NFL Free Agency: Jets May Pursue Matt Schaub Once Texans Cut Him

Dec 5, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN New York’s Rich Cimini reports the  New York Jets may target Matt Schaub once he is released by the Houston Texans in order to save them $4 million against the 2014 cap. The Jets are in the market for a veteran to compete with Geno Smith this coming year and have just three quarterbacks under contract — Smith, Mark Sanchez and Matt Simms.

Sanchez ($13.1 million cap charge) is likely to be released, so cutting him and paying a guy like Schaub $4-5 million is worth it if it pushes Smith to keep improving and not regress like Sanchez did after a promising start to his career.

The Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t work out a long-term deal with starting left tackle Branden Albert last year, and it doesn’t appear they’re going to bring him back for net year. According to Danny Parkins of 610 KC Sports Radio, the team will let Albert hit the free agent market.

They used the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft on offensive tackle Eric Fisher to eventually become the franchise left tackle. Parkins also reports the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals are expected to target Albert in free agency.

Representatives for Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton have approached the team about the possibility of a new contract, but according to Jeff Legwold reports that a new deal is unlikely to happen.

Knighton’s deal, which included a $500,000 signing bonus, netted him $1 million base salary in the 2013 season to go with a $1.5 million base salary in ’14, so it’s easy to see why Pro Football Focus’ 9th-ranked DT thinks he’s underpaid.

Should the San Francisco 49ers sign Colin Kaepernick to a long-term extension? Mike Sando of ESPN thinks while Kaepernick is clearly the long-term answer for the 49ers, there is no rush to get the deal done this year. The 26-year-old second-round pick from 2011 is eligible to sign a new contract, but the 49ers want to sing other free agents in order to load-up for another run at the Super Bowl in 2014.

Mike Florio of Profootballtalk reports the Seattle Seahawks and All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman have yet to engage in contract extension talks. Sherman was a fifth-round pick in 2011, meaning he’s now eligible for a new deal, and with one year left on his rookie deal at $1.389 million, he certainly is ready for a well-deserved payday.

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