Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/22
Today’s minor NFL transactions:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: OL Greg Mancz
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed (two-year deal): WR Stanley Morgan
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S J.R. Reed
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: K Ryan Santoso
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Micah Kiser
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: P JK Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: S Sheldrick Redwine
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: S A.J. Moore
- Released: G Corey Levin
Broncos To Meet With T Brandon Shell
Russell Wilson‘s most recent right tackle in Seattle will head to Denver for a visit. The Broncos plan to meet with Brandon Shell on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets.
The Broncos have not had right tackle stability since Orlando Franklin‘s early-2010s tenure, having started a different player at this position from 2013-2021. With Bobby Massie unlikely to return, that streak should reach 10 years come September. Denver signed Tom Compton as a possible option, but the team is still looking for help here.
A former Jets draftee, Shell signed with the Seahawks in 2020 — on a two-year, $9MM deal — and made 21 starts for the team. Pro Football Focus gave Shell a middling 2021 grade, but he has 61 career starts on his resume. Shell, who saw injuries limit him in both Seattle seasons, is going into his age-30 season. Compton graded higher than Shell last year, filling in for Mike McGlinchey after the latter’s season-ending injury, but he will turn 33 soon and has seen action for six teams since entering the league in 2013.
Denver traded its first- and second-round picks for Wilson but still holds a second-round choice (the Rams’ No. 64 pick, obtained in the Von Miller trade) and two third-rounders. While the team has filled some of its need spots, its near-decade-long drought for right tackle stability remains.
Broncos, LB Alex Singleton Agree To Deal
Not long after the Eagles non-tendered Alex Singleton in restricted free agency, he will relocate. The three-year linebacker is signing with the Broncos, James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.
The Broncos are guaranteeing Singleton $1.1MM and included $750K in playing-time incentives, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com adds (via Twitter).
A former Eagles special teams captain, Singleton made a big impact on defense last season. He made a career-high 137 tackles, doing so despite starting only eight games. Singleton made 120 tackles during the 2020 season, during which the Eagles gave him 11 starts.
The Broncos re-signed Josey Jewell this week and have 2021 third-round pick Baron Browning positioned as their other starter at inside linebacker. Denver will continue to use the 3-4 scheme it has deployed since Wade Phillips‘ 2015 return, and Singleton profiles as either an intriguing depth piece and/or a player who will compete for a starting job. The Broncos also roster recent trade acquisition Jonas Griffith and 2020 fifth-round pick Justin Strnad. Each saw time for Denver last season, with Jewell and three-year starter Alexander Johnson suffering season-ending injuries. Johnson is a free agent and is not expected back.
Singleton, 28, intercepted two passes during his run as a regular Eagles starter, returning both for touchdowns. He added three fumble recoveries during that time. The Eagles did not hold him in especially high regard, as evidenced by their RFA decision, leading to a trip back to the Mountain Time Zone for the Montana State alum.
Broncos Sign QB Josh Johnson
Josh Johnson‘s historically nomadic career looks set to continue in yet another city. The Broncos are signing the veteran quarterback, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The team has announced the move.
While Johnson has completed reunion trips to certain teams, the Broncos represent new territory. They will be his 14th NFL team. Considering Johnson has also been affiliated with the XFL, AAF and the United Football League of the early 2010s, he has authored a team-hopping run for the ages.
The Broncos are revamping their quarterback room, having traded for Russell Wilson and included Drew Lock in the deal. Although Wilson has missed just three starts in his 10-year career, his thumb injury did alter the Seahawks’ path last season. Denver also has Brett Rypien on its roster. The Broncos might not be done adding to their QB room, but Johnson did perform decently last season.
Johnson, 36 in May, spent last year, naturally, with three teams. He was with the 49ers for part of 2021 but saw game action with the Jets and Ravens, appearing in three games with New York and starting one with Baltimore. For those curious, Johnson’s team list is as follows: Buccaneers, 49ers, Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL), Browns, Bengals, 49ers again, Bengals again, Jets, Colts, Bills, Ravens, Giants, Texans, Raiders, Washington, San Diego Fleet (AAF), Lions, Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL), 49ers again, Jets again, Ravens again.
The former fifth-round Bucs pick relieved an injured Mike White during a Jets nationally televised game last season; he threw for 317 yards in a loss to the Colts. With the Ravens down Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley against the Bengals later in the season, Johnson stepped in and threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, completing 70% of his passes.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Re-Signed: LB Ezekiel Turner
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: LB Marquel Lee
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-Signed: LB Luke Gifford
Denver Broncos
- Re-Signed: DL DeShawn Williams
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: RB Ameer Abdullah
Miami Dolphins
- Re-Signed: TE Durham Smythe
New York Giants
- Signed: OL Jamil Douglas
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: KR/PR Gunner Olszewski
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-Signed: OL Kyle Fuller
Latest On Seahawks-Broncos’ Russell Wilson Trade
Although the Broncos have been in need at quarterback for six years, GM George Paton said Seahawks GM John Schneider initiated the Russell Wilson trade talks. A Schneider text to Paton got the ball rolling on the trade at the Senior Bowl, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post notes.
Schneider expected the Broncos to be interested, and the talks heated up at the Combine. While Denver was also linked to Aaron Rodgers for nearly a year, Paton said Wilson was the team’s No. 1 priority throughout the offseason. The Broncos planned to do “anything it took” to acquire Wilson, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets. The deal sent the Seahawks five draft picks and three players, including quarterback Drew Lock, who as of now figures to factor in prominently in Seattle’s post-Wilson QB plans.
The Seahawks’ official statements, while complimentary of the nine-time Pro Bowler overall, included interesting language. All three indicated the quarterback wanting out catalyzed the trade. Jody Allen‘s statement said Wilson “made it clear” he wanted a change, with the owner’s short message also saying she hopes the next Seahawks squad will be “fully engaged.” (A previous report by The Athletic included select anonymous players accusing Wilson of checking out last season, which seems to conflict with the QB’s quest to return earlier than expected from thumb surgery.) Pete Carroll‘s statement backed Allen’s, as could be expected, and said Wilson “wanted something different.”
Wilson called the separation mutual, and Schneider said Wednesday he did not expect the future Hall of Fame passer to sign another Seahawks extension, via ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson (on Twitter). Wilson’s 2019 extension expires after the 2023 season, though the Broncos will be expected to re-sign him either this offseason or in 2023.
A conversation with Paton and Wilson’s faith in the Broncos’ roster prompted him to waive his no-trade clause and target Denver as a destination, O’Halloran adds, and Paton said the Broncos’ new quarterback was already en route to Denver when news of Rodgers’ extension surfaced last week. John Elway, who is now a Broncos consultant after 10 years as the team’s GM and one in a different executive role, was one of the few people Paton brought into the loop on the prospective Wilson trade.
In landing the 33-year-old Wilson, the Broncos will presumably have a longer run with this particular trade acquisition than they did with Peyton Manning or would have with Rodgers. Wilson is still planning to play past age 40.
Broncos Plan To Sign OL Tom Compton
The 49ers’ Mike McGlinchey replacement last season, Tom Compton will head elsewhere after his run as a starter. The Broncos are planning to sign the veteran offensive lineman, Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post tweets.
It’s expected to be a one-year deal for Compton, who is going into his 10th NFL season. The Broncos will be Compton’s seventh team. He spent the past two seasons with the 49ers, starting 10 games. Minnesota, however, resided among the stops during Compton’s career. Broncos GM George Paton was with the Vikings at that point; Compton started 14 games for the Vikes in 2018.
McGlinchey suffering a torn quad in November brought Compton into the lineup at right tackle. He started San Francisco’s final seven regular-season games and each of the wild-card squad’s playoff tilts. Pro Football Focus reviewed his work well, giving him one of the top grades for right tackles last season. While Compton would be an atypical fix for a team needing a right tackle as badly as the Broncos do, he has started 44 games as a pro.
The Broncos’ issues staffing their right tackle spot predate their QB struggles. They have used a different Week 1 right tackle in each season since 2013. Their 2021 option, Bobby Massie, is not expected to return.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/16/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: OL Ryan Bates
- Broncos: OLB Malik Reed
- Commanders: K Joey Slye
- 49ers: LB Azeez Al-Shaair
- Jets: K Eddy Pineiro, QB Mike White
- Rams: LB Travin Howard
- Saints: DL Shy Tuttle
Non-tendered:
- Bills: DT Justin Zimmer
- Broncos: DL DeShawn Williams
- Chiefs: CB Chris Lammons
- Giants: QB Jake Fromm
- Jets: DE Kyle Phillips, OT Greg Senat
- Raiders: CB Keisean Nixon
- Jaguars: RB Dare Ogunbowale
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Commanders: C Keith Ismael, K Brian Johnson, DE Bunmi Rotimi
Broncos To Add TE Eric Tomlinson
Last week’s Russell Wilson trade left the Broncos down a tight end, with Noah Fant going to the Seahawks. While Eric Tomlinson does not project as Fant’s replacement, the Broncos are adding the veteran to be part of the equation.
Tomlinson agreed to terms with the Broncos on Tuesday night, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. They will be Tomlinson’s sixth NFL team since debuting in 2016. This move comes after Tomlinson played all 17 games for the Ravens in 2021.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pound blocking tight end only has 18 career catches — including just one last season — but he played 35% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps and was a frequent on-field presence with the Jets’ offense in the late 2010s. Tomlinson has also played for the Patriots, Raiders and Giants.
Denver now has Tomlinson and fellow blocking tight end/fullback Andrew Beck, whom the team tendered as an RFA. Albert Okwuegbunam resides as the team’s clear-cut top tight end, though it would not surprise to see the Broncos pair the third-year player with another veteran.
Latest On Randy Gregory’s FA Decision, Cowboys’ Von Miller Interest
Linked to Chandler Jones or a Von Miller reunion, the Broncos instead went with a younger pass rusher. They gave Randy Gregory a five-year, $70MM deal that includes $28MM guaranteed. Those terms were also present in the Cowboys’ offer, one it appeared Gregory was prepared to accept earlier Tuesday.
Gregory, 29, had initially agreed to join the Broncos, but Mike Garafolo of NFL.com notes the veteran edge rusher told the Cowboys he would stay if the team matched Denver’s offer (video link). That explains the identical terms. One part in the Cowboys’ proposal looks to have caused Gregory’s second course change.
The Cowboys included language in their contract indicating guaranteed money could be voided or withheld based on fines or a suspension, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News tweets. This provision irked Gregory’s camp, with Jane Slater of NFL.com adding the defensive end felt it was inserted “at the 11th hour” (Twitter link). Such a clause is not present in Gregory’s Denver deal, per Slater.
This language was present in Gregory’s rookie contract, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets, but Gregory was incensed at the inclusion this time around. Upon hearing the Cowboys planned to include a forfeiture clause, Gregory apparently responded, “F*** them,” Werder tweets.
However, some Cowboys pushback emerged. The Cowboys, understandably, are not happy with how this all went down, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Twitter link). The Cowboys are believed to have included this forfeiture language in every player’s deal save for Dak Prescott, Hill adds, with Werder noting this is not a Cowboys-specific clause (Twitter links).
Suspensions frequently cause players’ guarantees to void, and Slater adds the Cowboys were open to adjusting the language (Twitter link). The difference here is a Cowboys clause that would void Gregory’s guarantees in the event of a fine, something Gregory’s agent (via Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk) said he had not seen “in 30 years” in the business. Once the hiccup emerged, Gregory’s agent gave the Cowboys a chance to remove the language. They did not, Florio adds, noting that Jerry Jones involved himself after it became clear the Cowboys were on the verge of losing Gregory.
Contracts cannot be made official for free agents who change teams until the new league year begins Wednesday afternoon, but it appears Gregory is headed out of town after seven rocky years in Dallas. Gregory has been suspended four times, with marijuana-based issues leading to much of the trouble, Mike Klis of 9News notes (on Twitter). The NFL has relaxed its stance on weed over the past several years, and Gregory has not run into trouble since the 2010s.
The Cowboys have now set their sights on Miller, with Werder adding the team has a strong interest in bringing the Dallas-area native back home. However, this depends on Miller’s asking price. After the Super Bowl 50 MVP played a key role in the Rams’ run to Super Bowl LVI — a game in which Miller sacked Joe Burrow twice — the soon-to-be 33-year-old moved near the top of this year’s free agency crop. Although the Cowboys are believed to hold considerable appeal for Miller, they will need to pay up to secure his services. The Rams are interested in bringing back both Miller and Odell Beckham Jr.