2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys, DE Dante Fowler Agree To Deal

March 18th, 2022 at 6:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to acclaimed edge rushers in free agency, the Cowboys made their move at the position Friday. They are signing former top-five pick Dante Fowler, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

This will reunite Fowler and Dan Quinn, who was the head coach in Atlanta when Fowler signed with the Falcons in 2020. The two did not stay together long, with the Falcons firing Quinn early that season. This stands to be a higher-profile partnership. It’s a one-year deal, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Aaron Wilson (on Twitter).

Fowler’s production has yo-yoed during his seven-year career. He helped the Jaguars’ “Sacksonville” defense reach the 2017 AFC championship game and was a starter in Super Bowl LIII for the Rams, after a midseason trade. Fowler timed his initial contract year well, producing 11.5 sacks alongside Aaron Donald in 2019. That led to a big-ticket Falcons deal, one the team ended up regretting.

Fowler played 14 games in each of the past two seasons but did not top 4.5 sacks in either. The Falcons adjusted his three-year contract and released him earlier this offseason, allowing an early trip to the market for a player who was already on track for free agency. The Cowboys’ edge plans changed abruptly this week, when Randy Gregory backtracked on an agreement due to guarantee-forfeiture language in his contract. Gregory is now in Denver. The Cowboys pursued Von Miller as well, but a big Bills offer steered the future Hall of Famer to western New York.

Pairing with DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons stands to be a strong opportunity for Fowler to re-establish his value during his age-28 season. After his two down Atlanta years, the former No. 3 overall pick is running out of time to do so.

Broncos, LB Alex Singleton Agree To Deal

March 18th, 2022 at 6:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Not long after the Eagles non-tendered Alex Singleton in restricted free agency, he will relocate. The three-year linebacker is signing with the Broncos, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.

The Broncos are guaranteeing Singleton $1.1MM and included $750K in playing-time incentives, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com adds (via Twitter).

A former Eagles special teams captain, Singleton made a big impact on defense last season. He made a career-high 137 tackles, doing so despite starting only eight games. Singleton made 120 tackles during the 2020 season, during which the Eagles gave him 11 starts.

The Broncos re-signed Josey Jewell this week and have 2021 third-round pick Baron Browning positioned as their other starter at inside linebacker. Denver will continue to use the 3-4 scheme it has deployed since Wade Phillips‘ 2015 return, and Singleton profiles as either an intriguing depth piece and/or a player who will compete for a starting job. The Broncos also roster recent trade acquisition Jonas Griffith and 2020 fifth-round pick Justin Strnad. Each saw time for Denver last season, with Jewell and three-year starter Alexander Johnson suffering season-ending injuries. Johnson is a free agent and is not expected back.

Singleton, 28, intercepted two passes during his run as a regular Eagles starter, returning both for touchdowns. He added three fumble recoveries during that time. The Eagles did not hold him in especially high regard, as evidenced by their RFA decision, leading to a trip back to the Mountain Time Zone for the Montana State alum.

Broncos Sign QB Josh Johnson

March 18th, 2022 at 6:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Johnson‘s historically nomadic career looks set to continue in yet another city. The Broncos are signing the veteran quarterback, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The team has announced the move.

While Johnson has completed reunion trips to certain teams, the Broncos represent new territory. They will be his 14th NFL team. Considering Johnson has also been affiliated with the XFL, AAF and the United Football League of the early 2010s, he has authored a team-hopping run for the ages.

The Broncos are revamping their quarterback room, having traded for Russell Wilson and included Drew Lock in the deal. Although Wilson has missed just three starts in his 10-year career, his thumb injury did alter the Seahawks’ path last season. Denver also has Brett Rypien on its roster. The Broncos might not be done adding to their QB room, but Johnson did perform decently last season.

Johnson, 36 in May, spent last year, naturally, with three teams. He was with the 49ers for part of 2021 but saw game action with the Jets and Ravens, appearing in three games with New York and starting one with Baltimore. For those curious, Johnson’s team list is as follows: Buccaneers, 49ers, Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL), Browns, Bengals, 49ers again, Bengals again, Jets, Colts, Bills, Ravens, Giants, Texans, Raiders, Washington, San Diego Fleet (AAF), Lions, Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL), 49ers again, Jets again, Ravens again.

The former fifth-round Bucs pick relieved an injured Mike White during a Jets nationally televised game last season; he threw for 317 yards in a loss to the Colts. With the Ravens down Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley against the Bengals later in the season, Johnson stepped in and threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, completing 70% of his passes.

Eagles, Fletcher Cox Discussing New Deal

March 18th, 2022 at 6:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be on the Eagles’ radar despite his release, Fletcher Cox may have a new contract with the team soon. The Eagles are working on a one-year deal with the perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

The six-time Pro Bowler has been the centerpiece of the Eagles’ defense for most of his career, missing just four games over the past nine seasons. The Eagles designated Cox as a post-June 1 cut, moving a small chunk of cash off their books from the elite defensive tackle’s oft-restructured contract.

Cox returning to Philly for an 11th season remains the expectation, Garafolo adds. It will be interesting to see what Cox commands on a one-year deal. He signed a six-year, $102.6MM extension in 2016. The Eagles restructured it three times from 2018-21, inflating the deal’s cap numbers to the point the team cut bait.

Cox, 31, drew trade interest in recent years as well. The Steelers discussed the All-Pro D-tackle with the Eagles during the 2021 season. But the dominant inside defender remained in Philly, helping the Eagles rebound after a significant step back in 2020. Cox recorded 3.5 sacks, 12 QB hits and seven tackles for loss last season, adding two forced fumbles.

The Eagles 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.

Cowboys To Sign James Washington

March 18th, 2022 at 6:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

After losing two key members of their receiving corps, the Cowboys are adding a new wideout. The team is signing James Washington to a one-year deal (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

Washington, who will be 26 next season, is a native of Texas. He had spent four seasons with the Steelers, who drafted him in the second round in 2018. Many felt he would be the next in a long line of productive wideouts developed in the Steel City, especially when he posted 44 catches for 735 yards and three touchdowns in his second season.

However, he has seen his role reduced since then. As the team has continued drafting at the position, bringing in Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, Washington has been on the field for less than half of the team’s plays in each of the past two seasons. During that stretch, he totalled 54 receptions for 677 yards and seven touchdowns.

The news comes after the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to the Browns and saw Cedrick Wilson leave for Miami in free agency. While the team still has CeeDee Lamb, along with franchise-tagged tight end Dalton Schultz, the vacancy left by the former two should leave plenty of opportunities for the once (Oklahoma State) Cowboy.

Meanwhile for the Steelers, this marks the second departure in the WR corps in a matter of hours. JuJu Smith-Schuster reportedly agreed to a one-year deal in Kansas City earlier today. There is now an opening on their roster to add at least a complimentary pass catcher.

Bears To Sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

March 18th, 2022 at 5:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the emerging pieces of the Colts’ 2021 defense has found a new home. Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to sign with the Bears (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The insider adds that the deal is worth $10MM over two years.

The 26-year-old began his career with New Orleans, after they drafted him in 2017. He was only a Saint for one season, though, as he was claimed off waivers by the Colts at the onset of the 2018 campaign. He finished his rookie contract in Indianapolis, taking on a larger defensive (as opposed to special teams) role with each passing campaign. He posted five combined sacks between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Muhammad signed a one-year deal to stay with the Colts last offseason. The $3.4MM value reflected his consistent progress, but also the potential to earn a bigger payday with a productive season. The Miami product responded by starting all 17 games this year, setting new career-highs across the board.

He was on the field for just under three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. With that increased workload, Muhammad totalled 48 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble. Not surprisingly, that performance led to this new contract, which, not unlike the one he played on last year, rewards his growth but doesn’t constitute a financial burden.

In Chicago, he will look to fill in some of the void left in the pass-rush department left by the trade of Khalil Mack. The Colts, meanwhile, will need to look elsewhere if they hope to find a new developmental edge rusher to work with.

Eagles To Bring Back RB Boston Scott

March 18th, 2022 at 5:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite being non-tendered as a restricted free agent, Boston Scott is back with the Eagles. They are re-signing the veteran running back on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

A valued backup in Philly for years, Scott will collect $1.75MM on this contract — one that could be worth up to $2.25MM. Scott will receive $1.1MM guaranteed, per Pelissero. This salary checks in slightly below the low-end RFA tender amount.

Selected in the 2018 sixth round by the Saints, Scott has only seen game action as an Eagle in the pros. He has played 45 games with the team and played a role on the Eagles’ No. 1-ranked rushing attack last season. Scott scored a career-high seven rushing touchdowns in 2021, a season in which he compiled 373 ground yards.

Scott also helped the Eagles secure the 2019 NFC East title, filling in for Miles Sanders at points that season. The Eagles now have Scott, Sanders and Jordan Howard signed for the 2022 season.

Eagles To Re-Sign S Anthony Harris

March 18th, 2022 at 5:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles will continue their partnership with Anthony Harris. The former Vikings safety agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Philadelphia, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This is the second consecutive year the Eagles and Harris have agreed on a one-year pact. Harris, who played the 2020 season on the franchise tag in Minnesota, started 14 games for the Eagles last season.

Both of Philly’s starting safeties from last season hit free agency this week. Longtime Eagles starter Rodney McLeod remains unsigned. Harris, 30, has not secured a long-term pact but did make good money on the tag two years ago. He played for $4MM last season. With McLeod not on the roster at this point, the Eagles’ payroll had little money devoted to the safety position entering Friday.

Harris intercepted six passes for the Vikings in 2019, leading to them tagging him the following year. He has one INT combined over the past two seasons but has proven to remain a reliable starter, lining up with the Vikes and Eagles’ first-string defenses in 30 games from 2020-21. Harris allowed a 68.7 passer rating when targeted last season, way down from the 118.1 figure he compiled in 2020. He allowed a 51% completion rate when targeted as well, with that figure also down considerably from his 2020 performance.

Baker Mayfield Targeting Colts In Trade; Seahawks Eyeing QB

March 18th, 2022 at 5:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

After the Browns ended Baker Mayfield‘s four-year tenure as their starter by trading for Deshaun Watson, the former No. 1 overall pick figures to be an option for another team in need of a QB1. Mayfield has his eye on another AFC team.

Mayfield would prefer to be traded to the Colts, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports (on Twitter), and has informed the Browns of his ideal destination. One season remains on Mayfield’s contract, with the Browns having picked up his fully guaranteed fifth-year option — worth $18.9MM — last year. The Colts have shown interest in Mayfield, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets, but no notable discussions have occurred yet.

The Colts make sense as a Mayfield destination. They ditched Carson Wentz after one season and do not have a first-round pick, which the team sent to Philadelphia in the Wentz deal. Prior to Mayfield requesting a trade Thursday, the Browns were willing to work with their now-former starting quarterback in a trade. However, they were not prepared to accommodate his trade request Thursday. Of course, that was before Cleveland came in with a market-reshaping offer for Watson. Mayfield is now expected to be moved. His lack of a no-trade clause could prompt the Browns to move him to an NFC team, so it will be interesting to see how the team treats its longtime starter on the way out.

Indianapolis could easily fit Mayfield’s salary onto its payroll; the team created plenty of cap space by unloading Wentz. The Colts lead the NFL in cap space, at nearly $40MM, and have a glaring need at quarterback. Mayfield would obviously be an upgrade over anyone presently on the Colts. The Colts have a playoff-caliber roster, which features NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor. Though the team needs pass-catching help, Mayfield is undoubtedly intrigued by the talent in Indy.

The Seahawks lurk here as well. They emerged as a possibility for Mayfield earlier this week, and USA Today’s Josina Anderson tweets they have inquired on both Mayfield and Matt Ryan. Seattle would prefer an experienced QB, Anderson adds. While Pete Carroll indicated the Seahawks were fans of Drew Lock as a prospect, he bounced in and out of the Broncos’ starting lineup during a rocky three-year tenure. Ryan’s contract remains onerous for the Falcons to trade, and without Watson in the picture, Atlanta greenlighting a 15th season with Ryan would make sense financially.

Seahawks To Sign Quinton Jefferson

March 18th, 2022 at 5:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Quinton Jefferson is reportedly coming back to Seattle. The Seahawks are signing the defensive tackle, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). USA Today’s Josina Anderson reports that the contract is a two-year deal worth $9.5MM, with a maximum value of $11MM (Twitter link).

Jefferson, who will be 29 by the start of next season, began his career with the Seahawks in 2016. He played four seasons in Seattle, coming on as a pass-rushing presence with 6.5 total sacks in his final two seasons there. He then played for the Bills in 2020, racking up 23 tackles and three sacks.

That was followed by another one-year stint, this time with the Raiders. Starting all 17 games last season, the former fifth round pick had a career year. He totalled 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. That earned him the sizeable raise this deal represents from the $3.25MM he played for in 2021.

“My old d-line coach from when I was in Seattle before is the d-coordinator now”, he said, referring to Clint Hurtt. “It just made sense to go back. My house is there, my friends too. It’ll be good to see some familiar faces”.

Jefferson continues the ongoing makeover of the Seahawks’ defense. The team has lost the likes of Bobby Wagner, Carlos Dunlap and Kerry Hyder in the front seven recently, all as a result of releases. Bringing the Maryland product back is a reunion, but also therefore part of the unit’s re-shaping.