NFL roundup: TE Finley remains with Packers
Tight end Jermichael Finley will remain with the Green Bay Packers despite being unwilling to restructure his contract, and the Oakland Raiders may face a similar decision with quarterback Carson Palmer if he does not restructure his deal.
Finley won't have to take a pay cut or restructure his contract. The deadline for making a roster decision on Finley was Monday. The Packers will pay Finley his $3 million roster bonus, which is due on Tuesday. He will also receive his $8.25 million base salary for 2013.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that, according to a source, the Packers spoke to Finley's representatives about the possibility of modifying his salary in the second year of his two-year deal. But Finley stuck with the $8.25 million, forcing the Packers to keep him at that rate or release him.
Meanwhile, Palmer seems unwilling to restructure his contract with the Raiders, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
Reports lately have suggested Palmer and the Raiders would work out a deal, but that may not be the case.
Palmer is scheduled to make $13 million in base salary in 2013. If Palmer, 33, and the Raiders cannot reach agreement on a restructured deal that is more cap-friendly, the Raiders would have to decide whether to keep him under the present terms of the contract or release him.
--- A current NFL player who is gay is seriously considering coming out publicly in the next few months with the intention of continuing his football career after making the announcement, CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman reported.
The player in question was not named by Freeman, who was not aware of the player's identity himself.
However, if the player does announce publicly that he is gay, it would be a milestone event in American pro sports. There has never been an active openly gay player in a major American team sport.
---The Tennessee Titans agreed to contract terms with defensive end Ropati Pitoitua, the Tennessean reported.
Pitoitua had 51 tackles and two sacks in 15 games (10 starts) for the Kansas City Chiefs last year. The 6-foot-8, 315-pounder can play multiple positions on the defensive line.
---The Chicago Bears reached agreement with offensive tackle Jonathan Scott on a one-year contract that will keep him with the Bears. Scott started six games last season after replacing Gabe Carimi.
--- The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free-agent punter Donnie Jones, a two time All-Pro selection, the team announced.
Jones replaces Mat McBriar, who was released.
---Wide receiver Brandon Tate officially re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tate caught 13 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown in 2012.
---The New York Giants agreed to terms on a one-year contract with starting left guard Kevin Boothe. The move was first reported by the NFL Network.
Boothe, an unrestricted free agent, has been with the Giants since 2007.
---Free agent wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is visiting the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night and Tuesday, according to the team's website.
Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Raiders, had 41 receptions for 606 yards with five touchdowns last year for Oakland.
---Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White told USA Today on Sunday that he will work out for the San Francisco 49ers at some point.
The 49ers are interested in White as a possible third quarterback in their read-option offense. No date has been set for White's visit.
--The Houston Texans hired Bob Ligashesky as a special teams assistant, the team announced.
Ligashesky, 50, was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' special teams coordinator in 2012 and was a specials teams assistant coach for the Raiders in 2011.
---The Kansas City Chiefs announced via Twitter that they visited Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd.
The Chiefs have the No. 1 pick in next month's draft.
