Colts Release QB Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer‘s stay with the Colts will stop at one year. After the Colts signed the veteran quarterback to a three-year, $12MM deal late last summer, they are cutting him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Colts announced the move.
The Colts guaranteed Hoyer $9MM, so they will incur some dead money by moving on after one season. But their quarterback plans have changed significantly since then, with Philip Rivers bound for Indianapolis. The Colts will take a $2MM dead-money hit by cutting Hoyer.
Hoyer has played on seven NFL teams and figures to be a candidate to either rejoin one of his previous six or sign with an eighth franchise soon. The 34-year-old passer generated interest after the Patriots cut him last August, and given the Pats’ rather notable change at quarterback this week, it is worth wondering if they would be interested in another reunion. Tom Brady‘s respect for his former two-stint backup points to the Buccaneers as another possibility, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Jacoby Brissett‘s knee injury resulted in Hoyer starting a game last season. For the year, he threw four touchdown passes and four interceptions, completing 54% of his passes. Hoyer has now played for the Patriots, Cardinals, Browns, Texans, Bears, 49ers and Colts. Should the former UDFA suit up for the 2020 season, it will be his 12th.
Together, Rivers and Brissett are set to count more than $46MM toward the Colts’ 2020 cap. When factoring in Andrew Luck‘s dead money, the nearly $53MM figure at this position comprises more than a fourth of the Colts’ 2020 payroll. That wildly high-priced positional commitment will not allow for an expensive backup. The Colts created $3MM in cap space by releasing Hoyer.
Colts Release CB Pierre Desir
The Colts have let go of one of their starting cornerbacks. The team is releasing Pierre Desir, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter).
The defensive back was set to make $7MM in 2020, but the Colts released him with zero dead money (per Rapoport).
The 2014 fourth-rounder bounced around the NFL a bit during his first few years in the NFL. He eventually found a home in Indy, where he’s spent the past three seasons. After establishing a number of career-highs in 2018 (including 12 starts), the Colt signed Desir to a three-year, $22.5MM extension ($12MM guaranteed) last year.
The 29-year-old proceeded to appear in 12 games (11 starts) during the 2019 campaign. He finished the season with 50 tackles, 11 passes defended, and a career-high three interceptions.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/20/20
Today’s running list of minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: P Ryan Allen (this is only a procedural move and Allen is expected to be re-signed shortly, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets.)
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Pharoh Cooper
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: S Deon Bush
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: CB C.J. Goodwin
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: S Miles Killebrew
- Signed: CB Tony McRae
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: OT Roderick Johnson
- Signed: DB Jaylen Watkins
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: OL Le’Raven Clark
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Re-signed: LB Lerentee McCray
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: CB Justin Hardee
- Signed: FB Michael Burton
New York Jets
- Re-signed: CB Arthur Maulet
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: S Jordan Dangerfield
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: S Deon Bush
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: OT Roderick Johnson
New York Jets
- Re-signed: CB Arthur Maulet
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: S Jordan Dangerfield
Colts Discussed Nick Foles Trade
The Colts have another high-profile quarterback on their payroll, with the long-rumored Philip Rivers partnership coming to fruition on Tuesday. But the team had an alternative plan, it appears.
Before the Jaguars traded Nick Foles to the Bears for a fourth-round compensatory pick, they were discussing a deal with the Colts involving a fifth-round choice, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. This would have been a rare intra-division deal, but the Jags instead shipped their high-priced passer to the NFC.
Foles worked with Frank Reich in Philadelphia, with the current Indianapolis HC residing as the Eagles’ OC during the team’s 2017 Super Bowl season. Reich played a key role in helping shape Foles’ dominant playoff run.
The Colts now have both Rivers and Jacoby Brissett on their roster, signing the former to a $25MM deal and having the latter attached to a $21.4MM 2020 cap number. That does not appear to be a tenable arrangement, but the Colts clearly came into the offseason with big plans to upgrade at football’s premier position. Foles will now receive a new start in Chicago.
Colts, Packers, Redskins Interested In Delanie Walker
The Titans’ starting tight end for seven seasons, Delanie Walker now resides in free agency. Two injury-plagued seasons led to his release. But a market has formed for the veteran target.
The Colts, Packers and Redskins have expressed interest in Walker, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. Walker will turn 36 just before Week 1.
While Walker posted four straight 800-yard seasons from 2014-17, the 14-year veteran has played in just eight games since. The ankle injury he suffered in September 2018 held him back last season as well. This will certainly affect his market, but teams are nonetheless interested.
The NFL’s current landscape stacks the odds against free agents with injury concerns, however. Players are not allowed to visit teams’ facilities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and may not be permitted to do so for the foreseeable future. This could leave Walker in limbo for the time being.
Washington features a major need at the position, having seen Vernon Davis retire and having cut Jordan Reed. Green Bay pursued Austin Hooper, but Cleveland won that derby early in the tampering period. Indianapolis opted against re-signing Eric Ebron but still has Jack Doyle under contract. Ebron remains unsigned and would stand to land a deal before Walker.
Colts To Sign Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers has agreed to a deal with the Colts on a deal that will pay him roughly $25MM per year, according to Judy Battista and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). It’ll be a one-year pact for the Colts and the longtime Bolts star, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter) adds. 
[RELATED: Colts Trade For 49ers’ Buckner]
In February, the Chargers announced that they would not bring Rivers back for another season. Things had been trending in that direction for a while, despite all of the veteran’s accomplishments in San Diego and Los Angeles. He left the Chargers after setting more than 30 franchise records, making 224 consecutive starts, and earning eight Pro Bowl nominations.
Rivers, 38, isn’t coming off of his finest season, but the Colts believe that he’ll be a substantial upgrade over Jacoby Brissett. In 2019, Rivers was picked off 20 times against just 23 touchdowns. Historically, he’s been much much better in the TD/INT department. In 2018, for example, he threw for 32 TDs with 12 picks.
Even as he moves to a new part of the country, Rivers will be greeted by familiar faces. He has close ties to both Colts head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, both of whom are former Chargers assistants.
At $25MM per season, Rivers currently falls right around the middle of the pack in starting QB salary. He’ll likely tumble in the rankings by the end of the week, but he’s also earned lots of money over the course of his career. Besides, Rivers isn’t planning on playing until his late 40s like Tom Brady – this offseason, he indicated that he’d like to play for a couple more years. It’s possible he stays on the field for longer, but he did not go into free agency looking for a long committment.
Along the way, teams like the Buccaneers and Redskins have also been linked to Rivers, but the loudest rumblings have been coming from Indianapolis. Now, they’ve got him as their new quarterback with hopes of restoring the offense to its former glory.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/16/20
Monday’s restricted free agent and exclusive rights free agent tender decisions will be posted below. Deals will be updated throughout the day.
RFAs
Tendered at original-round level:
- Bengals: TE Cethan Carter, G Alex Redmond, DT Josh Tupou, S Brandon Wilson
- Broncos: WR Tim Patrick
- Dolphins: LB Vince Biegel, P Matt Haack
- Raiders: QB Nathan Peterman, LB Nicholas Morrow
- Seahawks: WR David Moore, C Joey Hunt, DE Branden Jackson
Non-tendered:
- Bills: WR Isaiah McKenzie
- Dolphins: S Adrian Colbert, LB Deon Lacey
- Eagles: RB Corey Clement
- Giants: C Jon Halapio
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Broncos: S Trey Marshall, WR Diontae Spencer, CB Shakial Taylor
- Browns: Pharaoh Brown, RB Dontrell Hilliard, WR KhaDarel Hodge
- Chiefs: G Andrew Wylie
- Colts: DB Rolan Milligan
- Lions: CB Dee Virgin
- Ravens: RB Gus Edwards
Non-tendered:
- Chiefs: TE David Wells
Contract Details: Castonzo, Kirksey, Cousins, Jarwin
- Anthony Castonzo, (Colts): two-years, $33MM deal, $17MM guaranteed; salaries 2020: $7MM (fully guaranteed), 2021: $10MM; $10MM roster bonus in 2020 guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, $6MM roster bonus in 2021 guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2021 league year; $500k annual Pro Bowl or first-team All-Pro incentive, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
- Christian Kirksey, (Packers): two-years, $13MM, $4MM guaranteed; salaries 2020: $1.75MM, 2021: $3MM; $1.5MM roster bonus in 2021, $1MM per-game roster bonus in 2020, $1.25MM total 2021 roster bonuses, $250k workout bonus, $1.5MM in annual incentives, $1.75MM incentive for Pro Bowl selection in 2021, $250k escalator for Pro Bowl selection, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
- Kirk Cousins, (Vikings): two-years, $66MM, $66MM guaranteed, $30MM signing bonus; salaries 2020: $9.5MM (fully guaranteed), $21MM (fully guaranteed), $35MM (guaranteed for injury at signing, fully guaranteed on the third day of 2021 league year), according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
- Blake Jarwin, (Cowboys): four-years, $22MM, $9.25MM guaranteed, $4MM signing bonus; salaries 2020: $2.25MM (fully guaranteed), 2021: $3.5MM ($3MM guaranteed for injury at signing), 2022: $4.5MM, 2023: $5.5MM; up to $750K roster bonus per game active 2021-23, $750K in playtime, catches, and playoff based escalators 2021-23, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
49ers Trade DeForest Buckner To Colts
The 49ers have agreed to trade All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Colts, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. In this stunner of a deal, the Colts will send their first-round pick (No. 13 overall) to San Francisco and sign Buckner to a newly-minted monster contract. 
Buckner’s new pact will pay him $21MM per year and make him the second-highest paid DT in league history. Now, only Aaron Donald ranks higher on the all-time list at the position.
The deal leaves the Niners with a major hole to fill on their world-class defensive front. The deal also gives them additional draft artillery. The 49ers now own two first-round picks (Nos. 13 and 31 overall), which they could quickly parlay into a larger stockpile. As of this writing, they have no picks in Rounds 2, 3, or 4. One of those first-rounders will now likely be traded for better depth in April, Schefter tweets.
Just hours ago, the 49ers struck a deal to keep defensive lineman Arik Armstead in the fold for the long-haul. His five-year deal, potentially worth $85MM, seemed to signal that the Niners would be keeping the band together. Instead, it was one half of a difficult choice the 49ers felt they had to make. With the trade, the Niners will be able to apply their limited cash to other areas and replenish with younger talent in the draft.
The former No. 7 overall pick was exceptional in 2019 and was awarded an All-Pro selection for his performance. The Oregon product tallied 62 tackles, nine for a loss, and 7.5 sacks last year as the 49ers rumbled their way to the Super Bowl. With 28.5 career sacks, he has a proven track record of getting to the quarterback and changing the complexion of any game.
The Colts, meanwhile, entered the offseason with adding pass-rush help high on their to-do list. They were particularly soft on the interior; so the upgrade that Buckner provides cannot be understated.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, things seem to be heating up with Philip Rivers. The Colts just might start free agency with the acquisition of two superstars to address their two biggest areas of need.
Colts, Philip Rivers Discussing Deal
The Colts have resided as a Philip Rivers suitor for weeks, and in the first three hours of the tampering period, the sides are communicating.
Rivers and the Colts have begun discussions about a deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Rapoport cautions no deal is done, he adds that the 38-year-old quarterback is a “clear target” for the Colts.
Rivers has remained close to Colts HC Frank Reich and OC Nick Sirianni — both ex-Chargers assistants — and a report surfaced earlier this offseason about the quarterback and the team possessing mutual interest. Rivers has also been linked to the Buccaneers and Redskins.
Jim Irsay indicated in February that all quarterback options were in play for the Colts, who are in the market for a veteran starter for the first time since the mid-1990s. Rivers is interested in a two-year setup with a contending team, and with the Colts having voyaged to the 2018 divisional round with Andrew Luck, they qualify as a team he could assist.