Lions Sign CB Desmond Trufant
Desmond Trufant has found his new home. ESPN’s Jordan Schultz tweets that the free agent cornerback has signed with the Lions. It’s a two-year, $21MM deal, including $14MM in guaranteed money.
Last year, Trufant compiled four interceptions and seven passes defended despite being limited to only nine games. He missed the first quarter of the year with a toe injury and was forced to go on IR in December after suffering a broken forearm. He started 16 games as recently as 2018, when he finished with 66 tackles and 12 passes defended. He earned a Pro Bowl nod with Atlanta in 2015.
Despite having three years remaining on his five-year, $68.75MM deal, Atlanta moved on from the veteran earlier this week. By releasing Trufant, the Falcons saved $4.95MM against $10.2MM in dead money. We heard whispers that the Jets could be interested in Trufant, but the rumor mill had otherwise been quiet surrounding the 29-year-old.
With Trufant signed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes (on Twitter) that the Lions can shift focus to trading cornerback Darius Slay. In late February, Lions GM Bob Quinn explained that all scenarios are being considered when it comes to the cornerback.
Seahawks Sign OL Cedric Ogbuehi
Cedric Ogbuehi is moving to Seattle. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the Seahawks have signed the offensive lineman. ESPN’s Jordan Schultz was first with the news (via Twitter).
The 2015 first-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Bengals. He started 25 games between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but he was limited to only two games in 2018.
He signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars last offseason, and he proceeded to appear in 14 games for his new squad.
The Seahawks have been busy adding to their offensive line. Over the past two days, the team has also added Brandon Shell and B.J. Finney.
Jadeveon Clowney Seeking $20MM/Year
Jadeveon Clowney is seeking some big money, and teams are unwilling to meet his demands. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports (via Twitter) that the pass rusher is seeking $20MM per year, and “interested teams aren’t coming up that high.”
We heard earlier today that Clowney had been disappointed by his offers so far, and there’s a feeling that the best offer might come from his 2019 squad, the Seahawks. As our own Zach Links pointed out, many of the top free agent pass rushers were retained via franchise tag, leaving Clowney practically alone atop a barren market. However, as Russini points out, some teams may be using that franchise value – which is about $5MM less than what Clowney is seeking – as a basis for their offer.
Earlier this month, the Giants and Colts were both said to have interest in Clowney, but they’ve since addressed their needs. At this point, a reunion with Seattle may be one of 27-year-old’s only choices.
Clowney posted just three sacks in 2019, but he was still effective against opposing passers and running backs. For his work, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 20th best edge defender in the NFL.
Jaguars Sign DL Rodney Gunter
Rodney Gunter is signing with the Jaguars, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). It’s a three-year for the defensive lineman.
The 2015 fourth-round pick had spent his entire career with the Cardinals, including a 2019 campaign where he started a career-high 13 games. The 28-year-old has compiled 11 sacks through five seasons in the NFL, including 7.5 over the past two years.
The Jaguars have been busy revamping their defense over the past few days. The front office spent big money to get linebacker Joe Schobert to Jacksonville, and they also signed cornerback Darqueze Dennard.
Patriots Sign DT Beau Allen
The Buccaneers famously poached Tom Brady from New England, and now the Patriots are striking back… kind of. SiriusXM’s Adam Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the Patriots are signing defensive tackle Beau Allen. It’s a two-year deal worth $8MM.
The 2014 seventh-rounder spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles, and he compiled a pair of tackles in Philly’s Super Bowl victory over (you guessed it) the Patriots.
He joined Tampa Bay prior to the 2018 campaign, and he started eight of his 14 games that season, finishing with 20 tackles. After reworking his contract last offseason to remove the third year from his deal, Allen took on a lesser role. He finished the season with 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 13 games.
Cowboys Re-Sign CB Anthony Brown
Anthony Brown is returning to Dallas. The Cowboys are re-signing the cornerback, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer. It’s a three-year, $15.5MM deal for the 26-year-old, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
The 2016 sixth-round pick has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, and he started 29 total games for the organization between the 2016 and 2018 seasons.
Brown was limited to only nine games in 2019 thanks to a triceps injury. He finished the campaign having compiled 17 tackles and five passes defended.
As Archer notes, Brown’s versatility means he could take on a bigger role with the Cowboys next season, especially with Byron Jones out of the picture. On the flip side, the reporter cautions that this transaction won’t stop the organization from pursuing a cornerback in the draft.
DeAndre Hopkins Requested $18MM-$20MM/Year Extension From Texans
Unsurprisingly, it sounds like financials were the motivation for the DeAndre Hopkins trade.
ESPN’s Dianna Russini tweets that Hopkins’ camp approached the Texans and requested an extension that would have paid the receiver around $18MM to $20MM per season. Hopkins’ reps also indicated that the wideout would hold out if he wasn’t given a new deal.
We heard similar rumblings earlier this week, with the Texans recognizing that they would have had to renegotiate Hopkins’ contract at some point. Meanwhile, the front office was more focused on securing new deals for Deshaun Watson and offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil,
Ultimately, the Texans traded Hopkins and a fourth-round pick to Arizona for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-rounder and a 2021 fourth-rounder.
Hopkins signed a five-year, $81MM extension in 2017, and he’s set to make just $12.5MM in 2020. The Cardinals were presumably aware of these financial concerns when making the trade, so it wouldn’t be shocking if Hopkins has a new deal before the start of the regular season.
Bills Sign RB Taiwan Jones
Taiwan Jones is joining the Bills for his second stint with the organization. The veteran running back is signing a one-year deal with the Bills, reports NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (via Twitter).
Jones has been kicking around the NFL since 2011, spending time with the Raiders, Bills, and (most recently) the Texans. He’s appeared in 91 career games.
While Jones primarily served as a return man during his first stint in Buffalo (2017 through 2018), he played a “bigger” offensive role with the Texans in 2019. He ultimately finished the campaign with 40 rushing yards on nine attempts, and he added a single reception for nine yards.
Of course, as Bills fans know, Jones also had a clutch catch in the Bills and Texans’ double overtime playoff game. The 34-yard reception set up Houston for the game-winning field goal.
Bears QB Nick Foles Restructures Contract
Fresh off a trade to the Bears, quarterback Nick Foles has restructured his contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter).
The deal still has three years remaining and $21MM guaranteed. However, Foles now has the option to void the contract (depending on his performance) after either of his first two seasons in Chicago. Foles can presumably still earn upwards of $50MM over the next three years.
Earlier today, the Bears sent a compensatory fourth-round to the Jaguars for the former Super Bowl MVP. This offseason, the Bears had been looking for a challenger to former first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky, and Foles will give the 26-year-old a run for his money.
Jacksonville was 0-4 in Foles’ four starts last season, with the 31-year-old completing 65.8-percent of his passes for 736 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Panthers Sign WR Seth Roberts
Seth Roberts is heading to Carolina. The wideout is signing with the Panthers, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
The former undrafted free agent spent the first five seasons of his career with the Raiders, and he finished with at least 30 receptions and (basically) 400 receiving yards each year between 2015 and 2018.
Roberts was cut by the Raiders last offseason, and he ended up catching on with the Ravens. He saw a reduced offensive role in his 16 games with Baltimore, hauling in 21 receptions for 271 yards and two scores. He also added a pair of catches in Baltimore’s playoff loss to the Titans.
The Panthers offense is going to look a whole lot different next season. Besides adding quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the organization also hired offensive coordinator Joe Brady.