Patriots To Sign Ezekiel Elliott
AUGUST 16: Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports that Elliott’s base compensation actually consists of $1.55MM in salary and a $600K signing bonus. To no surprise, much of the maximum $6MM value is tied to incentives for availability, playing time and production.
Elliott will earn $50K weekly in roster bonuses, and he can see further payments based on scrimmage yards totals. Bonuses in that regard are staggered at $300K increments, and can reach up to $1.5MM in the unlikely event he records 1,475 yards of offense (which would be his highest total since 2019). Playing time incentives are also included, and they max out at the 70% snap threshold, something Elliott is likewise doubtful to reach serving as Stevenson’s backup. As a result, the three-time Pro Bowler can be expected to see modest earnings in 2023 as he aims to build his 2024 free agent value.
AUGUST 14: The first major domino on the veteran running back market has fallen. Ezekiel Elliott is expected to sign with the Patriots on a one-year deal with a maximum value of $6MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that the pact includes a base salary of $3MM and a $1MM signing bonus. 
For some time now, New England has seemed to be the most logical destination for the former rushing champion. Elliott’s only official visit was with the Patriots, though the team has also shown interest in other veteran backs. The parties will now enter into an agreement as he looks to rebuild his value in a backup role. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that New England’s offer had been on the table for a matter of weeks, but it was “tweaked” yesterday.
The Patriots were connected for a stretch with Dalvin Cook, but finances led them to turn their attention to Elliott. Still, the team was believed to have a firm price point in mind which it was not prepared to exceed in a buyer’s market at the RB position. The same reportedly held true for other interested parties. Aside from Elliott, New England also kicked the tires on Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson; the latter two will need to look elsewhere for an opportunity given today’s news.
Elliott saw his seven-year Cowboys tenure come to an expected end when he was released in a cost-shedding move. A return to Dallas to serve as a low-cost compliment to Tony Pollard remained a possibility to varying degrees during the offseason. The most recent update on that front, though, indicated a reunion was unlikely. Elliott, 28, will now join a new NFL team for the first time in his career.
The Patriots saw 2021 fourth-rounder Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as a capable lead back last season. He recorded 1,461 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns, figures he will aim to replicate in 2023. The team was thin on experience behind Stevenson, though, and Elliott will provide a boost in that regard. The latter averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per carry last season as he was used increasingly as a short-yardage specialist. Doing so in New England could make him an effective secondary option in the ground game, though he also has considerable starting experience should Stevenson miss time.
Improvements through the air are expected for New England with quarterback Mac Jones entering his third year, new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in place and a number of alterations having been made to the pass-catching corps. Production in the running game will still be a crucial element of the team’s ability to return to the postseason, however, and Elliott will have a role in that regard. Succeeding in it will help his new team along with his free agent value come next offseason.
Panthers Place WR Damiere Byrd On IR
Returning to the Panthers this offseason, Damiere Byrd no longer appears in the team’s plans. The Panthers placed the veteran wide receiver on IR on Wednesday.
The team moved Byrd off its 90-man roster in order to sign defensive back Collin Duncan, a rookie out of Mississippi State. Byrd suffered what Frank Reich called a significant hamstring injury, one that will sideline the well-traveled pass catcher for at least eight weeks. Byrd will require surgery, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.
With the Panthers moving Byrd to IR now, only an injury settlement — which would relocate him from Carolina’s IR to free agency — would allow him to play this year. Byrd could resurface once recovered from this malady, but he will be on the shelf for an extended period. Waiting on Byrd to recover — ahead of a potential in-season IR stay — would have required Carolina to use one of its 53-man roster spots. Instead, Byrd is out of the picture.
The Panthers, who rostered the 5-foot-9 speedster from 2016-18, brought him back on a one-year, $1.32MM deal that included just $153K guaranteed. Since leaving Charlotte back in 2019, Byrd had been with the Cardinals, Patriots, Bears and Falcons. He spent one season with each team over the past four years but was competing for a backup role with the Panthers.
With Carolina readying to use Adam Thielen, DJ Chark and Jonathan Mingo as its starters, Byrd was battling for one of the team’s final receiving spots. Terrace Marshall is assured of a job, with Laviska Shenault likely still in the team’s plans as well. Byrd, 30, averaged 20.8 yards per catch last season (13/268) with the Falcons last year. His best year came in New England, when Cam Newton — Byrd’s QB during his first Carolina stint — targeted him regularly during a 47-catch, 604-yard season.
Raiders Activate Tyree Wilson From NFI List
Tyree Wilson will finally begin practicing with the team that drafted him seventh overall. The rookie Raiders defensive end is off the active/NFI list as of Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
The Raiders had kept Wilson’s timetable murky, but having their top rookie available to start the season has always been the expectation. Wilson is no longer eligible for the reserve/NFI list to start the season; that designation would have cost the Texas Tech product four games.
Although the Raiders did extensive work on quarterbacks during the pre-draft process, they chose Wilson with their top pick. Viewed as a candidate to go as high as No. 2 overall, the former Big 12 pass rusher’s potential upside generated considerable buzz despite the foot injury being in the recent past. Wilson’s senior year with the Red Raiders ended during a Nov. 12 game against Kansas, and the highly touted prospect underwent two surgeries — a second in March — to repair the damage. Some teams did not clear Wilson during pre-draft physicals; the Raiders were one of the teams that did.
Totaling seven sacks for a second straight season, Wilson still earned first-team All-Big 12 acclaim for his 2022 work. He is expected to be used to help keep Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones fresh this season. With Jones’ three-year, $51MM contract not including any 2024 guarantees, it is not difficult to see the Raiders planning to move on and go with Wilson opposite Crosby next season. For now, the team will have a promising three-rusher setup ahead of Wilson’s rookie season.
The Raiders considered moving down to pick up extra selections, but they used a first-round pick on an edge player for the third time since 2014. The other two — Khalil Mack and Clelin Ferrell — are gone. A 2019 fourth-rounder, Crosby has taken Mack’s place as a long-term cornerstone. Both Crosby and Wilson are signed through the 2026 season.
Giants Sign OL Julién Davenport
The Giants are adding some depth on the offensive line. According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Giants are signing offensive tackle Julién Davenport. The team also claimed linebacker Ray Wilborn off waivers from the Broncos (per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Twitter) and waived/injured offensive lineman Devery Hamilton (via The Athletic’s Dan Duggan on Twitter).
Davenport worked out for the Giants alongside Lorenz Metz earlier today. The Giants ultimately opted for the more experienced of the two tryout players, and the free agent acquisition will provide more depth on New York’s offensive line. Tackle Evan Neal continues to work his way back from a concussion, and backups like Matt Peart (who has filled in as the starter opposite Andrew Thomas), Korey Cunningham, and Wyatt Davis have struggled in his stead.
Davenport brings plenty of experience, having started 32 of his 60 career games. The former fourth-round pick most recently spent time with the Bears and Cardinals but didn’t get into a game during the 2022 campaign. Davenport started four of his nine appearances with the Colts in 2021.
Wilborn has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Ball State in 2020. The linebacker has had stints with the Falcons, Steelers, Packers, and Broncos, getting into two regular season games. After inking a reserve/futures deal with Denver during the offseason, he was waived by the team yesterday.
Hamilton has spent most of his career on the Giants practice squad, getting into nine games with the big-league squad. The lineman suffered an injury last week that Brian Daboll described as “not day-to-day” (Twitter link).
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/15/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: S Sean Chandler
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DE Demone Harris
- Released: OT LaColby Tucker
- Placed on IR: LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from PUP: LB Tyler Matakevich
Houston Texans
- Claimed off waivers (from Vikings): OT Jacky Chen
- Released from IR: OT Greg Little
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: TE Jody Fortson
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Matt Hankins, RB Aaron Shampklin
Miami Dolphins
- Waived from IR: WR Freddie Swain
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on IR: LB William Kwenkeu
New England Patriots
- Waived: LS Tucker Addington, DE DaMarcus Mitchell
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: CB Nevelle Clarke, RB Xazavian Valladay
- Waived: RB John Lovett
Sean Chandler brings 64 games of experience to Arizona. Following a 2021 campaign that saw him collect a career-high 48 tackles in 15 games (seven starts) for the Panthers, the 27-year-old got into 17 games for the team in 2022, finishing with 19 tackles while primarily playing on special teams.
Adetokunbo Ogundeji is a tough loss for the Falcons, as the linebacker has turned into an important piece on Atlanta’s defense. The former fifth-round pick has started 27 of his 32 games since entering the NFL, collecting 75 tackles and three sacks. Ogundeji suffered a foot/ankle injury that will require surgery, and his placement on IR means the issue will ultimately knock him out for the entire 2023 campaign.
Saints Release WR James Washington
Darrel Williams‘ new roster spot on the Saints will cost another veteran their job. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter), the Saints have released wideout James Washington.
[RELATED: Saints To Sign RB Darrel Williams]
Washington joined the Saints on a one-year deal in May and was expected to compete for a roster spot. The 27-year-old is the latest veteran receiver to earn their walking papers, as receiver Keke Coutee was cut by the team this past weekend.
The veteran wideout spent most of the 2022 season on the Cowboys’ injured reserve, but he managed to get into two games for Dallas before getting cut. He spent the rest of the year on the Giants practice squad. It wasn’t that long ago that Washington was a mainstay on the Steelers offense. The Oklahoma State product never hit his second-round pedigree, but he did average 32 receptions for 470 yards per season between 2019 and 2021.
The top of the Saints WR depth chart is set with Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed, but the rest of the team’s depth is in question. That grouping includes five-year Saint Tre’Quan Smith and rookie sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, along with Lynn Bowden, Bryan Edwards, Keith Kirkwood, Kawaan Baker, Jontre Kirklin, and rookie Shaquan Davis.
Raiders Place T Brandon Parker On IR
A starter during his most recent active season with the Raiders, Brandon Parker re-signed with the team this offseason. But Parker’s future with the franchise is again cloudy after another August injury.
The Raiders placed the veteran tackle on IR on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. This marks the second straight year in which Parker has landed on IR before the season. Because of the preseason placement on the Raiders’ injured list, Parker is not eligible to be activated later in the season.
A recent roster projection from The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed placed Parker on the final 53, with the duo indicating he had held the role of the fourth tackle — behind Kolton Miller, Jermaine Eluemunor and Thayer Munford (subscription required). This transaction will nix that path for the Silver and Black, who have not been able to turn to Parker since the 2021 season.
The Raiders initially drafted Parker in the 2018 third round, grabbing him two rounds after Miller in Jon Gruden‘s first draft at the helm. Primarily a right tackle, Parker started 13 games in 2021. The Raiders had drafted Alex Leatherwood that year but moved him to guard quickly. Even with the Josh McDaniels-led staff shifting Leatherwood back to tackle in 2022, the Alabama product could not avoid the chopping block. But neither Leatherwood nor Parker factored into the Raiders’ plans last season. A triceps injury landed Parker on IR on August 28 of last year.
Just before free agency, the 27-year-old blocker re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year, $1.5MM deal. Las Vegas guaranteed the sixth-year vet $475K. The North Carolina A&T alum has made 32 starts as a Raider. With Parker out of the picture, 2022 trade acquisition Justin Herron figures to have a better chance of making the 53-man roster as a backup.
With the open roster spot, the Raiders signed wide receiver Isaiah Zuber, Wilson tweets. Zuber’s only game action came with the Patriots in 2020, during McDaniels’ lengthy second stint as New England’s OC.
Bills Place T Brandon Shell On Reserve/Retired List
Brandon Shell caught on with the Bills earlier this offseason, moving into position to play for a third AFC East team. But it does not look like that will happen. The veteran tackle is now on Buffalo’s reserve/retired list, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia tweets.
Earlier Tuesday, Buscaglia noted Shell was not at Bills practice and was planning to retire (Twitter link). This news will wrap a seven-year career. A 2016 fifth-round pick, Shell worked as a regular starter for most of his pro career.
A Jets draftee, Shell moved into the team’s starting lineup as a rookie and ended up starting 40 games for the team. Blocking for the likes of Josh McCown and Sam Darnold, Shell signed a decent second contract (two years, $9MM) with the Seahawks in 2020 and became a starter for a playoff-bound team. Seattle used the South Carolina alum as a two-year starter, trotting him out as such in 20 games. Shell, 31, added a start in the Seahawks’ wild-card playoff loss to the Rams to close that season.
Although Shell’s third NFL team — the Dolphins — also ventured to the playoffs, Miami’s primary right tackle last year was not healthy enough to start against the Bills in January. A high ankle sprain sidelined Shell for the Dolphins’ wild-card tilt. Nevertheless, Shell made 11 starts for a Dolphins team that lost Austin Jackson in Week 1 of last season. The Seahawks moved on from Shell to 2022 third-rounder Abraham Lucas last year, while Dolphins are giving Jackson another opportunity.
This retirement comes after Shell was believed to have interest in re-signing with the Dolphins, who instead signed Cedric Ogbuehi. Shell ended up with the Bills in May. Buffalo added Shell on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum; he did not receive any guaranteed money from the defending AFC East champions. For his career, Shell made 72 starts.
The Bills have Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown returning as starters. They also re-signed swingman David Quessenberry, whom Buscaglia recently had making the 53-man roster over Shell (subscription required). In light of Shell’s mid-camp retirement, the Bills could be in the market for a backup option at tackle.
Seahawks Activate LB Jordyn Brooks From Active/PUP List
Jordyn Brooks suffered an ACL tear during the Seahawks’ Week 17 game last season, making him a candidate to start the season on the reserve/PUP list. That is no longer an option for Brooks, who passed his physical Tuesday.
The Seahawks moved the fourth-year linebacker off their active/PUP list. A Brooks return to practice makes him ineligible for a reserve/PUP designation — a move that would have shelved him for the season’s first four games — and increases the chances he will be in uniform come Week 1.
While the Seahawks might slow-play Brooks’ return to regular practice work, Tuesday’s development is obviously a good sign for the contract-year defender. Brooks, 25, has been a three-down performer for the Seahawks for the past two seasons, moving into the lineup alongside Bobby Wagner in 2021 and anchoring the position group after Wagner became a March 2022 cap casualty. Wagner is now back in Seattle, and a Brooks return would give the Seahawks a solid outlook at the position.
In addition to bringing back Wagner, the Seahawks added ex-Steelers first-rounder Devin Bush in free agency. That move came after Cody Barton left for Washington. Wagner is back ahead of an age-33 season, and Bush is looking to re-establish his value after the Steelers let him walk in free agency.
Hurting the Seahawks’ chances in their playoff matchup against the 49ers, the knee injury Brooks suffered on New Year’s Day also put the former No. 27 overall pick on shaky ground regarding his fifth-year option. The Seahawks joined the other teams who made linebacker picks in 2020 — the Cardinals, Ravens and Chargers — in passing. Declining Brooks’ $12.7MM option, the Seahawks made 2023 a contract year for their top tackler. Brooks has only missed one regular-season game since his full-fledged lineup entrance. He led the NFL in solo tackles in 2021 (109) and registered 103 solo stops last season. In that span, Brooks tallied 345 total tackles. Only Foye Oluokun (376) has totaled more over the past two seasons.
Pete Carroll said in May the option decision does not mean the team plans to move on from Brooks after this season, but the Texas Tech alum has a clear opportunity in front of him. Returning to form would put Brooks in solid position for a nice second contract — from either the Seahawks or another team.
Broncos Waive K Elliott Fry
The in-game portion of the Broncos’ kicking competition began with misses by both specialists. Brett Maher and Elliott Fry each missed their first field goal tries in Friday’s preseason opener in Arizona. Denver will now shift to a new phase in its search to fill Brandon McManus‘ longtime role.
Denver waived Fry with an injury designation Tuesday, with 9News’ Mike Klis noting the young kicker tweaked a lower-body injury (Twitter link). It is not believed to be a serious setback, but the Broncos moved on from Fry to clear a roster spot for a long snapper signing. The team added Jack Landherr.
Maher, 33, is now the only kicker on the Broncos’ 90-man roster. Fry pulled a muscle, per Sean Payton, who has not ruled out bringing in another kicker to compete with Maher, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette tweets.
Fry, 28, joined the Broncos shortly after their McManus release, catching on with yet another team to continue a nomadic NFL journey. Fry, who has kicked in three NFL games (from 2020-21) and done so with three separate teams, was with the Cardinals earlier this offseason. After a May Arizona exit, Fry wound up in Denver after a workout.
Maher received the first opportunity against the Cardinals, missing a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter. Payton then summoned Fry for the team’s second field goal attempt — from 50 yards — but that misfired as well. Fry, however, rebounded to make a 55-yarder in the second quarter. Maher finished the game 0-for-2 on his field goal tries, having seen a 52-yard attempt blocked as well.
McManus had served as the Broncos’ kicker for the past nine seasons; he is now with the Jaguars. Veteran options remain on the market. Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby, Ryan Succop and Randy Bullock are unsigned. It would surprise if the Broncos handed the job to Maher, who capped a strong 2022 Cowboys regular season (90.6% FG accuracy) with a disastrous two-game playoff effort.
A UCLA alum, Landherr participated in the Broncos’ rookie minicamp in May. Mitchell Fraboni sits as the other long snapper on Denver’s roster. Fraboni snapped in four Broncos games last season, marking the only regular-season experience of his NFL career.