Michael Sam: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free Agent DE

After being released by the Dallas Cowboys in October, free-agent defensive end Michael Sam remains without an NFL team. If recent reports are any indication, that may not change anytime soon.

Continue for updates.    

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Sam Invited to NFL Veteran Combine

Friday, Feb. 27

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Sam has been accepted into the NFL Veteran Combine on March 22.

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Sam Yet To Receive Call About Futures Contract

Sunday, Feb. 8

In part of a larger look at Sam's NFL future, Cyd Zeigler of Outsports noted that not one team has contacted the free-agent defensive end about signing a futures contract:

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Even more surprising, since the season ended he has not gotten a single phone call from a single team about a futures contract—a simple agreement that locks up the player for an interested team and doesn't cost the team a dime. Not even a phone call.

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Futures contracts are typically given to players even without much of a shot at making a 53-man roster. Zeigler notes that 25 defensive ends have already signed such deals—which are basically an agreement between a team and a player to attend training camp, entirely sans guarantees—without Sam receiving a phone call.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today noted additional details regarding Sam's NFL outlook, including the fact he has applied for the veteran combine:

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The former University of Missouri standout has applied for one of about 100 spots in the NFL's first-ever veteran combine. The hope is that leads to an NFL contract offer and a chance to go to training camp. If not, a one-year contract offer from the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes is waiting for him.

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Sam, who turned 25 in January, is attempting to become the first openly gay player on an active NFL roster. A seventh-round pick out of Missouri in the 2014 draft, the St. Louis Rams released him during their final 53-man roster cuts. He was then picked up on the Cowboys practice squad, but Dallas dropped him in October when it needed to make room on the roster.

USA TODAY Sports

Ever since, Sam's been a free agent—a subject that has drawn increasingly skeptical views from the outside world. As a player, Sam's resume appears stronger than many players currently on NFL rosters.

He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after a stellar season at Missouri and later drew the distinction of becoming the lowest-drafted player to receive that award. The Rams released Sam despite him compiling 11 tackles and three sacks during the preseason, the latter statistic tying him for fourth among all players. In December, Sam talked to TMZ about his talent and the fact he's still a free agent.

"I think I was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year last year, so I don't think it had to do with talent," Sam said. 

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