Sidney Rice gets clearance, could sign soon

Posted by Mike Florio on April 14, 2014, 2:48 PM EDT
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With most of the veteran free-agent receivers already gobbled up and several teams still having needs, another veteran is ready to sign a new contract.

Per a league source, former Vikings and Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice has received clearance to resume football activities from Dr. James Andrews.  Rice tore an ACL on October 28.

Now that Rice has been cleared, don’t be surprised if something happens quickly.  He could sign in the next few days.

Interested teams, we’re told, include the Seahawks, Saints, Giants, and Panthers.

Rice, a second-round pick in 2007, had 1,312 receiving yards in 2009.  His single-season high since then was 748 in 2012 with Seattle.

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54 responses to “Sidney Rice gets clearance, could sign soon”

  1. Doubt that he signs long term or for huge dollars as he will definitely need to prove himself after the injuries he has had. I think the Hawks would still be a good fit for him for a one year contract. Hopefully, he can get back to his previous form and have more than one good season.

  3. There was a piece here on PFT last week that the only team interested in signing Rice was the Seahawks.

  4. I never understood the league’s fascination with this guy. In seven seasons, he’s had only one 1,000 yard season. With the exception of a 748 yard season, his normal season is 150 – 500 yards. I understand potential, but eventually potential must give way to reality. He is what he is…a one season wonder, five seasons removed.

  7. The Vikings should sign him to a 1yr veteran minimum contract. No matter how he plays for them, it would guarantee that Seattle would sign him to another $40M contract in 2015.

  8. Unless Sidney Rice is taking the Veteran minimum, Stay Far away Jerry Reece! The GMEN font need a WR that is constantly on IR… Thats why we did not resign Hakeem Nicks.

  10. I have watched Rice closely over his years in Seattle and the biggest problem I’ve had with him is that he seems to care more about drawing fouls than he does going up for the ball. If it hits him in stride, he’ll catch it. If it doesn’t hit him in stride he grabs the defender and then looks around for a PI flag. Seahawks are better off without him. Thanks for your time Sidney Rice. I hope you catch on somewhere and get more 1000 yard seasons. For the Seahawks, we expect big things from our younger receivers.

  13. For the right (low) price I would love to see him back in a Seahawk jersey. We need a big tall receiver to complement Harvin and Baldwin.

  14. Betcha the Eagles try to sign him. Low risk for vet minimum. I’m sure he’d go to Philly over the Vikings. If he comes close to performing for Foles like he did Favre…then it’s a steal. You can still draft someone but this would put less pressure on them to draft someone high.

  15. Cleared to do what?… Walk to the bank and cash large checks?… Even that can be done electronically and not require alot of physical skill..

    The only thing consistent about this guy’s durability is that he’s consistently in the Trainer’s Room.

  18. He’d be a fool to sign anything but a 1-year deal in Seattle. He knows the team, the QB, the system and he’d have a chance to play for a winner and get his reputation back & cash in next year when the receiver market will be less glutted.

  27. Rice is a fabulous china doll.

    He does go after the ball, that’s why he gets banged up, he’s not afraid to mix it up and he doesn’t have the body for it.

    When healthy, he may be the most exciting receiver in the game, he just can’t stay healthy.

  28. How can the Panthers afford to sign anyone at this point? What do they have like $2 mil left to sign all their draft picks?

  29. Panthers will probably sign Sid. I’m from SC and played high school bball against the guy for 2 years. Would love to see him in a Panthers uniform back home in Carolina. Incentive laden contract to prove he can still play, but he would fit in well with Avant, Cotchery, and Underwood. Plus add a speedy receiver like Brandin Cooks and our WR looks like it did last year minus Smitty.

  32. If he wanted to make a smart business decision he would come to the Saints and have #9 throwing him passes for a year. If he does well then he can go out and get one last big contract. If he can’t produce in one of the best offenses of the past decade, then he probably won’t produce elsewhere and should retire.

  33. As I read these comments, all I can think about is how unoriginal nearly every one of them are.

  36. I would hope Rivera can see the good that Rice, can bring to Charlotte, and overlook those chicken legs that get him into trouble. I’d rather see Rice, in Panthers blue, than Seahawks navy.

  37. anybody notice how fast the old NFL Draft weekend came and went april 10,11,12 came and went fast did it not sheesh may 8th is taking forever

  38. Rice played hurt for half a season, then got seriously hurt. I cannot question his commitment.

    He certainly has more commitment than Percy Harvin.

  40. The Panthers would be a good fit. Good veteran presence and he was around a Superbowl winner, hopefully he knows what it takes to win a Superbowl.

  41. We would love Rice to stay in Seattle but it has to be a 1 maybe 2 year deal… When he was healthy last season he underperformed and that cap situation is just on the edge so much so that giving him a huge contract is not worth it.

  47. JC says he will sign for a low end salary with the Hawks. He’ll be welcomed back with open arms. People don’t realize that the Hawks don’t throw enough for there to be a receiver to have huge numbers. Tate will be proof of this in Detroit. People downgrade Hawks receivers for their low reception and yardage counts, but they miss that they had great reliability (low drops) and that their YPA was great. Rice, if healthy is way better than you realize.

  49. I am not a biggest fan of Sidney Rice only because he was getting paid too much on Seattle’s roster. Most general fans parrot others and say “Brett Farve” made him”…2012 when he had those 748 yards he also had 7 TD’s and numerous 3rd down conversions in a run first offense that didn’t open up until the 2nd half with Wilson as a rookie.

    The guy also has no ego and if you listen to Doug Baldwin, Kearse or even Tate when he was here they all credit Sidney for showing them how to be a pro. If he signs a 1 or 2 year deal with the Hawks I think it could solid pick up at the right price. The guy knows Bevell’s system and Wilson trust him.

  50. Viks sux to be in the NFL since conception and no superbowl. Viks fans just need to shut up before AP leaves also.

  51. I’d love to have him back, but there’s so many wrs to be had in the upcoming draft. Plus they signed Matthews. Kearse stepped his game up late in the year, I’d like to see him get more opportunities, too. Jace Amaro and Sefarian-Jenkins could fill that redzone threat nicely as well.

  54. Would love to see Rice back on the Seahawks! At the right price, of course, and I’m sure Schneider won’t overspend considering his injuries. We have solid guys in Baldwin, Kearse, and Harvin, but Rice adds a receiver with size.

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