2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys Re-Sign P Bryan Anger

March 22nd, 2022 at 3:26pm CST by Adam La Rose

After it was thought he would be heading elsewhere, the Cowboys are set to retain their punter. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (on Twitter) that Bryan Anger is signing a three-year, $9MM contract with Dallas. The punter received a $2.4MM signing bonus and will have a 2022 cap hit of $2.2MM, per ESPN’s Todd Archer (on Twitter). The team has confirmed the move.

Anger, 33, joined the Cowboys on a one-year deal last season. He was actually one of the team’s final cuts before the season started, but they brought him back in time to play every game. The $3MM-per-season average of this contract is a sizeable raise from the $1.075MM he played for in 2021.

The Cal alum was a third round pick of the Jaguars in 2012. He played for four seasons in Jacksonville, leading the league in average yards per punt in 2014. That was followed by a three-year stint in Tampa Bay, where he was used less frequently but maintained a high degree of effectiveness and consistency. He spent 2019 and 2020 with the Texans.

This past campaign, Anger enjoyed a career year. He set a new personal mark in terms of punting average (48.4 yards). As well, he broke the Cowboys’ franchise record for net average at 44.6 yards per punt. That performance earned him his first career trip to the Pro Bowl, along with second team All-Pro honors.

From a financial standpoint, that led some to believe Anger would be on the move again. Before free agency began, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reported (via Twitter) that he was “unlikely to return to Dallas”. Now, however, the team has found the money to keep one of their best players from last year in the fold.

Rashaan Evans Visits Jaguars

March 22nd, 2022 at 2:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jaguars could soon be making another addition to their linebacking corps. Rashaan Evans has met with Jacksonville, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

Evans, 26, has spent all four of his NFL seasons with the Titans, becoming a starter almost immediately. His most productive campaign was in 2019, when he totalled 111 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He continued as a starter, but the door was opened to a departure when the Titans declined the former first-rounder’s fifth-year option.

That move saved the Titans cap space for future investments in the position, such as Zach Cunningham, whom the team claimed off waivers this past December. If Evans does depart in free agency, they will have a hole to fill opposite the former Texan in the middle of their defense.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, has already made a sizeable addition at the position. They signed former Falcon – and 2021 NFL tackle leader – Foye Oluokun to a deal averaging $15MM per season. Not surprisingly, that move led to the release of Myles Jack, creating some financial flexibility after the team’s free agent spending spree, but also an opening for another veteran off-ball linebacker.

If Evans does land with the Jaguars, he would of course get the opportunity to play his former team twice per season. It would also represent another move by Jacksonville to upgrade a defensive unit which ranked in the bottom third of the league in almost every major category last year. To that point, the team has also added the likes of defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and cornerback Darious Williams.

Panthers Not Interested In Baker Mayfield?

March 22nd, 2022 at 2:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

Already attempting to replace one member of the 2018 quarterback class, the Panthers would make sense as a suitor for another. They have been linked to a few quarterbacks as Sam Darnold upgrades, but Baker Mayfield may not appeal to the QB-needy franchise.

Carolina is not believed to be interested in trading for Mayfield, David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. Mayfield’s camp did engage in discussions with the Panthers recently, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, but it does not sound like anything is brewing (subscription required).

For what it’s worth, Mayfield is also uninterested in being traded to the Panthers, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. But with the Colts trading for Matt Ryan and other teams having previously checked off their QB needs, options for the Browns on Mayfield are dwindling.

Like Darnold, Mayfield is attached to a fully guaranteed fifth-year option salary. Both QBs check in at $18.9MM for 2022. Mayfield sought a trade to the Colts, but they were not as interested. The Seahawks have loomed as an interested party, but if the Panthers are not pursuing him as well, the Browns’ trade compensation will be limited. The Panthers sent second-, fourth- and sixth-round picks to the Jets for Darnold last year. Despite Mayfield having enjoyed a better start to his career than his 2018 classmate, the former No. 1 overall draft choice is unlikely to fetch that kind of return for the Browns.

The Broncos, Steelers, Commanders, Colts, Saints and Falcons have joined the Browns in making moves to acquire a long-term starter or a bridge QB this offseason. The Buccaneers saw their legendary passer quickly unretire. All this limits the market for Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo. The Seahawks make less sense for Garoppolo. Intra-divisional QB trades have happened, in the cases of Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb earlier this century, but are very rare. The Panthers would be a better fit for Garoppolo, but if they do not view he or Mayfield as sufficient upgrades, this is a clear team to monitor in the draft.

Matt Rhule, GM Scott Fitterer and new OC Ben McAdoo went to Kenny Pickett‘s pro day Monday and were at Malik Willis‘ Tuesday, Newton notes. The Panthers have been linked to both players. Mike Tomlin, Steelers OC Matt Canada and front office personnel trekked to Willis’ pro day, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. Atlanta and Washington had front office staffers there as well. Holding the No. 6 overall pick — behind the Jaguars, Lions, Texans, Jets and Giants — the Panthers are in good position to be able to select this draft’s top QB there. Formerly a higher-profile prospect than either Willis or Pickett, Mayfield remains in limbo after the Browns replaced him with Deshaun Watson.

Cardinals To Sign Nick Vigil

March 22nd, 2022 at 1:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals are bringing in a veteran to their linebacking corps. The team is signing Nick Vigil, reports Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (on Twitter). It’s a one-year, $1.77MM deal with $1.22MM guaranteed, according to Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Vikings To Sign LB Hicks]

Vigil was a third round pick of the Bengals in 2016. He spent four seasons in Cincinnati, becoming a full-time starter in his second campaign there. His final season in the Queen City was his most productive, as he totalled 111 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.

That level of play earned him a one-year contract with the Chargers. He was given a much smaller role in Los Angeles, however, playing less than one-third of the team’s defensive snaps. He moved on to the Vikings last season, again on a one-year pact. Filling in as an injury replacement, he started 12 of 16 contests and made 85 tackles.

By signing with the Cardinals, Vigil could step in as a replacement for Jordan Hicks, whom the team released before free agency started. The move saved them a healthy amount of cap space, while opening the door to more playing time for 2021 first rounder Zaven Collins. Given the lack of experience he has, however, a veteran addition to complement him and Isaiah Simmons – the team’s top pick the year prior – makes sense. Vigil will join his third different team in as many years, but he should have a role on one of the conference’s top rosters.

Vikings Agree To Deal With Za’Darius Smith

March 22nd, 2022 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

After being released by the Packers, Za’Darius Smith will remain in the NFC North. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the pass rusher is signing a three-year, $42MM deal with the Vikings (Twitter link). He adds that the contract’s maximum value is $47MM. Minnesota has confirmed the signing.

Smith was let go by the Packers after three seasons with the team. Green Bay made it clear early in the offseason that he would only be brought back at a reduced cost. That led him to free agency for the second time in his career. Many pointed to a reunion in Baltimore – where he spent the first four seasons of his career – as a distinct possibility.

A deal seemed to be done between those two sides, which would pay the 29-year-old $35MM over four years. One day after a number of other edge rushers on the market found new homes, however, it came out that Smith was in fact not signing with the Ravens.

Still on the open market, Smith garnered interest from both the Cowboys and Vikings. The latter met with Smith yesterday, opening the door to a deal. On the lookout for a compliment to fellow 2015 draftee Danielle Hunter, Smith will represent a significant addition to Minnesota’s pass-rush department.

At a annual average value of $14MM, the Vikings’ deal is a raise of $5.25MM per season over that offered by Baltimore. While it comes in at a rate notably lower than the compensation the likes of Von Miller and Chandler Jones have received this offseason, it’s not far off the $16.5MM average of his previous pact in Green Bay. With a lucrative new contract in place, he can now face his former team twice per year.

Chiefs To Sign WR Corey Coleman

March 22nd, 2022 at 11:56am CST by Adam La Rose

Journeyman receiver Corey Coleman appears to have found his latest home. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the veteran is signing with the Chiefs (Twitter link).

Coleman, 27, was a first round pick of the Browns in 2016. He started 18 of 19 contests in Cleveland, totalling 789 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries were an issue however, which, coupled with underwhelming production, led to him being traded to Buffalo in August 2018.

He was cut by the Bills one month later, which began a lengthy stay on the practice squads of the Patriots and Giants. He played eight games in New York during the 2018 campaign, but he only registered five catches. The Baylor alum did spend time as the team’s kick returner, though. He stayed in the Big Apple through the following season, but a torn ACL took away his chance of cementing himself as a starting-caliber player.

He signed another one-year deal with New York in March 2020, but was once again cut before the campaign began. After spending all of 2021 away from football, he will now attempt a comeback in Kansas City. The Chiefs have already made one notable addition to their receiving corps, signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal. He will add an accomplished complimentary option to their passing attack, but Coleman could find a role further down the depth chart.

Latest On DE Arden Key

March 22nd, 2022 at 10:56am CST by Adam La Rose

After a breakout year in San Francisco, defensive end Arden Key is generating a market for himself. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that he is visiting with the Jaguars today, having already done so with the Lions (Twitter link).

Key was a third round pick of the Raiders in 2018. He played three seasons in Oakland/Vegas, starting 10 of 37 games. He played only in a rotational role after his rookie campaign, however, and totalled 49 tackles and three sacks. After the team brought in more established names like Yannick Ngakoue and Quinton Jefferson along the front seven, however, he was cut last offseason.

The LSU product signed with the 49ers less than one week later, and enjoyed the best season of his career in San Francisco. While he was still only used in a rotational capacity, playing just 35% of the team’s defensive snaps, his stated goal of improving as a pass-rusher was realized. He registered 6.5 sacks and another five tackles for loss, which has earned him outside interest.

The Lions’ defensive front is headed by the likes of Michael Brockers and recent draftees Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill. On the edges, they have Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris, each of whom are under contract for one more season. That holds true for Dawuane Smoot of the Jaguars as well, who also have Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson in their edge-rushing corps.

While both the Jaguars and Lions could add more pass rushers with the top two picks in this year’s draft, Key would represent a solid depth addition to either team. Garafolo adds that there may be other teams meeting with him, so his final destination may not be known for a little while longer.

Demarcus Robinson To Visit Raiders

March 22nd, 2022 at 9:56am CST by Adam La Rose

After the Chiefs added a new receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster, they may be close to losing another. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (on Twitter) that Demarcus Robinson is meeting with the Raiders.

Robinson, 27, has spent his entire six-year career in Kansas City. He started 42 of 97 games during that span, as his playing time fluctuated over the years. After reaching a peak snap percentage of 70% in 2019, his playing time has dropped for two straight years. The former fourth rounder has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.

Robinson’s best statistical season came in 2020. He posted 45 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in that campaign, operating as always as a secondary piece in the Chiefs’ passing offense. Overshadowed by Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, he has been in competition with the likes of Mecole Hardman for targets, but averaged just over 45 per season in the five years in which he has been involved in the offense.

If he were to land in Vegas, Robinson would of course mark the second significant addition to the Raiders’ WR room. Having already traded for Davante Adams, the team also has reliable slot man Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller in the fold. Robinson would therefore likely continue to rank third or fourth in terms of targets amongst pass catchers. Much of his role in Kansas City, meanwhile, would go to the more accomplished Smith-Schuster.

Buccaneers To Re-Sign Leonard Fournette

March 22nd, 2022 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

One day after a visit with the Patriots, Leonard Fournette has decided to stay in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are re-signing the running back to a three-year, $21MM deal (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). He adds that the contract has a maximum value of $24MM.

An ESPN report further details that the deal includes $9MM in guaranteed money. Fournette, 27, has spent the past two years in Tampa Bay after his time in Jacksonville came to an end. He was clearly willing to test the open market, given his visit in New England, but a return to the Buccaneers – especially given the unretirement of Tom Brady – was the most logical move in the eyes of many.

Fournette didn’t have the bell-cow type of workload he was used to as a Jaguar during his early days with the Buccaneers. However, he took over the starting role from Ronald Jones in 2021, and seized the opportunity. The former fourth overall pick averaged a career-high 4.5 yards per carry, and ranked sixth in the league amongst RBs with 1,266 scrimmage yards.

Keeping Fournette was also likely a necessary move, given the state of Tampa’s depth chart at the position. The aforementioned Jones, along with Giovani Bernard, are both unrestricted free agents, so this signing fills a roster hole. Along with the extension of receiver Chris Godwin, it also marks another sign of continuity in the Bucs’ offense, which – to much more of an extent than many thought – will look very similar in 2022 to what it has in the past two seasons.

Restructured Deals: Packers, Broncos, Bills, Patriots, Giants

March 21st, 2022 at 10:29pm CST by Ben Levine

As free agency continues, teams will keep finding ways to open up additional cap. We’ve had a handful of reworked contracts in recent days, which we’ve compiled below:

The Packers opened $10.15MM in cap space by restructuring the contracts of wideout Randall Cobb (which was previously reported) and safety Adrian Amos, per ESPN’s Field Yates (on Twitter). ESPN’s Rob Demovsky tweets that Green Bay turned $5.88MM of Amos’ $7MM base salary into a signing bonus and added four void years.
The Broncos opened up some space via a pair of restructured deals. Wideout Tim Patrick converted $6.9MM of his roster bonus into a signing bonus, creating around $4.6MM in cap space, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (on Twitter). The Broncos also converted receiver Courtland Sutton‘s $10.5MM roster bonus into a signing bonus, saving $7.875MM in 2022 cap space, per Klis (on Twitter).
The Panthers converted $11.765MM of wideout Robby Anderson’s 2022 pay into a signing bonus, creating $5.88MM in cap space, per Yates (on Twitter). Staying in the NFC, Yates also tweets that the Eagles converted $14.88MM of cornerback Darius Slay’s salary into a signing bonus, creating $11.90MM in 2022 cap space.
The Giants converted $2.63MM of kicker Graham Gano’s salary into a bonus, creating $1.753MM in cap space, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan (on Twitter). The team also added a void year to the contract, something GM Joe Schoen was trying to avoid (per Raanan).
After getting traded to the Bills, quarterback Case Keenum agreed to rework his contract. Per Yates (on Twitter), Keenum reduced his base salary to $3.5MM. Another AFC East team, the Patriots, also got into the game, reducing defensive end Henry Anderson‘s base salary from $2.5MM to $1.25MM (per Yates).
Yates passes along three more restructures (on Twitter): the Vikings opened $6MM in cap space by reworking safety Harrison Smith‘s contract, the Bills opened $5.172MM via linebacker Matt Milano‘s contract, and the Titans opened $6.45MM via linebacker Zach Cunningham‘s contract.