Chargers To Re-Sign QB Easton Stick
The Chargers are retaining their backup QB. The team has agreed to a new contract with quarterback Easton Stick, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
It’s a one-year, $1.8MM deal for the backup, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Considering Stick’s struggles to take control of the QB2 spot on the Chargers depth chart, this contract seems to be a strong indication that he’ll be the definitive backup heading into next season.
Following a prolific career at North Dakota State that saw him set the record for most wins by a starting QB in NCAA Division I FCS history, Stick was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. He’s only seen time in one game since entering the league, completing one four-yard pass during the 2020 season. The Chargers didn’t give a QB2 any snaps during the 2021 season, and Chase Daniel got the brief call in 2022.
Now heading into 2023 with a new contract, there’s a good chance Stick will finally hold the second spot on the depth chart. At the very least, he’ll provide the coaching staff with a familiar face in case something happens to Justin Herbert.
Panthers Willing To Trade QB Matt Corral?
The Panthers are expected to use their newly acquired first-overall pick on a quarterback, meaning their young signal-callers could be available via trade. According to NFL Network’s Mike Giardi (on Twitter), the Panthers would consider moving Matt Corral in a trade.
[RELATED: Bears-Panthers Trade Fallout: Timeline, QB Plans, Moore]
The Ole Miss product was selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, with the Panthers intending to bring him along slowly while hoping that one of their veterans could provide at least a season-plus of production. Neither Sam Darnold nor Baker Mayfield ended up working out for the organization, and the Panthers also made it clear that P.J. Walker wasn’t in their plans.
Even with the inconsistent QB depth chart, the Panthers were unable to get a look at their rookie, as Corral suffered a preseason Lisfranc injury that knocked him out for the season. The team could have repeated their plan in 2023 by pairing the young QB with one or two veterans, but the organization instead decided to go all-in with the first-overall pick. While it remains to be seen who will ultimately be selected, it’s clear that the Panthers will hand that unknown rookie QB the keys to the offense.
Considering Corral’s college resume, a team would surely make a run at the QB. He earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2021 after finishing with 20 touchdowns vs. five interceptions while adding another 11 touchdowns on the ground. Per Giardi, the cost wouldn’t be high to acquire the QB, and it’s unlikely the Panthers will be able to recoup their third-round investment.
Colts Shopping C Ryan Kelly
The Colts could be looking to move on from their Pro Bowl offensive lineman. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Colts are shopping center Ryan Kelly. The organization could also consider cutting the veteran, but they’ll exhaust the trade market before making a move.
Kelly inked a sizable four-year, $50MM extension with the Colts prior to the 2020 season. He earned Pro Bowl nods in both 2020 and 2021, and in 2022, he started all of his team’s games for the first time since 2019.
However, thing’s aren’t as rosy as they may appear. The Colts offensive line struggled mightily in 2022, with Pro Football Focus grading Kelly as a middle-of-the-road center (16th among 36 qualifying players). Despite the Pro Bowl nod, the site ranked Kelly 32nd among 39 centers during the 2021 campaign, and they haven’t given the player a top-10 grade since 2019.
With impending cap hits of $12.4MM and $14.6MM in 2023 and 2024, respectively, the Colts could decide to move on from the veteran as they continue to pivot towards the future. Considering his track record, it wouldn’t take long for a team to scoop up Kelly in free agency, and there’s a chance the organization could find a suitor on the trade market.
Kelly isn’t the only Colts player who’s on the trade block. Per Fowler, tight end Mo Alie-Cox is also “potentially available.” The 29-year-old has averaged 24.7 receptions for 300 yards and three touchdowns per season over the past three years.
Giants To Re-Sign RB Matt Breida, Sign DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
The Giants have made moves on both sides of the ball. Jordan Schultz of The Score reports (via Twitter) that running back Matt Breida is re-signing with New York. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports (via Twitter) that the Giants are signing defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
Breida is inking a new one-year contract that can peak at $2.3MM with incentives. The veteran RB spent the 2022 campaign as Saquon Barkley‘s backup, with Breida ultimately seeing time in all 17 games (one start). The 28-year-old finished the campaign with 338 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.
The former UDFA spent the first three seasons of his career with the 49ers, collecting 2,463 yards from scrimmage. He’s since bounced around the NFL, also spending time with the Dolphins and Bills. He’ll continue to be a backup in 2023, with Gary Brightwell and Jashaun Corbin also around as depth at the position.
Nunez-Roches has spent eight seasons in the NFL, including the past five years in Tampa Bay. He started 10 of his 17 appearances for the Buccaneers in 2022, finishing with 33 tackles and two sacks. The veteran hasn’t missed a game since the 2018 season, and he’ll provide the Giants with some reliable depth on their defensive line.
Texans To Sign RB Mike Boone, FB/TE Andrew Beck
The Texans remain busy, this time adding two players on the offensive side of the ball. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports (via Twitter) that the Texans will sign running back Mike Boone. Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager reports (via Twitter) that the Texans will also add fullback/tight end Andrew Beck.
[RELATED: Texans To Sign DE Chase Winovich, DT Hassan Ridgeway]
Boone is inking a two-year deal worth $3.1MM, including a $300K signing bonus. The veteran should provide the Texans with another option (alongside Dare Ogunbowale) behind starter Dameon Pierce.
The former UDFA spent the first three seasons of his career with the Vikings, collecting 407 yards from scrimmage in 40 games. He spent the past two seasons with the Broncos, adding another 255 yards in 17 games. With only 18 career receptions, Boone doesn’t necessarily profile as a third-down back, so there’s a chance he serves as a traditional backup to Pierce.
Beck is signing a two-year, $6.75MM deal with $4MM guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). The fullback/tight end spent the past four seasons with the Broncos, appearing in 51 games. He mostly served as a special teamer and a blocker, although he did contribute i14 receptions in four years.
Raiders To Sign DB Brandon Facyson
The Raiders continue to make moves. The team is expected to sign defensive back Brandon Facyson, per Vincent Bonsignore (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Raiders To Sign S Marcus Epps]
This will mark Facyson‘s second stint with the organization. The cornerback started nine of his 12 appearances for the Raiders during the 2021 season, finishing with 55 tackles, 13 passes defended, and one interception. That first Raiders gig followed a three-year stint with the Chargers.
Facyson spent the 2022 campaign in Indianapolis, starting four of his 16 games for the Colts. The defensive back finished the season with 28 tackles and six passes defended. Besides playing on defense, the 28-year-old also has plenty of experience playing on special teams, making him an intriguing addition for the Raiders.
This will stop a Facyson run under DC Gus Bradley. The veteran corner had played for the well-traveled DC at his past three stops. The Raiders, who then employed Bradley as their DC, claimed him off waivers from the Chargers in 2021; the Colts signed him to work with Bradley last year. Facyson is again ticketed to wear the Silver and Black, but he will be part of DC Patrick Graham‘s scheme.
The Raiders have already added one defensive back today, signing former Eagles starting safety Marcus Epps. Of course, the Raider also made headlines on the other side of the ball, adding quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Raiders To Sign S Marcus Epps
The Eagles have lost another defender in free agency. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that safety Marcus Epps is expected to sign with the Raiders.
The defensive back will get a two-year, $12MM deal from Las Vegas, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). The contract includes $8MM in guaranteed money.
Epps had a career season for the Eagles in 2022, starting a career-high 17 games. The defensive back finished the campaign with 94 tackles and six passes defended, and he had another 13 stops in three postseason starts. The 27-year-old only finished as Pro Football Focus’ 71st-ranked cornerback among 88 qualifiers, but the site did give him a top-12 score in rush defense.
With Rock Ya-Sin and Anthony Averett hitting free agency, the Raiders have been mentioned as a potential suitor for free agent defensive backs. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter), there was mutual interest between the Raiders and Bills safety Jordan Poyer, but it seems like the organization opted for the cheaper alternative.
The defending NFC champions have already seen a handful of defenders leave today. Besides Epps, the Eagles have also lost defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker T.J. Edwards to free agency.
Texans To Sign DE Chase Winovich, DT Hassan Ridgeway
The Texans are going to add a pair of defenders. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that the organization is expected to sign defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway. Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetworkcom reports (via Twitter) that Houston is also signing defensive end Chase Winovich.
Ridgeway is expected to ink a one-year, $4MM deal that includes $3MM in guaranteed money. The defensive lineman actually started a career-high seven games during his age-28 season, finishing with 28 tackles and one sack. The former fourth-round pick also served as a situational defensive lineman during stints with the Colts and Eagles, and he’ll presumably play a similar role in Houston.
Winovich will be inking a one-year, $2.75MM contract. Texans GM Nick Caserio played a role in Winovich being selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2019 draft, so it’s not a huge surprise that the executive has recruited the defensive end to Houston.
Winovich had 11 sacks through his first two seasons in the NFL, but he found himself in New England’s doghouse in 2021, finishing with 11 tackles and zero sacks in 13 games. He was traded to Cleveland last offseason, but the edge rusher didn’t see a significantly larger role with the Browns. The 27-year-old ultimately finished his lone season in Cleveland with 20 tackles and one sack.
Commanders To Sign LB Cody Barton
Cody Barton is heading east. The Commanders are signing the former Seahawks linebacker, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). It’s a one-year, fully guaranteed deal for Barton.
The Utah product was a third-round pick by the Seahawks in 2019. After starting five games through his first three seasons in the NFL, Barton took on a larger role in 2022.
The Seahawks turned to Barton to fill the void created by Bobby Wagner alongside Jordyn Brooks. Replacing the greatest linebacker in team history and a future Hall of Famer in the lineup certainly presented a difficult task for the former third-rounder. But he was quite productive in his first extended duty. He started 11 of his 17 appearances, finishing with 136 tackles and a pair of sacks. Barton was ranked 59th among 81 qualifying linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.
Through his first three seasons in the NFL, Barton played a significant role on special teams. While the Commanders are likely going to give him a shot on defense, the acquisition can contribute on ST at the very least.
The Commanders are expected to be busy reshaping their defense this offseason. After agreeing to a new deal with defensive tackle Daron Payne, the front office has brought in new additions like defensive back Cameron Dantzler.
Cowboys Eyeing Bobby Wagner, Want To Bring Back Dante Fowler Jr.
The Cowboys continued to pursue some big names on the defensive side of the ball. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports (via Twitter) that the organization has talked to linebacker Bobby Wagner. Meanwhile, Josina Anderson tweets that the Cowboys “still have to get an agreement to the finish line” with defensive end Dante Fowler Jr..
As Watkins notes, the Cowboys are continuing to monitor the market before making a definitive move on Wagner, but it sounds like the organization definitely has interest in bringing in the veteran. The former Seahawks star spent the 2022 season with the Rams, appearing in all 17 games. While his eight-season Pro Bowl streak came to an end, the 32-year-old was still plenty productive, finishing with 140 tackles and a career-high six sacks.
Fowler spent the 2022 season in Dallas, and while he mostly served in a situational role, he proved to be plenty effective. The former third-overall pick finished the year with six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 17 games. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance, ranking him 82nd among 120 qualifying edge rushers, although the site did give him solid grades for pass rush and coverage.
Per Anderson (on Twitter), the Cowboys are working hard to sign Fowler to a new deal and “want him back” next season. There’s also a belief that the player “wants to be back” in Dallas next year. Fowler is one of several notable Cowboys defensive free agents, with the list headlined by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and safety Donovan Wilson.