacker Frankie Luvu, and long snapper J.J. Jansen. The Panthers have 19 pending unrestricted free agents.
NFL News and Rumors: Rams hire Ra’Shaad Samples as running backs coach
The Los Angeles Rams are hiring highly regarded TCU running backs coach-assistant head coach Ra’Shaad Samples as their new running backs coach with assistant head coach Thomas Brown now coaching tight ends, according to a league source.
Samples, 27, was assistant head coach previously at SMU after being an offensive assistant. He went to TCU with Sonny Dykes. Samples played wide receiver at Oklahoma State and Houston.
Stay up to date with the latest in NFL free agency
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL regarding your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 75 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free agent market.