The Kansas City Chiefs were fined and must forfeit two draft choices after being informed by the NFL on Wednesday that they violated the league’s anti-tampering policy relating to their contact with prospective unrestricted free agent Jeremy Maclin, then under contract to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kansas City will forfeit its third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and its sixth-round pick in 2017 and was fined $250,000.
Head coach Andy Reid was fined $75,000 and general manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000.
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent noted the club was fully cooperative and forthcoming in the investigation.
The Chiefs as well as Reid and Dorsey can appeal the decision.
Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt issued a statement in response to the ruling, which reads as follows: “Today we were informed by the National Football League that our club will be disciplined for an infraction during the 2015 free agency negotiating period.
“While we respect Commissioner Goodell and the process, we believe that the penalties proposed in this case are inconsistent with discipline enforced in similar matters — particularly given the league’s inconsistent communication of its policies on contact with potential free agents.
“As an organization, we take great care to conduct ourselves with integrity and operate within the guidelines of the NFL. We have been fully cooperative and transparent with the league in this matter, and we are disappointed with the league’s decision. I want to make it clear that I fully support the leadership of both Coach Reid and John Dorsey. We will continue to explore our options under the appeal process.”
QB Osweiler bolts Broncos for Texans
Quarterback Brock Osweiler agreed to terms with the Houston Texans, leaving the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos without a starter.
According to multiple reports, Osweiler could sign the deal Wednesday, only two days after Peyton Manning waved goodbye to the NFL, seemingly clearing the way for Osweiler to take over in Denver.
But it was owner Bob McNair got his wish after publicly pushing for the Texans to find stability at quarterback on the heels of a playoff loss in which 2015 starting quarterback Brian Hoyer was intercepted four times and lost a fumble.
Agent Jimmy Sexton fielded only one known offer from the Broncos — three years for $45 million. Osweiler was a second-round pick of Denver in 2012 and started seven games, all in 2015, with Manning dealing with a foot injury.
Manning formally announced his retirement on Monday.
Osweiler had 10 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Broncos in 2015. He was sacked 23 times in just 275 dropbacks. He was 5-2 fronting a the NFL’s top-ranked defense.
Giants land Vernon, Jenkins
Defensive end Olivier Vernon began the day as a transition player with the Miami Dolphins, which carried a 2016 salary of $12.4 million. Before the dinner bell rang in New York on Wednesday, Vernon was one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league, agreeing to a five-year, $85 million contract that capped a huge spending spree by Giants general manager Jerry Reese.
Vernon, 25, earned $1.542 million last season and has 29 sacks through his first four NFL seasons. He had a team-best 7.5 sacks among his 61 tackles last season despite seeing increased attention from opposing teams following Cam Wake’s season-ending Achilles injury.
The Dolphins rescinded the transition tag, which preserved refusal rights to match any offer, after officially signing former Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams.
Earlier Wednesday, the Giants agreed to deal with nose tackle Damon Harrison and cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
Harrison will continue to play his home games at MetLife Stadium, but he’ll be wearing a different jersey next season as the nose tackle jumps from the Jets to the Giants.
The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Harrison spent his first four NFL seasons with the Jets. He will average $9.25 million per year and receive $24 million guaranteed and $30 million over the first three seasons with the Giants, according to NFL Media.
Harrison entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent out of William Penn.
Earlier Wednesday, the Giants reportedly agreed to a deal with St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins. The Giants announced a one-year, $10.5 million contract with defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul on Tuesday.
Hasselbeck to retire, replace Ditka on ESPN
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck announced Wednesday that he will retire following 17 NFL seasons and join his brother Tim as an analyst for ESPN, reportedly replacing Mike Ditka on the set of “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “Monday Night Countdown.”
Hasselbeck began his career as a backup to Brett Favre in Green Bay from 1999-2000. He then joined former Packers head coach Mike Holmgren in Seattle in 2001 and went on to play in three Pro Bowl and one Super Bowl as the Seahawks’ starter for 10 seasons.
Hasselbeck moved on to the Tennessee Titans in 2011 and started all 16 games. He played one more season for the Titans before spending the past three years as Andrew Luck’s backup in Indianapolis.
For his career, Hasselbeck threw for 36,638 yards with 212 touchdowns and 153 interceptions.
Hasselbeck also served on the Executive Committee for the NFL Players Association.