Lions Restructure Jamie Collins’ Deal
The Lions have restructured Jamie Collins‘ contract, as Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Collins will still earn $9MM as scheduled, except with the addition of some voidable years. The exact new cap number is not yet clear, but the linebacker will come in at a lower figure than his slated $11.3MM. 
[RELATED: Lions Sign Tyrell Williams]
Collins reunited with old Patriots pal Matt Patricia last offseason. Even though Patricia is out of the picture, Collins will be staying put. He still effectively has two years to go on his initial three-year, $30MM deal.
The 31-year-old (32 in October) logged a career-high seven sacks in 2019 for the Pats, plus 81 total tackles, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. In his first Lions season, Collins did less pass rushing, but did record 101 stops.
The Lions still have some work to do on that side of the ball, such as finding a replacement for cornerback Desmond Trufant. Meanwhile, they’ve already begun to shape their wide receiver group. Tyrell Williams agreed to a one-year deal this week — the Lions hope that he’ll be serving as the WR2, behind Kenny Golladay.
Broncos To Franchise Tag Justin Simmons
The Broncos will use the franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The news was first reported by Benjamin Albright of KOA (Twitter link). 
“Justin is one of our core guys. Our goal is to sign him to a long-term deal,” new GM George Paton said recently, with Simmons echoing that sentiment.
The two sides now have until mid-July to hammer out a multi-year deal. If they don’t, Simmons will play out the year with a 20% increase over last year’s tag. Since Simmons received an $11.4MM tag last year, his 2021 price would rise to $13.7MM.
There are five safeties averaging at least $14MM on their respective long-term contracts, establishing a clear floor for Simmons. The Broncos already have plenty invested at safety, with Kareem Jackson making $11MM/year on average, but in his prime at the age of 27. He is also coming off his first Pro Bowl nod after nabbing five interceptions and playing on every defensive snap the third year in a row.
Panthers Likely To Tag Taylor Moton
Panthers tackle Taylor Moton is expected to receive the franchise tag, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The possibility of a long-term deal remains, but it sounds like the Panthers will buy themselves some time by first using the tag, then negotiating between now and mid-July. 
Moton talked contract with Carolina brass ahead of last season, but things cooled off during the year. The Panthers want Moton for the long haul, but they’d also be comfortable with a one-year arrangement. A new deal would probably cost around $15MM — maybe a touch less, depending on where the salary cap lands.
Pro Football Focus has graded Moton as a top-20 tackle in each of the past three years. He came in as a top-five right tackle in 2020, providing all the more reason for the Panthers to retain him. They’ll definitely need Moton in place hope to land, and adequately protect, Deshaun Watson.
Moton, a 2017 second-round pick, has started 48 straight games at right tackle. The Panthers have until March 9 to make the call.
Bills Extend Micah Hyde
The Bills have signed Micah Hyde to a brand new deal. The safety is now locked up through 2023, thanks to his two-year extension. The add-on is worth $19.25MM, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), keeping his cap number roughly the same as last season. 
[RELATED: Bills To Meet With Palardy]
Hyde spent the early part of his career with the Packers, the joined the Bills on a five-year, $30MM deal in 2017. In that first year, Hyde earned a Pro Bowl nod along with second-team All-Pro honors. He’s racked up 17 interceptions over the years, including his most recent one against the Niners in December. In 2020, he also notched 70 tackles and five passes defensed. The Bills now have Hyde and Jordan Poyer locked up for multiple seasons, securing one of the league’s stronger safety duos.
There’s still more work to be done in Buffalo, including today’s get-together with Michael Palardy. This will mark the punter’s first visit since getting dropped by the Panthers.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/5/21
We’ll keep track of the latest minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: K Zane Gonzalez
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: K Tristan Vizcaino
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: C J.C. Hassenauer
San Francisco 49ers
- Re-signed: TE Ross Dwelley, S Marcell Harris
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: RB/FB Khari Blasingame
Chargers Shopping Trai Turner
The Chargers are actively shopping Trai Turner, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The former Pro-Bowl guard seems on course to be traded or released soon, Schefter adds. 
Turner is set to make $11.5MM this year, the final season of the four-year, $45MM pact he signed with the Panthers. The Bolts were happy to pick up the tab around this time last year in the trade that sent Russell Okung to Carolina. Turner was hot off of five straight Pro Bowl appearances and just graded out as the No. 31 ranked guard in the league, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. Plus, there was the hope that he could get back to his best work. In 2015 – his coming-out party – he ranked as one of the game’s very best.
Unfortunately, injuries limited Turner to just nine games in Los Angeles. The Chargers, meanwhile, are out to remake their offensive line and shore up Justin Herbert‘s protection. In a matter of days, Turner will either be elsewhere or looking for his next opportunity.
Eagles, Jason Kelce Agree To New Deal
Jason Kelce isn’t going anywhere. On Friday, the center agreed to a new deal that will keep him with the Birds for 2021 (via Kelce, on Instagram). 
The new deal will give Kelce up to $12MM in 2021, with $9MM guaranteed. It’s not immediately clear whether additional years have been added to the pact. Technically speaking, Kelce was already under contract through the 2024 season, though the 22-24 seasons are voidable. This isn’t the first time that Kelce has met the Eagles in the middle. The aforementioned void years were added in 2019, to reduce his cap charge by about $4MM.
Kelce, 34 in November, went from a sixth-round pick to an offensive line staple. Over the years, he’s made 142 starts for the Eagles while earning three first-team All-Pro nods. In 2019, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center for his work across 1,227 snaps. Last year, Kelce flirted with retirement, but ultimately decided to come back for another year. That means giving up his brief stint in the world of professional arm wrestling, though he left the sport with a perfect 2-0 record.
Bengals Release B.J. Finney
The Bengals have released center B.J. Finney, per a club announcement. Finney came over to the Bengals in last year’s Carlos Dunlap trade but only wound up dressing for one game.
The Bengals are looking to remake their offensive line this year after watching rookie quarterback Joe Burrow get battered. Even before the season started, the O-Line was viewed as a major liability. Then, in Week 11, he suffered a torn ACL and MCL. Historically, they haven’t spent big on the front five, but you can expect that to change once free agency opens. Or, they could turn to the trade market, where high-priced veterans like Giants guard Kevin Zeitler and Jaguars guard Andrew Norwell could be up for grabs.
While most clubs are facing a cap crunch, the Bengals are well-positioned to spend. Even before the release of Finney, they were projected to have upwards of $40MM in room, depending on the final cap figure. Now, the center is free to go where ever he wants, and that could lead to a Pittsburgh return.
Washington Releases Alex Smith
As expected, the Washington Football Team has released Alex Smith. Even after Smith defied the odds in his comeback return, the WFT was unwilling to keep him and his sizable cap hit. 
Smith’s return from a horrific 2018 leg injury was one of 2020 feel-good stories. Washington went 5-1 in his starts and managed to win the NFC East with Smith at the helm. Smith worked tirelessly to get back on the field, but Ron Rivera and the rest of the regime didn’t necessarily want him back.
“When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team’s plan,” Smith said recently. “They didn’t see it, didn’t want me there, didn’t want me to be a part of it, didn’t want me to be on the team, the roster, didn’t want to give me a chance.”
“They tried to put me on PUP for two weeks, then they tried to IR me. I felt like I still hadn’t had my fair shake at that point. I wanted to see if I could play quarterback and play football, and I feel like I hadn’t been given that opportunity yet to find that out.”
By releasing Smith, Washington will save $14.7MM this offseason. Meanwhile, they’ll carry $8.6MM in dead money.
In the interest of equal time: Smith’s on-field performance didn’t quite justify his salary. In 2020, he threw for six touchdowns against eight interceptions with a 78.5 QB rating.
Darius Slay Gives Eagles $9MM+ In Cap Room
The Eagles have an extra $9.14MM to work with this offseason, thanks to Darius Slay. The cornerback has agreed to a simple contract restructure, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Eagles Won’t Tender P Cameron Johnston]
Slay inked a three-year, $50MM extension with the Eagles shortly after last year’s blockbuster trade. With today’s move, Slay’s cap hits will grow over the course of the deal, which runs through 2023.
In 15 games last year, the 30-year-old notched 59 tackles, one interception, and six passes defensed. It wasn’t his strongest year, but it wasn’t a banner year for most on the Eagles’ defense either. In his final Lions season, Slay was a Pro Bowler for the third straight time. His best season to date came in 2017 when he came away with a league-high eight interceptions and an eye-popping 26 passes defensed.
The Eagles’ work is far from done — they’re still on track to be well over the 2021 salary cap, which will fall somewhere above $180MM.