2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Rams Extend QB Matthew Stafford

March 19th, 2022 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams announced Saturday they have reached an extension agreement with Matthew Stafford. The sides agreed on a four-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

Despite Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson reshaping the quarterback market this month, Stafford’s new deal — four years, $160MM, per Schefter — does not push Rodgers’ for AAV or Watson’s for guarantee value. Stafford indeed becomes the latest $40MM-per-year quarterback, and although the 13-year veteran’s latest extension does not enter the Rodgers-Watson realm for AAV, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports the Los Angeles QB will collect $135MM guaranteed on this deal (Twitter link).

A closer look reveals this deal moving to $43MM per year, with Rapoport adding the pact includes additional years to help the Rams with their salary cap (Twitter link). This makes the extension, effectively, a three-year, $129MM pact. At $43MM annually, Stafford will tie Josh Allen. But Allen got to that price point by giving the Bills six true years on his extension. Stafford reaching $43MM AAV on a three-year re-up is certainly a good deal for a player who still has just one Pro Bowl on his resume. Of course, Stafford’s 2021 postseason overshadows his previous low-accolades Detroit run.

Stafford elevated the Rams to their second Super Bowl title, guiding a game-winning drive to down the Bengals. The longtime Lions starter did not miss a game in his first Rams season and played well in the playoffs. In 21 games last season, Stafford cleared 6,000 yards and threw 50 touchdown passes. The former No. 1 overall pick went from having never won a playoff game to leading his new team to four victories in one postseason, reshaping his career trajectory and putting him on course for this big-ticket extension.

When the Lions extended Stafford in 2017, his $27MM-per-year deal represented the QB high-water mark by $2MM annually. Quarterbacks’ earning potential has changed considerably in the years since; Rodgers is now attached to deal worth more than $50MM per year, while the Browns gave Watson an astonishing $230MM fully guaranteed. Stafford becomes the NFL’s sixth $40MM-per-year player. Considering where Rodgers and Watson took the market, Stafford certainly could have commanded more. This deal stands to help the Rams build around him, to some degree.

It will be interesting to see how Stafford’s cap numbers look, as the Rams have an Aaron Donald contract matter to address. The sides have engaged in discussions, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds (on Twitter) they have made progress. Donald is expected to receive a raise on his $22.5MM-per-year deal, one that has since been surpassed by several defenders.

Bills To Acquire Browns QB Case Keenum

March 19th, 2022 at 3:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

It looks like the Browns will be making three quarterback trades this offseason. They are sending Case Keenum to the Bills in exchange for a seventh-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

Cleveland’s stunning Deshaun Watson deal will lead to a full-on reshaping of the team’s QB room. The Browns are expected to follow the Watson and Keenum trades with a Baker Mayfield swap. As of Saturday afternoon, Mayfield remains on the team. The disgruntled former No. 1 overall pick will be elsewhere to start the 2022 season.

The Bills lost 2021 backup Mitchell Trubisky to the Steelers in free agency. Keenum, 33, is now poised to take over as Josh Allen‘s understudy. After receiving starter work with the Vikings, Broncos and Washington from 2017-19, Keenum resettled as a backup in Cleveland, working behind Mayfield for the past two seasons. Keenum led the league in QB DVOA in 2017, piloting Minnesota to the NFC championship game, but crashed back to earth in Denver and Washington. He made two starts in Cleveland, both in 2021, with the Browns winning both games.

The Browns are bracing for a Watson suspension, which would thrust Brissett into the spotlight. Given their Watson investment, the Browns are expecting to be a Super Bowl contender soon. Keenum’s replacement will be important to those prospects, regardless if Watson’s suspension hits in 2022 or 2023.

Allen has not missed a start since his 2018 rookie season, which began with the superstar signal-caller on the bench. One season, with a $6.1MM base salary, remains on Keenum’s contract. It would not surprise to see the Bills give their new QB2 an extension to reduce his 2022 cap number.

Packers To Re-Sign Rasul Douglas

March 19th, 2022 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

SATURDAY: Green Bay is giving Douglas a three-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). The former journeyman cornerback agreed to terms on a $21MM deal, with Rapoport adding it can max out at $25.5MM (Twitter link).

THURSDAY: This will not exactly compete with the previous Packers development for news value, but the team is closing in on bringing back one of its priority free agents. Rasul Douglas is expected to re-sign with the Packers, Josina Anderson of USA Today tweets.

Douglas’ second contract with the Packers is expected to go through after Davante Adams‘ $20MM franchise tag number comes off the books, per Anderson. The Packers are trading Adams to the Raiders for first- and second-round picks.

Douglas will join De’Vondre Campbell as 2021 defensive standouts re-signing with Green Bay. Despite the Packers rostering Jaire Alexander and 2021 first-round pick Eric Stokes, they were working on a Douglas extension earlier this week. Douglas hit free agency but has not been connected to other teams. The veteran revitalized his career in Green Bay, helping the NFC North champions after a late arrival.

The 27-year-old cornerback intercepted a career-high five passes, despite playing in just 12 regular-season games, and returned two for touchdowns. The former Eagles, Panthers, Raiders, Texans and Cardinals defender enjoyed a career year in coverage as well, limiting quarterbacks to a 44.5 passer rating — down from 108.5 with the Panthers in 2020 — and a 50% completion rate. Douglas helped the Packers considerably while Alexander missed time. The two are on course to play together next season.

Bills Bring Back DL Jordan Phillips

March 19th, 2022 at 2:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Von Miller will be the Bills’ cornerstone front-seven player going forward, their next defensive line will involve multiple reunions. In addition to bringing back Shaq Lawson, Buffalo re-signed Jordan Phillips to a one-year contract.

Phillips enjoyed his best season with the Bills, when he registered a team-leading 9.5 sacks in 2019. That contract-year showing landed him a three-year, $30MM deal from the Cardinals. Injuries slowed the veteran defensive tackle in Arizona, leading to a release earlier this week. Phillips’ Cardinals deal not panning allowed the Bills to add another player familiar with their defensive system.

Lawson also left Buffalo in 2020, signing with the Dolphins. His journey was a bit more complicated than Phillips’, with Lawson also being with the Texans and Jets during his time away from the Bills. Phillips’ production decreased further, however, after his Buffalo departure. The injuries he dealt with in Arizona limited him to just 18 games over a two-season span.

A former Dolphins second-round pick, Phillips revived his career with the Bills previously, joining the team as a waiver claim in 2018. At this point, Phillips’ 2019 season — which also featured 16 quarterback hits, 10 more than he has recorded in any other year — looks like an outlier. But the Bills may be eyeing a rotational role for the 29-year-old D-tackle this time around.

The AFC East champs gave Tim Settle a two-year, $9MM deal to come over from Washington. Settle, Phillips and recent signee DaQuan Jones join Ed Oliver as Buffalo’s top inside D-linemen.

Bolts Restructure Khalil Mack’s Contract

March 19th, 2022 at 1:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears restructured Khalil Mack‘s contract on two occasions. After adding Mack via trade, the Chargers will make it three restructures for the All-Pro defender.

The Bolts created $9MM in cap space by restructuring their recently acquired pass rusher’s deal, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Mack will see $13.5MM of his 2022 base salary converted to a signing bonus.

Although the Chargers have added Mack’s $23.5MM-per-year contract, signed J.C. Jackson to a $16.5MM-AAV deal and reached an agreement with Sebastian Joseph-Day, they are still carrying more than $30MM in cap space. Their recent cut of Bryan Bulaga created $10.7MM in cap space. On Day 4 of the 2022 league year, Los Angeles’ AFC team ranks fifth in the league in cap room.

Mack’s through-2024 deal now includes $27MM-plus cap figures for the 2023 and ’24 seasons. In terms of per-year average, Mack and Joey Bosa ($27MM AAV) represent the most expensive pass-rushing duo in NFL history. But the Chargers will be able to further bolster their roster around Justin Herbert and their new outside linebacker tandem.

Titans Re-Sign RB Dontrell Hilliard

March 19th, 2022 at 12:45pm CST by Ben Levine

D’Onta Foreman parlayed his stint with the Titans into a deal with the Panthers, but fellow running back Dontrell Hilliard will be sticking around Tennessee. The Titans announced that they’ve re-signed the running back.

The Titans had plenty of carries to go around while Derrick Henry was out of the lineup. While Foreman ended up getting the bulk of the yards, Hilliard was the one who got the bulk of the starts. Hilliard got into eight games (five starts) for Tennessee last season, finishing with 350 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. He also added another 19 receptions for 87 yards.

Hilliard, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Tulane, spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Browns, seeing time in 30 games. He was claimed off waivers by the Texans in 2020 and got into two games with them.

Henry should be good to go for the 2022 campaign, and Hilliard is currently penciled in to be his main backup. The Titans are also rostering Trenton Cannon, and the front office will surely add more RBs before training camp.

Raiders Sign QB Garrett Gilbert

March 19th, 2022 at 11:58am CST by Ben Levine

Garrett Gilbert has found a new home. The quarterback is signing with the Raiders, agency Steinberg Sports announced on Twitter (and passed along by ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).

Gilbert had stints on the Raiders practice squad during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The 2014 sixth-round pick has turned into a true journeyman during his eight seasons of professional football. Besides his stint in Oakland, the Texas/SMU product has had gigs with the Rams, Patriots (two stints), Lions, Panthers, Browns, Cowboys, and Washington. He also led the AAF in passing yards during his time with the Orlando Apollos.

In total, the QB has seen time in eight career games (two starts), completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 477 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He got a start for Washington in 2021.

Josh McDaniels has some familiarity with Gilbert dating back to their days in New England, and the FA addition may have an opportunity to stick around as the number-two quarterback behind Derek Carr. 2021 backup Marcus Mariota is currently a free agent.

49ers Sign S George Odum

March 19th, 2022 at 11:47am CST by Ben Levine

After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, George Odum is off to the NFC. The safety and special teams ace is signing with the 49ers, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $10.95MM.

“I wanted to start out by saying how grateful I am to the city of Indianapolis and the Colts organization,” Odum said in a statement on Twitter. “I wanted to thank Mr. Irsay and Ballard for giving a kid from Central Arkansas an opportunity to play in the NFL! I also wanted to thank Dodds, Reich, Flus, Allen, Bubba and many more for always believing in me and helping me grow both on and off the field! I wanted to thank each and every teammate that helped push me and help me grow over the past 4 years!”

Odum was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas in 2018, and he ended up transforming into one of the best gunners in the NFL. Odum earned a first-team All-Pro nod for special teams in 2020 after leading the NFL with 21 special teams tackles.

The 28-year-old played a larger role on defense in 2021, appearing in a career-high 43 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. He saw time in 17 games (seven starts), collecting a career-high 55 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Falcons Re-Sign Cordarrelle Patterson

March 19th, 2022 at 11:35am CST by Ben Levine

Cordarrelle Patterson will be back in Atlanta next season. The versatile running back/wideout is re-signing with the Falcons, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). It’s a two-year, $10.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein (via Twitter).

Patterson made a name for himself on special teams early in his career, but he took on a significant offensive role in 2021. Signed to a one-year deal worth $3MM, Patterson supplanted Mike Davis as Atlanta’s top running back early in the season. In 16 games (13 starts), Patterson finished with 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns on 205 touches. Thanks in part to his on-field production, Patterson became a fan favorite, and the Falcons made it clear after the season that they wanted to retain the veteran.

“From our standpoint, we’d love to have [CP] back,” owner Arthur Blank said in February. “We saw the same thing that you saw on the field. I think this is a very talented player, a very talented athlete. This is a good example of when a coach understands the scheme – which he does, Coach Smith – and he takes an athlete like this and can use him in a variety of ways I think you see the kind of production that he can have. He’s a terrific young man. He’s great with the fans. He’s great in the locker room. He’s a real competitor… I hope that he’ll be a Falcon this time [next] year.”

The 2013 first-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Titans, earning a pair of All-Pro nods for his kick-return prowess (in four seasons with the organization, Patterson returned five kickoffs for scores). Patterson later had stints with the Raiders, Patriots, and Bears.

With Patterson back, the Falcons will move forward with a running backs room that also includes Davis and recent free-agent signing Damien Williams. Atlanta is also rostering Qadree Ollison, and Caleb Huntley.

Eagles Re-Sign Fletcher Cox

March 19th, 2022 at 10:13am CST by Ben Levine

Fletcher Cox is indeed staying in Philadelphia. The defensive tackle has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Eagles, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).

It’s a one-year, $14MM deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Cox was released earlier this week ahead of a deadline to guarantee $18MM of his contract. Instead, the Eagles cut the defensive tackle, creating $2.1MM in cap space while leaving behind $12.8MM in dead cap. At the end of the day, the Eagles reduced the length and amount of Cox’s contract, but they’ll have to endure a brutal one-year hit to the salary cap. Cox originally signed a six-year, $102.6MM extension in 2016, but the deal had been restructured three times in the years prior to his release.

The Eagles have used the large majority of their 2022 cap space on retaining their own players. Dating back to last year’s extensions, the team has committed most of their 2022 cap space to re-sign the likes of Jordan Mailata, Avonte Maddox, Dallas Goedert, Jason Kelce, and Anthony Harris (as Eliot Shorr-Parks points out on Twitter).

Now, we can add Cox to the list, who has earned six Pro Bowl nods in 10 seasons with the Eagles organization. This past season, Cox recorded 3.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Considering the veteran’s uncertain contract status and the Eagles’ brutal start to last season, Cox found himself in trade rumors at one point last year, with the Steelers reportedly discussing the All-Pro D-tackle with the Eagles.

The 31-year-old should continue to play a significant role on the Eagles defense. The team saw Javon Hargrave play well last season, and they used a third-round pick on Milton Williams last year. But Cox coming back will surely help a team that can bolster its lineup with three first-round selections next month.

In addition to their re-signing of Cox, the Eagles also officially announced that running back Boston Scott has re-signed with the organization.