HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Free Agency Notes: Queen, Seahawks, Packers, Panthers, Pats, Jackson, Bengals

March 10th, 2024 at 10:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Ravens’ Roquan Smith payment always made it likely Patrick Queen would need to collect his money elsewhere. Now that Queen’s most recent defensive coordinator landed a coaching job, a logical fit has emerged. Indeed, many executives predicted (via the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora) Queen would wind up reunited with Mike Macdonald in Seattle. With the Seahawks likely to again part ways with Bobby Wagner, spots are open. Jordyn Brooks, who joined Queen as a 2020 first-round LB pick, is also on the cusp of free agency. Queen is coming off his best season — a Pro Bowl showing alongside Smith — and turned a corner once the Bears trade commenced last year.

Checking in eighth on PFR’s top 50 free agents list (before the Chris Jones and Baker Mayfield deals), Queen could be in line to rival what Tremaine Edmunds received ($18MM per year, $41.8MM fully guaranteed) last year and land a top-five ILB contract. Barely 12 hours from the legal tampering period, here is the latest from the free agent scene:

  • Not known for splashy signings, the Packers do look like they are ready to upgrade at one position on the market. Green Bay appears likely to look at the top safeties available, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes. Although several veteran safeties became street free agents due to recent cuts (Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and Jordan Poyer among them), this saturated market does include two young guns that should be paid well soon. It would not shock to see the Pack pursue Xavier McKinney and Kamren Curl, Fowler adds. Both safeties are going into their age-25 seasons, which could separate them on a crowded market.
  • The Panthers released Bradley Bozeman today, and while they will look for a center, expect a guard pursuit as well. This year’s market is big on guards, and The Athletic’s Joe Person writes the Panthers want to upgrade at a guard spot this offseason. Carolina lost both its starting guards — Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett — to major injuries last season, representing one of the many issues on offense in Bryce Young‘s rookie year. The team does not consider Ikem Ekwonu an option. Despite the 2022 first-rounder playing guard at points in college, ESPN.com’s David Newton indicates the new coaching staff is keeping him at left tackle.
  • The Patriots are open to bringing back J.C. Jackson, according to Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline. Jackson’s season ended early after the team placed the veteran cornerback on the reserve/NFI list. Should Jackson move past the mental health struggles that wrapped his first season back in New England, Pauline adds the team is open to another reunion despite last week’s release.
  • Seeing a revolving door form at right tackle (Bobby Hart, Riley Reiff, La’el Collins, Jonah Williams) over the past four years, the Bengals want that to stop. They may be ready to take a two-pronged approach by adding a veteran and a potential rookie heir apparent. “We would like to have somebody man the right tackle spot for a number of years, yes,” player personnel director Duke Tobin said (via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.). “We’d like it to be a young guy that can come in and do that or a veteran that might have the opportunity to rebuild his career, something. But yes, we would like that to be manned on multiple fronts. But we’re focused with having it manned well enough to provide us a chance to win next year. That’s the No. 1 thing.” Williams is a free agent, and given the market he might have — as a chance to move to left tackle may await — it is unlikely the 2019 first-round pick is back in Cincinnati.

RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/10/24

March 10th, 2024 at 10:20pm CST by Ely Allen

During a busy day of transactions and headlines, teams still had time for a few free agent tender decisions:

RFAs

Non-tendered:

ERFAs

Tendered:

Non-tendered:

While Stoll, one of Philadelphia’s top backup tight ends, is not being tendered by the Eagles, the team has reportedly not ruled out a return. Similarly, Cox, Gore, Harris, Arnold, and Sims will all join Bowden in free agency, though the door remains open for their returns, as well.

Suitors Emerging For Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed

March 10th, 2024 at 9:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

MARCH 10: Add the Dolphins to the list of Sneed interested parties. Miami is not in good cap shape and may well lose both Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt in free agency. But with the team cutting Xavien Howard, cornerback help will be sought. The Dolphins are believed to have looked into the prospect of acquiring Sneed, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes.

MARCH 6: As expected, the Chiefs were among the teams which applied the franchise tag before Tuesday’s deadline, keeping L’Jarius Sneed off the free agent market in the process. The standout corner is far from certain to remain in Kansas City, though, as a tag-and-trade maneuver is on the table.

Sneed has served as a full-time starter for nearly his entire Chiefs tenure (70 regular and postseason games), developing into a key member of the team’s vaunted secondary. The tag will cost $19.8MM in 2024, though, using up significant cap space on a team already needing a new deal for Chris Jones. The latter is the defending champions’ priority, and a re-up will not come cheaply. A long-term Sneed pact could also approach or reach the $20MM-per-year-mark his one-year tender is valued at.

Knowing Sneed could very well be on the trade block, Tyler Dragon of USA Today Sports reports seven teams have emerged as interested suitors. That list consists of the Vikings, Colts, Titans, Patriots, Lions, Falcons and Jaguars. Many of those teams are among those set to have the most spending power ahead of free agency and therefore the ones most capable of absorbing Sneed’s cap hit as it stands while working out a lucrative long-term deal.

Of course, teams like Minnesota, Indianapolis and Jacksonville could see sizable changes to their cap situations in the near future. The Vikings have two of the top pending free agents in Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter, and meeting the stated objective of retaining both will use up much of their cap space. The Colts and Jags, meanwhile, used the franchise tag on wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and edge rusher Josh Allen yesterday; long-term deals with either could lower their 2024 cap figures and free up room for an aggressive Sneed pursuit.

The Falcons – presumed to be a strong Cousins suitor – will likely wait until their quarterback addition has been made before authorizing a costly move (in terms of draft capital and finances) like a Sneed acquisition. New England and Tennessee rank second and third in respective cap space as things stand, meaning those teams could outbid other suitors and immediately make a deal for the 27-year-old a priority. Detroit reportedly has cornerback at or near the top of the organization’s offseason to-do list, so a Sneed trade would come as little surprise.

With respect to compensation, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer predicts a second-round pick could be required to convince the Chiefs to green-light a trade. Losing an effective contributor will no doubt induce Kansas City to generate as many bidders as possible and land better draft capital than what a 2025 free agent departure would yield (a third-round compensatory pick the following year). With free agency one week away, it will be interesting to see how much of a market develops for Sneed if the Chiefs move forward with exploring a trade.

Ravens, OLB Jadeveon Clowney Have Mutual Interest In New Deal

March 10th, 2024 at 9:39pm CST by Ely Allen

After leading the NFL with a 13-4 record, the Ravens are primed to experience a potential mass exodus of talent in free agency. The team was able to secure defensive tackle All-Pro Justin Madubuike on a new four-year, $98MM extension, but other key contributors like Odell Beckham Jr., Kevin Zeitler, Gus Edwards, JK Dobbins, Devin Duvernay, and John Simpson on offense and Patrick Queen, Geno Stone, Ronald Darby, and Kyle Van Noy on defense are all still on their way to free agency.

While many of the above players are expected to leave Baltimore this offseason, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic tells us that both the Ravens and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney interested in keeping their partnership going. Clowney joined the Ravens halfway through training camp on a one-year, $2.5MM deal. After delivering one of his best seasons since his days in Houston, though, Clowney isn’t likely to play on another discounted contract.

Clowney finished second on the Ravens with 9.5 sacks in 2023, matching his career-high total from 2017. If Clowney can get a full offseason with the team under his belt, hopes are that he can avoid a letdown year with a system in which he thrived, something that occurred during his second year in Cleveland.

If the Ravens bring back Clowney, he will rejoin a group of outside linebackers that includes Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, two players Baltimore is still waiting to see break out. The team is still hoping to get Tyus Bower back after watching the veteran miss the entire 2023 season with a knee injury.

Bowser claims that he’s making a full recovery from knee surgery and will definitely be back next season, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Bowser will be coming back into a contract year, the final season of his four-year, $22MM deal. This is all assuming the Ravens don’t try to reduce his $7.5MM cap hit by $5.5MM by cutting him prior to his return.

The Ravens have some unproven, young assets at the position, but the team will likely hope to have some playmakers like Clowney, Bowser, and/or a potential new addition via the draft or free agency in the mix, as well. We’ll likely start to see their plan for the position moving forward as free agency starts this week.

Texans Likely To Pursue Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift; Team Looking To Retain Sheldon Rankins, Steven Nelson

March 10th, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nick Caserio has bargain-shopped at running back since taking over. Veterans Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram, Rex Burkhead and Devin Singletary have been among the low-cost options to stop through Houston during the GM’s three-year tenure. The team looks to be aiming a bit higher this year, though it is unclear how much higher.

Saquon Barkley-Texans interest surfaced recently, and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reiterates the Giants running back’s reciprocated interest in a Houston deal. The Texans, however, are expected to pursue several running backs; Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift are among the targets, according to Wilson.

Pollard and Swift are unlikely to cost what Barkley will. The two-time Giants Pro Bowler is expected to be this year’s most expensive back, and his market could well surpass $10MM per year. That may be too rich for the Giants, who had been expected to make an offer but had not done so as of this week. Barkley’s contract will provide a key update on modern RB value, whereas Pollard and Swift figure to be more affordable.

While Barkley had banked more than $48MM between his rookie contract and a 2023 franchise tag, Pollard saw his value hindered by the Cowboys’ tag decision last year. Pollard made just more than $3MM on his rookie deal and $10.1MM on the tag. Based on his 2022 Pro Bowl showing, the former fourth-round pick would have generated a better market last year. Pollard was less impressive as the Cowboys’ go-to back. He produced fewer scrimmage yards (1,316) than in 2022 and saw his yards-per-carry number crater from 5.2 to 4.0 despite Dallas rolling out a three-All-Pro O-line. Still, Pollard has been a versatile player and a key cog in an explosive Dallas offense; as of Sunday, the Cowboys are also not ruling out another agreement with their dual-threat performer.

Swift has also shown ability as a receiver and runner, impressing through the air in Detroit while being more of a ground option in Philadelphia. Following a trade from the Lions last year, Swift seized the Eagles’ starting job in Week 2 and did not miss any games. That marked new territory for Swift, who had battled through nagging injuries in Detroit. Swift posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season — yes, with a top-tier Eagles O-line — and earned a Pro Bowl invite. At 25, he is also two years younger than Pollard.

Singletary leapfrogged Dameon Pierce on Houston’s depth chart last season, establishing new career-high marks in carries (216) and rushing yards (898). The ex-Bills third-rounder, who signed for just $1.77MM last year, displayed his usual durability in helping the Texans to the playoffs. He is expected to generate outside interest, with Wilson adding it is not a lock the 5-foot-7 back returns. Though, the former third-round pick expressed interest in staying near the end of the season. The Texans were believed to share that interest, but they look to have expanded their options as RBs are set to flood the market.

The Texans are interested in bringing back both Sheldon Rankins and Steven Nelson, Wilson adds. Rankins signed a one-year, $9.75MM deal in 2023, coming over from the Jets, who were interested in re-signing him. The former Saints first-rounder ranked seventh among interior D-linemen in pass rush win rate, totaling six sacks — his most since 2018 — and 10 QB hits. Rankins’ fit could certainly depend on how long the Texans stay in the Christian Wilkins sweepstakes.

Nelson has been a Texans CB starter for the past two years. Nelson intercepted a career-high four passes; he added a pick-six against Joe Flacco in the team’s wild-card win. Nelson turned 31 earlier this year, which should limit his market. Though, most of the top CBs on this year’s market are in their late 20s or early 30s.

Denzel Perryman would like to be part of the Texans’ 2024 equation, Wilson adds. His market did not produce much last year, however; the ex-Chargers second-rounder started 11 games and made 76 tackles. The Texans will need to make one move at linebacker, at least, with Blake Cashman also on the doorstep of free agency. Azeez Al-Shaair, who played for DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco, also has interest in coming to Houston.

Dolphins Re-Sign G Robert Jones

March 10th, 2024 at 8:13pm CST by Ely Allen

The Dolphins have lots of contracts to address on the offensive line this offseason, and they’ll start with re-signing offensive guard Robert Jones, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The third-year undrafted lineman out of Middle Tennessee State is set to return to Miami on a new one-year deal.

Jones has proven to be a valuable backup for the Dolphins over the past three seasons. Though never designated as a full-time starter on the offensive line, Jones has made 13 starts in 32 game appearances. Most recently, he filled in for an injured Isaiah Wynn this year, which graded out as an improvement, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). With starting guard Robert Hunt expected to earn a massive payday elsewhere, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Jones should return as a strong option to step into a full-time starting role in 2024.

While Miami still needs to deal with the expiring contracts of Hunt and center Connor Williams, they did receive some good news concerning starting left tackle Terron Armstead. Though Armstead was undecided on whether or not to hang up his cleats, a return to the field in 2024 has been trending. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, things continue to move in the right direction for Armstead to play next season. Armstead and Miami are even close to finalizing a new adjusted contract to reduce his cap hit in 2024. It’s not done yet but should reportedly be done soon.

With Jones and Armstead expected back and right tackle Austin Jackson under contract through the 2026 season, the Dolphins are set with three possible starters heading into next year. Decisions on Hunt and Williams should come soon, allowing the team to make plans on how to move forward with or without them.

Patriots To Re-Sign WR Kendrick Bourne

March 10th, 2024 at 8:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite coming off an ACL tear, Kendrick Bourne has a deal in place before free agency. The Patriots still have the veteran wide receiver in their plans, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bourne, 28, has impressed in spurts with the Patriots; although his first contract produced an inconsistent tenure, the team still values the former 49er. The deal could pay up to $33MM. It is likely incentives comprise a sizable part of that number. Indeed, the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan reports Bourne is staying with the Pats for $19.5MM. Although it is not known how much of the deal is guaranteed, Callahan adds Bourne will receive a $4.2MM signing bonus.

It is a bit interesting Bourne’s October ACL tear did not result in a one-year deal — potentially so he could reset his market for 2025. Bourne signed a three-year, $15MM deal with the Patriots in 2021, and he has another three-year pact in place to build on what he accomplished. Bourne will be playing for a fourth Pats OC in four years, with Alex Van Pelt taking over. Even with this turnover, the organization continues to prioritize Bourne.

[RELATED: Patriots Re-Sign TE Hunter Henry]

As of late February, Bourne had not engaged in talks with the Pats. But the sides huddled up recently and hammered out a deal. The Pats had wanted to bring back Bourne and Henry; they accomplished both goals without needing to compete with other suitors on the open market. Henry fetched a bigger contract, but that should not surprise given this year’s tight end market and Bourne’s injury. Still, this represents a decent consolation prize for Bourne, who was playing well before his knee setback.

Known as a solid blocker in San Francisco, Bourne totaled 800 receiving yards in his first Patriots season. The Pats’ offense deteriorated swiftly after Josh McDaniels‘ 2022 exit, and Bourne appeared to fall out of favor with the team later that year. Bourne came up in trade rumors at each of the past two deadlines, as the Patriots tumbled into the rare position of potential seller. The team did not bite, keeping the likes of Kyle Dugger, Michael Onwenu and Josh Uche. The latter two are on track for free agency, but Dugger received the transition tag this week.

The Patriots still appear to be hunting for a bigger name to anchor their receiving corps. They are expected to pursue Calvin Ridley, who joins Marquise Brown and Gabriel Davis as the top WRs available following the tags of Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman Jr. and Mike Evans‘ re-signing. The Pats signed JuJu Smith-Schuster for $16MM guaranteed last year, making it less likely he is moved this offseason. DeVante Parker, however, may be jettisoned via trade or release. But Bourne, who averaged a career-high 50.8 yards per game during a four-TD 2023 season, is staying put as a likely auxiliary weapon.

Steelers, Jags Interested In C Mitch Morse

March 10th, 2024 at 7:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Steelers’ Mason Cole release made it fairly clear they will look for a new starting center. The Jaguars have not effectively replaced the retired Brandon Linder. Both AFC clubs are pursuing a recent cap casualty.

Mitch Morse made a trip to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Joe Rutter. The Jaguars have also scheduled a visit with the recent Bills cut, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Morse spent the past five seasons as the Bills’ starting center, but the team released him amid a roster purge.

Cole worked as the Steelers’ starting center for the past two seasons, playing in every game in that span. The Jaguars have received equal durability from 2022 third-round pick Luke Fortner, who has made every start since joining the team. Pro Football Focus has graded Fortner as one of the NFL’s worst centers, slotting him 34th and 35th at the position, respectively, in 2022 and ’23.

The Jags and Steelers each have two veteran contracts on the books at guard. Pittsburgh added two midrange contracts to its cap sheet over the past two Marches, signing James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo. Jacksonville splurged for Brandon Scherff two years ago and recently re-signed 2023 trade pickup Ezra Cleveland. Both teams have QBs on rookie contracts, though the Jags have more money at tackle, with Cam Robinson on a $17MM-per-year contract. The Jags restructured Scherff’s contract earlier today; they are set to keep the Pro Bowler for a third season.

A former second-round Chiefs pick, Morse has made 126 career starts. The Mizzou alum did not miss a game last season, but the Bills viewed him as expendable as they attempt to create cap space in another pivotal offseason. PFF ranked Morse as the NFL’s No. 20 overall center last season. Morse signed two Bills contracts and will be looking for a fourth NFL accord.

Vikings Expect To Hear FA Decision From QB Kirk Cousins Tonight; Trending Towards Free Agency

March 10th, 2024 at 7:36pm CST by Ely Allen

7:36PM: Russini provided another update on the situation, telling us that Minnesota is “having internal conversations about their offer” to Cousins. They are still reportedly waiting to hear from the veteran passer on his decision, but there is a good feeling in the building that Cousins wants to remain a Viking. The prevailing concern is that the structure of the deal will be crucial to the determination of his decision.

6:57PM: We’ve heard lots in the past week or so on the Falcons’ interest in quarterback Kirk Cousins, but it’s all a moot point until his contract with the Vikings voids on Wednesday. In the meantime, the Vikings have not given up on their efforts to keep their quarterback of the last six years in Minnesota. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the team is expecting to hear Cousins’ decision on whether or not he intends to test free agency tonight.

The Vikings have been working to come to a new agreement since his season-ending injury. Both sides have expressed their interest in extending their time together but talks stalled a bit as Cousins sought certain guarantees into the 2025 season. Time has almost run out, now, with free agency approaching. Tomorrow, teams will have the ability to communicate with free agents, so Cousins’ decision becomes crucial for the intentions of both he and the Vikings.

Also, Wednesday will be a date to watch as it is the day free agency officially opens and Cousins’ contract officially voids, leaving the Vikings with $28.5MM of dead money. The Vikings can avoid that headache with a new extension that allows them to redistribute that money, but if a deal can’t get done, Cousins will hold a $28.5MM cap hit in Minnesota while playing for another team.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided an update as the rumors continue to circulate, saying that, while he and Minnesota remain in communication, Cousins is expected to hit the free agent market tomorrow. Pelissero reiterates Atlanta as a possible destination, throwing in that Denver could also potentially pursue. He claims a new deal for Cousins will likely include over $40MM per year.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network also commented on the ramifications of Cousins decision. The quarterback dominos are starting to fall with news like the re-signing of Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay coming earlier today. Russini reports that both Minnesota and Atlanta were keeping a close eye on Mayfield’s eventual landing spot as they deal with their own situations. It sounds like Cousins is expected to be the next big domino to fall, with other options like Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, and even Joe Flacco having to wait to see how the market looks when the dust clears.

LB Bobby Wagner Unlikely To Re-Sign With Seahawks

March 10th, 2024 at 7:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

Bobby Wagner made a welcomed return to the Seahawks last offseason after his one-year stint with the Rams. Another Seattle deal does not seem to be in play for the All-Pro linebacker, however.

Wagner is expected to reach free agency this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Rather than simply gauging his value amongst potential suitors, he adds, Wagner is not expected to agree to a new Seahawks pact. The 33-year-old intends to continue playing, but he will apparently be doing so outside of Seattle in 2024.

Playing on a one-year, $5.5MM deal in 2023, Wagner showed he can still be productive at his age. The nine-time Pro Bowler led the league with 183 tackles (a career high) while remaining a full-time starter alongside Jordyn Brooks. The latter is also a pending free agent, and losing both in the same offseason would create quite the vacancy in the middle of Seattle’s defense.

With news that Wagner is likely on the way out, Brooks may end up being the preferred option to retain going forward into 2024. The team used former Steelers linebacker Devin Bush at linebacker this year, as well, and he may be able to step into one of the vacated starting spots, if necessary, though he, too, is currently bound for free agency. Another option comes through incoming free agency, as Ravens All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen is set to be a free agent and could be interested in following his former defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, to Seattle.

As for Wagner, the 33-year-old has continued to prove that age is just a number, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while leading the league in tackles in 2023. In an extremely talented off-ball linebacker free agent class that includes Devin White, Josey Jewell, Shaquille Leonard, Denzel Perryman, and more, Wagner is still likely to demand a decent price. A short deal averaging around $15MM per year could be in range as he continues to defy Father Time. His age could pull him down closer to $10MM per year, but with the inflating prices at the position and his continued recent excellence, big money is not out of play.

Ely Allen contributed to this post. 

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