Worst money transfer: Russell Wilson, Daniel Jones, or Deshaun Watson?
There’s plenty of dangerous monetary strikes within the NFL, the crew wonders who’s the worst money transfer in recent years within the league.
NFL free company will begin Monday with what ought to be a flurry of offers – even when nothing is ready to turn into official till Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the brand new league yr.
But Monday at midday marks the opening of the negotiating interval or “authorized tampering window, throughout which impending free brokers are allowed to contact and enter into negotiations with groups. And if historical past is any indicator, it will not take lengthy for offers to start out flying, as a few of the largest names set to hit the market will not final lengthy earlier than they arrive to phrases with their new workforce.
USA TODAY Sports can have updates on all of the latest offers and buzz all through the day, so test again typically for up-to-the-minute information from our employees and across the USA TODAY Network on the beginning of NFL free company:
It was a transfer that appeared inevitable for a while, however David Bahktiari’s time with the Packers lastly seems to be over.
The 32-year-old left deal with posted his farewell on social media amid his anticipated launch.
A two-time All-Pro, Bakhtiari has performed simply 13 video games within the final three seasons – together with one final yr – whereas coping with lingering knee points. His $40 million cap hit for 2024 was set to be the most important of any non-quarterback.
Now, might a reunion with Aaron Rodgers be within the playing cards given the Jets’ want for a blind-side protector?
The working again market is rapidly coming into focus, Tony Pollard set to hitch the Tennessee Titans shortly after the Chicago Bears and D’Andre Swift struck a deal. Pollard’s transfer to Nashville all however formally brings an finish to Derrick Henry’s momentous tenure – his 9,502 dashing yards probably the most ever by a Titan (although ex-Oiler/Titan Eddie George is the franchise’s all-time main rusher by 507 yards).
Pollard, whose transfer was first reported by KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, had greater than 1,300 yards from scrimmage every of the previous two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. However his yards per contact dipped by 1.6 in 2023, when he performed on the franchise tag because the lead again following the departure of Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard will now workforce with Tyjae Spears (838 yards in 2023) in Tennessee.
The Minnesota Vikings confronted a possible exodus from an already suspect go rush. Now, they’ve wrapped up one of many prime edge threats in the marketplace.
Jonathan Greenard agreed to a four-year, $76 million cope with the workforce Monday, his agent instructed ESPN.
Greenard, who turns 27 in May, had a breakout season final yr for the Houston Texans, racking up 12 ½ sacks reverse Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
In Minnesota, he’ll play an important position in Brian Flores’ blitz-happy protection, which seems to be set to lose standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter. Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum are additionally on observe to be free brokers.
The first large domino of NFL free company has fallen.
Former Philadelphia Eagles working again D’Andre Swift agreed to a three-year, $24.5 million cope with the Chicago Bears, based on NFL Network.
Swift, 25, ought to tackle a number one position in a Bears backfield that additionally returns Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. After being acquired by the Eagles by way of commerce final offseason, Swift tallied profession highs of 229 carries and 1,049 dashing yards.
Chicago may very well be in for an almost full-scale skill-position overhaul outdoors of extensive receiver DJ Moore, because the workforce is predicted to pick out Caleb Williams No. 1 general within the NFL draft and may very well be out there for an additional wideout with the No. 9 choose.
Swift’s departure creates extra uncertainty for the Eagles, who may very well be concerned out there for Saquon Barkley.
Add Indianapolis Colts extensive receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the rising record of franchise-tagged gamers who will not be enjoying on the one-year tender in 2024 after getting a long-term deal accomplished.
Pittman and the Colts agreed to a three-year, $70 million contract, based on a number of studies.
The settlement retains in place the highest goal for Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Pittman recorded 109 catches for 1,152 receiving yards final season.
A few specialists are staying home somewhat than take a look at the free agent market.
Per NFL Network, the New York Jets are re-signing Ok Greg Zuerlein, arguably their most respected participant in 2023, to a two-year contract price $8.4 million. The veteran linked on 35 of 38 field-goal tries in 2023, top-of-the-line seasons of his 12-year profession.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stay in run-it-back mode, reaching a three-year settlement to retain Ok Chase McLaughlin a day after maintaining QB Baker Mayfield within the building. McLaughlin was 29-of-31 within the FG division for the 2023 NFC South champs and hit all 33 of his extra-point tries.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line will look completely different subsequent season with out Jason Kelce, however the organization is bringing again a key a part of the inside.
Left guard Landon Dickerson agreed to a four-year extension, the Eagles introduced Monday.
According to NFL Media, the deal is price $84 million in base wage with $50 million assured and a $20 million signing bonus. The $21 million annual common worth is the best for a guard in NFL historical past. The Atlanta Falcons’ Chris Lindstrom beforehand held the title.
The Eagles chosen Dickerson, who began his faculty profession at Florida State earlier than transferring to Alabama, within the second spherical (thirty seventh general) of the 2021 draft.
After a season through which QB Trevor Lawrence was persistently overwhelmed up bodily, the Jacksonville Jaguars have already made a transfer to upgrade their O-line. Per NFL Network, C Mitch Morse – one other “road free agent” after getting launched by the Buffalo Bills final week – has agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal ($7 million assured). The 2022 Pro Bowler will doubtless displace Luke Fortner, the Jags’ beginning middle the previous two seasons.
Maybe the Bengals will not be working again their receiving corps in spite of everything.
Franchise-tagged extensive receiver Tee Higgins is requesting a commerce amid frustration with the workforce relating to the shortage of progress towards a long-term contract, a person with data of the state of affairs instructed USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of sensitivity of the state of affairs.
ESPN was first to report the information.
Higgins, 25, would instantly turn into one of the best extensive receiver that may very well be inside groups’ attain – though at a doubtlessly important cost. Beyond what a workforce must hand over in compensation with a purpose to sway the Bengals to half with arguably the league’s prime No. 2 receiver, a franchise would want to cough up a big contract amid a booming receiver market.
Still, a number of groups may very well be potential patrons. Among them:
- Carolina Panthers: Their curiosity to find top-tier pass-catching assistance is well-established, and there is doubtless no larger instant-impact contributor available than the Clemson product. Strong likelihood that the Panthers are in search of a receiver after they’re first up with the preliminary choose of the second spherical.
- Tennessee Titans: Homecoming time for the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native? Outside of 31-year-old DeAndre Hopkins, the receiving corps behind Will Levis is severely underwhelming. Higgins might kind a dynamic downfield reference to Levis, and the Titans have ample cap house to swing such a transfer.
- New England Patriots: Eliot Wolf spoke of the necessity to “weaponize the offense.” Well, right here you go. No higher fast repair for a workforce that has been woefully missing in assist for its quarterback, and Higgins can be a serious asset to any young passer who takes the reins behind middle. And a big-money deal is not an issue for a workforce that enters Monday with the second-most cap house (greater than $82 million) at its disposal.
The tampering window would not open till midday ET, nonetheless some gamers have already switched groups. Why?
In the case of S Kevin Byard, who’s already reportedly agreed to a two-year cope with the Chicago Bears, for instance, the Philadelphia Eagles terminated his contract early. That made Byard a “road free agent” and thus eligible to signal elsewhere instantly versus ready for Wednesday. Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl FS Justin Simmons is in an analogous state of affairs, already eligible to hitch one other membership.
Early termination of contracts not solely kickstarts the method of clearing cap house, however it’s typically an indication of excellent religion as golf equipment give veterans a head begin on the free agent course of.
In the case of QB Russell Wilson, he cannot formally signal with the Pittsburgh Steelers till later this week because the Broncos have solely introduced his impending launch, however it’s not but official.
INDIANAPOLIS — The first transfer the Colts made in free company this offseason was one they didn’t need to make.
But it was an opportunity to reward a participant who has outplayed the final deal he signed by leaps and bounds.
Indianapolis signed center linebacker Zaire Franklin to a three-year extension, a person with data of the state of affairs instructed IndyStar and the USA TODAY Network on Monday morning. The person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of that they had not been approved to reveal the deal, which is price as much as $31.3 million.
Franklin signed a three-year, $10 million deal in free company two years in the past, a deal that mirrored his place on the time as a essential particular teamer and rotational linebacker, and he was headed into the ultimate yr of that deal in 2024, a deal that may have paid him greater than $3 million this season.
He has been a tackling machine the previous two seasons, breaking the Indianapolis file with 167 tackles in his first season as a full-time starter, then setting a brand new bar once more in 2023 by piling up 179 tackles. Franklin additionally has 4.5 sacks and 12 passes defended over the previous two seasons.
– Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star
The Detroit Lions will preserve at the least one among their beginning guards in 2024.
The Lions and veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow agreed to a brand new three-year contract price a most of $20 million earlier than the beginning of the free agent negotiating interval Monday. The deal, which remains to be being finalized, consists of $9.5 million assured.
Originally a third-round choose by the Lions in 2016, Glasgow returned to the workforce on a one-year deal final spring after spending the earlier three seasons with the Denver Broncos. He began video games at each guard spots and middle final yr and was one of many Lions’ most constant linemen.
Glasgow ranked second within the NFL in run block win charge amongst inside lineman in 2023, based on ESPN, and allowed 4 sacks final season based on the Free Press’ charting of performs.
– Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
Six days proved to be sufficient for Russell Wilson to search out his touchdown spot.
After the Denver Broncos revealed final Monday their intention to chop Wilson after the beginning of the brand new league yr on Wednesday, the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. By Sunday evening, studies emerged that Wilson was planning to signal with the Steelers, with the signal-caller seemingly confirming the information on social media.
Wilson’s addition provides fast intrigue for a Steelers offense already present process modifications with the arrival of recent coordinator Arthur Smith. While each coach Mike Tomlin and basic supervisor Omar Khan have backed incumbent starter Kenny Pickett, every said their want to herald competitors forward of the previous first-round draft choose’s third season.
The transfer comes at little cost to the Steelers, as Wilson was due $39 million assured from the Broncos.
While beginning is hardly a given for Wilson, the chance seemingly stands out because the 12-year veteran’s finest likelihood to push for enjoying time – and on a workforce that has by no means had a shedding season in Tomlin’s 17 years on the helm.
In an offseason through which the San Francisco 49ers look to be bringing again a large variety of their key contributors from final yr’s Super Bowl workforce, at the least one piece can be headed elsewhere.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was unable to comply with a restructured contract with the workforce and is now anticipated to be launched, based on a number of studies.
Armstead, 30, performed in 12 video games final season, lacking time after struggling a torn meniscus in December. He has spent all 9 years of his profession with the 49ers and signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the workforce in 2020 after a 10-sack season.
This season, Armstead was set to have a large $28.3 million cap hit. If designated as a post-June 1 minimize, the transfer might save San Francisco $18 million in opposition to the cap.
More modifications may very well be coming to the 49ers’ offensive line this week in free company, as midseason commerce acquisition Chase Young might depart.
It may not be the form of transfer Eliot Wolf envisioned when the Patriots’ new personnel honcho spoke on the NFL scouting mix of the necessity to “weaponize the offense,” however New England is maintaining a key piece in place.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is re-signing with the workforce on a three-year deal price as much as $33 million, his agent stated.
Bourne was averaging a career-high 50.8 yards per recreation in 2023 earlier than a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 prematurely ended his season.
As New England prepares for maybe extra sizable strikes to reshape its offense – the workforce additionally dealt quarterback Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday – Bourne provides the brand new regime a gradual goal alongside tight finish Hunter Henry, who additionally re-upped final week on a three-year deal price as much as $30 million.
Still, with the Patriots flush with cap house (greater than $82 million, based on Over The Cap), New England may very well be a serious participant to remake its assortment of skill-position expertise.
Free company doesn’t formally begin till 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, which marks the beginning of the brand new league yr. At midday on Monday, March 11, nonetheless, gamers who’re impending free brokers are permitted to contact and attain agreements with groups on contracts.
