This Date In Transactions History: Saints Sign Dez Bryant
On this date in 2018, Dez Bryant agreed to join the Saints. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned for the one-time Cowboys star.
Bryant’s one-year, $1.25MM pact was modest, considering the three Pro Bowls on his resume. However, at that juncture of his career, it made sense. The former first-rounder was coming off of three straight down years, culminating in his Cowboys release.
Bryant reportedly favored the one-year deal over longer commitments — the veteran figured he could restore his value before re-entering free agency in the offseason. He famously rejected a three-year, $21MM offer from the Ravens, only to languish in free agency for the first half of 2018.
In New Orleans, Bryant was expected to provide Drew Brees with another talented weapon behind Michael Thomas, Cameron Meredith, and Tre’Quan Smith. The organization had also worked out wideouts Brandon Marshall and Kamar Aiken, but they seemingly preferred Bryant’s upside. We’ll never really know if New Orleans’ inkling was correct; only two days after signing his contract, Bryant tore his Achilles tendon at practice, ending his season before it could even begin.
Bryant hit free agency in 2019, but never signed. He finally got a second chance in 2020, joining the Ravens’ practice squad at the age of 32. Bryant eventually made it to the active roster, but registered just six receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
In early 2021, Bryant said that he wanted to continue playing. But, with the season more than halfway over, we haven’t heard his name mentioned. After celebrating his 33rd birthday last week, it’s possible that we’ve seen Bryant play his final NFL snap.
Multiple Teams Offered 3 First-Rounders For Deshaun Watson
“Multiple” clubs offered packages including three first-round picks and two third-round picks for Deshaun Watson, according to sources who spoke with NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. Pelissero did not specify which teams made those offers, though the Dolphins and Panthers were said to be among the quarterback’s most serious suitors. 
[RELATED: Dolphins GM Chris Grier On Deshaun Watson]
The Eagles and Broncos were also connected to the embattled Texans quarterback, though Denver GM George Paton says he did not have talks with Houston in the leadup to the deadline (Twitter link via NFL.com’s James Palmer). Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was bullish on acquiring Watson, but he backed out due to Watson’s still ongoing legal matters. The same goes for Panthers owner David Tepper, per Pelissero.
The key takeaway is that Texans GM Nick Caserio nearly got his asking price, despite everything going on with Watson. If and when Watson’s suits are resolved, the Texans should have the leverage to get a similar haul — unless the NFL hits Watson with a substantial suspension.
For now, Watson will remain in Houston and earn the remainder of his ~$10MM salary for 2021. Depending on how things go from here, the multiple-time Pro Bowler could have a new NFL home before the 2022 draft.
Raiders Rework Jalen Richard’s Deal
The Raiders agreed to a reworked contract with Jalen Richard (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). By shifting a portion of his base salary into bonuses, the running back will open up an additional $1.06MM in cap room for Las Vegas. 
The move will also kick some of Richard’s cap hit into 2022, the final year of his two-year, $7MM deal. Most of that sum is non-guaranteed, however, so it’s not a given that he’ll return next year.
Richard is in his sixth season with the Raiders. His best work came in 2018, when he registered a total of 866 yards from scrimmage. He wasn’t able to match that production in 2019 or 2020, combining for only 729 yards from scrimmage in 29 games. This year, the newly-turned 28-year-old was supposed to open the year as a primary backup to Josh Jacobs. Instead, he’s spent the bulk of the year sidelined with a foot injury.
Richard currently sits fourth on the Raiders’ RB depth chart, behind Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Peyton Barber. He has just eight rushing yards so far this year, but he’ll hope for a larger share of the workload this Sunday against the Giants.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/5/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K Elliott Fry
- Released: WR Juwan Green
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Brandon Powell, RB Mekhi Sargent
New York Giants
- Signed: RB Dexter Williams
- Released: TE Jake Hausmann
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/21
Today’s minor moves:
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed (from Bengals): DE Darius Hodge
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Dakota Dozier
New York Giants
- Placed on IR: WR Dante Pettis
Titans To Promote Adrian Peterson
The Titans are promoting Adrian Peterson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Garafolo adds that this is not a weekly elevation, so Peterson is now a full-fledged member of the active roster. 
[RELATED: Titans Place Derrick Henry On IR]
Peterson signed a taxi squad deal earlier this week to help fill in for the injured. Derrick Henry. The Titans’ star RB will be out for 6-to-10 weeks with a foot fracture and Peterson should help to keep the ground game moving. Jeremy McNichols is still expected to serve as the Titans’ RB1 on Sunday, but don’t be surprised if Peterson gets involved quickly.
Peterson’s last action came in 2020 with the Lions when he notched 604 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. The 36-year-old needs another 180 rushing yards to hit 15,000 lifetime. And, with another 500 yards, he’ll top Barry Sanders for fourth all time on the list.
He’ll try to add to those totals with the Titans, starting this weekend against the Rams.
Browns Officially Release Odell Beckham Jr.
It’s officially official. On Friday morning, the Browns announced that they have released wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. 
[RELATED: OBJ Made Multiple Trade Requests]
“After careful consideration, internal discussions, and conversations with Odell and his representation, we’ve determined that it is in the best interest of all parties involved that Odell no longer play for the Cleveland Browns,” GM Andrew Berry said in a statement issued by the team. “We appreciate all his efforts and contributions while in Cleveland, but we’ve just reached a point where it is best that we move forward as a team without Odell. We are finalizing the process of granting Odell his release and we wish him well as he continues his career.”
Despite Berry’s diplomacy, it’s safe to say that the Browns are not huge fans of Beckham or his contributions. OBJ won’t be leaving Cleveland with fond memories either. After two-and-a-half seasons and 29 total games, he’ll leave with 114 catches and 1,586 yards, good for an average of 13.9 yards per reception. He scored just seven receiving touchdowns along the way, with per-game averages of 3.9 grabs and 54.7 yards per contest.
But, before he relocated to Ohio, Beckham was an absolute monster in New York. OBJ topped 1,300 yards in each of his first three seasons, including a career-high 1,450 yards in 2015. And, after his lost 2017 season, he still managed 77 catches, 1,052 yards, and six touchdowns in a 12-game 2018.
The Browns gave up 2019 first- and third-round picks, plus Jabrill Peppers and Kevin Zeitler, to acquire the star receiver and defensive end Olivier Vernon. He stayed healthy that year, but turned in his worst full season as a pro with 74 receptions, 1,035 yards, and four TDs. Now, that stands as his most productive season in Cleveland.
The rest of the league will have until 4pm ET/3pm CT Monday to claim Beckham. If he goes unclaimed, Beckham will be an unfettered free agent.
Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. Made Multiple Trade Requests
No surprise here, but Odell Beckham Jr. asked to be traded multiple times, according to a source who spoke with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. One of those requests came this past offseason, as the wide receiver was rehabbing from an ACL tear. 
[RELATED: Browns To Waive Odell Beckham Jr.]
Beckham also asked the Browns to trade him after their 15-10 loss to the Steelers on Halloween, when he finished with one catch for six yards. The Browns listened on offers between then and the Nov. 2 deadline, but couldn’t find a suitable deal. Now, after revising his contract to shift a portion of his base salary into bonuses, he’s headed for the waiver wire.
The Steelers game was the straw that broke the camel’s back, according to Cabot’s source. The Browns mostly used Beckham as a decoy while the offense sputtered, and OBJ told the Browns that he had enough. Cabot hears that the relationship could have been salvaged, had Beckham been more involved in Week 8. However, based on what we’ve been hearing, it sounds like he still would have had a number of fences to mend, including a fractured relationship with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Browns To Waive Odell Beckham Jr.
The Browns will release Odell Beckham Jr., according to sources who spoke with Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The disgruntled wide receiver could be officially waived today, as the two sides have agreed to a revised pact that will reduce the Browns’ dead money hit (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport).
As it stands, Beckham is owed another $8MM in salary for the rest of the year. Meanwhile, the Browns are working to convert a portion of his base salary into bonuses (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). A revised deal would lessen the Browns’ financial obligation to Beckham in the event that he’s claimed. For his part, OBJ would prefer to go unclaimed so that he can sign with any club of his choosing.
Beckham has been at odds with the Browns for much of his tenure and Tuesday’s comments from OBJ Sr. didn’t help matters. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins and quarterback Baker Mayfield were clearly bugged by the Instagram highlight reel and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt indicated on Thursday that he’s planning for life without the LSU product.
“We are going to go in and plan for the guys who are going to be there at this point,” Van Pelt said. “That is our focus…We will see where that goes from here. Again, just getting the guys ready who are here in the building today to go play on Sunday.”
Beckham, who turned 29 today, has just 232 receiving yards in his six games this season. All in all, OBJ’s Browns tenure will end with 114 catches, 1,586 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns across 29 games.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/21
Today’s minor moves:
Houston Texans
- Claimed: LB Eric Wilson (from Eagles)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: WR Dillon Stoner
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Gary Brightwell
- Promoted: LB Benardrick McKinney
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: DE Bryce Huff
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: C Keith Ismael