NFL roundup: Packers reportedly near mega-deal with Rodgers

Franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers is moving closer to a long-term deal with the Green Bay Packers.

The sides are working out an extension that would make Rodgers the highest-paid player in NFL history, league sources told ESPN. Such a deal could net Rodgers an average of $25 million per year.

Rodgers, the Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player, is signed through 2014, the final year of a six-year, $65 million agreement from October 2008. He's scheduled to earn $9.25 million in 2013, and $10.5 million in 2014.

His new contract is predicted to be worth more than the six-year, $120.6 million deal signed by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, as well as the contracts of Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.

Rodgers, 29, passed for 4,295 yards and 39 touchdowns last season while leading the Packers to their fourth straight playoff appearance.

--Running back Ahmad Bradshaw and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a match if the injury-prone 27-year-old can pass medical inspection.

Bradshaw visited with the Steelers on Thursday, and the team gave him a physical. According to multiple reports, a deal could come together quickly if the Steelers don't see red flags with his health. That's a concern, perhaps, considering Bradshaw's history of foot and lower-leg injuries.

He had three surgeries on his right foot since entering the NFL as a seventh-round pick in 2007.

Bradshaw was released by the New York Giants, who saved $3.75 million in cap space, after six seasons and two Super Bowl victories.

--The Indianapolis Colts acquired fullback Stanley Havili from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive end Clifton Geathers.

The Colts also announced restricted free agent tackle Jeff Linkenbach has signed his qualifying offer.

A sixth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2010, Geathers played in eight games for Indianapolis in 2012, recording five tackles and a sack. He has also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys during his three-year career.

--The New England Patriots continued an overhaul of their receiving corps, signing former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins.

Jenkins hauled in 40 passes last season and has averaged 40 receptions per season over the past three years for the Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.

The former first-round pick has a chance to make the Patriots because they're thin at wide receiver, with Danny Amendola and Donald Jones currently on the team's depth chart. Wes Welker (free agent) and Brandon Lloyd (released) were the Patriots' starting wide receivers last season.

--Defensive lineman Vaughn Martin signed a two-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Martin said he spoke to the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers in free agency, and that he was heading to meet with the Seattle Seahawks when he "got off the plane to come over her back to Davie (Fla., Dolphins headquarters) and sign.

Martin was a fourth-round pick of the Chargers in 2009 and has three career sacks while starting 27 of 48 games over the past four seasons. He provides versatility, as he can play defensive end or tackle.

--Offensive right tackle Demar Dotson signed a four-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Terms weren't disclosed.

After starting 15 games last season, Dotson triggered an escalator clause in his contract that raised his 2013 base salary $2 million from $1.5 million. This new deal will keep the 27-year-old in Tampa through the 2016 season.

An undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi, Dotson appeared in all 16 games last season, and started 15.

--Linebacker Victor Butler agreed to a two-year deal with the Saints. Financial terms were not disclosed.

A fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in 2009, Butler has 64 career tackles in 63 games, including two starts. Butler has been a standout on special teams, where he has recorded 40 career tackles and a forced fumble.

--Linebacker Darryl Tapp signed with the Washington Redskins. Terms were not disclosed.

Tapp, 28, is a seven-year veteran with 24 sacks, 18 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, eight fumbles recoveries and a pair of interceptions in 103 career games.

--Defensive tackle Tony McDaniel agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ProFootballTalk.com and ESPN. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

The Seahawks have also signed defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett this offseason.

McDaniel made two starts while being primarily a rotational player the past four years in Miami. However, his arrival could signal the Seahawks don't believe they will be able to re-sign Alan Branch, who was a valuable starter next to Brandon Mebane the past two seasons.

--The Jacksonville Jaguars have decided not to pursue a trade for Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn, according to the Florida Times-Union. That would leave the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders as the most likely trade partners should Seattle deal Russell Wilson's backup.

--Chicago Bears running back Armando Allen signed his exclusive rights tender.

Allen has appeared in 17 games with the Bears and rushed for 172 yards on 42 carries, with one touchdown. He also has two receptions for 16 yards and seven special teams tackles.

--Former West Virginia and Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White worked out for the San Francisco 49ers.

Given quarterback Colin Kaepernick's unique skill set, the need for a backup with a similar ability is pressing. Enter White, who participated in a private workout at the 49ers' facility.

The former second-round pick out of West Virginia hasn't played a in the NFL since 2009, but that didn't deter 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh from kicking the tires on White.

--Alabama running back Eddie Lacy will work out for scouts on April 11.

Lacy has been unable to perform athletic testing for NFL evaluators since injuring his hamstring before the Scouting Combine in February. He hoped to be recovered for Alabama's pro day in Tuscaloosa last month but remained idle. The majority of testing days wrap up this weekend.

Lacy, 5-11, 231, is likely to receive plenty of attention. The junior is NFLDraftScout.com's top-ranked running back and 33rd overall prospect.

--One NFL doctor who participated in a study on degenerative brain disease in retired players suggested removing a mention of CTE from a fact-finding sheet, according to a New York Times report.

The doctor, a member of the NFL's head, neck and spine committee, wasn't identified. He said CTE -- a degenerative brain disease thought to be caused by repeated head trauma -- should be omitted because it was "not fully understood," because it wasn't cited on death certificates of the retired players in the study, and thus lacked "epidemiological validity."

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which compiled the fact sheet, rejected the recommendation.

--The Cleveland Browns announced a long-term partnership with two local all-sports stations, creating one of the most expansive radio rights deals in the NFL.

CBS Radio's 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) and ESPN 850 WKNR will serve to broadcast all Browns games. Also, CBS Radio's WNCX (98.5 FM) will carry live game action starting in 2013, giving the team a triplecast of games locally.

In addition to games, 92.3 The Fan and ESPN 850 WKNR will air pre- and post-game programming.