Bills RFA Ryan Bates Visited Vikings; To Meet With Patriots, Bears
It appears one of the top candidates for an offer sheet this offseason is Bills guard Ryan Bates. The restricted free agent has visited with the Vikings, reports Chris Tomasson of The St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). 
Bates, 25, was given an original-round tender by the Bills earlier this week, valued at $2.433MM. As a former UDFA, the Bills would be able to match any potential offers he receives. That could become very relevant, as Tommasson notes that the Vikings “have interest in extending an offer sheet”, after their meeting with Bates reportedly went well.
He adds that Bates has visits scheduled for next week with the Patriots and Bears. The Penn State product was a backup during the first two of his three seasons in the league, as well as much of the 2021 campaign. However, he stepped in as the starting left guard in Week 15, and never looked back.
In his 294 snaps played this year, PFF credits Bates with no sacks allowed and only one penalty committed. His ability to help fortify the Bills’ offensive front has generated not only a desire for Buffalo to hang on to him, but also plenty of outside interest, clearly.
After his visits with New England and Chicago – and any others which take place – there should be more clarity on what other teams are willing to offer him, and how far the Bills are willing to go to match.
Bears To Sign DE Al-Quadin Muhammad
One of the emerging pieces of the Colts’ 2021 defense has found a new home. Al-Quadin Muhammad is set to sign with the Bears (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). The insider adds that the deal is worth $10MM over two years. 
The 26-year-old began his career with New Orleans, after they drafted him in 2017. He was only a Saint for one season, though, as he was claimed off waivers by the Colts at the onset of the 2018 campaign. He finished his rookie contract in Indianapolis, taking on a larger defensive (as opposed to special teams) role with each passing campaign. He posted five combined sacks between the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Muhammad signed a one-year deal to stay with the Colts last offseason. The $3.4MM value reflected his consistent progress, but also the potential to earn a bigger payday with a productive season. The Miami product responded by starting all 17 games this year, setting new career-highs across the board.
He was on the field for just under three-quarters of the team’s defensive snaps. With that increased workload, Muhammad totalled 48 tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble. Not surprisingly, that performance led to this new contract, which, not unlike the one he played on last year, rewards his growth but doesn’t constitute a financial burden.
In Chicago, he will look to fill in some of the void left in the pass-rush department left by the trade of Khalil Mack. The Colts, meanwhile, will need to look elsewhere if they hope to find a new developmental edge rusher to work with.
Bears Nix Larry Ogunjobi Deal
The Bears announced that they have called off their agreement with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Per the club’s press release, Ogunjobi failed his physical. 
“As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear,” GM Ryan Poles said in a statement. “He is a special person and player. During the league’s negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and, therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears.”
The contract was set to be worth $40.5MM over three years, with $26.35MM guaranteed. It was to be a huge pay bump for the 27-year-old (28 in June), but he’ll now have to find his next contract elsewhere.
Ogunjobi spent his first four seasons with the Browns before moving on to the Bengals last year. In 2021, he notched 49 tackles and seven sacks in 16 games. The investment in Ogunjobi – along with the likes of Trey Hendrickson and Chidobe Awuzie – paid off as the Bengals won the AFC North for the first time since 2015.
Unfortunately, his season was brought to a halt with a right foot injury before the divisional round. That same foot injury seems to have cost him his contract with Chicago.
With the ex-Bengal ruled out, the Bears have agreed to sign former Chargers defensive tackle Justin Jones (Twitter link via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). Jones, who graded out as a top-40 interior defensive lineman in 2020 per Pro Football Focus, will join the Bears on a two-year deal.
Bears Sign WR Byron Pringle
New Bears general manager Ryan Poles is recruiting his former Chiefs players to Chicago. The Bears are signing receiver Byron Pringle, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
Pringle is inking a one-year, $6MM deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). The wideout will get $4MM in guaranteed money.
Poles was the Chiefs’ director of college scouting when Kansas City signed Pringle as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State in 2018. After spending his rookie season on injured reserve, Pringle established a minor role in the Chiefs offense, appearing in 29 games for the team between 2019 and 2020.
He took it to another level in 2021, having a career year ahead of his free agency. Pringle finished the season with 42 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games (five starts). The 28-year-old also started two of the Chiefs’ three playoff games, hauling in 12 catches for 82 yards and three scores. Pringle also has extensive experience on special teams, returning 25 kicks this past season.
The Bears will be hard pressed to replace Allen Robinson, but Pringle should easily slide into the depth chart. Darnell Mooney is expected to lead the way for Chicago in 2022.
Bears Sign WR Equanimeous St. Brown
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has recruited another player to Chicago. The Bears are signing wideout Equanimeous St. Brown, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic (on Twitter). Brown agreed to join the Bears on a one-year deal, Howe tweets.
[RELATED: Bears To Sign OL Lucas Patrick]
The 2018 sixth-round pick had spent his entire career in Green Bay, with Getsy serving as QBs coach during three of those four seasons. The receiver missed the entire 2019 season, but he otherwise appeared in at least 12 games during his three healthy seasons with the Packers. However, St. Brown hasn’t been able to match his rookie numbers (333 yards from scrimmage) in 2020 nor 2021.
This past season, St. Brown saw time in 13 games (two starts), collecting 112 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches. He also appeared in 34% of the Packers’ special teams snaps.
The Bears have been busy adding former Packers players, signing offensive lineman Lucas Patrick earlier this week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/17/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-signed: LS Aaron Brewer, P Andy Lee
Atlanta Falcons
- Re-signed: OL Colby Gossett, NT Anthony Rush
- Signed: S Teez Tabor, OT Elijah Wilkinson
Chicago Bears
- Released: LS Beau Brinkley
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: WR Mike Thomas
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: QB David Blough
- Signed: TE Garrett Griffin
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: P Pat O’Donnell
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Trent Sherfield
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DE Kentavius Street
New York Giants
- Re-signed: OT Korey Cunningham
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Oren Burks (two-year deal)
Bears To Sign OL Lucas Patrick
The Bears have added a starting offensive lineman. Chicago is signing former Packers interior lineman Lucas Patrick, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). It’s a two-year, $8MM deal ($4MM guaranteed), according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (on Twitter).
Patrick was an undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2016, and he carved out a nice role for himself in Green Bay. The lineman served mostly as a backup through his first four seasons in the NFL, but he found himself starting in 2020.
Patrick started 15 games for the Packers in 2020 and 13 games in 2021. He saw time in 82 percent of his team’s offensive snaps this past season, and he continued to contribute on special teams.
The 28-year-old’s ability to play both offensive guard and center should make him a valuable asset in Chicago. The Bears saw lineman James Daniels leave for Pittsburgh earlier today, but they’re replacing him with a player who has some familiarity with the system. Patrick played under Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy when the two were in Green Bay.
LB Nicholas Morrow To Sign With Bears
Following five seasons with the Raiders, Nicholas Morrow is heading to Chicago. The Bears are signing the linebacker, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter).
Fowler transformed from an undrafted free agent into a serviceable linebacker during his time with the Raiders organization. Morrow ultimately spent five years with the organization, seeing time in 62 games (29 starts).
Morrow re-signed with the Raiders last offseason, but he landed on injured reserve before the regular season with a foot injury. There were some whispers that he could be activated in time for the playoffs, but the linebacker ended up sitting out the entire 2021 campaign.
That means 2020 was the last time Morrow saw the field, but he was plenty productive during that campaign. He saw time in 14 games (11 starts) that season, collecting 78 tackles, three sacks, and nine passes defended.
NFL Announces Compensatory Picks For 2022 Draft
The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2022 draft. These picks are awarded to the teams that suffered the most significant free agent losses during the 2021 offseason.
This year, the NFL awarded 39 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.
This year’s formula also includes the changes made last year, when teams began receiving third-round comp picks due to the hiring of minority head coaches and general managers. Seven such picks were awarded this year. The 49ers landed two additional third-rounders this year, obtaining the extra selections for the Jets’ 2021 Robert Saleh hire and the Dolphins hiring Mike McDaniel this year. Miami’s McDaniel hire will give San Francisco another third-rounder in 2023.
The Chiefs obtained a third-rounder for the Bears’ Ryan Poles GM hire, while the Browns landed a third because of the Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah GM hire. The Ravens collected their second third-round for the Texans’ 2021 David Culley hire; Culley has since been fired. The Saints and Rams obtained one apiece after seeing the Falcons and Lions hire minority execs Terry Fontenot and Brad Holmes as GMs in 2021. New Orleans and Detroit also landed thirds because of players given high-value contacts last year (Trey Hendrickson and Kenny Golladay, respectively).
Here is the full list of 2022 compensatory selections:
By round:
Round 3: Lions (No. 97 overall), Saints (98), Browns (99)*, Ravens (100)*, Saints (101)*, 49ers (102)*, Chiefs (103)*, Rams (104)*, 49ers (105)*
Round 4: Steelers (No. 138), Ravens (139), Packers (140), Ravens (141), Rams (142), Titans (143)
Round 5: Cowboys (No. 176), Lions (177), Cowboys (178), Colts (179)
Round 6: Rams (No. 211), Rams (212), Falcons (213), Chargers (214), Cardinals (215), Colts (216), Lions (217), Rams (218), Titans (219), 49ers (220), 49ers (221)
Round 7: Chargers (No. 254), Chargers (255), Cardinals (256), Cardinals (257), Packers (258), Chiefs (259), Chargers (260), Buccaneers (261), 49ers (262)
By team:
San Francisco 49ers (5)
Los Angeles Rams (5)
Los Angeles Chargers (4)
Arizona Cardinals (3)
Baltimore Ravens (3)
Detroit Lions (3)
Dallas Cowboys (2)
Green Bay Packers (2)
Indianapolis Colts (2)
Kansas City Chiefs (2)
New Orleans Saints (2)
Tennessee Titans (2)
Atlanta Falcons (1)
Cleveland Browns (1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)
* = special compensatory selection
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/22
We’ll keep tabs on today’s minor moves here:
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: S Sean Chandler
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: LS Patrick Scales
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: TE Jeremy Sprinkle
Houston Texans
- Signed: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Extended: WR Terry Godwin
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: CB Darius Phillips
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: LB Duke Riley, LB Elandon Roberts
Philadelphia Eagles
- Re-signed: DB Andre Chachere, WR Greg Ward
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S A.J. Moore