A Frenetic Free Agency: WITH HOURLY UPDATES – it has begun. Yes, the new league year doesn’t officially begin for another day but NFL players who have no contract — Free Agents — and NFL teams with excess cap laying around, could legally negotiate with each other beginning yesterday morning at 11:00 AM CDT… and oh boy, did they. So, let’s take a look at what’s happened so far:
Chiefs News:
Chris Jones was given the franchise player non-exclusive tag.
Also, a lot of fans, including me, have been wanting the Chiefs to re-sign OG Stefen Wisniewski, but it’s too late. He signed a multi-year deal with Philly.
Eagles announce 3-year deal with OL Stefan Wisniewski.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 10, 2017
In other Chiefs related news: Safety Eric Murray signed with the Houston Texans on a 3-year deal of up to $20.25M. Wow! I never thought much of Murray.
The Vikings re-signed punter Britton Colquitt, Dustin’s brother, to a 3-year, $9M extension.
On the backup QB front: while I’m in favor of keeping Matt Moore on the Chiefs sideline in 2020, after all, why not continue with what has worked and worked well… however:
The #Chiefs are re-signing QB Chad Henne to a 2-year deal, per @TerezPaylor.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 17, 2020
I thought WR Marcus Kemp might be the one who could challenge to replace Sammy Watkins once he departs (which seems like a sure bet), but I guess the only way that happens is if he rebounds (and I’m not talking basketball here).
Distinct possibility Kemp returns to Chiefs later in the offseason but he should draw interest from other teams as well. Showed real signs of coming into his own in camp last year and a strong special teams player.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) March 16, 2020
The Chiefs have picked up the options on RB Damien Williams and LB Damien Wilson. Good news on both counts. Now, say goodbye to DB Kendall Fuller who is going back to Washington.
Kendall Fuller goes back to Washington on a 4 year deal.
He'll always have that ring in KC. Good luck in the future to the DB. pic.twitter.com/OmDKz9NRt6
— Full Press Chiefs (@FPC_Chiefs) March 17, 2020
Biggest NFL News:
The biggest NFL story was the trade of Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins for: RB David Johnson to the Arizona Cardinal, plus a 2nd round pick this year, and a 4th round pick in 2021. Other hot stories related to the Chiefs include:
-
- QB Dak Prescott was designated with the franchise player exclusive tag
- Ryan Tannehill was re-signed to a 4-year contract (through 2023)
- QB Kirk Cousins was re-signed – a Two-year extension (through 2022)
- DT Deforest Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts
The reason I those transactions are Chiefs related is… because they matter most to the Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones situations.
For the #Vikings and QB Kirk Cousins, it’s a 2-year deal worth $66M, source said. In all, it’s 3 years, $96M. $61M guaranteed at signing.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Ryan Tannehill re-signed with the Titans for $118M for 4 years, or $29.5M per year. Some players set the market for other players and Kirk Cousins $33M per year with the Vikings has many thinking that Dak’s new deal should eventually (when the Cowboys get around to re-signing him) be more than that. Come on… we all know PMII’s new deal will eventually be more than $40M per.
The DT Deforest Buckner trade was important to understanding what a trade could look like for DT Chris Jones. the Colts traded away pick #13 in this year’s draft to acquire him and then they agreed to a five-year extension which pays him $21M per year. There’s no way the Chiefs can take that kind of cap hit but they should be able to get a couple of high draft picks for Chris Jones, who many identify as the 2nd best DT in the league, right behind Aaron Donald.
LB Kyle Van Noy is going to the Miami Dolphins with a 4-year, $51 million deal. Goodbye Bill Belichick. In another move, from late last night:
The #Vikings have traded WR Stefon Diggs and a seventh-round pick to the #Bills for a first-round pick, a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2021, source said. @JayGlazer first on the trade
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 17, 2020
It appears the Raiders have signed QB Marcus Mariota. This where we insert a video of the Beatles singing, “Baby You Can Drive My Car“… but I won’t. It’s hard to believe that with all the stellar Free Agents this year, that Marcus Mariota was signed by anyone on day one of the flirtation period. Then again, when Derek Carr is your QB…
Breaking: The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a deal with former Titans QB Marcus Mariota, a source tells @PGutierrezESPN. pic.twitter.com/kqktVH7PJ7
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 17, 2020
Rumor
Until a deal is done, everything is a rumor. Here’s an intriguing one, especially as it applies to Bears QB Mitch Trubisky. I’ve also heard that Matt Nagy wants to create competition for Trubisky’s job as motivation. They need to do something to light a fire under his tushy…
Report: Free Agent QB Teddy Bridgewater is currently working on a deal with the Chicago #Bears.
(Per @PaulCrane7) #NFL pic.twitter.com/76n5nEZfpf
— GRIZZ. (@GrizzlyGridiron) March 16, 2020
Late Signing
Amari Cooper intends to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys on a 5-year, $100 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2020
Other NFL Transactions:
[Note: all of the places where you see the word “signed” means: players will sign on Wednesday once the new league year officially begins]
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- TE Austin Hooper: the Browns made him the highest-paid player at his position, 4 years for $44 million (more cray cray from Cleveland)
- NT Javon Hargrave signs with Philly, 3-years, $39M ($26M fully guaranteed)
- OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai signed with Detroit for $50M for 5 years
- OT Dennis Kelly re-signed with the Titans on a 3-year, $21M deal
- OL Graham Glasgow signed a 4-year, $44 million deal with Denver
- TE Jimmy Graham signs with the Bears for 2-years, $16M
- S Devin McCourty was re-signed
- LB Shaquil Barrett was given the non-exclusive franchise tag
- DT Arik Armstead was re-signed 5-year extension (through 2024)
- RB Kenyan Drake was designated transition player
- OT Ty Sambrailo was cut
- TE Pharaoh Brown, re-signed/excl. FA 1-year deal (through 2020)
- RB Dontrell Hilliard, re-signed/excl. FA 1-year deal (through 2020)
- WR KhaDarel Hodge, re-signed/excl. FA 1-year deal (through 2020)
- S Morgan Burnett was cut
- DT Margus Hunt was cut
- LB Bud Dupree was designated franchise player
- DE Leonard Williams was given the franchise player non-exclusive tag
- OT Rick Wagner was signed Two-year contract (through 2021)
- RB Devonta Freeman was cut
- CB Desmond Trufant was cut
- WR A.J. Green was given the franchise player non-exclusive tag
- RB Derrick Henry was given the franchise player non-exclusive tag
- DT Hassan Ridgeway was re-signed to a 1-year contract (through 2020)
- S Anthony Harris was designated a franchise player
- CB Dee Virgin was re-signed/excl. FA 1-year contract (through 2020)
- OG Joe Thuney was designated their franchise player
- TE Ben Watson retired
- TE Antony Auclair re-signed a 1-year contract (through 2020)
- TE Luke Stocker was cut
- LB Mark Barron was cut
- LB Anthony Chickillo was cut
- WR Johnny Holton was cut
- Backup QB Case Keenum got a 3 year $18 M deal from the Browns
Yes, it was a very busy day in the Hundred Acre Wood and that doesn’t even cover everything that happened. However, what did take place yesterday had a lot of people buzzing.
Ryan Tannehill gets 100 million…Dak Prescott and Derrick Henry gets Franchise Tagged?!! The Texans Trades DeAndre Hopkins who is arguably the best WR in the NFL?! MFs might have to start drug testing these Owners and GMs!!! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) March 16, 2020
The Lions are quickly becoming the Detroit Patriots.
Source: Patriots LB Jamie Collins has agreed to terms with the Lions. Will reunited with Detroit coach Matt Patricia.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2020
Ex-Chiefs offensive coordinator, and now the Chicago Bears Head Coach, Matt Nagy, wants to make his presence felt this offseason:
Source: #Bears are focused on acquiring Andy Dalton or Nick Foles – both veteran quarterbacks who have played for either Matt Nagy or members of coaching staff. There’s a sense in the organization that Mitchell Trubisky should be forced to compete for the starting position.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 16, 2020
Late last night the Bills made a deal for WR Stefon Diggs:
The NFL also issued a new statement delaying offseason workouts for teams:
NFL, NFLPA announce an indefinite delay of the offseason workout program. #Chiefs were scheduled to begin on April 20. pic.twitter.com/IwOefdRFeo
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) March 17, 2020
In case you missed it, the league has decided to forgo the inclusion of any patrons or draft prospects during the NFL Draft in Las Vegas next month.
NFL statement on cancellation of the public portion of the draft. Draft dates not changing, plans for handling the draft will become available later. pic.twitter.com/ZpLuVD5KwI
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) March 16, 2020
I’ll be doing updates all day today to keep up with the Frenetic Free Agency Action.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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