Bills Sign QB Matt Barkley
After spending the 2021 season playing elsewhere, Matt Barkley has landed back in Buffalo. The Bills announced that they’ve signed the quarterback to a one-year contract.
[RELATED: Bills To Acquire Browns QB Case Keenum]
The journeyman had his longest career stint with the Bills, spending two-plus seasons with the organization. He saw time in eight games (one start) during his time in Buffalo, completing 54.6 percent of his passes for 788 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions.
He signed a two-year contract with the Titans last offseason but didn’t make it to the regular season, and he later spent the 2021 campaign with the Panthers and Falcons. Barkley previously spent time with the Eagles, Cardinals (two stints), Bears, 49ers, and Bengals.
The Bills have Josh Allen sitting atop their depth chart, and they acquired veteran Case Keenum from the Browns last week. However, as Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic tweeted at the time, a Barkley move was anticipated even when the organization acquired Keenum. In other words, it sounds like the two acquisitions will be fighting it out to replace Mitchell Trubisky as the No. 2 QB in Buffalo next season.
Titans Re-Sign RB Dontrell Hilliard
D’Onta Foreman parlayed his stint with the Titans into a deal with the Panthers, but fellow running back Dontrell Hilliard will be sticking around Tennessee. The Titans announced that they’ve re-signed the running back.
[RELATED: Panthers To Sign RB D’Onta Foreman]
The Titans had plenty of carries to go around while Derrick Henry was out of the lineup. While Foreman ended up getting the bulk of the yards, Hilliard was the one who got the bulk of the starts. Hilliard got into eight games (five starts) for Tennessee last season, finishing with 350 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. He also added another 19 receptions for 87 yards.
Hilliard, a 2018 undrafted free agent out of Tulane, spent the first two-plus seasons of his career with the Browns, seeing time in 30 games. He was claimed off waivers by the Texans in 2020 and got into two games with them.
Henry should be good to go for the 2022 campaign, and Hilliard is currently penciled in to be his main backup. The Titans are also rostering Trenton Cannon, and the front office will surely add more RBs before training camp.
Raiders Sign QB Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert has found a new home. The quarterback is signing with the Raiders, agency Steinberg Sports announced on Twitter (and passed along by ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).
Gilbert had stints on the Raiders practice squad during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The 2014 sixth-round pick has turned into a true journeyman during his eight seasons of professional football. Besides his stint in Oakland, the Texas/SMU product has had gigs with the Rams, Patriots (two stints), Lions, Panthers, Browns, Cowboys, and Washington. He also led the AAF in passing yards during his time with the Orlando Apollos.
In total, the QB has seen time in eight career games (two starts), completing 57.3 percent of his passes for 477 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He got a start for Washington in 2021.
Josh McDaniels has some familiarity with Gilbert dating back to their days in New England, and the FA addition may have an opportunity to stick around as the number-two quarterback behind Derek Carr. 2021 backup Marcus Mariota is currently a free agent.
49ers Sign S George Odum
After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Colts, George Odum is off to the NFC. The safety and special teams ace is signing with the 49ers, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). It’s a three-year deal worth $10.95MM.
“I wanted to start out by saying how grateful I am to the city of Indianapolis and the Colts organization,” Odum said in a statement on Twitter. “I wanted to thank Mr. Irsay and Ballard for giving a kid from Central Arkansas an opportunity to play in the NFL! I also wanted to thank Dodds, Reich, Flus, Allen, Bubba and many more for always believing in me and helping me grow both on and off the field! I wanted to thank each and every teammate that helped push me and help me grow over the past 4 years!”
Odum was an undrafted free agent out of Central Arkansas in 2018, and he ended up transforming into one of the best gunners in the NFL. Odum earned a first-team All-Pro nod for special teams in 2020 after leading the NFL with 21 special teams tackles.
The 28-year-old played a larger role on defense in 2021, appearing in a career-high 43 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. He saw time in 17 games (seven starts), collecting a career-high 55 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception.
Falcons Re-Sign Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson will be back in Atlanta next season. The versatile running back/wideout is re-signing with the Falcons, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). It’s a two-year, $10.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein (via Twitter).
Patterson made a name for himself on special teams early in his career, but he took on a significant offensive role in 2021. Signed to a one-year deal worth $3MM, Patterson supplanted Mike Davis as Atlanta’s top running back early in the season. In 16 games (13 starts), Patterson finished with 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns on 205 touches. Thanks in part to his on-field production, Patterson became a fan favorite, and the Falcons made it clear after the season that they wanted to retain the veteran.
“From our standpoint, we’d love to have [CP] back,” owner Arthur Blank said in February. “We saw the same thing that you saw on the field. I think this is a very talented player, a very talented athlete. This is a good example of when a coach understands the scheme – which he does, Coach Smith – and he takes an athlete like this and can use him in a variety of ways I think you see the kind of production that he can have. He’s a terrific young man. He’s great with the fans. He’s great in the locker room. He’s a real competitor… I hope that he’ll be a Falcon this time [next] year.”
The 2013 first-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Titans, earning a pair of All-Pro nods for his kick-return prowess (in four seasons with the organization, Patterson returned five kickoffs for scores). Patterson later had stints with the Raiders, Patriots, and Bears.
With Patterson back, the Falcons will move forward with a running backs room that also includes Davis and recent free-agent signing Damien Williams. Atlanta is also rostering Qadree Ollison, and Caleb Huntley.
Eagles Re-Sign Fletcher Cox
Fletcher Cox is indeed staying in Philadelphia. The defensive tackle has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Eagles, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Eagles, Fletcher Cox Discussing New Deal]
It’s a one-year, $14MM deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Cox was released earlier this week ahead of a deadline to guarantee $18MM of his contract. Instead, the Eagles cut the defensive tackle, creating $2.1MM in cap space while leaving behind $12.8MM in dead cap. At the end of the day, the Eagles reduced the length and amount of Cox’s contract, but they’ll have to endure a brutal one-year hit to the salary cap. Cox originally signed a six-year, $102.6MM extension in 2016, but the deal had been restructured three times in the years prior to his release.
The Eagles have used the large majority of their 2022 cap space on retaining their own players. Dating back to last year’s extensions, the team has committed most of their 2022 cap space to re-sign the likes of Jordan Mailata, Avonte Maddox, Dallas Goedert, Jason Kelce, and Anthony Harris (as Eliot Shorr-Parks points out on Twitter).
Now, we can add Cox to the list, who has earned six Pro Bowl nods in 10 seasons with the Eagles organization. This past season, Cox recorded 3.5 sacks, 12 QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Considering the veteran’s uncertain contract status and the Eagles’ brutal start to last season, Cox found himself in trade rumors at one point last year, with the Steelers reportedly discussing the All-Pro D-tackle with the Eagles.
The 31-year-old should continue to play a significant role on the Eagles defense. The team 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.
In addition to their re-signing of Cox, the Eagles also officially announced that running back Boston Scott has re-signed with the organization.
Vikings Expected To Keep DE Danielle Hunter
It sounds like Danielle Hunter will be sticking around Minnesota after all. The Vikings plan to pick up the Pro Bowler’s $18MM roster bonus, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
The roster bonus is due on Sunday, and barring an “unforeseen change,” Hunter will be sticking with the Vikings past the deadline. This decision will effectively “tie” Hunter to the Vikings for the final two years of the player’s contract, per Schefter. A 2021 restructure implemented this bonus.
There were rumors earlier this week that the Vikings weren’t eager to pick up the option and were trying to trade Hunter. Minnesota has changed regimes and defensive schemes since committing to the veteran, and Hunter’s $25.8MM cap number is a clear target to create additional funds. Cutting or trading Hunter would save the Vikes $14MM-plus in cap space.
Hunter’s second straight injury-marred season has reduced his value to the point it is difficult to envision another team paying that bonus. That said, Hunter was the youngest player in NFL history to reach the 50-sack plateau. The two-time Pro Bowler is still just 27.
Panthers Re-Sign CB Donte Jackson
The Panthers are keeping a key member of their 2021 defense. Carolina is re-signing cornerback Donte Jackson reports, ProFootballFocus.com’s Doug Kyed (via Twitter).
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (on Twitter) that it’s a three-year deal for the defensive back. The three-year pact is worth $35.1MM, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).
Jackson’s 2021 campaign ended early thanks to a groin injury, but he still managed to have one of the best seasons of his career despite starting only 12 games. The cornerback finished this past season with 61 tackles, 10 passes defended, and two interceptions. The 2018 second-round pick has spent his entire career with the Panthers, collecting 12 interceptions in 55 games (51 starts).
The Panthers secondary had a handful of big-name free agents, but the team made it clear that they were prioritizing Jackson. The club has not shut the door on a new contract for CB Stephon Gilmore, but the front office was naturally focused on retaining Jackson, who is five years younger than Gilmore. Jackson also generated some interest from the Jets before they signed D.J. Reed.
Michigan LB David Ojabo Suffers Torn Achilles
One of the draft’s top pass rushers will be sidelined for at least the next six months. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), Michigan linebacker David Ojabo has suffered a torn Achilles.
Doctors pointed to Rams running back Cam Akers‘ six-month recovery from a torn Achilles, and they believe Ojabo will have a similar timeline. Doctors also expect a “full and complete recovery.”
Ojabo suffered the injury during his pro day yesterday. Per Albert Breer of TheMMQB (on Twitter), the linebacker suffered the injury during a standard pass drop. Per the reporter, Ojabo “caught the ball, planted, pushed off and went to the ground.” Teammate Aidan Hutchinson told reporters that the linebacker was “wincing in pain,” and the linebacker was ultimately helped off the field be trainers.
This is a tough break for a prospect who has rocketed up the draft boards following a breakout 2021 campaign. Ojabo finished the season with 11 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, helping guide Michigan to the College Football Playoff. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had the linebacker going in the first round of next month’s draft, and it’s uncertain how this untimely injury will affect his draft status (per ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren).
Titans Re-Sign K Randy Bullock
The Titans re-signed a pair of players last night, and we’ve learned of another player who will be sticking around Tennessee. Kicker Randy Bullock announced on Twitter that he’ll be re-signing with the Titans. Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com passed along the news (on Twitter).
[RELATED: Titans Re-Sign CB Skrine, RB Wilkins]
Bullock joined the Titans practice squad last September, and he ended up getting the big-league call when Tennessee moved on from Michael Badgley. Bullock saw time in the next 16 games for the Titans, connecting on 26 of his 31 field goal tries and 42 of his 45 extra point attempts. The 32-year-old also added a field goal and extra point in the playoffs.
The kicker has spent time with seven different teams during his 10 years in the NFL. He had a four-year stint with the Bengals between 2017 and 2020, but his final year in Cincy also saw him convert a career-low 83.9 percent of his field goal attempts. Bullock has also spent time with the Texans, Jets, Giants, and Steelers. He caught on with the Lions last offseason but was released before final cuts.
Last night, the Titans agreed to re-sign cornerback Buster Skrine and running back Jordan Wilkins.