The Packers have released EDGE Za'Darius Smith. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith should remain Green Bay's primary edge duo after a season that saw Za'Darius Smith barely play because of a nagging back injury that eventually required surgery. Smith -- who will turn 30 in September -- should find plenty of suitors on the open market if he's back to full health, though.
The Seahawks have agreed to a 3-year, $40 million deal with S Quandre Diggs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's not a surprising move, after Diggs started every game the past 2 years -- following a mid-2019 trade from Detroit -- and snagged 5 INTs in each season. But it means Seattle is spending a whole lot of money on its starting safeties. Jamal Adams is heading into season 2 of a 4-year, $70 million pact. Seattle, of course, trimmed salary on defense by releasing veteran LB Bobby Wagner earlier this month.
The Browns have granted WR Jarvis Landry the release he requested, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Landry had been given permission to seek a trade, but that clearly didn't go anywhere. Now he's free to sign wherever he wants. NFL Network reporters have mentioned the Chiefs, Bills and Packers as early potential suitors.
Former Bengals DT Larry Ogunjobi will be signing with the Bears in free agency, according to multiple reports. Ogunjobi played 16 of 17 regular-season games in his lone Cincinnati season, tallying 49 tackles and a career-high 7 sacks. His 12 tackles for loss and 16 QB hits were also personal bests. Ogunjobi has been a solid, unspectacular producer among DTs through 5 pro seasons and figures to continue on a similar path in his age-28 season. His addition doesn't look like a needle-mover for the Bears defense on whole.
Update: Ogunjobi is not joining the Bears after failing his physical.
The Steelers have agreed to a 2-year deal with QB Mitchell Trubisky, according to multiple reports. It's a sensible fit for both sides. Trubisky gets another shot at starting, after a year in Buffalo. Pittsburgh gets a stopgap type with a much higher ceiling than Mason Rudolph presents. We don't believe this move keeps the Steelers from being in the market for a QB in this year's NFL Draft, but Trubisky's arrival makes it less of a glaring need. Assuming Trubisky hits Week 1 as the Pittsburgh starter, he could be especially good for WR Chase Claypool. Each of Trubisky's 1st 3 NFL seasons found him earning better Pro Football Focus passing grades in the deep range (20+ yards downfield) than intermediate or short. Claypool sported 11.4-yard and 13.2-yard average depths of target the past 2 seasons -- according to Pro Football Reference -- compared with 8.5 and 7.9 for Diontae Johnson. As for the QB himself, Trubisky has displayed top-12 fantasy-scoring potential and makes for an intriguing best-ball option anywhere outside that range.
Update: NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Trubisky is getting $14.25 million over 2 years, with incentives that could make it worth up to $27 million. Clearly, the Steelers aren't committing to Trubisky but building in financial upside in case he proves truly starter-worthy.
The Cardinals are signing RB James Conner to a 3-year contract worth up to $25.5 million ($13.5 million guaranteed). Conner, who scored 18 times in 2021, heads back to Arizona on the same day that Miami signed Chase Edmonds. Look for Arizona to add a complimentary backfield piece, either in the draft or in free agency. Conner’s currently coming off the board as the RB29 in FFPC drafts, but that number will certainly rise in the coming days.
The Dolphins signed RB Chase Edmonds to a 2-year deal worth $12.6 million ($6.1 million guaranteed). Edmonds gives a barren Miami backfield some much-needed speed (and skill). In 2021, he set career highs in carries (116) and yards (592) while matching a career-high in YPC (5.1). The 26-year-old (in April) has also racked up 96 catches over the past 2 years. Miami might still address RB with a top-3 round pick in the draft, but for now, Edmonds is the clear lead RB.
It looks like RB Melvin Gordon will hit free agency, according Denver radio host and Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright. "There had been mutual interest in RB Melvin Gordon and possible Broncos return, but looks like that's not gonna happen," he tweeted Monday. Should a Gordon departure come to fruition in unrestricted free agency, the ceiling on 2nd-year RB Javonte Williams would rank right with the RBs currently going in Round 1 of fantasy football drafts. We'll see, of course, what else Denver chooses to do at the position this offseason. Mike Boone also remains on the depth chart after signing in free agency last spring.
The Packers have inked a 4-year extension with EDGE Preston Smith that includes $52.5 million in new money, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Smith had 1 year remaining on his previous deal with no guaranteed money, which had led to him being mentioned as a cut candidate. The new contract lowers his 2022 cap number while securing Smith into his 30s.
The Lions have agreed to a 1-year, $2 million deal with QB Tim Boyle, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. That's not necessarily primary backup money, so we'll see what else Detroit elects to do at the position this offseason.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Chiefs and RB Darrel Williams have failed to reach a deal ahead of free agency, despite trying to work something out. So it sounds like Williams will hit the open market. With fellow RB Jerick McKinnon also set to hit free agency, we'll see how Kansas City fills out the backfield around Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
QB Brian Hoyer has agreed to a 2-year, $4 million deal with the Patriots, including $3 million guaranteed, ESPN reports. That will keep Hoyer in place as the backup to Mac Jones.
NFL Network reports that WR Davante Adams has told the Packers he doesn't plan to play under the franchise tag this season. The veteran is seeking a long-term deal as he heads into his 9th NFL season, which will find him turning 30 in December. Adams won't be required to show up for any team activities until he signs his tender, so there's potential for a training-camp/preseason holdout if the 2 sides can't nail down an agreement. Green Bay has already reportedly offered money that would make Adams the highest-paid WR by annual salary, so we'd guess they get something done. We'll keep watch on the situation, though.
The Cowboys and WR Michael Gallup have agreed to a 5-year extension worth $62.5 million, according to multiple reports. This has been the expected move. The question for Gallup in 2022 will be how soon he can make it back from the ACL tear.
QB Kirk Cousins is signing a 1-year extension with the Vikings. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it's worth a fully guaranteed $35 million, locking him in through 2023. The deal also adds a no-trade clause. This move confirms that Cousins will at least remain Minnesota's starter through the 2022 season -- and likely through 2023 as well.
TE Zach Ertz has agreed to a new 3-year deal with the Cardinals worth $31.65 million, with $17.5 million of that guaranteed, according to multiple reports. Ertz averaged 5.1 catches and 52.2 receiving yards per game over 11 contests with Arizona after being traded from Philly last season. He's a solid-to-good value at the bottom of TE1 territory (or even high-TE2 range) in early best-ball drafting.
Tom Brady isn't ready to retire after all. He tweeted Sunday evening: "These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG." Brady's decision removes what had been a huge question about who will QB the Buccaneers. He'll return to an offense that will still have WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. We'll see now about TE Rob Gronkowski's decision -- though we'd bet, at the moment, that he'll also return to the Bucs.
The Bills on Sunday announced that they’ve re-signed WR Isaiah McKenzie on 2-year, $8 million deal. McKenzie caught just 20 passes last year and has yet to top 30 receptions in a season. But he carries upside well beyond that if he can wrest the primary slot job from Cole Beasley, a rumored cut candidate
The Bears claimed RB Darrynton Evans off waivers from the Titans. The 2020 3rd-round pick was a total bust in Tennessee. We'll see if the change of scenery gets him going, but Evans' best-case scenario in the short term is winning Chicago's #3 RB job behind David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Evans remains off the redraft radar.
The Browns have given WR Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. This, of course, comes on the same day that Cleveland acquired Amari Cooper to be its new #1 WR. Landry battled through injuries last season but should still have plenty to offer at just 29 years old. We'll see if he's dealt or ultimately released. Landry's departure from Cleveland would mean more opportunity for WRs Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.
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