NFC NORTH

CHICAGO

QB ANDY DALTON lands a one-year deal with the Bears.  ESPN.com:

The Chicago Bears and quarterback Andy Dalton have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal, with the chance for the quarterback to earn another $3 million in incentives, sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Chicago made “a very aggressive pursuit” of Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, sources said, but the Bears were told that Seattle is not trading him at this time.

The Bears were one of four teams Wilson’s agent named as a place of interest.

Dalton, 33, spent 2020 with the Dallas Cowboys after a nine-year run as the Cincinnati Bengals’ starter.

Signed as the backup, Dalton was pressed into duty when Cowboys starter Dak Prescott suffered a dislocated and compound fracture of his right ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants.

In nine starts (11 appearances), Dalton had a 4-5 record, throwing for 2,170 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 8 interceptions. He had his best showing in a Week 16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, throwing for 377 yards and three scores.

Dalton had some health issues of his own during the season, missing a game after suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team. The following week, he was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

At the end of the season, Dalton said his hope was to find a spot as a starter and coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said he had shown enough to warrant consideration from teams.

This from Jordan Raanan:

@JordanRaanan

·

59m

As I’ve said all along: What do the Bears really have to offer? Oh, here’s the 20th pick and some future firsts which probably won’t be good anyone because we have Russ cooking.

This from Robert Mays:

@robertmays

There was no appealing path forward this offseason if the Bears weren’t getting Wilson or Watson. This regime is up against it. I’d prefer Dalton over giving up a high pick for a project in Carson Wentz that would likely fail given Chicago’s setup. There’s no long-term damage.

If you were the Bears, would you rather have Ryan Fitzpatrick or Andy Dalton from the bargain bin?

DETROIT

DT MICHAEL BROCKERS was looking forward to playing with QB MATTHEW STAFFORD on the Rams. Now, he’s headed for a re-union with QB JARED GOFF.  Cassandra Negley of YahooSports.com:

Talk about awkward.

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers is reportedly on his way to the Detroit Lions after the sides finalized a trade deal on Wednesday. That’s all well and good in itself. Except there’s another trade between the Rams and Lions going through when the NFL league year begins at 4 p.m. ET. The Rams are also sending quarterback Jared Goff to Detroit in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

And the reunion of teammates isn’t going to be super pleasant after what Brockers said about it earlier this month.

The Rams made a deal to get Stafford at the end of January. The Lions received Goff and two future first-round picks. It seemed like a lot for a quarterback entering his 13th season and with no deep playoff experience.

Brockers made his feelings clear to TMZ on gaining a new quarterback.

“Is it a level up? In my heart, deeply, just understanding what he brings, it’s a level up,” Brockers said. “It’s a level up.”

He also stopped short of calling a Rams Super Bowl spot “a lock,” but said with Stafford and the Rams success in 2020, “there’s no wonder why we can’t [win it all].”

Brockers, Goff back together Detroit

Well now it seems Brockers is leveling back down, at least in the context of his own words about the quarterbacks.

Brockers, 30, was the Rams’ 14th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and was their longest-tenured defensive player before the trade. But the sides reportedly couldn’t come to an agreement on restructuring his contract. The Rams receive a 2023 seventh-round pick in the deal.

Los Angeles began the week about about $33 million over the salary cap, which dropped 8 percent from last season because of impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rams had to make room before the new league year opened and were expected to rework big contracts. Brockers’ deal for 2021 was a salary-cap hit of $9.8 million.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINA

The Panthers have been quiet in free agency – and Joe Person of The Athletic thinks what moves they’ve made lead to QB DESHAUN WATSON:

The Panthers had a quiet Tuesday on the second day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. But a move in Houston involving a journeyman quarterback who’s joining his fifth team could have a loud and major impact on the story that has dominated the NFL offseason.

When the Texans agreed to terms with quarterback Tyrod Taylor on a one-year contract worth as much as $12.5 million, they acquired their fallback option in the event they decide to give Deshaun Watson his wish and trade him.

That sound you hear is Nick Caserio’s cell phone blowing up in Houston. Whether the Texans’ first-year general manager chooses to answer this week to field Watson trade offers is unclear. By signing Taylor, who reunites with quarterbacks coach and Charlotte native Pep Hamilton, the Texans could be signaling to Watson that they’re committed to digging in and have a backup plan if he holds out.

But most league insiders believe Caserio eventually will deal Watson, presumably prior to the April 29-May 1 draft to maximize the return. And the Panthers will be among the teams hammering Caserio’s cell.

An executive with a team that has been monitoring the quarterback market said Tuesday the Panthers “are locked” on Watson, the 25-year-old who grew up in Gainesville, Ga., and won a national championship at Clemson — both within an easy half-day drive of Charlotte.

Panthers owner David Tepper has made no secret of his desire to upgrade at the quarterback position. And Watson looks to be Plan A, B and C.

Those who know Tepper say the hedge-fund billionaire doesn’t like to be told no. When Matt Rhule was choosing between the Giants and the Panthers last year, Tepper made him an offer that Giants co-owner John Mara wouldn’t top — seven years and $60 million, with the ability to make another $10 million in incentives.

So expect the Panthers to put together a big package for Watson, with three first-round picks the likely starting point. They won’t be bidding against themselves.

The Jets and Dolphins — both flush with draft picks — have been the teams most often linked to Watson, along with the Panthers. But Denver and San Francisco also could be in play.

One wild card to keep an eye on is New England. The Patriots loaded up in free agency with offensive weapons and defensive playmakers, which could make them more attractive to Watson, whose no-trade clause gives him a strong voice in where he ends up. Plus, don’t underestimate Caserio’s ties to New England, where he spent 20 years working with Bill Belichick, including 18 years in player personnel.

But back to the Panthers.

New general manager Scott Fitterer cleared nearly $12 million in salary-cap space last week when Christian McCaffrey and Shaq Thompson restructured their contracts. The Panthers currently have $29.8 million in cap room, according to the NFLPA database. That doesn’t include the $3.6 million they’ll gain with Wednesday’s release of Tre Boston at the start of the league year.

That’s plenty of space for Fitterer to continue to fill the Panthers’ positional needs and take on Watson’s $10.54 million cap hit in 2021. In fact, it might behoove Fitterer to re-sign Curtis Samuel or add another dynamic player on offense if it might help him win the Watson Sweepstakes.

Panthers fans have been a bit unkind to Fitterer on Twitter this week for his opening free agency salvo, if that’s what you want to call agreeing to terms with a couple of offensive linemen who failed to crack a list of the top free agents that stretched 150 players long.

And while Fitterer is likely being smart with Tepper’s money so he can sign a starting cornerback, a pass-rushing defensive tackle and perhaps have enough left for a tight end, he might also be keeping $10.54 million in reserve for Watson.

The dominoes started to fall Tuesday. If the last one ends with Watson winding up in Charlotte, those Twitter critics won’t remember that free agency began with Pat Elflein and Cam Erving.

TAMPA BAY

 We still need to see how this plays out in future years, but a DB source says QB TOM BRADY will end up with a nice actual raise in pay in 2021 as a reward for winning a Super Bowl and wasn’t really just all about him doing a favor for the team.  This from Mike Florio touches on some of the issues:

Once again, Tom Brady has done a favor for his team. Once again, he’ll nevertheless make more money that he previously was supposed to get.

According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Brady is “due” $41.075 million in 2021, with the remaining $8.925 million coming in 2022. It’s a grand total of $50 million over two years.

The short=term increase in cash nevertheless comes with cap savings, via the use of voidable years into which 2021 signing bonuses will be spread. Per Pelissero, Brady’s cap number will be $9.075 million, $19.3 million lower than what it would have been.

Obviously, this contract was far more complex than a so-called “simple restructuring” that would have reduced Brady’s $25 million in 2021 compensation to the minimum and converted the balance to a signing bonus. He’s somehow getting more while still generating more than $19 million in cap space.

We’re working on getting the full details and complete explanation on this one. Here’s one nugget we’ve managed to finagle so far: Of the $41.075 million Brady will earn in 2021, $15 million actually will be paid in 2022.

That automatically undercuts the impression that he’ll pocket more than $41 million in 2021. Even if he did, and even though that amount surpasses Dak Prescott‘s annual average on his new four-year deal, it’s important to remember that Prescott definitely will be paid $75 million before the end of the 2021 season.

Finally, it’s hard to imagine Brady not signing another new contract in 2022, if he indeed sticks around for a third season. Given the money the Bucs will make with Brady on the roster, the team won’t bat an eye at yet again giving him more — especially when he’s still far below the most that quarterbacks make.

If the Buccaneers can’t hold on to RB LEONARD FOURNETTE, they may sign Brady’s Patriot compadre JAMES WHITE.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

 The 49ers have invested big time in their offensive line.  First, it was T TRENT WILLIAMS re-signing a record contract:

Trent Williams and the San Francisco 49ers have reached a six-year, $138.06 million deal that will make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, his agency announced Wednesday morning.

The deal has $55.1 million in guaranteed money, Williams’ agency Elite Loyalty Sports tweeted. The contract also includes a $30.1 million signing bonus, sources told ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

The Williams deal comes on the heels of the 49ers re-signing fullback Kyle Juszczyk and cornerback Jason Verrett. With that trio back in the fold, the Niners are expected to pursue free-agent center Alex Mack, a source told Russini.

Williams, whose deal surpasses the four-year, $92 million extension given to Green Bay Packers lineman David Bakhtiari in November, even tagged Mack in an Instagram post announcing his return. San Francisco is also expected continue to try to keep more of its own free agents, including nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams.

Williams, widely considered the best available free agent this offseason, previously discussed deals this week with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

But Kansas City signed Joe Thuney and Chicago signed Germain Ifedi, paving the way for Brown’s historic deal to return to San Francisco.

Then, they added C ALEX MACK per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com:

@RapSheet

#Falcons free agent center Alex Mack is expected to sign with the #49ers, source said, as the Cal product lands back in the Bay Area. Mack has been with coach Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland and Atlanta… and now SF.

SEATTLE

The Seahawks considered a massive offer from the Bears – and decided to keep disgruntled QB RUSSELL WILSON.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Bears did indeed try to finagle a trade for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

According to Dan Patrick, Chicago offered three first-round picks, a third-round pick, and two unnamed starters for Wilson. The Seahawks, obviously, passed.

The problem, from the Bears’ perspective, is that they hold the 20th overall pick this year. And if they have Wilson, the future first-round picks likely would landed in the 20s as well.

The only remaining question is whether some other team with a higher spot in the 2021 pecking order decides to make a similar effort. The Jets, for example, have pick No. 2. The Dolphins have pick No. 3. The Panthers hold pick No. 8.

Again, the Seahawks haven’t drafted a quarterback in round one since 1993, and they’ve only ever used a first-rounder on a quarterback twice. Even if they didn’t use the 2021 first-rounder from Wilson’s new team on his replacement, the 2021 first-rounder needs to be a lot closer to No. 1 than No. 32.

More thoughts from Florio:

Cowboys? Nope. Saints? Nope. Bears? Nope.

Of the four potential destinations identified by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson‘s agent nearly three weeks ago, only one remains potentially viable: the Raiders. The other three teams are by all appearances out.

So it’s the Raiders or no one — unless there are other teams for which Wilson would play, and unless those teams have the capital to get Seattle to say something other than, “Go away.”

It would have to be a team that, presumably, can deliver the kind of draft capital that would allow the Seahawks to land a quarterback, if the Seahawks view one of more of the top prospects as viable options.

Under Pete Carroll and John Schneider, the Seahawks have drafted two quarterbacks: Wilson and Alex McGough. The franchise hasn’t used a first-round pick on a quarterback since Rick Mirer in 1993, two years after using a first-round pick on quarterback Dan McGwire. Those are the only two first-round quarterbacks in franchise history.

If, as seems likely, Wilson stays, that won’t automatically solve the issues between player and team. Wilson wants the offense to run through him. Unless the Seahawks decide to give Wilson what he wants, it could be a potentially awkward and dysfunctional season for Seattle.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

 RB DAMIEN WILLIAMS opted out of Kanas City’s title defense and the Chiefs have opted out of employing him in 2021.  Adam Teicher of ESPN.com:

The Kansas City Chiefs released running back Damien Williams, one of the stars of their Super Bowl LIV win over the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced Tuesday.

The Chiefs last season drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round to be their featured back, and he led the team in rushing, despite missing time with injuries. And on Tuesday, they re-signed his leading backup, Darrel Williams, to a one-year contract.

Williams opted out of the 2020 season. But he led the Chiefs in rushing in 2019, and he topped 100 yards in the Super Bowl victory. He also had two of the Chiefs’ signature plays in the fourth quarter of that game, a 5-yard touchdown catch that put his team ahead for good and a 38-yard run for the final score.

Williams joined the Chiefs in 2018 as a free agent after four seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

The team posted a “THANK YOU” message to Williams on Twitter later Tuesday.

LAS VEGAS

 The Raiders flat out cut C RODNEY HUDSON.  Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:

Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson recently called center Rodney Hudson a very valuable piece of the Raiders’ offense. But apparently his value was something less than what was left of his contract.

Instead of keeping Hudson, the Raiders have released him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The move is a big surprise, both because Hudson is a good player and because the move doesn’t actually help the Raiders’ cap situation, as they take on a slightly bigger dead cap hit than keeping Hudson would have cost. It’s possible the Raiders will designate Hudson a post-June 1 release, in which case about half of his dead cap hit will move to their 2022 cap.

The Raiders have now said goodbye to four of their five offensive line starters from 2020, with Hudson joining guards Richie Incognito and Gabe Jackson in getting cut. The Raiders also traded tackle Trent Brown to New England.

Rebuilding the offensive line is going to be a major offseason task for coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock.

Hudson is a three-time Pro Bowler who has spent the last six years with the Raiders. He’ll have plenty of suitors in free agency.

Vic Tafur provides this tweet:

@VicTafur

Talked about this possibility on the podcast last week. Raiders love backup center Andre James and weren’t winning anyway with all the money spent on OL.

AFC NORTH

PITTSBURGH

Ron Rivera has put the Steelers on notice about what they face with QB DWAYNE HASKINS.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com:

Ron Rivera finally said what everyone always knew: Dwayne Haskins‘ work ethic and commitment were issues. Those issues factored into Haskins being benched and eventually released.

In a podcast interview with Colin Cowherd, the Washington coach addressed Haskins’ troubled tenure with the team. Washington cut the quarterback after only two seasons and 13 starts, and Haskins signed with the Steelers on Jan. 21.

“You know what? I tried to come to terms with him,” Rivera told Cowherd, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “He’s a very talented player. He’s got an NFL arm, a legit arm, and there’s a part of him that he wants to, but something keeps getting in the way. I’m not sure what it was, and that was the hard part because he puts in the time, and then he doesn’t. And you’re wondering, ‘Where is he? What’s he doing?’ You see him over there and you go, ‘OK,’ and then you don’t see him. So I think the thing he needs to do is just prioritize. The kid, as I said, he’s talented, and if he ever does get it, he’s going to make an impact.”

When Rivera benched Haskins after the first four games, he said other quarterbacks on the roster with experience in the system gave Washington the best chance to win the NFC East. (He was right: Kyle Allen and then Alex Smith led Washington to the division title.)

When Smith became the starter in Week 10, Rivera alluded to Haskins’ work ethic.

Haskins went 3-10, completing 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,804 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his time in Washington.

When Washington drafted Haskins with the 15th overall choice in 2019, at the urging of owner Dan Snyder, the team thought it had its franchise quarterback. Instead, Washington is back at the drawing board.

Rivera answered Cowherd’s question about what he looks for in a quarterback by citing toughness, a desire to win for teammates and fearlessness. Rivera said he admired Cam Newton‘s fearlessness and Smith’s toughness.

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON

QB TYROD TAYLOR slots in behind QB DESHAUN WATSON – for now:

TomPelissero

The #Texans are signing QB Tyrod Taylor to an incentive-laden contract, similar to what Cam Newton and Jameis Winston agreed to in recent days, per source. It can be worth up to $12.5 million, but the base value is less than half that. Solid backup money, and more if he plays.

Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com on what it means:

In agreeing to sign quarterback Tyrod Taylor to an incentive-laden deal worth up to a reported $12.5 million, the Texans have crafted an insurance policy for the game’s most important position. If Houston were to trade Watson, they would at least have Taylor as a signal-caller with 47 games of starting experience. Plus, Taylor worked with Houston’s quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton with the Chargers last year, so there’s familiarity with the team’s staff.

But as Peter King pointed out on Tuesday’s episode of PFT PM, the Texans bringing in Taylor  could also be a message of, “Go ahead and sit,” to Watson.

Watson would incur hefty financial penalties if he were to sit out the 2021 season instead of playing for Houston. But he and the Texans are clearly at an impasse. If Jalen Ramsey — who shares an agent with Watson — is to be believed, the quarterback is “extremely serious” about not suiting up for the Texans again.

By signing Taylor, the Texans could be signaling they’re willing to part with Watson for the right price. Or they just might be further digging in their heels in their stance that Watson will be their quarterback or he won’t play — whether he likes it or not.

JACKSONVILLE

 The Jaguars added two vets on Tuesday.

As the Urban Meyer era is underway in Duval, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been active in bringing in new faces and next up is a veteran wideout fresh off a productive run in Motown.

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones is expected to sign with the Jaguars on a short-term deal worth $7 million per season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday.

The move will see Jones reunite with Darrell Bevell, who is the new Jags offensive coordinator after previously holding the position with the Lions before ending the 2020 campaign as Detroit’s interim head coach.

Jones, No. 49 on Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 Free Agents of 2021 at the time of the deal, leaves the Lions after five productive seasons, including last year’s showing of 76 receptions, 978 yards and nine touchdowns.

With the Jaguars holding the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft and many predicting them to take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the 31-year old Jones offers a veteran component who should compliment young receivers D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr. in the Jags WR corps.

The Jaguars also got involved in the trade market Tuesday, acquiring defensive lineman Malcolm Brown from the New Orleans Saints, Rapoport reported. Had Brown remained with the Saints, he would have made roughly $5 million, but will now get a two-year deal worth $11 million with $8 million guaranteed in Jacksonville, Rapoport reported. A starter the past two seasons with the Saints, Brown’s career began in New England, where he was also a starter and earned a pair of Super Bowl rings.

The rebuild of the Jaguars continues and Jacksonville is bringing in some experienced talent.

TENNESSEE

 We saw this tweet from Scott Kacsmar:

@ScottKacsmar

How to feel old: Ryan Tannehill is the 2nd-oldest QB1 in the AFC now.

First, Tannehill, at 32, is probably older than you think.  We had him tabbed for 29 or 30.

The oldest would be Ben Roethlisberger.

Believe it or not, Tannehill is older than 31-year-old Cam Newton of New England.

Derek Carr is 29.

In the NFC, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Matthew Stafford are older.  The latter only by a year.  Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins are both also 32, although a few months younger.

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com has this on the Patriots and free agent RBs:

The Patriots have agreed to deals with free agents at several positions, but they haven’t brought in a new running back at this point.

They are reportedly in the market for one, however. Michael Giardi of NFL Media reports that the team has expressed “strong interest” in Leonard Fournette and that they’ve also been in contact with Chris Carson.

Fournette played with longtime Patriots Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in Tampa last season while Carson spent the last four seasons in Seattle. Another report on Tuesday indicated the Seahawks have made an offer for Fournette’s services.

The Buccaneers are reportedly trying to hold onto Fournette and they’ve also been linked to James White, which brings things full circle since White has spent his entire career with the Patriots.