Running back and return specialist Leon Washington will return to the Titans on a one-year deal, reports Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean (via Twitter).
The eight-year veteran played two games in 2013 for the Patriots, then was released in November. The Titans quickly picked him up, and he played in their final five regular season contests. Washington confirmed his return to The Music City with a tweet earlier this afternoon.
4:59pm: Byrd is visiting with the Saints, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that he flew to New Orleans earlier today (via Twitter). It is unclear how serious the meeting is, considering the team’s cap situation.
2:54pm: Byrd’s camp has been most interested in the Redskins and Eagles, but Washington, at least, doesn’t appear willing to pay the safety’s asking price, tweets Russini.
2:20pm: Don’t rule out the Bills if Byrd can’t get big money elsewhere, tweets Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Meanwhile, one exec says he wouldn’t give him big bucks due to health issues (link).
12:44pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that he’d be “really surprised” if the Redskins are seriously in the mix for Byrd, based on what he’s hearing. Rapoport adds that a return to the Bills still isn’t entirely out of the question for the standout safety either. Russini has been pretty plugged in on the Redskins’ offseason so far, having broken word of multiple signings, so I wouldn’t rule out Washington as a landing spot for Byrd quite yet.
12:29pm: The Redskins and Eagles have extended their on-field rivalry to the offseason, as the two teams are the top remaining suitors for free agent safety Jairus Byrd, according to Dianna Russini of NBC Washington (Twitter links). A source tells Russini that Byrd is likely to decide between one of the two NFC East teams.
Byrd, considered the best safety on the market this offseason and one of the top free agents overall, has reportedly received some level of interest from the Dolphins and Rams, among other teams. However, his alleged asking price of $8-9MM per season may have taken some potential suitors out of the mix.
Earlier today, we heard that things weren’t “heating up” between Byrd and the Redskins, though that could change as the new league year approaches.
Will Blackmon signed a two-year deal to remain with the Jaguars in 2014, reports Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Blackmon came to the Jaguars last season after playing sparingly in his first six seasons with the Packers and Giants. He started eight games for the Jaguars in 2013.
The Cardinals have re-signed Jake Ballard to a one-year deal, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com (link goes to Twitter). Arizona opted not to extend a tender to the restricted free agent, but he’ll be back in Arizona, presumably on a cheaper deal.
Within the tweet, Urban adds that the Cards have also cut guard Daryn Colledge.
Kicker Lawrence Tynes has been released from the Buccaneers roster, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). Tynes was signed to fill-in when Connor Barth tore his achilles last season, but contracted MRSA and was forced to miss the season as well. He connected on 33 of 39 field goals for the Giants in 2012.
The Cardinals signed Frostee Rucker to a two-year, $2.145MM deal, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. He’ll receive $590K guaranteed over the span of the deal.
The Bears announced on Twitter that they have agreed to terms with free agent safety Ryan Mundy on a two-year deal. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter) first reported that it was close.
Mundy, who will be leaving the Giants, was said to be intrigued by having an opportunity to start in Chicago. It was a buyers market for teams at the safety position this offseason and Mundy was one of many attractive options.
The Buccaneers re-signed guard Jamon Meredith to a two-year deal, reports Scott Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Twitter). The journeymen offensive lineman has played on six teams in five years, and will keep some depth to the team’s trenches.
The Eagles announced on Twitter that they have cut safety Patrick Chung.
The Eagles announced on Twitter that they have re-signed punter Donnie Jones to a three-year deal. Jones could net up to $6MM on the deal, according to ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio (via Twitter).