2020 March - Pro Football Rumors

Colts Release QB Brian Hoyer

March 21st, 2020 at 2:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brian Hoyer‘s stay with the Colts will stop at one year. After the Colts signed the veteran quarterback to a three-year, $12MM deal late last summer, they are cutting him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Colts announced the move.

The Colts guaranteed Hoyer $9MM, so they will incur some dead money by moving on after one season. But their quarterback plans have changed significantly since then, with Philip Rivers bound for Indianapolis. The Colts will take a $2MM dead-money hit by cutting Hoyer.

Hoyer has played on seven NFL teams and figures to be a candidate to either rejoin one of his previous six or sign with an eighth franchise soon. The 34-year-old passer generated interest after the Patriots cut him last August, and given the Pats’ rather notable change at quarterback this week, it is worth wondering if they would be interested in another reunion. Tom Brady‘s respect for his former two-stint backup points to the Buccaneers as another possibility, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Jacoby Brissett‘s knee injury resulted in Hoyer starting a game last season. For the year, he threw four touchdown passes and four interceptions, completing 54% of his passes. Hoyer has now played for the Patriots, Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Bears, 49ers and Colts. Should the former UDFA suit up for the 2020 season, it will be his 12th.

Together, Rivers and Brissett are set to count more than $46MM toward the Colts’ 2020 cap. When factoring in Andrew Luck‘s dead money, the nearly $53MM figure at this position comprises more than a fourth of the Colts’ 2020 payroll. That wildly high-priced positional commitment will not allow for an expensive backup. The Colts created $3MM in cap space by releasing Hoyer.

Broncos To Sign TE Nick Vannett

March 21st, 2020 at 2:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos will add another player to their skill-position corps. They are signing former Seahawks and Steelers tight end Nick Vannett, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Vannett and the Broncos agreed on a two-year deal, per Rapoport. The pact is worth $5.7MM, Mike Klis of 9News tweets, with $2.5MM guaranteed.

Statistically, Vannett’s best season came in 2018, when he caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. He, however, graded as Pro Football Focus’ third-worst 2019 tight end and has not thus far justified the Seahawks’ Day 2 draft investment. His primary skill being blocking, however, figures to help in what will be an interesting tight end competition in Denver.

The former third-round pick will join 2019 first-rounder Noah Fant, sixth-year Bronco Jeff Heuerman and Jake Butt among Denver’s tight ends. Vannett’s contract figures to give him an edge over Butt and 2018 fifth-rounder Troy Fumagalli.

Butt has now suffered three ACL tears and has not played since early in the 2018 season. Beyond Fant, the Broncos look set to hold a crowded competition whenever they reconvene for workouts.

Eagles, S Will Parks Agree To Deal

March 21st, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Philadelphia native will be part of the next Eagles secondary. The Eagles and former Broncos safety Will Parks agreed to terms on Saturday, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.

Parks had been linked to the Lions, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com notes other teams made offers for the hybrid defender (Twitter link). But the Philly product will come home on a one-year deal worth $1.6MM, Mike Klis of 9News notes (on Twitter).

With Gary Kubiak having drafted Parks, the Vikings were also interested. Both the Lions and Vikings submitted better offers, Klis adds, but Parks instead will have a chance to play for his hometown team.

An ex-Arizona Wildcat, Parks displayed versatility with the Broncos and will add to an Eagles safety corps that will not have Malcolm Jenkins next season. Parks worked as a safety, sub-package linebacker and nickel corner with the Broncos, beating the odds as a former seventh-round pick to play extensively in each season with the team.

Parks has 149 career tackles and four interceptions. He forced a key goal-line fumble against the Steelers in a 2018 Broncos upset win, and his blocked-PAT return in a one-point Broncos win over the Saints in 2016 doubled as one of the league’s first two-point return plays. The Broncos signed Kareem Jackson in 2019 and moved him to safety, before placing their 2020 franchise tag on Justin Simmons. These moves effectively signaled Parks would have to go elsewhere for his second NFL contract.

The Eagles re-signed Rodney McLeod this week and brought back Jalen Mills with the intention of moving him to safety. With Mills a career-long cornerback, Parks has a path toward a full-time starting role for the first time in his career.

Raiders To Add WR Nelson Agholor

March 21st, 2020 at 1:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Raiders continue to make additions in the opening days of free agency, and they will add a wide receiver who played a key role for a Super Bowl champion.

Nelson Agholor and the Raiders agreed to a deal, Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group tweets. The former first-round pick played out his five-year rookie contract with the Eagles and will follow Jason Witten in moving from the NFC East to the Raiders’ first Las Vegas pass-catching contingent. Agholor’s pact is for one year, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

This marks an interesting move for Las Vegas, which has been linked to high-end free agent wideout Robby Anderson and has been deficient at the position since Antonio Brown‘s drama tour involved a release from Oakland. Agholor was inconsistent during his Eagles tenure, but the former first-round pick proved essential during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LII march.

The USC product surpassed 700 yards in both the 2017 and ’18 seasons, helping Carson Wentz emerge as one of the game’s most promising young players. Working mostly as a slot target in Philly, Agholor combined for 12 touchdown grabs in those seasons. He caught a game-high nine passes for 84 yards in the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory.

However, Agholor failed to eclipse 400 yards in his other three seasons and is coming off a 2019 slate marred by a knee injury. The ailment kept Agholor out of Philadelphia’s first-round playoff game, but he caught just 39 passes for 363 yards in 10 games last season. As a result of the down campaign, the 2020 season will double as a value-reviving opportunity for the once-coveted prospect.

The Raiders picked up Tyrell Williams‘ 2020 option and have Hunter Renfrow established as their slot receiver. Former second-round pick Zay Jones also remains on Las Vegas’ roster. The Raiders still figure to make a splashier addition to their receiving corps this offseason, but Agholor profiles as an interesting flier.

Eagles To Sign LB Jatavis Brown

March 21st, 2020 at 1:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

In trading for Darius Slay and signing Javon Hargrave, the Eagles have made high-profile additions to their secondary and defensive line this offseason. Philadelphia, however, is much thinner at linebacker.

The Eagles took a step toward strengthening their defensive second level Saturday, agreeing to a deal with ex-Charger Jatavis Brown. It’s a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Once a key performer with the Bolts, Brown saw his stock drop in his contract year. The Chargers used him on just 94 defensive snaps in 13 games. Brown, 26, was a 10-game starter during the team’s 12-4 2018 season, making 97 tackles.

As a rookie, the 2016 fifth-round pick registered 3.5 sacks to go along with 79 tackles (eight for loss) and two forced fumbles. The Akron alum has started 23 career games.

Brown will join an Eagles linebacking corps that lost Nigel Bradham before free agency and saw Kamu Grugier-Hill defect to the Dolphins this week. Even after the Brown move, needs remain for the Eagles at linebacker.

Bears, CB Artie Burns Agree To Terms

March 21st, 2020 at 1:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Artie Burns will have another chance to be part of a North-division team’s cornerback rotation. The Bears and Burns agreed to a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com confirms (on Twitter).

The 2016 first-round pick played just 67 snaps in his final Steelers season, after falling to justify the franchise’s investment. Pittsburgh did not pick up Burns’ fifth-year option in 2019, sending him to free agency this year.

An ex-Miami Hurricane, Burns will join a Bears team that moved on from Prince Amukamara last month. Burns started 32 games as a Steeler, including 16 in 2017. Despite producing a respectable Pro Football Focus grade that season, Burns lost his job during the 2018 season and saw the team make multiple additions at the position last year. As a result, this will likely be a low-cost prove-it deal.

In addition to All-Pro Kyle Fuller and slot defender Buster Skrine, third-year UDFA Kevin Toliver and 2019 sixth- and seventh-round picks Duke Shelley and Stephen Denmark reside among Chicago’s corner cadre. The Burns move may not be the Bears’ last at this position this offseason they attempt to replace Amukamara.

Jets Sign OL Josh Andrews

March 21st, 2020 at 12:34pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets are adding another lineman. Agent Brett Tessler announced on Twitter that Josh Andrews has signed with New York.

The former undrafted free agent out of Oregon State spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles (alongside current Jets GM Joe Douglas). He spent the past two years with the Colts, appearing in nine total games.

In his career, the 28-year-old has appeared in 25 regular season games. The lineman has mostly played offensive guard and center throughout his career.

The Jets have been busy adding to their offensive line this offseason. The team has already signed center Connor McGovern and offensive tackle George Fant, and they re-signed offensive guard Alex Lewis.

Raiders Sign OL Eric Kush

March 21st, 2020 at 12:20pm CST by Ben Levine

Eric Kush is joining the eighth team of his career. The veteran offensive lineman is joining the Raiders, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).

After inking a two-year deal with the Browns last offseason, Kush was cut by the team this past February. During his lone season in Cleveland, the 30-year-old appeared in a career-high 16 games, including seven starts.

Kush was with the Bears between the 2016 and 2018 seasons, including a 2017 campaign that was wiped out by a torn hamstring. The lineman has also spent time with the Rams, Texans, Panthers, Buccaneers, and Chiefs.

Seahawks, Jadeveon Clowney “Moving Toward a New Deal”

March 21st, 2020 at 12:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Jadeveon Clowney may end up back in Seattle after all. ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio is hearing that the two sides are “moving toward a new deal” (Twitter link).

The pass rusher was initially seeking $20MM per season, and he was reportedly disappointed at the lack of suitors. The 27-year-old has since changed his asking price to a more palatable one- or two-year deal, and he’s presumably had to lower his financial demands, as well.

The Seahawks have continually been linked to the pass-rusher, and there were whispers that the organization had extended a contract offer. That deal didn’t match Clowney’s requirements for salary or length, and the player was seeking another suitor with the hope of driving up the price.

We later learned that the Cowboys were one of the teams that wouldn’t be pursuing the defensive end. Earlier this month, the Giants and Colts were both said to have interest in Clowney, but they’ve since addressed their needs.

Clowney posted just three sacks in 2019, but he was still effective against opposing passers and running backs. For his work, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 20th best edge defender in the NFL.

Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake Signs Tender Offer

March 21st, 2020 at 11:20am CST by Ben Levine

Kenyan Drake is officially heading back to Arizona. The running back has signed his tender offer, per sports agency SportsTrust Advisors on Twitter.

We learned earlier this week that the Cardinals were slapping Drake with the transition tag. That move will ultimately cost the team around $8.5MM next season.

Of course, a whole lot has changed in Arizona since that news came out. The front office traded Drake’s competition, David Johnson, to the Texans, acquiring wideout DeAndre Hopkins in the deal. As a result, Drake will be a major contributor on one of the NFL’s up-and-coming offenses.

The team’s commitment to Drake isn’t a huge surprise following his 2019 performance. Following three-plus underwhelming seasons in Miami, the running back was dealt to Arizona midseason for a conditional sixth-rounder. The 26-year-old proceeded to have the best eight-game stretch of his career to finish out the campaign. Drake ran for 643 yards on 123 carries (good for a 5.2-yard average), adding eight touchdowns along the way. He also hauled in 28 receptions for 171 yards.