Dec 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Jimmy Clausen (2) is pressured by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett isn’t going to skip training camp just because he’s not pleased with his contract status.
Bennett wants a new deal after landing his first Pro Bowl berth last season when he had 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He has two years left on a four-year, $28.5 million deal he signed in 2014.
“Why wouldn’t I be at training camp?” Bennett said. “Of course I’ll be there. I’ll see you there for sure.”
–The Cincinnati Bengals signed safety Shawn Williams to a four-year extension that runs through 2020. Williams, who is expected to take over a starting job with Reggie Nelson leaving as a free agent, was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract.
The Bengals also signed the fifth of their seven picks in the 2016 NFL Draft, coming to terms with fifth-round guard Christian Westerman.
A third-round pick out of Georgia in the 2013 NFL Draft, Williams has played in 51 career games, including the playoffs. He started four games last season while recording 28 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed. He also played in 68 percent of the defensive snaps in Cincinnati’s Wild Card playoff game.
–Carson Wentz was as good as advertised in his first on-field workout with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coach Doug Pederson told ESPN that the rookie quarterback did everything the team could have expected.
“I thought he did an outstanding job at the terminology of the offense, meaning he had no huddle issues spitting out the plays. Very athletic in person on run-pass options,” Pederson said. “Strong arm, no issues with any throw, sees the field well. Smart kid, knows protection.”
Wentz is one of three quarterbacks on the roster guaranteed $10 million in 2016. The Eagles created a complicated quarterback situation by signing two veterans — 2015 starter Sam Bradford (two years, $35 million) and free agent Chase Daniel (three years, up to $21 million) — in March before unloading multiple picks in a trade with the Cleveland Browns that put the team in positions to draft Wentz second overall.
–The NFL named former offensive tackle and U.S. Congressman Jon Runyan as its vice president of policy and rules administration.
Runyan played college football at Michigan and spent 14 years with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers. After his football career, Runyan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey’s third congressional district from 2011 to 2015.
His new job in football operations will include supervision of team and game-related initiatives related to the players. Runyan is also designated as commissioner Roger Goodell’s representative to deal with on-field discipline according to terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Among Runyan’s other duties will be to oversee the league’s uniform and protective equipment inspection program.
–The San Diego Chargers claimed quarterback Zach Mettenberger after he was waived by the Tennessee Titans a day earlier.
To clear space on the roster for Mettenberger, the Chargers waived quarterback Bryn Renner.
Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt worked with Mettenberger as the Titans’ head coach the past two years.
Last season, Mettenberger played in seven games and threw for 935 yards and completed 60.8 percent of his passes for four touchdowns and seven interceptions while rookie Marcus Mariota was sidelined.
–The Buffalo Bills signed third-round draft pick Adolphus Washington to a four-year contract.
The team did not release financial terms of the deal with Washington, a defensive lineman from Ohio State, but reports pegged its value at $3.189 million that included a $754,296 signing bonus.
Washington, the 80th overall selection, started 31 of his 49 career games for the Buckeyes. He finished with 142 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and seven quarterback hits. In December, he was arrested and charged with solicitation in Columbus and missed the Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame.
–Wide receiver Andre Roberts was released by the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins drafted TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft and 2015 fourth-rounder Jamison Crowder will play more behind Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson.
Roberts signed a four-year, $16 million deal in 2014 to be the slot receiver for the Redskins but caught only 47 passes and two touchdowns in two seasons.
To fill Roberts’ roster spot, the Redskins signed cornerback Mariel Cooper.
–The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed defensive tackle A.J. Francis and waived defensive tackle Davon Coleman.
Francis, 26, played in three NFL games last season – one with the Miami Dolphins and two with the Seattle Seahawks. He has also spent time on the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
Coleman, 25, played in four games with the Dallas Cowboys the past two seasons. Tampa Bay signed him in February.
