Vikings Will Stay in Minnesota for the 2012 NFL Season

The Minnesota Vikings will play next season in Minneapolis, according to a report in the Star Tribune.

The Vikings were facing a Wednesday deadline to alert the NFL that they were moving to another city for the 2012 season. However, Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley told the paper on Tuesday that the team will not file relocation papers.

The Vikings had discussed the possibility of moving the franchise if a new stadium wasn't built for them, using some state money, but that push has lost steam at the Minnesota state legislature recently.

Despite the lack of urgency to get a stadium deal, Bagley remains optimistic that a deal will be done soon.

The Vikings have played at the Metrodome since 1982, but their lease at the Dome expired at the end of last season.

As of Wednesday, the Minnesota legislature had not yet introduced a Vikings stadium bill. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has pledged his support for a new Vikings stadium, but acknowledged it's not the state's top priority.

The state legislature has six weeks to hammer out a deal before the 2012 session adjourns on April 10.

Predicting the 5 Biggest 2012 NFL Free-Agent Contracts

When free agency opens on March 13, some of the NFL's most prominent players, including a record-setting quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick, will be courted by various teams.

It'll be up to those players' agents to create a market for their clients and get the most money possible. Some players will get the offers they want right away, others may have to wait a little longer.

Here are the five players who will land the biggest free-agent contracts this offseason.

Drew Brees
After making just over $7 million in 2011, Brees is headed for a huge payday this offseason.

While Brees is a free agent, no one believes he will leave the the Saints. It'll be up to his agent Tom Condon, the same agent who negotiated Peyton Manning's $98 million deal, to get Brees the best deal possible.

Brees is coming off a record-breaking 2011 season where he passed for the most yards in NFL history with 5,476. He also tossed 46 touchdowns, which was a career-high for him. Brees' career year should pave the way for a monster contract extension.

Brees' six season in New Orleans have been masterful. He has thrown for 28,394 passing yards and 201 touchdowns during that stretch. He has also become the face of New Orleans, helping rally that city back from Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans can't afford to lose Brees. Look for Brees to become the next $100 million quarterback, with $30 to $35 million in guaranteed money.

Ray Rice
The Baltimore Ravens will not let Rice get away, no matter how much money it takes.

Rice is Baltimore's most important offensive player and should get handsomely rewarded this offseason.

Rice has been extremely durable, despite his small stature. In four seasons with the Ravens, Rice has missed just three games and that was during his rookie season. During his career, Rice has scored 29 touchdowns and tallied more than 6,500 total yards. That combination of production and durability should go a long way at the negotiating table.

At age 25, Rice has a long career ahead of him and the Ravens should make him the highest paid running back in the league.

A six-year deal worth $58 to $60 million with $20 to $24 million in guaranteed money would make Rice very happy and keep him in Baltimore for a long while.

Mario Williams
Despite tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 5, and a switch from defensive end from linebacker, Williams showed enough in those five games to earn himself a healthy payday.

In five games last year, Williams had five sacks and one forced fumble. He's the top pass-rusher in this year's free-agent class and he'll get paid like it.

If Williams reaches the open market, expect some team to offer him a long-term deal worth $45 to $50 million with $17 to $20 million in guaranteed money.

Matt Flynn
When Flynn threw from 480 yards and six touchdowns in Week 17 against the playoff-bound Detroit Lions, that sound you heard was a cash register opening up.

Flynn has spent his career backing up MVP Aaron Rodgers, but now is preparing to jettison Green Bay for a starting quarterback gig. Even if Flynn's Week 17 performance was a fluke, he's still looking at a big payday.

There are enough teams desperate for a quarterback that Flynn will get a lucrative deal, even though he's played just a couple NFL games.

Look for Miami, Cleveland, Seattle and Washington to pursue Flynn this offseason. The logical choice might be Miami now that former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is the Dolphins new head coach.

Flynn turns 27 this summer, so he still has plenty of years ahead of him. His age, along with his upside, should garner a lucrative contract in the offseason.

Carl Nicks
Nicks' name may not be as recognizable as Drew Brees' or Marques Colston's, but he's just as important to the Saints offense. Nicks is a young offensive guard and will be highly sought after he hits the open market.

Nicks is just 26 years old and has started all but three games during his four-year career in New Orleans. At 6'3" and 343 pounds, he's big, strong and dominates in the middle for the Saints offensive line.

In the open market, Nicks could be looking at a Steve Hutchinson-type deal which was seven years worth $49 million.

5 Teams That Will Be Looking for Quarterbacks This Offseason

One of the major details of last year's NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was the advent of a rookie wage scale. What a wage scale did is give teams the ability to take more risks with their first-round picks.

Prior to a rookie wage scale, rookies were cashing in at a rate that was unsustainable for franchises. Teams were making a significant financial investment in one player, only to watch that player fail. With that much money tied up in one underachieving player, franchises were being set back. And it was much worse for teams that had that money tied up in a quarterback.

But those days are gone with the new CBA. Teams are more willing to take a chance on a quarterback, especially teams picking in the top half of the first round.

The 2011, four quarterbacks were taken in the first 12 picks, the most since 1999.

This year, there are a handful of QB-needy teams picking in the top 12. While it's unlikely all of them will use their first-round pick on a quarterback, you can be certain that these teams will be quarterback shopping this offseason.

Here are five teams that need a quarterback and the best signal-caller option for each of them.

Indianapolis Colts
All indications are that Indianapolis will release Peyton Manning before he's due $28 million from the Colts on March 8. Manning's neck injury, which kept him out the entire 2011 season, is a too much of a risk for the Colts to stand pat this offseason.

Last year's 2-14 season by the Colts showed they were not prepared for life after Manning. The Colts have an opportunity to replace Manning this offseason with one of the most complete college quarterbacks in Andrew Luck.

Of all the teams looking for a quarterback this offseason, the Colts have the best situation for fixing their quarterback quandary.

Prediction: Manning will be released. Luck is the Week 1 starter for the Colts.

Washington Redskins
After trying and failing with quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck, the Redskins need to address their quarterback situation this offseason.

However, addressing their quarterback needs in the draft may difficult for the Redskins. They currently hold the No. 6 pick, which is after the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns, two quarterback-needy teams.

The belief is that by the time Washington is on the clock, the top two quarterbacks in the draft, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, will be gone.

That leaves Washington with three options: trade up, reach for a quarterback with the sixth pick or sign a free agent quarterback.

The free agent quarterback list is filled with intriguing options for the Redskins. That list includes Packers backup Matt Flynn, the soon-to-be-released Peyton Manning and former Chicago and Denver cast-off Kyle Orton. All would be better options than Washington's current quarterbacks.

The Redskins quarterback situation is so dire that they will likely need to sign a free agent quarterback and draft one as well.

Prediction: The Redskins sign Orton and draft a quarterback in the second-round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have a solid running game with Marshawn Lynch, a young and improving defense and enough offensive weapons to be dangerous. However, Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer at quarterback for Seattle.

Jackson's first year in Seattle was very average, which has been the quarterback's calling card his entire career. Jackson simply doesn't have the playmaking ability and poise in the pocket to take the Seahawks to the next level.

Seattle will be one of the teams active in free agency looking for a quarterback. The names you'll here thrown out as possible Seattle quarterbacks in 2012 include Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Jason Campbell. All of those player would be upgrades over Jackson.

Seattle also could use its first-round pick on a quarterback, which will be pick No. 11 or 12 pending a coin flip with Kansas City. If Seattle chooses the rookie route, look for Jackson to remain the starter, at least to start the season.

Prediction: Seattle pursues Matt Flynn, but settles on Jason Campbell. They will also draft a quarterback in the second or third round in the 2012 NFL draft.

Cleveland Browns
The Browns thought they had their future signal-caller in Colt McCoy. However, after a challenging second season, where McCoy showed signs of regression, the Browns will be in the market for a quarterback.

Cleveland doesn't need a bridge quarterback; they need a young playmaker. Luckily for the Browns, there's one available and his name is Robert Griffin III.

Griffin III is a versatile quarterback who is expected to be in high demand come April.

The 2012 NFL draft sets up nicely for the Browns, at least it does for now. They currently hold the No. 4 pick and are drafting behind two teams that don't need a quarterback, the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings.

However, where things could get interesting for the Browns is if some team trades up ahead of them and
nabs Griffin III.

Cleveland has two options on draft day: be proactive and trade up to get Griffin III or stand pat and hope he makes it to them at No. 4. While it's too early to predict Griffin III's draft stock, his upside should be enough for the Browns to be all-in.

Griffin III would also bring instant excitement to Cleveland, something sports fans in that city desperately need after the departure of LeBron James.

Prediction: Cleveland drafts Robert Griffin III, and he becomes starter early in the season after McCoy struggles early.

Miami Dolphins
Since Dan Marino retired in 1999, the Miami Dolphins have had 16 different starting quarterbacks. Look for them to make finding a quarterback a priority this offseason, once again.

The hot rumor right now is that the Dolphins will pursue Peyton Manning once he's released by the Colts and is deemed healthy enough to play. However, there's a different option that would make more sense than Manning, and it's a player who has a connection to Miami's new head coach.

Miami hired former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to replace Tony Sparano, which should be enough to fuel speculation about Matt Flynn ending up with the Dolphins.

Philbin and Flynn spent four seasons together in Green Bay and had success in the limited opportunities they had together. The two would be able to take the Packers offense to South Beach in what would be a seamless transition for the duo.

Prediction: The Dolphins pass on Manning and sign Flynn to a long-term deal.

2012 NFL Free Agency: Which Agents Will Be Most Active?

As the NFL season comes to a close, the season for NFL agents is just beginning.

This is their time to earn their money and land their client lucrative contracts.

Now that the offseason has arrived, here are the agents that will be busiest in the days and weeks leading up to the opening of free agency on March 13, 2012.

Tom Condon
Condon is one of the most powerful agents in the NFL and he has a long list of quarterback clients that includes Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan.

But the two quarterbacks that will keep him the busiest this offseason are Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

Condon, who is part of Creative Artists Agency, was the man who negotiated Peyton's $98 million deal, which included a record $34 million signing bonus. It's likely he'll be negotiating on Peyton's behalf again, but this time under much different circumstances.

Most people believe Peyton—and his surgically repaired neck—will be released by the Colts this offseason before he's scheduled to make a sizable roster bonus. It'll be Condon's job to convince other teams that his client is healthy enough to play and is entitled to a hefty payday.

When Condon isn't working on a Manning deal, he'll most certainly be in New Orleans working on a new deal for Drew Brees. Brees is a free agent, but the Saints have intention of letting him leave. It'll be up to Condon to get Brees the best deal without leaving the Saints with no money pay other players.

Ben Dorga
Dogra is partners with Tom Condon at Creative Artists Agency and the duo will be busy this offseason. While Condon will focus on CAA's high-profile offensive clients, Dogra represents two of the biggest defensive free agents.

It will be Dogra's job to get long-term deals for Mario Williams and Brent Grimes.

Despite tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 5 and a switch from defensive end to linebacker, Williams showed enough in those five games to earn himself a healthy payday. In five games, he had five sacks and one forced fumble and Williams, a former first overall pick, is the top pass-rusher in this year's free agent class and he'll get paid like it.

As for Grimes, he's one of the top free agent cornerbacks available. With the league becoming pass-heavy, Grimes and other cornerbacks will continue to get paid.

Another client sure to keep Dogra busy (perhaps the busiest) is Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Griffin is expected to be one of the most sought after rookie quarterbacks in this year's draft. It'll be up to Dogra to get Griffin to shoot up draft boards.

Joel Segal
Segal and his associates at Lagardere Unlimited Football have one of the most coveted free agent wide receivers on the market in Marques Colston.

The New Orleans Saints wide receiver is coming off a very productive season where he had 80 catches for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also solid in the postseason with 16 receptions, 256 yards and a touchdown.

Segal's toughest job will be convince teams that Colston, who's entering his seventh season, can hold up for 16 games and is worth a long-term contract.

Colston has battled various injuries during his career, including a couple knee surgeries.

The good news for Segal, Colston finished last season strong and will likely be pursued by several teams.

Segal will also get calls about free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Green-Ellis was hardly an impact player this season, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, but he did score 11 touchdowns. Some team will covet him as a short-yardage back.

It's Segal's job to find Green-Ellis, who's scored 24 touchdowns the last two seasons, a healthy payday.

Jonathan Feinsod
This year's free agency class includes some solid wide receivers, one of them being Vincent Jackson.

Feinsod, Jackson's agent, should be able to find enough teams to drive up the price for his client.

More good news for Feinsod, the Chargers likely won't place the franchise tag on Jackson but may be willing to offer a long-term deal.

The more teams that want in on the Jackson sweepstakes, the more money he'll get. It's Feinsod's job to get more teams interested.

Pat Dye, Jr.
When Matt Flynn threw from 480 yards and six touchdowns against the Detroit Lions in Week 17, Dye had to have seen dollar signs. Dye represents the free agent backup quarterback, who is expected to jettison Green Bay for a starting quarterback gig.

It'll be up to Dye to convince teams that Flynn's Week 17 performance wasn't a fluke and he deserves a long-term contract and a big payday.

Adisa Bakari
Bakari will try and convince the Chicago Bears to "pay the man." That was the mantra this season in Chicago when discussing Matt Forte's contract status.

Forte is a free agent this offseason and missed out on a long-term deal during the season.

Bakari's job will be convince the Bears that his client deserves a multi-year deal with plenty of guaranteed money.

The Bears are rumored to be considering using its franchise tag on Forte, who missed part of last season with a knee injury. If Forte does get hit with the franchise tag, look for a possible holdout from the Pro Bowl running back. It'll be Bakari's job to prevent that from happening and strike a deal that satisfies both sides.

Drew Rosenhaus
Rosenhaus always seems to be in the news, and don't expect that to change this offseason.

One of Rosenhaus' more prominent clients, DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, was the target of much scrutiny this season.

Jackson, who is a free agent, was accused by teammates of quitting on the Eagles. It'll be up to Rosenhaus to convince teams that those claims are false and his client is worth a long-term investment.

If Rosenhaus can help Jackson repair his image, he'll help him to a big payday.

Blake Baratz
Baratz is one of the younger sports agents, yet he has one of the most intriguing free agents as a client.

Baratz represents Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, who is far and away the most talented tight end in this year's free-agent class.

However, Finely has some red flags that could keep potential suitors away. During his four seasons in the NFL, Finley has spent a lot of time on injured reserve. He twice injured his knee, forcing him to miss 14 games the last three seasons. Also, Finely struggled with dropped passes this season. He finished with 13 dropped passes on 103 targets.

However, Finley did set career highs with 55 catches, 767 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He's also a matchup nightmare for defenses because of his size and speed.

Baratz will try and convince the Packers to avoid using the franchise tag on Finley and give him a long-term contract.