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Giants, Texans Had James Bradberry Trade In Place; Chiefs Still On Radar?

May 9th, 2022 at 4:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

It appears the Giants found a taker for James Bradberry‘s contract, but discussions on a prospective extension scuttled the deal, leading the veteran cornerback to free agency.

The Texans and Giants had a trade in place, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, one that would have seen Houston send a late-round pick to New York for the seventh-year cornerback (subscription required). These talks occurred before the draft, and Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes the Texans are not believed to be in play for Bradberry as a free agent (Twitter link). Houston has since signed Steven Nelson and drafted Derek Stingley Jr.  third overall.

The Giants agreed to pay part of Bradberry’s $13.4MM salary, per Duggan, but Wilson adds the sides were more than $5MM apart on a long-term extension. Bradberry was going into a contract year, but the Texans wanted to lock him down beyond 2022 upon acquiring him. By cutting Bradberry, the Giants will save more than $10MM. The former Panthers second-round pick, who signed a three-year deal worth $45MM with the Giants in 2020, will almost certainly play on a much lower salary this season.

Previously mentioned as a Bradberry suitor, the Chiefs are expected to look into him again, Wilson tweets. Kansas City lost Charvarius Ward in free agency but did use its first draft choice on Washington corner Trent McDuffie. Multiyear contributor Rashad Fenton remains with the team, though he is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury that leaves him uncertain to start training camp on time, as does versatile defender L’Jarius Sneed.

No serious pay-cut discussions between the Giants and Bradberry commenced, per Duggan, and the team passed on an automatic restructure of adding a void year to defray some of Bradberry’s cap hit to 2023. Because of this expected separation, the Giants became quite thin at corner. They drafted potential slot option Cordale Flott in Round 3 and have 2021 third-rounder Aaron Robinson as well, but Adoree’ Jackson moves up to the No. 1 spot for the rebuilding team.

Contract Details: Jarrett, Akins, Green, Verrett, Smith, Trubisky

May 7th, 2022 at 6:50pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are some details on deals recently reached around the NFL:

  • Grady Jarrett, DT (Falcons): Three-year, $50.47MM. The contract, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, includes a guaranteed amount of $34.47MM consisting of a $16.5MM signing bonus and the full amounts of the 2022 and 2023 base salaries worth $1.47MM and $16.5MM, respectively. The deal includes roster bonuses of $1MM each due on the fifth day of the 2024 league year and the 2025 league year. Jarrett’s base salary for the 2024 and 2025 seasons will see an increase of $500,000 each if he makes the Pro Bowl in the 2023 or 2024 seasons, respectively.
  • Jordan Akins, TE (Giants): One-year, $1.09MM. The deal, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, is composed of a base salary of $1.04MM with a signing bonus $50,000. Under the veteran salary benefit, Akins will only have a salary cap hit of $945,000.
  • Rasheem Green, DE (Texans): One-year, $3.25MM. The contract, according to Wilson, includes a guaranteed amount of $1MM consisting of a $500,000 signing bonus and $500,000 of the base salary worth $1.5MM total. Green will receive a $500,000 workout bonus and a per game active bonus of $44,177 for a potential season total of $750,000.
  • Jason Verrett, CB (49ers): One-year, $1.04MM. Verrett’s deal has an injury waiver which leaves none of the money guaranteed for the 30-year old who has spent his fair share of time on the injured reserve during his career. Under the veteran salary benefit, Verrett will only have a salary cap hit of $895,000.
  • Geno Smith, QB (Seahawks): Refiled one-year, $3.5MM. Original details posted here. The deal, according to Wilson, has a signing bonus of $500,000 and a base salary of $1.26MM. The contract lists a roster bonus of $1.69MM and a workout bonus of $50,000. Additionally there is a Week 1 roster bonus of $585,000 due to Smith on September 15. Smith will receive a per game bonus of $30,000 whether active or inactive with that bonus increasing to $65,000 if Smith is active for a low season total of $510,000 and a potential season total of $1.12MM if Smith spends the entire season on the active roster. We mentioned Smith’s $3.5MM worth of potential incentives in the first post, but Wilson details that those incentives will be based on playtime, playoffs, passing yards, and whether or not Smith is voted to the Pro Bowl.
  • Mitchell Trubisky, QB (Steelers): Incentive details for two-year, $14.29MM contract. Original details posted here. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the incentives are as follows: in 2022, Trubisky is due $1MM if he hits 60% of the team’s playtime, $1.5MM if he hits 70%, $2MM if he hits 80%, $2.5MM if he hits 70% and the Steelers make the playoffs, and $4MM if he hits 80% and the team makes the playoffs. He’ll earn an additional $250,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl. If Trubisky hits the 60% mark of playtime in 2022, he’ll earn a roster bonus in March of 2023 worth $1MM. That roster bonus elevates to $4MM if he triggers the 70% bonus from 2022. The same playtime, playoff, and Pro Bowl incentives will be in place for the 2023 season, as well, just without the following year roster bonus.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/4/22

May 4th, 2022 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/3/22

May 3rd, 2022 at 7:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Waived: WR Chris Finke

New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks

AFC South Teams Add Players Via International Player Pathway Program

May 3rd, 2022 at 6:46pm CST by Ben Levine

This year was the AFC South’s turn to participate in the International Player Pathway program, which allows teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squads. This year’s players include (via the NFL on Twitter):

  • Colts: DB Marcel Dabo, Germany
  • Texans: DL Adedayo Odeleye, Nigeria/UK
  • Titans: TE Thomas Odukoya, Netherlands
  • Jaguars: DB Ayo Oyelola, UK

Per the league’s website, the “program aims to provide elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.”

These players will sit on their respective team’s roster until the end of training camp, at which time the teams will be granted “an international player practice squad exemption.” Assuming these players land on the practice squad, they’ll be ineligible to be activated during the 2022 campaign.

Patricipants in last year’s program included tight end Bernhard Seikovits (Cardinals), offensive lineman Alfredo Gutierrez (49ers), offensive lineman Max Pircher (Rams), and linebacker Aaron Donkor (Seahawks).

Texans To Cut DL Kingsley Keke

May 3rd, 2022 at 1:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kingsley Keke was scheduled to start his Texans career this fall, but he will suiting up elsewhere. The Texans are cutting the 25-year-old, reports Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network (on Twitter).

Keke, a fifth-round pick of the Packers in 2019, took on an increasingly large role in Green Bay over his three seasons there. He made 17 starts between 2020 and 2021, totalling 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks during that span; those totals contributed to consistent PFF grades in the 60s. His time with the team came to an abrupt end, however, and he was waived in January.

The Texans claimed Keke off waivers not long after, which pointed to him becoming another young piece to Houston’s rebuilding roster. However, as Wilson notes, he was due a base salary of just over $2.5MM as a result of playtime escalators, making him an expensive rotational option. Releasing him does not incur any dead cap charge for the Texans.

Houston drafted Thomas Booker in the fifth round, and has signed Damion Daniels as a UDFA to add cheaper options at the position. Wilson does note, though, that the Texas A&M product is expected to have a market for his services as he hits free agency for the first time in his career.

2023 NFL Fifth-Year Option Results

May 3rd, 2022 at 9:17am CST by Zachary Links

Monday marked the deadline for NFL clubs to officially pick up their options on 2019 first-rounders. Fifth-year option seasons are no longer just guaranteed for injury — they’re now fully guaranteed, which makes these decisions a little tougher for teams.

Nineteen players had their options exercised, a tick up from 14 last year. Here’s the full rundown:

1. QB Kyler Murray, Cardinals – Exercised ($29.7MM)
2. DE Nick Bosa, 49ers: Exercised ($17.9MM)
3. DE Quinnen Williams, Jets: Exercised ($11.5MM)
4. DE Clelin Ferrell, Raiders: Declined ($11.5MM)
5. LB Devin White, Buccaneers: Exercised ($11.7MM)
6. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: Declined ($22.4MM)
7. DE Josh Allen, Jaguars: Exercised ($11.5MM)
8. TE T.J. Hockenson, Lions: Exercised ($9.4MM)
9. DT Ed Oliver, Bills: Exercised ($10.8MM)
10. LB Devin Bush, Steelers: Declined ($10.9MM)
11. OT Jonah Williams, Bengals: Exercised ($12.6MM)
12. LB Rashan Gary, Packers: Exercised ($10.9MM)
13. DT Christian Wilkins, Dolphins: Exercised ($10.8MM)
14. G Chris Lindstrom, Falcons: Exercised ($13.2MM)
15. QB Dwayne Haskins:
16. DE Brian Burns, Panthers: Exercised ($16MM)
17. DT Dexter Lawrence, Giants: Exercised ($10.8MM)
18. C Garrett Bradbury, Vikings: Declined ($13.2MM)
19. DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans: Exercised ($10.8MM)
20. TE Noah Fant, Seahawks: Exercised ($6.9MM; originally drafted by Broncos)
21. S Darnell Savage, Packers: Exercised ($7.9MM)
22. OT Andre Dillard, Eagles: Declined ($12.6MM)
23. OT Tytus Howard, Texans: Exercised ($13.2MM)
24. RB Josh Jacobs, Raiders: Declined ($8MM)
25. WR Marquise Brown, Cardinals: ($13.4MM; originally drafted by Ravens)
26. DE Montez Sweat, Commanders: Exercised ($11.5MM)
27. S Johnathan Abram, Raiders: Declined ($7.9MM)
28. DE Jerry Tillery, Chargers: Declined ($11.5MM)
29. DE L.J. Collier, Seahawks: Declined ($11.5MM)
30. CB Deandre Baker — N/A (released by Giants)
31. OT Kaleb McGary, Falcons: Declined ($13.2MM)
32. WR N’Keal Harry, Patriots: Declined ($12.4MM)

Texans Trade CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. To Chiefs

May 2nd, 2022 at 4:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Lonnie Johnson Jr.‘s stint in Houston has come to an end. According to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus (on Twitter), the Texans have traded the cornerback to the Chiefs. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), the Texans will receive a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick.

Johnson was a 2019 second-round pick by the Texans, but he failed to establish himself as a starter during his three years in Houston. The defensive back ultimately saw time in 44 games (19 starts) for the Texans, collecting 172 tackles. He seemed to take a step forward in 2021, as the 26-year-old finished with 55 tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended.

The Texans weren’t done making moves today. Per Kyed (on Twitter), the Texans signed defensive Rasheem Green and waived/injured running back Scottie Phillips. Green, a 2018 fourth-round pick, spent his first four professional seasons with the Seahawks, including a 2021 campaign where he finished with a career-high 6.5 sacks in 17 games (16 starts). Phillips spent two years in Houston, collecting 38 yards from scrimmage.

The Texans have also added defensive end Mario Addison, per Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston (on Twitter). Addison is inking a two-year deal, according to Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (on Twitter). Following a long stint with the Panthers that saw him collect 55 sacks in 111 games, Addison spent the past two seasons with the Bills, where he added another 12 sacks in 32 games. The lineman played under current Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire in Buffalo.

Finally, the Texans picked up the fifth-year option on offensive lineman Tytus Howard (per Rapoport on Twitter). Howard has started all 37 of his appearances in the NFL, but he’s missed 12 total games through his first three seasons. Howard has shown plenty of versatility during his NFL career, spending time at both tackle and guard.

Texans To Sign Rasheem Green

May 2nd, 2022 at 9:50am CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans didn’t add much to their defensive line during the draft, but they are set to bring in another piece to that position group in free agency. Houston is signing defensive end Rasheem Green to a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 

Green, 25 at the start of the season, visited the Texans last week, so a contract comes as little surprise. He had a limited role during the first three years of his time in Seattle, though he flashed potential with a four sack 2019 campaign. By far his best year, however, came in 2021; he set career highs in starts (16), sacks (6.5), tackles (48) and quarterback hits (15).

That generated plenty of interest as he hit free agency for the first time. The USC product met with the Ravens in March, and the Panthers in April. While that signalled a departure was likely, it was reported at the time that he could still re-sign with the Seahawks. Ultimately, the third meeting was the charm for him to find his new NFL home.

In Houston, Green will join a defensive front which – like most of the rest of the roster – is lacking in veterans and long-term, expensive commitments. If he can replicate his level of play from last season, however, he should be able to continue his upward trajectory and help the team’s rebuild.

Texans Trade Up Past Ravens To Select Christian Harris

April 29th, 2022 at 9:25pm CST by Ely Allen

For the second time in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Texans made a move to slip up past the Ravens, this time selecting Alabama linebacker Christian Harris with the No. 75 overall pick. 

Harris has been Top-5 in the Crimson Tide’s defense for tackles each of the last three years. The 21-year-old racked up 27.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks over his college career, adding 15 quarterback hurries and 3 forced fumbles along the way.

Harris was expected to be selected somewhere in the second round, so the Texans didn’t hesitate when they saw him inching ever closer to a Ravens team that certainly could use an upgrade at linebacker.

In order to acquire the Broncos No. 75 pick, the Texans had to part ways with their 80th (3rd round) pick and 162nd (5th round) pick.

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