Browns, Titans, Giants Eyeing QB Jameis Winston
MARCH 12: In addition to the Browns, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports the Titans and Giants have shown “preliminary interest” in Winston. Tennessee has Will Levis in place as the quarterback of the present and future, but adding an experienced option capable of starting or providing high-end insurance would be a logical move. Malik Willis holds the QB2 spot for now, but the Levis selection last spring has limited his ability to compete for a starting role in Nashville.
The Giants, meanwhile, saw Tyrod Taylor agree to a deal with the Jets yesterday. Linked to drafting a Daniel Jones successor this April, New York will at least need a veteran backup if Jones is unable to start the 2024 season on time as recovers from a torn ACL. Winston would fit the bill, and likely not at an especially high price tag.
MARCH 11: The Browns are hoping for a healthy season from Deshaun Watson in 2024, but that won’t stop the front office from pursuing a top-end backup. While the team navigates Joe Flacco‘s free agency, the Browns are eyeing another notable quarterback. According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the Browns are interested in Jameis Winston as a backup QB.
[RELATED: Saints’ Jameis Winston Eyeing Starting Role]
Winston has been in New Orleans since 2020, and despite several changes atop the depth chart, he’s continued to serve as a fill-in at quarterback. As a result, the former first-overall pick was reportedly seeking a starting gig as he weighs free agent offers this time around. The 30-year-old has not played a full season as a starter since 2019, the year of his infamous 33-touchdown, 30-interception campaign with the Buccaneers
Of course, finding a QB1 job would be easier said than done, as few teams would simply hand the reins to Winston. For what it’s worth, the veteran has looked good as a backup in New Orleans. The Saints have gone 6-4 in Winston’s 10 starts with the organization, and the QB has tossed 20 touchdowns vs. 11 interceptions in his 21 games with New Orleans. He didn’t get a chance to start while serving as Derek Carr‘s back in 2023, with Winston completing only 25 of his 47 pass attempts while tossing two TDs and three interceptions.
The Browns lucked out with their backup plan in 2023. Flacco guided the Browns to a 4-1 record in his five starts, with the former Super Bowl winner finding the fountain of youth while tossing 13 touchdowns, his highest total since 2017. The veteran QB is reportedly looking to stick in Cleveland for the 2024 campaign, and the free agent confirmed that sentiment during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I can tell you that, all things equal, Cleveland is definitely the place where I’d feel best about,” Flacco said (via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “Now, then you have to get into the world of, is someone actually going to give me a chance to play? And all the different things that go into that.
“But I can’t help but have a special feeling about Cleveland, just because of the few weeks that I spent there and how great the city was. And, listen, at the end of the day, I don’t necessarily want that to be a huge part [or] all of the decision. But I do think it will factor into the decision — if I end up having a decision to make.”
Patriots Re-Sign WR Jalen Reagor
Jalen Reagor has played for three different teams in as many years, but he will find short-term stability in 2024. The former first-round wideout has re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes the pact is worth almost $1.3MM and includes $443K in guaranteed money.
While Reagor will likely be tied to Justin Jefferson for the rest of his career, the 2020 draftee does have a chance to play a fifth NFL season. The TCU product has not panned out as a wide receiver, but multiple teams — the Vikings and Patriots — have brought him in to help in the return game.
Reagor joined the Patriots practice squad at the end of the 2023 preseason and ended up getting into 11 games for the big-league squad. He returned seven kickoffs during his time in New England (including a 98-yard touchdown), but he also got into 308 offensive snaps. That didn’t necessarily translate into production; while Reagor garnered 23 targets, he turned that into only seven catches for 138 yards.
The former first-round pick started his career with the Eagles, with Philly selecting him one pick ahead of his future All-Pro teammate in Jefferson. Reagor hauled in 64 catches through his two seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to Minnesota in 2022. During his lone season with the Vikings, the receiver hauled in eight catches while serving as the team’s primary punt returner.
The Patriots could have some open reps at WR next season. The team moved on from DeVante Parker and is looking to ditch JuJu Smith-Schuster, meaning the team could have a spot open for a reclamation project like Reagor.
Titans To Sign LB Kenneth Murray
Kenneth Murray is staying in the AFC. The free agent linebacker is signing with the Titans, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Murray has since announced the move via Instagram (h/t Daniel Popper of The Athletic).
It’s a two-year deal worth $15.5MM, per Garafolo. The contract can max out at $18MM.
Murray was a first-round pick by the Chargers back in 2020. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing with 107 tackles, but a balky ankle contributed to him having an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign.
He bounced back a bit in 2022, starting 16 of his 17 appearances. However, he was limited to only 76 tackles, and the Chargers declined his fifth-year option last offseason. As an impending free agent, Murray showed some of the ability he flashed as a rookie, finishing the 2023 campaign with 107 tackles and a career-high three sacks. While the numbers were up, Pro Football Focus still only ranked Murray 75th among 82 qualifying linebackers.
Despite the inconsistent showing, Murray managed to get a two-year commitment from the Titans. The team needed some reinforcement after Azeez Al-Shaair left for the Texans today. Al-Shaair finished last season with a team-leading 163 tackles, and the Titans are certainly hoping that Murray can make up for that absence.
Commanders To Sign OL Nick Allegretti
Following a standout performance in the Super Bowl, Nick Allegretti has earned a nice contract from the Commanders. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the guard is signing with Washington.
Allegretti earned a three-year deal from the Commanders. The deal is worth $16MM and includes $9.02MM in guaranteed money.
The former seventh-round pick spent the first five seasons of his career in Kansas City, earning three Super Bowl rings along the way. The lineman mostly served as a backup during his time with the Chiefs, starting only 13 of his 74 appearances. Nine of those starts came in 2020, when Allegretti got into a career-high 63 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.
2023 was looking like another footnote on Allegretti’s resume, as the lineman was limited to only seven percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps during the regular season. However, he was forced into the starting lineup for the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl after teammate Joe Thuney went down with an injury. Allegretti earned even more headlines when it was revealed that he played through a torn UCL during the title game without missing a snap.
Now, he’ll finally have a chance to be a full-time starter in Washington. The Commanders’ offensive line was inconsistent this past season, and OC Kliff Kingsbury and co. were expected to dedicate some resources to the unit. Allegretti will likely be part of the answer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team pursues more depth via free agency and/or the draft.
Texans To Sign P Tommy Townsend
Tommy Townsend is heading to Houston. The veteran punter is signing with the Texans, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Townsend will be inking a two-year deal worth $6MM. The former UDFA was taking his first trip into free agency and will earn a significant raise on his new deal.
The Florida Gators product caught on with the Chiefs as a UDFA in 2020. He ended up missing only a single game over the next four seasons in Kansas City, earning a pair of Super Bowl rings in the process.
Townsend earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2020, and he earned an All-Pro nod in 2022 after averaging more than 50 yards on his 53 punts. That number took a bit of a step back in 2023, as the 27-year-old finished with an average of 47.1 yards per punt, his lowest since his rookie campaign.
Cameron Johnston served as the Texans’ primary punter in 2023, but the Bill Burr lookalike is taking his talents to the Steelers, opening a spot on Houston’s roster.
Texans To Re-Sign WR Noah Brown
Noah Brown is sticking in Houston. The Texans have re-signed the free agent wide receiver, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
After spending the first six seasons of his career in Dallas, Brown joined the Texans on a one-year deal last offseason. The wideout ended up having one of the most productive seasons of his career, finishing with 33 catches for a career-high 567 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Brown may be penciled in as the WR4 behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Robert Woods heading into 2024. However, he should see still plenty of snaps in the high-flying Texans offense, and injuries could force him into a larger role (just as they did in 2023).
Brown certainly wasn’t one of the top names on the free agent WR list, limiting his options. However, the Texans clearly valued his familiarity with the offense and his willingness to potentially play a less role, leading to a second contract with the organization.
Now, the Texans can shift focus to their running backs room. We’ve seen the organization connected to a number of RBs, including Tony Pollard, D’Andre Swift, and Saquon Barkley. That trio is now off the board, and the team also saw their most productive 2023 rusher, Devin Singletary, join the Giants. While the team’s WR corps appears set, the team clearly has some work to do elsewhere on offense.
Patriots To Sign QB Jacoby Brissett
As the Patriots navigate an uncertain future on offense, the team is turning to a familiar face. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Patriots are planning to sign quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
It’ll be a one-year deal for the veteran QB, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The contract is worth $8MM and can hit a max value of $12MM.
There were recent rumors that the Patriots could be eyeing their former third-round pick. While Brissett would never be confused with a franchise QB, there was a belief that the Patriots valued the veteran’s role as a potential bridge QB. Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald echoes that sentiment, but the reporter warns that Brissett could also transition to the QB2 role in 2024. The quarterback also worked with current Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt when the two were in Cleveland together, and the former Browns OC reportedly “loved” Brissett.
The organization has since moved on from Mac Jones, which only increased the odds that the Patriots were going to opt for a QB with the third-overall pick in the draft. With Brissett now penciled in atop the depth chart, the Patriots can opt for a first-year signal caller and have them develop behind the scenes for a year.
The 31-year-old Brissett has widely been considered one of the top backup QBs in the NFL, mostly thanks to his performance while filling in for injured QB1s. After going 4-11 during his first extended opportunity to start with the Colts, Brissett has since gone 13-18 as a QB1, including a 2019 campaign where he went 7-8. Brissett didn’t have an opportunity to start in Washington in 2023, but he tossed 12 touchdowns in 11 starts with the Browns in 2022 (he added another two scores on the ground).
Brissett entered the NFL as a third-round pick by the Patriots back in 2016. Thanks to a suspension for Tom Brady and an injury to Jimmy Garoppolo, Brissett ended up getting into three games for New England, keeping the ship afloat with a 1-1 record as a starter. He’ll be eyeing a more significant role in New England this time around, although the veteran will surely know his opportunity will be short assuming the organization adds a rookie at the position.
Seahawks To Re-Sign TE Noah Fant
Noah Fant is sticking with the Seahawks. The tight end is signing a two-year, $21MM deal to stay in Seattle, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
Fant was among the best tight ends available in this year’s free agency class. We’ve already seen a handful of players at the position come off the board, with Fant representing one of the top remaining options.
The Russell Wilson trade piece has not quite justified his first-round pedigree, but he’s still been productive since joining the Seahawks. The organization picked up the tight end’s fifth-year option following the trade, allowing the Seahawks to squeeze two years out of their acquisition.
Fant has two 670-yard receiving seasons on his resume, both coming in Denver. The Seahawks did not utilize Fant in the same way. After back-to-back 90-target seasons as a Bronco, the Iowa alum drew only 82 in two Seahawk seasons.
Fant finished his first season in Seattle with 50 catches for 486 yards and four touchdowns. His counting stats took a significant step back this past season, with Fant hauling in only 32 catches in 17 games. While those numbers won’t have anyone confusing Fant with a top-tier TE, the player is still young, durable (two career games missed) and clocked a sub-4.5-second 40 time at the 2019 Combine.
With Fant, Dalton Schultz, and Hunter Henry off the free agent board, Gerald Everett likely stands as the best remaining TE on the market.
Patriots To Re-Sign OL Michael Onwenu
Michael Onwenu will be back with the Patriots after all. New England has re-signed their versatile offensive lineman, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
It’s a three-year, $57MM deal for Onwenu, including $38MM in guaranteed money. The lineman also earned a $22.5MM signing bonus from the Patriots.
The organization made it clear that they wanted to retain Onwenu, although the team’s lack of free agent spending in recent years led to some doubts about the player’s future in New England. The lineman also made some headlines when he informed NFL teams that he was operating without an agent, a hint that he was simply preparing to sign with the highest bidder.
Ultimately, the Patriots stepped up and retained their lineman. Onwenu has spent his entire career in New England. The former sixth-round pick found himself in and out of the starting lineup in 2021, but he started all 32 of his appearances over the past two years. Listed as a tackle in 2023, Pro Football Focus ranked Onwenu 29th among 81 qualifiers this past season. The lineman ranked top-10 at his position in each of his first three seasons in the league.
The player engaged in negotiations with the then-Bill Belichick-led front office last offseason. However, those talks stalled, making the lineman an impending free agent. Having played both guard and tackle throughout his career, Onwenu’s versatility was expected to make him a popular name in free agency. The lineman ranked as the tenth-best free agent in our top-50 free agent rankings.
Onwenu will continue to be a reliable presence in New England, even with an uncertain offensive future. Mac Jones will no longer be under center, and there’s a good chance the Patriots snag a rookie quarterback with the third-overall pick in the draft. The team’s low-cost 2023 RT plan (Riley Reiff) lasted all of 45 snaps, and with Trent Brown all but certain to leave, it was important for the organization to retain some continuity on the OL.
Texans To Sign LB Azeez Al-Shaair
After being a rumored target of the Texans last offseason, Azeez Al-Shaair has finally landed in Houston. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans have agreed to a three-year deal with the linebacker. The contract is worth $34MM. 
This move reunites Al-Shaair with DeMeco Ryans, who was the defensive coordinator when the duo was in San Francisco. Considering that connection, the linebacker seemed like a logical target for the Texans when Ryans was hired last offseason. Instead, Al-Shaair joined the Titans on a one-year deal.
Al-Shaair had a career-year in Tennessee, starting all 17 games of a season for the first time. He also matched career-highs in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (9) while setting new highs in quarterback hits (6) and total tackles (163). Al-Shaair had, by far, the most snaps on the Titans defense last year and now leaves the defense in the hands of Jack Gibbens, who is an exclusive rights free agent and the only other inside linebacker on the team with more than 100 snaps last year. Expect Tennessee to pursue some linebacker help in free agency and the draft.
In Houston, Al-Shaair fills one of the holes left by the departure of Blake Cashman to Minnesota and the likely departure of Denzel Perryman in free agency. With those two likely gone, Al-Shaair should slot in as a starter next to Christian Harris. Henry To’oTo’o should have an opportunity to start with them in his sophomore season, but Houston may continue to browse for a strong third starter.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.