Chargers To Sign DL Austin Johnson
The Chargers have added another player to their defense. The team is signing defensive tackle Austin Johnson, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). It’s a two-year deal worth up to $14MM, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter).
Johnson had a breakout season for the Giants in 2021, setting career-highs across the board. In 17 starts, the defensive tackle collected 72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. Entering this season, Johnson had 54 tackles and 3.5 sacks in five seasons with the Titans and Giants.
A 2016 second-round pick, Johnson spent the first four seasons of his career with Tennessee. He joined the Giants organization in 2020.
The acquisitions of Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson will steal the headlines, but Johnson should find a role for himself on the Chargers defense. Justin Jones and Linval Joseph combined for 23 starts last season, but both players are hitting free agency. Even backup Christian Covington, who started three games in 2021, is a free agent.
Steelers To Sign OL Mason Cole
After re-signing Chukwuma Okorafor earlier today, the Steelers are adding another offensive lineman to the mix. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Steelers are signing center Mason Cole. It will be a three-year deal for the offensive lineman. Cole is getting a three-year deal worth $15.75MM, with $11MM paid out in the first two years (per ESPN’s Field Yates on Twitter).
[RELATED: Steelers To Re-Sign OL Chukwuma Okorafor]
The 2018 third-round pick spent the first three seasons of his career with the Cardinals, starting 32 of his 46 appearances. He was traded to the Vikings last offseason for a sixth-round pick, and he proceeded to start seven of his 14 games for Minnesota. Cole spent time at both center and right guard before his season ended early due to an elbow injury.
2021 third-round pick Kendrick Green ran with the starting center gig last year, starting all 15 of his games. The team is also rostering center J.C. Hassenauer.
Jets To Re-Sign RB Tevin Coleman
Tevin Coleman will spend at least another season in New York. The veteran running back is re-signing with the Jets, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). Coleman’s new deal is for one year worth $1.5MM, including $650K in guaranteed money (per Pelissero on Twitter).
Following a two-year stint with the 49ers, Coleman joined the Jets last offseason on a one-year, $2MM deal. He ended up getting into 11 games (five starts) for New York, collecting 356 rushing yards on 84 carries. He also added another 11 receptions for 49 yards.
Coleman will likely see a similar amount of playing time in 2022, serving as the older counterpart to Michael Carter. The Jets are also rostering Ty Johnson, Austin Walter, and La’Mical Perine.
Prior to his two seasons in San Francisco, Coleman spent the first four seasons of his career with the Falcons. This included a 2018 campaign where he finished with a career-high 1,076 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 199 touches.
Bills To Sign DT Tim Settle
Tim Settle is heading north. The defensive tackle is signing with the Bills, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
It’s a two-year deal for Settle. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the deal is worth $9MM and a max of $10.6MM. The deal contains $7MM in guaranteed money, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter).
The 2018 fifth-round pick out of Virginia Tech had spent his entire career with Washington, missing only a pair of games. Used mostly in a platoon role (only two starts), Settle collected seven sacks during his four season with Washington. The six-foot-three, 308-pound defensive lineman also collected 12 QB hits and 12 tackle for loss.
Following a 2020 season where he finished with a career-high five sacks, Settle was unable to compile a single sack in 2021. He still managed to collect 13 tackles while getting into 20 percent of his team’s defensive snaps.
Considering his familiarity with the organization, Washington was keeping tabs on the free agent, per ESPN’s John Keim (on Twitter). Ultimately, Settle decided to take his talents up north.
Texans Release OL Marcus Cannon
Marcus Cannon‘s stint with the Texans has come to an end. The Texans are releasing the veteran offensive lineman, reports Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter).
On Thursday, it will be the one-year anniversary of Cannon joining Houston. The Texans acquired the lineman from the Patriots (along with a fifth- and sixth-round pick) for a fourth- and sixth-round pick.
Cannon started the first four games for the Texans, getting in 88 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. However, he landed on IR in early October with a disc issue, and he didn’t end up seeing the field again during the 2021 campaign.
The 2011 fifth-round pick had previously spent his entire career in New England, earning three Super Bowl rings and a second-team All-Pro nod. The lineman started 69 of his 115 games with the Patriots, including 15 starts in 2020. The 33-year-old also got into 19 playoff games, starting 11.
Jaguars To Sign TE Evan Engram
The Jaguars continue to add to their offense. Jacksonville is signing tight end Evan Engram, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Jaguars To Sign Christian Kirk]
It’s a one-year deal worth $9MM, and the contract could be worth up to $10MM with incentives. PFF’s Doug Kyed tweets that the deal contains $8.25MM in guaranteed money, which includes a $3MM signing bonus and $5.25MM base salary. The tight end has $800K worth of reception and receiving yard incentives.
A first-round pick by the Giants in 2018, Engram had an inconsistent five years in New York. After missing 13 combined games between 2018 and 2019, Engram earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 after finishing with 63 receptions for 654 yards and one touchdown. However, his numbers took a step back in 2021, with the tight end finishing with 46 receptions for a career-low 408 receiving yards.
Still, those numbers would represent an upgrade at the position for the Jaguars. The team’s top receiving TE in 2021 was Dan Arnold, who finished with 28 receptions for 324 yards. Engram will join a tight ends depth chart that already includes Arnold, James O’Shaughnessy, Chris Manhertz, and Luke Farrell.
However, there’s a chance Engram doesn’t even line up as TE for his new squad. There were recent reports that teams were looking into Engram as a wide receiver, with the player’s combination of speed, agility, and size making him a potential matchup nightmare. We’ll see if that ends up being the case in Jacksonville. According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post (on Twitter), the Colts, 49ers, and Bills were among the teams to express interest in Engram before he landed in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars have been busy adding to their offense this afternoon. After agreeing to a deal with offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, the organization inked receiver Christian Kirk to a lucrative deal.
Steelers To Re-Sign OL Chukwuma Okorafor
Chukwuma Okorafor is heading back to Pittsburgh. The Steelers are re-signing the offensive lineman, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).
[RELATED: Steelers To Sign Mitch Trubisky]
It’s a three-year deal worth $29.25MM, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Okorafor will earn $20.5MM in the first two years of the pact.
The 2018 third-round pick has spent his entire career with the Steelers, seeing time in 46 games. He’s taken on a larger role in recent seasons, starting 31 games for Pittsburgh between 2020 and 2021. He saw time in 97 percent of his team’s offensive snaps this past season.
Okorafor’s versatility (he’s even started games at tight end) makes him a commodity, even if he doesn’t hold a starting gig. Naturally, the 24-year-old generated plenty of interest around the NFL, per Garafolo.
Cardinals Re-Sign Dennis Gardeck
“The Barbarian” is heading back to Arizona. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the Cardinals have re-signed linebacker and special teams ace Dennis Gardeck.
It’s a three-year deal worth $12MM for Gardeck.
An undrafted free agent in 2018, Gardeck has spent his entire four-year career with the Cardinals. He was a key member of Arizona’s special teams unit through his first three seasons in the NFL, collecting 34 tackles in 44 games.
Gardeck saw a larger role on defense in 2021, getting into a career-high 19 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. Coupled with his usual special teams duties, the 27-year-old managed to finish with a career-high 23 tackles.
Patriots Re-Sign Matthew Slater
Matthew Slater is returning to New England for a 15th season. The key special teamer is re-signing with the Patriots, according to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter). It’s a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $2.62MM. The deal includes a $152K signing bonus, according to Doug Kyed of ProFootballFocus.com (via Twitter).
Since being selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, Slater has put together an impressive resume. He’s earned three Super Bowl rings, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and five All-Pro nods (including two first-team recognitions). Slater needs just one more regular season appearance to claim sole possession of third place on the Patriots all-time games played list (behind Tom Brady and Bruce Armstrong).
Slater earned his third-straight Pro Bowl appearance in 2021 after finishing with 11 tackles in 17 games. The 36-year-old saw time in 80 percent of his team’s special teams snaps.
Originally drafted as a wideout, Slater has collected three touches for 57 yards from scrimmage in his career.
Cowboys Likely To Trade Or Release OL La’el Collins
3/13/22, 3:28pm: According to some updated information from ESPN’s Ed Werder, at least six teams have shown interest in Collins. It’s unclear whether any teams are eager enough to trade for him or whether they will wait to bid for his services upon his release.
3/12/22, 9:04am: It sounds like La’el Collins‘ stint with the Cowboys has effectively come to an end. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the organization has given the right tackle permission to seek a trade. If the team can’t find a trade partner, they’ll likely release the offensive lineman.
While the team would only save $1.3MM on their 2022 books by releasing or trading Collins, they could save $10MM if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut (per ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Twitter). The front office will have to juggle the financial advantages of waiting vs. any enticing offers they may receive.
Due to off-field allegations and threats of a holdout from his agent, Collins went undrafted during the 2015 draft. However, after catching on with the Cowboys, it didn’t take the lineman all that long to emerge as a dependable starter. While he had issues staying on the field during his first two seasons in the NFL, Collins started all but one game for Dallas between 2017 and 2019.
However, Collins didn’t appear to be a favorite of the Mike McCarthy-led staff. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes on Twitter, the new Cowboys staff never “seemed to be a fan of Collins,” and it could have been attributed to a missed season in 2020 due to injury and a suspension in 2021. Upon returning to the team, Collins didn’t immediately get his starting gig back, although he did end up starting 10 of his 12 games last season.