Jay Cutler to the Dolphins. After starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with another ACL injury, Miami turned to former Adam Gase pupil Jay Cutler, luring the veteran signal-caller out of retirement with a one-year, $10MM deal. Cutler was the Dolphins’ primary target from the get-go, but he wasn’t the only candidate discussed, as Miami also talked about Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III, Teddy Bridgewater, and others. Tannehill, meanwhile, is fully expected to be ready for the 2018 season.
Buffalo takes over the trade market. The Bills are squarely looking towards the future, as they shipped out two of their best players last week in exchange for lesser players plus draft picks. First, Buffalo sent wide receiver Sammy Watkins and a sixth-round choice to the Rams for cornerback E.J. Gaines and a second-rounder. Then, the Bills dealt cornerback Ronald Darby to the Eagles in exchange for wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a third-round pick. Buffalo now earns two selections in the first, second, and third round of the 2018 draft.
Zeke finally gets a resolution. The NFL officially brought the hammer down on Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, suspending him for six games as punishment for his involvement in a domestic violence episode. The ban, which is lengthier than most expected, reportedly made Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “furious,” and Elliott is expected to appeal the suspension (he has until Wednesday to do so). Elliott is also not ruling out using the court system to fight the penalty.
Falcons extend their running back. Atlanta finally reached a long-term deal with running Devonta Freeman, extending him through the 2022 campaign. The new five-year pact is worth $41.25MM, which means Freeman is now the NFL’s highest-paid running back in a multi-year pact (Le’Veon Bell is earning north of $12MM on the one-year franchise tag). Freeman, 25, received more than $18MM in full guarantees, and will now attempt to top 1,500 total yards for the third consecutive season.
The Branden Albert saga is over. Finally fed up with his antics, the Jaguars officially released left tackle Branden Albert from the reserve/retired list last week. Jacksonville acquired Albert from the Dolphins in the spring, but won’t have to sacrifice a pick now that Albert won’t make the roster. Albert, who un-retired last week and attempted to report to camp, is now a free agent and can sign immediately. The Jaguars will move forward with rookie Cam Robinson on Blake Bortles‘ blindside.
The trials and tribulations of Roberto Aguayo. Just 16 months after trading up in the second round to acquire him, the Buccaneers waived kicker Roberto Aguayo after only one NFL season. Aguayo, who will arguably go down as one of the NFL’s worst draft picks, converted only 71% of his field goal attempts during his rookie season. Luckily for Tampa Bay, the Bears claimed Aguayo today, relieving the Bucs of $428K in guaranteed money owed to Aguayo.