Chiefs To Sign Ricky Seals-Jones
The Chiefs are adding a tight end behind Travis Kelce. Kansas City has agreed to terms with free agent Ricky Seals-Jones, a source told Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
In a follow-up tweet, Paylor notes it’s a one-year deal. It’s an interesting developmental pickup for the Chiefs, as Seals-Jones only turned 25 last month. He signed with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and made some noise down the stretch of his rookie season. There was a lot of buzz surrounding the Texas A&M product heading into his second season, but he was arrested that summer and ended up underwhelming.
In 15 games and five starts in 2018, he caught 34 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown. He was waived at final cuts in 2019, and claimed by the Browns. The Steelers put in a claim as well. He ended up with 229 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with Cleveland last year. He’s flashed plenty of potential in the past and the Chiefs don’t have much else behind Kelce, so he should be in line to be Kansas City’s number two in 2020.
Chiefs Re-Sign Sammy Watkins
Sammy Watkins is staying put. On Friday morning, the Chiefs reached agreement on a new one-year deal with the veteran wide receiver, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
Throughout the offseason, there’s been talk of Watkins either taking a pay cut to stay in KC or walking away from football for at least one season. Watkins went with the former option. Under the terms of his old deal, Watkins was set to earn $14MM – an outsized sum given his role in the Chiefs’ stacked offense. Now, he’ll make $9MM in base salary with the potential to earn another $7MM through incentives, as Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter). Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network lays out most of those incentives, which are as follows (Twitter link):
- Eight TDs and Chiefs make playoffs: $750K
- 65 catches + playoffs: $750K
- 800 yards + playoffs: $750k
- AFC Championship Game win (50% snaps in game): $1.25MM
- 65 catches + AFC Championship Game win: $1.25MM
- 800 yards + AFC Championship Game win: $1.25MM
Those incentives “only” total $6MM, so assuming Paylor’s report is accurate, there is another $1MM incentives to be had, perhaps based on non-playoff-related milestones. If Watkins hits those incentives, he could earn up to $16MM, so in theory, his pay cut could actually wind up as a pay raise. At his best and healthiest in Buffalo, Watkins was a world-class offensive weapon. In KC, Watkins competes for targets with Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and other dangerous receivers, which makes it a little trickier to hit statistical markers.
There are two other major pluses to the new deal: it includes a no-trade clause, and it allows Watkins to hit unrestricted free agency next year at the age of 27. If he has a big year, he could cash in on a lucrative multi-year contract with the Chiefs or another club in need of a deep threat. Watkins has hauled in at least 40 catches for 500 receiving yards and three touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. He’s also shined in the postseason with an average of 92.8 receiving yards in five playoff games for the Chiefs.
Loaded with talent – especially on Watkins’ side of the ball – the Chiefs have mostly managed to keep the band together. They’ll bring back ten of their eleven offensive starters from the Super Bowl and eight of their nine best receivers, as Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter) notes. The Watkins restructure will help them to fortify a little bit. The Chiefs had next-to-zero cap room before the adjustment; they now have $5MM in breathing room.
Chiefs To Re-Sign WR Demarcus Robinson
The Chiefs are making a move to keep their deep receiving corps intact. They are bringing back Demarcus Robinson on a one-year deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.
A four-year veteran, Robinson hit the market as a UFA. But the majority of the wideouts who entered free agency did not find significant demand for their services, with the upcoming draft class playing into this team-friendly marketplace.
Robinson’s deal is worth a fully guaranteed $2.297MM but, due to the new CBA’s veteran salary benefit, will count only $1MM against the Chiefs’ cap, Pelissero adds (via Twitter). Teams can sign two vested veterans via this method each year.
After a report linked the Eagles to being in the mix for the longtime Chiefs auxiliary wideout, not much known interest came Robinson’s way during free agency. He now will return to Kansas City, rejoining a Chiefs receiving corps that still includes Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Sammy Watkins. The latter has been a long-rumored cap casualty but remains on the team.
Robinson, 25, turned in his best season during the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl campaign in 50 years. He established career-high marks in catches (32) and receiving yards (449), hauling in four touchdowns. Since Patrick Mahomes took over as Kansas City’s starter, Robinson has totaled eight TD receptions. In Week 2 of last season, Robinson torched the Raiders for 172 yards and two scores.
The Chiefs entered Saturday with the NFL’s least cap space, so this Robinson pact will almost certainly be a low-cost agreement. It stands to allow the former fourth-round pick to return to one of the friendliest receiver environments in recent memory and potentially elevate his stock for a 2021 free agency run.
The ex-Florida Gator coming back also provides insurance in case the Chiefs do part ways with Watkins, who is the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid wideout but at best the third option on his own team. Watkins is set to make a non-guaranteed $13.75MM base salary next season and count a seemingly untenable $21MM against Kansas City’s cap.
Contract Details: Anderson, Pennel, Alexander
A handful of contract details to pass along:
- Robby Anderson, WR (Panthers): Two years, $20MM. $8MM signing bonus plus $2MM (of $4MM) base salary are guaranteed at signing. $12MM in cash in 2020 (via Manish Mehta of New York Daily Post).
- Mike Pennel, DL (Chiefs): One year. $1.047MM deal, including $887.5K guaranteed. $137.5K signing bonus plus $750K (of $910K) base salary are guaranteed (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Mackensie Alexander, CB (Bengals): One year, $4MM. $1.5MM signing bonus, up to $250K per-game roster bonus (via Wilson).
- Greg Van Roten, OL (Jets): Three years. $10.5MM, including $3.25MM guaranteed. Can be worth up to $14.25MM with incentives (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Nick Vigil, LB (Chargers): One year. $2.4MM fully guaranteed. Can be worth up to $3MM with incentives (via Pelissero).
- Kyle Wilber, LB (Raiders): Re-signed. One-year, $1.187MM deal. Includes $137,500 signing bonus, $1.05MM salary (via Wilson).
Cowboys Sign TE Blake Bell
Blake Bell is heading to Dallas. The Cowboys have reached an agreement with the tight end, reports ESPN’s Todd Archer.
The 2015 fourth-rounder has bounced around the NFL a bit throughout his career, and he spent the 2019 campaign with the Chiefs. Known mostly as a blocking tight end, Bell has still managed to contribute in the receiving game. In 15 games (seven starts) last year, the 28-year-old hauled in eight catches 67 yards.
He also added three receptions for 24 yards and one touchdown during the playoffs, including a nine-yard catch during the Super Bowl.
Bell will be joining a revamped tight ends depth chart in Dallas. After Jason Witten left for the Raiders, the Cowboys inked Blake Jarwin to a four-year extension. The organization is also rostering Dalton Schultz and Cole Hikutini.
Chiefs Re-Sign DL Mike Pennel, FB Anthony Sherman
The defending Super Bowl champs have re-signed defensive lineman Mike Pennel to a one-year pact, as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter). Pennel said last month that he wanted to return to the Chiefs, and he got his wish.
Besides winning a Super Bowl with KC — and his interception-causing hit on 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo was a big reason for that win — the organization also helped to revitalize Pennel’s career. Following two underwhelming seasons with the Jets, the lineman signed a two-year deal with the Patriots last offseason. However, he didn’t make it to the regular season with New England, and Pennel still found himself out of work in mid-October.
He eventually caught on with the Chiefs, and he proceeded to compile 24 tackles and one sack in eight games for the team. He also appeared in each of Kansas City’s three playoff games, starting two of them, and he earned high praise for his work against the run. Pelissero reports that Pennel had other offers — the Cowboys were said to be in on him — but he will try to recapture the magic with the Chiefs.
Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports reports that KC is also re-signing FB Anthony Sherman to a one-year deal (Twitter link). Sherman has appeared in every game for the Chiefs since he joined the club in 2013, and he earned a Pro Bowl bid in 2018. His offensive snaps have decreased dramatically since Patrick Mahomes became the starting QB, but he remains a critical part of the special teams unit.
Contract Details: Brees, Mariota, Apple
Let’s take a closer look at the details of a few recently-signed free agent contracts:
AFC
- Marcus Mariota, QB (Raiders): Two years, $17.6MM $7.5MM guaranteed. $2.4MM in incentives available in 2020 (60% snaps). $1.5MM in playtime and win incentives. $10MM in similar incentives available in 2021. $2MM in playoff/Super Bowl wins each year. $12MM 2021 salary escalator (Twitter link via Mike Garafolo of NFL.com).
- Eli Apple, QB (Raiders): One year, $6MM. Fully guaranteed. $500K available via incentives (Twitter link via Garafolo.
- Pierre Desir, CB (Jets): One year, ~$3.75MM. Max value of $5.5MM via incentives (Twitter link via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News).
- Chad Henne, QB (Chiefs): Two years, $3.25MM. $2MM guaranteed. Max value of $7.25MM (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Nelson Agholor, WR (Raiders): One year, veteran salary benefit. $887K guaranteed. $137K signing bonus (Twitter link via Pelissero).
NFC
- Drew Brees, QB (Saints): Four years, $100MM. $25MM guaranteed. Void years used in 2022-23. Brees receives no-trade clause and no franchise/transition tag can be used after 2021 (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Jalen Mills, DB (Eagles): One, $4MM. Up to $1MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio).
- Thomas Davis, LB (Redskins): One year, $3.5MM. $250K available via incentives (Twitter link via Pelissero).
- Shon Coleman, T (49ers): One year, $2.2MM. $1.37MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Miles Killebrew, S (Lions): One year, $2MM. $1.137MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Jayron Kearse, S (Lions): One year, $2MM. Up to $1.25MM available via incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
- Pharoh Cooper, WR (Panthers): One year, $1.21MM. $300K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
Chiefs To Sign XFL QB Jordan Ta’amu
The Chiefs have agreed to a one-year deal with former XFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link).
Ta’amu, 22, went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2019 but spent a month with the Texans after being signed as an undrafted free agent. Soon after, Ta’amu joined the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL and proceeded to complete 72% of his passes for 1,050 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He became available to NFL teams when the XFL suspended its 2020 season due to coronavirus earlier this month.
Clearly, Ta’amu won’t come anywhere near the starting job in Kansas City, and doesn’t have a realistic shot at the No. 2 role after the Chiefs re-signed veteran Chad Henne. But Ta’amu will get the opportunity to join the reigning Super Bowl champions and work with one of the league’s best quarterback gurus in Andy Reid.
Contract Details: Lawson, Trufant, Shelton, Witten,
Kyler Fackrell (Giants), One year, $4.6MM, $3.5MM guaranteed, base salary 2020: $2.6MM, $2MM roster bonus, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.
Antonio Hamilton (Chiefs), One year, $1.047MM, $887.5k guaranteed, $137.5k signing bonus; salary 2020: $910k ($750k guaranteed), according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Shaq Lawson (Dolphins), Three years, $30MM, $21MM guaranteed, $4MM signing bonus; salaries 2020: $6.4MM (fully guaranteed), 2021: $7.9MM (fully guaranteed), 2022: $8.9MM; $2.5MM fully guaranteed roster bonus in 2020, $100k workout bonus in 2020-2021, potential $2MM in annual incentives, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
John Miller (Panthers), One year, $4MM, $2MM guaranteed, $2MM signing bonus; salary 2020: $1.79MM; $160k in per-game roster bonuses, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Danny Shelton (Lions), Two years, $8MM, $4MM guaranteed, $2.5MM signing bonus; salaries 2020: $1.5MM (fully guaranteed), 2021: $4MM, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN.
Desmond Trufant (Lions), Two years, $20MM, $14MM guaranteed, $5MM signing bonus; salaries 2020: $4.5MM (fully guaranteed), 2021: $9.5MM ($4.5MM guaranteed for injury at signing); $500k in annual per-game roster bonuses, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Jihad Ward (Ravens), One year, $1.047MM, $637.5k guaranteed, $137.5k signing bonus; salary 2020: $910,000 ($500,000 guaranteed), according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Jaylen Watkins (Texans), Two years, $3MM, $300k guaranteed, $300k guaranteed; salaries 2020: $1.1MM, 2021: $1.4MM; 200k first-game roster bonus in 2020, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
Jason Witten (Raiders), One year, $4MM, $3.5MM guaranteed; salary 2020: $3.5MM (fully guaranteed); $500k in per-game roster bonuses, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com.
Chiefs To Sign T Mike Remmers
Mike Remmers will have a shot to contribute to a seventh NFL team in nine seasons, and the free agent tackle will be joining the defending Super Bowl champions.
The veteran tackle signed with the Chiefs, the team announced. This will be a one-year deal, according to Remmers’ agent, Brett Tessler (Twitter link).
While the Chiefs do not have a starting job available, with Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz locked up long-term, Remmers figures to compete to be Kansas City’s swing man. Although Schwartz is one of the NFL’s most durable players, Fisher missed eight games last season.
This will mark a pace change for the 30-year-old blocker. Remmers has started 78 of the 79 games he’s played in his eight-year career. He caught on with the Giants last year and was the Vikings’ right tackle starter over the previous two seasons. Prior to that, Remmers spent two-plus seasons operating as the Panthers’ starting right tackle — a tenure that included a Super Bowl start and a tough matchup against Von Miller.
Despite the Giants opting not to re-sign Remmers, he graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 48 overall tackle last season. The Chiefs’ swing man in 2019, Cameron Erving, came in at 80th on that hierarchy in a tough stretch filling in for the injured Fisher.