2021 March - Pro Football Rumors

Delanie Walker To Play In 2021

March 3rd, 2021 at 7:00pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

A big name is planning on getting back on the field next season. Veteran tight end Delanie Walker plans to return to the NFL in 2021 after taking the 2020 season off, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Schefter says Walker took the year off due to COVID-19 as well as to get 100 percent healthy, as he struggled with injuries during his final couple seasons with the Titans. We heard back in August that the Ravens and Patriots both had some interest in bringing him in, so those would figure to be teams to watch for whenever he signs this time around.

A late-bloomer, Walker never did a ton as a receiver during his first seven years in the league with the 49ers. He entered the league as a sixth-round pick back in 2006, and didn’t really break out until signing with Tennessee in 2013. He was one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL for a half decade, making three straight Pro Bowls from 2015-17.

An ankle injury limited him to only one game in 2018, and more ankle issues limited him to seven in 2019. In his last healthy season in 2017, he had 74 catches for 807 yards and three touchdowns. He’s 36 now, but due to his pedigree he should be able to find a home assuming he’s actually healthy.

Giants To Release Golden Tate

March 3rd, 2021 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Giants will release Golden Tate, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Expected to be a cap casualty for a bit now, Tate will become a free agent for the third time.

Tate’s Giants tenure started poorly, with the veteran wide receiver being suspended four games for a positive PED test. He posted just 388 receiving yards in his second Giants season in 2020. Additionally, Big Blue will cut linebacker David Mayo, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Together, these moves will create nearly $9MM in cap space for the Giants. Both contracts had two years remaining.

Tate and New York have clearly been headed for divorce ever since the team made him an inactive back in Week 9 for issues with his effort and performance. In a signing that proved to be an unmitigated disaster in hindsight, Giants GM Dave Gettleman gave Tate a four-year, $37.5MM deal with $23MM fully guaranteed during 2019 free agency.

In his first season with the team, he had 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. Tate became a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks, and made the Pro Bowl with the Lions in 2014. From 2014-17 he had at least 1,000 yards in three of four seasons, but at 32 is now on the tail-end of his career. He should be able to catch on with somebody, but won’t get much if any guaranteed money.

The Giants gave Mayo a three-year extension almost exactly one year ago, but he didn’t make it very far into that new deal. He had a breakout 2019 season where he started 13 games and graded out well, but he fell out of favor with the new coaching staff led by Joe Judge, and only started two games this past season. The 2015 fifth-round pick of the Panthers will now hit free agency at the age of 27.

Details On J.J. Watt’s Cardinals Deal

March 3rd, 2021 at 5:17pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this week, J.J. Watt joined up with the Cardinals on a two-year deal. Now, we have most of the major details, courtesy of NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo (Twitter links). Here’s the breakdown of Watt’s shiny new contract:

Two years, $31MM maximum value
$28MM in base salary + $3MM in incentives based on sack totals
- 10 sacks in 2021 = $1MM in 2021 + $1MM escalator for 2022
- 10 sacks in 2022 = $1MM incentive
$12MM signing bonus
$14.5MM Year 1 base value
No-trade clause

After the Texans granted Watt’s request to be released, the veteran said that he wanted to join a contender. In Watt’s estimation, young head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray are ready to win straight away. It also helps that the Cardinals appear to have submitted the highest offer for his services.

The Browns and Colts — who both made the playoffs in 2020 — didn’t match the Cardinals on compensation. The Titans, Packers, and Steelers were also connected to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Watt is now one of just nine players whose contract includes a no-trade clause.

Now, with Watt in the fold, the Cardinals may allow Haason Reddick to walk while putting their available dollars elsewhere.

Rams Eyeing Matthew Stafford Extension Or Restructure

March 3rd, 2021 at 5:07pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams traded two first-round picks and change to acquire Matthew Stafford, so it would stand to reason they are planning to commit to the former Lions starter long-term. But after the trade, a new contract was not viewed as an immediate priority.

Stafford’s 2017 extension runs through the 2022 season; $43MM remains on the deal. However, the Rams are more than $30MM over the low-end salary cap projection ($180MM) and could benefit by a Stafford extension lowering his 2021 cap hit. The team plans to address Stafford’s contract, be it through an extension or restructure, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue (subscription required).

At the time of signing, Stafford’s $27MM-per-year deal raised the then-stagnant QB market by $2MM. That began a hotbed of activity, which included the Rams’ ill-fated $33.5MM-per-year deal for Jared Goff, and Deshaun Watson‘s $39MM-AAV pact now tops the market (for conventional, non-Patrick Mahomes QB contracts). Given the price the Rams paid, Stafford would have some leverage in extension talks — should he choose to exercise it.

The 33-year-old passer is only set to count $20MM against the Rams’ 2021 cap, though a base-to-signing bonus restructure could lower that in a non-extension scenario. The Lions already restructured Stafford’s contract, adding a void year. A Stafford extension would align with that of his new receivers — Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, whose 2020 extensions run through 2025 and 2023, respectively — and defensive cornerstones Aaron Donald (through 2024) and Jalen Ramsey (through ’25). Putting Stafford on the same timeline has factored into his equation, per Rodrigue.

It seems the Rams will be approaching their new quarterback soon, and other restructures should be on tap considering the team’s current cap situation.

Jets Planning Marcus Maye Extension

March 3rd, 2021 at 4:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Marcus Maye‘s agent expressed disappointment in how the Jets were proceeding with his client Wednesday. Following that comment, Joe Douglas insists the team’s long-term plan includes the talented safety.

Acquired before Douglas took over as GM in 2019, Maye is due for free agency in two weeks. However, the Jets plan to use their franchise tag to keep Jamal Adams‘ former back-line safety partner. The Jets must do so by March 9 to keep Maye off the market.

“We have had productive conversations with his reps. … Marcus is a valuable member of this organization,” Douglas said, via SNY. “Someone that started his career here, has been a pro’s pro. [He’s] smart; he’s been reliable and he’s provided outstanding leadership. Our plan hasn’t changed. We’re in the process of having Marcus here long-term.”

The pandemic’s effect on the 2021 salary cap is expected to produce a franchise tag figure that could drop as low as $10MM. Top safeties are now earning nearly $15MM on average, creating a notable gap. As recently as last season, Maye was targeting a deal in the $7MM-per-year range. Now a tag candidate, Maye likely will price himself much higher. Pro Football Focus graded Maye as its No. 5 overall safety in 2020.

Should the Jets tag Maye, they will have until July 15 to extend him this year. Maye is likely to join Denver’s Justin Simmons as safeties to receive the tag. This will keep to marquee free agents off an intriguing safety market, which could raise the price tags of other safeties on track for free agency. Marcus Williams, John Johnson, Anthony Harris and Keanu Neal reside atop that group.

Ravens To Extend DT Justin Ellis

March 3rd, 2021 at 3:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Ellis reached an agreement Wednesday to stay with the Ravens. The veteran defensive tackle will remain in Baltimore on a one-year deal, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson tweets.

The former Raiders draftee will earn $1.2MM on his latest Ravens accord; $400K of that is guaranteed, per Anderson. This marks Ellis’ third Ravens pact. This one will mark a slight bump from the 2020 contract Ellis inked.

Initially arriving in Baltimore as a late-season addition in 2019, Ellis re-signed to stay in Maryland last March. He played in 13 games in 2020 and started three, serving as a key role player for the Ravens. Ellis’ age-30 season included a 34% defensive snap rate — his highest usage since the 2017 slate.

The Raiders ended Ellis’ five-plus-year stay in 2019, reaching an injury settlement with him midway through the season. The team had previously signed him to a three-year extension. The former fourth-round pick has done well to craft a rebound effort with the Ravens.

Saints Release TE Josh Hill

March 3rd, 2021 at 3:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Saints’ tight end group will boast a new look next season. With Jared Cook likely to depart as a free agent, the Saints also made the move Wednesday to cut veteran Josh Hill, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Still more than $60MM over the projected 2021 salary cap, the Saints will save $2.5MM by jettisoning Hill. One season remained on Hill’s deal. This move comes after the Saints adjusted David Onyemata‘s contract to create $4MM-plus in cap space.

Hill has been with the Saints for eight seasons, having only played in New Orleans as a pro. The Saints gave him a three-year, $8.85MM extension late in the 2018 season. New Orleans then signed Cook in 2019. His contract included a 2021 void year, pointing the veteran elsewhere after a two-year Saints stay.

The Saints continually brought in veteran receiving tight ends — from Coby Fleener to Ben Watson to Cook — while keeping Hill, who began his career when Jimmy Graham was still with the Saints. While Hill did not factor in much as a pass catcher last season, he remained a high-end run blocker. Pro Football Focus graded Hill as its No. 4 overall run-blocking tight end in 2020.

Hill, who will turn 31 in May, played in 117 Saints games and started 61 of those. Barring a reunion down the line, Hill will finish with 116 catches, 1,017 yards and 15 TDs as a Saint.

Seahawks Add DeShawn Shead To Staff

March 3rd, 2021 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

DeShawn Shead will make the transition to the coaching side. The former Seahawks cornerback will be part of the team’s 2021 coaching staff.

The Seahawks announced their former starting corner will work as a defensive assistant. Shead, as could be expected, will primarily coach Seattle’s defensive backs.

A former UDFA success story, Shead saw his playing career turn after he suffered an ACL tear in the Seahawks’ 2016 divisional-round game against the Falcons. He was not able to recapture his previous form, spending time on the workout circuit after his six-year Seahawks run concluded following the 2017 season. Shead, 31, has not played since the 2018 season.

Shead worked as a reserve for both of Seattle’s Super Bowl squads and moved into the starting lineup in 2015. Prior to his injury, the Portland State product operated as a full-time starter opposite Richard Sherman in 2016. Shead finished his playing career by suiting up for 12 games with the 2018 Lions.

Odell Beckham Jr. Remains In Browns’ Plans

March 3rd, 2021 at 3:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Odell Beckham Jr.‘s stock has taken a hit since his 2019 trade to Cleveland, the star wide receiver has shown flashes during his Browns tenure. The Browns would like to see more.

Beckham is recovering from a midseason ACL tear, and GM Andrew Berry indicated the 28-year-old wideout is progressing well on his road back. As of early March, that road is not slated to lead out of Cleveland. The second-year Browns front office boss indicated the Browns are eager to see Beckham back (Twitter link via cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot). This comes months after a report indicated the seven-year veteran had quite possibly played his final game as a Brown.

The three-time Pro Bowler has previously heard a team commit to him before trading him. The Giants did so in 2019. They shipped him to the Browns in a package that sent Jabrill Peppers and a first-round pick to New York. Thus far, the Giants have gotten the better end of the trade. Beckham and Baker Mayfield have yet to establish a consistent rapport, and OBJ has encountered injuries in each of his two Cleveland slates.

Beckham was previously mentioned in trade rumors going into the 2020 offseason, but Berry shut those down quickly. Any OBJ deal would certainly not produce the kind of return the Giants received in 2019.

Even though Beckham’s contract can be viewed as a year-to-year pact, with the Giants eating a considerable chunk of dead money to unload it, the deal still calls for Beckham to count more than $15MM against the cap from 2021-23. Beckham’s 2021 cap number sits at $15.75MM. It will be interesting to see if the Browns move to adjust it. The Browns managed to reach the divisional round of the AFC playoffs without Beckham, though he remains one of the NFL’s top receiver talents.

Berry also confirmed the team wants to re-sign Rashard Higgins, who did the most to replace Beckham this past season. It doesn’t sound like a deal will be reached before free agency, however, with Berry indicating Higgins will test the market (Twitter link via Cabot). Beckham and Jarvis Landry‘s cap numbers are set to comprise approximately a sixth of Cleveland’s 2021 cap, leaving seemingly little room for a notable Higgins pact.

Lions, WR Tyrell Williams Agree To Deal

March 3rd, 2021 at 2:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tyrell Williams will link up with Anthony Lynn in Detroit. The former Chargers and Raiders wide receiver agreed to terms with the Lions on a one-year deal Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

The recent Raiders cap casualty can earn up to $6.2MM on his new deal with the Lions. Williams played under Lynn for two seasons in Los Angeles. Lynn is now Detroit’s offensive coordinator.

This move stands to help the rebuilding Lions at a key need area. Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are free agents. So is Danny Amendola. While Golladay has surfaced as a franchise tag candidate, Jones is expected to depart to join a playoff contender. Despite missing all last season due to injury, Williams did not linger in free agency long.

The Raiders gave Williams a four-year, $44MM deal in 2019, but only $10MM of that pact was guaranteed. Still, the Raiders guaranteed Williams’ 2020 salary last year but saw that move go bust when the veteran suffered a shoulder injury over the summer. Williams, 29, only recently returned to full health.

Williams’ most productive season came under Mike McCoy — a 1,000-yard 2016 slate — but he remained an auxiliary Chargers cog under Lynn from 2017-18. Williams totaled more than 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns between those seasons and figures to be able to quickly assimilate into Lynn’s Jared Goff-piloted offense.