2021 March - Pro Football Rumors

49ers Re-Sign Jason Verrett

March 15th, 2021 at 1:49pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The 49ers are locking up another one of their high profile free agents. San Francisco has agreed to terms to re-sign cornerback Jason Verrett, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets.

It’s a one-year deal with a base value of $5.5MM that has “significant upside” for more, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. Rapoport later tweeted that it’ll be $6.5MM if he makes the Pro Bowl, and also noted that he turned down a multi-year offer from another team in order to bet on himself again. Given Verrett’s lengthy injury history, it makes sense that San Francisco was looking to do a one-year deal.

Verrett was one of the best stories in the NFL last season, as he was finally able to stay healthy after a brutal run of bad injury luck the previous handful of years. A first-round pick of the Chargers back in 2014, Verrett initially looked like a star in the making and made the Pro Bowl in 2015. Then a torn ACL limited him to four games in 2016. Then another knee injury limited him to only one game in 2017.

A torn Achilles sidelined him for the entire 2018 season, and because of an ankle injury he only played in one game with the 49ers in 2019. Despite only appearing in six games across four seasons from 2016-19, the 49ers brought him back last year and it paid off.

Verrett started 13 games last season, racking up seven passes defended and two interceptions. He played very well, and should be back as a starter in 2021. He’ll be especially important for Kyle Shanahan’s defense with Richard Sherman set to depart in free agency.

Patriots To Sign Matt Judon

March 15th, 2021 at 1:36pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

UPDATE, 2:00pm: It’s official now, Judon is going to be a Patriot. The deal has been finalized, Rapoport tweets. It’s a four-year, $56MM pact with $32MM guaranteed in the first two years, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (Twitter link).

1:36pm: The Patriots’ free agent spending spree might only be getting started. New England has already agreed to terms on big deals with tight end Jonnu Smith and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux on Monday, and they have a new big name player firmly in their sights.

The Patriots are making a “major push” to sign Ravens pass-rusher Matt Judon, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets. The Pats feel they are “close” to signing Judon, a source told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Everything we’ve heard recently this offseason has indicated Baltimore would likely be letting Judon walk. The Ravens franchise tagged him last cycle, but it would’ve been prohibitively expensive to do so a second time and they never worked out a long-term deal.

A fifth-round pick out of Grand Valley State in 2016, Judon broke out in 2017 and has kept improving. He’s been a Pro Bowler in each of the past two seasons, with six sacks in 14 games in 2020 and 9.5 sacks the year before.

With Godchaux and now potentially Judon in the fold, the Patriots’ defensive front will be a lot more imposing in 2021. The Pats had only 24 sacks as a team in 2020, the sixth-fewest in the league.

Texans To Sign KR/PR Andre Roberts

March 15th, 2021 at 1:27pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We’ve seen some offensive and defensive players get some nice money so far on this first day of free agency, why not a special teamer? Return specialist Andre Roberts will be signing with the Texans, Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio tweets.

It’s a two-year deal worth just a hair under $6MM, with $3MM of that being guaranteed, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com tweets. Not too shabby for a “receiver” who hasn’t really played on offense in years. A third-round pick of the Cardinals all the way back in 2010, Roberts had some initial success as a pass-catcher in the desert but quickly carved out a career as a returner.

He’s made three straight Pro Bowls for his special teams prowess, and was a second-team All-Pro for the Bills this past year. In 2020 for Buffalo he returned 32 kicks for 961 yards, good for an impressive 30.0 yard average which led the NFL. In 2018 he led the league in punt return average for the Jets, averaging 14.1 yards on 23 returns.

He turned 33 in January, but didn’t show any signs of slowing down this past season.

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert Signs Extension

March 15th, 2021 at 1:11pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Steelers’ brass will officially be back together for at least one more ride. After wrapping up the Ben Roethlisberger saga recently, Pittsburgh has now signed GM Kevin Colbert to a one-year extension, the team announced on Monday.

Colbert’s contract will now run through the 2022 season, closing one of the last major questions for the Steelers this offseason. His deal had previously been set to expire in May, and last month Colbert waffled about his status. He’s indicated he prefers to go year to year at this point in his career, and has flirted with retirement in recent years.

The Lions were apparently interested in poaching him away earlier this offseason before they ultimately hired Brad Holmes for their gig. Colbert has been in the Steelers’ front office since 2000, and has held the title of general manager since 2010.

The 64-year-old recently spoke passionately in defense of his head coach Mike Tomlin, saying “Mike Tomlin has done so much more good in this league than not good.”

“Mike is an excellent NFL head coach. He’s won a Super Bowl. He’s been to two. Have we had the success we wanted to have recently? No, that’s a collective ‘we.’ We’ll just continue to work to make sure (a downward trend) doesn’t happen.” He’ll certainly have his work cut out for him this offseason, as he needs to reconfigure the offensive line, figure out what to do about JuJu Smith-Schuster, keep the defense and elite, and start planning for the post-Roethlisberger era under center.

Lions, Eagles, Jaguars, Browns Pursuing S John Johnson

March 15th, 2021 at 12:53pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

One of the top defenders on the market is safety John Johnson, and it sounds like there are a handful of teams hot on his tail. Johnson’s market is beginning to take shape, with the Lions, Eagles, Jaguars, and Browns all showing interest, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports hears (Twitter link).

Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio followed up by tweeting that the Browns are expected to make a “strong effort” in their pursuit of Johnson. Marcus Williams, Justin Simmons, and Marcus Maye were franchise tagged by the Saints, Broncos, and Jets respectively, only ensuring a bigger payday for Johnson by making him arguably the top safety on the market.

The Rams opted not to tag Johnson for financial reasons, and it seems like moving on from Los Angeles might be likely at this point. Johnson was the only player to play every single snap for a Rams defense that was one of the best in the league last season.

The 2017 third-round pick became a starter as a rookie, and had four interceptions as a sophomore in 2018. Perhaps the most appealing part about him is that he’s only 25 and won’t turn 26 until December.

Panthers To Sign OL Cameron Erving

March 15th, 2021 at 12:35pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We’ve heard a lot this offseason about the Panthers’ bold plans to upgrade at quarterback, but so far in free agency they’ve been focused on the offensive line. They already signed Pat Elflein not even an hour ago, and now they’ve added another guy up front.

Carolina has agreed to sign Cameron Erving to a two-year deal worth $10MM with $8MM of that being guaranteed, a source told beat writer Joe Person (Twitter link). Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com was first to tweet the two sides were close. Person thinks Erving will compete for the starting job at left tackle, but as he notes he’s flexible and can play along the interior as well.

The immediate reaction from Cowboys writers was that Dallas was never going to pay nearly that much. Erving started five games at tackle for the Cowboys last year due to injuries, but with Tyron Smith and La’el Collins returning, wasn’t really needed. Erving was drafted 19th overall by the Browns in 2015, and immediately flamed out in Cleveland.

Traded for a late-round pick to the Chiefs after just two years and labeled a bust, he rehabilitated his reputation a bit in Kansas City and started 25 games across his three years there. Erving hasn’t exactly always been lights out, but he has extensive NFL experience at guard, center, and tackle, which will always have value.

Patriots To Sign DT Davon Godchaux

March 15th, 2021 at 12:24pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Patriots stormed out of the gates by signing Jonnu Smith to a massive deal, and they didn’t stop there. Bill Belichick continue his aggressive start to free agency by agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Rosenhaus also reps Smith, for what it’s worth. Godchaux didn’t get quite as much money to sign, but he’s still getting a sizable two-year, $16MM deal that has $9MM in guaranteed money. It’s a great payday for a player drafted 178th overall by the Dolphins back in 2017. He spent each of his first four seasons in Miami, and quickly blossomed into a full-time starter in his sophomore season.

Interior defensive line, like tight end, was a weakness for the Patriots last season. Godchaux only played in five games last year due to biceps surgery, but it was the first major injury of his career and he had played in at least 15 games in each of the three prior seasons.

In his last full campaign in 2019, Godchaux had 75 tackles, four for a loss, two sacks, and one pass defended. He should immediately upgrade the run defense in New England.

Cardinals Re-Sign Markus Golden

March 15th, 2021 at 12:08pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cardinals have re-upped Markus Golden. The edge rusher will return on a two-year, $9MM deal, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Golden started out with the Cardinals as a second-round pick before moving on to the Giants in 2019. His first Cardinals run was fairly productive and included a 12.5-sack season in 2016. Then, he was hampered by injuries. In his first year with the Giants , he managed 72 tackles and ten sacks, but teams saw that as a fluke — he generated just 26 pressures, so evaluators didn’t think he’d keep it up. Midway through the year, the Cardinals brought him back via trade.

He didn’t go for double-digit sacks in 2020, but he did manage 4.5 between both stops. For his career, Golden has 33.5 total sacks across 78 games.

With Golden back in Arizona, Haason Reddick is probably packing his bags. Meanwhile, the Cardinals project to have a front seven featuring Golden, J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones, and Jordan Phillips.

Patriots Sign TE Jonnu Smith

March 15th, 2021 at 12:05pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

One of the top tight ends on the market is off the board. The Patriots have agreed to terms on a deal with free agent Jonnu Smith, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

It’s a big one, as Smith is getting a whopping $50MM over four years with $31.25MM guaranteed. What a way for New England to kick off free agency, and it’s one of the biggest investments Bill Belichick has made in a skill position player in years. Tight end was a clear need for the Pats this offseason, as the team got virtually nothing from the position in 2020. Ryan Izzo led the team’s tight ends with 13 catches for 199 yards and no touchdowns. They haven’t really gotten anything out of it since Rob Gronkowski walked away.

A third-round pick of the Titans in 2017, Smith never truly broke out but flashed a lot of potential during his four years in Tennessee. Stuck behind Delanie Walker for his first couple pro seasons, Smith had his best year yet in 2020.

In 15 games and 14 starts, he had 41 catches for 448 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns. He’ll now be catching passes from Cam Newton, or whoever else Belichick brings in under center. If your team is still looking for a tight end don’t worry, solid options like Hunter Henry, Kyle Rudolph, and Jared Cook are still all on the market.

As Doug Kyed of NESN.com was quick to tweet, Belichick lavished Smith in praise a little over a year ago, calling him the best tight end in the league after the catch.

Panthers To Sign OL Pat Elflein

March 15th, 2021 at 12:00pm CST by Zachary Links

Pat Elflein is joining up with the Panthers. The former Vikings and Jets offensive lineman has agreed to a three-year, $13.5MM deal with $6MM fully guaranteed at signing, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets.

Elflein started 15 games at guard for the Vikings in 2019, and he started the 2020 season opener before suffering a torn thumb ligament. That injury forced him to the injured reserve list. And, shortly after returning to practice, the Vikings released him. That led him to the Jets, who were 0-9 at the time and had the league’s No. 1 waiver priority spot.

The Jaguars, Bears, Dolphins, Ravens, and the Washington Football Team also entered bids for Elflein — it’s not clear if the Panthers were also in that group. Either way, they were keenly interested this time around. Elflein will now be tasked with clearing lanes for Christian McCaffrey and protecting the starting quarterback, who may or may not be Teddy Bridgewater.