2022 March - Pro Football Rumors

Cardinals Re-Sign Colt McCoy

March 14th, 2022 at 3:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Cardinals have made another move on offense, retaining some veteran depth at the quarterback position. The team announced on Monday that they have re-signed Colt McCoy to a two-year deal.

The 35-year-old was set to be a free agent, but will now stay in the desert. He started three games in 2021, his first campaign with the Cardinals, while appearing in eight total. He won two of those, totalling a 74.7% completion percentage, throwing for 740 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Prior to his time in Arizona, the former third rounder had also found himself in Cleveland, San Francisco, Washington and New York. Since his short-lived time as a starter in his first two seasons, McCoy has established himself as a trusted backup capable of filling in when needed.

The Cards already made some cap room by re-working the contract of o-linemen Justin Pugh earlier today. This deal likely won’t eat into much of those savings, although they will need as much flexibility as possible to have a chance at retaining Chandler Jones.

Of course, the biggest question around the team pertains to their starting QB. Kyler Murray is eligible for an extension this offseason, so how the team handles that situation will be crucial to their plans for the spring, and to the wider QB landscape. In any event, they now know who their No. 2 signal caller will be.

Chargers To Sign CB J.C. Jackson

March 14th, 2022 at 3:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

3:55pm: The Chargers will get their priority target. Jackson is signing with the Bolts, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This promises to be a monster deal for the young corner, who stands to help a Chargers defense that stumbled down the stretch. The Bolts have been aggressive entering Herbert’s third year, trading for Mack and agreeing to terms with one of the top free agents on the market.

Los Angeles authorized a five-year, $82.5MM contract for Jackson, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The ex-Patriot will see $40MM fully guaranteed, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The Bolts did not need to give Jackson top-five corner money, it turns out. This checks in as the NFL’s sixth-highest cornerback pact. To entice Jackson, the Chargers have agreed to give him $28MM in the deal’s first year, Rapoport adds (on Twitter).

3:32pm: As expected, J.C. Jackson has received widespread interest during the legal tampering period. The Chargers are among the Pro Bowl cornerback’s suitors, and NFL.com’s Mike Giardi tweets the team has made an offer.

The Patriots made a somewhat surprising decision not to use their franchise tag on Jackson, who has intercepted an NFL-most 25 passes since coming into the league in 2018. Months after trading Stephon Gilmore, the Pats could lose another standout cover man.

Previously reported to have interest in Jackson, the Bolts can be aggressive this offseason. They entered free agency in the top five in cap space and have Justin Herbert tied to a rookie contract through at least 2022. Los Angeles has already added a splashy defender, trading for Khalil Mack last week. With Jackson hitting the open market at 26, it will likely cost close to cornerback-record money to sign him. Jalen Ramsey still tops the corner market at $20MM per year.

At corner, the Chargers have Michael Davis and 2021 second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. as key returners. Slot man Chris Harris is a free agent.

Dolphins To Sign QB Teddy Bridgewater

March 14th, 2022 at 3:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Tua Tagovailoa will have a new backup in 2022. Teddy Bridgewater is signing with the Dolphins, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal worth $6.5MM fully guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal could be worth up to $10MM with incentives.

This will be the former first-round pick’s sixth team, and it will mark a return to QB2 duty for the recent Broncos and Panthers starter. Bridgewater rebuilt his value as Drew Brees‘ backup in New Orleans and landed a big deal from the Panthers in 2020, but after Carolina and Denver moved on from him after one season apiece, the Louisville product will provide Miami with one of the NFL’s best backup options.

Formerly with the Vikings and Jets (offseason only) as well, Bridgewater is entering his age-30 season. The eight-year veteran held off Drew Lock to be Denver’s starter last season and had the team at 7-6 before suffering his second concussion of the year. The Broncos shut him down after that Week 15 setback, and the team lost to the Bengals after Bridgewater went down and proceeded to drop its final three games with Lock at the controls.

Tagovailoa backup duty carries significant responsibility, with Tua having entered the NFL after a major hip injury. He then suffered another injury early in the 2021 season, moving Jacoby Brissett into Miami’s lineup. Brissett will now seek work elsewhere.

Bridgewater finished with an 18-7 TD-INT ratio with the Broncos, doing so despite missing three full games and another half after suffering his initial 2021 concussion against the Ravens. While known as one of the league’s more conservative passers, Bridgewater checks off a key box for the Dolphins. He has made 63 starts in his career, having battled back from a brutal knee injury that ended his first run as a starter back in 2016.

Dolphins To Add WR Cedrick Wilson

March 14th, 2022 at 3:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two former Cowboys are now bound for AFC rosters. Two days after Dallas traded Amari Cooper to Cleveland, Cedrick Wilson has committed to Miami, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets.

The Dolphins are giving Wilson a three-year deal worth $22.8MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. They are giving the former Cowboys supporting-caster $12.8MM guaranteed. His $4MM 2022 base salary is fully guaranteed, as is $5MM of his $7MM 2023 salary, according to PFF’s Doug Kyed (on Twitter).

Michael Gallup‘s injuries opened the door for extensive Wilson playing time last season, and it came at an ideal time for Wilson, who parlayed his contract year into a big raise. The former sixth-round pick had a breakout campaign in 2021, finishing with 45 receptions for 602 yards and six scores. The 26-year-old also returned a career-high 11 punts.

The Dolphins are likely moving on from Will Fuller, who only played three games for them after signing a one-year deal worth $10MM in 2021. The team still has longtime staple DeVante Parker and saw Jaylen Waddle emerge quickly as a go-to weapon. Wilson will join Miami’s mix, as the team transitions to a Mike McDaniel-run offense.

It remains to be seen if the organization is still targeting top-of-the-depth-chart receivers, although Wilson would be a logical number-three wideout behind Parker and Waddle. The Dolphins were connected to Cooper, who was born in Miami, before he landed with the Browns, and Miami was also mentioned as a suitor for DJ Chark.

Broncos Interested In Bobby Wagner?

March 14th, 2022 at 3:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linked to every non-Seahawks NFC West franchise, Bobby Wagner appears to have heard from their other future Hall of Fame 2012 draftee. Russell Wilson is attempting to recruit Wagner to Denver, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.

Wilson is not officially a member of the Broncos yet, with trades not yet official until Wednesday’s start of the 2022 league year, but he is getting an early start as the face of the franchise. Wilson and Wagner played together in Seattle for 10 seasons. Each departed on the same day, with the Seahawks trading Wilson and making Wagner a cap casualty.

Wagner still has seen extensive interest come his way, per Fowler. The Cardinals, Rams and 49ers are believed to be interested, though the Cowboys — who employ ex-Seahawks DC Dan Quinn as their defensive play-caller — do not appear to be a serious suitor. The Broncos have a need at inside linebacker, with both Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell in free agency. But they have needs at premium positions — such as edge rusher and right tackle — as well.

A six-time All-Pro, Wagner has made the past eight Pro Bowls and would certainly help a Broncos defense that has seen several starters either traded (Shelby Harris) or hit free agency (Johnson, Jewell, Kareem Jackson, Bryce Callahan). Denver has also used a 3-4 defense for the past seven seasons, though with sub-packages more common than base sets, the veteran middle linebacker moving from Seattle’s 4-3 scheme to a different front-seven setup likely would not be much of an issue.

Rams To Re-Sign Brian Allen

March 14th, 2022 at 3:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

Another one of this year’s top free agent centers is staying put. The Rams are bringing back Brian Allen on a three-year, $24MM contract (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter).

[RELATED: Rams To Re-Sign Joe Noteboom]

Allen, 26, took over as the full-time starting center in 2019. An MCL injury cut that year short, however, and kept him sidelined for the entire 2020 season. This year, he returned healthy enough to start in all 16 games he played in.

Despite allowing five sacks in just over 900 snaps, PFF viewed Allen favorably. He earned a grade of 80.2, making him one of the top options on the center market, even before the recent re-signings of Ryan Jensen and Ben Jones. It made him a strong candidate to re-up with the team, despite their limited cap space.

With this signing – along with that of presumed new starting left tackle Joe Noteboom – there will be a good deal of continuity along the Rams’ offensive line. That will be significant, as the team tries to keep as many pieces of their Super Bowl-winning roster as possible. The most notable of those on offense, of course, remains Odell Beckham Jr.

With Jensen, Jones and now Allen no longer options for outside teams, even more attention will turn to Bradley Bozeman. After one season at his more comfortable center position, his play in Baltimore may very well have earned him a lucrative second contract. Los Angeles, which could have been a suitor for him had Allen departed, will now move forward with their in-house option.

Colts To Re-Sign TE Mo Alie-Cox

March 14th, 2022 at 2:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The centerpiece of the Colts’ 2022 offense remains a mystery, but the team reached an agreement to keep one of its pass catchers. Mo Alie-Cox is staying in Indianapolis on a three-year deal, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star tweets.

Alie-Cox is coming back for $18MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This is a nice payday for a player who has transformed from VCU hoops contributor to Colts auxiliary piece. The deal contains $11.7MM in guaranteed money, including his entire 2021 salary, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com on Twitter.

With Jack Doyle retiring, Alie-Cox may become a more prominent factor in the Colts’ offense. The ex-college basketball player has established himself as a solid weapon in Indianapolis over the past two years, combining for 710 yards and six touchdown receptions in that span.

Indy drafted Kylen Granson in the 2021 fourth round but otherwise does not have much beyond Alie-Cox signed at the tight end position. The $6MM-per-year pact represents midlevel money at the tight end spot, potentially indicating Indy is not done here. The Colts are still in need at wide receiver, so Alie-Cox almost certainly will not be their final key pass-catching investment this offseason.

Seahawks To Re-Sign Will Dissly

March 14th, 2022 at 2:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Seattle continues to take care of its own. The team is re-signing tight end Will Dissly on a three-year deal worth $24MM (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero).

The 25-year-old was a fourth round pick of the Seahawks in 2018. He has since established himself as a consistent secondary option in the team’s offense. His best season came in 2019, when he posted 23 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns. This past year, he put up very similar numbers (21 receptions, 231 yards, one touchdown).

The $8MM per-year average is notably less than what the franchise tag was valued at for this season, though Dissly was never thought to be a tag candidate. Still, it is a significant raise compared to his rookie contract earnings.

While there are certainly questions surrounding the quarterback spot in Seattle, the team’s corps of pass-catchers remains intact. Alongside Dissly, receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf are each under contract. Rather than marking the beginning of a full-blown rebuild, then, the trade of Russell Wilson and release of Bobby Wagner appear to have signalled a reset of the franchise.

With this move – along with the earlier investments made in keeping other key pieces of the team, most notably Quandre Diggs – Seattle may yet be able to stay competitive in the NFC West, assuming an accomplished quarterback can be brought in.

Packers To Re-Sign LB De’Vondre Campbell

March 14th, 2022 at 2:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

After keeping the Aaron Rodgers–Davante Adams tandem, the Packers continue to retain key pieces in free agency. They have agreed to terms with De’Vondre Campbell, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

Campbell is set to stay in Green Bay on a five-year, $50MM deal. This is quite the pay bump for the 2021 All-Pro, who signed a low-level pact with the Packers midway through last year’s offseason. Campbell’s contract will pay out $16.25MM in Year 1 and total $32.25MM through three years, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets.

Playing on a one-year deal worth $2MM, Campbell became a vital cog for the Packers’ defense last season. The ex-Falcon draftee reshaped his career with the Packers, making 146 tackles, forcing two fumbles and registering two sacks for the NFC’s top-seeded team. This came after the Cardinals gave him a one-year deal in 2020 but opted not to re-sign him for last season.

This marks a notable deviation for the Packers, who have not traditionally prioritized off-ball linebackers. The team has not invested notable draft capital in the position in over a decade and let tackles machine Blake Martinez walk as a free agent in 2020. Despite Campbell going into his age-29 season, Green Bay made sure to lock him down.

Although the Packers released Za’Darius Smith and Billy Turner on Monday, they remain more than $10MM over the cap. The NFC North powerhouse will need to continue to make moves before the start of the 2022 league year Wednesday.

Titans Re-Sign Ben Jones

March 14th, 2022 at 2:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Titans’ offensive line has undergone plenty of changes in recent days, but there will be continuity in the middle of it. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the team is re-signing center Ben Jones to a two-year, $14MM deal (Twitter link).

This pact comes with $8MM guaranteed, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets, making Year 2 of the deal essentially an option year for the Titans. This will be Jones’ seventh season in Tennessee.

[RELATED: Titans To Sign Jamarco Jones]

Tennessee has recently moved on from two pieces to their offensive front. Last week they released Rodger Saffold along with Kendall Lamm. While it saved the team some notable cap space, it leaves question marks up front for one of the league’s most run-heavy offenses. Keeping Jones in the fold will certainly help in that regard.

Jones, who will be 33 by the start of the 2022 season, has been with the Titans since 2016. Durability has never been a concern over that time, as he has missed just one game in Nashville, and started each contest throughout his time there. PFF graded him as only allowing one sack all season in 2021, leading to an overall rating of 77.8. That is right on par with his previous performances, meaning he should still be counted on as a consistent presence along the line.

With Jones off the market, the center position continues to thin out. Ryan Jensen re-signed with the Buccaneers yesterday, leaving Bradley Bozeman as the name at the top of the list amongst free agents. Brian Allen represents another name that teams in need of a new center could be expected to pursue.