2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Latest On Raiders QB Derek Carr

March 17th, 2022 at 8:07pm CST by Ben Levine

Derek Carr got his wish earlier tonight when the Packers traded for wideout Davante Adams. Next up: a lucrative extension. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders will now pivot to extending their quarterback. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal tweets that an extension is coming “sooner than later.”

When the Raiders hired Dave Ziegler as GM and Josh McDaniels as head coach, some were questioning whether Carr would be moved. The organization continued to say that Carr would be sticking around Las Vegas, and the Raiders’ decision to reunite their QB with his college WR all but confirms that Carr will be with the team for the foreseeable future.

Back in 2017, Carr became the first player in the NFL to average $25MM per season. Even while breaking that barrier, Carr claimed at the time that he was leaving money on the table. Pundits posit that Carr has earned near-top-tier money that could make him yet another quarterback to join the $40MM per year club, joining the likes Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Dak Prescott.

Carr’s current deal runs through the 2022 season, so the two sides will surely want to complete a deal before the offseason is over. The front office has already spent big money to extend Adams and Maxx Crosby, so Carr should see a lucrative contract before long.

Latest On Seahawks-Broncos’ Russell Wilson Trade

March 17th, 2022 at 7:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos have been in need at quarterback for six years, GM George Paton said Seahawks GM John Schneider initiated the Russell Wilson trade talks. A Schneider text to Paton got the ball rolling on the trade at the Senior Bowl, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post notes.

Schneider expected the Broncos to be interested, and the talks heated up at the Combine. While Denver was also linked to Aaron Rodgers for nearly a year, Paton said Wilson was the team’s No. 1 priority throughout the offseason. The Broncos planned to do “anything it took” to acquire Wilson, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets. The deal sent the Seahawks five draft picks and three players, including quarterback Drew Lock, who as of now figures to factor in prominently in Seattle’s post-Wilson QB plans.

The Seahawks’ official statements, while complimentary of the nine-time Pro Bowler overall, included interesting language. All three indicated the quarterback wanting out catalyzed the trade. Jody Allen‘s statement said Wilson “made it clear” he wanted a change, with the owner’s short message also saying she hopes the next Seahawks squad will be “fully engaged.” (A previous report by The Athletic included select anonymous players accusing Wilson of checking out last season, which seems to conflict with the QB’s quest to return earlier than expected from thumb surgery.) Pete Carroll‘s statement backed Allen’s, as could be expected, and said Wilson “wanted something different.”

Wilson called the separation mutual, and Schneider said Wednesday he did not expect the future Hall of Fame passer to sign another Seahawks extension, via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). Wilson’s 2019 extension expires after the 2023 season, though the Broncos will be expected to re-sign him either this offseason or in 2023.

A conversation with Paton and Wilson’s faith in the Broncos’ roster prompted him to waive his no-trade clause and target Denver as a destination, O’Halloran adds, and Paton said the Broncos’ new quarterback was already en route to Denver when news of Rodgers’ extension surfaced last week. John Elway, who is now a Broncos consultant after 10 years as the team’s GM and one in a different executive role, was one of the few people Paton brought into the loop on the prospective Wilson trade.

In landing the 33-year-old Wilson, the Broncos will presumably have a longer run with this particular trade acquisition than they did with Peyton Manning or would have with Rodgers. Wilson is still planning to play past age 40.

Falcons Delay Matt Ryan’s Roster Bonus

March 17th, 2022 at 7:44pm CST by Ben Levine

Matt Ryan will have to wait a few extra days to get paid, and he’s also buying the Falcons some extra time in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), the Falcons have pushed back Ryan’s $7.5 million roster bonus from Friday to Tuesday.

This will provide the Falcons with a bit more flexibility as they pursue a trade for Watson. Ryan’s impending bonus would complicate a corresponding trade, but the extra few days means Ryan’s hypothetical suitor wouldn’t have to get as creative with the cap.

The Falcons haven’t processed the restructured contract that Ryan agreed to last week, providing the organization with even more flexibility in trade talks. The veteran QB reportedly reduced his sizable cap hold, opening $12MM in cap space for the Falcons.

Atlanta is one of three teams still in the running for Watson (along with the Saints and Panthers). The organization informed Ryan last weekend of their plans at quarterback, but it remains to be seen if the 14-year vet will stick around if the Falcons don’t acquire Watson. Ryan went 7-10 as a starter this past season, tossing 20 touchdowns vs. 12 interceptions.

Bears Sign WR Byron Pringle

March 17th, 2022 at 7:29pm CST by Ben Levine

New Bears general manager Ryan Poles is recruiting his former Chiefs players to Chicago. The Bears are signing receiver Byron Pringle, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Pringle is inking a one-year, $6MM deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The wideout will get $4MM in guaranteed money.

Poles was the Chiefs’ director of college scouting when Kansas City signed Pringle as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2018. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, Pringle established a minor role in the Chiefs offense, appearing in 29 games for the team between 2019 and 2020.

He took it to another level in 2021, having a career year ahead of his free agency. Pringle finished the season with 42 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games (five starts). The 28-year-old also started two of the Chiefs’ three playoff games, hauling in 12 catches for 82 yards and three scores. Pringle also has extensive experience on special teams, returning 25 kicks this past season.

The Bears will be hard pressed to replace Allen Robinson, but Pringle should easily slide into the depth chart. Darnell Mooney is expected to lead the way for Chicago in 2022.

Packers Trade WR Davante Adams To Raiders

March 17th, 2022 at 6:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Davante Adams‘ stint with the Packers has come to a sudden end. The Packers are trading the Pro Bowl wideout to the Raiders, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). The Packers will receive the Raiders’ first- and second-round picks in this year’s draft, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Raiders are also inking Adams to a record-breaking contract. The wideout will sign a five-year, $141.25MM deal with Las Vegas, with his $28.25MM average annual salary setting a new record for the position (per Rapoport).

There were whispers that Adams could be on the move, but the return of Aaron Rodgers had many assuming that the star wide receiver would be back in Green Bay next season. Of course, there was still the matter of a contract; the Packers ended up franchising Adams when they couldn’t agree on an extension prior to the tender deadline, but the wideout later made it clear that he wouldn’t play the 2022 season on the franchise tag (one-year, $20.5MM). Adams has been pushing for a megadeal to top DeAndre Hopkins‘ $27MM/year contract, and per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (on Twitter), the Packers were willing to meet his asking price. However, Adams ultimately wanted to play elsewhere, leading to the trade.

Whenever a potential Adams trade was brought up, the Raiders were consistently mentioned as a top suitor. This wasn’t only due to the Raiders’ need for a top-end wide receiver; it was also because of the friendship between Adams and quarterback Derek Carr, who were teammates at Fresno State. Carr said last summer that he would “welcome” a reunion with his good friend, and he acknowledged that he’d be “recruiting hard” by the time the 2022 offseason came around. Ultimately, Carr got his wish, and he’ll now be adding one of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers.

A few eyebrows were raised when it was recently reported that Adams had bought a home in the Las Vegas area, and Rapoport tweets that the receiver will actually be neighbors with his new QB. Rapoport adds that the Raiders and Packers had been working on a deal for a few days, although NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the trade was dead as recently as yesterday.

Adams had a standout career with the Packers aftre being selected in the second round of the 2014 draft. The receiver earned a pair of first-team All-Pro nods and made five-straight Pro Bowls during his time in Green Bay. After putting up some incredible numbers in recent seasons, Adams somehow took it to another level in 2021. The wideout finished the season with a career-high 1,553 receiving yards on 123 receptions. He also hauled in 11 touchdowns.

Josh McDaniels and co. were reportedly seeking a top-end receiver to pair with receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller. DeSean Jackson provided a bit of a spark after joining the organization, but there was no guarantee he would stick around (plus he profiles as a lower-end WR). The team also lost a key future piece in Henry Ruggs.

While Green Bay settled their issues with their franchise QB, they now have some major question marks elsewhere on offense. The team’s receivers depth chart is currently led by Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, and the Bears signed away Equanimeous St. Brown earlier today. It will be interesting to see if the Packers are able to attract one of the few remaining FA wideouts, and Schefter confirms (on Twitter) that the team is indeed pursuing veteran receivers. And for those wondering, Rapoport tweets that Rodgers has indeed signed his new contract. In fact, Rodgers was aware that Adams was done with the Packers when he inked his new deal, so this trade won’t come as any surprise to the QB (per Rapoport).

Dolphins Re-Sign LB Brennan Scarlett

March 17th, 2022 at 6:14pm CST by Ben Levine

Brennan Scarlett is heading back to Miami. The Dolphins are re-signing the linebacker, according to agent Henry Organ (and passed along by Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com).

Scarlett joined the Dolphins last offseason and ended up getting into 13 games (four starts). He finished the season with 19 tackles, and while he got some run on defense, his main impact came on special teams (77 percent of Miami’s ST snaps). A knee injury forced him to miss all of December’s games.

The linebacker spent the first five seasons of his career with the Texans, starting 22 games. His best season came in 2019 when he finished with 51 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Falcons Host Tre’Quan Smith, Nick Easton

March 17th, 2022 at 5:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Still in contention to acquire Deshaun Watson, the Falcons continue to meet with potential supporting-casters for him (or Matt Ryan). In addition to its Jarvis Landry meeting, Atlanta is hosting wideout Tre’Quan Smith, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes.

A four-year Saints cog, Smith arrived in Atlanta on Thursday. The Falcons are also meeting with ex-Saints offensive lineman Nick Easton, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets. Easton spent two seasons with the Saints.

The Saints and Falcons are viewed as the favorites for Watson, who has also met with the Panthers. The winner of these sweepstakes will be sending the Texans a historic trade package, one that is expected to include three first-round picks and additional assets. Watson’s $39MM-per-year contract will also be on an NFC South team’s books soon, creating a need for some cost-effective contributors. Smith and Easton qualify.

Although a Smith touchdown doubled as one of Drew Brees‘ record-setting sequences, he could not establish himself as a consistent weapon in New Orleans. The former third-round pick did not have a 500-yard receiving season in four Saints years, with injuries intervening at points as well. Smith missed six games last season and caught 32 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-2 Central Florida product does have 17 career TD grabs, however.

Calvin Ridley‘s gambling suspension and Russell Gage‘s Buccaneers defection leave the Falcons quite thin at receiver. Landry remains unsigned. Even if the five-time Pro Bowler joins the Falcons, they will need additional help at the position.

Easton spent last season out of football but has extensive experience as a starter. The Saints added the ex-Vikings guard starter as a swing player but used him as a 15-game starter during the 2019 and ’20 seasons. Easton’s market stalled in April 2021, and his year away surely will limit his opportunities. But the Falcons are interested. Pro Football Focus rated Atlanta’s O-line 27th last season, with rookie left guard Jalen Mayfield drawing one of the site’s worst overall grades. Right guard Chris Lindstrom fared much better, but the Falcons could still use help up front.

Falcons Sign RB Damien Williams

March 17th, 2022 at 5:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Damien Williams is taking his talents to Atlanta. The free agent running back is signing with the Falcons, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).

Williams is inking a one-year deal with Atlanta. Doug Kyed of PFF tweets that the deal is worth $1.62MM, including a $500K signing bonus. ESPN’s Field Yates tweeted earlier today that the running back was set to meet with the Falcons organization.

The 29-year-old spent the 2021 season with the Bears, but his numbers were a far cry from what he put up during his stint with the Chiefs. After collecting 1,127 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in two years with Kansas City, Williams finished 2021 with only 267 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in 12 games (two starts). However, the RB clearly made an impression on former Bears GM Ryan Pace, who is now working in Atlanta’s front office.

Williams spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dolphins. It’s been a while, but the RB also had a stint as a kick returner during his time in Miami.

In Atlanta, Williams will be joining a depth chart that was led by free agent Cordarrelle Patterson last season. At the moment, Atlanta has Mike Davis, Qadree Ollison, and Caleb Huntley under contract.

Ravens Sign DT Michael Pierce

March 17th, 2022 at 5:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Michael Pierce is returning to Baltimore. The veteran defensive tackle is signing with the Ravens, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

Pierce will sign a three-year, $16.5MM deal with Baltimore, per Rapoport.

Pierce earned his walking papers from Minnesota earlier this week. The Vikings tried to convince Pierce to take a “moderate pay cut,” and when that didn’t happen, they tried to trade him. They couldn’t find any takers, so they ended up moving on from the defensive lineman. Pierce signed a three-year, $27MM deal with the Vikings in 2020, and he was set to have a $10.5MM cap hit in 2022. His release left behind $4MM in dead cap.

After opting out of the 2020 campaign, Pierce made his Vikings debut in 2021. He ultimately collected 20 tackles and three sacks in eight starts. He suffered an elbow injury that forced him to miss the middle chunk of the season.

Following his release from Minnesota, there were whispers that Pierce could look towards a reunion with Baltimore (via Josina Anderson on Twitter), but it was uncertain if the return of Za’Darius Smith would price the Ravens out of the sweepstakes. Ultimately, the two sides agreed to terms, and Pierce will now return to the team that took a chance on him as an undrafted free agent in 2016. The Stanford product ended up spending the first four seasons of his career with the Ravens, starting 30 of his 60 games.

Bears Sign WR Equanimeous St. Brown

March 17th, 2022 at 5:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has recruited another player to Chicago. The Bears are signing wideout Equanimeous St. Brown, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (on Twitter). Brown agreed to join the Bears on a one-year deal, Howe tweets.

The 2018 sixth-round pick had spent his entire career in Green Bay, with Getsy serving as QBs coach during three of those four seasons. The receiver missed the entire 2019 season, but he otherwise appeared in at least 12 games during his three healthy seasons with the Packers. However, St. Brown hasn’t been able to match his rookie numbers (333 yards from scrimmage) in 2020 nor 2021.

This past season, St. Brown saw time in 13 games (two starts), collecting 112 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches. He also appeared in 34% of the Packers’ special teams snaps.

The Bears have been busy adding former Packers players, signing offensive lineman Lucas Patrick earlier this week.